morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-05-19
From: Middle Creek Campground 

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: clear sky

New shoes day 1. My feet have never felt such pain, it's incredible. I hope it is just the breaking-in process that is causing such grief.Reunited and it feels so good. After 500 miles, we finally ran into our favorite males on the trail, Leif E and McBride, and also Pokey, Snooze and Dos Boots. It was such an exciting reunion, they have been behind since Hot Springs and since we took time off for Trail Days, that put us back in sync. I really hope Ziggy and Thin Mint catch up really soon too! We last saw them all at Elmers. Hooray for the grand reunion!
Date: 2009-05-20
From: Cornelius Creek

To: Marble Spring Campsite
Miles today: 12.2

Not a long day, but man did I want it to end miles ago! The feet are still really pissed off and attempting to go on strike. I kept having to take lots of shoes-and-socks-off breaks and soaking-my-feet in a stream breaks. It helps very little though. I keep thinking it will just take some time in the new shoes, we'll see.Today was a day for another popular AT spot, the Guillotine. It was totally cool. It is two house-sized boulders on either side holding up a smaller boulder sandwiched in between and overhead. The girls waited for me to catch up so I can have my picture taken under it. I was thankful.There were many cool rock ledge overlooks today, and it was a perfect weather day. Virginia is so green and pretty, everything is in bloom and there is a ton of tree cover now, so much so that I think my tan is actually fading. My heart is smiling wide, I will fall asleep so happy. Often at night, a bird called a Whipper Will sings his tune for hours, it is my favorite sound out here. I picture his head bobbing forward and backward in sync with his tune, but I doubt that's what he is really doing. Maybe he is calling out to all the lady friends?I shall rest my head now to the bird calls...
Date: 2009-05-22
From: Lynchburg, VA

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: broken clouds

It's been a roller coaster ride, but we are back on track and en route to the Shenandoah's and Harper's Ferry. Well, there are a bunch of miles in the way to tackle first.Yesterday my foot pain was so bad I barely made it through the day, I had to limp all the way down the mountain. After visiting the ER, turns out all I needed was a $25 pair of K Mart sneakers to get me through this until I can get to another shoe store or outfitter. I have never felt such pain in my feet in my life, not even after having foot surgery several years ago. I can't believe a good pair of shoes could cause so much damage. I swore there were stress fractures or a break and my hike was over. I shed a lot of tears and contemplated the future of this hike for a while. Luckily I am ok and it is just a shoe issue, but I now accept the fact that I will have some foot pain every single day that I hike. It is just a part of beating up my body on a daily basis, and I will do what it takes to stay healthy and manage my pain to keep walking.Today was seriously hot and humid. I feel like I was in a sauna, but worse. It was also beautiful and sunny and the mountains offered some open views of the surrounding mountain range. Pretty amazing. The mountain laurel and rhododendrons are in full bloom, everything is so green and pink.I am thankful to be out here still. I will keep on truckin.
Date: 2009-05-23
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: broken clouds

800 miles!Hooray for trail magic, first time in a very long time! We were greeted by an older couple who hiked in 1987, they were as sweet as pie. They fed us ham salad sandwiches, pecan pie, chocolate birthday cake and lemonade, it was delicious! They do birthday cakes in May since there are always so many May birthdays, just in time for mine a few days ago. It was so nice to eat real food and take a break in the heat of the day. Amazing, thank you trail angels! (I forget their names.)Onward and upward, that was how today went. We chugged along to Hog Camp Gap, It is mobbed with families since it is Memorial Day weekend. Too bad we didn't try to yogi some food, I bet they were cooking a ton of good things. They even had a shower set up. Must be nice to car camp!
Date: 2009-05-24
From: Campsite

