morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-06-26
From: Hightop Hut

To: Big Meadows (campsite)
Miles today: 20.4

Well today was a little bit easier than yesterday,but my legs are still sore and stiff. Plus I didn't get a whole lot of sleep due to the early morning crowd that got up and left around 4am with a continuing crowd until 6:30am. Some people like to start early to beat the heat. Can't say I blame tham either.Timshel and I met more hikers on the trail today. Only one was a thru-hiker and his name is "Farmer". We ran into "hopeful hiker" along the way and we all decided to camp at the big meadows campground(it costs $19 but with 3 of us it should only be about $6 a piece). Timshel and I told hopeful we would meet him here,however it's going on 9pm and we haven't seen him yet. Timshel and I got some nice trail magic this evening from a guy named "hammer". He is out doing a section-hike and told us he would take us to the campground(we were at the stroe and the campground was about 1.3 miles away) We took him up on his offer and are now set-up ready for bed. Hopeful never showed. Hope he's alright. Planning on another 20 plus mile day so I should get some sleep Until tomorrow...
Date: 2005-06-27
From: Big Meadows (campsite)

To: Pass Mtn. Hut
Miles today: 19.6

All in all, today wasn't too bad until this last 1.2 miles it took to get to the shelter. Me,Timshel and still walking hiked together for most of the day today. We went up to the highest point in snp(shenandoah natl park)Stoney man mtn. and then decided to have lunch at the skyland restaurant. I ordered a side salad with blackberry vinegarette(snp is known for making many blackberry items such as milkshakes,dressings,srups ect)and then a tina salad sandwich on a pita with some potato chips. It was a so good. And to have the fresh greens was nice also.After lunch,Timshel had gotten up ahead of still walking and I and I looked up to see him down the trail stopped,staring off in the woods. He saw me coming and said "bear" I figured that the bear would have been gone by the time I reached him,but to my surprise it was still there! a huge bear! He was playing peek-a-boo with us. First he would lower his head just below the brush so all we could see where his ears-then he would raise back up,as if to say peek-a-boo, I see you! and look at us! It was so funny! He did this for about 304 minutes and realized that he was entertaining us and that if he didn't leave we wouldn't leave. He walked away slowly as if he didn't have a care in the world. He must be used to the hikers because most of the bears I've seen have all run from me.By the time we got down to skyline drive with 1.2 to go it was getting dark. I'm not sure why exactly but I started guestioning why I was out here and not a home with my family and friends enjoying my summer. I began to cry. This is probably the closest I have been to throwing in the towel. I prayed for God's strength and will-power and for a sign to let me know if I am to go home or stay out here. I always pray for God's will to be done and at that moment a sudden rush of determination came over me! I stood up, grit my teeth and said to Timshel "I came here to hike th A.T. and that's what I'm gonna do! So now I'm at the shelter in my tent very glad that I am still here. I made that 1.2 in about 25 min. Farmer told me that he had not seen a female hike like that before. I laughed but really that made me feel so good inside! Tomorrow plan to do a 23 mile day. Hopefully this determination will stick with me!
Date: 2005-06-28
From: Pass Mtn. Hut

To: Terrapin Station Hostel
Miles today: 22.7

Today has been a great day! Last night we were visted by bears(they actually bit a hole in Farmers tent) but overall I slept really good.I got up at 6:00am and headed out around 7am. I made it to the Elkwallow wayside by 9:15am(7.5 miles in about 2 hrs-I was kicking butt) At the wayside I got an egg and cheese biscuit and headed on. Timshel still had not caught up to me yet. I stopped at the next shelter with "gettylee and thx to eat lunch. I had been there for about an hr. when Timshel and farmer arrived. By then I was finished with my lunch so I headed on. I still had 10 miles left to terrapin station hostel. While I was hiking farmer caught up to me and we hiked the last 6 miles together. It was nice because we talked which kept my mind off of hiking. We finally made it to the hostel by 4:30pm. I walked in to find b-man,hitch,ups,buffalo and gettlee. I got to take a nice hot shower and watch the gooni4es on t.v. The hostel owner actually hiked the P.C.T. a couple years back. Hmmmm.... After talking to him,now I want to hike the P.C.T.(its in calif for those are wondering)
Date: 2005-06-29
From: Terrapin Staion Hostel

