morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-05-16
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 35.0

5/15: Today was a "Nero," half day spent in town and half day hiking. But I got in 17 miles anyway. Today's highlight was crossing a 600-foot footbridge. Tomorrow I am climbing Mount Rogers, a series of long ridges over 5,000 feet with balds and views (rare on the AT). There is also Mount Grayson State Park that has wild free-roaming ponies.5/16: I hiked 18 miles today over Mount Rogers and Mount Grayson Highlands State Park, all over 5,000 feet. Wild ponies inhabit the park and mooch off the hikers. A black mare was guarding a shelter with her young pinto foal (photo). The big excitement for the day took place in the shelter during dinner. The guy next to me in the shelter was cooking in the sleeping area instead of the picnic table when his stove exploded, catching me and some of my bedding, clothing, and gear on fire! I leaped away and rolled onto the rocks below and got the fire out, but banged my knee and split my big toe. Hiking will be bloody tomorrow. My sleeping bag and mattress are OK. There is a lesson here somewhere. Maybe I should stay out of shelters.
Date: 2013-05-20
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 43.0

5/17: I hiked 7 miles and hitched to Troutdale to stay at the Baptist hostel to rest and recuperate the toe. It did OK on the short hike, but I want it to heal some before hiking big miles again. I will slack pack 10 miles tomorrow to see how it does and return to the hostel. Dodged a rainstorm today too. Tonight, I hitched to a store to eat and resupply.5/18: I did the 10-mile slack pack (day pack) today. Fog and drizzles but not bad. I plan to stay here at the hostel again and hit the trail tomorrow. I was scheduled for a tick survey today, but rain will delay it until the next dry shelter. For any plant geeks out there, I wanted to mention the broadleaf evergreen plants along the AT. The most common and showiest are the rhododendrons, just now starting to bloom at low elevations. They are so common that the trail winds through long rhodo tunnels. I have also seen a few azalea blooming pink blossoms. Mountain laurel blooms later. All these have large leathery evergreen leaves that bring color to the woods throughout the year.5/19: I hiked 14 miles today to Partnership Shelter - a double-decker. One hour of rain, and more rain is in the forecast. The Baptist church hostel brought us pancakes for breakfast! I also found more trail magic halfway through the hike. Hikers use more than 5,000 calories a day and it is hard to carry that much food. You must binge in town and/or lose weight. I have not weighed myself, but probably have lost about 5 pounds. I have heard of people losing 50 pounds or more. So trail magic is greatly appreciated.5/20: I hiked only 12 miles today in the rain, then stopped at a hostel to clean and dry my toe. I'm in Rural Retreat, Virginia, the home of Dr Pepper. I saw a flame azalea blooming today but no photo because of rain. I show a lady slipper orchid (above) instead. They grow to 14 inches tall here instead of our 6-inch variety in Colorado. I am at 550 miles along the AT, or one-fourth of the way to Mount Katahdin, the end of the trail in Maine. I'm looking forward to T & M visiting in June! P.S. I was not in Damascus last Saturday during the bad parade accident, fortunately for me. I know some of you were concerned.
Date: 2013-05-22
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 45.0

5/21: I hiked 23 hard miles today, ending with a 2,200-foot climb. Hiked some very nice meadows. Yesterday after posting my journal, I was nearly hit by a car while sitting in a chair outside a grocery store in Rural Retreat, VA. I dodged it, but the car hit my chair! Both times my hike was nearly ended due to careless humans. Today I want to talk about the many AT hikers I have met who have had Lyme disease. Blitz (trail name) got LD near Bear Mtn, NY. He was so sick he laid in his tent for 8 days before being rescued by his parents. Fever, chills, weakness (it took him 4 hours to get water), bull's eye rash on his back. His treatment was effective and he has no chronic Lyme syndrome, but it prevented him from completing his hike last year and he is finishing this year. I am surprised how many hikers have similar stories and I am not actively interviewing people. A tick survey today was negative - again. Windy, rainy night with lightning and thunder.5/22: Hiked 22 miles today to Bland, VA. I was wiped out so I found a motel room for the night. Saw several white-tailed deer, lots of millipedes, butterflies and other insects. I used deet for the first time. Warm days seem to be here. I would be sending home my down sleeping bag if I can find a cooler substitute. My air mattress is becoming a problem too as it is plastic-coated and uncomfortable for warm nights. Pearisburg (631 miles total) in 2.5 days.
Date: 2013-05-25
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 43.0

