morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-05-07
From: Dragon's Tooth

To: Catawba Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: scattered clouds

It was a beautiful night for camping and the sun rise was phenomenal. We got up early again and had a heck of a time getting down Dragons tooth, but managed to make it in to Catawba just before 1 pm to find out the HomePlace Restaurant wasn't open for lunch. So we lounged around and met and chatted with Stretch, Bean, DogRoot and Freeze till Stretch's parents showed up. It was weird sitting in front of the Post Office. Random people kept stopping by to chat. Leki-less and Patrick caught up tonight.
Date: 2004-05-08
From: Catawba Mountain Shelter

To: Troutdale/Daleville Interchange
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: clear sky

It was a tough day. The feet were killing by the time we made it to the road. The morning was beautiful, a few miles and we were on top of MacAfee's Knob, a few minutes later Leki came up behind us and we all took pictures. Tinker Cliffs was neat too. All were ledges that you could sit on and dangle your feet off of.We stopped for lunch at Lamberts Meadow Shelter. Trail maintainers were putting in a new privy and had cooked up a bunch of sausage and bacon so we ate it on our bagels. They also gave us a shot of tequila, so we licked the salt that had dried on our arms from the sweat, hit the shot and sucked the lime. A great way to celebrate 700 miles.The next 10 miles were really long and by that time the feet hurt. I was so thirsty, too. We emerged into the traffic and hit the BP, got gatorade and snacks, then found Leki, Tinder and Camel, shared their room and had fantastic showers and a tasty dinner. However, to get dinner we had to walk across busy on-ramps and along the highway.
Date: 2004-05-09
From: Troutdale/Daleville Interchange

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: clear sky

We slept in this morning till 7:30, then snarfed the continental breakfast. We did laundry and got groceries, hung out in the hotel till be got kicked out.Then we hiked 11 miles to Wilson Creek. It started raining about 1 mile from the shelter. We were soaked in sweat so the rain felt great.
Date: 2004-05-10
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: clear sky

Today was an easy day. We crossed the Blue Mountain Parkway more than 3 or 4 times. We sat on a picnic table and had snack, we stopped at the shelter for lunch, and the whole posse showed up. It is fun to all hang out together. We are still with Camel, Leki-less, Tinder, Patrick, and Bandicoot. It has been a fun time chatting and hanging out. We stayed at the Bobblets shelter for several hours, napped and chatted about Robotbeetles and un-original things like fruit punch, the color red and T-rexes. I laughed so hard. Another 5.6 and we made it to the next shelter for the night. We squeezed in and served as the mosquito buffet all night.
Date: 2004-05-11
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Thunder Hill 
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a more difficult hike, most of it being uphill. However, it was still a very eventful day. We hiked down the mountain to Jennings Creek where there was a swimming hole. If felt great to swim and be clean. The water was frigid, the temperature where after you dunk yourself you come up laughing because it feels so good to be alive, and the water makes you feel so alive. We swam with Bandicoot, Camel and Tinder. It was great fun.On the way to Bryant Ridge Shelter we met Banjo Man, who had through-hiked in '94, and his brother. They gave us their food, they were not feeling well so were getting off. We had fabulous snacks to share and the guys were waiting at the next shelter with Boy Scouts. We all devoured the bag of snacks. Delicious!5 miles up the hill we arrived at Cornelius Shelter where we cooked up some lunch and rested for about an hour. It had the best privy (so far) on the trail! We climbed another 1000' over 5 miles, walked under the guillotine (a rock suspended over a passage...freaky!), and made it to Thunder Hill shortly before dark. Fauna cooked and I set up the tent. Teamwork is suberb!
Date: 2004-05-12
From: Thunder Hill 

