morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-06
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter

To: Montebello, VA - Dutch Haus 
Miles today: 18.1

Thru-hikers will do just about anything for free food. Case in point... I heard about a local bed and breakfast, the Dutch Haus in Montebello, VA which offers free cooked lunch to thru-hikers between 11 and 1 each afternoon, no strings attached. Sounds like something I didn't want to miss, but the logistics were a challenge requiring some creative problem solving, and maybe a bit of stupidity: 18 miles of trail, then a rocky one-mile off-trail road, arrive precisely in time for a shuttle, or hitch a ride from the middle of nowhere, all before lunch. I jokingly said to Mo, my newest partner in crime, "we could do it if we started hiking at 3 am." Damn him for not taking it as a joke and agreeing that yes, that plan probably was our best option. When two people get an idea in their heads, there is simply no turning back. At 2 am we arose and packed our belongings, on the trail a little before our planned departure. So far, so good. Not 50 yards down the trail we see two yellow eyes staring at us. Now the morning hike is not starting well. Fortunately we couldn't see the huge hill we were about to climb, for it would have been intimidating during daylight hours. Instead we used the nearly full moon to guide us, the cold wind to keep us moving and motivated, the mountain's summit to inspire. Getting up early allowed us to experience the trail from yet another vantage point, while saying good morning to new friends that I wanted to meet as they arose from their campsites and shelters after we had already put in enough miles for a full day. And that free lunch turned out to be pretty darn good. Although we worked hard enough to feel like we earned it, and decided to stay at the Dutch Haus for the night, in this case, there really is such a thing as a free lunch.
Date: 2007-05-07
From: Montebello, VA - Dutch Haus 

To: Rusty's Hard Time Hollow
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: broken clouds

I had the opportunity to take a short-cut trail today, which would have subtracted 4 miles from the day's total, cutting out a big climb at the end of my miles. Tempted as I was, I decided to stay on the longer white-blazed trail. I was already taking the easy way out by slack packing; I wasn't willing to add insult to injury and further compromise my standards by taking a shorter route, like cheating twice in one day. But believe me, I definitely thought about it. As I ascended the white-blazed path, I got the impression that many before me pondered the same dilemma, but instead chose the shorter option, for this section of the AT seemed less trodden, branches and trees strewn across the trail, the rocks less eroded, weeds growing between them, the blazes beginning to fade and not repainted for a while, fewer foot prints and trekking pole holes marking those who had gone before. It's easy to justify opting for the shorter route; on a hot day, it offers places to swim; on a long day, a few miles respite; on any day, a chance to arrive to the shelter earlier than expected. But I was not comfortable with any of these justifications. Even though I know I walk more miles than I report each day, due to distances off trail to shelters, towns, or resupply, I cannot in good faith and conscience claim a number of trail miles unless I actually hike them. A primary reason I hike is for the spectacular views from atop the world, which I won't get unless I go up and over, not around, the mountains before me. The weather today was perfect for hiking, and without my pack, I felt so light and unencumbered, like I could walk forever, and so the miles didn't bother me. I so enjoyed being outside and on the trail that I didn't want a shorter day. Another day I might have made a different decision, but not today. Does opting out of the short-cut route make me a better person, a veritable thru-hiker, as opposed to those who decide differently? No, for I would never begrudge others the decision they make for themselves. But it means I have remained true to myself and my ideals. I have chosen to hike the AT in its entirety, from start to finish, Georgia to Maine, and all the miles in between.
Date: 2007-05-09
From: Waynesboro, VA - campsite

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

Town day for resupply, Internet, and buffets - you know the drill. Fortunately, Waynesboro is hiker-friendly, with a free grassy campsite, showers at the local Y, a superb public library, 24-hour Kroger's grocery, $8 Chinese buffet that includes crab legs and steamed shrimp. And we are all looking forward to date night, although all are invited, just giving the girls an excuse to wear their thrift store dresses and paint their toenails. Hey, we clean up pretty nice; I can't be rough and tough every day.
Date: 2007-05-10
From: Waynesboro, VA - campsite

