morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-06-19
From: Orwigsburg, PA

To: Orwigsburg, PA
Miles today: 0.0

A perfect day off. Just what I needed. Up early and sitting in the cool morning air by 6:00. Five bowls of cereal, a banana, and a quart of orange juice before the rest of the house was up. Caught up on all the news when Hope came out. She'd been up several times in the night with Michael Van but looked none the worse for the wear.A day of rest and being an uncle followed.Elle is very happy to have company and interested in everything I brought home with me. Last night she was excited to see my camp stove and help me clean all of my cookware. We opened my food box from Andrew and she identified everything item by item. We put it all back in the box and then dumped it out and looked at it all again.Michael Van is now a month and a half. He's tiny and alert and easily calmed when he cries. It's been a long time since I held a baby and I didn't want to bend, twist, or crumple him the wrong way. No worries. Elle was there to give instructions. She also reminded me how to hold a baby bottle just the right way. She's taking the big sister thing very seriously.Just a few errands because I didn't feel like much running around or car time. We swung through Port Clinton again to check out the outfitter. I think their out of business thanks to Cabellas. We stopped by the town pavillion where the hikers flop. It was like two different worlds. I'm sitting on an air conditioned Expedition talking out the window to residents of tent city. I had come into town by myself yesterday. Now the place was full. I saw Figgy, Grey Fox, Sanford, Jaywalker, Free Fall, Skunk, Hobbit and more were coming in. I'd been done in by 17 miles yesterday and most of them had pulled 23s. I needed a day off badly, but the pull of the trail is so strong. Most of us feel the same way. Rest is great but the trail is where we belong. After stopping at the Pavillion I altered by hiking plan. Instead of going straight to Tamaqua tomorrow night to see Dick and Tony I'm getting back on trail to hike the 30 miles to the trailhead closer to them. Two days off in a row just feels wrong.When we got home I spent more down time with Hope and the kids. Ron came in after driving 6 hours down from Massachusetts. People come and go so quickly around here. He was happy to stay at the house with Elle and be a grandfather while Hope and I went with the baby to the grocery store. Glad to be done we indulged in much family gossip, a favorite passtime.When Mark got home he did burgers on the grill. Lots of food and more visiting followed. I continued the business of taking care of my gear and pack until I couldn't stand up. At 10:00, way past my usual bed time I called it a night. It's good to be off trail but not far from its pull.
Date: 2006-06-21
From: Windsor Furnace Shelter

To: Blue Mtn. Summit
Miles today: 20.6

A beutiful start and a grateful end. I hit the trail early in the cool shady morning. It's summer solstace and I like watching the day progress. The morning trail was a smooth steep climb. Glo-Worm joined me and we followed the trail to Pulpit Rock. I wanted to stop at a good spot for breakfast and Glo-Worm knows this section well. Good advice. Pulpit Rock is one of the 1st Pennsylvania vistas I've seen. Low ridges and farms. We talked on the way up and over breakfast. He's from Pennsylvania and is formerly a financial analyst. Strong hiker and tends to do big days. We run into each other now and again and chatted most recently at the Doyle. Like me he's been reforming his attitudes and philosophy lately. I wonder if he's on the brink of a revelation.The Pinnacle with an even more sweeping view is a few more miles up the trail. The big blocky cliff offers various steps and seats and is the best viewing area in the state so far. There is also a 30 foot high pile of rocks nearby. Tradition has thru hikers clim the pile and place another rock on top and symbolically clear the Pennsylvania trail of its rugged terraine. This is a day of tradition. June 21 , the solstace is also hike naked day, now a tradition more discussed than practiced. I put words into action. The Pinnacle's a great place to celebrate. I doffed shirt and kilt and ask a game Rad to take a picture of me and Pennsylvania. Atired in boots, pack and cap I ran up the rock pile to drop a stone and hit the trail. My little bit of modesty had me secure bandanas to the front and back of my pack belt should I encounter and school groups on nature walks or birdwatching nuns. Such freedom. As the day got hotter and brighter a few miles were enough for me. Hiking kilted and shirtless acheives pretty much the same effect anyway.I made great time for the 1st half of a 20 mile day. Much of the trail was a long flat woods and utility road. Good things don't last. The trail followed up with miles of uninterrupted rock. Some hopping from boulder to boulder, some picking paths between sharp and jaggeds soe walking across loose and rolling stone which allowed no firm foot placement. While picking my way through it all I watched for snakes lying out in the sun. Glad I saw nothing but one copperhead slipping quietly into a dark gap.I was beat when I came out of the woods and to the parking lot at Blue Mountain Summit on PA 309. Hiker Gary lent me his phone to call Tony for a ride. I laid down and fell asleep on my pack until he arrived.
Date: 2006-06-25
From: Windgap, PA

