morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-09
From: Random Ridge

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Another tough day. Good, but tough. Sometimes the miles just don't flow like they usually do. I even saw some cool stuff today, but I couldn't help but ask the "Are we there yet?" question. We ended up tenting last night. The grass is all dewy in the morning, so that would have been on our sleeping bags if we had cowboy camped. We camped maybe a half-mile outside Grayson Highlands State Park, which is home to several "wild" ponies. By wild, I mean free to graze without being corralled. However, these ponies are anything but "wild". They hang out by the trail, and are tame enough to let hikers pet them and take pictures. I've even heard of them licking the salty sweat off your arm. Pretty cool. After that, we were just walking. We met a few cool couples, who were out section-hiking for a few days.I have been thinking about Subway for a long time now and I want it. Badly. Everytime I see one, I either just ate way too much or we don't have time. Tomorrow, there is a chance for Subway, and I will do everything in my power to alleviate this craving. In other news, GOOD LUCK SOJO! (who I am pretty sure started the AT today at Springer, GA). Keep it real. Also, I am aware that this journal is not simply a recording of my thoughts anymore. I am also trying to convey my thoughts for the benefit of my readers. I honestly wish you guys could be out here with me. Through the good days and the bad. this is turning out to be an amazing experience. So, on that note, if you are reading, .........please, sign my Guestbook!! I would love to hear from everyone, whether I know you or not. I may not be able to respond, but I do read and appreciate all of the comments. So, thanks!"People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road, doesn't mean they've gotten lost." ~ H. Jackson Brown Jr.
Date: 2008-04-10
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Route 16 (Marion) - Econolodge
Miles today: 10.7

Odd day today. We got an early start this morning because we wanted to do 21 into Atkins, VA for a night in town. We did 10 pretty easy miles into Partnership Shelter, where we ordered pizza delivered to the shelter. YEAH, that's right.My new shoes delivered a blow though. Two days ago, I took my socks off and found a dead piece of skin on my heel. I hadn't even felt it. I knew the new, untoughened skin could blister easily. So, I taped it up. This morning, it hurt a little bit, so I took a look at it while waiting for pizza. There was a small blister, so I popped it, cleaned it, and tried to walk on it. There was no way I was going 10 more miles on it. It would just have made it even worse, not to mention hurt really badly. Heel blisters are by far the most painful. There was a road there, so I hitched into Marion, VA to call it a day.I hope to catch up with CK and Shepherd, but I honestly don't see that happening for a while. Shepherd is following a July 4th summit schedule, which is a bit ambitious for me. I think I want to slow down for a bit, especially while I make sure this heel recovers. I am staying at a crappy "Econolodge", which isn't economical at all. I resupplied and FINALLY got some Subway for dinner. Getting back on the trail tomorrow might be a bit tricky, but I'm sure I can come up with something."This, now, is the judgment of our scientific age -- the third reaction of man upon the universe! This universe is not hostile, nor yet is it friendly. It is simply indifferent." ~ James H. Holmes
Date: 2008-04-11
From: Route 16 (Marion) - Econolodge

To: Route 16 (Marion) - Econolodge
Miles today: 0.0

Town got the best of me today. And TV. It is so easy to get sucked in, especially when several great sporting events are on. My biological alarm clock is still set for between 0700 and 0800, so I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep. I didn't get great sleep anyway. Bed was too soft I think. My back was confused. Since I needed to send some journal entries home, I needed a stamped envelope. The Post Office was about 2 miles away. So, I decided to explore and eat a MacDonald's breakfast along the way. In 2 miles of walking down Main Street, I saw maybe 4 Chevron gas stations and at least 10 "Fast Cash Loan" places. While waiting in line to pay 50 cents for a stamped envelope at the Post Office, an obese man was complaining to the line about how black people are taking his tax money. Most of the line was ignoring him, but some gave their approving nod. .... hmmm The rest of the day was spent watching the Masters, King Kong, missing the Red Sox - Yankees game (not televised), and gorging on Sonic for dinner. My heel appreciated the day off though, and should be good to go tomorrow. It's supposed to rain for the next three days (maybe even snow), but we'll see. The weathermen have been pretty much wrong for the majority of my trip so far. "Accept that all of us can be hurt, that all of us can -- and surely will at times -- fail. I think we should follow a simple rule: if we can take the worst, take the risk." ~ Joyce Brothers
Date: 2008-04-12
From: Route 16 (Marion) - Econolodge

