morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-05-08
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: John Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: clear sky

After the long day yesterday, I decided today would be a short day. My feet hurt and I made slow progress for the first hour and a half. The plan was to go to Glasgow to resupply. I had to since the only food I had was a bagel and some peanut butter.While hiking the trail I saw my second snake. It looked like small scarlet king snake, and I shooed it away with my hiking pole. There were some interesting views and I took some more pictures. One was of the valley all covered with fog. I also took a couple of shots of the James River and the bridge crossing over it.Once over the bridge, Route 501 runs along the trail. That¢s where I had to get my hitch. I must not have my hitching face yet along with my climbing legs. I tried for 25 minutes for a ride with no luck. As I was waiting Senator came into the parking lot from hitching back from town. The fellow told me to hop in and took me into town. The first stop was the grocery store. I had to walk a couple of blocks from where I was dropped off. When I got there I saw Geri, now known as Frenchy. She was the first person I hiked with and I haven't seen her since Hot Springs, almost 400 miles ago.Geri was eating a pint of Ben and Jerry¢s, so I decided to get one too. I got resupplied and now have a heavy pack again. While we were eating the ice cream Red Rover showed up and joined us in the ice cream eating contest. There was an AYCE across the street so we went there and had dinner. And yes, I went back for thirds again. We got a hitch back to the trail head and hiked the 1.7 miles into the shelter. And even after the ice cream and AYCE dinner, I am still hungry. I¢m finishing the journal here in the dark listening to a Whipper Will. If he keeps it up, it will be a noisey night.
Date: 2005-05-09
From: John Hollow Shelter

To: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: clear sky

Today was another hard day and the same is expected for tomorrow. The day started with two long climbs. I started hiking at 7:15am and did not get to the shelter till just before 7p.m. There are eight of us tenting and four people sleeping in the shelter. I hadn¢t slept in the tent for awhile so I decided to set it up. I have a nice spot right next to the creek, although it is a little loud. Today was also very hot and I¢m sure that added to my slow progress. If this is what¢s to come I'll be asking for cold weather again. My sleeping bag was too hot last night and I slept with the zipper all the way unzipped. I am going to try sleeping in my liner tonight with the sleeping bag as a comforter.So with the creek flowing over the rocks and the sound of the running water it¢s off to sleep I go.
Date: 2005-05-10
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter

To: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

There were lots of tough climbs today, so it was another low mileage day. The heat is making it hard to hike, especially from about noon to four o'clock. I started early and got here just before 6:00 PM. There were only a couple of nice views from the top of Bald Knob and Cold Mountain. I took a long lunch on top of Cold Mountain. It had a view of the valley below outlined by the mountains. One interesting shot was of the radar tower that I had hiked past the day before. It was interesting since it was an actual reference of what mountain I had walked over and how high it was when viewed from another mountain.The area around Brown Mountain Creek was settled by freed slaves who farmed the area and traded the goods to the local community. The community was disbanded in 1921.We had a large group here, Shizzle, ,Strange Brew, Flip, Geronimo, El Jafe, Stealth, Ninja, Frenchy, Red Rover, Flu Bug, and Green Horn. Flu Bug got her name because she gave everyone the flu at the first shelter she stayed in. That was a month ago so it should be ok now.It¢s going to be another short day tomorrow with some big climbs again. I guess I should start to expect that seeing as I am in the mountains.
Date: 2005-05-11
From: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: few clouds

