morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-11-09
From: VA 638 mile 1213.3

To: Skyline Drive mile 10.4, Compton Gap mile 1225.3
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Today I start the final 144 miles of the trail. Nathan is scheduled to join us this evening. We have motel reservations in Front Royal. He has a week off and I would really like to complete trail while he is with me.Completion of packing took more time than I had hoped. I did not get on the tail until 11:30 so I cut today¢s hike back from the 16 miles I had hoped to complete to 12 miles.Even with shortened distance I almost ran out of daylight before reaching trailhead at Compton Gap where May Louise picked me up. To my delight the trail in the Shenandoah Park was delightfully smooth and I was able to cover it as a speed-walk pace. Just before I reached the trailhead I passed a family. The father had just spotted a bear in the woods and was rushing his kids back to the car afraid they would look like dinner.We had a delightful visit with Catherine Morretta. She is continuing to grow stronger after her long battle with cancer and other health problems. It was wonderful to hear her optimistic voice and to see her looking stronger. In addition to sharing stories from her health crises she caught us up on some of the people and events at Manassas Park. It was good to get the update, but it did not leave me with any desire to trade in retirement.Nathan arrived at the motel in Front Royal shortly after we finished supper looking strong and handsome and ready to take me hiking.May Louise learned that tomorrow the Park Service will begin closing the road through the park at 5:00 each evening and keep it gated until 8:00 the next morning. To keep us from getting locked in or out, she made reservations for us to stay at Skyland Resort in the Park.
Date: 2014-11-10
From: Skyline Drive mile 10.4, Compton Gap mile 1225.3

To: Elkwallow Gap Wayside and Picnic Area mile 1238.8
Miles today: 13.5

We spotted Nathan¢s car at Compton Gap and then May Louise drove South to drop us off so she would not have to wait for us. We hiked north through the park.The trail was not as smooth as the first two miles I hiked yesterday, but compared to Pennsylvania it was wonderfully smooth and relatively rock free.Getting breakfast and driving into the park took longer than I had hoped it would; so we cut our objective for the day back from 16 miles to 13. We might have had enough daylight to complete the longer distance, but I was really happy to quit when we reached Nathan¢s car. I am feeling strong and hiking well, but the long stretch of daily hiking without a break is leaving my leg muscles perpetually sore.As always hiking with Nathan is an absolute delight. He continues to observe and point out things worth looking at that I missed. Today¢s best example was a small burl on a tree we passed with intricate worm tunnels carved in it that made it look like a tree brain. The close-up photos of the intricate pattern are beautiful.The vistas through Shenandoah Park are wonderful, although the best ones are at the pull-offs along the road instead of along the trail. We ate lunch sheltering from the wind behind rocks at a dramatic ledge.Late in the day we came upon a large, 6 point buck in the middle of the trail. He paused to check us out and then wandered into the brush before I could get my camera out. At the same time an even larger doe ran across in front of us.After supper at the Skyland Lodge we hit the bed early in hopes of starting the trail right after sunrise and completing a longer distance tomorrow.
Date: 2014-11-11
From: Elkwallow Gap Wayside and Picnic Area mile 1238.8

To: Skyland Resort mile 1257.1
Miles today: 18.3

Got up early and May Louise got us dropped off on the trail by 9:15. She then met us at the 8 mile point with lunch. Made for a wonderful day of hiking. We still pushed the limits of daylight arriving back at the Skyland Resort Cabin at 5:30 just as a beautiful sunset was ending and it became too dark to see the trail.Nathan kept me going at a steady pace and kept me entertained. We saw several deer through the morning. The trail had lots of ups and downs and some rocky areas, but most of it was fairly smooth and easy hiking. We passed lots of day hikers, particularly when we were near trailhead parking areas. Most of the day hikers were couples, a few were families, and there was one large group. At a remote mountain top we came upon a couple just after the girl had accepted the fellows proposal for marriage.We did not stop for many pictures, but when we did Nathan made sure one or both of us were in them.Weather is scheduled to turn cold, below freezing, with possibility of snow after tomorrow; so our days of pleasant hiking may soon be over.Today I reached the 100 miles to go milestone. If I do not fall and hurt myself, I will finish the through hike.
Date: 2014-11-12
From: Skyland Resort mile 1257.1

