morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-03-12
From: VA 606

To: Sugar Run Road
Miles today: 14.0

Second Stage reports that she hiked to the Woods Hole Hostel yesterday. For those who do not know, this place provides sauna, massage and other types of therapy and (I think) meditation. She has been looking forward to it. ... but the day started farther south so we don't want to get ahead of ourselves.Second Stage and I do "Geocaching", sometimes described as using a billion dollar satellite system to find tupperware containers in the woods (see Geocaching.com). She reports: "Eeek! I was looking for Dismal Falls geocache when I was reminded why I should poke and turn with my trekking poles....I turned over a rock, per the hint, and found two small, sleepy-looking snakes glaring at me. Hadn't had their coffee yet this morning, I suppose."She had a nice walk, no further reports until she got to Woods Hole. Late in the evening I got the following: "Great massage, wonderful dinner, amusing and instructive conversations. Heading for bed. Plan to get out as soon after breakfast as I can."Posted by Second Stage Logistics for...
Date: 2012-03-13
From: Sugar Run Road

To: 4 miles north of Pearisburg
Miles today: 15.0

Second Stage spent last night at the Woods Hole Hostel. She had a lovely time and enjoyed the massage and spa treats. She says that they worked out a lot of the knots in her muscles and felt a lot better as a result. About leaving the place she says "Breakfast around 0730. Then I'll try to hit the trail as soon as I can, but this is the sort of place that is enchanting and hard to leave."She did get away, with regret, and made excellent time down to Pearisburg. The big problem was the heat. She says that her speed in inversely related to the amount she sweats and apparently she was doing a certain amount of sweating yesterday. She got down to Pearisburg in the early afternoon and enjoyed lunch at a Mexican restaurant. She picked up a mail drop and tried to decide what to do. The day was warm if you are sitting in a cafe enjoying the day but hot if you are Elaine hiking with a pack. It took some serious effort to convince herself to leave Pearisburg and head on north but she did eventually. She had not wanted to have to leave herself too long a walk on Wednesday so getting in a few miles will help. She sends:"Sweaty work climbing Peters mt but survivable. Not to the top yet but getting there. The lights of Pearisburg are bright below me. Trains and traffic noise audible. Hope to make an early start but not as early as if I had stayed in town."She is not looking forward to hiking in the warmth of the next few days. I think she is missing snow on the ground. Maybe later in March and April won't be as hot.Posted by Second Stage Logistics for...
Date: 2012-03-14
From: 4 miles north of Pearisburg

To: Bailey Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: few clouds

Turns out that Second Stage did make it to Bailey Gap Shelter on the 14th.She called from the trail and said she was hoping to get to the shelter but as she would not likely have cell phone service it would be hard to say.Today she sounded tired and sore of feet but was moving on well. She got up pretty early and was trying to beat the heat. Water is scarce along this part of the trail and that was causing problems too since when she is hot she drinks a LOT of water.We will see when she re-emerges from radio silence. This post will be edited when more details emerge.Posted by Second Stage Logistics for...
Date: 2012-03-15
From: Bailey Gap Shelter

To: Sinking Creek Valley, VA Rte 42
Miles today: 17.0

Second Stage hiked in nice but warm weather in the morning and intermittent thunderstorms in the afternoon, arriving at Sinking Creek Shelter in the late afternoon. Having hiked 83 miles in the last five days she was beat and got a ride to Daleville for a couple of days off. Her feet are about ready for a break. She reports that they are throbbing when she puts them up and they remind her of every step when she walks.Hope to have more full journal entries soon.Posted by Second Stage Logistics for...
Date: 2012-03-18
From: Sinking Creek Valley, VA Rte 42

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Second Stage and Doc Rockett woke up at the Howard Johnson's Hotel in Daleville where Doc Rockett met her Saturday night. Homer picked us up at about 7 am and drove us down to Route 42 and dropped us off. Clouds lay across the valleys and the heat and humidity soon made their presence known. We worked our way up to the ridge, passed the Sarver Hollow Shelter, and eventually made it to Niday shelter. It was time for lunch at the shelter. It had not seemed so hot along the ridge or down to the shelter. The valley was cool and pleasant.Crossing the Craig Creek valley we enjoyed the many orchids blooming across the valley floor. Then we started up the hill again. It seemed like a long walk in the warm humid day but finally we made it to the ridge. The bench there was very inviting so we rested for a few minutes. Then it was full steam ahead across the ridge to the Audie Murphy Monument. Since the last time we had been here together the local boy scouts had done a nice job fixing up the monument area and adding some solar lights at the base of the flagpole. Very nice.It was a pleasant walk down the hill to Trout Creek and not as hot as it could have been. The last mile uphill though from the river to the shelter seemed like a long way to walk after 19 miles and the last 0.4 miles from the trail to the shelter felt like a long way even though it is nearly flat. It was good to get into the shelter and relax, although the arrival near dusk did not leave a lot of time to relax.This entry by Doc Rockett (aka Second Stage Logistics)
Date: 2012-03-19
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: VA 624 / Four Pines Hostel
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: few clouds

