morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-04-30
From: Elkwallow Wayside

To: ----
Miles today: 0.0

Today I'm zeroing in order to attend my boss's wedding in Raleigh, NC. Mike and Cara both work for Ariba and are top notch folks. I want to wish them a great wedding day, that they have a lifetime of happiness, and that Boomerang doesn't ruin their special day by eating too much and offending the other guests. I am extremely grateful to Ariba for allowing the time off to pursue this dream. I honestly am excited about getting back to work...just not for another 1100 miles.
Date: 2005-05-02
From: Elkwallow Wayside

To: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 24.3
Weather: light rain

Starting Time: 10:00Starting Location: Elkwallow WaysideEnding Time: 7:15Ending Location: Jim and Molly Denton ShelterMiles: 24.3Morning Weather: overcast, 50's, drizzling Afternoon Weather: rain that finally cleared up into a little sunshine Breakfast: Waffles with bananas and pecans, sausage, various muffins Lunch: Pita and hummus, bars and gorp Dinner: Killer! Aloo Matar (potatoes and peas in hot curry) Indian dish by Ashoka. John gave it to me and it rocked!Trail Description: I apologize to those who like SNP, but I don't. Getting out of that park was a good thing for me. And, funny enough, the moment I passed the park boundary the sun broke out and everything seemed better. I really enjoyed the downhill section from SNP to US522.People: Two weekend hikers, two day hikers Animals: deer, crows Money: 0 Complaints: none Thoughts: John and Suzanne really took care of me this weekend. They shuttled me to and from both the trail and the airport. On top of that, Suzanne cooked like a madwoman...chicken parmesan on Friday, pot roast on Sunday, and just look at the breakfast I had today! I hopped on their scale Friday and it showed that I weighed 165...this morning it showed 171, so I gained a good amount of weight in two days off the trail. The wedding this weekend was great. I got to see several colleagues from work and was glad to catch up with them. Mike and Cara, for their part, were the perfect bride and groom. The wedding was in the Duke chapel...it should be called "cathedral." It was awesome. The weather in Atlanta produced some interesting challenges in just getting there...airport delays on your day off are not cool.I've been pretty much alone today and I'm all alone tonight. I enjoy being around other hikers, but it's always nice to get a break from people. This shelter is great. It has a huge porch and a separate sheltered area for cooking.In gear news, I had Amy bring me my 15 degree sleeping bag back. I spent several cold nights in the 35 bag in Shenandoah, and decided to wait a few more weeks on using it. Of course I'm hating the extra 2-plus pounds that the 15 adds to my pack! But at least I'm warm and toasty...
Date: 2005-05-03
From: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter

To: Bears Den Rocks (Bears Den Hostel)
Miles today: 28.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Starting Time: 8:50Starting Location: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter Ending Time: 7:40 Ending Location: Bears Den Rocks (Bears Den Hostel)Miles: 28.8Morning Weather: sunny and cool (50's)Afternoon Weather: suny and semi-warm (high 60's) Breakfast: CIB x 2, Cocoa Puff ceral bar Lunch: Pita and hummus, bars and gorp Dinner: Ramen with alternate sauce, pizza at hostel Misc. Food: Pint of B&J (cookie dough) Trail Description: Great day of hiking! The section from Manassas Gap to Ashby Gap was great and makes a great day hike for anyone in the DC area. Sky Meadows State Park was beautiful...one or two miles of meadow walking up on top of the ridge. The "Virginia Roller Coaster" was fun as well, lots of ups and downs over 10 miles. I treated it as a serious stairmaster workout and cranked the 10 miles out fast...I had a blast.People: tons of dayhikers, tons of people at hostel, Daytripper, Mississippi Alan, Corduroy Animals: deer, possibly a baby turkey (jake, I believe they are called)Money: 13 for hostel, 4 for B&JComplaints: Got a blister on the inside of my left heel! I haven't had a blister in at least 700 miles. Also, I developed a pain in the front of my right ankle yesterday that is affecting me today as well. Advil clears it right up, but I wish it would go away. Thoughts: First of all, today is my grandmother's birthday...happy birthday Carmine! I was able to call her tonight from the hostel, so I'm happy about that.Today's hike was brought to you by Advil (viamin I). My ankle was hurting bad enough that I had to take several rounds of Advil to make it. Today also was my longest milage day yet on the trail. If you count the side trails that I took to the shelters I passed, I actually did over 30 miles...but those side trails don't count. Bears Den hostel is nice. I've enjoyed meeting all the other guests and the thru-hikers. The hostel itself is a cool stone house that is fairly large...I believe it holds 30 hikers or so. It also has a campstore that sells all kinds of goodies for fair prices.
Date: 2005-05-04
From: Bears Den Rocks (Bears Den Hostel)

