morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-18
From: Doyle Hotel, Duncannon, PA

To: Trail Days, Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Cannibal's brother, Ben, arrived at the Doyle around 10:30, and I said goodbye to everyone still at the hotel and piled my stuff into the car. We only stopped twice: once for lunch and once for gas, but it still took us until almost 6:00 to get to Abigdon, where we got off the highway and met Cannibal, who led us the last few miles into town.We first went to Tent City, so I could claim a spot without having to walk all the way to the back. I found a little section of dirt right next to Cannibal's tent and close to the road. I was fairly lucky; I wandered around later, and there were tents a long ways back. I was amazed at how large Tent City was. There was cove after cove, filled with tents. The picture I took is maybe 5-10% of the whole thing, but I never explored the whole area, so I'm not sure. As I was setting up my tent, I heard someone say my name. It was Five-Leaf, and she just happened to be tenting in the same area. It was good to see her again, and we talked about our hikes for a while. She told me Pinky was around somewhere, but with the crowds, I didn't see her today. I did run into Butch and Sundance, who have made it a day or two past Harper's Ferry, and told me that Pinky was in Harper's Ferry, and was still hiking with Fish, Chips, Thrills, Dogfather and Snakebite. I also ran into Wonder, who remembers treating my foot all the way back at Cloud 9, so I told her the story of the heel.In downtown, they had musical acts lined up, playing in the pavillion, so I went over and listened to some bluegrass for a while. While I was there, I met Elsa, who was hanging out with Larry (his trail name, but not his real name), Mr. Happy and a couple others whose names I don't remember. After the music, we went down to Dot's where we met Knee High and Missing Kink. We had a whole lot of fun, and it's now after midnight. Tomorrow I'll drop my gear off with the representatives to have it fixed up.The BrainDoyle Hotel, Duncannon, PA-1 - Click picture to see full sizeDoyle Hotel, Duncannon, PA-2 - Click picture to see full sizeTent City at Trail Days - Click picture to see full size
Date: 2007-05-19
From: Trail Days, Damascus, VA

To: Trail Days, Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

First thing in the morning, I dropped my Lekis off, to get the tips and suspension replaced. I tried to drop off my shoes, but the guy said they were too far gone, and would need to be re-soled, so I guess I'll just wear them until they fall apart, then have my other pair sent to me. Backpacker magazine had a booth at Tent City, and they had a free breakfast, so I chowed down before heading to Vendor City in downtown.It took me a few tries to find Bob Peoples to sign up for Hard Core, but I found him eventually. Hard Core is a volunteer project that Bob leads every year. They take 80-100 hikers to a section of the trail and do a project. Last year's project was building a shelter, and this year it's cutting trail and doing rock work. I signed up for it, taking the second to last spot. Although Pinky had been talking about it for a long time, I didn't see her name on the list.I finally ran into her later, near the outfitters. She's been doing well and having fun, and was staying in an apartment with everyone she'd been hiking with. She'd decded that she wasn't going to do Hard Core because she's going to go home in a week or two and take a few days off. We wandered around town for a while, and went to the health tent for screening. My weight is still about normal, at 138, but my body fat is down to about 1.7%, so I guess I need to start shoving even more fatty foods down my throat.This afternoon was the hiker parade. All hikers, past and present, line up on one end of town, then walk down through town. The catch is, everyone lined up in town has water balloons or water guns, and the parade turns into a giant water fight. The hikers, of course, come prepared to fight back. Some guys had a balloon catapult, and it would send them hundreds of feet. I managed to stay mostly dry, despite the massive volume of water flying around.I ate dinner with Cannabal and Ben, then went back to town for a contradance. There was a local band,and a caller from Asheville, and the dances were fairly simple, but still fun. There were even quite a few good dancers.   Dancing is one of the things I've really been missing out here, too, so it was really nice to get a chance to go to one. I danced until the end, then chatted with the band and the caller for a while. Pinky had said they'd all be hanging out in Tent City tonight,but I couldn't find them, so I'm just going to go to bed.The BrainSanta at Trail Days - Click picture to see full sizeHiker parade-1 - Click picture to see full sizeHiker parade-2 - Click picture to see full sizeHiker parade-4 - Click picture to see full sizeHiker parade-5 - Click picture to see full size
Date: 2007-05-20
From: Trail Days, Damascus, VA

