morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2021-05-06
From: Dickey Gap

To: VA 670
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: overcast clouds

A beautiful day indeed! The weather was beautiful, the trail was beautiful, the scenery was beautiful, even the cows were beautiful --but I'll get to that later. Let me backtrack a bit first and tell you how I got here.Yesterday, Wednesday, I had my last chiropractic treatment until after the hike. Doc pronounced me able to hike, wished me well, even said he was envious and wished he could go too. As soon as St. Mike got home from work we loaded up the minivan (the beloved Jeep is no longer with us. Old-school Cherokees are the best! I miss her.) and drove the first half of our five hour trip to Marion, Virginia. After spending the night at a motel we finished the drive this morning and I was at the trailhead ready to hike by 10:00. Dickey Gap is where I got off the trail last spring in a cold hard rain, wet to the skin. But today was cool and sunny, with just a light breeze--perfect hiking weather.The first 1.5 miles were uphill, as always after a gap, but the grade was about as gentle as you can hope for on the AT. The last four miles were a gentle downhill. About halfway through the downhill section I came to a fence with a stout gate and a sign asking hikers to please close the gate behind them. I did so, and then walked through the most beautiful pasture I've ever seen. The grass was bright green, with rolling hills and a blue blue sky, surrounded by gorgeous mountains. The cows were gracious, politely moving off the trail when I asked them to. I watched where I was stepping very carefully, and closed the gate behind me on the other side of the pasture, and re-entered the woods.  I finished the day's hike when I came to a long wooden pedestrian bridge across the Holston River and walked across it to the country road which was our agreed upon meeting place. I had expected to be in the hiker bubble and see lots of other hikers, but I hadn't seen anyone at all, until the one lone section hiker sitting on the bridge, placidly eating M&Ms. We chatted for a few minutes, and then Mike arrived and we went to our motel in Marion, home for the next four nights. We have a plan for our time together, with our daily distances and meeting places all arranged. While I hike, Mike will ride his bike through the gorgeous Virginia countryside. We both get to do what we love, with a hot shower and a restaurant meal and a soft bed every night! Life is good. No, life is great!
Date: 2021-05-07
From: VA 670

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: moderate rain

We awoke this morning to cold, blustery weather and cloudy skies, unlike yesterday's warm sun and cool breeze. But the overnight rain seemed to have passed and I was itching to get on the trail and re-create yesterday's bliss, so I added a rain poncho to my day pack (just in case) and off we went.The elevation gain in my guidebook didn't look bad at all, so I was anticipating an easy hike. Well, the reason there weren't a lot of steep ups and downs is because much of the day's distance was on a high ridge! The ground sloped off steeply to my right and to my left, leaving me at the mercy of the biting cold wind blowing briskly along the top. At least it kept me from dawdling, and I moved along as quickly as I reasonably could, which is still a lot slower than the few thruhikers I saw, their piston-like trail legs eating up the miles. There were some pointless ups and downs (puds, in trail lingo) of course, there always are, and these were slick and muddy after the night's rain.  The weather improved as the day wore on, and it was beautiful when I arrived at Partnership Shelter. Sunny and cool, with just a light breeze, making me wonder if I had imagined that walk on the ridge, having to hold my cap on with one hand to prevent it from blowing off. Partnership Shelter is a famous shelter on the trail, situated near a state highway about five miles from the town of Marion. It has a landline phone, from which hikers can order pizza which will be delivered to the shelter! It also boasts real bathrooms with running water located at the visitor's center for the Mt. Rogers National Area, which is between the shelter and the road. I was happy to finally see this iconic shelter, which is truly lovely.I had just sat down on a rustic bench at the shelter when Mike came walking into the shelter area, and we walked to the van together. I was in a good mood and not discouraged at all by the difficult day. To be honest, I'm just glad I'm able to walk these distances at all. I wasn't entirely sure I could! I can do this. But it really wasn't all that hard and I feel great. Now tomorrow --I expect that to be a real test. It will be my longest distance yet, with a couple of killer climbs. I'm actually a little concerned but there's no easy way to shorten the distance due to the availability of road crossings, so.....clear my throat, set my resolve, and go for it. One foot in front of the other, it's just walking, right?
Date: 2021-05-09
From: Lindamood School

