morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-05-24
From: Mile before Hwy 311

To: Daleville (again)
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

Cold wind & a gloomy morning make a interesting combination. The wind chill made it seem about 20 degrees cooler than the thermometer reading. I resisted wearing my jacket, tho I had worn it yesterday.At McAfee Knob, I felt a need to tie my hat on while someone took my picture, then heading down the Mtn. as quickly as possible. I stopped for lunch at Campbell shelter for lunch while many hikers passed me. Soon after that, it began to warm up some.I walked much of the afternoon with Monster Cheese [from Munster, Germany]. He had stayed at the hostel back before where I camped, & he wanted to stay at the campsite past Lambert Meadows shelter tonight and then in Daleville tomorrow. He can go faster than I but seemed content to hike together along Tinker Cliffs and down to the campsite. Some places on the Trail are rather confusing, especially around the rock called "lemon squeezer".I remember camping out in the open on Tinker Cliffs 7 years ago, to mark my mid-point (in miles) on the Trail -- so many miles since then!We were accompanied over the rocks by 3 young men, the youngest of which reminded me of my son-in-law, Bill. They were doing a loop that included Tinker Cliffs & McAfee's Knob, & were staying at Lambert Meadow tonight.When we stopped there, we were joined by Lady & Home Brew, who were planning to go all the way to Daleville. I had originally planned to camp just before Daleville, so I'd have no trouble getting to the post office in the morning; but, feeling the need for a shower & electronic replenishment, I went in & stayed at the Super 8 across from the Howard Johnson, where I'd stayed before. It's a much nicer place (other than not having eggs for breakfast) for the same price. The room I got had a full refrigerator & an electric range in addition to the usual microwave. Since I don't have a microwavable cooking pot, I'd been trying to figure out how to cook my supper, but this made it easy.
Date: 2013-05-28
From: Marble Spring campsite

To: Big Rocky Row
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Started out around 7:20, before anyone else, but was soon passed by Ice Tea, who gave me a little more info about the trail magic yesterday. No one else passed me all the way down to the river. The James River is quite wide at this point (one of the principal rivers of Virginia), so the foot bridge is "the longest foot-use-only bridge on the AT". Actually, it's the Foot Bridge, because it's dedicated to a Trail worker named Foot!I've got to get up & get started earlier & figure out how to do a "siesta" in the early afternoon. That way l can do most of my hiking in the cool parts of the day. Today, I got to the highway at 11:00, hitched into Glasgow & out again by 4:00 one of my most successful town visits. It certainly was hot in town, but the restaurant, the library, & the 2 stores in town were air-conditioned. I got to catch up on some computer work for free, but of course the other places cost money, not the way I want to do my "siesta" time every day. The other thing that was free was a hot shower at the shelter provided by the town. Nice of them; only problem was, it wasn't where the guidebook said it was. Actually, the map I had was almost totally wrong; so I'll try to send them a better one that the town provides (once you find the library).The other thing I did in Glasgow, while I had access to internet, was to make arrangements to go home to surprise Susan on her 70th birthday. As I was leaving Glasgow, Bottle Cap & Fun-Size arrived. I didn't see any other hikers there, tho I heard of one other. I got my rides almost immediately each time, but I later heard of some hitch-hikers who were so unsuccessful that they gave up the idea & just went on. Some did stop to swim in the river, including jumping off the bridge. I got up to Johns Hollow shelter by 6:00 & had a bit to eat. It was beginning to cool off, & there was good shade, so I wanted to continue on. It was all uphill (I think it's the longest set of continuous switchbacks on the AT -- I don't think even the SOBO climb from Tye River to the Priest has more; I'll check that in a few days): I counted 36 switchbacks on this one [tho the definition of switchback is a little fuzzy] all the way to the top of Big Rocky Row, where I found a few good tent-sites & set up for the night.
Date: 2013-05-29
From: Big Rocky Row

To: U.S. 60 -- Buena Vista
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: broken clouds

