morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-07-02
From: Pinacle Mountain Parking lot

To: Skyline milepost 15.9
Miles today: 20.2

by RightyIt was sunny again but with a cool breeze. The first 7 miles were quite easy but I went slow because there were lots of rocks. The second 7 miles were pretty easy but I was so tired that I went slow. I didn't get a good nights sleep the night before because I had about 6 glasses of iced tea at the restraunt and then I had a hot fudge sunday that evening. Way too much caffiene for me. Not even my 2 Tylenol PM's could counter act all that caffiene. I don't know WHY I do this to myself, but I do. Lefty and I stopped at yet another Wayside station for a milkshake. Yes, I had learned my lesson. Absolutely no sweet tea or soda's for me. The milkshake thing seemed like a good idea and sure were delicious....but was a BIG MISTAKE. Once I started hiking again, it was very hot and humid and I had a big uphill. My stomach was not very happy with me and it was a very LONG painful 7 miles out.I was actually an hour late getting out. I met a section hiker, Uno, from Michigan earlier in the afternoon. She is also a breast cancer survivor, 6 years now. She told me that after she had all her treatments that she was so tired and weak that she didn't think she'd ever get off the couch. And, yet, here she was backpacking with her son. You go girl!!The ridge runner for the Shenandoah's told Lefty about a really neat spot for a beautiful view just .01 off the trail so we did a side trip and got a great photo of the two of us up on the rocks. Oh, Lefty has a great bear story (and photo) for you.
Date: 2006-07-03
From: Skyline milepost 15.9

To: Va Route 55 Linden
Miles today: 20.0

by RightyWe were up early again this morning as we had to go to Front Royal to pick up our mail from the Post Office. I really liked my box of goodies! It started out overcase and rainy but had cleared off by the time we got to the trailhead at 11:30am. We had to do 20 miles today and it made me really nervous getting such a late start. You can read the AT book and look at the profile and usually get a good idea of how much time it will take you to do a section; but you never know what might happen and it could take you longer. I really have an aversion to hiking after dark; and NO, it's not because I'm afraid of the wildlife or the dark. It's because I fall enough during the daylight hours so I don't want to push my luck when it's hard to see the trail. As it turned out, it was a pretty easy day. The middle part was the toughest because of the humidity. I saw no big wildlife today; but perhaps that's because I had my nose to the grindstone and didn't stop to look around much.As it turned out, I was finished and out on Rt 55 by 7:30pm, way before my pickup time. The only place I could find to and wait for Buoy was on a big rock that was on the corner of someone's driveway. I was tired and thirsty as I had run out of water 2 hours before. I was just contemplating taking my water bottle up to the house and asking for some water when Dale came down the driveway and invited me up to the house for some "iced tea". How could I pass that up? There were about 10 people sitting outside relaxing and visiting. They gave me a nice tall glass of iced tea which I immediately downed and asked for more. We had a great time chatting and getting to know one another while we kept an eye out for Bouy in the van and Lefty coming out of the trail. They both got there about the same time and came on up for some tea, too. I was so impressed with the frienliness and hospility of this group of people. Another example of "trail angels". Thank you so much for making my day!
Date: 2006-07-04
To: Zero Day in Bryce
Miles today: 0.0

By LeftyWe spent the day packing our big packs, writing journal entries, and doing miscellaneous calls/bill paying. I had been taking a wonderful whirlpool bath before the fireworks began. Didn't want to miss that. I don't think I have ever watched a fireworks display from someones back deck. It was perfect. Then back to the tub.
Date: 2006-07-05
To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: light rain

