morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-04-27
From: Damascus, Montgomery Homestead B&B

To: Damascus, Montgomery Homestead B&B
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I had planned to take off late morning, but decided to enjoy the comforts of the Montgomerys' hospitality one more day after waking to threatening skies following a night of thunderstorms. The day did clear off as promised, but I really needed the rest. I got my town chores done in a relaxed fashion instead of in a rush had I decided to move on.Evidently, many others in the cohort I've been moving north with decided to stay too, as there must be 30 hikers or so in town--some arriving this morning. The day was pleasant and everyone was enjoying the sunshine and town amenities. Besides the normal chores, I got some luxury chores done like washing my sleeping bag and posting my most recent journals. I also spent the whole day eating--seemed like I was constantly browsing food. I should be well carbo-loaded to take off tomorrow.It will be 4 days to Friendship Shelter where I call for a shuttle to the Konnarock Trail Crew base camp in Sugar Grove. That will take me off the trail for a week, but having hiked 460 miles now, I realize how important the volunteer trail maintenance is and I look forward to doing my part. Besides, the ATC trail crews are great fun.I ate dinner tonight at the Mexican place--a huge shrimp burito. When I came into the restaurant, a number of the "young" hikers in my cohort invited me to join them. It's nice to see these twenty-somethings treat me and others of the more mature hikers as peers, and in a way it makes me feel a bit of their youth. They are all fine, caring young men and women with a certain "joie de vivre". The fellowship was kind of bittersweet, though, as I'll fall behind this group while on trail crew and at my daughter Becca's graduation. Nonetheless, the "thru-hiker community" really is open to all, so I'm confident I'll form similar friendships with whatever cohort I fall in with after my time away from the trail.Resuming the trek tomorrow.
Date: 2006-04-28
From: Damscus, VA

To: Lost Mountail Shelter tentsite
Miles today: 15.8

I left after an excellent breakfast at Montgomery Homestead B&B at 9:15am and got into shelter bout 6:15pm, leaving plenty of daylight to set up my tent and to cook and eat dinner. Could have crowded into shelter but did not want to expose hikers to my cold/allergy. I've been taking pseudofed since the day I missed taking the antihistamine. One day was enough for my tree allergies to kick in, as the trees at higher elevations are in full bloom. Today was perfect hiking weather: clear, about 60-65*, sunny, low humidity. Of course the first day out of a town involves ascending from a valley--about 1500 ft today with another 2500 ft ascent to the balds of the Grayson Highlands near VA's highest point, Mt. Rogers, on tap for tomorrow. The good weather is supposed to hold for tomorrow. I'm glad because the balds are very scenic.Much of today's hike was along a valley with a rain-swollen stream serenading. The AT, as usual, climbed to all the high points, while the bike trail followed the gradual rail grade up from Damascus. A few miles back they crossed a common bridge built on the site of one of the VA Creeper rail trestles. There was a new red wildflower today which I photographed. Have no idea what it is.Saw Labdad and MOTL (Mother of two labs),formerly Bluebell, with their chocolate labs. We passed each other a couple of times with me eventually retaining the lead. Early on Junco passed, and while I ate lunch a group of 4 hikers surged by. These last 5 are at the shelter with some others. They had a nice fire going, so I sat there and socialized a bit while I signed the register.It is going to be cold tonight so I'm glad I'm tenting.Maine Ho!
Date: 2006-04-29
From: Lost Mountail Shelter tentsite

