morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-04-24
From: Stan Murray Shelter

To: Roan B&B
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Left shelter by 7 and hit the trail! Hiked to Over mountain shelter for water and pics only! DB Cooper and I hiked last night until almost dark. Really a lot of fun. Got to shelter and they made room for us. Didn't really want to set up tent in dark. Roan mountain was tough, 6200 feet, and the second highest mountain on the AT after Clingmans Dome! So, I've conquered the two highest mountains! Yes! But, everyone says that New Hampshire will kick our butts! They say whatever miles your doing a day, that you will only do half as much, because of the difficulty. I believe that.Beautiful Balds everywhere. Little Hump and Big Hump Mountain Balds! Nothing little about either one. Great views, seemed you could see forever! Bluebird day! Rain now! The wind was crazy up their! Then the big "down" several thousand feet. These are what are killing my knees! Once I get some of the swelling down, and then the downs cause them to swell all over again! Hiked over numerous rock scrambles, and then hiked next to a beautiful cold stream. Great water, and refreshing to cool down with! Actually ran into a little snow on top of Roan! Can you believe it! Just remnants of all the snow we have gone through. Tonight, staying at an old B&B right off the trail for a much needed rest! Very quaint and Grandma feel to it! Hope it's a feathered bed! Does have quilts! Nice! Will rest and of course eat, oh, talk about eating, they brought me roasted beef and potatoes and a whole loaf of homemade bread! Very nice! Trail Magic to the max! Also, when I got off the trail today, a couple from Michigan was providing trail magic. Had my first rodent barbecue sandwich! Not sure about that one but I was hungry! Ha! Also had trail food for resupply, all for free! Sweet! Well, raining outside, and for a change I'm inside. What a feeling! Left 2 Socks and DB Cooper after about a week or so hiking with them. I really enjoyed our time, and they really don't know how much support and encouragement they provided me during a tough time of the hike! Thank you trail friends! Special kudos to 2 Socks! Thanks brother of faith, and your words of encouragement and wisdom about our Mothers. Please keep praying for my Mom. I'll never forget the butterfly story! Be safe! Hope to see them again. Talked to Awesome Wife, holding down the home front! I couldn't do this without her! Love and miss you! Also talked to my daughter Jessica. Great to hear her voice! Hope to see her at Trail Days in Damascus with my Grandson, Eli, and Matt. Also excited to see my son, David and his wife Jackie somewhere in VA in June! Well that's about it for today! Happy trails!50/50 Out!
Date: 2013-04-26
From: Roan B&

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: clear sky

Got on trail at 7am. Great stay at Roan B&B, thanks Ann and John. Really went out of their way to help me with resupply and finding batteries for my Steripen. Beautiful and fairly easy hike today. Jones Falls was awesome. Passed several falls and a beautiful trout stream. Couldn't get fly fishing out of my head! The woods smelled of pine needles and honeysuckle. Love the smell of woods, trees, and wild flowers. Calling for rain tonight and next two days. Staying in shelter with Moxie, Starface, Twigs and Guru. Nice group! Plan is to hike to Kincorra Hostel tomorrow. The owner is a retired Air Force Major, and well known on the trail as a real supporter of the trail and hikers. 50/50 Out
Date: 2013-04-27
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Left shelter about 7am. Good nights sleep. Twigs had a fire going and just about smoked us out of shelter. Hiked with overcast skies and a little misty rain. Got to hostel about 10. Met Bob People's, the owner of hostel since 1992. Talked about our Air Force careers. He was stationed at Howard AFB and left one year before I got there. He had horses at Howard also. Actually built the horse jumps Jessica used with her bush pony, Coco. Small world!Shuttled into town for food supply, and then came back and we all pitched in and made breakfast of eggs and bacon! Yum! Sat around and talked to all the thru-hikers. Interesting bunch, met Germans, Smiling Virgin, and Smokes. Have met several Germans on trail. All very nice and they seem to have a ton of fun! Snowman and his wife Escargo are here also. Glad to see some old faces again. Escargo is having a lot of physical challenges, as we all are to some degree. Snowman and I are going to slack pack tomorrow about 12 miles in the rain and end up back at the hostel! This really helps the knees and allows another shower, cooked food, and cot! Then the following morning we will be shuttled back to where we started, as to not miss any White blazes! So far I haven't skipped any blazes. And yes, have gotten turned around a couple of times causing a few extra miles!! Ha!! Then you have all the extra miles walking in town, blue blazes to water and shelters, that doesn't count!Talked to Awesome Wife today, twice! These calls really sustain me and help me mentally. Hope to be in Damacus by Wednesday if the trail and my body cooperates. Keep the prayers coming. Left knee and right Achilles' tendon very swollen and painful. Hope the slack pack tomorrow helps. Staying in a little 4 cot cabin/shed. No heat, but out of the rain! Yes!Pics to come when I get wifi. 50/50 Out
Date: 2013-04-28
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Wautaga Lake
Miles today: 8.7

