morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-05-27
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter

To: The Priest Shelter
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: scattered clouds

The crew at the shelter was up early this morning which forced me up and out of my bag at an unknown hour. My only source of time is on my phone which I was too lazy to search for to turn on and check, so I decided to just pack up and head out. Just before I headed out, Thin Mint informed me it was 8:30am. I grumpled a little bit knowing I should have slept a little longer but hiked out anyways knowing I had a big climb today and the forecast was for "Summer temperatures". Summer temperatures was no exaggeration but they failed to mention the 100% humidity that I felt every bit of climbing up Bald Mountain. Never have I felt so sweaty and gross in my life, the bad thing is with a lack of breeze there is no relief. I didn't feel too amazing this morning and I had to stop for a break several times heading up the mountain, one of those mountains that is continuously up and viewless. When I finally reached the "summit" I was dissapointed to realize there was no bald, or even a view for that matter, just more trees. Heck, I didn't even know I had hit the summit until I had started to continuously hike down. I was happy to arrive at the shelter sign, but dissapointed that the hike down to the shelter was over half a mile, so I set myself up at the sign for lunch. I was a little worried about the water situation (next on the trail source was over seven miles), but Nannerpuss was going to the shelter so he kindly took my platypus and in exchange I gave him a couple of rice krispy treats.The rest of the day was hot and entailed more climbing, it seemed as though the climbing would never end and even the fields of grass we hiked through offered no relief. Hiking? It was more like swimming in the grass the moisture was so thick. It was amazing to finally feel a breeze on the otherside of the mountain, although short lived, it was definetely the best I had felt all day. I arrived at the Seely-Woodworth Shelter late in the afternoon where I ate dinner, fed Kelly and proceeded to head out. By the time I reached the viewpoint "Spy Rock", the sun was starting to set. Although I would have loved to watch the sunset, in hopes of a view from the trail I hiked onwards. It was another late night for Kelly and I, we arrived at the Priest Shelter around 9:30, Alkaline and Nannerpuss had also taken the hike as well. We had been hearing thunder the last hour of hiking so we set up our shelters quickly with the anticipation of rain. I could hear the thunder and see the lightning in the distance and hoped we might get a little excitement overnight.
Date: 2010-05-29
From: Cedar Cliffs