To: windgap, pa
Miles today: 0.0

A spontaneous zero day today, the best kine and totally worth it. Woke up to a clear day and a warm good-morning from Betty. She put coffee on and I helped keep the pot company. She was ready to make pancakes for us, but as the rest drifted from the table they all ate from their food bags. I did the same. Betty's been so great to us already.Betty's church was having a picnic today. John, Lily and Uberdude jumped into action and threw food together. Firefly, Sidewinder and I played it lazy on the soft pillows in front of the TV. I haven't really seen any TV since March 1.At 11:00 I tried to convince them to crash the picnic with me. They felt too guilty for not attending church first. They missed out. Betty's husband Pete drove me over and the place was a hiker's dream. No end to the food. I joined the others and pollished off three plates and desert. The pastor was happy to have all of us.Lots of parish folks sat down to talk trail. They all treat Betty like the super hero she is.Betty, Lily and I left while the other two guys stayed to play chess with the pastor. We brought plates in to Firefly and Sidewinder who kicked themselves for not going.As time went by it looked less and less likely that we'd get back on trail today even to put in just a few miles. Betty was happy. She got to keep us for another night. More rain closed the deal. Another of her friends stopped by to meet and greet the hikers. She also brought videos of a trip to Alaska and a skydiving adventure. After she left Betty told us she shows those videos off to everybody.Last event of the night was a trip out for burgers and such. Uberdude showed off his lack of talent by drawing caracatures. So bad they were hilarious. Best/worst was one of Firefly and her crazed dreds. She repaid the favor by getting a dead one of him, he wasn't flattered. Firefly's dropping off trail even though we've been urging her to rethink. I just met her and think she's a hoot. I'd love to hike with her, but the trail giveth and the trail taketh away. Today was a prime example of both.
Date: 2006-06-27
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: light rain

I woke up this morning to sun after a night of heavy rain. Socks, boots and everythign else still wet. I was up early and headed to the diner for breakfast. Shared a table with Mute Snail. He keeps lots of paper in his pocket so we passed notes back and forth and talked about our hikes and what was waiting for us at the end of the trail.I wanted to hike out with Slugger, Ice Tea and Uberdude. Sidewinder left early. He's trying to catch up with his father who is also hiking the trail and is a day or so ahead. They were taking their time getting ready and we left in late morning. I was going slow because of foot and shoulder pain. I had to stop and take my pack off after less than a mile. Slugger and Ice Tea take frequent breaks so I caught up to them after readjusting my load. I've been hiking with them and Uberdude since we left Betty's. They're fun and I'd like to stick together for a while.Today's hike was short and uneventful. It rained on and off and the trail was a river in some spots, a muddy lake in others. I had to go slowly so I wouldn't fall and because of blisters from wet boots.I like the trail here but today was such a slog I didn't pay attention to anything but stepping stones and mud slides.Our goal for the day was the Mohican Outdoor Shelter operated by the AMC. They offer free tent sites to thru hikers. The main building is a retreat center. It's warm and dry. I was the last to arrive. I dropped my pack out front, went in and pulled off boots and socks. Not a pretty sight but a great relief. Old blisters looked fresh. New blisters appeared where they had not appeared before. Mystic didn't understand why I got in so late. He saw my feet and got it.On my way to a tent site I ran into Kurley and Swasong. I hadn't seen them since late March the day I got in to Standing Bear. We caught up on who, what and where. Worst news is that Bush Whacker is laid up in a New Jersey hospital with paralysis possibly related to Lyme disease. She didn't have any dates or details, just info her mother passed on from Bush Whacker's online journal.Rain started after dinner. My tent leaks along the middle seam of the fly. I never pulled out my sleeping bag. No need for it to get wet. It's a warm night. I'm curled at the front of the tent beneath a rain jacket. I'll seal that seam in the morning.Too bad I got in so late. Slugger set up for badminton and was looking for players. When she asked me that I was doing I just grumbled, "cooking dinner." I sat at a picnic table and slurped noodles out of a pot while Uberdude hung his hammock. Just as we were all settling in and being social, the rain started again and we dove for our tents.
Date: 2006-06-28
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Clearing on the Ridge
Miles today: 6.0