Slack packed today in driving rain! Fun! Saw beautiful falls, and Laurel Creek. Water is really high, and so was the climb over rock scrambles. ReAlly a fun day, hiked with Snowman. Off to Damascus tomorrow. Should get there by Wednesday. Going to take zero at boarding room on Clifton Street that my son in-law found for me. Only 3 weeks before I get to see Awesome Wife and daughters family! Can't wait to see grandson, Eli!!!! Still raining as I write this. Hope it stops soon! It's all good, and I'm still really enjoying the trail. Have met some fun people. Looking forward to next few days hike solo. Not a big hostel lover, too crowded for me, but appreciate the sacrifice the hostel owners make to the trail and hikers. Bob People's is a stand-up guy! Thank you! God Bless, 50/50 Out!
Date: 2013-04-29
From: Wautaga Lake

To: Double Springs Area
Miles today: 23.0

Started trail at 0830. Bob People's trucked us to where we left trail previous day. Full truck load of people. Felt kind of down after hostel experience. Don't get me wrong, hostels are a great service to trail, I just don't particularly like the crowded conditions. I'm too claustrophobic to deal with 30 people in tight confines! Just not my thing. After I started on trail today, and much prayer, I got my head on straight. The views were phenomenal, hiked around Wautaga Lake for first few hours. Beautiful lake, and the sun finally was shining! Picked up my spirits dramatically. I decided to try and hike deliberately, with a moderate pace, not fast, but steady and consistent. I'm trying to take pressure off knees. Seemed to work. Had planned on hiking about 15 miles, but the trail kept telling me to go on! Ha! Ended up right at 23 miles. My longest day yet. To top the day off, ended the hike with a walk through the most beautiful rolling pasture and horse and cattle farm. The trail went right through a private farm. There was a 4 foot pea gravel meandering trail all the way through it! Awesome, called and sent pics to Nanci. The area was called Shady Valley. Hard to describe how beautiful and peaceful it was! Thank you Lord for an end to a great day!Stealth camping near thru-hiker Pigpen and his Dad, who has joined him for a section of the trail. Nice guys! Ate, then hung bear bag. Now be serenaded by owls! Sounds really cool.
Date: 2013-04-30
From: Double Springs Area

To: Last Camp before Damascus
Miles today: 22.4

VIRGINIA!!! Crossed into VA in the afternoon! Papa' walking to Eli, my grandson! He lives in Chester near Richmond. He is about 22 months and is starting to put sentences together. He says; Papa walking! Can't wait to see him. Stopped about 2 miles before Damascus at camp site. Joined by Twix and Salsa, who I haven't seen for several weeks! Also the fun Germans, and Bluegrass. The black nits attacked as soon as I got in VA! Hustled to camp, set up tent in about 4 minutes and threw myself in to get away from pesky bugs! Started fire to smoke them out! It worked, and then we all fixed dinner! Ramen noodles! Yum!! Great to finally be done with NC/ TN! 3 states down! Oh, but VA is about 550 miles! Hope to complete it within a month and a half! Will see. Excited to see my Awesome Wife and daughters family in 18 days! Can't wait!!!On to Damascus in morning. Can't get; eggs, bacon, sausage, home fries and toast off my mind! Oh, and a tall glass milk with coffee!! Hiker midnight! 50/50 Out!
Date: 2013-05-01
From: Last Camp before Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 1.5

