morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-05-08
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Vanderventer Shelter
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: light rain

Wohoo I am walking again, actually walked 8.8 miles but 3.7 was what I had already recorded as completed, so 5.1 added miles today. Shin not completely healed but it did hold up with all of the tricks I learned walking, wrapping and medicine. Going to get up early tomorrow so I can get a full day walking with plenty of breaks.So I got up around 6 and decided I would definitely start today. I then took the shuttle in to town to get some food from the store at 8. Then I arranged another shuttle with Bob Peoples to drop me off when he was taking Baltimore Jack to Damascus. That was going to be at 11, actually left around 11:45. So then I made it to the trail around 12 where I had phone signal. Called mom and wished her happy Mothers Day, which I found out this morning was today. After the call I got walking about 12:30. Took a short break at the first shelter and then decided to move on some more. Leg was doing ok especially when it is wrapped with extra padding on top of the sore muscle. I have a small tube of bug spray that is about 3/4 diameter by about 4 inches long. I put the bottle running just on the outside of the shin and wrap the ace bandage around the leg so that it holds the bottle tight against the muscle. I believe Trek is the one that mentioned doing this and it works great. Had some really great views of Watagua Lake all day, but didn't take any pictures. Haven't really been getting many pictures since the injury and I need to get back to taking them. Had to carry all the water for tonight and the morning from 1.7 miles out so that sucked. Made it to the shelter and got me a spot and really didn't think I would. There are a lot of people here who all mostly started from Kincora this morning so they all did about 17 miles. So many new names I can't even begin to name them and they will all be way ahead of me after tomorrow. There is a fire here tonight right outside the shelter and the smoke is blowing right into it and really burning my eyes.Weather was perfect today with overcast skys threatening to rain but it never did. Next few days are supposed to be more of the same. I am planning to do about 4 days to Damascus including today which is about 10 miles a day. Tomorrow I will need to do 14.4 to get to the next shelter. Then the next day I will try and get close to town so I can get in and out quickly the day after. That will put me getting out of town about two days before Traildays starts. Giving me essentially three days where there will be almost no one on the trail. Did I mention that it feels so good to be back on the trail, really is a relief just to be able to know I am going again.I am going pretty light on food since I ate some of it over the last day or so but shouldn't be a problem. Haven't been walking lately so the appetite isn't what it was before. Happy Mothers Day mom!Well I am back in the woods and its time to sleep!
Date: 2011-05-10
From: campsite mile 448.3

To: The Place
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Back in Damascus! ?!?!?!??! Thought I recognized this place when I got here.So this morning at 4 it started sprinkling. Took me about 30 seconds for it to register in my head that I was getting rained on, remember that I was cowboy camping. Jumped up in a mad scramble and threw up my tarp in time for it to stop raining. After that I really didn't get much sleep and got up and started getting ready at 5:30. Had a pop tart and started hiking around 6. Was a little sore in the beginning until I got to the first shelter about 6 miles in. Took about an hour and a half break and cooked some Knorr side pasta with beef jerky since I had a pretty light breakfast. Took some Vitamin I and filled up my water for the 8 mile journey to my planned camp spot. After walking for a bit I started feeling really good. Was knocking out the miles pretty good. At some point I stopped and knew I wasn't going to have phone signal much longer, so I tried calling the others to see where they are and if they are going to Traildays. Couldn't get a hold of them but I knew Shepherd was in Texas so decided to call him. Turns out he is coming back Sunday and will be starting at Partnership shelter where he left off. That is about 60 miles from Damascus or about 4 days, and would be right about where I will be Sunday. So maybe not catch up to the others any time soon but now it will be two of us trying to. So after the calls I decided to push into Damascus after hearing that there is still space at The Place, the hostel I stayed at for 8 days. Soon after that I made it to Virginia, finally another state. Took some pictures of the sign and the line someone made with rocks. Then it was downhill the rest of the way into town. Right when getting to the street there was trailmagic from an old hippy lady in her hippy van. Lots of chocolates and fresh strawberries. Next i booked it to the hostel, setup my tent and headed out to resupply. Fuel and food, then ate a burger and fries at Quincys. Back to the hostel to grab laundry, down to the laundromat and started that. While it was going I went to Sundog outfitter for insoles, they had something other than the one that gave me my shin splints most likely. Finished laundry and went back to my tent and organized all my food and such. All the town chores are done so I am ready to head out in the morning. Was a good day and even at the end I never had the bad pains I have had like yesterday and some others. My cheap insoles I had today did wear and slid a lot today and I got a small blister on the outside of my heel above my callus. It might be time to actually just get new shoes since these are getting near end of life. Going to try and get to Pearishburg before getting new ones though.Weather was good today but some what muggy in the morning. Tonight however it is expected to have heavy rain, thunderstorms, and high winds.Well going to read and relax the rest of the day.
Date: 2011-05-13
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: light rain

