morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-04-23
From: Devil Fork Gap

To: Southern Junction of AT and Big Bald Bypass Trail
Miles today: 14.3

First of all, let me give a big shout-out to all my MBA Students ao the University of Florida who graduated today. To any of you who might be reading this, congradulations and good luck to you! I'm sorry I could't be there to celebrate with you. Also, thanks to Angie and the rest of the Student Services Team for taking care of the Graduation-along with everything else while I'm gone. As I waited for my shuttle back to the trail this morning, I looked at my watch and knew the ceremony was just beginning and the grauates were entering the ceremony. Later, as I struggled up a hill, I looked at my watch again and was jealous of the feast I know you were having.Today was relatively uneventful. We made decent mileage, which helped make up for yeaterday. We found a great spot to camp right off the trail, next to a nice spring. We are just enough over a small ridge to have some of the high winds blocked. Oddly, just over the other ledge is a gravel road and the back of a house. We can tell there are a number of homes nearby in the hills. It's weird. Normally, I would take a little comfort in knowing civilization is a scream away in case of trouble with bears,etc. However, for some reason I actually feel more uncomfortable camping so close to civilization. It's like I've got more chance of being attacked by someone's dog than anything else.
Date: 2006-04-24
From: Southern Junction of AT and Big Bald Bypass Trail

To: Temple Hill Gap
Miles today: 14.8

Another day, another 14 miles. Rained a little early this morning, so things were wet, but it turned out to be nice weather for hiking. I still don't know what I'm going to do when it gets really hot. I can deal with the heat, but walking uphill makes me swear profusely.We stopped and ate lunch with our feet in a stream. That's livin'.......
Date: 2006-04-25
From: Temple Hill Gap

To: Indian Grave Gap
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: scattered clouds

OK, so we slack-packed the last 8 miles, so shoot us. The trail goes right by Uncle Johnny's, a hiker hostel. We stopped in for a snack. Since we were planning on hiking to Indian Grave Gap and getting a shuttle into town anyway to resupply, someone suggested leaving our packs there. The place even loaned us day packs for supplies we needed to take.Looks like bad weather tonight and tomorrow, but the plan is to head out in the morning with about 5 days worth of food to get us to the nwxt town. Packs will be heavy.Finally got to see American Idol. Glad to see my man Taylor is still going strong.
Date: 2006-04-26
From: Indian Grave Gap

To: Indian Grave Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Rain started last night and was expected to continue through tonight, so we toook a zero day. I needed it, and slept for 2 hours after switching rooms. Someone above me was walking with heavy feet since I checked in yesterday. It was good we were here this evening, as Jill received an important call from home. Unfortunately, it was bad news, and has put a bit of a bummer on things, but at least she was reachable.Tomorrow, we begin a 5-day trek to Hampton, TN, and hopefully won't get too much rain.In the last 24 hours, I have eaten, well, alot. Huddle House, McDonald's, Huddle House, Sonic, Huddle House....and a pint of ice cream. Stocking up.
Date: 2006-04-27
From: Indian Grave Gap

To: Campsite past Greasy Creek Gap
Miles today: 15.8

Back on the trail. Very overcast in the morning, but the strong breezes blew the clouds away, and brought in some cool air. It turned out to be a great day for hiking. It's getting cool quickly, and I think we'll see a colder morning than we've seen in a while (probably in the 30's).We saw several thru-hikers slack-packing in the opposite direction today. Nobody passed us. We came to this cammpsite and met up with good ole Old Drum. Not sure if I've mentioned him much, but he's the guy we met on our first day, and we've seen him several times over the last couple weeks. Need to sleep so we can make more miles before the rain hits on Saturday.
Date: 2006-04-28
From: Campsite past Greasy Creek Gap

To: Yellow Mountain Gap
Miles today: 14.0

Had some great views and great weather today, despite the long climb up Roan mountain. Also had a good amount of down, and now I've got a pain on my right leg - feels like the beginning of a shin splint. Hopefully, it will be better tomorrow. We've got a lot of down tomorrow. We've heard a report that tomorrow's rain may have been pushed back another day. Let's hope.
Date: 2006-04-29
From: Yellow Mountain Gap

