morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-06-03
From: ZERO Day in Waynesboro - Day 76

To: ZERO Day in Waynesboro - Day 77
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Since I hiked some miles here in March, Southpaw would hike 12 of those miles today while I ran around town. On the way to the trail, we saw QTips at the outfitter. I sure will miss seeing him in the future because he is such a nice young man! I took a picture to send a message to his Mother. Then on to the trail for Southpaw to slackpack. I took the opportunity to drop in at the Daily Living Center, a local non-profit adult day care facility. I served on the Board of Directors there, so I wanted to give everyone there an update on my hike. They gave me another shirt! I took a picture with Curtis, who has been a client of the DLC for over 20 years. Next I visited my former employer for some photo ops. And finally, after picking up Southpaw, we saw Crumcakes and Easy at Kroger. I was so happy to see them and have the chance to say goodbye!It's been great being home, but the AT is calling and we will hike out tomorrow. Message to all readers: I love reading my guest book. Feel free to read my guest book too. It's really cool to hear from perfect strangers as well as friends. So please use the guest book to keep me updated on your lives. Saw QTips Again at Rockfish Gap OutfittersQTip Says "Hi Mom!"Southpaw Ready to SlackpackCurtis at the Daily Living CenterHello to coworkers: Jeff, Allison and RobertCoworkers Teresa and MoriahGoodbye Easy and Crumcakes
Date: 2016-06-04
From: ZERO Day in Waynesboro - Day 77

To: 11 Miles South - Day 78
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: broken clouds

We have our hammocks set up for an 8:00pm, which is hiker midnight. Great to See You, YackeyHello Again Rock CityAnother Great Picture of So FreeHello WicksYea, We Saw One Step and Thanked Him for Cooking Supper for ForgetMetNot When She Was Sick"Hello Mom." From So Free. (IWOX was glad to finally get this one.)Hi Flash!Hello KemosabeHello My ShadowHot Rod & Slow Poke Actually Hiking North With BackpacksO.D. Says "Hi Jim."Hello ? and O.D.Great to See NalaFish and Chips: Probably Goodbye, you are faster!
Date: 2016-06-05
From: 11 Miles South - Day 78

To: 14 Miles South - Day 79
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: moderate rain

Big storm last night! I heard the beginning of it but I must have fallen asleep because Southpaw said it lasted a long time with lots of thunder and lightening. I was nice and dry in my hammock. The tenters nearby said they wished they had hammocks because the rain beat thru their vestibules and the dirt piled up the sides of their tents. We hiked about 15 miles. It threatened rain all day, but never did. When we came to a gap there was Gentle G, the German giving trail magic. He is off the trail. Hiking 2 months was great, he just didn't want to continue for four more.His friend Kay was there too. Then, while we were talking, in walked Jules from the same town in Germany! They had previously met on the trail. Jules had a stress fracture in her right foot in Hot Springs. She hiked on it after 6 days rest. Then at trail days, the 1 Way Ministry Clinic found her blood pressure to be 200 over 140! After getting on medication she hiked on. I was happy to see Wook. We shuttled him to trail days and I wondered where he was. Since it was predicted to storm, we hightailed it to a motel, sharing a room with TeaTimeTom from the UK. It did not rain. I was so glad to see Hilton and Kalaidescope and learn it's her birthday. She says to all you quarter century people, "If you are bored, get out and hike the AT!"Gentle GKay, from Germany!Jules, from Germany!Great Views from a MeadowIWOX: Would You Like a Date?"Wook: "Sure! I was feeling kind of lonely."
Date: 2016-06-06
From: 14 Miles South - Day 79

To: Punch Bowl Shelter - Day 80
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

We got a late start from the motel in Buena Vista because we agreed to share a shuttle with another hiker. She then asked the driver to take us by Hardee's. I was thrilled to see Lucky and Little Santa and Shovel. The highlight of the day was a major stream crossing. The water was up from the storm and I changed to my crocs. When I was putting my shoes back on, I realized I left a gator on the other side. So, back I went, turning the one stream crossing into three.Then there was a major blowdown we had to climb around. Because of the late start, we stopped after 12 miles. We will try for bigger miles tomorrow. Thank you Racoon for counseling me to buy low top shoes. They are working great! I was afraid to make that change due to my broken ankle last year. Now I am glad I did. Hello ShovelSaw Lucky & Little Santa at Hardee's in Buena VistaHello Robi DobiHappy Birthday KaleidoscopeHaving a Date with Hilton & KaleidoscopePunch Bowl Shelter photo by Bush Whacker.This shelter was very buggy!
Date: 2016-06-07
From: Punch Bowl Shelter - Day 80

