morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-23
From: Daleville (Super 8)

To: Bobblet's Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I resisted the all powerful tractor beam-like pull known as town! It took me a bit longer than I would have liked to get up and out, but I made it. I chowed down at the continental breakfast and was pleasantly treated to both apple and orange juice. It tasted REALLY good. It was forecasted to be in the high 70s and humid, so any fluids I could get were helpful. I was planning a 24 miler today, but had to cut the day short because I started hiking around 0930 and was taking my time due to the heat and full pack. I could have made it by dark, but hiking that late doesn¢t really appeal to me. It¢s not a big deal¢¦I can make it up tomorrow.        The humid heat today had my dreaming of Lake Winnipesaukee. When it is humid out, the lake always seems to mask it very well with a lake breeze and the ability to cool off in the water. While it will be great to get back up north into ¢The Shire¢ (NH), there is still much work to be done back down south.        Beyond the heat, today¢s hiking was rather lame. The first 4 miles were spent getting out of town, always in audible range of the highway. The last 8 miles were spent on Blue Ridge, just out of sight of the Blue Ridge Parkway, but always within listening range of 50mph cars speeding by. The views weren¢t great either. I haven¢t been taking as many pictures as I had been these past few days, but pictures of yet another valley in VA isn¢t that exciting. I¢d like to think that my photos are a collection of things I find interesting and/or unique, and another VA valley doesn¢t make the cut. I¢ll try harder though. Especially people pics. ¢That¢s the best thing about walking, the journey itself. It doesn¢t matter much whether you get where you¢re going or not. You¢ll get there anyway. Every good hike brings you eventually back home.¢ ¢ Edward Abbey
Date: 2008-04-24
From: Bobblet's Gap Shelter

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Note to self: experiment with night hiking soon. I¢m not used to this humid VA heat. Night hiking, besides being badass, would allow me to hike in cooler, breezier temps. I set 4 superlatives today. I drank the most water ever on trail (1.5 gallons), sweat the most, got the least sleep last night, and got lost (kinda) for the first time.        I spent last night at Bobblet¢s Gap Shelter with Ryan and his dog Cody. They set up their tent and I slept in the shelter. By ¢slept¢ I mean didn¢t sleep. As I was trying to fall asleep, I felt a mouse exploring the abyss known as my hair. I got startled, and had a tough time falling back to sleep. After a while, I started getting drowsy, but it started raining, so Ryan tried to get Cody to sleep in the shelter, which he didn¢t like. Cody ended up sleeping in Ryan¢s tent. Since I was planning a big day today (it didn¢t happen), I was up by 0700. I will say that most nights on trail are very pleasant. I fall asleep to the sounds of nature every night and experience significantly more vivid dreams than at home. That could be because I wake up more during dreams to turn over, but I think being out here for an extended period of time is conducive to vivid dreams. My mind goes EVERYWHERE throughout the day, giving my brain a plethora of juicy dream material to compile at night.        Anyway, today was mostly up and down with a huge climb at the end of the day. I somehow got turned around at Bryant Ridge Shelter and did a mile southbound before 2 hikers behind me convinced me that I was being an idiot and going the wrong way. Thanks! I¢m here tonight with a thruhiking couple and a young section hiking couple. Even though they aren¢t single, its nice to see some ladies out here! I think a majority of them are behind me a bit. Good night. Hopefully no rodents will crawl in my hair tonight. One can only hope.¢The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem.¢ ¢ Theodore Rubin
Date: 2008-04-25
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Rte 501 (Glasgow)
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: overcast clouds

