morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-04-19
From: Uncle Johnnys Hostel

To: Curley Maple Shelter
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Nero out of town today, we made it out without zeroing, at least some of us. Shepherd stayed in town and will catch up with us tomorrow. So today started off at 7 when I packed up my tent this morning and waited for the 9:00 shuttle to JD's market for breakfast. Had double bisquit and gravy, hashbrowns, and a bisquit with sausage egg and cheese along with a chocolate milk. We then got back to the hostel and sat around watching the heat rise. We finally headed out at probably the worst time at 11:30. The last mile or so was steep and hot. At the shelter there wasn't much flat ground at all so decided to use the shelter. Here with another group that has always been right around us that consist of Hardback from Houston, Torch, Mousebait, REM, and another who's name i can't remember right now. Tomahawk is also here as he had taken two zeros in town and we caught up to him. And Jen and James are here as well. We played a game of greed and Pappy came from behind and won after Phil had closed the game. We did some planning for the next week or so and should be into Damascus in 9 days where we will take an actual zero and begin Virginia. Had dinner which consisted of the second half of my little ceasers pizza from last night and half a can of pickle pringles, dessert was an almond joy. We had a ton of firewood here so we had a big fire that had a bunch of cut stumps circling it. REM played his guitar a little during the night and we sat around talking. Tomorrow the thunder storms are supposed to hit and continue for the next 3 days. We are planning a shelter tomorrow but campsites for the next few days. The shelter here tonight has bear activity in the area with a bear and two cubs that are living in the area. Also seems to have a lot of mouse activity with scurrying sounds already going on.Well it is time to get some sleep as I am beginning to pass out now. Till tomorrow.
Date: 2011-04-24
From: Elk River Campsite

To: Open Field around 410.5
Miles today: 14.9

Well it definitely got wet last night, the fire kept me dry till around 3 when it went to low and I didn't want to mess with getting it going again. Woke up and didn't really want to pack as everything was pretty wet. Finally got going around 8 and the first few miles were ok but the last 12 were not fun. My wet socks didn't treat me well and I managed to get a blister on my toe and they where all sore. Late in the day I finally had dry socks and put them on which helped get through the last few miles. Also after the first few miles my shin started hurting pretty bad. Hopefully some rest gets rid of that one. Then it was really hot and that made the day pretty tough. Just an all around tough day today. Did get to see a nice falls and walked along the river for a little while. Also almost stepped on a snake, jumped back at the last minute and he took off fast. Not sure what but probably a garder snake. We made it to the stream where we wanted to stop but the water source was terrible so we moved on a half mile to this pretty cool spot that is an open field.Nothing special on the food front today for sure but tomorrow we are waking up and leaving early to walk the 6 miles to town to get breakfast and resupply. So just now all of the people at the last shelter but a guy named Jay just walked by. The guy has the nickname crazy jay because he does some weird stuff. Well apparently he just wigged everyone out so they all just got up and left. Something about the shelter being to full. He takes personal space very seriously to the point if he has to get water he packs up everything and takes it with him. Don't ask him if he has a trail name or he freaks out about he was given his name already when born. And it is apparently not to be known he is thru hiking.Well short night tonight as I need to get some sleep.
Date: 2011-04-25
From: Open Field around 410.5

