morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-07
From: Brown Mountain Creek shelter

To: Lexington
Miles today: 1.8

Finished today by 9:30 am, a near zero day, after a 800' climb to the 1400' elevation. At this level, the trees are green and fully leafed out. We learned more about the Brown Mountain community of freed slaves that existed from the 1800s up to around 1920 when the land was purchased for the National Forest Service. The people were relocated, supposedly for the common good of society. We spent the day in Lexington, a beautiful town full of history. We found nice restaurants and had a day of rest and recovery after completing almost 100 miles this past week.
Date: 2014-05-08
From: Lexington

To: 817.7
Miles today: 15.1

After a night of luxury in a bed and breakfast, we were picked up mid-morning by Josh (Hardtack) the 2013 Trail Chaplain. After some Trail Magic, Josh returned us to the wilderness and we were back on the trail and battling gnats by noon. We met few people as we climbed, but did run into the Ridge Runner and she gave us excellent directions to a water source. We also met a navy reserve guy from Atlanta. At a shelter we met up with Dinosaur, the young German lady whose path we have crossed in Georgia, Tennessee, and Southwest Virginia and a young footballer (punter) from the University of Virginia. Even with our late start, we pressed on and covered just over 15 miles, completing the trail walk by moonlight and setting up our tents and eating in the dark. We made bed by 10:30 pm.
Date: 2014-05-09
From: 817.7

To: Harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Gramcracker and I were up early and the first to be ready to hike. With each hiker walking at a different pace and taking personal breaks, we told our fellow hikers that we would see them down the trail. But that didn't happen, and as we travelled north, mile after mile, we became concerned that something bad had happened to the friends behind us. Through the wonders of AT networking, word spread about our concerns and after an hour we were advised that all was well - an inadvertent turn had delayed the other hikers. We climbed the remaining 700' of Priest Mountain, the last 4,000' elevation until we reach New Hampshire. Just before the summit there is a shelter, known as the Priest Shelter. Tradition has established that hikers who stay there write confessions in a Trail Journal. We had been warned that the shelter was inhabited by a swarm of biting black flies, so we gave the shelter a miss and started down a very challenging 3,000' descent. By the time we reached the bottom, the temperature was in the upper 80s and it was time to call it a day.
Date: 2014-05-10
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Mile 852.8
Miles today: 22.0

We were up before sunrise and on the trail by 6:30 am. This allowed us to put in many miles today. We climbed the Three Ridges to an elevation of 3995', and then descended, a descent made all the more challenging by the onset of rain, which made the many rocks slippery. However, the valley views were spectacular, and we met over 20 section hikers for this is a favorite spot for weekend hikers from the Richmond and Tidewater areas who like to hike the Three Ridges and The Priest. We got to our shelter around 6 pm and met two brothers from the Philadelphia area who are in the candy business, selling to many of the same stores I have worked in. So we had a great chat. I also met two hikers from Knoxville, one who had worked at River Sports Outfitters on Sutherland Avenue, where I've purchased some of my hiking gear. It is always good to meet people from home.
Date: 2014-05-11
From: Mile 852.8

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 5.1

A night of rain falling on our tin roof provided quite a symphony. Maybe it was a lullaby, for all four northbound hikers and the three southbound section hikers slept late. This was no problem for me for I had planned a NERO day with a short, almost level walk to Rockfish Gap. On the way, I met two ladies walking their dogs. One was a black lab and one an Irish Setter. Coincidently, both dogs had tags with their names and both were called Gracie! Rockfish Gap is where Skyline Drive crosses over I64 and there is a list there with the phone numbers of Waynesboro residents who are willing to pick up hikers and take them into Waynesboro. I didn't have to do this for a lady, Sharon, driving a Subaru stopped and asked if I needed a ride. I had lovely Greek pizza at a Mediterranean restaurant, did my laundry, and visited Kroger to resupply.
Date: 2014-05-12
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Mile 878.5
Miles today: 20.6