There were two reasons that today was a long day. The first was trail magic. There is a Bed & Breakfast in Montebello that will let thru hikes stay for 25.00 per person. The B&B will give thru hikers a free lunch, no strings attached. You have to walk 1.6 miles off the trail to a fish hatchery and use the phone to call the B&B. They will pick you up and feed you at no cost. Stealth, Ninja, Shizzle, Strange Brew, Flu Bug and I all went. The B&B was in a lovely house plus they had individual cottages. We had penne pasta in alfrado sauce with chicken, ham, peas and corn. They also had honey dew melon and chocolate cake for dessert. It was excellent. It¢s called the Dutch Haus B&B and is owned by Earl and Lois Arnold. If all that was not enough the truck had bean bags in the truck bed to make for a comfortable ride. The final treat was when Earl stopped at the local store and we all got a pint of ice cream. If anyone comes this way and wanted to stay in a nice B&B with great people I would recommend it.The second reason it was a long day was that I needed to be sure I would get to town on Friday. I need to get my bounce box and add some more things to it. I also need to grab my battery charger so I can charge my camera. I also wanted to call my brother Bill. He said he was going to try and make it to a town I stopped in. I didn't get the email until a couple of weeks after he sent it. If I¢m not too far away maybe he can come and I'll take a zero day.While waiting at the fish hatchery for our ride I checked out some of the ponds. They said that they will be stocking those fish come the end of May. I would like to come back and catch some of the fish they will be stocking. They even had a truck pull up and pumped out more fish while we waited. I got some pictures of it.When I was coming down off Cold Mountain it started to rain plus it was getting late. I decided to take a blue blazed trail due to some safety issues. The rocks ahead would be wet after the rain. In places you have to hold onto rocks and either climb or slide down. I decided that was not something I should do on wet rocks. Especially at night with just my head lamp. The Blue blaze trail was the old AT trail before a reroute so I didn't feel so bad. Plus it was one steep decent and climb just like back in GA. When I got to the shelter I was surprised to find out that everyone there had made the same decision. An exposed ridge with lighting was not the place any of us wanted to be. I didn't finish dinner until 9:30 and it¢s now 10:30. Time to sleep.
Date: 2005-05-12
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: overcast clouds

They say Waynesboro is a hiker friendly town and so far they have been right. I didn't even have to put my hitching face on before I got a ride to town. There was a farm that overlooks the welcoming station when you first get off the trail. My guide book had a number for a shuttle that will pick you up. Before I could even call, a truck pulled up and asked if I needed a ride. He said he had seen me from his farm and came down to get me. He knew where to take me, the check in procedure, and then waited to take me to the camp grounds. The local YMCA has an area set aside they let thru hikes stay at for free. So that¢s where I¢m camped tonight along wit Doc, El Jafe, Flip, Geronimo and a fellow from England that is riding his bike across the US.I found someone slower than me on the trail today and I have the picture to prove it. I found a box turtle right in the middle of the trail. I figured he knew where he was going so I just stepped pass him, took his picture, and continued on my way.The next section I start will be the 105 miles of the Shenandoah National Park. The Blue Ridge Parkway turns into the Skyline Drive here. After taking a shower at the YMCA, I weighted myself, and I am down to 134 lbs. After seeing that I¢m not going to hike the SNP but rather eat my way through it.Depending on what my brother tells me about coming to visit, I'll either be starting back on the trail tomorrow or Sunday. I hope he can come but I know it may be a long drive and not much interstate in between. The city is not the place to camp, and I can not believe all the noises I¢m hearing compared to the quiet of the woods. I may have a hard time getting to sleep tonight.
Date: 2005-05-13
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Calt Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up early (6:00 AM). After getting dressed I called my brother Bill to see if he and his wife Linda were going to be able to meet up. He checked the directions and distance on the computer and it was to long a drive for just a one day visit. I was sorry they couldn't make it but I understood.I walked to the Hardy's and had breakfast. While there, I asked a couple of fireman how far it was to the Wal-Mart. They said it was a little more than a mile and gave me directions. I decided to walk. It turned out to be more like 2.5 miles, but I finally made it. I resupplied and purchased a new rain jacket. It weighted only 8 oz vs my other jacket which was 2 lbs. I did get an easy hitch back from Wal-Mart and he even dropped me off at the post office so I could pick up my bounce box. I went back to the camping area and on the way ran into Doc. I told him I planned on getting back on the trail today. We talked a little and agreed to meet at 1:00pm and go together. I got to the camp grounds and packed up the tent and my gear and headed to the YMCW.I did some repacking of my gear and supplies, and after I was finished I had room to move my tent into the inside of the pack. With the change in the weather I should be fine. I do want to get my other pants sent from home. I have only one pair or my running shorts to wear.I may try and do some more long days here in the SNP. Its fairy easy hiking from what they say, but I've heard that before. I'll let you know tomorrow after a full day of hiking.I did forget to get one important item while in town. I forgot toilet paper, a handy item out here. The surprising thing was Doc and I were walking up the last mountain before the shelter when two young girls (early 20's) were walking down the trail. One was carrying a water bottle and TP of all things. I jokingly asked if she was done with it, and she said she didn't need it and I could have it. I meet two new hikers here--Heidi and Maruchan. They both are just out of high school. I asked Heidi how she talked her parents into letting her hike the trail. She said her mother had thru hiked when she got out of high school and she wanted to do the same. I told her I thought that was great and wished her luck in reaching Katahdin.
Date: 2005-05-14
From: Calt Mountain Shelter

