morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-06-29
From: Gravel Springs Gap

To: Rte 522 to Front Royal
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: clear sky

The morning started with a jump. We got ready and literally stuffed all six of us and our gear into Mama Pokey's rental car. Pokey turned the key and, "Run, run, run ...," the battery was dead. Burny and I tried to find someone with jumper cables. I found a young woman with a pickup truck and cables and we were on our way back to Gravel Springs Gap. It was another perfect day for hiking weather wise. We saw our last views of the Shenandoahs, then began to descend towards Front Royal. Just before I got to Compton Gap I came around a curve in the trail and there twenty to thirty feet in front of me was a BEAR! I clearly startled her. And of course my first reaction was to reach for my digital camera and take a picture. But, as I did, she hissed and started walking towards me. So I told her, "It's alright, I'm leaving," and I turned and walked back up the trail. I waited several minutes till a couple of day hikers came down the trail and asked them to accompany me as we talked loudly to give the bear warning of our approach. Of course she'd left by then. Whew! I continued on to the Tom Floyd Wayside for lunch where about a dozen hikers gathered for one last time in Shenandoah National Park. It's amazing how you hike for hours by yourself then show up at a shelter where a small crowd of people have gathered. You're really not as alone as you seem. After lunch we continued our descent to Route 522 where wonderful Mama Pokey was waiting and chatting with other hikers. We made it to the post offices (Front Royal and Linden) before 5:00, checked into the Super 8 motel, and had a terrific supper at an "authentic" Mexican restaurant. Now it's on to Harper's Ferry!
Date: 2004-06-30
From: Rte 522 to Front Royal

To: Dick's Dome Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiker vacation is officially over. I walked to the grocery store for a few items this morning and found an optometrist's office across the parking lot, so I stopped in and was able to replace the clip-on sunglasses that I lost -- made my day! Pokey drove Gabby, Burny, Katie, and me to the trailhead on Route 522 at 10 a.m. We slack packed one last time the eight miles from Manassas Gap, stopping for a break at the Denton Shelter, a very attractive shelter with a deck, triple Adirondack chair, and cold shower. We met Pokey and Mama Pokey at Manassas Gap at 2:00, ate lunch and took photos, then reluctantly donned our full packs for the first time in a week and began to trudge up the trail. The nicely manicured trails of Shenandoah National Park are over. There was a heavy ground cover in the woods that encroched on the trail. Most of the time I hiked alone. I saw a beautiful small, red, wild lily with spots on the inside beside the trail. It felt like a long afternoon, arriving tired and somewhat sore at the Dick's Dome Shelter just before 7:00. The shelter is a small geodesic dome covered with roofing shingles -- very inefficient for placing sleeping bodies. But it feels good to be back in the "real" woods and in a shelter. My feet are doing much better -- probably a combination of a number of factors: changing to trail running shoes that are a half size bigger than my boots; gentler terrain with shorter downhills; shoes that are breathable and therefore dryer and less hot; cooler weather. Whatever it is, I'm grateful.
Date: 2004-07-01
From: Dick's Dome Shelter

To: Sawmill Spring, Sam Moore Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Siesta and the Rocky Rollercoaster. It was a hot, humid day again. We hiked an uneventful, sweaty nine miles, arriving at the Rod Hollow Helter at 12:30, in time for lunch. Gabby announced he was going to beat the heat and take a long break before hiking the last seven miles. Sounded great to me. So I stretched out on my Z-Rest pad in the shelter and read my book. Ah, this is the life. I headed out again at 3:00. We had the first five of ten ups and downs known as the Rollercoaster to tackle before we got to the shelter. Although the Rollercoaster is pretty infamous to AT hikers, people somehow forgot to mention that it's quite rocky, which makes all those ups and downs quite a bit tougher and slower. As the afternoon progresses the hills, heat and rocks just wore me out. The four of us hiked the last couple of miles together, which definitely kept my spirits up (or at least more up). We arrived at the shelter at 7:45 as dusk was settling in. We were all quite tired. We cooked and ate supper by candlelight and were in bed by 9:00 or so. It was one of those moments when I wondered what in the world I'm doing out here. But I know things always look better in the morning.
Date: 2004-07-02
From: Sawmill Spring, Sam Moore Shelter