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up today to a beautiful morning, the dew was thick and despite a few clouds there was no rain forecasted for the day. I packed up my wet tent and was out on the trail around eight o'clock. The rocks on the trail were still slick from the rain the night before and the thick humidity in the air did little to help dry them out. The climb up Humpback Mountain had a few interesting rock scrambles and the mental stimulation is always a nice change from your typical mountain ascent on a well graded trail.After Humpback Mountain (which was actually a pretty mild climb), the rest of the trail into town consisted of a lot of PUDS. I stopped at Bears Den Spring for lunch, it was a bit early, but I was starving! I only took a break at the last shelter quick enough to sign a shelter register before I headed the last five miles to town. The last few miles into a town always seem to take forever! You don't want to stop, you just want to get there so you just keep pushing yourself. You know you don't have too far to go which makes either the time go by slower, or the miles longer, either way it takes a long time to get into town. When I finally climbed up and gazed out onto the road, I was happy. Skip, Rocket, Nannerpuss, Alkaline, and Stretcher were already there waiting on a ride. Fortunately the Bruno, the driver they had called from a list of trail Angels had a pickup, so the six of us plus Kelly squeezed in the back and headed down to Waynesboro. Despite it being Saturday afternoon, I was able to ring the bell on the back of the post office and pick up my resupply box. This is quite fortunate since otherwise I would have had to take two zero days to wait until they opened back up again on Tuesday since Monday was Memorial Day. After we hit the post office we headed straight over to Mings Chinese Buffet.. which was an understatement. The buffet included not only an abundance of chinese, but a full sushi bar, a salad bar, a huge desert selection, and more! Even as a vegetarian I had trouble deciding what I wanted. We all spent a good ammount of time in there before we headed out to our nightly accomadations.I walked over to the YMCA which had a piece of property next to a pretty little pond that was set up just for thru hikers needing a place to set up their tent for the night. The campground had picnic tables, trash cans, benches, a porta potty, and a bbq grill which is much more than we are used to and so wonderful. A few other hikers stayed their that night, but many of them stayed at the Hiker Hostel, a free hostel set up in one of the area churches for hikers. I couldn't stay there with Kelly, but I was perfectly content in my tent for the night.
Date: 2010-05-30
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Hurray for another zero day, I might be on track for a record, but I don't care Woke up fairly early this morning, although I didn't intend to get up, the early morning sun was beating down on my tent and heating it up very quickly, plus I was starting to get hungry. I walked over a mile with Nannerpuss and Alkaline to the fast food area of Waynesboro where I scarfed down three egg and cheese biscuits and two hashbrowns... I shared some with Kelly of course! Then I went over to subway to get a sandwich to bring back for lunch later. I took my time walking back, it was quite hot for being so early in the day and I didn't have any obligations anyhow. Skip's parents were in town today and since she needed to go to the outfitters, they were nice enough to let me tag along. I got a new headlamp, with all the night hiking I was doing I wanted one that was very bright and lasted a long time so my mom's birthday present to me was a new headlamp I also found a new shirt at walmart; synthetic, comfortable, and only $8! Can't beat that price. I now have four shirts, a skirt, and a pair of capris... I think it's time to send some clothes home.The rest of the day was relaxing and enjoyable. The YMCA opened at one so a big group of us went swimming and then we went over to Kroger to get food to bbq. I got my vegetarian burgers and Stretcher also grilled a variety of vegetables. Dinner was delicous and I was happy I decided to stay the day. Waynesboro has been nice, but I am very excited to finally enter the SNP tomorrow morning.
Date: 2010-06-01
From: Maryland

To: Maryland
Miles today: 0.0

Slept in pretty late this morning with little to get done for the day. My sister, Katie, had to work this morning so I was left to entertain myself until afternoon. Around noon I met my sister at Panera Bread for lunch where I was reminded of the high expenses of the city and my need to be extremely careful of my budget while visitng. We also picked up some fresh bread and frozen yogurt and when she went back to work I headed over to REI to look for a new hiking skirt, although they didn't have what I wanted, there was a Hudsons Trails down the road that did. Afterwards, I decided to spend a few hours lingering at the Barnes N Nobles where they were kind enough to let Kelly join me inside. The day was hot, over 90 degrees, so I was thankful to be around air conditioning, it felt like such a strange concept that I could actually escape the heat!After my sister got off work, her boyfriend, her, and I ate dinner and got drinks at TGIFridays, I spent a little more time at the bookstore afterwards before heading back to her apartment. Tomorrow my little sister flys in, it will be very exciting to see her Hopefully I can get back on the trail Friday, I am already getting anxious and ready to get hiking.
Date: 2010-06-02
From: Maryland