To: Stealth Site near Doyles River Trail
Miles today: 18.3

The trail here is not as flat as they said it was going to be. But it is flatter then most of the places we've been. It¢s surprising how many times the trail crosses Skyline drive and how you are either above it or below it for most of the hike. Again, I had some interesting views and got some pictures. Two were especially neat. One was on Blackrock summit. It is an open summit at the top that's all rocks. I got a couple of pictures there, one with Doc and I standing at the summit. The other was of my third snake of the hike. It was a Blue Indigo. I saw it climbing a tree. The snake reached from the bottom of the ground to a hollow spot in the tree. I would say it was five and a half to six feet long. It was a very beautiful snake.Doc and I were not planning on getting to the second shelter today which would have been 26.2 miles. We planned on stopping at a commercial camp grounds and staying there. On the way we saw signs advising that the shelter where we were planning on getting water was dry. There were directions to an alternate water supply so we headed there and filled up. When we got back a ranger was putting up a new sign. We talked with him and he said the camp ground was not open yet and he did not know if the water was turned on even if we did stay there.We would have still tried the campground, but we got caught in another afternoon shower. This one had more lighting and thunder and heavier rain than previous storms. We got out my rain fly to sit under and wait out the rain. After the rain stopped, we agreed that the first level spot we found we would put up our tents and camp.We found a spot to set up camp, and soon we had a visitor. A deer came down right next to the tents as we were putting them up and started feeding. It wasn't more then 10 feet away. It wasn¢t afraid at all and stayed even after we finished putting up the tents. We had dinner and both had turned in for the night when Doc asked me if I was outside making that rustling noise. I said no, so he said he had better look. It was the deer back to feed again. So I snapped a couple more pictures. Tomorrow we are going to have breakfast at the Loft Mountain Wayside. With that thought in mind its time to turn in.
Date: 2005-05-15
From: Stealth Site near Doyles River Trail