To: Junction of Sugar Hollow Stream and Elk River
Miles today: 14.9

Woke up to a clear sky, but cold temps and harsh wind. Broke out all the cold weather stuff for the morning. Though it was quite cold and windy, we saw some beautiful views from large, grassy fields. Finally, the trail is starting to pass through some different terrain.I got a little lightheaded toward the end of the day. I think it was from eating one of those honey/energy packets. I assumed the honey would release into my system slower than sugar, but apparently I had a honey crash. No problem - drank some electrolyte stuff, and ate a little bit.We are camped near Windtalker and Mom. Old Drum is not far away. While we were fixing dinner, we saw a cow on the other side of the river - the biggest wildlife we've seen yet. The cow crossed the river and came right up to us. We chased it away several times, but it kept returning. He looked kind of scraggly - must be a stray. Not sure what he wanted. They are apparently herbivores, and there's plenty of grass. We'll see if he bugs us overnight.
Date: 2006-04-30
From: Junction of Sugar Hollow Stream and Elk River

To: Dennis Cove Road
Miles today: 17.6

Needed to resupply one more time before Damascus. We stopped off at a place with cabins, bunkhouses, etc., near the trail. Not the Ritz, but we got a shower and a ride into Hampton, TN, for groceries and pizza. We got the nicest cabing. I'm sitting on the bed, and every time I look down, I see another rat dropping. I'm considering putting all my food in the fridge. Should be an interesting night.Two nights ago, my right shin was hurting. I later remembered that earlier that day, I had caught my toes under a rock as I picked my foot up, and my foot got pulled straight really quickly. I was surprised that it didn't hurt right away. I guess I had a delayed reaction. That night, I massaged the muscle, and it kept getting tight again right away. Finally, it loosened some more. Yesterday, it was a little sore, but fine. Today, it hurts again. The last 6 miles were difficult for me. We're trying to get to Damascus in 3 days, which will mean high mileage. I hope my leg holds up.We have way too much food now. At least I won't got hungry if my leg slows me down.
Date: 2006-05-01
From: Dennis Cove Road

To: Dennis Cove Road
Miles today: 0.0

Leg was worse this morning. I could barely walk on it, so hiking was out of the question. Took a zero day and hugh out at the hostel. Read some "On the Road," talked to Snicker, Bama, and the other thru-hikers that came in today, napped with my leg elevated, iced my leg, soaked it in the creek.The leg finally started feeling a little better this afternoon, but it's still pretty sore. Hopefully, I'll be able to tackle the trail tomorrow. We've got 50 miles to Damascus.
Date: 2006-05-02
From: Dennis Cove Road

To: Dennis Cove Road (Staying in Asheville)
Miles today: 0.0

Still couldn't hike this morning. I realized it may be at least a couple more days until my leg is up to hiking, so Jill and I had a pow-wow. I decided to go stay with my parents in Asheville, NC, while Jill moved on. I went to have my leg cdhecked out, and will be starting PT tomorrow. It was difficult for Little Wing and FlatRocks to split up, but I couldn't hold her back, not knowing whether it would be days, weeks, or longer before my leg is healed. Bummer of a day. I'm hoping I can get a better idea of if and when I can get back on the trail. If it's more than a week or two, I may have some serious decisions to make.
Date: 2006-05-03
From: Dennis Cove Road (Staying in Asheville(

To: Dennis Cove Road (Staying in Asheville)
Miles today: 0.0

PT went well. We're pushing to get this thing healed and get me back on the trail. Of coures, there's no way of knowing for sure how long it will take to heal, but we are hoping for no later than next week. If that's the case, I should be able to get back while I've still got my trail legs, and still make it all the way without having to flip-flop, finish next year, etc. We shall see.
Date: 2006-05-04
From: Dennis Cove Road (Staying in Asheville)

To: Dennis Cove Road (Staying in Asheville)
Miles today: 0.0

First, a shout-out to my friend Jeanna. If I remember correctly, today is the day she officially becomes a Gainesville City Commissioner - Dr. J t'th' Commishdrodicasa.Leg has finally shown improvement. I can extend my foot with a little tightness, but no pain. It still hurts when I lift my foot up.
Date: 2006-05-05
From: Dennis Cove Road (Staying in Asheville)

