morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-06-11
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: moderate rain

I awoke to a stuffy head and ominous clouds. I was afraid I was coming down with a bad cold. I had 2 phone numbers handy in case I needed to get a ride off the mountain. A shuttle from Hot Springs might be able to pick me up at a road crossings a few miles up the trail.I asked two of my shelter mates to keep an eye out for me on the trail in case I needed assistance. I still wasn't sure or confident how my body would react once I started hiking.I was out of the shelter at 7:40AM hiking slowly to see how I felt. The 1,500 foot climb over the first 6 miles would normally be a piece of cake for the 3 of us but I was unsure of hiking alone this morning and I looked at my watch and the trail map often.When I did the first climb in better than 2 miles per hour I felt I would be OK if the rain wasn't too bad. Then when my head cleared I realized that I didn't have a cold and my ill feeling yesterday afternoon had passed.Once I reached the beautiful bald summit of Max Patch I knew I would be fine but I didn't tarry long as there were dark storm clouds on the horizon.The descent from Max Patch to the Roaring Fork Shelter was easy and a note from CO and J2 in the shelter register boosted my spirits. After lunch at the shelter and refilling my water bottles at the spring I was out again quickly.I arrived at the Walnut Mountain shelter at 1:20PM. This 80 year old shelter has a leaky roof, sleeps 5 on a good day, has no picnic table or pegs for hanging gear, and showcased the only mouse I saw on my trip. The privy and spring are far away, and the spring had a very poor flow. Catsup, a shelter mate of my friends last night was there, and Poet & his girlfriend Sarah arrived later to help brighten my mood. A group of 12 hikers, on a chuch outing, arrived late and tented nearby.I was feeling so good when I arrived that I would have hiked to the next shelter if it was only 3 or 5 miles away; unfortunately it was 10.We had heavy rain in the evening and through most of the night. But the trail to Hot Springs was a tantalizing 10 feet in front of the shelter and I was like a colied spring ready to hit it as early as possible in the morning. Catsup could see my intense focus and kided that he wouldn't get in my way in the AM.
Date: 2012-06-12
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Sunnybank Inn (Hot Springs, NC)
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

