morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-08
To: Foot Dr. Update
Miles today: 0.0

It is hard to believe that I have been off the trail for over 2 weeks.There definitely is a withdrawal period. Each night since I have been home in Mass, I have dreamt about hiking and about the people that I have met.I went to the foot doctor last Friday. More good news than bad. We took X-rays and determined that there are no stress fractures or neuroma issues. The issue is stress on the metatarsals which are the bones in the foot. Apparently, my foot is not built quite right and cannot handle the weight and stress.The doctor gave me a metatarsal pad to add to my orthotic. This is supposed to keep the weight off the ball of the foot. At this point, I am not totally confident that it will work. Mainly because without carrying my pack - the pain is not pronounced, so even though I am wearing the orthotics all the time I cannot tell if it is actually working.   He didn't seem to concerned about the numbness.   He also examined my boots and said that he felt that the sole was too flexible and that he would recommend getting a pair that had a shank all the way through the sole and was stiffer.He said to ice the feet and take motrin for at least 2 weeks.So, I am taking the motrin and trying to ice.The boots that I have (Lowa) are mid weight hiking boots - really more for hiking than for backpacking.   Because they really fit and I had no blisters or any other foot problems - I have decided to go with the same brand, but to look for one of their backpacking boots that are meant for carrying heavy loads. I came to this conclusion after having gone to a local outfitter and trying on a ton of boots which didn't fit. The problem is that there are not a lot of stores that carry the brand. I have made some calls to stores in Connecticut and New York to see if they can order them. I can easily get them on-line, but would rather try them on before buying them. At this point, I am waiting for the stores to call the dealers to see if they can return the boots if they do not fit. I guess they don't want to get stuck with the inventory.   Hopefully, I can find a pair that fit as good as the original boots and have the stiffer sole.I also decided to call my knee doctor. My knees hurt more now that I am not hiking than they did while I was hiking. Go figure. I thought I should make sure that there is not any issue going on that I need to be concerned about. My plan at this point is to see the knee expert, find a new pair of boots and begin preparing to return.   I am thinking about going back in about 3 weeks to Waynesboro, VA. I was not scheduled to arrive in Waynesboro until the first week or so in June, but I figure that since I will pretty much be starting at square one again - it would give me time to get my hiking legs back.More to follow once I see good ole Dr. Yvars next week.
Date: 2007-05-13
From: Jug End Road (aka Curtiss Road)

