morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-05-07
From: Rockfish Gap 

To: Blackrock Hut 
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

It's amazing how we just feed off of each others laziness. This morning none of us wanted to get up and moving let alone pack up our food. It used to be that we'd have everything all ready the night before and we'd wake up early to get moving. Anyway, we got on the trail at about 10 am and i was still moving a little slow. By the time we got to the registration booth (for going into the shenandoahs) i was still moving slow so i headed on while the guys got the tags. Later i found out it wasn't that easy and the guys had to walk down to the road and registar at the booth where cars pay. On top of that the ranger guy was not very nice or helpful and 3 sock walked away mumbling something about government bureaucracy. I had my own adventure while they were doing that, i came much closer than i'd like to stepping on a copperhead. I'm really amazed at how beautiful the snake was but i'd been happier if it wasn't on the trail in front of me. After i got it to move off the tr! ail i continued on and was very cautious. I did not think about the fact that i had just pissed off the snake and now all the guys had to walk past. So i waited about 20 min.s down the trail (where i came to this realization) and everyone was fine, actually none of them had even seen it.    We should have called today ticks and snake day as the guys later saw a rattler on the trail (which both Beefstick and i missed). And for about a week now we've been finding ticks on us. The guys (me too, but i'm losing) are having a contest to see who finds the most ticks... great games we have aren't they. Well the black flies are getting to me so i'm going to turn off my headlamp.Staying at the shelter tonight is Cheddar, Beefstick, Rock Hound, & 3 section hikers from Charleston, SC.
Date: 2003-05-08
From: Blackrock Hut 

To: Hightop Hut 
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up in a bad mood this morning. Bugs already started attacking me and I had issues packing my bag. However, headed 7+ miles to Loft Mt Campground and although the stores were closed, we found out that the wayside 1 mile down the road was open. Got there at 10:25 and ordered a nice big breakfast with a delicious blackberry milkshake. Finished off breakfast and realized that they just switched over to lunch - so we stayed around for another fulfilling meal at National Park prices... GRAND!Rockhound brought up the point of "do all park rangers have to be idiots?" We had an issue with the entrance park ranger, then Rockhound spots one by the closed campgrounds just meandering in one area kicking rocks for enjoyment. When asked a valid question, the ranger of course had no answer. My feelings are, the Nat Park System "protects the land" (by building radio and FAA towers) but in no way protects the wilderness experience. Since reading "Monkey Wrench Gang" I think I have a little too much Hayduke in me. I have a feeling I may become vocal before the end of this park.Continued on and the day was becoming hotter and the bugs were once again out in full force. I would much prefer a full day of rain over being totally swarmed with bugs with every step. Tried putting some liquid cancer on my hat but not sure it really helped.Arrived at the shelter that "Wingfoot" proclaims has: "bad no-see-ums on occasion." Oh great...Rockhound and I were debating on hiking .5 miles to the top of the mountain to view the sunset - however lazyness and the fact that we were somewhat not getting eaten alive, we decided to stay put.Seeing a pletora of mice, think this may be a LONG night.
Date: 2003-05-09
From: Hightop Hut 

