morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-05-26
From: Pearisburg

To: Woods
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Today is absolutely beautiful! Most of the day has been spent climbing up to the ridges, and then hiking along them through new growth trees, and bright green meadows. It is a joy to walk through waving knee high grasses as I look out over the valleys. Days like this remind me of just how fortunate I am to have this opportunity.Cricket is up ahead of me today. I'm just letting her go ahead and set her own pace since her foot is so sore. This way she does not feel as if she has to try and keep up with me, and hike my pace.I'm going to stop at around 6PM, in what appears to be a nice little meadow spot. I need to do a little paperwork and readjust my schedule. It appears my mileage is off, and my package sender is cutting my drops pretty close. This is of course my fault for having innaccurate dates.The meadow is great! It has views of the mountains and valleys on three sides. I get watch the sunrise and sunset.Today was pretty uneventful. I passed Cookie talking to 2 horseback riders on the trail. Horses are prohibited from using the trail, but they seemed like nice guys, and they were bigger than me, with one of them carrying a large knife on his hip. Needless to say, I decided not to point out this minor infraction to them.I believe Cookie was considering riding out with them. It appears she is having numbness in the bottoms of her feet. I personally pray for this particular affliction every day, but can see why it might be a little disconcerting to some.The sun is setting. It will soon be "hiker midnight," so I better scoot.
Date: 2005-05-27
From: Sym's Meadow

To: War Spur
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: overcast clouds

The day is off to a great start. I've been up for a while but let Cricket sleep until about 7AM. She is packing up and moving around now, so I thought I would start my journal a little early.I got into camp early last night and spent the evening reviewing my itinerary. I'm trying to figure out the easiest way to get down to my father's wedding without losing too much time. My schedule is pretty tight and taking this time off makes it even tighter. I have a friend picking me up in Charlottesville, VA to take me down to Columbia, SC, but I've got to get down from about Harper's Ferry, WV to Charlottesville. I may have to get off the trail a day early to rent a car, but I don't want to get off early if I don't have to. I'll just play it by ear as I get closer to the date.It is nice having Cricket's company out here, but I must really have a solitary streak. I find I like following my own schedule, stopping when I feel like it, flying when I feel like it. We don't really hike the same pace, so we do a lot of hurrying up and stopping. It's ok though, I'm still having a good time.The weather is beautiful again today. There are supposed to be showers, if I checked the extended forecast correctly in Pearisburg, but I'm hoping they will hold off until tonight. I really don't mind hiking in the rain when it is warm, but cold rain is miserable. The weather stayed on my side today. I had some excellent views at Wind Rock, some of the best to date. We got in to camp pretty late, but that's ok. I need to get used to bigger miles for a while since I have to get a week ahead for Dad's wedding. I hope to build up some miles before I get off, so I don't get too far off schedule. Tomorrow is supposed to be a rough day, so we may do a shorter day, stopping at Sarver Hollow. Unfortunately, EZ- Does-It told Cricket this site is haunted. Now she does not want to stay here. We will see how it goes.Night...
Date: 2005-05-28
From: War Spur

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

"Run Cricket run," I shouted as we ran down the mountain to the road.We had been informed 3 miles earlier at the last shelter that section hikers were giving thru-hikers a ride to a small store in Newport. Cricket was eating when I arrived at Laurel Forks, and after a few minutes she nonchalantly mentioned this information. I paused, yelled "pack up," and started throwing everything back into my pack, as did Cricket. It is amazing what even the mention of a chance for real food and sodas can do to a thru-hiker.We literally ran 2.5-3 miles in about 32 minutes with our packs on. As I came over the last rise, I saw the car driving away, screamed, threw my poles in frustration, and literally threw a minor tantrum as Cricket sat laughing.We sat on the side of the road contemplating a 8 mile hitch when a Jeep pulled up and dropped off EZ-Does-It. He grinned smugly as I scowled at him. Suddenly the driver did a U-turn and we realized he was headed back to town. We yelled and he told us to hop in the Jeep.The store was EXCELLENT, with hotdogs, fresh fruit, and my current addiction....PEPSI. We stuffed ourselves and headed back to the road to try and hitch back. A gold Acura with an older woman driving turned into the post office across the street. Her license plate read "AT 99." Shortly, she drove around and said "Need a ride?" We just grinned and ran to the car.She and her husband had thru-hiked in 99 and were from Monroe, CT....near me. They had retired to the area to open a Bed and Breakfast. Super nice lady.We headed for the shelter, got there early, and hung out with Easty, EZ, and a large group of maintainers from a local high school. Good company to end the day.
Date: 2005-05-30
From: Sarver Hollow

