morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-04-08
To: Planning
Miles today: 0.0

I have 8 weeks of vacation time accumulated with my company, and am planning to use it to hike the Appalachian Trail from Harper's Ferry, WV, to Springer Mountain, GA. This is about 1000 miles in about 50 days. 20 miles / day seems like a reasonable pace to me, but I realize that most of my experience with distance is on the flat, and I read that many of the journalists here do not average that pace. But, that's what I'll have to hike to do the whole Southern AT in the time I have to do it. I hope to do a bit better pace than that through Virginia so I have some extra time to slow down when the hiking gets harder, and the scenery gets more beautiful.   I am planning to leave from Washington DC, and hike to Harper's Ferry along the C&O canal tow path. It seems like about the best way to get there. There are frequent primitive camp sites along the tow path. Virginia does not offer a similar resource. The canal hike is about 60 miles, so that will only add 2 or 3 days. And, a warm-up on flat ground doesn't seem like a bad idea either.      I first considered doing a thru-hike. I would like to do a thru-hike before I develop any of the usual physical complaints of old age. At 52, I have some hiking time left, but what really gave me pause was how a thru-hike is really a major commitment. Especially since that kind of commitment would require requesting a leave of absence at work. I actually started the process, by stating my intentions to my boss. But, without a lot of hiking experience, I can't be sure that a thru-hike would be the right thing for me right now. After this summer, I will know a lot more about it. I imagine that next summer I will hike the Northern half of the AT. But for now, I will let the future take care of itself. There is enough planning just to go away for two months. Anyway, there are a couple of other good reasons that I am doing just half the trail. I can pick the best weather: late spring in Virginia, solstice in the Smokies. (Most thru-hikers have more than a few stories about snow.) By starting in the middle of the AT, I get to do the easy part first, and finish up with the hard terrain in Smoky Mountains and in Georgia after my legs have been conditioned to the trail. With some justification, I find myself content with my plans. And, despite the social pressure to thru-hike, I am expecting a vacation to write home about. (I hope you choose to read it.)   I've been working on gear since the fall. I am pleased with the major items: pack, tent, bag, pad, poles. The worst trouble I've had is with shoes/boots. Blisters is a problem. I am breaking in the latest pair of boots. They are serviceable, but are a bit tight across the fore-foot.      I am getting the mail drops worked out. I have picked out 10 towns.
Date: 2005-04-09
To: Massanutten Shakedown (Saturday)
Miles today: 0.0

I return to the Massanutten Mountains (just West of the Blue Ridge and Shenandoah National Park) this weekend for another shakedown hike. I parked at Veach Gap in Fort Valley late morning. The trail to the ridge begins on an old road from this little (maybe 6 car) parking lot up to Little Crease Shelter. At first the trail is along a stream, rushing with spring runoff. Then the trail is in the stream. Here, the trail is the stream, the stream is the trail. My latest hiking boots pass the slosh test. Little Crease Shelter is on a section of trail shared by both the Tuscarora and Massanutten trails. The common trail climbs to the top of the gap, and Tuscarora continues over into the Shenandoah valley, while the Massanutten branches off up to the ridge. The last time I was hiking here I came to Little Crease Shelter from the North, and spent the night. Today, I pass by and head South to the ridge line along Massanutten Trail. The sun was hot in a clear sky, but the wind was cool: a comfortable balance. I got a nice picture of a lizard out sunning himself. I took four shots, each progressively closer. I think he was thinking that as long as he stayed still I couldn't see him. I got up to a foot away, but the instant I backed off a bit, he shot off into the leaves like a rubber band. The views of the (South Fork) Shenandoah River are best along this stretch of ridge. And, with the leaves not yet on the trees, the view is less obstructed. Still, the mountain side drops off so fast that many spots offer an unobstructed view, even in the summer. I camped at Habron Gap. Set up the tent on a flat spot that had been used many times before. Annoyingly, dry leaf bits would cling fast with static electricity to the tent wherever it touched ground. For dinner I had a Mary Jane's "Eat Your Veggies Pasta" dehydrated meal. Called my folks on the cell phone they sent me.
Date: 2005-05-13
To: Last Preparations
Miles today: 0.0