To: Manassas Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning I got up around 7am got my things together and went into town with the hostel owner to stop by the grocery and the outfitter. The owner said we had enough time for breakfact so we did that too!Now I am at the shelter with farmer,fireball,seraphim and tex. Two new-comers,Bulldawg and history have arrived now also. I have heard that there are copperheads in this shelter's fire-pit area,which is probably why there is only one guy sleeping in the shelter. Iam going to go and make some dinner now but I'll write after...Man! We just had a really bad thunder-storm roll in! I was sitting in the shelter cooking and all of the sudden the sky fell out. Farmer and I saw lighting strike twice. It was so scary and beautiful at the same time! It rained pretty hard too and my tarptent worked beautifully! Farmer is upset because he has an expensive big agnes tent that leaked.Tomorrow I hope to make it to the Sam Moore shelter. I am slightly worried because the next section 7 miles before Sam Moore and 7 miles after Sam moore is called the rollercoaster. This is a section of ups and downs(about 600 to 700 ft) that look like a rollercoaster ride on the profile map. I hope that my legs are back into shape and ready to go. Wish me luck.
Date: 2005-06-30
From: Manassas Gap Shelter

To: Sam Moore Shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: few clouds

I used to like roller-coasters, but the one I am in the middle of right now is no fun at all! I think there are 10 hills in all that stretch across 13 or so miles. I am currently between the 5th and 6th hill. Its not really that they are hard climbs, its the fact that they go up 600 ft and back down again one right after the other. I would rather climb a big hill for 40 mins than climb a small one for 15 min.I am actually surprised that I have made it this far tonight. I think Loon was surprised as well. I am glad to be here though because now Loon and I can motivate one another tomorrow when we finish the rest of the roller-coaster. Timshel had left us a message saying that he, captain hook and moonshine were going to stay at bear's den hostel just 3 more miles north of here, but after hiking 20 plus today I can't bring myself to hike any more miles. I'm sure we'll see him tomorrow. Oh yeah-tomorrow I will be crossing the 1,000 mile mark! WOOO HOOO! Way to go me! I hope I get some sleep because I am too excited about 1,000 miles and seeing my family this weekend! We're going to have so much fun!
Date: 2005-07-01
From: Sam Moore Shelter

To: David Lesser Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: scattered clouds

What an awesome place! I guess I have neglected to tell you guys back at home about some of the shelters I have stayed at lately. Well, they all have a seperate picnic area that is like a small pavillion area and a couple have had cold showers. This one has a nice swing in the "pavillion" area, which by the way, is very nice and relaxing to sit in. The coolest part though is that the shelter is right at the 1,000 mile mark. So everyone that has come through and signed the shelter register book is congratualating one another for their efforts in hiking this far. I seriously can't believe I have made it! It is definately going to be hard to sleep tonight because I am too happy and I get to see my family. TOMORROW! Tonight is Loon's last night out here. He did a 500 mile section from Damascus Va to Harper's Ferry WV. I wish that the whole group could be together right now(Timshel and the 3 blind mice)to see Loon on his last night. I told him that I didn't have much but that we could celebrate with some strawberry kool-ad and a snickers almond bar. Loon laughed but totally accepted my goodbye tokens happily. I keep telling him to eat and drink as much as he can for me. He had vowed not to drink water for at least 2 weeks! HA! HA!I am loving this right now! Thanks everyone for your love and support! God Bless!
Date: 2005-07-02
From: David Lesser Memorial Shelter