To: Pickle
Miles today: 30.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was a very long day. I had a huge climb, and due to the low miles we planned (16), I took my time. I almost took too much time though b/c when I got to the bottom of the mountain everyone was waiting on me, and they were about to come looking for me. There was a huge trail magic spread, and the angels were about to leave, but the other hikers kept telling them to wait on me. I owe them all a huge favor b/c the food was awesome.I woofed down a huge plate of food, about 4 Pepsi's, and a Krispy Kreme doughnut, followed by a Pepsi. I was then immediately notified by Cricket (whose trail name is now "Trail Bitch") that it was time to depart.Going forward she will be referred to as TB. She forced me to hike straight uphill another mile to a campsite, and I was never allowed to digest. I am currently lying here with cramps.Let me take a step back. TB's new name is a result of her serving me trail magic food, but I now realize she only did that b/c she wanted me to eat quickly so she could watch me cramp.. Also, TB has given me a new trail name. She now calls me "Lord Grievous" b/c of the way I walk in the morning when I'm stiff. Lord Grievous is a character in the new Star Wars movie.I am nauseous and have to go to sleep
Date: 2005-05-30
From: Pickle

To: Catawba
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Yesterday's hike was tough. I felt as if I had hiked 25 miles, but I only did 15. The constant ups and downs just wore me down. It was like being on a huge roller coaster. Dragon's Tooth is a huge rock out crop with great views, worth the climb....although Cricket may argue this last statement.We climbed up on the rocks for about a half hour, and then continued on to 624, where we dashed into a little convenience store, grabbed lunch and band-aids for Cricket's blisters, and quickly hitched back to the trail.The afternoon was spent doing the same hiking...up, down, up, down, until we finally made camp for the night and crashed.
Date: 2005-05-31
From: Woods Outside of Town

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 1.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I will describe a typical town day.We got up early this morning and trudged the last mile and a half out to a verybusy 4 lane highway. We were starving, as we had not eaten supper. Actually,we would have been hungry even if we had eaten dinner.We peered out of the bushes into the traffic. After 6 days in the moutains,coming out into heavy traffic is major sensory overload. We knew the postoffice was about a mile and a half to the left, and dashed across the road. Wetried to hitch; southerners in their usual friendly fashion beeped and waved. None of them would stop for us though. I think the traffic was just moving toofast to stop.We walked down to the post office, where I picked up my food drop, packed it up,and sent my down jacket home. Oh yeah, on the way we stopped and had breakfastat Bojangles.We then walked back to an outfitter to get a shirt and walked over to theKroger next door to get supplemental food, i.e., snacks and breakfasts.We then walked up the road and got a room, took much needed showers,left to wash our clothes, and headed across the street to Pizza Hut. In caseit's not obvious, food is very important in town.We came back to the room after lunch and I unpacked my gear and cleanedeverything, got my clothes and repacked. The plan is to leave tomorrow morning.Town visits often take a while b/c I spend anywhere from 3-10 miles walkingaround town depending on how the town is layed out.This is usually how a visit goes. If I get in late evening, then I willsometimes take a zero day the next day the next day. Sometimes I will also juststop, grab my food drop, and head on out.I better scoot. I still have a few things to finish.
Date: 2005-05-31
From: Catawba

