morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-05-30
From: Bland, VA

To: Dismal Creek Falls
Miles today: 20.5

"I'm moving on to tent near, at, or past the 600 mile mark¢¦"--EGHM, from Jenny Knob Shelter registerThere were some issues this morning with the appointed shuttle provider, due to an eye injury our ride back to the trailhead fell through. But the gentleman who brought Big Ooh, Koopa, and Birdy back from the trail yesterday was willing to take us back. Only Yahtzee and I went back, and we didn't get started until after 10:30am.The walk today was fairly nondescript, and only a couple of climbs over 500 feet on two more waterless ridges were on the agenda. I chose to walk with Yahtzee most of the day, and in conversation the first 12 miles passed quickly.It was "snake weather" out: Yahtzee spotted a foot long garter snake, we saw a half eaten black snake, and then I nearly stepped on a 5 foot black snake that was attempting to cross the trail. We also spotted some large bear tracks, but never spotted what must have been a 300 pound bear.Yahtzee decided to stay at Jenny Knob Shelter, but I became obsessed with the idea of walking another 5 miles and camping near the 600 mile mark on Brushy Mountain and moved on. It took me a while to figure out why I had camped at the 600 mile mark before but not at this rocky and rugged mountaintop -- the trail is now 5 miles longer than it was last time I hiked, so the summit of Brushy Mountain is now the 600 mile mark. When I get to the summit two separate groups of hikers have already taken the only "tentable" spots on the rough summit, so I decide to move on. I then remember that the trail to Dismal Creek Falls used to be the 600 mile mark and there are plenty of tent sites there so I moved on with a new destination, but as it was already dusk I prepared for some night hiking over the next 4 miles.I finally arrived at the falls by 9:45pm, but having forgot that it was the long holiday weekend I didn't expect nearly every flat spot to be taken. I finally found a small mossy area ensconced in a rocky section and ended a longer day than I thought I'd do.
Date: 2010-06-01
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

"We had a feeling we'd see you here!"--Husband and Wife, upon running in to them outside the Lucky Star chinese restaurantZero day: laundry, resupply, post office to get summer sleeping bag and send remaining cold weather clothes and 20 degree bag home, nap, elevate feet, hang out with cool hiking friends: Husband and Wife, Berkeley Pete, et al., sit out the thunderstorms¢¦¢¦ absolutely no hiking.
Date: 2010-06-02
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Symms Gap Meadow
Miles today: 11.9

"The traverse of Peters Mountain along the Virginia-West Virginia state line is a dry one. At this mountain meadow, with views into West Virginia, a small pond is located downhill on the A.T. on the West Virginia side¢¦"--from the Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers' CompanionI left Pearisburg at 10:30am.I took a two hour break at Rice Field Shelter that included sightings of four white tailed deer hanging about and foraging nearby.I'm now set up in my tent at Symms Gap Meadow watching the sunset and chilling out a mere 20 feet from the Virginia-West Virginia state line.Husband and Wife just hiked up and are setting up their tent about 30 feet away. It looks like thunderstorms are moving in for the evening. It's hard leaving the comforts of town, but it's just as good to leave as well.
Date: 2010-06-03
From: Symms Gap Meadow

To: Campsite north of Wind Rock
Miles today: 16.4

"That was a refreshing bit of rain."--Husband, after the umpteenth rain storm this week.I hiked with Husband and Wife all day from campsite to campsite. Good conversation and the miles passed quickly. Some rain, lots of humidity, and plenty o' heat... 'nuff said.
Date: 2010-06-04
From: Campsite north of Wind Rock

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: clear sky

"Oh humidityHow you sap my will to hikeAnd make me sweaty"--Moped, from Laurel Creek Shelter registerJust another one of those days I've had too frequently lately: no energy, feeling run down, and not enjoying the hike; but such is the reality of an ultra-long distance hike, it isn't always enjoyable and you have to push through these funks.It probably started with a poor night's sleep from being on a lousy, rocky and inclined tent site. Again, the humidity was stultifying, plenty of heat, and 3 afternoon thunderstorms, but this is fairly typical now. I just may be having a harder time adjusting to the heat and humidity this year.I hiked with Husband and Wife this morning, but I let them move on before the 1700 foot ascent to Kelly Knob. I knew I had to climb it slowly as I had no energy and was bristling with discomfort. The first thunderstorm broke just in time for me to get to Kelly Knob and get some pictures and enjoy the view.All I wanted to do by the time I reached Laurel Creek Shelter was have a nap. Husband and Wife were there doing just that. We then talked for an hour, fantasized really, about renting a car and going to Blacksburg, VA or driving to Catawba tomorrow to eat at The Homeplace, or going for a motel stay in Daleville.They felt good enough to move on, but I decided to stay and start all over again tomorrow.
Date: 2010-06-05
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Brush Mountain
Miles today: 16.0