To: Glasgow
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Since we tented I tried to get up early and pick up the tent and hit the trail. We took off and did a quick 4.6 and stopped to rest. The boys soon caught up. We sang a lot this morning. We made it to Big Cove Branch which was much smaller than we had hoped but we stopped and cooked dinner anyway. 2 more miles later we passed the shelter and had a water break. The trail then took us up along a beautiful clear stream where we found a pool with a small cascade. We both looked at each other and decided to swim. The boys came up beind and Camel and Bandicoot hopped in with us. It is amazing how clean you feel when the water is cold.The last 2 miles was interesting. The stream we swam in emptied into the New River and the trail turned and followed the river. There was a walkway over it that we could see from the trail through trees. Well, we missed the turn and came out at the train tressle over the river, but looking down, we could see that the tressle and the walkway ended at the same point. So we took off down the tressle. It kind of felt like we were in the movie "Stand By Me"--but without the on-coming train. We made it safely to the other side. We cleared the fence and hitched to Glasgow with the boys.Glasgow was bizarre. It had all these fiberglass dinosaurs. So we had fun taking our picture with them. Derek picked us up (made 2 trips) and we headed to the Comfort Inn at the interchange area. Fauna and I waxed.
Date: 2004-05-18
From: Glasgow

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: few clouds

It was a tough day of hiking. I felt like crap. Just starting my period, the worst headache had set in...the Krispy Creme from earlier did not help. But we mad it up 2100' (I think). Leki-less was at the shelter and not feeling well. Fauna cooked, I ate and then hit the sack. I slept so hard.
Date: 2004-05-19
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Hogcamp Gap Campground
Miles today: 17.2

We tried to get up early but it didn't really happen. But we made pretty good time considering how hot it was. We had another large elevation gain and we were both just dripping wet. Rain threatened all afternoon and as we climbed over Cold Mt. It was over an open bald and the thunder was rumbling and huge thunderheads were staring us in the face. So we booked it across the bald into the shelter of the trees. We got into camp about 7:30. We were surprised that Camel or Patrick had not passed us yet. The camp area had a stellar fire ring with little benches and a swing. The grass was nice and soft for tents, although a little buggy. Camel showed up while we were getting our water and Patrick came shortly after. We had dinner and a nice fire had just been started when it began to rain. So off to bed for all.
Date: 2004-05-20
From: Hogcamp Gap Campground

To: Fish Hatchery Road
Miles today: 10.0

We tried to get up early today but yet again we were unsuccessful. We did manage to leave camp by about 8 am and we booked it all morning. It was an easy hike and visions of the Dutch Haus free lunch and cushy bathrobes filled our thoughts. To our surprise, we made it to the parking lot with 5 minutes to spare. 11 miles in just over 4 hours! Earl picked us up in a big truck and we threw our packs in and climbed aboard. There were bean bags in the back so we stretched out and let the wind blow through our hair. We waved to our friends Tinder and Bandicoot who were at the general store as we drove by. Lunch was a BBQ rib with potato salad and fruit. Tasty! We then stripped down, showered and spent the afternoon lounging in the bathrobes while all our laundry was being washed. Very relaxing. We ate dinner at the Dutch Haus, Mexican Chicken with fix'ns. After lounging on the porch and calling home and friends, we headed to bed. One of the best parts of the day was when SemiColon walked in. We were so surprised. It was great to spend the evening with her.
Date: 2004-05-21
From: Fish Hatchery Road

To: Harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

What a day! We started off with a breakfast of strawberry cream cheese, french toast and fruit. We stopped by the general store quick and then headed back to the trail. We climbed to the top of Spy Rock. It was a fun scramble. On the top Patrick, Camel and we set up self portraits and tried to jump in the air right as the camera clicked. It was such great fun.About another 1/2 mile down the trail we met LateStart who was trying to use her cell phone. Second Chance had taken a tumble and he'd most likely broken his ankle. We walked on down the trail to where he was. Patrick and Camel carried him down the mountain. I carried his pack and Fauna took 2 packs. Two other hikers helped get all the packs down.It took the guys almost 3 hours to get Second Chance to the next road, Cash Hollow. The ambulance was waiting. The EMTs had gone up the trail to help get him down. One of them was walking ahead and saw a huge 4' rattlesnake lying just off the trail. We had all walked right by it on our way down. The gut poked it with a big stick to get it to move. He kept picking it up with the end of the stick and throwing it farther off the trail. If he had not been in front and seen the snake Camel would have most likely stepped right on it. We finally headed back out on the trail at about 3 pm. The four of us had a very leisurely evening walk, stopping to soak our feet in the Tye River. We got to Harpers Creek Shelter just after dark. We cooked dinner and climbed in the shelter just as it started to rain. The lightning was awesome and I thought to myself as I lay there how nice it was to watch the storm from a nice dry shelter. Two seconds later the wind picked up and rain began blowing inside the shelter. We all grabbed our bags and pressed against the back wall. Patrick tried to hold up his ground cover in front of the shelter but the wind was so strong. Then Camel dived into the shelter. The wind had blown his tarp so all the rain was dumping into his hammock. After the rain died down we laid out our ground cover over the wet floor and sacked out.
Date: 2004-05-22
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Reeds Gap
Miles today: 8.0

