morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-06-21
From: Turk Gap Slak Pak

To: Zero in Waynesboro
Miles today: 0.0

Upon waking up, I headed for the hotel lobby for breakfast. I wanted to get the most out of this zero day. Always, while in town the chores seem to eat up any leisure time. Showering, laundry and resupply, including the time that is usually required with alot of additional walking as well.I plan on getting all this done early. Let's go, I'm burning daylight.A few things I am taking note of here, first, my health seems to be restored.I have not experienced any symptoms that I had prior to arriving in Georgia. I feel like I'm in my 20's again. Second, I am actually here, after so many years of waiting, I'm finally getting my shot at Thru-hiking the AT.It's now my dream I'm living, not someone else's.Finally, The wonderful people who have come into my life. The sharing, bonding and friendships have been the real treasures. I am a blessed man. For all of this, I am truly grateful.And not to forget, all this has happened in the last 861 miles.Now, it's time to ZERO!
Date: 2008-06-22
From: Zero in Waynesboro

To: Loft Mountain
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: few clouds

Up early again, I headed back to the lobby for breakfast.I sat with Sandra & Mark until their young adopted son Gage arrived, whom was with Freckles.I had learned that Mark had looked after all of our lodging. I discussed this with Sprite & Freckles as I was not comfortable with this. It was just too much of a gift. After awhile I realised it would be somewhat insulting to them and deny them their gift of giving, so I accepted this gift. It was humbling to have such a kindness given to me. I have been humbled alot since I have been out here, I will never forget this. Mark & Sandra Farmer, with my deepest appreciation and sincerity, Thank You! Mark drove us back into the Shenandoah's to Turk Gap. Handshakes & hugs were exchanged and then once again, we were off.Today seemed exceptionally long, not only from the usual "after effect" of a Zero, but from my knee. Despite my best efforts, I cannot shut out the pain. Each step requires focus on placement and compensation. I wince with each step.It has really distracted me from what I would have otherwise enjoyed today.I had my leg elevated and iced my knee yesterday, for most of the day. Despite this, there is little relief.I hope it's not going to be like this for long?I took a short lunch at Blackrock Hut. Canuck, Bigglesworth & Just Mike were there as well. It was shady and felt good. Later in the day, I took a side trail to the Loft Mtn. camp store. The great thing about hiking through the Shenandoah's is that atleast once a day, you can make it to a camp store. Grilled food, snacks, & cold drink! Yes, Hiker heaven for awhile. Seize the opportunity, get it while the gettin is good!We ended up cooking our dinner at a picnic table. "Just Mike" from Austrailia joined us for awhile. Enjoying some cold ones at the end of a long day was a refreshing reward. I should mention, that despite the frequent mention of beer, I don't consume it in large quantities. To put in perspective, just being able to have one out here is a real treat, you can't take for granted.To have a cold one after many long, hot miles is like heaven sent. It's the littlest things that make the biggest impact! And ohhhhh it tastes so good going down!A thunderstorm was heading in. We moved on up Loft mountain hoping to find a camp spot and beat the rain? No luck, After a couple of miles the rain came down. We ended up pitching right on the trail. It wasn't likely at this hour anyone would be hiking through and especially in this weather.After hanging the bearbags, I am now in my tent. 17 miles today, respectable.It would have been a sweet hike if not for my knee. I am having real concerns about it? I for the first time am wondering if it will be my demise?It's too bad I can't walk on my head, it is as hard as a rock and nothing could damage it. (anymore than it already is).Now the rain is lulling me to sleep, good night.
Date: 2008-06-23
From: Loft Mountain

