morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-05-05
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Helveys Mill Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: light rain

Today was a quick day... I still got in close to 15 miles, but in the afternoon, I got to hitch a ride into Bland with The Flash, so we could visit the Dairy Queen (yum!). Later, we got a quick ride back to the Trail. Hitchhiking makes me a little nervous... but then again, with this Trail Beard, I look like the Insane Prospector, so I guess the nervousness goes both ways.Stayed at Helveys Mill Shelter (inconveniently located .3 miles off the Trail, with a water source an additional .3 miles DOWN A STEEP HILL, so you automatically added .9 miles to your day... ugh).Sometimes the shelters are PACKED and other times, there are only a few people. This time, I got to stay near Krispy Kreme (from Delaware), Wild Turky and Feathers (a young couple from New Jersey). Later another hiker joined Krispy in the shelter while the rest of us tented.Luckily, we were still so close to the highway and to Bland that we could get cell phone service, so I tried calling friends and donors (again, no answers or lots of voicemails), but I got to have an hour-long conversation with my friend Bill (Sister Saki Tumi, for my SF peeps). I had not spoken to him since he dropped me off at the airport on March 11th, so it was wonderful to catch up. I told him about the loneliness and he reminded me that I am NOT alone and that many of my friends are following me online. That was so comforting to hear! I love Bill so much and I was SO thankful I got in touch with him.During our conversation, Bill also reminded me that people ARE reading my Trail Journals blog, so I realized that I need to beef up the content, and not just report what I ordered at Arby's on my visit to town.IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME REGARDING MY EXPERIENCES ON THE TRAIL, PLEASE EMAIL ME AT hikerosshike@gmail.com AND I WILL WORK THE ANSWERS INTO THIS BLOG! ANY AND ALL QUESTIONS WILL BE ADDRESSED!
Date: 2012-05-06
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: Trent's Grocery
Miles today: 17.1

Little longer day, as I wanted to get to Trent's and have a burger.While taking a break mid-day, I discovered that there was a May 2nd "shout out" from ConnectFour in the Jenny Knob Shelter register asking where I was! I felt so loved.I was so tired by the time I got to Trent's, I forgot they even had a grill (basically, it looks like a gas station and bait & tackle shop, but they serve GREAT food!), so I purchased a loaf of bread, a pack of bologna, and a pack of cheese and made myself sandwiches for lunch and dinner, along with a can of Chef Boyardee Ravioli. Later, when I saw a hiker eating two burgers, I felt like SUCH an idiot.They offered tenting and showers for $6, so I stayed in the back of the property. Again, a shower without soap or towels, so I just bought a bottle of $1.59 Suave and left it there for other hikers to use.After my fancy ravioli dinner, I sorted my medications. This hike has been challenging, but having to manage prescriptions, shipping, and adherence has added an extra level of complexity. However, I have a great doctor, a terrific pharmacist, and supportive friends and family who make sure I stay healthy.Steady, F100, and Swamprat joined me later (after their cheeseburgers at Trent's.... grrr!), and I got to know them better by chatting by our campsites for a bit, but the skies looked stormy, so we all retreated to our tents for the rainstorm that never occurred.
Date: 2012-05-07
From: Trent's Grocery