Longest day so far with nothing much of interest except the shelter, Partnership Shelter. So I woke up ate and got on the trail at 7:00. Stopped at the first shelter and meet Smoke who is south bounding with a 70lb pack. Then on the way to next shelter I passed a group of three and two section hikers. Took a break at the next shelter Trimpi at 1:30 and then headed out for the last ten miles and arrived at about 6:00. The last four miles it kept thundering but again never developed into anything other than about 10 minutes of sprinkling after I got to the shelter. When I arrived there was a guy here who was leaving a note offering a ride to traildays tomorrow. After that I unpacked and took a shower, did I mention that the shelter has a shower with hot water! The shelter is near a visitor center. It also has a restroom and a local dialing phone. You can call the local pizza place and have them deliver here. During the week there is also a shuttle into town for 50 cents. If I was early enough today I could of resupplied at the walmart, love the walmart because I can usually get Nido milk. Then I can eat cereal instead of pop tarts. So after showering I had dinner and looked over the guide to plan tomorrow. Then I made some calls on the phone. On the way back to the shelter another guy came from the road with his dog. Natureboy and superdave I believe is the dogs name. Just remembered, while taking a break at some point sitting on a rock a deer came bounding up the hill and started walking down the trail. He never saw me until I started walking again and he took off. Tomorrow I have about 11 miles to Atkins where I will resupply at the convenience store that has hiker foods. There is also a restaurant that has a one pound burger. After resupply I will head out a couple miles and end the day. Its about 90 miles to Pearishburg with a couple areas to stop for food close by. I am going to take four days and plan on stopping when I need to so I am not carrying 6-7 days of food.Yesterdays journal I mentioned I would need new shoes but didn't have any tears or anything yet. Well today I developed a rip on the webbing and the rand so I guess I spoke to soon. They will last but definitely time for new shoes.Well its late and I am really tired.
Date: 2011-05-14
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Davis Path Campsite
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

A new first for the day, I resupplied completely from a convenience store.So I woke up slow today knowing I wasn't going to go to far. Had breakfast of pop tarts and coffee then started walking around 8. Had to do 11 miles to get to Atkins where I resupplied. First 8 miles werent bad, just the normal stuff. But the last 3 where across grassy fields and everything was wet making my shoes and socks soaked. My blisters from sweat from yesterdays long walk didn't like me. Finally made it to Atkins and went to The Barn Restaurant and had a six dollar one pound burger. Then I went to the Citgo and resupplied. I started with a jar of peanut butter and a loaf of bread. Then came the fun stuff, one package of six banana nut muffins, four chocolate covered honey buns that have 530 calories each. A box of little debbie oatmeal creme pies, six packs of ramens, and a package of jerky sticks. I believe there was more but can't remeber anything else right now. I also got a dr pepper to go. Had two cups of dr pepper while at the barn. After about two hours in town I headed out for the last three miles to camp here. Actually arrived at about 3:30 and Steamer was here trying to get his pack replaced from rei over the phone. The camp site here is basically a wooden platform with a privy near by. I had to do so fancy work to setup the tarp without being able to use stakes but eventually got it up. About 4:30 it decided to start raining so I am now in the tent and writing this. Fyi wood makes water splash really bad. Because I couldn't stake down sides, the edges are about two inches up and water is splashing in from all sides. After yesterdays big day I needed a shorter day and with a fresh food bag I wanted to stop early. Drying my socks out under my airmat and hopefully it won't be too wet tomorrow. I would like to get to a shelter tomorrow but its either 11 or 20 miles and I can't stop at an 11 mile day and there are no listed camp sites between the two shelters. With the fresh food bag I like to do at most about 18 but oh well. It looks like the day after that is pretty flat for the next 40 miles so hopefully I can put in some good miles. I talked with hover and it looks like it took them 7 days to do the next 100 miles with two short days. They are possibly taking two zeros so I can make up possibly three days just in this section alone fairly easily, wohoo only four more to go. I am going to go to bed nice and early today having arrived so early so probably a real early start tomorrow. Honey bun power tomorrow here we go. Going to read a bit and off to sleep.
Date: 2011-05-15
From: Davis Path Campsite

