morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-06-17
From: Hogwallow Gap

To: Va. 55
Miles today: 17.6

Started @ Hogwallow GapDestination Gap: Va. 55Miles today: 17.6Total miles: 961.9Stayed in MotelDay 98Gordon had us at the trailhead at about 7 this morning and we had a fairly easy walk to US 522. It was mostly down. Toto was at the road at noon and then Gordon shuttled all 3 of us to Va. 55 to hike back to US 522 where our car was parked. So Toto got to hike 8.2 miles with us. After getting to the motel in Front Royal and getting a shower we went to a restaurant for a wonderful steak dinner. The only animals I saw on the trail were a lot of gray squirrels. We passed under several mulberry trees with ripening berries so the bears should be enjoying them now. The day was a great hiking day with a clear blue sky with some puffy white clouds. There was a breeze that was blowing and whenever we were able to catch it, it felt great. We stopped by the Jim and Molly Denton Shelter for a break. Brittanica and Crock, a couple we had met earlier in the day as we were just starting our hike, were there as well as Pogo who we had met earlier this week in one of the shelters. The shelter was one of the nicest ones we have seen. It has a sheltered picnic table with fireplace away from the shelter itself and a cold water shower. The shelter where the sleeping platforms are has a long wooden chair on a deck like area. The privy had a lot of flies and bees swarming around inside it, though. Crock had lost his camera earlier in the day south of US 522 and had written in the shelter register that he was offering a reward to anyone that found it and returned it to him. It was a disposable camera but they had pictures on it they did not want to lose. After we left the shelter we ran into 2 hikers going north that had found the camera and RedHat told them the owners had been at the shelter we just left and that they may still be there. P.S. Toto here! Yes I was able to get back on the trail for a short time. Just wanted to say that Dorothy really moves up the trail. This old fat man, after being off the trail for a while, practically had to jog to keep up with her! It was wonderful though, seeing her progress through the trail so easily and this after 10 miles already! My thanks also to Gordon and Sue!! They are truly ¢trail angels¢! Only 13 more working days and then back to the A.T. fulltime!
Date: 2005-06-18
From: Va. 55

To: Va.55
Miles today: 0.0

We zeroed this day in Front Royal. Red Hat, Dorothy and I (Toto) stayed at the Scottish Inn in Front Royal. What a joke for a motel. AAA approved, but the owners (managers) whatever would not take cash if they gave you the hiker rate. That is until I told them we would go somewhere else if they didn't accept our cards! They told Red Hat that since she was the only one in her room, that she had to use just one bed, do not mess up the other bed. Ice? Oh yes, they allowed you two free refills, the rest if needed you would pay for. Oh, well, I will just put the word out that this motel is not recommended!!!!We met Scholar, Feelin' Free, and Serenity, who were staying in the luxury suites in the Super-8 and were able to give them rides to post office, hardware store, etc. Sure was good seeing them. Dorothy and Red Hat did their laundry, went to Outfitter's, Rite Aid, just general running to get them caught up.That evening we, Red Hat, Scholar, Dorothy and I, took in a fantastic Mexican restaurant. Great food!! Not sure what all of it was but I have learned along time ago, from serving in the Orient, that you do not ask questions about what things are that you eat. You just eat!! Sometimes it is better to not know these things.Tomorrow, I will transport everyone to their respective, drop off points and head for home again. I hate that part, but only a few more weeks until I am once again, a full time AT thru- hiker!!!
Date: 2005-06-19
From: Va. 55