This was a tough day for Second Stage and Doc Rockett. The hike over Dragon's Tooth was rocky and the scramble up the backbone of the ridge was hot and occasionally rainy. We were relieved when occasional light breezes blew but it was all to rare. Soon after reaching the ridge we paused to put on rain gear, just in time as it turned out. The rain came as soon as we resumed the walk. Fortunately it did not last long and the sun was back out by the time we reached the Dragon's Tooth.The north side of the Tooth is ledgy and very difficult for someone who does not like heights and long reaches down to the next step with a significant drop below. It took some time and a lot of energy for Second Stage to get down the biggest drop and she was really worn down when she was down onto the easier part of the trail. When we got down to Route 624 it seemed like time to relax for a while so we stopped at the Four Pines Hostel.This entry by Doc Rockett (aka Second Stage Logistics)
Date: 2012-03-21
From: Lambert Meadow Shelter

To: Daleville
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: light rain

Second Stage has been joined by Doc Rockett for a few days. This post is by Doc Rockett since Second Stage can not type very well with her wrist injured.We got up and had breakfast. Second Stage's arm was hurting more than the previous day and we were worried about it. Doc Rockett took care of the camp chores and got us packed up with Second Stage helping as she could. The injured wrist was really making that difficult. In the end she got away from the shelter first with Doc Rockett finishing up and following a few minutes later and shortly before the section hikers were set to leave.The trail is quite easy for several miles after the Lambert Meadow Shelter so we made good time for the first hour and a half. After that the trail turns more rocky and our pace slowed. It was warm and humid on the ridges and Second Stage does not like heat. Most of the morning was spent bumping up and down along the ridge. Rock scrambles are never Second Stage's favorite things and with only one hiking stick, being worried about falling on her injured wrist and hurting it worse, and without the ability to use her right hand to grab rocks the trail was causing her some concern.As we neared Daleville we began to see day hikers up from town. They may have come to the trail for the views but it was cloudy and there were clouds well down in the valleys so there was not much to see for most of the walk. We caught glimpses of Daleville from time to time and the Interstate became increasingly noisy.Finally the ridge ended and we began the easier downward walk, winding back and forth across the ridge down into the valley. Around lunch time we arrived in Daleville and checked into the Howard Johnson's hotel where Doc Rockett had left the car when he came out to join Second Stage.When we were cleaned up and had a bit of lunch we headed down to Roanoke to get her wrist looked at. It turned out to be a break in her Radius bone near the wrist. Not bad (the break was not displaced and there was no need to set the bone or for surgery) but bad enough. It was also increasingly painful. The hospital visit went smoothly and after x-rays they put a splint on the arm.Unfortunately this means that Second Stage is off the trail for now. Whether or how she can return to the trail remains to be seen. Stay tuned for further updates.Written by Doc Rockett for Second Stage.
Date: 2012-03-24
From: Daleville

To: Home in Illinois
Miles today: 0.0

Second Stage rode with Doc Rockett home where she can get her broken wrist taken care of by her normal health provider without extra fees and going to the emergency room. She will be off the trail for a while until she decides what to do about the broken arm.Posted by Second Stage Logistics ("Doc Rockett" on the trail) for...
Date: 2012-03-31
From: Home in Illinois

To: Road
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: mist

Second Stage is heading back to the trail today and probably April 1st. She may get some miles in on the first. Stay tuned for details.Second Stage got her cast looked at yesterday and they loosened it a bit. Now her arm does not feel like it is falling asleep and she is more comfortable. The arm still hurts but she has decided that she is ready to try to go back to the trail. Our son Ethan is joining her for his week of Spring Break, which will be a big help in getting settled back into the idea of hiking the trail.Her right (dominant) hand being broken means that she can not type very well so she will not be providing detailed reports on her days for a while but we will try to keep you up to date on her plans.Since she is very restricted on use of her right hand and has some pain she plans to slack pack herself for a while and stay in hotels. She has to keep the cast dry according to the orthopedists so she will have to be careful about hiking on days when there is much rain forecast. Staying in hotels will also allow her to dry the cast with a hair dryer in case she gets it slightly damp. Plastic bags and duck tape should help on wet days.She is not sure how hiking with a broken arm will go so stay tuned for details and any other changes of plans.Posted by Second Stage Logistics for...
Date: 2012-04-01
From: Road