To: Docs Knob Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Steady, F100, and Swamprat ordered breakfast at Trent's grill... HUGE plates of eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns. I made do with a couple of country ham biscuits, as I still had left over cheese and bread sandwiches from the night before.We hiked up past Dismal Falls (where about a dozen other hikers had a blow-out the night before... sounded fun, but I think I am getting too old for "keggers"). The falls were tiny... great swimming hole, I guess, but I did not stop to check it out, as I wanted to get as close to Pearisburg as possible.When I got to Docs Knob, I ran into Krispy Kreme again, and as we were the only two folks at the shelter (Steady, F100, and Swamprat decided to tent elsewhere), we got to know each other better. He has been traveling with two other folks and their dog, so this was the second time he and I had a chance to chat. Again, I am really enjoying connecting with other folks and learning why they chose to leave "real life" for six months to take on the challenge of the Trail.We spoke about leaving the corporate sector for a non-profit job after the Trail... I mentioned the pros and cons that I have experienced, as I am unable to save a lot of money or go on fancy vacations, but I am completely fulfilled at being able to raise money for non-profits and see it going to help others.Later, two PCT hikers Balls and his daughter Sunshine showed up in their Dirty Girl Gaiters and we compared notes about gaiters and the John Muir Trail. Krispy Kreme tended a large fire while he visited with some Radford University section hikers before bed.
Date: 2012-05-08
From: Docs Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Made it to Pearisburg, where I met up with my father (trailname "Cracker Barrel") for a trip to the all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet (not so great) and an exchange of items, like my summer clothing, sleeping bag, and pad. Also, my replacement cell phone and some of my favorite cookies from my mother (trailname "Cookie Tin"). Pearisburg is just over the hill from Peterstown, where my grandparents lived and where my sister was born. Dad had the chance to visit his cousin in the morning and help her with some yard work while he waited for me to hike in.Unfortunately, it started raining as I woke up, so I was slightly delayed in getting started. While I always say that the rain keeps the bugs away, today the rain was not my friend. On the very last steps off of the Trail, I fell down in the mud. Twice. Very hard. And broke one of my trekking poles. Ugh.On the bright side, the poles kept me from falling HARDER and potentially hurting myself more seriously. Also, I have learned to "turtle" by landing on my "shell", or falling backward and allowing the force of the fall to be absorbed by my backpack.Because of the fall and the broken pole, I am taking a zero tomorrow in Pearisburg and hitting the buffets and watching a lot of MSNBC and my girl Rachel Maddow. I will pay for this zero later when I am rushing to get to Harrisonburg by May 23rd. Argh.
Date: 2012-05-09
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

After meeting Dad yesterday, I took a "zero day" in Pearisburg to do laundry (okay, the hotel manager Linda did my laundry) and rest for a bit. After my fall yesterday and the broken walking stick, I was still pretty sore. Will be ordering a new set of sticks from REI tomorrow.I know I am not supposed to talk about food in my blog, so I will just say that I fulfilled my caloric obligations for the day. One of those opportunities was at dinner with F100, Steady, and Swamp Rat at the local BBQ joint.During lunch, I was able to catch up with Kris (Hardy) Conrad, who is a doctor of midwifery (yes, that is a thing!) in Blacksburg. We had not seen one another for years, so it was fun to catch up over pizza and compare notes on how life had treated us.I discussed my motivations for the hike, and how I wanted to turn some of the negatives in my life into positives. And the Positive in my life into a positive, too! Even though you are not supposed to talk about religion or politics on the Trail, it was nice to find common ground with Kris and hear about her husband, her adult kids, and their friends (one of her daughter's male roommates does drag... gay kids these days live in a different age!).I really find that it is helpful to come off the Trail and reconnect with family, friends, and old acquaintances. It gives me perspective about my hike and makes me feel less "alone" on the AT.
Date: 2012-05-10
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: overcast clouds

After a day and a half off the Trail, it was back to hiking with a full pack (much heavier with a resupply of food, gear, and water) up the hills out of Pearisburg.As I was born in Bluefield, West Virginia and my sister was born just across the hills in Peterstown, West Virginia, it was odd to hike past the Celanese chemical plant (we would drive past it every visit to my grandparent's home in Peterstown). Unfortunately, my grandfather passed away in 1991 and a close friend of the family had lived in the home until 2011, but we always considered it home, as it remained in the family and we could still visit Shirley from time to time.During the hike along Peters Mountain ridge (practically the Virginia / West Virginia border), I was hoping to look down into West Virginia and see my grandparent's property. Geography worked against me (a common occurance on this hike!), but I was afforded views of Virginia to my right and West Virginia to my left as I worked my way north toward Roanoke.Along the ridge, I could hear a strange whistling or sound of rushing wind, and looked up to see a full-sized glider zipping overhead. Apparently, this area is a popular place for the sport, and I had the chance to see gliders pass by about four or five times throughout the day.Later, Snagglefoot introduced me to the "cherry bug" (my nickname for it), a millipede that emits benzaldehyde, which has a scent with the chemical signature of cherry and almond.
Date: 2012-05-11
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: clear sky