To: David Lesser Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: clear sky

Ben and Jerry's for breakfast! So we had the rest of the Rollercoaster to finish today. It was warm and humid again. We set off later, about 7:45. But our big motivator was stopping after three miles at the Bears Den Hostel, a Pennsylvania Appalachian Trail Club hostel and outdoor center converted from a lovely old stone house. If we could only have hiked three more miles last night we could have spent the night at this wonderful place. But we did manage a nice break, with each of us consuming a whole pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream. Ah, the hiker's life for me! Then we trudged onward, again over rocky, hilly terrain with sweat dripping off us. We stopped for lunch at 3:30 and had a couple of short breaks, but still didn't arrive at the shelter until almost 6:30. The shelter is great -- complete with adirondack chairs, deck, and a roof over the picnic table with a porch swing hanging from it. Tomorrow it's on to Harper's Ferry.
Date: 2004-07-03
From: David Lesser Memorial Shelter

To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: clear sky

Burny and Katie got up before Gabby and me and hit the trail early to make it to the post office before the three day week weekend. Gabby and I left at 7:00. The hike was fairly easy and quick -- mostly downhill and only part of it was rocky. It felt quite momentous to finally arrive at Harper's Ferry. Gabby stepped over a stone marking the 1,000 mile mark -- Congratulations! We walked into the Appalachian Trail Conference Headquarters just before 11:00. I quickly sorted my stuff and walked to the post office to mail a couple of packages. Burney's parents arrived from Ohio and noticed Gabby coming back from the post office. We told them Burny was at the Appalachian Trail Conference Headquarters and they gave us a ride back there.We returned to the Appalachian Trail Conference Headquarters for the traditional photo in front of the Appalachian Trail Conference sign that goes into this year's notebook of long distance hikers. I loved scrutinizing the large relief map of the trail, looking at all the peaks and ridges I've hiked and looking ahead to the trail yet to come. And talked with other hikers going in and out. C.B., who had been at the shelter last night with us, was completing the enntire trail, having done part last year and part this year. She had told us that everything in Harper's Ferry was booked solid because it's the Fourth of July weekend, including the hostel that's just a few miles out of town. Gabby and I were a bit worried about where we were going to stay, but then we ran into Fancy Free at the Appalalchian Trail Conference Headquarters who invited us to share a room at the Hilltop House with her and T-Bott. What a relief! So Burny's parents drove us up the hill to the lovely old, late nineteenth century grand hotel overlooking the river gorge. We showered and joined Fancy Free for a buffet lunch in the dining room, enjoying the view of the river and watching people tubing down the river. Later Gabby and I walked "downtown" to the historic area of Harper's Ferry where there were people in nineteenth century period costumes doing re-enactments. The town of Harper's Ferry is actually a National Historic Park, so many of the buildings are kept in their nineteenth century style. John Brown's insurrection was the precursor of the Civil War and the end of slavery, so it feels appropriate to be here on Independence Day. We had another bite to eat then headed back up the hill.
Date: 2004-07-04
From: Harper's Ferry