To: Harper's Ferry, WV
Miles today: 9.4

Today has been an awesome day! Loon and I got up around 5am and headed out shortly afeter. Loon also,met up with his parents and fiance today. We got into Harper Ferry around noon and Loon went on ahead to the ATC and I went to the P.O. I got my boxes and headed to the ATC to wait for my parents. I had 4 boxes at the P.O. One from Mrs Huckeba, one from Brandon and Melissa Ensley and @ bounce boxes. All the hikers were asking for the cookies Mrs. Huckeba made! They were so yummy. Loon's family arrived and invited me to picnic with them down by the Potomac River. I happily accepted and went with them. While were eating,Loon and I told them about of the funny, interesting, scary, great and not so great moments that we had encountered on the trail. It was so nice to sit and talk with them. Shortly after, Timshel showed up. He told us about bear's den and how he had decided to take a zero there. When we were finished, we all walked back up to the ATC office where Timshel and I said our final goodbyes to Loon. I felt sad but happy for him. My parents and sister finally came and now we are getting ready to eat and go see some fireworks! I hope they are good!
Date: 2005-07-04
To: Dana
Miles today: 0.0

HELLO!!! I have just finished reading everyone's guestbook entries and I have to say that I am a very lucky and blessed person to have such great family and friends! On some of the days that you guys signed on and stated you felt compelled to pray for me it was actually a day when I needed it! Amazing how great God can really be!! Trail life has been hard lately due to the heat and such but when I log on and see how each and every person is thinking of me and praying for me it definately makes it all worth while. I love you guys!! I have some pretty neat things that have happened lately too--I've seen some bears, deer, snakes, and other cool stuff so keep loging on to hear! Thanks for all of your love and support...miss you!
Date: 2005-07-06
From: Harper's Ferry, WV

To: Crampton Gap (picnic area)
Miles today: 10.2

So after taking 3 zero days(to let the 3 blind mice catch up) I am now finally out of Harper's Ferry. We have decided to camp at a picnic pavillion about 10 miles north of Harper's Ferry. We really aren't supposed to camp here but I think it will be okay as long as we keep it guiet and leave before 7 am.I am glad to be back with the 3 blind mice! They are so much fun to be around! We are also here with Jellybean,which is a nice surprise! Bulldawg and history are camped with us and I think they are probably going to the same place we are tomorrow. It's so fun to meet new people out here! Well, it is late and I am sleepy...write more later.
Date: 2005-07-07
From: Crampton Gap (picnic area)

To: Pogo Memorial Campsite
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: haze

Today was another hot day. It is finally raining, actually pretty hard, so maybe that will cool it off some. I am staying mostly dry at the present moment but the wind is blowing which is causing mist to come into my tent. We(me,timshel,3 blind mice,bulldawg, and history)were thinking that his campsite would be much bigger with actual tent spots but in reality it is on a significant slope with no real places to put up a tent. There is a privy though and the water is probably one of the best springs I have seen in a while. The water is flowing right out of the ground over a rock,which helps to create a waterfall effect, which then makes it very easy to put a water bottle under to fill up. Spring water is my favorite type of water because it is always cold and it tastes so clean and fresh.So far I have enjoyed hiking with every person. I have met out here on the trail. We are like a closeknit community/family who all look after one another. I miss some people who are ahead or behind but hopefully our paths will cross again. Its easy to keep up with people ahead of you but when people are behind you, you never know what has happened to them. I continue to pray for my own personal safety and my family as well as those out here and their families at home.
Date: 2005-07-08
From: Pogo Memorial Campsite

To: Deer Lick Shelters
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: broken clouds

The rain last night lasted for guite a few hours. My tent did get a little wet on the inside, mostly from mist and from condensation which made for a heavy pack this morning. Today's hiking was nice. We crossed over into PA at the PenMar park area. We all decided to stop there to dry out our tents and then found out that you could order Pizza and Sodas so we did! After pizza and sodas we raided the playground. It was so funny to see all these grown up hikers on these little teeny spring-horses. It felt so nice to actually swing on the swing-set.There are two people at the shelter who are from Australlia. It is interesting to talk to them and listen to their accents. They are talking to me about how beautiful New Zealand is and that I sould go and hike there. It does sound inviting but also costs alot of money.I'm not setting up my tent tonight..I hope I don't wake up with a bunch of bugbites on my face...
Date: 2005-07-09
From: Deer Lick Shelters

To: Caledonia State Park
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: few clouds

