morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-06-11
From: Hightop Hut

To: Big Meadows Lodge
Miles today: 20.0

Well sleeping right now isnt really working out. My big agnes air core pad deflates in about 2 hours, so I wake up about 4 times a night to blow more air in to it. I made arrangements when I was in waynesboro for big agnes to send me a new one, but have to wait till harpers ferry, wv to get it. One more week of rough sleep.I was 4th on the trail this morning, behind rip, treehugger, and fiddlehead. I passed them relatively quickly, which put me in position to be out front and possibly see a bear. I stopped using my hiking poles and watched where I stepped, to try to be as quiet as possible. Wouldnt you know it, I saw a big bear about a half mile before swift run gap. It was about 40 yards in front of me, and scurried off the trail for me to pass.I stopped and had lunch at south river picnic area. They had restrooms and cold water out of a spigot. It was a nice place for a break. Fortunately, there was also a campstore at lewis mountain campground which provided us with our next long break. We all bought coffee mugs for $5 which entitled us to free coffee anywhere in the park!After being well caffinated, it was time to get back to hiking. Goldfish, jukebox and I decided to hike to big meadows lodge, and split a room. It should be pricey, but they have a nice resturant and tap room.The climb up and over hazeltop mountain was the last climb of the day, after exploring bearfence mountain. Goldfish and I checked out the rock scramble, enjoying some nice views. We caught up to jukebox on her way up hazeltop, her knee was definitely slowing her down.Goldfish and I saw another bear just before getting to lewis spring. It was almost dark outside, but we still saw it from about 100yds away. We checked in to the room around 9pm, and only had till 1030 to enjoy the taproom. It was still worth it.
Date: 2006-06-12
From: Big Meadows Lodge

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: scattered clouds

It felt good not having to wake up 4 times throughout the night to inflate my air mattress. Breakfast at the lodge was amazing, and I ate a lot. Three pancakes with blueberries, 2 eggs with toast, and a fruit cup along with a couple coffees energized me for the days hike. Again, we had another lodge with a taproom about 9 miles into the day.We got on the trail just after noon, and cruised right to skylands lodge. I had a nice lunch along with a couple beers. Dessert was wonderful, as was the free coffee. I definitely got my $5 worth in the last couple days. We didn't leave skylands till 545pm, and still had about 11 miles to go till pass mountain hut.Jukebox called home to have her parents come and get her. She was planning on taking a few days off to see them from front royal, va but due to her knee problem she decided to pull off a few days early. Hopefully she will recover and get back out here soon.I proceeded to hike as fast as possible from skylands to marys rock overlook, just before thornton gap. I made sunset by 20 minutes, and enjoyed the break up on top. The views west were amazing, and I could overlook jewell hollow where I spent memorial day weekend.At 830pm, I started descending marys rock down to thornton gap. Once at the gap, I dug out my headlamp for the next 1.2 miles to the shelter. I scared some deer off while night hiking, but didn't see any bear.The shelter was packed, with no tentsite left. Luckily ork and bean gave me theirs, and my air mattress saga continued. I'm really looking forward to my replacement.One more day in the shenandoahs, unless I decide to take an easy day. I'll hike to the last wayside store in the park and make my decision. With all the miles I/ve done recently, a 13 mile day may be in order.
Date: 2006-06-13
From: Pass Mountain Hut

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

I woke up a little tired, been doing consistent mileage lately, with lots of break time. Instead of rushing today to get basically out of the park which would be about 22 miles, I decided to just do 13 miles.The last wayside store in the park was 7.5 miles away. I breaked once in between, but was ready for some coffee and ice cream. Those 2 things really go well together while hiking. Just before getting there, I saw a momma bear with her 2 cubs. A group of us got about 25 yards away, then they scurried off.I took a long break at the wayside, enjoying some lunch and then some. These waysides have taken a lot of money from me the past few days, but I cant stay away from them. Goldfish and I decided to split a 6-pack for when we get to the shelter, after hiking the last 6 miles of the day.There was a big crowd at the shelter, luckily I found a place to tent. AbleJack, goldfish and I stayed up a little later than normal, goodtimes.Another short day tomorrow, just under 10 miles to go till we hit the hostel at the north end of the park.
Date: 2006-06-14
From: Gravel Spring Hut