To: Harper's Ferry (Harper's Ferry Hostel)
Miles today: 20.5

Starting Time: 11:40Starting Location: Bears Den RocksEnding Time: 8:00Ending Location: Harper's Ferry (Harper's Ferry Hostel)Miles: 20.5Morning Weather: sunny and 60'sAfternoon Weather: sunny and 70'sBreakfast: cereal, cereal barLunch: bars and gorp, Mtn. HouseDinner: Salad, lasagna, pizza at King's Pizzeria (awesome) Trail Description: GREAT hiking into Harper's Ferry.People: Daytripper, Mizzippi Alan, Corduroy, MNM, misc hikers at HF hostel Animals: noneMoney: 13 at King's, 22 at hostelComplaints: Right ankle seems better, but blister on left foot is still there.Thoughts: Unbelievable...I passed 1,000 miles today AND I finally got out of Virginia! I would say leaving VA was the best part; I've been in this state soooo long I needed a release.HF is a very cool town. It reminds me of Old Salem, NC in that it has a cobblestone-ish historic district and just smells and feels old. Tomorrow I'm going to explore town a little bit before heading out.
Date: 2005-05-05
From: Harper's Ferry (Harper's Ferry Hostel)

To: Ed Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: broken clouds

Starting Time: 4:00Starting Location: Harper's FerryEnding Time: 6:50Ending Location: Ed Garvey ShelterMiles: 6.4Morning Weather: sunny and niceAfternoon Weather: sunny and beautifulBreakfast: AYCE pancakes and muffins at hostel (yum) Lunch: Cheesesteak and fries at The Secret Six pub Dinner: bars and gorp Misc. Food: Several malted barley and hops berages at The Secret Six and The Armory pubs Trail Description: Flat as a pancake on the C&O Canal towpath...very cool walking with the canal on one side and the Potomac on the other. Up and rocky to the shelter.People: Daytripper, MNM, Killer lady who owns the Outfitters at HF (didn't get her name), TRex, "Free Beer" guy from CA at The Armory, R.B. Animals: dishwasher at The Armory could be classified this way...he was a "stare-er"Money: 60 at Outfitter, 40 at pubs, 20 at ATC Complaints: none Thoughts: Being in HF was special and surprisingly emotional for me. The day started off with a HUGE breakfast at the hostel. Then, it was off to the PO to pick up my perfectly packed mail drop organized by my wife. Next was the ATC, where I had my picture taken and placed in the hiker book. I'm thruhiker #14!!! I hung out there for awhile and bought a cool AT hat. Being at the ATC, and knowing that I've come almost halfway, was a huge event for me. I felt proud, sad, anxious,and confident all at the same time.Then the Outfitters...lordy what a cool place. It reminded me of shops I went into in southern France where the floor was stone and water was running in a channel in the floor. I bought two new pairs of Bridgedale Trekker socks and chucked my ratty SmartWools. I also bought new insoles by Spenco, which puts me back in the same configuration I had pre-neuroma, so I'm hoping for healthier feet. Lastly, I wrote a letter to Superfeet asking for a refund and the owner sent the letter and the pain-inducing insoles back to the company. I wish I had a copy of the letter...it was pretty darn good if I do say so myself.Lastly, we hit The Secret Six (named after the group who financed John Brown's raid) and The Armory, both cool pubs with the exact same offerings, so I'm not sure how they will both survive.HF is definitely worth a visit, if you've not already been...walking there is optional.
Date: 2005-05-06
From: Ed Garvey Shelter

To: Pogo Memorial Campsite
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: haze