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: broken clouds

Not many miles but a lot of uphill, and my left thigh is bothering me--I think a bit of tendonitis near the hip. In any event, the Aleve and some shorter days will resolve this. Tomorrow's hike will be about 15 miles to a brand new shelter.Thomas Knob shelter has been rebuilt since Becca and I hiked through Mt. Rogers a number of years ago. This is now a 2-story shelter capable of sleeping 12. I got here 3rd and claimed the right mouse run, which means I'll be facing the wall as I sleep on my side, and any coughing will be toward the wall. The "young gang", Andy DuFresne, Squarl, CoolHand , Tecumseh, DoubleShot, and Plunger are here with Hellbender, Dinosaur, and Fiddlehead arriving near dusk. Irish, one of the older guys from Ireland, via NYC the last 20 years, is also here.There was some tension here as tempers flaring from recent and old, imagined or real grudges peaked, but reason prevailed and the issues have been resolved. It will be quite cold tonight, as we are at 5400 ft. Hopefully, I won't have to get up too often. The threat of rain seems to be put off another day, depending on which radio station one listens too. As we are high, I got to speak to Carol today and am happy everything is OK at home.Going to check out the party on the 2nd floor and then turn in.Maine Ho!
Date: 2006-04-30
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Hurricane Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I got up fairly late at 7:15am. I was cozy in my sleeping bag, but had nearly all my clothes on as it was 32* and a 20 mph wind was blowing from the rear of the shelter. Had my breakfast bars and then was first out, followed shortly by Plunger who soon passed. The trail wound around the balds of Grayson Highlands and I saw some ponies and took a photo in a narrow rock area I went through. Unfortunately, today was cloudy until about 3pm when the sun finally broke through as I was lunching. Just about 10:30am, when I was thinking of eating a snack, I met RestStep (GA-ME 03), who had trail magic of a fresh apple and brownies. Thanks, RestStep. We chatted while I ate the apple. As I was finishing the apple, the rest of the group from the shelter arrived for magic and I took off down the trail. I stopped at Old Orchard Shelter, where Becca and I started a traverse of Mt. Rogers years ago, then set off for the additional 4 miles to Huricane Mtn Shelter, possibly the newest shelter on the trail. As it was an uphill, the younger folks soon blew by me. When I arrived, Junco, Irish, Hellbender, Dinosaur, Squarl, and Plunger were in the shelter, but they made room to squeeze me in. Slick-B was cooking at the table but he was tenting, as did Fiddlehead who arrived as I was cooking up my Lipton's Alfredo with foil packet clams. Yum! After supper, Squarl made a great fire and we all enjoyed sitting around it 'til after 9.pm We are anticipating a long day (about 20 or 21 mi., (mostly downhill) tomorrow to Partnership Shelter near the Mt. Rogers headquarters, where we can shower and order pizza! My left hip seemed a little better today. I'm going to keep up the anti-inflamatory treatment. I remember now jamming that heel, straight-legged, so that probably caused a bruise. Onward to Maine!
Date: 2006-05-01
From: Hurricane Mtn Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter, Konnarock Base Camp
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I started out about 9:15am, really slowly this morning. The Aleve didn't seem to help the hip at all, and I was actually limping for a while until the muscles and tendons around the joint loosened up. I decided to try some ibuprofen on top of the Aleve and it did the trick. Soon I was hiking at my normal 2.5 mph pace. I pulled into Trimpi Shelter at 1PM for lunch where Slick-B and Fiddlehead, who had started their day an hour ahead of me, were eating with Achilles and Rocket. Achilles earned his name from a torn achilles tendon, and had been off the trail for a couple weeks. They had skipped forward, planning a flip-flop to finish in the fall. Before I finished lunch, Plunger pulled in followed by Hellbender and Dinosaur. We all decided to press on to Partnership Shelter, they for the chance to phone a pizza order and take a warm shower, me to call "Czar" David Hebert for the promised ride to Konnarock base camp, a hot shower, real bed, and 2 zero days to nurse this hip before the first week of crew that I'm signed up for. The whole day was just perfect for hiking: clear sky, mild temps, and a gentle breeze. At the lower altitudes the trees are really leafing out. This morning I took some pics of the waterfall we passed by. Listening to music on the MP3 while I hiked sped the miles. As I'll probably fall behind this cohort, I took some pics of Dinosaur and Hellbender as they were catching up to me crossing a rare open pasture, as well as pics of the whole gang at the shelter. I arrived at the shelter at 6:15pm and claimed the last space with my sleeping pad, just in case there was a hitch reaching Czar. There wasn't, so I packed up the pad and followed the blazes down to the road. Just as I was dumping the pack, Czar pulled up and I was soon at base camp for a reunion with the ATC trail crew leaders: Ellen, Casey, Christine, and Ted. Hugs all around. I was offered leftover spaghetti as an appetizer, and told to get shower if I wanted to ride with them into Marion for dinner. I quickly showered--it was wonderfully hot--and got into the only clean clothes I had. We had planned Mexican, but wound up at the Italian place, as the Mexicans are protesting today. Had a nice salad with goat cheese, a huge burger, and a pile of fries that I couldn't get through. Bet I sleep well tonight. Czar has prescribed ice and rest for the hip. I am hopeful they, along with the anti-inflammatories and 2 full zeros, will do the job. My box with trail maintenance clothes and the packing list for the camera were waiting for me here. I'll try to take care of that tomorrow along with laundry and rest. On intermission from Onward to Maine!
Date: 2006-05-02
From: same

