morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-05-21
From: Dennis Cove USFS 50

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: scattered clouds

21 MayDeparted: Black Bear Resort 2550' (Hostel) 1000 Hikers I me today:Sandy of PA - "Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, ALL you have is TODAY!Blueberry (reconnect)Data (reconnect)Machine-gun Jim (reconnect)Peachtree NicoMidway - (reconnect)Today was an unusually warm / humid day. The climbs were arduous and the descent was relatively easy. Good day. As luck would have it, tonight I am fortunate enough to be in a shelter during this very bad thunderstorm. We have storm warnings until 10 PM. The temperature was dropping while I was getting some water, I put on my jacket. Tonight would be a good night to have a tarp up on the front of the shelter.One hiker failed to put his hammock up correctly and the rain made him move into the shelter. I stated to him that we are going to have some other hikers show up this evening. 2110, hiker shows up soaked and asks is there any room. Now, we are tight! I am glad we made room! I was him one day most recently. Arrived: Watauga Lake Shelter 1530 (10.3 miles) 2130'
Date: 2013-05-22
From: Watauga Lake Shelter

To: Iron Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

22 MayDeparted: 0800 Watauga Lake Shelter Hikers I met today:GonnaLittle OneMy first thought today was where did ALL these mountains come from on the A.T. that we were told did not exist! Seemed as though I spent most of the day traversing these hills. Interesting, I beginning to get a sense that many hikers have a poor sense of "up and down" or a good sense of humor! Additionally, it was unusually warm and humid yet sunny until around 1430, thunder and lightning shower! When I got to camp, the sun came out and I was quickly able to hang my wet items to dry. Approximately 1800 hours, major thunder and lightning storm hit the camp. Finally fell asleep around 2145 hours.   The temperature dropped and it was good sleeping weather. The forecast for the next few days is RAIN. I continue to hear the phrase "No Rain, No Maine!"Arrived: 1545 Iron Mtn Shelter (4125')
Date: 2013-05-23
From: Iron Mtn Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

23 MayDeparted:Hikers I met today:Woke up this morning 0610 debating on how quickly I should get moving ! That decision was made for me, it started raining 0625. Just need to get my food off my "Bear Line" so I can eat. Arrived:
Date: 2013-05-24
From: Iron Mtn Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

24 MayDeparted: 1100 Iron Mtn ShelterHikers I met today:Free BirdPack RatData (reconnect)It was rainy, windy, and cold (40 degrees) this morning. When it is this cool, it was hard to pack up my wet tent. Finally pulled everything together, even though the rain stopped the wind kicked up and made it feel as though it was still raining. I put on my rain suit with my hood and gloves, this is the end of May in TN! As a result of the rain, I have been packing my tent on the outside in order to hang it up in the sun or wind at the earliest opportunity. Well, it was cold, I loosely tied my tent to the outside of my pack walked about 40 minutes when my pack rain cover blew off (15 - 25 mph) winds / gusts. Picked up my rain cover and pressed on for another 10 minutes. When I removed my pack, you guessed it, NO TENT! Decisions, Decision: go get the tent or get another tent when you get to Damascus? (Did not know know how much get up and go I had in my knee!). Well, I walked back (south) up the hill only to pass Peach-tree (hiking north) and asked if he saw a Big Agnus tent on the trail? Peach tree said that he did, however, he just left it lay there because he did not know IF a Northbound or Southbound hiker dropped it! I needed the extra 2 miles for today!!!These days I am beginning to believe that EVERYTHING happens for a reason! Because I had to backtrack and , recover my tent, I had the opportunity to hike with Pink Panther (9 year old) for approximately 1 1/2 miles. We linked up my knee was giving me some problems and I was in pain, again. When we started talking, I almost forgot about how much pain I was feeling. What an articulate young person with Disney World on her bucket list, at the end of the hike. She told me that when she goes on vacation her family travels outside of Florida (PA, GA). Of course I asked IF she had been to the Hershey Chocolate factory and she said that is someplace she would like to go! Since the A.T. Passes pretty close to Hershey, I recommended that she and her family should take a Zero day and enjoy Hershey. At the conclusion of our conversation she wished me well, hoped that my knee would get better, as she and her parents were going to hitch hike into town to have pizza and get some supplies. * I wish I would have trout to do something like that and more important TAKEN THE TIME! While enroute to Abington Gap Shelter I stopped to let the sun / wind work their magic and dry out my soaked tent gear. It keeps me dry, however, when I place it in my Stuff Sack wet, it stays wet. The last few days I have been examining the Emo and Hennessy Hammock systems for sleeping. I did have the chance to set in the Emo. I have an Emo ad it would be a matter of getting the tarp for it. Needless to say, I liked the Hennessey with the Side Entry!   Now that the weather is getting warmer I think I could sleep in a hammock, comfortably and it is time to get off this ground!Well, I am approx 10 miles from Damascus, VA. FINALLY!Arrived: Abingdon Gap Shelter (3785') approx 1700
Date: 2013-05-25
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

