morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-06-22
From: Dick's Dome Shelter

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: broken clouds

Up at the usual 5:45am and loitered at breakfast. I was last out except for JohnnyK, who really needed extra rest after a strenuous day and late arrival yesterday.I covered the first 9 miles in 4 hours; the second 9 took 6. This morning it was overcast and threatening. There was a little very light rain that failed to penetrate the tree canopy in places. I still had to be careful with rocks and roots being slippery where the rain did get through. By noon it was all over and hot and steamy. The Amish family group from east of Harrisburg, a father and 3 sons aged 8 to 13 that I passed in the morning, caught up with me at the Rod Hollow Shelter where I was lunching. I got water from the piped spring there. Weatherman, who didn't sleep well, was taking a nap when I arrived. He and the Amish sectioners left ahead of me and stayed ahead.This afternoon we entered the Virginia Roller Coaster, a series of 7 steep 400' ascents and descents. The steepness, the rocky treadway, the heat, and the humidity had me sweating buckets and stopping frequently to rest, swig some water, and/or eat gorp, snickers, and a powerbar. I took 6 hours to do these 9 miles, arriving at the hostel after 6:00pm.I managed to get a takeout order of an excellent cheeseberger and fries brought in by a carload of hikers who were heading out after I came in. The food was really good! I drank a pepsi when I first got here. Then I set up my tent, mainly to get at the clean shorts and t-shirt in my clothes sack. I decided to tent to get a good night's sleep without the sounds of the hiker bunkhouse. I then headed to the shower and was just out when the takeout arrived. Dessert was a pint of B&J Cherry Garcia. This hostel is gorgeous. It was a D.C. doctor's summer get away. It is built of stone by local masons. The ATC now owns it and runs a hostel. The manager is a vivacious, outgoing woman known as QueenDiva, who lives here year round as caretaker. I've signed up for breakfast in the morning. I may regret opting for the tent, as the heat lightening I saw when I came to the tent has materialized as thunder. Oh well, not the first time I've spent the night in the tent during an electrical storm.Maine Ho!
Date: 2006-06-23
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Tentsite North of Keys Gap
Miles today: 15.6

Passed the 1000 mile mark today!Today was an easy day ahead of a nero into Harpers Ferry tomorrow. It turned out that the thunderstorms were centered both north and south of us. My tent stayed dry all night, which is not the case tonight.Queen Diva serves an outstanding breakfast! Worth staying at the hostel just for that. Today's menu included French toast casserole, pancakes, cheesy eggs, sausage and fresh peach slices, of which I had several helpings. I then sent my pocketmail and updated trailjournals from the slow dialup connection. Bottomline, I didn't leave until 10am, when JohnnyK rolled in from the shelter. I was the first out and stayed ahead until about 1:30pm, when Weatherman caught up and moved ahead while I was taking a Snicker's break. A little after 2:00pm I caught up with him, and we decided to hike down to the PATC's Blackburn AT Center, hoping for a soda pop. There Spitball caught up and the three of us enjoyed multiple sodas and some chocolate chip cookies. The resident hosts are Redwing&Hopeful (GA-ME '05). Congrats to the PATC on choosing this couple for the job. Hopeful made us all feel very welcome and gave us the rundown on the upcoming trail. I lingered a little longer than the others to talk to Hopeful about how I followed their hike last year on trailjournals.com.The trail was much easier down to Keys Gap, where Weatherman and Spitball were waiting across the road under a cherry tree. We all sampled some of the low-hanging fruit, then walked down the .3 mi to the convenience store. I bought and consumed a quart of ice cream, a pint of milk, and a pepsi. We then decided to get pizza at the adjacent bar. While we enjoyed some beers as we were waiting for the pizza, in walks JohnnyK. The pizza was good, but somebody else's order, so we didn't have to pay for it. We left a 50% tip.By the time we left it was 8:30pm, getting dark, threatening rain forecast to be heavy overnight, yet we had a mile to go to a tentsite Queen Diva recommended. We found one but it was inadequate, so continued on. It's surprising how well your own night vision works. The predicted rain soon started, so we stopped to put on pack covers. Spitball was talking up a >night hike into Harpers, but we all stopped at a nice tentsite after a powerline swath. We set up our tents during a lull in the storm. Dry inside, but my hiking clothes will be wet for the hike to Harpers Ferry. We have about 5-1/2 miles left for tomorrow.Onward to Maine!
Date: 2006-06-24
From: Tentsite North of Keys Gap

