morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-19
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Oh...so much to write about. It's been many days. The stretch of trail from Kincora to Damascus has been some of my favorite hiking so far. Waterfalls, whitewater rivers rushing through rocky gorges, evergreen forests and open meadows of gently rolling hills, all in a four day span.It's a commonly known statistic that only 10-15% of the people who start thru-hiking each year make it all the way to Maine. Off the top of my head, I can already name a dozen hikers who have fallen to the wayside for one reason or another, but it's just recently started to get personal.Avalanche, senior member of the Pain Train, is off the trail now. Viewfinder, who I hiked the first few weeks with, is off the trail. POW & TLC, a great older couple I've run into fairly often, are off the trail. It turns out the pesky pain that's been plauging TLC all along is a broken foot, not arthritis. (Nothing puts your own pride in check like knowing a 63 yr old woman with a bum leg accomplished just as much in the same amount of time.)These people are still mostly strangers to me, but having shared food and shelters, having told stories around the campfire, creates a curiously strong bond. At breakfast this morning, a joke so funny was told that Zipper did an actual spit-take. This isn't just "people that I know" that are leaving, these are friends that I'm losing.POW & TLC are getting off for health reasons, of course. Avalanche is going to attend to some business matters. Viewfinder, I think, just decided that the goal of making it to Katahdin just didn't mean as much to her as everything she was giving up in order to achieve it. Everyone's got their own reasons for wanting to hike, everyone's got their own reasons for going back home.I myself will be part of that 90% who don't go all the way. I feel no shame in that. I didn't come out here to hike every single step from Springer to Kathdin, I came out here to be here. They say you end up regretting the opportunities you never took more than the mistakes made, and to hell with living life that way. I'm continuing on as far as Harper's Ferry, WV because I still have the the time and ability and desire to do so. If I were forced off the trail tomorrow, it'd be a bummer, but I'd be able to sleep soundly. I've already seen what I came to see, done what I came to do.For the time being, the four remaining members of the Pain Train are scattered. There's a fairly well known bike path, the Virginia Creeper Trail, that runs through Damascus. Avalanche wanted to hit it on his last day here, I thought it sounded like fun, and Driftwood too very little convincing to join us.Jarrod and Zipper left early this morning, Driftwood wanted to put in a few miles this afternoon after finishing the bike ride. I elected to stay in town for one last meal at Damascus Eats, a restaurant so good it's worth the trip in and of itself. I'm overconfident enough to think I can catch back up to the group in only a few days.
Date: 2008-04-20
From: Damascus, VA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

The first day coming out of town is always the worst. Your pack is at it's heaviest, loaded with fresh food supplies and water. Your clothes are at their lightest because they're not saturated with sweat. All your muscles and joints have had time to rest, and angrily protest being put back to work.I bought a pocket radio in town the other day, and it's made a huge difference. Yes, on the one hand, listening to rock music while hiking detracts from the natural ambience and experience, but it definately beats having the chorus of that one Miley Cyrus song stuck in my head for a straight week. Yeah, that actually happened.Full house at this shelter tonight, but no Pain Train. A few locals pointed out a shortcut trail tomorrow that would save some serious time. It would cut out almost an entire afternoon worth of hiking, but I'd be skipping a section of the AT and living a lie. Decisions, decisions. I need a Snickers to help me mull this over.
Date: 2008-04-22
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: High Point Campground
Miles today: 12.3

Pain Train reunited early yesterday, thanks in part both to my spectacular hiking ability, and the fact they only did 6 miles before stopping and waiting for me. Ended up being a 24 mile day altogether.Crossed over the Grayson Highlands yesterday, which closely resemble some rocky Scottish moors. (I assume. I've never been to Scotland). Beautiful terrain, complete with a herd of semi-wild ponies. They are technically free range ponies, but they've grown so used to hikers that they'll readily approach you and allow themselves to be pet and photographed in exchange for food. They quickly turned surly once they realized we weren't offering any snacks. The situationed turned ugly after one of them bit at Zipper, and we all ran off.
Date: 2008-04-26
From: Lick Creek