We slept in till almost 8 am. We headed out on the trail and tackled the 3 ridges. It was very rocky and steep. It seemed to take us forever to get to the top. There were nice views on top and a group of trail mantainers from the TATC invited us to dinner. Pick-up was at Reeds Gap so we did an easy day and hung out at Reeds Gap till they picked us up. We rode with Typhoon whom we had met on Springer our first day on the trail. Small world. The chili was great. Typhoon brought beer. We set up tents and enjoyed music. It was a really fun time.
Date: 2004-05-23
From: Reeds Gap

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: few clouds

We started early and Typhoon gave us the driving tour of Waynesboro. The hike was fairly easy. I felt pretty good after 19 miles. Mike and Pat picked us up and we met everyone else at Gavid's for dinner. When we got to the Y DragonSlayer was there and MC so it was a fun time to hang out with everyone.
Date: 2004-05-24
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Calf Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: broken clouds

We ate a terrufic breakfast at Weasies then did laundry. While the laundry was drying we headed to a consignment shop. It was fun to try on clothes and feel like a girl again. Then we swung by the post office and showered at the Y. We spent over an hour going through our packs and sent about 5 lbs home. We emailed from the library, hit the post office again then the grocery store and finally the outfitters. We took to the trail about 6:45 and made it to the shelter at 10:30.
Date: 2004-05-25
From: Calf Mtn Shelter

To: Brown Gap Rd
Miles today: 12.3

We slept in and didn't get on the trail till almost 10 am. The trail seemed slow going but everything seemed to have an awesome smell, like a boquet of flowers, and 1/2 the time I couldn't see flowers anywhere. When we were about 1.5 miles from the shelter I waw something large and black up in the woods. I stopped and asked Fauna, "What's that?" "That's a bear," she said, and at that moment it looked up and saw us. So we just started talking to it and it went back to eating and walked toward us a bit then disappeared off the trail. We made it to the shelter, took a nice big break and drank a couple of liters of water. I felt a ton better as we headed out. About a mile north of the shelter the rain hit. We waited out the lightning and then summited Black Rock Mountain. The rocks were steaming and you could feel the heat radiating up off the rocks. We checked out the group area and decided to skip it. We got down to Brown Mtn Gap and decided to camp along a fire road. I couldn't decide if camping there was a good idea or not, but we stayed along side the road and tried to hang the food but could only get the bag about 6 ft off the ground. We just left it and hit the sack.
Date: 2004-05-26
From: Brown Gap Rd

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We got up very early and started hiking around 7 am. We got to Loft Mountain Campground and Camel, Tinder, Ashtray and DragonSlayer were just getting up. We took a break for a snack then headed out. We stopped for lunch at Pinefield hut then hiked on to Hightop Hut. With about 3 miles to go it began to storm. The shelter was crowded but we squeezed in 12 people. Pez and Ashtray read chapters 5 & 6 from "The Hobbit." We fell asleep listening to the Eagles saving Bilbo and the Dwarves from the wolves.
Date: 2004-05-27
From: Hightop Hut

To: Big Meadows Campground
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: broken clouds

We woke up about 7 with about 1/2 the people in the shelter already gone. We started out slow. We saw our second bear this morning, an adolescent, off running as soon as he spotted us. The walking was easy and we made good time. However we still felt achy once we reached the campground. Camel and Tinder had claimed a spot so we set up next to them. Scuba also came in and camped with us. Later a couple walked up and began chatting with us. They seemed very interested in the trail and invited us over for smores and to talk to their sons. Their sons, Jared, Ryan and Adam also seemed fascinated with trail life so we sat and talked to them and enjoyed their fire for almost an hour. We then showered quick and threw Fauna's sleeping bag in the dryer (never quite dried after washing it in Waynesboro) then met Camel and Tinder for a beer in the Taproom at the lodge. It was beginning to rain as we headed back to the tent. It turned out to be a long wet night.
Date: 2004-05-28
From: Big Meadows Campground