It was not raining at 5:30 AM when I lowered my food bag from the cables outside the shelter. I hurridly ate breakfast, assembled my gear and was out of the shelter and on the trail at 6:20 AM. Everyone is still fast asleep when I left. I set a fast pace, wanting to get in as many miles as possible before the rains came. I assaulted the 1,000 foot climb up Bluff Mountain, doing the first 2 miles of the day in less than 1 hour. I sped through 4 more miles of mostly downhill hiking before taking a short break at Garenflo Gap. There I put away my rain jacket when the sun emerged. I pushed the pace, attacking every PUD I encountered, and finally reached the turnoff for the Deer Park Mountain Shelter at 10:20. I had hiked 9.5 miles in 4 hours. At the shelter a hiker told me CO and Sigi had spent the night there and left for town later than normal. With even more enthusiasm I sped out of the shelter and immediately took a "face plant" after slipping on a wet log. My hands helped to cushion the blow, and though I had mud on my face I was fortuneately uninjured.I hiked the last 3.6 miles into town in 1 hour, 10 minutes. As I emerged from the woods into town, I passed the small blue surveyor's flag I had tied onto a sapling to mark the ending point of my hike last year. I had officially concluded my 1 month, 284 mile hike but it didn't really register. I was joyous but my goal was the Inn.When I entered the Inn at 11:30 AM J2 was first to greet me congratulating me on the conclusion of my hike. CO and Sigi were already settled in their room. CO didn't expect me till tomorrow and was shocked to see me, especially when he heard about the speed of my hike this morning. He said he and Sigi had a problem hiking over the same terrain yesterday. They had expected me to arrive tomorrow, not an hour after they had reached the Inn themselves. In hindsight I don't know why they were suprised. My last 3 hikes were according to my original hiking schedule. However, I did complete today's 13.1 mile hike earlier in the day than they could have imagined.The 3 of us did laundry, had lunch, stopped at the outfitter, and then went to the library to use their computers. I left the library early to take a shower and a nap. Sigi seemed ill at ease from the moment I said hello to her at the Inn. Later as we prepared to go to dinner, CO told me that he and Sigi changed their plans and would be leaving for the trail in the morning since their mail drops had arrived today, and the 3 of us had a chance to reunite a day early. With a short day today of 3.6 miles, and many more miles ahead on their own individual journey, I sort of understood them wanting to leave me and get back on the trail but their decision was still a punch in the gut.Our "last supper" together was still a surreal experience as they talked about the places ahead of them on the trail while I was headed in the opposite direction, toward home.I headed for the Inn before them and had a fitfull sleep knowing my hike was over.
Date: 2012-07-05
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hike EpilogueLife is made up of small comings and goings, and for everything a man takes with him there is something he must leave behind.My 300 mile hike taught me I have far fewer limitations than I thought I did. Now, each day I seek new challenges, while I strive to eliminate old routines and activities that no longer seem important or worthwhile.On the trail, I hope I left behind a naivety that I carried far too long.As with previous long distance hikes and vacations it¢s the people that endure in my memory. This month-long hike is no different.My trail comrades, you know who you are. Together, we experienced steep climbs, long days, shelters, scenic overlooks, hostels, campfires, rain, trail towns, and far too many PUDs. I couldn¢t have hiked the trail without you, and without you I wouldn't have enjoyed my journey half as much. Thanks!
Date: 2011-05-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Wow - I can't believe I am writing on here. I've been reading journals here for months getting ready for our section hike. Several people asked if I was going to blog about our experience on the trail. Kinda nervous about it, but I figure if I'm willing to step outside the box and challenge my body for two months I can certainly risk people getting to know me. So here I am. We decided in December or January to take the summer hiking. I've been reading blogs and talking to people trying to prepare. I'm a planner but I can only prepare and plan for so much. The rest, well, pray that I have the strength to go with the flow. Well, 13 days left of school. We're starting the first day of my official summer, June 4. We're leaving from Harpers Ferry and going north. Not sure where we'll end up by the end of July. We are both looking forward to time together with no real distractions. Oh - by both I mean Brandon, my husband, and me. Our dog, Aspen, will be staying with my in-laws. Gonna miss my little aspenator. Okay, gotta go. Bye.
Date: 2011-05-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

For the last three Saturdays, I have been hiking in the mornings with my trainer. He is so great to do this with me. Anyway, today I went with my pack. It was almost 30lbs. There were so many people out today. It was great to see people enjoying the beautiful weather outdoors. We even saw a group of boyscouts. We passed many actual hikers too. I want so bad to stop and ask them about their journey, but I know they are headed somewhere and probably don't want to be bothered with talking to me about thier hike so far. I really wonder, though, how they are doing, what their trip has been like, where they started at. I really dont' want to be a burden to those who already how so much going on (physically and mentally). So, I'll just keep wondering to myself. We have been doing our Saturday hikes in Boonsboro, MD. I have so much left to do. Just when I think I am getting done, I find something else to do. I will have the meals completed before I go to bed on Sunday. Then I have to figure out where all of these boxes are going. Some awesome people at work have been really generous with thier offers to help. So, I'm hitting them up for food drops, they live on over very near to the trail. Still have to wash and pack our clothes. I'm going to wash our clothes in the tick repellant stuff the fabulous people at REI suggested.I have to get my classroom packed up, inventories done, supplies ordered, grades done, report cards entered, assessments given and graded by the end of the day June 3rd. I'm only a little stressing. That's only work stuff. I have the most terrific job in the world. So, I am definitely not complaining. I'm just listing what needs to be done. Is it even fair to call it a job since I so thoroughly enjoy it?Okay, now I have to get off of here and get busy doing all of those things I have left to do. Bye.
Date: 2011-05-31
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We leave on Saturday! It is already Tuesday. Wish us luck I just spent the day at the park with my 2nd graders. Wow-all of you already out there hiking - my thoughts are with you. The heat and humidity are absolutely aweful. Two days left of school. The tears will flow soon. I am going to miss my lovely little group. Trying to relax before my world completely turns to green and heat. Oh so looking forward to that. Talk more later ya'll.
Date: 2011-06-03
To: Harper's Ferry, WV
Miles today: 0.0