To: Compton Gap Trail / Terrapin Station Hostel
Miles today: 9.6

I'm so ready to get my new sleeping pad. Last night I was lucky to find some grass to pitch my tent on, but I was still tossing and turning all night. I think I had a bear near my tent around 5am, I went out to see but only heard it walking in the distance.After taking the first uphill in stride, I took a little break on south marshall mountain. Wouldn't you know it, Bud showed up. He said mule was right behind him and carnivore had taken off for new york city. Shortly we were joined by able jack, who was also just planning on going to the hostel.Bud and mule kept going towards harpers ferry, but I was looking forwards to a single digit mileage day. Able jack, goldfish and I got to the hostel around 2pm. No one was home, so we just made ourselves comfortable. Mike Evans soon arrived, who owns the hostel, and asked if we wanted to go into town today instead of in the morning. We all agreed, and got our chores done in town today so we didn't have to rush in the morning.Spent the night eating and eating. My appetite is ridiculous right now, but Im enjoying eating so much.In no rush tomorrow now that I have everything done. Maybe another low mileage day, so I can watch some world cup and us open golf before I head out towards harpers ferry, wv.
Date: 2006-06-15
From: Compton Gap Trail / Terrapin Station Hostel

To: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: scattered clouds

All the other hikers were gone by 10am. Only one needed to go into town, and the owner of the hostel took him in early. Mike, the owner, had to go babysit all day at 10am. The US open golf tournament was on tv then, so I was in no rush to leave.Goldfish and ablejack apparently weren't in a rush either. They were enjoying the fine reading material mike had available. My only deadline was to be able to make harpers ferry by early sunday afternoon, 56 miles away.We ended up leaving around 6pm, planning on doing 9 miles. We knew we would be cutting it close with darkness, but night hiking now isn't a big deal. We stopped at tom floyd shelter, and said hi to cabernet, double zip, and home cookin. Able jack was going to stay, but we egged him on a little. It was 7pm, and we had 8 miles to go.We made good time, getting there around 945. We stopped for a couple breaks along the way, but hiked at least 3.5 miles an hour.Everyone was asleep when we arrived, but there was room in the shelter. Ablejack and goldfish slept in the shelter, while I stayed on the porch bench. I really cant wait to sleep comfortable again.
Date: 2006-06-16
From: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: clear sky

Got off to a late start, leaving around 1015. I felt good considering I slept on a wooden bench, and made good time to manassas gap shelter for a snack. I pressed on to dicks dome shelter for lunch, joined by no lines, plugger, and goldfish. With only 8 1/2 miles to go, I didn't leave 'til 430 knowing I could make it by dark easily.I arrived just after 7, and picked out a tent spot below the shelter and near the stream away from everyone else. Goldfish arrived, and we had dinner while everyone else was getting ready for bed around 8pm. He was sleeping in his hammock, and turned in around 920 and I shortly there after.While typing this something big just caught something that made some crazy noises. Might be a bear, who knows. As long as it doesnt get any closer to my tent, I wont worry about it. Glad my food bag is hanging up in the shelter!
Date: 2006-06-17
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Crescent Rock Shelter
Miles today: 13.1