Shortest day I've done since my 2nd day on the trail. Good excuse though. I'm tired of being wet. I got up at first light after a night in a leaky tent. I stuffed everything in my pack and dragged it to the conference center building where I got a hot $2 shower and did a thorough check for deer ticks. Haben't found any yet.The others drifted in slowly. We all planned to hike but noone made the first move. I cooked hot breakfast and watched Mute Snail hang out his wet gear. There was no sun and I thought he was out of luck. The sky cleared a little as we all moped around. I hung socks and laid out my sopping tent. Eventually all railings, tables, and shrubs were covered with drying clothes and gear. Badminton raquets appeared. I pulled out seam sealer and worked on my tent fly. We lounged around like good hiker trash and put on a good show for anyone else using the retreat center. It was close to noon when we finally left. The rain is taking its toll on putting in miles, or at least it's good justification for short days. I could easily be putting in more miles but I like the folks I've been sticking with since Wind Gap. I feel a little guilty for slowing down my hike but I'll get over it. The hike continues to evolve.The plan was for a longer day to Sunrise Mountain. After a slow start and long breaks we decided on a shorter hike to a YMCA camp. We never even made it that far. After 6 miles we found a big grassy spot along the ridge. It was close to dinner so we set up camp. Dinner. Badminton. Sleep.I feel like a tag-along with this group but it's working out. I'm enjoying myself more than I have in a while. It's interesting that my hike has taken so many turns. Sometimes I push it along. Sometimes I let it go where it goes. Whichever way I do it, I'm happy for a while and then need change. Right now I'm happy with this new situation and want to see where it leads. If it feels like I'm crashing someone else's party, I'll move on.
Date: 2006-07-03
From: Vernon, NJ

