morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-06-27
From: Daleville, VA

To: Fullhardt Knob Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Wow! What a vacation! Ten zero days. I think people were starting to wonder if I was really going to return to the trail. It's good to be back. On Friday I received an email from Screamin' Steven. He had made it into Waynesboro, had rented a car, and had driven into Charlottesville on Saturday for a zero. We both returned to the trail this afternoon. It will be a while before I catch up to him and the others.
Date: 2004-06-28
From: Fullhardt Knob Shelter

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up around 5:40 this morning, ate breakfast and began packing up. Somehow I fell back to sleep in the packing process. I woke up a few hours later and began to head out just as someone walked in. Though we didn't recognize each other, the hiker happened to be Baloo, one of the guys with whom I started at Springer. We hadn't seen each other since that first night. The two of us are here at Bobblets Gap Shelter tonight. I had wanted to do several more miles but discovered that I need a little while to regain the strength in my legs and knees after all those days off. The crowd has thinned out a lot in the time I was away.
Date: 2004-06-29
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: scattered clouds

My longest day yet, I think. Well, my feet and legs definitely think so . . . I stepped on a snake today. It was a small black one with its front half stuck under a rock. After I stepped on it, I kicked it (lightly) to see if it was alive. It moved so I think it will be all right. I was very glad to finally find this shelter tonight. Baloo and Little Engine are here and Daddy-O is supposedly camped out in back of the shelter, though I haven't seen him. I saw some more trees today, and some rocks as well. Oh, I have entered the land of the lizards. They are everywhere.
Date: 2004-06-30
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Punch Bowl Shelter
Miles today: 25.1
Weather: broken clouds

My longest day yet, I KNOW. Well, my feet and legs definitely know . . . This morning I plopped myself down in the middle of the trail and ate wild blueberries. I plan to do this more often. I ate lunch before crossing the James River and soon after leaving had an encounter with a bear. When it noticed me, it ran off. I crossed the James on a long footbridge and was soon greeted by some horrendous climbs. It was like being back in Georgia. I met Mop and Spirit who are back out on the trail after a year (got off due to illness). They were about out of water so I gave them half of what I had left. Later at camp, their stove wouldn't work so I let them use the rest of my fuel. The shelter here is next to a small pond full of bullfrogs. There is also a loud group of kids here. On top of all the noise are fighter jets flying around. Did something happen?
Date: 2004-07-01
From: Punch Bowl Shelter

To: Buena Vista, VA
Miles today: 10.9

After standing in the sun with no water for an hour and forty-five minutes while unsuccessfully trying to hitch a ride, I decided to spend a night in town. I finally got a ride from a local who seemed to live just to shuttle hikers. He had just dropped off some other hikers back at the trail. I got myself a motel room, and after a shower headed to the Subway next door. I was surprised to see four packs sitting out front. It was Monk and Snatchy who were at the shelter last night and Mountain Goat and Scorch, whom I had not previously met. They returned to the trail after eating. Later, back in my room, I heard a knocking at the door. It was Atlas. I hadn't met him before but the others had given him my room number so we are now splitting the room. Turns out he lived in Charlottesville for a few months a couple years ago. He also knows Chicken Feet and Flanders, the hikers who helped me decide to do the trail this year, though he was not aware that they had hiked the trail. There have been many unusual coincidences since I've returned to the trail.
Date: 2004-07-03
From: The Priest Shelter

To: Reed's Gap & Charlottesville, VA
Miles today: 15.3

Thought I was going to have to be rescued at the Tye River this morning after the descent from the Priest. Several hundred milligrams of Vitamin I got me over the Three Ridges and to Reed's Gap where Scorch, Mountain Goat and I were picked up by some friends and a previous thru-hiker. We will spend the next two nights in Charlottesville for the Fourth of July. Hopefully I will not get stuck in town again since I have tricked these other hikers into joining me.
Date: 2004-07-05
From: Reed's Gap & Charlottesville, VA