Hiked near Mountain Lake, which is famous for being the location of the movie "Dirty Dancing". Did not venture down to the Catskills-style hotel, but did pass through the Mountain Lake park, which included Wind Rock and one of the rare, unobstructed views of the mountains and valleys surrounding us. One of the frustrations of the "Green Tunnel" (the nickname for sections of the Trail obscured by heavy vegetation, including rhododendrons), is that many of the views cannot be captured on camera and appreciated, as there are incredibly tall, leafy trees in the foreground of most of our photos.
Date: 2012-05-12
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Started the day with some climbing... was able to see Keffer oak, the largest oak tree on the AT in the South (over 18 feet around and over 300 years old).Had an aggresive day planned (over 22 miles), but our team of hikers decided to cut the day short at Niday Shelter, allowing us to rest for the next day's hike to Four Pines Hostel (and hopefully a visit to the famous The Home Place restaurant, a favorite AYCE with hikers!).Because we ended early, it gave us a chance to hang out around the picnic table, talk, and joke around... even get in a nap before dinner (which is odd, because I am often eating dinner after dark). I think there was weed, but I will neither confirm nor deny its distribution, possession, or use by individuals on the AT. But it IS surprising to me how many thru-hikers have glaucoma. They are so very, very brave.
Date: 2012-05-13
From: Niday Shelter

To: Four Pines Hostel
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Happy Mother's Day! Hiked my buns off so that I would make it to Four Pines Hostel to meet my parents so we could go out to dinner for Mother's Day in Roanoke. Unfortunately, this hike included the infamous Dragon's Tooth, which requires some very steep climbing, rock scrambling, and descents down rebar ladders embedded into the cliff. One such descent was so steep and I landed with such force that my water bottle was ejected from my pack and down the mountainside. Sorry, Leave No Trace... that Gatorade bottle is mine. I was also surprised to see how many people were taking their mothers up a cliff for Mother's Day. While matricide was probably not their intent, these poor ladies looked miserable, red-faced and gasping for breath.I arrived in Catawba later than expected to find my parents had arrived earlier than expected. As they were parked outside the hostel, I could feel the eyes of the other hikers burning through me, since the hostel owner was NOT taking hikers to The Home Place, as he usually did on Sundays (as today was a holiday and the restaurant was PACKED). I attempted to slip away as quickly as possible, but not before I dumped all my belongings in the over-flow sleeping space (an old tractor shed at the top of the hill).I enjoyed dinner at one of our family's favorite restaurants, The New Yorker, a deli-style joint in Roanoke. We ordered the sub sandwich (Mom and Dad split one... I had one by myself, with three sodas and some blueberry cheesecake). As I was late to the hostel, I did not get a chance to shower before dinner, and I felt like a hot mess, though my mother seemed to appreciate my presence and did not comment on my appearance (or odor!)... truly a mother's love.Afterwards, we went to Kroger for grocery resupply and Walgreens to get some bandages for my hip. My belt was pressing against an area causing a large welt and I was concerned that it was something more serious, like MRSA. After a short ride back to the hostel, I said goodbye to my folks and settled in for the night, but not before sharing three dozen cookies from Kroger with my joyful fellow hikers.As this was my second month anniversary on the Trail, I introduced the Month Three Dirty Girl Gaiters... I call them the "mudflap girls" because of the black-and-white silhouette design.
Date: 2012-05-14
From: Four Pines Hostel