To: Konnarock Trail Crew Base Camp
Miles today: 0.0

First of two planned zeros before the Konnarock Week 1 trail crew session. Definitely a very relaxed day, but I did get some zero chores out of the way: laundry and posting of trail journals. In addition, I've been treating my "hip pointer" condition with a couple sessions of the ice pack, and mostly by staying off my feet. Evidently this hip stiffness/achiness is common enough to have a name. Czar let me use the internet here, so I got to read the TJ comments that were under "ratings" as well as the new guestbook entries. Thanks to all the guestbook well-wishers. The encouragement is much appreciated. I'm sorry I can't respond to all of you individually.I was itching to take a short walk to loosen up my hip, so at 3pm I headed out on the mile-long, level trek to the post office to mail in my digital camera for repair. I talked to the repair customer service line, and included written pre-authorization for the charges for the repair, if not covered by warranty, to avoid the delay of a price quote/authorization communication cycle. The Sugar Grove postmistress was very helpful in providing a packing box. I was quite stiff in the walk to the post office, but walked much more normally on the return, during which I stopped at the convenience store for some zero day, high calorie snacks. After I returned, I iced up the hip again and have noticed that it has stayed much more flexible than for any of the previous 3 days, so hopefully, it is healing. I plan to assess the improvement tomorrow afternoon and throughout the crew session. If not satisfactory, a brief holiday from the trail may be in order.In other business, I arranged for REI to ship a replacement compression stuff sack for my sleeping bag to Konnarock. One of the compression straps had broken off. They really stand behind what they sell.The day here was very relaxed--It's the crew leaders' "weekend", and there wasn't much going on. There is only one other volunteer who is here early: Jim from Akron who I'd met last July. Activity should increase tomorrow when the volunteers for Week 1 arrive. Some of them I also have met.The predicted rain delayed until dusk and didn't amount to much, and tomorrow promises to be warmer.That's it for today.
Date: 2006-05-03
From: Konnarock Trail Crew Base Camp

To: Konnarock Trail Crew Base Camp
Miles today: 0.0

Tried to work first day of trail crew but, going without ibuprofen, had a severe limp on short hike to work site. All I could do was bust rocks with a sledge hammer to make crush and fill, and that not very well. My body says I need some time off. As soon as I get back to base camp, I'll throw in the towel and call Carol to come rescue me. Fortunately, I won't have to hike, but will get a ride back in the forest service's four wheeler utility truck used to haul up the roofing material.
Date: 2006-05-05
From: Konnarock Trail Crew Base Camp

To: Home to check out the hip
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday I joined the trail crew for the first day's work. It involved a 3 mile hike from a trailhead back up to Thomas Knob Shelter, my home a few days ago. I deliberately did without the anti-inflamatories to check the status of my hip and the result was I limped up the hike in. During the hike, I concluded that I ought to get this hip checked professionally and called Carol for a trip home. As it was, I was nearly useless on the trail crew, and it was clear I can't handle the hike in. I did manage to make two big bags of crush and fill (small rocks made from big rocks using a sledge hammer), but it was difficult and I only did it because I'm stubborn---if I endured the hike up, by gosh I was going to do something! Thankfully, the crew leaders arranged for me to ride down on one of the ATVs that was hauling materials for our work crews.The Mt. Rogers AT Trail Club put on a great meal featuring all sorts of goodies and strawberry cheesecake and blackberry cobbler for dessert. Yum!Carol picked me up at about 1:00pm Friday and we'll be home about 9:30. I've got a doctor appointment Monday morning and we'll go from there. Even with near complete rest today, I'm still limping so I think my decision is a good one. I'm looking forward to some time at home and to getting well enough to get back on the trail.
Date: 2006-05-08
From: Home to check out the hip