Zero in Damascus! What a great trail town. People very friendly and helpful. Hiked in from last camp site 1.5 miles from town. Only thought was of breakfast and coffee! Oh, the life of Thru-hiker trash! Ha! Anyways, got into town and immediately some trail maintainers asked if I needed a ride to food! Duh! On my way! They recommended "Cowboys" for breakfast. Good choice, after eating 3 eggs, bacon, toast, OJ, and coffee. The owner of the restaurant asked if I had the thru-hiker special? I said, i wasn't offered that, but would have loved it. He said, hard to find good help, and brought me biscuits and gravy, on the house!As I was sitting there I met a couple who hiked a big portion of trail last year. They were from Texas. There names are Fidget and Data Com. After there section hike last year, they sold there house in Texas, and moved to Damascus! They said the trail taught them that life wasn't in material stuff but "life"! So up they moved! Awesome! They bought an older 4 bedroom home, and now have started a thru-hiker B&B. They then said, how can I help you? I said I was in town to zero, and rest my knees. They offered to slack pack me for a few days over Mt. Rogers, the highest mountain in VA! So cool and so needed. So, for the next couple of days, starting Friday, I'll slack pack, and stay at there place at no charge! Unbelievable Trail Angels!! Thank you Lord. More blessings! Tonight and tomorrow, sleep, food and rest! Life is good!! Shared all this with Awesome Wife, who is as pleased as I am! The Clifton Street B&B is great! David Beamis, the owner, is a retired police Chief. Very nice man and very accommodating. He even asked what I would like for breakfast! It doesn't get any better!I ran into several folks I've hiked with in past in town. Saw 2 Socks, DB Cooper, Garden Girl, Shaman, and a few others. Chatted for awhile, and headed to my B&B for bed! Good to see them. What a day! Correction note: mileage doesn't always reflect 100 percent accuracy. I'm at 466 point something. Hard to get 100 percent doing journal but very close. Just wanted to let you know. Also, and a big also, I appreciate all the prayers, e-mails, keep them coming! I'm sorry I can't respond to all of them because of time constraints, poor wifi and cell service! Just know I appreciate them and will try and respond. Thank you!!!50/50 Out!
Date: 2013-05-03
From: Damascus

To: Grayson Highlands State Park
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

Got a ride from my Trail Angels Fidget and Dot Com to trail! Started out in a thick mist that finally cleared after about an hour. It was weird hiking South, slack packing, but what a break! My knees really needed a break! Hiked past beautiful Balds, and saw my first wild ponies shortly after the mist cleared! Awesome!Buzzard Rock Bald had 40 plus mile per hour winds! Thought I was going to be blown off mountain! Beautiful views as all the Balds have. I hiked really fast without all the weight, and was soon at my connection point where Fidget and Dot Com picked me up! I can't say how unbelievable this couple is! They had cold drinks and ice packs ready for my knees! I'm staying with them tonight and tomorrow night! True Trail Angels!They started a thru-hike last year and made it really far before having to get off. Met up with Snowman and Escargo at dinner place last night. Unfortunately, they have to leave trail due to Escargos injury! I hate to see them leave! I really enjoyed there company, and was hoping to hike more with them! Good luck, Snowman and Escargo! Snowman, take it easy on Escargo! Ha! Will slack again tomorrow back to Damascus. I'm excited because an old high school friend will be joining me, Allen Cline. I'll talk more about our experience and history tomorrow. Can't wait!50/50 Out!
Date: 2013-05-04
From: US 58 Road Crossing