To: Paul C Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Back on the trail. If Mountain Goat hadn't been around, I'd probably be stuck in town right now. We're at a new, large shelter tonight and it's quite full. There is a raging creek out front. We dropped off Scorch in Waynesboro on our way back to the trail. There I was surprised to find Moxie and Whoa. Hopefully we'll meet up on the trail soon.
Date: 2004-07-06
From: Paul C Wolfe Shelter

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I thought the trail was supposed to be easy once you got to Shenandoah National Park. I guess it was but it was a long and painful day. The tendon I hurt a few days ago is getting worse again, and somehow I developed a large blister on my big toe, and for no apparent reason. Scorch and Wipeout are here at the shelter tonight along with a SOBO (southbounder) and some UVA kids out for a week. There are many stars out tonight. I think this is actually the first time I've been able to look at the stars since starting.
Date: 2004-07-09
From: Bearfence Mountain Hut

To: Pass Mtn Hut
Miles today: 26.8
Weather: scattered clouds

I caught up to Underhill, Knuckles and Mika (the dog) while somehow passing Moxi and Whoa. Steven, now called Bypass, got harassed and given a warning ticket by the rangers for not having Dozes on a leash. There's a big crowd here tonight.
Date: 2004-07-11
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I saw two bears today, neither of which was very shy. One paralleled me off in the woods as I walked down the trail. I was lucky and got some pictures. Soon after I kicked a rattlesnake's rattle. I stepped about an inch from its head. It didn't seem to be annoyed until I started taking pictures. Soon after I found myself at the Terrapin Hostel. The hostel was not supposed to be on the trail so I became a bit confused. Apparently I had taken the wrong trail half a mile back. That was the first of the five extra mils I walked today. I also walked into town rather than hitching. Tonight I am in a motel in Front Royal with Underhill and Knuckles, and Swedish and Odie.
Date: 2004-07-16
From: David Lesser Memorial Shelter

To: Harper's Ferry, WV
Miles today: 8.8

We made it into Harpers Ferry today. This is the considered by many to be the psychological halfway point of the hike. At the Appalachian Trail Conference Headquarters we each had our picture taken by a grumpy old man. After filling our stomachs I contacted my friends Paul and Kitty. Paul came to pick me up for the night along with Underhill, Knuckles, and Mika.
Date: 2004-07-18
From: Harper's Ferry, WV

To: Dahlgren Backpack Campground
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: light rain

What a surprise to walk into this campground and see Slider (Amos) sitting at the picnic table. We both stared at each other as I walked up, dumbfounded looks on both our faces. He had gone home for a few days and then did a section in PA. Now he's back doing this section that he had skipped, and will jump north again in a few days. We met our first thru-hiking Southbounder(SOBO) this evening. His name is Engine and has lots of stories about killing mice. He also told a story about visiting DC. He had all his gear with him and was mistaken for a terrorist. His pack is called the "Bomb Pack" and says so on the side. Apparently the people in the black vans took this literally. They also thought he was wearing body armor because he had his kneepads on. Well, time for bed. Oh, this is supposed to be where the "Blair Witch Project" was filmed.
Date: 2004-07-19
From: Dahlgren Backpack Campground

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: broken clouds

I had my original boots sent back to me at Harpers Ferry and now my feet hurt. It was a long day. When I got to the shelter I found Lil Munchkin with her dog, Kaya, and met Moose and Rover (SOBO). I've been eating non-stop since I got here and now it's time for some sleep.
Date: 2004-07-20
From: Ensign Cowall Shelter

To: Deer Lick Shelters
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: few clouds

I had to switch back to using my clogs today as the boots don't seem to be working out. Knuckles offered a trade of her sandals for my clogs so I'll be giving them a try. The shelters here come in pairs... two smaller shelters rather than one larger. One is for snorers, one for non. Knuckle and Underhill are here as are Lil Munchkin and Kaya. Mika is taking a break for PA. Speaking of PA, we crossed the Mason-Dixon line into the state today. West Virginia and Maryland went by quickly.
Date: 2004-07-21
From: Deer Lick Shelters