Gramcracker, I and two other hikers took a taxi to the trail head in Shenandoah National Park. We got there by 8am. We filled out the required paperwork for a permit - quite a job as we had to document the date of arrival and estimate the date we would be leaving the Park, and all overnight stops in between! This is a guess, for so much depends on the weather, health et all. We were part of quite a large bubble of northbound hikers (15-18). We met one hiker who had spotted his first bear, but also ran into a group of twelve exhausted section hikers. They were just sitting on the ground. I think they were carrying too much gear and just not prepared for the challenges of AT hiking. I've mentioned the increasing challenge of finding suitable water supplies. Well, nature was good today. Gramcracker had been telling me that during her 2010 AT hike through this area, almost everyday at 3 pm there would be a thunderstorm. And sure enough, as we walked along the top of a ridge, the skies opened with thunder, lightning and rain. When we arrived at our stopping point around 6 pm there were three or four other hikers in camp. By sunset the shelter was full and there were also six hikers in tents. Many of these hikers are young and cover a lot of miles each day.
Date: 2014-05-13
From: Mile 878.5

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: clear sky

Today was a day of firsts. We stopped for lunch at one of the series of Shenandoah National Park waysides - businesses that provide food, fuel, and supplies for travelers. I say travelers rather than hikers for bicyclists and motor bike riders also make use of the waysides. The cyclists are in full gear and make quite a fashion statement. In March 2012, when I was here, it was too early in the season for the waysides to be open. But today I enjoyed having a large cheeseburger prepared for me, along with a plateful of fries, multiple sodas, and blackberry ice cream. The second first occurred when we were walking with Dinosaur (the young lady from Germany.) We spotted our first AT rattlesnake. I've encountered them in the Smoky Mountains, but never before on the AT. We also saw evidence of bears, but have yet to see one. We stopped at Pinefield Hut (shelters are called huts in the SNF) - there are four of us: Gramcracker, two gentlemen we've camped with before, and me. After an early dinner, we turned in before sunset.
Date: 2014-05-14
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Swift Run Gag
Miles today: 11.6

A hiker who had arrived late and set up his tent told us that he hadn't slept well due to a visit by a bear during the night. Fortunately he had put his food on the bear pole, but the bear still sniffed around his tent and made him feel uneasy. Apart from that, today was fairly uneventful. We climbed Hightop Mountain and then focused on getting to Swift Run Gag where Skyline Drive and Route 33 intersect and where we would come off the trail for 3 - 4 days to attend Trail Days in Damascus.
Date: 2014-05-15
From: Swift Run Gag

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0

Travelled south by car 400 miles to Damascus. This annual gathering of AT hikers from all years is held the weekend after Mothers Day. It is the big social event for AT hikers and the vendors who make hiking possible, with lots of fun events including a hiker parade complete with squirt guns etc. I'll report more from the event.
Date: 2014-05-16
From: Damascus

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Spent two days (Friday and Saturday) at Trail Days. I mentioned that both AT Trail hikers and equipment vendors attend. The vendors not only promote their products, but they repaid equipment they have sold previously. My hiking poles have covered over 3,000 miles so needed some work. The vendor repaired as much as they could, but because they couldn't repair everything they gave me a new set of 2014 poles. Great customer service. Here are some highlights from my two days: I visited with a Christian ministry (One Way Ministries) who support hikers with free hair cuts, medical exams (especially for the feet), a vet to look at hikers pets, free food, and coffee house entertainment in the evening. They also had a $5 "all you can eat pancake breakfast" as a fund-raiser and I was glad to support this effort. I stayed Saturday evening in Tent City, a closed area with heavy police presence at the entrance to make sure campers have purchased their $5 bracelet. The City is divided into the Quiet Section and the Rowdy Section. I chose the former, but unfortunately I pitched my tent beside a large tent that housed over a dozen late-night partiers and I got little sleep. The Rowdy Section is back in the trees and has numerous large bonfires with a couple of hundred people circled around each. For hour after hour there is a constant beating of drums and chanting which I could hear in my tent half-a-mile away. NO MORE TENT CITY FOR ME. The hiker parade is a fun event with hikers organized by the year they walked the AT. Both hikers and watchers use large squirt guns (30' stream) and the Fire Department had a pumper engine spraying water in a 50'-60' diameter circle. The end result was a lot of wet, joyous people! I visited a booth that supports a project to restore the American Chestnut Tree. The tree has largely disappeared due to a blight, but the project combines the American Chestnut Tree with the Chinese Chestnut Tree to produce a blight resistant species of chestnut tree (one-twenty-fourth Chinese). It will take a long time for a meaningful restoration. I also visited and enjoyed the AT Museum Traveling Exhibit which was set up in the basement of the Baptist Church. But the highlight of my Damascus visit was to meet the second person to complete the AT Trail in 1951. Gene Espy is now well into his 90s and it was magical to chat with him for 15-20 minutes. This year there were no major incidents like last year when a car ran into hikers and injured around 60 people and shut down the parade.
Date: 2014-05-19
From: Damascus, VA