To: Rock Spring Hut 
Miles today: 23.9
Weather: light rain

Before i talk about today i should tell what happened last night after we finished writing the journal. It was still light out when the shelter mice came out of their corners and stared at us. Now this is unusual because we sometimes hear the mice but have only seen them one other time. So we're all alittle afraid of what the mice are going to do once the sun completely sets but Cheddar is more than just alittle uneasy. He comes up with a plan to hit the mouse with a broom handle when they come out of the hole. It was really entertaining for all of us in the shelter. So today was a pretty fun day. It was an easy hike to the first lodge at 11 miles where we had snacks and sodas. And then we hiked another 9 miles to the main lodge of Shenandoah where we had dinner. We got to the 'wayside' (what shenandoah likes to call grills) earlier than we'd expected ( 9 miles in 2.5 hours put us their at 3 pm) which turned out to be a great thing as it took us 2 hours to eat and joke around there. We couldn't decide what to do about tonight but ended on hiking another 4 miles to the next shelter instead of paying $17 for a spot to set up a tent (here it's free). The unfortunate planning of the Shenandoahs put our shelter next to a rental cabin with a grill (to temp us) and radio (to disrupt our peace). Tonight at the shelter is Paw-ee & Maw-ee, Dimples and her friend Jeff, Beefstick, Rock Hound and Cheddar. Unfortunately the 3 guys (tim, kevin, and matt) from the last to nigths decided to stay back a shelter to heal sore knees.
Date: 2003-05-10
From: Rock Spring Hut 

To: Skyland Lodge 
Miles today: 4.6

Whewww... big mile day, ok it really wasn't but at least it was fun. It all started when instead of raining last night (like almost every other night for a good week) it poured this morning starting at 6 am. So we slept into 8:30 and then got moving after the rain had slowed down a little. Now this wouldn't normally be a problem but the next lodge closed between breakfast and lunch and at this rate we'd hit it right in the middle. Which is exactly what happened but we were lulled into waiting a half an hour for lunch by the warm fireplace and comfy chairs. So we had lunch and were about to go when someone (and no one remembers just who) came up with why don't we have our friend Roo meet us here instead of 10 miles away. So we watched the thunder and lightening out the window as we waited for Roo to meet us to camp with us for the evening. I don't think anyone regreted not moving at all. We did have fun trying to cookout at our 'campsite' in the middle of the thunderstorm. But the 'burgers and 'dogs were great and the storm broke in time for the smores. Tomorrow we'll have to do good miles to make up for todays laziness but it was so worth it to relax with friends and eat eat & eat. Tenting tonight with Roo (a great friend from our 'real life' who was nice enough to drive down from the DC area to endure rainstorms to camp with us), Rock Hound & Beefstick.
Date: 2003-05-11
From: Skyland Lodge 

To: Gravel Spring Hut 
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: overcast clouds

What a nice way to wake up after tenting out... to no rain that is and a somewhat dry tent. We went to breakfast at the lodge, another great thing about this morning - no poptarts!, with Roo, Rock Hound & Beefstick. Then we drove back to the trail and were off on more great Shenandoah adventures. After that build up i hate to let everyone down but really all we did was walk and eat today - no bears, no snakes, no naked hiking day, nothing. I can say that tomorrow we'll be out of the Shenandoah National Park tomorrow and we're all pretty happy about that. Shenandoah is great in a car but not so great to hike. The AT goes right along next to the Blue Ridge Parkway most of the time which as you can imagine isn't what most of us like to look at while walking. We are excited to be moving out of here because that means we're almost to the end of Virginia. If you haven't noticed we've been in Virginia for a really long time and are ready for a new state. Interestingly enough we'll be in the next state, West Virginia, for about 2 1/2 hours so i guess it all works out. At the shelter tonight is Maw-ee & Paw-ee, Rock Hound, Beefstick & two southbounders i don't know.
Date: 2003-05-12
From: David Lesser Shelter 

To: Denton Shelter
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Last day in Shenandoah National Park and we all shouted with joy as we saw the sign saying we were leaving the park. A few years ago I did many day hikes throughout the park and loved them all but overall I was a little disapointed with how the AT runs so close to roads and parking lots and by passes such interesting, more out of the way places of the park.Arrived at the road to Front Royal around 1:30 and a student from Virginia Tech was kind enough to pick us up (Hokies are such great people). She was kind enough to drop Beefstick and Rockhound off at the Food Lion and take us to the P.O. She then waited for us to pick up our mail drops (thank you Hayden, Eric, and Amy) and drive us back to the Food Lion! Made our lives SO much easier! Ate lunch/dinner in town, pizza of course, then headed back out onto the trail to slowly hike on full stomachs to the next shelter 5 miles north. The Denton shelter was amazing - very clean, had a cooking area, and a shower which sometimes is in operation. We figure we really don't smell too bad so no need for the shower!
Date: 2003-05-13
To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: broken clouds