25 MayDeparted: Abingdon Gap Shelter 0745Hikers I met today:RadarIt was cold last night, temperature in the upper 30s. Great sleeping weather. This morning the sun was shining bright on the side of my tent, the birds were singing and although my knee is paramount in my thought I enjoy waking up to these sounds.Heading north and was looking forward to Damascus. Resupply is important today. This morning I was eating dry noodles that i picked up from a "Hiker Box" (a box used by hikers to get rid of items such as close, equipment, and consumables) because I played my meals pretty close with just two packs of Chicken Flavored Ramen Noodles remaining for the day.Crossed the TN/VA border! Met a great Couple (Day Hikers) who graciously took my picture at the states line. Wow, I have eliminated THREE states from my list and my thoughts continue to remain positive as far as continuing my journey as a Thru Hiker. This may involve changing some of my strategies, however, it is "doable!"Damascus, lunch, housing, shower, purchase gear, laundry, dinner, and clean / survey equipment seem to be the order of the day. "Dots" restaurant Steak Sandwich and Fries, housed at the "Dancing Bear" (Queen size bed), washed my dirty clothes (after placing the soap / clothes in one washing machine and laundry in the other - GREAT). *Although I am planning to purchase a hammock, purchased a "footprint" and "tent pegs" for my current tent configuration. The plan, take a ZERO Day tomorrow, re-evaluate my my knee situation with a plan to continue to proceed North. Departed: N/A
Date: 2013-05-26
From: Damascus, VA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

26 MayHikers I met today:Mess (reconnected)Thought provoking day! Thinking today that life is very complicated! Being on the trail is NOT complicated. Great breakfast, partial resupply, good steak dinner, Ironman 3 (popcorn + orange soda), fruit, apple pie and vitamins. This morning I met a gentleman (Bo) at breakfast with his family! What a small world, as a kid his father (Navy) was stationed in Bremerton, WA and my last 2 years of military service were spent as the Commanding Officer of the Marine Corps Security Force Company assigned Bremerton / Silverdale, WA Naval Submarine Base. Great conversation and this gentleman offered me the use of ONE of the 3 vehicles his family had in Damascus. WOW! I did not accept the offer, however, I need to say that I am continually amazed at the kindness and generosity that people show and have shown during my trek! Again, I look forward to talking to him tomorrow.
Date: 2013-05-27
From: Damascus, VA

To: Summit Cut
Miles today: 15.0

27 MayDeparted: 1100 DamascusHikers I met today:FrotoeIan, Kitty (South Africans) 60 day visaDave (South African) US CitizenToday started out as a Great day, Warm day, Great day! Although my pack was resupplied, it was good to have a day off. As a result of ALL tithe rain some parts of the A.T. in this area have been was out requiring hikers to be rerouted on the Virginia Creeper Trail (17 mile bicycle trail). I ate some freeze dried Beef Stroganoff for dinner. Did not seem to make my stomach feel good. Although I ate tuna for lunch and found a ice cream cafe enroute on the Virginia Creeper Trail it was good to be back out on the trail. Strongly considered Stealth Camping, did not plan to do 15 miles. Around the third hour out of Damascus, my knee started acting up! Damn it hurt!Arrived: Summit Cut, VA (15miles)
Date: 2013-05-28
From: Summit Cut