To: Lamberts Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: light rain

Today, my life as a hiker changed in a significant way. No, it was not because I slept in a shelter for the very first time in my two-month hike. It was because I decided to start hiking as a team with The Flash (aka Brian Carpenter).Up to this point, I had been hiking alone, for the most part. After my first week on the Trail with Mr. Right (Daniel), I was hiking on my own. This resulted in a great deal of lonliness, but it also created a sense of independence. When I felt lonely, I would often get caught up in my thoughts and sink into a kind of depression, especially when my thoughts turned to mistakes I had made throughout my life. If you don't want to do a mental inventory, don't hit the Trail.I knew that I needed to get to Harrisonburg (Elkton or Waynesboro) by May 23rd for the Backpacker Magazine Get Out More Tour event with Sheri and Randy Propster. After comparing notes, Flash and I realized that we wanted to arrive in Waynesboro right around the same time. His wife only had a few days between the end of her school's academic year and the start of summer school, so she was planning on driving up to Virginia from Kentucky with Brian's father for a quick visit.The Flash and I seem to hike at about the same pace (approximately 2 MPH). My frustration with other hikers is that they hurry past me at a faster clip and when I arrive in camp later at night than the rest of the hikers, everyone has finished dinner and many folks have already gone to bed. Flash and I committed to hike together, taking our breaks and meals at the same time, and camping at the same shelters. Thus began the 9-day "Death March to Waynesboro", as I liked to joke. We went through AWOL's AT Guide, looked at the mileage between shelters and campsites, and came up with a plan to hike anywhere from 13.8 to 22.4 miles per day, averaging 17.17 miles per day. I knew that this mutual agreement would provide accountability, keeping us both on track.We left early in the morning before most of the other hikers. As it was rainy, many did not want to ascend to McAfee Knob, known for iconic hiker photos. Our photo was foggy, but I was reminded by Mr. Right that a poor McAfee Knob photo will result in a glorious Katahdin photo at the end of our hike! When we arrived at McAfee Knob, we took a number of photos, one which included sitting on the edge of the cliff (I do not recommend this with a 45 lb pack).That night, we arrived at Lamberts Meadow Shelter to find the only other hiker there was Kindle Ninja. We filtered our water, made a quick dinner, shared some stories about our motivations for hiking the Trail, and then went to sleep early. Day 1 of 9 a complete success!
Date: 2012-05-15
From: Lamberts Meadow Shelter

To: Daleville / Troutville, VA
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: light rain

During our hike, it was nice to chat with The Flash and realize we had many things in common, including past jobs in movie theaters. Flash had even been a theater manager as a teenager. This reminded me of my love of movies, especially the classic films which are shown at the Castro Theatre. I told Flash that a dream of mine was to run a tiny movie theater (in Pearisburg, I saw the shuttered Pearis movie theater and felt bad that it could not be open). But having a dream and making it a reality requires a plan, so I committed to myself and to Flash that I would make it a reality in a few ways. First, upon returning to San Francisco, I would attempt to get a job at the Castro Theatre as a ticket taker or usher, in an effort to learn as much about running a small theater as possible. Next, I would volunteer with an organization like the San Francisco Film Society or the SF Neighborhood Theater Foundation to help keep small theaters open. Lastly, I would create a three to five minute video blog to discuss that week's movie, as a way to help folks learn about upcoming films. If I did not volunteer now, I could not create a foundation for a future career opportunity.Conversations like these help the day pass by quickly and help me process my thoughts. When I am able to verbally express my thoughts and feelings, I am able to organize them and make a plan of action!Shorter day than expected... our plan was to pass through town between Daleville and Troutville, visiting a fast-food restaurant, a grocery store, an outfitter, and then down to the truck stop for a $10 shower and laundry. Once we heard about the Howard Johnson Express (only $20 each after coupon), we decided to stay in town, do laundry and shower at the hotel, and relax a bit on day two of the nine day death march (which is seeming less like a death march when you factor in a trip to Wendy's and some Rachel Maddow on the TV).The cicadas were "in season" and the sound was often irritating, at some points nearly deafening, like the noise of sci-fi movie ray guns, or police car sirens, or some odd electrical hum. I found one resting on the brim of my hat as I entered Wendy's (looking like a crazy prospector).When we hit the outfitters, they were selling the Appalachian Trail Conservancy logo socks by Darn Tough (really great socks) at 30% off. This allowed me to get a pocket-sized "Rite in the Rain" waterproof (but apparently not sweatproof) notepad for my breast pocket. Outside of the store, we saw a few familiar faces, like Rat Bucket's younger sister DK, Big E, and the true Southern gentleman Fatherman. A number of folks we saw were going back down to Damascus for Trail Days, a huge hiker event the weekend after Mother's Day each year.
Date: 2012-05-16
From: Daleville / Troutville, VA

