morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-06-27
From: Front Royal, VA

To: Campsite
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: scattered clouds

So I started out the day in high spirits. I was ready to get back on the trail. I was feeling a little better. It was far too expensive to stay in town any longer. I still needed to complete the last 17 miles of the Sheni's and Pre was not going to join me for the stretch. He would stay back in town and take care of errands while I hitched back to the trail solo. He would meet me at the trail head for Front Royal (where we would have gotten off had I not gotten sick) at approximately 8 pm. Too bad it took me not one... not two.. or three, four, or even five hitches... but SIX hitches to get me back to where I left off on the trail. The first was a gentleman in a pickup that took me to the trailhead that I would be meeting Pre at later that day. The second was a lady, she was an artist/musician, who took me about 10 miles up the road. I walked a couple miles to get to my next intersection and an older lady was sitting there waiting to give me a ride up the ways another 3 or so miles. As soon as she dropped me off the couple sitting at the next intersection offered to give me a ride the rest of the way to the entrance of the park. At the park entrance I was able to get a ride to a trail head a little closer and the final hitch was from a local gentleman in his jeep. So, by 3 in the afternoon I was just beginning my 17 mile hike... that I had to complete by 8 pm. 5 hours... great. So I had to move... fast. I ran a lot of the trail. However, I was only carrying a liter or so of water because I wasn't expecting to be in such a rush. I never stopped for more than a second to grab a snack. By the time I was coming down the trail to me Pre at around 8 pm I was exhausted and hurting. I had barely even noticed the trail, the climbs (or lack there of), the views, or the people. I was so focused on moving fast that I had taken nothing in. I wasn't feeling well either but Pre had all of my gear so I had no access to medication/food/filters/etc. The faster I got to Pre and my gear the sooner I would feel better... or not. Pre was waiting with a pizza and it was wonderful to see him... but as we began to hike a few miles down the trail to find a campsite I started to feel the miles of the day come on pretty quickly. The right side of my back hurt and it got progressively worse as the night wore on. Laying down was painful. Sitting up was painful. I was a little worried that something was wrong... I took more medicine and it did nothing to relieve my pain... it was a long night.
Date: 2008-06-28
From: Campsite

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: light rain

Well, it was all starting to make sense. I developed the UTI but was too late in treating it. I decided to be hard headed and go back on the trail continuing to practice poor watering habits and here I am. Kidney infection. I debated with Pre about the possiblity of continuing our hike into Harper's Ferry -- the closest/most convenient location to access an urgent care facility where I can get the antibiotics I need. But without knowing how bad the infection was already and the cost rising exponentially if I had to be hospitalized... I finally resolved that we would hike the 4 miles to the road and leave the trail... I am frustrated. We found a gentleman at the convenience store who was willing to take us the 50+ miles to Harpers Ferry... and then we located the hostel and now I am waiting until the morning to visit the clinic. I don't feel well. Figures.
Date: 2008-06-30
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Had to get out of the hostel today. Went down to Harpers Ferry and took in all the historical "stuff". Met up with Buck and Flur and took a tour with them and then we had lunch, a stop at the outfitter, the ATC and then back home. By the time I made my way back I was past exhausted. I spent time with Melissa (the granddaughter of the hostel caretaker) putting together a puzzle and doing a few chores as a work for stay. There are no other hikers here. Trying to rest...
Date: 2008-07-01
To: C&O Canal Towpath
Miles today: 1.4

Well, it was an additional few miles to get back on the trail... after we walked to grab food... and just a few miles of walking on the trail. The C&O is a great part of the trail because it is a bike trail -- meaning it is pretty darn flat. But, nonetheless, the goal of the next few days was to hike from the hostel SOUTH to where we got off the trail (about 45 miles south of Harpers Ferry) and have Pre's father pick us up there. However, Pre is sick. We think he has the big G -- Giardia. I am still not feeling a hundred percent so I can't say I was too upset about settling into camp early. We picked a spot right on the river and I am hoping for the best in the morning. I will also get my test results back and an ok from my doctor to hike again in the morning... yes, I did state that I was already hiking ...yes, I am hard headed and yes, this is why I am not too upset about Pre not feeling well himself.
Date: 2008-07-02
From: C&O Canal Towpath

