morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-05-15
From: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter

To: Harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

In the shelter log last night, there was a free lunch advertised at the Dutch Haus B&B, which was only 2 miles north of where we stayed. Me and Aikido Jo decided to go (of course), and since it was so close and the meal didn't start until 11 am, we slept in and took our time leaving which was great. It was the first morning that I read a couple chapters in a book just to pass the time before I started hiking. We had to walk an extra 1.1 miles off the trail to get to the pickup place, but it was well worth it. They picked us up at 11, drove us to their house, fed us a delicious lunch, let us hang around and use the internet, and then drove us back to the trailhead. Seriously generous people! Shortly after that was Spy Rock, with great panoramic vistas on a lovely day. We got to the Priest, which was strangely disappointing, since that is all we heard about for a couple days. Everyone knows about the Priest, but there was no overlook!? Did I miss something? After a super long and rocky 3,000 ft. descent I got to the Tye River, where free meal #2 occurred. There were 3 guys camped there with beer, hot dogs, and lasagna up for grabs. I love free food! When I got to the shelter, there were people everywhere, because it was near a road and it was the weekend. You know it's the weekend when all the Weekend Warriors show up. They think I am some kind of crazy when they ask how far I am going and I nonchalantly reply: "Maine". Silly day hikers...
Date: 2010-05-16
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a good day, but a damn tough one (pardon my French). Had to climb up Three Ridges Mountain bright and early in the morning, which was alright, but... tough. It was cool because I have done Three Ridges before, but in the opposite direction so I didn't realize it until later. There were a couple sweet bouldery overlooks which I remember, and also Maupin Field Shelter which I have stayed at on an overnighter. Alot of people on the trail today, more weekend warriors. Oh, and I saw a black person on the trail today! That was a first, and I mention it only because there was a previous conversation between me and some other people about how there have been 0 black people on the trail. Including thru-hikers, section hikers, and day hikers. Today also felt like what I have hear about Pennsylvania... ROCKS! Today has been the rockiest yet, especially up and over Humpback Mountain. When it's that rocky, it really takes alot out of me. I was going to go crazy and do 27 miles into Waynesboro to catch up to Beefstick, but the rocks really slowed down the pace. Plus, the church hostel doesn't open up for the season until tomorrow, so I hit it just right. I'll catch up to him eventually, but for now AYCE Pancakes at Weasie's sounds good to me!
Date: 2010-05-17
From: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: moderate rain

It poured rain all night last night, and that is the same thing I woke up to this morning. I actually didn't mind it very much, knowing that I am only hiking 5 miles today into Waynesboro. People freak out too much about hiking in the rain, but it all evens out eventually. Sure you will get wet, but you will also dry off later. I enjoy hiking in the rain on some occasions, and today was one of them. It was an easy 5 miles that only took about an hour and a half, so I got into town about 9 am. I got a ride from an old man in a fancy Buick, along with Buckwheat and Piece O Cake. He dropped us off right at Weasie's, and the 3 of us ate a big delicious pancake breakfast together. I heard that the YMCA has free showers, so I walked across town, and took a well deserved hot shower. Now I am in the library waiting for the hostel to open. Just going to take it easy the rest of the day, which is all according to plan. I am very much looking forward to hiking through Shenandoah National Park next, because it is pretty easy terrain, and it should be very beautiful. I am getting used to this whole life-on-the-trail business again, so there's no stopping me now!
Date: 2010-05-18
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It was the first night of the season that the church hostel was open, and I was the very first person of the year to check in. What an honor. The rain let up just as I hit the trail, but since it had been raining for days on end, the forest was drenched, quiet, and extremely peaceful. (is that an oxymoron?) I felt like an intruder in a place that I did not belong, clumsily hiking down the trail. Twas the first day of my trek through the 103 mile Shenandoah National Park, and although it was wet and overcast, it was a nice walk. It was an easy 20 miles, the trail being smooth and well graded. There are a few waysides with restaurants scattered throughout the park, and I will definitely be taking advantage of those. For some reason my thoughts all day were on other trail and other adventures that I want to do after this one, such as the PCT and the Te Araroa Trail that runs from tip to tip through the 2 islands of New Zealand. I probably shouldn't spend too much time thinking about other trails, when I haven't even done half of the AT yet. It's fun to think about adventures. Got to the shelter pretty early before the rain started, and there are plenty of people here.
Date: 2010-05-19
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: light rain

