morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-05-05
From: Big Meadows Wayside

To: Rock Springs Hut
Miles today: 4.4
Weather: clear sky

5/5, 4.4, Rock Springs Hut, day 73We awoke early this morning, excited for the day but with a long list of things to do. Laundry, some shopping, find fuel and make the long trek back into the Park. Our travel in and out of Shenandoah has been complicated by a tunnel closure for repairs in the middle of the park. Today was the worst inconvenience as we had to drive to the center entrance of the park, then back north to get to our starting point. This amounted to a two hour drive instead of what would normally have been 40 minutes. Beef has decided not to hike, which simplifies our shuttle logistics. She was able to drop us off and then return to a hostel for the next three days while we hike. She will pick us up Friday morning and then we have accommodations provided by a trail angel Friday night.With all to do this morning, Bonobo and I were on the trail at 2:30, with a planned hike of 4.4 miles. Hiking weather was pretty good, warm, with slight overcast. It did manage to sprinkle on us enough that we put on rain jackets, but they soon came off as we warmed. Bonobo's progress was cautious at first but she soon grew her hiking legs back a bit, and moved a little quicker. The terrain was small ups and downs with good trail. The biggest climb was right before the shelter. By then her legs were getting pretty tired. It didn't help either of us that we finished food packing and pack prep at 1 this morning before waking at 6. We arrived at the hut at 5:30, tired but ready to camp. There were three or four tents already here but there are several decent tent sites around the hut. The area by nightfall had at least nine tents set, and five in the shelter. The next shelter up the trail is 11 miles so we will probably find accommodations between here and there for tomorrow. We will hold our distance to five to seven per day as best we can, in order for Bonobo to enjoy herself. It is really nice hiking together again, something we have not done for nearly thirty years. Our shelter area tonight is rumored to be visited regularly by raccoons who have figured how to climb the bear poles and tear into food bags. Our solution was to use traditional hangs in various locations. With the food hung and darkness draped over the area, it is time to turn in. Silverback
Date: 2015-05-06
From: Rock Springs Hut

To: Skyland Lodge SNP
Miles today: 4.6

5/6, 4.6, Skyland Lodge SNP, day 74It takes a lot out of a person to hike trails, up and down hills, then add a 25 pound pack, and it can be a real challenge. Bonobo has discovered the challenge. Nevertheless she is really making a concerted effort to plug along. After yesterday, we decided 11 miles to the next hut/shelter was not realistic. In addition, with heavy weather predicted, the recipe made for a great excuse to make it to the Skyland Lodge and duck into a cabin room for the night. We made a reservation from our tent last night, and headed out this morning around 9:30. It was a good night as he rain was short lived, and our tent dried overnight. Outside of the sliding downhill into each other all night, not always a bad thing, we slept ok. It was our first night in the new tent so we were settling in to the what goes where process for a while.Bonobo felt pretty good starting out and wondered if she had been premature in suggesting 11 miles was too much. But after the first longish climb, she was pretty glad we were not trying to do too much too soon. I noticed right away she was already getting her hiking legs as her steps and balance improved even from yesterday. This isn't her first time backpacking by a long ways, but it is the first time in nearly twenty five years! We made our way enjoying the views and carefully navigating the trail. We stopped for some lunch at a nice overlook and arrived at Skyland by 1:30. Our cabin was not to be ready until 3 pm so we bought some sodas and chips and sat at a table on the outside veranda and enjoyed the view of the Shenandoah valley. By 2:30, our room was still being prepared and the forecast storm clouds were moving in. We used, OK, I used the excuse to move into the tap room and order Quesadillas and a draft. I thought about some wings, but we had decided to eat our trail food tonight, and save our $$ for breakfast. We finally got our room key and as I stepped out of the office I heard someone call "Silverback!" It was Maverick hiking in to get some dinner before moving on. We caught up on the events of the past few days, and left him to get dinner while we stowed our packs in the cabin. We joined him in the taproom about 20 minutes later and visited for a bit. Maverick decided to hike further on, and Bonobo and I returned to our cabin for a long nap, dinner and then a good nights sleep.It is a nice change of pace for me to hike with Bonobo and spend some time together. This could be the last we will see each other now until she picks me up in Maine so we value every minute. Beef has been spending the week at a hostel in Front Royal helping with hiker shuttles and waiting for us to get done hiking, so she can shuttle us. Tomorrow we will hike just over 6 miles to Birds Nest Hut #3, then out Friday morning.Silverback
Date: 2015-05-08
From: Birds Nest #3 Hut

