morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-22
From: Iron Mountain Gap

To: Ash Gap
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

Back to the routine. It was a beautiful morning! By the time the Thompsons drove up back up to Iron Mountain Gap I was ready to be on our way again. I wanted to get to Demascus and have our first 400 miles completed. My feet were certainly rather sore from our 19 miler and it made from slow progress. Our goal was to make it up and over Roan Mountain today. There is a shelter on top: the highest on the AT and I was thinking it was a perfect place to spend the night. However, as usual, our plans changed as the day progressed. When we came down to Hughes Gap at the base of Roan Mountain we ran straight into the long lost skirt crew (minus Dirt). Truckin', Dirty Girl, and Pilot had finally made their way out of town and back on the trail. It had sucked them in for a good week! It was good to see them all again and the timing was simply impeccable. We found out that Dirt was waiting a few miles up the way at a campsite near Ash Gap. It was a few miles short of our goal, but the four guys were getting off the trail the next day (yes, AGAIN) to work at Meryl Fest and it was the last time we would all be able to hang out for a while... SO, after a brutal climb to Ash Gap we found the campground to be quite pleasant -- Cuatro was there, as well, which meant the fire was already blazing. Too difficult to resist. We made camp here tonight. We slept under the stars, again, just how we prefer it! Roan Mountain will have to wait until the morning.
Date: 2008-04-23
From: Ash Gap

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: broken clouds

We broke our newest rule: we hiked less than 10 miles today. But, there was a very worthy reason to do so. But, I will get to that. We climbed Roan Mountain. Got that done and over with rather quickly. It was really cool up at the shelter -- kind of wish we had made it the rest of the way last night. We made it down to Carter Gap where we parted ways with the Skirt Crew -- and in case I haven't mentioned this before -- all four of the guys we have been hiking with off and on wear "Kilts" or hiking skirts. I, myself, have transitioned over to the hiking skirt. It really is a lot of fun. It may seem a little strange that the guys hike in skirts but according to their testimony it is a rather free-ing experience for them. So, my favorite picture (which I will be able to post in a few days) is of the five of us on Roan Mountain... all in our skirts. Sauerkraut has yet to convert, but there is still time. After Carter Gap we made our way across some amazing balds. We ran into a couple friends of Mr. Thompson, as well! The hike was a lot of fun today. The views were almost constant so you never got bored. I was deep in thought and the miles melted away almost too quickly. Then, we came up on the Overmountain Shelter where we were supposed to stop for an early dinner and then continue another 8 miles to the next shelter where.... drum roll please... my amazing, wonderful brother was going to meet us! BUT, the moment I saw the shelter which was a converted barn and the view overlooking the valley and I saw the dirt road... I was determined that my brother make his way up here instead. I know him and I knew he would love the location and the overall "coolness" of the shelter. So, we broke our rule. We only hiked 8.0 miles to this shelter and I fell in love. My brother did manage to make his way up to the shelter without too much of a problem bringing S'mores for everyone! He really is the best. I love seeing him and every day I get a chance to spend with him is top on the list for me. He was supposed to hike the trail with me, but it just didn't work out. AND, he brought the second Harry Potter book (via Dave)! It just can't get much better than this. We enjoyed a great campfire and I went to bed with a huge smile on my face... even if we only hiked 8.0 miles.
Date: 2008-04-24
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

An accidental zero day -- courtesy of my dear brother. We woke up late, enjoyed the view and the cool location. Made our way down to the car and headed into town for a package, food, and resupply. Having Marc around all day was a lot of fun. But, the best part of the day was when we could finally sit down and just talk -- about life. It really made me realize how much I miss him -- and it also made me realize how thankful I am that we have become so close over the past few years. Before I left for West Point he was only in middle school. Our relationship was strained because of family circumstance and age. Coming home from West Point was devastating for me; however, I would do it all again -- every second of it -- if I knew that I would be able to have the relationships with my parents and my brother that I have now. When I walked away from the Academy I couldn't see much hope for anything. I did not think my heart, my soul would ever recover. I did not think I would ever find the strength to look past the scars from all the falls I had taken. Funny, I would take many more falls in the coming years... but, I look back now at how empty I felt and realize that it was all worth it, my family was there even when I couldn't see it. My brother is amazing and had I not come home I would never have had the opportunity to get to know him, to go to Europe with him, to live with him... My family rocks!
Date: 2008-04-25
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: light rain