To: Glenn, VA
Miles today: 0.0

My wife joined me on Saturday night in Abington. We slept late Sunday, and set out about noon for Glenn, VA where we stayed with Pastor Allan and his wife. We were joined by Gramcracker and on Monday morning Gramcracker and I participated and assisted with the hiker feed prepared by the Appalachian Trail Outreach Ministry. Gramcracker is an alumnus of this program, having enjoyed the hospitality during her 2010 AT hike! We set up and prepared the food and logged in with our trail names. The first hiker to arrive saw my name and called out, "Where is Shortstop?" It was AZ Cruiser, who I met in 2012 in Maine during my AT hike. What a real honor and pleasure to be able to renew acquaintance. After breakfast, my wife and I traveled to Harrisburg where we stayed the night. This puts me in position to resume my hike Tuesday morning.
Date: 2014-05-20
From: Damascus, VA

To: Big Meadows Camp Ground
Miles today: 17.7

Most of the north bound hikers I had been with before my break in Damascus are now ahead of us, so we encountered around six hikers we had not met before and a hiker, Jest Sue, who was doing trail magic. At the Meadows Camp Ground we were advised of trail magic being prepared by five couples from the Maryland area. So we had dinner, desert, but best of all great conversation around a warm camp fire. About seven of us hikers slept in our tents adjacent to the campers being used by the Trail Magic team.
Date: 2014-05-21
From: Big Meadows Camp Ground

To: Hard Chargers Cabin
Miles today: 17.2

Awoke early planning to meet an old section hiker friend who helped me in 2012 after I cut my head on a tree trunk and he did the first aid necessary to control the bleeding. His name is Hard Charger. However, we couldn't just walk away as the Trail Magic folks had prepared a magnificent breakfast. However, todays walk was gradual except for the last two mile, 1300' descent against the threat of thunderstorms. Anyway, we got to our destination safely, we beat the storms, and Hard Charger drove us to his cabin about 17 miles away and we had a wonderful dinner and rest.
Date: 2014-05-22
From: Hard Chargers Cabin

To: Mile 952.4
Miles today: 14.5

Two hikers I had met in New Jersey and Maine in 2012 (Johnny b and Hard Charger) joined us for most of our hike today and we met some more northbound thru hikers. We did take time to stop at a wayside and taste the blackberry ice cream. We also met some section hikers, including a retired Master Chief Petty Officer from the Navy. We encountered spectacular views in the Shenandoah, including our first siting of a bear.
Date: 2014-05-23
From: Mile 952.4

To: mile 965.6
Miles today: 13.2

We had another gentle day walking with our friends Johnny B and Hard Charger along a trail that pretty much parallels Skyline Drive. In fact, the trail crosses Skyline Drive from one side to the other. Waysides provide food, gas, gear etc, so at times it does not feel like we are walking in the wilds. But again we enjoyed the spectacular views of the valleys below and the distant mountains. We arrived at our destination late afternoon and were transported back to Hard Charger's cabin for a third evening of showers, good food, and fellowship. As we set off for the cabin, a small bear cub darted across the highway. Hopefully its mother is not to far behind for single cubs will struggle to survive in this environment.
Date: 2014-05-24
From: mile 965.6