Hello people. It's our last night home. We just had a very nice evening out with friends and family. I ate way too much food. I shouldn't have had dessert. Oh well. I am sure I'll walk it off tomorrow. Gotta get up bright and early. We want to be on the trail by 7:30. My mother-in-law will be here at 6:30 a.m. to pick us up. We are very excited. It is sinking in that I won't see my little Aspenator for almost 2 months. Now I am getting a little weepy. That will be the hardest part for me, not seeing my puppy. Well, he's a year and a half. He's so cute. Thank you to everyone who is supporting me in this. It means a lot to me having people believe in me. It will be hard work. Brandon and I are there to help each other when things get tough. We'll be just fine. We are excited but I am a little nervous. I think my pack is too heavy. I don't know what not to take. I took everything out of the pack and I absolutely need everything. What do I not take: sleeping bag, sleeping pad, first aid kit, basic hygiene, clothes (only one change of clothing), trowel, washcloth, headlamp, insect repellent, sunblock, rain poncho, shower shoes, food? Ugh. I took out every little thing that was extra that was in there just for comfort. I am left with the bare necessities. Well, if you see anything that I can leave or send home, let me know.Very sleepy now. Big day tomorrow. Enjoy your summer! We certainly will. Good night.
Date: 2011-06-04
From: Harper's Ferry, WV

To: Crampton Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: overcast clouds

What a day!Ran a little late so didn't get on thbe trail until 9:35. I am so proud of myself. We went up the same way we did last year- up from the c & o canal to weaverton road then up to the weaveron overlook. Last year I had so much troublegoing up. We had to stop several times for me to rest. Not this year. I cruised up it!! Yeah - I rock. Thank you Lee for getting me ready for this. All of our work is paying off! The overlook at weaverton was terrific. We ended up eating lunch there. So beautiful. I must tell you, my feet were killing me about 7 miles in. I told the pedicure girl to cut my toenails short but she didn't. So when we finally made it to our campsite and got our tent pitched and rested for about 20 minutes, I hacked my toenails. I don't feel one bit guilty about it. Maybe tomorrow's climb won't be so painful.Now we are cookingthose fine meals I worked so hard to prepare. Again,I rock. Brandon has been a great cheerleader. His coke can stove works fabulously. He rocks too. Well, it is time to eat. More from us later. Bye.
Date: 2011-06-05
From: Crampton Gap Shelter

To: Dahlgren - Boonesboro, MD
Miles today: 6.8

Been walking 2 days and we're only in Boonesboro. I was just here Thursday and it only took me 30 minutes to drive here. Hmmmmmmm.Had a terrible night trying to sleep. I say trying because I didn't actually get to sleep until 6:30 this korning and I think that is only because of complete exhaustion. Both of us just hurt so badly and couldn't get comfortable. It actually hurt to lay there. Well, after not sleeping all night, we weren't in a hurry to get going so we slept until about 9:00. Had oatmeal with grapenuts in it for breakfast. I like my oatmeal sweet so I added some sweets from our trail mix bag. MMMMM oarmeal with M&M's and jelly beans. Good - but not recommended for daily use. We went down a crazy steep,long hill today. It looked and felt like a crazy cobblestone street gone through too many earthquakes - and that is a mild description.Brandon said it reminded him of a dried up creek bed.I am glad I chopped my toenails yesterday, otherwise I never would have made it. Myythighs were burning so bad from having to use them to keep myself from falling down the hill. Brandon's feet were bothering him on that stretch also. There were several uphill hauls also. But at this point we just put our heads down and soldier on. One step at a time. More peanutbutter and tortillas for lunch today. I wonder if I will like peanut butter when we're through.Met some nice people yesterday when we started off. One guy was Mr. Cold Ears. Not sure the other guy's name. He was starting his flip-flop hike. That is when you start in the middle and go iin one direction until you reach the end (Kahtadin or Springer Mt.) then you go back to the middle and go in the other direction. He'll do the whole 2181 miles, just in a different ordr. Mr. Cold Ears is doing a section hike also. Last night we met some nice thru hikers. Brandon went and talked with them a while. I, on the other hand, crashed. I couldn't sleep because I was so sore But I did lay there wishing for tghe pain to go away. Well, I think I'm done for now. I need to wash out our clothes. Don't get too excited about our accommodations. I put our clothes in a trashbag with some water and 2 leaves of soap, mix it all together,and wring out. Lovely. Later people! WE ARE HAVING A GREAT TIME. I even ate two crackers that fell on the ground. Yes, me. Brandon just laughed at me. I was hungry.
Date: 2011-06-06
From: Dahlgren - Boonesboro, MD