I had planned to start the hike today after work. But, when I looked at the C&O Tow Path maps for the designated campsites, I saw that the first one is about 16 miles out of town. This is a bit too much to hike after a full day of work. I would get to the campsite long after dark. It is a much better plan to start Saturday. Actually, I want to work a few morning hours more to wrap things up before leaving for such a long time. My friends at work all gave me a big send off, with their best wishes. I've put up a map on my office door, and have a volunteer to track my progress. Last night I dropped a load of mail-drop boxes off with another friend from work, and talked gear for a long time. He has a great collection, for a variety of circumstances. I'm going alone, but it doesn't really feel that way.Tonight I organized, packed, and made a careful list of everything.Pack / Tent / Bag / Pad / Poles[Top Cover:]databook / thru-hiker companionpocketmail composerheadlampcollapsible water jugcat hole toolsunscreen[Personal Bag:]toilet papertoothbrush / toothpaste / dental flossdr. bonners soap / purellmirror / razorbug balm[Electronics Bag:]3 spare AAA (for headlamp)2 spare AA (for pocketmail) spare memory / 3 spare batteries (for camera)charger / USB cable (for camera)charger (for camera)[First Aid Kit:]moleskin / bandaids+ analgesic / antihistamine / immodium+ needle / duct tape[Little Red Sack (2.6 lb):]aqua mira / salt3 piece cook set / stove/ matches / lighter / can opener / microfibre clothalcohol / wind screen / cup / 2nd microfiber cloth/ knife / fork / spoon[Black Compression Stuff Sack (3.6 lb):]cordshorts / T Shirt2nd pair socks / briefglove linerssynchilla jacket / columbia fleece shirtear plugs / glasses case (night use)[Red Compression Stuff Sack:] food[Back Mesh Pocket:] rain jacket / pack rain cover[Side Mesh Pockets:] 2 quart nalgene water bottles[Tied On:] compass-whistle-thermometer[Typically Wearing:]hatconvertible pants / vented shirtsocks / briefsboots[Pockets:]camera / cell phonemap / guideswiss army knifewalletI listed some of this gear in the conventional place on this site. I hope that people looking for gear ideas will recognize that my gear choices at this point are untried. It is my intention to return to the subject of gear after the hike, reform the list at that time, and write a proper review.I've packed 10 pounds of food:---------------------------------Mary Jane's Farm packs:Hot'n Creamy CerealCurried Lentil BisqueSweet Corn & Black Bean ChowderLentil SoupChilimacSweet Red Bell Pepper Pasta---------------------------------7 green / 2 herb tea bagsLipton Herb & Butter Rice SideOatmeal / AlmondsCouscous3 Nature Valley Oats & Honey1 cup dates15 Cliff Bars---------------------------------I'm anxious to find out how far that goes.
Date: 2005-05-14
From: Home

To: First campsite out of town on the C&O Tow Path
Miles today: 16.0

Day 1Got a late start. Up late last night. Slept in this morning. Before leaving the house I printed maps of the C&O Tow Path, and weighed my pack--41.5 pounds: including full water bottles, and ten pounds of food. Walked to Springfield metro, then rode to Foggy Bottom. Arrived at mile 0 on the C&O Tow Path at about 16:30.Stopped in at the visitor center, and picked up a map and description of the trail. The park's service guy there confirmed that the first campsite was 16 miles out of town. "Better get going," he said.What he should have mentioned was that at about mile 13 I would encounter a barrier blocking the trail with a big sign saying, "TOW PATH CLOSED FOR CONSTRUCTION". Now, I'm usually a guy for following instructions, but it didn't take long to realize that this sign is for people who have a choice. My feelings were much like those I imagine a salmon feels at the bottom of a dam. It was nearly dark as I picked my way though a badly washed out area of the tow path. I guess after construction you'll be able to roll your wheel chair through there. Me, I had my trusty poles securing my footing, in the failing light.Not far along the tow path the first storm blew through. Undeterred, I just stopped long enough to slip on a pack cover, and a rain jacket. (Next time I will be sure to switch to long pants to keep the water from running directly into my boots.) All told, three thunder storms passed over. This might have dampened the spirits of a day hiker, but I saw it as an early chance to get used to this other side of nature. It's really quite majestic: sizzle, boom. No extra charge for the entertainment.I saw a man carrying a fresh caught two foot long fish by the gills in the rain.The rain brought out the frogs. And the frogs brought out the snakes. I wish it were not so dark, so I could have gotten a good look at them. The most interesting one had a diamond pattern on the back. My eyes were telling me it had a greenish tint, but I can't trust them without more light.I set up camp in the dark along side a city of youths from Pittsburgh. My tow path maps and descriptions are mush. I had MJ's red pepper pasta and couscous (mmmmmm) for dinner.
Date: 2005-05-15
From: First campsite out of town on the C&O Tow Path