5/23: I hiked 18 miles to Trent's grocery, a country general store. I intended to hike less to rest my feet, but the day was nice and the Trail was not too challenging (for a change). I'm tenting on the nearby farm and it is a nice change from the woods. I loaded up on calories in the store. Recently, the woods are full of fragrances of teeming life. Near the store, I crossed a long suspension footbridge over Kimberling Creek, (what would easily be a river in Colorado). I imagined the fish, frogs, and other inhabitants there. Judging from the size of the fishing tackle for sale in the store, the fish are big! I seem to have left behind most of the younger thru-hikers who went to Trail Days in Damascus; I see mostly older folks recently. Humidity is a challenge to get comfortable, especially while sleeping. 5/24: I'm at 620 miles now. I hiked 15 miles to Woods Hole hostel with another hiker. His wife, along with another person, had just abandoned the Trail due to foot problems. It was emotionally hard for them. I did not meet the first guy's wife but I did meet the second hiker. His reason for leaving was that he missed his wife of three years and home. Totally understandable, but it is really hard to give up on a goal like finishing the AT. At least 75 percent of thru-hikers abandon the Trail. Today is much cooler. The azaleas are beginning to bloom, giving promise of summer. Wonderful dinner! After a big breakfast, it's Pearisburg tomorrow. I have 240 hard miles to Waynesboro where on June 6, I plan to meet Teresa for hiking Shenandoah National Park. 5/25: Hello, Pearisburg. I only hiked 10 miles today due to PO hours to pick up my food box. But the special part of today was getting to know Neville, one of the hostel proprietors (photo). Waif-like, she is an astute businesswoman. Her roots on this property go back more than 100 years and her ancestors built the log home (see photo in next post). One of the treats of the AT is meeting local people and catching a glimpse of their lives.
Date: 2013-05-26
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

5/26: I am taking a zero day today in Pearisburg to rest my feet and allow Andy to catch up. I hiked with Andy several hundred miles ago. I feel guilty not hiking and was about to hike out when Andy called. The photo is of the Woods Hole Hostel home where we had meals.
Date: 2013-05-27
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 51.0

5/27: I hiked 15 miles with Andy today. Good to be back with him. Phillip abandoned the Trail back in Erwin due to health reasons. Beautiful spring day and pleasant hike. I saw red columbines that Colorado folks will recognize from our Western Slope. I also had a great view of the Pearisburg area from near Angel's Rest.5/28: I hiked 18 miles today. Saw a sow and cub today, but the day was otherwise unremarkable so I'll talk about ticks - what else? I did a tick survey at Pine Swamp Branch shelter. Negative. But my hiking partner Andy had a tick on him. Another hiker friend, Occupy, had 15 ticks and his dog also had 15! None on me. I wear permethrin-treated clothing. We think most were obtained from the grassy bald area and were American Dog and Lone Star ticks. I joked with Occupy that I should survey him instead!5/29: 18 miles, two black snakes, and a scarlet tanager today. Another negative tick survey, BUT I tested my technique in a grassy area and collected 6 American ticks. I did not keep them because this area was not part of the protocol. Tomorrow we hit the Dragon's Tooth and then Catawba town with a great restaurant - The Homeplace. I'm jazzed!
Date: 2013-05-28
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 43.0
Weather: few clouds

5/30: I hiked 18 miles today and made it to The Homeplace for dinner. Great place, all you can eat family-style southern cooking and I am stuffed. Had a tough hike over Dragon's Tooth. Tomorrow McAfee Knob - an AT iconic rock overlook. At the Tooth, I never had a climb down that had so much up! Did you know the AT has more vertical than the Pacific Crest Trail or the Continental Divide Trail? Son-in-law B had surgery today and very best wishes to him.5/31: Slackpacked 25 miles today -- my limit. Feet are sore. Great views off McAfee Knob. In Daleville for town chores: resupply, laundry and visit the outfitter and PO. I plan to mail some cold weather items home.
Date: 2013-06-02
From: Dpringer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0

