morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-04-30
From: Priest Shelter

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Well we opted for the short day today in order to have a shelter spot with the impending rain. Probably not the worst idea as we did two twenty plus mile days previously. We arrived fairly early and have spent the afternoon sitting in the shelter doing mostly nothing. I ate one dinner as a late lunch and will have another shortly. The hike today involved a three thousand foot loss of elevation followed by an immediate three thousand foot gain on the other side of the valley. Lots of slippery rocks. Grandma took a tumble but fortunately was able to get up! There are lots of weekend hikers around. In fact I am impressed by how many people are out here in spite of the lousy weather forecast. Tomorrow calls for showers and thundershowers.It is very easy to question why I am out here when I am cold, damp, and most of my stuff is damp. So far nothing is totally wet. I have a harder time enjoying anything in these conditions. I think mostly about how to get out of these conditions. This then leads me to feel like a wimpy thru hiker. What I have learned is that many of us feel the same so I guess I am not alone. It still doesn't make me feel much better though. On the other hand, I won't be totally wet tonight, I'll only be damp. Tomorrow I can hike 20 plus miles and stay inside if I want, and then I will be at the south end of Shenandoah NP and in six days I will be rescued by Laurie and Mike! So some bright spots in this dismal cold day. Trying to keep it positive. It's funny, I know I have camped many times in nasty weather but it never seems to get easier for me. It is a mental thing to overcome, once again. Probably have to do it next week too! Anyway, nuf said.
Date: 2016-05-01
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Rockfish Gap, Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: light rain

The morning dawned rainy and wet as expected. Everything I have was damp as I packed my stuff. Grandma and I were on the trail by about 7:30am. My goal was to make it to Rockfish Gap and head into town. Grandma wasnt so sure. After a couple miles cold rain began falling heavily for a long while. We moved quickly through the shower with nothing else to do and with the incentive of staying somewhat warm. I don't usually hike in my rain jacket but it was cold enough that I didn't really have a choice. Today would have been a good hypothermia day if you weren't careful. We arrived at the Wolfe shelter for lunch about 1:30pm having made 15.8 miles so far. It was there that Grandma decided to stay at the shelter and wait to go to town until tomorrow when his relatives will pick him up for a three day break from the trail. I very much enjoyed hiking with him for the week or so we spent together. He is a good hiker, very smart, thoughtful, and easy to hang out with. I will miss him but maybe he will catch me at some point. I left to cover the last five miles to Rockfish Gap a trail orphan again. Many thanks to a section hiker called BCM who gave me a ride from the gap to the outfitter, shared a meal at the Chinese buffet, and dropped me off at a local hotel where I am currently clean, dry, fed, laundered, and watching the Red Sox Yankees game while thunder crashes outside and the rain falls. Life is good!
Date: 2016-05-02
From: Rockfish Gap, Waynesboro, VA