To: Swift Run Gap Stealth site
Miles today: 19.5

The spacing on the shelter makes for either a short day of around 12 miles or a long day of 23 plus. That's why Buzz, Doc and I decided to stealth camp tonight. This will allow us to make the Lewis Wayside grill tomorrow for lunch and continue on to the Big Meadows Camp ground. There is a big restaurant there with home style cooking. They have showers and laundry machines there too. I really need to do my laundry as I've had the same clothes on for the last ten days and can no longer stand myself. Doc didn't get his done in Waynesboro either so he is in the same boat. I have been sweating so much that when I leave my shirt out to dry at night all the salt in it attracts the moisture out of the air and it ends up wetter than when I took it off. I told you I was going to try and eat my way thru SNP well Doc accused me of spending a grand at the Loft Mountain Wayside today. I had the Hiker Special for breakfast, 2 eggs, hash browns, and three slices of bacon. I also had an egg muffin, two grilled cheese, and a milk shake. In addition to all that I grabbed three Dr. Peppers and a turkey sub for lunch. I also ate a Pop Tart, two packages of crackers, 1/4 of my cheese bar, a snickers bar and ramin noodles throughout the day. I may have eaten more calories today then I burned. Buzz has lost as much weight as I have so I m not the only one losing the pounds. I'll have to see what happens the next 30 days. I may have to take a week off at a hostel and spend the whole time eating.As you hike the trail There are large numbers of blow downs and dead trees that have accumulated in the park. It¢s almost as if some places have more dead trees then live. I told Doc that I thought the park needed a good fire to clean out the old dead and get new growth started. He said he was thinking the same thing. Senator put a note in the Pinefield Shelter saying he saw a bear on the way to the shelter. He put the time he was at the shelter and was only about an hour a head of us. Later Buzz, Doc and I came across bear scat right on the trail in another section we were on today. Yes we are hanging our food well away from where we are sleeping.
Date: 2005-05-17
From: Big Meadows Campground

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Another surprise on the trail today. After a late start (8:35), I was making pretty good time. I got to the Skyland Lodge & Restaurant before they opened at noon. While waiting, I finished the journal from the night before. The views continued all along today¢s hike, as I walked throughout the Shenandoah Valley. During my hike I came up on a couple that had stepped to the side of the trail. As I got closer the lady said we've been looking for you Dad's Grin. I was a little surprised by this. But I thought she may have talked to other hikers on the trail or she could have read my journals. She said she was told by a friend that I was hiking the trail. As the conversation continued she said her trail name was St. Pete Sue. She was friends with Dan Miller, a local ultra runner who I used to run with. The Vermont 100 was the first for both of us. Sue was with her husband Rabbit who thru hiked in 2000. I also found out at one time she trained with the same coach and club that I trained with. She had even run some 50K races, including Passing for Sane, a local race in our area. Doc was getting a head of me so I said goodbye and continued on.After many quiet nights at the shelters, the shelter and tent pads are full at Pass Mtn Hut. Some of the new people are Stick, Wing it, Flying Turtle, Whitey, plus Doc and Buzz. There are also some section hikers and weekend hikers.We were all saying that in less than a week we will be at the unofficial half way point, Harpers Ferry. I still can not believe it as I lay here and type it. Looks like I am the last one up. Time for sleep.
Date: 2005-05-18
From: Pass Mountain Hut

To: Stealth camp near Compton Springs
Miles today: 19.7

Today was harder hiking than previous days here in the park. I wanted to make the extra miles today so I can get into Front Royal, bounce my boxes, and resupply. I'll be busy tomorrow and will have to put my best hitch face on so I¢m not waiting too long for a ride.I've been telling you about the people I have been hiking with this time I'll tell you about them. Today I'll introduce you to Doc. Doc has a PhD in biology and will start teaching and doing research at Berkley in Calf in September. He will be getting married in November. His girlfriend also has a PhD and will be doing AIDS research.As you can see from the pictures he is shorter than I am but that doesn't slow him down. Once he gets going I can not keep up with him. He is carrying a heavier pack than I have, so I usually catch him as he takes a break or when he calls his girlfriend from his cell phone. He is very determined to make it to Maine and must do it by August 14 so he can move to California to start teaching. At one point prior to Erwin he sprained his ankle but kept hiking. Eventually it got so bad he used duct tape to tape the ankle, so he could make it to a shelter with the plans to go to a doctor. He had to get the duct tape off so he bit on a stick while other hikers pulled off the duct tape along with skin and hair. He even has the picture to prove it. Once he saw a doctor they made a brace for him and he had to take a full week off the trail to let it heal. The loss time caused another problem he had to make up the 5 zero days to make the August 14 date. That was when I first met him. He would be at the shelter at night but gone when I got up. He was setting his alarm and starting to hike by 5:30am. Because of the ankle, he had to hike very slow, plus he had to do days longer then 15 miles to get back on schedule. He is back on schedule now, so we usually start between 7:30 and 8:00. He has been fun to hike with and hear about his girlfriend and the up and coming wedding as it gets planned through phone calls.I will probably get ahead of him for awhile; he will be taking a zero day in Front Royal to see his sister and brother-in-law. The jets are passing overhead from Washington. We must be right over the approach or hold pattern since we can hear the jets all the time. With the jets overhead, it is past my bed time again. Good night.
Date: 2005-05-19
From: Stealth camp near Compton Springs