6/1 In Daleville, I got new free replacement shoe inserts that I hope will improve my sore feet.Sent home my down bag and bought a cheap fleece blanket. Finished town chores at 1 pm and was ready to hike out and it poured for hours! Andy (Mash) and I decided to zero as it was getting late in the day. Had a nice dinner with hiker friends Occupy and Goldilocks.6/2 18+ mi today along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Feet felt better. Hiked in the rain for several hours, but the weather should be better tomorrow. Saw a box turtle (photo) in the middle of the Trail; also a salamander and newts. Was planning a tick survey at this shelter, but it is too wet. I plan to arrive at Buena Vista Thursday where T will meet me. We will flip forward 80 mi and hike in Shenandoah National Park for 4 days. I'm really looking forward to seeing her. She has been so supportive and the hike would be a lot harder without her help.
Date: 2013-06-03
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 59.0

6/3: 18+ miles today. Two tick surveys and I have TICKS! 4 Lone Star ticks along the Trail. Finally some data. Also saw newts along the trail. Weather good today. Swam in Jenkins Creek. Looking forward to Glasglow and Buena Vista. Hungry just thinking about it.6/4: 19 miles today. Crossed the James River on a 1,000-foot footbridge. This river is bigger than any in Colorado. In to the town of Glasgow, VA. 17 year cicadas started singing today! They sound like aliens and there are billions of them making the woods hum. Tomorrow we plan to slack-pack 22 miles to BV where I will meet T. Warm and sunny today. 6/5: Completed the slack pack and in Buena Vista at the Bluedogart hostel. Great food! More cicadas today. I collected more ticks; they finally seem active on the AT now. Looking forward to the Shenandoah flip with T tomorrow.
Date: 2013-06-06
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0

Zero today in BV waiting for T. Since it is raining today, I willl talk about rain strategies in the AT. First, we try to get weather forecasts whenever possible and get to town, if practical. If not, we congregate at the shelters, especially for the night. I do not like setting up, taking down, tenting in the rain, nor packing a wet tent. There are 3 strategies for hiking in the (relatively) warmer summer rain: 1) wear full raingear, 2) wear just a rain jacket and let legs get wet, 3) wear no raingear at all and put on dry clothes after. I sent home my raingear. Big mistake. Working on getting it back! Newts (pictured) like the rain.
Date: 2013-06-08
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

6/7: 9 miles today in the rain in Shenandoah with T. I wore a cheap poncho under my leaky rain jacket and stayed reasonably dry. Bought T a poncho too. We are in a warm, dry cabin tonite and are hoping for nicer weather tomorrow. Forecast is for sun and 82 -- yeah! We are meeting friends at Big Meadows for lunch and will camp or shelter tomorrow. Then on to Skyland Lodge Sunday where we hope to take in an interpretive program and see the Visitor Center.6/8: 9 miles today as we enjoyed lunch and a lazy, sunny afternoon with the Beyers at Big Meadows Lodge. We decided to use the car campground tonite and hike the 8 mi to Skyland tomorrow. We walked 2 mi RT to the Visitor Center. I suggested to the Ranger staff that they need an electric shuttle bus to transport some of the visitors to and from the major facilities. Everything is designed for car travel here.
Date: 2013-06-10
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: moderate rain

6/9: Last night we had a bear visit while tenting in Shenandoah NP. No harm done, but it made for light sleeping. Today, we hiked 8 mi to Skyland Lodge and had a nice dinner and restful night. 6/10: Today T and I left Shenandoah and I stopped in Waynesboro to see a podiatrist. He confirmed I have plantar fasciitis, but that I could continue. I met some hiker friends in town who are now a few days ahead. T tried to get me to an AT trailhead for some slack packing but it was too late in the day, so I zeroed at the Dutch Haus (photo) instead. T is flying home. I'm ready for the big hills ahead between here and Waynesboro and hope the rain from Tropical storm Andrea gives us a break.
Date: 2013-06-12
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 63.0
Weather: few clouds