To: 14 Miles South, VA - Day 81
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

We stayed at Punch Bowl Shelter last night. The weather was good so all the other hikers tented but we used the shelter to help get an early start. We hiked out at 7:15 am, earliest start yet. The goal was 20 miles. The first 10 went by fast, I felt strong and was hiking close to two miles an hour. The highlight of the day was crossing the James River Foot bridge, the longest foot bridge on the whole trail. It was named after Mr. Foot. We did not make our goal. The climb after the Foot bridge was tough. Then we entered bear country and had to either stop at 14 miles or go the full 20. We got word from north blunders that the campsite we were targeting was closed due to bear activities, so we stopped. Tomorrow we have to do at least 15 miles to get thru the bear problem areas. I finally took pictures of my hammock, as requested by my scribe, Cathy. Thanks again to everyone signing my guest book. Please keep those comments coming!View from the James River Foot BridgeMY HAMMOCK!Me in my Hammock!
Date: 2016-06-08
From: 14 Miles South, VA - Day 81

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter - Day 82
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

I am hungry! Maybe it's hiker hunger kicking in. I only had one instance of being hungry on this hike. Therefore, I continued to pack the same amount of food. Now I will have to start packing more. Today was fun. We needed to do 15 miles to make a shorter day back to Jennings Creek, where Tim will pick us up Thursday. We had several nice views, then we went thru the guillotine and saw the FAA tower. We had to get thru bear territory where some campsites and one shelter is closed. We made it to Cornelius Creek Shelter for the night. We passed about 15 thru hikers, but no one we knew. Back to Waynesboro tomorrow!James River from the SouthIWOX at the GuilletineFAA TowerCornelius Creek Shelter photo by Bear BaitSweet at Cornelius Creek Shelter
Date: 2016-06-10
From: Jennings Creek - VA - Day 83

To: To Relax - Day 84
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

14 miles counted from March. I hiked some miles locally in March to build in a zero day at home. Southpaw is hiking those miles today. First I take Rightlane to Swift Run Gap to hike out. Then I am taking care of business at home. Also, I am playing my piano and my saxophone. It is a great relaxing day!Goodbye Rightlane
Date: 2016-06-11
From: Powell Gap, VA

To: Doyles River Parking, VA - Day 85
Miles today: 60.4

900 Miles done!! We hiked 14 miles today and passed the 900 mile milestone. We slack packed southbound from Powell Gap to Doyles River parking. First, I saw a bear! I barely got the bear in the picture. We passed through the 8000 acre burn area in the Shenandoah Park. We ran into O.D., Flash and Wolverine. A bear had gotten into O.D.'s food so she was a little short. I gave her half of my snacks and Southpaw gave her almost a pound of cheese and a pound of summer sausage. We delivered "Slack Magic!" Therefore we visited the camp store at Loft Mountain for snacks. Then it was great to see Pookie again. After we got to the car we went to Loft Mountain Wayside for blackberry shakes. I was not impressed. I will not buy another one. My strawberry smoothies at home are much better. So Free was at the Wayside recouping. Maybe we will catch up with Nala and Wicks too. I went to Loft Mountain Campground to see if my friend Mark was working. He had called in sick today. We graduated from High School together in Raleigh, NC. I was sorry to miss him, but I will connect after I finish. This was a great day on the trail. Bear on the LeftBurn AreaPookieSo Free says "Mom, I'm Feeling Better!"
Date: 2016-06-12
From: Doyles River Parking, VA - Day 85

To: Lewis Mountain Campground - Day 86
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: few clouds