To: Side trail campsite
Miles today: 6.3

Crazy day and not sure how long I can stay awake writing and its only 8:15. Waking up at 4:30 and walking 6 miles to a one mile side trail plus another 4 in town and back out along with the nightmare we ran into in Hampton does that. Our plan was to unfortunately skip Kincora the more common place to go and do an extra 4 miles plus the side trail to Bramer hostel and stay there tonight. As we arrive in town we find out that the hostel is not open this year, due to the owner getting cancer we later find out. So now we have to carry our packs to the other end of town to resupply and get breakfast. As we get to the restaurant we find it is also closed. We find another next door and Pappy and I get a buger and fries, the others continue to McD's. After brunch we head to Mcd's as well and get a pint of icecream at the combined gas station. Then to dollar general and a grocery store for food. After that we head back up the side trail and stop at the first flat spot that fits everyone along with Tomahawk who has been with us the last few days and off and on for a long time. At the campsite which is on the Laurel fork river we shower and do laundry in the river to get us too Damascus in a few days. For dinner tonight Veto and I split a package of hot dogs and cooked them over a campfire. Had some cheese and mustard along with a can of pringles. My second had to be double meat due to the bun dog packaging conspiracy, while cooking my second my stick broke and it fell in the fire. No problem, there is a minute rule out here so I picked it up and washed it in the river and ate it. On my third as I picked up the package the fourth dog fell out and bounced into the river. Hmmm now I am short one dog and have an extra bun. So I cut the third in half and ate two half dogs. For dessert Shepherd received a huge pound cake that we all split, thank you Julie it was great. After that I started setting up my bed and layed my head down only to pass out for ten or fifteen minutes. Woke up and did some mileage planning and now journaling.Terrain today was very nice in the Laural fork area, passed the water fall which was very nice and the trail followed along the river for quite a while including going along a rock face a few feet over the water.My shin has still hurt today and I have been taking plenty of vitamin I and standing in the freezing river a few times to try and heal it. Hopefully in Damascus when we take a possible double zero it will be completely better. Well that's all for tonight. Got to go to sleep.
Date: 2011-04-26
From: Side trail campsite

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 5.9

Well I write this entry a day late as I sit at Kincora hostel. My shin didnt get any better and I walked about 6 miles this day to the next road crossing where I caught a shuttle to the hostel to take a couple days off. The day started off early as I left to avoid the sun around 7 and to make the big climb we had to do. Before getting to the top Veto passed me and I told him I would be going to the hostel for a few days. Had everyone meet at the lake at the river crossing where I let them know I would catch up eventually. They are taking a double zero in Damascus so I should arrive around the same time as long as it only takes two days of rest for me. It appears that I have shin splints on my left leg. As I get in the shuttle we stop at subway and pick up some other hikers who knew I was coming and had picked up me a sub. Was very nice to get the help. The hostel is outside town and only makes a one time shuttle run at 5 where you can get groceries resupply and get food to cook in the kitchen during your stay. There is no phone reception and nothing near by so I get to sit here and read and rest. At the store last night I tried getting an ice pack but they didn't have them so I settled for a bag of mixed vegetables. I also got a dozen eggs a loaf of bread syrup jelly and a half gallon of pistacio ice cream. Tomorrow I will have french toast.So yes it really sucks to be laid up but eventually I will get back out on the trail. Today is looking bad though so its good I don't have to be out in the storms. When walking today I passed Jen and James slackpacking south and mentioned I would be at Kincora tonight. When I arrived they hadn't but came in shortly later. James had gone walking in the falls and slipped and cut three of his toes so they are also taking some time off here. Well till tomorrow and hopefully feeling better.
Date: 2011-04-27
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Well another day and an actual zero here at Kincora. Leg didn't really feel any better this morning but this evening after the town trip and wraing my leg in an ace bandage I definitely felt a difference. Have iced my leg off and on all day which hasnt really seemed to make a difference but still doing it. Pretty boring day today, had french toast for breakfast, took a shower and have read a lot today. Hikers have come and gone with only meeting one person I know so far. Tomorrow I am foing to make a trip to the post office and sending some more stuff home. My tripod which I haven't used. My water bottle which I am not making coffee and hot chocolate so sending home and using gatorade bottles. My last set of long johns gloves and hat. Its about another 4 pounds total. Total base weight should now be about 14 pounds plus food and water. Weather hasn't shown up that was mentioned but a lot of people stuck around today not wanting to be out there in case. Its really hard sitting around trying to heal, had my fair share in Jiu Jitsu and didn't do so well with that either. It will only make me stronger so it will be fine. Its also been hard to take the time to journal as well and will just be hppy putting in the miles and getting out of here.Another zero tomorrow, till then its time to read a bit.
Date: 2011-04-29
From: Kincora Hostel

