morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-06-06
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Calf Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: scattered clouds

In Calf Mtn Shelter, 7.0 miles Couldn't stay in town. Supposed to be rainy tomorrow, so we decided to head back out. It was sunny and warm, high 70's, a good day to start the Shanandoahs. I can't find my headlight so I will be going to bed early and not be able to read. Very frustrating.We got our food drop today and a box of cookies from my mum. Then we heard from one of the guys who had done this part last year that if you very carefully planned, you could do the Shanandoahs without carrying any food. There are so many restaurants that are close to the Blue Ridge Parkway that parallells the AT, that you could buy all your food in restaurants. A little expensive, but maybe an option for some meals. So, we cut our food down and only have food for 4 of the 7 days. I think my pack is just as heavy as before.Read all our e-mail and found that the Grayhound Running team came second in the masters category in the Cabot Trail Relay by only seven minutes.Staying in the shelter tonight with us are Monk, Wizard, Jason and John. Tenting outside are Sassafras and Flying Cricket and their father, and Cathy and Boat, and In and Mem.We were originally going to do 20 tomorrow, but thought that 7 today and 13 tomorrow would be much better than a zero day and a 20.Fri., June 6thContinuation:We got up at 7:00 and had the best continental breakfast yet. There was cereal, milk, coffee, orange juice, cranberry juice, bagels, cream cheese, jam, and butter. of course AYCE.At 8:00,I headed off to the post office, 5 blocks and 8:10, post office doesn't open until 8:30, okay walk 5 more blocks to the library, oops doesn't open till 9:00. Back to the post office, 8:20 so I read a magazine taken out of the garbage to kill the 10 minutes. Got the food drop and went back to the motel. Then 4 blocks in the other direction, off to the laundry to catch up to Scrounger. He continued to do laundry and I went to do the grocery thing followed by the library. On the way to the library I passed by a Chinese restaurant that had an AYCE lunch buffet for $4.95. Did the e-mail thingie and caught up on all the news. Scrounger caught up at the library and I went back to check out of the room. When Scrounger got back to the motel and we got everything packed, we headed back to the AYCE. Wow, a good deal before heading back out to the trail.
Date: 2003-06-07
From: Calf Mtn Shelter

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: light rain

Sat., June 7th In Blackrock Hut, 13.0 milesAnother Frogg Toggs day. It rained hard last night and continued all day. Actually, once we got out of camp [8:20], it wasn't that bad. Passed one SoBo and were passed by Circuit Rider and Sherlock who had left town at 0630. We learned from Wizard that the ivy/vines the we have seen hanging off of the trees at 30 or 50 feet off the ground are actually ones that grow off the tree and when they get too heavy fall off the trunk, but still remain attached to the branches. In the shelter tonight [so far] with us are Monk, Shawn-O, and Wizard. Tenting outside are Oopala, Sherlock and Circuit Rider, Finch, Sassafras and Flying Cricket and their father - John, and In and Mem, and Drew.
Date: 2003-06-08
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Sun., June 8thTenting in the woods about 4 miles past Pinefield Hut, 17.2 milesWith a shelter at 13 miles, then 7, then another 13, we could see no way out of doing a 20, unless we split it up, so we had supper at the last shelter then hiked another 2 hours to get here. In spite of the weather, Frogg Toggs weather, RAIN, I think that this might have been the best day on the trail. We first of all had a hamburger with the works and a blackberry sundae for lunch at one of the Park restaurants. Then as we headed off into the mist we started seeing lots of deer. Does and even big bucks with just 6 or 8" growing horns. Then, not 15 feet off the trail, a doe and a fawn still trying to stand on newly born unsteady legs. She stayed up for a picture but fell back to the ground as we turned to leave. A little later there was another one, a little older that could stand on his own and whose mother had run off 15 or 20 feet when we startled her. Really something to see.They say that tomorrow's weather might be a bit nicer, but we'll just wait and see. It's getting dark so it's time for bed.
Date: 2003-06-09
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Bearfence Hut
Miles today: 16.6

