morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-09-10
From: Mt Katahdin Baxter Peak

To: Harper's Ferry WV
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

We drove home to NH where I spent Saturday at home in preparation for returning to Harper's Ferry on the 9th. I washed all my gear, shopped for food and made up 5 resupply boxes to help Brian. Eddyman and Alligator texted River and I about Eddyman meeting us in Harper's Ferry and hiking with us to Marion VA which would help him finish the southern half of the trail. We made all the arrangements and will hike out together on the 11th. I'm super excited to see him and his wife Susan and to be hiking together again. There are some hurricanes on the horizon so we may hit rain but we'll just have to see what we get. Brian and I drove the 10 hrs to Harper's Ferry WV on Sunday arriving just before midnight. We slipped into our room at the B&B quietly and right into bed. On Monday morning we caught up with the owners at breakfast and then visited the ATC for an update of my hike and new photo for their logs. Then we finally had time to enjoy learning about the civil war history this tiny town has to offer. While waiting for River and Eddyman we seized the opportunity to nap during the rainy afternoon. Everyone arrived after 4 and we enjoyed dinner together at Alfredo's Mediterranean restaurant before getting some rest.
Date: 2018-09-11
From: Harper's Ferry WV

To: Blackburn Trail center
Miles today: 11.8

We had a 7:30 breakfast at the Inn where they were kind to include River who was staying up the street. Eddyman went and picked her up. Under cloudy skies with falling drizzle and more rain in the forecast we set out sobo thru an historic alleyway and up the stone steps near the church. Brian and Susan walked with us to the church and played paparazzi. I squeezed him and kissed him goodbye. He'll make the long drive home alone. Last night we talked about the difference in the sobo leg, as I'm walking away from NH and won't really be in driving distance anymore. But in reality I'm getting closer to home with each step, leaving fewer miles between myself and Springer Mountain and then home. We all have our minds on hurricane Florence and only time will tell how she impacts us. It's also 9/11 and I took a moment of silence in the afternoon in memory. We stopped for lunch at a nice shelter. The picnic pavilion was taken over by a hiker who'd set up a tent there so we ate in the shelter. We hiked 3 more miles to the Blackburn Trail center arriving before 3:30 and waiting for River at the trail head. When she arrived she'd been on the phone with Blueberry making arrangements to get off at Route 7 and get a shuttle into Front Royal and they'd be going to NC with Blueberry's Dad and hiking from there. Word is that Shenandoah is closing due to the hurricane. Eddyman and I could go with River and Blueberry but instead we're going to make it into Front Royal by Thursday evening and get into a hostel or other safe accommodations before the storm hits. The Blackburn Trail center has a small cabin with 4 bunks and we were lucky to score the last 2 when we arrived. There are 2 brothers section hiking in the other ones. There are also some sobo hikers who will stay on the screened in porch on the main cabin. We all enjoyed the porch and watching the deer graze just behind it. My feet got wet today because of the wet foliage we walked thru. I don't do well with wet feet, they hurt. I hope my socks dry overnight but it's not likely. I called Terrapin Station hostel and they're closed for the season but I spoke with the owner, Mike and asked if he would reopen due to the hurricane. He said he'd take us in. It is the hostel closest to where the trail enters the park. We'll be there Thursday. I'm not sure what time it gets light in the morning so I'm not sure how many hiking hours there are right now. Tomorrow will tell.
Date: 2018-09-12
From: Blackburn Trail center

To: Rod Hollow shelter
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: overcast clouds