To: Stealth camp side off Stony Man Trail
Miles today: 8.4

The tent had leaked quite a bit so the bottoms of our bags were quite wet. But, lucky for us, I was able to just pop them in the dryer for a short while. We took a long time to pack up and head out. We sat on the cliffs for a long while, then headed for the shelter. We are hoping the brothers catch up with us. Patrick and DragonSlayer showed up about 6:30 and we hiked out of the shelter. But before they arrived we enjoyed "The Hobbit" as Fauna read about 30 pages to a large group that had arrived at the shelter in the early afternoon. We made phone calls and arranged it so Amy would be able to stay with Patrick's friend, Sam and both arrive at Gravel spring Hut on Sunday morning. It couldn't have worked out better for us. With that all squared away we hiked till after 9:30 pm. some one had left directions in the Rock Spring Hut register for NOBOs, including directions to several stealth camp sites. The site we found was exactly as the register had described, and although chilly, it proved to be an excellent night for tenting.
Date: 2004-05-29
From: Stealth camp side off Stony Man Trail

To: Stealth site near Range View Cabin
Miles today: 18.6

We woke up freezing. The thermometer read 44 degrees. BRRRRRR! We packed up and headed out leaving Slayer and Pat still in their tents. We said we would wait at Elkwallow wayside for them. The morning was a nice hike and before we knew it we arrived at Pinnacles Picnic Area. We found a table in the sun and sat down for a snack. There was a family having a small reunion in the picnic shelter. They offered us sausage and eggs, which was wonderful. So we had a very enjoyable brunch chatting with them. Then we were off. Our next stop off was Mary's Rock. We sat and talked to a couple from Arlington and played with their dog, Chester. The day was beautiful and the view was spectacular. On our way down the mountain we swung by the Panorama store and bought Cheetos and ice cream. We paused at the Pass Mountain Shelter to read the register. Then we hiked 7 more miles, hoping to make Elkwallow by 5:30 before the grill closed. We were not successful. But the lady did open up the store so we could but food so Amy, who was coming tomorrow, wouldn't starve. Pat and Slayer walked in at about 8 and we headed toward Pineybranch Trail to find a camping spot. Before we were able to leave the parking lot we were accosted by Park Ranger Todd, making sure we all had permits and telling us where we could camp. He had thru-hiked a while back. We finally found a small claring for pitching tents right as it got dark. It must be a major hang-out for deer since they traipsed by all night. We were first alarmed then amused when a couple of section hikers camped nearby began yelling at a doe who apparently was enjoying the grass too near thier tent. They continued to yell at the deer as we drifted off to sleep.
Date: 2004-05-30
From: Stealth site near Range View Cabin

To: Tom Floyd Wayside
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

We awoke and took a long while packing up. We hiked 5 miles to the road just past Gravel Springs Hut. Kueser and Sam were there with Darrel and Sharon. They shuttled us all to Elkwallow Wayside for lunch. The mountain blackberry milkshake was delicious, but wreaked havoc on my GI system. The shelter was really nice, with deck. We had gotten rained on so we were all a bit damp. We cooked a scrumptious dinner of Chili Mac and slept well.
Date: 2004-05-31
From: Tom Floyd Wayside

To: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: moderate rain

The first item on the agenda was hitching in to Front Royal. It was the fastest hitch we have gotten. A couple in a small pick-up gave us a lift into town and dropped us in the middle of a big strip mall. We first did laundry and then tried to decide where we could go to take showers. The Scottish Inn let us shower for $6 apiece. We then sat and had burgers and frozen custard trying to decide if it was going to rain. Some residents of Front Royal we had met in the laundromat mentioned there was a tornado watch until midnight. After a stop at the grocery store we hit the trail, attempting to do 5 miles before the rain hit. We were unsuccessful. AS we were hiking we tried to do 3-part harmony for "Dona Nobis Pacem" and Ashtray came stealthily up behind us and got us all on video. We made it to the shelter as the rain was letting up. Fauna cooked up falafel burgers and we all hit the sack.
Date: 2004-06-01
From: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter

To: Myron Glaser Cabin
Miles today: 17.6

This was Kueser's first big mileage day. We hiked first to Manassas Gap Shelter and stopped for a nice big snack. Then on to Dick's Dome Shelter for the "second lunch". We began hearing what Fauna called a "Phaser noise." We had heard a similar noise earlier on the trail as we approched power lines, but we kept walking and no power lines appeared. The phaser noise mysteriously stopped when the rain began. It poured for about 30 minutes then the sun came back out. We were pretty soggy when we reached Dick's Dome, a 4 person, shingle covered shelter. After eating we laid in the sun for an hour. The shelter register contained entries metioning a BBQ joint just off the trail at US50. So when we hit the road we hitched to get beer and dinner. Then we hiked the final stretch to the cabin. Patrick's friend, Sam, had rented the Myron Glaser Cabin for the night so we all headed there. We got there first so we opened up the cabin and set dinner out. When the guys got in we feasted on BBQ sandwiches with all the fixin's. We played "Management Material" until we were exhausted. Kueser was already falling asleep at the picnic table. The cabin was really awesome. It was all made of stone and had 4 bunks downstairs and a sleeping loft upstairs. There was a fireplace and skylights. The girls took the sleeping loft and let the boys have the downstairs.
Date: 2004-06-02
From: Myron Glaser Cabin

To: Sam Moore Shelter
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: scattered clouds

We had a wonderful morning sleeping in. We found some coffee and a coffee pot. It was delicious. We cleaned and lounged and ate lunch. We left the cabin about 3 pm. We entered the "Rollercoaster". We went up and over 8 hills/mountains in 8 miles, but it didn't rain. It definitely threatened but never produced. It was the three of us and Patrick at the shelter. Flora built a fire while Fauna cooked.
Date: 2004-06-03
From: Sam Moore Shelter

To: Blackburn Trail Center
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: scattered clouds

(Editors note: Derek, Fauna's boyfriend arrived yesterday and surprised her for her birthday)Fauna's birthday! We got a pretty early start and experienced a fairly easy walk. The cicadas were deafening. We saw a small rattlesnake, threw a few sticks at him and he moved. Fauna found a hemp bracelet (or a 1/2 finished necklace). We decided someone left it there for her birthday present. We made it to Blackburn by 3. We met the caretaker, Sarah and daughter Ky. They greeted us with soda and popsicles. We showered then hung out with Lwop and Pez. We took the car into town and bought wine and ice cream for dinner. Derek had brought a mayo cake form my parents and a cherry cheesecake from his Aunt Gloria. Bill and Sarah served them up beautifully for all of us hikers following a delicious dinner of spaghetti, salad and bread. We then built a fire and hung out, finishing the wine. We hung a pinata (that Derek brought) and laughed so hard. Fauna, Amy and Flora took turns taking swings untill the Sponge Bob pinata had lost all limbs and had a gaping hole that all his goodies spread from. The best was when Fauna would think she knew right where it was and take a swing, but Bill would pull the rope sending Sponge Bob into the heights.
Date: 2004-06-04
From: Blackburn Trail Center

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: broken clouds

Today we slackpacked for the first time, and it was delightful. With a car at the Blackburn Trail Center and 4 of us wanting to hike, Fauna and Derek drove the car around to VA32 and hiked southbound while Amy and I hiked NOBO. We all met for lunch and Amy and I took the keys. We drove back around and picked them up. Fauna and I got dropped off back at VA32 and hiked into Harpers Ferry. We picked up Patrick at the Comfort Inn and DragonSlayer and Wicked Lobstah at Northgate Inn. We all shared a delicious meal at Brothus Pizza. We checked in at the Northgate Inn and did laundry. I drove Pat back to the Comfort Inn and got to bed about 1 am. I was exhausted.
Date: 2004-06-05
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Washington, D.C.
Miles today: 0.0

We hit the road for Washington, D.C. by 10 am and dropped Amy at the airport. We then found the Crystal City Mariott--excellent accomodations. Way to go, Derek! He pricelined us a room. Fauna got a pedicure at the Crystal City shops, which was much like and underground mall. Then we found REI and spent 3 hours there. We ate delicious Thai food and then took the walking midnight tour of the Mall and all the monuments. It was just a quick ride on the metro down to all the monuments. Too bad there was no time for museums.