To: Davis Path Shelter
Miles today: 14.2

What a difference a day makes! After my 10 miles two days ago, I couldn't take a step without my heel hurting. Today, it was basically unnoticeable. I am getting pretty good at blister care, and although I had to separate from Shepherd and CK, I think it was the right move. I've seen/heard of hikers in Georgia who had to get off the trail for at least a week to let their heel blisters heal. If I had walked on it immediately after popping it, it would have hurt (really bad), and just have rubbed the my heel raw. I also want to slow down a bit. I'm not sure if I mentioned this, but by keeping up with Shepherd, I would have been on pace for a July 4th summit of Katahdin. I have a lot more time than that, and I want to use it well. I am conditioned and really enjoy 20-mile days, but I'd like to minimize the 25-milers. I think I am also going to enjoy my own (lack of) schedule. If I'm not feeling it on a particular day, I don't want to force miles. The miles will come. Anyway, hitching out of town is always harder than hitching in. So, I thought that I would donate some more of my money to the Marion community and call a taxi. Since I forgot to pick up another lighter at the store, I offered the cab driver $1 for his. He obliged. Problem solved. Easy trail today. Just to make sure that my blister wasn't going to act up, I loosened my shoe a bit to reduce friction. I stopped 11 miles in at a truck stop for a pint of ice cream and some Mountain Dews. Since I had plenty of time, I just chilled there for a while, made a few phone calls, and enjoyed my first solo hiking in a few weeks. I met two Boy Scout troops. I made sure to tell the boys that I am an Eagle Scout and encouraged them to thank their leaders for all their volunteer time. I am sure that some of those leaders would rather be watching the Masters at home or relaxing on a Saturday afternoon, but they are a huge part of a great program that teaches boys morals that NEED to be taught. A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. I think by telling boys that I am an Eagle Scout, it lets them know that boys actually do make it to Eagle, ant it is worth it. Anyway, I made it to Davis Path shelter by 1530 and took a nap. It was awesome. I woke up and cooked dinner. Apparently, I forgot to repack my spoon, which I used to eat my Sonic chili cheese tots last night, so I used a stick. Nice. I think that tonight is just my second night of sleeping alone on the trail, and the first time alone in a shelter. "When someone complains 'life is hard,' I always reply 'compared to what?'" ~ Unknown
Date: 2008-04-13
From: Davis Path Shelter

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: light snow

YEE HOW. Pretty average day trailwise, but the weather is doing its own thing. Apparently, CJ caught up to the others so I'm the only one behind, probably for good. I enjoy hiking alone too. I saw one person today. He was at Knob Maul shelter and was done for the day around 1300. After lunch, it started to drizzle and/or snow and that continued all afternoon. My last climb of the day was up Chestnut Knob (2100' gain). The weather started dumping on me. Luckily, it was cold enough to snow. Snow is much more enjoyable than cold rain. Easier to stay dry too. By the time I made it to the top, there was one inch of snow there and very windy. I was wearing shorts. I always feel like a rebel walking in the snow in shorts. As long as you keep moving, it feels much better than drowning your legs in your own sweat while wearing pants. I'm sure the views would have been beautiful. The shelter was 4-sided, which was both needed and appreciated. I cooked some Easy Mac and went off to bed. Planning a big day tomorrow. "The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we hit it." ~ Michelangelo Buonarroti
Date: 2008-04-14
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Helvey's Mill Shelter
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: light rain