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: broken clouds

Started @ Va. 55Destination: Rod Hollow ShelterMiles today: 15.9Total miles: 977.8Stayed in shelterDay 100We were on the trail by 8am this morning. Toto drove RedHat, Scholar, and me to the trailhead and then left for home. It was hard to see him go but in 3 weeks he will be out here with me. He is counting down the days.Scholar had been canoeing on the Shenandoah River for 5 days with a bunch of other hikers.   The first day out they tipped the canoe and everyone that had eyeglasses lost them some cameras were lost, some cookware, tent poles, etc. were lost. Even ID's and credit/debit cards were lost. They still had a great time!The trail was up a lot of ups today and it was well trimmed half the time and very overgrown the rest of the time. We were in to the shelter by 4pm which is pretty quick for the miles we did today. At the shelter tonight is RedHat, Scholar, Feelin Free, Serenity, Doc Gnarly, and Darlene (a hiker from California out for 12 days), Turbo Joe, and Vapors. We met one "hiker" this afternoon a couple of miles before the shelter that was carrying luggage--several pieces. Before we met him we saw a pile of luggage on the trail and he was heading back north on the trail. He had gone back to get another piece of luggage and was rolling it down the trail. He avoided eye contact with us but did speak to us. I asked him where he was headed and he said south, but he was not sure how far he would get. The others that came into the shelter had encountered him and were talking about him. Most said he avoided eye contact. One hiker asked if he could take a picture of him and he refused. Very strange indeed. He has been named Luggage Man. I am in my sleeping bag and it is not even 7:30. I hate to go to sleep so early but it just feels so good to be able to lie down and rest and close my eyes. I'll wake up around midnight but usually I go back to sleep until 4am. By 5:30am I am ready to get up. So good night for now.
Date: 2005-06-20
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: light rain

Started @ Rod Hollow ShelterDestination: Bears Den HostelMiles today: 9.9Total Miles:987.7Stayed in hostelDay 101We started the roller coaster this morning after leaving the shelter at 6:45. The roller coaster is a 13.5 mile section with 10 ascents and descents. Because the corridor is narrow here the trail crews have very little choice other than to route the trail up and over each of these ridges. We've been over 6 or 7 of the bumps today and will finish up tomorrow. It has not been too bad. I have sweat like crazy on the ups but on the downs it is cooler. The day is actually a bit cool with the sky being overcast most all the time. The hostel where we are is owned by the ATC and is very nice. It costs only $13 for a bunk (there are women's, men, and co-ed dorm rooms), shower, dinner (enchiladas tonight) use of kitchen and whatever food is in the fridge and cupboard (left from previous hikers, I suppose), internet, phone, living room with real soft chairs and sofas, etc. They even have a small store with frozen pizzas, Ben and Jerry's ice cream (every flavor almost, I think), sodas, stove fuel, candies, Lipton dinners, instant breakfasts, and much more. I got a pint of ice cream (vanilla heath bar--yum!) and a coke. Laundry is only $2 a load--that includes the laundry powder, so isn't bad. There is room for 26 people here and I think it is pretty full tonight. One of the hikers I met here is Live Strong, and he said his mother and aunt are following our trail journal.Awesome!! Cuppa Joe, Serenity, Scholar, Feelin Free, Poet, Doc Gnarly, Mcguiver, Just Passin' through, At Bat, Weatherman and his son, Phoenix, and several others whose names I have forgotten or did not get are here. We also are getting breakfast in the morning. The manager here, Queen Diva, could not be here this evening to serve dinner so is preparing breakfast at 7:30 in the morning. So we will be getting a later start which is ok because we will only be hiking to the Blackburn Trail Center which has a bunk house and they serve a spaghetti dinner--and it is free other than a donation for the meal. Then the next day is Harpers Ferry and we will be over the 1000 mile point. It is 8:30 and I am about ready to call it a night. There are books here to read so I may just get one and take it to bed to read.
Date: 2005-06-21
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Started @ Bears Den HostelDestination: Harpers FerryMiles today: 19.9Total Miles: 1007.6Stayed in motelDay 102Queen Diva, the manager of the hostel, prepared pancakes for everyone this morning. There were 4 each and very delicious. While at the table Just Passin¢ Through asked if anyone wanted slack-packed to Harpers Ferry and so we took him up on it. He and Mcguiver are slack-packing themselves using 2 vehicles. They drove one vehicle to Harpers Ferry and left our pack stuff that we had placed in plastic bags at the Appalachian Trail Conference Center. We thought they closed later and 9 miles from the center we found out that they close at 5. So we had to do 3 miles an hour to get here by 5 or we would not have the rest of our stuff until tomorrow. I made it at 4:55 and RedHat was 5 minutes later. RedHat said she thinks I must have been a marathon runner in a previous life because when I got to the sign for the ATC saying it was 1.9 miles away and it was already 4:15 I took off and left her. But we got our stuff--toothbrushes, toothpaste. shampoo, medicines, clothes, etc. We are staying at the Hilltop Hotel which overlooks the river and the mountain on the other side. I can hear the train whistle as it comes through--I love the sound of the train whistle blowing. It reminds me of when I was little and I could hear the trains across the river in WV. WE had a few bumps of the roller coaster to do today and then it was mostly ridge walking. But there were a good many rocks to walk over or around. I did fall today on the smooth trail of dirt when I tripped on a small stump sticking up in the trail. I was fine and got right up--I just got a bit dirty. I saw squirrels and deer today and 2 snakes. One snake was about 1 1/2 feet long and it was right on the trail and then slithered off into the weeds. It could have been a copperhead but I am told that venomous snakes have a blunt tail and pointed heads and this one had a pointed tail--I did not get a look at its head before it disappeared. It did have a copper color and it had lighter colored lines around its body but I'm not sure it was an hourglass design. Anyway, I treat all snakes as poisonous. The other snake was a black snake at the shelter we stopped at before Harpers Ferry. It was 4-5 feet long. Tomorrow we will be heading out after visiting the ATC to get our pictures taken, go to the outfitter, P.O., and store for RedHat's resupply. I had wanted to do 17 miles tomorrow but since we are a day ahead now we most likely won¢t do that but will stay in a closer shelter. It is dark now and RedHat has been in bed before it got dark. I have called home and while I was talking to Toto he got word that my mother is in the hospital and they are running some tests--stress tests, ekg, etc. I do not know exactly what happened but maybe Toto can find out and call me back. Time to sleep now and try to recuperate from this long day.
Date: 2005-06-23
From: Crampton Gap Shelter