To: The Priest Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: light rain

Nice easy day! The elevation gain/loss was within 500 feet; it was pretty nice. Finally it cooled off a bit. The skies looked like they would open up on us, but it only drizzled a little, thankfully.Today we had one of the most productive snack breaks on record. Grommet kept saying she wanted to cut off her dreadlocks, and today happened to be the day. Egg and Rocket chopped them off and I played photographer/videographer, it was amazing. So now her hair is about as short as Egg's and it looks awesome. A day of liberation. Tomorrow we are off to Rusty's Hard Time Hollow Hostel, it sounds incredible. The naked guy on Bald Knob advised me to get the blueberry pancakes, I think I'll take his advice.In the shelter register, the trend was to write a confession since this shelter is called The Priest. Mine was that I crop-dust my hiking partners all day long. Oops.
Date: 2009-05-25
From: The Priest Shelter

To: Rusty's Hard Time Hollow Hostel
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: moderate rain

Today's theme: extreme ups and downs. There were a few insane climbs that wiped the hell out of me, but it felt good at the end of it all. I was the first to leave the shelter this morning, so I had the first two or so hours of the trail to myself. I have been really enjoying some solo hiking lately; it feels good to think and move at my own pace. Sometimes if I am ahead or behind someone, I feel like I am rushing either way. We always pick a spot for lunch, so we know we'll always meet at least once during the day.Wow, Rusty's. Where to start? This is the craziest hostel so far. Walking in, there are a ton of funny signs along the road. Once we arrived, we were greeted by Low Rider, a '93 hiker, who was wearing a wrestling uniform and blowing a horn at us. Insanity. The gravel driveway is littered with crushed soda cans that you take your chance at hitting off a log with a whiffle bat. I took my first outdoor rain water shower. It was interesting, and freezing cold. Very very cold. There is a bin overhead that collects rain, then to shower you pull a cord that lets the icy water pour down on your body. It was like showering in a hose, but boy did I need that. I was the smelliest and dirtiest I have ever been. A pool would have even made me happy at that point! Pirate from Neels Gap was even there; we keep seeing him all over and probably will until Maine. This place is totally insane, but a real gem on the trail. I hope Rusty gets a lot more hikers in this season. That is how he runs his business and farm, and I think traffic was very slow this season. Best of luck to him.
Date: 2009-05-26
From: Rusty's Hard Time Hollow Hostel

To: Lutheran Church Hostel (Waynesboro, VA)
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: moderate rain

So this is what it is like to speed hike. Those people are nuts.Rusty made us amazing blueberry pancakes for breakfast and dropped us back off at the trail at 11:30. Only problem, we have until 9 (that's when the hostel locks the doors) to do 20 miles and we normally do 2 to 2.5 mph. Looks like the day calls for speed hiking! We booked it and busted major ass all day. Normally we take several snack breaks and a long lunch break, but today's breaks had to be few, short, and multi-purposed (pee and shove down a snack, not just one or the other). The rain was teeming all day and streams were raging like rivers; that pushed us along faster. So, we made it in at 7. That is really freaking fast, my feet and legs were unhappy from the 3 very short breaks I allowed them. Wow, what a day. I couldn't imagine speed hiking this trail, I had no time to look around me, even though the weather was less than favorable.This hostel is a dream. The shower is amazing with real shampoo and soap, the care taker is so friendly, we have our own cots, big screen tv, dvd player, computer with internet and snacks galore! A+ on the ratings scale. I am also happy to not be tenting in the pouring rain and can dry some things out, we were soaking wet when we arrived.Tomorrow we'll do the usual town errands, I look forward to sleeping in a bit and getting my clothes washed. I have embraced the filth and stink, but there is nothing like clean clothes when you have been sweating in the same thing for a week. Nobody ever said hiking was glamorous! Ahhhhh, laying back in a cot is pure luxury.
Date: 2009-05-27
From: Lutheran Church Hostel (Waynesboro, VA)