It poured last night and I was happy to be inside the cabin. The bunks were wide and if Brian were here we could have shared one. Between the porcupine chewing on the cabin and one of the brother's noisy sleeping pad it wasn't a solid night of sleep but I feel rested. After getting dressed and packing most of my bag I took my food bag out to the picnic table where a deer was grazing alongside. I watched her as Eddyman came towards the picnic table and as soon as he spoke she ran away. She was beautiful. We are and headed out around 7:30. We didn't get up until 6:10 because it's dark in the morning. Now I know that if we hike before 7:30 or so it'll be by headlamps. As we walked up the stone steps to the trail a Doe with her fawn were grazing. They looked at us for a moment before scurrying away. It's humid again today like yesterday and I'm wearing wet clothes all the way down to my socks. We hiked the first few miles then entered "the roller coaster". A 14+ mile section of constant ups and downs and tons of rocks. It was a difficult day with the humidity and my feet hurt from being wet. I took off my shoes and socks at lunch and my feet were white and seriously pruned. They looked like they belonged on a corpse. Really. After several minutes of airing out they started to get a little color. Maybe I'm not dead after all! The humidity continued to suck the life from me and the rocks and climbs continued their torture. At Piney point we stopped to rest along with a young couple who were at Blackburn Trail center last night also. They too wanted to get off this ride but there was one more climb before we could. Once the red color of exertion had left our faces we finished up and strolled into the Rod Hollow shelter. The comments on Guthooks warn of a resident porcupine. 2 nights in a row, oh goody! We chose the loft so the porcupine could have the first floor and the other hikers chose to tent. After killing a fishing spider that refused to go peacefully out of my sleeping area I got my bed set up, washed up at the spring and put on dry clothes. My entire body feels slimy, like I've been licked by a dog but it's just the buckets of sweat I have sacrificed. We 6 squeezed in at the covered picnic table for dinner. This group is very nice and while they're young they aren't smoking pot or throwing F-bombs out every 3 seconds. As the light quickly faded the choir of crickets and other night creatures turned up the volume. By the time I crawled into bed the porcupine had chimed in. I listened to it for a while, not being able to sleep because my legs were restless. After 11pm I climbed down, peed and took some Advil. Soon the crickets will sing me a lullaby.
Date: 2018-09-15
From: Compton Gap trail/ Front Royal Terrapin Station hostel

To: Front Royal Terrapin Station Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

While hurricane Florence ravaged North Carolina we waited for the after punch in VA. It never stopped raining during our 4 days of rest and it was sometimes heavy, other times a drizzle. The ATC thru National parklands was closed from VA to GA for days and Shenandoah National Park was also closed only to reopen and then have to close Skyline Drive and some of the Waysides again. The park posted photos of the damages to road and trail on their Facebook page keeping us informed. Terrapin Station Hostel owner Mike drove us into town for a meal and groceries on Friday night. I wasn't feeling all that well. When I awoke on Saturday at 2am to a toothache I was happy to be in the spot I was. Unfortunately it was the weekend. We hung out reading, napping and watching TV in the hostel living room area while it rained. On Monday morning at 8am I was able to reach a dentist who could see me in a couple of hours. Mike drove me to my appointment and then to two pharmacies. The dentist understood my hiking situation and gave me a prescription for antibiotics to take now and a 2nd to fill and carry with me in the event that the issue recurs before I finish the trail. They were wonderful to deal with and probably my most enjoyable dentist visit ever. We stopped at the grocery store again for a small resupply so we'd have a couple days of trail food. The trail was still closed on Tuesday morning and it was still raining but it reopened before noon. The time off gave an opportunity for the medication to start working. At the same time I was dealing with my tooth Eddyman was dealing with some very blistered feet from 4 days of hiking in the rain. He was able to heal his feet with Epsom salt soaks while we rested. We had to hand wash our very dirty, stinky clothes and dry them because the washing machine was broken and the repair company didn't arrive until mid afternoon Tuesday and couldn't fix it. I can't wait to get my laundry really washed!River had gone home last week once the storm turned toward the Carolinas and she's planning to return on Friday but she'll be behind us and it could take her a week or so to catch up. I'm looking forward to hiking tomorrow. I have no idea what the trail conditions will be but I know they'll be sun and I'm really ready for some of that and to get miles behind me that bring me closer to Springer and home! I'm afraid if I sit here any longer I'll have blisters on my butt to worry about!
Date: 2018-09-20
From: Stealth site

