morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-26
From: Byrds Nest 3

To: Elkwallow Gap
Miles today: 11.8

Mary was up & packed & ready to go when I woke. We said good-bye & Sourdough & I made breakfast under threatening cloud-filled skies. We got packed & hit the Trail.First stop was "Mary's Rock" - a beautiful overlook across the Shenandoah Mountains. The sky was clearing & we headed down the Trail to a wayside on Skyline Drive called "Panorama." Some guide books listed it as a restaurant/gift shop, but it was closed. We saw Mary in the parking lot - she had called a shuttle to a hostel. We continued on & turned down a path toward a shelter for a break. We ran into Sleeper & he gave me his cell phone # in case we wanted a ride into Front Royal at 6pm. Sourdough & I got to thinking...thinking the ride sounded good. My feet were feeling torn up - the worst so far...& I needed a shower. We decided to head to Elkwallow Wayside - another restaurant along Skyline Drive. We discussed our plans over beer & cheeseburgers.It was nearly 5pm when we finished our "linner," so I called Sleeper to have him pick us up at Elkwallow. Rain, sun, rain - 1...2...3 hours passed. At nearly 8pm the pay phone rang & it was Sleeper. He couldn't get reception & he had waited for us elsewhere. He was now back in Front Royal. He said he could pick us up if he had to but... Sourdough & I tried hitch-hiking. The prospects were looking slim as it was dusk & most people on the Drive would already be at their hotels or campsites...or heading toward them & not toward Front Royal. We stayed positive, but after 1/2 hour, we started lacing up for night hiking. But we had luck! A couple from Philly picked us up. They had pitched their tent at a nearby campground & came to the now deserted Elkwallow for provisions. Since it was closed, they were headed to Front Royal! After a 20 min. car ride, we thanked the couple, pointed them in the direction of the market & checked into our reserved room at the Pioneer Motel.The hotel was a dive - grungy & broken...luxury! We got showered & headed for food. A Chinese restaurant provided good fare & we headed back to the hotel for some much needed R&R. Just another day of crazy adventure!
Date: 2006-05-27
From: Elkwallow Gap

To: Compton Gap
Miles today: 13.5

I woke to Sourdough handing me a cup of 7-11 coffee. I got dressed & we called a cab to run us up to the post office. The reason for the stay in Front Royal was to collect our mail drops today before the post office closed at 1pm. If we missed them, we'd have to wait until tuesday - after the holiday weekend. We were there at 8:30am, and I promptly got my package. Sourdough...no package! Oh well.Back in the cab & to the hotel. We set our packs up "slack" meaning just the bare essentials for the day. We were booked for another night at the Pioneer, so we left our extra gear in the room.Off we headed to the North entrance to Skyline Drive to hitch a ride. We were situated just after the Drive's toll booths, and the Rangers (taking tolls) were very friendly & even made us an "Elkwallow" sign to hold up. After 45 minutes, we got a ride & were at Elkwallow by 11:30am. We decided to charge our batteries with a cold beer & we started talking to an older gentleman who thru-hiked in 1980 as "Short Stroke" & later the PCT as "Slowpoke." At 85 years old, he was quite sharp. He bid us aideu by honking a Model-T horn from the window of his Chevy Avalanche pick-up truck.It was a beautiful day - maybe a bit warm, but tolerable in the shade. I started off strong in keeping with the plan to do a 19 mile day, but as the day wore on we amended the plan. Instead of the long day, we'd jump off at the last AT road crossing...Compton Gap. That'd give us plenty of time to get cleaned up & head to the Front Royal block party by 7pm. We made it to Compton Gap by 4pm & met "Robin" - a 2005 thru-hiker doing some trail maintenance. He kindly gave us a ride to Front Royal...and cold beer!Back at the room, we showered & got into "fresh" clothes. We were at the block party by 7pm. The band was "The Texas Chainsaw Horns" & they were a tight & funky cover band. Beer, food, dancing...we had a great time & we stumbled back to the hotel room stopping only for pizza, doughnuts, candy & ice cream.
Date: 2006-05-28
From: Compton Gap

