morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-04-27
From: Rock Fish gap

To: Calf Mt
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: clear sky

The town Magnet was working extra hard on L.K. this morning. He needed to watch two Deep Space Nine before he was ready to go at one. We got our Back Camping Permit at the entrance to the Shenandoahs and started off to whip our seven miles. At McCormick Gap who shows up but Rufus and Daisy. They were picking up their vehicle from todays hike. They offered to carry my pack up to Beagle Gap. being the purist I am, I couldn't get it off fast enough. It was great not having a pack full of food to have to carry. Here tonight is Alan and Margeret from New Zealand. They hope to flip flop their hike. Alan worked on some of the props for "The Lord of The Rings" movie. I taught Alan diceand he proceded to whip me 2 out of 3 games.
Date: 2005-04-28
From: Calf Mt

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

In the Shenandoahs the shelters are called huts. I was out hiking by 7:45. L.K. got sick last night so I hung around to see if he was going to be able to hike. He said he was O.K., so I am waiting at Blackrock hut to see if he wants to do another 13.2 miles. When I got to Turk Gap there was a mountain dew waiting for me courtesy of Rufus and daisy. I am getting more trail magic from them than everyone else combined. I am trying to figure if Rufus is the lost brother I always wanted ( 3 sisters) or just a close cousin. I saw two deer today and finally got pictures. I also saw a pileated woodpicker. About three a Sobo, Green Horn, came in for the night. He is traveling on the generosity of others. At dark Shorts came in. He had news that L.K. was still sick and went into town, but will catch up later.
Date: 2005-04-29
From: Blackrock Hut

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

I was underway by 7. the other two were still in their sleeping bags but awake. The day was overcast with off and on rain. My Mountain Dew was waiting behind Rufus and Daisy's truck. As we passed they apologized for getting a diet Mountain dew instead of a regular. I figured I must be looking a little pudgy so they were helping out. I saw 6 deer and got some more pictures, I finally found my morrels. I picked 5 black morrels all in one area. As you can see I have hiked over 20 miles and is the body sore especially the feet. Because of the rain I didn't stop and rest them like I would have liked. When I got to the shelter L.K. was here, He didn't go into town after all. He got a ride to the shelter between where I stayed and here. It was great to see him and rejoin the "fellowship". I cooked the morrels in some butter, and they just went to the head of my mushroom list. Are they good! We might get some severe storms tomorrow afternoon so how far we walk is in the air.
Date: 2005-04-30
From: Hightop Hut

To: Bearfense Mt. Hut
Miles today: 12.4

We got up to a wet misty morning. I put on the rain gear and left by 7:10. I saw nothing but mist. No animals, no new flowers, and definitely no more morrels. I made it to Lewis Mt. Campstore by noon. My feet were a little sore from yesterday but I didn't want to stop and rest because of the rain. When L.K. showed up we debated about going another 11 miles but were nervous about the thundershowers so headed to the nearby shelter. When we got here there was a cottontail rabbit hopping around. Three section hikers; Steve, Lauralee, and their son Joshua: said the rangers were telling everyone to get to a shelter fast. Next to arrive was Scrubs and he seranaded us with the bagpipes he was carrying. Just before dark in came four drowned Nobo's. The hut is nearly full with 10 hikers.
Date: 2005-05-01
From: Bearfense Mt. Hut

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: broken clouds

We didn't leave here until nine this morning so that we would be at Big Meadows for lunch. I stayed in the sleeping bag until 8. The hiking was good but the wind was cold. I might get out of Virginia without much heat yet. I got there first so had elevensies of soda and chips. When L.K. arrived Steve, Lauralee, and Paul Bunyon (trail name for Joshua) were walking with him. They joined us for lunch. Leaving earlier than us we caught up to them at a nice overlook. Paul joined us to the trail leading to their car. They are hoping for a thru hike in 2007. Good luck! It is just L.K. and I at the hut so far tonight. Firewood is gathered and I am relaxing in the sun. Although no hikers showed up 7 deer walked through our campsite. Four hikers showed up later. Olive and Erica, whom we met last night, and Helmet and Catapult. Helmet is a cookie thief from a little girl!
Date: 2005-05-02
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Pass Mt Hut
Miles today: 15.3

