morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-05-19
From: Hog Camp Gap

To: Spy Rock Road - Dutch Haus
Miles today: 10.0

Dutch Haus - 10.0 miles1st 10 by 10Mouse in my tent last nightA mouse gnawed his way into my tent last night while I was sleeping. I usually hang my food bag when I tent, but last night I didn't bother. I just put it on the floor of my tent. During the night, I woke up cool and sat up to put on some more clothes. When I did, I saw something move. I looked around and saw a mouse in the tent. He had gnawed through the netting and ate a hole in my food bag. He ate some of my pop tarts. I opened the netting and tried to shoo him out. He ran all over, but didn't want to go out. Eventually after about 10 minutes of chasing him, he did go out and I was able to get back to sleep. I had set my alarm to get up at 5:20 but I never heard it. I woke up naturally at 5:35, about my normal time. I had wanted to leave by 6:00 so I had plenty of time to hike the 10 miles to Spy Rock Road plus 1.2 miles down to the real road and be there by 11am for pick up by the Dutch Haus Hostel. They serve lunch to all thru hikers, plus I plan to stay there tonight. I left at 6:15 the same as yesterday. Einstein left at 6:15 with me, Dakota Dan left at 6:00 as planned. The hike contained three 400 foot climbs and several downs, but no big climbs or drops. The morning view just after sunrise from Tar Jacket Ridge was great. I kept walking, intending to make the scheduled pick up. After about 5 miles I felt I was in good position to make it, and realized my pace and time were sufficient to do my first 10 by 10. That's 10 miles by 10am. I picked up my pace to ensure I had 10 by 10. I only stopped briefly at the side trail to the Sealy-Woodworth Shelter to get a candy bar, drink some water, and check the map. I then pushed on. I reached Spy Rock Road, 10.0 miles on the AT at 9:45 with 15 minutes to spare. I met Einstein and Dakota Dan there and we all walked down Spy Rock Road together. (Spy Rock road is a Jeep road, to rough for normal cars.) There was no rush since pick up wasn't until 11:00. We reached the main road parking lot about 10:10 and waited. Our ride arrived about 11:10 and took us to Dutch Haus where we had a great lunch of hot dogs and cheeseburgers with potato salad, vegetables, and ice cream for dessert. Afterwards, I took a shower, washed my clothes, and sorted through the resupply box I had mailed to myself from Daleville.
Date: 2012-05-20
From: Spy Rock Road - Dutch Haus

To: Tent at Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: few clouds

Tent at Maupin Field Shelter - 18.1 milesBreakfast was at 7:00 so I didn't get up until 6:15 and still had extra time. The breakfast was great with eggs, corned beef hash, fruit, and pancakes. You leave there full. They shuttled us back to Spy Rock Road and I started the 1.2 mile climb back up the jeep road to the AT. I reached the AT and started my day about 8:20. I climbed up to Spy Rock, a huge Rock outcropping which was used during the Civil War as an observation post. There I stopped, climbed up on the rock, enjoyed the view and ate a package of spam I had bought yesterday. I bought and ate spam even though I wasn't hungry because 39 years ago my wife and I hiked here and we shared a can of Spam for lunch while on top of Spy Rock. It was the only thing we had left to eat.   Ever since then I can't stand spam (we call it Spy Rock). I had a picture taken of me eating it and I sent it to my wife. I hiked over The Priest Mountain and down to VA Rt 56 where Nitrous Oxide's family was doing Trail Magic. I ate 2 hot dogs, fruit, potato chips, cookies, 2 honey buns, and cake, plus drank 3 sodas. I was full. They had a scale there. It says I have lost 17 pounds even though I've been eating like a pig. I stayed over an hour before leaving. From there I hiked over Three Ridges Mountain, a 2800 foot climb. This should be the last climb of this size until I reach New Hampshire. From there I went to Maupin Field Shelter. The shelter was already full so I put up my tent nearby.
Date: 2012-05-21
From: Tent at Maupin Field Shelter

To: Rockfish Gap- Waynesboro VA
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: light rain

