morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-07-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 23.0

This makes 7 weeks I've been on the trail. I wanted to take a nero day (near zero) tomorrow so I had to do a long one today. It was full of all kinds of great things, though. A nearby gas station provided a nice lunch of two cheese burgers. The view from McAfee Knob was awesome. And from there I got to see 5 miles away, where I would have to walk next. It was both a cool and disheartening experience. I got to Tinker Cliffs right around sunset. I was nearly running to try and make it. Unfortunately, the low clouds prevented the spectacular sunset I was hoping for. It was a great view, nonetheless. Got to camp about 9:30 PM. Two weekend warriors were there for the night. They asked lots of questions which I didn't mind answering. Much needed short day tomorrow.
Date: 2009-07-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 11.2

After not leaving town until 11:30 AM, I decided I would do another short day. Met some cool guys section hiking, at the shelter. The thing I hate is meeting section hikers, but soon afterward having to move on ahead of them (section hikers never seem to be in as much of a hurry as me) Oh well, there will be more good folks up ahead I suppose.
Date: 2009-07-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 20.6

Back to long days. Sigh...Today was mostly OK though. Caught up with an older woman I had been warned about. I heard she was bossy and she was indeed. But I just ignored it as best I could. I would be going on ahead of her tomorrow anyhow. The shelter was really awesome. A 20 person one. Too bad it was only the two of us. There are some crowded nights in the shelters where I would have loved to have been here.
Date: 2009-07-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 22.7

Lots of ups and downs today. There will be tomorrow as well, it looks like. There was a multitude of blueberries lining the trail. I stopped and collect quite a few of them.At the shelter I once again met up with "Stove Kicker" whom I had last seen in Damascus. He had already done a section past Damascus and skipped ahead. It was good to see him again.Running low on food. Might try to hitch into town tomorrow.
Date: 2009-07-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 18.1

After I climbed the first, and largest, mountain for the day you'd figure it would be easy from there, but with an empty stomach nothing is ever as easy as it seems. I had arranged to be picked up by the B&B people, where I would be staying the night. So I had a deadline to meet. After an agonizing 18 miles (plus another 1.1 miles to the parking area) I made it to the destination for the night. I'm hungry.
Date: 2009-07-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 24.8

Last night I slept in a nice bed, got to watch television and ate a great dinner. I decided I wanted to do that again. But instead of taking a zero, I figured I'd get some miles done during the day.So I decided to "slack pack" today. I got shuttled up the trail 25 miles and then I walked back with little more than a day pack with a few things in it. It was a nice change from the norm. Even without a pack, at the end of the day I was pretty tired. Only gonna do 15 into Waynesboro tomorrow I guess.
Date: 2009-07-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.3

The hike today was overall pretty boring. I'm ready to get out of Virginia. Been here too long. The only hostel in town closes June 28th so I decided to tent for free at the YMCA. The only problem was I needed a tent. Well, I went to the outfitters and bought a tarp, ground cover, stakes and a rope for 100 bucks. Hated to spend the money, but I'll get my money's worth after a couple of uses. I set it up this afternoon and I admit, there's something nice about being in your own little space that is a nice change from shelter dwelling.
Date: 2009-07-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 20.0

Took care of all the stuff which needed to be done and got on the trail by 11 AM thanks to a trail angel I called from a list they gave me at the YMCA. Finally, I'm in the Shenandoah National Park. Been hearing about this place for a while. It was mostly a good first day except I made a mistake and didn't look ahead to notice there was a 13 mile gap without water. It sucked just as much as hiking without food. No one but me at the shelter tonight.
Date: 2009-07-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 13.2

Second day in the Shenandoahs didn't start out much better than the first. It started raining when I awoke and I realized I had lost my pack cover at some point. I decided to stay a while and finish my book I had been reading since the beginning of Virginia, Undaunted Courage. A biography of Meriwether Lewis. Quite an interesting book. I can draw many parallels between him and me. His life ended very sad when compared with the success he achieved. The rain wasn't too bad, but it still got me pretty wet. There was a camp store I spent some time at eating lunch and by the time I got to the first shelter, it was 5 PM, so I guess I'm staying here tonight. Perhaps I'll try 32 miles tomorrow.
Date: 2009-07-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 30.3

