morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-05-21
From: Bailey Gap Shelter

To: Sarver Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: scattered clouds

¢I hit the wall getting here, drag ass tired.¢- Sweaty Pig, from Sarver Hollow Shelter RegisterToday was a day of extremes: extremely rocky, extremely hot and humid, extremely ¢excellent-good¢ trail magic, and now I¢m extremely tired. On paper, specifically the data book, it looks like just another day, on the map it looks like a good deal of elevation gain and loss, and in practice, it¢s a butt kicker!The broken and rugged terrain begins soon after leaving Bailey Gap Shelter ¢ it¢s actually a bit reminiscent of the Pennsylvania terrain around Duncannon. During some of this walk in Central Virginia, we¢re hiking on the Eastern Continental Divide ¢ so I don¢t know if the violence of primordial forces in the past are responsible for the ruggedness, but it does take a toll on the legs and feet by mid-afternoon.The views toward the western ridges were marred by swarms of Black Flies, after a Snickers and innumerable chunks of skin lost to these flying piranhas, I moved on quickly. It became evident by mid-morning that the forecasted high of 88 degrees would be easily eclipsed, and the humidity just added to the ¢excellent-goodness.¢Sunrise, M, Lefty, Michigoose, Rooster, and Cheese all agreed about the heat, and most of us took a dip at the creek near War Spur Shelter. By now we¢re looking at another of three 1200 ¢ 1800 foot ascents in the heat of the day ¢ and just when I feel like I¢m about to keel over, I spot Sunrise and M next to a cooler, by (VA.601) Rocky Gap looking very content. Super Dave (AT 2002-2003) left cold sodas, candy bars, and pepperoni sticks in the cooler ¢ oh! What well placed trail magic in thoroughly enervating 90-degree weather!By late afternoon the effects of the heat, humidity, and rocks are starting to become evident, as the walking slows to a veritable shuffle, and we start shortening our planned mileage. Right now I feel as if I ran into a wall several times, and put my feet in a meat grinder. Hey, at least it didn¢t rain ¢ maybe tomorrow.
Date: 2004-05-22
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter

To: VA.624; Four Pines Hostel
Miles today: 21.9
Weather: clear sky

¢The 16 mile hike here kicked my butt! Thanks Joe for the mattress, shower, toilet ¢ great hospitality . . . ¢- Moonstone, from 4 Pines Hostel RegisterThese miles on the rugged Virginia ridges don¢t come easy ¢ these are well earned miles. The walking is rocky and ankle twisting, pretty slow going, and throw in a couple of 1500-foot climbs in 90-degree heat and it makes for ¢excellent-good¢ fun.There are great payoffs though ¢ walking on the Eastern Continental Divide, the Audie Murphy memorial, and the rugged beauty of the impressive pinnacle named Dragon¢s Tooth. There are also a couple of neat animal sightings: a three and a half foot Black Snake that lunges up and sideways off the trail when I approach near the Audie Murphy monument, and 2 Bluebirds flitting about on the same ridge.During rest stops I meet Chris and Elly, and also see Sunrise and M ¢ we all agree this is tough walking, in 90-degree heat. Whoever says Virginia is easy obviously hasn¢t walked the trail.I make it into Catawba Groceries to re-supply and have dinner (as I missed the trip the 4 Pines Hostel does to the Homeplace Restaurant) and I¢m lucky to get in just as an hour-long thunderstorm hits. After 96 ounces of Gatorade, and two sausages, I walk to the hostel on a very dangerous and unlit road ¢ easily the most reckless thing I¢ve done on the trail, but there¢s no other way of getting here.Doc, Stretch, K-S, Joanne, Chris & Elly, Help Bob!, and a few others are here. And we¢re all tired, at least I am. I¢m beat!
Date: 2004-05-23
From: VA.624; Four Pines Hostel