The sky was overcast again today, just like the last few days of walking in clouds, but without the rain. Because of this, there are no views or anything to see all day long, just head down hiking. The first 40 miles of the SNP has been fairly disappointing, since the trail is basically just a glorified road walk. It weaves in and out with Skyline Drive, crossing it every few miles. When I got to the side trail to go to the Loft Mountain Wayside, it was about half a mile straight downhill. I got an overpriced mediocre lunch at the wayside, and decided that I did in no way want to walk back up that hill. Therefore, I admit that I road walked basically the rest of the day. There were about 13 miles left on the AT after I took lunch, and walking the road got me to within about a mile of the shelter before I got back on the trail. I don't regret it at all. Road walking hurts my knees more, but it was a quick means to an end on such a crap weather day. Got to the shelter pretty early, made a fire, cooked dinner, yada yada.. I'm with a pretty fun group of people now (MC, Caveman, P-Nut, Lil Dipper, Redwing) but I am still trying to catch up to Beefstick, who is about a day and a half ahead of me.
Date: 2010-05-20
From: Hightop Hut

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 23.9
Weather: clear sky

Not really in the mood to journal right now, but I'll hit some highlights.- Saw my first bear today! It was just a blackbear cub, but still, it's a bear, and man was it cute.- There was actually sunshine today, all day long.- After stopping at a Wayside that was off the trail to get some dinner, I decided to cut through a campground and bushwack until I found the AT, I naturally got lost. I was in the middle of the woods without a clue, trying to find the trail.   I eventually stumbled upon it (literally) and fell out of the woods onto the trail, just as 2 people were walking by. "How you doin.." I said, and kept walking. How smooth.- One of us, who shall remain nameless, "got into" one of the super nice rustic rental cabins that are in the SNP, so 4 of us got to sleep there for the night. Bunks with mattresses, wood burning stove, reading library, kitchenette, porch... we slept well.
Date: 2010-05-21
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: campsite by stream
Miles today: 21.8

Today was the first day in a while that I have actually hiked alongside other people. Usually I just hike at my own pace, and if people are with me, great, but if not, no big deal. I hiked with MC and Caveman all day long, and it was very fun to counter the not-so-fun Shenandoah National Park. We hiked pretty slow, and fooled around alot, took long breaks, and had a good time. When we took a long lunch break at a picnic area, we were determined to get some free food or drink before we left. Sure enough, a group of people out for a picnic offered us some drinks and snacks, just according to plan. After that I hiked with them to the road crossing where they would stop for the day to go into town to resupply. I didn't have to, so I kept hiking on. There wasn't a Hut to sleep at, so I picked a nice little campsite down by a stream to camp by myself. I was a little worried since I never filled out a backcountry camping permit for SNP, but it was all good. I got a message from Beefstick letting me know he was taking a day off with a friend of his in Front Royal, at the northern end of SNP, and that I could sleep in their hotel if I got there by Saturday night. Gameplan.
Date: 2010-05-22
From: campsite by stream

To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I busted my little rear end on down to Front Royal today, doing the 20 miles in about 6 hours. Finally done with Shenandoah!! To be honest, SNP was a total letdown. I have been on several trips to SNP, but all of the good hikes and things to see aren't on the AT. The AT was a breeze, but just super boring. From a hiker's standpoint, Skyline Drive is disagreeable... If you take a piece of wilderness land, and build a road right down the middle of it, it drives the wild away. There was no point during the last 100 miles where I felt like I was on a wilderness hiking trail, living the adventurous life in the woods. I could hear motorcycles all day long, eat at a restaurant, and everything on the trail was just marked so well. There was a signpost for everything, so all of the tourists know exactly where they are I suppose. Oh well, at least that is over. I got to the road crossing, in the rain, and sat there waiting for Beefstick to pick me up. Turns out they were in a movie theater, so I got a hitch into town and waited for them there. It's great to get refreshed in town.
Date: 2010-05-23
From: Front Royal, VA