To: The Place
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Well today was a hard day and I am now in damascus and didn't walk here. I decided to try and start hiking this morning and didn't feel made but still had some tenderness in my shin. After about 6 miles though the day took a dump, coming down a hill all of the sudden my leg essentially gave out and a really sharp pain shot through my leg. I actual got nauseous and started dry heaving. So I decided to make my way back to the last road and call a shuttle back to Kincora. No one answered and I left a message. While waiting a couple drove by and asked if I needed a ride. Perfect it would save me probably twenty dollars. The couple where Mike and April if I remember correctly. Mike hiked in 08 and said he never got a ride till Gorham which is near the end of the trail, so he stops for every person he can. While driving I mentioned I was going to get to Damascus to go to a doctor that had a xray machine. Hampton does not have one. Turns out he was going to Damascus and could take me there. That probably saved me a ton of money. So first thing in town I get a spot at The Place, the church ran hostel. Then go to the clinic next door and get checked in and get xrays in about an hour which was pretty useless. Xrays didn't show any fracture and they could only assume it might be a hairline fracture. They gave me some 800 mg ibuprofen and some steroid z pack. So now I will be taking probably more than a week here till I can get going again. Since I will be so far behind I will probably jump forward to catch up with everyone and finish the skipped parts later. As I arrived in town here I was actually dropped off at the outfitter where I saw Fiber, Shepherd and Tomahawk. They arrived just before me and the others had arrived yesterday but they didn't know where they are. Now I know where they are staying but not where it is located as it is not on any map and no one in town seems to know either.The town is all fairly close together and I don't get any phone signal here so it will be a tough week. Tomorrow I am going to pick up a phone card so I can make some calls at least. I know I caan get some wifi near the outfitter so will probably hang out around there during the day, so if you want to contact me leave an email. Well time to rest so I can continue.
Date: 2011-04-30
From: The Place

To: The Place
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Well another day just lying around. People coming and going. Everyone else stopped by today and should be leaving tomorrow morning. I will have to decided later this week if I want to skip forward or just start where I left and try to catch up over a few weeks. Did laundry his morning and hung out with Fiber, Shepherd and Tomahawk at breakfast. Apparently Aj, hover and pappy went to another town and stayed in a hotel their for the last two nights, having arrived to no electricity in town. Read a lot more and pretty much stayed in bed after about 11 today. Didn't find a phone card yet but hopefully can find one today somewhere, then I will need to find a phone to use. Today will be my last night I can stay here, as their is a two night limit. I am going to move my stuff to another room to rearrange and pretend I am a new guest Once I am back on the trail maybe my journals will get interesting again, till then bare with me as I grind through this recovery period.Till tomorrow.
Date: 2011-05-01
From: The Place

To: The Place
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Up early this morning and read for a bit, then ate a boring breakfast. Sat around a bunch and then finally walked down to dollar general where I found a phone card. Then had to walk to the opposite end of town to use a phone. Called my mom and let her know about what was going on. While at dollar general I also picked up some cheese for my mashed potatos that will be the bulk of my dinner this week. Will have to pick up some kind of meat to go along with it but don't have much of a choice near by. So again it was a pretty boring day here but I did find a wifi spot fairly close by so that will save a lot of walking. Somehow I got a phone signal at some point and received a voicemail but can't figure out where I got it to even check it, oh well.
Date: 2011-05-02
From: The Place

To: The Place
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Sleep read eat...shin a little better but not fully healed so more days of rest to come. My muscles are all going to disappear and it will all be like the first day again Going to have a lot of catching up to do when I get going again and I am guessing it will be at least a month before I catch up if I go to where I left off. My inclination is to start there so I don't complete the trail somewhere in the middle, but time will only tell on that. Today for lunch I am making chicken and bean burritos for lunch with leftovers for dinner. Hopefully it will be good, it is canned chicken, canned burritos and velvetta on tortillas Need some hotsauce though. Thinking about getting a puzzle book of some sort to burn time but always hate those damn games.
Date: 2011-05-04
From: The Place

To: The Place
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Well today I woke up and wanted a real breakfast so I went to Dairy King near by. Its basically the local diner with the normal fair, I had bisquits and gravy with eggs and bacon. Then I went back to the hostel and read for a bit. Next adventure was to the outfitter where I went to inquire about shuttles back to Hampton where I left off. They have two shuttles that pass by there on Friday and Saturday at noon going to Roan Mountain further south. They are both $60 but will possibly be cheaper since I would be adding on to someone else who is paying for the shuttle. They also mentioned that Bob Peoples is coming up this way in the next day or two dropping off Baltimore Jack who was staying at his place. I can possibly get a ride back with him for a much discounted price. Will make a trip to the store later to give him a call and see what I can work out. All of this still depends upon the condition of my leg buti am hopeful to be walking in a few days. Either way I think I am planning on starting where I left off and if after traildays I feel like jumping up with the others the options will be much easier. Another option might be to get a ride with Shepherd when he comes back to the trail after his side trip. All will hopefully fall together over the next few days. More later today maybe.So I didn't find anything else out today but tomorrow I should.
Date: 2011-05-05
From: The Place