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 0.0

Today is a zero day for I will be spending the day with Hard Charger and Johnny B and their wives. Started the day with an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. Then visited the gravesite of Hard Charger's father to ensure a flag is flying for Memorial Day, since his dad was a veteran. After that, we traveled through the towns on US 11 while Hard Charger shared his knowledge of the monuments and troop movements that are part of the history of the Shenandoah Valley during the Civil War. They then transported me to Front Royal to the home of Sharon and Tom Johnson. I had met Sharon when I arrived in Waynesboro a few weeks ago and she invited me to stay at her home when I got to Front Royal. What a great visit. Sharon's husband has been commissioned to write the official history of the Appalachian Trail. We reviewed some of the manuscript and I can't wait until it is published and I can purchase a signed copy. Two other hikers arrived at the house and we had a nice dinner and spent a comfortable night in the loft.
Date: 2014-05-25
From: Front Royal

To: Manassas Gap shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: few clouds

Began the day with a huge breakfast: eggs, bacon, fruit, yogurt. Tom left early to do some maintenance on the trail and Sharon drove me to the trailhead on 522. On my hike north, I met Tom who was returning south after his work was complete, went through the Moseley campground, and visited the unique Jim and Molly Denton shelter with its large porch, chairs for the weary, and a nearby solar shower. I hiked parts of the day with about 10 Korean folk, mainly women until we reached I66. At this point I had to climb about 900' to get to the top of the ridge. I had planned to go further today, but was slowed down with a problem in my left calf. Even stopping and stretching failed to fix the problem, so I decided to pitch my tent at the Manassas Gap shelter. I was the only one there, although I did speak with a number of day hikers traveling south, including a man about my age who was fascinated with my SPOT Shared Page equipment.
Date: 2014-05-26
From: Manassas Gap shelter

To: Rod Hollow shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: few clouds

After a beautiful starry night, I was on the trail by 7:15 am walking under a sky as blue as can be. Because it was Memorial Day, there were lots of locals and day hikers in Sky Meadows State Park, including one amazing gentleman who was running the trail! As I crossed Route 50, I saw a nice log to sit on for lunch. I was just finishing lunch when Blaze, a hiker I'd met weeks before, arrived and invited me to join him and his mum for some more Trail Magic. Did I ever! We chatted for four hours so I got to my campsite at Rod Hollow shelter late in the day. However, I'm glad to report that my leg is doing better. Blaze is a college student at a military academy and is currently on medical leave and walking the AT.
Date: 2014-05-27
From: Rod Hollow shelter

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 9.9

A good day. Woke up at 5:30 am. When I looked out my tent, I noticed that two high school students who had been camped beside me had already gone! This surprised me, but I later met up with them at another campsite further up the trail and discovered they had wanted to experience night walking on the AT so had set off around 11 pm. Both are graduating seniors and this hike is their senior project. Both are off to college; one on an athletic scholarship and one on a ROTC scholarship. I believe these two guys will do well. Today, I tackled what is known as the Roller Coaster, a 13.5 mile stretch of tightly packed ascents and descents, going up and down about every 500'. It was a really good test for my calf, which is operating at about 90% efficiency. On the trail I managed to meet Low Gear, a hiker I'd met in 2012. He was hiking with his brother from Thailand and a friend. They brought me a chicken dinner and we walked to my stopping destination - The Bears Den hostel. This hostel is the only one owned by the Appalachian Trail Club, and is run by the Potomac ATC. It used to be a private residence owned by a doctor and his wife and was built in 1933. It is like a castle; made of stone with beautiful wood paneling in the interior. It is a prized location for the 26 hikers who stay there. The highlight of my day was to renew my acquaintance with a former workmate. Tim and I were able to have dinner together and I even made it back to the hostel before the predicted thunderstorms rolled in. It was indeed a great day!
Date: 2014-05-28
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 19.6

Had an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast and extra strong coffee, all prepared by the hikers who spent last night at the Bears Den hostel. Today I finished the last four miles of the Roller Coaster and had to cross Virginia Route 7, a busy four-lane highway with a median, but with a nearby sharp curve that made it challenging as to when to make the mad dash. Today also was a landmark day - I crossed into West Virginia after hiking 500 miles through Virginia - almost a quarter of the Appalachian Trail. Most of today was ridge walking with a final steep 700' descent to the Shenandoah River bridge that leads into Harpers Ferry. I encountered few people on the trail so was surprised to discover that the hostel where I planned to rest was full and I had to take a room in a motel. However, tomorrow will be a zero day, so hopefully I can transfer to the hostel during the day.
Date: 2014-05-29
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 0.0

