morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-08-23
From: Mark Noepel Shelter

To: MA 2 -- Williamstown, MA
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: broken clouds

1. Date: Earthsday, Wedmath 2 (8-23)2. Day 1203. Morning temp: 634. Weather: windy, clouds5. Time start: 07306. Time stop and miles: 1215/9.67. End point: MA 2 - Williamstown, MALog:It was a drippy morning as I rolled out of the hammock and the temperature had dropped some. It was going to be a cool and windy day.I packed up and said bye to the guys and finished my climb up Mt Greylock.The rain had made the footing extremely slippy and I took a second fall of the trip on a muddy and rocky down hill section. I managed to roll and land on my shoulder with no ill effects, except a muddy shirt and hand.The clouds were skittering across the mountain top as I arrived at the war memorial to war casualties. I climbed up the 90 steps to the top and was treated to a very nice 360 degree view of all the mountains of the area.The descent of the mountain wasn't too bad, with a few steep or rocky parts, but I was feeling good. I had been able to recharge my ipod some with the last of the juice on my battery pack, so I enjoyed some good tunes until it once again ran dry.I finished the hike just after noon, but I wasn't done walking yet. Check in at the Motel wasn't until 1400. I could have called them for a ride, but decided to walk the 1.5 miles as I had only done 9.6 and still felt good. I walked to a pizza place near the Motel and had a meatball grinder, then checked in. First order of business was a shower. Around 1600, I headed into town to get some dinner and drinks. I had been here around 3 years ago for The Gathering and remembered that it was a cool campus with lots of old buildings.I walked another 1.5 miles or so to Spring St where the shops and pubs are and stopped at the Purple Pub for a beer and some fries. Next I picked up a sixer and started back towards the room. Two more stops on the way back had tomorrows lunch and some deodorant to try and make myself a little more presentable in the Other World.I spent the rest of the evening catching up on a few shows on the DVR and then hit the hay.Tomorrow starts the journey home. I will cover the 334 miles I have hiked in 24 days, plus many more in about 10 hours. It was time to go back to the Matrix of the Other World. Phase II-b of Pamola's Quest was complete. The Quest continues. VOD: From the top of the war memorial on GreylockHigh: Finishing strongLow: Seeing that there are no Ubers hereHope: A safe ride home tomorrow
Date: 2017-08-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I had converted my pack to "bus mode," removing all the outside, hanging stuff and discarding my old crinkly, water bottles.  I also retired the Half-Crocks.  The right one had taken more damage getting snagged on a tree while hiking, ripping off the heel strap on one side.  They served me well, but it was time to let them go and find something new during this next "off-trail" time.I had some breakfast at the Motel, then walked towards the bus station.  My pack was nice and light and the morning was cool.  I saw four other hikers going the same way.  They turned out to be some locals that had been out for a couple days and were heading to the first stop on the bus trip.I waited at the Hotel for the bus and boarded on time.  There was plenty of space on the bus and I had two seats to myself into New York City. The ride was pretty pleasant.  The day was nice, with some pretty clouds and the windows were big.  I watched as the landscape turned from rural mountains to city streets.  Going through Manhattan was a fun exercise in people watching.  So many strange fauna did I see.We arrived at the Port Authority at least 30 minutes later than my transfer bus was scheduled to leave, so I headed up to the Greyhound ticket booth and tried to figure out what to do next.  The ticket girl, updated my ticket to a 1700 bus and said I may be able to get on the 1600 bus if it was still there.  I headed down the busy passageways and found Gate 70, confirming it was the place for a bus to Baltimore.  I headed to the food place to get some quick dinner then got back in line for the bus.  At around 1630 or so, a bus was there and we boarded.  I'm pretty sure it was the 1600 bus, that was also late.  A common occurrence I would imagine in that city.  I got a good window seat with an outlet and settled in to continue to listen to the last book of the Lord of The Rings trilogy on the trip home.The ride was uneventful as the light ran out of the day and we arrived in Baltimore some time after 2030.  LoGear was waiting in the parking lot for me once more and in 20 minutes I was carrying my pack into the house and leaving it for the next day.  Phase II-b was now complete.Now, I plan on once again enjoying the Other World activities that I had been missing and just taking it easy for a few days.  No miles to walk, no camping spots to find.  Just relaxing and re-acclimating to this world of existence.  I'm not sure yet what Phase III will be or when it will take place, but I have 392 miles in VA that need hiking and just under 600 in the last three northern states, that I'm pretty sure will be the last series of Pushes of the Quest.  Stay tuned...  The Quest continues...
Date: 2018-05-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today is Starsday, the 20th of Thrimidge, Day 380 of Pamola's Quest. This will be the last update before continuing the Quest. Next week at this time, we will be hiking.  The plans have only changed slightly since my last update. LoGear will now be joining us for the first week of hiking when we head out of Damascus as the craziness just begins. We are also starting a day earlier to fit her vacation schedule. No more six month leave of absences for her anymore. Kangaroo Joe (KJ) will be meeting us down at the Relax Inn on Wednesday (Earthday), the 16th of May. We will spend the night at the Inn. We aren't picky and we will hopefully get a shuttle down to Damascus the next morning. We will walk through town, seeing the preparations for Trail Days and then head out of town to the first shelter.  The final gear adjustments have been made and our food is bought for the first Push of Phase III of Pamola's Quest. I am chomping at the bit to get back out there and it will be good to have LoGear with me for that first week. The hard part will be that second week after she has gone home. It was hard watching all those vloggers head out this year. I enjoyed following them for the first couple hundred miles, but eventually have stopped watching most of them except a few.  I plan on continuing to update here, when I can, as I head up the trail for this next Phase. Phase III will consist of Pushes 10 through 13 and will take me to Rockfish Gap. At that point I will have now hiked all of the trail from Springer to Williamstown, MA. After some time off trail (not sure how long), I will head up to Williamstown and finish the last three states with Pushes 21 through ? (I haven't worked them out yet) Maybe 27 or so...If all goes as Pamola allows, I will be on Pamola Peak somewhere in late August with the rebuilt Talisman of the Storm.Wish me luck...Peace,EarthTone and LoGear (and Kangaroo Joe)
Date: 2018-05-17
From: Damascus