To: Braemar Castle Hostel, Hampton, TN
Miles today: 0.0

The meet time for Hard Core this morning was at 9:45, at the post office, so I got up early to pack up my tent and still have enough time for the walk to town. The hostel in Rutland was giving out food this morning, so I had yet another free meal. I think I paid for two meals in two days, not a bad deal.It took a little work to figure out how to get all the people and packs to the work site, but I eventually piled into Luna's car with a couple other people, and we set off. When we got to the site, I discovered that my pack, with my food and water, had gone to a site farther up the hill. Fortunately, I got a ride up to the other parking area and back, so I finally set off up the hill. About two miles up , there was a truck with some tools, so I grabbed a pulaski - a tool with an axe on one end of the head and a hoe-like tool on the other - and set off up a short, steep pitch to the actual site.The work we were doing was at a site just north of Erwin, near Cherry Gap Shelter, where I'd stayed back in April, and we were cutting a new trail around the side of a hill, to replace the old trail that went over the top. Ed, a volunteer from the Tennessee Eastman Hiking Club, explained how to use the pulaski and how to cut trail. We worked for several hours, and finished the first section, 1700 feet long, and started on the second section, 1400 feet long. There is also a third section, 1100 feet long, and the section higher up, where a small crew was working on a very difficult section, with a lot of rockwork to be done. We called it a day around 5:00, and stashed our tools on the mountain, before heading down to a picnic area for a delicious dinner. After dinner, Bob thanked us all for our work, and handed out our patches, as well as our hats and t-shirts. Some of us went back to Kincora, and some went up to the trail and camped at a beautiful campsite right near the trailhead. The rest of us stayed at Braemar, including myself, and we played wiffleball in the backyard. Tomorrow, we'll go back to the same site for some more work on the same sections.The BrainWorking on the trail-2 - Click picture to see full sizeBob giving out patches to the trail crew - Click picture to see full size
Date: 2007-05-22
From: Braemar Castle Hostel, Hampton, TN

To: Clark's Ferry Shelter, PA
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: broken clouds

After four full days, today was pretty uneventful. Mad Hatter drove us back to Waynesboro, then drove me as far as Duncannon. I slept for a while, and listened to some music.   At the Doyle, Garret and Garret, formerly of the Riders of the Storm, were eating dinner. They had gone on ahead of the rest of the group. It was hard to leave the Doyle, especially with food right in front of me, but I did, getting back on the trail around 5:30. The hike up to the shelter was easy, and I don't hurt too much, even after all the time off. I was a little worried that I'd drop out of shape a little, but I seem to be okay. We'll see how tomorrow goes.The BrainDuncannon, PA, from Peters Mt-1 - Click picture to see full sizeDuncannon, PA, from Peters Mt-2 - Click picture to see full size
Date: 2007-05-23
From: Clark's Ferry Shelter, PA

To: Rausch Gap Shelter, PA
Miles today: 24.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Doing 24 miles after four full days off was probably a bad idea. I'm tired and sore now. The trail wasn't too bad; a little rocky in places, but well graded; it was just a really long day. I listened to my iPod for a little while this afternoon, and that helped pass the time. I had it sent down for the ride to and from Trail Days, and was planning on sending it back afterwards, but decided to hold onto it for a while. It's a little heavy, especially with the charger, but it's worth the weight. Not only does time pass more quickly with music, but a good beat helps to keep my speed up.Last night I ended up being alone at the shelter, for the first time since starting. It was a little lonely not having anyone to talk to, but after a weekend full of people, it was nice to get some time to myself. Tonight, I have company again: Doctor John, out for his second thru-hike, and Daydream and Sunshine, sectioning from Front Royal until June. It's still early, only about 7:30, but I'm going to get a good night's sleep in tonight.The BrainBlack snake - Click picture to see full size
Date: 2007-05-24
From: Bausch Gap Shelter, PA

To: 501 Shelter, PA
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: clear sky