To: Home to rehab the hip
Miles today: 0.0

The doc prescribes rest, ice, stretching and cycling as rehab for 2 weeks along with extra strong doses of Vitamin I (600 mg) TID. I was already scheduled off the trail this week for trail crew and my daughter's graduation so it's only one additional week downtime if all goes well. In fact, it has been feeling better already without the prescribed therapy. Doc said if I stop exercising altogether, I'll go into withdrawal-----boy is that true. I'm antsy as can be. So I get to bike twice a day for half hour followed by stretching then icing up the hip joint. I'm to do lot's of stretching. He offered to get xrays, but indicated his hunch is that they wouldn't show anything and I agree with him since stress fractures don't show on xray for weeks. Plus I'm feeling much better and even walking with less of a hitch in my gait.Recuperating from Onward to Maine!
Date: 2006-05-17
From: Home to rehab the hip

To: Rehab report from home
Miles today: 0.0

Just a short update to report on the rehab program. The long and short of it is that it's worked out fine and I've felt normal the last two days. I'm still rehabbing (1/2 hour on bicycle, followed by stretching and ice, and heavy-duty ibuprofen 3 times a day) but feel I'll be ready to return to the trail at Partnership Shelter this coming Sunday, May 21. I've already resupplied and will be trying out a hike of a few blocks with the pack and boots tomorrow just to be sure, then Sunday it's back to the trail. Oh, a bit of serendipity, my digital camera was delivered today all repaired and ready to go. Saves a hassle of using a film camera and then converting to digital. Looks like Sony covered the fix under their warranty. Yea! Hard to believe I'll have been off the trail for nearly 3 weeks.
Date: 2006-05-18
From: Rehab report from home

To: Back on the trail Sunday
Miles today: 0.0

Well rehab has proceeded OK and the last 2 nights I tested the alternate Thermarest---no leaks. I got all my pics posted, the camera is repaired and ready to go, I updated my MP3 player with some different tunes, food is bought for 6 days, and summer gear is exchanged for winter. I'm running out of mini-projects at home and am itchin' to get back out there. Hip is feeling great and my gait is back to normal. I'll take it easy the first few days to be sure it stays that way.This puts me about a week behind my original plan, but still plenty of time to get to Katahdin before it closes.See you up the trail.
Date: 2006-05-21
From: Home/Partnership Shelter

To: Chatfield Shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: clear sky

Carol dropped me off at Partnership on her way to NC where she will be babysitting our grandson, Anthony, while my daughter attends CME courses. It was only about 40 miles round trip out of the way so we saved on gas vs. a separate trip. We said our farewells and I chatted briefly with hikers receiving a pizza delivery, 4 of whom followed me on to this shelter.It was beautiful hiking weather--about 72* with a wonderful breeze--and I made good time, having started about 5 pm, and arriving at the shelter to get the last spot at about 7:45. On the way I came across the campsite of Wood Chicken and Cabin Man in a nice meadow about 3 miles from here. I was tempted to stay but moved on. Among those here are GreyWolf and TrailBride who were married at Trail Days this weekend. Everyone here is very friendly. There are 7 in the shelter, 2 in hammocks and 2 in a tent at the only tentsite, along with 2 dogs.The rhododendron are coming into bloom and I also took pics of a beautiful wild azalea. The air was scented in one place by the blossoms of several magnolias. There was also a great view point across the SW Virginia ridges. The leaves are not fully out so there are glimpses to the distance through the woods still, but that will not last long. I remembered to stretch on my arrival and my hip feels A-OK. Knock wood. We'll see how it feels in the morning. I wound up cooking and eating by headlamp, and at nearly 10PM am turning in.Maine ho!
Date: 2006-05-22
From: Chatfield Shelter