6/11: Ripped 25+ miles today. I felt rested after T's visit and two zero days. Trail magic at 8 miles! I met trail maintainers cutting the undergrowth back from the trail (photo). I really appreciate it as it reduces ticks and moisture onto boots and clothing. I told them so and they seemed pleased to be appreciated because they are volunteers. If the trail was not maintained nor hiked, it would be invisible in one year. I descended 3,000 feet off the Priest this evening and have a similar climb tomorrow morning. Just over one day to Shenandoah National Park and about 8-9 days to Harper's Ferry, nearly halfway.6/12: Hiked another 25 miles today to Wolfe Shelter, but I am very tired. 20 miles is a better pace for me. Hot, muggy and buggy. I thought my water bottle was leaking and it was just condensation. Saw my first lightning bugs (fireflies) tonight! Five miles to Rockfish Gap, the road to Waynesboro and also the start of Shenandoah NP. I'm undecided about going into town tomorrow. 6/13: Hiked 13 miles into Shenandoah NP after resupplying in Waynesboro and dodging rain.
Date: 2013-06-15
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 38.0

6/14: Cold last night without a sleeping bag. Hiked 20 miles to Loft Mtn Campground, which has showers and laundry. I needed that! Did a tick survey at Blackrock Hut and many ticks - trail only. Other hikers are reporting deer ticks. The vegetation the last 45 miles has not been trimmed and sometimes encroaches on the trail (photo). Doing high miles in the humidity causes several uncomfortable outcomes, including CHAFING. Never had it? Me neither. Thank goodness for Body Glide. Even sleeping is damp. On climbs, my clothes are soaked in an hour and I'm not a big sweater. Oh well, I knew what I was getting into. Besides the shower and laundry at Loft Mtn CG, I had a cheeseburger and chocolate shake. I feel much better! Over 900 miles to date!6/15: I hiked 18 miles to Swift Current Gap then flipped forward to Skyland where I left off when T was here. From the road, I saw a sow bear and her tiny cub was in a tree. I am about to have a Father's Day call with my family one day early. I added 7 more miles for a total of 25 for the day.
Date: 2013-06-16
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 27.0

I was going to stop at 17 miles today, but it was still early and my hiking companions were pushing on to the Front Royal Hostel. I did too, for a 27-mile day. Lest you think it easy, it was at least 4,000 feet up and even more down! I heard from Mash who is in Front Royal too, so I caught up to him -- more than 115 miles in 5 days. If you have wondered which gear is most important, the photo shows my hiking poles and my superfeet insoles. Without them, I could not be doing this.
Date: 2013-06-17
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 27.0

I slack-packed 27 miles today and returned to the hostel. We had great trail magic along the way (photo). I saw old friend Mash and several others. A few others are only a day ahead. People moving at the same speed together is referred to as your "bubble." You see them in different towns or shelters or on the trail. That's why the AT is a social trail. Cicadas were calling today. Blackberries are fruiting. It's two days to Harpers Ferry, also a tick survey and phenology site. Lots of ticks and nymphs are out now. I heard of my first Lyme disease case on the AT this year.
Date: 2013-06-20
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 51.0
Weather: light rain

6/19: I arrived at Harpers Ferry and was met by Rob D. and Mary who welcomed me into their home and family (photo). They took me to AYCE buffets and showed me around Harpers Ferry and Antietam national park sites. It was fun to meet their grown children and friends, who are a credit to their parents. They were interested in my hike. I am at 1,018 miles, almost halfway. 6/20: Rest day at Rob and Mary's. I am trying new hiking shoes, but shipped my old ones ahead to Boiling Springs just in case. I met Baltimore Jack (an AT nine-time through-hiker).
Date: 2013-06-21
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 36.0

6/21: Summer solstice! I hiked out of Harpers Ferry 17 miles into Maryland. I got a late start due to a meeting with the NPS and a second breakfast with hiker friends. It was a nice walk along the C&O towpath (another NPS site). There's a crazy amount of history in this area. The tick survey today was negative (to my surprise). Another one tomorrow. The camp tonight has showers, toilets and a nice restaurant nearby. I had a beer and dessert!6/22: Hiked 19 miles. I was tired today. The trail was rocky and my new shoes are not up to the task. I may send them home when I get my old ones back. The weather has been warm and sunny, which is preferable to rain, but the water sources are drying up. I met a Philmont-bound scout group today on the Trail. Another scout group is camping at the shelter with us. We passed the original Washington Monument (photo). 5 miles of MD left, then rocky PA. I hope my feet can make it.
Date: 2013-06-22
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: overcast clouds