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Waynesboro is a really neat little town. We resupplied at Kroger, which is my favorite grocery store on the trail yet, and found ourselves at Stone Soup, a book store and gourmet lunch shop. It was a great start to our day before heading into the Shenandoah's for the next week or so. A nice gentleman drove us to the outfitter and I was able to replace the carbide tips on my poles since one busted the other day and was worthless without the tip. All in a day's work.We headed into the mountains, registered ourselves to be able to hike legally through the park, and went on our merry way. At the top were Leif E, McBride and Franzia, Leif E's bud from home. We were really excited to see them again. It's been a week; that's a long time in the trail world. Plus it's nice to see a new face out here. I am so beat from yesterday's speed hike, I hope a little sleep will cure me.
Date: 2009-05-28
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 2 of the Shenandoah's. So far they are pretty easy going. We are at a low elevation, something just over 2,000 feet, so there have not been any spectacular views. It is pretty neat, though, that we keep criss-crossing over the infamous Blue Ridge Parkway. Once the fog lifts, there should be some pretty views from the parkway.Looking forward to tomorrow. We get to eat lunch at a wayside grill. The trail passes several grills as we hike through Shenandoah National Park and they are a hiker favorite out here. I hear the blackberry milkshakes are to die for. I know what I'll be having.
Date: 2009-05-29
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Awesome day all around. We blew through the first 7ish miles really fast and sat at the camp store eating snacks and drinking things other than water. What a nice treat while still on the trail. Once Leif E, McBride and Franzia caught up, we all hiked the 1.1 off-trail miles (grr) to the wayside grill for lunch. Unfortunately, the fryer was broken so no french fries, but it was worth the walk for a grilled cheese and blackberry milk shake. Any break from trail food is always welcome!Speaking of trail food, if I never see a Lipton Side or Pop Tart again, I would be happy. Right now the only Pop Tarts I can handle are brown sugar and cinnamon and I hope they don't gross me out any time soon; there are still many miles left to hike. Rocket and I were discussing trail food today, and when I return home, I hope to never eat anything of the kind again. It is all gross and unhealthy, although my favorite lunch includes hummus.Tomorrow we hope to catch the Condiments and Georgia girls, they are 1/2 day ahead of us now. We miss our trail bff's terribly!
Date: 2009-05-30
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Bear Fence Hut
Miles today: 20.6

900 miles! Wow, almost 1/2 way there. It feels incredible to have walked this far, and daunting that there is still so much trail ahead of me. I can't believe we are almost out of VA when it feels like we just entered Damascus days ago. Wow, am I tired.Today, we received some nice trail magic from former thru hikers, Blissful and her husband Skipper. We got there early before set up, but we still scored sodas, brownies and a hot dog. They even had a resupply set up for any hikers in need. That was so thoughtful. Thanks Blissful and Skipper!This was the longest mile day yet. The Shenandoahs provide such mild terrain to blast it out. Once we get further north, the terrain will be too hard for big miles, so now is the time to do it.Onward!
Date: 2009-05-31
From: Bear Fence Hut

To: Roxanne's House (Grommet's Friend)
Miles today: 8.0

Yay, a day of sleeping in. I didn't wake up until almost 8:30 since we had a very short day and we weren't getting picked up until 1:30. Sleeping in is so luxurious.Roxanne, Grommet's friend who is watching her dog Hershey, came and picked us up from the wayside. We are spending the night here tented on her back lawn, and enjoying some relaxation off the trail for the evening. Roxanne's daughter washed our clothes for us, we showered, and her husband made us a nice spaghetti dinner. All things that make a hiker happy.Tomorrow back to the trail.
Date: 2009-06-01
From: Roxanne's House (Grommet's Friend)

To: Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 13.3

In the Shenandoah's, it is illegal to camp anywhere but at a shelter. We heard there were 25 people headed to the shelter we were supposed to go to, and since we got a really late start, we are illegally tenting in a stealthy spot below a parking lot and bathrooms. I hope a ranger doesn't discover us. We will be fined and forced to pack up and start walking. I am too tired to move another inch.Finally, some bear action today! We saw one bear, then not 5 minutes later saw a momma bear and 3 cubs running about 50 yards away, totally cool. The Shenandoah's have the second highest bear population on the AT, next to my home state, NJ. Fun fact for ya. So I guess we will see more bears along the way for sure.I am getting so excited, my mom is coming to visit us in Harper's Ferry on Saturday. It has been 3 months since I last saw her, the longest we were ever apart. Yay for visits!
Date: 2009-06-02
From: Stealth Campsite