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: scattered clouds

As many miles I've hiked, as strong I feel, as much progress I've made, the truth is, the statistics are against me. I hear only about one person in 8 who set out to do the trail actually finishes. That is not a comforting thought. By my next stop a little over a week from now, Harper's Ferry, home of ATC headquarters and the trail's psychological midpoint at just over 1000 miles, only one-third of us will remain, the rest already gone home, could be due to injury, sickness, finances, boredom, change of plans, or a host of other reasons. As I look around me, I shudder to think that, even at this point, after we've come so far, half of us won't be summiting Katahdin. But I'm now invested in those around me and their success: I want them to attain their goal by my side; their achievement becomes my own as we share the good days and the bad and everything in between. The news that a number of fellow hikers are off the trail has hit me pretty hard. Two I said good-bye to yesterday, a few I heard about through the trail grapevine, for others I read their Internet postings to get the updates. My heart aches for them and their dreams cut short, yet the spirit of shared adventure will remain with me long after. I wonder if I too will become a statistic, hopefully in the category of the 10 to 15 percent who finish and not the remainder who are forced off the trail. I have a number of things in my favor though: I'm a female, who tend to finish at greater rates than their male counterparts. I'm an organized planner, which helps me to budget both my time and money well. I'm committed to this goal and count on a wonderful and supportive group of followers to encourage me northward. And I'm as stubborn as can be and therefore don't give up easily. But some variables - broken bones, Lyme disease, overuse injuries for example - are out of my control, and I pray to God I don't get struck down by one of these. I'm sure my faithful readers will be saying the same prayer for me, and for that, I am truly appreciative. It's definitely helped to get me this far.
Date: 2007-05-11
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 26.2
Weather: broken clouds

I hiked a marathon today; now I need a sleepathon. It's 9:10 pm, completely dark, and time to call it a day. It's not always easy to try to find something profound, or not, to write when my entire body is begging for sleep. Keeping up my journal is proving to be a lot of hard work, although when I reread my entries, I am always glad I put forth the effort. Not tonight though.
Date: 2007-05-12
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Lewis Mountain Campground
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: overcast clouds

After yesterday's marathon of miles, today's 20 seems like a short easy day, which is crazy because it's still a lot of steps. I am convinced all of us out here are nuts, but in a good way, using our energy and current level of conditioning to accomplish goals not before possible, pulling consecutive 20s like it's no big deal. And many hikers around me are doing even more miles than I on a daily basis. Finished with the day's miles, we arrived early, about 4:30 pm, to a campground filled with weekenders, cars overflowing with frivolous stuff, like huge tent palaces, sledge hammers to drive in stakes, extra jeans and changes of clothing in case they get dirty sitting by the campfire, coolers with beer and fresh meat, gas grills and lawn chairs and lanterns and bug zappers and frying pans and firewood, playpens and toys for the kids, gear that hardly ever sees life outside the closet for the adults. I can't wait to go on such a camping trip, for it seems to me to be a life of luxury as I pull all of my belongings out of a single backpack. The weekenders definitely show interest in the exploits of thru-hikers, asking a zillion questions about where we're headed, how much our packs weigh, where we sleep, how many miles we hike each day. The question I have the toughest time answering, the response to which I receive the most befuddled looks is "so what's the best part?" "Everything." "No, what is your most memorable moment?" "All of them." With frustration now, "in what way has the trail exceeded your expectations?" "In every way possible." I'm not trying to be coy or non-committal, but the experience of the trail is difficult to describe in mere words, impossible to impart to another not out here, unfathomable to those who wouldn't consider walking ridiculously long distances. I always try to steer the conversation towards food and how wonderful it is when people kindly donate calories to the hungry hikers' bellies. In trail speak, it's called yogi-ing, or in other words, "please give me food" without me having to come right out and ask. Some people get it, others don't. This evening in the campsite there were definitely more of the big-hearted charitable folks. Because all campsites were full with paying guests and the park rangers out in force, we had to be discreet where we set up camp. A couple offered use of their picnic table, a female section hiker Knee High shared her campsite, a kind man gave us cookies and carrots while telling us we stink, a group of recent MBA graduates invited us to their campfire. I certainly wanted to stay up longer enjoying the company and encouragement of such nice people, but I knew I had miles to go in the morning and should retire for a full night's sleep. The opportunity to hike the trail, the chance to be part of the AT community deserves the best I got to give.
Date: 2007-05-13
From: Lewis Mountain Campground

