morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-05-19
From: Rockfish Gap Waynesboro VA Double Zero

To: Loft Mtn Campground
Miles today: 27.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 67 Avg Mls/Day 13.0Weather: Cool, foggy, overcast in morning. Clearing, partly cloudy by noon. High of around 69.Today' Nature: Once in SNP, lots of rabbits and deer.This may be one of the shorter journal entries as it's getting dark and we put in a long day. I was packed and in the lobby for the continental breakfast at 6. Charlie had already eaten, starting at 5:30. Ate 4 donuts and a couple of glasses of OJ and coffee. We checked out and started hitching by 7. After about a half hour with no luck, I decided to call Jim's parents for a ride. Just as his Mom was saying she could come and get us, a SUV pulls over. It's a local chiropractor doctor, Bill. He recognized us as hikers and was happy to run us out to the Trail...One nice fellow who we enjoyed chatting with. He also told us about "glucosimine" that we should apply to our joints. Thanks again Bill!By the time we really got hiking it was 7:30...not bad for the day leaving town. Just before the first mile we had to stop and register. We must also attach the tag to our packs throughout the park. Once past the first couple of miles there was a noticeable difference in the Trail. It was pretty much free of large rocks and boulders. It is well grated and the climbs and decents are gradual...pretty nice Trail. I have day hiked throughout Shenandoah National Park on many vacations. I have done most of the side trails and recognize the names as I passed them by. It has always been one of my favorite hiking experiences. Charlie and I hiked together for the first hour or so; then separated for most of the day and met back up around 4 p.m. We did not stop at the first shelter, Calf Mtn, as it was .3 off the Trail. I arrived at our original intended destination, Blackrock Hut, about 3:40. BTW, in SNP they now call "shelters" "huts."...I'm not sure why. I was planning on tenting and the sites weren't all that great. Besides, it was such nice hiking weather. I looked in the guide book and there was a campground .2 off the Trail 7 miles further. Since Charlie hadn't shown, I figured he'd gone on. So off I went. About 10 minutes down the Trail I caught up with Charlie. He was planning on stopping at Blackrock, but had missed the side trail. I told him about Loft Mtn and we both hiked on. Got here about 6:30 and ended up putting in a 27 mile day. Helps make up for yesterday's zero. Nothing was open and it was self-registration. We both had instant mashed potatoes for supper although I added bacon bits to mine.We talked about hiking to the next campground tomorrow and sharing a cabin (it's supposed to start raining tomorrow night). That would be another 25 mile day. Might be okay if the weather is nice. Well, like I said I'm tired and am turning in.Thought for the Day: SNP is like a second home to me.
Date: 2003-05-20
From: Loft Mtn Campground

To: Bearfence Mtn Hut
Miles today: 26.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 68 Avg Mls/Day 13.2Weather: Beautiful hiking day, sunny, light breeze high 60's Today's Nature: I saw a bear! Well, the rear end of a black bear as it ran into the woods. Lots of deer also hanging around the campgrounds.Well, today wasn't as much fun as it was a success. As you'll recall, Charlie and I did 27 miles yesterday to get to the campground. Because of the placement of shelters and campgrounds, we ended up doing another 26 today. We decided that since the weather was supposed to turn stormy/rainy for 5 days starting Wednesday, we would take advantage of the nice weather and do another long day. Besides, Lewis Mtn had cabins and a food store. We stopped and called twice to see if we could get a cabin, but no, they were booked. The problem was, we wanted to get to the store before it closed at 5:30...for some cold beverages and food so we wouldn't have to cook tonight.The day started with us breaking camp at daybreak. Both our tents were wet with dew. I wiped off what I could with a pack towel. I'm still slow at getting on the Trail. We can get up at the same time and Charlie is always ready long before me...and he fixes himself coffee.Today's hike was full of "trail magic." It started when we stopped for a break at Pinefield Hut around 9. Thru-hiker, Tang, who had just returned from Trail Days, left cans of soft drinks and beer in the shelter. We each had a Pepsi that was still fairly cold...tasted good! Thanks Tang! The next was crossing the parkway coming off of Hightop Mountain...there was more soda and a bag of oranges...we believe from Tang also. Thanks again! Finally, as we were walking away from the camp store, a guy pulls up in his pick up and asked us if we were thru-hikers and did we believe in trail magic. He then gave us each a MacDonalds double cheeseburger. Thanks to "The Traveler!" This was in addition to a lot of food at the store so it was a good calorie day.The hike itself was not so much hard as it was long. We took about a half hour for lunch and a couple of short breaks. The rest was hard 2 to 3.5 mph hiking. It was driven by needing to get to Lewis Mtn camp store before it closed at 5:30. At one point with about 5 miles to go, we weren't sure we were going to make it. When we got there at 5:10 it was such a relief...we started grabbing food right and left. We both had a large bottle of gatorade, cheeseburger (microwaved), and a bag of chips. I had a pint of chocolate ice cream and a pint of chocolate milk. We also bought about $10 worth of snacks, pastry, cookies, etc. I kind of went overboard.The shelter was only a mile past the campground. We're staying in the shelter in case it rains. No one likes to pack a wet tent. Here with Charlie and me are section hikers, Just John and Brian & Tola. All real nice folks.Again, another tiring day. As soon as the weather gets nice again, I'm going to slow down and enjoy things more. Tomorrow, I meet my folks at Big Meadows and we are going to stay in a motel in Luray.Thought for the Day: Hike hard hence happy healthy hikers.
Date: 2003-05-22
From: Skyland Service Rd. North