To: Davis Cemetery
Miles today: 4.1

I'm not completely recovered from yesterday, but today was a gorgeous day. We were going to go to church this morning, but Virginia is more closed down than Tennessee is, and churches still are not open! So we watched it on tv! Then we drove back to Lindamood School, and I took off walking across a sunny meadow, sunblock on my neck and Oboz on my feet.I only had four miles to hike. It was reasonably flat, which means it wasn't really flat, but it was flat-ish. It was beautiful, of course. It was actually relatively easy, and had a few new experiences for me. Or new-ish. The first was when I came out into the sunshine at the bottom of...a railroad track? I wasn't expecting it, but I climbed up the loose rocky slope and scampered very quickly across the tracks and down the other side. The only other time I've ever had to cross a railroad track was back by Uncle Johnny's, near Erwin, TN. After crossing the tracks I came to a boardwalk, the first I've seen. The area was a swamp, with water under the boardwalk and beautiful bog plants, and I saw a snake in the water!Most of today's hike was in sunny meadows, and there were so many beautiful blooming plants that the air smelled great. I'm not sure which flower it is that smells so sweet it almost stinks? It reminds me of the smell of a funeral home. Kind of cloyingly sweet. There was a final boardwalk, and then I came to the site of a village dating back to 1748, called Davis Fancy. I didn't follow the side trail to the cemetery. Much as I like old cemeteries, my deal with St. Mike for today was that I would shuttle him for his bike ride after my short hike. So that's what we did, he had a long ride today. Then we did errands--laundry, resupply, etc. Tomorrow my world changes, Mike goes home, and I'm on my own, with no more motel showers, restaurant meals, and clean beds. Tomorrow's hike is a long one too, and rain is forecast! Stay tuned!
Date: 2021-05-13
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Mountain Garden Hostel
Miles today: 6.2

Hardest day ever (yesterday) followed by worst night ever. What was I thinking, that just having four walls meant the shelter would be warm?? It was 35 degrees last night, and I froze. In addition, once it got dark, the shelter mice came out to play. All of them, plus their cousins. Lying in the pitch black I heard First Gear's voice from across the shelter "Do you hear that?" Of course I did, we both switched on our headlamps, and found that Chestnut Knob Shelter is hosting a mouse festival. He said one had been on the sleeping platform with him. I didn't think one had been on mine yet, but I had no reason to assume they wouldn't be joining me eventually. Between the cold, the noise, and the thought of a mouse getting in my hair I seriously did not sleep one minute, at all, all night. I had internet so I put on a YouTube channel called Sleep Music, put my earbuds in, and listened to sad violins to cover up the mouse noise. I hoped it would lull me to sleep, but it didn't. I have a lightweight and stretchy silk sleeping bag liner so I pulled that up over my head. It added a bit of warmth and reassured me that the mice couldn't get in my hair. And thus I waited for the sun to come up. When it finally did, my main priority was to get off the trail before dark and into a warm bed for tonight. I was so tired and sleep deprived and couldn't take one more cold night. Thankfully the high elevation gave me cell phone service, and I could make it happen.And so, I find myself here at Mountain Garden Hostel, a most beautiful and strange place. True I did have to walk a steep mile and a half down Chestnut Ridge, followed by four plus miles of extremely rocky ground, but I made it. I'm feeling bruised and battered. This is a beautiful old two story house situated in a gorgeous quiet valley, It quite defies description and somehow doesn't seem real. It's.... idyllic.My sore places have sore places. I'm beat. Good night.
Date: 2021-05-14
From: Mountain Garden Hostel