In order to get ahead of the heat, I set my alarm for 5:15 & was on the Trail by 6:20. It wasn't cool very long this morning. In my SOBO section hiking, I often have not worn my hat in the mornings. When I tried that today, I realized this is different. Not only is it getting hot earlier, but instead of going away from the sun in the morning, now I am going INTO the sun & need that visor. A large part of the day was downhill. I stopped a couple of times (maybe a total of half an hour) to clear sizable obstructions to the Trail.I basically met no one on the Trail today. Sometimes that's the way it works, even tho we are all out here. When I got to Punch Bowl shelter, I met 2-sticks, whom I hadn't met before. He's from D.C. He passed me a little later when I was doing my first trail work -- he's another one who thanked me for it! Then at Brown Mtn shelter I met Greyhound again. He was having leg problems & wasn't leaving soon. Finally, in the last mile before the highway, I met Preacher-Man, a SOBO section hiker. By then, I was really pushing to get to the highway in time for my free shuttle to the bluedogart Cafe in Buena Vista. First there were 5 of us in the hostel; then they added a couple more. Breakfast is included; then we'll get an 8:30 shuttle, so as not to get too late a start on the day.Tomorrow promises to be much like today: high 80s in the woods, with no wind, then in the 90s on Friday! In this kind of weather, it's hard to stay hydrated. I stopped more times to get water than usual, & by the time l got to the last shelter, that creek running by it was looking awfully attractive. First I took a 10-minute rest, which was refreshing. By the end of that, my clothes were as wet with sweat as if I had taken a dip, so I continued on. I had supper with & shared the hostel with DipNSip, SRocket, Why Not, & Beeline. Why Not is from Sacramento, the others are from various parts of New Hampshire. I found out that they all started the same day I did.
Date: 2013-05-31
From: Spy Rock Road/Fish Hatchery Road

To: Harpers Creek shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: clear sky

Hard to sleep with sore ribs. I wasn't paying much attention to the elbow & got blood all over the sheet, so I washed that out in the morning. Up at 6:15, I packed up what I could (laundry was ready!) & went to breakfast at 7:00: an egg dish plus pancakes & a little fruit. 9:00 by the time I got up Spy Rock Road to the Trail. Just 20 minutes to Spy Rock; 20 min detour to climb the rock, with Navigator & Double Nickel.   360 degree views. Then back to Trail. Several ups & downs to get to the Priest, a rock formation near the top of the Mtn, which may or may not look like a robed figure. I stopped to eat at the Priest shelter (11:30 - 1:00).The next 5 miles mostly go DOWN 3000 feet. The first part is pretty rocky, then it gets a little better, but I had a hard time with all of it. Of course, my ribs & elbows hurt from the fall yesterday; but it also seemed as if all other bones & joints had been jarred enough that they were protesting all day -- hope that's better tomorrow. On the way down, I saw my first rattlesnake of the hike. It rattled a me a little bit & then slithered off. They really blend into the leaves on sunny day (which is when they like to be out).At the Tye River, I met Right Size & Bottle Cap, who had been swimming. They were ready to head on. I let my feet enjoy the cold water for a little while. As I was leaving Pig Pen & his dog arrived without Dinner Party, Dahl joined him later. Then Banter came across the bridge & started up the hill. I passed him at a sign & kept ahead of him all the way up to the shelter, despite how slow I was going. I had hoped to go another 6 miles today, to Maupin Field shelter, but I was going so slow I didn't want to try another rocky uphill & then have to find a campsite.In or around the shelter tonight are everyone I've mentioned above. Pigpen reported that after I had left the river, he went swimming & someone brought trail magic. I guess I'm always either too late or too early! Also there: DipNSip, SRocket, Why Not, Beeline, & a couple of others, including one who had a bite that seemed to have a bulls-eye pattern.
Date: 2013-06-03
From: Humpback Rocks 