Later last night, Garrett and Garrett pulled in, having done almost 30 miles from Duncannon. A little later, Scoops and his girlfriend Dolores (not her real name) showed up as well, so it was crowded at the shelter. John went on farther today, as did the Garretts, but Sunshine and Daydream are here, as well as Bear Snack and Haiku, who I had met in Maryland, just outside Harper's Ferry. They've been having a good hike, and passed me when I went to Trail Days, but I've caught back up.I was the first one to get to the shelter tonight, which is a palace! It has four walls, a roof with a skylight, a water tap, and a solar shower. The first thing I did was to wash off my feet, then kicked back to relax. When Sunshine got here, she was wondering what had happened to Daydream, who had left the last shelter before her. The mystery was solved when he arrived, carrying pizza! He'd hitched into town, not knowing that the pizza place would deliver here. They shared it around, and a good time was had by all.The BrainSign in Rausch Gap, PA - Click picture to see full sizeMoonshine Rd - Click picture to see full size
Date: 2007-05-25
From: 501 Shelter, PA

To: Town Pavillion, Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: few clouds

I told myself this morning, "If you make it to town in time to get your box tonight, before the post office closes at 5:00, you're getting some ice cream." I put my head down, and just walked, all day long. I tried to listen to some music in the afternoon, and as soon as I turned it on, I started flying. There's nothing better than a good beat to make walking easy, but it only lasted half an hour or so before the battery died.Nonetheless, I came flying down the steep hill into town, practically jogged up the road, and burst into the post office, panting, hot, and sweating, at 4:50, just in time. The building was air conditioned, and it was heavenly. I asked the clerk where I could get some ice cream, and to my surprise and utter dismay she told me there was nowhere in town. I'd have to hitch 3 miles up the road if I wanted anything.Disappointed, I trudged the 1/2 mile to the pavillion here, feet killing me, and started setting up camp. There's a water pump nearby, and I washed my feet off in the ice-cold water. As I was walking back to the pavillion, a car pulled up, covered in AT stickers. A man got out, came over, and introduced himself as Bag O' Tricks. I'd heard about Tricks, but hadn't met him yet. I was the first NOBO he'd met here this year, so he took me to the next town for dinner. He told me the deal was this: I eat it all, it's on him; if not, I pay. We had a massive pile of wings, then went next door for ice cream. It all disappeared, every single bite.After dinner, we went to Cabella's, just to look around. The place is unreal. It's like the Wal-Mart of sporting goods. The store is a quarter mile long, two floors, and has everything imaginable. It was quite the experience. We came back to the pavillion, and he told me story after story of doing crazy things. Tricks is one of the central members of Billville, the practical jokers of the trail, as well as first class trail angels, so he had some great stories. Tomorrow, he's going to slack me from Eckville back to here.The BrainPort Clinton, PA - Click picture to see full size
Date: 2007-05-26
From: Town Pavillion, Port Clinton, PA

To: Town Pavillion, Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light rain

Today was hot. Hot, and humid. After a great breakfast at the 3C's Restaurant, Tricks drove me out to Eckville. On the way, we stopped at the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, and took a look at the visitor's center. We had a good laugh at the people paying $7 each to walk out to an overlook and look at the soupy haze. It's not the right season to see the hawk migrations, so they were all lining up and paying for nothing.During the hike, I must have passed 100-150 people. It's Memorial Day weekend, and this section has the two best views on the trail in Pennsylvania: The Pinnacle and The Pulpit. Both of them are just rocky outcrops with no trees, and it was too hazy to get a good view, so I wasn't all that impressed. I was very glad I didn't have my full pack, so I didn't have to answer all the questions hundreds of times.When I came off the mountain at Rt 16, the trail disappeared. I couldn't find white blazes going either way on the road, so I wandered all over the place looking for the trail. It took me over 15 minutes to find a little tiny trail, hidden behind a parked car, with a post that had fallen over, but was blazed at one point in time. I was a little annoyed, but I walked back to the pavillion, dropped my gear, and laid down for a minute, then felt better.Scoops and Dolores had come in, as well as Sunshine and Daydream, and Free, who hiked in '04, came up for the weekend with his girlfriend Christine. Tricks and I drove to the grocery and got some sausages, and we grilled them up for dinner. It was quite the feast, with chips and salsa, potato salad, and cake for dessert.Tomorrow, Dolores is going home, as are Sunshine and Daydream. Dolores was just down to see Scoops for a few days and is heading back home. Sunshine has some issues with her feet, and can barely walk, so a friend is coming down to pick them up in the morning. I'll miss hiking with all of them.The BrainWith Bag O' Tricks - Click picture to see full size
Date: 2007-05-27
From: Town Pavillion, Port Clinton, PA

