morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-05-18
From: White top mountain, mile 490

To: Old orchard shelter 
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up to fog and mist. Left camp by 0730 with Twanda and Boomer. Boomer has been sick for the last 4 days and will take a few days off. I left them at Massie Gap. Hiked thru Grayson Highlands State Park passing thru the 500 mile marker! It was so much fun to walk among the wild ponies and let them lick my arms and legs. Arrived at the shelter by 1630. Really tired after 18 miles and the soles of my feet are so sore and painful. It reminds me of the plantar fasciitis I had in my last year of medical school. I am trying to stretch my soles twice a day and have increased my daily dose of naproxen.
Date: 2015-05-19
From: Old orchard shelter 

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: light rain

Jingle Butt kicked butt today - 23 miles. I had not intended to hike so much especially with my sore feet but knew it was a nice shelter and my day in Marion the next day would be without any hiking. I started hiking at 0715 and arrived at the next shelter at 1730. The Partnership shelter is on the road near the visitor center for Marion. Pizza can be ordered and delivered to the shelter. When I arrived at the shelter I told the other thru hikers of my big day with 23 miles and they all shared their pizza with me. What a great way to end a very long day. Tomorrow I will take the public bus to Marion and stay at the Travel Inn where I will pick up my mail drop.
Date: 2015-05-20
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Marion, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Arrived at the Travel Inn at 10 am. Checked in and took a wonderful hot shower. I needed to organize 6 days of food for the 90 miles to Pearisburg. The public bus in Marion will take you anywhere for 50 cents. I needed to go to the Post Office to bounce a box to the Plaza Hotel in Pearisburg. I have decided to bounce my down jacket and if I don't need it in the next week will send it home. I am trying to lighten my pack to help my very sore feet.
Date: 2015-05-21
From: Marion, VA

To: Reed Creek 
Miles today: 18.0

Started hiking at 0900 in the mist and rain but eventually cleared. My pack is heavier with 6 days of food for the 90 miles to Pearisburg. Hiked thru Atkins right past the Relax Inn and saw Twanda sitting outside her hotel room. I stopped and visited with her and got the update on Boomer who is feeling better. The trail at this point passes under I-80 going my an Exxon station. I went in and purchased my new favorite candy bar, Payday, which has 11 grams of protein. I hiked until Reed Creek to camp by myself for the first time - one of my goals for this AT adventure. My biggest challenge was trying to throw a bear line over a branch to hang my food for the night. I have only successfully completed this task twice. I was not having any success when thru hikers Pineapple Express and Hell bender came along. They volunteered to help and of course had no trouble throwing a bear line for me. I slept fairly well that night knowing my food was up high in a tree.
Date: 2015-05-22
From: Reed Creek 

To: Walker Gap
Miles today: 18.0

Quiet day of hiking thru private farm lands and pastures enclosed by bared wired fences. Due to the fences there are wooden stiles (looks like a ladder) that require climbing over when entering or leaving the private land. I have never been to Virginia and have really enjoyed the rolling hills and farms. My feet are still hurting big time! Feeling a bit discouraged by the pain. I think I need new inserts for my hiking shoes. Pearisburg does not have an outfitter but the next town Daleville should have one. Not seeing many thru hikers. I think I am between 2 "bubbles" of groups. It amazes me how much the hiker crowd has thinned out since leaving North Carolina. Arrived at Walker Gap to camp again by myself. Again could not throw a line up to hang my food but again a thru hiker helped me. I feel asleep listening to an owl hoot to another distant owl. The hoot was so loud I am convinced the owl must have been right over my tent.
Date: 2015-05-23
From: Walker Gap

To: Helveys Mill Shelter
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: clear sky