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

28 MayHiker I met today:TiradeChopperSmiles & NamelessMess (reconnect)Pink Panther, Doobie, Borders, YukonStruggled ALL day with the hike, I could not find the energy to go the extra mile "Wise Shelter" and ended up at Thomas Knob Shelter. My knee did not feel too bad. Sick (sweats, nauseated, headache) at dinner; no vomiting - I believe I became sick from the Tuna Fish Sandwich I for lunch, yesterday, the Mtn House Beef Stroganoff at dinner yesterday or thenStrawberry Ice Cream or the I had at the cafe on the Creeper Trail. Being sick on then A.T. is bad, particularly when you are so far from the REAL WORLD. Enroute I saw some wild ponies near the shelter! Amazing!Rain, hail, and wind yesterday! It is during weather like this that the shelter fills up quicklySick when I went to bed, DAMN!Arrived: 1700 +/- Thomas Knob Shelter (5429')
Date: 2013-05-29
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Hurricane Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 16.0

29 MayDeparted: 0745 Thomas Knob Shelter Hikers I met todayBox TurtleTrail SnailWrong WayMule SteelFlapper (Thru Hiker - 2005)Mooch (reconnect)Soldier PopTartIt was a beautiful day to be hiking, cool at the shelter, not a cloud in the sky this morning and the sunrise was noteworthy. Although I was still a little sick from yesterday, I pressed on to the next fight. As I climbed into Grayson's Highlands I came across a herd of ponies and as I crossed the next hill another herd of ponies could be seen in the distance. Breathtaking! Imagine, that these wild ponies have been here for decades. 16 miles today and my knee did not give me too many problems. End of day strongArrived: 1745 Hurricane Mtn Shelter
Date: 2013-05-30
From: Hurricane Mtn Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: clear sky

30 MayDeparted: 0745 Hurricane Mtn ShelterHikers I met today:StatuePatawanJethroSpitfireJosh (reconnect)What a day! PAINFUL!!!Arrived: 1800 Partnership Shelter (19.4 miles)
Date: 2013-05-31
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Marion
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

31 MayDepart: 0915 Partnership Reception CenterHikers I met today:MattStorm (reconnect)Today I plan on taking a Zero Day. Plan on eating a big lunch and dinner and do some shopping. I ran into a number of A.T. Hikers in town shopping, planning for the next few days. It's a little bit difficult to shop for four days when the food particularly the freeze-dried is almost not available. I had the opportunity to weigh myself at the Partnership Reception Center, with my clothes on I weighed in at 175! I did not want to get off the trail today because the forecast for the next few days is very good. There is a 90% chance of rain on Sunday. I plan on leaving the motel tomorrow morning to begin hiking again. After shopping, while walking back to the motel, I dropped my iPad Mini! Fortunately, the iPad did not correct! It did, however, damage the ON / OFF button - More drama!Ate dinner at a great Mexican Restaurant. Arrived: Marion (American Inn) 0945
Date: 2013-06-01
From: Marion, VA

To: Reed Creek
Miles today: 18.0

1 JuneDeparted: 0800 Marion, VA via taxiDeparted: Partnership Reception Center 0845Hikers I met today:IndieBig Galoot & Scaredy CatNo Rush (Anchorage, Alaska)Chuckles Puddle - recommended "Woods Hole Hostel" - Parrisburg, VALittle Fish0800 - Departed the American Inn - Marion, VA (after breakfast) with Smiles & Nameless. I had trouble sleeping last night; Departed the Partnership Reception Center 0845. Third hour of the hike my knee started to REALLY bother me. The same thing happened after I took a ZERO Day in Damascus, VA! Not sure what to make of the pain after resting, however, every step caused me to rithe in pain! Stopped at a campsite (Davis Path) with a Privy, however, it does not look good! I think I need to press on to and find a STEALTH campsite. Before arriving here I stopped at a Convenience Store and ate ham & cheese sandwich (1 1/2) with coke & chips and save half for the campsite. Well, that sandwich hit the spot here at Davis Path Campsite. Depart: Davis Path Campsite after dinner 1800. My knee felt better! Although I do not like to hike after a certain time, it appears that I am doing better in the evening. It is obvious to me that I have a significant amount of atrophy in my left leg which could account for the pain that I am currently feeling. There was a time that I believe my muscle strength was compensating for my injury. Now I have more endurance (hiker legs) and very little strength. When I am in this amount of pain, I am not eating I believe because if the pain. I have determined, today, that I need to get the doctor (this week) to address my knee and get a physical examination. This will require me to come "off the trail." When I get to a city that I can rent a car or catch a bus / train. Arrived: Reed Creek (18 miles) 2000 hours.
Date: 2013-06-02
From: Reed Creek