To: Pinnacles Picnic Ground
Miles today: 21.0

Some days, I just want to eat real food in a real restaurant like a real human being. Some days, I want to drink out of a glass and eat off a china plate with three utensils - knife, fork, and spoon, call me crazy - with a linen napkin lain across my lap. Some days, I want to sit and enjoy my meal slowly, without devouring and inhaling every last morsel, tasting the flavors instead of only considering caloric content. Some days, I want to never again for as long as I live see another granola bar or bag of gorp or instant oatmeal or pop-tart or ramen or just-add-water-dehydrated meal. Today was one of those days. I tried to resist the pull of a restaurant located just two-tenths of a mile off the trail, arguing that I didn't want to spend the money, I have enough food in my pack, it would make me late to camp, I'm supposed to be in the woods. So after about 17 miles, getting close to dinner time, I bypassed the Skyland Lodge and continued hiking north. As I stopped to duck tape some newly forming blisters - I thought I was over them by now - I reconsidered my options to the tune of a growling stomach, then hoisted up my pack and back tracked even further than originally planned to the restaurant. Fortunately, I am in hiker surrounds, for everyone who visits the Shenandoah National Park is here to experience the outdoors, the wilderness if you will. The most annoying aspect of the trail here, that it parallels Skyline Drive for 100-plus miles, crossing the road many times each day, may also be its saving grace for hikers with real food cravings with a restaurant a day to keep those hunger pangs away. As I sit in a real restaurant eating real food like a real human being, I am surprised that no one seems the least bit annoyed by my gear soaked from the heavy rains the night before spread out in front of the heater to dry. The signs that I am a thru-hiker are, quite literally, everywhere, sleeping bag draped over a chair, Therma-rest unrolled by the heater, pack emptied of contents on the floor and chairs, rain pants hanging on trekking poles leaning against the wall. At least I took my time savoring my food, possibly the best chicken smoked gouda grill on 7-grain batarde that I ever ate, followed by the area's famous blackberry ice cream for dessert, with a linen napkin across my lap. Although a sandwich and fries didn't require the use of 3 utensils, at least I had the option.
Date: 2007-05-15
From: Elkwallow Wayside

To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: clear sky

The pain is not totally gone from my ankle, but what a difference a day makes. Carrying only about one-third of my pack weight also helped I'm sure. What I thought yesterday may be a trail-ending injury seems to be my ankle only acting up, telling me to take it slower...again.I'm positive what doesn't break me will make me stronger. I'm also pretty sure that a bit of suffering forces us to re-evaluate what's important in our lives, and how much we're willing to give to get it.Back on the trail today, I realized one thing - how much I truly want to be here. Even as the sweat dripped from every pore, I didn't mind the heat. Even when my eye swelled shut from a bug bite, I was not as annoyed as usual by the many gnats. Even as my little toes began to hurt and go numb, I was thankful it wasn't my ankle. Despite the discomforts, I want to be on the trail, which you may have noticed if you reverse the a and i becomes trial. I'll take it, if it means I get to stay another day.
Date: 2007-05-16
From: Front Royal, VA

To: Front Royal, VA - Super 8 Motel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Come on ankle - work with me! Typical Stacy style, I overdid it yesterday and paid for it today. I'm not sure what is causing the pain and swelling, but both have worsened enough to keep me off the trail today. As much as I wanted to be out there, I kept hearing the same advice over and over again, to give my body a chance to heal and recover before risking long-term injury. I must heed this advice, for I want to finish this trail.The annual Trail Days event held in Damascus each year could not come at a better time. And so tomorrow I am headed south for a few days of hiker craziness. No hiking for a week, surrounded by thru-hiker friends, new and old, may be just what my body and spirit needs to feel refreshed enough to tackle the next 1000 miles. Like I said, I want to finish this trail.
Date: 2007-05-23
From: Front Royal, VA

To: Ashby Gap Route 50
Miles today: 19.9

Back on the trail today, after a week off, never felt so good...and so bad. Good in the sense that this is where I belong, free and outdoors, hiking to my heart's content, living my dreams despite the obstacles, unencumbered and uninhibited, except for the backpack that holds everything I need, my spirit renewed and alive, me allowed to be who I really am without societal expectations hindering my full personal development and growth, I just am, here and now. Bad in the sense that all of the above doesn't come easy, but then again, if it did, I wouldn't be out here, would have thrown in the towel long ago. Every step hurts, and may continue to, despite trying my third pair of shoes, this time high-top trail runners, taping my ankle, still trying to reduce pack weight even more, together with ibuprofen are providing enough relief for me to continue northward. The good news is I'm pretty sure I'm not doing any additional long-term damage, just suffering the results of an old injury. So far, the benefits have far exceeded the costs, the discomfort, without which I don't think I could realize my full potential, a part of success on the trail and in life too. In my limited experience, movement out of the comfort zone, doing things that may cause discomfort in the short term, enables us to continue to grow as human beings in the long run, but I'm not sure if this relates to physical pain as well. Maybe I wish it didn't hurt as much, but then maybe I wouldn't appreciate the outcome, the achievement, the result as much either. Bottom line is, the good of being on the trail far outweighs the bad, which my memory will block out in the long run anyways, and so I'm glad to be back. I couldn't think of any place I'd rather be; the trail is where I belong. Speaking of no place I'd rather be, the Bears Den Hostel, run by Queen Diva herself, has to be one of the greatest, cleanest, most welcoming and refreshing places along the trail. An old castle which was once a zoo and then an opera house, or something like that, I think many hikers bypass the place thinking it's too nice for the likes of us. And Queen Diva is something else, and I mean that in the most flattering way possible, loving hikers with a Christian spirit, exuding warmth and vitality seemingly 24 hours a day 7 days a week, displaying a generosity that most of us will never understand nor be able to repay. To Queen Diva, on behalf of all the hikers who pass through, I offer my heartfelt gratitude for who you are and what you mean to us.
Date: 2007-05-24
From: Ashby Gap Route 50