To: Elkwallow Gap (Days Inn)
Miles today: 18.1

Day 70 Avg Mls/Day 13.4Weather: Cloudy, foggy (low ceiling) 100% humidity, cool. Highs in mountains 50's. More like March than May.Today's Nature: Not much in the way of wildlife. The forrest is green with plant life.Today was the second day of my parents visit with me on the Trail. It has worked out great for me. The weather is so cool, damp and dreary that it was great to come back to a warm room where I could take a shower and sleep in a bed. They also shuttled us (Charlie and myself) to breakfast, dinner and Walmart. It's made the hike through SNP, even in this weather, great. They dropped us off where we left the Trail yesterday and met us at Thorton Gap at noon for a lunch break. Of course, they were waiting for us at Elkwallow at the end of the day. Consequently, the hiking was that much easier since we were eating and resting well.We've been eating at a local restaurant, Brookside. We had a great breakfast this morning and the dinners are "home cooked." It has an AYCE buffet and salad bar.After breakfast today, we were on the Trail about 8:15. It was cool and not as foggy at the higher elevation where we started...but as it dropped we were back hiking in the clouds. It's too bad because SNP is such a great hike. The Trail is well maintained and not too steep. There are some nice views, but not today. For those of you that would like a place to "test" your love of hiking, this would be a good place to start.A couple of miles into the hike we passed by the Pinnacles picnic area. There we stopped for a minute and chatted with Evan who was out leading a hike with a youth group. We saw only one section hiker, Slow Motion I believe, and no thru hikers. The high point of the day was Marys Rock (3,514'). Since we were already up high, there was little climbing involved. It wasn't bad at all. There were a few rocks and steep sections, but not enough to make a difference.We did stop for a couple of minutes to sign the register at Pass Mtn Hut which was .2 off the Trail. There we chatted briefly with 3 young (college) ladies who were less than enthusiastic about their outing. They weren't sure just how much hiking they were going to do in this weather. When we met my folks at Elkwallow, they had ran into a couple of thru-hikers. They met Goldberry having lunch at Skyland with a couple of other thru-hikers. And later at Elkwallow, they met Lucky. It was his parents that gave Charlie and me a ride into Waynesboro last Friday.Tomorrow we are going to hike 19 miles or so to Front Royal. I will need to take a zero there so I don't get to Harpers Ferry before Wednesday when Julia and I meet up. I also hope to get to the library and visit Trailjournals.Personal Message: Thanks Mom & Dad for visiting me on the Trail! And, thanks for the "trail magic" and shuttle service. See you in September..Thought for the Day: I am just glad to get some miles in. If I hadn't hiked SNP so many times, it would have been disapointing to miss the scenery.
Date: 2003-05-23
From: Elkwallow Gap