Mon., June 9In Bearfence Hut, 16.6 milesWow, this was different. Sunny and high 70's - Bunch of milestones First, we have done more than 900 miles! milestones Second, we are map on #12 already¢¦. milestones Third, we are more than 40% (done) also ¢¦ milestones Fourth, we saw our first bear, running away from us which is the way to see them. milestones Another real treat, we got to the camp store in time to buy something different. Oh, how about beans and weiners? milestones Tonight in the shelter, we have along with the 'hounds, Wizard and Mike [who is presently playing the mandolin for us]. Tenting outside are a couple of section hikers, Bethany and Julie. milestones
Date: 2003-06-10
From: Bearfence Hut

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: broken clouds

Tues., June 10thIn Rock Spring Hut, 11.5 milesToday was sunny, temp in the low 80's. Made it to Big Meadows in time for breakfast at 10:30. Then up to the Byrd Visitor Center for a very informative video on CCC the Civilian Conservation Corps that was formed to give work to those young men who didn't have work and wanted to work during the depression. Actually, a good way to teach work skills and habits to young unemployed youth. While during road and trail work in the days, they were educated with book skills and trade skills at night. milestones A sidebar here - Monk when he first met us, asked if I travelled a lot. I said not and asked why he would ask that. It appears that the Canadian Flag is a flag of convenience for some Americans when they travel. Monk used to have his American Flag velcroed on his jacket so that when he left the base he was in overseas, he would change from an American Flag to a Canadian one, thus becoming instantly a Canadian. milestones Okay, today we had a great bear sighting. We saw him and he didn't see us. We got within 15 yds of him before he sensed us. milestones Tonight in the shelter with us is Monk, and Wizard. Outside is Six String who along with Aloha and Shaka showed up late last night at Bearfence. milestones This was an easy day, hike 4 miles, have a couple of restaurant meals, rest 5 hrs and hike 7 to the shelter. milestones I also had time to shave, and wash my feet in the sink in the restroom at the store/restaurant. It sure felt good. milestones The deer near the shelters are incredibly tame. Last night and this morning they would not bothered by someone coming within 5 feet of them while they were feeding on the grass around the shelter. Tonight appears to be the same thing. milestones We are here with plenty of time to spare and I have my silk liner, polar fleece blanket, tent and tent fly hanging on the bear storage pole airing out.
Date: 2003-06-11
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Pass Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.3

Wed., June 1thIn Pass Mountain Shelter, 15.3 milesA great day. It was suppossed to rain but it didn't. It was 62 deg when we awoke at 6 am and leveled off at 85 and sunny. We had breakfast at one of the Skyline Restaurants. milestones We did go to Mary's Rock and saw arguably one of the better views in the Shanandohs. We also did Stoney Mountain side trail and that one had lots of dayhikers on it. Skyline, the shelter overseer was here mowing[?] grass around the trails in and out of the shelter. He told us the trail-maintainer in the area comes from Detroit, Mich. He drives for a day and a half just to get here and do his trail work. milestones Staying in the shelter with us tonight, are Wizard, Monk, and Nick. Tenting outside are two women, and Al ad his grandson, Andrew doing a bit of section hiking, Oopala and Shawn-O.
Date: 2003-06-12
From: Pass Mountain Shelter

To: Gravel Spring Hut
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: broken clouds

Thurs., June 12thIn Gravel Spring Hut, 13.1 milesA pretty good day, only rained for about 5 minutes. It was 65 when we awoke and rose to 86 but with the shade and little bit of rain it was quite nice. Had some great views today. We had breakfast at one of the skyline restaurants and still-made the shelter by 3:30 which is not bad because you always spend a couple of hours hanging out. Tonight we were visited by a thru hiker/trail angel who brought beer up for all the thru hikers. His name was Mountain Goat-and he hiked SoBo in 2001, starting on June 25th and finishing on Dec 23rd. milestones Last night Iron Toothpick showed up and stayed in his hammock. Wizard was awoken by the sound of the chain that holds the bear pole to the stand and upon checking it out found a bear shaking the whole thing trying to get to our food. milestones In the shelter tonight with us are Wizard, Monk, Beekeeper and Shawn-O, who has decided not to tent. Tenting out is Oopala.
Date: 2003-06-13
From: Gravel Spring Hut

