morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-05
From: Damascus

To: Marion
Miles today: 62.7
Weather: overcast clouds

J5 made it to Marion yesterday and spent the night. It is harder to track J5 now that he is hiking without a phone. Thank you to all our fellow hikers who have been helping him call home while he is on the trail. J5 is making great time and the weather and terrain have been wonderful. I will post pictures when possible.For anyone who wants to hike with J5, he will be in Bland on Friday May 9th. (you can email me) He will head out the morning of the 10th and expects to arrive in Pearisburg Monday the 12th. I will be driving to Bland to spend the night with him. I will meet him where the AT crosses 52 and I will have cold drinks and other trail magic... . If I can't be on the trail at least I can support the hiker community .P.S.It was great to see Johawk in Pearisburg today.Thank you all for your support and best wishes regarding my feet. I will see a podiatrist in Roanoke on the 7th and will hopefully know what it will take to get back on the trail. Thank you all for supporting and cheering J5 on his continued trek. He is an inspiration for all of us!
Date: 2014-05-07
From: home

To: the trail
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Dragon Lady here GREAT NEWS - I will be rejoining J5 on the trail soon. I simplly have tendonitis in two tendons in each foot. Posterior Tibial Tendonitis and a shortened tight Achilles Tendon with tendonitis... Doctor gave me specific exercises and told me which inserts to purchase and said to have a safe and fun hike, lol. Rest is preferred but since he knew I was going out he warned me it will be a while before significant improvement. BUT it will improve!!! I haven't even talked to J5 to give him the great news yet. I miss hiking and all the wonderful hikers and can't wait to get out a.s.a.p.See you soon... p.s. I can't wait for a hug and kiss from MacDuff!!!
Date: 2014-05-09
From: Marion

To: Bland, VA
Miles today: 56.4
Weather: light rain

What a surprise it was for me, J5 to see Dragon Lady, my wife Beth with her parents when I got off the trail with great trail magic!!! I've done 124 miles in 8 days since I left Damascus, VA. We expect to be in Pearisburg by Monday where we will take few days off at home on the farm. We wish our mom's, my daughter and our daughter I law all a happy Mothers Day. The weather has gotten very hot lately, we went from winter to summer overnight. The deer have been moving all over the place. So have the snakes and bears. Looking forward to being home a few days for some real food on a regular basis as I've lost 14 pounds. I met young lad who has just been offered an appointment to USNA class of 2018. I'm not really that old am I? I've also met a married couple from the class of 2007. Go Navy!! Will write more when I get home in three days. I almost forgot, I'm over 14th the way through the AT with more than 545 miles hiked and heading for a third soon.
Date: 2014-05-16
From: mile marker 600.7

To: waiting to hear...
Miles today: 13.1

Dragon Lady is off the trailJ5 is starting at mile marker 600.7 today. I (dragon lady) will meet him at Woods Hole with "Spike" my dog. Spike and I will be following and supporting J5 from here on out with the truck.. If my tendons refuse to cooperate then we will make something good of this anyway! .
Date: 2014-05-19
From: mile mrker 600.7

To: Mile marker 658.4 Mountain lake
Miles today: 57.7
Weather: overcast clouds

We love our Light Heart tent. It,s a great three season tent, light and easy to put up. J5 is back on trail after five days off at home on the farm. Started just north of Bland, VA. Four days in and am back in the swing of things by putting in nearly 58 miles in four days. My friend Capt Jake is also back with me. Dragon Lady has been awesome in support . Sat night we spent at Woods Hole hostel/B&B and Monday night at Mountain Lake Resort in VA (Dirty Dancing fame). We recommend both places. Last night we had three deer nearly walk into our camp near Peter's Mountain. Pretty cool. My friend Dave hiked with us from Wood's Hole to Pearsburgh. Great fun!Dragon Lady's support has made this much more fun and I think we will be able to go further more often each day. I expect to hit 700 mile mark by Thursday and soon to be 1/3rd the way through. Time to hit the sack, 37.5 miles in two days,,
Date: 2014-05-25
From: Mile marker 740.1

