morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-07-09
From: Front Royal

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 0.0

It has been two weeks since our last zero day and our legs are ready for a break! Don't worry, we did shower and do laundry a few times since then .Here are some highlights:- We had a great time at the Devils Backbone Brewery in Roseland, VA. The food was delicious, the beers tasty and the staff friendly. They even let hikers tent on their property and make a hiker-only breakfast in the morning. This is the best breakfast we have had on the trail so far! They are located in the middle of nowhere but I would highly recommend visiting if you are in the area.- We passed by the Priest shelter and took a long break there. Shelters have a log book which people can sign and add a message. The message is usually a random thought or maybe some info for hikers behind them. At the Priest, however, the tradition is to confess your sins in the shelter log book. Let me just say it was quite entertaining! The top 3 sins are: 1) not bear-bagging (hanging food up in a tree away from bears), 2) not burying poop, 3) killing bugs. We have been guilty of #3, but I am proud to say we have not committed sins #1 and 2.- After a short stop in Waynesboro, we entered the Shenandoah National Park (SNP), which includes over 100 miles of the AT. While the southern part of the park was somewhat boring (i.e., a green tunnel), the central and northern parts offered some nice landscape and views. - We spent the 4th of July at the Lewis Campground in the SNP and met some really nice people. A group from DC invited us to sit around their campfire and shared their dinner with us. We had a really fun time with them and stayed up until 11pm, way past our normal bedtime! Then the next day, another camper offered to slack-pack us for 8 miles. Slack packing is when you hike without all your gear. In this case, our trail angel drove our gear to the next restaurant in the park. It was nice to hike without a load for a few hours!- Another great feature of the SNP is the numerous restaurants. Since the AT follows the Skyline drive, we got to eat at 5 different restaurants. It is going to be hard to go back to only having burgers and beer when we are in town...- Justin encountered a mama bear with her cubs in a tree. He was looking at the trail and talking with another hiker and so didn't notice her until he was pretty close. She ran at him for a brief, scary moment but then stopped and went back to her cubs. A park ranger later told us that this kind of "bluff charge" is normal behavior and doesn't represent a real threat. We are now off the Harpers Ferry, WV, the psychological half-point of the trail. Once we get there, we will take a few days off to go to Washington, DC. Yes, we will be taking a vacation from our vacation and we are looking forward to it!
Date: 2015-07-17
From: Washington DC

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

There have been a lot of milestones since our last entry!- We (finally!) finished the section of the trail in Virginia. Our second to last day consisted of the "roller coaster", a rocky 13.5-mi section of trail that goes up-and-down (by ~200-500 ft) many, many times. Our feet and our legs were so tired by the end of that section, but VA went out with a bang!- While in the roaller coaster, we also passed the 1000-mile mark on the trail. I am really proud to have made it this far!- We then entered West Virginia and arrived in Harpers Ferry, the psychological half-way point of the trail and headquarters for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC). We were NOBO hikers #1249 and #1250 to arrive at the ATC this year.- After a quick stop at the ATC, we took the train to Washington, DC for a mini-vacation. Our DC trip is almost over and it was a fun one! We got to do all the things one can do in a city and that we had not done since leaving in March, such as getting Indian food and going to Whole Foods . Our Indian dinner was made even more special as we met with our friends from DC. Aside from eating and resupplying, we walked around the city and went to a few museums. It was relaxing and a nice change of pace from the trail.We are now heading back to Harpers Ferry and will start hiking again tomorrow.
Date: 2015-08-17
From: Dalton, MA

To: Cheshire MA
Miles today: 9.3

Hi again! After a (very long) 3-week hiatus, we are back on the trail. We restarted from Dalton, MA, which is about 430 miles from where we got off in PA, for a number of reasons including the more gentle terrain, ease of access from Boston and proximity of towns should my feet decide they are not ready to hike hundreds of miles...Since this was our first day back, we took it easy and hiked 9 miles to the next town. For the record, my feet disagree with the rest of my body on this being an easy day... After getting dinner and ice cream, we are now relaxing at the St. Mary of the Assumption Church function room, which serves as a hostel for hikers. Father Raymond was extremely welcoming and we have been talking with a few hikers we met earlier on the trail (Prana, Cesar).Let's hope we can do a slightly longer day tomorrow!
Date: 2015-03-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