To: Chester Gap
Miles today: 13.4

Fri., June 13thUS522, Chester Gap, in a motel in Front Royal, 13.4 milesWe tried the 10 by 12 today. That means that you do 10 miles by 12 noon. We actually did 10.5 miles by 11:30 to get to Tom Floyd Shelter for breakfast at lunchtime. We then made it into Front Royal before 2. This gave us time to do the PO, laundry, library, grocery thingie and get out of town first thing tomorrow am. We are now out of the Shanandoahs and the first steps out of the park were noticeably not as well cared for. milestones As we sit in the shelters at night, there is so much talk about finishing now. It does seem premature, but then we all assume the worst has been thrown at us and we are still moving on. The consensus is that if you average 13 miles a day, you finish about September 15th and if you don't go any farther per day, every "zero" day just gets added on. Of course if you go farther than 13 you can "earn" zero days. milestones We are sort of just leaning towards doing from 13 to 15 per day to get to a shelter and if it is too far away, camp out. milestones I see, as we read the shelter registers now, that everybody has seen bears and most have seen rattlesnakes. We have only seen the two bears and not any cubs yet and still haven't seen any rattlers. Oh well I think I can wait for the snakes.
Date: 2003-06-14
From: Chester Gap

To: Dick Dome's Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Sat., June 14thIn Dick's Dome Shelter, 15.1 miles Got out town and started hiking by 8:30 You know how nice it is to have clean dry socks and dry shoes when you start out for the day. Well today was one of those days ... for the first 5 minutes. Then we walked through about 200 yds of 8 to 10" deep mud. End of good day. Very warm 85 deg and I think we were both tired from rushing around town trying to get everything done. This is quite possiby the worst shelter that we have seen so far. It is a geodesic dome, very inefficient. At the present time there are 5 people here and we can see 3 on the other side of the stream and know of at least 2 more heading this way. I remember last year when I was following Greenbean and she kept talking about her boyfriend and how much she missed him. I know what she was going through. This is a lot tougher than I could have imagined. Being out here is tough enough without thinking of your loved ones and knowing the sacrifice that they are making so that you can follow your dream. We are almost half way but it will still be 2 months before we see them in the Whites. Hopefully the weather will break and we can get some dry days. Today it rained hard for a half hour before we stopped for lunch then again for about an hour before we got to the shelter. In the shelter with us are Mr. Magoo, Josh, Yogi, Pippy, Mark, and Babysteps.
Date: 2003-06-15
From: Dick Dome's Shelter

To: Bear's Den Hostel
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: light rain

Sun., June 15thIn Bears Den Hostel at Bears Den Rocks, 18.9 milesA great day. First, 2 days ago we saw 3 guys doing some trail running. It was nice to see some guys out just with water bottles shorts and a shirt going for a nice easy run. Trail magic. Where would we be without it? At our breakfast stop on Ashby Gap on US 50 as we were getting ready to leave a hiker came up and offered us a peach each. His name was John Abbot, an engineer from Cleveland who would like to do the trail in 4 or 5 years. He hiked with us about a half hour before turning back to his car. Shortly after starting out we passed a trail maintainer. Now here it is 9:00 on Fathers Day and he is out trimming the junk off the side of the trail. He could be home having breakfast in bed [father's day] or working on his "honey do" list but he out doing that. Thank you. As we came out onto VA605, there is more trail magic. Huffer 'n Puffer, thru-hiker from 1998 has a cooler full of sodas,4 different kinds of cookies laid out on his car hood, water, and bananas. "take what you want, I have more in the trunk" Man, such thoughtfullness. On one of the lookoffs I saw the brightest blue bird I have ever seen, almost fluorescent. We saw a turtle on the trail that looked like it had been painted by one of those primative painters. Really quite different. We are at this hostel, which looks s bit like a castle, all cut granite stone with turrets. Absolutely beautiful. We have even talked Andrew the host into taking our packs into Harper's Ferry, thus enabling us to do a zero day and see the sights. Staying in this hostel with us tonight are Circuit Rider and Sherlock, Wrong Way, Mr. Magoo, and Yogi.
Date: 2003-06-16
From: Bear's Den Hostel

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: few clouds

Wed., June 18thIn Harpers Ferry, motel, 20.5 miles A nice easy day, slacked from Bears Den Hostel to Harpers Ferry. We are now over 1000 miles. This is supposed to be half way - mentally at least. Tomorrow, we register at the ATC offices as thru-hikers and get our picture taken. It should be interesting to see what # we are. We were about #375 going through the Smokies. Tomorrow we are tourists and going to sight see this wonderful historic town.
Date: 2003-06-17
From: Harper's Ferry