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

Well I didn't really intend to take a day off but I woke up really beat and didn't feel like I had the gas to shop, repack, and be out of my room by noon. Nor did I have a ride back to Rockfish Gap. At best I'd have hiked 8 miles into the park today so I opted to lay up and do some serious eating in addition to re supplying. Mission accomplished for sure. Waynesboro is the biggest town I've been in since I left Atlanta. A few locals laughed when I told them that today but it is true. I'm on the new end of town which is your typical miracle mile of America kind of place. I shopped at Walmart today which I always hate doing. However, it was noticeably cheaper than many other grocery stores I've been to on the hike. In case anyone cares, they do sell gas cartridges and they don't sell aquamira.I studied the guidebook today and once I get to Front Royal on the north end of the park I will be very close to leaving Virginia. I am ready. I am also looking forward to visiting with cousins in Strasburg and my neice in Hagerstown which will happen in the next two weeks. It does help to have things to look forward to along the way!I'll start out on own again tomorrow which I am excited about. I have been to the SNP twice before with Ann on car camping trips when we were younger. I am looking forward to hiking through and am hopeful that I don't have to camp in any burnt over areas. I'll let you know.
Date: 2016-05-03
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Well back on the trail today. I got dropped off in Rockfish Gap by one of the local trail angels who gave me a ride. I arrived in the clouds which apparently hadn't moved since I had gotten off the trail on Sunday. I seem to finally have found the easier part of Virginia. The hiking today was graded, not too rocky, and easy to negotiate. I completed my miles by about 330pm. There was a good thundershower this afternoon that pretty well soaked me. While I don't usually like to quit so early, more rain is forecasted so I opted to get a guaranteed shelter spot. Tomorrow they are calling for between one and two inches of rain overnight so I definitely want to shelter up. I hope they are wrong. If you want to make 20 mile days and shelter at night in the Shenandoah NP there is only one plan for the first three nights at 20, 22, and 24 miles. Since the miles are easy to make it should work out. If I feel good I am hoping to get to the northern end of the park in five full days. We'll see how that goes.There is a good size group of thru hikers here tonight most of whom I haven't yet met. They are a young fun bunch. Lots of good humor this evening. I have begun to run into a number of southbound hikers who began at Harpers Ferry headed for GA. They will then return to HF and hike to Maine. It makes it a little harder to predict space availability at campsites. There are two of those guys here tonight. This afternoon, about a half a mile before I got here. I rounded a corner on the trail and saw a young bear looking at me. He didn't look long. I only saw him long enough to get a quick look before he took off into the woods. A couple hours previously I had told a group of people that I didn't really care to see one. I guess that's the key to seeing wildlife, also traveling alone and being quiet helps! Well the rain has started again so time to organize and sleep.
Date: 2016-05-04
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: light rain

Today was a very good day for wildlife! I left early, in the seven o'clock hour, with my sights set on making 21 plus miles to shelter up in potentially bad weather. It was quiet and beautiful in the woods with broken skies and splashes of sunlight. The walking was easy and I was by myself most of the day. The first sighting was a beautiful barred owl that swooped over my head and perched on a nearby branch. I did some barred owl hoots and he swiveled his head all the way around to look at me. He stayed there a couple minutes then flew off. A while later, I looked to my right to see another black bear standing there looking at me. Usually they take right off when they see people. This one just looked at me. We were twenty yards apart! I moved up the trail just a bit and we continued to look at each other. After at least a full minute, he just turned around and walked away. This was a very cool encounter. I have never been close to a bear when it didn't just run when it first either saw or smelled me. Later on the day, I jumped a deer who was in the trail. I have also seen some cool birds in the south. I mentioned that there are lots of pileated woodpeckers down here in an earlier entry. I love seeing those. Recently I have also seen indigo buntings, some cool warblers, and a scarlet Tanager. These birds are rare at home. They have awesome colors. I love seeing cool colors like that in nature. I am suddenly having some pain in my right leg near my shin. I have felt it a couple times before but today was the first time it recurred for a second day. It is a definite distraction and painful. I spoke with my personal athletic trainer who told me that it is likely an overuse issue but that I shouldn't worry too much about it. I am hoping to get through the park in five days to get to my cousins by Saturday. I hope that I can sustain the necessary pace. This will involve a 23 plus mile day tomorrow. This would be no problem if I felt good. I guess time will tell. Even though I crossed the 900 mile mark today, I always feel like the spectre of a potential hike ending injury is not far away. The other highlight of my day was stopping at a national park wayside. That's basically a restaurant and gift shop. Needless to say I skipped the gift shop and headed right to the grill where breakfast was still being served. I had a breakfast sandwich, a stack of pancakes, and a very nice coffee. Unfortunately national parks seem to have stadium pricing. I have spent the last two nights with Pants the Pirate and her boyfriend Zen Master. They are a very nice young couple who are VCU grads. Pants did a great job starting a fire with wet everything tonight only to have a shower come through and spoil the fun. Time for sleep with hopes that I will feel better in the morning. More rain is called for. In think it has rained daily for the past week. This is getting old.
Date: 2016-05-05
From: Hightop Hut