To: Front Royal VA 
Miles today: 19.1

Day 71 Avg Mls Day 13.4Weather: Ditto day before yesterday. Rain and drizzle, cool and foggy.Today's Nature: Is mud nature?We had a nice breakfast with my folks and they took us back to Elkwallow Gap (where they picked us up yesterday.) We left a cooler full of pop and Snickers on the Trail and said good bye. It was great seeing them and nice to get to a motel at the end of the hiking day in this weather.   Charlie and I started hiking at 8 and hiked together all day. There's not a whole lot to say about the Trail. It was mostly down with a few easy climbs, one to Mary's Rock. We did pass a few SOBO section hikers and briefly chatted with a couple.   One young man, Wonderlust I believe, had just left Harpers Ferry and is going all of the way to Springer. In other words, reverse what we had done the past 2 months. He will meet and pass all of those other NOBO's behind us. If he stops and talks with all of them, he could be awhile getting there.About an hour into the hike I took off my stretch top and hiked in my rain pants and t-shirt. I didn't realize it was raining lightly until we stopped for a lunch snack and found the pack wet. I put on the "emergency parka" and wore it the rest of the hike.   Snagged it a couple of times on some branches. These parkas are kind of neat...they cost less than a dollar at Walmart; have a hood and short sleeves and cover the pack. Almost perfect for hiking in warm rainy weather. I get too hot in the LL Bean Parka.   It was great for the cooler March/April weather but I'm sending it home for the hot summer months.We made fairly good time in spite of a few rocky sections and a lot of mud. Got to US 522 before 3. Took us 20 minutes to get a ride from a great guy who had just got off the Trail with his Jack Russel terrior. I do apologize for not getting down his name as I try to remember and thank personaly those who give us a lift.   He was nice enough to drop us at the Quality Inn. Thanks!We got cleaned up and were headed out to walk to the Pizza Hut for dinmner...a mile or so away. It was still a steady rain so we gave up that idea and decided to eat at the restaurant next door. Next was the laundry, neither one of us had a full load of so we combined it to make one.Charlie is hiking on tomorrow because he will be meeting members from his hiking club one week from today in Fayettevile PA. I, on the other hand, will take a zero here so I can meet Julia in Harpers Ferry on Wednesday. I could hike on, but don't want to get there too early and end up with a triple zero.   So Charlie and I may not see each other for a spell. He has helped set the pace and keep me on track. Hope to catch up with him again, maybe in Eastern PA.Thought for the Day: Rain makes us all better people.
Date: 2003-05-25
From: Front Royal (Quality Inn) Zero Day

To: US 50 Ashby Gap (Mtn. View Inn)
Miles today: 20.5

Day 73 Avg Mls/Day 13.3Weather: Overcast in morning, Mostly cloudy in afternoon. Cool, high felt like 60's. No rain.Today's Nature: TicksWell, let me see if I can explain this. I am not going for the record number of consecutive nights in a motel by an AT thru-hiker. I had every intention of staying at Dicks Dome Shelter...actually, I was going to tent there. I got there at 4 p.m. and the shelter was full and tents sites taken by Memorial Day weekend hikers. The shelter only holds 4, although they could squeeze in 2 more if they wanted. So, I ate supper and hiked on to the next shelter, which was almost 10 miles away. It looked like I was going to arrive about 7:30. When I crossed route 50 at around 6:30, I got to thinking that shelter would most likely be full too. I knew there was an inn at Paris about a mile away. So I started to hitch. Wasn't having any luck so I started walking and hithing. Not too long and a van pulls over. A real gentleman, Rufus Knieriem from Warrenton VA takes me into Paris. The Inn doesn't have any rooms, which is just as well since they start at $130. I would have tried to tent at the church but something was going on there. Rufus calls a friend who checks room availability around Warrenton, about 20 miles away. Rufus then remembers this small motel on route 50 west of the AT. We go there, they have one room left...I take it. Rufus, you picked me up, helped me find a place and waited to make sure it worked out. On the Trail, we call people like you "Trail Angels." Thanks so much.So, that is how I ended up here.
Date: 2003-05-26
From: US 50 Ashby Gap (Mtn. View Inn)