If this country can ever heavily rely on renewable energy sources, central Virginia should stick with solar panels and forget about wind turbines. Today pushed into the 80s, with absolutely no breeze. Other than that, the hiking wasn't too bad. It was mostly downhill, in sight of the James River for the most part, which was my destination for the day. I went under "The Guillotine", which is a large rock barely wide enough to get wedged between two others forming a guillotine-like structure. I crossed the largest "foot-use only" bridge on the AT to get across the James River. There were about 10 coeds taking turns jumping off the 20' drop into the river. Not a bad way for teenagers to spend a Friday afternoon. Since I was sweating profusely, I seriously considered jumping in myself, but I had to hitch into town right on the other side of the bridge. So, I didn't. After 20 minutes, I caught a ride with "Fly Rod" and we chatted it up going into Glasgow, VA. Everything I needed for the night was within a 50-yard radius from where he dropped me off. There was a small grocery store and a family-owned restaurant/motel across the street. I checked in, got a relatively lame AYCE (All You Can Eat) dinner, and resupplied. Although the food wasn't great, I think it's pretty cool to have a true family business. The parents were cooking in the back, the oldest daughter was waitressing, the teenage boy was busing tables, and the little kid was in charge of handing me my room key. However, there was a HUGE problem with my room! The remote control for the TV did not have a functioning "Previous Channel" button. How did we survive before that? "When the well's dry, we know the worth of water." ~ Ben Franklin
Date: 2008-04-26
From: Rte 501 (Glasgow)

To: Rte 501 (Glasgow)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I feel dirty. I shouldn't have zeroed today. I even resisted the temptation of watching the NFL Draft, but sometimes resisting isn't enough. I was planning a half-day today, so I slept in. I was up by 0900, and off to the library, which was only open from 1000 to 1300 because it was Saturday. I hadn't been on the internet for 9 days, so I had a few things to do. I left the library at 1230 and was ready to head out. Hitching out of town is more difficult than hitching in. I tried hitching for 45 minutes with no luck. I tried calling two people that shuttle hikers for a small fee, but neither one answered. I went out and tried hitching again, but I was sweating a lot just standing there in the 80 degree humid heat. I feel like I am taking too many zeroes, but this one wasn't really my fault. I reluctantly paid for another night and retreated back to my air-conditioned motel room. Well, the NFL Draft was underway. I LOVE the NFL Draft (and so do several other fans). The draft represents new hope for all teams, potential, and a bridge between the college game and the pro game. The Patriots went Inside Linebacker with the #10 pick (Jerod Mayo), which should be excellent. The draft was enjoyable to watch, but it was hard to sit in front of the tube when I really wanted to (and should be) hiking. I could have found out the draft results anywhere without taking a zero to do it. Oh well. "In Zen, the effort and the result are not too different things, the means and the goal are not separated, the finding occurs in the seeking itself. For ultimately, what is sought is the wholeness of the seeker, and this emerges only in the wholeheartedness of the seeking." ~ Bernard Phillips
Date: 2008-04-27
From: Rte 501 (Glasgow)

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Finally back in action. I had the same half-day planned as yesterday, so I slept in again. I needed it too. Last night some drunk guys got arrested in the motel room next to mine. Around midnight, I heard 4 or 5 pops that sounded like firecrackers. A few minutes later, I heard cops telling these guys to get their hands up. Apparently, some rednecks got a bit inebriated and fired off a few rounds. The cops were right around the corner and heard the gunshots loud and clear. I thought they must of had wussy guns because the sound was not too loud. Nevertheless, I will gladly take my chances in the woods. I was still unable to get a confirmed ride back to the trail, so I started to do what I do best. Walking. It was 6 miles back to the trail and there was no way that I was staying another night in Glasgow, so off I went. Perhaps walking would show some initiative and propel a driver to pick me up. Plus, I look really cool walking backwards with my thumb out. It was 2 miles before I got a ride. I have successfully hitched 4 times so far and all 4 times I have been picked up by middle-aged, blue-color guys in pickup trucks. Thank you! Hitchhiking is a very humbling experience. I have never picked up a hitchhiker in my life, however that will change when I get back. Especially hikers. How can someone not pick up a friendly looking hiker? Well.... because I am a stranger. They don't know me or trust me. Fair enough. One guy drove right by me yesterday and gave me a "thumbs up" and a big smile. haha. At least, he had a sense of humor. Anyway, a married couple with a daughter about 3 years old were in the truck cab, so they ushered me to the back. Thank you so much! I relaxed, with my sweaty hair cooling in the wind, enjoying every bit of the 4 road miles that I was no longer walking. I was on the trail by 1300 and finished by 1700. It included some more steep climbing (VA is hard!), but the weather was cool and overcast, which was a welcome change. "Advance, and never halt, for advancing is perfection. Advance and do not fear the thorns in the path, for they draw only corrupt blood." ~ Kahlil Gibran
Date: 2008-04-28
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 25.3
Weather: moderate rain