To: South River Picnic Area mile 1278.9
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: broken clouds

Long 22 mile hike today may have been the longest I have done on the whole trip. The trail was easy most of the way. There were few areas with lots of rocks on the trail and the ups and downs had lots of nice switchbacks and were not very steep. I am trying to put in as many miles as possible both to get the trip over and to finish while Nathan is off work to hike with me.Nathan is hurting with sore leg muscles that he has not used for long distance hiking in some time, but he is still pushing us to keep going each day. He advocated walking another three miles after we reached May Louise at the pickup point last night, but that would have required finishing in the dark. His legs were sore enough that he was not unhappy that I balked. The problem with the top of my right foot being sore and swollen seems to have gone away. I speculated that is might have been caused by my wearing a knee brace on my right leg too tightly. I quit wearing the knee brace, put mole foam on the sore area, and skipped eyelets in my right boot so the shoestring did not go across it, it took a few days for the swelling to go down and the pain to subside, but all is well now.My only remaining foot problem is my misaligned little toe that hurts when I first put on my boots where a damaged toenail is being pushed out by new growth. It was a beautiful day for hiking, cool and sunny. With the leaves off the trees many ridge walk vistas that would be hidden in other times of the year are visible. We met a few intrepid section hikers getting in miles before the weather gets real cold. The temperature is scheduled to drop tomorrow and there is a chance of snow predicted. I think I can handle the cold OK if it does not drop very far below freezing. I am not so confident about the snow, though Nathan is enthusiastic about the possible challenge.We came across a young buck today that stayed close watching us appearing to protect a doe that was lying hidden under a nearby log. Nathan distracted it with commands he uses with his dog Bomber while I took pictures, the deer blend in with the undergrowth so well that that even when pictures are taken from a short distance with my little camera the deer do not stand out very clearly. The cabin we are staying in at Skyland Resort is old and worn, but still adequate and very welcomed when we reach it each night. The Lodge is rustic and attractive. The meals there are only adequate, but the portions are large and filling.
Date: 2014-11-13
From: South River Picnic Area mile 1278.9

To: Pinefield Gap,Skyline Drive mm 73.2,mile 1293.4
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: overcast clouds

We spotted Nathan's car at yesterday's stop point then May Louise took us down Skyline Drive and we hiked north. Nathan's hiking poles were missing, but we found the in the trailhead parking lot where we had driven off and left them last night. It was a chilly day with snow predicted, but other than having frozen fingers it was a great day for hiking. Few others were on the trail. We met a pair of section hikers we had seen yesterday and Johnny Bravo, an intrepid southbound through hiker planning to hike through the winter to reach Georgia. He had been hiking with a group, but the others moved on when he stopped to visit a relative in Front Royal. He hiked a 40 mile day to catch up with them only to discover that they had yellow blazed (gotten a ride) out of range. The snow started during the last two hours of our hike. It started as sleet pellets and turned to flakes. After supper we retired to the motel in Waynesboro where May Louise had gotten us a room and outlined our schedule for the rest of the trip. If we can do 20 mile hikes on Friday and Sunday we can finish with a short 11 mile hike over the last mountain on Monday and leave Nathan with enough time to drive back to Asheville and be ready to return to work on Tuesday. The only problem with our plan is May Louise's schedule. Months ago she purchased a ticket for a luncheon at the Willard Hotel in downtown DC to hear Kenneth Burns talk about his TV series on the Roosevelts. Both my through hike finish and the luncheon fall on next Monday. As I have walked over the past couple of months I have envisioned coming across the Tye River Bridge, stepping off the trail, and whispering in her ear as I hug her, "We've done it, let's go home." I can reprogram my mental video, but she wants to be present for both events and will be unhappy whichever one she misses.
Date: 2014-11-14
From: Pinefield Gap,Skyline Drive mm 73.2,mile 1293.4

To: Wildcat Ridge, Skyline mm 92.4, mile 1313.0
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: few clouds