To: US-33 & Skyline Drive
Miles today: 16.3

Last night was high winds and a lot of rain.Finally packed up and moving at 8:15, what wonders of today lie ahead?The trail skirts and sometimes crosses Skyline Drive. At on point there was a parking area for a scenic lookout. We stopped here, spread out every piece of gear and clothing on the pavement and rock wall to dry. Having this much space and sunlight was a gift in itself, we took advantage of it.As we did, Bigglesworth and Canuck came passing through. Another Hiker came by as well. This was "Medium Rare" from Austin Texas. Seemed like a good dude.Perhaps our paths will cross again? Later in passing the Hightop Hut, we ran into Dave & his son Graham again.Having thought about it the other day after we met, they didn't have trail names. So I came up with " Bear Pa" for Dave & "Bruin" for Graham.I wonder if they will keep their names? Good seeing you both again.We pushed on another 3 miles. The goal was to position ourselves where we could hike to a campstore in the morning and still reach a camp restaurant at the end of the day. Spoiled, yes I know, it's all part of the fun. Work hard, play hard. It is afterall a trip of a lifetime, make it what you want? Me, I want it to be the best it can be. Coming down the mountain before climbing up another one, the trail came out on Skyline Drive where it crosses over US 33. There was a large grassy burm dividing the two. On top, the field grass had been mowed, leaving a level and excellent spot to camp. The only catch was we could look down and see the manned Gatehouse entrance into the park about 300 yards away.So, we held off until dusk to pitch our tents. We used the next couple of hours to relax, talk & eat. The thunder we heard earlier seems to have passed us by. I know we are likely not supposed to be here, but I cannot expalin why this top has been mowed? There's no access trail or indication that it's used for anything else, another, magical gift of the trail. Speaking of magic, I was able to put more weight on my left knee today. Although the pain was present, it wasn't that screaming agonizing pain that it has been. I learned tonight that Freckles had previously asked in her prayers, that I get relief. Man, was I ever touched.I know that I have been blessed on this journey. I feel it everyday.Friends like Sprite & Freckles only come once in a lifetime. I doubt if I'll ever be the same? I am so happy to be here. Thank you God.
Date: 2008-06-26
From: Pass Mountain Hut

To: Hog Wallow Spring
Miles today: 16.5

First thing first. Happy Birthday to Mark Farmer, Freckles Dad. May the day bring you happiness and reward in your honor.As usual, I was up around 6:00 a.m. After checking batteries, dressing a blister and eating breakfast I am packed up and gone.It was only a 7.3 mile hike to the Elk Wallow Wayside. It would be a waste, not to take advantage of the occassional camp store & short order grills along the way. So for brunch I enjoyed a cheeseburger, fries, pop, chips, oreos and a beer.The hiker bubble I'm sharing this with is Canuck, Bigglesworth, Motor Butt, Midnight who is a Ridge Runnner and a new face Archoterix (sp?)Archeo started his thru-hike in 2004. He suddenly took ill on the trail. He was diagnosed and survived liver failure and leukemia. Now living in New Zealand, he is back to finish a 1000 mile stretch. Best of luck Archeo!Brunch was excellant, sure beats Ramen & tuna anyday. Sprite played a phone message from Rawhide & Maverick. They had aquired a Tom cat and decided to name it "Papa Sarge". I am honored guys.Better get moving before I get hungry again, I still have 11 miles to do today.Today is hot, I am looking at blue sky above me, however there is heavy duty thundering close by. It sounds like it is moving away though?Along the way, I ran into 2 Southbounders. I was the only one there who stopped to talk to them. As a reward, they shared a piece of information with me. Coming up was Gravel Springs Shelter, usually passed by as it is 3 tenths of a mile downhill, it did have a water source. But in the water source was trail magic. Thanks fellas. Hmmmm? I do need water, so sure enough, in the pool of a spring I found 3 cans of beer. I shared them with Sprite, Freckles & Archeo when they arrived. It appears from reading the shelter register that these were courtesy of Banjo. Thanks Banjo, where are you anyway? We just seem to keep missing each other?Still ahead was the South & North Marsahll Mountains. The trail ascended along the edge of the mountain. At points if you kept walking straight, you would walk right off the side of the mountain. The trail would turn abruptly and you would contine to climb upward. Pretty Cool.Sprite was getting tired and sore, so we began looking for a place to camp.Once again, with Freckles in front, a bear crossed her path. As it turned out, we stopped about 150 feet ahead. It appears we are at Hog Wallow Spring?The bugs were relentless, although it was hot, we ate in our jackets and long pants. We just sweat and sprayed bug dope around our faces.Before long, Powder River showed up and decided to share our camp. Just before dark, the girls who were situated several yards away kept hearing something beyond their tents. I got up and walked in that direction. I could just make out in the dark 2 deers moving away.I guess the bear earlier and being so close by, had them a little jumpy? We must have been near a feeding area, as the deer were roaming our camp all night.Back in my tent, my knee is now resting, however my big toes are numb and tingling? A small price to pay for over 900 miles.
Date: 2008-06-28
From: Mosby Camp