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 74 Avg Mls/Day 13.3Weather: Mostly cloudy, some light rain and drizzle. Some sun late afternoon. High temp in 70'sToday's Nature: Very limited wildlife, mostly squirrels. Forrest is thick and green. Oak and maple leaves appear full grown.Today, I purposely got a late start as I wanted to eat breakfast at Docs BBQ restaurant down the road. Went out front and hitched a ride with a nice young man just getting off work on 3rd shift named Dave. The cook was the only one there so it took awhile, but I wasn't in any hurry. Had the usual eggs, pancakes, sausage, OJ and coffee. Bought a lemonade for the Trail, trail mix for lunch and a sweet roll for breakfast.Hitched a ride the rest of the way to the Trail with a runner/hiker named John. He was out "running" the Trail with his Siberian Husky. I passed him later in the morning.Within the first mile I met a young lady hiker, Raisonette. Although she is doing the Trail NOBO, she was hiking back SOBO to meet a friend, Two Dog. We got to talking and she has hiked with Goldberry, Lucky, and even Mule. Somehow she got ahead of everyone. We must have chatted for a half hour. I think she said she had even met Charlie.The rest of the hike was uneventful. I did not stop at any shelters today as I wanted to get to Bears Den around 4 p.m. The last 10 miles I did today was on a section of the Trail they call The "Roller Coaster." It is a 13.5 mile section with 10 ascents and descents. I think I read somewhere where the elevation change is over 5000'. It wasn't too bad, but more difficult than I remember when I did it SOBO last summer...and it was hot then. Perhaps there are more ascents NOBO.Two things will stick out in my mind about the Trail today...mud and rocks. There were several places where the Trail was all mud up to your ankles and no way around it. The rocks were not impossible but annoying on the last long climb.I did arrive at Bears Den by 4. The sun was out and I chatted with hikers "2X4" and "Buffalo Soldier" out on the side lawn. 2X4 hiked on to tent along the Trail. Buffalo Soldier is staying here tonight. I also met Dolemite who just started his trek SOBO to Springer from Harpers Ferry two days ago. We all bought and fixed frozen Tombstone pizzas for dinner. I'm having a pint of Ben & Jerrys for desert.I just had socks, shorts and t-shirt to wash so Dolemite let me throw it in with his load.Tomorrow will be a short day. Either 11 miles to David Lesser shelter or 8 miles to Blackburn Center...probably David Lesser. Either way I can do a morning hike to Harpers Ferry and the AT Headquarters.Thought for the Day: Bears Den, always a weclomed sight when your on the roller coaster.
Date: 2003-05-27
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Keys Gap WV Stealth Campsite 2 mi N
Miles today: 16.1

Day 75 Avg Mls/Day 13.4Weather: Ditto yesterday, cloudy, some brief mid day sun. Afternoon and evening sprinkles. High temp low 70's.Today's nature: Has to be deer...saw quite a few.Can't complain today since we got away without rain so far. Every local person you run into talks about what a wet spring it has been and how many weekends in a row have been rained out.Hey look I'm tenting...first night I haven't slept on a matress in a week. Only for tonight though as I meet Julia in Harpers Ferry tomorrow for 3 nights in a motel.Got up around 7:30 and had some coffee and a donut at the hostel. Took off hiking after 8:00. Just a half mile past Bears Den I then walked a mile west on route 679 from Snickers Gap to the Pine Grove restaurant. There I had a nice breakfast of 3 pancakes, sausages and 2 eggs.   After I finished eating didn't get a ride and walked a mile back up the hill to the Trail. I think it was 9:30 before I was walking NOBO on the AT. A couple of miles and I was off the "roller coaster" and the trail levelled off. It was pretty easy walking the rest of the day. The only issue was the wet swampy areas. At one point the Trail disappeared into a small pond and I followed the "herd path" around it.   I did hike alone most of the day. Didn't really stop for any extended periods or lunch. I skipped a stop at The Blackburn Trail Center 9 miles into the hike. At about 11 miles I walked into the David Lesser Memorial Shelter. No one was there.   As I was breaking open a bag of GORP up walks Miss Kitty (L.T.) a very nice young college grad who is also on trailjournals. We hiked together for a few hours back in Georgia. We chatted for awhile and 2X4 (2by4) shows up. Then, Goldberry and Orb joins us.   2X4 has a guide book that shows possible tent sites 5 miles down the Trail. He also mentions a pizza restaurant .3 off the Trail 3 miles ahead at Keys Gap. It's only 4 p.m. or so, and I ask 2X4 if he minds me joining him. I may not have mentioned that he is hiking with his dog, a beautiful hound shepard mix, Taiyoo. While the rest are contemplating going further, we hike on. We chat as we hike and before you know it we're having pizza and BBQ.   I also haven't had to cook on the Trail in a week. Life is tough on the AT!After we've eaten, we hike a couple of miles to a decent trailside tent site. In the morning, we only have 4 miles or so to Harpers Ferry...Wow! Harpers Ferry the "psychological halfway point." It's just sinking in...I can't believe I'm this far so soon.   I will meet Julia when she arrives at the Appalachian Trail Conference Headquarters. It is a real milestone. The other thing is I passed the 1000 mile mark today. I've thru-hiked 1000 miles of the AT!Thought for the Day: Any way you cut it, it's 1000 miles!
Date: 2003-05-29
From: Harpers Ferry WV 