Today had all the key components of a crappy day. Big mileage? Yup. Downpour? Yup. Absurd uphills? Yup. Yet today was quite enjoyable. I was frustrated by my lack of mileage this past week, and I was ready to push some limits today. It felt great. I was up at 0700 and walking by 0745. It was too cold to hike without rain gear, but not too bad. The big task of the day was the 2400' climb up to Bald Knob. It was rather enjoyable because all I could see was clouds, so I had no idea where the top was. It allowed me to not worry about how much longer, and to just git r done. I'm here at Seeley-Woodworth Shelter with Fire Juggler and Rat Sandwich, drying everything out (as the rain stopped) and rewarding myself with double dinner rations. "You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass, it will come and sit on your shoulder." ~ Anonymous
Date: 2008-04-29
From: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: broken clouds

Man, it is great to be alive. Today was absolutely perfect hiking weather. Mid 60s, sunny, stong breeze. Last night I was somewhat dreading today. The day's main task was dropping from 4063' down to 970' and then climb immediately back up to 3870'. To quote the legendary CJ, "T.I.A.B" (This Is Appalachia Baby"). Not only was the weather beautiful, but the breeze also kept me from sweating profusely. Both the up and the down were well switchedbacked. In fact, The Priest (downhill part) had 36 switchbacks (no, I didn't count. My guidebook told me). For those of you who don't know, a switchback is when a trail follows the side of a mountain, then turns 180 degrees in order to zig-zag up the mountain rather than go straight up and over (like New Hampshire). Switchbacks make ups and downs much easier on the heart and knees, and also help prevent erosion. Climbing back up, my Ipod shuffled itself to play "American Soldier" by Toby Keith. The song got me thinking about how privileged I am to be able to hike the AT. I live in a gorgeous, free nation that has the resources and the willingness to protect its people and land. I see shelter register enties written by foreigners that often comment on how fortunate Americans are to have these protected lands. Also, regardless of your stance on our current war, I immensely respect the "American Soldier" ... past and present. While it may be legal, and arguably patriotic to disagree with the war, our soldiers deserve and get my utmost respect. I'm here at Maupin Field Shelter with "Harbah Hobo", a section hiker from Bar Harbor, Maine. He runs a woodstove business, which I am sure is doing well these days. Waynesboro tomorrow! "I wish that every human life might be pure transparent freedom." ~ Simone de Beauvoir
Date: 2008-04-30
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Rockfish Gap (Waynesboro YMCA)
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: broken clouds