I woke up at 0615 in Walker Gap to find 2 trucks and 3 men setting up trail magic breakfast for thru hikers. What a nice surprise and way to start my day which I knew would be long if I wanted to make it to the Helvey's Mill Shelter, 24 miles. I took an orange and banana with me for the road since I had already eaten my own breakfast. I stopped at Laurel Creek to soak my feet which are still very painful. Between stretching, taking high dose Naproxen and soaking whenever possible I seem to cover the miles. When I arrived at the shelter I met thru hiker, Crackers, who is a massage therapist. When I told him about my feet he volunteered to massage them for me. I couldn't believe he was being so generous to the extent that he would massage my smelly feet. It was the most painful massage I have ever had on my feet but well worth it. He also showed me how to stretch the fascia of my soles to work out all the inflammation. Hopefully I can decrease the pain level until I can get to an outfitters for new inserts.
Date: 2015-05-24
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: Dismal Creek Falls
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up with less pain in my feet. Thank you, Crackers! Hiked a bit with Splash from Indiana. We are all heading to Dismal Falls to camp. I arrived at 1530 to find thru hiker from 2014, Pooh Bear, providing trail magic with hot dogs, chips, fruits and drink. I ate 3 hot dogs! I also went swimming in the refreshing cold water. Soaked my feet as much as possible in the waterfall. Feet are feeling a bit better with regular stretching. Camped with thru hiker Doc 13 and squirrel.
Date: 2015-05-25
From: Dismal Creek Falls

To: Mile marker 632
Miles today: 21.7
Weather: light rain

Left Dismal Falls early to hike as close to Pearisburg as possible with Doc 13. We bypassed the Woods Hole hostel which was highly recommended. We hiked over Pearis Mnt and found a lovely camp site overlooking the city. Doc 13 pointed out several snakes which I apparently stepped over. Tomorrow will only have 2-3 miles to hike into Pearisburg for a nero day before heading back out to Daleville. Weather has been great but rain is expected for the next week.
Date: 2015-05-26
From: Mile marker 632

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 3.0

Arrived in Pearisburg at 0815! Doc 13 and I had breakfast at Hardees. Really enjoyed my cup of coffee. Now I am waiting to check into the Plaza hotel. I will have to shop for 5 days of food for the 95 miles to Daleville. I hope my feet will make it to Daleville. Wish me luck. I plan to take a zero in Daleville and visit with my friend Angela. Hopefully I can give my feet lots of TLC while visiting Angela.
Date: 2015-05-27
From: Pearisburg

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I had only planned on staying one night in Pearisburg and then getting back on the trail. I called my friend, Angela (friend from my Peace Corps days) who in her loving Russian way insisted that I spend the night with her in her home 30 miles north of Pearisburg. Her husband picked my up the night of the 26 and I spent the 27th with her and her daughter, Alina. Alina took me to Blacksburg to buy new shoes, trail runners, in a size 9! I am usually a 7 1/2 shoe. While I was waiting to be picked up that evening a thru hiker, Crackers, whom I had met a few nights ago and had offered to massage my aching feet showed up in the parking lot of the Plaza Motel. I offered him my paided hotel room since I was leaving at the last minute. He is on a tight budget and accepted the offer. I was glad that I could thank him in some tangible way for helping with my feet. My zero day with Angela, her daughter whom I had not seen in 10 years and her husband was fun and refreshing. I decided to get back on the trail on the 28th.
Date: 2015-05-28
From: Pearisburg

To: Pine Swamp Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: light rain

Angela's husband dropped me off at the trail at 0830. I was a bit disoriented and actually started hiking south for about 10 minutes then realized I was going in the WRONG direction. I left with only one liter of water not realizing there was no water for 10 miles.I am now hiking in trail runners which have less grip but feel softer on my tender soles. I met Twanda at the shelter late aftenoon. We decided to hike one mile north for join the festivities at "captain's" house. Captain is a section hiker who lives practically on the AT. He has thru hiked 1100 miles and section hiked in New England. Every year he hosts a party for thru hikers. He provides a zip line to cross the creek to his house. We all tented in his backyard. In the evening there was a campfire. Twanda, Clown car and I were sharing our favorite hymns. I mentioned my mother's favorite hymn, On Eagles Wings. Clown car was so excited as it was her favorite hymn and started singing it. Listenin to her sing brought back wonderful memories of my mother who passed away in February of this year.
Date: 2015-05-29
From: Pine Swamp Shelter

To: Laurel Creek shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: light rain