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: clear sky

Started @ Crampton Gap ShelterDestination: Ensign Cowall ShelterMiles today: 20.7Total Miles: 1039.4Stayed in shelterDay 104I had not intended to do so many miles today but when I got to Pine Knob Shelter before 2pm I did not feel like stopping--it was too early. I thought I could do almost 4 miles to a campsite but when I got there it was too exposed and open and since we are near more populated areas I decided to go on to the shelter. I had plenty of time to get there before dark and I did but the rocky trail in one or two places slowed me down some. It was more like a boulder trail.The Dahlgren Backpack Campground would have been a nice place to end the day but I was there before noon. Pony and Smile and their dog, Buddy, were there but they have only been out for a few days and did not want to hike much more than that the first few days. The campground is operated by the state and has tent sites with picnic tables and a hot shower, flush toilets, and sinks and a nice restaurant is only 0.1 mile away. The trail passes through the Washington Monument State Park where there is a short side trail to the monument. It was interesting to see and there was a nice view of Maryland behind it. Animals seen have been limited to squirrels, chipmunks, toads, turtles, and birds. There are supposed to be bears up in this area, too, from what I have read but no sign of them yet.Tomorrow I plan to go about 15 miles. I am at the shelter tonight with Skylark, Skillet and Bottle, and Turbo Joe. The first 3 I mentioned are also hiking with LoJack but he has been hiking at night since leaving Harpers Ferry. So tonight they are expecting him to come in after dark, depending on what time he woke up at the last shelter and got started. Night before last they said he came rolling into the shelter at 4am. There are also 3 south-bound section hikers in tents here. Well, it is almost dark and everyone is in their sleeping bag except Turbo Joe who came in a bit later than everyone else. I hope I can move tomorow after today's big miles and rock walking.
Date: 2005-06-26
From: Quarry Gap Shelters

To: Pine Grove Furnace State Park ( The Ironmasters Ma
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: few clouds