Today has been a fun day. It started with me waking up around 5:30am to a beautiful sunrise that I could barely see through the trees. I woke up sweep(she and I slept in the shelter with 2 other people from Austrailia) and we laid there in our bags just listening to the earth wake-up. So peaceful and nice. We finally got up and left around 9 am.Sweep and I decided to stop at the second shelter so we could eat and so I could get some water. Well, I went down the blue-blazed trail to get the water, and I guess I must have walked over a mile and still never found the spring, until I was on my way back to the shelter and saw a small sign that pointed to the right indicating to the spring. I felt prett stupid but the spring ended up being a really nice one. So I quess it was worth the trip.Sweep and I finally made it to the Caledonia Park around 3pm and found ourselves in the middle of an arts and craft show. There were tons of booths and ice cream. We called Ziploc to find out where the campsite was and she said Timshel would just come and meet us. Me,Sweep,Bulldawg and History were all eating our ice-cream when a gentleman came and asked us if we were hiking the A.T.. When we said yes,his response was "you're a little late don't ya think?" Well, to everyone readng right now,one thing that can really upset a thru-hiker is to tell the they are late. I mean, we're hiking 2,000 plus miles here, don't tell me I'm running late! Anyway, now we are all sitting at the camp ground roasting marshmellows and hot dogs with Jim and Emi(his 5yr old daughter). Earlier we all went swimming at the Parks Pool and Emi got to show off her new suit(finding nemo). She is so cute! She and I had a fun time dancing to N-SYNC and Brittney Spears. Tomorrow we are headed to meet Ziploc's family and stay at her house for a week. We plan on doing about 5 days of slack-packing and then go to church next sunday. I am so happy to be sleeping in a bed for a week straight!
Date: 2005-07-10
From: Caledonia State Park

To: Woodrow Rd. (ziploc's house)
Miles today: 14.7

Awesome is all I have to say! We started off the day with a slack-pack by Jenny's boyfriend,Jim. We left around 9am and made it up to the shelter around 9:30. This is one of the first shelters I have encountered that has a caretaker. The caretaker is like an overseer for the shelter who makes sure it is kept up and not falling apart,however this guy Jim has done an awesome job keeping the shelter nice. It had hanging baskets and solar powered lights. It was,by far,the nicest shelter yet.We continued on to our destination to meet Ziploc's parents.Now I am at Ziploc's amazing home(she has chickens,pigs and a garden!)and Ziploc's family is all here to eat dinner with us! Ziploc's mom has made a huge pan of lasagna and a nice big garden salad for us. And to think I get to spend the whole week here! How nice! For dessert we are having shoo-fly pie and ice cream. If this keeps up, I might not be able to leave!
Date: 2005-07-12
From: Woodrow Rd. (ziploc's house)

To: Whiskey Spring Rd. (ziploc's house)
Miles today: 18.2

Half gallon challenge. Now this doesn't sound so bad right? Well maybe not but at 8:30am it sounds awful!We headed out from jenny's house around 6am. We made it down to Pine Grove around 8am and everyone bought their 1/2 gallon of ice-cream. See, for those of you that don't know, the 1/2 gallon challenge is a very silly/stupid thing that thru-hikers do at the 1/2 way point on the trail. The challenge is not just trying to eat the entire 1/2 gallon but to also eat it as fast as you can! I bought the 1/2 vanilla 1/2 chocolate in order to keep it simple but also to keep myself from not wanting to eat plain vanilla ever again. I must say that as i started,it was all fun and laughing and silly but by the 1/2 way of the 1/2 gallon it started to get ugly. Sweep pulled out first only eating about 1/4 of the 1/2 gallon. Timshel pulled out second only eating 1/3 and Ziploc pulled out third eating a little more than 1/2. Moss and I were the only 2 left. Moss finished first and I finished shortly after him. Yep, that's right I ate a whole 1/2 gallon of ice-cream. And it was 8am. And we still had 12 miles left to do. WHAT WAS I THINKING? I felt like crap! Does anyone even realize how many calories are in a 1/2 gallon of ice-cream? Its like enough to sustain a person for probably 2 days-and I just ate it in less than 2 hours. I must say that for all the work I did the little wooden spoon that I got was not worth it. We all decided to call Jenny's mom and have here meet us at a shorter distance than we had planned. After about 2 hours of hiking,pooping and peeing I felt much better. The day over all was not bad and the PA rocks aren't as bad as I thought they would be,but I'm only 50 miles into PA so I'm sure they'll get worse. I'm so glad we are at Jenny's house! Slack-packin' is definately the way to go in this summer heat.Tonight Jenny's mom is making us pizza,casserole. Yummy! I think we're having rhubarb crisp for dessert. It smells heavenly and I'm super hungry. That's probably the best part about hiking, I don't have to worry about what I eat! Speaking of that, I think our food is ready!
Date: 2005-07-13
From: Whiskey Spring Rd. (ziploc's house)