To: Route 211 Thornton Gap
Miles today: 7.2

The sunrise this morning as the first beams shown thru the trees was brilliant. I enjoyed my granola and milk from a log near where my tent had been and washed it down with a hot electrolyte. It tasted good and I thought my body could use it. 7.2 miles will bring us to Route 122 and Alison from the Open Arms Hostel in Luray. I was feeling the same as yesterday and I struggled up any incline but held a steady 2 mph on flats and descent. We had one climb today of about 1.2 miles with only a 600' ascent but I felt like I was climbing Mt Washington again. I rested often and walked slowly trying not to raise my heart rate and breathing too much so I wouldn't feel dizzy and ill. Near the end of the ascent Eddyman took my food bag so I could lesson my load. It was helpful and he carried it all the way to the road for me. We only saw one couple walking their dog today and yesterday we saw only 2 sobo hikers. It's very quiet on the trail. We arrived at the entrance gate and stopped to get our back country permits. We've been in the park 2 days without them because we came in from Front Royal when the park was closed due to Florence and didn't backtrack to the kiosk to get them. We'd both forgotten until we were miles up the trail yesterday. It was good to get that taken care of. We lounged on the side of Route 211 laying in the grass leaning on our backpacks for a glorious 15 minutes before Alison arrived. She drove us back to her wonderful hostel and gave us the tour introducing us to her 3 cats and getting us settled in. I chose the front room with bunks and I'm the only one in it tonight. It's lovely and private. I showered and put on loaner clothes while Alison did my laundry and then I opened my resupply package and a package Eddyman's wife sent me with some GF baked goods. She's super kind and thoughtful! I haven't been eating much so my food bag looks good but I added a bit to it and shipped out the rest 80 miles ahead. I also sent my water filter, a long sleeve shirt and long johns home. I've switched to Aqua Mira for now. It saves me weight and the upper body workout of the pump. Alison drove us to a diner and I had a cup of soup and 1/2 an omelette. We stopped in at the ice cream place next door but I had to pass. But right now I could eat some and it's too far to walk. I can't wait to finish these antibiotics so I can get myself back. I mean really! I couldn't eat ice cream!?
Date: 2018-09-21
From: Open Arms Hostel

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I slept well despite the train across the street that blows it's whistle when it passes. I've heard many trains on the trail and I rather like the sound actually. I waited until 6:10 to get up even though I was awake at 5:30. As I dressed and got ready I was wondering if I should be hiking today feeling so weak and nauseous. I brushed my teeth and warmed up the leftover omelet I couldn't finish yesterday. I managed the potatoes and about 4 bites of the egg before I called it quits. I considered my options and pressured myself mentally because it's not just me it's Eddyman too and we already lost 4 days from hurricane Florence. But then I asked myself if I would go into my office to work feeling this way or out on appointments with clients. The old me would "suck it up buttercup" and fake my way to acting like I feel well. But this me wouldn't and thus I had my answer. Something isn't right with me and at 7:10am I decided I wouldn't hike but instead get to a Doctor to see if it's a reaction to the antibiotics or something else. Alison was wonderful and she sent me back to bed while she shuttled another hiker back to trail. When she returned home she made some calls to a clinic and then put me in contact with them. I scheduled for 12:45 and she drove me there. While I was at the doctor she did my mail for me, sending one box home and one up the trail. After some history, a quick exam and a visit with the vampire she picked me back up and drove me to a deli where I got a cup of tomato soup and a small salad. I ate it all and felt selfish that I didn't think to call and ask Eddyman if I could bring him something. After eating I layed down in my room and updated Brian. My plan is to try to eat more and slack pack tomorrow what we'd planned to do today. I know once I'm really in the mood for ice cream that I'm ready to finish this thing! My mind is there but it's up to my body. The infection could have caused a flare up for me, this fatigue. But these other symptoms aren't what I normally experience. I have to leave it up to the professionals and the test results. Until then eat, rest, walk.
Date: 2018-09-24
From: Lewis Mt Campground and Cabins