To: Pogo Campground
Miles today: 8.9

Hello people. We're here ar our night's home. It is a slightly steep incline so I am laying here sliding. Gonna be an interesting night. Well last night we slept beautifully. It was great. Woke up refreshed and ready to go. We got to take a shower last night. dahlgren has a bath house. The toilets were clean but the showers were scary. But we are both thankful for the shower. We played frisbee last night. Had a great time. I learned that throwing a frisbee is all in my knees. Now I know many of you will disagree with me on that. That is okay. But I tell you, once I started bending my knees to toss it went right where it was supposed to. I have always been a wee-bit different though. Wow! Let me tell you about our trek today.   We went the Washington's Monument in Boonsboro. That was quite nice. Wonderful views. You know, we live in a very picturesque place. We are truly blessed. After that, we made it up the rocky hill from the unmentionable place. It was easily a mile to a mile and a half of total rocks, very steep. It was one step at a time for me.   It took me so long to get up it. Unbelievable! Brandon even had a time of it. Of course, he did go up a lot faster than I did. He stopped and cheered me on a couple of times. Once we made it up, we ate lunch. Not much farther on we came to Annapolis Rock. Of course we went to it. It is amazing to me how many day hikers just come out here and do these crazy rock hills just to look out over a rock. Well it was very pretty. It did make me feel bad for a while though. Here I am struggling up these rocks, at times, and here come some freshfaced day hikers smiing in their crocs, no.sweat. Well, Brandon had to put things in perspective for me. He reminded me that I have 34 lbs on my back, been hiking for three days, sleeping in a tent on the ground, and have walked many more miles than them today. Okay. I love day hiking so no dis on them at all. I'm just saying how I felt today about my abilities, or lack of. I'm good now. Had to power through, and at times that means slowly. What matters is that I do what I set out to do.   I WILL DO IT! I forgot to mention we crossed the the I-70 foot bridge today! It was cool. We have one more night to spend after tonight in a tent. Then we are staying one night in a B&B in PA. That's right folks, 2 more days and we are in PA!   Can you say WHOO-HOO! Okay, my dinner is getting cold. I love to eat. Good-night.Brandon's addendum:Jen saw 2 deer, a brown spotted frog and a silverish snake with black criss-crosses on it. Of course, she never would have seen the deer unless I pointed them out. Even worse, the frog almost was squashed and the snake, if it was any closer, would have jumped out and... well you get thee idea.
Date: 2011-06-10
From: Blue Ridge Summit, PA