When I started writing this journal, I didn't expect it to last. I have never been a diligent journal-keeper, though I have tried many times. I can't tell you how many notebooks have been discarded after only a few days' worth of entries.The point of the journal, really, was to update regularly with simple posts so that my family and friends would know that I was safe, and hadn't been eaten by a bear or fallen off of a cliff in the forest, never to be seen or heard from again. That way, I wouldn't have to bother sending out massive emails or text messages on a regular basis. I joked with my sister that my posts would just say, "I'm hungry!" and "I want to take a shower!"But they soon became more than that. They became a way for me to process and work through the thoughts and emotions that I encounter every day on the trail. I started trying to keep track of more details, knowing that they would help my future self remember what may be the greatest adventure of my life.The journal has been good for me, good for my emotional state and to keep my mind working, even while my body is so tired.Stories of pizza, M&Ms, friendships new and old, and difficulties with pooping in the woods have filled my internet pages. And, hopefully, there are many more to come.
Date: 2015-03-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I have been preparing for the AT for months. The start date is now approaching and my last-minute to-do list is GROWING instead of shrinking. I am lucky that I have an amazing support system at home to help pick up the slack I have dehydrated a lot of vegetables (thanks Uncle Clyde and Auntie Pat!), and prepared a TON of mail drops to get me through the journey - this way, I can save a little money and make sure that I am eating well. It is also nice because I can have my mom throw in any other small things I might need - and I have a whole bunch of "just in case" things prepared... hair elastics, sunscreen, tent patches... and extra chocolate The plan is to leave on the 30th of March, take two days to get to Georgia, and hit the trail on April 1st. I think it is very appropriate, because sometimes I do feel very foolhardy in this attempt.I am incredibly excited but also nervous, mostly of the unknowns that are before me. But I know that I am as prepared as I can be and that it will be an amazing and awesome journey. Hopefully I will be able to check in with friends and family regularly.So the real countdown has begun! Soon I will be on the road, and then on the trail!
Date: 2015-03-23
To: One Week Until Departure
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Although Alexa and I will be halfway to the trail in a week, I am still scrambling to finish some last-minute preparations, though none are really that vital.One problem that I have run into is that part of the plastic backplate of my backpack has broken and cracked. Not a good thing so close to departure, but hopefully Granite Gear customer service can help.I took a nice 14-mile walk today with my pack to help train, and was walking through a parking lot while waiting for my wonderful mother to pick me up (thanks again, mom!) when a woman and her husband walked past me and asked if I was training for the Appalachian Trail (surely I wasn't really going camping, right?). I told them I leave in a week, and they encouraged me and wished me luck.The amount of support that I have received even just PLANNING for this trip has been incredibly overwhelming and humbling. Complete strangers that I cross on the street while walking with my pack wish me luck. It makes me feel very lucky to have the opportunity to do what I am doing.To talk of strangers is to say nothing about the support of my friends and family. I have received amazing gifts - tent, jacket, sleeping bag, sleeping pad... countless little things that have all made a big impact in making it possible for me to prepare for the trip. I would have no chance of succeeding without the support of so many people. The moral support is the most important, and overwhelming. Even when I tell people, "Don't let me give up unless I have a really good reason!", they tell me that even if I do give up, it's fine. They are proud of me just for trying. I don't know if I have ever felt so lucky, loved, and incredibly grateful. Dan tells me, "I have no doubt that you can do it." I want to agree, and hope that in six months I will be able to look back and say, "Of course I did it. Why did I ever think I couldn't?"
Date: 2015-03-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today is my last full day home and I am finishing up preparations, STILL. I have sprayed shoes, clothes, and pack with permethrin to discourage ticks and was lucky yesterday to receive last-minute gifts of granola bars, pepper spray, and words of support I am nervous but glad the sun is out today to remind me that tomorrow I will be heading south into spring. I am full of pancakes and eggs from breakfast with Dad and am ready to cross the last of the chores off of my list. Of course even as I type this I can hear a crash of boxes in the loft, and what did I just find, but Nadia once again making herself at home in my mail drops. At least every package will be full of cat hair to remind me of home.
Date: 2015-03-30
To: Road Trip
Miles today: 0.0