To: Quarry Gap Shelters
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Good day today as the miles went quickly. Plus, we were able to get food and soda at a park just before the shelter. About a mile before I got into camp I saw a large bird down a side trail and went to investigate. I followed it for a while before I got close enough to see that there were two very large owls and a baby. The shelter tonight is very nice with potted plants and a spring right out front. There is an Outward Bound group camping out and another group just came in. They are being very loud and clumsy. We plan to wake up early (5:30) and be loud.
Date: 2004-07-22
From: Quarry Gap Shelters

To: Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: overcast clouds

At five this morning we woke up. The group of noisy kids was running around banging pots and doing other noisy things. I guess it was worth it for the "trout" found later. Tonight we are staying at a hostel at the halfway point of our hike. Some people attempt to eat a half-gallon of ice cream here. We decided not to partake in the tradition at the recommendation of Jacob and Strider who had both finished their ice cream as we walked up.
Date: 2004-07-23
From: Pine Grove Furnace State Park

To: Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 19.4

The only place we are allowed to camp on this section of trail is a buggy spot in between some cornfields and a VERY active railroad track on the outskirts of Boiling Springs, PA. Underhill, Knuckles and I went into town for dinner where we found Blackfoot. Knuckles says that the town is like the town in the movie, "The Truman Show". When we left the restaurant we discovered that hikers had taken over the town while we ate. The hikers here, who I can remember, are: D-bone, Munchkin, Smack, Lamby, Peanut, Tombstone, Butterfingers, Wideload, Strider, Jacob, Goofy and Terrapin.
Date: 2004-09-13
From: Connecticut

To: New Hampshire
Miles today: 0.0

So I've decided to try this journaling thing again. Other than being told that I looked "hobo-ish" and like a Mongol in the same day, walking has been rather uneventful.The trees still look like trees (luckily they haven't started speaking to me yet) and there are still rocks littering the trail. I have been hiking with Kiwi and the two of us have gotten drenched in a recent hurricane's remnants. We have been doing quite a lot of night hiking these days, although not by choice. We seem to have much difficulty getting out of our warm sleeping bags on these cold New England mornings. The early sunsets are not helping the problem. We were proud this morning to have gotten out of the shelter at nine. It was the start of a good day. First, we went under the 400 miles left mark. We also entered the White Mountains and climbed above the tree line for our first time. There were spectacular views, but it was cold and windy and the sun was setting so we rushed to the closest shelter, arriving in the dark but without using our headlamps. This may not have been the smartest action, but to us, it meant that we were not really night hiking so we were happy. Good night.
Date: 2004-09-23
From: New Hampshire

To: Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

The word of the day is MAINE!! But i'll get back to that later. The Whites came and went rather quickly. The weather was good to us the first few days, providing warm temps and far views from Franconia Ridge, an above treeline ridgewalk of several miles. As we approached Lake of the Clouds Hut and Mt Washington, the clouds and rain moved in, along with colder temps and wind. At the Lake of the Clouds Hut, Kiwi and i caught up to Mickey and Mallory, Butterfingers and Wideload, and Blackfoot, who we had not seen since the Delaware Water Gap. They had gotten all the "Work for Stay" so Harry, Lightweight Joe, Franco, Benny, Kiwi and i were forced to pay to sleep in the small dirty basement room called "The Dungeon." (Work for Stay is when you do an hour or two of work for a Hut, and in return, get to sleep on the dining room floor and eat leftovers, if any.) The next morning we climbed to the summit of Mt. Washington in the rain. While we were eating at the summit, the clouds began to clear a bit and we could see mountain peaks poking up through the clouds. That night we did 'work for stay' at the Madison Hut in the Presidential Range. During the Q+A session between the guests and the hut "Croo," Wideload stood to ask a question. He proposed to Butterfingers who gladly accepted. It was a cold night in the unheated hut and we awoke to rime ice (frozen, wind blown fog) covering the stunted pines outside. The Croo was closing the hut that day but offered another nights stay if we helped them close. We accepted. Part of my work was to hike down the mountain with Mickey and Millipede, get one of the Croo's cars, drive to town, get beer and liquor, then pack it all up to the hut. It was a steep eight mile round trip on our zero day, but we accepted the mission and suceeded. A party ensued later that night up on Mt Madison.So now we (Mickey, Mallory, Blackfoot, Butterfingers, Wideload, Franco, Benny, Pokey, and Gabby) are sitting at the Full Goose Shelter in MAINE! That's right, today we FINALLY made it to Maine!! For months when asked where we were headed we would respond, "Maine!" Now we're here and have lost direction. How will we respond when asked where we're going? Perhaps, "into the cold" will be the right answer. Anyway, it is good to finally be in our final state. Tomorrow we enter the Mahoosuc Notch, considered by many to be the most difficult mile on the trail. I am looking forward to it, i like climbing around, over, and under all these boulders, it's fun, at least that's what i keep telling myself.
Date: 2004-03-06
To: Leila
Miles today: 0.0