I dropped Southpaw off early to catch the last 5 miles I had hiked in March. While waiting for him, I visited my friend Eddie. He let me know I missed his 56th birthday on May 7th. Also, we missed a play in Crimora, and will miss the next one. We will go in November, and I will be Raffle Queen again. Southpaw and I made it to Church at Smyrna. It was one day that no pianist was available, so I played for the service! Our plans then changed to slackpacking again. We hit the trail around 3:00pm at Powell gap and hiked 14.5 miles to Lewis Mountain Campground. I ran into some maintainers, and O.D. slacking south. At dusk, the wildlife came out: We saw two bears and many deer. I did not see the second bear until I was 12 feet away from it! Then it ran away. The hike ended at 9:30 pm, our first night hiking! I saw many pairs of deer eyes glowing from my headlight. So we drove home again, arriving after 11:00pm very tired. Monday will be tough with a full pack! Rightlane update: I received a text from Rightlane Saturday night. He had ripped a toenail right off and could not put weight on that foot. I texted him back that we could pick him up if he needed to be picked up.When I reached him by phone, he had a miracle to report. While hiking he met 2 PATC (Potomac Appalachian Trail Club) Maintainers. They were concerned about his limping. When he explained the situation. They asked, "Can we pray with you?" He replied, "Of course." That night he slept better than he had in a long time. He woke up with the foot much improved. He is hiking north. P.S. Tim said the thought of him coming back to Tim's cooking made him high tail it north!Message from Tim. Jill got another FitBit, it is for her jaw. She has yapped her way to California and back in one week! Limey took this photo of a mother bear June 4thTaken by Dulcigirl 6/12/16
Date: 2016-06-13
From: Lewis Mountain Campground - Day 86

To: Rock Spring Hut - Day 87
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: broken clouds

Goodbye to Tim, again. Since we slack-packed Sunday, we had to be shuttled to Lewis Mountain, making another late start, 11:00am. Eight miles to Big Meadows got us there at 3:00pm, for a nice hour break with snacks. Next, we headed to Rock Spring Hut and got spots in the shelter. Met Little Bear who had seen friends of mine we had missed at Swift Run Gap. We hope to get an earlier start tomorrow. Mountain Goat's photo of Friends at Rock Spring Hut
Date: 2016-06-14
From: Rock Spring Hut - Day 87

To: Pass Mountain Hut - Day 88
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Southpaw owes me big time! While finishing my packing, I found Southpaw's Gatorade bottle. It was heavy, but I knew he would need it so I carried it. He told me I should have dumped it, but I did not know if he had water, so I packed it. He did hike back when he made the discovery. Then, at Skyland, I noticed he had been overcharged by over $4, and I got the cashier to refund the money. Lastly, I Yogied a ride back to the trail. So, I will collect some day!The hike today was one of the most beautiful on the whole trail so far! There were so many views, both east and west. The trail conditions were great with a lot of rock walls probably built by the CCC boys. We arrived at Pass Mountain Hut and got spaces again.Southpaw Gets His Gatorade Back!RangerPass Mountain Hut by Lewis & Clark
Date: 2016-06-15
From: Pass Mountain Hut - Day 88

To: Gravel Springs Hut, VA - Day 89
Miles today: 13.1

Plan was to go to Elkwallow wayside for lunch. We left Pass Mountain Hut and Southpaw arrived at 10:30 and I arrived at 11:30. There was a power outage so there was no cooked food available. We ate snacks and waited to see if the power came back on, it did! We ate grilled lunches as planned. We left Elkwallow and arrived at Gravel Springs Hut which was a 13.1 miles day and arrived at 5:00pm for an easy evening, which we had not done for awhile. It was very relaxing. We enjoyed the company of Ranger and a section hiker named Packrat, Mothly Stud, Little Debbie, a blind hiker called Lynn and her service dog Rhonda. Rhonda slept partially on my sleeping bag.Cute story about Mothly Stud:Back in 2013, when he was section hiking, his trail name was Cuddles. One night, everyone had settled down in the shelter. After dark, a woman came in and noisily started cooking in the shelter area. She even began smoking! She was chatting with other hikers and saying that she couldn't decide whether to stay in the shelter or tent. Cuddles said, "I'll make a space for you right here." She tented. I don't think I would have tented! This year, the Mothly Stud did not want to use Cuddles as his trail name and his friends tried to convince him to use the name Studly. However, he was not comfortable with that, he thought it sounded like he was bragging. Another hiker made it his mission to create a new name for him. One day a moth flew into his ear. He asked another hiker to get the moth out of his ear. The other hiker couldn't see the moth in his ear. So, they hiked on. All of a sudden the moth flew out of his ear, witnessed by the other hiker. The hiker with the mission came up with the name Mothly Stud and wrote a poem about this event and wrote "To the Mothly Stud" and tacked it to a post, saying "You know who you are", followed by the poem.Trail on Way to Gravel Springs Shelter by Alwaysfine
Date: 2016-06-16
From: Gravel Springs Hut, VA - Day 89