To: Maryland
Miles today: 0.0

My twin was able to talk to her boss about getting today off for our birthday and that my little sister will be flying in this morning so we had plenty of opportunities throughout the day.My little sister had no idea I had come to Maryland so she was extremely shocked when I "bumped" into her in Whole Foods. She didn't realize it was even me until I really started talking. It's very nice to have all the sisters together again, even if it is for a short while. After we took my sisters suitcase back to the apartment we headed out to White Flint mall which turned out not to be the best plan. We walked about a mile and a half to the mall (definitely not a pretty trail mile and a half) in another scorching hot day before realizing dogs aren't allowed in the mall. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't have been a problem had there not been a lady making a fuss about it, but despite, Kelly and I sat outside the mall trying to figure out what to do. My options were fairly limited with the dog, and unfortunately I could not rent a car since I don't have a credit card (only debit which you need to present a bill or something of the sort with), and dogs are not allowed on the public transportation. I bought some water on the way back to share with Kelly and when I asked the gas station attendent if he had any sort of plastic bowls I could use to share the water with me dog, he tried to charge me 35 cents for a coffee cup, no thanks! So I ended up stopping by the vets office where they were kind enough to give Kelly a bowl of water. Usually I carry a bowl with me, but I had forgotten in the haste of things. I ended up walking back while my sisters lingered at the mall a little bit longer. I stopped by Ruby Tuesdays with the intentions of ordering some food to go to eat back at the apartment, then realized I should probably call my sister to see if they had any dinner plans. My twins boyfriend and my sisters ended up meeting us at Ruby Tuesday for dinner where I ordered a veggie burger with bottomless fries I'm getting very anxious at this point to get back on the trail. The city is a big stresser for me and so far I haven't been able to find anyway (short of paying over a hundred dollars just to get to Harpers Ferry) to get back on the trail. At this point I think getting to my location in the Shenandoahs would be near impossible so I am thinking about just getting to Harpers Ferry and hiking South. I figure it would be much easier to get a ride out of the park and up to Harpers Ferry than to the parking area I got off on so right now this is what I am trying to work out. If I took the public transportation it would only be $18, but with the dog, that is not an option unless she is a service dog, which technically, she could be and I am seriously considering the option.
Date: 2010-06-04
From: Blackrock Gap (SNP)/Maryland

To: Loft Mtn Campground (SNP)
Miles today: 8.1

Finally back on the trail today! Luanne arrived just a little earlier than I had expected which was just perfect since I was very anxious to get back on the trail. It was absolutely wonderful to meet her, although it was a bummer her husband couldn¢t make the trip as well (work). Fortunately we didn¢t have any traffic to deal with and the trip went smooth and easy. Luanne insisted on treating me to lunch (although I felt it should have been the other way around!) so we stopped at Cracker Barrel in Front Royal and oh how I love to have good breakfast food, despite the fact that it was lunch time. Kelly wished she could have joined us at the table, but she was pretty content with the piece of chicken Luanne had saved her, and me? Well, despite a few days off trail I was still hungry enough to finish everything.The rest of the drive was quite enjoyable. The scenery was absolutely beautiful and I enjoyed the conversation with Luanne and knew this would be my last opportunity to relax for a while; Kelly also enjoyed a good nap. It was early afternoon when we finally entered the park and although I was so happy to be on the trail, I was sad to say goodbye to Luanne, hopefully I¢ll have a chance to visit her next time I visit my sister.The day was warm and humid, I didn¢t see any thru hikers the rest of the afternoon but I did run into a couple of rangers who warned me of an aggressive dog at the hut and an aggressive bear that had been visiting every night. Fortunately for me, I wasn¢t planning on staying at the hut. The plan was to make it to Pinefield Hut, but that plan was blown to pieces when I arrived at the Lost Mountain Campground. I stopped at the store where I purchased an ice cream sandwhich and a grape soda and lingered around for a while. I was quite worried today about Kelly, the ticks are awful! I pulled so many off of her the last few days of hiking and I know the ticks are only going to get worse. At this point I am seriously debating sending her home.By the time I finished making a few phonecalls it was dark, although I enjoy night hiking, I decided tonight I just wasn¢t in the mood so I found a spot to camp just outside of the campground for the night. All you bear hanging advocates would be proud of me, I actually hung my food tonight ?
Date: 2010-06-05
From: Loft Mtn Campground (SNP)