Continuing to hiker with Twanda who provides a needed distraction from my sore feet. I answered her questions while hiking uphill which made me breathless with all the heat and humidity. Twanda is a fast hiker and I have trouble keeping up with her! While hiking I met honey badger who is from my hometown of Rockland. We arrived at the shelter 15 minutes before the thunderstorms arrived. We secured a spot in the shelter and watched the storm roll in total dryness. A hiker's delight.
Date: 2015-05-30
From: Laurel Creek shelter

To: Pickle Branch shelter
Miles today: 22.5
Weather: broken clouds

when I woke up in the shelter this morning I realized for the first time that women were the majority of the hikers sleeping in the shelter. Of the 6 hikers, 5 were women. Needless to say it was a quiet night! Today we hiked by the famous Keffer Oak tree on the AT. The oak tree has a girth of 18 feet, 3 inches. 300 years old. After lunch we took a spur trail to the Audie Murphy Monument. Thru hiker and history buff, Icvarus gave us a brief summation of his life. It continues to be hot and humid - a constant reminder that spring is gone and summer in VA has arrived. I have never sweated so much in my life. I am still adjusting to my trail runners and their lack of grip. I took a bad fall and twisted my right knee. Now I am having intermittant knee pain. My feet continue to hurt but not painful enough to stop hiking. Camped away from the shelter due to bugs. I had my third successful bear bag hang!
Date: 2015-05-31
From: Pickle Branch shelter

To: lamberts Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was a big day: Hiked thru Dragon's tooth, McAffee Knob and decided at the last minute to night hike to Tinker's Cliff to watch the sunset. I had a fun and great picture taken of me at McAffee's knob. Twanda decided to go into town just prior to McAffee's knob for food. I hiked onto the shelter arriving around 4 pm. I decided to eat dinner early. She arrived at 6 pm and asked if I wanted to keep going to make our day tomorrow a shorter hike into Daleville. After resting mostly my sore feet for 2 hours I said yes. It was great to hike in the early evening and having already eaten dinner I had a second wind to push onto the next shelter. It was so beautiful to watch the sun go down while sitting on these cliffs. It lifted my spirits especially with all the pain I have been having with my feet. We arrived at the shelter around 8:30 pm in time to put up my tent and fall into a coma!
Date: 2015-06-01
From: lamberts Meadow Shelter

To: Daleville
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: mist

The AT goes right through Daleville. Twanda and I hiked 10 miles into town and stayed at the Howard Johnson hotel. After showering we discovered that the washing machine and dryer were broken! We were told that the Super 8 across the street would not allow us to use their laundry facilities. Desperate for clean clothes, Twanda, I and another female thru hiker walked over to the Super 8 motel. We approached the toothless manager and explained our predicament. He said he would make an exception for "3 lovely hikers". Estrogen wins again! While at the Howard Johnson I saw thru hiker, Audios, who I met on day 2 of this hike. He had been sick 4 days but was getting better. It was great to see him and offer any medical advice for his bacterial illness. He had already been to the local doctor. That evening another thru hiker, Icarus, organized a movie night in his hotel room to watch a movie. We all ate pizza and drank beer while watching the movie. I met Goldstar who is very interested in volunteering for Peace Corps. I hope he submits an application. He would make a good Peace Corps Volunteer. I frequently find myself recruiting for Peace Corps!
Date: 2015-06-02
From: Daleville

To: bobblets 
Miles today: 18.5

Enjoyed the continental breakfast at Howard Johnsons. Within a few miles of hiking I saw a white mountain goat on the trail. I was so surprised! The last time I saw a mountain goat was glacier national park many years ago. I did get a picture but still have not figured out how to insert pictures into this website. The hike was relatively easy for which I was grateful due to a heavy pack with 5 days of food. Fortunately I made it to the shelter 1 hour before the rain started. I had considered hiking another 5.7 miles to the next shelter but decided to stay due to possibility of rain. Twanda arrived after me and I was able to save her a space in the shelter. When the rain started it rained all night and the next day.
Date: 2015-06-03
From: bobblets 

To: Corneilus Creek shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: light rain

Woke up to mist and rain. My feet continue to hurt. I am trying to soak them as much as possible in the streams. At noon, received Trail Magic from Mountain Dew, a section hiker. Arrived at the shelter by 1600. Glad to get a space in the shelter due to all the rain.
Date: 2015-06-05
From: John Hollow