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 2.4
Weather: clear sky

The good news.... I am clear to hike again and after about 7 more days of antibiotics I should finally be back to normal. The bad news... Pre is feeling worse. The idea of hiking South has been scrapped. Rather, we will remain in Harpers Ferry until Pre's father comes in two days to pick him up and then I will be dropped off where I got off and I will continue my trek North like nothing ever happened.... just a week behind... if you only count zero days here... not even Luray or Front Royal... I don't want to think about it. I will enjoy my 4th of July, not stress about being off the trail and then get back to business.
Date: 2008-07-04
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Fourth of July. Mr. Stanley picked us up in Harpers Ferry and took us to Washington, D.C. for the fireworks! It was amazing... the whole 15 minutes of it :0) It was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed my day with Pre and his father. Tomorrow I go back to the trail.... solo.
Date: 2008-07-05
From: Va. 638

To: Dick's Dome Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: moderate rain

First day back on the trail. Saying goodbye to Pre was not fun. Walking away was even less fun. I am now on a solo expedition... I don't know anyone this far back. But, it feels so refreshing to be back on the trail. It is almost like a new start... I am wrapped up in my own thoughts again. After so long with hiking partners it is nice to be able to gain back my confidence of being on my own...
Date: 2008-07-06
From: Dick's Dome Shelter

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: light rain

Welcome to the roller coaster. I met Homeward Bound last night at Dick's Dome Shelter -- of course, a new face! It was nice to have company but part of me would have rather been completely alone then have a glaring reminder of the distance between myself and the people on the trail I know. I have never been one to not want to meet new people -- I guess the worries are still right there beneath the surface. Homeward started May 1st (I think) -- we have two completely different experiences and aside from hiking they don't really overlap. Thus, while I was still laying in the shelter reading at 9 this morning, Homeward had probably already hiked 12 miles (she left around 5 this morning... ). And, when a hiker named Smiley came upon me laying there it was the same scenario just a different person. I felt like such a lazy, terrible hiker... What a way to start the day. Oh well, I did get some personal satisfaction out of pacing with these "uber" hikers and making it all the way to Bears Den Hostel for the evening instead of sticking with my "take it easy getting back on the trail" mentality that I awoke with -- probably purely out of my need to prove that I was, in fact, a decent "hiker" and just competitiveness in general. It felt good though! I didn't feel beat up at the end of the day -- and I got to know Smiley along the way. So, good company, good miles, and good sleep (and food) -- although the day started off a bit off kilter it ended with high hopes...
Date: 2008-07-07
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: light rain

Today is my four month trail anniversary. To celebrate I hiked my 1000 mile, I hiked a 20 mile day, I have officially LEFT the great state of Virginia behind, and I have officially made it to Harpers Ferry, WV (although I have already spent quite a bit of time here). I hiked with Smiley again today and I was certainly exhausted by the time we made our way into town. I had only intended on going to the shelter right outside of town but Smiley made an offer that I couldn't refuse -- floor space in a hotel room and the chance to hang out with him, a West Pointer, and Homeward Bound. I definitely felt the additional miles but it will be nice to get an early start on the day tomorrow. The David Lesser Memorial Shelter was pretty nice, though (the one right before town). I can imagine that many hikers press on, anxious to get into Harpers Ferry -- but it really was a cool shelter, swing included. Oh, and we stopped in at the Blackburn Trail Center. It is another "hostel-like" place just a few miles further than Bears Den. They cook up a spaghetti dinner for hikers in the evenings. The only downside: straight downhill climb. Smiley and I planned to take lunch there -- but I almost regretted it when we started making our way down hill. But, we were able to meet the keeper and he helped wash our lunch down with soda and by the time we finished talking our food had digested and the climb back UP to the trail was not nearly as difficult as I imagined it would be -- of course, I left my pack at the top :0) Well, it was a memorable day for me with a lot of milestones passed. All the time I had been in Harpers Ferry I was constantly reminded that I wasn't there yet... I hadn't hiked to Harpers Ferry... now, I have. One Thousand Miles. Check. Virginia. Check. Harpers Ferry. Check. Four Months. Check. Stay tuned, more checks to come...
Date: 2008-07-09
From: Ed Garvey Shelter

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter
Miles today: 24.8
Weather: moderate rain