To: Mountain Garden Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

My first zero of the trip, and well-earned, if I do say so. My per week goal is 50 miles, and I did 49.8 for week one. That counts! Of course, I hiked every day for seven days straight with no zeros, and I won't be able to do that again. But my daily mileage should go up as I get in better shape.  I slept like a log last night! Wanda, the hostel dog, set up a fierce barking spell right outside my door about three am and I barely registered it. Hangry, the other hiker here, had to get up and deal with her, letting her out, then back in, then back out and finally back in. He told me about it this morning but all I remember is a very faint realization that "the dog is barking" followed by a rapid return to happy oblivion. I slept about ten solid hours. My body needed a zero. I pushed myself too hard climbing Chestnut. They say you're supposed to listen to your body, but if I had listened to my body on the way up Chestnut I would have laid right down on the ground in the middle of the trail and stayed there until someone came along with some sort of wheeled conveyance. So I pushed past my limitations on too little rest, which is a recipe for injury. Fortunately, there doesn't seem to be any injuries. I had a really painful right hip that felt like a muscle strain, but it seems much better today. And I had a really sore left shoulder, also better now. There's a tiny blister starting on the bottom of a big toe, and it was hurting while I was walking, but it seems ok too. I'll pad it up.There. That's a catalog of my boo boos. Aren't you happy to know all that?  Today's been quiet and peaceful. I typed up all my journal entries, caught up with email, watched Van Morrison on YouTube (the best!), did laundry, etc. We went to an Mennonite place for dinner and had a huge delicious pizza and homemade doughnuts.  I'll go to bed early tonight and get back on the trail tomorrow. Hopefully it will be warmer!
Date: 2021-05-16
From: Laurel Creek Camp Site

To: Bland, VA
Miles today: 6.9

I had a decent night in the hammock last night. It was warmer, about 45 degrees, and that helped. But I was still really uncomfortable in the hammock, and I can't figure out why, and good sleep is so important on the trail, so I'm cutting my losses and Mike has mailed my tent to me. When I pick it up from a hostel a couple days up trail I'll mail the hammock back to him. I feel like a traitor to the entire hammock camping community with this defection. My hammock hanging skills just haven't returned yet, and I don't have time to wait for them.We talked about logistics yesterday. My sweet spot at this point is about 8 miles a day. 8-9. If I could hike that distance every day I'd be happy. But it's not all up to me, there are many factors out of my control, like distance between shelters, road crossings, hostels, towns, and also terrain, weather, availability of shuttles, and health considerations. Also, you have to be looking ahead, what's the plan for tomorrow and the next few days. Otherwise I could have a perfect 8 mile day one day that leaves me with a choice of a two or a 15 the next day. Have to plan ahead.Today's 6.9 was ok, especially because the terrain was tough, and extra especially because it ended in town! Bland, Virginia, is a very small town, but it has all my essentials.  The trail today had large sections of very scary narrow ledges. The mountain rose up sharply on my right side, and fell away steeply on my left (no hand rails!). The trail itself was a very narrow ledge, and that kind of trail is very nerve-wracking for me. It would be oh so easy for me to stub my toe on a rock, stumble, and down the mountain I would go. And then, throw in a blowdown across the very narrow ledge that needs to be climbed over.... yikes!  I came across another little fairy garden. Ok, now. It was enchanting when it was totally unexpected, but this one was number four!I knew it was supposed to rain in the afternoon and did my best to beat it, but with all those narrow ledges my progress was hampered. I ended up walking in the rain the last mile and a half, but it was a nice cool gentle rain, and I was hot and sweaty, so it felt good. I didn't even get my rain poncho out of my pack.I did make it to the highway from which it is 3.5 miles to Bland, and two very nice sisters drove me to the Subway for a sandwich and then to the Big Walker Motel, where I am now clean and odor-free, lying on a bed, watching TV, and eating a steak and cheese. Back on trail in the morning!
Date: 2021-05-17
From: Bland, VA