To: Buena Vista
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Twanda and I left the shelter at 0700 trying to get an early start to our 20 miles to Buena Vista. Just prior to reaching the road I saw my first Black Bear. It was a cub about 20 yards from me. I saw him/her first and clanked by poles. The cub looked up and ran up the hill. I had no desire to take a picture but kept walking. I am sure mother bear was close by.We reached the road by 1500. We hitched a ride into downtown Buena Vista to find that the hostel listed in the guide closed last year. We both were so tired and hungry and it was 4 pm. We decided to eat first at a great "mom and pop" Italian restaurant. We shared our lodging predicament with our waitress who volunteered to drive up to a hotel frequently used by thru hikers. Trail Magic again! It was a whirl wind day in Buena Vista as we both wanted to be back on the trail in the morning. We were able to contact a local elderly man who agreed to drive us to the laundry mat and grocery store that evening. He also agreed to drive us to the trailhead in the morning which he doesn't usually do but because we were so "enjoyable" he would make an exception. I told Twanda we were "2 for 2" (laundry facilities in Daleville and ride to trailhead in Buena Vista)for our female presence granting us favors. This elderly gentleman even gave a beef jerky for a our hike.
Date: 2015-06-06
From: Buena Vista

To: Priest Shelter
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: scattered clouds

The rain finally stopped. It was less humid with a light wind. In the late afternoon we took a side trail to Spy Rock with panoramic views. I saw a doe with her fawn. I was able to soak my feet twice which helped a lot. Priest Shelter is known for it's log book of confessions. Hikers write confessions in the log book which can be true or not. I confessed to being insane to consider a 30 mile hike the next day into Waynesboro. Twanda and I discovered that where we wanted to camp the next night was closed due to bear problems. 30 miles would get us to the shelter closest to the road. But in the end we did camp in the no camping zone hiking 20 miles instead of 30. I guess illegal camping should have been my confession. It is better than being crazy enough to hike 30 miles in one day.
Date: 2015-06-07
From: Priest Shelter

To: Dripping Rock Parking Area
Miles today: 20.3

We left Priest shelter thinking we may have to hike 30 miles. By 3 pm while receiving more Trail Magic we decided to camp off the road at Dripping Rock. This would make 20 miles with a 14 mile hike out to Waynesboro.In the course of this day I received emails and voicemails from my husband, Ron, about our dog, Hazel, a black lab of 13.5 years. She has been declining in the last few months but seemed stable until 2 weeks ago. She had a major seizure and did not tolerate the anti-seizure medication. She stopped eating, was incontinent and could not get off her bed. She also seemed to be in a lot of pain. Ron made the good call to have her put down on the 7th. I finally was able to reach him at the end of the day after Hazel has been euthanized. It was such a hard and tearful phone call. I cried all the way to our campsite. I was not prepared to lose Hazel while hiking. I knew she was not doing well but hoped she would hang in there until I returned home at the end of June. I am so sad I did not get the chance to say goodbye to her. She has been such a wonderful companion and my first dog.
Date: 2015-06-08
From: Dripping Rock Parking Area

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 14.3

Did not sleep well last night. Missing my dog, Hazel, kept me awake and knowing she will not greet me at the door when I return to Maine in a few weeks. I got up around 0530 to soak my feet in the stream before leaving camp to hike to Waynesboro with Twanda. I knew I had to make it over Humpback Mountain then there would be minimal elevation gain into Rockfish Gap/Waynesboro. Once again it was a hot and humid day. I have a package waiting for me at the Stanimal Hostel so that is the destination for tonight. Stanimal hostel is owned by thru hiker, Adam. It is in a residential neighborhood with a supermarket within 10 minutes of walking. We arrived midafternoon. Dinner in his kitchen was $10 - a good deal and meal. Met up with Tribute from Texas who will begin a PhD program in at Baylor this fall. Admire his ambition. Also shared the hostel with a mother/daughter team - restlentless and Wistful also from Texas. Will take a zero tomorrow - long over due. My last zero was in Pearisburg.
Date: 2015-06-09
From: Waynesboro