Today was predicted to be colder than yesterday with lows in the high 20s and highs in the low 30s. The weather matched the prediction. Nevertheless our gear kept us reasonably comfortable with the exception of my fingers. They have very weak circulation and freeze up easily. I wore a pair of thick mittens Nathan had packed and put a couple of chemical heat packs in each mitten. My fingers still got cold, but the were not too painful. The ground was covered with snow. It was thick enough to change the appearance of the forest, but not thick enough to create any problems walking the trail. We stopped for lunch at a shelter where previous hikers had left hot coals in the fire pit. Nathan built a quick fire that warmed us up and made lunch much more pleasant.Nathan brags about his dad¢s accomplishment to almost everyone we meet. The resulting congratulations are nice, but what I really like is having my son express his pride in his old man.My energy started to sag as we reached the last few miles of the day and Nathan did a good job of keeping me moving. We reached the trailhead cold and tired just as dusk was settling.The Shenandoah Park has started closing Skyline Drive at 5:00 pm. May Louise had checked with the Park Staff to see what to do if we got off the trail after 5:00. They assured her that the exit nearest to Waynesboro where we have our motel room will be open after 5:00, so after she picked us up we headed that way. Just before the exit a Park Patrolman stopped us and instructed us to take a two hour detour to the North exit. His action made a long irritating close to an otherwise demanding day.May Louise decided to stay with us for the completion of the trail and to skip her Ken Burns luncheon. I am delighted she will be here for the finish but unhappy that she will miss a neat event she has been looking forward to.
Date: 2014-11-15
From: Wildcat Ridge, Skyline mm 92.4, mile 1313.0

To: US 250 & Blue Ridge Parkway, mile 1327.4
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

Today was supposed to be a little warmer than yesterday, but when we started the trail at 10:00 the thermometer registered 19 degrees. Happily the sun was out and there was no wind, but I still felt colder than I did most of yesterday.We started late both to give the day time to warm up and to take advantage of a shorter mileage goal. I would have preferred to go farther today and have a shorter walk tomorrow, but there were no road crossings at a location that would have allowed us equal distances both days.Today¢s trail was harder than I expected. The ups and downs were steeper than yesterday and the trail was rockier. Although Natan does a good job of challenging me to keep moving, the long days of hiking are causing him to have some knee and leg pains. He may agree to take a day off tomorrow to rest his body and visit with May Louise in order to assure that he is feeling well and ready to join me for the last day of the through hike on Monday. Both of us are concerned about the almost 20 mile hike scheduled for Sunday, but I am confident I can complete it if I can get myself started on the trail at daybreak. Weather is supposed to be a little warmer tomorrow, but there is a chance of rain for the last day of my hike. Hopefully it will fall like it did when May Louise picked me up at the Tye River trailhead for my flip flop. Just after I got in the car a severe thunderstorm broke making me really appreciate being in the luxury of the dry warm vehicle.We came across a few day hikers today and one group of three boys who were assigned to sweep up stragglers from their college hiking club¢s overnight hike to an AT shelter. When we met them they were looking for their group. After some conversation and consulting my map (they did not have a map or compass), they discovered that their group had hiked south on the trail while they were going north. I am delighted and a little surprised that I am only two days from finishing the through hike. Nathan challenged me to write something inspiring or profound in the shelter journal where we stopped for lunch today. Unfortunately I could not think of anything that met either standard.
Date: 2014-11-16
From: US 250 & Blue Ridge Parkway, mile 1327.4

To: Three Ridges Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway mm 13.1,
Miles today: 18.7