By LeftyThis morning we packed up our van and left the beautiful home of Jim and Diane. After a quick breakfast at McDonald's Buoy dropped mom and I off at Manassas Gap in the town of Linden. Today marks phase II of our Appalachian Trail Adventure. Mom and I are setting out alone, with our big packs back on. Sadly Buoy will not be with us for the next 5-6 weeks. It was so hard to say goodbye to him. I don't think we have been apart THIS long before. I will miss you baby. Thank you for making my dream of hiking the AT come true. I love you!It started to rain 2 hours into our hike, and continured to rain all day and night. Since it was light rain during the day, it didn't bother us much. It actually helped keep the air a little cooler. The one thing that really sticks out in my mind about this day is that we got wetter from all the brush hitting us in the face and legs then from the rain itself. Mom and I set up our tents. Slowly, another thru-hiker we just recently met, was the only other hiker there. he braved the mice infested shelter.by RightyToday we had to say Goodbye to Bouy as he was driving back to Myrtle Beach in order to get his plane to Germany. It was so sad. We're going to miss him so much. It won't be the same without him. It wasn't too hard a day at first, but it felt difficult because it was the first day with a a full pack in a while. I thought I would die. By afternoon, it was raining and it was very slippery and rocky. Once we got to the shelter, it stopped raining for a while and we got our tents set up. Pretty soon it started raining again in earnest and it rained hard all night. We woke up the next morning having to pack up wet and dirty tents. They weigh about 3 times as much as when dry. We met another thry hiker names Slowlee at the shelter.
Date: 2006-07-05
To: saying Good bye
Miles today: 0.0

- by Buoy Today was the day. I already had treaded it for a while. I felt like I am abandoning my two girls in the middle of the Pacific Ocean in a little life raft and sail away with the nice comfy yacht. Well its not that bad I know but I still felt terrible.We took some pictures and said good bye. "See you in Connecticut"They both left walking over that bridge and dissapeared in the woods. Lefty and I were both very sad. She came back 3 times and we cried together. But than she also was on her way.It has been such an honor and joy to watch these two ladies fullfilling their dream. They are both made for long distance hiking and I am so proud of them.I am very gratefull that I was able to follow their path for the first 900 miles. If I had to had an accident it was better to have it towards the end. I really only missed about 10 days of hiking.Some people had asked about details to my mishap. I actually did not fall while hiking. I twisted my ankle while hanging the bear back.Happy Hiking Lefty and Righty
Date: 2006-07-07
From: Blackburn Trail Center

To: Harpers Ferry Hostel (Hostelling International)
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

By LeftyToday we woke to a a view of a beautiful sunrise over Washington D.C. We packed up our gear, enjoyed a hot cup of coffee and then hit the trail. Destination Harpers Ferry, WV (the psychological halfway point for thru-hikers).Mom and I crossed a big post marking that we had completed 1000 miles of the trail. Can you believe it? We have already walked that far. It is amazing to me. We snapped a few pictures and were on our way. It was a nice easy hike into HP. What I didn't expect is that I would cry like a baby when entering Harpers Ferry. I fell apart as soon as I exited the woods and saw the big bridge I had to cross to enter the town. The emotions just poured in. Lots of them. I was so happy and amazed that both mom and I had made it this far. I was also sad that Buoy wasn't walking this bridge with me. He had hoped to make it to Harpers Ferry before getting off the trail. Mom and I first went by the Appalachian Trial Conservancy to get our pictures taken for their thru-hiker register. We ran a few errands, went to the post office to mail some stuff home, had some lunch and got back on the trail. We had a chance to visit with Bonzo (the dude whose back has the very cool AT tatoo).by RightyWe left the trail center at 8am to hike the 12 miles directly into the town of Harper's Ferry. It was an easy hike; thank goodness because I had a wopper of a headache and my shins hurt every step of the way. We walked into town at 2PM and soon met a fellow hiker, Bonzo, who had his van there and gave us a lift to all the places we had to go to get our errands done. Thanks Bonz!!We stayed a the Harpers Ferry Hostel where we set up our tents. It was very expensive for just a tent site so I wouldn't recommend it to others. Kelley was able to get online tho for several hours, so I guess it was worth it.Oh, yes, two big highlights of the day. We FINALLY hiked out of Virginia. We also saw the 1,000 mile post today. Can you believe it???
Date: 2006-07-08
To: Dahlgren's Backpackers Campground
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: broken clouds

by RightyToday we hiked out of Harper's Ferry to Dahlgren Backpackers Campground. We left the hostel at 9:45 am, had breakfast, then started our 16 mile hike. It was fairly easy terraine. We passed two shelters and came to a campground with showers that was FREE. I got there a little before Lefty and met a couple, Sue and Bill, who were just packing up to move on. We started talking and they decided to stay and the four of us went out to dinner together at the Old South Inn. This is a very FANCY restraunt, and a little pricey; but we decided to celebrate our doing 1000 miles. We were pleasantly surprized that they actually let hikers in to eat. We tried to be on "good behavior".Highlight of the day, besides meeting Sue and Bill, was that we passed in and out of West Virginia and into Maryland.... somewhere, there was no marker that I saw.
Date: 2006-07-09
To: Devils Racecourse Shelter
Miles today: 19.4