To: Bland, VA
Miles today: 0.0

So, what was I saying about logistics and things beyond my control? Today is exhibit A. I had a really good plan for the next few days, that fit my mileage needs and got me to Lickskillet Hostel in two days to pick up the tent Mike mailed there for me. The plan depended on the local shuttle guy picking me up at the motel this morning to take me back to the trail. I was going to hike eight miles today, leaving me with only five tomorrow to Lickskillet, so I could pick up my tent and then either stay the night or walk on if I felt like it. But, no shuttle guy this morning. Not by phone, or text, or anything. I waited and watched my plan fall apart. Hiker in the room next door said he's not returning her calls either. So at least it's not just me! I think he's known as reliable so I assume there's a valid reason. But, I didn't want to miss a day of hiking. Never fear, everything always works out. New plan:. Mongo from Lickskillet is picking me up here at the motel at seven tomorrow morning, and he's bringing a daypack so I can slackpack! He'll take my backpack back to his hostel (where my package has already arrived) and I will walk to his hostel. Yes, it's 13 miles, my longest day yet. Yes, I just said that eight is my sweet spot.  But I don't mind a challenge, and I went 9.4 miles up a fierce climb with my whole pack. So I can probably do 13 miles with a light pack on easier terrain, right? Right?  And it's really all for the best anyway. It's cold and raining, a really yucky day. The stinky hiking clothes I washed in the bathtub aren't dry yet. The weather is forecast to be slightly warmer and dryer tomorrow, the clothes will be dry, and I will still be on plan, doing two days hike on one day. I can do it!
Date: 2021-05-18
From: Bland, VA

To: Lickskillet Hollow
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: light rain

Do you see that number up there? 13.1? Yeah, that's me. I did that!What a day! What a spectacular, interesting day! The AT is an interesting place, full of interesting people. And that's an understatement!  I left the motel in Bland early this morning, knowing I had a long hike for today. I was on the trail shortly after 7:00. It was all woods today, all the time, and the terrain was about as good as it gets. There were no real mountains to climb, just a lot of muds and puds, as is usual. Some sections were quite steep, but they were never very long. There were a few sections of the scary narrow ledges, but most of the ledges were wide enough for comfort. All in all, not a bad day, and the only thing that made it hard was the length. I'm dead tired!I passed a big milestone today--600 miles on the trail! I've actually hiked more than that, because I did about a 40 mile section up north that's not counted yet. But I do love the round numbers and I remember every hundred mile marker that I've passed. Feels like an accomplishment.I saw a scarlet tanager today. So pretty. The birds went very quiet this afternoon, which I figured meant rain was coming, and I was right. But, like Sunday, it was a light cool rain that felt good on my sweaty face and arms so I wasn't bothered.I have a song in my head when I hike, and it's a different song every day, and I don't know where they come from. The worst was one day last week when it was that horrible song by Helen Reddy, something about Ruby Red Dress, where she says "Leave me alone" about eleven billion times, over and over. It's a truly horrible song, don't look it up, and DO NOT let it get in your head! It tried to start back up today, but I deliberately kicked it out with Maggie May, so all was well.At the end of the day Mongo from Lickskillet Hostel picked me up from the trail and brought me to his hostel for the night. Every hostel on the trail is so different from each other, you never know what to expect, and it's always an adventure. This one is an old church building that Mongo has bought and turned into a hostel, with bunks and a kitchen and a pool table and indoor hammocks. A very casual, friendly vibe. An outdoor shower and a port a potty. They made supper for us. He runs it as a Christian Ministry, says it's his calling, and every service is just freely offered, and we are to pay at the end, as a donation. No set prices. The fridge, freezer, and pantry are stocked, and my dirty clothes are in the washer! Super nice people.Oh, just to clarify, the shower is not truly outdoors. We're you shocked? But it's outdoor-ish, in a little shed type building. Plenty of hot water and good water pressure. That's what counts!
Date: 2021-05-19
From: Lickskillet Hollow