To: Gravel Spring Hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Happy 3 months to us! I can't believe it's been that long already. Time sure is flying by. Today was our last wayside restaurant visit. We tore it up and ate good. I polished off my lunch with 2 Snickers brownie ice cream sandwiches; they were amazing. It was 90 degrees and humid today, so the ice cream helped my brain from completely turning to mush. It was also nice to take a 3-hour break in the middle of the day to watch time pass and break up the long day. Looking forward to a shorter day tomorrow and going into Front Royal for the night.
Date: 2009-06-03
From: Gravel Spring Hut

To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

We flew into Front Royal. As soon as we hit the road crossing, instantly we were getting into the back of a pick-up truck and were being whisked off to town. Fastest hitch ever. Within 20 minutes we were checked into a hotel and swimming in the pool, a nice way to cap off a 90 degree and humid day. Everything fell into place perfectly.We're so classy. While we were waiting for our laundry to dry, we went to a restaurant for lunch. We wore our smelly rain gear with nothing underneath, Rocket wore a towel around her waist, Egg, her tent footprint. Not many options when all your clothes are being washed. I think we looked homeless to the waitress. It's good to be hiking.
Date: 2009-06-04
From: Front Royal, VA

To: Dick's Dome Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light rain

Leaving town is always hard when the weather is bad and you are completely wiped out. I considered taking a day off and meeting the girls at Bear's Den since I already hiked this section, buuut, how can I not rehike the roller coaster with them? I forced myself to get motivated. Hiking this section with them was too important for me to miss.Dick's Dome shelter is interesting, it's shaped like a pentagon. Totally weird for trying to cram hikers in when it's pouring, but anything is doable in the rain. We brought a feast for dinner. Grommet packed out pulled pork sandwiches from the trail magic Chance's mom brought, so I had that plus an entire bag of tortellini, 2 mountain house desserts we shared, plus red wine. I am full and happy. What a day.I need sleep, prescious sleep. My legs and feet have been hurting so much at night that it keeps me awake. Sleeeeeeeeep.
Date: 2009-06-05
From: Dick's Dome Shelter

To: Bear's Den Hostel
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: moderate rain

Rain rain go away. It's been over 24 hours and the sky continues its evil ways of not allowing us to dry out. My feet were completely soaked and pruney all day. Everything was covered in mud. The weather is a true test of patience out here, but it's all a part of hiking this trail.Roller coaster, of loooove. Yup that's right, one more ride on this here coaster. This time NOBO and with full packs. It was bumpier than I remembered, maybe because I was carrying full weight? We rode the coaster, or hiked the trail right to the greatest hostel, Bear's Den. Hopeful and Redwing, the amazing caretakers remembered us from our stay in January. Actually, Hopeful had been excitedly waiting for us to arrive and knew our whereabouts from other hikers. Lydia, their 2.5 year old daughter was bopping around and acting oh so adorable with all the other hikers and guests. Her trail name is Hikelet, so cute.Tomorrow we're off to Harpers Ferry, a huge milestone for thru hikers. It is just past the 1,000 mile mark, just past the VA border and in WV, and home of the ATC, or Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Huge things for us. Booyah!
Date: 2009-06-06
From: Bear's Den Hostel

To: Harper's Ferry, West Virginia
Miles today: 20.7

My day started out on such a high note. We got up early and went to the kitchen to make our breakfast. Hikelet knew we were up, so she said to Hopeful "I want to have pancakes with my girls." What? That is the cutest thing ever, and we were delighted to have such an entertaining breakfast date. We ate and chatted about her activities for the day. Her big plans were to play with her toys, me, hike 20 miles and get to town. Sounds pretty comparable, or not. We said goodbye to Hikelet and Hopeful and started the long day.Within miles we were at the 1,000 mile mark, then crossing right into WV. Adios VA, I am not sad to see you go. It's been a looooong month and a half, peace the eff out! I am ready for some new states to cross off the list.The day was warm and sunny, a nice change since the last few days were soaking wet. We only took a few short breaks, we had to make it to the ATC before they closed at 5. My feet were hurting so bad by the end of the day, I was worried I wouldn't hike fast enough to make it, everyone else was ahead of me. My mom called me to tell me she had arrived in town, then a short while later I saw a sign saying Harper's Ferry was 1.9 miles away. That was all I needed for motivation, the pain was lifted and I literally ran, I was so excited for all that was about to happen. I kept running over and down the mountain, panting like a dog, pack bouncing up and down on my back, I didn't care. The girls waited for me at the bridge to cross the Shenadoah River; we whooped with excitement that we were minutes from everything. We blue blazed to the ATC, and there was my mom waiting so proudly for us. She screamed and hugged and kissed us all, of course, she didn't let me go for awhile despite my offensive smell. It's been over 3 months since I last saw her, the longest we ever went. Such excitement. We checked in, got our pictures taken, and I am the 246th official thru hiker this year. Cool! Onward, to the hotel where the Condiments were meeting us. It's been over a month since we last saw them. What a day for reunions! More whooping and hugs were exchanged, damn did we miss them a lot. I was overcome with excitement today, how happy I am to be around such wonderful people in my life. I miss my friends and family a lot, I am thankful for such a great trail family. What an amazing and fulfilling day."Aint it good to be alive."
Date: 2009-06-07
From: Harper's Ferry, West Virginia