To: Blue Blazed Trail past Sandy Hook Bridge
Miles today: 1.6

Blue Blazed Trail past Sandy Hook Bridge, In Harpers Ferry Hostel, 1.6 milesWe just couldn't do a zero day. The motel was just too expensive so we moved on to the hostel. Actually the motel wasn't that bad as we had an AYCE continental breakfast included. We spent the day at the outfitter, the library,ATC center
Date: 2003-06-18
From: Blue Blazed Trail past Sandy Hook Bridge

To: Rocky Run Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: overcast clouds

In Rocky Run Shelter, 13.9 milesA great day. we left he hostel after filling up on AYCE blueberry pancakes. The hostel is managed by Dusty and Skipper, who have to be the best hosts we have yet had. I think because they have hiked the trail they understand hikers. An AYCE spagetti supper and then AYCE pancake breakfast. It is hard to beat that. Today we finally caught back up to Turtle, Sprite, Harmon and Goat[not our Goat] We also have Monk back with us. Note to Monk's Mum "no more tobacco or cigarette paper, he is trying to quit. but we sure do appreciate the jerky, thank you."A special "thank you" to my son Andrew who has taken over the "Trail Journals" responsibility. We are now in our 6th state, Maryland. Harmon, Sprite and Goat have created a half gallon tour. To drink a shot of whiskey every mile as they travel through Maryland. That's 40 miles and 40 ounces. I hink this is answer to the 4 state challenge. That is the one where you start at the end of West Virginia, do a bit of Virginia, then Maryland all the way to Pennsylvania. It is actually only about 45 miles and you do it in a 24 hour period.This is sort of nice, we got to the shelter at about 3:30. Tonight with us in the shelter so far are Monk and Rufus, a young fellow from England, and Wanderer.The Grayhounds - Gimp and Scrounger
Date: 2003-06-19
From: Blue Blazed Trail past Sandy Hook Bridge

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: haze

In Ensign Cowall Shelter, 15.7 milesGood day, took our time getting here had a shower at Dahlgren Back Pack Campground No Charge and a soda Washington Monument State Park. Lay back and enjoyed the views on Annapolis Rocks and Black Rock Cliffs. Rained before we got up and again just as we got to camp 5:30ish. Weather for tomorrow "More of the same"In the shelter with us tonight are Nick, Rufus, Medicine Man, Fox, Eli, and Better Day.The Grayhounds - Gimp and Scrounger
Date: 2003-06-20
From: Ensign Cowall Shelter

To: Antietam Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: moderate rain

In Antietam Shelter, 16.5 milesWent a little farther than originally planned as we have a food drop to get tomorrow in South Mountain, now 6.7 miles away but the PO closes at noon so it was this or stop earlier and have to do 9.1 to the PO. Might have been 2 minutes late and that would mess things up big time.We got away this am by 6:45 and breakfasted at Dvils Racecourse Shelter at 9:15 Of course this meant that we woke up Josh [now Teflon as no other name would stick] and Peaches, Harmon, Sprite and someone else we didn't recognise. They took it well especially when we offered them all coffee and left some bags for they all finally got up. Of course what I have failed to mention was the weather. It was raining when we woke. It continued to rain until about 2 when it just changed to showers.We are sitting at the picnic table munching on pistachios compliments of Richard Frazier and Nellie now living in New Mexico. Thank you from the 'hounds.We have now completed Maryland and are in Pennsylvania. We are also on Map # 17. All our clothes are hanging on the line as we try to dry out, although if when you wake up it looks like rain what does it all matter?It's after 6 and we don't expect any more so we might just have this rather small shelter to ourselves. This is one of the old designs made with logs and quite efficient but with a capacity of only 6 or 7 [ and you better be good friends].It should be noted that a Boy Scout Troop came in around 10 PM with head lights and set up 5 tents in the general vicinity of the shelter and we hardly heard a thing.The Grayhounds - Gimp and Scrounger
Date: 2003-06-21
From: Antietam Shelter