To: Trico Trail
Miles today: 13.8

Had a later than normal start of around 8:30 a.m.After about 5 miles we learned of a convenience store about a mile down US 55 at Manassus Gap.The girls elected to walk to the store while I stayed back and watched the packs. I went back on the trail and laid in the shade under a narrow foot bridge with my legs and feet soaking in the creek.Soon a man appearred on the bridge. In converstaion I learned he was "Extra's" father. He was to meet his son at the Jim & Molly Denton Shelter. I hated to be the bearer of bad news as the shelter was about 7 miles back from where he just came from. Had he gone the other way from where he parked it would have only been a half mile tops.I felt bad for him for many reasons. However, in this heat,wearing blue jeans, no water and having to go back up the steep climb he just came down from, not to mention the 7 miles, he was not going to have a good day.On a happier note, the girls returned with snacks & cold drinks. It was a real mileage killer this morning, but well worth it. Even though we were just in Front Royal yesterday, it doesn't matter. Today is a new day.Continuing on, we later stopped at the Manassus Shelter to get water. This 90 degree heat had us going through water quickly. Here we met sisters "Snap" & "Snacks". They were joined with 2 other friends. We chose to go a little further down the trail. The sky was looking like rain so we started looking for a place to camp. We came to a remote access point where the trail head crossed a small gravel road. It was flat enough and we also laid our bear bags on the roof that covered a trail information board that happened to be there. I strung a line under the awning as well to dry out some sweaty clothes.We were just finishing dinner when the dark clouds were now over us. The thunder boomed and the rain started to pour. We dove into our tents and continued talking, discussing plans for the next couple of days.
Date: 2008-06-30
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: West Va. camp site, near W.Va 9
Miles today: 14.1

Today would bring many milestones. Leaving late at 9:00 a.m. and saying our goodbyes to Redwing & Hopeful, we were back on the trail.First we finished the "Roller Coaster". Next we completed 1000 miles, then we ended the day by leaving all 536 miles of Virginia and entering West Virginia.This is of huge significance to an AT Thru-hiker. What was once a far away dream, an almost impossible goal, is now history. It is so hard to believe?For years I have heard of the dreaded "Virginia Blues". Although no doubt it is real for many, I have yet to experience this. Statistically, between the 500 & 1000 mile mark, many people leave the trail in some form of despair. It has been a trail of fears, a trail of tears and a trail of disallusion. Perhaps all my questions as to "why" I wanted to do this, were answered before I started? I have no doubt in whether this is where I'm supposed to be,I know this is where I am supposed to be! I'm not chasing for, or running from, anything. I am here because it is my time to be here. No doubt I have been blessed many times, which includes the company I have shared this experience with. Despite many things, I have never had a bad day out here.Along the way today I met FireSocks, Butterfly Moon and her dog Luna.Butterfly moon has previously done the trail and is back. Currently she is now recovering from Giardia.Later we emerged into Keys Gap on W.Va 9. Upon crossing the road we met "Long Haul". He had previously thru-hiked with Butterfly Moon and was there waiting to to pick them them up for the night. He drove us down the road to a little restaurant and dropped us off. Along the way he shared his story of his thru-hike. He had to get off for 6 weeks after requiring knee surgery. He then went back on the trail to complete his thru-hike. I love hearing stories like this. The AT experience is like no other. A good sit down cheeseburger dinner & a couple of cold ones topped off the day. Walking back the half mile or so was no big deal. We returned to the trail but headed back south to a spot we passed on our way in. There we set up for the night, hung our bear bags and then it started to rain. Once again, perfect timing. As I lay here in my tent, I am processing many thoughts. Tomorrow we will be arriving in Harpers Ferry. The physcological halfway point of the AT, and the home of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters. It is so hard to believe we are finally here.I reflect on the hike so far. Re-living the miles from the very beginning.Recalling the faces of Topshelf, Springloaded, Rawhide & Maverick. There are so many other faces that pass before my eyes. People whom I miss, and want to be with again.These thoughts are separate from those of my family, however they are included in all this as well. So much is going through my mind. The AT, God how I love it!
Date: 2008-07-03
From: Zero in Harpers Ferry