To: Unnamed campsite on Dismal Creek
Miles today: 9.0

Today i finished two complete weeks on the trail. Total mileage for this week was 44.1, so I still didn't get 50 miles in a week. I did take two zeros this week though! My plan is to take one zero day a week, and one night in a hostel. Well, I'm close  Let's see how next week plays out .Today's hike started out beautifully. A wide, smooth, stable hiking surface, cool morning air, surrounded by rhododendrons and pine trees, the path covered in a soft carpet of pine needles. Bliss. And then, wham! Just about the time you get cocky and think "I could do this all day" you find yourself sweating on the first hot day of the year, gingerly picking your way along a scary narrow ledge, heart pounding and chest heaving.It just occurred to me that I complain a lot. I hope I'm not giving you the wrong impression of the trail. When I complain about the trail, I'm denigrating myself, not the trail. If a thousand people hop and bop along the trail and one person sweats and struggles, the trail is not the problem!  But the thing is, I love it! It's like music. I love music, and I like to sing, even though I don't sing well. So I do sing I love the AT, and I like hiking, so I do it even though I'm not a good hiker. I can definitively say I will never hike a 20 mile day. And I will always struggle with uphills, and downhills, and rocks, and ledges and heights and cold and heat. Does that mean I should never hike? I have had so many wonderful experiences and met such great people and I see the hand of God every day. I wouldn't want to miss all that just because I'm a bad hiker.I think what I hope to do is encourage people who hold back from doing what they might love doing because they're afraid they won't be any good at it. Do you like the idea of hiking but you know you're not rugged, or outdoorsy, or an athlete? Try it anyway, you can see things from the tops of mountains that you can't see from the valleys! And you really can get up there, even if it takes you longer than it takes anyone else, and you look rather ungainly doing it.Or maybe it's not hiking. I play the mountain dulcimer and I have helped other people learn to play too. I've had a couple of older ladies who like music, but have been told so many times that they have no musical ability at all that they were almost afraid to try. But I told them that everyone can play the dulcimer. I don't think they believed me, but they humored me. What do you think happened? They learned how to play, well enough for their own enjoyment, and to play for our town's Christmas party, and at church.  I think we deny ourselves an awful lot of life by being afraid of embarrassing ourselves, or of not being good enough. Every single hiker out on the trail passes me up, and that's ok. I still go every place that they do.
Date: 2021-05-20
From: Unnamed campsite on Dismal Creek

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: light rain

I realized I didn't say much about my hike yesterday because I went off on a proselytizing rant. So here's a brief glimpse:. It was pretty, but hard for me. I did get to come out of the woods into a cow pasture for awhile. The cows weren't home but I could see where they'd been! I crossed several roads and a long bouncy suspension bridge. That was fun. I saw two flame azaleas, in full bloom. So pretty! The trees are more leafed out than they were two weeks ago, so the trail is more shady. Yesterday was the first day I've really had to deal with heat which is a problem for me. I'll be moving to a higher elevation tomorrow, I'm hoping that brings lower temps.Now on to today:. Yeah, 4.5 miles. A ridiculously short day. Partly due to logistics--distance to the next shelter and hostel, partly due to I'm tired and just not feeling it, . Partly due to my pack feeling very heavy (Mike mailed my tent to Lickskillet Hostel and I mailed my hammock back to him. The tent weighs more than the hammock.) And partly due to a new pain in the back of my right calf that I'm keeping an eye on. There's a big climb right after this shelter and I thought it best not to attempt it with a questionable muscle pain.  So I got here ridiculously early. It's a very pretty spot and a small cozy log shelter. No phone service, unfortunately. I've just been hanging out and meeting each new hiker as they come along and stay just long enough to use the privy or eat lunch. Feeling very conflicted and that I should be walking on, but I just don't want to. The longer I wait to make a decision, the decision is made for me as it becomes too late to move on. Passive decision making. It's lonely and quiet and I hope someone comes along to camp with me. It's going to be a long afternoon.Building on what I was talking about yesterday:. I'm done apologizing for hiking slowly, or for short mile days. Just over it. In this new, mixed-up, crazy society we're in, people think that if you change something's name you change the thing itself, or at least what people think of or remember about that thing. So they're trying to change the past, to re-invent the truth. I vehemently disagree with this tactic, but I'm going to be a hypocrite and do it! I'm changing my own perception of my hike. I'm not going to use the word "slow" anymore. "Slow" is a pejorative. I now walk "at my own pace." There's no judgement assigned to that phrase. It sounds like something everyone should do!