To: Woods
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Yesterday was tough but beautiful. We packed up early and headed up Macafee Knob. "Wow" I said as I summited and walked out onto the cliffs. We were actually above the cloud cover, and I sat down looking at the mountains in the distance rising up through the clouds.I headed down after about an hour and some great pictures. I spent the next couple of hours doing the extreme roller coaster I had experienced for the last couple of days until I reached "Tinker Cliffs," more gorgeous views and a great place for lunch.Cricket and I hiked together for the afternoon, and headed towards Daleville, VA to resupply. We were both out of food. The plan was to camp just out of town and go in early the next morning to do chores all day, and leave early the following morning.We walked late thinking we might get into town in the evening instead of the next morning. Unfortunately, I had misread the map and we had double the distance we thought. As we trudged over a rocky ridge line scrambling over large rocks, Cricket let out a loud shriek. I leaped forward sprinting several steps before turning around. Cricket backed up and said "You came a quarter inch from stepping on that rattle snake." A rattle snake was stretched out, completely still, across the trail. They are hard to differentiate from all of the roots. Needless to say, I stepped more carefully for the rest of the evening. We finally gave up on making it into town when it started to become dark. We also had no energy b/c we had split my last bagel a couple hours earlier. We found a campsite at the base of the ridgeline, threw up our tents, and crashed until early the next morning.
Date: 2005-06-03
From: Daleville, VA

To: Woods
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We finally made it out of town late this morning. We stayed yesterday b/c theweather was miserable, and it gave us a chance to clean-up and repair gear. Iwould have had to wait on the back end anyway b/c I would have gotten intoGlasgow on Sunday and had to lay over to pick up my package on Monday at thepost office.As we were climbing over a stile outside Daleville a van pulled up on the roadwe had just crossed blowing it's horn. An older gentleman leaned out the windowtotalk with us. He said his sister was in the back of the van and was a blindamputee. He chatted a minute and then offered to slack us up to Front Royal. Front Royal was two weeks north...wow. I declined since I don't slack, butthanked him and told him that he would undoubtedly have many takers coming alongbehind us.We made good time, stopped for breaks at both shelters we passed, ate dinner,and headed on. As we came out into a Gap along the Blue Ridge Parkway, wespotted the same van pulled into a fire road in the woods.As we approached the van the older gentleman jumped out and asked us if we wouldeach like a Gatorade. We accepted and he introduced us to his sister sitting inthe van as he pulled up 2 chairs. Cricket and I sat and drank our Gatorade aswe chatted for about 15 minutes before heading up the trail.They were a nice couple. I'm guessing they were in their early 60's. Thesister had diabetes, and was pretty much confined to the van where they lived. Her brother appeared to take very good care of her. They said they had beendoing trail support on all 3 trails after she got sick. Before that they hadbeen avid backpackers.At one point the sister said "we are just stupid I guess." She was referring tothem driving around supporting hikers. I don't think so though. At least theyare staying as active as they can and doing something constructive. How manyolder people in her condition, almost blind and missing limbs, just give up,ending their days in their homes with no more interaction with the world. Thesetwo are trying to stay involved and support a community and lifestyle they knowand appear to love.We are camped near the parkway tonight. There is a lot of elevation climbingover the next couple of days, so I had better get some sleep.Goodnight.
Date: 2005-06-04
From: Woods

To: Woods Near Bryant Ridge
Miles today: 15.5

Cricket and I did not have an overly productive day in the hiking category, butwe had an exceptional day taking numerous breaks. It's Cricket's last day, andwe took it easy chatting and hanging out. Unfortunately, that means we willhave to hike that much further to meet Cricket's husband and children. We have15 miles to do by early afternoon, and the majority of it is straight up thismassive mountain.We stopped in at Bryant Ridge Shelter for dinner, and then headed up the traila little to find a camping spot. We were joined about a half hour later by acouple of other hikers that camped near us. They played guitar and sang for awhile. It was nice listening to them as I drifted off to sleep.
Date: 2005-06-05
From: Woods Near Bryant Ridge