To: Beckman's at Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 4.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Got up to Spitball talking about his desire to sample Hilltop House's AYCE buffet breakfast at 5:30am, after having first awakened about 5:00am. The rain had stopped and everyone started packing up. Weatherman and Spitball finished ahead of me and JohnnyK, and took off ahead of us. We ate some breakfast to tide us over to the buffet, and left the tentsite about 6:45am. The trail was mostly downhill, at the end steeply downhill. We both remarked on how hazardous continuing last night would have been.JohnnyK is retired from the marines and has spent a few years traveling around the country. Currently he's calling New Hampshire home, where his stuff is in storage. He's got a good sense of humor, so the short hike in sped by in light conversation. He's a very strong hiker, but I had no trouble keeping up.At about 8am we crossed the bridge over the Shenandoah, and climbed up the blue blaze into upper town where the ATC headquarters, post office and breakfast buffet are located. The breakfast buffet was excellent. I filled my plate 3 times: bacon, eggs, pancakes, fresh fruit, biscuits, oatmeal, juice and coffee. We sat with Spitball and Weatherman at a table by the window overlooking the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers---best seat in the house. Although it was overcast, the view was fantastic.Then it was off to the ATC headquarters to get our pictures taken for the log book. I was number 456 to register at Harpers this year. I enjoyed leafing back through the photos to see pics of folks I'd hiked with earlier in my adventure, and to see the pictures of those I knew only as names in the shelter registers.I weighed myself, still 160, had a coke, and sent and updated my online journal at the computer there. Then I called Maria Beckman, Carol's goddaughter and cousin. The line was busy, so I figured Carol was calling to be talked in. I left a message and sat out on the porch where NoPliers (Dan), who I've seen off and on since I got back on the trail, was sorting through his mail drop. After a while I called again and spoke with Jim, Maria's husband. Turns out I was only a couple of blocks away, and Carol and Maria were on their way to pick me up.We treated Jim and Maria to lunch, and later they showed us around Harpers. Jim and Maria are both attorneys. Maria works for the EPA and is taking accumulated leave to summer at Harpers with Jim, a professor at University of Tampa. Jim is an expert on John Brown, and is quite the Civil War historian. They live in a house built in 1847 that was used to billet soldiers from both sides during the Civil War. Harpers was a very strategic location as a transportation and manufacturing and transportation hub, due to the river location and water power available. Their house is great, and we are really enjoying the visit.After the tour, we had really good pizza. I later showed and described all the pics on the digital camera chip.Had a message from Veto. He will be joining me again in PA. I'm looking forward to that.Signing off for today.Resting up for the next push northward.
Date: 2006-06-26
From: Beckman home at Harpers Ferry

To: Crampton Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: light rain

New state today: Maryland.Had great zero day yesterday with the Beckmans. Toured the Antietem Battle Field with our own expert on the Civil War around Harpers Ferry, Jim Beckman. Jim is Carol's godaughter/cousin Maria's husband and a very interesting person, as is Maria. Carol and I got to know them a little better as adults. Both are lawyers, Maria is with the EPA and Jim has an advanced law degree and is a professor teaching law and history. Carol and I are thankful for their hospitality during our visit. It is as close to home as the trail goes, only a 4-hour drive.Maria made a nice spaghetti dinner yesterday with hot spiced wine, a salad and bruschetta. We desserted on a coconut cream or pumpkin pie. Plus she made a great breakfast both mornings. Wow! What hospitality.Over the weekend, the drips from my sinuses developed into an outright cold. I was lucky to get a 10am appointment on short notice. The doc prescribed an antibiotic and a nasal spray. I also got a tetanus booster.In order to fill the scripts, Carol and I had to go to Charles Town, WV. By the time they were ready it was noon. We decided to have lunch at the diner opposite the race track entrance. Great lunch of soup, hearty beef stew, and a vanilla shake.So it was 1:00pm by the time Carol delivered me back to the point where the blue blaze enters the Storer College campus. Hiked alone believing all the Forties guys I hiked into town with would be ahead, but at day's end we are all in the same shelter. Also here is Carnivore, last seen in Hot Springs.Hike was along the rain-swollen Potomac River on the C&O canal path, then back up South Mountain in Maryland. It sure rained hard in the evening yesterday. I'm glad I zeroed. There was a great view up the Potomac toward Harpers. Shortly after, I came on JohnnyK as he was leaving the full Ed Garvey Shelter. We decided to hike on the 4 miles here, where both Spitball and Weatherman pulled in out of the rain that started around 3:00pm. It was a light rain overall.Just .3 mi short of our destination, we came to the picnic area of Gathland State Park. There we stocked up on water and got a soda pop from the machine. We decided to eat dinner there in the picnic pavilion, from which we could see the War Correspondents' memorial that's there. After dinner we arrived quite quickly at the shelter where we found Spitball and Weatherman. I had a sponge bath and will be sleeping atop the sleeping bag, as it is quite warm.On! On!
Date: 2006-06-27
From: Crampton Gap Shelter