To: Milam Gap
Miles today: 25.2
Weather: light rain

This has become perhaps the most challenging day of my hike. Physically only because my shin continues to hurt which affects my mood and also my pace. This has also been perhaps the wettest day with non stop rain and temperatures in the 40s. Hypothermia weather for sure. Psychologically none of this is good for me. I spent most of my day concerned that I am doing damage by continuing to hike, and thinking of the logistics of camping in this weather. Counter productive on every level. I passed the Pocosin cabin late in the morning after about 10 miles. While the book said it is locked, I thought it worth a look anyway. I found a picnic table under a porch roof with a small fireplace and dry wood. Needless to say I opted for lunch here. I was wet through and needed to layer up anyway. In additon, I took the time to make a small fire which warmed my hands and brightened my spirits for a bit!When I started hiking again, my leg started having muscle spasms and it became clear that I needed to make a plan. My 23.4 mile agenda would be too aggressive for today. Call me wimpy (I am), but I called my cousins Mike and Laurie from Strasburg and he is coming to pick me up. I need to put some ice to this injury and rest I believe. Given how it felt today and yesterday, I need to do something to get this better so I can continue hiking. I certainly hope it doesn't get me much farther behind. At this point I feel like I just can't get out of Virginia. I am optimistic that a little rest will be all it takes.I am waiting for Mike at the Big Meadows wayside. It is so foggy that I can barely see the parking lot out of the window. Again, you can call me wimpy if you want( or maybe I'm actually smart for getting off) but I will be grateful to be inside and warm tonight. Thanks so much Mike for coming to rescue me!
Date: 2016-05-07
From: Milam Gap

To: Strasburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0

I've spent two days resting my leg and I'm not sure of the level of improvement. Aliza has been great as my consultant and trainer. I've been icing and stretching and learned about KT tape which I am using. I feel like I own stock in the ibuprofen company. Might take one more day off then try an eight mile day hike from Front Royal north and then finish the Shenandoah section if things feel good. If they continue to be good, then I'll fully resume my trek. I am really bummed about this, especially cause it seems to have come out of nowhere. Guess it's another opportunity to learn about patience in my life. Tonight Laurie and I visited two local brew pubs. One was way out in the boonies and one was in Woodstock. Enjoyed some local hop flavor and a nice bbq sandwich and an ice cream sundae afterward. I guess if you can't hike, beer and food is the next best activity.My congratulations to all of my thru hiking friends who are reaching the ATC in Harpers Ferry. I certainly hope to get there soon to join the club.
Date: 2016-05-08
From: VA Rte 522

To: VA Rte 55
Miles today: 8.2

Well in an effort to try out my sore shin, I did a short hike between Rte 522 and Rte 55 today. I carried a day pack and just a few things. My shin is still tender. I practiced not striking on my heel and also using my poles to take pressure off my right leg when descending. Further consult with my personal trainer (she's my daughter if you didn't know) leaves me with a plan to start again Tuesday and finish the SNP, return to Mike and Lauries, and move north after another night here. I have three shorter mileage days planned to finish the park.While on the day hike, I stopped at the J&M Denton shelter which is by far the nicest shelter area I have seen on the trail. Features included freshly painted sleeping decks, no graffiti, a lovely porch with Adirondack chairs, a horseshoe pit, a gravity feed shower, and a picnic pavilion which, when I was there, was being used by a group of people from Washington DC who were cooking pork, shrimp, and fish cakes on a good sized stove they had carried in. They did not speak English but through gestures, insisted that I eat until I was full. While I didn't do that, I was happy to try a few samples! I read the log and saw the majority of my previous trail family who are now at least a week ahead of me on trail. It is highly unlikely that I will catch them now unless they come into mis-fortune or they take a very long break. It was fun while it lasted. I'll be intetested to see who I meet when I get back on tomorrow. I hope it goes well and I can get back to higher mileage days.
Date: 2016-05-10
From: Milam Gap