To: Manassas Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Along with my hiking legs I must have found my hitching face. Doc and I were at the road by 10:15am this morning after a 7:40am start. Doc said I was more likely to get us the ride I didn't look as threatening with my gray hair and beard. This time we got a ride within 10 minutes. He asked where we needed to go and took me right to the post office. Doc wanted to go to the library which was two blocks away. I bounced my boxes to Duncannon, PA which will be 1,133 miles into the hike. I should be there in about 10 days.When I walked out of the post office, another fellow asked if I needed a ride. I needed to go to the outfitters and get a pair of socks. He gave me a ride there and I got socks and denatured alcohol for my stove. I walked across the street to a KFC and had two chicken meals. The next stop was Food Lion for supplies. It was in the same shopping center as the KFC. I walked over and got the food supplies I needed for the next three days. I was sitting on the bench in the store packing the food when another person asked if I needed a ride to the trail. Not bad! Three rides, all the items I needed, plus lunch and now I was back on the trail within two and a half hours. I was able to make the second shelter and 17.5 miles before dark. Rain and thunderstorms are forecasted for tomorrow. I've been lucky so far and have not had any real heavy rain. But I think I just jinxed myself. Staying in the shelter with three brothers who are section hiking south to Waynesboro. The others I've been with are ahead of me now since they did not have to resupply. A couple of hikers stayed in town to see the new Stars Wars movie. I don't know if they are planning to night hike afterwards or not. I'll know tomorrow if I run into them.There was another bear sighting on the trail today. A couple of days ago, both Senator and Buzz saw a bear. Today Wing It saw one just after getting out of the park boundary. Maybe I'll still see one, I m just not sure I really want to.Since all the folks are my age in the shelter and are already asleep, I'll do the same and call it a day at 8:30pm.
Date: 2005-05-20
From: Manassas Gap Shelter

To: Sam Moore Shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: moderate rain

I definitely jinxed myself. I had no more then turned off the pocket mailer after finishing my journal yesterday when the first rain drops started hit the tin roof on the shelter. It didn't take long for it to turn into a down pour.It rained all night and it was still raining when I set out. There was a general store with a grill at Ashby Gap. I opted to try for a ride for 15 minutes and if I got one I would get something hot to eat. My hitching face worked again and I got a ride within 10 minutes. I had a couple of burgers, fries, cokes and cake. The couple at the grill gave me a ride back to the trail when I was done. In and out in an hour.The rain continued and even when it did let up the wind blew all the water off the trees so it didn't matter. It was cold again and you could see your breath while hiking. Wet and cold I pushed to the Sam Moore Shelter. I didn't want to have to pitch my tent in the rain. I got there at ten after seven, it was full and everyone was already sleeping. One fellow stuck his head out of the bag, I asked if I could squeeze in there so he made room. I skipped diner since I was still very cold and wet and got into the bag and went to sleep.Is it ever going to get warm? However, when it does get warm I'll complain about all the bugs and how hot it is. For now I can not believe it¢s the middle of May and still this cold.I did make one good decision the night before. I almost pushed on to the Bears Den Hostel. It was only 3 miles from the shelter. It would have been a big mistake. It took me two and a half hours to make it there today. It had a lot of hard climbs and stream crossings that were flooded from the rain. I would have had to finish in the dark and would have got caught in the rain.