To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I walked to St. John's Episcopal Church and attended the 9:00 service. It's the first time since I started hiking I've been in town on a Sunday and could go to church. At home I'm an active member of my local Unitarian-Universalist church and I also occasionally attend St. Peter's Episcopal Church, giving me a great combination of spiritual experiences. I was filled with gratitude as I received the Eucharist this morning, gratitude for all that had brought me thus far on the trail and in my life, and hope to continue the journey. The deacon, Georgia, told me she and her husband occasionally take in wounded hikers who need a place to recuperate, so later in the day I was able to connect her with Fancy Free, who will be able to stay with them for several days to let heal the large open sore on her heel. Gabby and I attended a Fourth of July event sponsored by a local women's group -- hot dog lunch for $1.00 and a concert of traditional patriotic music played by a band under a gazebo. Lots of fun. We meandered back to the Appalachian Trail Conference Headquarters to schmooze some more and learned that Blue Moon, who lives in town, was having a cookout for hikers. Mama Pokey drove me to the 7-11 for a couple of food items, then to the cookout. By the time I left there were eight or ten hikers filling Blue Moon's apartment, eating cheeseburgers and salad. I came back to the Hilltop House to call home which felt great. It's been two months now and even though this is truly the experience of a lifetime, I'm getting a bit homesick. And it's back on the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2004-07-05
From: Harper's Ferry

To: Crampton Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: scattered clouds

The transition from town to trail is always rather strange: wanting to return to the trail, but reluctant to let go of the comforts of town; not looking forward to the stresses and strains of trail life but feeling overwhelmed with the people, noise, and commotion of town. Today was no different. I indulged in one last breakfast buffet at the hilltop House, enjoying the company of Fancy Free, T-Bott, Gabby, Pokey, and Mama Pokey as we sat around a table looking out at the view of the river gorge. Ah, the comforts of civilization!<Gabby and I finally headed out just after 9:00, stopped by the Appalachian Trail Conference Headquarters briefly one last time, then headed down Washington Street and across the railroad bridge to the C&O Canal towpath which apparently runs to Washington, D.C. We took a blue blaze to the hostel to pick up Gabby's mail drop, then returned to walking along the tow path, sharing it with cyclists and day hikers. It was very hot and humid, so once again we were dripping sweat as we climbed the switch-back trails to the ridgeline. We stopped to enjoy the view at Weaverton Cliffs.Shortly after we started hiking on the ridgeline we were blessed with a brief "cool me down" afternoon thunderstorm that soaked us as well as a swim. The sun came out afterwards, shining on the small stream that ran briefly down the trail. As the rain was ending we heard a familiar "Woo-hoo!" behind us. Pokey had caught up to us, exclaiming about the wonderful shower. We stopped at the Ed Garvey shelter for a late lunch with a couple of other hikers. It was 4:00 by then so we decided to just hike four miles to the next shelter. It was level and slightly downhill, so not as sweaty. We stopped at Gathland State Park to use the restrooms, get a cold drink from the soda machines, and look at Civil War memorabilia. Then a short 0.3 miles to the shelter, which has a deck on the front. Gabby's talking on his cell phone to his family. I hope it's a bit cooler tomorrow -- it was 91 degrees today.
Date: 2004-07-06
From: Crampton Gap Shelter

To: Pogo Memorial Campsite
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

I am walking across a Civil War battlefield. Yesterday and today we've encountered a series of Civil War plaques and memorials describing battles and casualties and the Union and Confederate officers who led the battles. No mention of the moral reasons for the war or the personal suffering of the families on both sides. The memory is strong in this area where more men died than in any American war before or since. Southern regional pride gets conflated with Civil War remembrance. I pray that somewhere people understand the powerful lessons learned: that brother shall not kill brother and that all people have the right to freedom and justice.We woke up early, just before 5:30, and got ready to leave so we could beat the heat of the day. The day's hike was relatively easy, following a gentle ridgeline. Our first goal was the Dahlgren Back Pack Campground, run by the state of Maryland, where we stopped to eat and take a SHOWER!! Hiker heaven! Then on a few more miles to the Washington Monument, a large stone structure erected by the people of Boonsboro in the 1820's on a hilltop with beautiful views. It reminds me of the tower on Mt. Battie near my home in Maine. As we continued on, the trail crossed over I-70 on its own footbridge covered with fencing. I've seen the footbridge on I-90 for years and always exclaimed as I drove underneath wishing I could be on the Appalachian Trail. And here I finally am, one of those hikers walking over the bridge, waving to the honking cars below. What a miracle!We stopped at the next shelter for over an hour to eat a late afternoon supper, then conntinued on to the campsite. Peeking out the mesh top of my tent (I've rolled up the rain fly since it's a clear night), I just watched the sun set through the trees. Gabby and Pokey have set up their hammocks. It's still quite warm so I'll use my silk sleeping bag liner like a summer sheet tonight. Goodnight moon.
Date: 2004-07-07
From: Pogo Memorial Campsite