Spent my zero day with a good friend, Jim Rainwater, who drove over from Annapolis and acted as my shuttle driver for the day. I picked up a replacement tent for Big Agnes at the post office and shipped my damaged tent to see if it can be repaired. I then got some gear from an outfitters and Jim and I had a long leisurely lunch in Charlestown. I checked into the Teahorse Hostel that had been full last night. It was a good day of rest and fellowship, and I avoided a day of walking in the rain.
Date: 2014-05-30
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Dahlgren Backpacker Campground
Miles today: 18.1

I had an all-you-can-eat waffle breakfast at 7 am before hiking with two friends from past hikes. I had hiked with Dave in 2011 from Springer Mountain to Fontana Dam and in 2012 with him in Central Virginia. Then in 2013 I joined Dave and Chuck as they hiked in the Smoky Mountains. Today we hiked about 10 miles together, the first part on the bed of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. For the most part it was level, but there were a lot of bicyclists coming from behind. We then climbed about 800' to a ridge and stopped at a unique shelter on the ridge for lunch. The shelter is unique because it has glass windows that give a great view over the valley. I also saw a 50' stone monument which was erected to recognize Civil War journalists. I arrived at my destination, Dahlgren Backpacker Campground and was in bed before sunset, but after a take-out meal from a nearby restaurant. The campground has running water and showers.
Date: 2014-05-31
From: Dahlgren Backpacker Campground

To: The Free State Hiker Hostel, MD
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: scattered clouds

A large contingent of hikers arrived at the Backpacker Campground during the night and when I got up there were tents everywhere. Most of the hikers are day hikers or hikers who will walk for 2 - 3 days. And on my hike today I literally met scores of hikers. This part of the AT is popular among day hikers wanting to visit the Annapolis Rock. I took my time today and was able to talk with many hikers, some of whom are interested in praying for my hike and will follow my experiences through my Trail Journal. The Journal has had about 33,000 hits to date. I also came to the first monument constructed in memory of George Washington (a thirty-foot stone tower) and erected by the people of Boonsboro, Maryland in the early 1800s. I did this trail two years ago and completely forgot how rocky the last few miles are. Additionally, I'm staying at a hostel which requires a 300 yard walk along a narrow road with no shoulders, requiring the hiker to give way to motorized vehicles! Because of this, most hikers drive to the shelter and use it as a starting or ending point. The shelter is part of a private home and has a nice bunkroom, game room, kitchen, laundry and bath. Sadly, the owners tell me this will be the last year of operation as a hikers respite.
Date: 2014-06-01
From: The Free State Hiker Hostel, MD

To: mile 1068.8
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: few clouds

One more view of the Washington Monument I visited yesterday. This morning I was on the trail by 7 am after a stay with the two wonderful owners of the Free State Hostel. Ken was a thru-hiker in the early 2000s and walked to raise money to keep a clinic open. He raised $25,000 and the clinic remains open today. Today I crossed into Pennsylvania after walking many difficult sections with huge piles of rock. At times it was difficult to find and follow the white blaze markers that keep us on trail. Just before the crossing, I stopped at the Pen Mar Park where an EMT who works at the park cleaned some of my scratches and cuts and applied bandages where needed. Despite the rocks I'd made excellent time to the crossing, but in the afternoon the opportunity to meet and converse with other hikers slowed me down. Sometimes the chat might just be for a minute, other times as much as twenty minutes. I had a great chat with an elementary school principal about recovery programs. He had just received his 15 or 17 year pin and I'm sure we will keep in touch. Also met a lady who wants to walk the AT for health reasons, so we walked part of the way together and I explained some of what is involved. When I stayed at Harpers Ferry, I'd met a gentleman with dual citizenship (US and Italian)and tonight we are camping together. He has a large handlebar mustache and completed the Pacific Crest Trail last year. Our campsite is outstanding. It has a caretaker, and the caretaker and his wife visit with each camper to check on them and their needs. The campsite is a great example of what can be done and is clean and organized.