To: Daleville
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

After I received treatment in the Rapid Care Unit at Carilion Hospital in Roanoke I decided to go home for a while. The x-rays showed a break, which was splinted before I left the hospital.   The further treatment was to wait for a week and then have a cast put on. It made much more sense to go back to Champaign to wait and have the cast put on there.   Doc Rockett being at hand to shuttle me home made the decision and the process very easy.   Thanks, Dear.To my surprise I was told I could return to hiking. The only restrictions were to keep the cast absolutely dry and not lift more than 5 pounds. Since I was having trouble just dressing myself, the latter restriction didn¢t really limit me more than I already was. Keeping the cast dry might prove to be more of a challenge, however.Our son Ethan already had plane tickets to come out to Virginia and hike with me over his spring break. We decided to change the plan and have him drive out with me and then fly back to Indiana after break was over.So, as planned, I drove to Terre Haute. It was a bit awkward with the cast, but I managed. Fortunately Ethan was able to share the driving duties. It was a nice drive with redbuds and dogwoods showing off pink and white blossoms all along the route. We stopped in Charleston, WV to break up the drive and continued on Sunday, arriving at Daleville around lunchtime. The motel staff welcomed me back, recognizing me from my two previous stays.The next step was to get ourselves together and get busy hiking or go have lunch. Ethan felt it was too late in the day to just set out hiking, and, being a young, hungry male, he thought lunch sounded just right, especially if it was *soon*!Well, there we were in Daleville, not too far from Catawba. Whatever should we do? How about Sunday lunch at The Homeplace?   The parking lot was full and groups of people in their Sunday best waited on the porch or strolled the grounds. We expected to have to wait, but to our surprise we were seated immediately. We ordered the 3-meat all-you-can-eat deal.Ethan moaned and chuckled his appreciation as he chowed down on roast beef, fried chicken, country ham, dinner rolls (lots of dinner rolls), apple butter, cooked apples, mashed potatoes, green beans and plenty of other fixins. The waitress was attentive and replenished the serving dishes as they were emptied. I was more restrained, but content. We waddled out when we couldn¢t fit any more food in.The next order of business was to drive to the Roanoke airport and rent a car. We had figured that that option would be less expensive and require less planning than arranging a shuttle everyday. We could make more miles if we didn¢t have to do every day as an out-and-back. And I was certainly hoping to hike some miles to make up time for the lost week and a half.We spent what was left of the day organizing gear a bit and relaxing. I looked forward to being out hiking the next day.
Date: 2012-04-02
From: Daleville

To: Taylor Gap Overlook
Miles today: 14.4

Second Stage has returned to the trail. Because of her broken arm she is slack packing until the arm is healed more. Today she and her son Ethan walked back from Taylor Gap Overlook to Daleville. She reports that her arm swelled quite a bit during the day and was quite uncomfortable. New boots are also contributing to taking her mind off the arm by reminding her of her feet. Going over stiles was also a challenge. Still, with help from her Booster Rockett she made the hike but was glad to relax at the end of the day. Posted by Second Stage Logistics for...
Date: 2012-04-03
From: Taylor Gap Overlook

To: Bearwallow Gap
Miles today: 7.2

Short day for Second Stage and Booster Rockett. They enjoyed a pleasant walk with great views. They met several section hikers. Note that in this area Second Stage is walking southbound on a daily basis as she is slackpacking in honor of her broken arm. The shorter walk was over by lunch time and she found that her arm was much less swollen at the end of the day. The biggest problem is that she is used to hiking with two trekking poles and with the broken arm she can only use one. Still, she had a great day.Posted by Second Stage Logistics for...
Date: 2012-04-05
From: Bearwallow Gap

To: Jennings Creek
Miles today: 6.6

Second stage did a shorter hike yesterday. It was rainy some and she tried methods to keep her cast dry but mostly found that sweat accumulates inside plastic bags and that can be just as bad as anything else. She said the walk was very pleasant though. She met section hiker Ground Pounder and ran across a couple of through hikers she has met before, Ice Man and Viking. She hopes the weather stays nice for a few days so she does not have to worry about the cast and rain.Posted by Second Stage Logistics for...
Date: 2012-04-18
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