To: Pass Mtn Hut
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: broken clouds

Well back on the trail today after a few days rest for my leg. Mike dropped me off around 9am and off I went. While I would not consider myself comfortable, it was less painful than I was afraid of and I was able to complete my miles before four in the afternoon. While I thought I would not know anyone on the trail I am pleased to say that I ran into many friends from earlier in the trip. It was especially fun to see Chalkdust and Nomadic Fish whom I hadn't seen since we had breakfast together back in Hot Springs. I also ran into the Roman Noodles who I last saw in Tennessee, and my friend Slug last seen in Pearisburg. He tells me that Grandma is less than a day behind me and I also hear that Weatherman(last seen in Erwin, TN) and Scooby(last seen in Franklin,NC) got off to go into Luray today so I am still in a group of folks I know from earlier. That makes me happy.The hiking was uneventful today. A few hazy views into the valley below, a very little rain, a little sun, and by days end some wet fog. More rain is forecasted for tomorrow. I miss the endless nice days we had before.While it is hard for me to go slower, I am hopeful it will lead to getting fully back to normal. Well see what tomorrow brings in terms of shin comfort and weather. Maybe I should get a book? That's all for now. Good night!
Date: 2016-05-11
From: Pass Mtn Hut

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

This evening I am in the shelter with Wonka, Crumbum, Clean Skittle who I haven't seen since Erwin, and Dutch, who I haven't seen since the NC/GA border. Wyatt Earp, my only contemporary and I are in an interesting discussion with all of these younger people about technology differences between now and when we were their age. It is very humorous. Dutch says he would really like one of those cameras that spits out the picture and it develops itself. Wyatt and I chuckle thinking Polaroid in the 70s. This is fun!Today I spent the day hiking with my friend Slug who I first met in Georgia on day three. We shared some quality conversation about many different topics from the trail to relationships to how we have changed or want to, and what we want to learn and achieve out here. It was really fun. This is the first full day that we have hiked together. I hope there are more. He is a very intelligent and thoughtful guy. It is nice to be in a challenging conversation and nice to have company.My leg was still uncomfortable today but not painful to speak of. We covered the 13 miles by the two o'clock hour which included a long break at the Elk Wallow wayside. I have met a few others who have dealt with shin splints and are recovering or have recovered. This is encouraging to me for sure.Tomorrow I will cover the 13.4 miles back to Rte 522 which will take me out of the national park and connect me to the day hike I made last Sunday. I will be at mile 977 when I pick up again, less than 50 miles from Harpers Ferry! I will spend tomorrow night with Mike and Laurie again. I am very ready for the weather to turn. It has been a constant wet fog with much rain for the entire time in the SNP. Perhaps leaving the higher country will permit some change in the weather pattern.While I have not seen any maps and have no experience, I am anticipating some different, possibly even urban/suburban hiking as I enter the mid Atlantic states. I hiked with Bigfoot one day and he described the AT as beautiful mountains in the South and North with the middle just being a way to connect them. I am curious to see what the connecting 500 miles will be like. I guess one thing is for sure, I am going to find out!
Date: 2016-05-12
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: VA 522, Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I left the Shenandoah National Park for good. I wish I could say that I enjoyed it more but despite the easy hiking, the SNP proved to be an obstacle for me. It was beautiful in many places I will admit. I just wish I had more fun there.Slug and I hiked out to Rte 522 where we ended at the Mountain home cabbin where he would stay. Laurie came and picked me up and I will stay at her house and zero tomorrow to rest and resupply. We saw some sun today which was nice.
Date: 2016-05-14
From: VA 522, Front Royal, VA