by RightyToday we hiked 19.4 miles from Dahlgren Campground to Devil's Racecourse Shelter in Maryland. We hit the trail about 8 am. It was a nice day, clear and not too hot. The trail was not too difficult but the last few miles were all rocks and boulders; I mean, really BIG BOULDERS. I actually had to take my pack off twice in order to haul myself up and over. My feet, ankles and knees were all SORE! I thought we were in PA already. When we got to the shelter, it was full of boyscouts, so we tented near the trail. We were short on water; but decided to make do until morning.
Date: 2006-07-10
To: 3 miles N of Chimney Roacks
Miles today: 17.0

by RightyToday, we hiked from the Devils Racecourse Shelter to 3 miles past Chimney Rocks. Lefty was up and out before me. I got off to a really bad start. I actually started hiking the wrong way (south) and didn't realize it until I hit a blue blaze trail that I remembered from the day before. That was after a half hour of hiking downhill over big rocks. I had to turn aroud and hike all the way back up. That put me about an hour and a half behind Lefty and she hikes faster anyway.We met up at PenMar State Park where she had been hanging around for almost two hours waiting for me. This is a beautiful state part on the border of Maryland and Pennsylvania. In fact, after you leave the park, you actually cross over the Mason Dixon line and are in Pennsylvania. We met a really nice guy who works there, Forrest, who was very kind to us. Lefty ordered pizza and iced tea from a local place and Forrest, she and I had a nice lunch. We even shared with other hikers. We spent 3-4 hours there just "chillin". We still had a lot of hiking to do so we headed out and hiked until 8pm and then looked for a place to put up our tents. We didn't realize that we'd gone further than we thought and were so close to our end destination. All in all, it was a good day.
Date: 2006-07-11
From: one half mile short of Va 233

To: Shippenburg Road
Miles today: 15.0

by RightyI had a really bad night. Couldn't get to sleep because of all the caffeine I had had during the day. Then in the wee hours when I finally got to sleep, I kept waking up feeling something crawling on me. I would smack at it and doze off again just to feel something crawling on me again. My light doesn't work, so I couldn't turn on a light to find out what was going on. So basically, I didn't sleep. About 5am when it started to get light, I could see that I had ants in the tent with me. It was a miserable morning. Still damp from the rain during the night. The mosquitos were everywhere.I started hiking at 8am which is early for me. I did 5.5 miles and found a trail angel had left juices in a cooler, along with a note saying these people had a campsite in the campground we were walking through and we could get showers and food. Needless to say, Lefty was all for it. I was NOT SO EAGER as we had to walk up a long road to get to where the campsites were. I REALLY HATE having to hike anywhere off the trail. Soon enough tho' we were welcomed by Scott and three helpers (Allison, Ashley and Adam) from Indiana. This was his 5th year coming to PA to be a trail angel for a week. They fed us lunch and then we hiked the next 10 mile section and he picked us up and brought us back to the campsite for dinner and to camp.There were several other hikers there: Forrest, TI85, Chewey, Garden Knoll, Snake Eyes, Pixie, Wooley Bear, Daniel and others. For dinner Scott grilled chicken, and we had peas, dirty rice, and corned beef and cabbage. It was WONDERFUL! Afterwards we sat around the campfire and visited. At 9pm, though, I had to excuse myself and get to bed. In the morning, Scott fixed blueberry pancakes and eggs and we stuffed ourselves again. WHAT A GREAT BUNCH OF TRAIL ANGELS!
Date: 2006-07-13
From: Tagg Run Shelter

