morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-06-03
From: Hwy. 19E & Mountain Harbour B & B

To: Walnut Mountain Road
Miles today: 10.4

Carol left to fly home early this morning. I will certainly miss having company on the trail. The weather is supposed to deteriorate today & the next few days, so I made the wise decision to stay here at the B & B another night & slackpack. My feet--especially the left one--are still hurting, so I hope another day without a pack will help. I really enjoyed the hike today. It was not particularly strenuous, although I am still huffing & puffing my way up the hills--even without the pack--a sure sign that I am still not in shape. However, I am feeling so much better than I did before beginning this trip. My back, neck, & all those muscles that hurt at the beginning, are feeling terrific. Hopefully, I've started to drop a few pounds, too! Mary from Mountain Harbor drove me up to Walnut Mountain Road & I started hiking south at 7:50. I discovered I had a signal on my cellphone & called Bob, but the calls kept failing. I kept trying & eventually found a good spot & we had a nice conversation--the first since I left Irwin. He is sending me another phone because my I-phone is just not working. ATT does not work in the mountains. I want to have a way of communicating with my family--very important to me. Interestingly, I got the best signal very close to the shelter I would have stayed in had I not decided to splurge & stay at the B & B again. I also managed to receive and return messages to Avery & Fred, too. My little Avery, who is 2, left a message in which she just kept calling me. I'm sure she couldn't understand why I didn't talk back to her. Being away from her is the hardest part of this! The hike today was warm, but so nice. The path itself was less rocky and rooty than previous days, & the ups were shorter. I walked beside a very pretty river, and saw a lovely waterfall just off the trail. I saw the first deer (a doe) of the trip, & lots of wildflowers. I was back at the B & B by 1:30 (just beating the rain) & enjoyed my afternoon. I had a nice bath, worked on my journal, visited with other hikers, & read the guides to what's next on the trail. A hiker named Queen Becky massaged my sore foot & maybe helped it--I hope! At any rate, it was nice of her & I'm treating her to breakfast in the morning. Weather is still looking bad, but I will have to go, anyway.
Date: 2009-06-04
From: Walnut Mountain Road

To: Dennis Cove Road
Miles today: 14.0

I enjoyed another fabulous breakfast at Mountain Harbour that included delicious cinnamon rolls. I consider myself to be a connoisseur of cinnamon rolls. I judge them by my memory of those that were served in my elementary school cafeteria. I'm also picky about tomatoes & Mary served thick slices of delicious home-grown heirloom tomatoes. Oh, & I did hike today! I left Walnut Mountain Road at just after 9:00 & reached Dennis Cove Road just after 4:30. I didn't expect to make such good time. The trail had its share of ups (ugh!) & downs (slick from yesterday & last night's rain), but overall was not as rugged as in previous days. I wanted to be under a good roof tonight because it is pouring! Laurel Fork Hostel is a little rough around the edges, but has everything I need--including access to a phone, dial up internet, a decent shower, flush toilets, running water, & OK bunks. I could have had a private cabin, but it had no more to offer than the bunkhouse for 3 times the price. I'm paying $10 & it's well worth that. I had thought I might have the place to myself, but an old guy from AZ arrived late. Interestingly, he was in the B&B across the hall from me last night, but I never saw him because he arrived late & left early. He says he opened my door by mistake last night when looking for the bathroom! He hiked 24 miles today. It only sprinkled on the trail today, but is raining hard tonight. The trail will be a mess tomorrow!
Date: 2009-06-05
From: Dennis Cove Road

To: Wautaga Shelter
Miles today: 10.7

What a difference a day makes! Yesterday's hike of 14 miles was relatively easy. Today's hike was so hard! The day started with pouring rain, so I waited until after 9:00 to leave Laurel Fork Lodge. I would have loved to have gone with Robert & Katie to Hampton, but I must stay on target. The climb down, down into Laurel Creek Gorge was treacherous--steep & slippery. I'm sure it would have been gorgeous on a sunny morning. There were rock walls all around &, in one spot, the trail edged around a wall right over the river. The falls were very large. Then, came the never ending climb up Pond Flats. The trail had many challenging spots, in addition to being just steep & LONG. It took me 2 1/2 hours to get to the top. I felt like I was just dragging--maybe from a lack of sleep. I'm also feeling very homesick & lonely. Fortunately, the descent on the other side was much more gentle & I made up some time. After walking a good bit of the way around Wautauga Lake, I reached the rather forlorn shelter at 4:30. As of 6:45, I'm the only one here. Can't imagine that will last!
Date: 2009-06-06
From: Wautaga Shelter