Today I set off with a goal of 30+ miles. I needed to make up for my short day yesterday. I made 15 miles by 1 PM. Mile 900. One thousand is getting close now! I reached the Big Meadows Wayside by dinner time and got a hamburger which was a nice treat. There I met back up with the cousins I had last seen in Pearisburg, Brent and Kirk. Or Hustle and Flow as they are called. Or is it Flow and Hustle. I don't remember. We took a while to get back on the trail so we were not able to get to the shelter before dark. Camped right off the trail. It was dark when we got there so we at first didn't notice another guy was camping no more than 10 feet away. What are the odds?
Date: 2009-07-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 17.1

Got up really early this morning in order to make it to Skyland Restaurant. Kirk and Brent joined me. It was awesome, too. Breakfast buffet! We ate a lot. While digesting we found out there was a festival going on nearby with blue grass bands, all kinds of random games like a cake walk and a watermelon seed spitting contest (?) There was a cooking demo. Needless to say, it took us a while to leave. Seven hours, actually. Made it less than 10 more miles to end the day. Doesn't bother me though. Was well worth it.
Date: 2009-07-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 26.5

Getting out of the SNP today. Kirk, Brent and I decided to split a hotel room in Front Royal. Long day, but we all need showers and laundry. Stopped by Elkwallow Wayside for lunch. Man, I sure will miss food being so easily accessible from the trail like this. It rained in the afternoon. Not really heavy, but enough to get me soaked. We were able to hitch into Front Royal relatively easily, though I did think for a moment we would have to walk the four miles. The first place we tried said they had no rooms, which seemed unlikely, but all we could do was keep going. We walked forever. Finally found a place which was a lot cheaper anyway. Front Royal was kind of depressing. Lots of closed businesses and foreclosed homes. Slept well in a warm bed.
Date: 2009-07-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.2

It took us quite a while to return to the trail today. Laundry, resupply, going to the outfitter were done as efficiently as possible, though. I had one of those Domino's pasta bread bowls that was really good. Got back on the trail at 4 PM. We made a decent number of miles, all things considered.
Date: 2009-07-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 18.3

None of us thought today was going to be as hard as it turned out to be. Most of the day was spent on "The Roller Coaster" a 13.5 mile section of accents and descents. They are short hills, but there are just so many. We were planning to go to the Blackburn Center where there was a free place to stay, but when we got to Bear's Den Hostel, it looked too good to pass up. And it was. A nice bed, shower, laundry, pizza, Ben and Jerry's and a soda for 25 bucks. Really nice place.
Date: 2009-07-23
To: West Virginia
Miles today: 20.3

Finally got over the Roller Coaster today. Thank God. It was pretty smooth walking from then on. Today I walked my thousandth mile on the AT. It wasn't as great as I had dreamed it would be, but I'm glad I'm finally here. We stopped at a pizza place near the trail for dinner and about a mile or two later Brent and Kirk found a campsite to stay at to await starting their four state challenge they would be attempting at midnight. They planned to make it to Pine Grove Furnace, the middle of the trail, by the weekend, where they would be picked up to return to work and school. I wished them luck and headed on to Harpers Ferry. At last, a new state! I got in town around 7, but couldn't find a hostel open/still in operation that was close by. I ran across Pegasus and we decided to camp under a breezeway of some design office near the trail. I now feel like a true homeless man. Will probably get a motel room tomorrow for my zero day.
Date: 2009-07-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today was supposed to be a day off, but I think I walked enough to count it as a short hiking day. Harpers Ferry is a very historic place so I spent most of the day going throu8gh the various museums and exhibits. Still couldn't find an inexpensive place to stay so I went to the Harpers Ferry Hostel, 1.5 miles down the trail. Got dropped off there by a guy who worked at the last place I tried to stay, The Town's Inn. The hostel didn't open until 5:30 so I got him to take me back to the ATC headquarters. That was a pretty cool place. I was exhausted at the end of the day. I'll hopefully get to take a nero day into town before too long so I can get some actual rest.
Date: 2009-07-25
To: Maryland
Miles today: 17.3