To: Quarry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: light rain

In Quarry Gap Shelter, 13.4 milesNow, this was some day.First, as you can see, it is the summer solstice, which is on the AT - Hike Naked Day. As we are rather shy, and as we went into South Moutain for a food drop and also as we went into Fayetteville for some fresh fruit and as were passed through a State Park, we thought maybe some other time to "Put some colour in your cheeks" Of course it also rained most of the day and we even had 10 minutes of hail.We had breakfast of a Hogie in South Mountain at 10:30 and a shower and lunch of a cheeseburger at Caledonia State Park.We are snug in our shelter, raining like heck,thunder and lightning all around thinking of supper of eggs and oatmeal and coffee.I hate to say it but suppers are getting boring. either rice or pasta or potatoes. Thankfully it looks like we might be passing enough towns that we can eat out for 1 meal a day.Perhaps a few words about our little shelter. First it is actually two small 4 person shelters attached with the same roof and a fairly big area with a picnic table for cooking and eating. But get this, there are solar powered "Moon Glow" landscape lights along the edge of the spring and there are hanging baskets of petunias at each end of the shelter. It really is something out of a landscape architecture book.There are 4 people in the other end and the 10 scouts have shown up from last night. At present in our end Harmon is with us and Snipe has just arrived.The Grayhounds - Gimp and Scrounger
Date: 2003-06-22
From: Quarry Gap Shelter

To: Ironmasters Hostel, Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: light rain

In Ironmasters Hostel, Pine Grove Furnace State Park, 17.4 miles.A great day, no rain, temp in the high 60's. Passed lots of section and day hikers today. we even had 4 trail runners pass us as we had breakfast at a new shelter [Birch Run].Big milestone today as we officially passed the half way mark of this years hike 1086.3 miles. I guess it is all downhill from here. Oh it is tradition that all thru-hikers try the half gallon challenge. There is a store right next to this hostel that sells you a half gallon of ice cream and then the challenge is to finish it. Both Scrounger and I have in our hands a little wooden ice cream spoon that signifies that we made the grade. Do you know that the half gallon that I ate had 2560 calories in it. Not a bad supper.We bought real eggs and ham and anticipate making an omelet for breakfast tomorrow.It is now past 8:00pm and the hostel isn't open yet so we might be the only ones to stay here tonight.The Grayhounds - Gimp and Scrounger
Date: 2003-06-23
From: Ironmasters Hostel, Pine Grove Furnace State Park

To: Alec Kennedy Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: clear sky

In Alec Kennedy Shelter, 15.5 miles.A great day, started out with eggs and ham and cheese and onion omelet with 2 perked coffees at the hostel.After 7.5 miles we jumped off the trail and walked .3 miles for a lunch of hot pork sandwich with fries. Now that was a nice change. Today was low 80's and sunny, absolutely beautiful.We made the shelter at about 4:40 and at the present time we are the only ones here. The trail was pretty decent today. We are still kooling for all the rocks that Penn. is noted for.Yesterday I did take a deer tick off my leg. They are small but not as small as I expected. We have seen lots of the other kind like home but they are nothing to worry about.The Grayhounds - Gimp and Scrounger
Date: 2003-06-24
From: Alec Kennedy Shelter

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: clear sky

In Darlington Shelter, 18.2 miles.Another outstanding day on the AT.Up and out of camp at 6:40 Made it to Boiling Springs, 3.9 miles, by 8:10 Had a breakfast at the local cafe of a delicious toasted bagel with saugage and egg and cheese and a coffee. Had a great lunch at the truck stop on Rt 11 of liver and onions.At 4 as we walked along another short streatch of road a truck passed us on the corner, slammed on his breaks, backed up and asked us if wanted any water? cold water? He got out and went to the back of his truck and took 2 bottles of water out of a cooler.Now I should tell you about the weather Sunny, 90's HOT. We haven't had much training for hot weather, so found dehydration to be a bit of a problem.Near the end of the day's trek, I heard the tell-tale rattle of a snake. I stopped, look around quickly, saw nothing, then backed up. Upon careful examination, I saw a 4 ft long black snake. He was shaking his tail in the leaves, imitating a rattle snake. He definately was in the "strike" position, so I gave him his distance and continued on to the shelter.In the shelter with us tonight are Zero and Dred. Tenting outside are YoYo and Buffalo Bobby,Nimble and his brother Andrew, and Goat and Sprite [Turtle has left the trail to go to a wedding].The Grayhounds - Gimp and Scrounger