Started @ Quarry Gap SheltersDestination Pine Grove Furnace State Park (The Ironmasters Mansion Hostel)Miles today: 17.3Total Miles: 1086.9Stayed in hostelDay 107I wanted to get out early today so I could be at the hostel early. It did not open until 5 but there is a store next to it that has burgers, fries, cold sodas and ice cream. I got here at about 2:45 and had a coke and then a pint of chocolate mint ice cream. This is the 1/2 way point and the 1/2 gallon challenge of ice cream is made here. If you eat the whole 1/2 gallon you belong to the 1/2 gallon club. I like ice cream too much to try that and have it make me sick. Besides, if I did not eat the whole thing it would be a waste of good ice cream. Later, after I had had a shower and clean clothes, I went back for a loaded cheeseburger and fries and a Sprite. The trail today was really pretty good. There were not a lot of ups or any rock scrambling. Yes, there were rocks, but like I said, it is relative. It was another hot day and once in a while there was a breeze. But the direct sunlight did not feel good. Thank goodness, the trail was in the woods and shade most of the time.Chief Lotsa Hair and Tyler came to the first and second shelter where I was taking a break and then caught up to me just before I got to this park. Tyler said they wanted to end my hike today with me. They stopped at the store for a soda and then went on another 3 miles where their hike was ending. There were no other hikers here when I got here and the only other ones here as of 9pm are Skylark and LoJack. This is a big place with a lot history. There is a woman that manages it--her name is Donna. Fred is here and does work around in exchange for a place to stay. It seems to me that he keeps pretty busy.Well, it is dark and I need to make some phone calls and get to bed. I should have no trouble sleeping on a mattress tonight.
Date: 2005-06-29
From: U.S. 11

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: light rain

Started @ US 11Destination: Cove Mountain ShelterMiles today 13.6Total Miles: 1127.9Stayed in shelterDay 110I was on the trail by 7:40 and at the shelter at 3:30. The day was harder than I thought it would be. There were several climbs and of course there were rocks. Actually, when I first started climbing I was glad not to be walking on level trail anymore. It was getting a bit monotonous. About 1/3 of the way up the first climb there were rocks arranged in such a way that they were like a bench and there was a view, although it was a bit hazy. It started raining about 2pm but it was a very light rain. There were more rumblings of thunder than there was rain--at least where I was. It did cool things off for a little while but it needs to rain more.After climbing up a couple of times the trail went right through a hay field that had been cut but not baled, crossed a road, and went through another hay field before taking off into the woods. The fields were large and right on top of the mountain. It was beautiful. The shelter here is down a trail supposedly only 0.1 mile but it seemed longer. It is almost 5 and I am the only one here so far. Many hikers do not stop hiking until later since it doesn't get dark until late. There is a sign here in the shelter that says CRITTER ALERT! There have been numerous sightings of porcupines inside and outside the shelter. So I may have a visitor tonight. I really hope not! The shelter has 4 bunks and I have taken one of them. At least I am up off the floor. I have a short hike into Duncannon tomorrow. I am going to stay at the Doyle Hotel, one of the original Anheuser-Busch hotels, almost 100 years old. It is only $17.50. I was told they have a good restaurant and entertainment. I think I recall reading somewhere that the entertainment can keep a person awake if they want to go to sleep early. I don't remember where I read that--maybe in someone¢s trail journal. The hotel is one of those things I want to experience just once, anyway. Only 2 more weeks until Toto is out here with me. I cannot wait!!Addendum: Gozar (a 28 y/o young man) came into the shelter at 7pm not feeling too well. He does not know what is wrong--whether it is bad water he drank or some food but he is exhausted and has never felt so bad on the trail. He asked how far the water source was. I told him that according Through-hikers Companion book it is down a steeply graded trail but I haven't been down because I had enough water already. He acts like he really is not able to go down to get water so I got up off my bunk and took my water bag and went down to fill it from the piped spring. After all, I have been there since mid-afternoon and am rested and I'm sure he would do it for me if the situation was reversed. I wish I could do something for him--I feel so bad for him. I suggested that maybe the heat and humidity were just getting to him and that maybe he should drink more. Anyway, he is here and I don't have to worry about being here alone with the porcupines. And I hope he feels better in the morning.
Date: 2005-06-30
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: few clouds