Hello! I'm Clint's fiance, Leila.Clint left for Tennessee on Wednesday March 3rd. He'll be staying there with his family and then getting a ride to Georgia. His start date is March 12th. His parents and I were frantically getting the maildrops together on Tuesday night, just before he left. He's already left some things behind we're mailing to him
Date: 2004-03-06
To: Weekend of the backpacking with Mark
Miles today: 0.0

I'd like to thank Mark for going on many traininghikes with me. The last one was over night at ashelter in southern PA. We started at Penmar Park andhiked north about 8 miles. Besides the snow on theground it was a really nice trip. We started runningdown the hills which was great till I twisted my kneea bit.There were two seperate shelters where we stayed. Asign said one was for snoring and one was for nonsnoring hikers. :-) We took the snoring shelter butit was just us so it didn't matter much.Our neighbors for the night were some good ol' boysfrom PA. They had brought a chainsaw in and werecutting up some fallen trees. They were really nicekept telling us to get some wood the whole night.Not much else interesting happened. We hiked back toPenmar in the morning.I hope springer isn't covered in snow like my lastfour trips to the mountains. Looks like the weathermight be a bit cool when I get there.
Date: 2004-03-11
From: Dropped off at trail

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I got up to weather in the 70s and clear. Perfect! The shelter was pretty nice. The trail wasn't too bad -- no real hills yet. I started out in the wrong direction so I covered one mile of trail three times. My knee was a bit sore. The purifier is a pain to use but I'm still getting used to it. I met 3 thru hikers at the shelter: Wolfwind, Seiko, and possible Override. I had one meal of rice and chicken. Tons of rice.
Date: 2004-03-12
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

The weather was clear and in the 40s. My knee still freaking hurts! The food is going pretty good -- I only need 5 tortillas per day. The shelter was a nice two story shelter.The trail was pretty tame. I hiked with Dwight most of the day. He's 18 and from NY. Looks like he'll be my hiking partner. I met two TN gentlemen who stayed at the shelter. Wolfwind was there too. We had a nice fire.
Date: 2004-03-13
From: Gooch Gap Shelter

To: Jarrard Gap
Miles today: 0.0

The weather is still clear! My knee hurts on and off, I'm going to pick up a brace at Neels Gap. Of the food, cheerios and banana chips are my favorite! I found a flat spot and I'm trying out my tent. The trail is still pretty mild. I'm concerned about what the Smokies will do to my knee.I met some trail angels today at Woody Gap. They had tons of food and drinks. Really nice people. A pastor gave us his email and phone number and said to call if we need something. Dwight (Syracuse) and I hiked off the trail to Lenny's Grill for lunch/dinner. I had BBQ, fries, and banana pudding. I carried out a grilled cheese and onion rings, wonderful! Dwight let me use his cell phone twice to call Leila but I remembered on the second call she was in Austin.
Date: 2004-03-14
To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Hiking from Jarard Gap to Neel¢s Gap turned out to be a short day, so my knee is not hurting. I only hiked 5 miles with cloudy skies in warm weather with just a little wind. Hiking up and down Blood Mountain was my best climb yet.         Along the trail, I met HeyBob who I can best describe as the ¢ol¢ scoutmaster type¢. He seems to know just what to do to make life easier for the hikers. He helped Dwight, ¢Syracuse¢, drop some weight from his pack. I¢m sure this will make the trail a little easier for Dwight.        The highlight of my day was the AYCE restaurant, but it wasn¢t that great. I did see a deer from the dinner shuttle. I purchased insoles, trail shoes, and a knee brace¢a little support for the trail.
Date: 2004-03-15
From: Rainbow Springs Campground