To: Camp Bethel Troutville, Va
Miles today: 86.7
Weather: clear sky

Well it's about time I got an update out. The weather has really been terrific and the scenery has matched it. The Dragon's Tooth and McAfee's Knob were spectacular!!!The best news is J5 is now over 1/3rd through the AT and going strong. I'm averaging over 15.5 miles per day now. Being on the Blue Ridge in VA is a great psychological boost. I understand that we made paper again. Hopefully more people will pledge to support the Hinton Area Foundation.Dragon Lady has been doing a bang up job supporting me by hooking up with me every few days on the trail. We stay at camp grounds with showers, etc and it is safe for her while we are apart. My friend Capt Jake had to leave the trail again, may be we will see him further into PA or NJ. I expect to be on Skyline Drive by next weekend.Tomorrow is Memorial Day, so I will be thinking of all my friends who are not with us anymore. The crowds on the trail have thinned out a lot, so it is much quieter.Until the next time.
Date: 2014-05-28
From: Camp Bethel Troutville, Va

To: Buena Vista, VA
Miles today: 57.5
Weather: overcast clouds

To all, Dragon Lady has been working her magic and making this track so much better! She is staying at a KOA near Glasgow, VA.   She met on the trail today ready with a great cold cut sandwich. I was able slack back the last 6.8 miles of my third 20 plus mile day, YEAH! If you were to ask me a month ago that I would be doing 20 milers on regular basis I would said you were nuts. You really do get your hiker legs in you by the time you have passed 800 miles!!! You just get into routine and rhythm that things become automatic. Camp is set up in less than 15 minutes and the same to break down. Walking on the edge of cliffs with nothing to stop your fall for a 1000 feet, no problem. A 2000 foot climb first thing in the morning, bring it on. The heat humidity are your biggest enemies. I find myself getting started by 6 AM to try and beat as much of the H and H as possible. If you think VA is " easy", guess again. Yes there parts you can make good time, but be prepared for MAJOR ups every day starting with Peter's MT outside Peariaburg, VA all the way to Waynsburough. The sites are fantastic, from Macfees Knob to the James River. Knock on wood, my feet and legs continue to hold as they have so far for last 800 miles. Did I say 800 miles?! Until the next time for zero day this Sunday in Waynsburough. Cheers J5 and Dragon Lady.
Date: 2014-06-01
From: Buena Vista, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 55.3
Weather: broken clouds

Folks, we are taking a much needed zero day today. Made it into Waynesboro in record time and will be heading to Skyline Drive tomorrow. Since we got back on the trail May 16th I have hiked 250 miles +/-. I have seen quite a number of dozen of orange salamanders on the trail. If anyone knows what their proper name is, please tell us. I have also seen many rat and black snakes too.If anyone refers to the AT as a footpath trail, I've got news for you. It is not a trail per say, more like just a pencil line on a map. IT IS AN OBSTACLE COURSE!! There are few flat smooth "footpaths". If you get such a thing, it only lasts for a few yards and it's back to boulders, rocks, roots, mud and thick deep grass. When I think of a trail, believe me it is not what we're experiencing out here. LOLForgive me for misspelling Waynesboro in the past. The way you see it now is the correct version. Time for the "best of's" so far. The best hostels are: Top of Georgia and Baemore Castle in Hampton, TN. The best towns have been Damascus and Waynesboro so far. The best burgers have been at the Tailgate in Waynesboro. Their double bacon cheeseburger is huge!!! Their bacon, chilli and cheese fries are to die for and humongous! Gatlinburg, TN is a close second for variety and quality of food. These are just our subjective observations. If you stop in the Troutville, VA area (just north of it), there is a wonderful "Mom and Pop" restaurant off of the east side of US 11 and the name escapes me, but it is wonderful, they only take cash. Also in Troutville near the I-81 interchange is a chain called Country Kitchen. FANTASTIC for the price. I had a rib eye that was perfect. It has an all you can eat salad and dessert bar as part of the price.The weather has been cooperating lately too. Not too hot, and just a few thunderstorms that make life challenging. We hope to be through the SDNP in about 7 to 8 days from now and marching to Harper's Ferry, WV.Later today we will be uploading photos. I took a picture of me passing through 777.7 miles for my USNA class of 77 classmates. Fun. Waynesboro is a great place to rest and catch up. We are staying at the Quality Inn. Good for the price. Until the next time, J5 and Dragon Lady say thanks for your comments and support.
Date: 2014-06-06
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 107.7
Weather: overcast clouds