To: Turners Gap-Dahlgren Campground
Miles today: 18.2

Walking back through Harpers Ferry one last time, was a reminder of just how far I have come. It also was a reminder of I how far I have yet to go.The trail crossed over the Potomac River along a walkway that was part of the train trustle. Once across we would be entering Maryland, another milestone, as 5 states are now completed, there now are only 9 remaining.The trail parralled the river along an old canal towpath. After a few short miles I was regretting that I threw away my chewed up gel pads and foot beds.As bad a shape as they were in, they still offered a lot more comfort than I was having now. The nagging of my knee only amplified the discomfort.Today was an otherwise enjoyable walk, we pushed out an 18.2 mile day. We arrived at Dahlgren campground in Turners Gap. It was a one of a kind spot on the trail. It was an open area with some tent pads, picnic tables and a cinder block building that had showers & toilets.We hurriedly set up our tents in the dark. We passed on washing first and walked another .2 miles to the Old South Mountain Inn. They closed at 9:00 p.m. and it was just minutes past 8:00 when we arrived. This was a fine dining kind of place. I was under dressed and under washed.The waitress was a sport, I enjoyed a Martini that helped take the edge offmy aches & pains and had a fine meal. You just never know what the day is going to bring? To go from one extreme to another, The AT holds many surprises.Full, and now showered, we returned to our tents. I met some sectioners, "Caterpillar" & "Ugly Toes". They were fun to talk with.It started to rain so everyone headed for their tents. There was a hiker named "Hungry" who had a sheet of Tyvek draped over a picnic table as his shelter. Good luck buddy-but I think you're gonna drown.It rained so hard against the tent that the condensation shook lose and the mist splashed in my face continually. During the night I went to use the bathroom. As I walked in, there was "Hungry" on the floor between the sinks and toilets, in his sleeping bag, sound asleep.I stepped past him trying not to laugh to loud. The spiders were all over him.It was a comical scene, I wish I had my camera with me.I was hungry but decided to wait until morning. Our food bags were thrown on top of the bathhouse and I just didn't feel like messing with all that.Now back to sleep.
Date: 2008-07-04
From: Turners Gap-Dahlgren Campground

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter.
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: mist

Awoke to an overcast day, everything was wet from last night.Today is the 4th of July! Unfortunately there will be no fireworks tonight.However, Shortly after getting started the trail entered Washington Monument State Park. This is a large stone bottle shaped monument, that was built by the people of Boonesboro MD. What was really cool, was that it was on this day, 187 years ago July 4, 1897 that this monument was completed and dedicated.I called my son on Sprites phone and shared the moment with him. His wife is currently serving in Iraq, it seemed like a patriotic moment and thing to do.I couldn't help but think what a disappointment it must be in Washington D.C. The huge festival and activities that were planned have been all but been ruined due to the rain. Once we started hiking again, it began to rain, it rained for the rest of the day. I was thoroughly soaked. There was no point to wear rain gear, it would have been to hot and just as wet. It wasn't until reaching the Ensign Cowall Shelter that I could even think about getting dry. We are sharing the shelter with "D", "Hungry" "Trail Mouse" & "Sunny".A father and his 2 daughters are tenting. It is time to kick off the boots, get dry, get fed then get horizontal.
Date: 2008-07-06
From: Deer Lick Shelters