To: Saunders Shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: clear sky

1. Date: Starsday, Thrimidge 27 (May 17)2. Day 3873. Morning temp: 70s4. Weather: rain then sun5. Time start: 13006. Time stop and miles: 1825/9.87. End point: Saunders shelterLog:Slept ok, but as usual awake alot. Rolled out around 0630 and hit the shower. We headed over to The Barn for Breakfast and all had omelets. They were pretty good.We packed up and waited for Ms Janet to arrive moving the cars closer to rhe office.Ms J showed up after 10 and we got rolling around 1045 or so. There were 7 of us. We went to a Walmart and picked up 3 more and continued along after another stop at another Walmart, we arrived in Damascus around 1230. We walked through town heading to the trail. After a quick stop at the Osprey booth and a visit to the ALDHA tent to say hello to some friends, we were at the end of town and heading up the mountain.We didn't have far to go, but we had a late start. We took our time and ate lunch at a campsite around 1430 or so.The biggest challenge of the day was the 2 mile climb to the shelter. There were 19 switchbacks making it easier, but it still kicked our ass.We rolled into camp at 1825 and found our spots. There were a few others here and we had some good conversation at dinner.I noticed that my cap for my filter smelled bad and Amber, a hiker heading to Damascus gave me her extra. I gave her a cosmic brownie in return. A fair trade.We hung our food, and each retired to our sleeping places.The forecast all week was saying that it would be raining all day today, but it turned out to be a really nice day. After some morning rain, it got sunny and stayed that way until we were in the woods out of town. We had some light rain later on the day and some sprinkles after getting into camp, but that was it. It's a pleasant night and we hope for some of the same tomorrow. Flora: Rhody flowersFauna: green bird, black rat snakeVOD: somewhere along the creeper trailSmell: my filter capSound: cowsHigh: heading out of DamascusLow: the 19 switchbacks before the shelterHope: A nice comfortable day with little rain.
Date: 2018-05-18
From: Saunders Shelter

To: Whitetop Mtn Camp
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: broken clouds