To: Dick's Dome shelter
Miles today: 20.7

When I woke up at the Pioneer Motel, I was a bit groggy & Sourdough was already sorting his food bag. He went out to shop & I got my laundry & grocery list together & made some calls. When Sourdough returned, we checked out & he & Action Jackson headed to the Trail.Off to the laundromat & supermarket. I lunched on bad General Tso's chicken waiting for my laundry, then headed to the outfitter. My blisters & toes were getting worse, so I thought I'd look into some boot alternatives. I saw a mid-height trail runner & asked to see a size 11 - what I normally wear on my size 10 1/2 feet. "Let's measure" he said. To my surprise, my feet had grown to a size 12! With new boots on my feet & my shopping done, I headed to Skyline Drive to hitch the 11 miles to Compton Gap. Scott from Baltimore gave me a lift & I hit the Trail.It was already 4pm & I wanted to cover some ground, so I mashed the pedal & made 11 miles to Denton shelter for dinner. When I left the shelter, it was time for some cool night hiking! The feet felt good & I rolled on another 10 miles. It was the middle of the night when I pitched my tent at Dick's Dome shelter. A journal entry, some reading & I was out!
Date: 2006-05-29
From: Dick's Dome shelter

To: Bear's Den Rocks
Miles today: 17.7

I woke in my tent at Dick's Dome shelter late in the morning - with a good sweat going. It was already another scorcher! Breakfast & packed...along came Sourdough - he was hiking with his friend Larry for a few days & popped in to sign the non-existant shelter register. He headed off & I wasn't far behind. I found them at a spring under a tree & we sipped vodka & gatorade for awhile. Ready to get some miles in, I said good-bye & hit the Trail.It was about 9 miles when I stopped for "linner" & met Mountain Goat & saw Uber Dude on the Trail. Freebird was at the shelter. We sat, ate, talked & enjoyed late afternoon bird songs. I was packing up as other hikers arrived. I said hello & good-bye.I entered a part of the Trail called the "Roller Coaster" because it's 15 miles of straight up & down 500' hills...with no breaks. I was headed to Bear's Den Hostel, but as it got later, I knew I wouldn't be able to make it before the 10pm cutoff. I found a stream & campsite 1/2 mile shy of the hostel. I pitched my tent, dinner, a little reading & good night!
Date: 2006-05-30
From: Bear's Den Rocks

To: Loudoun Heights trail
Miles today: 18.6

I was up, packed, fed & to Bear's Den hostel by 10:30am. I met a caretaker named Wisconsin Dave just as he was heading to the store for provisions. He showed me around before leaving. Nice shower, cold Cokes & I hung my clothes in the sun to dry & "freshen" a bit. Free internet & long distance, so I got to work updating my journal & making calls.It wasn't long before Mary, Lilly, John, Uber Dude, Mountain Goat & others showed up. We snacked on pizza & ice cream as the hostel store kindly opened early. My 5+ hour siesta had to end, so I shoved off into the heat of late afternoon to finish the "Roller Coaster" & head to Harper's Ferry. I made nearly 12 miles before darkness set in. I got out my headlamp & kept rolling. The night hike is a bit more mysterious - with the emerald green glitter of the Wolf spider's eyes from under leaves & rocks; the crack of sticks & rustle of leaves from various animals roaming the night; a crescent moon riding over the trees. I find my senses heightened.It wasn't too long before I sensed my feet aching & I "cowboy camped" for a bit of rest. I woke to flashes of lightning in the sky & a telltale breeze. I decided to pitch my tent & camp for the night. I was out of water, so no real dinner. I read & fell asleep with my tent door open. I woke to rain coming into my tent & quickly zipped the door closed. The thunderstorm was in full swing, so I caught some rain water, quenched my thirst & saved some for breakfast. A little more reading on a cool stormy night & I was off to real sleep!
Date: 2006-05-31
From: Loudoun Heights trail

To: Turner's Gap
Miles today: 20.0

Woke to an overcast morning with high humidity. Everything was damp. I ate, packed up & headed into Harper's Ferry. My first stop was the ATC headquarters. I got there at 11am & didn't leave 'til nearly 2pm. I looked at the 2006 "class pictures," signed the register & had my picture taken. I'm #171 from Georgia to cross through. I updated my on-line journal for awhile & then went for lunch at a local pizzeria. Time to hit the Trail.The AT cuts through Harper's Ferry, and it's an interesting town. Full of history with many old buildings & a lot of character. I'll definitely return & explore. Down the canal towpath for a few miles with nice views of the Potomac & Susquehannah rivers - then to the hills.It was hot & humid making for slower paced hiking with lots of fluids. I did about 13 miles before my sunset dinner at Gathland State Park...comprpised of a museum, large arch structure dedicated to "war correspondents" & a few outbuildings. I hit the Trail again for a few more miles of night hiking. 7 miles up & over Lamb's Knoll. I made it to Dahlgren back-pack campground & set up my tent. A bit of reading & time to rest the dogs!
Date: 2006-06-01
From: Turner's Gap