To: Quarry Gap Shelters
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Didn't sleep well last night. "Franklin", a good guy by day, a chainsaw snorer by night. Oh well, that's the price you pay for staying in a shelter.Breakfast this morning was tuna. I have been out of everything else since lunch yesterday. The closest resupply was near Caledonia Park 13 miles away. 5 hrs and 15 minutes later I was sitting down enjoying a cheesburger, fries and a coke at the snack bar. I was able to take a free shower at the pool house for being a Thru-hiker.There was a church group in the park, that had a pavillion and was hosting a 1st annual BBQ for Thru-hikers. A member of their congregation had persuaded the church to do this. What a fantastic surprise and generous thing to do.We were welcomed, fed and treated like celebrities. This was unreal, but so appreciative. We realized that we were like ambassadors for future hikers, so we did our best. It was hard after awhile to say good bye, but we still had to resupply. Sprite stayed with our packs while Freckles and I hoofed it over a mile to the store.Sometimes, luck runs out. As we walked up to the door of the small market, the employees were heading for their cars. The store was closed. Empty handed, and still a mile walk back. Thankfully, I was well fed this afternoon.I made a call from a near by pay phone. I still had miles to do today, so just after 7:00 p.m. I got going again.I arrived at Quarry Gap Shelters just as it was getting dark. It appeared to be quite crowded. As it turned out, they were boy scouts, not young, but older teenagers. I pitched my tent on a platform. It was quite humid and there was thunder in the distance. We all spoke for awhile, joked and talked about the trail. I was really craving junk food. Hopefully tomorrow, I will be able to resupply. I still am however, thankful for the trail magic I received today. Kind caring people feeding strangers. You can't beat that.
Date: 2008-07-07
From: Quarry Gap Shelters

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

Although, I had 17+ miles ahead of me today, it held the promise of food and resupply and that's all the motivation I needed.So far Pennsylvania has been good trail wise. Other than a few boulder hops, I don't know what all the bad hype was about? At times walking the trail today was like walking in a parade. There were so many Gypsy Moths flying around it looked like confetti being thrown.We arrived at the Ironmasters Mansion that is now a hostel, at about 2:00 p.m. They were closed and you couldn't check in until 5:00 p.m. So we went next store to this little grocery store that had a large covererd area with table & chairs. This happened to be where the famous "Half Gallon Challenge" of ice cream takes place. I didn't participate, however, I made up for it in cheesburgers, hotdogs, Little Debbies, Oreos, and pop. After having taken the edge off my hunger pains, I was then able to kick off my boots, kick back and shoot the breeze with everyone for the next 3 hours.Here today is Blazing Star & Mas, Wavepool and his friend Christine, and a new face "Bulldog". There were a few other sectioners as well. I met a retired "Coastie" (Coast Guard) named "Not Worthy" who's son was hiking somewhere else on the trail. I couldn't call this man "Not Worthy" as I felt otherwise, He will always be "Worthy" to me. Some folks moved on, however this was one of those places I'd probably regret not staying in, if I passed it up.Soon I had a bunk, shower, laundry done, resupplied and enjoying dinner.The proprietor, gave us a tour in the evening of the mansion. It was built in 1827 and was used as a secret stop as part of the underground railroad, moving slaves to Canada. We actually, were able to enter through a small hatch in a closet floor, and crouch in the secret rooms below, where slaves had once found safe haven. If the walls could talk? Making this journey, would be equally as long, if not longer than hiking the AT, only alot more dangerous. I have enjoyed stumbling onto pieces of history as I walk. Some I have heard of, others not, but rich in historical significance.