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Rough going the last few days. Some tough terrain, only broken up by pastures so laden with cow paties it was like trying to navigate through a mine field. One misplaced footstep, one errant hiking pole, and BAM! The wet, earthy smell of fresh manure exploded in your nostrils.Everyone's taken turns being in a miserable mood the last few days. The temperature (and humidity) has started hitting the 80's. The mosquitos have come out already. The skies have been overcast and threatening rain ever since we left Damascus.And then today, just when it was needed most, Trail Magic occured. We were coming down from our umpteenth climb of the day, it had started sprinkling, and I was thinking about how the novelty of all this was starting to wear off. Lo and behold, there was a guy at the road crossing with a truck full of beers and soda, and a grill full of hamburgers. But the tent he had set up was a godsend in and of itself. We had reached the gap not 5 minutes before the clouds really opened up on us. Eight smelly hikers crammed under a 10'x10' tarp waiting for a thunderstorm to pass may not seem like heaven, but it was a definate blessing for all of us.It's strange to think how a little bit of canvas canopy and the kindness of a stranger makes the difference between, "God, just kill me now," and "Hey, this ain't so bad."
Date: 2008-05-01
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got my new sleeping bag yesterday, which is excellent news. It's comfortable, which is nice, but also weighs a pound less than the old one, and takes up a third of the room, which is fantastic.We had a bit of a late start out of Pearisburg, not leaving town till 6:30 pm. It was worth the effort though, to make it to a nice litle campsite away from the city lights. We roasted hot dogs, made S'mores, and I had to explain the difference between Miley Cyrus, Mira Sorvino, and Mena Suvari. (Yes, knowledge is power, but there's still some knowledge I'm not necessarily proud of knowing).I was first into the shelter tonight, although there's supposed to be a crowd here later on. The end of the day brings a dozen little pleasures with it. Dropping the heavy pack. Putting on a nice, dry shirt. Pulling off the boots and sweaty socks. Carefully picking a ball of sock lint and crusted blood out of the giant crack in my heel.Three days of hiking through thunderstorms in waterlogged boots has taken its toll on my feet. My left foot has taken the brunt of the damage: numb and calloused on the arch, dried out and bloody on the heel. The last two toes on my right foot are rubbed raw and swollen, but surprisingly painless. That's either a blessing or cause for grave concern. Time will tell.Over 600 miles in, and this is the first trouble I've had with blisters or major foot trauma at all. The people who have been hiking like this since the beginning, I honestly don't know how they've made it this far.
Date: 2008-05-05
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I'm off the trail now.The day when we were all holed up at Kincora, I remember talking to POW about his first experience trying to hike the trail. He said, in hindsight, that his mind and heart left the trail weeks before his body did. Looking back in his journal, he could see it clearly, although he was blind to it the first time around.Over the last week or so, I'd felt a growing sense of distance between myself and the trail. Every sweeping, panoramic vista I came across began to look more and more like the dozens I had already passed. Each mountain in front of me seemed more like a hassle to be dealt with then a fresh challenge to overcome. I couldn't even think of anything interesting to put in the journal for almost a week. The signs were there.And so it came as no real surprise to me when I woke up on the morning of the 2nd with the thought in my head, "The vacation is over. It's time to go home." The matter was settled when I bumped into two section hikers at a road crossing who were just hopping into their jeep to head back to Pearisburg. "You want a ride?" they asked. Hiking 650 miles of the Appalachian Trail was a wonderful thing for me. I don't have any regrets or shame about getting off where I did. For me, the trip had served it's purpose beyond expectations; to see and do something I never had before, to meet some new and interesting people, and to help get the Army out of my system.So now I'm back home in Illinois, getting ready for the next big adventure of starting college this fall and making a new home for myself in Carbondale. I want to thank everyone who's been following the journey through this blog, and wish everyone still out on the AT the best of luck in accomplishing your own goals. I wouldn't have made it as far as I did if it hadn't been for the support of family, friends, and strangers alike.
Date: 2008-01-15
To: Here we go
Miles today: 0.0