To: Pinefield Hut (SNP)
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up this morning fairly late, didn¢t felt too energetic or motivated to get out of bed this morning so I dragged myself around packing up for a while and finally headed out on the trail. I knew already that I wasn¢t going to get too far today. I even tried loading myself up on caffeine but it just didn¢t work, some days you feel it, some days you don¢t, today was one of those days that I just didn¢t feel it.I stopped after only a few miles for lunch at a lovely piped spring. Although it wasn¢t near a shelter, it was located next to a maintenance building with a picnic table. I ate a little bit of lunch, but wasn¢t all that hungry and chugged down an energy drink. I took a short nap on the picnic table; the weather was absolutely perfect for a good nap in the shade and at this point I had decided I was only headed to the next shelter and had plenty of time to get there. Despite the fact that I didn¢t feel like hiking another step that day I drug myself back to the trail and hiked on. And then it happened I had just crossed Ivy Creek and was dragging myself up the hill when I see another hiker come towards me, only as it got closer I realized it was not a hiker of the human type. As I got closer I realized it was a bear walking towards me. So here I am walking towards a bear, who definitely sees me, but is walking towards me despite. I stop and think, ¢well, this is a little odd¢. As I approach the bear I see her lift her lips and snarl at me and I hear her growl. My heart stops pounding, not because I¢m scared or nervous, but my adrenaline is pumping. I am so excited and it¢s just her and me. She jerks her body forward as if she were going to bluff charge, then steps off the trail a few feet keeping her focus on me and I walk a little closer hoping she will eventually walk away. I don¢t feel threatened but I am still not walking on the trail a mere five feet off the trail so I raise my poles up and growl at her. Eventually she takes her time and walks back on and up the trail and disappears into the woods. As I pass her by I hear more rustling in the woods and look down to see two little bear cubs and her aggression suddenly becomes clear to me. It was likely she had come up the trail when she heard me to avert my attention away from her cubs. I was very happy with the way Kelly reacted, she gave one woof and kept her distance, she didn't want to mess with this huge "dog". The adrenaline of my encounter gave me enough energy to make it to the top of the hill and it was only two before I made it to the next shelter. I at a bit more of a lunch, set up my sleeping bag and pad, and went to sleep for hours. I woke up just to eat dinner, read for a while, and then went right back to bed.
Date: 2010-06-06
From: Pinefield Hut (SNP)

To: Lewis Mtn Campground (SNP)
Miles today: 19.9

Turns out long naps in the daytime are a bad idea no matter how tired you are at the time. I slept horribly last night and when everyone in the shelter was up at 5:30 the next morning I thought what the heck, I¢m not going to fall back asleep so I might as well get up too and start hiking. I made it out of the shelter at 6:30 this morning, which I think is an all time record for me. I felt much more energetic at the start of the day and despite hot and humid temperatures forecasted for the day, the early morning was cool and refreshing and I found myself on a steady pace. The day went by fairly quick and before three I had completed almost 17 miles. I had every intention of doing a long day, maybe even my first 30 miler, but of course, something always comes up! By now, the ticks had gotten even worse for Kelly and I was anxious to get some new medication for her and was disappointed that my next stop was Front Royal. I was not far from a picnic area however when I ran into a section hiker. I talked to her for a little bit and as I passed her going down the hill she offered to take me into Harrisonburg to get medication for Kelly. Apparently Karen, the hiker, was staying at the Massanutten Resort and even offered a place for me to stay for a few days. Due to my recent vacation from the trail, I was fairly anxious to keep going, but I ended up taking her up on her offer into Harrisonburg since she was planning on driving back through the park later on that night and would be able to drop me off. It was Sunday so all the vets offices were closed, but fortunately Petsmart was open and I couldn¢t believe it when she wouldn¢t even let me pay for the medicine. She took me back to their unit so I could take a shower and offered me snacks before driving me up to the trailhead. I feel so thankful, and am happy I won¢t need to worry about Kelly and the ticks so much through the Shenandoah¢s.I hiked the next five miles in fairly good time. I was in good spirits, clean, and the evening light was absolutely beautiful. It seems I was lucky enough to miss a passing shower during my quick break off the trail and I made it to Lewis Mountain Campground just as it was getting dark. Once again, I was lucky enough to meet some more amazing people who invited me to their campfire where we made dessert over the fire and they allowed me to stay on their tent site for the night. They were two couples from upstate New York out for a week on their bikes and we all had a lot of fun by the campfire. Today has been absolutely amazing for me with all the wonderful people I have had the opportunity to cross paths with. I feel extremely grateful to all the people who have helped me out so far on my journey and all those I have still yet to meet. It seems before I left on this trip I was starting to think poorly of people in general and after experiencing the generosity of complete strangers over and over again on this adventure my views have changed completely and I now realize the world is full of wonderful people and am thankful to have met so many of them.
Date: 2010-06-07
From: Lewis Mtn Campground (SNP)