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: clear sky

Today's hike was excellent and we have now completed a quarter of the distance. The scenery was beautiful, the trail in good condition, and I fell in with a new group of hikers who do my kind of daily miles.I was first out of the shelter at 7:45am. It was 4 miles to the I-81 interchange where the trail goes west under the interstate to follow a different ridge. The path went through or by some beautiful meadows and in wooded areas between Catawba rhododendron covered with blooms from ground-level to their 8 ft.high tops. This was a preview of today's whole hike with some wooded climbs thrown in. By 9:30, I'd reached a point where I could see the interstate. Shortly I was sitting down to my 2nd breakfast with some hikers who had stayed close to the interchange. There must be 20 hikers at the shelter tonight. I am among those tenting. It was a long day today but my joints are all fine. I did, however, develop some blisters by ignoring hot spots. I'll deal with those in the morning. It is 10pm and I'm turning in.On to Maine.
Date: 2006-05-23
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Davis Farm Campsite
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

I pulled into this campsite with BareBear because this afternoon's ridge walk proved to be about 5 miles of difficult rock scrambles and we were both tired. Unfortunately ModelT and RangerDawg already had tents set up on the only 2 truly level sites here. Having come downhill a half mile we didn't want to leave so we set up on the trail. I'm using everything in my pack to shim the underside of the Thermarest to keep me from rolling downhill.Today's hike had a little of everything: long ups totaling about 3000 feet, long downs of about the same, a meadow traverse, and the ridge walk with probably an additional 500 ft of ups and downs on large boulders through which we had to pick our way. At least there were great views from the ridge over a lush valley, with yet another ridge to the west. The weather has been beautiful--sunny, very clear, cool. There was quite a beautiful sunset over that same valley. I can now hear the cows in the meadow below and a bird, maybe a meadowlark, singing. The far ridge had a nice sunset and is tinged with orange as night descends.There is cell service here so I called Carol and we will meet her on Sunday in Pearisburg, a minor detour on her return trip from babysitting in NC. My hip is still fine.Although it's only 9:00 I'm turning in because I'm very tired.Maine ho!
Date: 2006-05-24
From: Davis Farm Tentsite

To: Helvey's Mill Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: broken clouds

Today, as we are at under 3000'. The leaves are fully out though not yet the dark green of summer, more of a bright green giving me a taste of walking in the "long green tunnel". Another day of ideal hiking weather, if a little warmer than yesterday. Got up at 6:30am, the last to waken, and was on the blue blaze back up to the AT by 7:45. Made the 3 miles to the next shelter by 10am and had lunch. BareBear had been and gone, but some of the hikers who'd stayed there had yet to leave. Had my first lunch of gorp to fortify for the hike down Laurel Fork. I took the white blaze knowing it was "low-water" and confident I could ford where the bridge was out, as there were many other fords of the same stream. Turns out the blue blaze "high water route" was about the same distance and time.The ford where the bridge was out was nothing. I ate lunch at the road crossing and witnessed a butterfly orgy on the banks of the stream--hope to post the pic later. After lunch there was a nearly 2 mile ascent on a relocated section of trail of Konarock quality sidehill. What a difference quality trail makes.Caught up with BareBear at the top of this section and we flip-flopped the rest of the afternoon. Crossed I-77 toward 4 and rolled into the shelter around 6PM. Was tempted to hitch to the Dairy Queen in Bland, but decided I wanted to get to camp in time to cook and eat dinner during daylight. Just about everyone from the last several days is here.My hip and knees continue to be fine but my feet are feeling the impact of starting up with big miles before they're used to the boots after 3 weeks off. Blisters on both heels and it looks like I'll lose some toenails from the impact on downhills with the front of the boots and from stubbing my toes in the Crocs while walking in the dark. Losing toenails is fairly common here on the trail.On to Maine!