To: Zero Days, Harper's Ferry, West Virginia
Miles today: 0.0

Zeros never feel like zeros. My mom and Natalie, her best friend, carted us all over to run our errands, it was nice to have a car at arm's reach. Downtown Harper's Ferry is really neat, lots of civil war history and cobblestone streets. There are even people dressed as settlers walking around town. My shoe trouble continues. My K-Mmart shoes are so done. I ordered a pair of shoes on the internet, the same shoes I started the trail with since I thought it would be a safe bet. My mom brought them for me. My already wide feet are apparently wider now; they didn't fit. I checked out the outfitter in town, of course none of the women's shoes fit my wide loads, and no men's shoes were small enough. Well, thank god for my mom's car, she let me take it to REI in Maryland. Road trip! Rocket and Grommet came for the ride with me. Driving on a highway after not being behind the wheel for 3 months was nerve wracking and weird. Oncoming traffic was scary, but I adjusted back fast. I picked up a pair of mens (of course) Keen's, I hope they work out.My mom and Natalie left after 2 days of visiting. It was great to spend time with my mom. She absolutely loved all the Packadivas and Condiments, and had such a nice time getting to know them. I am getting closer to home, so I'll get to see my mom in about another month, yay! She wants us to spend a night at my house, but I am still not sure if I want to. I think it will be hard to be home but not actually be home, I don't want to get comfortable, there will be so many more miles to hike after NJ. I'll see. For now I will just look forward to seeing my mom and some of my friends.Back into the bush tomorrow.
Date: 2009-06-09
From: Harper's Ferry, WVA

To: Rocky Run Shelter, MD
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: few clouds

Well, hello Maryland! This sure is a short and easy state, but there is no shortage of rocks, damn. Maybe this is a warm up for PA? I hope the rocks come and go real fast, they are nasty and cruel, little bastards!We met up with the Condiments at the shelter, but those silly GA girls never showed. It's been a while since we saw them and we miss them, hopefully they are not far behind. While walking along today, a nasty black storm cloud came overhead, just as we were approaching a campground with a bathroom. So we sought refuge from the hail and lightning in the bathroom, not a nice place to spend an hour, but at least we were able to stay safe and dry. Hooray for flushing toilets while I'm at it!I never complain about other hikers, I now feel the need to. The only people to have ever pissed me off out here are older men that refer to us as girl scouts, and seem shocked we are thru hiking. The guys our age treat us equally. For some reason, certain older men must feel threatened that women can hike this trail just like them. If someone hikes up behind me and is faster than me, common courtesy is to pull over and let them pass. Some a-holes that we were all trying to pass refused to let us. We were right up their butts, said excuse me several times, then were forced to squeeze past them. They never even acknowlegded us. What jerks. Then when we saw them at the next shelter where we stopped for a snack, they were the rudest most annoying men I have ever met. I hope I never see them again.Rant over. I really like 99% of the people I meet, most are friendly and kind. The shelter we are in tonight is beautiful. It was built last year and is 2 floors and sleeps 16 people. A nice front porch is attached with a picnic table and some chairs. Classy living in the woods. Good night.