To: Hemlock Lean To
Miles today: 3.5

Last year, I spent the summer day hiking the AT in Mass. I was not able to complete the entire trail. Section 10 doesn't have a trail head at the Mass/Conn border. So, I had planned on doing it when I came through this summer.Well, the Supply Queen (SQ) and I decided to do part of it this weekend. We parked the car at Jug End Road and were planning on going to Guilder Pond picnic area near Mt. Everett.It was a beautiful day for hiking.   Last year, this section would have seemed a lot harder to me, but after doing what I have done, it really wasn't that bad for me. It climbs up a pretty rocky steep grade for about 1.1 miles to the summit of Jug End.   It was a lot of climbing versus trail hiking. The rest of the trail follows the summit and goes into the woods for another 2 miles or so. It was nice to be able to smell pine forest.   The SQ is afraid of heights, to I knew we were going to have a difficult time coming back down.   We stopped at the summit to have breakfast. It was gorgeous and you could even see Mt. Greylock.The climbing wore the SQ down, so we ended up only getting to the new lean to. It was one of the nicest shelters I have seen. Very clean and even had a loft. There was a sign hanging up warning about bears. Apparently, they have been really bad this year.We passed a group of hikers - looked to be some teachers and students. They had hiked 3 days/2 nights from Salisbury, Conn.   They were stopping at Jug End Road.   The kids were carrying some pretty heft packs.   But, didn't really have good footwear on. Sneakers that were not even laced up. Oh, too be young.Also, had a young woman pass us on our way down from the summit that was hiking in bare feet. I am truly amazed by that. It was very difficult climbing up and down the rocks on the summit with boots, and there she was running up them rocks without shoes.   Amazing.Saw some good birds - black throated blue and black throated green. Very nice indeed.The trip back down was not pleasant. As noted, the SQ doesn't do heights. It was very difficult for her to get down the cliffs.   I am amazed that she didn't push me off the edge. She finally did muster the courage to get all the way down.   I was very proud of her.My feet held up pretty good, but it was very tough on my knees.   Doesn't bode well.In that regards, I have made a decision about going back on. If all goes well with the knee doc tomorrow, I am planning on going back.   I have made a decision about where to go back.   I am going to go down to Kent, Conn and come back to Mass. Basically, do the Conn sections and if I don't finish Mass over the next week - I will finish the Mass section and either go back to Jug End Road or down a side trail to the Berkshire School.My thought is that if I can't do it or it is too painful, it will be better to be in Conn than down in Virginia. If I am able to make it, then I will get back home and head down to Virginia.   Time wise, it will still work because I will not redo Mass or Conn.
Date: 2007-05-16
To: What to do?
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I went to see my knee doctor yesterday. The news was not good. He said that the issue with my knees is a functional issue. Meaning that the activity of hiking (the up & down pounding) is what is causing the issue.   There is nothing that he can do from a medical standpoint.   His advice was to give up hiking and take up biking.I am torn because I am not one to give up on something regardless of the reason. I have been given a once in a lifetime opportunity to get the time off from work. I know that the trail will be there, but getting this length of time off will not.My thoughts are to continue. Again, like I mentioned in my last entry I was thinking about going down to Kent, Conn and hiking up to Sheffield to see how it feels.   And, then make the decision about getting back on.Or do I just give it up and deal with it and do something else.I would appreciate feed back from people who have had to make a similar decision.THANKS
Date: 2007-05-25
To: Moving On
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I have finally made a decision about what to do. Should I stay or should I go? Apparently, my knees were not made to thru hike.   I am very disappointed in this realization, but I am a realist. But, they may be able to handle section hiking.I have decided to continue hiking - albeit in a modified slower fashion.I am going to stay up here and hike in New England, so that if I cannot continue it will be easier for someone to come get me. My plan is to do the following:Starting on Memorial Day I will hike from Kent up to Sheffield. Nice leisurely pace. On June 4th - I am going to have someone give me a ride up to Hanover, NH. My plan is to hike down to Shelburne Pass to the Long Trail Inn. Again, a nice leisurely pace. I hope to get to the Inn on Saturday.My hope is to then take a few days off - and the following weekend - go down and do the last section of NY up to Kent. Not 100% about this yet.In 2006 - I participated in a 2 day seminar on long distance hiking down in Virginia with Melody Blaney (Midnite 96) who runs Wildside Adventures for Women. She is leading a hike of Section 2 of the Long Trail in Vermont beginning on June 21st. It is a 10 day trip that will go from the Shelburne Pass down to Williamstown. I am going to go on this trip. It will be great to see her and some of the participants again, plus I will be doing another 104 miles of the AT.My hope at the end of this - I will have completed around 626 miles of the AT. Not exactly what I had started out to do, but it is a start.   And, depending on how things go - I might do some more hiking in July.So, I will be hitting the trail on Monday and will update when I can.
Date: 2007-05-27
To: Ready, Set, Here We Go Again.... Sorta
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I will be back on the trail again tomorrow. Not quite the same feelings I had when I was starting at Springer. Probably because I know that I will only be out for a short period of time.I am pretty much packed to go. Decided to take my summer bag and liner, so hopefully it will be warm enough. The forecast calls for nights in the 40's, so I should be ok with the summer bag. It is different when you are packing for a week versus the unknown time. I am not bringing some stuff that I had with me in the spring, but I am bringing my radio and a book to read. I figure since I am only planning on doing 10 - 12 mile days, I might be getting to the shelter early and will have them to keep myself occupied. It will definitely be a different feeling this time. And, I expect that I will be alone most of the time. This will be a challenge for me. Even though I am not a big talker - I decided after my attempted thru hike that I really didn't like being alone at the end of the day. Wierd. This was the one outcome that I was surprised about.   Not that I didn't like being alone while hiking, but I decided that I really didn't like to be alone at the end of the day. So, this definitely will be a challenge.Can't wait to get going though.   Shouldn't take too long to drive down to Kent. My hope is to be hiking by 10 or 11.
Date: 2007-05-28
From: Kent, CT 341