Well nothing attacked me during the night. The sounds coming from the nearby creek faded away last night, allowing me to get another bad night sleep without my aircore pad. I really regret buying the big agnes aircore pad, even though it is so comfortable, because I knew eventually it would leak. The durability just isnt strong enough to put it through the rigors of a thruhike.I was up early, since I barely slept, and was all packed up and fed by 7am. I started my hike before the heat arrived, giving me ample time to complete the rollercoaster. The rollercoaster is a 10 mile segment of the trail at the end of virginia that takes you straight up and down about 10 peaks in a row, with barely any level walking inbetween. It also proved to be very rocky, just a taste of things to come once we enter PA. The first few peaks of the rollercoaster didnt slow me down, so I took a break at the sam moore shelter just before the bears den hostel. It was getting hot as I took my break, and had my eyes and stomach set on a pint of ice cream and some cold soda from the hostel.The uphill to bears den hostel proved to be the hardest so far in the rollercoaster section. Im not sure if it was the heat, the rocks, the steepness, or a combination of all three but I sure was beat when I arrived. I just planned on cooling down there, and refreshing myself with some ice cream and cold soda. Goldfish and I discussed going to a bar/resturant for lunch earlier, so I waited for him to arrive. I certainly didnt mind waiting in the air conditioning. Soon he arrived, we set our plans, and I left for the pub which was only a half mile up the trail and then a quarter mile off.The owners of the horseshoe curve pub were super nice. They didnt take debit/credit cards, and I only had $11 on me at the time. They said no problem, I could have whatever I wanted and just mail the money to them. I wonder if that would work back home in NJ?Even though the 3rd round of the us open was on, I was happy to watch the usa v.s. italy soccer game. My plan was still to make harpers ferry, wv by tomorrow early afternoon to catch the final round. Next thing you know, goldfish and I decided to stay and check out the live bluegrass band at 8pm, and didnt leave till 10pm.We night hiked out, and I felt great. I wasnt sure how far Id go, but I wanted to get about 15 miles from harpers ferry so I could time my arrival for the early afternoon. We made it only a couple miles before goldfish said he was going to stop. It was a nice spot with an overlook, so I stayed as well. There was no place to stake in my tent, so I cowboy camped on the rocks. I know it wont be a comfortable night sleep, but Im used to it.
Date: 2006-06-18
From: Crescent Rock Shelter

To: Harpers Ferry, W.Va. / Hilltop House Hotel
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: clear sky

All things considered, I slept about as well as I would have in my tent without my sleeping pad. I was up and packed by 630am with 17 miles to go. Goldfish was running a little later than I, but I wanted to get to town early.A couple hours after leaving, I found fdr just past the blackburn center hostel. We chatted for a bit, then took off for the 1000 mile marker and the road crossing at WV9. To the left at the road was a general store that I planned on stopping at since it was close to the road. Crossing the 1000 mile marker was quite surreal. Even though I hiked every mile, I cant really imagine how far that really is.FDR, old school, and I all went down and enjoyed the air conditioning, ice cream, and cold soda at the mini mart. After that, I was really motivated for the last 6 miles into town.The hiking today, after climbing the last knob in the rollercoaster, has been very mellow. Some sections have been rocky, but nothing we havent seen thus far. I made it to the AT headquarters in harpers ferry by 2pm, leaving me enough time to get my picture taken and check in at the hotel. I was the 395th hiker to make it to harpers ferry, a little higher than I would have thought. Good thing is I ran into mule outside the headquarters, he decided to not hike out today. After watching the us open golf tournament mule, fdr, river weasel, goldfish and I went out for dinner and beer. The young guys made friends with a couple local girls, and they took us to a bar outside town. They received trailnames after we told them about our journey. Since we were in WV they were named wild and wonderful, the state motto.Late night, so Im looking forward to a good night sleep in a bed and air conditioning.
Date: 2006-06-19
From: Harpers Ferry, W.Va. / Hilltop House Hotel

To: Harpers Ferry, W.Va. / Hilltop House Hotel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Felt great sleeping in, on a bed instead of a rock. I decided to zero today, since my new sleeping pad hadnt arrived at the post office like it should have. I had a nice breakfast after I packed up and changed rooms at the hotel. I got a call from mule saying he hadnt made it out of town last night after he left around 2am, he slept down by the river.After meeting up with river weasel, fdr, and no lines we all went down into town for lunch and a drink to see no lines off. He was done is hike, and waiting for the train back to wisconsin. I also got to say goodbye to plugger who was also done and heading back to massachusettes. Mule found us on the way, and he joined us. Mule and fdr hiked out afterwards, hopefully Ill see them soon.After lunch, I went back up to my room to rest. Luckily, the phillies were on espn playing the yankees and they actually won!Laying around off your feet feels so good. Tomorrow I am going into washington dc to see a couple good friends. Back on the trail wednesday.
Date: 2006-06-20
From: Harpers Ferry, W.Va. / Hilltop House Hotel