I was not in the mood for hiking today. Even entering a new state wasn't enough to get my spirits up. Plus I think something I ate last night did not agree with my stomach...Made it to Dahlgren Backpack Campground right before a big rain came through. The place was pretty neat. Shower, bathroom, large tenting area. Met some weekend hikers. Three guys, 10 or 15 years older than myself. We all wandered over to the South Mountain Inn which was a tenth of a mile up the trail and spent some time in the lounge there. They asked me all kinds of questions about my trip and I tried my best to answer. These guys were some of the most generous I've met on the trail. They fed me, bought my drinks and gave me a ton of extra food they had. Plus they were good company. I suppose tonight will serve as my midpoint celebration.
Date: 2009-07-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 13.9

Once again, did not feel much in a hiking sort of mood today. Passed by the first Washington Monument today. Built in 1827 by the citizens of nearby Boonsboro, MD. It was pretty cool actually. You could see where the battle of Antietam was fought from the top. Saw some people repelling off Annapolis Rocks when I was eating lunch there. Only made 13.9 miles today, I need to pick up my pace if I want to get to Pine Grove Furnace by day 70!
Date: 2009-07-27
To: Pennsylvania
Miles today: 18.1

I made pretty good time getting to Pen Mar County Park this morning. I planned on ordering a pizza, but this guy who identified himself as a trail angel told me he would take me. He was nice enough, just a little strange. He kept telling stories of people he had taken places and how he had to charge them. It sounded like he was implying that I should give him some money, but he said no when I asked. Whatever. I think the pizza guy pays him to take hikers there, so maybe that's why.Anyway, I shouldn't have eaten that stupid pizza. Just as my stomach was improving from whatever it was I got in Harpers Ferry, I made it 10 times worse. It was a struggle to get to the shelter for the night., but overall not a bad day's hike. Tomorrow I am reaching the midpoint if it kills me.
Date: 2009-07-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 29.5

Well, there was going to have to be a long day done somewhere if I wanted to reach the middle of the AT by today and I put it off till now. No matter, it will work to my advantage in the Half Gallon Challenge. I flew through the first 3rd of the days hike and ate lunch at Caledonia State Park. (PA has been awesome so far with all the state and county parks the AT passes through.) Then I hiked 20 miles before eating again. Completed the half gallon challenge, where thru hikers attempt to consume a half gallon of ice cream in a single sitting. It took me 33:53 to eat it all. Green Mint Chip was my favor of choice. Stayed at the hostel right next to the trail, Ironmasters Mansion. It was built in the 1820's and was a stop on the underground railroad. I actually got to go down inside the cramped crawl space where escaped slaves hid. I'm the only one staying tonight in this gigantic hostel. First time that's happened. Ten weeks have gone by since I stepped off of Springer Mountain and started walking north. It's hard to believe I have about that long before I get to turn around again.
Date: 2009-07-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.5

Well, my first step on the trail today certainly felt like my first step past the middle. Still not as great as I think getting to the under 1,000 to go mark will be, but a good feeling nonetheless. Stopped by a nearby campground to see if I could get lunch, but the snack bar was closed. The lady in the office was nice, though, and ran down to pick up some food. I had to cook the hamburgers myself, but it was still better than what I would have had in my food bag. Met a guy at the shelter who was also thru hiking north. Bottom Bunk was his trail name. He was just coming off a 3 week break where he went home in nearby Maryland. Perhaps its a good thing I don't have that kind of distraction.
Date: 2009-07-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 11.9

I decided to take a nero day and stay in a nicer place with a good bed and tv. The town of Boiling Springs was the first one I came to, but the trail was so easy I went on to the next one, Carlisle. Wasn't much of a town, just a highway really, but the hotel was relaxing so I think I caught up on my need to relax which I had missed in Harpers Ferry. That'll be my last nero for a little while, the hotel was a little pricey. I don't need one for a few hundred miles anyhow.
Date: 2009-07-31
To: View Entry
Miles today: 13.6