To: Stony Brook Campsite
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: few clouds

Happy Memorial Day - Great day to be back out on the trail.The SQ, her aunt, and I were on the road by 8:15. We got about 2 miles away from the house when I realized I forgot my boots. Duh. It was a beautiful drive down Route 7 to Kent. Passed through some quaint small towns where their Memorial Day parades were either just finishing up or just getting ready to start. I left the SQ and her aunt at the side of the road, went up and over a fence and across a field into the woods waving to them as I entered the woods. I could tell that it has been a while since I last hiked. My pack weighs about 35 lbs, but felt like it did when I left Springer. Probably because I was not accustomed to it. My pack weighs a little more than I wanted, mainly because I brought a book and a small radio and lots of snacks.... Had a 1100 ft climb today, but it was pretty easy going up. Coming down was a different matter. Traversed down 90 steps (AT version of steps - translates to rough rocks pretending to be steps). It was tough to get down them. It took me quite a while to get down. Another one of the perils of being short and squat. Hard to reach the steps below without killing myself. Had a couple of nice views of Kent and the Housatonic River. Enjoyed my lunch at Caleb's Peak overlooking the River. Part of my new approach to hiking leisurely. Once I came down from the mountain, I was on a road that travelled along the river for about 1 mile then the road ended and the trail began again. The trail travelled right along the river. Lots of activity on the river: fly fisherman, kayaks, and canoes. I stopped at Stewart Hollow Brook Lean To for a break and read an old NY Times that was sitting there since the 12th of May. Decided to keep on going to the campsite up the trail.I ended up missing the turn off for the campsite and ended up at a group site up the trail further. So, I went back to where I thought the trail would be and sure enough there it was.   I went into the woods about .5 miles and found a nice spot. It's wierd because I can hear the river and I can hear traffic. Nothing like this was down in the south. I never heard traffic down south.I passed a couple who were out doing the same section I'm doing, but they are headed south where I am headed north. My feet felt pretty good today, but my knees are sore as expected especially the left knee. I am happy that the pain in my feet no longer seems to be there. Lots of bird activity today: Turkey vultures, Pee Wee, Pheobe, Red Eyed Vireo, Titmouse, Oven Bird, Blue Jay, Towhee, Woodpecker, Cat Bird, Song Sparrow, Swallow and a couple of King Fishers down by the river. I also saw some kind of duck on the river. I will have to look it up when I get home. It was white with a black head and orange bill. No clue without my guide book.The best thing I saw were some lady slipper orchids. I haven't seen one in years. It was a treat.
Date: 2007-05-29
From: Stony Brook Campsite

To: Sharon Mountain Campsite
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: scattered clouds