Rockfish Gap - Waynesboro VA- 21.0 milesRain all morningRipped hole in tentIt rained during the night and was raining lightly when I got up at 5:30. I was sitting in my tent packing up when I bumped my hiking pole which holds up the tent. The point came out of the grommet that it sits in, and ripped through the tent roof material. It made a hole the size of a quarter; not good in the roof of your tent. This is right after the mouse ate a hole in the netting just a few days ago. After all that, I didn't get started walking until 6:30. It was raining lightly and the trail went uphill with a lot of rocks. The rocks were very slippery and I had to go very slowly and carefully. It rained all morning, finally clearing around noon. During the afternoon I saw my 2nd rattle snake. It was about 5 feet long and 3-4 inches in diameter. It was right on the trail and I almost stepped on it before I realized what it was. I didn't get a picture of it since my camera was packed away inside my backpack because of the rain. I reached Rockfish Gap about 3:30 and followed the road up another hill to the Visitor Center to try to get a ride into Waynesboro. The center was closed, but they had a list of local Trail Angels posted who will give hikers a ride into town. I had to call down to the 6th one before someone was home and available. Roy came in about 10 minutes. He was very kind and agreed to stop at the Outfitter on the way into town, and at the post office on the way to the Days Inn, where I am sharing a room with Dakota Dan. Dakota Dan had left camp earlier than I did and was already there. At the Outfitter I bought silk nylon repair material for my tent and food bag. Obviously I have to patch my tent, and food bag. I also bough new insoles for my shoes. My heels have been hurting for weeks. I hoped the new shoes back in Pearisburg would help and they did, but my feet still hurt.
Date: 2012-05-22
From: Rockfish Gap- Waynesboro VA

To: Rockfish Gap - Waynesboro VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Rockfish Gap - Waynesboro VA - 0.0 miles9th zero dayA day off. Relaxing but too much to eat. I stuffed myself at breakfast, went to the Golden Corral for lunch and over ate, then ate a double cheeseburger, fries, coke and Frosty at Wendy's for supper. Too much food. I don't feel well after eating so much. I'll have to work it off tomorrow. I washed clothes, and patched my tent and food bag this morning. I don't think the patch on my tent is very good. The hole is right in the corner where 3 pieces of material come together plus the grommet for holding the pole along with a leather patch to provide strength. It was difficult to get the material to lay flat and put the patch on flat. It doesn't look good. My tent gets a lot of condensation inside. In fact, the inside of my tent can get soaking wet from my perspiration and breath even when it's not raining. It's a single wall tent which is susceptible to condensation problems. Based upon that, I avoid using it and prefer the shelters. I have been thinking about replacing it and now with a hole in it, I went ahead and purchased a new Six Moons Designs Trekker tent online today. It will not ship until next Tuesday, so I had it sent to Harpers Ferry, WV. I will have to use my current tent until then. Even though this new tent is a single wall tent also, other people I know, specifically Dakota Dan and Lime Green, are happy with their Six Moons tents. So, I will try it. Single wall tents are much lighter than standard double wall designs. This afternoon we went to a movie, the Hunger Games. I didn't like the concept of the movie. A young boy and young girl from each of 12 districts are forced to participate and only 1 of the 24 lives. They must eliminate all the others or be killed themselves. We stopped at the local Walmart and purchased food for resupply. I repacked everything and prepared to continue my hike tomorrow.
Date: 2012-05-23
From: Rockfish Gap - Waynesboro VA

To: Rockfish Gap - Waynesboro VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Rockfish Gap - Waynesboro VA - 0.0 miles10th zero dayI woke up at 7 am and looked outside. It rained last night but it is not raining now. However, the mountains are in the clouds and it is likely raining there. The weather forecast calls for 60% chance of rain here in town which generally translates to 100% in the mountains. Dakota Dan and I decided to wait and see what the weather does. Lime Green, who is staying in a separate room with his wife, called and agreed to wait and see. About 9 am Lime Green called back and said he was going. His wife has to leave and go back home today anyway. We looked outside and it was clearing, but there were still plenty of clouds on the mountains. Dakota Dan decided to go with him, I decided to stay another day. About 9:30 Lime Green arrived and they left. Since I did my repairs and resupply yesterday, I don't have much to do today. I sat around, read the newspaper, watched TV, and surfed the internet. For lunch I went to Wendy's next door and for supper I went back to the Golden Corral. After dinner I called one of the local Trail Angels that provides shuttles and arranged a ride for tomorrow morning. It is great that Waynesboro has this list of Trail Angels that will provide hikers a ride to or from the trail. This hotel is 5 to 7 miles from the trail. Further than I want to walk.
Date: 2012-05-24
From: Rockfish Gap - Waynesboro VA