well, by the time i got finished talking with my brother yesterday and making my way back up to the shelter there just didn't seem to be a good enough reason to head out. Another zero wasn't really necessary, but well worth it for a chance to see Marc. We were awaken this morning by an extremely inconsiderate hiker that decided that when he/she woke up before 6 this morning it was time for the other 20 or so hikers to also wake up. So, given that I woke up on the right side of the bed and all... it really was a pretty cool day. We climbed up and down, around and over, and made our way down to Apple House Shelter where we were originally supposed to meet Marc -- glad we didn't stick with that plan! The shelter is not fantastic and it has been burned down a few times by local hooligans and the parking area off of 19E is known for vandalism. We hiked with Thunder Thighs and Daniel for a while -- but they are trying to average 18 miles a day so that they can finish the trail in exactly 4 months (1 April until 31 July) so we will probably never see them again! Oh, and then there was the adrenaline rush I got when I almost stepped on a 4 foot Black Snake that decided to take a sun bath right across the trail... I knew that black root looked a little out of place! So, after jumping back at least 5 feet and then observing that he was quite comfortable where he was and probably wouldn't be on his way for a while -- Sauerkraut and I took pictures and discussed methods for getting by the slumbering creature. And then another hiker came along from the other direction. When we pointed out the slumbering critter he merely kicked it off to the side of the trail and went on his way with not much of a word to anyone -- even the poor snake he just kicked and who was now coiled and none to happy. Good, now we can surely make our way past a coiled up hissing snake. Thank you happy hiker, you rock. After a few minutes the angry snake finally decided to settle down and head off in the other direction -- at which time we decided we could safely continue our journey. There was a lot of areas along the trail today that had been recently subjected to controlled burning. The second part of the day was a little tough because we are trying to adjust to higher mileage. The terrain was of no consequence but the last few miles left my feet feeling more like wooden stubs. Hopefully, my feet will still work in the morning :0) As always, the shelter was great (it is brand new and all) and the company was even better.
Date: 2008-04-26
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Dennis Cove (Laurel Forks Hostel)
Miles today: 15.6

Today was the beginning. The beginning of the period of time that I will denote as "the sickness". In dramatic terms: it was the beginning of the end... UGH. The day actually started out promising as my feet were still present. I knew this because they reminded me with each painful step of their existence. My first inkling of trouble on the horizon was that it never got any easier. Each step, no matter the terrain or the speed seemed to be a little piece of agony. I stayed back in the shelter after everyone left just so that I could make my way at my own pace. I figured it would be an I-Pod day but the soothing sounds of the forest in springtime were quite perfect. When I finally did catch up to Sauerkraut at the next shelter (some 9 miles into our hike) I was beginning to feel like I had been dragged behind a train the last 9 miles rather than voluntarily moving one foot in front of the other. But, it was only another 6 miles into the hostel and a good nights sleep, a resupply, and a shower. Too tempting to pass up. So on we went -- as slow as I have ever gone. By the time I made it down to the road I felt like the train may have actually just run over me. I was in a terrible mood and pure exhaustion had taken its toll. I really did not understand why I was feeling so poorly until I felt my throat begin to ache -- within merely a few hours I could barely talk. I did not have any medicine to take, but Sauerkraut and I spent the evening watching VHS movies at the hostel -- maybe a good nights rest and relaxation would have a promising pay off in the morning... maybe? Oh, and somehow I forgot to mention that we passed the 400 mile marker today...
Date: 2008-04-27
From: Dennis Cove (Laurel Forks Hostel)

To: Dennis Cove (Kincora Hostel)
Miles today: 0.0

Sooo... luckily, I can still write just fine. My talking abilities are limited as my throat is -- not so swell. The ear ache is comparable. Sweet. So, my hope to not zero here and make my way back out into the woods simply fell apart. Sauerkraut is taking such great care of me though. We could not find anyone to help us out at the hostel we were staying at this morning -- so she walked the mile down the road to Kincora (another hostel) where Bob, the owner, and some fellow hikers helped her get into town and acquire medicine (and food!). We decided that it would be best to move to the other hostel as there were a lot more people to help out. (Although Laurel Fork was a nice hostel, we were the only hikers there and it was difficult to find people to help us with our accommodations). Kincora was crowded, but being surrounded by hikers did make me feel better -- even if I couldn't really talk much with anyone :0) Maybe we can make our way down the trail tomorrow -- even if it is at a snail's pace. The Walrus was great help and Bob found a nice bunk in the corner of the hostel for me to rest that I dubbed "the infirmary". It was also good to see Barley & Rain again! Well, much needed rest... after my game of poker with some bunkmates (AB and Serial have been great company).
Date: 2008-04-28
From: Dennis Cove (Kincora Hostel)