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: light rain

Wet miserable day but did the twenty and very happy I did. Fully enclosed, dry and warm shelter and actually three others here as well.So last night it pretty much rained all night long. Around 5 I guess it let up but continued dripping from the trees. Was really hard to get out and start moving but made it out at 7:15 after eating two peanut butter sandwiches. Shoes were still wet but didn't matter because everything was still wet. Shortly later it started raining again and rained off and on through out the entire day. The trail was a river and was no point in trying to stay dry. Actually had to cross a creek knee deep. Sun came out for a few minutes when I took a break nine miles in at a road crossing and I sort of dryed out my shoes and socks but immediatly went through another grassy field. Took at least two falls today slidding down the trail, doubled my total in one day. Just after my break and lunch I immediately passed some coolers with trail magic, dr thunder drinks and oatmeal creme pies and cinnamon rolls. Took my share and went to the shelter two miles up the hill and had them there out of the rain. Just before the shelter though I realized I had lost my glasses. Early on they were fogging up real bad and took them off and put them in a pocket of my rain jacket. When the sun had came out I went to put them on and realized they must of fallen out somewhere over the last seven miles. So at the shelter I left a note and email address in the journal in case some one finds them. As I am weiting this I realized there where two guys here that were behind me. One of them actually found them and left them at the next shelter but never read my note. Another guy is going south here so he is going to grab them and give them to Shepherd or if he doesn't see him will mail them to Catawaba in front of me. Lucky for me! What reminded me to even ask was that Steamer just arrived at the shelter here at nine and I knew he would of passed them. The other guy had found them though. So back to the day after an easy few miles for the second half of the day I got to the four and a half mile section that was all up hill for over 2000 feet. Two miles of that I had to carry in my water for the evening and tomorrow morning so an extra 8-10 pounds. Right after getting the water the rain started pouring and was freezing so was super happy to see the shelter.Legs felt great all say and never had any pain but can't say the same about blisters. Soaking wet feet all day and three hours later and my feet still haven't really depruned yet. Tomorrow I get to put on the wet clothes and do it all over again with rain expected to be the same as today. The shelter outlook tomorrow is either ten miles or twenty-four. Luckily the terrain is fairly flat with only a few very small climbs. If I can do two 24's and a 17 I will be in Pearishburg. Laundry will never have been better than after this section of 8 days with tons of rain. Time to sleep.
Date: 2011-05-16
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Helveys Mill Shelter
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: overcast clouds

A long day but perfect weather other than early on with the dew. Got up after a good nights sleep and had breakfast, two peanut butter sandwiches. Then got on the trail at 7:20 and started busting out the miles quickly so I would have plenty of time. With wet feet still the first fifteen miles where rough but at that point it had dried up a bit and I passed a river. Laurel creek was a nice creek and I stopped and decided to wash my feet and socks and put on my dry pair of socks. As I am doing this a former hiker drives up and was about to hike south for a bit and gives me two snickers. So I start the rest of the miles and move a little slow but finally start moving until I get to the road walk near Bland. The dry socks(not clean) definitely made the second half better with the blisters. Still after 24 miles the feet were sore. The weather stayed clear all day but right near the end I could see the storms coming in and just hoped the shelter would be clear, luckily there were only two others here already so got a spot. Dinner tonight was a ramen with turkey and beef jerky, and ramen with velvetta which was really good. Here tonight with a few guys from last night as well.Tomorrow I was planning on doing another 24 but might cut it short, still need to look at my options as there are a few available. My main option will be to get a dr pepper. Either way I should be in Pearishburg in two days. Lost my bandana on the trail but some one found it and gave it to me here at the shelter, I seem to be prone to losing crap.Well time to sleep.
Date: 2011-05-19
From: The Plaza Motel Pearisburg