To: Mountain Cabbin Hostel, Front Royal, VA - Day 90
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Got an early start for me which was 8:00am. It was a good day as I hiked at 2 mph all day long, which is very good for me.The excitement of the day occurred at the laundromat. One of the owners was fixing one of the machines and it flooded everywhere. One of the customers said to him, "You were the Principal of my Middle school and I was in your office a lot!" Then I watched this former principal use the window squeegee to shove the water out the front door! I said to him, "This is more entertaining than watching hikers throw bear lines. Then we had a nice chat. I explained what a bear line was and he stated that I had just hiked past his house getting to Front Royal. We are staying at the Mountain Cabbin Hostel, a very cute 1780 colonial log cabin that was renovated, made into an 8 person bunkhouse. This evening we were given a grand tour of the original farm house built in 1847 with additions in 1869. It is in the process of being renovated to be a Bread and Breakfast with owner living quarters on the second floor. Extensive and costly work. Very interesting tour! We are thrilled to be under a roof because a huge thunderstorm came through with up to 3 inches of rain!This and the following photos were taken by Rightlane of the Mountain Home
Date: 2016-06-17
From: Mountain Cabbin Hostel, Front Royal, VA - Day 90

To: Manassus Gap Shelter, VA - Day 91
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: fog

Cathy here! Ed and I left Kennsington, MD (near Washington, DC) and arrived at 7:30am at the Mountain Cabbin Hostel to meet-up with IWOX. Racoon (Ed) begins his 5 day hike with the group. I will be at road crossings along the way to greet hikers as they come through and offer them drinks and treats. My first spot was 5 miles in to their day at Hwy 66 and 725, 8 miles out of Front Royal where I parked, set up 2 canvas chairs and a variety of sweet desserts and assortment of individually packaged chips. About an hour in, 2 ladies walked across the road and explained that they were giving out food about 2 blocks away on the trail and I was welcome to come join them. I did after my group came through, great time! We had about 10 chairs set up. They had deli meat, bread, condiments and all kinds of treats from M&Ms, cookies, pastries and fruit. They lived about 30 minutes away and thru-hiked last year and wanted to pay back for all the great trail magic they received. They were there from 9:00am til 7:30pm. About 30 hikers came trough, less than expected because of the bad storm that came through last night. Some hikers chose to take a day in Front Royal to dry out and resupply.Jill's account of the day will come later.These are some of the hikers Cathy met today:Southbound Hiker Charles from NCBullseye from Mobil, ALWook from ConnecticutWild Child and Panda BearThunderBearWolverine, Flash and OxfordRacoon and IWOX (Now at the Trail Magic SightGiven By 2015 Thru Hikers Blue Kazoo and Raindrop)IWOX, Trail Angels, 2015 Thru Hikers Blue Kazoo and RaindropAnd, My Favorite....Wild Child and Panda Bear Taking a SiestaIWOX: Racoon and Lipstick arrived! 7:30am at the cabbin. After more town chores we hit the trail by 10:00am. Jim and Molly Denton shelter made a great break stop. The deck had a nice Adirondack chair. Then we headed to route 522 where Lipstick had ice cold sodas and snacks. The trail was devastated by the storm with many blowdowns. Arriving at Manassas Gap shelter, we learned that a tree had fallen on our friend Downunder's tent, missing him by inches. Racoon is hiking 5 days with us. At the shelter he discovered that his air mattress leaks, so he hammocked.
Date: 2016-06-18
From: Manassus Gap Shelter, VA - Day 91

To: Rod Hollow Shelter - Day 92
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Happy Birthday Lipstick! We started early, four of us hiking together. While Racoon and I hiked on, Southpaw and Rightlane took a long break at the first shelter. Since it was Saturday, many day hikers were out. I asked about 15 of them to greet Rightlane as Rightwing, since he had been mistakenly called that and insisted he is definitely not right wing. My fun worked, with at least 10 greetings. Two young ladies even told him, " You need to step it up, IWOX is getting impatient!" At route 55, Lipstick was waiting with snacks, so we took a nice break. Rod Hollow shelter area is packed full of tents. As I was watching Rightlane put up his tent, I heard a deep voice say, "IWOX!" It was Downunder's voice. I ran and hugged him, telling him how very glad I was to see him. Now it is Hiker Midnight: 9:00pm....ZzzzzzSpero (means "I Hope" in latin) from Pittsburgh, PAIWOX and DownunderKissing Tree near Rod Hollow Shelter by Old CorpusRod Hollow Shelter by Itrod
Date: 2016-06-19
From: Rod Hollow Shelter - Day 92

To: Bears Den Hostel - Day 93
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: scattered clouds