To: Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 0.0

Hot hot day and needed more rest, relaxation and fun. The water park in Vernon met all needs. Everyone else gets a break near 4th of July. So did I.I woke up early when folks started leaving. Slim, Happy Feet and partner were out early. Guess the weather didn't faze them. Actually I'd be lying if I said it fazed me. I was ready and able to hike this morning, just not willing. We've got a good thing going on right now. Also, I fell a little more justified since Charlie Foxtrot and Kutsa are taking zeros. So is Maple Leaf.I wondered all morning where the motel folks and two dogs were. Left messages for Uber last night and today. Finally bumped into Ice Tea and Slugger around noon at the post office. They were just up and starting the day. Glad they turned up because I'd told Texas I was hiking on if we didn't find them. They were having a married couple squabble over what to keep, send home and toss to lighten their packs. Uber was still at the motel with old friend/girlfriend Stacey and the dogs. We decided to all meet at the hostel, pick up Texas and go to the park. Folks in the church basement were taking it easy and keeping cool. The motel crowd arrived and introduced Stacey. Fun and friendly, she and Kutsa had a laugh in Hebrew at Uber's expense. Dan the caretaker broke things up when he arrived and expressed disapproval at non-hostel stayers being in the building. Off to the park in Stacey's car, Slugger crouched low on her husband's lap to make room for all of us and stay out of cop view in an overcrowded car.My first time at a water park. I've always thought they were a goofy waste of space and a blight on the landscape. I still do, but they're fun blights on the landscape. We all started with a raft ride through a tunnel with lots of twists and turns. All but Stacey graduated to the high slide that drops you about fifty feet down to the curved swoop at the bottom. I went first, and then Tex followed me. We stood laughing and hooting at the bottom. Great ride, sensation of a freefall and being totally out of control for a few seconds. Nice to be out of control even for that short a span. Not good to ever lose control while hiking. Tex, Uber, Ice Tea and I all stood at the bottom screaming for Slugger when she approached the edge, looked down and then turned back. Two sliders later she changed her mind and took the plunge.We all paired off after that. Tex and I went to the Cannon Ball, a fast twisting slide through a dark tunnel that shoots you six feet over a pool. Big fun, big splash. Then a ride on the Tarzan Swing, a cross bar traverse on a rope with pulleys that you ride to the end and throw yourself off. We all reunited at the end of the afternoon. Sat in lounge chairs under a shady tree and enjoyed the company.No hiking today, but it's all part of the trail experience. I've been working damn hard and still need a breather. The hike is in flux and I'm still as serious about it as I was on Springer Mountain. I've relaxed into it much more. Now I lead it more that it leads me.
Date: 2006-07-18
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I'm on my couch in Portland. I injured my foot last week in Connecticut. Andrew picked me up and brought me home to Maine. X-ray's at the emergency room in Sharon, CT showed no fracture. X-rays yesterday showed no tendon/ligament damage. My sports med doc wants to see me again next Monday. Until then I keep it elevated and iced and put no weight on it.This is not the end of my hike. The first thing Andrew said to me in the car was We're going home for you to rest and recover and then you're finishing the trail. I've got his full support just like I did when I started in Georgia, just like I did when I started planning way back in September.Among other things I'll use this time to translate all of my various notes and scribbling into journal entries and try to get this thing updated once and for all.
Date: 2006-07-31
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I walked around the block without crutches today. Also took Bosco out to pee and didn't worry about him pulling me down. I was carfully walking around the house yesterday and also to a very short, slow stroll outside with Andrew and Bosco. I got the confidence Saturday night when I put down my crutches just before bedtime and tried taking a couple of steps. It worked.I had the MRI on Friday and see the doc again tomorrow. Not sure what news I'll hear. Hopefully at least she tells me there's no damage even if she doesn't give an OK to hike. I'll ask her about the other issues I would have taken to her at the end of the hike anyway, my weak ankles and foot-dragging stride, my shoddy knees, numbness in balls of feet and left thigh, pain I've had for a couple of months in my left shoulder, the lump I recently found in that shoulder, and on and on.My fantasy: I finish my hike.Reality that I've pretty much accepted: Treatment and/or recovery time will keep me off trail for the rest of the season.Recently added entries: 7/1, 7/2, 7/3, 7/4
Date: 2006-08-03
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