Well, the count-down continues. 76 days until we take off for Josh and Leigh's Hiker Hostel. I can't even wait. We walked 6 miles today and are headed out soon for another 3 miles before the sun goes down. Its pretty cold and windy here in Virginia. I don't know how those brave ones start in January. Although, I am pretty antsy to get started.This ones from Aubee (Cayenne)
Date: 2008-01-16
To: It's cold outside!
Miles today: 0.0

I have got ANTS IN MY PANTS! I just wanna be out there already. Except I don't want frost all over my tent and crunching snow under my feet every day for 2 months, so I guess I'll wait. I walked 9 miles again today, and it felt great. I plan on just walking for my training. I've never been much of a runner, and I definitely don't feel the need to train w/ a 30 pound pack on. I only carry a pack when I need one. Well, I hope to connect with some folks that are planning a 2008 thru-hike as well.Aubee (cayenne)
Date: 2008-01-18
To: VA weather
Miles today: 0.0

yesterday we woke up and started working in the cold--but snowless dawn. 2 hours later there were almost 2 inches of snow on the ground!! and then it rained all day and everything turned to ice/slush/mush grossness. it was a great day to test out the waterproofness of my new boots. granted i wasn't out in it all day like i will be on the trail, but overall, i'm confident that my boots will hold up for a good long while.todays weather--55 degrees and sunny. all the snow has melted! i'm excited and anxious to see how drastically the weather will change when we're on the trail.rie
Date: 2008-01-24
To: GEAR
Miles today: 0.0

I can not believe how much I obsess about gear. I spend all my free time thinking about gear. Today I spent 2 hours staring at the Snow Peak website deciding which mug I wanted. Until yesterday, I was pretty much convinced that I was done with my gear shopping, but last night I started thinking about my 40 day hike in 2006, and how much I used my cup that I carabined to my pack. This led to an urgency to obtain a titanium mug, and I mean URGENCY! I had to have it. If I don't get on the trail soon, I'll never be able to afford it.Cayenne
Date: 2008-02-20
To: Inspired!
Miles today: 0.0

Every day I read the updates from those that have started before me, and I am in awe. Oh the snow! The ice! The wind! I'm hooked to all of your journals. I remember hiking in May of 2006 and feeling sorry for myself as we labored through the rain in the smokies, but after reading the journals of those that started in Jan. and Feb. of this year, all that complaining seems wimpy. I didn't even have frost on my tent. Class of 2008- I can't wait to join ya, and if you're starting around April 2nd, let me know.Cayenne
Date: 2008-03-04
To: mail drops, yo!
Miles today: 0.0

27 days and counting! A few family and friends have asked about mail drops, so we added the Southern ones. We're still unsure about where we want to send drops in the North, so stay tuned. Our highlight of the day: minimus.com...um this website lets you order condiment packets individually. Can you believe it? We're still giving each other high fives because we'll have mayo, parmesan cheese, honey, olive oil, spicy mustard, relish, lemon juice, tapatio, and soy sauce all in little packets all along the trail. Yeah!The few drops we have are for maps and some treats except Fontana. That drop is for the Smokies and we agreed to make it a good one because I had a rough time in the Park in 2006. Lots of rain! (oops a little whining) I wanted to make sure we, at least, had a little luxury food to get us thru whatever weather comes our way.This picture of me was taken on a cold Virginia day. You can take the girl out of California, but...Aubee(cayenne)
Date: 2008-03-08
To: Fond Memories
Miles today: 0.0

I received an email from Baloo (GAME06)! I hiked from Georgia to Virginia in 2006 and spent a bit of time hiking with him. I remember receiving his summit picture in the mail and feeling pure joy. I can't wait to send him one!This is a picture of Baloo, Pele (GAME04) and myself at Elmers that year.Cayenne
Date: 2008-03-24
To: the final hour
Miles today: 0.0

everything is packed. our rooms are empty.in an hour we will drive away with some friends and fill our bellies with scrumptious thai food. then we'll being taking the midnight train to georgia--i know that phrase is overused sometimes and totally unoriginal, but seriously, how do you get on a red-eye train to georgia and not think of that song?my pack is a little heavier than i'd hope--but i think it's just too much food, and well, that will work itself out in the first few days. i've packed and unpacked and repacked my pack so many times--there's nothing else that i'm willing to shed, albeit a shovel that i may send home. here we come!!rie
Date: 2008-03-26
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 7.8