To: Campsite (SNP)
Miles today: 17.8

Woke up fairly early this morning and ate breakfast only to realize I was still tired, so I hopped back in my tent to sleep for a few more hours. When I finally decided to get up I quickly packed everything up, said goodbye to my new friends, and stopped at the little camp store to grab some coffee before heading out.The hiking was fairly easy today and the temperatures were much more mild, almost cold. I felt good this morning and was moving along well when out of the corner of my eye I spotted a huge snake! Upon closer inspection I noticed the big and ugly black snake was a rattler with at least fifteen rattles. I love snakes so it was pretty exciting to see (and hear) him. He was right off the trail so I skeetered passed him on the other side and continued on, content with my discovery.I rolled into the resort in the area at 2:15 which unfortunatley meant I was fifteen minutes to late for lunch. The cravings for the fries I had been thinking about for the last couple of hours would have to wait until the next resteraunt at dinner time unfortunately. I reluctantly pulled out a bagel and purchased an overpriced desert bar at the small store, which unfortunately, wasn't anything special and gave me a headache when I hiked on from sugar overload.It was evening time when I arrived at the Skyland Stables. I was able to pet a few of the horses over the fence and was happy to see that they looked in great condition although the fence is in dire need of repairs and scared me to death! Unfortunately the stables were closed, I was hoping to be in the vicinity of a barn for a little bit but it wasn't happening so I continued on to the lodge just in time for dinner.The food in the Shenandoahs is greatly overpriced and not all that amazing but I have to admit I was happy enough with my fries to order a second round. I also enjoyed my salad and finished off the meal with bread pudding for desert, Mmm! Stuffed as I could be I hiked out. It was dark by now and the temperature had dropped, I was shivering pretty well until I started hiking again. I was pretty happy I hiked out at night, apparently for about a half mile the Appalachian trail is shared with another trail in which dogs are prohibited. Because of this, I decided to get on the real AT before finding a place to settle in for the night. Although not the best location, we found a place to stealth camp for the night and I happily headed to bed.
Date: 2010-06-08
From: Campsite (SNP)

To: Spring (SNP)
Miles today: 20.3

Kelly and I got another late start this morning. I looked at my phone right before we headed out and was surprised to see it was already nearly ten o'clock, although with how high the sun was I shouldn't have been. Nearly first thing in the morning I met a couple of thru hikers which was a pleasant surprise after being alone the last couple of days and two and a half miles later four of us ended up eating lunch at a picnic grounds. Despite my short morning hke I decided to join them for an after lunch nap, ahhh, it was going to be a long day so I loaded up on caffeine before hiking out.The hike today was beautiful; the Mountain Laurels are in full bloom and the trail passed along many rocky cliff edges with excellent views of the valley below. The weather was warm, but not too uncomfortable for hiking. I was quite surprised when I was about to leave a shelter in the afternoon and thruhiker Lint showed up. I met Lint at Hardcore trailwork, he was at kincora at the time nearly three hundred miles behind me and in a short matter of time managed to catch up. Shows how many days i've had off despite the fact that he is on a pace that will take him just over three months to complete the trail.I took a few other breaks throughout the day including a short nap by one of the parking lots. I still managed to squeeze in a full day of hiking despite a relaxing day and ended up setting my tent up in the dark at a little grassy view point just off the trail. The view of the city lights were stunning, i'm finding I love to look out at the towns in the night knowing I am up here on my own where it is quiet and peaceful.