Feeling strong today. The first 9 miles were over a ridge, which makes for tough, rocky walking. Furthermore, there was snow cover. That took me a bit, but I survived. I lost another spoon. (I used it in Marion to eat my Sonic tots.) So, I have been using a stick to cook and eat meals. I have converted to a simpler, yet very effective lunch strategy for the time being. Peanut butter. Straight up. Delicious and nutritious. I also hit two Trail Magics today. One juice and one water cache with weather report. Today looks like it is the last day of crappy weather. It must have changed between rain and snow 8 times this afternoon. For Cornellians, this is known as "Ithacating." I made it into Helvey's Mill shelter by 1745 to find Dartman, Piperhiker, Nectar,and Flying House of Steve. Steve grew up in Ithaca, NY and has moved around a lot. He is on a flip-flop hike with his 15-year-old daughter. Pretty cool. "I never let schooling interfere with my education." ~Twain
Date: 2008-04-15
From: Helvey's Mill Shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: clear sky

Today was about as good of a day as possible for a 24-miler. Piperhiker and Dartman were up and talking by 0615, so I was up and out by 0700. The weather turned sunny and beautiful, which was a welcomed change after having snow for the past few days. I went over 2 Brushy Mountains within 7 miles today. In fact, we have gone over 5 Brushy Mountains within the last 75 miles. That's absurd! It's not even a good name. I understand that there are at least 12 each of "Deep Gap" and "Low Gap", but "Brushy" doesn't really apply to mountains. Oh well. At mile 17, I walked .4 miles down a road to "Trent's Grocery", where I picked up enough food to get me to Pearisburg, VA tomorrow and two sandwiches, chips, and 2 Mountain Dews (for today). Although I love to "do the Dew", I won't do that again just before hiking. The caffeine dehydrated me pretty badly. No matter how much water I drank, my mouth was always parched. Not really sure how the coffee drinkers survive. The last 8 miles were as flat as can be. I kept expecting to go up a mountain, but there weren't any in sight. It was basically a walk in the woods. Kinda nice. I'm at Wapiti shelter with Traveler, Captain Neckbeard, and Night Terror. Captain Neckbeard and Night Terror are a few years older than me and really cool. Captain is from Springfield, MA. They started on February 21st and can hike fast but zero a lot. They did a 26 (miles) from town today. Captain is incredibly fast. I consider myself a pretty strong hiker, averaging just under 3 mph, but Captain passed me going at least 4 mph and was done with his 26 mile day by 1500. He contemplated doing the next 17 miles into town, but decided against it. I should catch at least Shepherd tommorow afternoon in town because I know that he is in town (Pearisburg) tonight and zeroing tomorrow. Hopefully, the others stayed too. Since Trents Grocery was fairly small and didn't have any great hiker dinners, I had my first cold dinner, consisting of Poptarts and Little Debbie's brownies. Delicious and nutritious. "Few people know how to take a walk. The qualifications are endurance, plain clothes, old shoes, an eye for nature, good humor, vast curiosity, good speech, good silence, and nothing too much." ~ Emerson
Date: 2008-04-16
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: clear sky

Today was an absolute roller coaster. And 80% of the day was on flat ground. It was pretty darn cold last night, and today was supposed to be the day that I switch out the majority of my winter gear for more lightweight summer gear. Not yet. I¢ll wait another week or two to be safe. The day¢s terrain was essentially a big uphill in the morning, flat for 12 miles, then a big downhill into town. Since it was a really cold morning, I didn¢t mind the morning climb at all. It gets the blood flowing and helps keep me warm. The ¢flats¢ were the awful part. I was the most pissed off I have ever been at the trail. It all has to do with expectations. I looked at today¢s elevation profile last night and saw a mostly flat trail. Flat + day into town = expected ease. Wrong. It may have been flat, but it was poorly maintained and very rocky. The worst part was that it just never ended. My speed calculations were way off due to the rocky trail, it¢s flat so I can't tell where I am on the elevation profile, and I was tired. That is why it is so important to just let go. I need to worry less about the miles, and focus more on just walking.        Also, my wildlife sightings went through the roof today. I saw 9 white tailed deer in 3 sightings (6,2,1) and a wild turkey. Neato.        On a more philosophical note, I did some thinking today. In between my swears at the flat ground, I was contemplating whether a thru hike (or thru hike attempt) is a selfish act. Verdict: Absolutely. Is that a bad thing? Nope. While this journal is an attempt to share my physical, mental, and spiritual journey with you all, this hike is for me. It is my choice to be out here, my earned money, and my time. By most standards, that qualifies as selfish. But I think the term ¢selfish¢ has developed negative connotations that I don¢t think it deserves. Is it also selfish to eat and breathe? Yup, but that doesn¢t make them wrong. However, I¢d like to think that this hike does benefit more than myself. While the direct benefits are for myself, I hope that others around me can benefit as well. I truly feel myself growing as a person. Besides my calf muscles, the biggest growth I have noticed in myself is my confidence. I am more willing to speak my mind (in the correct forum), strike up conversations with strangers, and simply trust my instincts and decisions. While being able to walk 624.0 miles doesn¢t exactly apply in the ¢real¢ world, confidence does. It can benefit myself as well as others too.         Anyways, I¢m in town in another (cheaper) motel. No good hostels in VA so far. Got Pizza Hut, did laundry in my first Laundromat (washing clothes while wearing in my rain gear), resupplied and I¢m watching the Sox-Yankees game. Good game too. Thanks Mom and Dad for the package! It¢s awesome to have a family at home to mail me things at a moment¢s notice and type up these lengthy journal entries written in chicken scratch.¢We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.¢ - Buddha
Date: 2008-04-17
From: Pearisburg