Starting Time: 9:15Starting Location: Ed Garvey ShelterEnding Time: 6:10Ending Location: Pogo Memorial CampsiteMiles: 19.9Morning Weather: semi-cloudy and cool (50's) Afternoon Weather: cloudy and 60's Breakfast: CIBs, cereal bar Lunch: bars and gorp Dinner: Pasta Roni, stove top stuffing w/ chicken Trail Description: Easy, but beautiful day. The trail went through several Civil War sites, including Gathland State Park at Crampton Gap and Fox Gap, where two generals were killed (Reno monument). All in all just some beautiful hiking. People: TRex, RB, misc weekenders, two guys from East Cobb (Atlanta suburb I grew up in), one of whom was yapping loudly on his cell phone ON the AT. I'm trying hard to resist making a biting generalization here... Animals: none Money: 0 Complaints: Ankle was hurting, but I think I discovered the cause...a no-see-um bruise that is aggravated by my shoelace knot.Thoughts: I'm really enjoying Maryland. I thought when I started my hike that I would try the "hike Maryland in one day" stunt, but I'm glad I'm not. It's everything Shenandoah wasn't, beautiful forest, wide and easy, and integrated into civilization. I really like this last point. The AT is most interesting when it remains in remote areas for a day or three then winds through a town or someone's property. Maryland is upping the ante by placing the hiker into history. It's really great.Speaking of NOT integrated into the wilderness, the cell phone yapper, being from Atlanta and all, put this song in my head...sing along if you know it:Oh Atlanta, I hear you callin'I'm coming back to you one fine day heyDon't need to worry cuz there ain't no hurry Cause I'm (chromatic run) On my way back to Gee-orr-horrr-ah-geeaaahhhBoomerang out...
Date: 2005-05-07
From: Pogo Memorial Campsite

To: Tumbling Run Shelters
Miles today: 22.9
Weather: clear sky

Starting Time: 7:00Starting Location: Pogo Memorial Campsite Ending Time: 5:30 Ending Location: Tumbling Run SheltersMiles: 22.9Morning Weather: sunny and high 50's...perfect hiking weather Afternoon Weather: sunny with some clouds...maybe in the 70's, tried to rain 'round bedtime Breakfast: CIBs and cereal bar Lunch: bars and gorp Dinner: Mtn House Chinese chicken, tuna, couscous, fresh vegetable stirfry from Stormin' Norman (thanks!) Misc. Food: banana and OJ from Maryland Mtn. Club stand at Ensign Cowell ShelterTrail Description: Great hiking, yet again. The 4 miles to Cowell Shelter were mostly rocky, as I recall. There was a huge jumble of rocks coming down into Pen-Mar Park that TRex fell in (and cracked his head open). The beginning of PA was terrible, but got better after the first shelter.People: TRex, ~100 runners/hikers doing the "Hike Across Maryland" (including a guy who thruhiked in '84), Southwind and Stormin' Norman and their youth group, B&B Animals: deer Money: 0 Complaints: none Thoughts: It's funny, just yesterday I was writing about the "hike across Maryland in one day" stunt, and today I ran into a Maryland Mtn. Club-organized event to do just that. The first people I ran into around 7:30, and they were running. The last I met around 9 or so. I ran into a water/snack station that they set up at Ensign Cowell Shelter. I yogied some food (see above) and had a good time chatting with them. Apparently they do this every other year, and try to keep the hiker count to around 100. I told them I would be here in 2007.Wait! Stop the presses...I crossed into Pennsylvania! I met a very nice couple at the border that took my picture at both the Mason-Dixon Line and the MD-PA border. I took their picture as well just for memory's sake. They live near Fox Gap at the Reno Monument and are avid trail hikers.At the shelter we stayed with a youth group from Lancaster, PA whose leader thruhiked in '98 (Southwind). They were very nice and offered up food and fire...very cool.
Date: 2005-05-08
From: Tumbling Run Shelters

To: Birch Run Shelters
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: clear sky

Starting Time: 7:20Starting Location: Tumbling Run ShelterEnding Time: 4:00Ending Location: Birch Run SheltersMiles: 19.6Morning Weather: sunny and warm (60's)Afternoon Weather: sunny and approaching hot (mid 70's) Breakfast: CIBs, cereal bar on top of Chimney Rocks Lunch: bars and gorp Dinner: Pasta Roni and chicken, Idahoan Taters, Tuna Trail Description: Chimney Rocks were great! I was up there around 8 a.m. and had the place to myself. Caledonia State Park was wonderful...lots of people there for Mother's Day (but no successful yogi'ing for hamburgers). After Caledonia, there was a 1000 foot climb (seems like 200 miles since I've done that). After the climb, now get ready, FLAT FOR MILES. It was incredible.People: TRex, Mtn. Dog, Yogi and Firestarter Animals: none Money: 0 Complaints: none Thoughts: Happy Mother's Day! I was able to call mom from Caledonia which was cool. Gung-Ho emailed me and I downloaded it today. It reminded me of good times in Georgia with her, Feather, Heidi, and Jack and Jill. It seems so long ago. I hope all are well!TRex and I are full steam ahead to Duncannon and am looking forward to The Doyle!
Date: 2005-05-09
From: Birch Run Shelters