We are more than halfway to Georgia and I am exhausted, from the drive but also lack of sleep from anxiety. My stomach is in knots, but tomorrow we will sleep at Amicalola Falls State Park so we can start the approach trail on Wednesday morning.I don't think I have had such a sedentary day in months, but the drive went by surprisingly fast in good company. The beginning keeps approaching! Hopefully the end is a long way off. Wednesday's weather should be warm and sunny, and it is so nice here to see spring and DAFFODILS! And green grass!Tonight I am so very grateful for Alexa, for my family which I already dearly miss, for Ranger John's words if wisdom, my Lindt chocolate bunny from Dad, my GPS from Dan, and my last-minute gifts from Kate, among other things.I am extremely lucky!Also: I am grateful to have such wonderful mail drop handlers at home. My first package is in the mail!
Date: 2015-04-01
From: Springer Summit

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: clear sky

Alexa and I hiked the approach trail and are just minutes from starting on the AT. We plan to hike 3 more miles today to the next shelter.I am so grateful for the amazing weather and the fact that I do not feel like dying or giving up after making it up Springer. I feel exhilarated and encouraged! I hope the rain due tomorrow isn't bad.
Date: 2015-04-02
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Gooch Gap
Miles today: 14.4

Today is a bit rainy. The morning started out nice, only a bit foggy and damp. As the day carried on I got wetter and wetter and colder. I am camped now and enjoying the dry of my tent but the rain is picking up and I do not look forward to going out to brush my teeth and hang my food later. I am glad to have a no-cook dinner. It was an enjoyable day but I lost some motivation as it got later and I got colder once I stopped. I am glad that the weather is supposed to improve tomorrow! Met a lot of people today, and a couple of dogs. Trying to preserve battery so that is all for now. Hoping to keep dry tonight!I am thankful for messages from home, miraculously dry shoes, and my amazingly cozy sleeping bag which I am snug and warm inside.
Date: 2015-04-03
From: Gooch Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 14.5

This morning I woke to a wet start. I hiked to meet Alexa and strung up a clothesline to dry out my tent in the wonderful sun. Sven visited my hobo camp and chatted for a while. Today was gorgeous. Alexa met up with me, gifted me with food and water, and a baby wipe shower before hiking with me for a while. I was so grateful to have her hope and company for one more day. I could not have had a better send-off.Before she left, she gave me my trail name! Red Panda, after the little red panda from Candace that I put on my pack. I am happy with it! I didn't expect to get a name so fast. I spent most of the day dreading the ascent up Blood Mountain. It was a rough climb but the top was amazing and totally worth it. My feet were hurting like never before on the way back down, but I stopped at the outfitter at Neels Gap and they relaced my shoes which I hope will help my toe problems Storms are expected tonight so I am staying in the hostel here, meeting other hikers and enjoying a clean set of clothes and a SHOWER. Also two amazing guys gave me their leftover pizza so I am in hiker heaven.I am thankful for Alexa (to no end), leftover pizza, the girl who fixed my shoes, and the amazing world around me.
Date: 2015-04-04
From: Neels Gap