I got underway at 8:30 to try to time my arrival at Skyland. I got there at 10:30 and they were serving breakfast. I had a large order of pancakes. They closed the grill from 11 to 12 so it would have been a long wait for lunch. When I got to Panorama it was closed even though they told us it would be open when we entered the park. Rumor has it that it might be closed for good. It rained some on our way here. It is now already quite cold and perdicted that it will go into the twenties again tonight. The trails have been great through the Shenandoahs!
Date: 2005-05-03
From: Pass Mt Hut

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

It did get as cold as perdicted. I used my vest around my feet and slept warm enough, but the mice were climbing on me and running around. Enough "Mister Nice Guy". I set the traps tonight. The walk went quickly to Elkwallow Wayside. I saw 2 deer that just let me walk by. I could not be fussy resupplying for the next couple days because they had very little choice, I got a hamburger, fries, and a blackberry milkshake. The shake was very good. I called Mrs. Mailar to let her know a change of plans, then headed out. The walking was easy and I made it to the hut at 3 miles/hr. They have had problems with a raccoon at this hut, so we have to be extra careful with hanging our food. L.K. and I were alone until 5 then 13 more people showed up. There are 8 in the hut. the rest are tenting.
Date: 2005-05-04
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Since there wasn't any wayside in the park to have to wait to open I was hiking by 7:30. This is 2 months of hiking for me and I'm still headed North. Ten miles from the hut I left the park. The trail changed immediately back to the old A.T. that I remember. I made it to the Tom Floyd wayside at 11:15. Yesterday when I went to treat my water I discovered that one of my Aqua Mira had leaked out and I didn't have any water treatment. I decided to continue into Front Royal and get some more. I got a ride into town with Mike from Terrapin Hostel. Thanks again Mike. I am now at Pioneer Hotel. It isn't that good but it is a place to spend the night. Later I will resupply and get supper. I hope to see L.K. tomorrow or the next day. He didn't want to come into town because of the espense. He is having concerns about hiking but wants to get to Harpers Ferry, then down to Trail Days. I wonder if any of the hikers took the time to stop and smell the apple blossoms. I did and it was awesome. I got to talk to Xena. She and Bloody Cactus are planning a June wedding. Best of luck and call me if you ever get to Maine.
Date: 2005-05-05
From: Front Royal

To: Dicks Dome
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: broken clouds

i was out of the hotel by 6:20 and on the road by 6:45 eating breakfast at MacDonalds. It was a slow hitch out of town and I think I walked 2 of the 4 miles to the trail before Ken stopped to give me a ride. He had gone by and turned around and came back when he realized it was an A.T. hiker. He had hiked some in New Jersey and New York. The day had already gotten better with the ride but when I got to the first brook someone had "Put the lime in the coke" and placed it in the brook. Thanks for some trail magic. I spotted a scarlet tanager, but it flew away when I tried to get a picture. At the Jim and Molly Denton Shelter I got a picture of a phoebe on her nest. I saw a lot more jack-in-the-pulpit, columbine, dogwood, red bud, honey suckle, buttercup, and showy orchis. The deer maybe bigger in Maine but not the poison ivy. It is everywhere and hugh. Sometimes it is hard to walk in the trail without rubbing into it. I ran into three day hikers that though they were going north but was going south. Next I met 2 section hikers that had 3 miles to finish this hike. Next Kato and Wells stopped in for a break here also. I got ahead of them because they had taken a day off to visit an organic farm of a friend of theirs. The next three miles was a mass of trilliums. I ran into 5 more people out looking at the flowers and two section hikers going to Damascus. There are 2 Sobo here tonight and Orphan headed north.
Date: 2005-05-06
From: Dicks Dome

To: Bears Den
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: overcast clouds

As usual I was the first to get going this morning. Orphan was up by the time I left. he is the third person I have met on the trail that is going to law school in the fall. While on break Odessa, a Nobo, went flying my me. Good thing I was off the trail or she would have ran over me. Next I saw a Bear, but it was the trail name of a Sobo, not the animal. I made it to Rod Hollow Shelter before 11 so maybe I can get to the Bears Den today. I was a little confused. I thought Rod Hollow was next to Castle Hill Mt. in Maine. I am now in the infamous Roller Coaster and am sitting on top of the 2nd hill. Six more hills later and I am sitting in the Bears Den for 2 nights. The last three miles were a rock strewn mess. The difficulty is often do to how tired you are and I was tired. I saw a deer on top of my 4th hill and rhodedendrums going up the 8th. The rest was just a lot of ups and downs but the ups started adding up after a while.
Date: 2005-05-07
From: Bears Den