We made good progress through SNP. The AT conditions through the park are spotty. The southern section is not maintained as well as the northern section. Lot's of tall grass in many sections, which means ticks. NOT a lot of places to pitch a tent either along the AT. Your best chance is along one of the side trails that connect to the AT. Camping at one of the SNP campsites, like Big Meadows can cost you between $15 and $20/night, but they have restrooms, laundry and $1 five minute showers. Food is expensive though. A cheeseburger is $7 and fries and a drink is extra.We saw many bears, but they were all on the small size, like big dogs. I suspect since there is no hunting, food is scarce and they don't grow to be as big as we have seen typically in WV. Same for the deer. The deer have no fear of humans and even charge dogs that were in the SNP campsites. We heard bears trying to get into the garbage bins all of the time. YOU MUST take care of your food every night!!I saw a copperhead snake and a grouse. Glad to be north of the park now and headed to Harper's Ferry, WV. Should be there by Monday afternoon. We will probably take a zero day on Tuesday 9 June. Almost half way through the AT.I am finding that I can hike more miles and go faster with every week that goes by. I did 107 plus miles in five days since Waynsboro, which is 21.1 miles per day average. I think I will throttle it back some for a while. We will see, sometimes the terrain and contour just allow you to go faster and further. Also there is so much daylight that you just want to continue on to make up for all the shorter days we had earlier and the ones that will be coming up later.Hopefully today we find out that my oldest son's wife will have their third child, a girl. That will be grandchild number 5. We just found out that my daughter is now expecting her second child this December, number 6 on the way.Cheers to all. Photos will be downloaded once we take another zero day off in Harper's Ferry. Dragon Lady has been wonderful in support. She will spend another night in Front Royal and meet me further up the trail towards Harper's Ferry.
Date: 2014-06-10
From: Front Royal, VA

To: Harper's Ferry, WV
Miles today: 53.4
Weather: light rain

A great three days from Front Royal, VA to Harper's Ferry, WV. Spent a night "car camping" at the Bear's Den operated by the Potomac ATC. Great place, great facility. Got into Harper's Ferry last night and took a zero day today, 6/10. We are spending our time at the Camp Hill B and B. TERRIFIC. We took the opportunity to visit my oldest son's family in Towson, MD. My daughter in law, just had their third child, their first girl on Saturday. Wonderful to see three of my grandchildren. The two older boys love trains! So does their grandfather.Food for thought on your way from Front Royal to Harper's Ferry. If you make your way over a weekend during these warmer months, make sure you plan your night stays well. There are many weekend campers who fill up the shelter's and the corresponding tent sites. I planned on making a shelter only to find it was full up and no place to tent. I had to walk much further than I planned to. There is a Virginia state park called Sky Meadows near the trail that only allows tent camping there. MAKE SURE you get reservations first as there is no tent camping allowed from there until US50 and not any tenting opportunities for at least five miles past US50.The "roller coaster" is no joke. YOU WILL WORK hard for it. I split it up into two days. Flat means rocks and stones. Gravity is not your friend here. The stones and boulders have no reason to move on the flat sections and because of the many people walking over them more of the top soil is removed and more stones are revealed. Needless to say, when I see "flat" I think stones. NOW I'm over 1000 miles and working quickly to move over half the way there by Saturday June 14th. Looking to make Port Clinton, PA by next Friday and visit with my cousin near Allentown, PA. Harper's Ferry is a very nice town with terrific restaurants and B and B's. I strongly recommend staying here for a zero day...
Date: 2014-06-13
From: Harper's Ferry, WV

To: Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 100.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Wow. over half way through the AT and going strong! As of today I've hiked 1119.6 miles. Hope to be in Hamburg, PA by Friday with a visit to my cousin near Allentown, PA for the weekend. Hiking through the maze was fun today. Some of the best hiking so far has been done in southern PA. Finally the weather has put more than three days in row without rain. Good weather and good terrain makes for good daily milage. I'm easily putting up 20 miles/day. Good to get some cushion in the schedule knowing what lies ahead in northern PA and New England. Happy Father's Day to all especially to my two sons and son in law. Cheers, J5/John
Date: 2014-06-20
From: Boiling Springs, PA