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: heavy intensity rain

The weather today has been rain and more rain. It rained hard last night and we were glad to be in a shelter, as we are again glad tonight.The four of us set out about 8:00am this morning for the Dahlgren Back Pack Campground, where we enjoyed hot showers around 11:00. The morning hike was very wet, as it rained hard overnight. Every breeze brought a shower of raindrops from the trees. Just as we finished our showers, it started raining hard for few minutes. It turns out this was a preview of the rest of the day.JohnnyK managed to yogi a ride from the shower campground into Boonesboro, where he had connected with a dentist to glue back in place the crown that was pulled off by a caramel. I set out to catch up with Weatherman and Spitball at a tavern near the I-40 trail overpass. On the way I checked out the original Washington Monument at the MD state park bearing that name. I got to the tavern about 1:00pm, having hiked during some gentle showers. They were seated at a picnic table on the porch, having eaten their lunches already. I ordered 2 cheeseburgers, fries, and a Black&Tan. While I was eating, a major storm passed through with drenching rain. We were glad to be sitting on the porch. We debated whether to press on 8 miles, or pull up at the shelter only about a half mile from where we left the trail. We finally adopted a wait and see position.Once the brunt of the storm had passed about 3:00pm, I set out to return to the trail in a light rain which stopped altogether. When I got to the first shelter, I found JohnnyK back from the dentist and a very full shelter that wouldn't accommodate all of us. We set off for this place around 4:00pm, expecting to arrive about 7:00pm with Johnny K in the lead setting a fast pace. We actually got in around 7:30pm. The trail was fairly easy and the treadway generally smooth, so we made good time, although portions of the trail were water covered from the lunchtime downpour. Unfortunately the rains weren't done, and we walked about an hour through a downpour. At that point my boots began to leak in spite of the recent waterproofing and gaiters I donned about lunchtime. My feet squished with every step. Toward the hike's end, Weatherman and I came to a rain swollen creek and were hesitant to ford. Spitball, who had gone ahead to the shelter with JohnnyK, returned and urged us on. It was no worse than fords I've made out West or in Alaska, except the water was clouded with silt, so one had to feel his way.In addition to the four of us, there are one other thruhiker, MummyToes, two sectioners, and about 12 OutwardBound kids sardined into the shelter. Groups like OB are supposed to tent, but they weren't prepared for a rain like we had this afternoon, so we tried to make room for them.All-in-all an interesting day. Hopefully, tomorrow will be drier.Onward to Maine!
Date: 2006-06-28
From: Ensign Cowall Shelter