To: Stealth camp in S.N.P.
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Today, I finally made it to Shenandoah National Park. But first I had to get back on the Trail where I got off. Well, actually I had to go to the post office first. I had a package of stuff to send on & wanted to try to track down the package that Inn at Afton said they didn't have but hadn't returned either. The clerk helped figure out that the package I had received had been redirected to the Afton post office; so I had to call that P. O., on the other side of the Mtn. They hadn't seen it but would return it to sender if they did. Most of the stuff in it, like a warm sweater, would be going home anyway. I also got the charger cord I needed at Family Dollar. Santa's Helper took me & a bunch of others out to Rockfish Gap. He was doing trail magic too & likes to talk, so it took quite a while. We saw a lot of hikers, including the Quatro Fromaggio group, Bearfoot, Wander Woman & Clark Kent (who made their backpacks & hiking clothes)   Also Olive Oyl, Wet Bag, Monster Cheese, Joy Ride, & Pippin, who said she hadn't seen me since just past Neel Gap!Finally, I got taken back to Humpback Rocks parking area. This time I followed a group of junior high kids who knew an easier way up than the blue-blazed trail I had come down on. Once I was on the AT, it was pretty easy, mostly downhill (finally!)If I could have held out another hour 2 nights ago, I'd have had a really easy start today. Slight rain, but didn't last.When I got to Rockfish Gap again, it was late afternoon. I Registered & started into the park. Seemed like rough trail to begin with. In fact, several sections of easy trail were interrupted by "Private Property" signs that had apparently led to re- routing over much rougher ground. I wondered what those were (parcels sold or leased by the Park Service?)It soon became apparent that I couldn't make it to Calf mtn, the first shelter. The park has complicated requirements as to where you can camp relative to the Trail & other objects. So I spent way too much time looking for a place. I ended up on a tiny flat place between a big rock & a tree. No danger of rolling downhill there! It left me wondering: Should I have come back to town & figured out how to get out early?For several days after my fall, my body felt safer landing only flat-footed (which is more jarring to the parts that hurt). Finally, today it began to let me land on the balls of my feet for softer landings, & the abdominal muscles stopped tensing with each step. The body works as a system, all of which was jarred by the fall, so it isn't just the elbows & ribs that had recovering to do.
Date: 2013-06-05
From: Blackrock Hut

To: half-mile before Powell Gap. 
Miles today: 18.1

Got up before 6:00 & was on the Trail by 7:00 with Soft Feet, a friend hiking with Little Sass, who was waiting just up the hill. They soon went ahead while I cleared 2 branches across the Trail. One was over five inches diameter, about the maximum with my little saw. I shouldn't blame the saw -- it's the patience of the sawyer that really determines it. Soon I reached the top and clambered up the rocks for almost 360 degree views. I didn't see anyone for several hours, till I saw Ursa Major & her dog, slack-packing again. She said her parents were offering Trail Magic at various points today. Soon after, Beeline passed me, & after quite a while, DipNsip & Srocket, & eventually, Why Not. They all started on the Trail the same day I did, & some of them had registered with numbers 675 & 677; Susan had informed me that I was number 673, so I wondered if they had seen her there with the grandchildren. None of them remembered that easily-noticeable group! I believe the explanation is that the next hikers came in a hour or more later [10:30ish] Sure enough, it wasn't long before I crossed Skyline Drive & came to a parking lot, where the whole group ("Quattro Fromaggio") was getting snacks from Ursa's parents.I had lunch at Loft Mtn wayside with Little Sass & Soft Feet, Monk, & Wood Man. There was a Ranger giving a talk on bears. In mid-afternoon, I was passed by a speedy hiker I hadn't met before: "By-the-Way". A few minutes later, I saw him coming back toward me to report that there was a bear on the Trail. By the time I got up to that point, the bear had moved off to the side 40-50 feet. We were then able to go around it on the Trail, & I even got a picture of it. At Pinefield Hut (they call the shelters huts in SNP), I fixed my supper while Jiffy Girl, Toast & Rusty Ramps, plus a couple from Australia, arrived. They stayed, but I went on. Finding a suitable campsite can be difficult, especially in the National Park. First are the park requirements, giving preference to places that have been used before. New sites are supposed to be at least 10 yards from the Trail or any water source, & left in the same condition they were found. It's hard to check out a possible site that's not very close to the Trail without traipsing thru the woods parallel to the Trail, a tedious proposition that may involve poison ivy. In this middle part of the park, there didn't appear to be very many level (& unrocky) spots, & the vegetation made it very hard to see. Some places had lots of ferns or other plants I didn't want to crush either. I finally came to a place that had been used before on the opposite side of the Trail from a viewpoint atop a cliff. It was windy & a little cold, but that keeps the bugs down. Once again, by the time I got my tent up & bear bag hung, it was dark, almost 9:00, tho I felt I had kept moving all day.I heard later that DipNsip tried to save a place for me at the next shelter, but 3 more miles would have put me there after 10:00.
Date: 2013-06-07
From: Bearfence Mtn Hut