FIRST DAY OF MY 4TH MONTH!! We wanted to get an early start because we would be hiking the roller coaster today. 7:30 was a fairly good time. The roller coaster is 13 climbs in 13 miles, and we planned to do 10 miles of it to Bears Den. I had hiked this in 2009, but I did not remember how hard it was. The climbs were not as bad as the rocks, which drastically slows down hiking speed. Southpaw and Rightlane took 7 hours , while Racoon and I took 8. Then we headed to an outfitter about 7 miles away for new hiking shoes for Racoon. Tim drove to Bears Den Hostel for the evening. We enjoyed pizza and ice cream and are snug in our bunks at hiker midnight.Roller Coaster Warning Sign!PHOTOS BY CATHY:View Behind Bears DenIWOX, Tim & Southpaw, porch area of Bears DenIWOX giving Rightlane a Glare for something he said, ha!Downunder Using His Fork to Protect His Ice Cream
Date: 2016-06-20
From: Bears Den Hostel - Day 93

To: David Lesser Shelter, VA - Day 94
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Bears Den Hostel provides pancakes for breakfast and I finished my pint of ice cream from last night. We hiked out at 9:40. Five miles of roller coaster remained as tough terrain. Then the hiking got easier. Lunch was at the Blackburn Center, a great spot for a break. Finally, we coasted the last three miles to David Lesser Shelter. Cathy here: I heard that the shelter received trail magic from a man that came in from the nearby neighborhood. Southpaw enjoyed the beer and peach pie while the rest of them missed out. They were tented in a campsite about a football field distance away! I was unable to find them today, the locals could not direct me from the AT map. However, the next morning I thought to stop in an auto parts store and the clerk was very familiar with the area and explained the location to me, I was so frustrated to not find them. I stayed in Charles Town and visited the beautiful Hollywood Casino, lost $30 at the Blackjack table, lowest limit table was $15, ugh.Packrat at Bears Den HostelBehind Bears Den HostelThe AT Crosses Route 7
Date: 2016-06-21
From: David Lesser Shelter, VA - Day 94

To: Harpers Ferry, WV - Day 95
Miles today: 8.0

Harpers Ferry! The psychological halfway point (real halfway is about 73 miles north of here) The 8 miles was very fast, probably because I was so anxious to get to the ATC. I wanted to get my picture in the book and see who had already hiked in. I checked in as #888. It was a nice meeting place as hikers we know came in all afternoon. Garlic Man works at the outfitter so I visited him too. He lived in Pittsboro, NC near my Mom for several years and I saw him many times when I was in town. It was great to see him. Thanks for the ice cream, Garlic Man!I talked with Laurie Poteiger and Peter Pan who work at the ATC, who I had met at Trail Days many times. Laurie informed me that Babu was in town. (I had mistakenly thought he would not be around). When I phoned him, he offered his house for the night! The only glitch was there is no furniture. This is a townhouse that Babu had just bought and is fixing up to rent. He is staying there temporarily. Of course, we did not care, it would be a great shelter in the storms that were predicted. Southpaw, Rightlane, Downunder and I set up our sleeping bags and mats in the living room. Then we watched the storm roll in, while we enjoyed pizza. Racoon and Lipstick came by and we said goodbye. It was great to have Racoon hike with us for 5 days. Thanks Lipstick for all the Trail Magic!Garlic Man and IWOXFox Moon's photo of Harpers FerryBy Fox MoonHolcomb's photo of Town's Inn HostelScarfoot's photo of AT thru Harpers Ferry
Date: 2016-06-22
From: Harpers Ferry, WV - Day 95

To: Rocky Run Shelter, MD - Day 96
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: light rain

The hike out of Harper's Ferry was historic. I hope you can read the pictures of the markers. The event of the day was seeing hiker Groceries. I met her in 2014 after she married Boy Floyd. She was hiking southbound. I told the guys to greet her by name but not tell her I was behind them or that they knew me. It went like this: Guys, "Hi Groceries." Groceries, "Hi, how do you know my name? Do you know IWOX?" Rightlane, "Who is he?" Southpaw, "I am psychic." They were blocking her view of me, so I yelled, "Groceries!" and we ran and hugged each other. She turned around and proclaimed, "You guys are in big trouble."We hiked on to Rocky Run Shelter and secured our spots. The quote of the night is, "TicToc took Took's TrailTalk Tenaciously." Four trail names are in the quote! Turtles on the CanalGROCERIES!!!