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: light rain

Well I didn't do short miles today after all, and I sort of found a way to avoid some of the pain from the blisters. Almost twenty miles and did less miles than everyone else did during this section.Got up this morning and layed in the bed and watched the weather and ate my six raspberry filled donuts. After a bit I packed up my gear and at nine I went to the post office and sent home my winter gear. Back at the motel I watched the weather again and it changed to only scattered showers so I headed back to the trail at 10:00. Fun walk through sparsely marked road and field areas. The highlight was that there where tiny strawberrys growing on the sides of the trail. Eventually I got to the huge climb out of town which took a while. Halfway up at 11:00 I made the call to Cascade Designs and because I am thru hiking I just have to go to an outfitter and they will trade it out for me. After that I made the climb and got to the first shelter and it started raining for about twenty minutes. Decided to do another twelve or so to the next shelter. Some where during this section the mileage must be wrong because everyone agreed it was much longer than it said. Weather was decent most of the day other than walking in the clouds. Got to the shelter and there where a few people already here. Bear Sweat also stopped here early and I didn't think I would see him again. Broadway who is the other guy that has been with us a few days went further. Another two older guys, one is Next Year. Doc Boom showed up later and is sleeping on the ground in the shelter. So this morning I put on my shoes and it hurt to walk. Finally realized my shoes are just to tight now from swelling that is normal (they say your feet grow 1-2 sizes) I took out my insoles and it felt 90 percent better. So ready to get new shoes.The sun made another five minute appearance and there where blue skys. Some where talking about the sun coming out tomorrow. Tonight will be my first night with my summer bag but the shelter has a fire place that is actually being used. And hopefully the air pad holds up a few days without much refilling at night. Well time for some sleep I am tired.
Date: 2011-05-21
From: Sarvar Hollow Shelter

To: Four Pines Hostel
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: few clouds

Summarized version since I just erased a ton of writing by accident.Started slow this morning after not wanting to move. Big climb with Audie Murphy memorial at top was awesome, with hikers making huge rock pyramids all around it. Coming down mountain i checked my phone signal and received text from Hover saying they where zeroing at four pines hostel on friday. At shelter before where I am now I sat awhile at the trail head before deciding to move on to a road with a store near by. Had to do Dragons Tooth which at the top I was greeted with two huge monoliths. Also was a cooler for trail magic but was empty. Coming down the mountain was rough with some low grade 5 climbing with a pack on. At a trail intersection coming down there was another cooler but yet again was empty. Finished the last two miles and at the road was a box of Budweiser and was full. Had one and noticed sign to four pines hostel on tree. I thought the hostel was in Catawba crossing another 7-8 miles but here it was. That means they left here this morning so I am one day behind. I will probably catch them the day after tomorrow, I am ready to do some low miles again and rest my feet. The hostel is essentially a three car garage with some couches and cots, a shower, restroom, microwave and counter top oven. I got a ride from another guy who was driving the owners vehicle to the store and got some snacks for a couple days, two liters of dp, honey buns, chocolate milk and a half gallon of ice cream for dinner. Didn't quite eat half of dinner. Tomorrow I will pass McAfee knob the famous rock jutting out people get their pictures taken on sitting on the edge. Enough for tonight its late again.
Date: 2011-05-22
From: Four Pines Hostel

To: Lamberts Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: light rain

Rough hot day today but got to see McAfee Knob. Also caught the other group that has always been right around us sitting at the Knob. Stopped early after 16 miles with my feet hurting pretty bad. The no insoles is taking its toll. 10 more miles tomorrow to the outfitter.Woke up and cooked breakfast at the hostel and didn't start walking until almost 8. First section went by pretty quick but sweated way to much and needed to bring more water. At the first shelter I downed a liter and took another with me for the next three miles over McAfee knob and to the next shelter. Lots of day hikers out going up to the knob. When I got there I saw Hardback, Mousebait, Shark and Torch. Had lunch there and had one of them take the customary picture with you feet hanging off the edge. One mile to the next shelter I finished my water and got another liter. At this point it was about 6 miles to the next shelter and really started hurting half way there. During this section though we walked along Tinker cliffs. Pretty cool rock ledge basically for a half mile. By the time I got to the shelter I decided I was done for the day at 16 miles. After a short time I went down to the creek and just soaked my feet while washing clothes in the stream. Felt much better. Then I cleaned up my wounds and bandaged them for the evening. A section hiker let me use her alcohol stove to boil some water for my dinner. After that I set up my bed and laying here resting getting eaten alive by bugs. Starting to get warm enough for bugs late into the evening. I am still exactly one day behind everyone still and looks like I definitely need to take it easier for a day or two, at least until I get the new shoes.Tomorrow is resupply, replacement mat, shoes and socks. Ah can't wait but I think its time to start walking in the morning and evenings only.