To: Bake Oven Knob Shelter, PA
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: scattered clouds

I did not want to get up and go this morning. I don't know why, but I just had no motivation, no drive to go. I've been feeling a little sluggish since coming back from Trail Days, but it was bad this morning. I nearly zeroed, but eventually decided to go hike. Tricks and Sunshine had gone and gotten donuts and coffee, and that helped me get going.When I got out of the car at the trailhead, I discovered that my iPod was missing. It had been clipped to my pack, but was gone. Tricks and I tore apart his car, but couldn't find it. He said he'd look for it back in town and drive out to a road crossing if he found it, but I never saw him, so I guess it wasn't there. It's my own fault for leaving it on the outside of my pack where it's visible and easy to take or fall off. I'm rather pissed at myself for being so stupid. I'm still holding out hope that Tricks found it but missed me at the road, but it's not likely, and I've accepted that it's probably gone.Despite not wanting to go this morning, hiking felt pretty good today. It was hot and sticky again, even worse than yesterday and it thundered and rained for a while this evening. I had to walk through it, but it didn't last very long, and I dried out quickly. It's a full house here tonight. Spike is here, as well as Iceberg, out for a couple weeks, and four other sectioners, two going north, two going south for just the weekend.I forgot to mention yesterday that it marked three months of being on the trail. I'm still having fun, although I do feel homesick every now and then, and I'm definitely looking forwards to getting home. It's only 150 miles from here to Bear Mountain, NY, where my grandmother is going to take me off the trail for a day or two, and then only 200 more to Vermont, where my parents can meet me and I can sleep in my own bed again!The Brain
Date: 2007-05-28
From: Bake Oven Knob Shelter, PA

To: Blue Mountain Dome, Kunklestown, PA
Miles today: 20.0

Today felt much better, despite the heat. Yesterday's rain did nothing to ease the humidity, so it was yet another hot and sweaty day. However, I hiked with Spike for most of the day and that really helped the time pass. The trail today passed through Lehigh Gap, notorious for being a horrible rock scramble. Going down into the gap wasn't bad, but coming up was steep and rocky, and there were places where it was hand-over-hand climbing. I thought it was quite fun, something a little bit different.Once on top of the ridge again, the trail ran for several miles through a desolate landscape. The area used to have zinc factories, and the smoke, filled with all sorts of heavy metals and other toxic chemicals, killed everything on the ridge. It felt like walking through the desert, especially since there was no shade to escape the sun.A few miles from the shelter, we ran into John "The Mechanical Man," who maintains the trail and lives nearby. He told us that he was out for a short hike, and was about to bushwhack back down to his house, but when he got there, he'd drive back up to the trailhead and pick us up. We hustled to the road, and met him for a ride down to his house. Doctor John came with us, and we all had showers, and they fed us dinner.After dinner, their son "The Blur," who is an avid bike rider, did a little stunt show for us in the driveway, including jumping over us on his bike. We also saw pictures of him doing track bike racing. After, we set up camp in his garage, tired from a long day, but full, clean, and happy.The BrainThe Dead Zone, w Spike - Click picture to see full sizeKarl in The Dead Zone - Click picture to see full sizeTrick jump over Spike-1 - Click picture to see full sizeTrick jump over Spike-2 - Click picture to see full sizeTrick jump over Karl-1 - Click picture to see full sizeTrick jump over Karl-2 - Click picture to see full sizeBlue Mountain Dome-1 - Click picture to see full sizeBlue Mountain Dome-2 - Click picture to see full size
Date: 2007-05-29
From: Blue Mountain Dome, Kunklestown, PA