1. Date: Sunsday, Thrimidge 28 (May 18)  2. Day 388  3. Morning temp: 62 4. Weather: rain  5. Time start: 0900  6. Time stop and miles: 1745/12.3  7. End point: Whitetop Mtn campsite Log:I slept pretty well and was comfortable most of the night. I saw KJ up at 0650, so I rolled out. There was rain off and on all night and it was still sprinkling as we ate bfast and packed up. We headed out at 09, not in a hurry. After awhile the rain stopped for a bit and we took a break after 3 miles.We were heading to a shelter for lunch and the rain picked up for the last mile or so. We came in around 1230 and there were four hikers just getting ready to head out.They had a dog that was a little leery of us until we gave him some of our food, then we were besties. We relaxed for over an hour. The rain stopped and the sun came out, so our spirits improved.The last six miles ended with a 3000 foot climb over 3 miles. We headed up feeling good, but after awhile our asses were once again kicked. Finally we approached Buzzard rock, the high point and the wind picked up a lot as we walked into a cloud. The wind was crazy as we got to the rocks and crossed over.About then the rain started up again and was still coming down when we got to camp. We set up our tarps first and prepared dinner under mine. We were all wet and beat. After getting some warm food in us and dry clothes on, we all felt better, but were ready to get into our hammocks and wrapped in down. It's foggy and the breeze has a chill to it here at 5000 plus feet.Tomorrow, we plan to hit a general store for some food, resupply and maybe a shower. Flora: pink lady slippers Fauna: wood thrush Smell: bug braclet Sound: rapids, wood thrush High: when the sun came out after lunch Low: buzzard rock wind Hope: that we have no trouble getting to the general store.
Date: 2018-05-19
From: Whitetop Mtn Camp

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: few clouds

1. Date: Moonsday, Thrimidge 29 (May 19)  2. Day 389  3. Morning temp: 55  4. Weather: fog, wind, drippy  5. Time start: 0735  6. Time stop and miles: 1912/11.7  7. End point: Wise shelter  Log:It rained off and on all night and moisture invaded everything as we sat in a cloud at the top of the mountain. My quilt was wet, my hammock too. Pretty much everything. I slept pretty good though and was ready to start the day at 06.At first I just wanted to pack up and go, but I made my usual morning coffee and got all my wet gear packed up.I decided I could wait for my morning dump at a parking lot nearby that had a pit toilet so I headed out alone to brown blaze the 2.3 miles. I made good time and was able to put out some of my gear to dry on the strong breeze and some sun. I hung out over an hour as LoGear and then KJ showed up.We headed out walking through a beautiful meadow and made our way to the next shelter for lunch.Our original plan was to Massey Gap around 1400 and get a free shuttle to the General Store. I needed some resupply and we wanted some burgers.At the break, KJ decided he would just go to the shelter as he had enough food. LoGear and I moved ahead at a fast clip as we were way behind schedule. We moved over a rocky ridge and saw some ponies, just as it started sprinkling again. We saw some more later and got to pet these ones.The rain got harder and harder and just after we crossed the highest point, it became a downpour with some lightning and thunder.Onward we went and the rain finally stopped leaving us soaked through. We got down to the parking lot and of course had no signal to call the shuttle. A ranger was able to call for us, but it was going to be an hour. I asked two woman who were leaving if we could have a ride and they were happy to takes us down the mountain.We got our resupply and a burger and fries. It was very good. They let us dry some of our wet clothes which was awesome, but we had to wait until after 1800 to get a ride back.We got our ride and walked to the shelter where we found KJ. The shelter itself was full, but we found some good spots for our hammocks.As dusk settled over camp, it was time to snuggle in my now mostly dry down, with dry clothes on for another night on the trail.Fauna: ponies Smell: horse Sound: whip-or-will High: Seeing the ponies Low: Walking through the downpour Hope: We can do the miles tomorrow.
Date: 2018-05-20
From: Wise Shelter

To: Hurricane Creek Campground
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