To: Pinefield hut
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I was toasty warm last night, probably too warm. We left the heater blasting all night with our shoes in front of it. I woke up soaked in sweat and had to dry myself and my quilt out in front of the heater. More an age thing than a room temperature thing. By 7am I had eaten my Cheerios and given the rest of the carton of milk to Insect. Eddyman and I hit the trail. With almost a 20 day in front of us in the rain I was really glad to be feeling less fatigue and nausea. I fluctuated between open rain coat and rolled up sleeves and no hat to bundled up tight. It just depended on the elevation. Our stops were quick because we're wet right thru the rain gear and we cool off quickly. It's only in the low 50's. We had no waysides today, no place to break up the day out of the weather. We stopped for a quick lunch at a shelter and ran into Colorado, Galaxy and Songbird. We're all headed to the same shelter for the night, another 8.2 miles away from here. I hope it's not crowded. We have seen only 5 other hikers today outside of our little group. One section hiker alone and 4 hikers together headed to Lewis Campground and a reserved cabin. The trail was leaf covered soaked and muddy but it's sometimes hard to see the slick spots under the leaves. My hiking poles are worth their weight in gold as I nearly became a mud butt several times but for them. Some of my skids were easily a couple of feet long.  We had 4 sizeable climbs today and when we summited the last one I knew it was 1 mile to the shelter and I booked it. I just wanted to get my wet clothes and shoes off and get dry and warm. When we arrived at the shelter Colorado was there and I claimed the end opposite him while Eddyman and then Insect claimed space in the loft. Before we were set up 4 section hikers arrived and claimed the last loft spot and 3 on the floor leaving 2 spaces for Galaxy and Songbird when they arrived a while later. After dinner Sugar Glider and Pineapple arrived but the shelter was packed and they were forced to set up their tent in the rain. I'm looking forward to tomorrow. 3.7 miles to the wayside and a total of 13 miles to the shelter. I'm hoping we can get dry at the wayside even if just for a little while. More rain all week. I can't hike to Waynesboro fast enough! By 6:30 I was tucked into my corner and hoping I didn't have to find my way out to pee in the middle of the night!
Date: 2018-09-27
From: Beagle Gap stealth site

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 0.0

It poured off and on all night interrupting my sleep. I was conscious enough to keep my bandana on the tent floor to my left and keep my quilt away from it and dry. Not much water comes in but I need to keep my stuff dry. When I woke around 6 it was still dark so I lay there with my eyes closed listening to the rain and willing it to stop. When I heard Eddyman rustling around in his tent I shouted over that we should wait until the rain lets up to get up and going since we only have 6 miles to town. He agreed on that note and the rain was substantially lighter when we packed up. I took my tent down while inside my rain fly keeping it from getting soaked and when I crawled out from under the fly I couldn't see 10' in front of me. It was incredibly socked in and windy!We convened in the handicap port-a-potty for coffee. I know that sounds terrible but it was out of the wind and cold rain. I dreaded the thought of hiking in this and the forecast shows tomorrow will cloudy with no rain. I suggested that we zero today and slack pack the 6 miles tomorrow. With Eddyman on board I started looking for someone to rescue us from the port-a-potties. Some of the shuttle drivers couldn't get to us for over 2 hours. I called Adam at Stanimals hostel and was honest that we weren't staying with him but needed the shuttle. $25 and 30 minutes later we were in his BMW and on our way to the Quality Inn. By 10am I was showered and drying out my gear. Eddyman and I walked in the rain to the laundromat and then to Tailgate Restaurant for lunch. The rest of the day I spent relaxing, watching TV and napping. At 6pm we walked to Green Leaf restaurant for dinner and I ordered an 8 oz steak of which I ate half and brought the other half to my room for later. Oh, and a GF chocolate cake slice. I Skyped with Brian before I rolled over and went to sleep. It was late when I drifted off, around 11pm. Adam will pick us up at 8am for our slack pack of 6 dry miles!
Date: 2018-09-28
From: Beagle Gap stealth site