To: Damascus
Miles today: 17.2

What a great day! Met up with my old high school buddy, Alan Cline, and his son Zack! They stopped in Damascus to hike a few miles with me. Alan and I, back packed my senior year in high school, for our senior trip. It was the first time I had back packed, and started my love for hiking. We hiked Kennison Mts and the Cranberry Glades in WV. We hadn't seen each other in over 30 years. He found me on Trail Journals and Face Book! So cool! We got caught up on old times and new! Such a special day! Thank you Zack and Alan for taking the time from your schedule to spend some time with me! Also, thanks for dinner! Trail Magic!Hiked about 18 miles today back to Damascus. Head back to Grayson Highlands Monday where I got off 2 days ago and head North. Weird hiking South for 2 days, but great break for my knee and Achilles' tendon! Looks like weather is turning bad again, Fidget and Dot Com have allowed me to stay another day! Can't thank Fidget and Dot Com for there unbelievable hospitality! Talk about serving and giving back. They are true examples of what "service above self" looks like! Thanks! I'll never forget you!
Date: 2013-05-06
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I awoke from my warm comfy bed to more rain and cold temperatures. Walked downstairs for coffee and Fidget said; your not going out in this today! Your more than welcome to stay another day. Again, my Trail Angels are awesome. So now I have an Awesome Wife and Awesome Trail Angels looking after me! I'm torn and a little discouraged because with all these zeros I'm not making miles! But, everyone says you have to listen to your body, the weather, and trail, and take what it gives you. So here I sit, with coffee in hand writing in my journal.The weather radar indicates tomorrow, Tuesday looks like more rain but lessening, and a little warmer! So rain or sunshine I'm back to trail tomorrow and onto Pearisburg! Due to the number of zeros I've had to take, I plan on no more zeros until Awesome Wife picks me up off the trail on the evening of the 15th. I should be able to catch up miles this way. Woody, a friend who had to get off the trail due to Injuries, was kind enough to give me 2 mail drops he had. One in Adkins and one in Bland, VA! Thanks Woody! My plan is to pick up resupply, shower, laundry, and head back to trail, in both these little towns! As my Awesome Wife said, maybe this weather was God telling you to rest and heal your knees and Achilles' tendon. I pray so! I'm glad I was able to at least knock out almost 40 miles slack packing while resting! Funny, non-trail people ask, or section hikers, "what is a slack pack"? I explain, when you hike only with minimal weight, and knock out miles. When they ask, "how many miles are you hiking"?, and I tell them, 18 or so, they say, "and that is a break?! Yes! Anytime you can hike without major weight is a good break! Saves body, injuries etc..Random Thoughts:Have I considered quitting? Not once! But I do worry I'll run out of time before Katadin closes due to weather or the 15th of October, whichever comes first. I originally thought I would finish by mid-September. I hope I still can. Plan B would be to do a flip-flop, which is to get a ride to Baxter State Park, hike up Katadin, and then hike South, where I got off. Still hike the whole trail, and complete my thru-hike! I'm really hoping I don't have to do this. I still feel confident I can complete my hike as a NOBO!Also, I think a concern for every Thru-hiker is an injury that ends our hike! Which is always a possibility. So many friends I've made on the trail have had to end there hike for different reasons, but mainly injuries. It is sad every time I hear of someone I've gotten to know, who had to end there hike!! Know matter how much we console them and tell them how well they did etc.. It still seems we fall short in helping them emotionally. But, we try! I think we all know that it could of been, me. I pray constantly for safety, strength, and good health for myself and my fellow 2013 hikers! 50/50 Out
Date: 2013-05-07
From: Damascus

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: light rain

Tough day, rain, rain and more rain! Soaking wet, low mileage day! Got to shelter at 1:30 for lunch and to get out of rain for awhile. Planned on hiking on, but Mother Nature had another plan! Started thunder and lightening. DONE!Sheltered with Home Brew, Johnny Walker, Sky Pilot and two others.Glad this day was over!50/50 Out!
Date: 2013-05-08
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: moderate rain

Biggest mileage day yet! 25 miles! Started at 8:30 and got to Partnership Shelter at 7:15 pm. Rained most of day, rain gear useless! Just hiked with shirt, and rain pants. Good day though, felt much better than yesterday. I was motivated to get to shelter because you could order pizza from shelter! They quit taking orders at 7:30, I got there at 7:15! Score!!Nice shelter, sleeps up to 18 people and it wasn't crowed. It also has a shower, water, and nice privy! Very cool! Good crowd with Aqua Man, Lady, and some from last few days! Hadn't seen Aqua Man since 2nd or 3rd week. Anyways, got up, showered in cold shower, ate, and then headed to Adkins for resupply. Talked to Awesome Wife and discussed her upcoming visit! Can't wait! 50/50 Out!Got to shelter
Date: 2013-05-09
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Adkins, VA
Miles today: 12.5