To: Bears Den
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

The usual zero day stuff with washing my sleeping bag, pack, and sleeping pad thrown in. I just want to mention that a visit to the Bears Den is a must. It is by far the best hostel so far on the trail. It is clean, well kept up, and is providing great meals. Thanks for all the support you provide.
Date: 2005-05-08
From: Bears Den

To: Stealth camping north Keys Gap
Miles today: 16.1

There were 3 more hills in the roller coaster but I have excaped. I have finally walked out of Virginia. West Virginia is making good use of their rock piles. They put white blazes on them and call it the A.T. A lot of the time today I was doing less than 1.5 miles/hr. I have gone over the 1000 mile mark from Springer. That gives me less than 900 miles to go. I was talking to a thru hiker from 2004 Pipesmoker. He mentioned he was going to Trail Days and like that I had my ride down. The only catch was I had to be at the A.T.C. by 9 A.M. tomorrow. I was planning to stay at David Lesser Shelter so now I will go another 5 miles and tent. i stopped in to David Lessr Shelter for an hour break. While there Ivy and Wonderlust, 2 Nobos I met last night, came in. Also there were Gasbe' Girl and Billygoat, two day hikers from Maryland. It was hard to get going again and I was the last one to leave. When I got to Keys Gap Gasbe' Girl and Billygoat offered to take me to the store, where I was planning to get supper to carry out with me. A true hiker never refuses trail magic and neither did I. Not only did they bring me down, they gave me a cold coke and brought me back to the trail. Simply fantastic! I found a nice stealth campsite 2 miles in, and have camp set up and eaten dinner. Helmet and Catapult just walked by haven done 23 miles already. They have 4.4 miles to go. I think I have said it before "Youth".
Date: 2005-05-09
From: Stealth camping north Keys Gap

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 4.4
Weather: clear sky

I was up and going by 6:15. It was an easy walk into town. I made it by 8 and would have been there earlier except the blue blaze trail to the ATC disappeared or I lost it. I don't know which it was. There were 2 hikers there, Jay and disel. We walked together to the post office. It was already open, so we got our mail drops and headed back to the ATC.About 8:45 they opened and we got our pictures taken and number for the photo album. My number is 26, which means I am the 26 hiker going north this year. Pipesmoker arrived at 9 and we got headed for Damascus. It was a quick trip talkling hiking most of the way. I decided to get a small gas grill to cook on instead of spending $25 or more a day on prepared meals. I had to go Abindon to get it and noticed the movie theater was playing "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy". I have my entertainment for Tuesday night and was able to talk 3 hikers into joining me. Grateful, Sunshine, and Bull. I am stealth camping in my Jimmy tonight.
Date: 2005-05-10
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Bored, boring, boredest. That was the day today. I visited the outfitters, and ate food. I was meeting the other hikers at 6:15 so was waiting when a hiker came up and needed a favor. He was a guy I had met at Braemar Castle two months ago. At was 5:15 and needed a driver to take him to a trail head and return his vehicle. I looked at the time but figured I would have time and still be back for the ride to the movies. I told him I would do it if we left immediately. I still was trying to figure were I had met him. On the ride to the trail it came to me. I got back and we headed to the movies. we were there with 20 min. before the start of the movies. I enjoyed the movie but am not sure you would unless you were a "Hitchhiker" fan. WE got back and I am settled in for the night.
Date: 2005-05-11
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

How to reduce the boredom, that is the question. I read a little this morning then I headed to the store to get food for ponies. I decided to head to Grayson Highlands to visit the ponies if I could find them. It took about an hour to drive to the park. I didn't know where to go, so I drove around to see the park. They had a visitors' map so I drove to the area where I could walk to the A.T. As I was parking the vehicle I could see some ponies on the top of the hill less than .5 miles away. I walked up to them and took a few pictures. It was great to see and I hope to get Mrs. Mailar up here some day to see them also. I am not sure how to kill the rest of the day. The problems we hikers face when we are not hiking. When hiking we know what we are going to do the next day. We might not want to but we are going to be hiking!!!
Date: 2005-05-12
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Still in Damascus and waiting for Trail Days. I have met 30/30,Burns, and Nuffy from last year. I went to one lecture on ultralight backpacking. There was nothing new for me. His presentation was if you need it then it is as light as you can be. How can you argue with that?
Date: 2005-05-13
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