It, of course, took me forever to leave town today. I ate lunch at the diner where I had lunch yesterday. Yesterday I had some good fried shrimp. Today I went all out. First I got this gigantic chicken quesadilla. Then I ate a hamburger and fries. That's one of the tricks of hiking. Carbing up in town right before you start the day's hike. So, at least for a little while, I wouldn't feel hungry while hiking. I always feel hungry. Met up with a number of other hikers at the shelter. First there was Turtleback, a middle aged guy, I think he was sectioning, but if he was it was a pretty long section. Hawkeye, who actually started May 20th, the same day as I did. It only took 73 days for us to finally meet up. There was also a ridge runner there for the night.Later on two British guys whom I had met a few days before (they did the half gallon challenge with me) showed up. Tom and Colin are their names. There was also a guy from Germany doing a section, didn't catch his name though. It rained for a good while today, so everything is going to smell bad now. For a while too, I don't see a laundromat in my near future.
Date: 2009-08-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.4

I woke up today and realized it was beginning of a new month. It always amazes me when a month passes and I realize I've been out here since the last one. (I strolled into Duncannon early (I could get used to all these towns!) and made a perilous journey to the grocery store up this busy road. I called my friend from school, Whitney Montondo to say I was getting close to New Jersey where she is doing a co-op for Johnson and Johnson. I said I could make it by the next weekend, but it's going to be a little tough. I stopped in the Doyle, a well known hiker stop. Hung out there with the guys from t he shelter last night until way late. Then finally got to the shelter at 8 pm.
Date: 2009-08-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 17.5

Today's hike was easy, boring really. I got to the shelter early and it had such a good water source that I didn't want to go on. We were all there pretty early. Hawkeye, Tom, Colin and myself. And then comes Wrath. He had been at the shelter the night before, but I didn't think I would see him again. I had heard about him a long way back on the trail, didn't think I would catch him, but he's been going quite slow I guess. Wrath is a messed up guy, it's kind of sad really. My best guess is that his problems relate to his Meth use, which he told us he was a user of. He believes all these fantasy things. Stuff like magic and stuff one might find in a Lord of the Rings novel. Some of it seems totally made up by him, but he explains it like its complete fact, not as if he is making it up off the top of his head.There was one instance, though, where I noticed he blatantly ripped off something. Collin asked why he had written "I'm on a quest for swords" on his backpack and he went on this long, incoherent explanation about how immortals can't be killed by guns and you have to cut off their head with a sword. And I'm thinking to myself, "wait a minute, you totally got that from Highlander" But I didn't say anything. Wrath is the kind of guy who looks harmless, but no sense in taking any chances with someone with an unstable mind. I'll hopefully pass him tomorrow.
Date: 2009-08-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 17.4

Today was another fairly flat day except for a couple small climbs. I arrived at the 501 shelter by 3:30. The book said it had a solar shower, but it was more like a rainwater shower. Little more that a garden hose really. Still, I used it. The shelter was enclosed which was nice because it kept the bugs out. They have been unbearable lately. Looks like it's Collin, Tom, Hawkeye and me at the shelter tonight. I guess I wont be seeing Wrath again. Not that it really bothers me at all.
Date: 2009-08-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 23.7

Time to play catch up! I'm not doing a very good job getting to New Jersey by this weekend so I'm going to have to do some serious miles these next 4 days. I think I am starting to see these rocks everyone has talked about since I started this journey. Got into Port Clinton before the outfitter closed and bought some fuel. There is this pavilion in town where hikers can stay for free, so I hit that up. There were a number of other hikers there already. A couple guys were thru-ing. They had started in march, so they didn't look to be in a rush. Ordered a pizza and had it delivered to the pavilion. Hopefully I'll get out early tomorrow.
Date: 2009-08-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 22.6

At the recommendation of the outfitter guy, I decided to check out 3 C's family restaurant for breakfast. It was very good. However, it caused me to not get out of time until 9:30. That along with a couple good views to stare at and a shelter halfway that had a shower and a water spigot caused me to have to pull out the ol' headlamp and do some night hiking. Not too long , but the rocks got really bad after dark so it slowed me down a lot. At least no one was sleeping in the shelter that I would wake up. Someone was tenting nearby, but I was fairly quiet and got to bed quickly. Tomorrow is going to be a long day if I'm making it to Delaware Water Gap by Friday.
Date: 2009-08-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 33.6