To: U.S. 220; Daleville, VA
Miles today: 25.5
Weather: light rain

¢A cliff walk half a mile long, with views back to McAfee Knob. Folklore says the name comes from revolutionary war deserters (¢Tinkers¢) who hid here and made pots and pans.¢- From the ALDHA Companion5:14 a.m. ¢ I¢m up, unable to sleep anymore, sticky in my sleeping bag from the overnight humidity.6:54 a.m. ¢ I leave 4 Pines Hostel.7:04 a.m. ¢ I¢m hiking on the trail.7:44 a.m. ¢ I¢m drenched after walking through two pastures in waist high grass.8:14 a.m. ¢ Doing the up, down, up, down, on Sawtooth Ridge.11:24 a.m. ¢ Overwhelming heat and humidity.1:04 p.m. ¢ Having lunch on McAfee Knob with Rising Sun, M, K-2, and a number of day hikers. Hoping the thunderstorm we hear brewing will stay away.2:34 p.m. ¢ Hit mile 700! Woo hoo! One third of the trail behind me.4:04 p.m. ¢ Get caught in thunderstorm on Tinker Cliffs.4:34 p.m. ¢ Happy it¢s raining ¢ the rain tamps down the terrible heat and humidity. 90-degree weather ¢ summer¢s here to stay.5:04 p.m. ¢ Feeling invigorated in the cool rain.5:44 p.m. ¢ Talk to Rising Sun and M, after they set up camp, and agree to do lunch tomorrow in Daleville.6:04 p.m. ¢ Decide to make a few more miles to leave myself a short day into Daleville tomorrow.8:04 p.m. ¢ Stop for dinner at Hay Rock, on Tinker Ridge, and after popping 3 Advil, I decide on an impromptu night hike as now I¢m feeling ¢excellent-good.¢9:14 p.m. Have to turn on my headlamp, unable to distinguish trail contours.10:04 p.m. Sign trail register for Daleville area.10:34 p.m. ¢ The end of today¢s ¢excellent-good¢ adventure. I think I earned a stay in town tonight.1:34 a.m. I finish doing my laundry, now I can relax a bit more tomorrow.
Date: 2004-05-24
From: U.S. 220; Daleville, VA

To: US 220; Daleville, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

"My feet hurt! I want my mommy!"-- Van Gogh, from Outdoor Trails Outfitters RegisterI'm ensconced in my air conditioned hotel room at the Econolodge until noon, then I head out to the Pizza Hut to meet Rising Sun and M, they got in about an hour ago, and then doc and K2 show up and we all have lunch together.Rising Sun and M are celebrating their 7th wedding anniversary, and as a treat want to go see Shrek 2, so after lunch I call Del Schecterly, a dedicated trail angel from the area, and invite him to the movie. It works out nicely as he is driving Dogg into Roanoke this afternoon -- the intense heat and humidity, about 15 degrees higher than it usually is this time of year -- have forced him off the trail. He's going home.The heat and rugged ridges of the past week seem to have some of us in a bit of a funk; and frankly, I'm not feeling all that "excellent-good."
Date: 2004-06-01
From: U.S. 220; Daleville, VA

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: scattered clouds

"Happy to be back on the Blue Ridge"-- Archaeopterix, from Bobblets Gap Shelter RegisterThe first day back is usually slow, and the second day back is usually worse. My major muscle groups were cramping up most of the afternoon, my feet have gotten soft, and I feel winded most of the day. This is the price I pay for taking time off and vegetating.The last two hours of the day were "excellent-good" for wildlife spotting: 2 white tail deer, an eastern cottontail rabbit, and 4 bears -- the most I've ever seen together! Just south of Montvale overlook I heard some rustling off the trail to my right, I expected to see deer but instead I spot a tiny bear cub, then another, and another as they walk in line -- the cubs are quite small, maybe 25 - 30 pounds; they look like they could fit in two hands -- then I realize there must be a sow nearby. I spot her about 20 yards in front of the cubs heading at an angle toward the trail. I clack my poles and yell "bear," and (luckily) she turns and runs away, but it takes the cubs a few seconds to follow her lead. What a treat to see this family together, especially such small cubs.Southern Man, Myst, and Delta are at the shelter, and then around 10 p.m. a couple of inconsiderate hikers (who will reamin nameless here) show up at the shelter making a racket, and even though I'm awake writing this thay wake up the others who are already asleep. The one that sleeps between me and Southern Man keeps us awake most of the night with a deep, shelter-shaking, guttural snore; it's so bad at one point that Southern Man takes his stuff outside to sleep, before being forced back into the shelter by the rain.Intense leg and back cramps also help to insure that I get very little sleep -- this sucks!
Date: 2004-06-02
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: Floyd Mountain
Miles today: 15.3