This morning was rather chilly, so I had breakfast in bed (4 Poptarts). I was hiking by 0800. The terrain was relatively flat compared to the last few days, so the hiking was smooth and easy. One downside of today was that I smell ... badly. It is not so much my body, but I wasn't able to do laundry in Glasgow, so it has been quite a while. One cardinal sin in the hiker world is to lift your arms around other people. I want to amend that rule to exclude the "around other people" clause. Luckily, today is a town day! Waynesboro has been my most pleasant town experience to date. Not too big, not too small, clean, friendly, and cheap. The town is 4 miles off trail, but they have a list of Trail Angels, who willingly give hikers a ride in and out of town among other things. I got a ride into Waynesboro and my first stop was McDonalds ... 4 double cheeseburgers, a fruit & yogurt parfait, and a large drink. Then, over to Subway, where I picked up 2 footlongs ($5 each) to be eaten later. Next stop was the laundromat, where I chilled. Since the church hostel isn't open yet, I headed over to the YMCA, where they offer free showers and tenting out back. While I was setting up my tent, one of the advertised Trail Angels (Len) came over and offered me a ride around town as well as back to the trail tomorrow. WOW! Thanks! I hopped onto the library computer next door, which was open until 2100. I'm now back at my tent, eating Subway, and journaling the night away. Good times. "It's not your blue blood, your pedigree, or your college degree. It's what you do with your life that counts." ~ Anonymous
Date: 2008-05-01
From: Rockfish Gap (Waynesboro YMCA)

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today exemplified how free the trail can be. After my 2 footlong subs and a liter of Mountain Dew, I attempted to fall asleep. The caffeine doesn't affect me all that much, but once again, it dehydrated me. My throat was very parched and I couldn't fall asleep. I was out of water, and there were no nearby sources available. At 0300, I was fed up and went off exploring to find something open. The stars were beautiful, but the Texaco station (which I was hoping would be open) wasn't. So, I found the river in town, treated the hell out of the water, and quenched my thirst. I resupplied and maildropped myself for a package pick-up at Harpers Ferry. Len, the trail angel that I met yesterday, gave us a ride to Weasie's Kitchen, featuring an All You Can Eat (AYCE) pancake special. I met Jake, Jax, Fester, Dropkick and Leprechaun. Len actually paid for my meal and then dropped Jake and I off at the trail. Thank you so much! I only hiked 7 miles today, and I'm hanging out with Jax, Jake and Fester at Calf Mountain shelter. It's good to have some company again. Oh yeah, I saw my first bear today! He was maybe 75 yards away, and I only saw him because he started running away when he saw me. I saw his butt though. "We only have to be quiet. We have to be still and that's harder and harder in this century." ~ Jane Kenyon
Date: 2008-05-02
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 26.2
Weather: scattered clouds

I precisely hiked a marathon today. My choice was either a 13.2 mile day or a 26.2. So, off I went. I was up by 0615 and hiking by 0700. Fester, Jax, and Jake were not even moving when I left. Am I turning into a morning person? That would be weird. The Shenandoahs are quite nice in some ways and unpleasant in others. The trails are very well graded and the elevation changes are gentle sloping. On the other hand, the bugs are nasty. It was pretty hot today, but worse than that, I don't enjoy bugs kamikazing into my eyes and ears. Even moreso, I REALLY don't enjoy ticks. I pulled 6 ticks off of me today. Five were just crawling, but one was dug in. It scared me. Since there is a 0.00000% chance of me quitting, the only things that can take me off trail are injury and disease. So, I will no longer take breaks sitting down unless on rocks. I check for ticks every hour. And, I will cut my hair ASAP. Lyme disease takes hikers off trail every year and I would prefer to not add to that statistic. So, in the words of Mad Eye Moody, "Constant Vigilance". If you don't know who Mad Eye Moody is, you need to reevaluate your life. The Blue Ridge Parkway, the road through the Shenandoah National Park, crosses the AT 28 times. The tourists started emerging around noon (it's Friday) and should be out in droves tomorrow. It's funny to call other people tourists, because I am basically a tourist myself. Just a different kind. But, the AT is becoming my second home. I feel at home here, and that's a good thing. I'm here at Pine Nut shelter with Adam, Fester, Jax, and Jake. Adam is a section hiker going from Waynesboro to Harpers Ferry. Fester is from around the Portland, Maine area and graduated from WPI (Worcester Polytech) with an engineering degree. He works in North Berwick, Maine making airplane engines. Jax is from Florida and is sectioning from the Smokys to New York. He's got an associate's degree and is not sure what he's going to do when he's done with the AT. Jake is from Ohio and will either go finish school or work construction when he's done hiking. Plans are for a 20-miler tomorrow. "Home is a shelter from storms - all sorts of storms." ~ William J. Bennett
Date: 2008-05-03
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Bearfence Mountain Hut
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Another early start this morning. I think I¢m getting up earlier partly because it¢s getting light earlier, and partly beause it¢s getting a bit too hot to comfortably hike in. For the past few days, I have been taking several breaks during the mid-day heat. It seems to help. I saw two more bears today, a bobcat, and several deer. I got a picture of one of the bears, so now I have proof. Today I felt like I was grinding miles. I was not enjoying the hiking. But honestly, that¢s OK. I just put on some ¢angry¢ music and let myself hike angry. It puts the miles away and it¢s liberating to just accept your current mood and use it to your advantage instead of trying to put a smiley face on for the rest of the world. It¢s just me out here, and the only person I have to satisfy is myself. And I am satisfied with whatever is real. In other news, my pack is finally back down to a reasonable weight. I packed 6.5 days of food out of Waynesboro and my pack has been too heavy until now. I don¢t plan to load my pack up like that again. For prospective long distance hikers, one of the best ways to improve everything about your hike is to get your pack weight below 30 lbs. It makes every mile that much easier. ¢All we see of someone at any moment is a snapshot of their life, there in riches or poverty, in joy or despair. Shapshots don¢t show the million decisions that led to that moment.¢ ~ Richard Bach
Date: 2008-05-04
From: Bearfence Mountain Hut