To: Pen Mar County Park
Miles today: 14.3

These days are full of ups and down, both literally and figuratively. At the moment I'm sitting in a large pavilion at Pen Mar County Park with seven other hikers watching a rain storm pass over us. The pavilion has a lovely view of the valley to the west, so we watched the storm gradually approach as we ate the pizza Pokey ordered. People are lightheartedly exchanging trail stories. One of those mellow trail moments that make it all worthwhile. The rest of the day was mostly a lot of struggle for me. The combination of heat, humidity and a very rocky trail is very tiring and discouraging. We stopped at two shelters for breaks and at High Rock to take in the western hazy view of farmland and hills. Then we started down a steep, rocky slope. It was late afternoon and I was really tired, so I made my way very slowly feeling once again discouraged. If it's this bad in Maryland, what are the infamous Pennsylvania rocks going to be like? I guess there's nothing I can do about it now, so I'll just sit back and enjoy the rain on the pavilion roof.
Date: 2004-07-08
From: Pen Mar Park

To: Quarry Gap Shelters
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: scattered clouds

The rest of the story from yesterday: It rained for quite a while as we continued to talk. It felt so peaceful to sit under the pavilion roof and listen to the rain. The clouds moved north-east revealing an orange sun in the sky thirty degrees above the horizon with the rain falling in front of it. After the sunset low lying clouds descended on the valley. It was so beautiful there, and the rain had soaked everything, so five of us decided to sleep in the pavilion. We watched the lights blink on in the valley as we set up our sleeping bags. We woke around 5:00 and were on the trail by 6:15, stopping a few minutes later to take photos of ourselves at the Pennsylvania state line.Weather and terrain make all the difference. The storm blew through a front,leaving the air a bit cooler and dryer. The terrain continued to be gently rolling with a few rocky places, but most of the trail was not so rocky so we could keep up a good pace. We had covered nine miles by 11:30 and stopped at Chiumney Rocks for a long lunch. I fixed ramen in addition to my usual peanut butter crackers. Yum. The views were lovely from the rocks. We continued our hike, clambering over a series of rocky outcroppings that resembled the ridge at Dragon's Tooth. Then down the hill to Caledonia State Park where we paid to jump into the public pool. Ooh-whee! I ordered fried food and ice cream at the pool's take-out which definitedly beat another Lipton Side. Fancy Free had shuttled from Harper's Ferry and is rejoining the trail. Her heel is doing much better. It was great to see her smiling face again. We had just enough time to swim and eat before they closed just before 7:00. Then an hour-long hike up a hill to this unique twin shelter with potted plants and a small stream in front. A beautiful spot. Gabby, Pokey, T-Bott, and Fancy Free are chatting around the picnic table. I feel good, which is quite amazing after a twenty mile day.
Date: 2004-07-09
From: Quarry Gap Shelters

To: Ironmaster's Mansion Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: overcast clouds