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: clear sky

I did have a shelter mate last night. A very nice gentleman from San Francisco kept me well entertained with his stories. He had also hiked from Dennis Cove Road, but got lost down in the gorge & missed part of the trail, but had quite an adventure. I was on the trail just after 7:30. The weather today was beautiful--sunny, not too hot, & a gentle breeze. I knew today was going to be mostly up--& it was. It was another hard day. I did take a long (30 min.) break at a shelter midway. I don't really think it made much difference for my feet, which feel good in the morning when I start, but get sorer & sorer as the day progresses. When I finally got here, I had a poor water source far from the shelter to deal with. I have a nice 22 year old young man keeping me company in the shelter. Two days to Damascus & real food & a shower--or, better yet--a bath! I saw a beautiful doe today & she was a very cooperative photo subject. Long day tomorrow. I hope my feet can do it!
Date: 2009-06-07
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: scattered clouds

This was a long day. The hike had plenty of ups, but nothing as arduous as past days. That being said, it was a HARD & long day. I left the shelter earlier than usual at 7 am. I met my future shelter mates for tonight at Double Springs Shelter, which was approximately halfway at 11:30. I was able to listen to Weekend Edition, Thistle & Shamrock, & Garrison Keillor on public radio which helped pass the long day. I arrived at the shelter at 4:00 & could not believe how far down the side of the mountain I had to climb, & then back up for water. Ridiculous! My shelter companions--2 men--one from Ocala, FL & one from Johnson City--were nice enough to share their vodka! I think I deserved that treat! I have 10 miles tomorrow & am looking forward to a bed in Damascus.
Date: 2009-06-08
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: broken clouds

This was an easy hike, but I was in pain by the time I reached town. Not only do my feet hurt, but I strained a muscle in my left hip/thigh area & each step hurts. I think a zero day is in my future. I left the shelter a little before 7:30--following 2 cups of coffee brewed by Mike (from Ocala). This is his first backpacking trip, so he has EVERYTHING with him! It was nice having such fun companions in the shelter. One thing I can say about this trip, so far, is that I have really enjoyed meeting so many people on the trail. So many of my past hikes have been off season & I was alone much of the time. I don't think I have had a single night by myself this whole trip. I arrived in Damascus at 11:30 & stopped by the public restroom located right next to the trail on the way into town. Flush toilet & running water--WOW! Then, Blue Ridge Outfitters where a guy named Tom spent a lot of time looking at, measuring, & analyzing my foot situation. I ended up buying a new pair of Superfeet inserts. He thinks I need custom orthotics (which I have at home!), but suggested I tighten my laces & try slightly thicker socks. Hopefully, all this will help. I got a nice room at The Hiker Inn--in the house, not the hostel. I then went back downtown (in Crocs) & found Johnny & Mike at the outfitter's. We went to lunch at Quincy's. I ate half of Johnny's salad & half of my huge hamburger. I brought the other half back to the Inn & had it later for dinner. I was sitting on the porch soaking my feet when up walked Robert & Katie! They had skipped miles again to catch up with me. We walked to Fatty's for dinner, but they were closed. They headed downtown, but I was too sore & too tired, & had already eaten anyway. I think we are going to bike the Virginia Creeper Trail tomorrow, rather than hike. I love my cozy room in the Inn! I've hiked 147 miles, & have 335 to go!
Date: 2009-06-09
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I didn't just "veg" out on this zero day, I biked 27 miles on the Creeper Trail with Robert & Katie. I'm very disappointed that they are skipping the next 24 miles. I was so hoping to have them as hiking companions, but will be alone again.
Date: 2009-06-10
From: Damascus, VA