To: Shady Grove Road
Miles today: 4.0

2 JuneDeparted: 0830 Reed CreekHikers I met today:AllisonToday, after getting a late start, it rained. Began feeling my knee after about an hour particularly on the down hill. However, I will say that when it began to rain, steady, I did not feel the pain in my knee. It appears that I thrive in the adverse weather environments. I finally decided to get off the trail and was able to get a shuttle ride into Wytheville, VA for $30 with some other hikers. Although I had made the decision to go home, I continued to think that ". . . if I could get to the 600 mile . . .!" Amazing, I was trying to figure out how to hike for a few more days. I expect to get a rental car tomorrow and drive to PA. I need to get my Sinvisc shot, physical exam (with blood work - *vitamin deficiencies) and begin to work on regaining my strength over the next few weeks. Arrived: 1030 hours - Shady Grove Road - Pavilion (3+ miles)
Date: 2013-06-28
From: Shady Grove Road

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Greetings and Salutations - I have been off the A.T. since 2 June. Departing the A.T. was VERY sad for me and an EXTREMELY difficult decision for me. However, my knee was just kicking me in the butt. After several days of excruciating pain I finally realized that I needed to get my body realigned with my mind.When I arrived home I immediately made appointments to see a nutritionist, orthopedic surgeon, and my family doctor. During my time on the trail I lost 16 lbs. and a considerable amount of strength. Additionally, I had some blood work after fasting to determine what, if any, deficiencies (vitamins) that I may be lacking. Here I am, after almost 30 days, 7 lbs heavier; regaining my strength (exercising daily [weights, cross fit, walking). It has taken me 1 month just to get 50% of my strength. I do believe that there is a direct correlation between my weight loss, and my strength which I firmly believed was compensating for my injuries.    ~Nutritionist - I was within the range of all vitamins with the exception of Vitamin D. However, I         recognize that standing in the sun will replenish my Vitamin D within 15 minutes. It is clear I need to have more protein and I need to up my food intake off the trail on those days I take a Zero   ~Orthopedic - Received my semiannual Sinvisc shot and have a another appointment in October. Unlike other visits, the doctor did NOT drain ANY fluid from my knee. That is a MAJOR Plus.   ~Family Doctor - it was explained to me was that I was NOT processing CO2 as I should, however, I am in NO Danger; Going forward it is my plan to walk a couple of sections of the A.T., in Pennsylvania (Duncannon) South to North, in order to determine IF I have the strength to handle the descents as I did during my initial trekking. IF everything goes well, it is my plan to go to Mount Katahdin, on or about 15 July and hike South. *I will say that I have sincerely MISSED the GREAT people on the A.T.!
Date: 2013-07-28
From: Susquehanna River

To: PA 225
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Well, after struggling through some physical rehabilitation on my knee I was able to start at the Susquehanna River (402') and traverse to (1263') with a minimum amount of knee pain. I am SO glad that I had my trekking poles and that the weather was good! It was so refreshing getting back out on the A.T. When I tell folks that I am going back out on the A.T. they look at me with a quizzical look! For anyone who has spent just a little time out on the A.T., you completely understand my feelings. To those of you who have yet to experience the A.T., you are missing the time of your life.While out on that section of the A.T. I crossed paths with a SOBO "Cool Shoes"(annual section hiker) at the "Clarks Ferry Shelter." It was GREAT talking to her. She had crossed paths with many of the hikers I spent time with in GA, NC, TN , and VA! Our conversation REALLY energized me and served as encouragement for me to get healthy in order to "ease on down the road!" Needless to say, I passed on some "chow" to her and pressed on to PA 225. That being said I plan to start at PA 225 (19 August) and will attempt to get 25.6 miles in two days (PA 72 / PA 443). As I look at the weather it takes me back to the day I got off the trail, RAINY.
Date: 2013-08-19
From: PA 225