A Lousy DayI get up at 5:40 a.m. because the ass next to me is snoring up a storm, and he¢s kicked me twice and is nearly on top of me ¢ at least I haven¢t cramped up in a few hours. I figure I¢ve had about 2 hours of sleep. After doing the first 3.1 miles in an hour, my body quickly begins to rebel. I become winded easily, often having to stop a number of times each mile. All my major muscle groups seem wasted. I¢m hiking without power, and soon the cramps start anew ¢ my back and even my hands. I fear I nearly dehydrated yesterday, and it takes 6 liters of water today until I can nearly pee clear. And I¢m walking really slow!Even though I expected not to be able to perform at the same level as before I took 8 zero days, I didn¢t expect it to be this bad. I feel worse than I did in Georgia ¢ the lack of sleep and tougher trail here allows me to rationalize all of this, but it¢s also feeding the mental funk.I think long breaks might help out, and I have an hour and a half lunch at the Middle Creek Picnic Area, but to no avail. Despite having taken a cumulative 2 hours worth of breaks by 12:25 p.m., I am thoroughly exhausted by the time I hit Fork Mountain, stopping half a dozen times to catch my breath or to take a rest. The lone bright spot is spotting a turkey and watching it take flight.By the time I get to Bryant Shelter I¢m walking at sub-2 mile an hour pace. I take another 2 hour break, a 45 minute nap, and figure this will help get me to Cornelius Creek Shelter about 5 miles away, but nothing doing. I figured that I could easily do the 5 miles in 4 hours, yet between the exhaustion, decreased lung and muscle capacity, and the cramps, I¢m barely walking over 1 mile an hour. This is truly one of the least enjoyable days I¢ve ever experienced on the trail.I¢m desperate to set up my tent at the first halfway decent spot, and I find one at the first saddle on the 2,200-foot ascent of Floyd Mountain. This must pass soon ¢ I won¢t be doing another 20-mile day for some time. I¢m hoping a good night¢s sleep and patience will see me through. I truly deserve this for the unwarranted time off in Daleville. I wanted to be anywhere else but out on the trail today ¢ it was a lousy day!
Date: 2004-06-04
From: Bedford Hospital, Bedford, VA

To: Bedford Hospital, Bedford, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Some Bad News/Some Good NewsThe initial diagnosis was not ¢excellent-good¢:1.        Rhabdomyolysis2.        Dehydration3.        Acute Renal Failure4.        Hyperbilirubinema5.        Gilbert¢s SyndromeOh what a lovely list o¢ crap: Rhabdomyolysis basically means that my muscles started to break down. I was excreting high amounts of muscle enzymes in my urine due to dehydration ¢ this could have been quite serious if untreated, and led to a number of escalating problems. Acute Renal Failure ¢ my kidneys stopped working again, luckily for me only a brief period ¢ I consider myself lucky to have learned something from my 2001 hike, because I was seriously chiding myself for being a ¢wuss¢ and having to hitch off the trail and not ¢sucking it up¢ and pushing through the discomfort. They Hyperbilirubinema refers to my liver functions being abnormally poor. My Bilirubin level was twice the normal function and so were my creatinine, CPK, and MB fraction, and my blood urea nitrogen was three times above the norm ¢ these are all kidney, liver, and muscle enzyme functions. In short, I was near to doing some serious permanent damage to my body for the second time in 3 years. I also have Gilbert¢s Syndrome, a congenital condition that I forgot about, which means that my body has a harder time breaking down and rebuilding muscle enzymes. This is a condition that is exacerbated by strenuous activity, which may account for my feeling so lousy when I hiked into Daleville. And to add one more indignity I was found to be protein deficient, so now, even though I still weigh over 200 pounds, I have to start drinking protein shakes and eating protein bars ¢ go figure!!The doctors are a bit incredulous that I want to continue hiking as soon as possible, especially since I¢ve hiked it all before. But now it¢s time for sober consideration and discussions with my wife, Pattie ¢ this is the first real crossroads of this hike. Oh yeah, the good news: despite this the doctors think my organ functions will be back to normal in a couple of days, and if I want to I can hit the trail again ¢ that¢s a sliver of ¢excellent-goodness!¢
Date: 2004-06-05
From: Bedford, VA