It was very early in the day when Stumpknocker showed up. We walked slowly around the exhibits, because Stumpy knew everyone there or almost. I got introduced to a lot of hikers today. I hope to remember some of them. I did get to see Chief, Greyfox,Satorie, and Squirrelmeat from last year. It was great to see everyone and the sights, but I'm ready to walk again.
Date: 2005-05-14
From: Damascus

To: Phillipsburg
Miles today: 0.0

For zero miles it is amazing that it took over seven hours to get here. I am at my bother and sister-in-law's. I will be leaving my vehicle here and going back to Harper's Ferry to continue hiking Monday. I have just finished the supper Susie cooked. She is an awesome cook! If this is trail magic than Emeril has "Kicked it up a notch". I will be to spoiled to go back hiking if I was to stay here too many days!
Date: 2005-05-17
From: Ed Garvey

To: Pine Knob
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: clear sky

Met the neighbors this morning. They were up and going by 5:45. They are hikers after my own heart. Their names are Lizzard, Evil Kenevel, and Whiskers. I was on thew trail by 6:15. It was great hiking in the cool of the morning. I saw a lot of Maqy Apples in bloom. I finally got a picture of a Pileated woodpicker. i had to follow the sound of its voice off into the woods. I am at Rocky Run Shelter for lunch. It has a greast spring and swing but not much of a sleeping area. Just before I got to shelter I saw my first lady slipper. After leaving the shelter the first thing I needed to take a picture of was the Civil War Monument to General Reno at South Mountain. Next I ran into more Lady bSlippers. My Yogi-ing must bre O.K. because I got a annana and peanut butter fillewd pritzels. I had to take a picture of the biggest jack in the pulpit I have ever seen. It was taller than my pack. I also got a picture of a butterfly that looked like a swallowtail except it had orange ospots on its wings. Maybe if I walked more aand took less pictures I could make better time. When I crtossed Interstate 70 just before the shelter a number of vehicles honked at me and I didn't even have to moon them.
Date: 2005-05-18
From: Pine Knob

To: Deerlick
Miles today: 22.3

My minsaid 22 but my body was saying 12. My day started uneventful except I was not making good miles. I was walking fine but the miles went by slow today. I climbed Marylands highest mountain, Mt. Quirauk elevation 1890. I made it to Penn - Mar Park by 4:30. I had 2 Mt. dews while talking to one of the workers at the park. He offered to buy a third if I wanted it. No problem! It has been a while since I have had a 3 dew thirst. After resting an hour I felt great walking the rest of the way. I entered my eighth state, Pennsylvania. I also crossed the Mason-Dixon line at the same time. I now am back in Yankee territory. At the line were the Team Vanity. They are going to Colby College. If I don't meet you guys again or forget, you are invited to a home cooked meal yhis fall when you are back to college. When I got here there were two section hikers Jim nad Joanne, who has done a thru hike before. The three kids from Ohio (A-Team) arrived at 8:30. I found my 2nd deer tick on me today.
Date: 2005-05-19
From: Deerlick

To: Quarry Gap
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I was on the trai8l by 6:45. Stopped and got a picture at Antetam Shelter. At tumbling Run Shelter they have snoring and non snoring signs. I wonder which one I would sleep in? I seemed to hike very well today. At US30, 2.6 miles before Quarry Gap Shelter, I went .9 miles to the Henicle Store and resupplied. I also got a hugh italian to take up for supper. I also brought a Mt. Dew for me and Pepsi for the A-team. It made my pack 7 lbs. of more heavier but still I did fine. What a nice shelter. we are at tonight! If I was to do it differently I would time it closer to supper time and get a pizza. I like this stopping in for cold soda though and will be doing it more often. I was talking with Senor NoBS about the 1/2 gal iccream challenge. We are going to do the 1/2 Klondike bar challenge. If we are successful we might do it again.
Date: 2005-05-20
From: Quarry Gap