2 Days to Harper's Ferry, 2 Days to Harpers Ferry...Another rolling hill relatively boring day, mind I'm not complaining it was nice to take it easy-ish. We met some really nice day hikers who gave us homemade cookies and some fresh fruit and veggies. But they wouldn't let me have their dog who was really sweet.Right now the guys: Rockhound, 3 Sock, and Beefstick, are arguing the virtues of Guns N' Roses. As you can tell we don't have a lot of worries out here!Tomorrow we hike through an area called "The Roller Coaster". We have heard it's not that bad, just the terrain lately has been pretty easy and this will be some up's and down's. We'll see...At the shelter tonight is Caddis, Papa Caddis, Red, Maw-ee, Paw-ee, Rockhound, Beefstick, and 3 section hikers.
Date: 2003-05-14
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: David Lesser Shelter 
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: clear sky

Upon starting our day we came across a sign informing us that we are entering the "Roller Coaster - see you on the other side... if you survive." (Or something like that). 15-20 hills in the next 15 miles, total elevation gain: 5000 feet. We did survive, and didn't think it was that much more dificult then a typical day on the trail.After the first 10 miles we took a break at Bear's Den outcrop overlooking VA to the west. I headed up 0.1 miles to the hostel to make some phone calls - came down with sodas for the rest of the crew. Great hostel - somewhat of an educational hostel set up by the PATC (I believe). Would have been a good place to stay. However we hiked an additional 11 miles north to make it an easy 9.5 mile day into Harper's Ferry. My feet are really pounding! I need a break!
Date: 2003-05-15
From: David Lesser Shelter 

To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: light rain

We ( 3 sock & i) got up and going very quickly today, in fact we were the firstones out of the shelter - first time that's ever happened. I were so excited tobe walking into Harper's Ferry that i didn't mind being the first one down thetrail. I'm not sure if we have explained the problem with being first on thetrail or not but, it stems from spiders and them building webs across the trail.It really adds to the walk to have little silk lines across your face and body. So as I said i was so excited that i didn't mind the webs for awhile. When thespider webs became parachuting silk worms (they drop off the trees above by asingle silk line and hang at head level waiting to hit you) i'd had enough ofbeing first. We've hiked through them before and i had no problem with them atthat time but today they were everywhere. I thought that the rain had startedup again because it sounded like the rain drops were falling on the dry leaves,no it was just raining silk worms. ! About every ten minutes i stopped and pulled a good 25-30 worms off of me asyou can imagine it was pretty horrible. We finally made it to Harper's Ferry and 3 Sock & I walked straight to thetown intead of stopping at the AT Conferance Headquarters. We both felt likethe walking into the town made it seem more real than the ATC center. We, ofcourse, walked up to the ATC center later for our "halfway" picture and soda. But we didn't leave the town before eating some French fries and ice cream. Also while we were sitting in the lawn by the point we had tour groups walk pastus and explain... the AT is over 2000 miles long and goes from Georgia toMaine... it was weird to be one of the exhibits. We met up with Fran & Stan, 3 Socks parents, at the ATC center. Aftercollecting our packs we, Beefstick, Rock Hound, 3 Sock and I, headed home to getclean and eat lots of food. (Here we should explain how brave it was for Fran &Stan to ride in the car with all of us how had gone 9 or 10 days without ashower.) I almost forgot we made a trip to REI for Beefstick to get a new pack. Justby chance a day or two ago his pack broke and so the timing was prefect to get anew one. Especially since his old one caused him alot of pain.
Date: 2003-05-16
From: Harper's Ferry