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

Well back on trail today after another rest day at Mike and Lauries. The morning was sunny and bright as we're my spirits. While the sunshine did give way to cold rain for an hour or more, it cleared up later in the afternoon. Tonight I am in the shelter with several people I've hiked and camped with before including Bigfoot, Grandma, Lookout, Uncle Frito, and a few new hikers I met today. In some ways this hike is like a big mobile sleepover. The faces may change daily but everyone is always around. Bigfoot off handedly said that hiking the AT is like high school. In some ways it really is. There is even a hiker yearbook that someone publishes annually. Some jokes were made about having a prom!This afternoon I ran into Slug on the trail. He was leaning over taking pictures of something. I knew it was him by his rain jacket and the fact that he was taking pictures in the rain. When I got to him, he was taking pictures of a Copperhead! It was about 18 to 20 inches long with a triangle shaped head and the back of its head was copper colored. It was not bright colored and blended in to the wet trail very well. Had Slug not been looking at it I could have easily not seen it or maybe even stepped on it. I did not expect to see any snakes in the rain. He is going to share a picture with me which I will post when I get it. While I really hate snakes I admit it was very cool to see a venomous snake outdoors and up close. I had never really seen one before.My shin was somewhat uncomfortable to start today so I expected it would be painful by afternoon. I was very pleased that for whatever reason, Aleve or it is getting better, it felt OK by the end of my hike today. I hope this carries through tomorrow and beyond. There was a short moment when it felt like my left shin might have a similar feeling but that did not settle in.Tomorrow I should cross the 1000 mile mark by lunch time. That will be a good milestone as will leaving Virginia which I should be able to do on Monday. Let's hope all goes well and I can arrive in Harpers Ferry by Monday afternoon!Many thanks again to Mike and Laurie for bailing me out and putting me up, and putting up with me while I rested my leg. They are wonderful people and I am lucky to count them as family. They are pictured here tonight.
Date: 2016-05-15
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Blackburn ATC Center
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: clear sky

Well the highlight of the day was passing the 1000 mile mark! I must say that I am in awe of the fact that I have backpacked that far. I passed that milestone with Grandma and Uncle Frito around lunchtime. Pictures were taken, food was eaten, and social media was updated promptly. Fortunately for me AT&T is beginning to be more consistent on the trail so I was able to play too!The weather was perhaps better today than any other in the past two plus weeks. Dry air, a cool breeze, and temps around 60 though it never felt that warm. I am tented up tonight with my forty degree bag with temps heading for the 30s. If in not mistaken, it's May 15 and I'm in Virginia. Shouldn't it be a bit warmer? No complaints though.The place we're staying tonight gave us a real nice pasta dinner and a dessert in exchange for a donation. It was very nice. I shared that meal with the same group I camped with last night. Tomorrow I should arrive at the ceremonial halfway point of the trail. Which is also exciting. My shin was sore this afternoon and I hope I did not overdo things. Tomorrow will be a shorter day. I hope it feels good, or at least good enough!
Date: 2016-05-16
From: Blackburn ATC Center

To: Knoxville, MD
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: broken clouds

A short entry tonight as it is late and it has been a big day! First, I left Virginia for the last time. Thank goodness! I was sooo ready to be done there. Second, I arrived at the ceremonial halfway point of the trail this afternoon! Harpers Ferry, WV was long the true midpoint. As the trail has gotten longer, it has remained the unofficial midpoint. I was the 193rd northbounder to arrive this year. I feel real good about that especially in light of my recent challenges.Harpers Ferry is a beautiful town that I was lucky enough to see on a beautiful day. I really should have spent more time there. There would be lots of history that I didn't learn in high school that I could have learned today! I did however get a burger, a beer, and a milk shake before I left.Lastly, I walked the C&O tow path which I have always read about but never seen. It was a beautiful walk along the Potomac river. And, it is in Maryland! A true day of milestones. Tonight I feel proud of myself with optimism for the next phase of my hike which will bring me to New England in a few short weeks.