To: Dennis Cove Road (Staying in Asheville)
Miles today: 0.0

Leg is still a little sore, but better. I'm hoping to be back on the trail early next week. I want to wait for the pain to go away, and then hike around here with my pack a little to make sure this doesn't make it sore again.Had the best baklava ever ¢ twice now ¢ at a Moroccan/Mediterranean restaurant in Asheville. I've lost about 7 pounds, so trying to gain it back ;-)
Date: 2006-05-07
From: Dennis Cove Road (Staying in Asheville)

To: Dennis Cove Road (Staying in Asheville)
Miles today: 0.0

Went for a walk on a trail today. The leg was OK, but a little sore after. Tomorrow, I'm going to test it with a pack and somegood hiking. I'm hoping I can get back out there within the next couple days. I'm getting nervous that I'm going to get back out too soon, but I can't sit around and wait as the trail waits for me. I need to just go, take it slow, and hope th hiking doesn't irritate my leg further.
Date: 2006-05-09
From: Dennis Cove Road

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Today, Mom drove me back to the trail,again. My leg bothered me a little last night, but was OK this morning. Started out with some of the most beautiful trail I've seen yet. Laurel Fork Falls was spectacular.Stopped to snack and soak my leg in the cold stream. As I was getting ready to go, I noticed a snake slithering up to me. I jumped and it hightailled it into the river. A little while later, I realized I'd lost the A.T. I had to backtrack about 1/4-1/2 mile. Then I passed a snake that jumped back from mo and when I turned back to see it, it was recoiled in strike position. The third snake I saw just slithered away from the trail as I approached.10 miles and my leg feels OK. The pain tends to come well after I stop walking, so we'll have to see how it does overnight.It's very strange having been gone for over a week. The people I met-and even the people I heard about are all gone, except for one. Banshee apparently also had to get off for an injury and is here at the shelter. Also here are Weatherman, Stocks, Mike, Ballpark and and Englishman whose name I didn't get.Supposed to rain tomorrow. Fun. At least the trail gets more graded for a while.
Date: 2006-05-10
From: Watauga Lake Shelter

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiked far. Raining. Ate. Need to sleep.I'm now on the "Tennessee Turnpike", the last 40 or so miles of the AT in TN leading into Damascus, VA, which is more level than before (but believe me, still some ups and downs). Some people try the whole 40 miles in 24 hours. No way.
Date: 2006-05-11
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Damacus, VA
Miles today: 18.3

I've now hiked too far too fast. My leg bothered me most of the day, especially in the last few miles. Regardless, I was so close to Damascus, I knew being warm, clean, and dry would do me some good. I got absolutely soaked last night (why I slept in a shelter) and it rained for much of today as well. I hadn't planned on getting here until tomorrow. I my take a zero day to recuperate. We'll see.I'm staying at a place with a restaurant, so I had them send dinner to my room - filet, sweet tater, salad, bread, veggies, chocolate cake and cheescake. The food mood is back. Today I crossed into Virginia. I have officially finished 3 states. I didn't mention finishing NC because it was a little anticlimatic. From the Smokies on, the trail pretty much follows the NC-TN border, occasionally drifting into one state or the other. When you first enter TN, you still have of NC left and when you finally leave NC, you are almost done with TN. Anyway, 3 down, 11 to go.
Date: 2006-05-12
From: Damacus, VA

To: Damacus, VA
Miles today: 0.0

I was prepared to head out this morning, but the walk to breakfast (long walk) got my leg hurting, so I'm taking a zero day to rest up. Rain is predicted for he next several days, so that should be fun.They say much of the challenge of doing this thing is mental. I'm starting to doubt whether I want to spend the next 4plus months continuing to do this. I've found that no matter how in shape I am, walking uphill is hard - harder than it is for others. I can see it in their faces and in their paces that, while not easy, it is less burdensome to them. Maybe my legs make my body inefficient at walking uphill, so I have to work harder. Maybe I'm just lazy. I got the maps for the next section in my maildrop here and there are some steep climbs. I am dreading them the way you dread waking up and going to a job you don't like. The terrain isn't as bad as it was before here, but there is still plenty of up.I'm trying to focus on the positives. I have seen some great views and should be hitting different scenery soon. I enjoy being part of this community. I enjoy the little things-like a shower and bacon-so much more. I know that I am making great memories on which I will always be able to look back. By Sunday, I will be making those memories while cold and wet.
Date: 2006-05-13
From: Damacus, VA