To: Washington DC / Sterling, VA
Miles today: 0.0

I got up at 630am to pack up and have time to eat breakfast before the 1015sm train arrived. I ate, then went down to the post office to see if my sleeping pad arrived, and of course it didnt. I called big agnes, and they said it should be there tomorrow for sure. It better be.Took the train into DC, and my friend tim was there to pick me up. We went out to eat while we waited for my other friend jim to come get me. Spent a couple hours with tim, and saw his wife holly while back at their apartment. Jim came over around 745, and took me back towards front royal where he lives. We went out for food and drinks near his apartment, and I got to watch the last game of the NBA finals.Tomorrow jim is taking me back to harpers ferry early in the afternoon. I need to do a minor resupply, and stop at the post office for my sleeping pad.
Date: 2006-06-21
From: Washington DC / Sterling, VA

To: Harpers Ferry Hostel
Miles today: 2.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Slept great again, jim has a comfortable couch. I slept till about 10am, and waited for jims call. He showed up around noon, which left us plenty of time to get to harpers ferry post office before they closed.Jim got me there by 2, and my sleeping pad was there!! I will finally sleep well again on the trail. He took me to 7-11 and I saw cheesewiz for the first time since damascus. I also saw no falls, who I though was off the trail. Bad news was he was getting off for good now, his ankle is injured to the point where he cant walk on it anymore.I saw brighteyes, pillbox, and 42 in town. I walked the section from the atc headquarters down to the bridge over the potomac, then went to lunch. Thanks again to 42's mom who bought me lunch at the secret six tavern. I decided to just hike to the hostel, and put in a full day tomorrow.Brighteyes was the only other thruhiker there. There were loads of boy scouts there, getting their wilderness experience indoors.I got to see nokia again who I met at miss janets. He adopted her puppy and renamed her trouble. He will be hiking southbound from maine to georgia later this summer, so hopefully Ill see him again.
Date: 2006-06-22
From: Harpers Ferry Hostel

To: Dahlgren Backpack Campground
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: broken clouds

Well it was time to start hiking again, first full day in a while. Since I was only planning on going 16 miles today, I wasn't in a rush to leave early. But after hearing thunder, and the mad rush of boy scouts and bike riders packing up, I decided to do the same. I was all packed by 730am, and waited for everyone to leave so I could eat breakfast in peace. There was one older scout leader who had a thing for brighteyes, it was kind of freaky.Nokia walked out with us around 10am. That dog of his is way cool, looking forward to see how big she gets by the end of the summer. Pressed on to the weaverton cliffs for one last view of the potomac river, and then headed for the ed garvey shelter.More boy scouts were to be found there, playing an annoying card game that involves slapping down on the pile of cards loudly. The scouts at the hostel last night were playing the same game, it was quite annoying. I left, headed for soda machines and a picnic pavillion at gathland state park.I arrived and starting having lunch, along with a couple sprites. Sooner brighteyes got there, and discovered she lost her wallet. After some thought, she decided to run back 3.8 miles to the last shelter to see if it fell out there. She left her pack, and literally ran.A short while later, I heard "hey you guys", bud's infamous call. He came down the trail, and was happy to catch up. We havent hiked together, except for a half day in the shenandoahs, since before glasgow/big island, va. I told him I was trying to get to dahlgren backpack campground by 8ish, so I could shower there and then grab a meal at the old south mountain inn just outside the campground.We arrived shortly before 8, and the free shower felt great. The day didn't start out hot, but by the end the humidity definitely kicked in. I put on a clean shirt, and headed to the resturant at 830. I was minutes too late, as the kitchen closed early since it was so slow that night.I stayed for a few drinks, and the nice bartender ordered me a pizza which was very nice of her. Bud joined me for a couple drinks till the pizza arrived. We got a few beers to go, and headed back to the campground.Only a short time later, the heat lightning turned into a full blown thunderstorm. We sat on the bench outside the shower building, under the overhang and fell asleep there. Around 1am, I got up and the rain had ended so I put up my tent. I've been getting good timing with the storms lately, hope it continues.
Date: 2006-06-23
From: Dahlgren Backpack Campground