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: light rain

11.5 miles. Bear fence hut to Rock Spring hut. Another rainy day that the LORD has made! No visibility. After a few rocky ups & downs, the trail got pretty smooth for most of the day. Seems like I should be going faster that way, but so far, not. What I did find is that I can get a good rhythm going with my steps, & that helps my rib muscles relax: they don't have to be tensely expecting some sudden change of direction. Anyway, things got better in that regard. Thunder foot & his partner were some of the hikers I saw today.I stopped at Big Meadows Wayside for a double lunch. These waysides are fairly convenient, but it gets expensive to eat there too much. And even more expensive if you try to buy groceries ! In & out in the rain, of course!It was still raining when I got to the shelter. The Quattro Fromaggio group was there for the night too, tho not all in the shelter.
Date: 2013-06-11
From: Compton Gap

To: Vacation
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Back to Wisconsin again, this time to surprise Susan on her 70th birthday!Sharon gave me a ride down to Dulles Airport, & the flight was uneventful. When I got to Rhinelander, (& even tho cabs are cheap there) I decided to walk the 3 miles into town. When I got to the first traffic light, I had to stand there & wait for the light to change. I must have looked pretty scruffy because a woman driving by thought I was panhandling & offered me some money!I stopped by the flower shop, where I had ordered a nice bouquet for Susan. I had missed her by about 20 minutes! So I proceeded on home to surprise her. She wasn t home, so I waited in the house till she came. She had been to the garden center & wanted to plant things immediately, so she didn t even come in. I was puzzled now as to how to surprise her -- I ended up opening the front door just as she passed by it. She definitely WAS surprised.We had a nice couple of days celebrating her birthday & just being together.
Date: 2013-06-17
From: Mile past Ashby Gap

To: Bears Den hostel
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: light rain

Today I did the "roller-coaster", a series of 10 ups & downs that get a bit tedious, but are less than 500 feet each.In the middle of a sunny day with no views, I stopped for a snack at Rod Hollow shelter & for lunch at Sam Moore shelter, where a brief but hard thunderstorm hit.Some of the people who passed me today were Houdini & Magic Scout, Guru, Bear, Rerun, & BugI saw most of them again at Bears Den hostel. It's a nice place to stay, & there were a lot of us there. I hadn't arrived as early as I had hoped; so I didn't get a lot of rest. I spent considerable time sorting stuff for re-mailing. I hadn't been there long when Queen Diva [a roaming trail angel] arrived with a crew to serve us all a free lasagna dinner. Thanks.I spent the rest of the evening sorting stuff to send out 5 packages [2 to manufacturers]. In the process, I discovered that I had the Brunton stove in a bounce box & was now in position to mail it in for replacement.
Date: 2013-06-19
From: Camping on Loudoun Heights

To: Crampton Gap shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: light rain