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

As I write this, I'm sitting under a big bush in my little yellow tent, on top of a very tall mountain, waiting for thunderstorms to pass. I thought I could beat the storms over the mountain, but I was WRONG. I just hope no stray volt pops my leki poles next to the tent.Today was a busy day, but I did less mileage than I would have liked due to the storms. It is already 7:30, so I'll just stay here til in the morning.By 10AM this morning, I did about 8 miles into the outskirts of Glasgow. Litmus and Cricket (the other Cricket) were sitting by Sue and Gordon's van chatting. Litmus and Cricket were the two big mouths from the night before last. They may be too chatty too early in the morning when camping near them, but they are fun and it is still always good to see them....except when camping..:-).They were headed back out, and Sue and Gordon gave me a ride into Glasgow. I picked up my food drop and summer sleeping bag at the post office, repacked my pack, sent some things home, and charged my Blackberry while I did these things in the post office lobby. They were kind enough to let me.As I was wrapping up, EZ-Does-It came strolling in giving me a hard time. He is a retired police officer from NJ, and a real character. He is a good guy, and is currently doing his fifth thru-hike. He always pops up when I least expect it.We went to the diner across the street and had lunch, went grocery shopping, and then found Sue and Gordon, who offered us a ride five miles back to the trail head.I followed EZ a couple of miles up to the first shelter where we found Ski Bum (also a retired gentleman), and they both fussed at me, and tried to talk me into staying when I said I was heading on up the mountain to get the climb out of the way. It was tempting, but I need to make miles until Dad's wedding. After the wedding, the hike is mine again.The next couple of weeks are going to be a little rough. I'm doing twenty's just about every single day in order to make it to Front Royal in time to rent a car to drive down to SC. My feet are pretty sore after one 20 day, so this is going to be interesting.On a side note....the leaves around my tent are moving from the bottom up. Clearly, something lives under them. After my second rattle snake near miss yesterday, I'm a tad nervous. Hmmmmmm.......Sweet Dreams
Date: 2005-06-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I'll start out on a positive note, b/c the rest of the day kind of takes a slide.I have now completed more than one third of my hike. As of this evening, I've completed approximately 763 miles. My website mileage is incorrect I'm told, but that's no suprise since I've left out quite a few mileages on my daily entries. Back to the day.I lay awake this morning around 5:30 listening to the hikers that chose to camp about 20 feet from us have a rather loud conversation. I was a little irritated. The night before we had all discussed when we woke up. Cricket had clearly said seven. They were loud and making no effort to be quiet. Honestly, I was rather amazed. I knew them, and would have thought them a little more considerate. Oh well....live and learn.Between 6-6:30 one of them started calling out Cricket's name. At this point I was irritated b/c she was clearly not up, and told them to shiutup b/c she was still asleep.Shortly after, they turned on their radio for all to hear, Cricket got up, we packed, told them to have a good day, and headed up the trail. They were leaving shortly after us, so we detoured, waited til they had passed, and continued on down the trail.The day began to heat up as we did a 5 mile climb. It was definitely the hottest day yet and a tough climb. On a side note, let me just say this. Cricket is easily one of the toughest females I know. Although she did thru-hike the AT and PCT, her last hike was 5 years ago. She kept up with me just fine,, and whether we did 20 miles are 15 miles she did my pace. AND...she did this with a heel spur and blisters al over both feet b/c of her new shoes. All this and I rarely if ever heard her complain. She is a bad ass! :-)Around mid-afternoon every bug and gnat in VA realized the cold was gone and it was now truly summer. They came out of hibernation with a starving vengeance and they all found me. I'm currently lying in my tent scratching as I watch them dive bomb the mosquitoe netting.Finally, the ultimate bummer of the day. My hiking partner of two weeks was picked up by her husband and whisked away back to civilization. I already miss her. Who is going to keep me up all night snorting in her tent a few yards away as she sleeps? Who is going to glare at me and growl when I yell at her to wake up from my tent. Who will get me water and laugh at my stupid Lord Grievous jokes? Who will sprint 3 miles down a mountain with their pack on just to catch a section hiker for a ride to get a Pepsi. Finally, who will spend their ENTIRE zero day watching the Sci-Fi channel with me and actually enjoy it as much as me. Nobody but Cricket. Cricket come back!!!!! I'm tented here alone, and I'm already lonely (sigh). Goodnight.
Date: 2005-06-08
From: Woods Near Cow Camp

To: Priest Mountain
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: light rain