To: Pond just north of Beartree Gap Trail
Miles today: 11.7

My outlook is much better today. My leg is feeling better and the weather was perfect today-the air was fry, the sun was shining and the temperature was neither cold nor hot. Of course, having a good night's sleep and a nice meal before starting the day helped. Also, I was pleased to find that the elevation profiles on these new maps are on a scale that make the climbs look worse than they are. That's not to say there isn't a lot of up-tomorrow. I tackle Mt. Rogers, the highest point in Virginia. Pretty much the whole day will be up-some of it very steep-but it shouldn't be quite as bad as it looks on the map. I just hope the predicted rain holds off a little longer. Sweating in the rain gear does not make for a fun day.My departure from Damascus was interesting. For the last 2 days, the tiny town has been very quiet. Today, they were having a city-wide yard sale. All along the main road, every home and business had stuff for sale and people were flocking to town to check it out.Last night during dinner I met a couple of interesting folks ¢ Footloose, a former thru-hiker from around here, a guy who had been in the band G-d is Dead, and a nice couple from Cedar Key who just moved up here.P.S. ¢ Not 5 minutes after I finished this entry, rain started falling on my tent. Here we go¢¦¢¦.
Date: 2006-05-14
From: Pond just north of Beartree Gap Trail

To: Between VA 600 and Deep Gap
Miles today: 13.1

Mileage is approximate. Last night it rained and thundered off and on all night. When I got out of my tent this morning, it was wet, but not a cloud in the sky. After breaking camp, I headed out and sure enough it started raining ¢then hailing. Sure, the hail was the smallest I've seen, but it still stung me through the cap on my rain jacket.I waded out the storm for a while at the next shelter. Realizing it was going to be off and on all day, I headed out. It only rained on me a little more in he afternoon, but it threatened all day, getting windier, colder and cloudier. Though I prefer to tent, I wanted to get to the next shelter, since today was supposed to be light rain compared to the next 2 days. I finally decided I didn't want to push it any further and find a nice spot to tent. After I got set up, the clouds rolled out, the wind died down and I think the sun may have even warned things up a bit. But I'm no fool, I'm expecting rain, or at least a very cold morning. Well, time to check again for a cell signal to see if I can make the Mother's Day call.
Date: 2006-05-15
From: Between VA 600 and Deep Gap

To: Ju 603st North of VA
Miles today: 16.9

Cold, cloudy and windy all morning, but no rain. Sunny in the afternoon with strong winds, I'll take it. The terrain is more ?rolling?. I'll take that, too. Went through mostly large, grassy areas-absolutely gorgeous terrain. Saw the famous ponies. Picked a few ramps and put some in my dinner. Unfortunately, the flavor of the beef jerky and Lipton noodle packet overpowered the ramps, but it was still cool. They're going in my eggs tomorrow as well.For those who don't know, ramps are small root vegetables that grow wild here. They taste like a cross between onion and garlic. One of the towns here is having their big ramp festival soon. Very cold and windy right now, and I thought I heard a couple of raindrops¢¦¢¦.
Date: 2006-05-16
From: Ju 603st North of VA

To: 2 miles North of VA 601
Miles today: 20.0

Miles are approximate. I didn't plan on going quite so far, but spent about an hour looking for a good camp spot. It drizzled on my tent this morning, so I laid in my sleeping bag for an extra hour. It was overcast all day, but some how we escaped the rain again. There are a ton of hikers who have skipped ahead and now are hiking South toward Damascus for Trail Days this weekend. Not me. I'm trying to make up miles.My leg acted up just a little this morning. I massaged it and soaked it in a stream (hiker ice), and it's been OK since then. However, yesterday's rocky terrain has kicked in my plantar fascaitis, so my right foot is hurting. I'm hoping the nicer terrain I'm on now will let it heal a bit.
Date: 2006-05-17
From: 2 miles North of VA 601