To: Tent at Deer Lick
Miles today: 14.5

Relatively short miles, a near lack of rain, and a relaxed pace made this a very enjoyable day. Crossed into PA today, now in yankee-land. I got up about 5:45am to find MummyToes packing up. He was out by 6:30. I started packing up about 6:00, and delayed putting on my wet boots until about 7:45am. The socks I wore yesterday kept loading up with moisture, so I stuffed them into the boots, let them sit a few minutes, then wrung them out several times. The boots were relatively dry--just damp--when I finally put them on. I followed Spitball and Weatherman northward, while JohnnyK went back to the spring for water and to check the torrent we crossed last evening. He later told me the stream was flowing a bit high and within its banks.I fell behind when I stopped to take care of a hot spot. In the morning, I passed through some nice open grassy areas and a power line swath. The second powerline I came to provided a good place to dry my pack and its contents. Since JohnnyK hadn't passed, I surmised he had stopped to dry the contents of his pack as well. He had and her caught up with me at 11:00am, just as I was getting ready to hoist my pack. We hiked together all afternoon alternating the lead.Shortly, we reached the first of two fords, both reported by some south bounders to be knee-deep. We crossed on submerged rocks, some of them nearly boot height deep, and I only got a splash in each boot.We ate lunch sitting on the rock outcropping at Raven Rock Cliff, relaxing for about an hour. After lunch we resumed climbing to High Rocks, and took the blue-blaze to the viewpoint. Spectacular even though it was very hazy. We learned sodas were available at Pen-Mar Park about 3 miles ahead. We accelerated our pace, reaching PenMar Park about 4:30pm. There we met Spitball and Weatherman, who had finished off the pizzas they had ordered and were about to leave. We talked destinations and decided on DeerLick Shelters about 5 miles ahead. We ordered a pizza too, and it came about 5:00pm. We took our time eating and enjoyed the view across the valley. This place was an excursion train destination park in the early 1900's. A main rail line still runs by. As we ate, a number of track maintenance vehicles passed up the tracks. Judging from the materials they hauled, they were heading to repair a washout due to the heavy rains of the last few days.We hit the trail again about 6:00pm with packcovers on, as the sky looked threatening. Got hardly enough rain to wet the packcover, although the others were in a downpour as they reached the shelter. On the way, we discussed the possibility the shelter might be full, and I offered to tent if that was the case. When we arrived at 7:45 it was, and I am in my tent in a nice campsite about 100 yards down the trail to the excellent boxed spring where I filled my water bottle. Am ready to turn in at 10:00pm.On! On!
Date: 2006-06-29
From: Tent at Deer Lick

To: Caledonia State Park, Bill and Amy Rosesniffer res
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: few clouds

It rained hard last night but I slept through it, and all was dry inside my tent when I arose at 6:30am. I started packing up, and when I went to the shelter to pick up my food bag, both Spitball and Weatherman were down the trail. I left about 8:00am after the usual breakfast of oatmeal bar with Lil' Debbie brownies for dessert.JohnnyK showed me an entry in the register by Wild Bill Rosesniffer, an '86 thruhiker, offering trail magic of a shower, laundry and a place to stay overnight just a few miles short of our scheduled destination. It was an easy decision to make that today's plan.On the way we had to ford a flooded portion of Antietam Creek, as we pulled into the eponymous shelter, and both of us got just a little water in our boots. Just .1 miles later we filled up with water at a picnic area, then headed for Tumbling Run Shelters, one for snorers and one for non-snorers. The shelter caretaker, GreyFox, had trail magic---a coke and an apple. Then on up to Chimney Rocks overlook where I dried my tent while enjoying the view and having a snack.We then headed to the crossing of PA 233, where I spotted what looked like a business. While JohnnyK called Bill Rosesniffer to arrange a pickup, I investigated the possibly of a pop machine at the business. Turns out the "business" was a youth detention center, but they had a pop machine. Score! When I got back, JohnnyK called and scored a ride to the shower, clothes washing, indoor sleeping, and pizza. Score again!A few hours later we were at Caledonia State Park, where we gave up keeping our boots dry and sloshed through floodwaters to follow the trail, then walked back to the park entrance to wait for Wild Bill. Minnesota Smith was also waiting.Bill and his wife Amy have a darling 2 year old daughter Gracelyn and a 3 week beautiful son Jackson. Bill stopped for pizza and we enjoyed that and some leftovers and pop. Got showered and clothes washed then back out on the trail tomorrow at 7:00am.As a nightcap, we had some ice cream. What great hospitality!On to Maine!
Date: 2006-06-30
From: Tent at Deer Lick

To: Pine Grove Furnace, Ironmaster's Hostel
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: few clouds