To: Toms Run
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: moderate rain

Because of the rain and short distance noone wanted to get going. I hugged the sleeping bag until nature called. I left in the rain at 7:45 and it rained all the way to this shelter. I only stopped for 15 min. at Birch Run Shelter and had to get moving because I was cooling down. I came up with another use for the 3X5 silnylon and am using to sit on. I used it as a rain kilt. It worked great. The next 6.3 miles I did in just less than 2 hours. Talk about your great incentive plan. On the walk tto this shelter I decided to do the Triple Crown of 1/2 challenges at Duncannon. 1/pizza, 1/2 six pack of Yuengling, and 1/2 qt. of Ben and Jerrys.
Date: 2005-05-21
From: Toms Run

To: Alec Kennedy
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

We got up to a beautiful day. I kind of walked with 4 Cheese, a new nobo I met last night. He was a lot faster than me but we arrived at the hostel at Pine Grove Furnace at the same time. Senor NoBS was waiting for us. Wall went over for the ice cream challenges. ATeam and 4 Cheese did the 1/2 gal and Senor NoBS and I did the 1/2 Klondike Bar. It took 38 sec. and cost 49 1/2 cents. After taking pictures   we went on to the half way sign for more pictures. I stoppedat a store .2 miles from the trail for an Itslian and Mt dew.I arrived at the3 shelter at 6:45. I really hoofed it the last 6 miles because it was threatening rain. i put on the rain cover to my pack which held off the rain until I got to the shelter. The sun came out shortly after. I am really tired from pushing hard but feel great, except I twisted my left ankle 3 times.
Date: 2005-05-23
From: Darling Campsite

To: Doyle Hotel
Miles today: 11.3

I was up and walking by 6:30. It rained a little but didn't hardly get anything wet. In about an hour Senor NoBS caught up and we walked together to Cove Mt. Shelter. There 4 Cheese joined us for the rest of the way into town. At the Doyle it seemed like a hiker reunion I met Seneca, I Can, Gunther, Pig Pen, Darcy, Sweet Cheeks, Pinetree, Chuck and Hippie. The owner gave us a ride to the grocery store to resupply and asked us to spread the word that he would do that for any hiker. have done the Triple Crown of Challenges and now laying on my bed hardly able to move.
Date: 2005-05-24
From: Doyle Hotel

To: Pa 225
Miles today: 8.5

Plans change and change again. Hippie and her boyfriend Tripod offered to take hikers A ride to tour the Yuengling factory. We left Duncannon at 8 with 8 in Tripod's truck and picked 2 more on the way. the tour started at 10 but waited for us to begin. It was very interesting and we got 2 samples at the end. After stopping at a Chinese buffet we went on to the Cabelas store. two more hours of shopping and playing in their shooting galery, we headed back. I was able to run with Hippie an a slack pack for a 1/2 hour, but could never keep her pace for long. I arrived back at the Doyle at 7:30 for supper, a Yuengling and bed.
Date: 2005-05-25
From: Pa 225

To: Raush Gap
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I wasn't sure about the miles today but it went well. Tripod dropped us off about 10 A.M. then brought our packs 8.5 miles up the trail. I liked the slack pack but once again I was running behind Hippie and Sweet Cheeks. They were very good though and wouldn't get to far ahead. After a lunch break I continued to hike now with my pack. there wasn't much of interest until I got here. There had been some kind of mining here and we guessed coal. I arrived at 7:45 and saw the most hikers at one shelter yet this year. The top of my left foot was bothering me at the end of the day. Maybe some side effect of twisting my angle the other day. i am in bed and feel great.
Date: 2005-05-26
From: Raush Gap

To: 501
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I was on the road at 6:45. Another good day of hiking. the terrain was relative flat with not much intertainment. I walked with the ATeam. They are fun kids and are interesting to talk to. We were talking about moving on to make the 23 miles shorter tommorrow. The fast and lond distance hikers talked me into staying. Oredring Mt. Dew and pizza did it. Here tonight is traction, 4 Cheese, Senor NoBS, Sweet Cheeks, Hippie Longstocking, Gunther, Pigpen, Chuck, Steady but Surely, and me. I am the slowest. Only an early start will save me!