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

The plan was to get up and day hike with Stan but, it was raining and we gotlazy. We were going to take Beefstick back to the trail as he has to meet hisfather up the trail in a few days. But his ankle was very swollen again so hepushed his plans back a day and stayed inside with us.   The day didn't getmuch more exciting from there... Rock Hound fell sound asleep on the couch,Beefstick played with his new pack and we all ate a lot. Oh, i should say thatwe went to Nido's for dinner and had 2 large white pizzas for an appetizer - sogood! (And of course i got a cannoli!) Tomorrow the guys are headed back to the trail and 3 Sock and i are having apicnic with our friends in the area.
Date: 2003-05-17
From: Harper's Ferry

To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning we took Rock Hound and Beefstick back to the trail at Harper'sFerry. It was tough saying good-bye to them as we probably won't see them forawhile. We're planning on day hiking with Stan through Maryland and then takingsometime to recop. We'll see what happens...   Today we had a picnic with our friends who live in the area. Soobviously we aren't hiking today... just eating. Weather was rainy but it was so great to see everybody - thanks to all who showed up!
Date: 2003-05-18
From: Harper's Ferry

To: Turners Gap
Miles today: 18.1

Although rainy, my dad decided to hike with us today. We were dropped off in Harper's Ferry and enjoyed an easy stroll down the C&O towpath. Rain was on and off all day and you could tell that the ground was completely saturated. The path often turned into a stream but that figures considering that this area had 4 inches of rainfall just 2 days earlier (that was a great day for a zero!).We saw a turtle on the path and my dad saw some deer but not much exciting today and definitely NO veiws. It was great to hike with my dad, kind of interesting that we actually hiked part of the AT in Maryland when I was growing up 10-15 years ago. Ended our hike at Old South Mountain Inn and returned to the comforts of my parents house (probably my favorite hostel of the whole trail - and they haven't charged us yet!).Although seeing our friends greatly lifted our spirits and we were able to recoup for a few days, Thin Mint and I are no longer enjoying our hike. For many reasons this is an appropriate time to conclude our adventure. We plan to hike tomorrow in order to reach the PA boarder - I hope I can enjoy my last day on the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2003-05-19
From: Turners Gap

To: MD-PA Border
Miles today: 23.0

From Springer to the Mason-Dixon line, 1044.5 miles (plus a 3.8 mile relo.). Not Katahdin, but hey, I've heard that mountain is overrated!The sun came out today and brought us a great day, similar to the day in which we began this journey from Springer. Didn't know what to expect on our final day but we were in good spirits. And when we hit the last few miles which included a steep decent on an extremely rocky trail, I knew we had made the right decision. With the next state of PA being infamous for its rocks, and every joint in my legs killing as I tossed my body down to the next boulder, I was happy to think that I would be able to spend the rest of the summer learning how to walk again without pain!I'm not sure I will miss the trail but I will certainly miss the people. We think to ourselves if we will regret this decision to end our journey. I hope we will continue thinking about the positives and everytime I visit my folks I can think to myself - I have walked here all the way from Atlanta (or at least Springer). There were definitely things that we never had the chance to experience on the trail: we never saw a bear, Lymes disease never crossed our path, the fun of giardia, and we had our best chance to twist and break an ankle on the rocks of PA.We would like to thank all of those who have helped us along our journey, I know many have invested a lot of time and energy into us. We first need to thank our parents (who to this moment are still helping us out). We'd also like to thank Amy (and Eric) who sent us our first charity mail drop and some great cookies! Thanks to all who sent/delivered great care packages (Linda; Sharon, Dan, and Hayden; Aaron and Robbin; Gretchen and Kalimar; Barb; The Whites). Enjoyed all of the emails/guest book entries and gossip from the "real world" people sent along our journey. We also enjoyed the hospitality given by Karen, Kevin, and their family in Blacksburg. Thanks Roo for taking time out of your busy schedule to treat us to a great meal in SNP. Also, thanks to the number of trail angles out there who helped us get in and out of town and supplied us with trail magic along the way. The thoughtfullness of our friends, family, and strangers helped us make it from GA>PA. And of course... Thank you Rock Hound (stories, food, companionship, and you know the rest... - see you in Vermont, Canada)
Date: 2003-03-21
To: Amicalola Falls State Park
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Well, the day has finally come, I can¢t believe it! I leave home this afternoon and start hiking the approach trail first thing tomorrow morning. I weighed my pack last night and it¢s 46 lbs. with my gear, four days of food and three liters of water. I haven¢t been sick since last year and here I am about to leave and I¢m feeling weak, my throat hurts, my head hurts and I¢m all stuffed up. Oh well, nothing some fresh mountain air can¢t fix. My next entry will be from the trail. Peace.
Date: 2003-03-22
From: Amicalola Falls State Park