To: Dennis Cove (Kincora Hostel)
Miles today: 0.0

This sucks!! The worst day on the trail. Period. Except for the fact that I can't even get that satisfaction because I don't happen to be ON the trail. Now, I could have a positive outlook on this calamity -- but, that would be no fun at all. I was finally able to call Mom and Dad on the land line and talked to them for a little while with what voice I had -- fortunately, my voice is getting better. Unfortunately, it is at the expense of the rest of my vital organs. Ok, fine -- just my lungs and head in particular. I know I pleaded for the amputation of my little toes earlier in my travels... I have now decided that my head would certainly be the better alternative. About 20 or so new hikers have made their way through the hostel today and it makes me antsy because we are getting further behind... AND, to make matters worse, Sauerkraut is also getting sick. Have I mentioned previously that this sucks?? Berf finally caught up and it was so great to see him!! He is such a character. Unfortunately, he will be long gone before I can make my jail break...
Date: 2008-04-29
From: Dennis Cove (Kincora Hostel)

To: Dennis Cove (Kincora Hostel)
Miles today: 0.0

Figures... I guess I really don't do much hiking anymore. I am stuck here forever. End of story. Still sick. Still meeting more hikers. Still not going anywhere. Now, isn't that an exciting entry?? Just for the heck of it I am going to stop it riiiiight HERE.
Date: 2008-04-30
From: Dennis Cove (Kincora Hostel)

To: Pond Flats
Miles today: 5.7

FREEDOM! I am finally back on the trail and I could not be happier -- welllll... I would hate to tell fibs. I would be happier if I was feeling better and I could hike more miles. But, as opposed to the despairing entry yesterday... I am much more hopeful today. Sauerkraut is still feeling pretty poorly and I have this really cool cough and low energy -- hence, we only made it 5.7 miles before calling it quits. New York Minute hiked out with us today and I feel terrible that he is stuck with two sickly hikers. The hike out of Kincora was all uphill and it seems that I am not super human (yet) therefore I cannot make the climb without breathing -- if I were able to climb without breathing I may have been able to make it to the top without hacking out one of my lungs. It is a rather unnecessary lung anyways. So once we made it to the top of Pond Flats and fond a campground plus water it really was to good to be true. So we stayed. New York could have easily hiked on but he joined us instead. It is great to have varied company. Aside from Sauerkraut I do not tend to hike with any one group from too extended a period of time. I do not like to feel guilty or bad about hiking faster/slower than someone else so I would rather just do my own thing. Sauerkraut just so happens to be perfectly o.k. with 1. my random hiking moods (fast/slow/long/short) 2. my "intense" personality and 3. my need for space and time to think. So, she is a rare find and I am so thankful to have her company on the trail! Speaking of Sauerkraut -- she started a magnificent fire tonight all on her own (I collected wood...) which was pretty impressive. Thus far we have usually made camp with someone who took it upon themselves to get the flames going -- whether good or bad. Some people start fires with leaves and this creates a horrible, smokey fire that is not long lasting and is tough to maintain. Others, like my beloved Sauerkraut, build log cabins and lean-to's that create the base for a very substantial, warm, long lasting fire. It is just one of the many skills she brings to the trail. Someone said to me: "You went to West Point so you should know how to start a fire." Now, granted, I could hold my own on the fire starting thing -- I have started many of them in my time, although they usually involve a stove. BUT, at West Point they usually refrain from promoting fire starting -- it tends to let the enemy identify our location a lot easier. Figures. Good night all. We are again going to Maine...
Date: 2008-05-01
From: Pond Flats

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: overcast clouds

So, I started cooking dinner last night and realized I only had two more dinners left in my food bag. This was not surprising at all given that I had planned four days hiking into Damascus (the last day would not require dinner because I would get that at a delicious restaurant in town). BUT, my plans did not include a 5.7 mile day and a relentless cough. At the current rate we will not get into town in anything less than 5 days -- and five days would bring us into town Saturday evening AFTER the post office closes meaning we would be stuck in town until Monday. So, the predicament: not enough food. The solution: get a ride back into town today to purchase a few extra goodies to stow away in the bag to make sure that we aren't malnourished by the time we make it to Damascus (my mother would kill me if I were to lose even a pound!). This makes for another short day but that is quite alright. It is New York Minute's birthday so a meal at the diner and some ice cream are definitely called for anyways. Although, I think we are going to have to work on New York's hitching skills (not that I am hitching and not that ya'll should EVER hitch -- especially alone). But, I am gratefull for the Department of Corrections officer that gave us a ride to the gas station, the semi that did NOT rear end us despite NY's slow progress into the back of the truck, and the lovely woman who gave us a ride back out to the trail after our shopping and food eating were finished up. The trail traverses around Watauga Lake which did not look anything to substantial when we first got there. There was a beach for swimming and although it was certainly warm enough outside to do so -- the water was still bitterly cold (it did just snow a couple days ago!!). So, we passed on the swimming option and made our way the last couple miles to the shelter. We were joined by Clothesline, White Lightning, a section hiker named Pat, Rhody and his father, and Snowplow who are all new hikers to me! It was definitely cool getting to know new people. See. The positive side to being trapped in a hostel for 3+ days... Have I mentioned lately that this trail rocks?? Ok. Well, it does!
Date: 2008-05-02
From: Watauga Lake Shelter