To: US 11, I-81
Miles today: 13.6

Managed to make 5 days on the trail in a row. Leg is OK, but I'm still cautious. Got to the thriving metropolis of Groseclose and came into the exciting town of Marion for the night. I got a ride with a really nice guy who is doing research on thru-hikers. He is the second I've come across. We had a great conversation as we drove all over town looking for the hotel, which we never found. I wound up at the ?We Are a Dive Inn?.I'm feeling much better now that I've managed to hike without my leg getting worse and I'm enjoying the freedom of hiking alone, though I miss Little Wing and hope I can eventually catch up to her. Hover, being alone all day gives me a lot of time to wonder what I'm really doing out here. Each day I try to get from point A to point B and hope to see some good sights along the way, thinking about how many days 'til the next steak.
Date: 2006-05-18
From: US 11, I-81

To: Crawfish Valley
Miles today: 6.3

Woke up in the smoky hotel and slowly got my things together. Walked to the grocery store in the rain. Ate breakfast. I was having serious doubts as to whether I really want to continue. I knew I would keep going today, but I really didn't want to. I finally got a ride back to the trailhead and went into the truck stop for one last hot dog and some ice cream and sugar water, etc. I sat at a table and ate and then I continued to sit. I watched the dark clouds roll by. I knew I could decide right there to go home, but I also knew I   wouldn't. Instead, I sat and avoided starting my day's journey. Several hikers walked by and/or came in and out. As I envisioned myself leaving the trail, I could feel myself disassociating with them. I was becoming no longer a hiker, but just some solitary man in a truck stop, wondering where I would go today and how I would get there. An older hiker came by to eat. He said hello and sat with me. Turns out he was Model T and has written some books on hiking. His friend joined us, Dick Tracy, a hiker I'd met a couple of times came as well. Soon a whole group of us were talking- some were just getting off here for the night, some going back to Damascus for Trail Days. Lone Star, who I met on my first day, came in and was planning to hike a little further. She urged me to get back on the trail and though she left before me, I promised I would catch up to her. I did and we are both tenting at a nice spot near a stream. We got here early, which was good.   As soon as I got in my tent, a thunderstorm started. I'm feeling much better now and have decided to take a different approach to the trail. Instead of trying to get anywhere by a certain time ¢ whether it's Katahdin, the next town, or the next campsite, I'm just going to walk each day and do as many miles as I do. That may not get me there as fast, but I think I will enjoy myself more and maybe even stick with it long enough.
Date: 2006-05-19
From: Crawfish Valley, VA

To: Walker Gap, VA
Miles today: 17.9

Thought today would be great. Though it rained and thundered trough the night, we woke up to a blue sky (though very cool and windy). The weather actually was quite nice throughout the day, though some of the gusts about blew me over. However, here's what happened today: 1) This is not a really big deal, but I saw blood dripping down my leg ¢ not a whole lot, but a decent drop for something I didn't know had happened. I had just 20 minutes earlier soaked my leg in a river to numb my knee (did I mention my knee pain is back?) and was commenting on how I worry about water snakes when I do that. So Lone Star mentions I should look for a puncture wound. Sure enough there was a small puncture wound (only one), but we decided I had caught a thorn with my leg. 2) I got some water out of a spring feeding a pond. The pond was nasty, as was the area the spring pooled into, but I figured the spring (which had been flowing through a pipe) constantly flushed out older water. I filtered the water and my pre filter was pretty dirty with the debris which had been stirring around the little pool. No biggie. I took a quick sip of water and then looked close at my prefilter and saw something move. There were larvae all over. Apparently, the flow of the spring wasn't enough to flush out larvae. Oh well, hopefully my filter's doing its job. 3) This one sucks. This afternoon, my left leg started hurting ¢ in the exact same spot my right leg hurt when I had to take 8 days off, only this time, I don't remember pulling anything on that leg. It got worse as I hiked. Oh, and when I was at the pond getting water, Lone Star, who had been behind me, passed me without seeing me. We were supposed to meet at a shelter and have dinner, then hike a couple more miles to camp. When I got to the shelter, folks told me she assumed I'd gone on and went to catch me. Because my leg was hurting I wanted to stop at the shelter, but had to catch up to her so she wouldn't worry. Here I am. I'm hoping I caught this leg thing on time so that some massage and easy hiking (or maybe a day off in the next town) will get it back to normal. I don't think I can take another setback like the one before.