To: C&O Tow Path campsite White's Ferry (past mm 34)
Miles today: 18.0

Day 2My tent was covered in slugs this morning. I tried to pick them all off before packing the tent, but when I set it up at the end of the day, there were still a couple to pick off. Some slugs descended from the tree above the tent. One showed me how this trick is done while I watched. They don't just plop down, like you'd expect a slug to do. Instead they descend ever so delicately on a string of mucus like a spider from a web.   Versatile stuff, mucus. The spot at which I am camping tonight is out in the open, so I don't expect the same problem tomorrow. After the first campsite, about every 5 miles is another campsite. So far they have looked much the same: a mowed area, a picnic table, a porta-potty, a grill, and a pump without a handle. That's right, no handle. So what's a camper to do for water? Drink from the river? Well, a whole city does, so maybe that is the plan. Seriously, I suspect that the water was tested, and found contaminated with e. coli so they took the handles off for the public good. Probably cheaper than a sign to use at your own risk. Up past mile 22 the canal is mostly stagnant, if not dry. At one of these campsites I got to talking to some bikers about water. Larry and Wanda. Wanda told me I could get water at White's Ferry for sure. And, Larry shared his Gatorade with me. (Thanks, Larry.) Later, I discovered I could work the pump, with difficulty, without a handle. I didn't consider treating it (now, I wish I had), and I have been using it since. It drizzled in the morning. But, about 14:00 the sun came out and made a good day of the rest of it. The terrain was not too interesting: straight flat dirt road along side a canal, river through the trees. I am anxious for the mountains.The bird watchers are out in numbers. I saw two great blue herons fishing. I'm sure there were lots of other rare sights to be had if you knew what to look for. The only other bird observation I can claim is one that says "drip drop" in a most unbird like manner.Many 4 inch millipedes along the trail.I discovered some blisters on both my heels. So, I taped them up with duct tape. I read about runners doing this. This in part encouraged me to stop for the day early, at about 18:30.I had oatmeal for breakfast, MJ's lentil curry bisque, and green tea for lunch. MJ's Chilimac (always a favorite), and couscous for supper.At the end of day, I am not quite to White's Ferry. I have enough water for breakfast.
Date: 2005-05-16
From: C&O Tow Path campsite White's Ferry (past mm 34)

To: A mile or so short of Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 23.0

DAY 3miles:23total: 58dest: a mile or so short of Harper's FerryPerfect hiking weather. Sunny but cool enough for long sleeves. I needed a jacket while making breakfast.White's Ferry had no water. Snack bar closed on Monday. A couple more campsites without operable pumps. Finally I found a fast running stream I could get to. I surprised a raccoon while I was looking for a good dipping spot. Treated the water. Made green tea on the spot.Ground hog ran across the road ahead of me. Near the spot where a huge oak grows by the canal.At Monocacy aqua duct the canal goes over the Monocacy River: a substantial distance -- over 100 feet. There are many creeks too, the canal had to cross. I'm impressed.Point of Rocks pops up where the first bridge since the interstate crosses the Potomac. I stopped at a gas station there and got some snacks. I mentioned to the clerk there that this was the first civilization along the tow path since Georgetown. She says, "Well, that's the first time anyone called me civilized." There is a house here with Christmas decorations, and marks drawn at one corner marking past flood lines. There is a railroad tunnel at Point of Rocks with the town name spelled out in brickwork at the top of the arch. The other end of the tunnel has "Catoctin", but there is no trace of a town. Must have been lost to time.Just before reaching Brunswick, there is a camp ground. I stopped there to use the pay phone to transfer pocketmail -- Verizon would not put the toll-free call through.Oatmeal for breakfast.MJ's Lentil soup and green tea for lunchSnack at Points of Rocks.<Dinner at Brunswick -- egg plant parmagian with spaghetti. (Not so good.) "Did you do the dishes yet?" "Yeah, I licked both sides."
Date: 2005-05-17
From: C&O Canal Toe Path