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: clear sky

We woke up when we heard pepperoni come out of the shower house. It was about 10am, and brighteyes soon arrived also. Pepperoni was 20 miles into the 4 state challenge. That is when you sleep in virginia, start hiking in the middle of the night continuous through west virginia, maryland, and end in pennsylvania. All in all its about 44 miles. My body would need a day to recover from that, so why bother.Bud and I hiked up to washington monument and we were both thinking the same thing, food and beer. Fortunately there is a tavern only 3 miles north, so that's where we headed. It was a great biker bar, that even had veggie burgers. I wouldn't imagine a biker bar catering to vegetarians, but I wasn't complaining. We ate a lot, played pool and darts, and donated lots of money to the jukebox.Speaking of jukebox, around 8pm she surprised us. We had heard she was close behind, but didn't think she would come down to the bar to meet us, even though it was just .4 off the trail.We had a couple more beers with her, then hiked back to the trail. It started to rain hard on the way, so we sought refuge under the overpass on I-70. Bud even cooked a lipton as the cars and trucks sped by.Set up camp at pine knob shelter around 11pm. Today was my last full day hiking in the south. Pennsylvania here I come!
Date: 2006-06-24
From: Pine Knob Shelter

To: MD / PA Border
Miles today: 18.0

It rained on and off last night, but not real hard. My tent was mostly dry when I packed it up. It was a very foggy, cloudy, cool and damp day. There were a few overlooks to start the day, but I passed them because I knew I wouldn't be able to see anything.I pushed hard from the start, and made it to the next shelter, 8.2 miles away, in 2 hours. The rocks were a little slick, but there weren't many to contend with. I took a good break at the shelter, seeing jambalaya along with pillbox and dancer.Next stop was at a spring before the last uphill of the day. A guy wearing jeans asked me for any extra snacks, he was heading south. He was polite, so I gave him a snickers. Unlike daniel in VA, this guy didn't really freak me out.Made it to high rocks for my last stop of the day. It was a short one considering pizza delivery was waiting for me at pen-mar park. It was also a celebration beacuse I'll cross the mason-dixon line .2 miles afterwards. Tonight I'll sleep in pennsylvania, and I'll sleep well.Pizza was great, so was the rootbeer. We set up camp just at dark, and turned in shortly there after. Its not as damp as last night, should be more comfortable.
Date: 2006-06-25
From: MD / PA Border

To: Rocky Mountain Shelters
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: light rain

Got started hiking around 10am today, and I had 18.3 miles in mind. It started drizzling around 930am, and didn't really stop all that much. Took a break at deer lick shelter, then pushed on to old forge picinic grounds for lunch. The rain stopped while we were there, but we heard rumbles of thunder.Lunch was nice, as were the bathrooms there and water from the well house. We heard of a trail magic cooler at the next shelter, 1.1 miles north. I got an apple and a coke, which hit the spot before the last uphill of the day.Next thing you know it got real dark outside. We heard the impending rain approaching, getting louder by the second. It poured for about a half hour. We waited it out in the shelter till it stopped.But it never really stops, 10 minutes after heading out it started coming down again. This time it wouldn't let up, so we just kept on hiking. This was the heaviest, and most prolonged rain of the trip. It's odd that it's occuring in the place that's supposed to be the most dry.Everyone was happy to arrive at the shelter, and take off their soaken wet clothes for warm dry ones. Here tonight seeking shelter from the storm are brighteyes, stumbles, pepperoni, jambalaya, jukebox, bud and myself. Pennsylvania has nice double shelters, good thing in the case of rain. Hope it's drier tomorrow, I'd like to make it to the official halfway point and the Ironmaster Mansion.