Ok. Feeling better and accomplished. I started out the day thinking I had lost my mind. It was my earliest wake up on the trail yet. I don't like waking up early. I am not what you would call a morning person. My tolerance threshold for ignorance, stupidity, or merely contradiction is usually notably lower. But, I needed to build my confidence; I needed to do some miles and feel like I was making progress. To begin with, I had spent the evening hours checking out the shelter log to find out that many, many hikers had taken days and even weeks off of the trail when they had arrived in Harpers Ferry. This meant that I was a lot closer to familiar hikers than I thought I was. Next, in case the prospect of catching up to friends wasn't enough to get me moving, there was a shower on the trail. Really. I wasn't even hallucinating due to lack of sleep. There was a shower on the trail. Well, not ON the trail... just on the trail. Give me 100 feet. So, we stopped to indulge. And, mostly because Superman does not lose focus as easily as I do, we were back on the trail almost as if the shower had never happened. We kept up a pretty daunting pace but I did refuse to bypass a few scenic side trails that I came to understand Superman never took the time to check out. I just couldn't imagine hiking over 2,000 miles and missing some of the most spectacular parts of the trail. We all hike a different hike and we all hike for different reasons and I respect that. And, every side trail isn't noteworthy, but the few that are -- the few that create lifelong memories and the few that touch you all the way to your soul -- those few are the ones that make it worth every extra minute and every extra step. My hiking partner compromised a lot that day to help me stay with him. The pace we kept up was intense and it was challenging. I loved it. And, despite our side trips and the handful of EXTRA breaks Superman took to keep me in the running, we made it 24.8 miles before the sun started to dip down below the horizon. Remarkably, Superman still pushed on another 5 miles. I would have loved to join him -- it would have meant my highest mileage day yet -- but the rigorous pace and mileage had done a number on my shins. If it were only a day and I didn't have a thousand more miles to hike I would have been right there with Superman; I tend to indulge in masochistic tendencies (my west point career will attest to this). However, the bigger picture, the entire journey, is too important to risk. The satisfaction I would get from one day would pale in comparison to the satisfaction I could get from completing this trail. So, rest and my second highest mileage day won out. It would be the last time I would see Superman.
Date: 2008-07-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

NEW UPDATE: 20 JULY 2008 ------ I am OK!! I just wanted to post a QUICK update to let everyone know what is going on. I am BACK on the trail after spending some time in Philadelphia with family. I am in PENNSYLVANIA and moving northward. I have past the halfway point. I have hiked almost 1200 miles and I am beginning to count DOWN (less than a 1000 left!!). I am healthy and happy and my next opportunity to update journals will be in West Point, NY (Bear Mountain). I promise I will get as many done as I can. I would write more now but I am rushing and it is taking away from the stories I want to tell... I MISS everyone SO much. I even got homesick one day. I have so much to tell you all and I can't wait to have a computer to do it. I am turning 25 on the trail next week and I can't imagine a better place to be for my quarter century. CHECK BACK SOON! MUCH LOVE ~ Pips
Date: 2008-08-08
To: West Point, NY
Miles today: 0.0

Update on 8 August: I have made it to New York after getting pretty ill (again, I know) a couple weeks ago -- over my birthday, in fact. But, I am strong again and moving north slowly but surely. I will be in CT soon and then crunch time begins. I have until October 14th to climb Katahdin (if the weather holds out). Every day I hike as many miles as I can and I am leaving the rest of the worrying until the end. I have managed to love every second of this hike and I am not about to ruin it now by getting hurt or burnt out pushing through the miles... I have made it this far... I am just going to keep truckin. I have hiked 1400 miles and I am making my way through my 9th state. I am currently at West Point, NY and it is a big deal for me to be back around these parts. I have some crazy stories to update but a lot of this journal may have to wait as time is so important right now. I am trying not to zero very often and keep moving. This doesn't bode well for internet access and journal updates. Though, I promise to update every single one of these entries when time does permit. Much Love,Thank you all for your support -- it has made all the difference,Pips
Date: 2008-08-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I am loving life! That is all you need to know right now. West Point is behind me and what an epic adventure that was. Now, I have Katahdin on my mind. Kraut comes back on the 25th and I am so excited! I just can't imagine anywhere I would rather be. 1500 is right around the corner. New York is done and only 5 states left. I love and miss everyone. I wish I could keep up with the journals on the trail but I promise I am writing everything down and will give you a heck of a story when I have time. Please keep posting messages because they keep my spirits up and they remind me of why I am here. Ryan, thank you. Pre, I wouldn't want to say anything too nice or people might get the wrong impression -- but, I miss you. Kraut, next stop... Maine. To my family -- Grandad and Grandma, Aunt Denise, Mom, Dad... my dear brother and everyone... thank you for your support, you are my strength. To my dear friends -- life is good. To anyone else that reads... I give you my word that I will update every entry so just keep checking back. Summit date: between 28 September and 1 October. Perfect.Much Love,
Date: 2008-09-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