To: Blackburn Trail Center
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: broken clouds

Day 4I was up with first light, packed, and gone quickly to leave the place I camped by the river. As I came across the river on the train bridge, the commuter train was scurrying into the tunnel, bound for DC.The rest of Harper's Ferry was still sleeping. At 7:30 a little cafe opened up, and I had eggs there for breakfast. I journalled and charged batteries waiting for the outfitters to open.At the outfitter's I got some waterproof paper, food, and blister pads. I am sticking with the duct tape until they pop, and need something sterile.I meant to stop in at the ATC headquarters, but I was so caught up in seeing Harper's Ferry, that I forgot. Jefferson rock, stairs cut into the slate-rock. I met some NOBO thru hikers on the trail: Senior Nobes, Seneca, Team Vanity (5 guys and Sweet Cheeks). Traction and Burger are here at Blackburn Trail Center Hostel tonight. You get to this place down a hill over some impressive rock-work. There is a main house, with public porch, water at the house, hostel off to side. I didn't use the solar shower. Down through the electric right of way you can see as far as DC.Dinner: Mousalaki Goulash mmmm.
Date: 2005-05-18
From: A mile or so short of Harper's Ferry

To: Sam Moore Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: broken clouds

DAY 5 ¢ June 18miles: 11, total: 82dest: Sam Moore Shelter"Some pay phones cannot place a call to a toll free number", says the Verizon operator I spoke with before leaving Blackburn. Funny thing, the phone itself is covered with 800 numbers to Verizon offices. Pocketmail had to wait until Bear's Den Rocks where cell reception was good enough.There were two great view points today: Cresent Rock, and Bear's Den Rocks. Cresent Rock is in WV, just over the state line. It looks over the Shenandoah valley, and features the North end of Massanutten Mountain prominently.While I was enjoying the view, Japanese Legs came along. His English was abominable, but he managed to communicate quite a bit. He has been section hiking for quite a while, with this hike completing the AT. Congratulations. Back home, he leads youth hikes on the steeper and more dangerous mountains they have there. His wife is a hiker too. He would thru-hike, but he can't get a visa for long enough to do it. Cresent Trail is next for him.I saw NOBOs Goldilocks, Kodak, and Cotton Joe on the trail. Buckwheat was at Sam Moore shelter.Eleven miles doesn't seem like much, considering the way I feel.
Date: 2005-05-19
From: Sam Moore Shelter

To: Dick's Dome Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 6Another sunny cool day.Along the trail today have been these modest purple and white orchids. Red columbine were blooming in Sky Meadows. The first dogwood I saw in bloom was in the wildlife management area. I guess that virus has swept thru here.I saw Heidi, Manuch (brand of ramen), Michael, Snail, Buzz, and the couple: Cocoa Bean and Squirts.Had lunch (Lipton's Parmesan Noodles, and green tea) on Buzzard Hill. The fuel situation finally caught up with me here. At Harper's Ferry I topped off my fuel with something other than alcohol by mistake. This other fuel has been floating on the alcohol when I squirt out the alcohol below it. Now, I'm down to using the wrong fuel (surely petroleum derived). It flames and soots, but gets lunch heated. I won't use any more of it, but will pack it out, and hope the outfitter in Front Royal will dispose of it properly. So, it's almonds, dates, and cliff bar's until town.I was not surprised to find the shelter at Dick's Dome full. This was a subject of conversation with more than one thru hiker. Someone else had tented in an old road out from the shelter, but it looked like it has washed badly before, and I knew rain was coming, so I looked farther. I found a flat place off the side of a logging-type road. Got the tent up just minutes before it starting raining in ernest. Good thing I don't plan to cook.
Date: 2005-05-20
From: Dick's Dome Shelter

To: Denton Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Day 7It rained hard all night, and through the morning. There was really no significant intermission for 16 hours. I was snuggled in tight in my tent: journaling, and dozing. About noon, the rain abated, and I packed and left. Michael from Ohio was at Dick's Dome for the evening, and heading south, so we hiked together a while.The AT goes through a hay field on this section that has been fenced with stile, but now the fence (barbed wire) has been clipped. Last night's rain made for wet pants legs.Michael stayed at Denton Shelter, I tented there. He gave me heat for a warm dinner. I gave him my mistake fuel that matched his burner.
Date: 2005-05-21
From: Denton Shelter