To: Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 12.2

by RightyIt rained all night. I slept late (as did Lefty) waiting for the rain to stop. Lefty got packed up and left first. It took me a bit longer to get my stuff packed up since I couldn't use my left hand much. It wasn't a difficult hike but I was still stiff and in pain from the fall the day before. I couldn't apply any weight to my wrist which meant using my poles was hard. I had a headache and my nose and eye hurt.AGAIN, I started the day off badly. I headed out in the wrong direction. Now, in my defence, I think I was out of it when I got into camp the night before. I didn't even realize I was going the wrong way until I MET another northbound hiker.   Ooops! That wasted an hour. I hked into Boiling Springs where I met Lefty at the ATC office. We ended up getting a lecture from the Park Ranger about NOT trying to hike on that evening because you couldn't camp anywhere in the next 14 miles because of this narrow corridor of AT property. Well, Lefty was still determined to go on, but Todd put the fear of God in me and I didn't want to take a chance. Also, I KNEW there was no way I could hike another 14 miles that day. So, we ended up staying at a German B&B. NO, not in the B&B itself (much too expensive), but in their backyard. The owner let's thru hikers put up their tent there for $1. He must do it to just annoy the officials or his neighbors.... or his wife. Anyway, it worked for us. We had dinner at the local Italian Pizza place. Food was good. I was in bed by 9pm.by LeftyThe next morning we went to the Citgo down the block (pix above) and ate bfast, talked up the locals and prepared for our very long hot day of hiking.
Date: 2006-07-14
From: Boiling Springs, PA

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: scattered clouds

by LeftyHey everyone, I am in Duncannon after a very long day. Mom and I hiked a very hot and sweaty 22 miles today and then I got some kind of crazy idea at 8:30pm to do another 4 miles into town. I'm so glad I did it. I caught up with Skywalker! Yippee!! And, I think I convinced him to take a zero with us tomorrow. Well, for mom it will be a nero (near zero). She still needs to hike the last 4 into town tomorrow. Both she and I will enter lots of journal entries tomorrow. I may even be able to upload a few pictures. I'll take a shuttle to Rite Aide Saturday and get my photos on a disc to upload from this computer at the bar/hotel we are staying at. The Doyle. Gotta love it. More later.by RightyWe got up early. Hiked out of Boiling Springs by 8am. The temp was already in the 80's. It was an interesting day. We hiked through farmlands; across hayfields, cornfields and into ajoining woods. We found ripe red raspberries and filled out tummys. The first shelter we hit was Darlington Shelter where we just stopped in for a break. The next 7 miles to Cove Mountain shelter were miserable. It was fairly rigerous after the flat terraine of the first 10 miles. What made it so miserable though were the mosquitos. They were unbearable! I mean SO BAD, that you wanted to throw down your poles and committ hairy-carry. When I got to the shelter, I found there were no tent sites, so had to hike back up the trail to look for a flat spot. As soon as I got my tent up I jumped in and didn't come back out. Even then, the sound of them ourside the tent was unnearving and made you want to scream. Lefty arrived at 8pm and announced that she was going to hike the additional 4 miles into Duncannon that evening. Not me, I wasn't getting out of that tent for any reason.
Date: 2006-07-15
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Duncannon, Pa
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: moderate rain

by RightyI got up this morning at 7:30 and did the 4 miles into Duncannon. Most of it was easy, but there was a real rocky, steep area which was a little unnearving for me with my history of falling. Oh, yes, it also rained while I was on that section. But, I arrived safely, even though I was wet. Found Lefty at the Doyle Hotel. It's a real flea bag but it's hiker friendly! For me, this is not totally a zero day as I had to hike some. We call it a nero day.by LeftyHad bfast with Wooleybear, Skywalker, Waterfall and Papa Waterfall. The Waterfalls didn't have enough suffering yesterday during their 26 miles. They wasted no time getting back out there today while we took the day off. Had a relaxing day. There isn't much going on in Duncannon. After walking around town this am, and talking up any local who wanted to chat, mom, Skywalker and I hit the first annual muscle car show in town. Did laundry. Got a shuttle to RiteAide so I could get the pix off the camera and on a disc to upload. Had dinner with Sue and Bill (who we met one week ago camping) and Skywalker. I can't believe that we will be in CT in 3 weeks. Holy Cow! Party details to follow. Save the date of Sunday August 13th. There will be a party at my dad's.
Date: 2006-07-16
To: a spring at mile 1147.9
Miles today: 17.5