OK. UPDATE 3 SEPTEMBER. Today I am crossing the Vermont/New Hampshire border. Things have been slow lately -- I have been bitten. Seriously. By either a tick carrying lyme disease... or a spider carrying something that doesn't agree with my body. No worries. I am still hiking. Just slowly. I have the usual -- fatigue, fever, headache and soreness -- but, the doc gave me some really great drugs that should be starting to have an effect shortly. I find much humor in the fact that I am sick again. I hope you do as well. I am in a crunch to get to Maine before the mountain closes now but I am still confident and determined and not yet deterred from my ultimate goal. I have hiked over 1700 miles and I have around 450 left. They just so happen to be the hardest 450, but what they heck -- might as well make it challenging while we are at this. Never a dull day out on the trail. I am in love with life, with the trail, with the people I have been meeting and the people back home supporting me on this grand adventure. I can't wait to be able to tell all the stories and I really, really appreciate the messages that you all have been leaving. Two states left. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I am hardly ready for this adventure to be over but I am anxious to see the fruits of my labor, to climb Katahdin, to start to dream up my next great adventure... my life is amazing. I am so lucky. I cannot wait to see my father and my grandfather in Maine... I am finally starting to imagine that this dream will come true... Until next time... or Maine... Much love to everyone. You are all in my thoughts as I struggle to conclude this journey.
Date: 2008-09-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

UPDATE: 7 SEPTEMBER. Today is my 6 month anniversary. Tomorrow I take my first step into the White Mountains. I do have Lyme Disease and I have had a roller coaster couple days as I fought with my body to let me hike. I hiked a few days when I should not have but such is life. Mentally, I am ready for this final 400 miles. Physically, well... one mile at a time. Every day has been a challenge. Every day will be a challenge. I will be tempting weather, traversing the toughest terrain, pushing my body physically, and mentally preparing for the last miles (and for the day when there are no more miles...). I do not know how to convey the turmoil I have been in lately. Bringing closure to this amazing adventure, anticipating the final miles... it is overwhelming yet calming; exhausting yet effortless; endless yet final. I am already extremely emotional. The people that surround me have brought me strength, have made me think, have pushed me to let go and have improved my world to a degree that few will ever be able to grasp. I will try my best to convey these things in my more detailed journal entries to come... to say it in the best way I know how: my world has been turned upside down. And, in every way -- this is for the better. I will enjoy every step of these last 400 miles... I am overwhelmed... in love with MY life... happy. MUCH LOVE to all...
Date: 2008-09-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I MADE IT TO MAINE!!!!!!!!!!! I am in Anover... the journey has been absolutely amazing. The people I am with make me smile every day. The views, the climbs, the falls, the places and the people are eveything I hoped they would be and more. I am still really tired and the miles seem to be coming a lot slower and more difficult than before but the fact that every day is simply rocking my world keeps me putting one foot in front of the other. The White Mountains were breath taking. Seeing the sign for the Maine border made my heart stop. It was more than I hoped it could be. I have officially hiked from Georgia to Maine so how cool is that??? Even on the toughest days I can't help but be completely happy with where I am at, what I am doing and where I am going... Katahdin now. I LOVE YOU ALL. This adventure is amazing.. have I mentioned that? 260 some more miles... I am both eager to make it to Katahdin and sad that my days out here are numbered... I can never come back to today... but that is ok because I know I made the best out of it, that I had a smile on my face, that I looked around in wonder at where I was and what I was doing and the people I was with... much love to everyone... soon I will be "home" -- even though I feel like I am at home every day.
Date: 2008-10-15
To: Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today I summitted Katahdin. I will be home soon and then I can begin my reentry into the real world... I will be back on here often to update my journal entries and get back in touch with many of the people who have kept me going these many, many days out in the woods...   I am overwhelmed and it hasnt sunk in yet that I am no longer hiking... I am no longer hiking. Maybe if I say it enough times?? I am no longer hiking. Be patient with me -- this is a tough adjustment, but I will come through on the journal entries, the photos, and the emails! Much love to everyone...
Date: 2008-10-16
From: Katahdin

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

TODAY: 4 DecemberUPDATED ENTRY: 9 JulyJust FYI -- I am updating these journals one day at a time (and one a day) until I can get through them all. At the same time I am posting pics on a public sight for everyone to enjoy! I hope you keep reading! I am contacting people as I get through my list and I hope that you all are patient with my slow adjustment back to a world of technology and people that I must now balance with my need for space and solitude in conjunction with my still very compulsive nature. (i.e. pictures have to be edited before posted).Picasa: http://picasaweb.google.com/mindy.mccaugheyStay in touch! Much Love,