To: Devil's Racecourse shelter
Miles today: 18.6

Woke to a sunny & cool morning & hung my shirt & socks up to dry. My goal for the day: make it to PA! I ate & packed up. As I was putting my pack on, along came Uber Dude & his dog Soren. He was doing the "4 State Challenge" which is 43 miles in one day through VA, WV, MD & PA. He had already done 20 miles & he stopped for a shower. I told him to catch up to me. I stopped at the Washington Monument (c. 1827) & Uber Dude caught me there. We hiked together for about 14 miles before I stopped for lunch at the Ensign Cowall shelter. Uber Dude kept hiking - only eating power bars.Nice lunch with a section hiking couple...and a large rat snake. I hit the Trail - next stop PA! It was probably 4:30pm when I heard the rumble of thunder & saw storm clouds. I started up the last & highest peak in MD as the storm approached. I made the decision to abort the run for PA as I didn't want to be on a mountain top in a lightning storm. I took the side trail to Devil's Racecourse shelter. I got water & set up before the storm blew in. It wasn't as fierce as I thought it'd be, but there was plenty of rain.I made one of my most unusual dinners tonight - it was sugar cured VA ham fried up with mashed potatoes. It was tasty, but a bit salty as I didn't soak the ham. Washed up & did a little reading. Off to snooze & call it an early night!
Date: 2006-06-02
From: Devil's Racecourse shelter

To: Quarry Gap shelter
Miles today: 25.4
Weather: broken clouds

Had the shelter to myself last night. A bit overcast early, but the sun was out after breakfast. Checked out the "Devil's Racecourse" - crazy boulders everywhere!Hit the Trail & it was a rocky run to Pen-Mar on the PA/MD border. It felt good to be back in my 2nd "home state"...and in the North. I spent some time at the park overlook - hazy, but a bit of a view. The sun was out, but the temp. was reasonable & humidity low. The miles just seemed to fly by. I met the PA ridge runner Emily & a south-bound section hiker GI Jane. Lunch at Deer Lick Run shelter & onward. The clouds began to thichen, but I pushed on through rain & distant thunder.I finally made it to Caledonia SP & it looked deserted. I had 1 more hour of daylight, so 2 miles & a 600' ascent to Quarry Gap shelter. By the time I reached the shelter, it was nearly dark. I set up my bed & got to cooking. Full house: Da Bear, Sandman, Cosmic Punchline, Don Quixote & 2 section hikers Arie & feathers. I made ramin & tuna...what a dinner! Off to bed.I figured out more of what I'm "seeing" on the AT. A section hiker in MD asked me about Uber Dude & his 4 state challenge. He asked "Do you win a prize?" "No" I said. "Do you get a patch?" he asked. "No" I said. "So why is he doing it?" he asked...
Date: 2006-06-03
From: Quarry Gap shelter

To: Pine Grove
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke to overcast skies at Quarry Gap shelter, but by the time I had breakfast & headed out, the sun was peeking through clouds.I had hiked this section a few times & was reliving some good memories. The terrain was much flatter than I remembered & I cranked out 17+ miles in under 6 hours. I made it to Pine Grove & called my old High School friend Todd. I had contacted him a few days earlier & I was invited to spend the evening at his place. Then I turned my attention to the "1/2 gallon club." Since this is the 1/2 way point of the AT, it's tradition to eat a half gallon of ice cream...so I got Hershey's "moose tracks." Cosmic Punchline got 1/2 gallon of chocolate, while Sandman got a pint. Old Grey Mare showed up & watched the circus. By the time Todd showed up, I was on my last spoonful. He was quite amused.Back to Todd's place in Shippensburg - about a 20 min. drive. I got showered, put my laundry in & we popped open some beers & snacks. We started recounting the events of the last 10 years since we'd seen one another. Todd grilled steak & made rice, green beans & brownies for dessert...tasty!Going over old drawings we had made together...old photos & letters really brought me back. It made me feel really good to relive some of the past & catch up with an old friend.It was getting late & we were both beat, so we called it a night. I was off to bed...a real bed - yep, with sheets, blankets & pillows. What luxury!
Date: 2006-06-04
From: Pine Grove