To: Super 8 Motel, Front Royal
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 8miles: 5 total: 113dest: Super 8 Motel, Front RoyalFrom Denton Shelter I had about 5 miles to get to Route 522. On the way were many patches of trillium with wilting blooms. They should have been beautiful a week or ten days ago. Saw a couple of orange salamanders. And, a beautiful stripped snake who was completely ambivalent about my presence. I literally stepped over it to continue down the trail.Hiking around the "endangered species zoological" place gave me the willies. Too many empty looking buildings behind too much security.Lots of mud.It didn't look like I was going to get a ride into town.   It is three miles, with little shoulder to the road in places. Finally a nice family picked me up whose son (not present) had hiked the AT from Springer to Duncannon a couple years ago. They took me all the way to the Post Office. Thanks. My packages (mostly food) were waiting. Oh, how much heavier that pack got. The library is not the right place to go for computer. The place to go is Computer Medical Center, 529 E Main St. (at Water Street and Main). They have an Internet Cafe there, and they dumped my digital computer memory to cdrom, and said they would take care of the mailing for six bucks and change. Thanks.Super 8 had a special hiker rate: $26. Nice room. HOT SHOWER ooooo.Laundry, bank, health food, outfitter (temporarily closed), Super K-mart, all in the same complex on South St. (Route 55, left off 522 coming from AT). Super 8 is a few more blocks up the street.
Date: 2005-05-22
From: Super 8 Motel, Front Royal

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 9The pack was sure heavier going out of town compared to coming into town. I keep all my food in one stuff sack. And it just barely held it. I tried not to get too much more than came in the two mail drops. Herb tea: feels so good when the evening begins to cool down, and TVP were the only extras.About 3 blocks from the Motel (oh $56 not $26) a guy in a pickup truck pulls over and asks if I want a ride to the trail. Thanks Mr. Bradshaw.The zoological fence seems to go on for miles.Early on I met 3 hikers from Canada. Strange Brew is the only name I remember. Later on I met D-Tour and Lay-Z. D-Tour suggests I may see her later in the season. The crowd was running section hiker today.Where the AT enters the park there is a self registration kiosk for backcountry camping permits. Only there are no blank forms. Frustration. The view from South Marshal is breath taking.The couple here at Gravel Springs Hut suggests that I can register at Thornton Gap, towards the end of the day tomorrow.Breakfast: falafilSnacks: almonds, cliff barsLunch: Lipton's Wild Rice Dinner: MJ's Chillimac fortified with TVP mmmmmm. Good Earth vanilla decaf tea.
Date: 2005-05-23
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Byrds Nest #3
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiking in the morning, I stopped to talk to Easy, and Skeeter Feeder. Easy is a fellow AT-lister. Saw pink lady slippers.Two thunderstorms rolled through today while hiking. The first one interrupted an otherwise nice day about 13:30. I was just getting around to lunch, so I had to hold off. But I didn't have to wait long. It only rained hard for an hour. The sun came out, the birds rejoiced, and I stopped for a late lunch. The day turned so nice I thought that was the end of the rain and I took off the rain cover and my rain jacket.The second thunderstorm hit with more menace, it seemed. First a hard drenching, with the crackle and boom, and then a persistent pour -- the kind that can last for days.At Thornton Gap I walked down to the ranger's booth in the pouring rain to get a backcountry camping permit. The young ranger seemed surprised and oddly off-balance by me. Maybe it was because I was coming from a direction to which he usually doesn't have to pay much attention. He had the form. I filled it out, but I kept dripping on the form and that was making the pen malfunction. The way South from there involved climbing to Mary's Rock. Close to the top it cleared and the sun came out for a moment before sunset. The view was dramatic, with the angle of the sun casting long shadows, the topography was highlighted in contrast. Patches of fog lay in some of the gaps, and wisps of clouds were blowing up against one side of a hill nearby. As the sun was setting, I still had some walking to do to get to a place to put up the tent. I put on my headlamp to read the sign posts. There should have been a full moon, but it didn't come out.I heard the Byrd's Nest day use shelter before I saw it. A bunch of youngsters were there learning how to lead a hike.