Sun! Yes! Just an easy wet feet, walk through tons of mud. But, saw the sun for first time in days! Yes! Thank you Lord! Fairly easy day. Oh, wanted to share Trail Magic story from yesterday's long hike. Started in rain, and was motivated for pizza! Anyways, was about 16 miles into hike, when I ran into Valley View Baptist Church's magic at approximately mile 521. I met the Trail Angels, Sherry and Jerry, a few days ago at Fidget and Dot Coms house. Very nice, giving people. Anyways, they had this beautiful wood chest made by Jerry, with all kinds of food and drinks. They had a tarp set up to get out of rain while you enjoyed the snacks! Guess what? Yep, as soon as I got under tarp, it started raining, cats and dogs! Unbelievable! Coincidence? I don't think so, blessings again! Resting in Adkins, had dinner with 2 Socks and DB Cooper! Heading out in morning and onto Bland, VA. Can't wait till the 15th, when I'll see Awesome Wife for first time since March 15! Can't wait, and real motivated to knock out some miles before she gets here. Also, looking forward to see daughter and her family! Get to see my grandson, Eli! I'm excited!!!God Bless!50/50
Date: 2013-05-10
From: Adkins, VA

To: VA 42
Miles today: 2.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Mileage adjustment. Actually hiked 11.7 miles but my mileage was off from Awols AT Guide I've been using. In order to get Journal to match up with guide I deducted miles. It is now accurate. Not sure how it gets off a little. Well the falling barometric pressure and rain front got to me! Terrible sinus pressure headache took me off the trail today. Called my daughter in-laws, Mike And Shirley, who live in Dublin, VA for help. They came and got me at highway 42, about 2.1 miles short of Knot Maul Branch shelter, which was my goal for today. They were great! Got me to there house, fed me, medicated me, and now I'm resting in a beautiful home, out of the torrential rain. Looks like I will be off trail for another day or so until my sinus problem clears. Shouldn't be but a day or so, I hope. Thanks Mike and Shirley, more Trail Angels, and family! The trail was so beautiful today, flowers everywhere, open green pastures, and really high streams and rivers. With all the rain, all the streams and rivers are running really high, and make crossing them, a little challenging. But, a beautiful Virginia landscape, even though I was struggling with a massive headache. I look forward to hiking Virginia, which I consider my second home. This little delay puts my hiking schedule behind a little bit, but I've decided to heed Salsa, a fellow thru-hikers advice to me, and just go with the flow. Take care of my body, and just enjoy the experience. This is hard for thru-hikers because we become very obsessed with knocking out miles. I will probably hike South back to where I got off and continue until, Awesome Wife, picks me up for a scheduled time off for Trail Days and visit with Daughter's family. Thanks Matt for helping coordinate trail pick up with your parents!Thank you Woody for the mail drop in Adkins! Woody is a friend who I have been corresponding with before the trail and was a thru-hiker also. Unfortunately, he got injured and had to get off the trail. I was so sad to hear that as we planned to hike some together. Get well Woody, and thanks for trail magic!Crossed many stiles today. The trail crossed many areas that were considered private property. Well, that's it for today. Resting, and hope to be much better in a day or so!God Bless!50/50
Date: 2013-05-11
From: VA 42

To: Dublin
Miles today: 0.0

Zero, back to trail tomorrow! Happy Mothers Day to all Moms! Love you Mom! Thanks for all the sacrifices you made for me! Miss you, and pray constantly for you! Miss you! Have a wonderful, peaceful day! You deserve it!! Back to trail tomorrow! Will head South for few days until Trail Days and Awesome Wife picks me up off the the trail! Thanks Matt, Jessica, and Eli for surprise visit! Only a few hours, but what a surprise! Love you guys! See you in a week! Can't thank Mike and Shirley enough for there hospitality and help they provided a hurting hiker! Feel much better!!
Date: 2013-05-12
From: Trents Grocery

To: Bland
Miles today: 18.4

I know, I know, I'm heading South for a few days to where I had to get off on Friday. This was easier for my Trail Angels, and shortens Awesome Wife's drive for planned visit Wednesday. I will hike South to VA 42 highway where I got off due to sinus problem. Everyone I passed heading north said; hey 50/50 your going the wrong way!! Ha! Ha! Or they said; turn around and come with us! Forget the few miles you have to make up! No way! Haven't skipped a White BlaZe yet, and don't plan on it. Apparently, some of this is going on. Hike your own hike. HYOHNo judgement from me, I just want to hit every blaze if possible. My Achilles' tendon is screaming at me, and my feet feel like I'm walking on glass! Need to change out shoes! I guess there wore out after about 500 miles on these. May have Nanci bring my Merrill trail runners and try those. My feet are killing me! Have to fix this Achilles' tendon problem before it unwinds and ruptures! The weather is much improved! No rain in forecast for a few days! Yes, thank you Lord!! Thanks again Mike and Shirley for all your kindness!