To: Blue Ridge Summit, PA
Miles today: 0.0

Hey ya'll! Today was a zero day.   We said we wanted to enjoy ourselves while pressing our bodies to do more than wwe have ever asked them to do before. So, today we have been resting up letting our blisters heal a bit. Well, I say rest but we did hike about 3.5 miles to Wal-Mart in Rouzerville. Luckily it was all down hill. Wouldn't you know it, I even got blisters doing that. Yes, I wore my camp shoes which are rubber like crocs. I am not so smart some time. But I couldn't walk in my boots today so I didn't have any choice. Well, we stopped at a great little restaurant for lunch. We each had a large salad and we shared hot wings (only 3 each, I promise). Brandon surprised me with a dessert which was really good -we shared it.   While at Wal-Mart, e resupplied our first-aid kit and got a new knife for me. It is smaller but it will do the job. We went to Subway there to waste time and figure out how we were going to make it back to the B&B - 3 miles straight up PA16. We tried hitching a ride down with no luck so we didn't think we'd have luck getting back. Well, while sitting there dressing my new blisters (don't worry-I just put band-aids on), an older gentleman began talking to us. He was there with his 85 year old mother. Their names are Grandma and Darryl. We talked with them for a long time. They are Christ followers too. It was nice talking with them. She is a great, great grandmother. She has 12 children and 2 great, great grandchildren.As they were leaving, they asked us if we wanted a ride back up the mountain. Brandon and I just looked at each other in shock.Of course we took them up on the offer. When we got back to the B&B we just hugged each other and cried a litte bit. God is so faithful to us. Soooo good. They are our first unsolicited trail angels. We leave in the morning. Breakfast is at 8:00 then we are off again. We are only going to do about 5 miles tomorrow. We want to give our feet some time to harden up some more before going back to 10 mile days. Let me tell you about breakfast this morning. They fed us each a 1/3 of a cantalope, fresh strawberries, 2 fried eggs (I only ate the whites), 2 pieces of bacon (yes, I did eat those - yum!), and a bagel with cream cheese (I only ate half). What a great breakfast. We got a sub to share for dinner (turkey on wheat). We are both losing weight but we don't want to get into the habit of eating bad for you things on our zero days. So a little treats and the rest sensible good for you food. Brandon's beard is coming in. Yuck. He loves it and promises he won't shave it until we get home at the end of July. Ugh. It makes him happy so I am not vexing him about it. But he is teasing me about it. That is fine, we just laugh about it. We are having such a wonderful time. These memories will be with us forever. Okay, I am hungry again. Subway here I come (We got a sub to go for dinner tonight). Gotta eat! Bye.
Date: 2011-06-11
From: Blue Ridge Summit, PA

To: Tumbling Run Shelter
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: haze

Well hello there people. Yes, this is a short day. We wanted to let our blisters continue to   heal. they are healing upnicely. Today we made great time. The walk was nice. Not too many big ups or downs. We stopped at Tumbling Run shelter for the night. It was only 1:15 when we pulled in. That is early but , like I said we want to let the blisters harden up. The blisters are healing nicely. We are looking at oour schedule for camping spots. Did you know you have to pay to camp in Caledonia? You even have to pay $3 for a shower. I thought spigot water was still free. Who knew. Well, this new information is altering our plans a bit I think. This shelter is quite nice. Not as nice as Raven Rock. However, this one has a few oddites that make it great. There is a doorbell on the privy door, toilet paper and hand sanitizer in the privy, there is a snoring side and a non- snoring side, cute faces on trees, eve magazines to read if we are so inclined. Our tent is down by the creek. The creek is down an embankment so I am not worried about getting swept away in a bad storm. This morning we had the same breakfast as we did yesterday and it was just as good. They even put some just picked snap peason our plate because they heard we like our vegetables. How nice of them. Anyway, they even did our laundry. I tell you they deserve a medal for that. Talk about rank. i don't think I have ever smelled or my clothes ever smelled so badly. There was a claw foot tub that I just soaked in after we first got there. The owners are Ray and Bob. They are nice. The bed was really soft and the pillows are heavenly. It is getting ready to storm here. Brandon went to secure the tent and we are going to ride it out in the shelter.   I know I mentioned the good time we made today. I just feel so good hiking. It is the blisters that hold uss back. Brando is doing a spread sheet (I know, I am thinking it too) to tell the storyof our milage. Apparently, we have to average 7.2 miles a day to make it to Bear Mountain on time. We were ahead of it until we took our zero day at Blue Ridge Summit. Now we are 6 miles behind. We will make it up as our blisters harden up. Our legs aren't having difficulty, our our spirits and will. Alright, I am going now. No, I am not hungry. I just need to get up and stretch. I am losing weight so there isn't as much on my rump to pad the picnic table. More later.