Nathan took a zero day to let his knee and leg heal and to complete some work projects while I hiked the next to last day of the trail. I enjoyed the solitude of a final day alone and brought my iPad to replay some of my favorite trail music.Although chilly, the day was not as cold as yesterday and it started easily with a smooth pathway and gentle slopes for the first five miles to the Paul C. Wolfe Shelter where I met the college hiking club students we had redirected yesterday. They repaid me with a cup of hot chocolate and a warm fire.The next five miles were more demanding as I hiked up six miles to the top of Humpback Mountain where I met a senior citizen hiking club from the coastal Virginia area. I think they had taken advantage of a roadway that gave them a shortened route up the mountain.The final miles of the day which I had expected to be flat and easy were rocky, frequently steep, and ofter covered in deep leaves, all of which made for slow walking. I ran out of daylight before I reached my target trailhead and will have to add an extra half mile on to tomorrow¢s hike.I am really looking forward to being finished with the whole through hike tomorrow, but the weather report says Nathan and I will finish on a day with 100% chance of rain. The trail hike guides warn you to never quit on a bad day, but they do not say anything about finishing on a bad day.The rain predicted for tomorrow started the middle of this afternoon. It was not heavy enough to make me uncomfortable, but it did make the rocks wet and slippery. I almost fell a couple of times. I do not want to fall and hurt myself this close to the end of the hike.   We finished the day with a ¢Gran Memorial¢ supper at a Golden Corral Buffet Restaurant. My dad loved the Golden Corral and took a meal each day at the one near his home in Chattanooga for the last few years of his life. The food was bland but plentiful. Most of the customers looked like folks who frequently try to get their money¢s worth at the all you can eat establishment.
Date: 2014-06-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I will be hitting the trail this year in late July. This year I will be hiking with my friend One Stick. He is a hundred plus miles ahead of me. I left the trail last year in Vernon NJ. I will be skipping ahead to Great Barrington MA where One Stick left the trail last year. I prefer not hiking alone so it will be great to have his company. One Stick and I hiked in Virginia together in 2009. My wife doesn't like me hiking alone on the trail so this works out great. I will go back and finish the section I will miss. HYOH MUDFLAP
Date: 2014-06-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

      I have a flight booked to Hartford,CT on the 28th of July. I need to find a shuttle to Great Barrington to meet One Stick. He will be coming in on a bus from Indiana . We will start hiking on the 29th. I'm busy now trying to get in shape and get my gear ready.      MUDFLAP
Date: 2014-06-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

   Today I went on a 6.6 mile loop hike to make sure I'm ok with my boots. I hiked a loop trail at Little Manatee state park. It's a good trail with some slight elevation change at least for west central Florida. It"s had to find time to get in shape when you work a lot of hours. I drive a fuel tanker . I'm looking forward to getting out on the trail and getting some rest. Well i don't think rest is the correct word. At least not physical rest.      MUDFLAP
Date: 2014-07-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today I did a hike outside of Valrico FL. Sydney Dover trail is a old mine site.The trail is geared for horses. It`s grass and dirt roads with lakes through out it.Mostly flat with some miner hills. It opens at Sunrise thats why I chose it.I did 13.1 miles in 4 hours. Thats a fast for me.I then went home and went through my gear. I had to make a ground sheet for my Tarptent Virga. I started to put the tent up and I broke the curved pole for the tent. I know this tent hasn`t been made in many years. If I cant get a replacement,I will have to buy another tent. I hope I can get part. I have never used this tent, I bought it off Ebay this year. HYOH
Date: 2014-07-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I needed to do good mileage day. I talked to One Stick and he did a 16 mile+ day in Great Smoky mountains. I need to test myself and make sure my boots are ok. It's Florida so it's flat,hot,and humid. I ended up doing 16.1 miles. Everything went well. I'm trying to organize my gear and decide what to take. I always pack to much gear. I will have to cut gear so the pack is under 30 lbs with water and food.
Date: 2014-07-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today I planned to load my pack and do a short hike. I put weights in to simulate food , that I haven't purchased yet. I put a total of 11 pounds into my pack. I estimate 2 lbs a day, really I should have only put 8 lbs in . I also put a bottle of water to represent my alchol fuel and two liters of water. My pack weight was 38 lbs. I did have 3 lbs extra weight. But 35 lbs us 5 lbs too much. My food ended up being 1.5 lbs a day .So now I'm at 33 lbs. I will go through and see what else I can do without .Wish me luck with that.
Date: 2014-07-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I'm packed and ready for my flight tomorrow. I hope I haven't forgot anything important. I usually take more than I need. My wife helped me do a shakedown on my gear trying to cut some ounces. I took some food and some clothing out of my bag. My wife tried to talk me out of taking a little blue tooth keyboard to do my journal on. I'm tying this on my I phone,not the keyboard I brought. I guess she was right. She's gonna love this!;-) She has been patient with me trying to finish my 2009 thru hike attempt in big sections. She's the best!
Date: 2014-07-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was my travel day to Great Barrington, MA. I took Super Shuttle to the Airport, that went as planned. I had some food and drinks at the Airport while I waited for my flight. My flight went well and was on time. I waited a couple minutes for my shuttle to pick me up.Silvia picked me up right outside bagage claim. We had a great conversation on the trip to Great Barrington. She a hiker and works on the trail. She even brought some fuel for me.I couldn't get the cap off, darn child proof cap. If you need a Shuttle in this area I suggest Silvia.She is on the AT shuttle list.Thank you Silvia! Great Barrington is a beautiful New England town.I hit the trail tomorrow when One Stick gets here.Please sign my journal.
Date: 2014-07-29
From: US 7 Great Barrington MA