To: Thornton Gap
Miles today: 3.2

5/8, 3.2, Thornton GapWe awoke early this morning, 6:15, and decided to get up and pack. It was fun to work as a team and we actually packed fairly quickly which made me think we could work the thru hiker thing eventually. When we had things gathered we headed over to the shelter to finish packing packs, and spend a few final moments with Bill and Pete. They had spent a successful evening reducing the shelter's rodent population by a total of nine by morning so they had a good night as well. We packed and said our "see you up the trail", and hiked out at 7:30. Our plan was to get to Thornton Hap, 3 miles away and Bonobo would wait for Beef while I considered a slack pack to the Elkwallow wayside, 9 miles further north. Wherever I stop today is where I start tomorrow. Bonobo hiked stronger this morning again, but readily admitted that more distance was not a good idea. We hiked to the gap arriving at 9:30, and settled in to wait for Beef. I did not want to delay the rest of our day by hiking 3 more hours so I waited with Bonobo and did not hike further. Beef cam a little early, arriving at 10:00, so all worked well. We loaded the car with gear and headed for Luray. We needed to find a place to stay, do laundry, make a small grocery run and then get me repacked to continue my hike. We opted for a cabin rental that turned out to be the upstairs of a mountain house. With a full kitchen we opted for fixing our meals rather than eating out and had a nice steak dinner, and pancakes and eggs for breakfast. The house also gave us room to spread out the stuff and reorganize so by 6:00 we were sitting down to dinner to watch a movie. It was nice to have some normal family time, but I am ready to get hiking again. After some popcorn and deciding to get up at 5:30, it is time to get some sleep. Silverback
Date: 2015-05-11
From: Dick's Dome Shelter

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: scattered clouds

5/11, Bears Den Hostel, 18.31000 MILES! After a warm night in the shelter everyone was stirring early, and I was on trail by 6:45. Weather was clear but obviously humid, and I wanted to cover as much trail as possible before the heat set in. Hiking was very pleasant and I stopped at a shelter 9 miles in, around 10:30, and decided to have "first" lunch. Water was plentiful today so even though I didn't carry much, I was drinking a lot. After lunch I entered a section of trail called "The Roller Coaster". It is named such because it is a series of steep 500 ft climbs and descents, one after another, for thirteen miles. On paper it doesn't look all that tough but in reality and humid heat it was a butt kicker. I took several long breaks at streams and shelters taking advantage of available water and shade. In spite of all the challenge I was still, moving at a decent pace, so I rested more as I went. My goal was the Bears Den Hostel and I reached the cutoff around 4:20, and was inside by 4:30. Among a few others were Rocketman and Princess, as well as Chef. Then Princess mentioned that Ironman Bill and Just Pete were slack packing back here for the evening, and they were all slack packing to the ATC headquarters tomorrow where the staff here will leave our packs for us to retrieve. I will join them and it will be fun to sign in at the ATC and get official thru hiker photos with Bill and Pete.The deal here at Bears Den is a hikers special that includes bunk, shower, laundry, a pizza, soda and a pint of ice cream as well as all the pancakes we want to make for breakfast, for $30. With two meals it makes it a great hiker special. As the evening wore on several more hikers hiked in and the hostels ten beds are full, with several tents around outside. I crossed the 1000 mile mark today and it feels more significant than I thought it would. I will find out tomorrow but word on the trail is that we will be among the first 150 thru hikers to sign in at Harpers Ferry Headquarters. I was number 51 at Amicolola but I knew of many who did not sign in at the beginning so I am right on schedule, or even a little ahead, to finish on time. Physically, in spite of the roller coaster, I feel very good. My right foot is still a bit of a bother, but it does not get any worse as I hike, and always feels great the next morning. Tomorrow night I will be in the Harpers Ferry Hostel where internet access will. E strong enough to upload photos and update everything. From there I have several meets planned. The prayer riders from my home church are meeting me Friday, I have a family friend hosting me Saturday, and my brother is in that area of PA all next week so I have a lot of fun changes coming in the next several days of hiking. Silverback
Date: 2015-05-12
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Harpers Ferry Hostel
Miles today: 23.4