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: broken clouds

What a rough day. It began with approximately 0 hours of sleep. Between coughing, snoring, temperature.... it just wasn't happening. And, given that I really did desperately need recuperative sleep for my body to finish it's recovery process it was no wonder I felt like I had regressed by the time the sun came out again. Sauerkraut was in no better shape. SO, after everyone left camp (minus New York who insisted on waiting for us), we went right back to sleep. In fact, we slept until approximately 1:30 in the afternoon when new hikers began to arrive in camp. I could have stayed in bed longer but I felt like we should definitely make some progress. New York was still waiting and I felt terrible. I was definitely in an irritable mood because despite the hours of sleep we managed to get I wasn't feeling so hot and my energy was non existent -- that could be due to the fact that we chose sleep over food/water. It just really felt frustrating because I longed for the days when I felt like I could walk a hundred miles -- what does that feel like?? Will I EVER feel good again? UGH!!! So, after slowly packing up camp we finally departed around 2:30 and hiked ever so slowly up the trail. I felt like I was on the verge of passing out for most of the day and stopped many many times to consume large quantities of food and water to hopefully get my system back up to par. New York Minute hiked behind and it was even more frustrating for me knowing that he should be putting in miles and not hanging back with us. It made me realize how much I really need my space out here. My only obligation is to myself and I need that because I feel like I have constantly put others first for the entirety of my life -- either friends or family or school or work. I am usually over obligated at home -- trying to do 28 hours of things in the requisite 24 and constantly overshadowed by my inability to do everything as well as I would like -- or devote time to all the people who are important to me in my life. So, out here, for once, it is just about me. I do have my hiking partner, but she is certainly more of a companion than an obligation. And I do make a TON of phone calls whenever I get the opportunity -- but, day to day, mile by mile, and step by step -- for once, this is just about me.
Date: 2008-05-03
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: scattered clouds

What a glorious day! I am at about 80%. The sun is somewhat shining -- ok, it is raining... but I really could care less. I feel GREAT! I heard rumors that the last 50 miles into Damascus was flat. When that was found to be false I heard rumors that the last 30 miles into Damascus was flat. When that was found to be false I heard that for SURE the last 20 miles into Damascus was flat... But, I will have to find that out tomorrow. Today we accomplished our first double digit hiking day since before "the sickness". And, it felt good. The rain was off and on and off and on but it was never really too terrible. I got to use my umbrella again! For those that have asked -- I have a GoLite umbrella with a long arm that luckily works perfectly with my Granite Gear backpack because there is space between the back cushion and the actual pack for the umbrella to fit in quite nicely. It covers my head and my pack and I pretty much just hike with very little additional rain gear (my pants/skirt dry fast and my rain jacket is also my wind jacket). So, there you go. I think I will make this entry rather short... I need to take a breather and get some food and these things take at least 30 minutes per entry...   The comments ya'll leave are wonderful and they really keep me going. I hope that ya'll continue to enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing. Until tomorrow.
Date: 2008-05-04
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: few clouds

18 miles just couldn't feel any better! I would not call the last 20 miles flat, but the last 10 miles were remarkably close to what I would have imagined a flat trail to be like... Today we crossed the TN/VA border! FINALLY! I honestly thought this last week that it would never happen. It really was quite a relief. My feet still feel the miles so I may have to look into some alternative insoles for my boots while I am in town -- BUT, I finally feel like I can start putting in the mileage that I want without half dieing in the process. It was a beautiful day -- the temperature just perfect, the rain from yesterday gone, and Damascus waiting for us just around every turn. The plan was not originally to go into town today. I was not sure whether we could do the mileage and our packages still do not arrive until tomorrow. But, we wanted to get a good meal and a good nights sleep since the plan is to head back out on the trail first thing Tuesday morning with a 15+ mile day in the works... followed by a couple other high mileage days so that I can make it someplace to get off for the wedding. Yep. That's right. I actually have to officially get off the trail for a few days for a family wedding. They are quite the affair and given that I am not due for a wedding anytime soon... it will probably be the last big family shindig for a while. Plus, the location happens to be my most favorite city of all: Charleston, SC! Which just so happens to have a beautiful beach.. and I am a sucker for beautiful beaches. Right now Sauerkraut and I are hanging out at Parkay's apartment. Parkay hiked the AT in 2006 (along with Dirt) and the PCT in 2007 and he is pretty much the coolest guy ever. He has made us feel at home and I really can't thank him enough! Oh, and Damascus is a pretty nice town. It is like Hot Springs where the trail walks right through the middle of it -- sucking you in :0) It is the home of Trail Days which is a big hiker festival held every year. This year it will be on the 16 of May but I will not be able to attend because I will have just taken so many days off for the wedding... although Parkay is doing his best to convince me otherwise...