To: Tom Leonard Shelter
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: scattered clouds

One Sticks bus was a little late. He had a long bus ride from Indy. After eating and packing a sub out for dinner, we hit the trail at about 2 pm. The area had a lot of rain before we got here.The Housatonic River was almost over its banks. We came to a dip in the trail that was very deep with water. We ended up taking our boots off and put camp shoes on to cross. I was wearing pants so I zipped the legs off. The water was just below One Sticks crutch. One stick is well over 6 ft tall. That means.... aahhh my lets say jingle bells got wet and the water wasn't that warm. The day didn't go well, One Stick was having bad leg cramps and he was tired. The trail is never easy that's a fact. We made it to the shelter with maybe 1& 1/2 hours of light left. One Sticks cramps never stopped. We will take it easy tomorrow .
Date: 2014-07-30
From: Tom Leonard Shelter

To: Mt Wilcox North Shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: overcast clouds

One Stick had cramps all night. We planned to only go about 7 miles and see how he does today. He still had cramps but they were better today. We both were still slow on the uphill hiking.We came up on a van in a trail parking area and I knew who it was! It was Miss Janet of course. We came out and talked to us and gave us a cold soda. Our first Trail Magic on this trip. We sat and took a break and talked with her for a while. We ended up getting some more trail magic from two trail maintainers. We got a fancy cookie! Gotta love trail magic! We also talked to Fittyshrimp a thru hiker that was at the shelter last night also. We hiked next to Benedict Pond which is a beaver pond.The side trail to the shelter was .3 miles off the trail, mostly down hill. One Sticks cramps were much better today. We were both tired and ready for a good nights sleep.
Date: 2014-07-31
From: Mt Wilcox North Shelter

To: Upper Goose Pond
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we were going to try to make it to Upper Goose Pond. If not we can try to find a spot to tent. Their hasn't been a lot of them in this area. One stick slept well and didn't have many cramps. We did well until the end of the day. The trail is very muddy with roots and rocks most if the time in this section. We made it eventually, tired and wore out. There was only on tent platform left. We got both tents to fit. Both tents take a lot of room to set up. We both used the pond to try and get some of the funk off our bodies. It helps but you still put on the same dirty cloths to hike in. Upper Goose cabin is a enclosed cabin with a bunk room upstairs and a propane stove and a propane light in the kitchen. No water or electricity. They bring drinking water in for us. They had over 20 in the bunk room tonight. They cook pancakes in the morning. They have a donation box. Their is also a caretaker or two their to run the place during hiker season. It's run by the AMC, the largest AT club. Great place!
Date: 2014-08-02
From: Washington Mtn Rd

To: Crystal Mountain Campsite
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: clear sky

I got to talk to One Stick before I left this morning. He would stay one more night at the blueberry farm. His wife will be there Sunday morning. I will miss not hiking with him. I guess I will have to be the web catcher myself. That's the first person out on the trail, knocking down the webs across the trail. I will also miss when he chokes on a bug that flies into his mouth. Your company will be missed my friend.