To: Eckville, PA
Miles today: 108.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Hello folks, writing on a zero day visiting my cousin near Allentown, PA. The "rocks" part of Rocksillvania are really starting to come out now. Here are a few notes future hikers might want to take notice on.Up to now, most changes in direction on the AT were typically marked with the upper white hash mark to the left or right of the lower hash mark letting you know which way to turn at the intersection. Not that way in PA. Most of the time the upper white hash mark is just above the lower one with no indication which way to turn. Somewhere near Mile marker 1211.3 you break out onto a field with the hash marks directly on top of one another. I expected to walk out across the field to meet up with the trail. I spent 20 minutes looking for the trail on the other side of the field. In fact what you need to do is go left from where you came out and walk about 20 yards to go back into the same side of the field you just came from. Very confusing. Once back on the trail it was no trouble getting to Port Clinton.The "Pulpit" and the "Pinnacle" are both worth the very short walk to view near mile markers 1221 and 1226. Once you leave there the trail becomes less rocky again and is a cake walk to Eckville, PA.The weather has been great lately and I hope to be done with PA by Thursday 26 June and into New Jersey. Got to admit, I am a little tired right now and having a zero day visiting with my cousin has been terrific.It's hard to believe that I'm at 1228.5 miles. "ONLY" 956.8 miles to go. So far I have been mostly free of any aches or pains. Sort of nursing a little sore right ankle right now, but a good days rest is helping that out a lot.I have made lots of wonderful friendships out on the trail. Names like AZ, Go Far, Kickapo, Bear Juice, Skittles, Hog Driver and Wrecking Ball. We all are hiking are own hike, but enjoying each others company as we pass on another or catch up to each other as we take different times off for zero days. I know I expect to slow down some now and throttle back to about 16 to 18 miles per day vice the over 21 I have been doing for the last month. It may not sound like much, but those last two miles when you're doing over 20 seem to last forever. See new photos uploaded today. Cheers to all, J5
Date: 2014-06-28
From: Eckville, PA

To: Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 124.4
Weather: overcast clouds

To let you know how we work our routine. Most times I back pack for few days and return to a base camp Beth has set up with her tent (much bigger and nicer than my back packing tent). As an example she will be camping at West Point, NY USMA and I will hike to her from where are tonight in a motel. It's only when we are near someplace with good internet connectivity that I can update this journal. NJ has been a pleasant surprise. It is beautiful in their NW corner. The first two days were brutal as there were more rocks and boulders than PA in my opinion.   I have seen two very large bears, beavers, a water snake and a blue bunting while in NJ. Tomorrow I will be leaving NJ for NY.We did take some time off near Allentown, PA to visit a cousin of mine and now we will do the same for the Fourth of July in CT and visit her sister.   We had small family reunion in PA and hope to have just as good a time.   With over 1358 miles in the books I can't believe I still 832 miles still to go. Hopefully my legs will hold out and finish by Labor Day.Life is good out, especially with Dragon Lady's help. More photos on the way soon, cheers j5/Johnny V
Date: 2014-07-05
From: Vernon, NJ

To: RPH shelter, near Stormville, NY
Miles today: 72.0
Weather: clear sky

Taking two days off over the fourth of July at my cousins in CT. I haven't taken two days off in a row since before 16 May. I really needed it. The weather has been very hot and humid and it has taken a toll on me. NY has been tough. So much so, that I think it has been the toughest mile for mile so far on the trail. I'm surprised no one has mentioned how rugged NY is. It is relentless. Constant rocky, boulders and many many ups and downs with no let up. Can't get into a rhythm or pace as you are constantly adjusting your walking. Still hoping to make mother K by around Labor Day. Should be back on the trail tomorrow, 5 July. Looking forward to visiting Kent, CT, as many people say it is very nice town. Should be there by Monday.Dragon Lady has been amazing. I am very lucky to have her support on this trail venture. I can always count on clean clothes and food for the next section. I don't need to take time off to do these logistical things. And there is always a cold drink waiting for me whenever I come off the trail.Until the next time, J5
Date: 2014-07-08
From: RPH shelter, near Stormville, NY