To: Beartree Gap
Miles today: 11.6

This was an easy hike. I actually hiked from N to S, so hiked back to Damascus. Suzanne dropped me off this morning & I slackpacked, stopping for ice cream on the way into town. My feet feel a little better, but not entirely without pain. The new Superfeet insoles definitely are helping some. I had dinner at Dots (not impressed) & lots of social activity on the porch of the Hiker's Inn. Route 66, the nice gentleman I shared the Wautaga Shelter with a few nights ago, showed up with wine. There is another hiker here, as well as a nice fellow from Germany who is going to ride his bike across the US. It was fun, but almost too much for me!
Date: 2009-06-11
From: Elk Garden

To: Buzzard Rocks
Miles today: 3.2

This was a disappointing & very expensive day. Suzanne shuttled me up to Elk Garden. We left late, & I wasn't on the trail until 9:15. The plan was for her to pick me up this afternoon at Beartree Gap. Skies were overcast, the woods were dark & foggy, & soon it was raining. When I came into the open areas before Buzzard Rocks, the wind was blowing the rain hard. I was barely keeping warm with my rain jacket zipped up with hood & cap on my head. Visibility was so poor, I nearly collided with the Israeli couple (who I have encountered off & on since Mountain Harbour) before I saw them. All was still OK until I reached the rocks. I could not find the way over. There was a white blaze right on the rocks, but I could not find the next one. I tried climbing one way, then another, but couldn't find the trail. The wind was blowing so hard that the rain was stinging my face & it was very cold. I found a spot in the rocks a little out of the rain & waited a few minutes, but I was getting cold. I ate a Snickers & decided I better hike back to the shelter of the woods. There I decided that the weather was so bad that I should call for help. Mount Rogers Outfitters came & picked me up at Whitetop Mountain Road, which I had crossed a short distance back. By the time they got there, the weather was improving, but the $40 decision was already made. So, I've spent money on 2 shuttles, another night at the Inn, & I'm no further up the trail. I feel that tomorrow, I have no choice but to put on pack & head up the trail. I will be 2 days behind schedule, & will have to do today's 3.2 miles again. I'm very discouraged!
Date: 2009-06-12
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus & home!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Suzanne & I discussed my options last night & she suggested that she shuttle me 2 days up, where I would start for now. I could come back & make up the 2 days later. We thought this was a good plan because the weather outlook is very poor, & I hate to pass through the Grayson Highlands when everything is socked in with rain & fog, not to mention the danger of being out in the open in storms. But, my husband, had another idea, & by the time I woke up this morning, I had an email with a flight reservation to go home. In all honesty, I'm sort of relieved. The trail isn't much fun in the rain. We will be leaving for our Maine vacation, but will come to VA first, so that I can hike yesterday's hike. I'm disappointed that--once again--I am not meeting the goal that I set for myself. This trail continues to beat me!
Date: 2009-06-29
From: Buzzard Rocks

To: Beartree Gap
Miles today: 9.0

I am back to finish my hike! Bob & both dogs hiked with me from Whitetop Mountain Road to Buzzard Rocks. I felt very foolish when I saw the route from Buzzard Rocks south. The trail didn't even go over the rocks, but rather passed by way to the side! Of course, when I was there last, the fog was so thick that I had no visibility. That being said, I don't think the route is very well marked. There is a blaze right on the rocks & no double blaze indicating a turn. A cairn, or 2, would be helpful for foggy weather. Today, the rocks were covered with young, friendly hikers. Zip, my Bernese Mountain Dog, continued on with me for another 9 miles. It was an easy & uneventful hike that included a part of the VA Creeper trail, which Bob & I plan to cycle tomorrow. The weather was cool, blue, & gorgeous today. Zip was a very tired dog by the time we reached the Beartree Gap Trail & headed to the jeep. This will finish my VA hike for this year. On Wed., we will head for Maine, where I plan to do a few more rugged Maine miles!
Date: 2009-07-13
From: Florida