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: few clouds

Started out with Matt and Yellow Teddy this morning but haven't seen them since. It was cold and windy and I wore my rain pants for most of the morning to block the wind. Made it a long day in the hopes I can make it to Hiawassee to pick up my mail drop at the post office on Monday. I am full of delicious chili, made from beans and salsa I dehydrated (thank you, Uncle Clyde and Aunt Pat!) along with some Cabot cheese and instant rice I took from a hiker box. It was delicious. My stomach is full and I am happy. Sure my tent will smell like smoke due to all the campfires out here tonight. The smell of camping I love the hiking except uphill, which I will have a lot of tomorrow. My feet have been okay except for two blisters and my numb left big toe. I woke up stiff last night and my knees were sore this morning but warmed up okay. Better than expected so far!I am thankful for my delicious food and my early arrival which allowed me to "wash" some clothes.
Date: 2015-04-05
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 19.1

Today started off cold again on Blue Mountain to a beautiful sunrise. I got up with the sun, packed up, and hit the trail with my tummy still full of last night's chili. The hiking was good but my hands were too cold to hold Dad's trekking poles. I have been trying to use them a lot - if I extend them a lot they force me to stand upright more which is good, as I have a habit of hunching over to compensate for the weight of my pack. At about 12:30 I passed Cherokee, who informed me of trail magic at Addis Gap. I had planned at stopping for lunch at Sassafras Gap but decided to wait to see what the trail angels had in store.I detoured half a mile off the trail to find a HUGE gathering of hikers and angels cooking and eating around a fire. I enjoyed a blueberry pancake and cooked myself a hot dog and corn on the cob in the fire. They had an AMAZING amount of food and encouraged everyone to take whatever they could carry with them when they left. I grabbed two apples, an orange, and a bag of Goldfish before departing. I cannot believe the effort and kindness people put forth to help total strangers. I headed on up the next big hill fueled by a stomach full of junk food. It was great.I got to call Mom later in the afternoon as I walked but eventually lost service before reaching Dicks Creek Gap, where I am set up for the night. Unbelievably I was still hungry for dinner and cooked a delicious meal on my nifty alcohol stove (thanks Aviary!). No service here so I will have to post tomorrow. I hope to make it into town in the morning to pick up my mail drop then return to the trail for an easy afternoon as a restful day. Looks like a lot of rain this week. I have been lucky to enjoy mostly great weather so far and hope my good happy start to the trip doesn't turn to misery in the cold and wet.I am so thankful I was able to be so prepared for this trip. I cannot express how grateful I am to friends and family who helped me procure the gear and knowledge to give me a fighting chance at making it to Katahdin. I think I can do it! Also for the kindness of strangers. I am loving the trail culture and so happy to have fresh fruit to look forward to eating tomorrow!!
Date: 2015-04-06
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was the first rough day. It started well in the morning. I woke up dry, made cream of wheat for breakfast, and got into town to pick up my first mail drop just as the post office opened. I definitely think I overprepared too much food and will have to be careful to maybe have Mom send less so it doesn't get wasted.After getting back to Dick's Creek Gap just as the rain was starting, with my FULL and HEAVY pack I headed out in good spirits. The rain was light and I tried out using my umbrella, which seemed to work well (I will consider getting a real hiking umbrella sometime). I stopped for lunch around noon and decided to head for the next shelter.About halfway there I started getting cold. Then I was hungry but too cold to fumble through my pack for a snack. I had planned on a slow, easy day but there were some rough hills. I got a brief interlude of happiness when I reached the GA-NC border. There was even a section hiker there waiting for his son, and he took my picture for me.But the next three miles were rough. I prayed that I would be able to get a space in the shelter. Some birds chirping inspired me to book it down the last half mile and I was so happy to find only one person in the shelter. I am so glad that I didn't have to pitch my tent in the rain, though I enjoy the privacy and warmth more.I am still having toe issues. Relacing my shoe has not solved the numb big toe. I am wondering if the weight of my pack is pinching a nerve or something. I think it is getting worse and think it's weird it is only a problem with my left foot.I am hoping to have service soon to post this and figure out my mail drop situation, as I really need to at least get my permit for Great Smokey Mountain National Park and would like to get my new rain jacket as the one I have now is useless at keeping the rain off (was double glad for my rain coat today!)I am not sure what tomorrow's goal will be but hope I keep warm tonight and that tomorrow is drier, or at least warmer!I am grateful for my no-cook dinner because I do not even want to get out of my sleeping bag, let alone put the work into cooking.I am also thankful for shelter space and not having to pack up my tent tomorrow morning.
Date: 2015-04-07
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Long Branch Shelter
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Wet feet and a muddy day. But hit the 100 mile mark on Albert Mtn. It was a scramble of a climb at the top, let me tell you. I enjoyed good company at Long Branch Shelter (rated five stars), including Zen, Martin (a BMW engineer from Germany), and Cracka, a high school sophomore section hiking with his dad for spring break, among others. We cooked dinner at the picnic table together and enjoyed good conversation.Grateful for people to share my candy with (and lighten my pack)!
Date: 2015-04-08
From: Long Branch Shelter