The Rosesniffers put on a great pancake breakfast. We left shortly after 7:00am for the ride back to the trail at Caledonia State Park.It was my turn to ride in the truck bed, so I had my rain jacket on---goretex blocks wind well. Held my boots in such a way as to "blow dry" them, and found that the trip did a great job of that. I also had a second pair of socks to allow a switch to dry socks, as they absorbed residual moisture from the boots or perspiration from my feet. I hung the damp socks on a safety pin on the back of my pack to dry, and alternated about every two to three hours. Dry socks are a real luxury. We chatted a bit with Wild Bill in the parking lot. Then we headed up the trail with me in the lead, since JohnnyK's foot was bothering him. Came to Quarry Gap Shelters for a snack. Really nice shelter with hanging plants, no less. The caretaker can be proud.We then continued through the forest to Birch Gap where I caught up with Julie, now Pedaller, who I saw my first day with the FDOM (Four Dirty Old Men). I decided to cook mashed potatoes and gravy with beef jerky for lunch, due to plans to do nearly 20 mi. again today. Had to filter water, as the spring was flooded by a run-off stream. Took off at 2:00pm, expecting to cover the remaining 9.9 miles in about 3 hours. For a while JohnnyK fell behind. When we got here about 5:30pm, we checked in at the camp store to ask where the hostel was, and walked next door to register and dump our packs. We decided against the half-gallon challenge, choosing instead an excellent double cheeseburger with everything, fries, and half of a half of a half gallon of cherry ice cream.When JohnnyK realized he'd arrive in Boiling Springs after the post office closes, and would have to hang until Monday, he started yogi-ing a ride in tomorrow morning. Both Pedaller and I chimed in to support his cause. Score! JohnnyK got a ride with nurse #2---he's a veritable nurse magnet!The hostel is very nice and not at all crowded. We all shared a washer/dryer load to wash what we wore today. With the shower, I feel very civilized and not at all worn out with the back-to-back 20's. Today was perfect hiking weather, clear with low humidity and temps in the high 70's. Only the water draining frequently on the trail and somewhat swollen stream crossings hinted at the past week of humid weather and heavy showers.Pedaller is here and two guys doing motorcycle tours, one from Canada, the other from England.On! On!
Date: 2006-07-01
From: Ironmaster's Hostel

To: Boiling Springs Backpacker Tentsite
Miles today: 19.0

I started out this morning after a good night's sleep in the hostel with newly-laundered clothes. JohnnyK stayed behind, waiting for a ride into the post office before it closes. Several washouts in Pine Grove Furnace State Park gave evidence of the power of the flash floods that coursed through this region. I heard the rains here totaled 12 inches over 3 days. In just a few days the water levels have returned to close to normal levels.Made the 7.7 miles to Tagg Run Road and did the road walk to the restaurant ---just .3 miles, rather than the .2 mile side trip to the shelter. I started the journal entry while waiting for my dinner to arrive. It was worth the wait. I had a broasted 1/2 chicken dinner at noon, then moved on to the backpackers campground in Boiling Springs.Soon after leaving the park, I came to the photo-op halfway point, and used the self-timer to get a few shots. Later today, I caught up with Samurai&Rapunzel, lying along opposite sides of the trail. They had made an 1100 mile marker, and asked me to take their pic lying beside it. They then reciprocated by taking a pic of me.There were several ascents today, but all were both relatively short and relatively easy. There were a couple of views, and I took advantage of one to rest, snack, and make cell calls. Talked to Carol, then my daughter, Vicky, to wish her a happy birthday. Couldn't reach Becca, who wants to hike with me, because she is in Europe.Then, I continued on to the campsite on the wrong side of, but very near, railroad tracks at the edge of town. Why do all the trains run at night? There were other tents here but no people. I set my camp up, grabbed my water bladder, and set out to find the pizza place. The campsite is about .3 from town and is located very close to a railroad.Had to ask several times before a local pointed out the pizzeria. There's a posh upscale restaurant in a historic building here that, on weekends. Seems everyone I asked was an out-of-towner dining at that restaurant. When I finally got to the pizza place, Rapunzel, Samurai, 42, and 42's friend were in a booth. They invited me to pull up a chair and join them. I had a large "medium" stromboli, root beer, and a glass of milk. It was all I could do to finish it; and, at this point that's saying something! The others split 2 pizzas, ate their fill, and had leftovers. We talked about one of the characters on the trail this year and our experiences. 42 started the same day as I, and this is the 2nd time we've seen each other.The end of today's hike was along the edges of farmers' fields. We have reached the end of a mountain ridge, and will be crossing the Cumberland Valley to find new mountains to climb. Tomorrow will be a "short" 14+ miler, also mostly along farmers' fields.On! On!