1. Date: Treesday, Thrimidge 30 (May 20)2. Day 3903. Morning temp: 554. Weather: some clouds5. Time start: 07556. Time stop and miles: 1640/147. End point: Hurricane Creek Campground  Log:Another good night. I'm adjusting well to Outsider life. I even saw some stars during the night when I got out to pee. We got packed up and were out before 08. There was a guy there who couldn't get his food bag down. He even tried to burn the line with his stove tied to a branch, which almost had it blow up as it flamed up real high. We moved along well as the day became beautiful. Sunny with a warm breeze. We saw more ponies and worked our way along a sometimes still very wet trail.A hiker named Cosmic passed us and I talked to her for awhile as we walked along, but she was fast, so I eventually let her move on as I waited for LoGear and KJ. She was wearing me out.We stopped for lunch at the first shelter and Fungi, the guy with the food bag problem came rolling in. He had finally got his stuff down by cutting the tree.He said he was carrying a whole lot of meals that he had found on the trail that someone had dumped. They were Packit Gourmet. He asked if we would take any of them and we all did. They looked good and turned out to be delicious at dinner. I had the gumbo and LoGear had shepherd's pie. Score!We only had one longish climb and the trail got real nice for the last several miles of the day. Before too long we were at our turnoff for the campground we were going to for the night. We finished our longest day this week at the earliest time so far. My feet are starting to take a beating from the four days of wet walking.We found a spot and paid our fee, set up then got our first shower since we started. We all did some cowboy laundry in the shower and I was amazed at how much brown water came out of every piece I washed. We made dinner, which was delicious and I started a fire just because we could. The site had firewood and it wasn't raining. At least at first. As it got going I felt the first sprinkles of the day. Oh well.Tomorrow we plan on 15.9 miles.  Flora: poison ivyFauna: woodpecker, poniesVOD: Stone MtnSmell: meSound: creekHigh: All day was beautifulLow: walking all day with wet feet
Date: 2018-05-21
From: Hurricane Creek Campground

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: broken clouds

1. Date: Skysday, Forelithe 1 (May 21) 2. Day 391 3. Morning temp: 57 4. Weather: some clouds 5. Time start: 0800 6. Time stop and miles: 1722/15.9 7. End point: Partnership Shelter  Log:I slept pretty good with Hurricane Creek rushing by not 15 feet away. I rollled out just after 06 and started the day. I tried the banana pudding from the meals Fungi gave us and it was pretty good. I was packed up and ready to go before the others, so I headed out at 08.KJ was dilly dallying as usual, so I thought of a new trail name for him as I headed up the blue blaze to the trail. Henceforth he shall be called Dilly Dilly.Not 15 minutes after I got back on the AT I heard a commotion to my right. It was a yearling bear heading up the hill that I had spooked. He went up about 60 yds and stopped stairing at me.I asked him to wait a sec as I turned on my phone and he said ok and I was able to take a couple of pics. LoGear came up then and got to see him too as he moved across the ridge waiting for us to leave.We were heading to the next shelter for lunch as some thunder started to roll over us. It started to sprinkle as we got closer and turned into a down pour as we hurried down the trail to the shelter.We shook off and ate lunch, then talked for awhile until it slowed down and eventually stopped. Onward we went.We rested after a couple hours of moving at our usual speed, but LoGear's feet were bothering her. She had developed a couple blisters since we had been walking with wet feet for the last four, now five days. I was wrestling with a couple myself, but my tape job had made them not hurt too much. We soldiered on and soon we were close to our destination, pulling 15.9 miles, a new high for this phase. Last year we didn't hike this far (more actually) for 23 days. We definitely adjust to the trail faster now.I pulled in at 1722 with the others a few minutes behind. There were a lot of people here. Some we had seen before, some new.There was a nice piney area away from the shelter where we set up. We went over to the table to make dinner and talked with some of the hikers as we ate.Tomorrow we finish this push and my hiking partners go home. Then I will be on my own again as I finish VA and continue the Quest. Fauna: Bear, Peleated woodpecker Sound: Thunder High: Finishing the day  Low: Running to the shelter in a downpour Hope: Food, laundry, shower, etc.
Date: 2018-05-22
From: Partnership Shelter