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: broken clouds

Daleville to Bobblets Gap. Section hiker had already set up his tent INSIDE THE SHELTER... thus, the tent took up the space of three sleeping bags. D'oh. So I set up my tent outside the shelter, which was, unfortunately, directly in the path of the smoke from his fire. This prompted my shelter register entry series "Only YOU Can Prevent Trail Douche-Baggery!".We are seeing more wildlife in Virginia than anywhere else on the Trail, from snakes to chipmunks to lizards to deer to frogs... you name it.
Date: 2012-05-18
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Glasgow Town Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Passed through The Guillotine, a large rock suspended between two larger rock faces. The photo appears on my Facebook group.At the James River, we crossed the longest foot-traffic-only bridge on the AT. Many hikers and locals hop off the bridge into the river, but I just knew I would do some sort of damage, so I hiked on!Hiked nearly 20 miles and took a 5+ mile hitch to Glasgow for a resupply. The local grocery had frozen margaritas in tiny foil juice bags. YUM. A nice break for a hot and tired hiker. Glasgow is a tiny town, but they have a Dollar General and an in-town shelter, which was very nice for a basic shelter. No mice, a clean porta-potty, and a hot shower was available. Great little town and I highly recommend it to other hikers. For the record, this was my SECOND night in a shelter in two months.
Date: 2012-05-19
From: Glasgow Town Shelter

To: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

20 miles in 9.5 hours. Big climb up Bluff Mountain. Much mutual respect between The Flash and DirtyGirl, because we are kicking the Trail's *ss right now.On a somber note, at the top of one of the ridges, we passed the Ottie Cline Powell Memorial. Apparently, a child got lost on the way home from school and his body was found at the top of the mountain. A challenging task for an adult during a hot day must have been a lonely and terrifying event for a child on a cold night. This is one of the many memorials and graveyards we pass on a weekly basis along the AT, connecting us to the communities around us.
Date: 2012-05-20
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter

To: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: few clouds

Today, we did a slightly shorter day, but there was a HUGE climb at the start of the day to over 4,000 feet. Later in the afternoon, I fought a rattlesnake. Well, in truth, it was within striking distance of the Trail. When they get defensive, they coil up and rattle their tail. This made it easy to use my hiking poles to flip the snake over and over like a hamburger patty. Eventually, it uncoiled and slithered away. DirtyGirl is now the Rattler Battler.
Date: 2012-05-21
From: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter

To: Maupin Field Shelter Campsites
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: light rain

20.4 mile day in 10.5 hours. Stopped at Cripple Creek for lunch, which made for a relaxing meal by a lovely miniature waterfall. We are so close to Waynesboro we can hardly stand it.
Date: 2012-05-22
From: Maupin Field Shelter Campsites

To: Rockfish Gap, Waynesboro
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: broken clouds

TWENTY ONE MILE DAY TO WAYNESBORO. We busted our booties, but it was worth it to make it into town to meet my family and get The Flash to the church hostel so he could meet his wife and father in the morning. The day was a blur, as we flew down the Trail. Did learn about the Tulip Poplar, however, which has petals strewn all over the Trail right now.
Date: 2012-05-24
From: Harrisonburg, Virginia

To: Harrisonburg, Virginia
Miles today: 0.0

Took an additional zero day. Had breakfast, coffee, and lunch with high school friends and donors to my fundraising events, then spent the afternoon and evening updating Trail Journals (the very one you are reading right now... spooky!) so that everyone could enjoy. Also participated in an interview online with "BiPolar Bear", a New Zealand-based website & blog for bipolar gay men. Will need to get back on the Trail soon... all this relaxing is killing me.