To: Hiker Hostel at the Church of the Mountain-DWG, PA
Miles today: 23.7

My feet hurt today. Today was the worst section of rocks yet, mostly walking over fist-sized rocks, sharp and pointy, with no way to plant my feet evenly. Planting them slanted all day long has left my ankles and knees complaining. Add in the fact that my boots are shot, and I mean shot, and it means sore feet. Fortunately, I'm picking up a new pair of boots at the Mohican Outdoor Center tomorrow. I looked for a new pair of Superfeet to put in them, but neither outfitter in town carries them. I did manage to find some new socks, to replace the ones I've been using since Erwin.This morning, John's wife Linda dropped us off at the trail on her way to work, so I hiked with Doctor John and Spike again. We made pretty good time into town, and it was beautiful the last couple miles coming down into the gap. It was like being back in the south: warm, dark, and rhododendrons everywhere, absolutely beautiful.Getting to the hostel, I found Garrett and Garrett again, as well as XI, who had zeroed here after passing me when I went to Trail Days. Also here is Mousetrap, who started just before me, but I've just caught up to now. In an odd coincidence, Doctor John, Mousetrap and XI all have degrees in geology. We all went out for dinner at the local diner, then went next door to the bakery. They had pies, cakes, pastries, chocolates and ice cream, all of which looked good.   I had a 6" lemon meringue pie, and ate the whole thing right there.Back at the hostel, Mousetrap and I found a backgammon board, and played a few games. I hadn't played backgammon in forever, but the rules came back fairly quickly, and the dice were on my side tonight, so I didn't do too badly. Unfortunately, we couldn't round up enough people for a game of Spades.The BrainRocksylvania trail - Click picture to see full sizeDoctor John on the rocks - Click picture to see full sizeSunfish Pond - Click picture to see full size
Date: 2007-05-30
From: Hiker Hostel at the Church of the Mountain-DWG, PA

To: Mohican Outdoor Center, NJ
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: clear sky

Finally, I'm done with these boots! I picked up my new pair in my box here, and I'll be using them with my new socks tomorrow. I'm a little worried, though, because they look a bit smaller than my current ones, even though they're the same size. I think I've stretched them out a bit having worn them for nearly 1300 miles.I called home this evening, and was extremely surprised to hear my mother tell me that FedEx and Groovasaurus are at the house tonight. She'd seen them on the road and had offered them a place to stay. Although FedEx started after me, I've never actually met him. I also called my grandmother, who will be picking me up at Bear Mountain, in about a week. I'm very much looking forwards to that.The hiking today was short and easy, but quite beautiful. After a long roadwalk across the Delaware, the trail turned into a forest, and climbed up to a ridge with some excellent views. New Jersey is much more beautiful than I'd expected, and although there were still some rocks, it was miles better than Pennsylvania. Mousetrap, Gene, Doctor John and I all got in early, and have just been kicking back, enjoying the end of a beautiful day.The BrainOld boots vs new - Click picture to see full sizeOld boots-2 - Click picture to see full sizeWild turkey - Click picture to see full size
Date: 2007-05-31
From: Mohican Outdoor Center, NJ

To: Gren Anderson Shelter, NJ
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: light rain

Today was a good day for wildlife. First thing this morning, I saw a turkey hen with a bunch of chicks. I startled her, and ended up between her and a couple of chicks, and she was freaking out. She bluff charged me a couple of times, then finally was reunited after I had walked a long ways away. Later, I saw the biggest black snake I've ever seen. It must have been at least 7 feet long, and 2-3 inches thick, maybe more. It just slithered across the path and was gone. Just after, I saw a deer with a tiny little fawn, must have been newly born.Today was my first day with my new boots, as well. My fears about the size were confirmed. When I put my feet in, they felt tight. I walked around for a while in them, and decided they'd work. My feet hurt for most of the day, but I think they'll stretch out soon. I sure hope so. For now, I'll stop several times a day and take my feet out of the boots for a bit.At Culver's Gap, there were a couple bars, so Doctor John and I went into one to get some food and fill up our waters. We picked the wrong one, though: Mousetrap later told us that he went to one as well, and the guys there were buying him drinks. We walked the last three miles to the shelter, and Scoops showed up later, having come all the way from the Water Gap this morning. The bugs are out tonight, so I'm going to hole up in my sleeping bag and hide.The Brain