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Town got the best of me today. I didn't need a zero, but I took one anyway. I can't seem to sleep beyond 0800, so I was up by then. My tasks for the day were to eat lots of food and update my journal. Since I wasn't exactly rushed for time, I thought I would multi-task and head over to the new internet cafe, which the Post Office lady kindly referred me to. I got a SoBe and uploaded my pictures. After about two hours, the cafe started to get busy, so I headed back to the motel and ate the rest of my pizza and some double-stuffed oreos from the maildrop package that my family sent me. After channel-surfing for a few hours, I headed back to the cafe and web-surfed, catching up on news, sports, and the trail journals of other hikers. Way cool! I saw Gary, who is a triple-crown hiker. There are less than 100 people, who have completed all 3 long distance trails in America (AT -Appalachian Trail, PCT - Pacific Coastal Trail, and CDT - Continental Divide Trail). Gary essentially lives on the trail year round and was on his laptop (which he carries). I guess it makes sense to carry a laptop if you live on the trail. He technically lives in Hawaii because the government made him get a mailing address. My grueling day ended with a sub and a pint of Ben & Jerry's, South Park, Scrubs, and movie, "The Neverending Story". "We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons." ~ Jim Rohn
Date: 2008-04-18
From: Pearisburg

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: broken clouds

Oh, the beauty of music. I have been itchin' for some music (besides my amazing singing voice), and am very thankful that my Ipod arrived in my Pearisburg maildrop (package).I walked a mile from the motel back to the trail, and "plugged in" for some tunes while hiking. What a difference it makes! Especially going up hills. It is easier to zone out the exhaustion and simply focus on the music. It seemed that every song was the right song for that exact moment. It's hard to explain, but things just seemed to be going my way this morning. It was pretty hot, but manageable. I saw Traveler and Matthew around lunchtime, which was cool.The afternoon was highlighted by me running out of water. Not good. Sources were non-existent. I did the last 5 miles without any water, so I'm at the "shelter" tonight, trying to catch up on the water intake. "SHELTER" is in quotes because it doesn't have a roof. I think a tree fell on it, so they took down the roof. It's not supposed to rain tomorrow, so I'm not worried.Much to my surprise, Don Juan, formerly John (Bigfoot's friend), showed up 30 minutes after Traveler and I did, and chatted for a bit. He pushed on, so it is just Traveler and myself here tonight. Traveler is a really cool guy. He's 60ish and is a retired doctor from an area just outside of Atlanta."It is one thing to show a man that he is in error, and another to put him in possession of truth." ~John Locke
Date: 2008-04-19
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: light rain