To: Dicks Dome Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light rain

Beefstick's friend Huey dropped us off at the trail late this morning, after some leisure time of TV, eating breakfast, and going to Food Lion. Before yesterday, I had not seen Beefstick in about 550 miles, which was before I even step foot in Virginia. That's a long time. So we set out and hiked together all day through the pouring rain, but it was ok since we were mostly exchanging trail stories and information, and about the people we have met. It was a really easy 15 miles anyway, but talking and hiking with someone you know made the time just fly by. The shelter we are staying at tonight is the most retarted shelter I have ever seen! It only sleeps 4 people and is built in the shape of an octagon, which is very awkward and space in-efficient. I am nearly done with Virginia, and the month of May, which is amazing to me. All sense of time is lost when I am out here. I am pretty excited to cross those imaginary lines into some new states, so maybe it will seem like I am getting somewhere. Smooth sailin' from here...
Date: 2010-05-24
From: Dicks Dome Shelter

To: Bear's Den Hostel
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: light rain

There is one word to describe the hike today: Forgettable. There was nothing today to keep me motivated, and the weather and trail we pretty uncooperative. Hard to stay in positive spirits. It rained again today, which is becoming more usual, and the trail was just completely wet, muddy, and overgrown. Most of the morning was walking through overgrown vines and grass, which was all soaking wet. Even though the rain stopped pretty early on, I was completely soaked all day long. Every once in a while on the trail, there is a section or a certain mountain or something of the like that people love to worry about and talk about, which usually results in exaggerated rumors which later prove to be wrong. One such area called the "Roller Coaster" was what Beefstick and I encountered the last 10 miles of today. The Roller Coaster is a stretch of 13.5 miles of seemingly pointless 500-ish ft. ups and downs which are all back to back. Sure its annoying, but it's nothing harder than we have already done. That was the last 10 miles of our hike today, and man was it a pain. Not only were the climbs annoying, but the entire stretch of trail was rockier than most of what we have seen. 10 miles of steep ups and downs walking on wet rocks, tromping through the mud can get pretty old. Luckily, our end destination was Bear's Den Hostel. It is a really unique hostel that is built somewhat like a stone castle, and it is very relaxing with all the services you need. $27.50 got me a bunk with linens, shower, laundry, internet access, a large pizza, a pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream (yeah I know, I'm lactose intolerant), and sodas. Not bad, eh? The caretakers told us there were 22 hikers here last night, but tonight there are just 3 of us staying.Side note: this is the longest my hair has been in about 6 years.
Date: 2010-05-25
From: Bear's Den Hostel