Well, once again I did not get started until after 9 today. Which is even worse because I planned on doing over 33 miles today. That way I'd have an easy 20 into town where Whitney would be meeting me. An easy 20, ha! I can't believe I'm saying that. The trail has gotten increasingly rockier to the point that I'm boulder climbing sometimes. What really bugs me, though, are the small, ankle twisting rocks. There are some really long sections of them too. I made it to the halfway point for the day, marked by a shelter, at 3:45 PM. Ate "lunch" and finally got going again an hour later. I've got 16.8 miles to do with 4 hours of daylight left...it's going to be a long night. It got dark on me as I passed Little Gap. Somewhere nearby there was some kind of event going on. I could hear people cheering, an announcer, and engines revving. And the sound really carried too. I heard it for miles! Finally got in after midnight. No one at the shelter, thank goodness.
Date: 2009-08-07
To: New Jersey
Miles today: 20.2

I got going a little earlier today (somehow) so when I discovered there was a gas station a half mile away from the trail at Wind Gap, I went for it. I was so hungry. I ate a pint of ice cream and six doughnuts in the time it took me to walk back to the trail. Ok, these rocks are really starting to get on my nerves now. I guess they aren't as bad as everyone made it out to be though. Only the last 75 miles of PA are rocky. I called Whitney and arranged a time to meet up in town. We were able to find each other pretty easily at the Deer Head Inn. I took a shower at her apartment in New Jersey and we joined one of her co workers to eat dinner. I ate a lot and it was expensive. I'm going to end up spending a lot on food this weekend if I stay this hungry. I'm excited about going to NYC tomorrow. Very tired tonight.
Date: 2009-08-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

My 4th zero day was a lot different than the three previous ones. I spent the day in Manhattan, NYC. Monique, an intern who works with Whitney was our guide. A very good one too. I feel like I got a good mix of touristy sites and some not so touristy, but cool places. I went to Katz's Delicatessen, China Town, Union Square and ended the night at McSorley's. We walked all over the place. I spent a lot of money on food and stuff like "bubble tea" which normally I wouldn't even think about buying, but I felt that I deserved it after my 3 day, 75 mile marathon. I had a great day seeing New York City and I hope to visit again on my return trip.
Date: 2009-08-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 4.8

As a result of getting in so late last night, it took a while to get to the trail. A lot of time was spent updating this journal (how much time would I save without it?!) But I'm OK with it. It'll be nice for looking back on one day when I've forgotten some of the details. Whitney and I ate lunch at a nearby burger place and swung by the grocery store so I could resupply. Then I was back on the trail. Right where I had left off a couple days ago. Except now it was raining. I hate starting in the rain. It's becoming easier to return to the trail after a day in town, though. Whether that's because I'm getting used to the routine or I'm getting closer to the end so I want to just finish, I don't know. By the time I got going, I was wishing I was back inside. That might have just been the rain, though. I hate rain. Thanks Whitney, I had fun and appreciate your hospitality to a dirty, smelly homeless person.
Date: 2009-08-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 20.0

After an uneventful morning of hiking I stopped by the Mohican Outdoor Center for lunch. Had a deli sandwich that was quite good. Hawkeye came up a while afterward. He, Pegasus and the Brits had stayed down at Delaware Water Gap last night. Not much else to say for today other than it was hot and I saw a couple of bears. The shelter tonight is swarming with mosquitoes. When will these things die!?
Date: 2009-08-11
To: New York
Miles today: 26.7

Survived the night with the mosquitoes. I might need a transfusion now, but I'm alive. I got out pretty early. There was a breakfast place at a road crossing where I ate a couple bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches. Met a couple southbound thru hikers. Hawkeye caught up to me at the High Point State Park headquarters where I stopped for lunch. We continued on and finally arrived in Unionville at 7:30 PM where we found the Mayor's House. I had been hearing of this place for quite a while. It's great to finally be here.