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: broken clouds

Considered sleeping in this morning after a long day yesterday but Katy-Did, a thru-hiker of multiple trails, made such a racket before sunrise I just got up anyway.I do like hiking as the sun is rising,, while it is beautiful and cool.The trail has been beautiful. I love hiking it (except up hills), seeing the amazing views and wildlife, enjoying the various vegetation and landscapes. I do not enjoy the hills, unless I am going down them. And then only if they are nice and gentle.I stopped early today and secured a shelter space so I can be up early to head to the Nantahala Outdoor Center for a shower and shoe advice, and to pick up my resupply box.I believe I am experiencing the onset of the legendary Hiker Hunger and am grateful I prepared delicious and numerous foods to fuel me on my way north. Tonight I have enjoyed more good company, including one of the most annoying girls I have ever met. She is nice, but somehow made it off the AT on a side trail and didn't realize for eight miles. She says she kept going out of stubbornness, but I believe she is mistaking stupidity for stubbornness. I would not say this to her face. The sun is setting and it is beautiful. I will spend some time by the fire before bed, and try to sleep well before rising early. I am hoping to be able to charge my battery and actually have enough service to call home tomorrow.Protein bars are delicious. Chocolate chip CLIF bars were slightly disappointing but still delicious. My feet feel so good after being out of shoes for hours. Thanks to everyone who has been sending me emails and comments. I miss and love you all!I have started to become frustrated with my freakishly wide feet, as they are hurting more every day. Hands and Mouth, a massage therapist, gave me some stretching suggestions which I appreciated, and told me to try to land on the heels of my feet more. I will give it a go.
Date: 2015-04-09
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I arrived at the NOC, Nantahala Outdoor Center (which has rafting, ziplining, and other activities) this afternoon. I got up early hoping to make it the 16 miles before late afternoon so I could decide what to do about my feet. As I descended down the mountain I started to see a huge change in the vegetation. There were more buds on the leaves! There were more flowers growing on the sides of the trail! There was more GREEN! It was gorgeous. Then I realized that it was almost 80 degrees and I was starting to burn, so I stopped to apply sunscreen.The amazingly patient guy working at the NOC outfitters measured my feet, told me I am a size 8.5 wide, then proceeded to dig out multiple pairs of shoes for me to try on... none of which fit. Not even the men's sizes didn't painfully squeeze my poor toes. So I was left to decide: order wide width shoes online and hope they fit, or have mom and Dan send the size 10 of the same style shoe I have been wearing. I decided to go for the 10s. Since the next town before entering Great Smokey Mountain National Park is only two days of hiking away, and since my feet are a bit beat, I have decided to take my first Zero (or zero-mile day) tomorrow. It is supposed to rain anyway, and I will be happy to spend time doing laundry and taking a hot shower (though I did take a brisk but surprisingly refreshing stream bath the other day).I picked up my second resupply mail drop here, which had my replacement backplate for my pack in it. Of course, it is slightly different from the original one and missing some holes which I think are important and may be useless. And as I was emptying my pack to prepare switching out the back plates, the zipper on the top pouch broke, and is now missing teeth and useless. Another bummer.It was hot today but the evening is cool and beautiful. I am thankful to my past self for packing Oreos in my mail drop, and to Mom and Dan for rush-mailing my shoes to save my toes.