Last night, we stayed at Hiker Hostel. I absolutely love that place. I stayed there in 2006, met Josh and Leigh and fell in love. This year, they have Scott helping them before he starts the PCT and he's awesome as well. I even love Maggie, the dog. I believe Rie feels similarly but she might not choose to describe her feelings in quite the same teenage fashion I have chosen. I just really, really, like 'em y'all!Let's talk about the hiking. It felt great. I can't believe the difference between now and my first long distance hike. Rie and I decided to start off easy, and I am grateful. In '06 I went to Gooch on the first day and I was practically in tears as I set up my tent at the crowded shelter, but this year we cruised in around 3pm and had plenty of time to relax. We both felt only a little stiffness.Folx we met: Martin, Twineman, Fish, Fish's twin, Doc Vapor (who sounds exactly like Billy Bob Thorton), Boy From Bell Post Hill (who looks just like a Kennedy and will probably change his trailname because thats all any of us have called him), Briar, Gizmo, Pizza Man and others. Cayenne
Date: 2008-03-28
From: Woody Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

i'm no meteorologist, but apparanently 20% chance of rain really means drizzling rain for about 4 hours. at least i know that my pack cover works really well!!the hike today was good--climbing blood mountain wasn't so bad at all. the view from the top was, well, it was nonexistant due to the cloud cover. and what a surprise--just as we are coming into neels gap we hear bobcat (cayenne refered to as "fish's twin") behind us!! i can't believe he caught up to us--it was good to see him though. we're staying at the neels gap hostel with a crew including alec, thinker, kevin, freebird and of course pirate.   rie
Date: 2008-03-29
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: light rain

today was pretty brutal. the terrain wasn't too bad, but it pretty much rained all day. we waited out the thunderstorm at neels gap for a bit and got a late start out into the rain. and i'm glad we did, cause otherwise we'd have been with poor thinker--in the middle of the storm, crouched on his heels, praying to not get fried.it's cold and wet and we're still in the cloud. staying at low gap shelter tonight with some folk, including alec, thinker, freebird, belcher, jester, twinlke toes and tortoise. rie
Date: 2008-03-30
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: overcast clouds

i woke up covered in snot, it seems that i have a cold. i didn't sleep too well in the shelter last night. we decided to hike to unicoi gap today and catch a ride to cloud9 in hiawassee. i'm excited to sleep in a warm dry bed.rie
Date: 2008-03-31
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Dick's Creek gap
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

we slackpacked today and spent the night again at cloud9--meaning we just take what we need for the day and leave our heavy packs at the hostel. it was good to get the miles done. the weather is still about the same, but a little colder--we got to the summit of tray mountain for a 360 degree view of clouds. it was totally surreal to just see white--everywhere you turn. cayenne almost got taken out by a squirrel on the path. no joke--it jumped from the tree to the ground but flew right in front of her. just before we finished our hike today we ran into some really nice folks at deep gap shelter about to do some trail magic--chili dogs! it would have been a great treat if we had our packs and bags with us. so we chatted for a few minutes and pushed on back to cloud9.rie
Date: 2008-04-01
From: Dick's Creek gap

To: Hiawassee Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

the rainy weather won't quit--and my cold isn't getting any better. so we're gonna take a day off at the hiawassee inn and relax while the thunderstorms hopefully pass.back to the trail tomorrow--the weather is calling for sun tomorrow--and i can't wait.rie
Date: 2008-04-02
From: Hiawassee Inn

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: light rain

Yesterday was a blast. There were about 20 hikers that stayed at the Hiawasse Inn due to the projected biblical weather that never happened. There was no rain and no sleet, but there were hamburgers, hotdogs, and beers all around. We got a late start the next day that got even later when we got to Dick's Creek Gap and found 4 '04 thruhikers handing out breakfast biscuits, fruit, soda, and ziploc bags (gotta love thruhiker trail angels). Thank you Roman Noodles, Carefree, and partner (?).It actually turned out to be a beautiful day for hiking. We thought we'd go to Muskrat Shelter but ended up staying at Bly Gap, home of that famous gnarly oak tree. Pilgrim made us a nice campfire and we were joined by Twinkle Toes, Cookie Monster, Bucky, and Hiker Dave.Note to Jason Cazuppe: You have another doppelganger on the trail and he listens to Ani Difranco too.xoxo Cayenne
Date: 2008-04-03
From: Bly Gap