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

If good hiking includes lots of ups and downs, a few rocks thrown in, then today's hiking can be described as superb, for seasoned hikers anyways, while newbies may be challenged, frustrated and cursing, by the terrain. This part of Virginia is known, not most affectionately, as the roller coaster, a 13.5-mile section of trail with ten ascents and descents. The Virginia corridor is narrow here, leaving trail crews little choice than to route the path up and over each of these rocky viewless ridges. But isn't that just like the AT? Truth be told, I thoroughly enjoyed today's hiking terrain. I'm realizing each day I'm on the trail that lessons learned out here can easily be applied to the real world. I should wirte a book entitled as such. Maybe someone already has. Maybe I could determine over the next three months through hours of walking the meaning of life, for that would surely be a bestseller. You have already heard me proclaim the virtues of discomfort to make a person strong and worthy (or at least that is what I keep telling myself), the belief that something good comes out of any bad, the universal truth that hikers are among the best people around. The ups and downs of today's roller coaster terrain can surely be a metaphor for the ups and downs of life outside the trail as well, making both life and the trail more interesting along the way. Terrain that is flat or viewless bores me quickly while terrain that challenges maintains my interest level, keeps me awake and alive, even if at times cursing, although I have to work much harder and sweat a lot more to earn my miles. Sure it feels good, refreshing, at times invigorating to walk a nice easy day every once in a while, but given too many in a row, the trail loses its excitement and intrigue. Neither are the ups and downs of life so bad, for me preferable to the same old daily grind, for when life becomes monotony, I wonder what's the point. I want to work hard for what I have, earn my keep, so that I appreciate it more in the long run. I may be an emotional person, sometimes too much so, but I'll take the wide range of feelings over none at all. I'd rather love deeply, care more than I probably should, fight for what I believe in, go after my dreams - all the ups - even with the risk of crashing and burning on the downs. Because there always will be another climb ahead, another up at greater heights than the last. And so when I see a mountain before me, rock obstacles slowing my progress, I can almost guarantee that even if I arrive dirty, smelly, and tired, I will climb up, over and down the other side, my head held high, stronger than when I began. If that's not a metaphor for life, a lesson to be applied to the real world, relevance of the trail to society beyond, I don't know what is. Get on, buckle up and enjoy the ride.
Date: 2007-05-25
From: Blackburn Trail Center

To: shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: broken clouds

I skipped 8 miles of the trail today. Woe is me, may the gods of the Appalachian Trail smite me upon my head with the trail regulations book, afflict me with disastrous effect, cause me moral and mental anguish during the miles to come, force me to forever rue such a decision. Not a chance, for instead of "skipped" I should have written "deferred to a later time." Opportunity struck that I simply could not ignore. Besides, there's no such thing as a trail regulation book, just the notion of hike your own hike with integrity. I had every intention of hiking the 8 miles last night, but other plans took priority. I had been trying to think of a way to return to the Bears Den Hostel and volunteer some time in the near future, even wrote in the shelter register "I'll be back," without a clue as to when or how, just expressing the desire. As soon as Queen Diva mentioned she needed help at the end of June, I jumped on it, eager to work alongside such a fabulous woman welcoming the ranks of thru-hikers during one of the busiest crunch weeks of the season. Sure I will have to come off the trail, find my way south and then my return north, but if there's one thing I learned out here, someway, somehow, the trail will provide. Talking logistics ruled out my proposed evening 8 miles, but it's an easy fix, less than half a day's hike once I am back in the area. Trying to fit the miles in today didn't work either, for I wanted to reach Harper's Ferry early afternoon before the ATC headquarters and post office closed for the day and weekend. Nor could I delay any further in reaching this huge milestone, enthusiasm building up for days. Woo-hoo! Harper's Ferry, ATC headquarters, psychological midway point of the trail, although the physical lies a few (relative term now) miles beyond. Mentally, I am feeling fabulous, high on cloud nine, happy to be here, knowing that I have reached a huge milestone, over 1000 miles down and a little more than half remaining. Even my body is holding its own, possibly from the adrenaline surge. Let's hope it doesn't wear off any time soon. I remember when I first visited the ATC a few years ago, admired all the thru-hikers passing through, wanting to be just like them, someday with my own plans to hike the trail. That someday is now. The fact that I deferred 8 miles today doesn't change in the least that I've hiked nearly half of the Appalachian Trail. The few who may judge my decision, call me a section hiker, lament my poor fate, the bottom line is I still will walk every mile of this trail, God willing, in a continuous hike, an established time frame of about 5 months, maybe now a bit longer. But I am not too rigid in my ideals to let a great opportunity pass me by. At the end of the day, I'm still a thru-hiker through and through. I'm just 8 miles behind.