To: Black Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 7.3

I'm here! Well, not quite. I walked from 2 pm until 5:30 pm. I met up with James(possibly Palmetto or Palmetto Tar). He got the name because he's lived in SC- the Palmetto State and NC- the Tarheel State. He's not sure if the name's gonna stick but at least he has something... I'm still trailnameless. I met a guy named Paul and his wife while walking today too. I told them about the Trail Journal online, they were interested in the reason I chose to hike the AT. I told them all about it. Great people!Well, back to the hike. The aproach trail ain't no joke! The first mile was up, up and more up. From what I hear, there's plenty more of that to come in the next few weeks(and the next 6 months for that matter). Oh well, that's one of the reasons I'm here-to exercise.I got to camp at around 5:30 and had dinner cooking by 6 and now I'm in my nice, warm sleeping bag and it's only 7 pm. The mice are running rampant in the shelter and there are bear warnings posted in the register and on the shelter wall. I hung my food from a tree about 10 feet from the ground, hopefully the bruins stay away from it and mosey up to the probably very crowded Springer Shelter just over a mile from here.The mountain air and the hard work today all but cured my illness, we'll see how I feel tomorrow after hopefully having a bear-free night. Much love to all my Peeps.
Date: 2003-03-24
From: Hawk Mtn Shelter

To: Gooch Gap
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: clear sky

Yet another great day! The weather was absolutely perfect. The hiking was far better than the previous two days. After a bit of decent from Hawk Mtn Shelter, I had to climb practically straight up and down three times. After those, it was all smooth cruisin'. I stopped at Justus Creek for lunch, man, what a cool little setting that was. There were three logs set out right next to the creek about where 10 thru hikers enjoyed our lunches. Mine was a supersize Snickers, others had anywhere from tuna salad to Ramen Pesto sauce. I sat there and massaged my aching dogs and filtered water(not necessarily in that order though). After about a half hour there I moved along to a new shelter at Gooch Mountain. It was really nice. Hopeful, one of the guys I've been hiking with, helped build it. Although the accomodations were first rate, I just stopped long enough to visit privy. A privy is a backwoods toilet for those who aren't "privy" to that information. This one was above ground and used oxygen and worms of some sort to break down the goods. It was much better than the one at Hawk Mtn Shelter. OK enough potty talk. After the privy visit I kept walking another two miles or so to the old Gooch Gap Shelter area. Very nice. It's the first green meadow I've had the pleasure to come across. I got here around three with every intention of moving on but after laying in the grass for about an hour I decided to stay. I'm really happy I did too. I met a few new people and we had a not too big, not too small campfire and just sat around swapping stories until about 9 pm. Some of the folks that are camped in the meadow tonight are Palmetto Tar, Woodpecker, Moose, Bug, Dude, Kilroy, Steve, Hopeful, Christina, Candy, Liz, Julie and Kate. I chose early on to sleep under the stars, I saw two meteors last night, hopefully I'll see some more tonight. I'm thinking I'll push on to Blood Mountain tomorrow, but plans can change, we'll see. Well, I'm off to stargaze from my bed...still trailnameless. Good night.