After walking off crutches for two days and feeling encouraged, I saw the doc on Monday. She'd read the MRI and told me I have a fracture of the left second metatarsal. She delivered the news and I shouted FUCK! It takes six to eight weeks to mend. The three weeks on crutches helped out. The bone has stared to fuse but I've got at least three more weeks to stomp around with an air cast on my foot. I was pretty down on Monday night but perked up a little bit yesterday. I'm thinking of ways, maybe just fantasies, to finish the trail this year. I'm still determined and Andrew's still behind me. He has no doubt I'll finish. I have a few. I'll have to leapfrog but I'm not sure from where. It makes sense to start in Hanover and do the Whites and Maine before bad weather. Starting from there I'll be with October finishers. Connecticut through Vermont will probably be lonely, but I'll still be a 2000 miler. My mantra on the trail has been, ¢I¢m a thru-hiker. They can't take that away from me. This is what we do. We hike." It's kept me going through the hardest days, and I ain't done with it yet.I'm keeping busy. I've quit moping in front of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I do lots of reading, three books so far and a stack Of Backpacker magazines. I make a good dinner for us most nights. I scour job ads and send out resumes. I follow trail journals and Whiteblaze to keep track of people's progress. I send out email to stay in contact with folks. I get phone calls from the trail. I've heard from John and Lilly a few times. She's off trail now. Betty's called a couple of times. I've had a couple of voice-mails from 42 who I still haven't talked to or met. I've talked to Arthur (Rock Dancer) and Skyline. Yesterday I called L.L. Bean to talk to Dana, my go to guy for shoes and advice. He's in Portland and invited to last nights Maine Outdoor Adventure Club (MOAC) meeting. After saying I couldn't I figured "Why not?". Would be good to meet more outdoor people. Glad I did. This morning I got an email from Sandie, MOAC member and friend of Susy's and an '02 thru-hiker (Bluebearee).Staying busy is key.Recently added entry: 7/5
Date: 2006-08-17
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I bought new boots yesterday. I'm trying a new pack today. This follows Tuesday's good news from my doctor. After reading the x-ray she came into the room smiling and said I'd be happy. She showed me the image of calcification around the fracture and had me walk up and down the hallway. No pain. She asked me what my plans are. At first I didn't understand. I thought she was talking about the rest of the week. She said, no, my plans for the next few months. I said that I plan to finish the trail. Elation when she didn't contradict me. She told me to wean myself off the boot, referred me to pt, and said to visit once more before I leave. I raise my hands in thanks and left the office for the first time without using four-letter words. I don't have the 100% go-ahead yet, but I'm acting like I do. Now I can stop taking showers balanced on one foot. I can put away my crutches and clean up Tiny Tim's corner. I'm taking the cast off to walk around the house. I cleared my desk to make space for planning. I soaked my smelly Gregory pack in woolite before hanging it in the closet to make room for a new, lighter one. I drove up to Beans yesterday for a pair of Crestas which I had good luck with in the past. I need stiff soles and ankle support. I walked around the house with them and they don't fit. My feet have changed too much on the trail. So I went down to Cadillac Mountain Sports and found a pair of Garmonts which feel great. Pack wise, I've been flip-flopping between an Osprey Atmos 50 and a Gregory Z Pack, but neither of them have the capacity I need. Now I'm looking at a Granite Gear Vapor Trail with more capacity and 3lbs lighter than what I have now. I'm picking it up today to test with all my cold weather gear. It's already cold in the mountains and will be frigid by the time I finish in November. I sent a bulk email to all concerned soliciting partners and angels. There will be a few thru-hikers in the Whites and Maine in September and October, but traffic will be light and I don't want to be stuck above tree line if I have another accident. Being injured in the snow in the Smokies was scared but there were people up there to help me out. The Whites and Mahoosics could be a different story.I've been prepping myself for good news these past couple of weeks but been ready if I didn't get it. I put job applications in at the local outfitters and even picked up one at Starbucks. I had applied for a librarian position at University of Southern Maine, then, taking a hopeful risk, withdrew it. Probably the right decision.I heard a report on the radio this morning about a woman in Turner who sighted a loop garou. Until now it was just a ferocious creature spoken in legend and campfire stories. Sadly, it was found dead. But, where there's one, there's more. Bring 'em on!
Date: 2006-08-23
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I was not built to be a hiker. Shin splints, broken foot, CV joint now with arthritis in my shoulder, over 106 falls on the trail, six pairs of shoes, four broken hiking poles. What's the deal? I still have every intention of getting on the trail again next week, but I'm starting to wonder. I'm doing the physical exercises on my ankles. I bought new boots with better support and added Super Feet. I bought a new lighter pack and down jacket. Every hope but some doubt. Shin splints have kicked in again in the same spot. New ache back in the fracture spot. I'm icing five times a day and downing ibuprofen like candy. I'm doing a shakedown hike on North & South Baldface in Evans Notch on Friday. It's Andrew's and my traditional anniversary hike a month early. If I get hurt up there I'm not alone and pretty close to a road. No way I want to get in trouble on one of the bald peaks or ridges in the Whites. Really no way for a rescue up there than by helicopter. They had to helicopter a dehydrated kid off a peak on Maine a few weeks ago. Don't want to join that club. Besides, you pay at least $500 for the ride. I ain't down yet, but I'm wondering about my decision. Crossing fingers for a good hike on Saturday and a good report form my final doc appointment on Monday. Suspense is killing me.GRRR. ARGGH.