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 26.8
Weather: clear sky

Two months ago I was hiking my first day on the AT in a downpour. I¢ve come a long way since then, literally. I was thinking about how I didn¢t exactly enjoy yesterday and how awesome today was. It¢s like every night when I sleep, my entire state of mind resets. Every day is a new day out here. I picked a really good day to hike my biggest day yet. The weather was perfect and the terrain was forgiving. The views weren¢t spectacular, but to be blunt, I¢ve seen views of mountains every day for two months, so it takes a lot to be deemed spectacular. On the other hand, I had a great time talking with weekenders. Everyone was very friendly and interesting. I talked with maybe five different people, who all knew where Hampton/Hampton Beach was. I didn¢t realize my hometown region of New Hampshire was so widely known. I also had a slam-dunk sell for using trekking poles to a pair of day-hikers who asked me about mine. . The Shenandoahs are equipped with approximately six ¢Waysides,¢ which are restaurants that the trail skirts. I stopped at my first one today for lunch. I was alone, and certainly didn¢t fit in with the Sunday post-church dressed majority. I had a turkey club with a ridiculous amount of water refills. Looking around the restaurant, I looked for anyone else who might be a hiker. No one was dressed like one, but if there was another hiker in the room, I would have placed my bet on a guy across the way. Sure enough, when I went to pay the cashier, he came up to me and asked if I was thru-hiking. It turns out that he thrued a few years ago and was out with his girlfriend driving around. It¢s pretty cool how we can recognize one another even without the smelly hiker clothes or backpack. I¢m here at the shelter with Holly and Steve, and four older folks, two of whom have never spent a night outdoors. Should be interesting. I¢m not sure if Fester, Jax and Jake are doing the 26.8 today. I was up and out before they were even up, so we¢ll see, but I¢m not holding my breath. Over and out. ¢I have a suggestion that I think would help fight serious crime. Signs. There are lots of signs for minor infractions! No Smoking. Stay Off The Grass. Keep Out. And they all seem to work fairly well. I think we should also have signs for major crimes. Murder Strictly Prohibited. NO Raping People. Thank You for not Kidnapping Anyone. It¢s certainly worth a try. I¢m convinced Watergate would never have happened if there had been a sign in the Oval Office that said ¢Malfeasance of Office is Strictly Against the Law,¢ or ¢Thank You for Not Undermining the Constitution.¢ ¢ ~ George Carlin