To: Salisbury, CT
Miles today: 70.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Hello folks. Here's a tip for NoBo's near mile marker1471.5, which is not in AWOL. There is bridge over a stream near a campsite not marked in AWOL at about 1471.5. AWOL has a footbridge over a stream at 1472.3 and this had me confused for a while, I thought I was further along than I really was. A long the river there are few white blazes, but not too worry once you do hit the 1472 .3 footbridge the rest works out fine. Today was my last full day in Connecticut, tomorrow I will start my trek into Massachusetts and it is supposed to be the toughest section and the prettiest. When in CT you MUST stay at the Bearded Woods hostel! It is by far and away the best hostel since we started the AT. Hudson and Big Lou (Louise) are the owners and they are terrific. For $50 you get a very clean bunk, shower, sink and john, a real good breakfast, and out of this world dinner and your laundry done every day. HARD to beat.We spent the fourth at my cousin Ann's in Trumble, CT and had a really great visit. They treated us royally. Nearly 1500 miles done with less than 700 to go. Cheers to all
Date: 2014-07-13
From: Salisbury, CT

To: Willamstown, Mass
Miles today: 93.1
Weather: broken clouds

Well folks, it is hard not to start to get excited. Tonight is our last night in Massachusetts and tomorrow we will be in Vermont. J5 has hiked 1588.8 miles so far with 596.5 to go. In order to make it by Friday, 29 August he has to average 12.7 miles per day for the rest of the trip. The Whites in NH will be tough, but it is looking more and more like he will make it by then.Hopefully we will be able to visit his oldest sister in RI on our way back home and maybe watch Navy football on the 30th as they beat Ohio State. (One can only hope).Enjoy the photos. The last day in Conn and the first day in Mass were very challenging. We were thankful for good weather as Dragon Lady set up base camp in two places, which were very nice. J5 backpacked and slackpack since the last journal entry. He will take more opportunities as they arrive to slackpack as the weather will play a big part in that decision.
Date: 2014-07-23
From: Willamstown, Mass

To: East of Hanover, NH
Miles today: 160.2
Weather: clear sky

Now the fun begins. NH is where 80% of the effort over 20% of the distance starts. The first 1750 miles was just a pretest. I will be in the White Mountains starting on Saturday morning, climbing MT Moosilauke. "Just" 436.3 more miles to go. Hopefully our epic journey will be done by Friday, 29 August. Looks possible if I can still average 12 miles per day. Very doable, we hope.I haven't seen a deer or bear since NY. Don't know why. But I have seen a porcupine, a northern garter snake and a Great Grey owl. Pretty cool!!!Vermont was very pretty indeed and I imagine the Whites and New Hampshire will be even more beautiful. Gifford State Park, VT is a good choice to stay at. So is the Quechee KOA.Tonight we planned a stay in a hotel. Could be the last one for awhile and we looked at the forecast (Heavy thunderstorms) so it was a good choice.I am now on my third pair of shoes. Loved my Vasque, but the outfitter in Bennington, VT didn't carry them, so I got a pair of water proof Oboz. Good choice, because Vermont is muddy and so is Maine. I like them so far. We will try and update as much as possible, but we don't always have good access to internet connectivity.Enjoy the photos.
Date: 2014-07-28
From: East of Hanover, NH

To: Franconia Notch, NH
Miles today: 63.0

Well folks it is pouring down rain almost all day today. We are holed up in a cabin at a KOA in Woodstock, NH. Very nice place with very nice staff. No hiking today as it is just too dangerous.Hopefully I will get out tomorrow and do two days of backpacking before meeting up with Dragon Lady again to slack pack up Mount Washington.Yesterday was a real tough day, but I was really proud of myself for getting up and over Kinsmen Mountain all in one day. 16.3 miles. It can be done! So if you can slack pack this section, do it. From NH25 to US3/Interstate93.It was cool and cloudy all morning until I got to the top of Kinsmen, then it started to rain hard. By the time I got to the bottom to be picked up by Beth, well I was soaked, but to add insult to injury, I fell backwards from the opposite bank into Cascade Creek, just before I was done. My phone and camera took a beating and the jury is still out if they will operate correctly now.Spike has been a great companion for Dragon Lady. He is the most well behaved dog I have ever known. I love it when he sees me coming off the mountain whenever I slack pack or back pack. I get kisses and a wagging tail!!There are 373 more tough miles to go. So ready to finish. Pray for better weather as these miles are hard enough when it's dry outside.The Whites of NH are as beautiful set of mountains as I've seen anywhere to include the Sierra Neveda's, the Rockies and the Adirondacks. Rugged, steep and magnificent. Should be over Mount Washington by Friday and hopefully in Maine by next Monday or Tuesday.Go Navy, beat Ohio State! 8/30/14