To: Harpers Ferry WV (Zero) 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 77 Avg Mls/Day 13.1Weather: A little improved. Partly sunny with late afternoon showers. Warmer with high temp of 75.Had a nice zero day with Julia. Slept in until 7; had the hotel continental breakfast which was better than average.We visited Harpers Ferry in the morning. I didn't realize how much history there was here. I believe they said possession of the town changed eight times during the civil war. Of course, there was John Brown's attempt to capture the federal arsenal in 1859 and end slavery, followed by his capture, trial and execution.   Before the war it was a munitions manufacturing center. Since 1963, nearly half of the town and surrounding ridges have been a historical park. We stopped at the visitor center and downtown exhibits. Many of the buildings look original.   It is a very interesting place to visit.I stopped at the outfitter and picked up a nice lightweight hooded rain parka for the warm summer months. It weighs 5 ounces and will temporarily replace my 18 ounce LL Bean parka. Also, picked up a couple of single serving Mountainhouse dinners. We hit a rafting outfitter just outside of town where I found a pair of Teva lightweight thong footwear...replaces my Drugmart $3 flip-flops that are wearing down.   We then stopped at a Walmart where I picked up $40 worth of backpack food (tuna & chicken packets, pepperoni, bacon bits, Planters snacks, etc.) Julia will be taking more food back with her (for future drop boxes) than she brought. I couldn't pass up the good prices and they had the right sizes/amounts.Before we left town I dropped in the ATC Headquarters. Saw thru-hikers Cosmo (Kramer), Tapeworm (Nick) and Nathan. Cosmo and Tapeworm were the guys who spent the night in that horrible driving rain at Stan Murray Shelter just past Roan Mtn.   Eli and I had dropped by the next morning to find them soaking wet and cold. Somehow they survived.So, even on a zero, I was able to do some resupplying and gear updating. When we got back to the room. I re-waterproofed my Asolo boots. After talking to the outfitter and some hikers, I've decided to try and keep these old boots through the "Pennsylvania Rocks."   Except for some serious toe scuffs, and sole wear, they seem in fairly good shape for 1000 miles.After running to the supermarket for a few more items and getting some cash from the bank, we went to the Outback Steakhouse for dinner. Had a great 20 oz porterhouse while Julia had the ribs. Took Casey for a nice walk as there is a nice grassy well mowed lawn around the perimeter of the shopping center next to the hotel.The weather looks good for tomorrow...but another storm producing low presure system moves in on Saturday...when I hit the Trail. Oh well.Thought for the Day: Harpers Ferry may be the ultimate "Trail Town."
Date: 2003-05-31
From: Turners Gap (Hampton Inn Martinsburg)

To: Hampton Inn Martinsburg Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

Day 79 Avg Mls/Day 13.0Weather: Cloudy in morning. Scattered strong thunder storms in afternoon. High temp in low 70'sAs I mentioned yesterday, I hiked yesterday in the better weather and took the second zero with Julia today. We took our time getting around and drove into Harpers Ferry about 9:30. The library didn't open until 10 so I dropped by the ATC Headquarters for a half hour to see if anyone else I knew had hiked into town. Another dozen or so new hikers had their pictures taken since yesterday, but no one I had gotten to know.At the library, I updated trailjournals through yesterday, did netscape emails and looked at other hiker journals. Also there was Red, Blue and their friend that is starting the Trail here and hiking NOBO to Maine (whose name escapes me).After a couple of hours we all were ready for lunch. We dropped them off at a cafe in town and drove out to the highway and stopped at Wendys.After lunch, I visited the ATC Headquarters for one last time. Put some extra food items in the "hiker box" and picked up a new pepsi can stove. Someone had made a dozen or so and put them in the box. I may not have explained the hiker box. At hostels, motels and businesses frequented by hikers, there are "hiker boxes" full of food, gear, and any stuff that hikers no longer wish to carry, have too much of or just want to donate. I can remember early on in my hike, seeing many hikers receive more food in mail drops than they could carry. Much of it would end up in the hiker boxes..and in many cases it was good or expensive stuff like freeze dried meals.Went to dinner at Ryans again. Tomorrow back to hiking the Trail and sleeping on the ground or hard shelter floors...at least until the next hostel or town. Thought for the Day: All good things must come to an end...I guess.