6/23: 23 miles today. I'm over the Mason-Dixon Line and in PA! I felt better. Tomorrow I plan to go to Gettysburg for a tour. Tuesday it will be back on the trail and the official halfway point (1,092 miles).6/24: Today I treated myself to a visit to Gettysburg Battlefield and took the bus tour (no walking!). Photo is from the 130-year-old cyclorama. Hitched in from the Trail and back OK. It was a great day of absorbing American history. After I returned, Mash caught up and we hiked 2 miles today, so not a total zero. We're at a nice shelter tonight.
Date: 2013-06-25
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: light rain

6/25: I hiked 17 relatively easy miles to Pine Grove State Park and am at 1,098 miles total. We passed the halfway mark! Some hikers did the half-gallon ice cream challenge, but not me. I settled for one quart! Friend Geoff dropped by to catch up and drink some beers.
Date: 2013-06-27
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 34.0

6/26: 20 miles today to Boiling Springs. There really is a boiling spring (photo) that feeds an entire lake in town. It rained tonight so we stayed in a hostel again. Boiling Springs to Duncannon has miles of cornfields to cross. Also, there's a rocky section that has me concerned (my feet). I forwarded my old hiking shoes here, but the PO does not open until 9 am. I may call to forward them up the trail because Mash and I want to do a long day to Duncannon tomorrow.6/27: I got my old shoes from the PO and hiked 14 miles before a major thunderstorm forced us into a shelter. Since the Trail between here and Duncannon is rocky and hazardous when wet, we stayed the night.
Date: 2013-06-30
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 57.0
Weather: scattered clouds

6/28: Hiked 23 rocky miles north through Duncannon, stopping at the iconic Doyle Hotel for a burger and a brew. Crossed the Susquehanna River. Remember me saying back in GA or NC the AT trail matrix was soft? It has not been soft for a long time and is getting rockier and rockier. It rained on us near the end, but the shelter was rocking with young people. Not many older persons on the Trail.6/29: Hiked 18 miles toward Pine Grove and tented. To disprove my previous assessment, a couple of older guys were the only ones at the shelter. Conducted a tick survey and collected my first deer tick (on the trail)! The cicadas were calling today - the first heard in more than a week.6/30: Hiked 16 miles into Pine Grove, PA, to resupply, do laundry and rest. Great white rhododendrons are blooming. Portions of the trail were heavily overgrown or rocky making an otherwise level trail difficult. Thank heavens for my bug pants to keep the ticks off. I'm at 1,187 miles now.
Date: 2013-07-03
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 52.0

7/1: Hiked 17 miles out of Pine Grove, PA, today. It rained the last few hours (a disturbing pattern). There was 2-mile section of trail that was underwater! Worst trail I've ever seen! I'd have photos but I had the iPhone/camera put away. Nice shelter group tonight. Going into Hamburg to Cabela's tomorrow.7/2: Visited Cabela's. It was awesome and disappointing at the same time -- little backpacking gear and lots of stuffed animals. Hiked only 15 miles today, but over 1,200 miles cumulatively. Looking forward to NJ in 4 days. Will spend the 4th at the Jailhouse hostel in the town of Palmerton, PA, appropriately, a Superfund smelter site. I worked on several old smelter Superfund sites in my career. Saw a big rattler today.7/3: Hiked 20 miles to Blue Mountain B&B only to find it closed. Very rocky sections today and more expected tomorrow. I wore my head net for the first day (photo). Mash is antsy to cover miles and get to MA, his home, but we're still 250 miles from MA.
Date: 2013-07-04
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 34.0
Weather: moderate rain

7/4: Hiked 14 miles to Palmerton to resupply, get a maildrop, and stay at the Jailhouse hostel. It was 100 degrees supposedly. No fireworks and most stores were closed! Massively rocky trail. I saw some of the Superfund reforestation site; it appears to have chain link fencing over the top too.7/5: Slackpacked 20 hard miles over PA rocks. Revegetation of the ridge is going well, but our route detoured around the worst of the Superfund site. Trail magic and a rattlesnake were the big events today. Sunny weather enabled my hiking shoes to dry but they were sliced and diced by the rocks. One more day of rocks! Motel, a bed, and shower tonight.