To: Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

July 14 ¢ 15: Here I am in Maine & it¢s time to tackle some tough Maine miles. In previous years, I have completed everything from Katahdin down to the Kennebec River, as well as 20, or so, miles south of South Arm down to Grafton Notch State Park at Hwy. 26. That leaves a big chunk in the middle. My priority this year is to get across the Kennebec, which involves timing your hike to catch the canoe ferry. The canoe ferry is the official AT route, established years ago after some hikers drowned when washed away by the quickly & unpredictable rising river. It is a very wide river, so it¢s hard to believe that anyone would try to ford it. But, at one time, that was the only way. Bob & I spent yesterday exploring the logging roads south of the Kennebec & locating trail crossings.   In some places, the roads are almost impassable¢even in the Jeep Wrangler. So, I am putting on my pack & will hike from Long Falls Dam Road to Carratunk, where Bob will fetch me in the morning after I have crossed the Kennebec. The ferry only runs from 9 ¢ 11 a.m. & Carratunk, located on the north side of the river, is 2 hours from where we are staying at Cathedral Pines Campground, just north of Stratton, ME.
Date: 2009-07-14
From: Long Falls Dam Road

To: Pierce Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: broken clouds

Bob delivered me to the trail @ 9:40 a.m. & I immediately began the easy climb up Roundtop Mountain. I was so happy to hear the call of the White Throated Sparrow welcoming me to the trail. This bird, that I usually hear everwhere on the AT, was missing in action throughout my southern hike earlier this summer. This hike had very little in the way of elevation issues, so I was hopeful that it was to be an easy day. However, being Maine, that was not to be. The trail was so rocky, rooty, & MUDDY. I had to watch my feet every minute as I slowly picked my way. I passed West Carry Pond & East Carry Pond. Had it not been such a cool day, & had I not so far to go, I might have been tempted to take a dip. On a hot, sunny day, that would certainly be delightful. Today, it is gray & I am comfortable in long sleeves. I saw quite a few hikers¢mostly southbound thru-hikers who assured me that there was no smooth trail in my future. I finally reached the turn-off to the Pierce Pond shelter at 5:10. There was a nice privy right by the trail, so I dropped my pack & used it first, then headed down the side trail to the lean-to. I was surprised to see two northbound thru-hikers there ahead of me. It¢s early in the season for northbounders this far up. The two young men were polite enough, but certainly not friendly. We never even exchanged names¢very odd on the AT. It was a beautiful shelter on a most gorgeous pond. I photographed 3 loons & just before dark, with my shelter mates already asleep, I sat on a rock & enjoyed the quiet peacefulness of my surroundings.
Date: 2009-07-15
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: Carratunk
Miles today: 4.0

I didn¢t sleep great last night, but I slept enough. I was wide awake before 5, but didn¢t want to wake my sheltermates, so I stayed snuggled in my sleeping bag until 5:30. I tried to be as quiet as possible, but heated water for tea & munched an energy bar in my sleeping bag for breakfast. At 6:00, I packed up & was off by 6:30. With only 4 miles to go, I knew I would have little trouble making the ferry, but I was taking no chances. The trail down to the Kennebec was an obstacle course, starting with a series of moving, rolling logs called a dam that had to be crossed. It took me about 10 minutes, but I managed to balance my way across & not take a swim. The rest of the trail was a series of rocks, boulders, roots, & mud to be crossed, climbed over, or around. I arrived on the south bank of the at 8:45. I could see no hikers or activity on the other bank, but promptly at 9:00 the canoe appeared & was put in the water. I was across the river & waiting for Bob by 9:20. He arrived about 10:20, bearing a thermos of coffee & a banana. We found a place for an early lunch, & then took a bike ride on the Bingham-Solon Rail Trail. The trail follows the Kennebec River & we actually enjoyed a little sunshine!
Date: 2009-07-17
From: Caribou Valley Road

To: Maine 27
Miles today: 8.3

This was a fun little hike! I hadn¢t planned to do an isolated hike in the middle of my chunk of unhiked miles, but this hike was convenient to do as a dayhike on the one sunny day of our week in Stratton. Bob & I located Caribou Valley Road & he drove me as far as possible, then walked with me the last half mile, or so, to where the AT crosses. I began the very steep climb up South Crocker Mountain immediately. I don¢t think this climb would be much fun with a pack on, but I enjoyed it with little to encumber me. The trail took me across a boulder field & a place that looked like an old rock slide. I had to do a little scrambling here & there, but it was fun. There were some nice views & I could see the ski trails on Sugarloaf Mountain. Then, the trail went down, then up & over North Crocker. Most of the trail was knarly with the usual rocks & roots, but there were a few spots where the surface smoothed out a little & I could make reasonably good time. I reached Hwy. 27 in about 5 hours.   The highway there is under construction, & while I was waiting for Bob, a female construction worker offered me a ride to town.
Date: 2009-07-19
From: South Arm Road