The good weather and terrain continued today making it feasibile for us to do a seventeen mile day. Amazingly, somebody actually woke up and started hiking before Gabby and me. We heard a group of hikers go past the shelters at 4:30 a.m.! We got up at 5:30 and headed out. The air was cool, making for good hiking. I left Gabby, Pokey, Fancy Free and T-Bott, arriving at the next shelter seven miles later for a hobbit's second breakfast at 10:30. The rest of the group showed up a bit later along with Billy the Kid, which made for a nice mealtime. Fancy Free was hiking in her crocs, but so happy to be back on the trail. We repeated the senario at the next shelter six miles later. The hiking was easy. The flora reminded me of being in Maine -- pine, blueberries and other Maine-ish plants that made me feel as if I could be hiking near my home. Then the last three plus miles to Pine Grove Furnace State Park and the Ironmasters Mansion Hostel.So we're at the geographical half-way point on the trail, another big moment for the Georgia to Maine crowd. I started hiking at Hot Springs, my own half-way point will be at mile 1222, another hundred and thirty-five miles up the trail, then another forty-nine miles until I will have hiked a thousand miles. The half-way celebration for thru-hikers is the "half-gallon challenge" -- to eat a whole half-gallon of ice cream at the little general store next to the hostel. Billy the Kid actually did it today. Go Billy!The hostel is in a lovely old brick mansion that was part of the Underground Railroad and so has hidden rooms. I've showered and done laundry and eaten at the store. There's a mix of hikers and "regular" folk here tonight.
Date: 2004-07-10
From: Ironmaster's Mansion

To: Tagg Run Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Ah, this is the life! Before I started this hike I imagined I'd have many hours of empty, free time after the day's hike was over. Reality is quite a bit different. Most days I wake up, leave the shelter, hike, arrive at a shelter by supper, eat, go to sleep. But today was heavenly. It's twenty miles to Boiling Springs and since we didn't want to do another long day, we decided to do it in two days: seven today and thirteen tomorrow. So, since we only had seven miles to hike today, we decided to spend most of the day next to the small lake at the park. Gabby, Pokey, T-Bott, Fancy Free and I commandeered a picnic table in the shade of the woods and spent a wonderful liesurely day eating ice cream, swimming, talking, and napping. The small beach filled up with families on this sunny Saturday and we wiled away the day. We finally set out at 3:00, stopping to take photos at the official half-way marker on the trail. We took a side trail to Pole Steeple, a rocky outcropping with a nice view. Then on to the shelter down a fairly easy trail. A nice supper and good company (the five of us and three section hikers). It's great to be back in the woods.
Date: 2004-07-11
From: Tagg Run Shelter

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: overcast clouds

The weather is hot and humid again, making for not very fun hiking, but the terrain was gentle and the rocks not too bad, except for some scrambling over rocks on Rocky Ridge which Gabby enjoyed, of course. We stopped for our lunch hour at the next shelter. Blue Hen, who had spent the night with us at the shelter, arrived as Gabby, Pokey, Fancy Free, and T-Bott were eating and I was at the stream collecting water. Bless his heart, he had carried my sports bra and panties all eight miles from the Tagg Run Shelter to return them to me! I had left them hanging up in the shelter to dry because I had used them as my bathing suit yesterday. Thanks, Blue Hen! Then an easy hike to Boiling Springs, the last mile or so between corn fields in the hot afternoon sun. We arrived at the Appalachian Trail Conference regional office at 3:00. It was great to hang out on the porch with the Appalachian Trail Conference staff and hikers. Gabby, Pokey, Fancy Free, T-Bott, Sweetleaf, and I went for an early super at the local Italian restaurant and were pleasantly surprised when MISS JANET showed up to say hi on her way back to Erwin from a hiker feed at Port Clinton. It was great to see her -- she's such a warm, loving trail angel innkeeper. Then we made our way to a B&B that graciously lets hikers tent in the backyard for $1.00. It's still hot and humid this evening. Fancy Free and I went down by the pond to soak our feet and cool down a bit. It's supposed to rain tonight, but I can't bear to close the fly on my tent bcause I'd boil. I sure wouldn't have guessed that I'd be tenting in someone's backyard. You just never know what the trail will bring.