To: The Place
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

So more of the usual today but also set my departure date with a shuttle back to Hampton for Saturday at noon. Leg still not great so if the time comes I will spend some more days at Kincora until I have no more pain left. Its a long journey so I can wait all the time I really need, to a point. The end result is just having to make it all the way there, and I am determined to make that happen. Tomorrow I am going to resupply and prepare for walking again. Will do laundry again and shower as well for hopefully a short section ironically back to where I am now. Bleh they say Damascus is a hiker friendly and great town but I am sick of it. I can't really walk around and enjoy it but have seen pretty much what it has to offer anyways. I am going to pass straight through with only stopping to get food when I come back. I wrote early on that I wanted to experience everything the trail has to offer so I guess this time period should have been expected. I am ready to get to the next phase into Virginia (officially) and start again. I feel like its the week before I started again with all the anxiety and just waiting for the day.Weather hasn't gotten colder here in the last couple days and that has been nice. Days are warm and nights are cold. Hopefully it will stay that way for a bit longer but not to cold. Sent all of my baselayers home to lighten up but still have the heavy bag which I can't wait to send home as well. As for my plans I am definitely starting where I left off for now. Will walk until Trail Days and the consider my situation again at that time. I want to walk a continuous straight journey ending at Katadin but would also like to catch up with all of the others so the decision will have to wait for a bit and see how I feel later but stick to the original plan for now. One more full day here and then at least some kind of change, let's see what tomorrow brings.
Date: 2011-05-06
From: The Place

To: The Place
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Well today I did my resupply, went through my gear and organized and dropped some misc items I didn't need. Never did do laundry though but figure I will do that at Kincora where it will be free instead. Still want to take a few more days before I start again. So tonight the group that was always partying everynight rolled into town. Nothing happened but I found it funny they are still out here. Also another group stayed at the hostel who have all gotten sick, either from bad food, water, or some kind of contagion. About 4 or 5 people where throwing up most of the night, so fun to hear. Well tomorrow I head back to Kincora to get closer to my destination.
Date: 2011-05-07
From: The Place

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Well today I got up early, wait that's sort of a lie, I always get up early. So I was up around 6 and read a bit till others started waking up in the room. I then packed all of my stuff and went and had breakfast. Ham and cheese omelet and toast with coffee. After that I went to the outfitter where I was catching the shuttle to Hampton at noon. It cost me $68 for the ride, steep price but had to get back there. The ride there was with two section hikers who where going to Roan Mountain and hiking to Damascus. So I was dropped off at the grocery store in town which is right at the road that goes to Kincora. Sat around there for a bit and had lunch and called the hostel to see about getting picked up during the dinner run. The hostel is so full though they would not be able to fit anyone else in, so I had to walk or hitch in. Started walking and got about two miles in of the 3-4 total before someone picked me up. Two others hikers had hitched and the guy picked me up as well. The walk was sort of a testing of the leg as well. As long as I didn't bend the toes up it wasn't to bad. So at the hostel they where making an early run to town and I didn't really need anything so I had someone else pick up a Little Ceasers pizza for my dinner. While waiting a did laundry and showered. After dinner a played a scrabble type word card game called Quiddle with some others, I lost horribly. Stepping back a bit, while waiting for dinner to arrive I was talking with Trek some about the leg. He has hiked the last 8 years this being number 9 and he gets the same thing every year. From the sound of how he explains the issue it seems it just doesn't go away very easily and he usually just has to grind through the pain a while. Then it usually switches legs from compensation and then goes away. Due to how busy they are right now they are discouraging slackpacking and that shuttle is the one that would get me back to the trail near where I left off. In the morning they might go to town and I am thinking I might go there grab an extra days food and do a really short day tomorrow and just see how I fair. I would have four days food for a section most are doing in about two. On second thought as I am writing this there is a chance to resupply half way if necessary so I don't need any extra. So maybe tomorrow I will be back on the trail but doubt I will get to where I actually left off but who knows. I do definitely want to get past Damascus a few days before Traildays ends which is next weekend.Let the adventure begin again.