Started @ Cove Mountain Shelter Destination DuncannonMiles today: 4.1Total miles: 1132.0Stayed in hotel Day 111I was up at 6am but not on the trail until 7:30. I had a good cell phone signal so called Toto before he left for work. Gozar and I left at the same time and arrived in town at the same time. He still is not felling too well. His parents are meeting him in a day or so, so I hope he will get some rest and feel better. It did storm during the night and it rained quite a bit but it did not make it any cooler today. There was no rain today, though, and it is very hazy. We got here at 9:30 but the hotel did not open until 11 so we went across the street to the cafe for breakfast. Susan, the wife of Santa, who is on the trail south of here, came to meet me. She brought me all kinds of goodies for the trail and some for immediate consumption. Then she took me to the grocery store and pharmacy and then we went to eat lunch. I think the restaurant people thought we were going to stay all afternoon. Then the visit ended after she brought me back to the hotel. I had wanted to get a picture of us outside the Doyle Hotel but I completely forgot about it. Susan told me she has had bears get into their bird feeder so there ARE bears in Pa. She said they have had porcupines on their property, too. I guess I may see a porcupine yet!The Doyle Hotel is not a bad place to stay. I am glad I am staying here. For the price, hikers can't go wrong for a place to stay unless they want a TV, phone, and bathroom in their room. The people here are friendly and helpful.I was going to wash my hiking clothes but I just washed them 2 days ago and I figure it will rain soon and they'll get rinsed out good then.Presently, I am sitting downstairs in the bar listening to the entertainer, a woman that sings and plays the guitar and harmonica. She really is very good. She sings until midnight. I'll not be up that long--in fact it is about my bedtime. Tomorrow I'll have breakfast at the little cafe in the morning. They open at 5 so I just may get up early as I want to start out while it is still cool.
Date: 2005-07-01
From: Duncannon

To: Peters Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Started @ DuncannonDestination: Peters Mountain ShelterMiles today: 11.3Total Miles: 1143.3Stayed in shelterDay 112I was up at 5am. I wanted to be on the trail early but I decided to take another shower since I am not sure when the next one will be. Also, I needed to work a bit longer to get my pack packed since I bought more food. I was going to go to the cafe across the street but I was not hungry after I ate my banana and drank the Gatorade. It was around 7 when I left the Doyle and got on the trail.After I walked to the other end of town and crossed the Juniata and Susquehanna Rivers the climb started up immediately. When I got to the top of the first climb I stopped to rest and have a snack. I had a cell signal so I called my mother to see how she was. Thankfully, she says she is feeling like a new person since she was put on an antibiotic for an infection. I am so relieved! After the next climb it was not too bad. The rocks were there but they could have been worse. It was raining a little when I got up but it did not look like it rained much. This afternoon it sprinkled a little but it did not last long enough to wet the ground. We are all hoping it will rain tonight. At the shelter tonight is Dandylion, Corporal, Ramblin Man, Mouth, and Ox. Dandylion said he was ready to leave at 6 this morning but had left his hiking poles in the bar area downstairs. They do not open that area until 11am so he had to wait until then to hike out. I saw a small fawn in spots this morning run across the woods. At first I thought it was a small dog. Its mother was nowhere around and it stood and looked at me and acted very curious. I got its picture several times and then moved on. I also saw what I think was a black snake in the grass beside the trail. I heard it moving first and then saw it moving off in the grass. The water source here--a piped spring--is far down a steep trail. There are 300 stone steps down to it. I went down and took 2 gallon jugs and my water bag and filled the jugs all the way and put only a little over a liter in the bag, otherwise I would have had trouble carrying all of them. When Corporal and Ramblin Man came there was water left for them.