To: Bedford, VA
Miles today: 0.0

ConvalescenceEven though I was discharged from the hospital I feel exhausted. I¢m at the Super 8 Motel and plan to do some light day hiking tomorrow around the Peaks of Otter area. After much consideration and discussion I¢ve come up with a few options for the rest of the hike:1. The Simple Plan ¢ just head back to the trail at Cornelius Creek Shelter and head north. This is the plan where I¢ll probably have to take the fall semester off from graduate school, which starts September 7, because with approximately 90 days until then I would have to push myself hard to do 1400 miles in 3 months. And after what I just experienced, pushing hard, permanent renal failure, and dialysis are not top priorities for me.2. The total Option Plan ¢ I move up to Waynesboro, VA, and skip the next 80 miles and what I consider to be the toughest miles in Virginia, which I¢ve already done on my 2000, 2001, and 2002 hikes ¢ and head into the nicely graded Shenandoah National Park. This would give me the option of continuing for 1300 miles, and then coming back if I complete the hike and getting the 80 miles done during a 4 or 5 day hike during a break in the fall semester. It also puts me in a highly traveled and developed part of the trail in case I have another health related issue. And most importantly, I don¢t have to scuttle the fall semester.3. The 2000/2004 Complete AT Hike Plan ¢ As some of you know, in 2000 I attempted to hike thru in one season, but due to injuries and poor judgment, was only able to complete 1400 of 2168 miles. I skipped portions of North Carolina and Tennessee, the Shenandoahs, a portion of New York, all of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont, and most of Maine. So what I could do in order to complete my 2000 hike is the remaining 400 miles, as I¢ve already hiked the N.C. and TN portion this year ¢ that means I¢d hike the Shenandoah, Pawling, NY to Hanover, NH, and Maine. I know I¢d be able to easily do this before September 6th.So this is what I¢m considering as I convalesce today.
Date: 2004-06-06
From: Bedford, VA

To: Bedford, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Some Light HikingToday I drove a rental car up to Peaks of Otter and spent the afternoon hiking up the Sharp Top Trail, the Elk Run Trail, the Mountain Lake Trail, and even hiked back to Cornelius Creek Shelter from the Blue Ridge Parkway access trail. At first I felt somewhat funky, but that¢s due to so much time off and to my body recovering from the shock. Despite the strenuous climb up Sharp Top late in the afternoon, I started to feel a bit better exercising again.I¢m closer to making a decision about the rest of the hike (see yesterday¢s entry). In any case, I¢m not heading back out until the follow up lab work is done tomorrow, as per doctor¢s orders. I think I¢m going to be fine.
Date: 2004-06-07
From: Bedford, VA

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

Decisions MadeI decided on the plan that would give me the most options. I¢m skipping 80 miles up the trail to Waynesboro, VA. I¢ll have my follow up lab/blood work done there, and then continue hiking north into Shenandoah National Park. This allows me to hike at an average of 14 miles a day and still finish by the time graduate school starts again on September 7th. But in the event that I¢m not able to finish this thru-hike without risking another health problem, I¢ll definitely be able to finish the 400 miles remaining on the attempted 2000 thru-hike ¢ basically making 2000 and 2004 two long section hikes that equal a complete AT hike, in addition to the 2001 and 2002 hikes.And if I decide to forego the fall semester and finish this thru-hike, I can easily come back after Katahdin and reel off these last 80 miles in 4-6 days. I think this plan gives me the most options and latitude; I just have to make a final decision after the Shenandoahs.In Waynesboro, I ran into Myst, Lonesome Dove, the Mad Scientist, Dutch, and Archaeopteryx, and there are many others here. I should have my lab results by tomorrow, and hopefully be back on the trail by 6/9.
Date: 2004-06-08
From: Waynesboro, VA

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

Good News!At 4 p.m. today Dr. Humphreys called from Bedford and gave me clearance to go back out on the trail. All of my organ functions are normal, but I have to push fluids aggressively and keep my urine clear ¢ it seems that the Gilbert¢s Syndrome predisposes me to becoming dehydrated as my liver has to work overtime due to deficient muscle enzyme that slows muscle breakdown and rebuilding.It has been a lousy 2 weeks in trail terms, but I¢ve been able to rest quite a bit. I¢m definitely heading out tomorrow and I¢m not going to push myself ¢ longer days will come again in time ¢ I just need to be patient and smart, and especially well hydrated.
Date: 2004-06-10
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

¢Nice day in the park ¢ saw deer and turkey. Loving life on the trail . . . ¢- Krispy Kritter, from Black Rock Hut ShelterIt was a relatively good day out today. I was torn between following the doctor¢s instructions to take it easy the first couple of days, and stretching out 20 miles to Loft Campground. I really didn¢t want to stop walking at 1:15 p.m. with only 7 miles left to Loft Campground. What convinced me was that I stopped peeing clear around noon despite having drank three and a half liters of water.It took 3 more liters before my pee ran clear, by 3 p.m., but by then I decided to stay and follow doctor¢s orders. I figure I¢ll eventually start walking longer days. Today was quite warm, with 95 degrees forecasted, and extremely humid. A cold front is coming through tomorrow and the highs over the next 3 days should be in the low to mid 70¢s.The trail here is nicely graded and the walking is relatively easy. Many hikers spotted bear and turkey today ¢ I saw a deer. Here at the hut tonight are: Norman, Ian, Catdog, Coyote, Saltlick, Bucket, and a couple of section hikers. I¢m looking forward to the cooler weather tomorrow.
Date: 2004-06-11
From: Blackrock Hut