To: Alec Kennedy shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up at Todd's house - well rested. Todd made a breakfast of bacon & eggs & I packed up & we headed out. Back to Pine Grove Furnace by 11:30am & I said good-bye to Todd...but I'll see him in a month at our 20 year high school reunion.I bought a couple of things for dinner & headed out. I didn't make it too far as the concession stand caught my eye & I took a break for a burger & fries. With a full belly, I strolled to the "official" 1/2 way point. I felt really proud to have made it so far & thought about the amazing adventures of the last 12 weeks.The 15+ miles rolled by quickly through partly cloudy then rainy skies. I made it to the shelter & saw Dead Bear, Old Grey Mare, and Alexander...now known as "Delicious." I made dinner & set up my sleeping bag. Bushwhacker showed up & we all hung out, ate & chatted. Some writing & reading & I'm off to bed.
Date: 2006-06-05
From: Alec Kennedy shelter

To: Darlington shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up in the Alec Kennedy shelter & had planned to hike into Boiling Springs with Delicious & Dead Bear, but Delicious wasn't feeling well. Dead Bear & I headed out by 8am.We were on the Trail & 15 minutes in I realized I had left my water bottle behind...ugh! Backtracked & was on my way again. One small hill over 4 miles & I was in town.I popped into JC's Country Time Cafe & met Da Bear, Dead Bear & Bushwhacker there. Some chow & coffee & I headed to the ATC Mid-Atlantic headquarters to hang out, make some phone calls & send some maps home. After stopping at a convenience store for light provisions & hot dogs I hit the Trail.It was sunny & high 70's & the Trail was totally flat for over 10 miles. I crossed over routes 76 & 81, stopped at Scott farm for water & headed up the first hill I'd seen since breakfast. I had planned to do more miles, but I dawdled in Boiling Springs & a late afternoon thunder storm was moving in. I called it a day at Darlington shelter.Sandman was set up & already fed, so I got to cooking...a bit of reading & off to bed.
Date: 2006-06-06
From: Darlington shelter

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Dead Bear had arrived late at night & his hammock was hanging outside the shelter. He, Sandman & I made breakfast. Sandman left early & Dead Bear & I followed about 1/2 hour later.I had decided I would stay at the Doyle Hotel in Duncannon as it's kind of a thru-hiker "rite of passage."   The miles wouldn't be long, but I needed provisions...and a party was in order. A small hill up, 10 miles of ridgeline & down from Hawk Rock. I met up with Da Bear & Bushwhacker at some much needed Trail magic just before town. Cold drinks & snacks provided by Trail Angel Mary & Peace Frog - thank you! Straight into town & we hit the Doyle.Built in 1900 by Anheuser-Busch, the Doyle was a bit run down, but it had a good atmosphere, food & beer. The owners Vicki & Pat were working the bar & kitchen, so the 3 of us sat for drinks & chow. Soon Cosmic Punchline & Dead Bear rolled in. It was a couple of celebratory hours.I finally headed to my room to shower, do a little laundry & it was back to the bar to catch the grocery store shuttle. After getting my chores of shopping & reorganizing out of the way, I headed back to the bar to rejoin the party.The place was filled with new faces: Afterburner (62 & a retired jet engineer fron CT), Tricycle, Bonesaw, Kurly & Swansons among others. We ate, drank & more people showed up (go Old Grey Mare!) & the party was on. Games of pool, hanging with locals, buying rounds...the night was excellent & we were all glad to hang out & socialize somewhere other than a shelter.
Date: 2006-06-07
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Clark's Creek
Miles today: 17.4

Woke up at the Doyle quite groggy & jumped into the shower to wake up. I quickly packed up & headed to Goodies across the street for breakfast. We had a gang there - Dead Bear, Kurly & Swansons, DA Bear, Bonesaw, Tricycle, Granite and Old Grey Mare. We chowed & tried to recount the events of the previous evening. "C'mon, take a zero!" people told me, but I headed out.I made 2 stops on the outskirts of town: fuel at the hardware store & a couple of phone calls at the Flying J truck stop. Then it was up a rocky 1,000' climb & along Peter's Mountain for the rest of the day. Since my start was around noon, my quick "lunch" at Peter's Mountain shelter was at 4:30pm & I pushed on through overcast skies with sporatic rain. I had seen a glimpse of the sun as I descended Peter's Mountain & knew daylight was drawing to a close. I decided to call it a day when I found a nice campsite in Clark's Valley.The sky darkened as I finished my meal of Asian noodles w/chicken. I cleaned up & retired to my tent to finish my book "Icy Clutches" by Aaron Elkins (not about driving a standard in winter). I give it 2 orange slices out of 5 - wot a thrillah!
Date: 2006-06-08
From: Clark's Creek