To: Black Rock Hut
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Black Rock Hut - 19.8 miles40% completeI got picked up by Jim Wilson, a Trail Angel, at 7:25 and was on the trail at 7:45. I started the day in the fog. The first several miles were rocky but eventually it smoothed out. After that first section, the trail was mostly smooth all day. I reached Calf Mountain Shelter Trail about 11 am; it was 0.3 miles off the trail. I didn't bother to go over. Instead I walked another mile to a spring and stopped for a break and snack. Along the way I saw a fawn laying right in the trail. It didn't move as I approached. It clearly had been laying there a while because a previous hiker had left a handful of trail mix next to the fawn. I took its picture and left it alone hoping its mother was nearby. I was wearing my new insoles and my feet were slipping around inside the shoes. So during my break I added the original insoles in addition to the new ones to use up some of the excess volume. During the next section my heels began to hurt again. So I'm assuming it's because of using both insoles. About a mile before the shelter I stopped and took the original insoles out again. That helped my heels but the shoes were loose fitting which is not good on rocks or when going downhill. I'll try to tie them tighter tomorrow. I was getting tired by the time I reached the shelter about 5 pm. The first day out of town the pack is always heavy with food and the miles are tiring. After 2 zero days I'm walking with a different group of hikers. In the Shenandoah Park the shelters are called huts. Tonight I'm sharing the hut/shelter with Duck, Kindle Ninja, Dace, and Sugar Plum.
Date: 2012-05-25
From: Black Rock Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Hightop Hut - 21.4 milesAte lunch at Loft Mountain WaysideA Whip-poor-will started singing right outside the shelter about 5 am. It was very loud making it impossible to sleep. I got up at 5:30 and everyone else got up too because the Whip-poor-will woke everybody up. I left at 6:10, the same time as Sugar Plum. We walked together and talked. Shortly, after a few ups and downs, we reached the side trail to the Loft Mountain Wayside. It was a 0.6 mile steep down, but they serve B/L/D. We got there at 9:20; shortly after, they opened at 9:00. Even though it was early I got a cheeseburger and fries plus a Blackberry milkshake. It was good. Between eating and sitting around talking to all the hikers, I didn't leave until 11:10. I hiked on. It was a hot day and I was sweating like crazy. I passed the Pinefield Hut without stopping, but by the time I got to the ranger station, I was getting thirsty and decided to stop for a break and water. I walked on to the Hightop Hut. I got there about 4:30. There are only 3 of us in the shelter, but a lot of hikers camped nearby.
Date: 2012-05-26
From: Hightop Hut

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 23.9
Weather: clear sky

Rock Spring Hut. - 23.9 miles1% day, 10 by 10Ate lunch at Big Meadows WaysideBought and carried dinner to shelterUp at 5:20, left at 6:00. Left with Sugar Plum again. We walked the first 10 miles together completing 10 miles before 10 am. The walk included several ups and downs and was tiring. As soon as it turned 10 AM, and I had over 10 miles. I was beat and I stopped for a break. Gumpy came by as I stopped, and Sugar Plum continued on with him. I was satisfied just getting 10 by 10. After a break I walked slowly by myself; eventually reaching Pinefield Shelter where I stopped for another break. I stayed almost an hour, then I finally left. After a big climb up Hazeltop, the trail leveled out, and I made good time all the way to the Big Meadows Wayside. I pulled in tired with 20 miles complete. Upon arrival I didn't feel well, and I had to sit for a while. I assume it was from being tired and dehyrdration. It was hot and very humid today. I was sweating like a pig. At the wayside I was able to get a cheeseburger and fries. While I waited for them to make it I didn't feel well again, but when I got the food, I was OK. Afterwards, I had an ice cream. Nice! After a long break I bought a turkey sandwich and salad to carry to the shelter. Sugar Plum was at the wayside and we walked the remaining 4.4 miles to the shelter together. My socks and boots have been wet the last 3 days from the wet grass in the morning. After 3 days of this, the top of my toes are raw from rubbing on the seam of my wet socks. While at the wayside I took my boots off and let my feet dry out. When I got ready to leave, I put on dry socks. My feet still hurt walking to the shelter, but probably less than if I hadn't changed socks. I reached the shelter about 6:30. I got space in the shelter, but there are a lot of weekend hikers camped in the area. It is Memorial Day weekend.
Date: 2012-05-27
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