To: PA 850 (ziploc's house)
Miles today: 22.6

Today we left Ziploc's house around 6am in Ziploc's dad's truch. He had been so nice to take us each morning before he goes to work. The morning ride tends to be a chilly one because we're riding in the back.We had about 6 miles down when we made it to Boling Spings,PA, where there is another ATC headquaters similar to the ne in Harper's Ferry. We sat and had a mid-moning snack and spoke with the gentleman inside the office a bit. After talking with him and examining the topographical profile of the A.T. I decided to try and run the next 5 to 6 miles of the trail. The topo map showed the trai looking flat for the next 13 miles or so and I was in the mood for a good run so why not.I set off with my poles in my Slack-pack backpack,fastened the pack closer to me and started jogging. Man,it felt good to be running again. I didn't realize how much I had missed and enjoyed running. I ran for about an hour(about 6 miles or so)and decided to not pushit although I'm sure I could've gone farther. Timshel also ran a bit but only about 4 miles or so. I sat down to take a water break and wait for everyone to catch up. Moss showed up shortly after Timshel. We walked for about an hour and decided to stop at the conodoguinet creek for a swin. While we were ther,sweep,ziploc and fishin' game showed up. We all ate another small snack and realized that we needed to get moving in order to meet Ziploc's dad on time.We made it down to PA850(well,actually we were at the wrong road for a while before we realized it) a little late, but ziploc's dad realized what had happened and he was not mad at all. Another full day of hiking and returning home to a house with a hot shower,comf bed and a cooked meal is great!Tomorrow we plan to go to Duncannon,Pa(home of the well known on the trail Doyle Hotel)and then to a minor league baseball game. Then we are taking another zero friday. This makes me a happy camper.
Date: 2005-07-14
From: PA 850 (ziploc's house)

To: US22/322 (ziploc's house)
Miles today: 10.9

"Put me in coach-I'm ready to play!" We had a blast toady! First we hiked about 8 miles into Duncannon,PA, went to the Foyle Hotel for lunch(where we also met up with Jim Ziploc's boyfriend)and then hiked the 2 miles through town where Jim met us to pick us up and took us to his apartment to shower and get ready for the baseball game. We went to watch the Harrisburg Senators play. After the game we went to eat and then back hone to Ziploc's house. I enjoyed the game more than going to a major league game because it wasn't crowded and we got to sit really close to the field. Tomorrow we plan on getting all of our errand done so we can go to church on Sunday and be ready to leave ziploc's house and go back to the trail. I think we're gpong to make ziploc's parents some dinner to show our appreciation for letting us stay with then in their home. I am excited to cook for them and I hope it turns out okay.
Date: 2005-07-16
From: US22/322 (ziploc's house)

To: PA 325 (ziploc's house)
Miles today: 15.2

Today was a hard day for me. I think the running yesterday was not the brightest idea. It is also still very humid and hot. The rocks were much worse today also. I find that my ankles are not as strong as I thgouht they were because when I sit down to take a small break,my ankles fell sore. It probably is due to the fact that the trail in PA is all kinds of rocks,big and small,and there is no realy way to step on level ground which causes your foot to roll to one side or the other. I can't say that I am surprised at all though because many people have warned me about the rocks in PA.Tonight is our last night at Ziplocs house and tomorrow Ziploc,Timshel and I are going to Ziploc's church. I'm glad to be able to go because it's been so long being on the trail and all. Ziploc's family has been so great to us! I'm sad to leave.