I turned into bed around 9pm. Heard some owls calling in the distance, as well as the river and the traffic.I slept pretty good, but still woke up a few times. It is hard to sleep on the ground even with the mat. My new sleeping bag was great. It is so lite and perfectly comfortable. I wasn't hot nor was I cold. Felt just like Goldilocks finding the right bed. I was up about 6:20. There was a couple camping between me and the trail and they were already packed up and gone when I got up. I was hiking by 8.First couple of miles went along the river again and finally went back into the woods. I passed 3 NOBOS who were slack packing southbound to Kent. A couple (Tecumseh and Moxie) had done from Springer to PA last year. They started in PA this year about 1 month ago. And, Micro who started at Springer in early March and jump up north. She didn't really give her whole story, so I don't know why.Today was hard, I think mainly because I am out of shape and have lost whatever hiking stamina I gained in the spring. I got a blister on my pinky toe. Very annoying since I didn't get any blisters in the first 338 miles. I think I will have to get some new socks and liners. Passed another guy south of Cornwall. He is doing sections and was headed to Kent. His name was John Doyle. Turns out he did some sections down south in the spring and hiked with a few people who I hiked with - Evil Eye and Mr. Ed. Today was a really good bird day: Titmouse, American Redstart, Yellow Warbler, Cardinal, Eastern King Bird, Thrush, Chicadee, Towhee, Red Eyed Vireo, Woodpecker, Nuthatch and a Veery. Plus a lot more that I could hear, but couldn't see. I am not good enough to bird strictly by sound. Some I can ID that way, but most I have to see.I am at a nice campsite. The campsites in Conn are different than they are down south. They have assigned sites within the area and no fires. As I was looking around the different trails at the site, I saw a snake, but didn't have my camera. Oh well.Learned a new word for Privy - Chum.   Basically, it is a camode without any walls around it. Pretty funny and not for the shy.
Date: 2007-05-31
From: Riga Lean To

To: Hemlock Lean To
Miles today: 10.0

Another restless night. Woke up a few times. No owls. Actually, really very quite and hot.It must have been devine intervention that made me do the big miles yesterday, so that I could end up at this shelter tonight. A few reasons, but one that comes to mind right now as a clap of thunder booms in the distance. A storm is moving in and the wind has picked up. I am thankful to be in the shelter instead of out on the trail or out in my tent.Today was a tough, tough day. Climbed three mountains (Bear, Race, and Everett). They were all tough. Up and over and down rocky cairns. Very treacherous. I suppose this is what it will be like in the Whites, but much worse in the Whites. So, very different than down south. Not nearly the elevation that I encountered down south but the topography is so much different. Only once or twice down south did I encounter this type of climbing and they were nothing compared to these. But, the views from each were spectacular. There were turkey vultures riding the thermals that seemed so close that I could reach out and touch them. It was very hot while crossing the summits. They are all exposed and the rocks were very hot and the sun was blasting me. I felt like I was on a sand dune. I ran into Matt the ridge runner today. Apparently, the AMC in Conn has ridge runners that go between the NY border and Jug End to make sure that no fires are being built and to do whatever they do. Matt goes to college in Vermont and is from Mass. He is doing this summer gig as a internship. Each week they are assigned a different section somewhere between the borders and they just go hiking back and forth doing their thing in their little section until the next Friday assignment and they move on to that section and do the same thing. I don't know if I could do it.No real wildlife today. Did see another snake, but he slithered away before I could get his picture. The azaleas are in full bloom on all of the mountains and the fragrance was wonderful. Another great bird day and saw two new warblers: black throated blue and a black and white. It is always great to be able to see the warblers with the naked eye to be able to ID them. They are usually so high in the trees that without binos you can never see them.I am glad for the storm and hope it cools things off.Both pinky toes have huge blisters. Well, as huge as they can be on a pinky toe. Wish I knew why I got them this time around. Maybe it is the socks. Very annoying whatever the reason. I technically finished Mass today and 3/4 of Conn. Yippee. Feels good to have another state done.Section 10 in Mass is definitely the hardest section in the state (in my humble opinion). I think it was even harder than climbing Greylock. I treated myself by soaking my feet in the brook. Couldn't keep them in very long because of the cold, but it felt really good.
Date: 2007-06-01
From: Hemlock Lean To