To: Alec Kennedy Shelter
Miles today: 25.4
Weather: clear sky

Starting Time: 7:15Starting Location: Birch Run SheltersEnding Time: 6:30Ending Location: Alec Kennedy ShelterMiles: 25.4Morning Weather: sunny and warming fastAfternoon Weather: sunny and hotBreakfast: CIBsLunch: "California Burger" (cheeseburger with lettuce, onion, and relish), Powerade (blue), pint of moose tracks ice cream at Pine Grove Furnace storeDinner: Pasta Roni, tuna, pecans Misc. Food: Honey Bun and Baby Ruth (from store)People: TRex, Mtn Dog, misc dayhikers, nice lady runing store, Phoenix at shelter Animals: Black Racer (snake) at Pine Grove Furnace...maybe 4 ft. longMoney: 12 at storeComplaints: long day that seemed longer due to errors/omissions in Wingfoot bookThoughts: I'm officially halfway!!! I passed the actual midpoint with little fanfare since it's not marked, then passed the midpoint marker (that's not really at the exact location) two miles later. By pure luck the store at Pine Grove Furnace State Park was open. Now, the "half gallon challenge" takes place here - you buy a half gallon of ice cream and eat it as fast as you can. Since I had 16 more miles to go, I had the lunch listed above (yum) as a substitute. Even though I can consume large quantities of ice cream, I'm not sure that I could finish a half gallon.Oh, and as a bonus, I also passed 1,100 miles today!The other news is that I'm running into increasing numbers of "flip-floppers." No, this isn't the democrat politician labeled as such by that fat moron Karl Rove, it is a thru hiker that starts in Harper's Ferry and goes to Maine, then goes back to HF and goes south to Georgia. One advantage is that they start much later in the year and have better weather pretty much throughout their hike. It is interesting to run into these hikers who, like me, are wanting to do this crazy thing called a thru hike. It is also weird in that unlike me (and the other thrus I have been hiking with) they don't have 1,000-plus miles on them. In other words, they are greenhorns and are all excited about their hike, while the NOBO's are grizzled and grinding out the miles. I guess what I'm trying to say is that we are the same type of hiker but we are in completely different places, even though we are sheltering at the same spot. I'm not criticizing the new hikers at all...I was in the same position on Feb. 20. It's cool to get their questons and feed off of their energy.
Date: 2005-05-10
From: Alec Kennedy Shelter

To: Cove Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 25.5
Weather: clear sky

Starting Time: 6:50Starting Location: Alec Kennedy ShelterEnding Time: 6:35Ending Location: Cove Mtn ShelterMiles: 25.5Morning Weather: sunny and 60'sAfternoon Weather: sunny and 80'sBreakfast: Cereal barSecond Breakfast: Sausage egg cheese croissant, Bacon egge cheese bagel, 3 cups of strong coffee at J.C.'s Country Cafe in Boiling Springs Lunch: bars and gorp Dinner: Lipton, tuna, misc munching to get rid of the rest of my food Trail Description: Long day with many variations. The longest stretch of the day was an essentially flat 15 mile stretch across the Cumberland Valley. The trail went through farmlands and pastureland, towns and town-woods. It was awesome! Then I had several climbs up to Cove Mtn Shelter, including a fairly steep climb that seemed like my first good workout in a few hundred miles.People: TRex, Pure Luck, TinkerbellAnimals: RATTLESNAKE!!! Eastern Diamondback...big one...see details below. And a garter snake.Money: 10 at J.C.'sComplaints: I'm tired...two 25's takes its toll.Thoughts: Holy Moly! After climbing the big haul up Cove Mtn, I walked along the ridgeline for a quarter-mile or so and TRex was 200 yds behind me. All of a sudden, this whirring rattle starts up right beside me! Well, he was six feet away at two o'clock, and only three feet off the trail. I froze, looked to my right, and saw a very large reptile that had a classic pit viper head. Please note that this is the first poisonous snake I've seen in the wild, much less one that makes noises when you approach it. He was approx. 6 feet long and about 6 inches around for the majority of his body. He was a big fella and looked like he weighed a ton. I yelled out to TRex and he joined me shortly. He identified it as an Eastern Diamondback, noting the yellow outline around the black diamond pattern. He also said that it was one of the more venomous rattlers out there. The snake was totally laid back; he was in no hurry to accomodate us and/or move away from the trail. He never turned or coiled at us, he just lazily began to move away from us...about six inches per minute. You could hear leaves crunching loudly as his muscles contracted and relaxed during movement.TRex and I commenced shooting pictures, and whenever we stepped towards him (maintaining plenty of distance, believe me) he would rattle again. The rattle did not have an articulated start, rather it crescendoed from nothing to full throttle in about one second. It was awesome.The snake finally moved far enough off the trail that we could walk by without freaking out. And let me tell you, your humble author was plenty freaked out when that snake sounded the alarm. It was a great way to end the day...it got my adrenaline pumping enough to power me the last few miles into the shelter.
Date: 2005-05-11
From: Cove Mtn Shelter