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

¢In for the night. Coulda, woulda, shoulda made more miles. . . . maybe I¢ll get up early tomorrow . . . ¢- Saltlick, from Pinefield Hut RegisterWe had some ¢excellent-good¢ weather this morning ¢ overcast and cool, although it was quite humid. The walking, again, was easy to moderate, typical of the Shanies. I must have seen a dozen White Tailed Deer today, including some young bucks ¢ velvet 4 pointers.I stopped for a couple of hours at Loft Mountain Campground, enjoyed the camp store, made some calls, and just chilled. Then Norma and Ian showed up and I hung out with them while they ate lunch. They¢re really cool people from Fairbanks, Alaska, and by now we¢ve talked about Alaskan culture and history for a couple of hours.By the time I reached Pinefield Hut my compression shorts were in tatters, so I spent a half hour sewing, and then the rain came. Ian and Norma showed up and we all hesitated for an hour whether to leave or not ¢ they left at 5:30 and I decided to stay. I¢m feeling fine, I just decided to take it easy for another day, as if I were in Georgia again, and to make sure my body is capable of handling a 20 mile day.It¢s mostly the same crowd here tonight that was at Black Rock Hut last night: Caterpillar, Saltlick, Coyote, Bucket, Poco, and Franco.
Date: 2004-06-12
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Bearfence Mountain Hut
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: overcast clouds

¢900 miles! Sweetness, the thousand mile marker is closing in.¢- Daybreak, from Bearfence Hut RegisterGood day today. It never got warmer than 65 degrees and it was overcast and the humidity was relatively low. I felt pretty good stretching it out today, but I may take it easier tomorrow before I go back to back 20¢s again.Today I spotted a Land Turtle, and again about a dozen White Tailed Deer. We had some nice views, especially near Flat Top Mountain. The highlight of the day was running into Nan Malone. I met Nan in 2000, in the Smokies, and again in 2001 near Bland, VA, when she was doing her section hikes. And what are the chances I¢d run into her a third year on yet a different section. Nan is the one who first told me about all the great reasons to work at REI ¢ she works at the Framingham store. She¢ll be finishing the trail next year hiking into Trail Days from Grayson Highlands. Seeing her made my day.I leapfrogged Caterpillar most of the day, and ran into him again at Lewis Mountain Campground; Ian and Norma were there too. We hung out in the sun, warming up despite the 59-degree temperature at 5:15 p.m. I scarfed down a burrito, a Philly cheese steak, and a cheeseburger in 15 minutes ¢ you gotta love campgrounds!We then walked another half mile to Bearfence Hut. There¢s a good group her tonight: Norma, Ian, Saltlick, Coyote, a guy leapfrogging the entire trail, 3 section hikers, and the ubiquitous deer foraging within feet of the shelter.
Date: 2004-06-14
From: Skyland Lodge

To: Thornton Gap
Miles today: 9.5

¢Many a false step is made by standing still.¢- Fortune cookie fortuneI thought I¢d get going early today and do a long day, but then I realized that today would be the last day hiking with Ian and Norma, so I changed plans and figured I have many more days left to do big miles, but only one more to hang with them. I chose to wait until they were ready to go ¢ and that time was 11 a.m. Today is their last day of the trail; Norma¢s uncle is picking them up at Thornton Gap.By the time we¢re ready to leave, Caterpillar, 2 Cents, Machine, Waterloo, and Meanderthal show up. A group of us leave together ¢ Ian, Norma, Caterpillar, 2 Cents and I ¢ and we hike together most of the day. We take a number of side trails; especially notable was the side trail to Stony Man Summit with a commanding view of Page Valley and the town of Luray to the west. Stony Man Mountain (3,837 feet) is the highest point on the A.T. in the Shenandoah.It did warm up a bit today, near 80 degrees, so I was actually happy to do a short day ¢ I decided to take a ride in to Front Royal with Norma and Ian¢s uncle Edward, so I guess I¢ll be doing a 27.5 mile slack pack into Front Royal tomorrow from Thornton Gap.We did spot a huge pile of bear scat just north of the Pinnacle Picnic Area, and later Caterpillar told us he saw a large Black Bear (approximately 300 pounds) in the area. I also spotted a very small black snake that 2 Cents nearly stepped on.It was ¢excellent-good¢ to have spent the last 6 days with Ian and Norma. I got so much out of slowing down and ¢poking around¢ the Shanies. They¢re great people ¢ it¢s sad to see them go.