To: Lo Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

        The trail was pretty rough today. We hiked around 10 miles and my feet are worn out, but the knee brace worked wonders. I felt great. I had spent the night at a full shelter and luckily avoided the rain. But today was humid and cloudy.         My mom always wants to know about the animals. So Mom, a garter snake ran between my legs while I was hiking today. Yikes!        Smokey Mountain Red really showed us up today¢he can really hike. I also met up with Johnny and Duffy again.        No problems today. My new camp shoes are great. The pack with six days of food weighed 36 pounds. I would prefer the flour as opposed to corn tortillas but my real wish for the day is pizza.
Date: 2004-03-16
To: Leila
Miles today: 0.0

Hi, This is Leila again. I received a call from Clint on Monday morning as he was leaving a hostel in Neels Gap, GA. He's a day ahead of schedule!Everything seems to be going well except his knee has been bothering him so he bought a knee brace from Mountain Crossings at Neels Gap.I will update this journal when I hear from him next (mail or phone).
Date: 2004-03-16
From: Rainbow Springs Campground

To: Rocky Top Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

March 16, 2004As for the trail, some of the hills are getting higher. The best word for describing the sleeping conditions last night is windy. But today, it was misting in the morning, and the sun was shining in the evening. My health remains good.         I found cheesy tortillas in my food supply. Good job, guys. I am getting closer to pizza all the time.        The most interesting people of the day were the drivers who gave rides when wehitched for pizza and beer. A truck driver gave us a ride to the pizza place. A 2002 Thru Hiker, trail name Strider, gave us a ride back up the mountain. He was a really cool guy.        All is going well. Sorry, no real pain yet, Ron. The bigger hills have been awesome to climb. I wish I had a bandana and a hat.
Date: 2004-03-17
From: Rainbow Springs Campground

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I slept in the bottom shelter last night. Today was cold, windy, and clear, and the trail kicked my ass. Kelly Knob was a tough climb for the end of the day. I just kept looking forward to going into town tomorrow. My hiking buddies remained pretty much the same: Syracuse, HeyBob, Johnny, Mongolian, Chuck, and Lightfoot from Wisconsin.I skipped lunch, but I had two dinners to make up for it. The Ramen noodles work well with the jerky.I listened to music all day. I guess you could say that was the highlight of the trail for today.
Date: 2004-03-18
From: Rainbow Springs Campground

To: Hiawassee, GA Holiday Inn Express
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

The only problem that I am experiencing is going from full to empty in an hour. Food was especially tasty today: one AYCE dinner and one Hardy¢s dinner. My health remains great and the hot tub felt wonderful¢I will consider another dip later. Other things too felt wonderful like the shower, clean clothes, and the comfy bed¢my first real bed in eight days. Even the weather, which started out rainy, cleared up a bit later.        Ben and HeyBob came over for some basketball¢just what we needed, vigorous physical exercise. Later several of us, Ben, Smoky Mountain Red, Syracuse and me, went to the library to update our webpage and catch up on our reading.         Hope we can get an early start on the 12miles tomorrow. While I am still on schedule, I am not sure that I can keep it up in the future.
Date: 2004-03-19
From: Rainbow Springs Campground

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I got up to 70 degree weather and I am doing pretty well although the hike up from Bly Gap was the toughest so far. Johnny gave me some mac and cheese, I think that I am going to be short some food for this stretch¢I thought that is was going to be two days instead of three. I set up my tent since the shelter was crowded.         I found a dog on the trail today. He¢s really cool. If he stays with me I will take him to town.        Wanting to make some miles, I left Syracuse, Johnny, Mongolian, and HeyBob. They did not want to push on. Maybe I should have stayed with them, nobody is really fun here.        I couldn¢t talk to Leila today and it¢s really bugging me. Or maybe it¢s that I¢m short on food. I wish I had a hiking partner. I would keep this dog if I could. He he.