Today called for rain, and rain is exactly what we got. Not that that's a bad thing. It showered on and off in the morning, but unloaded in the afternoon. I was feeling rebellious (and it was warm enough), so I didn't put on my rain gear. It felt great! It's very liberating to just let the rain come. Try not to control. Just adapt your state of mind rather than your physical surroundings.Then halfway up a big climb, I hit some trail magic, comprised of soda & oatmeal cream pies ... compliments of Super Dave. Thanks!I'm here with Traveler & Rat Sandwich (recent GA Tech grad) in for the night, out of the rain. Rat Sandwich came in late because he saw a raccoon up in a tree and tried to kill it with a slingshot, which he carries with him. He said he hit the raccoon 5 times, but apparently, not enough.In other news, I hit the 30% mark today and am still loving it out here."Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." ~ Confucius
Date: 2008-04-20
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

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

It has been rumored that the Virginia section of the AT is flat. Apparently, whoever said that did not take today's miles into account. The day was comprised of 2 big ups, and 2 big downs. Despite all the elevations changes, the hiking was quite enjoyable. The views weren't spectacular, but the trails were smooth, well maintained, and switchbacked. Highlights of the day included the "Keffer Oak", which is the largest oak tree on the southern part of the AT. It was last measured to have an 18'3" circumference. This oak tree is estimated to be 300 years old. It is pretty amazing to think that this lifeform was here long before the founding of this country. Humbling actually. The other highlight was the "Audie Murphy Monument." Murphy was the most decorated American soldier in WWII with 24 medals, including the Medal of Honor and 3 Purple Hearts. He must have been a serious badass. He died in a plane crash near the location of this monument. I hiked the last 2 miles in the rain and am here at the Prickle Branch shelter with Pete, Donna, Jim, and Traveler. Pete and Donna are both high school teachers from Jersey. The weather calls for scattered T-storms for the next 4 days. Bring it on. "Laughter is the shortest distance between two people."" ~ Victor Borge
Date: 2008-04-22
From: Campbell Shelter

To: Daleville (Super 8)
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

My gamble to push over McAfee Knob last night paid off bigtime. I woke up this morning to a windy, overcast drizzle that would have given me zero visibility over the knob. My trail experience today was yet another ridge walk up and down mini hills created by glaciers and erosion over the years. After the morning clouds/drizzle burned off, I could see Daleville (my destination for the day) for the last 8ish miles into town.        Daleville is one of the few towns in VA that the trail runs right through. It¢s nice to not have to worry about shuttles or hitching in and out of town. Although this town doesn¢t have a hostel, I was content dropping $50 on a Super 8 motel room. At this point, money is not much of an issue. I saved more than enough cash for this trip and have always been rather disciplined when it comes to finances. I checked in, moseyed my way up to a plaza that had everything I needed to do. I sent home my synthetic jacket (I still have a lightweight fleece), long underwear, sleeping bag liner, and a few journal entries at the very friendly UPS store. Then onto the outfitter to pick up 2 pairs of socks and some fuel. Next I hit up the (really nice) grocery store for dinner and resupply. I found a ¢monster sub¢ at the deli which is an 18¢ ham and cheese sub for 3.99. I grabbed like 30 mayo packets, which made me very happy. After a quick stop at Wendy¢s for dinner #1, I ran into Fester and Fire Juggler. If I had known they were in town I would have split a room but alas, life will go on.        Being a thru-hiker (before showering) in town is damn fun. Besides a few odd stares from locals, town¢s folk are very friendly. They all ask if I am hiking alone, to which I now just say yes. Not only is it true, but a lack of explanation that there are in fact other hikers out here forces them to deduce that it is in fact possible (and rather likely) to hike 700 miles alone without dying. Another one of my favorite questions is the ¢Where ya¢ll from?¢ question. I like it so much because I have the best answer. I am from NH and damn proud of it. Our little state is so unique. No sales tax, no income tax,¢¦first primary¢¦awesome mountains¢¦legal fireworks¢¦and my home for 22 years. Hoo Rah.        As usual, my night in town was spent glued to the tube, amazed by this contraption that changes shows with the click of a button. Scrubs¢¦Jeopardy¢¦South Park¢¦Sportscenter¢¦zzz¢I took a deep breath and listened to the old bray of my heart: I am, I am, I am.¢ ¢ Sylvia Plath