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Started the day at 1115 at 641 (West Trindle Road) heading North. You could NOT have convinced me prior to getting on the A.T. that Pennsylvania had but a few rocks to traverse. After 2 days on the this portion of the A.T. I can ONLY telly you that I have NEVER encountered so many rocks and quickly came to the conclusion that Pennsylvania is appropriately named "Rocksylvania!"Good day, although I did get some major swelling in my knee, I was able to trek the distance with only a few aches and pains. Arriving at Darlington Shelter I encountered two SOBO (father and son) "Newt" & "Kermit" from Georgia (1 June). It was GREAT talking to them and exchanging information.Although the forecast for the day was "rain" there was a drizzle, however, those of you who started this year know what RAIN feels like.
Date: 2013-08-20
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Susquehanna River
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

In the two days I was on the A.T. (Northbound) I saw more snakes than I did the entire time I was out on the A.T.! I would also like to say that this portion of the trail had the MOST rocks o the planet earth! The weather was a warm 90 degrees andthe terrain was challenging. It was a painful descent, however, it was 'doable!"Now that I have completed 2 days of hiking I am ready for 4/5 days in October. It should be OUTSTANDING weather. I now have to decide IF I am going to purchase a Hammock or keep utilizing my tent! Big decision!My next trek should be near the Maryland border and head North. Hopefully the terrain will not have such a dramatic effect on my knee. After one day of rest, I was back at the gym today getting strength for my next trek. IF ALL goes well, I will be able to take on Pennsylvania, now, approximately 204 miles.
Date: 2013-08-21
From: Katahdin, ME

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 1167.9
Weather: clear sky

While I am new to keeping a Trail Journals blog, I've actually been on the trail for over three months now. I am a flip-flop thru hiker and, when my friends and family asked me about my adventure, I gave them the links to the blogs of people I was hiking with - lazy on my behalf, I know. Now that my NOBO blogger friends have finished, I suppose it's time I started keeping the account of my adventure.Here's a little background on what's happened so far:I started my trip on May 14th from Harpers Ferry, two days after graduating college. I hiked the first 100 miles with my dad, and the last 1,000 (ok, 996.6) with my two hiking buddies Rash and Clammy (they both have TJs - if you haven't already, you should check them out!). From the time I met them at the 501 shelter in PA, there is only one day that I can recall where I didn't see at least one of the two of them. Without them, the first half of my trip would have been very different. I joke that I would have summited Katahdin two weeks earlier, and most likely would have experienced far less town food... and beer. I love making plans, but they quickly taught me there was no use in even trying - I was often told, "Don't worry, it will all work out." While it used to terrify me when they said that, I eventually became comfortable with, and even comforted by, the concept (though now it terrifies my mom when I say the same thing to her).On August 19th, I summited Katahdin with 13 other thru hikers that I had spent the previous weeks and months with, and I'm sure there were others who finished their thru hike that day as well. It was a bizarre and overwhelming feeling to have wanted so badly for my trail family to climb the mountain and complete such a monumentous achievement while knowing that doing so meant they would be going back home to their friends and family. I had considered when planning my trip that this would be a difficult transition, and tried to mentally prepare during the weeks leading up to Katahdin, but how does one even prepare for such an event? It seemed like the trials and tribulations of the Whites, southern Maine and the 100 mile wilderness only served to make the NOBOs I hiked with that much more important to me.After summiting Monday morning, I drove home to New York Monday night, spent Tuesday in "the staging area" (our dining room that, for the last 3 months, has been full of extra hiking gear, food, shipping supplies, etc. - you'll have your dining room back soon Mom, I swear!) switching out gear and supplies, then packed up Wednesday morning and headed for Harpers Ferry.