To: William Penn shelter
Miles today: 24.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up at a nice campsite by a tributary of Clark's Creek. I made my breakfast & packed up to head out into partly cloudy & high 60's weather.I met Headin' Out & Tag-A-Long from Michigan - a nice couple in their late 40's. Up a 1,000' climb to Stony Mountain & it was a fairly easy 1/2 day to my lunch spot by the old ruins of Rausch Gap Village. As I was eating, Charlie Foxtrot came by & introduced himself as a flip-flop-thru-hiker starting in Harper's Ferry. Off he went while I finished up lunch.After lunch, I hit a few small mountains with varied & rocky terrain. A few road crossings & I approached my last climb of the day - 1,000' up Blue Mountain. The clouds opened as I ascended, and I put my rain jacket on as I pushed up the slippery slope. The rain finished as I reached the ridge & it was a level but rocky 5 miles to the William Penn shelter. The Trail was heavy with overgrowth & I tiptoed through fields of poison ivy...it seemed to take forever. I made it to the shelter before dark & set up my sleeping bag & got to cooking. Charlie Foxtrot showed up - tired from his 20+ mile day after only 2 weeks on the Trail - impressive! I had finished my last book, so I traded it for one I found at the shelter: "The Tracker - The True Story of John Brown, Jr" by Jon Watkins. I figured out my itinerary for the next day & I was off to bed.
Date: 2006-06-09
From: William Penn shelter

To: Eagle's Nest shelter
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: few clouds

Got up late at William Penn shelter & talked to Charlie Foxtrot while making breakfast. Packed up & headed out into a sunny, humid morning in the 70's. The mountain laurel were blooming, but I guess I was spoiled by the South as far as floral diversity...or maybe it's the rocks. This is the first time on the Trail I've just hammered for days trying to get through a section.I made it 10 miles to Shikellamy Lookout for lunch. I found shelter from a rock overhang as there was an occasional light drizzle with 3 distinct storms in the valley below - all with lightning & moving west. It was pretty incredible to watch.The rest of the afternoon was good hiking weather, but the terrain remained mostly rocky. I made it to Eagle's Nest shelter well before sundown - probably 7pm & met Denali & Mr Pink there. I set up my bag , started dinner & we chatted. I was in bed reading just at sundown - good night's sleep tonight!
Date: 2006-06-10
From: Eagle's Nest shelter

To: Gold Spring
Miles today: 20.5

I woke to brilliant sun & cool temperatures at Eagle's Nest shelter. I made my breakfast in bed as Denali & Mr Pink packed up. A day hiker showed up & we chatted for awhile. He said it was nice to get away from his cubicle on the weekends. I thought for a long time on how lucky I was to have spent now 3 full months on the Trail...and more to come. To have this opportunity to make nature my environment for an extended period.I was the last to leave the shelter & I saw the rocky trail in a fresh light. The monotony had slipped away & the morning was fun rock-hopping. It was a 9 mile trek into the small town of Port Clinton & I stopped at an Inn for lunch.I had a big staek, potato, green beans, bread, blueberry pie w/ ice cream & a couple of beers. I saw Superman & Granite, met Mogley & Cover Girl there. They were trying to convince me to go to Reading for the evening & see a movie. I resisted the temptation & hit the Trail by 3pm.My stomach was heavy with food & my bag was heavy with nuts, trail mix & candy. Since there was no convenience store or market nearby, I resupplied with junk food for the remainder of PA. Up the 1,000' of Blue Mountain & along relatively easy terrain to Pulpit Rock & "The Pinnacle" overlook. I stopped at both places & looked Southeast over the low lying hills & rolling farmland.The sun was setting, so I made the last 2 fire road walking miles to Gold Spring quickly & made camp before darkness set in. I built a small fire & dined on roast peanuts & wasabi peas. The evening brought a chill - probably low 50's. I settled into my sleeping bag to plan the next day & to do a bit of reading. Off to bed.