by RightyLefty and I had breakfast with Skywalker at 6:30am and then Skywalker and I left to start our 17 mile hike out of town. We crossed two rivers, the Juanita and the Susquahana. It was a hard uphill to get back to the top of the ridge. There were lots of rocks. In fact, the whole trail was rocks. We stopped by two shelters for breaks, but continued on and camped a half mile from a road. Lefty got in about 8pm. I had gotten really bad blisters on the balls of my feet so that made hiking less than fun and hitting all the hard, sharp rocks was painful. However, all my other ailments are much better. It¢s funny how it takes a new pain to put the others in the background.
Date: 2006-07-17
To: I-81 crossing
Miles today: 17.8

by RightyWe left at 8am to do 16 miles or so. It was hot and humid already and my blisters were no better even though I had put duck tape on them. Duct tape is the ¢new¢ hiker remedy for blisters. The first 2 miles were all up hill with a 1000 foot elevation gain. By the time I got to the shelter for a break at 11 miles, I felt like I had been hiking for 20. It was so humid it just drained your energy. We stopped when we came to the I81 overpass and found a brook with campsites that looked inviting. We all took baths right in the stream right where the AT crosses. It was a long, hot, hard day ¢¦ but it was done.
Date: 2006-07-18
To: Hertlein Campground
Miles today: 16.6

by RightySome people think that thru hikers are crazy people. Today I may just agree! After all, who in their right mind would strap 40 pounds onto their back and climb up and down mountains in 90+ temps and humidity? Add into the mix that the trails in PA are all rocks and boulders!As usual, our day started with a 3 mile uphill climb which might have been OK except for the rocks and the humidity. We reached a shelter after 7 miles and were all done in but still had at least 9 miles to go. Lefty decided to stay at the shelter a little longer and try to get a pizza delivered. Skywalker and I went on because we still hd 5 miles to do and not knowing what the terrain might be were afraid we¢d run out of time before we got to our destination. We like to leave a little buffer for the ¢unexpected¢ and like to be setting up camp by 7pm. By 6pm, it had started raining and we were still going over rock and boulders. I was glad I wasn¢t by myself right then. Being vertically challenged, I HATE going over rocks that are wet. We reached the camping area at 7:30pm and set up our tents quickly in the rain. Lefty arrived shortly after us which made me happy; so I didn¢t have to worry about her.Oh, yes, I did see a rattlesnake today. It was HUGH. As big as my upper arm around and about 4 foot long. It was just starting to cross the trail as I approached and ¢rattled¢ a warning to me. It scared the dickens out of me and believe me, I backed up quickly and waited for it to move across the trail.
Date: 2006-07-19
To: Port Clinton, PA 
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: scattered clouds

By Righty OK. I¢m not going to start with a ¢Oh what a beautiful day¢ thing. It was a miserable day! Pennsylvania sucks! The rocks are unbearable! For me, this was a double-header day.I started off the day with a fall after only about 3 miles. I had just finished 3 miles of up hill and the trail had leveled off. I guess I let my guard down because all of a sudden I was flat on my face, much like my last fall. In fact, exactly the same. I tripped on a rock, landed on my left knee, left wrist, and the left side of my face. Now I¢m not only sporting a black and blue nose, it¢s all scraped up, too. It looks like I¢ve been in a fight and LOST! Of course, I got up and hiked on another 12-14 miles. What else was I to do? Later in the day, on our last couple of miles out, the trail was all downhill and very steep. It was difficult to keep your speed in check and put a lot of pressure on your knees and wrists. With only about a quarter mile to go, my right knee buckled and I wasn¢t able to catch myself. I just slipped down but my leg was bent under me and I really cried out in pain. Lefty was behind me and thought I had really hurt myself. Once I got my leg out from under me and found my knee was still attached, caught my breath, got over the nauseous feeling that comes with pain, and got over the shakes, I realized I was OK. I was pretty dirty but not hurt. We got into Port Clinton a little later and camped in a church run pavilion at the end of town. It was great that it was a free place to camp; but it was real loud as the highway was right above us. We were able to wash up either under a pump or in the river. We went to the Hotel Clinton for dinner. The best part of dinner was this huge portion of french fries. I have a whole story to tell about Port Clinton but that will be in a separate journal entry.