Down the hill to Harpers Ferry. I took the detour to the ATC office & then spent a little time getting breakfast & looking for my lost mosquito net. I signed in & got my picture taken at ATC HQ. I tried to remember what number I was but seem to have forgotten. They apparently had an unusually large number of hikers come thru yesterday -- might not be so many today; since most of the people I saw yesterday are doing the "4-state challenge". That means starting on the Virginia side of the Mtn very early on the morning, coming thru a few miles of West Virginia, crossing into Maryland for 38 miles, & ending in Pennsylvania before midnight. The last time I did that section, it took me 4 days -- maybe I can do it in 3 this time.   Had lunch with Buckeye Cornelius, Patchouli, & Vitamin C. Also saw some other hikers I hadn't seen for a long time: like Honey Badger, since Davenport Gap 2 months ago. At the same time, I see names of people I used to hike with but are now a week or two ahead. Since I've taken 11-1/2 days off in the last five weeks, for good reasons, maybe that isn't really too bad. Leaving Harpers Ferry, the Trail crosses the Potomac on a railroad bridge & then uses the restored Chesapeake & Ohio Canal towpath for almost 3 miles. Last time here, I hated the towpath because of the monotony of crunching along on the gravel. This time, I liked it because I could get up a very good speed on an even surface (compared to what I've been walking on). That continued, for the path up Weverton Cliffs & beyond had some rocks but was much easier than the last few miles of Virginia. I even got ahead of some of the other hikers when they stopped to rest or to pick mulberries off a tree by the towpathI took some quick pictures from Weverton Cliffs & then moved on to the Ed Garvey shelter. After eating there, I went a few more miles to stop at Gathland State Park for water & a little clean-up -- & someone gave us [Buckeye Cornelius, Patchouli, & me] some pizza! Cold & not great pizza, but excellent FREE pizza! Gathland not only has a war correspondent's monument but a lot of historical markers related top the skirmishes that led up to the battle of Antietam, a few miles to the West.Just up the hill, I came to Crampton Gap shelter, where I intended to spend the night. There were a lot of Boy Scouts around the shelter, but they were camping up the hill, so the shelter wasn't crowded. I got to spend a little time talking with the ridgerunner who came in after me ¢ a college student who is spending a few months helping hikers.
Date: 2013-06-20
From: Crampton Gap shelter

To: Ensign Cowall shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: broken clouds

A misty morning on South Mtn. I wasn't aware of any rain overnight, but the Trail is plenty muddy. Nice & level though, with just a few rocks to walk around. Actually, the misty morning included several bits of light rain, but not enough to bother with my Poncho.Unlike yesterday, I didn't see Buckeye Cornelius & Patchouli all day. At first I thought they might have got a late start; I was hitting so many spider webs I began to have a hard time believing that anyone was ahead of me. They signed in at a couple of the shelters I stopped at; then I knew they were ahead of me. I stopped in at each shelter along the way, usually to eat something, & also at Dahlgren & Pogo campgrounds for a shower & for water, respectively. Each time, a group of thru-hikers caught up with me. Soon after Dahlgren came another state park: Washington Monument, a tower atop the ridge, erected by locals decades before the one in D. C. Honey Badger, Barbarossa, Double D [because he had 2 dogs when he started on the Trail ¢ only one now], and others found a mulberry tree near the monument & got involved in collecting the berries in a tarp. I hiked on after climbing the tower, but they caught up again later. They seemed to be staying at Pogo Campground, but I moved on.This part of the Trail in MD starts to get rocky, meaning the kind of rocks you walk over. The place names are things like Annapolis Rocks & Black Rock Cliffs. Last time, there was lots of poison ivy between the rocks, so you didn't want to step off of them, but this time, I didn't see much. I wqas going a little slower, but stiil got to Ensign Cowall shelter in daylight. There were only two guys there, middle-aged brothers with no backpacking experience, who were doing a section. The one who stayed in the very large, new shelter with me had lots of questions about thru-hiking.Like several of the shelters along this part of MD, it seems well-designed & features a lot of pretty woodwork.