The cast was removed and the arm x-rayed on Tuesday. I now have a splint on the arm that allows a bit more movement in the hand and fingers. Typing is still not great, but I¢m able to do more than when I had the cast on.I¢ve posted a full entry for 4/1/12 and plan to provide more entries in the next few days.Thanks for all your good wishes.
Date: 2012-05-02
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Six weeks. It¢s been six weeks since I fell and broke my arm.Two weeks ago the cast was removed, the arm x-rayed and then splinted. Since I was told to stay home and heal, that¢s what I¢ve been doing. For five minutes a day I am allowed to take off the splint and stretch my hand and bend the wrist this way and that so it doesn¢t stiffen in place.I thought about ignoring the advice to stay home and head back to the Trail, but realistically there are many things that are just beyond what I can reasonably do right now ¢ important things, like using trekking poles and packing my backpack. So, for now, I wait and urge my arm to heal. And I think.Sometimes it seems like a long, long time ago that I was hiking along in Virginia. The months on the Trail seem almost like a sweet, half-remembered dream from a different time.   I notice changes in my body. I¢ve gained back some of the weight I lost. The muscles are growing soft; the muscles in my right arm especially are noticeably flaccid now from lack of use. The calluses on my feet are peeling, and the dead skin is sloughing off. The bruising from the broken arm is almost gone. The odd tan lines from the pack straps on my shoulders and chest have faded enough to be barely distinguishable. But other marks the Trail has left on me are slower to fade. The cool, early morning breeze on my skin when I let the dog out makes me want to grab my pack and head out. I still marvel at the miracle of hot water raining down on me in the shower. I miss the slower rhythm of the Trail, its simplicity. I notice how totally cut off from nature living inside can be. I have to keep in mind where bathrooms are. Instead of being liberating, the vast number of choices available to me in daily life weighs me down. I ponder my arm in its splint. Next week, will I get the all-clear to hike?   Physical therapy had been discussed ¢ how long will *that* take until my hand and arm are strong enough to do what needs to be done? How long can I be here at home and still have the heart and fire to return to the Trail, before the vortex of home and community pull me in? I know I won¢t restart the hike where I left off. The heat and the calendar will both be against me; it took me 2 12 months to hike 1/3 of the 2200 miles. Should I just take the miles I¢ve done and count them as a great experience and part of the section hike I¢ve been working on since 2001? Should I resume further up north, say, in New Jersey, and hope to make my way to Katahdin, then flip and do New Jersey to Virginia? I don¢t know the answer to these questions, but I¢m trying to keep in mind one of the lessons from the Trail: things have a way of working out.One more week¢¦.
Date: 2012-05-10
From: Home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, ok. The bone has healed, but the wrist and hand are weak, stiff and, umm, delicate. The splint is off and I¢ve been given a referral for physical therapy. I¢ve been protecting and babying the wrist so much that it feels very vulnerable right now. A couple of times I¢ve bumped it or caught it on something when I was moving and it really hurt. Now I have an over-the-counter wrist wrap on it to give it some light protection (and me some confidence!).I won¢t get into physical therapy until next week, and I¢m scheduled for a followup near the end of May.My thanks to everyone who has offered advice and encouragement through my guestbook and email and phone calls. I have spent quite a lot of time thinking about what I want out of the hike going forward. My failed attempt at a thru hike in 2010 left me very disappointed (Can you say ¢Pity party?¢), and I was worried that another busted hike would have me pitching my pack over a cliff. But this time it¢s different. I feel that I got much more out of the 700 miles I hiked this year than any other hike I¢ve done. I could quit now for this year and still be happy. I could work a bit more on eventually finishing the multi-year section hike that began in 2001. Or I could still try to finish the thru hike this year.Given how much time I¢ve lost, I would need to do a flipflop, restart further north, hike to Katahdin, and then hike the middle section. At the moment I¢m hoping to restart in Bennington, VT around the middle of June. My hopes are that the weather will still be cool enough to suit me, the worst of the black fly season will be partly over, yet I may have enough time to make it to Katahdin before the weather gets bad. I haven¢t hiked in Vermont north of Bennington, but I¢m hoping the terrain will give me a chance to toughen up for the Whites and Maine. I have some idea what to expect in New Hampshire and Maine and know that I¢d really like to have the full use of my right hand and arm before facing the rocks.If I manage to continue on north and summit Katahdin, I could either return to Bennington and hike to Virginia and complete the thru, or I could just do the last 100 miles in NY and NJ to complete the section hike and call it a year.The plan is still evolving, and a lot depends on how quickly I get the use of my arm back. I tried loading a backpack yesterday and it was just too much for my wrist. I¢m hoping a couple of weeks will be sufficient to change that. Until then, the Trail isn¢t going anywhere, so I¢ll try to be patient.Thanks again for all the good wishes I¢ve been receiving.