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 0.0

Restful day at the Stanimal Hostel. I only had to grocery shop so was able to be off my feet for most of the day. Originally I thought I had plantar fasciitis but the majority of my pain is at the base of my toes where I think the tendons insert. I called my primary care doctor and requested a topical form of ibruprofen (Voltaren gel) to be called into the local pharmacy. It was expensive ($50) but I hope decreases the inflammation in my feet. Icing my feet all day has also helped. At night Twanda and I watched Fried Green Tomatoes the origin of her trail name, Twanda. It was released in 1992. I had never seen the movie. I was in graduate school at the time - probably too busy to watch movies. It was great to share the movie with Twanda and understand the significance of her trail name. Tomorrow will begin the trek into Shanandoah NP. Adam, the hostel owner has advised taking only 3 days of food due to the availability of "Waysides" within the park that provide breakfast and lunches. The less weight on my back the better. My feet agree.
Date: 2015-06-10
From: Waynesboro

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: clear sky

20 miles seems to be my daily average since at least Pearisburg, VA.. Today we entered the southern terminus of Shenandoah NP. A self registration is required. I have estimated that I can hike thru the park in 5 days. There is an initial ascent but then the trail follows a ridgeline which was fairly easy to hike. Passed over skyline drive the road that runs thru the park several times.
Date: 2015-06-11
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: few clouds

Enjoyed my first Wayside meal in the park but I needed to hike an additional mile (round trip) to the Wayside. It was worth it! Twanda and I sat in air conditioning and ate burgers with sweet potatoes fries. We stayed for about an hour talking with other thru hikers some of which began in early to mid March. Since my daily mileage has increased I have met more hikers with a start date in March. It always surprises me that i am "catching up" with them. They must be taking more zeros and hiking less miles per day. No judgement. We all have our own hike to hike.
Date: 2015-06-12
From: Hightop Hut

To: Rockspring Hut
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: light rain

The goal for today is to have dinner at the Big Meadow Wayside which requires 24 miles of hiking. I thought I could make it there by 4 pm. During the day I hiked a bit with thru hiker, Mission, from Arkansas. He is on a "Mission" to reach Katadhin by late August. He is hiking 25-35 miles/day. Needless to day I could not keep up with him. Within 15 minutes of reaching the wayside there was a torrential downpour of rain. Twanda beat it by 15 minutes and was sitting inside all dry. I dropped my pack inside and ordered a pulled pork sandwich and blackberry shake. Thru hiker, Corky, was there waiting for a ride from her husband. Mission also joined us for dinner. I was so greatful for relief from the rain. After dinner with the rain stopped it was a beautiful 4 mile hike to the Hut. The rain had cleared out the heat and humidity. It was great to arrive at the shelter with only my tent to set up. Dinner had been eaten.
Date: 2015-06-13
From: Rockspring Hut

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Since my hike began in April I have been trying to find a way to meet my niece, Mary and her husband Eric at Shenandoah NP. This week I realized the AT passes thru Pinnacles Peak Picnic area. And the day I would pass thru this picnic area would be a saturday - easy for them to meet me on the weekend. Mary offered to prepare a picnic lunch with my favorite foods! I met them at 11 am with plans to hike to Marys Rock, one of Mary's favorite hikes in the park. While eating our lunch at one of the many picnic tables a thru hiker I had met on day one, 2 step, called out my name. I was shocked to see him as he had decided to leave the trail 2 weeks ago. He was day hiking with his wife. We had a great reunion and I introduced him to my niece and her husband. 2 step offered advice about post trail transitions which I greatly appreciated. Mary and Eric gave me all the left over fruit to take to the shelter plus a beer (in a glass bottle). This sounds crazy to do - carry a 12 oz bottle of any fluid to the shelter but it was only a few miles and I had few days left to my section hike. As soon as I arrived at the shelter I put the beer in the spring by the shelter. I was the envy of the shelter. While I was eating my grapes and strawberries a thru hiker arrived who looked soooo familar to me. It was thru hiker, Beer Man, from Maine and also a reporter for the Portland paper.   I had met him 2 years before at an Appalachian Mountian Club talk on skiing in Gaspe National Park. He is submitting articles for the Portland Paper about his AT hike. I read a few before I left on my hike. He said he would include me in his next article if I gave him my beer. I said "No deal".