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 5.5

I'm so grateful to have my own room and bathroom. When I'm having a flare up it causes me to have GI distress. I got up at 4:30 with diarrhea which persisted. I felt a bit dehydrated so I drank a half liter of electrolytes. At 7am I was kneeling by the toilet ready to vomit but I escaped it. I drank a bit more water and packed up my day bag feeling like things were subsiding. Down in the lobby I scored some GF honey nut Cheerios and an Activia yogurt. I ran back to my room twice for things I'd forgotten, like my poles and fleece before Adam arrived at 8am. At the trail head we met Mia. A sweet little Yoda looking dog with so much love to give. Her humans were cooking breakfast on a grill in the parking lot and Mia was in deep focus just waiting for a sausage. I loved up on her for several minutes and she was more than happy to roll over and give me her belly for the full puppy love effect. I could have stayed all day but instead I used the potty and we headed off across the street and up thru the meadow. Communication towers and old tractor seats were up inside the treeline and we spent 5 minutes in the comfort of those butt moulded tractor seats. With no view we walked on and straddled tons of flowing water today on trail meeting up with a few day hikers. I had one more encounter with the diarrhea and ducked behind a large boulder in time. I'm trying not to be frustrated with my body and give it loving thoughts. It was a decent day and slack packing helps me with the fatigue. It was also a quick 5.5 miles, so a very short day. I'm looking forward to being back in town and more rest. Down at Rockfish Gap Adam had shuttle driver John pick us up. We stopped at Colony motel to pick up our resupply boxes that were there and then back to the Quality Inn. We had lunch at a place called the Purple Foot with a secret garden dining area out back. A total surprise. Then we walked next door to Walmart Market for a couple of items before I left Eddyman at the barber shop and headed to my room for meditation and siesta. I wanted to continue my private relaxation so I ordered GF pizza and caprese salad delivered for dinner and called Trail Angel Kathy for a lift in the morning. I ate the salad and waited to see how it settled before having 2 slices of pizza. I'll pack out the other 2 slices for my lunch tomorrow if I feel up to it. I hope I sleep as well as last night!
Date: 2018-09-29
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Humpback Rock picnic area
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: scattered clouds

I didn't sleep well last night it was very broken and restless. I ate a yogurt and a protein shake for breakfast that I'd bought at Walmart yesterday and went to the lobby just after 7 to meet Eddyman and be ready for Kathy and our 7:15 shuttle. She was right on time and an absolute sweetheart. I grabbed another single serve peanut butter on my way out. It was so delicious yesterday and I'm hoping I'll enjoy it as much today. At Rockfish Gap I offered gas money to Kathy but she refused. She said it was a short shuttle and she was happy to help us. She's in her early 70's I'd guess, still working and eats atomic fireballs for breakfast. I loved our conversation and her personality. We climbed over the guardrail John pointed out yesterday when he picked us up and headed down the trail. It was a pleasant section actually and another day without rain. 5 miles in we stopped at Paul Wolfe shelter and I rested on my tyvek and drank a ginger tea. As we were ready to leave we saw a group of a half dozen day hikers with 3 dogs comically fording the stream. We watched the show from the shelter before chatting with them and heading out ourselves to ford. After the shelter we climbed Humpback Mt. It was switchbacks but it was long and rocky and there were lots of day hikers out. I'm happy to see people out enjoying nature and I chatted with a Mom who was out hiking with her non verbal son who clearly loves hiking. I was really happy for them both that he'd found such an outlet. Coming down the increasingly rocky south side of humpback was taxing on the mind and feet. I was ready to stop and not push myself to a bigger day. We took the blue blaze trail to the picnic area and found a stealth site as advertised on Guthooks comments but we passed it up and continued to the picnic area and restroom. We filled our water and went back up the blue blaze trail towards the stealth site, walking clear thru it and over the stone wall into a picnic site where we set up our tents at the edge of the woods. No one bothered us and before long all the day hikers that were parked there were leaving. Before long it was just us and with the setting sun we crawled into out tents to sleep. In the midst of the owl banter which was beautiful I got up at 10:30 to pee. As I crawled back into my tent by headlamp I heard a car driving thru the picnic area with a loud radio and the boom boom of the base. I quickly shut my lamp off and zipped up in the dark. The car drove past.