5/12, 23.4, Harpers Ferry HostelIt has been a banner day! We started early, made our own pancakes and headed out, on trail at 6:00 am. I slack packed today. A slack pack involves hiking to tour pack either by being shuttled away and hiking back, or shuttling your pack ahead and hiking to it. We chose the latter and had our packs delivered to the Appalachian Trail Conference Headquarters when we needed to check in as north bound thru hikers. The hike today was rocky and long, but with just water and snacks it was quite the adventure. The one memorable event for me was during our final rest stop of the day. The water source was a full quarter mile downhill from a shelter. Pete and I headed down and the trail was steeply downhill. We arrived at he water source and I decided to step across the stream to a different point. As I stepped my foot slipped. As I went to catch my fall wit another foot plant, it slipped. As I reached to brace my fall, my hands and arms slipped. After all was said and done, I was laying on my back in the water taking careful inventory of my bones. I had landed on my camera on my left hip, and on my daypack, with some strain in my lower back. i got up slowly, filtered my water and hiked back up to the shelter before I stiffened up. As we hiked on the only pain I felt was across my chest, where I had slid across a rock on the way down. Other than that I felt fine.We reached the ATC headquarters at 3:30, grabbed a soda and settled in to the hiker lounge to relax. We stopped to have our photo taken, which will be on the ATC website, as having reached Harpers Ferry. This is the emotional half way point and I was entered in as the 128th hiker hiking thru. It feels great to have made it this far and still be ahead of the major group of hikers. My early start i. February is paying off. We left the ATC and headed for the hostel. When we finally arrived we were pleasantly surprised by the cost verses benefits mix at the Hostel. For 20 dollars we caught free pizza night, all the ice cream we could eat, a bunk, linens, shower and make our own pancakes for breakfast. It is a great deal!I showered, made some calls home, and settled in to watch a movie with everyone. Maverick was here when we arrived and Chef wandered in a little later. We watched Wild together, an enjoyable film, and now everyone is heading to bed.I only need to cover 34 miles by Friday, so I am considering enjoying Harpers Ferry tomorrow and hiking on Thursday to meet friends Friday. I guess I will head for bed and see what tomorrow brings.Silverback
Date: 2015-05-13
From: Harpers Ferry Hostel

To: Harpers Ferry Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

5/13, Harpers Ferry Hostel, 0Decided last night that having a day to zero I would enjoy it more here at Harpers Ferry with history to enjoy so that is what I did. Breakfast was included in stay so after coffee, pancakes and sausage I headed back into Harpers Ferry for the day. I purposely walked to the farthest northern point of he AT on the way in, so I could start there tomorrow. That meant I had just over 3 miles into town but the walk follows an old canal towpath turned into bike trail so the trip was enjoyable. Once I arrived in town I spent the day enjoying the national park which has displays set up in the historic part of town. They focus on 3 major themes of history including the Civil War, race issues before and since the war, and the industrial history of America which are all interesting to me so I had a nice relaxing time. After a late lunch I headed back to the hostel, arriving around 4 pm in time to greet Chef rising from his day long nap. Just Pete had been mushroom hunting and left a large Chicken of the Woods with Chef when he and Ironman Bill hiked out so Chef started brainstorming and decided to bake it onto a shepherds pie. It was fantastic! While we were watching it bake Uke and Til Tomorrow hiked in and they were very pleased by the kitchen smells. We ended up being the only four in the hostel so after dinner Uke and Til Tomorrow played and sang making for a nice relaxing evening. Tomorrow I plan to hike at least 15 to leave me a reasonable distance from Pen Mar where I am meeting a group of motorcyclists riding out from my home church to visit. I am really looking forward to that! Silverback
Date: 2015-05-14
From: Harpers Ferry Hostel

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

5/14, 20, Pine Knob ShelterI awoke around 7 this morning smelling coffee and listening to the sounds of breakfast being set out. I hoped to be on trail by 8, but decided to take a wake up shower, enjoy the breakfast company, and set out as soon as I could. I was on my way by 8:45, and back on trail at 9. I knew if the trail was smooth I would easily cover my planned 15 miles and may need to go further to fill the day. The weather was near perfect with partly cloudy skies, 65 degree temps and a slight breeze. Hiking in the shade of the newly growing leaves was very pleasant and I was moving very quickly. Knowing I had extra time, I checked all of the overlooks and views, even if they were off trail. The first view was just such a side trail and it afforded me a great view back toward Harpers Ferry along the Shenandoah River. As I continued hiking the rocky paths began to make their appearance slowing my progress somewhat, but I was still making pretty good time. As the afternoon wore on I found myself in the midst of more historical areas. There was a war memorial to correspondents that was built in the early 1800's and bears the names of all of the civil war reporters. Further on is he original Washington Monument also built in the early 1800's by the residents of a nearby town. It is a stone spire standing on top of a high mountain and was used as a signal point during the Civil War. I arrived at my planned end point for today at 4:00 so I decided to cook dinner, eat and hike on. I had a nice visit with a section hiker named Joe over dinner and was back on my way by 4:45. Joe had spent the previous night at a shelter with Bill and Pete and I started to wonder of I might catch up with them. When I arrived at Pine Knob Shelter that is just what happened. Unfortunately it was largely because Ironman Bill's knee has been bothering him, and got to be troublesome today slowing them down considerably.Tomorrow I have 18 miles to cover to Pen Mar park where I will meet the group from home. I hope to be on trail fairly early so I can get a meal and rest a little before they arrive. I hope their trip is safe and enjoyable.Silverback
Date: 2015-05-17
From: Old Forge Picnic Area - Fayetteville