To: US 11 - Atkins, VA
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

1. Date: Seasday, Forelithe 2 (May 22) 2. Day 392 3. Morning temp: 65 4. Weather: clear, calm 5. Time start: 0742 6. Time stop and miles: 1420/11.6 7. End point: US 11 - Atkins, VA Log:After sleeping for awhile, I was awake at 0200 thinking about Push 11, so I turned on my headlamp and did some planning.We all started stirring around 06 and were packing up and eating breakfast. My hiking partners were ready to finish their hike and it put some pep in their step. We headed out at our earliest time yet and started our first climbs of the day. It was a beautiful morning and we made pretty good time, with just a little slow down at one of the steeper climbs.We ate lunch at Chatfield shelter and continued on. It was mostly down hill from here. We came to the old one room schoolhouse and there was some trail magic waiting for us. We talked to the volunteers there as we enjoyed some ice cold sodas and snacks and a few resupply items. We gave a donation and offered out thanks, then continued on.The trail was pretty fast now, with some nice meadows, but there were some muddy spots that would surprise you from time to time. At one point the mud was on a slope and I slid. As I tried to stop my fall with my pole, I continued to go down and my shoulder took the brunt of the weight.I moaned, then cursed, then moaned again as the pain shot through my shoulder. I got up and assesed my status as fears of an ended hike went through my mind. At first I couldn't move my arm at all, but I contunued on and the intensity of the pain subsided some. After awhile I could move my arm, but lifting weight still doesn't work.I got down to the cars where LoGear was already waiting and tested whether or not I could remove and put on my pack. I can, but it hurts.As I told a hiker that passed me as I walked on, I can still hike with one arm, so I am continuing on of course. We threw everything into the vehicles and headed to Marion and checked into the Econo Lodge for the night. LoGear rested for a bit, took me over to Walmart so I could get a new shirt and retire the stench monster I had been wearing and then headed home to her girls.I was able to fully resupply with stuff I had brought and from LoGear's foodbag, so I will have a heavy pack climbing out of here.We went and did laundry and got pizza and wings and relaxed in the room as I reconnected to the Matrix, updated this journal and deleted about 100 emails.I will see how my shoulder goes during this next push and hope it heals up. Only time will tell.So tomorrow starts Push 11. The Push to Pearisburg. 90.3 with seven days planned for now. Wish me luck. The Quest continues.Flora: Mountain Laurel Sound: Highway noise  High: Finishing the Push  Low: Hurting my shoulder  Hope: That my shoulder isn't serious
Date: 2018-05-24
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Walker Gap
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: mist

1. Date: Starsday, Forelithe 4 (May 24) 2. Day 394-8 3. Morning temp: 60 4. Weather: clear, calm 5. Time start: 0700 6. Time stop and miles: 1430/10.9 7. End point: Walker Gap camp  Log:I slept decently, my shoulder not hurting too much and was rolling out right at 06. I made my coffee and packed up, hitting the trail at 07. I wasn't sure how far I would go today. Plan A was a short 9.4 to Chestnut Knob shelter, but I was pretty sure I would move on. The far choice would be 20.1, but I was pretty sure I wasn't ready for that far yet. I wasn't.The day started out easy, with some down hill, then the long climb started. At first it was pretty steep and I slowed way down. Eventually, the incline became less severe and I was able to cruise into the shelter.I didn't take my first break until almost 10, but I took a second one at a spring by a pond. The bullfrogs were croaking. I also say a young deer as I entered the clearing. After the initial climb in the woods, the trail came out into a meadow like clearing that lasted up to the shelter.I arrived at the shelter and had a leisurely lunch and laid on the grass for a while. I decided that I would do another 1.5 to a campsite listed in the app that had water nearby. My feet were hurting a bit which confirmed that I wasn't going to do 20 today.I slowly made my way down the steep trail as I lost all the elevation that I had worked so hard to gain in the morning. Near the gap, I saw a car parked next to the trail. As I walked past, I saw an old man sitting in the car doing a crossword. It was Warren Doyle. We talked for a bit, then I moved on to the trail that led to a small clearing where a house had once been.It was still early in the day, but I was happy to be done walking for now. At least I had moved further than Plan A. I started looking around for a place for the hammock, my first choice not working. I found a good spot, but there was a dead tree nearby. I set up, then got my bear bag line and threw it up onto the dead tree and shook it until the top 15 feet fell off. The rest feels pretty sturdy. Fingers crossed.I laid in my hammock for awhile, then went for some water. The spring was flowing good. I brought some water back up and rinsed out my shirt and underwear, then cleaned off since I was all alone in the clearing.I made dinner then built a small fire. Tomorrow will go beyond Plan A also. I'm trying to shorten the hike to Trents Grocery, where I hope to get some hot food, resupply a little and hopefully camp for the night. So tomorrow should be 13.6 to Laurel Creek, which is another camping place.Fauna: Scarlet Tanager, deerVOD: From Chestnut KnobSmell: Smoke High: Finishing the climb to Chestnut KnobLow: Sore feetHope: To get a nice campsite at tomorrow's destination.