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Ah, Harpers Ferry. What the AT community refers to as the emotional halfway point of the trail. According to statistics, only half of the people that start the trail make it to Harpers Ferry, and only half the people that make it to Harpers Ferry make it to Katahdin. But I hate statistics. After a lovely stay at the Bear's Den Hostel, we began the day to the most well known town on the trail. I am now done with Virginia, which is a great feeling even though VA treated me so well. Now I begin the mid-Atlantic states which according to one man are "pretty boring, but pretty easy." I can deal with that for a change. So the hike today was very easy, and very leisurely. Believe it or not, HF isn't exactly the most hiker-friendly trail town. There is virtually nowhere to resupply, and no cheap lodging even with the hostel. We were worried about where to stay, but we heard about a guy named Bonzo who lets hikers crash in his backyard shed for free (Appropriately named: The Pack Shack). We arrived in the small historic town right before the ATC headquarters was closing, so we had our pictures taken, and I am now an official ATC recognized thru-hiker (so far). There were some more hikers in town, so Beefstick, River Dog, Sonic, Hobbes, and myself all went out for a celebratory dinner. Afterwards all of us besides Hobbes got a ride to Bonzo's to crash for the night. Bonzo is a crazy old guy who is kinda a redneck-hippie breed, and his friend Bob was there keeping us company too. Staying there was quite the experience. Four of us slept crammed together in the tiny shack with an impressive collection of beer cans scattered in the yard. It was fun, and like I said, it was free. 1,1014 miles down... 1,165 to go!!
Date: 2010-05-26
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Dahlgren Backpack Campground
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Beefsitck, River Dog, and I hike together today after being dropped off by Bob. Bob is a crazy guy. Hiking today was extremely easy. The section of the AT through Maryland is pretty small, about 40 miles, and we did about 17 of it today. People used to talk about the "Virginia Blues" since the trail through VA is so long, and now we jokingly talk about getting the "Maryland Blues". Not much to say about the walk today, it was flat and only had one small climb, and not much to see. It was 92 degrees today, and supposed to be 94 degrees tomorrow. Tonight is basically the opposite of last night. Last night we slept on the floor of a shed, and hung out in a random guy's house that probably hadn't been cleaned in years. Tonight we are camping at a nice campground with restrooms and showers that is free, and the 3 of us ate at a fine dining restaurant to celebrate getting nearly half-way. We all got Roast Prime Rib with mashed potatoes, veggies, salad, and 2 cold beers for $40. Much better than camp food, best dinner I have had on the trail, and I'm sure I will sleep good tonight.
Date: 2010-05-27
From: Dahlgren Backpack Campground

To: Raven Rock Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: clear sky

Usually some signs that I had a good day are if I took pictures, if there were good overlooks, good weather, or if I get trail magic. Today all of these things happened (in part). I took a few good pictures, the weather was relatively good even though it was a sweltering 94 degrees, there was one good overlook that I took lunch at, and I did indeed get trail magic. The AT can be pretty sweet when it passes through historical state parks and such, even though I'm not really into history at all. We visited the original Washington monument today, which was... historical I guess. Maryland is pretty easy and flat, so I was surprised when I got to Annapolis Rocks, which was a sweet rock ledge overlook. I sat on the edge of the rocks on the hot sunny day listening to the song "Everybody Sunshine" by David Hasselhoff. It made my lunch break way more epic as I ate lunch and pumped my fist high in the air. We got to the shelter in the afternoon and a trail maintainer had a cooler full of sodas for about 10 of us who were there. He offered to give people rides into town, so Beefstick and I jumped at the opportunity. He drove us to Subway and back which was great. That's 3 night in a row of eating at a restaurant... who needs trail food? Hiked 5 more miles, yada yada yada... now I am going to bed.
Date: 2010-05-28
From: Raven Rock Shelter

To: Quarry Gap Shelters
Miles today: 25.4
Weather: overcast clouds

The streak continues. The plan was to hike 25 so we could get to a road crossing where there was an Italian restaurant half a mile down the road. We were also kinda trying to lose a guy who was hiking near us, but that's a different story. The plan worked, and we ate and made the miles just as the sun was going down. Talk about a full day. The last 2.5 miles was tough on an overfilled stomach though. There was something strange that happened today though. I was hiking along; the sky darkened, and a cold bone chilling feeling came over me. The strangers I came across didn't say a word, the animals seemed more aggressive. Then I realized what had happened...I had crossed the Mason-Dixon line...
Date: 2010-05-29
From: Quarry Gap Shelters

To: Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: light rain

I know that Pennsylvania is going to get rockier, but today was just unbearably easy. It was a fairly short day today also, since we just wanted to get to PGF state park, home of the half gallon challenge. 5 miles into our hike today, we came to a rental cabin and saw 2 guys there playing guitar and harmonica, so we definitely stopped by for a break. It is a good thing to hear music, however unpolished it might be. They gave us bananas, apples, and a beer, and after our nice long break we headed on our way. Southern PA has been so easy, it is just flat trail allowing you to hike flat and easy. There have been absolutely no views in the past 2 days, since we are barely even on mountains. Beefstick put it well when he said "Where are we? It just feels like I am wandering around in the woods in a city park". The half gallon challenge is a PGF General Store, a hiker tradition to eat a half gallon of ice cream to celebrate crossing the official halfway point (which I did today!) I didn't attempt it, but Beefstick murdered the whole thing, no problem. I did get 2 cheeseburgers and fries, so that makes 5 nights in a row of non-trail food. Now we are ate Pinegrove Furnace campsites, trying to camp for free (shhhhhh!)
Date: 2010-05-31
From: Boiling Springs, PA