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Starting Time: 7:00Starting Location: Cove Mtn ShelterEnding Time: 8:45Ending Location: Duncannon,PAMiles: 4Morning Weather: sunny and high 60'sAfternoon Weather: hot!Breakfast: Eggs, sausage, home fries, good pancakes, OJ, coffee at Goodies Lunch: Passage to India - Indian buffet Dinner: Filet, potato, salad, cab...yumminess Trail Description: Easy and slightly rocky jaunt down into Duncannon People: TRex, rude locals, nice locals, Gung Ho, Little Foot Animals: none Money: 10 for breakfast Complaints: none Thoughts: Duncannon greeted me with its bad side. TRex and I were walking into town when we got honked at, flipped off, and cussed at...and that was before 9am! As we walked down the main drag, we passed row houses and businesses, all of which had the permanent reek of cigarette smoke. Not too impressed.Things got much better when we got into Goodies, the local diner. The food was great and the locals were nice. But I had already made up my mind about not staying in Duncannon because......Gung Ho (Mandarin Chinese for Working Together) offered to have me stay at her house! Gung Ho, you may recall, hiked GA during my first week. I sheltered with her at Low Gap Shelter and we hung out in Hiawassee. Anyway, she was VERY COOL to offer up her place and I took it. We made a yummy dinner (see above) and had a good time chatting about all sorts of things. The next morning I helped her daughter Little Foot (yes that's a trailname) study for a health test...well, I helped Little Foot answer questions that her mom was asking. Gung Ho, a true Trail Angel!
Date: 2005-05-12
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Peters Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: broken clouds

Starting Time: 11:00Starting Location: Duncannon, PAEnding Time: 3:35Ending Location: Peters Mtn ShelterMiles: 11.4Morning Weather: sunny, windy, low 60'sAfternoon Weather: sameBreakfast: Muffins and OJLunch: mixed fruit gorp (thanks Marsha!)Dinner: Pata Roni (chicken quesadilla), tuna, Odwalla bar Trail Description: Up out of Duncannon and flat over the ridge. Easy.People: Gung-Ho, Little Foot, TRex, EricAnimals: Lizards, turtleMoney: 0Complaints: noneThoughts: A short day out of town, but a good one. This shelter is very nice. It has the Earl Schaffer-built shelter next to it, which is pretty cool. The spring was beautiful and gushing out of the side of the mountain...but it was a long, steep climb down to it. I'm digging springs. It is a thing of wonder that water just runs out from under a rock and we can scoop it and drink it. I don't know what else to say except thanks to the Earth and its Creator. It sounds hollow, I know, but go find a spring and marvel at its beauty, and you'll see what I mean.
Date: 2005-05-13
From: Peters Mtn Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: few clouds

Starting Time: 8:30Starting Location: Peters Mtn ShelterEnding Time: 3:40Ending Location: Rausch Gap ShelterMiles: 17.5Morning Weather: sunny and cool (50's)Afternoon Weather: sunny and low 70'sBreakfast: CIBs and granola from Gung Ho (yum and thanks!) Lunch: Bars and gorp Dinner: Quinoa and tomato paste Misc. Food: Combos from weekender at shelter Trail Description: Nice easy flat section, with the exception of a dip down into a gap.People: TRex, EricAnimals: noneMoney: 0Complaints: noneThoughts: Sort of an unremarkble day. Hiking wasn't that interesting, and frankly I wasn't that interesting.