I stopped early tonight. I kept stumbling this afternoon and knew I just needed to give my legs a rest. My miles have not been huge, but there has been a lot of elevation over the last couple of days.Tomorrow's climb to Maupin will be the toughest in this section, but I really need to push as close to Waynesboro as I can get. Ideally, I would get in and out of Waynesboro, but I don't think I'm going to get there early enough.Today was nice and hot. I think I've sweated off about 20 pounds over the last three days.I'm going to sleep early so I can get up and get out of here in the morning.Night night...
Date: 2005-06-10
From: Woods

To: Waynewboro, VA
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light rain

I can honestly say that the last couple of days have not been fun. I'm feeling much better right now, but yesterday I could empathize with all the people that leave the trail in VA.I've done close to 20 miles a day over the last couple of days to try and hit my "wedding schedule," and that coupled with the rain have not been much fun. To top it all off, summer came roaring in with all of the grand ole southern humidity. It also brought its friends the bugs with it. What happened to Spring? One minute it's winter, and then BAM...summer!There have been thunder storms every afternoon, and yesterday I got pounded by rain all afternoon and night as I did a tough climb down "Priest" and over "Three Ridges." I've had nothing dry for 2 days, and those clothes wet REEK. I also have rashes in places you can't even imagine, and my feet have some ugly sores from being water logged a little too long. Thank goodness I made it into Waynesboro this afternoon, even though I leave again first thing in the morning. I have 20's scheduled to hit Front Royal by Thursday to make it down to my Dad's wedding. I'm going to be pretty worn out by Thursday, and it will be nice to have the 4 days off, even if I will be flying up and down the interstate.I have to go, but on an interesting side note...I appear to have lost my "hiker appetite." I'm not really sure why, other than I may just be tired. Gotta go finish the chores.
Date: 2005-06-11
From: Waynewboro, VA

To: Black Rock
Miles today: 20.0

My stay in Waynesbro was brief but enjoyable. Sometimes when I'm in town I feel as if I'm on some kind of hippie spring break. There are just so many interesting and colorful hikers out here. I guess you have to be a little "colorful" to do this type of hiking.More hikers have gotten off the trail,I hear.....four others I know, and a couple I don't. I think this sudden heat and humidity have been rough on those not used to it. I think some are just getting worn down. I can understand both.I ran all my errands yesterday afternoon in Waynesboro. I shared a very large room with Litmus and Cricket. They were both very courteous roomies, and I had a good time hanging out with them. They are both zeroing today and will be a day behind, so I'm not sure when I'll see them again.On the way to the post office Hotcrotch pulled up in his pick-up and we all jumped in. He is off the trail, but still helping out with rides occasionally until he leaves for Spain. It ends up he was staying at the same hotel, as were most other hikers.I finished up chores and we all went to dinner via Hotcrotch's truck. Waynesboro is a popular hiker town, and I saw some I'd not seen in a while. Our table alone kept growing until it consisted of about 15 hikers, and not enough room for all the food. You've not seen people eat food until you've seen hikers eat food!After dinner we went back to the hotel, and for some unknown reason hikers began to congregate on the porch outside our room. Pretty soon the beer was flowing and someone drug down a chocolate cake. Then out came a guitar, and "wala"....deja vu...spring break. We were also joined by some dog owners and their dogs. There appears to have been a dog show in the area. There were probably about 10-15 people.   Quite an intersting mix.I went to breakfast this morning and was back on the trail around 9A. I'm hoping to do 20 today, but my feet are retaliating. We will see how it goes. I made my 20 but got a blister in the process. My first blister in over a month. I think my feet had softened up a little from being wet the last few days.My first day today in the Shenandoah's lived up to its reputation, although it's not nearly as flat as the myth. Twenty minutes into the park a large doe and her two week old spotties crossed the trail in front of me. They watched me, but did not appear scared of me in the least. I came around the corner this evening and startled a large buck. He was gorgeous with a huge half grown rack completely covered in velvet. He jumped about five feet, and then stood his ground watching me as I walked on by. Deer are amazing animals...so beautiful and completely graceful.I'm sleeping on a bed of rocks, but I'm so tired I think I could sleep on a bed of coals.Oh yeah.....thanks so much to the day hiking couple I met today that are hiding me a cache of Pepsi at a trail crossing.Mayfly