To: Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 0.0

The past 2 days have been a pretty awesome experience. The destination yesterday was Boiling Springs, probably the friendliest looking town yet on the trail. It was Memorial Day weekend, so people were everywhere doing what they do, and it was a hot sunny day in small town America. I even walked right by a wedding procession, and felt kinda awkward and apologetic. We weren't sure where we were going to stay before we got here, but on the hike in we met an older couple who said they sometimes take in hikers to their house for free, and they gave us their number. Me, Beefstick, and Hollywood ended up staying there for 2 nights, agreeing to do a work-for-stay type of deal. The man, whose trail name was Ishmael, is a carpenter and built his house by himself, and he had some landscaping type project to do, so we all stayed the day to work in exchange for food. We worked 8 hard hours shoveling, digging, moving dirt, grading, and everything else under the sun. It was nice to work for a change instead of just hike, but it was definitely the toughest 0 day I have had. Overall it was a good experience, and fun too.
Date: 2010-06-01
From: Boiling Springs, PA

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 25.7
Weather: light rain

For the 2 miles before Boiling Springs, and the 13 miles afterwards, I was walking through flat PA countryside farmland, and it was so beautiful! Perfectly flat trail the whole way with the sun shining and the cows grazing. It's hard for me to describe beautiful scenery in a journal, but it really is a beautiful country we live in. Since it was so easy we decided to hike all the way to Duncannon to stay at the world famous Doyle Hotel. The Doyle Hotel is the perfect place for hikers to stay, and I'm sure the only reason they stay in business. It's dirt cheap, and also dirty. Probably the least kept up "hotel" I have ever stayed at, but I liked it for the experience and it's character. (I even bought a t-shirt) There are TONS of hikers here, so good times all around.
Date: 2010-06-05
From: Hertlein campsite

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: broken clouds

To be honest, it's really hard to write in this journal every day. I get done hiking for the day, and it's pretty much the last thing I want to do. So I apologize, but this entry will sort of be a compilation of the last 4 days (to the best of my memory). Since everybody kind of congregated at the Doyle Hotel, the past 4 days have been pretty much littered with thru-hikers (and section-hikers). In the past 3 days we have gotten 7 different occasions of trail magic. One huge box of snacks, 3 coolers of drinks and freeze pops, one ride to town to get Wendy's, a free dinner at a shelter, and a spring on the trail with about 60 cans of soda sitting in the water. The people of PA have been so generous. Last night at the shelter there was a record 25 thru-hikers, including one southbounder carrying close to 100 lbs which included his pet iguana! That many people felt like I was in Georgia all over again. There were so many people that Sonic, Beefstick, Skyrocket, Samurai, Tumbleweed, Apple Juice, and myself all got a ride to a nice family style AYCE place. After dinner Sonic, Beefstick, and myself decided to night hike another 6 miles to get closer to town. Night hiking in Rock-syl-vania is the worst decision ever. It was miserable tripping over rocks for 2 hours, with a small light to guide the way. When we got to the campsite it was sprinkling as we set up camp, and as soon as I laid in my hammock the rain the lightning storm began. Perfect timing. It was frightfully peaceful. The destination today was to get to Port Clinton, PA (the smallest trail town yet) because there is a free pavilion to sleep in, where once again there are about 25 hikers. I've had alot of fun the past few days, and it's nothing I can really relate through pen and paper, which is frustrating. I am, though, ready to be done with Pennsylvania. The hiking is just mind numbingly boring, with minimal overlooks or anything to see. Only 78 more miles to go, with countless rocks.......