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: overcast clouds

WORST WEATHER YET! We woke up to rain at 7am, so we went back to sleep. Finally at 11am, we got to stepping. The terrain was easy but it was wet, cold, and we could see, at most, 20 feet ahead. Rie is a machine when she wakes up. She can charge up a mountain first thing in the morning and not even pause. I, on the other hand, need to warm up for at least 30 minutes and I don't even hit my full stride until late morning. Due to this, we have developed a routine where she leads in the AM, and I take over in the PM. It suits us just fine. Cayenne
Date: 2008-04-04
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: light rain

After two short days, we had to step it up. There was rain and we pretty much walked in a cloud all day, but the terrain was nice. We thought we might go another 5 miles but the thunder started, so we stayed at the shelter.Everything is WET. We're looking forward to Franklin tomorrow.Cayenne
Date: 2008-04-05
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Rock Gap
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: light rain

Guess what? More rain! We started hiking at 7am, so that we could get to the morning shuttle to Franklin. We made it to Rock Gap by 9:30am. It was pouring pretty steadily, and we started to fret a bit. Luckily, the town has a shuttle (a yellow school bus) that pulled up only moments later, so here we are dry and warm in a hotel.I think I've adopted a Southern accent. I can't help it. Note to Christian: Its actually a short bus Cayenne
Date: 2008-04-06
From: Rock Gap

To: Wine Spring campsite
Miles today: 12.0

we got a late start out of franklin today (hit the trail about noon). we did a lot of climbing today--uphills abound. it seems that i've lost my headlamp. i suppose i left it in franklin. i'm super bummed that i will have to buy a new one. grr! oh well. the weather today was fantastic! finally. it's so nice to see where we are headed. we tented at the wine spring site and had a great time with pilgrim, brahma bull and sweet potato.rie
Date: 2008-04-07
From: Wine Spring campsite

To: somewhere on the AT
Miles today: 17.3

today was another tough day. this morning we got and earlier start to the day and took lots of breaks. we've been working on how to plan and execute our days with breaks that will be helpful for our bodies and mind--and also how to not get to camp so early that we are bored. thanks leigh for the advice about breaks--it's been really helpful. today was gorgeous--sunny and warm. the only downside of the nice weather is these damn gnats that dart for every wet or open bodily opening. also it's clear that by the end of this trek we will both have some pretty funny tan lines. anyway, it was a long day, but also had lots of fun moments. we climbed the wesser bald observation tower and for the first time had some incredibly impressive views. and it's always so nice to hike with pilgrim, bucky and cookie monster. we had planned on going to wesser shelter today but when we got there it was PACKED. no places to set up a tent that were close to flat. so, we decided to push on.the decent into the NOC was tough and it was starting to get dark. we made it pretty far before it got too dark and then for a while we walked by the light of one headlamp (really wish i had a headlamp in that moment--let me tell you). so when it was just too ridiculously dark to navigate the trail we decided to just set up camp on the trail--literally. it was one of the flattest campsites we've had yet! rie
Date: 2008-04-08
From: somewhere on the AT

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 1.7
Weather: scattered clouds

holy smokes last night was LOUD. who knew that so many critters could make so much noise? we got up really early this morning and finished the decent into the NOC. when we finally set up camp last night i was sure that the shelter we were looking for would be just about 20 yards ahead of us--i was wrong. we still had about a mile to go. we got into the NOC about 8:30 and saw briar and had breakfast with him. we saw thinker, long portage and alec too--haven't seen them in a while. they were on their we back to the trail as we were arriving--hopefully we'll catch them in fontana. we got a room and hung out for the rest of the day. bought a new headlamp and got some new gaiters. i have the outdoor research rocky mountain low gaiters and the snaps broke. but let me tell you OR rules--i called them up and told them and then i was able to go into the outfitter and just get a new pair--free. so that was nice. yeah.rie