Pass Mountain Hut - 15.3 milesI figure I need to go easier to rest my body and feet. So I didn't get up until 6:00, and I didn't leave until 7:15. I put bandaids on the worst toes, and will stay with dry socks. As soon as I left, I noted the bottom forefront of my left foot is sore. It doesn't feel like a blister, just tender and sore. It hurt everytime I put it down. I thought about this as I hiked. Yes, I've pushed 20, 21,and 24 miles in the previous 3 days, and yes, my socks, boots, and feet have been wet the whole time. So this could be the problem, but I also changed the insoles in my shoes. Half way through the day, I decided to put the New Balance insoles back in. It helped. Yes, my feet were still sore but the soreness will take time to dissipate. Tomorrow I plan to go back to my original arrangement of New Balance insoles plus the insoles that came with the shoes. I will have to see if that helps and if my sore heel problem returns. From the shelter I hiked about 4 miles to Skyland. There I got an "All You Can Eat" Breakfast Buffet. I had 2 large plates with scrambled eggs, potatoes, sausage links, bacon, French toast, and fruit salad. I probably ate about 6-7 eggs plus a pile of everything else. This is in addition to the pop tarts I ate before leaving camp. It sure is nice to eat as much as you want as a thru hiker, and still lose weight. I will just have to watch what I eat when I finish. If I keep eating like this, I will look like a blimp in no time. In Shenandoah Park there are restaurants and waysides making it easy to get plenty of food. This is the 3rd day in a row I have been able to stop and buy real food. Tomorrow I will stop at the Elk Wallow Wayside, making it 4 days in a row. The walk from Skyland to the shelter seemed much longer and harder than it should have been. I stopped for lunch at Byrds Nest 3 and at Mary's Rock just to enjoy the view. I was still more tired than I should have been, but it was hot and humid again. I guess it is just sucking the energy out of me. I hope the weather gets better. I plan to go short again tomorrow to let my body rest. It's interesting that today was planned as an easy day, 15 miles. Previously that would have been a horrendous day.
Date: 2012-05-28
From: Pass Mountain Hut