To: Maine 17
Miles today: 13.3

Bob & I are now camped at South Arm Campground, so it was only a 4 mile drive to the trail this morning. I began my hike and climb up Old Blue Mountain just after 8 a.m. This was a rugged, steep climb that took several hours. There were several spots where ladders had been installed to assist. I had covered the 2.8 miles straight up by 11 a.m., so felt like I was doing pretty good on time. However, climbing up that first mountain was only the beginning of what was soon to become a very long & hard day. I had started at 1410 feet & climbed to 3600 feet. Next, I descended quite a ways over honest-to-goodness rock walls, & then was up to 3580! Then, down again & up to 3532. Then, down & back up to 3115. This went on all day & the rocks were wet & slippery. By noon, I knew I was making poor time & tried to reach Bob to let him know I¢d be late. I finally managed to reach him around 2:30 while on the 3rd peak of the Bemis range. It was here that I finally began to see some other hikers on the trail. I was beginning to think that I was the only one out on this Sunday. The easiest part of the day was crossing the wide rock faces of the Second & First peaks of Bemis. The rest of the time was maneuvering up, over, & down some pretty steep & precarious rock walls. In between, were the usual rocks, roots, & mud. I reached Hwy. 17 at 5:30¢an hour and a half after my original ETA. This was the first time that Bob actually had to wait on me, instead of the other way around. I fell down hard one time & am pretty sore. No hiking tomorrow!
Date: 2009-07-23
From: Maine 17

To: Maine 4
Miles today: 13.1

It has rained every day since Monday, so this was my first chance to do my final Maine hike of the year. Bob drove me across rough logging roads back to Hwy. 17 & I was on my way by just after 8 a.m.   I was hopeful that the weather would clear & be nice, but it remained cloudy & drizzly all day. The elevation today was much tamer than the hike just to the south, but the treadway was as bad as usual, & particularly muddy! It wasn¢t a hard hike, but I fell down 4 times!! The mud grabs your boot & hangs on as you try to step to the next landing place, throwing you off balance & DOWN! There wasn¢t a lot to see since you¢re watching your feet all the time, but the trail did pass next to several ponds, which would be lovely on a sunny day. I hiked part of the day with a 65 year old lady named Madeline from Maine, who is finishing a thru-hike. She will have completed her hike in 4 months & it will be added to quite a resume of accomplishments, including marathons all over the world. I called Bob today & left word that I would be done ahead of schedule & reached Hwy. 4 at 3:45. We gave Madeline (her last name is Given) a ride to Rangely, & then stopped for fried chicken before heading back to South Arm.
Date: 2009-07-29
From: Jennings Creek

To: Mills Gap Overlook, BRP, VA
Miles today: 8.1

Well, surprise, surprise! Here I am back in VA, where I managed to squeeze in one little slackpack, which will be the end of my AT hiking for 2009. We camped last night at the Peaks of Otter CG, had breakfast at the lodge this morning, & then Bob drove me out to the Jennings Creek trail crossing. This is where I had last left off in the sobo section that started at Harper's Ferry, WV. It will narrow what I still need to hike in VA by just a little bit, but most importantly, it will put my ending spot in a more accessible place. Bob says that moments after leaving me at the trail, a black bear crossed his path. He figured I scared it out of the woods! I didn't see a thing--no bear & no other hikers the whole morning. The day was gray & a bit drippy. There was one moderate climb, but otherwise the trail was gently rolling. I reached the BRP & the overlook in just a few hours, & then waited awhile before Bob came along in the RV & picked me up. We are now on our way back to Florida--vacation & hiking over.To recap my entire AT hike so far...Springer Mountain - Elk Garden = 486.8Harper's Ferry - Mills Gap Overlook = 274.3Katahdin - Long Falls Dam Road = 168.7Maine Hwy. 4 - Grafton Notch = 46.8Caribou Valley Road - Maine Hwy. 17 = 8.3GRAND TOTAL = 984.9I still have such a long way to go! BTW, if anyone sees that I have made a mistake in these calculations, please let me know!!