To: health
Miles today: 0.0

5/17, Fayetteville, PA, 0, healing Day 1I am a Christ Follower. As such it is an important part of my spiritual life to join in fellowship and worship on a regular basis. In the midst of this adventure I am afforded many moments and periods of time for personal spiritual reflection and renewal, but to date I have missed the support, encouragement and spiritual uplift of corporate worship. This morning it became clear to me how important such activities are as I joined my friends in worship at ..... Presbyterian Church in downtown Harrisburg. I was uplifted and refreshed by their annual service in which they celebrate God's gift of music as it is expressed in the members of their fellowship. It is very hard to make clear how important this time was for me, but let it be known, God is alive and lives in the spiritual gifts and talents of the hearts of this fellowship. As people, and especially Christians we find it far too easy to focus on our differences. I was filled with hope, joy and peace in my soul today because I chose to focus on the grace and peace of Christ common to all of us who call ourselves followers, rather than the lesser social issues and theological counterpoints we too often choose to define our efforts to live as God has called us. Scripture records that the non believing world will know us by our love for one another. Today I was loved and cared for by my friends and their wonderful fellowship. As we visited and enjoyed post worship conversation my friends discovered that the final showing at the local community theatre, involving many of the members of their church family, would be this afternoon. We decided to grab a quick lunch, and enjoyed the wonderful production of Guys and Dolls at the nearby theatre. Afterwards we returned to their home for ice cream, and a restful moment on the deck watching the nesting birds. On the physical recovery front my foot feels infinitely better today. There is no infection or tenderness and the area appears to be healing nicely. I will continue to minimize walking, and wear only my Crocs for a day or so to minimize pressure and irritation in the area. After dinner we visited some more, and I turned in by 10 to call home and check in on real life before getting to sleep.Silverback
Date: 2015-05-18
From: health

To: Carlisle, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

5/18, Fayetteville, 0, recovery day 2I slept until 8:30 this morning and am certain my body is saying thank you for the break. Breakfast was another amazing treat and it is clear I can in no way thank my friends enough for their hospitality. My foot feels fantastic, even to the point that I am at risk with the desire to return to the trail too soon. Overriding that desire is looking forward to my brothers arrival and having the chance to spend some time with him. If you haven't realized it by now I will admit I have an embarrassingly fantastic relationship with my siblings, in laws and extended family and I look forward to spending time with any of them, whenever possible, as life's schedule permits. I am uniquely blessed in this way and it is largely the legacy of my parent's hard work raising the five of us in their Christ centered home. My friend and I made a trip out this morning searching for a couple things I could use, but so far have not acquired. In the process he wanted to stop and get some "Cronuts" because his wife likes them so much. When he said Cronuts I was thinking, special cashew or a new flavor of Corn Nut but it turned out to be a donut-like treat made with croissant batter. Imagine a croissant, fried like a donut then glazed, and in the case of the one I devoured, iced. It was yet another affirmation of one of my life's guiding statements, "If you fry it, I will try it" and BOOM, I have another fantastic memory from the trail! This has truly been a great way to complete the first half of this adventure. I finished the afternoon packing my things and enjoying some reading time. My brother arrived at 5 to pick me up and our friends took us to dinner after which we said our goodbyes. There is no way to express my gratitude for their friendship, hospitality and grace but I am truly thankful to have been here at this time. They have, as always for many, been instruments of God's grace in my life for this moment. Thank you.My brother and I headed for his hotel, stopping at a grocery to get a few things. We are staying in a room with full kitchen so we will prepare most of our own meals keeping expenses down, and I will continue my recovery, keeping walking down. The latest on my foot is that it is healing perfectly and feels better than it has in four weeks making it hard to wait to continue, but assuring me that I will continue shortly. Thank you for continuing to follow and encourage, and we will be on our way soon.Silverback