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Gravel Spring Hut - 13.1 milesMy foot is still sore, so I did a short day again today. Up at 6:00 out at 6:45. Even with the easy 7 mile walk from the shelter to Elk Wallow Wayside, my foot and my back were hurting. I was glad to see the wayside. I have been struggling for a few days now with low energy, and sore feet and back.At the wayside I got a Hikers Delight breakfast, then finished it off with and ice cream and a soda. Video, Gumpy, Peeper, and Jay were already there so we sat together at a picnic table. Later Kindle Ninja and the 2 section hikers, Bail Out and Slow Pay, who were with me last night, showed up. I spent over 2 hours there. From there the 6 mile walk to Gravel Springs was harder than it should have been. The same problem, no energy, and my feet and back hurt. I reached the trail to the shelter at 2:30. Going down to the shelter, a large rattle snake warned me he was there. He was just off to the right of the trail, so I thought about just skirting him on the left side; but when I looked there was a smaller rattler there too. I tried to get them to move by throwing stones next to them ( I wasn't trying to actually hit it). They didn't budge. Eventually I made a wide diversion into the woods to go around them and continued on to the shelter. Since I was at the shelter early, I rinsed off in the stream ( below the water source of course) and checked out my foot. Tonight I do see fluid build up (a blister) below the callous on the ball of my left foot. I tried to puncture it with a needle but couldn't push the needle through the thick callous. Jim, one of the section hikers, offered me a J&J Blister pack. I decided to try it. You just put it on and leave it, so it will take a few days before I know if it works. I have noticed the education level of the hikers on the AT is much higher than the average population. For instance, tonight we have a doctor, a lawyer, the COO of a bank, a college educated artist, and myself an engineer. Gumpy who was at the wayside, is also a doctor and his daughter is a graduate student. SOS is a lawyer and financial planner, Dakota Dan was an IT manager before retiring. There are many others I do not remember, but there is a high percentage of professional people out here. That is not to say there aren't non professional hikers, of course there are, but the percentage of professionals is much higher here than the general population.
Date: 2012-05-29
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Front Royal Hostel
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Front Royal Hostel - 9.6 milesUp at 6, out at 6:30. Last one out. Another short day. My left foot is better, but it is still sore. I have hopes that by tomorrow it will be marginally OK. What a hassle the last few days have been with these foot problems. The new insoles I just bought in Waynesboro are going in the trash. I'm back to the original configuration: New Balance insoles plus the insoles that came with the shoes. My heels hurt a little today, and will probably get worse with time just like before I bought the new insoles; but that was less trouble than the raw toes and sore bottoms I have had since. The walk to the hostel was easy, mostly downhill. I was there before 11am. The Front Royal Hostel is a friendly, comfortable place. I took a shower, washed my clothes, had pizza for lunch, shared a half gallon of ice cream with other hikers, went through my stuff, and determined my resupply needs. I got a ride to the store for resupply and dinner at a burger place in town. Tonight the hostel is full. Tomorrow I hope my foot will take a full day of walking.
Date: 2012-05-30
From: Front Royal Hostel

To: Dick's Dome Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Dick's Dome Shelter - 19.0 milesUp at 5:30 but didn't leave until 6:20 because I had to wait to fill my water bottle in the bathroom. The 1/2 mile uphill walk back to the trail was OK, and I really started down the trail at 6:30. Within 0.2 miles I left the Shenandoah Park. As soon as I did, the trail got rocky. I thought it was a bad omen, but it cleared up within a another 1/2 mile. I caught up to Z sitting on the side of the trail eating breakfast, so I stopped and had a snack with him. Afterwards I hiked on. When I reached the Jim & Molly Denton Shelter, I stopped again for a snack. While I was there, Sugar Plum and Z caught up and we all ate together. The walk from there to Manasas Gap, where the trail goes under I-66, was uneventful. After crossing, I came upon Sugar Plum talking to Ridge Runner, so I stopped too. We talked to him for at least a half hour then went on. From there Sugar Plum and I walked together the rest of the way to Dick's Dome. She continued on but I stayed there for the night. 19 miles is enough for me. Lime Green was there. He had taken a zero day in Front Royal. Dakota Dan is taking 4 days off to go back and see his daughter, so he is not around. The large blister on my left foot was better today. I could still feel it, but it didn't prevent me from walking. When I took my socks off at the end of the day, the blister pack came off too. It was stuck to my socks. My foot looks much better. It looks like new skin where the blister was. That's too fast. We will see how it does tomorrow with nothing protecting it.
Date: 2012-05-31
From: Dick's Dome Shelter

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: clear sky

Bears Den Hostel - 18.3 milesLast night in VAUp at 5:30 gone at 6:00; reached the trail and started hiking the trail by 6:10. The first half of the day up to Rod Hollow Shelter was nice. The trail was good and the weather was nice. I reached Rod Hollow by 9:30 and I was hungry, so I stopped for an early lunch. It was nice. Shortly after leaving Rod Hollow, I reached the start of the Roller Coaster. This is a 13 mile section of trail that is continually up then down, and all rocky. The ups and downs are each 300-500 feet, so not horrible. It's just that it is all rocky and each up/down is immediately followed by another up/down. It's not like it is hard work so you can reach a nice view; there is nothing there. They are pointless ups and downs also known as PUDs. Tonight I am at Bears Den Hostel. I am through about 9 miles of the Roller Coaster and have 4 miles to go. This should be my last night in Virginia. Virginia has 550 miles of trail, the most of any state, and 1/4 of the whole trail. Tomorrow I plan to do 20 miles and be in Harpers Ferry WV. We will see. It is supposed to rain in the morning, followed by thunderstorms in the afternoon.