To: Berkshire School
Miles today: 0.0

About 8 pm last night two hikers showed up at the shelter. They had come from Falls Village, CT. Decided to go over to the other shelter. There are actually two shelters about .1 miles apart. Hemlock built in 1999 and Glen Brook built in the 60's. About 10 minutes later another guy showed up. He was another ridge runner who was doing from Sages Ravine down to Jug End. He was staying at the other shelter. He to was from Eastern Mass and goes to college in Vermont. He said the other two hikers had set up their tent over at Glen Brook where there were some tent platforms.We talked for quite a while. He just started the job this week. He said that he did his H.S. senior thesis on long distance hiking and as part of the project actually had hike from the approach trail to Springer and then on to Neels Gap. Pretty cool. Hope he got a good grade for his effort.The storm lasted through the night. I was glad to be in the shelter, but it is very uncomfortable sleeping on the wooden blanks. Worse than sleeping on the ground. The trail was really wet this AM and I was very glad (devine intervention) that I did not have to traverse the three mountains with the wet conditions. It would have been tougher than it was.The hike down to Berkshire School was pretty easy. Nice wide path with lots of switchbacks. It is 9am and I am sitting at the entrance to Berkshire School waiting on the Supply Queen. I found a tick on me today. Yuk. It was embedded, but not big and fat yet. Based on that I assume it wasn't there very long. It was a deer tick. I put it in a baggy and put it in the freezer just in case I get sick I can have the speciman. Two days off to get ready to leave on Monday to go to Hanover.
Date: 2007-06-03
From: Jug Eng

To: Vermont/Mass Border
Miles today: 81.1

I did not really hike 81 miles today, but want to get the miles into the count for the state of Mass.I am zeroeing at home. Different than being out in the field especially when you have to do your normal chores. The SQ doesn't care that I am supposed to be resting.... Today, I am going to get my supplies and try to find some new socks. I am looking for the same brand that I have, but haven't had any luck yet. I will continue looking today. My favorite cousin is giving me a ride up to Hanover tomorrow - don't know yet what time we will leave. My plan is not to hike tomorrow, but to drive up (more than a couple of hours) and stay at a hotel overnight in Hanover. I will then start on Tuesday.The weather is supposed to be rainy pretty much all week.   We need the rain, but I wish it would have held off until next week when I am back home. Oh, well that's what it's about.My blisters are still sore - but manageable. Today is the anniversary of my mother's death. It was 21 years ago. Hard to believe that that much time has passed. I thought a lot about her this past week on the trail. Wondering what she would have thought about this whole hiking business.   She probably would have thought I was nuts. Probably would have had the same feelings she did when I told her that I was joining the Army and because I was only 16 needed her to sign my life away. It was pretty funny, but she agreed and when I did graduate HS - off I went.   I was thinking about the Army while I was hiking in the spring. Hiking the trail was harder than anything I did during my stint in the Army. By far.Not that it was a piece of cake - it wasn't. But, I was a whole lot younger.Well, gotta go find those socks.
Date: 2007-06-04
To: Next Stop - Hanover
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I have made it up to Hanover. The trip up wasn't too bad. Only took about 2.5 hours to get here. It is actually nicer out here than it was in Mass.The rainy weather should be moving out tomorrow.I got a room at the Sunset Motor Inn. Small, but nice. And, the best part it is right on the bus line so I will be able to get the bus into town tomorrow and be on my way.I found the trail and know where to head out of town south tomorrow. Sweet.I am sitting in the Dartmouth Outdoor Club office using their computer. Everyone is really nice.I am going to go find something to eat and will spend the day looking around and looking for some socks. I am not liking the pair that I have on. So, hopefully, I will find something.I spent the day walking around Hanover. The town sure has changed since I was here in the late 80's. I never did find any socks. Bummer.I splurged and had lunch at one of the dining commons. Pretty good deal for $4.50. And, it wasn't bad either.The best part of town is the free public transportation. I asked a local woman how they manage to have free public transit. She said it was a combination of taxes, grants, and money from Dartmouth. Pretty cool.I met another section hiker waiting for the bus. His name is Cajun-man. He is from New Brunswick. I asked about his name and how he got it. I received a history lesson about Cajuns being in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and upper Maine before they were pushed out to places like Lousianna. He said some had stayed on. After he started telling me that, I did recall knowing that from when I visited Nova Scotia.He had been hiking since May 7th and was headed to Franconia. Once he finished that - he would have finished the trail. Started back in 2000. Hiked every summer, but never more than for 5 weeks. Gives me hope.