"They need to bring Bob Peoples to build some switchbacks on Sinking Creek Mountain. It was brutal in the heat today."--Dancing Wind, from Niday Shelter register.At this point the hike has become an endurance test: can I endure this miserable heat, humidity, and terrain? Yes! Well, that's the result thus far.Today was one of the last days walking on the Eastern Continental Divide, and the rugged, broken ridges -- pockmarked with slanted rock outcroppings -- but especially in this strength sapping humidity and searing sun (without canopy cover) -- over Sinking Creek Mountain has been the most difficult day of the hike thus far.If you want to thru-hike, these days have to be endured. These days are absolutely hateful, but that's part of this endeavor. If it were easy, everyone would finish it; but it's far from easy, and only 15-20% of the people that try it finish it -- it's because of weeks full of days like these.So put your head down, plod on -- malnourished and always on the verge of dehydration -- and keep on moving north. There will be better days ahead.
Date: 2010-06-07
From: VA 620, Trout Creek

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

"... one must imagine Sisyphus happy..."--Albert Camus, from The Myth of SisyphusI've decided to take at least 48 hours away from hiking the trail. Physically, I welcome the break, but I really need the break on a psychological level. I've been in such a negative mood on the trail of late, all of it exacerbated by the difficult weather, and especially my proclivity for dehydration even when I'm drinking a minimum of 6 liters of water a day.In order to have some mobility and get some distance from the trail, I rented a car from Enterprise. But I get bummed out when I learn from Del Schecterly, the local Trail Angel, that a hiker died at Cornelius Creek Shelter, about 40 miles north of here, a couple of days ago. The hiker had been complaining of discomfort and pain, according to the Roanoke Times, and was found dead in the shelter around 2pm. The odd thing is that when I was climbing Brush Mountain yesterday I was thinking how does one know when one is physically pushing oneself towards death, and just where does one cross that line from pushing oneself. And I had some difficulty imagining myself dying on that inconspicuous hill, or some other hill, from pushing myself and not listening to my body telling me something was amiss, and this was a full day before I heard of the unfortunate hiker's death at Cornelius Creek. I didn't know the man, but the hiking community is close knit and this impacts every hiker on the trail hiking in these difficult conditions. We're generally bull headed people out here: pushing ourselves to go farther, walk through pain, and push our bodies to their limits.I know that this is a difficult endeavor, and I know well that this isn't a vacation, but someone dying out here from hiking -- HIKING! -- away from family, in some forsaken rat hole of a shelter, all alone, begs for a redefinition of this endeavor. At least for me it places the hike in a different perspective at this point, and it really bums me out.But as if by design to make me feel better, a mere 15 minutes after renting the car I get a call from Casper and No Longer Chef (formerly Chef). They're in Daleville, VA, just 35 miles ahead of me on the trail. So I decide to stay in Daleville instead of Roanoke, and offer to drive them around so they can resupply easily.We meet for lunch and catch up on the last 3 weeks since Trail Days -- they had been 4-5 days ahead of me, until they went to Carolina Beach for nearly a week. Hearing that they'd been off the trail that long plants the idea of a longer break in my mind. After lunch I drive them to Wal Mart and they do a massive resupply, but then again the Daleville to Waynesboro section is one of the longest without an easy resupply that isn't too far off the trail, so they resupplied for 7 days. They claimed it was nearly 30 lbs. of food for 2 people. Casper and No Longer Chef are headed out tomorrow, but it was great to visit with them. I really needed some sort of morale boost.Well, I'm staying in Daleville tonight, and trying to sort out some issues and we'll see how this goes from here.
Date: 2010-06-08
From: Daleville, VA

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

"Dudding described the 60-year-old as "pretty heavy" and said the journal contained references to "some shoulder pains and chest pains."--from The Roanoke Times (see links below for full story)http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/249581http://www.roanoke.com/news/breaking/wb/249628 I've decided to take a longer break than just the 48 hours the emergency room physician suggested on Sunday. I've got a great support team in Pattie, and my therapist Dr. Meryl Levin, and they concur with my impulse to take a few days to a week long break from the Trail. The idea occurred to me after seeing how well Casper and No Longer Chef seemed to be doing after taking a week off in Carolina Beach. I think it'll be helpful, and quite frankly I'm dreading the Trail right now, but have no intention of quitting; but I definitely feel the need to get away from the Trail until I miss it again.All this means is that the planned visit to New York City is off, and my visit home to Boston and a visit for a long standing event in Miami will be much shorter. But I had planned some time off in June and July anyway, it just comes sooner and in a different location.As I have no intention of ending this hike at this point I'll be staying in the Virginia area and seeing some sights I've always wanted to see that are nearby: Monticello, Natural Bridge, maybe a couple of Civil War battlefields; in short, non-hiking stuff away from the trail. Let us say I'm celebrating my 685 miles on the Trail with a short vacation -- a real vacation -- away from what was feeling like a forced death march.Why not go back home? I, and Pattie, concur that going home creates more potential problems and temptations to either stay home in comfort or allow time to slip away. When I've gone home on previous hikes I've taken up to a week to 2 weeks longer away from the Trail than I had originally planned off.My plan is to get back on the Trail exactly where I got off to go to the hospital sometime next week, or maybe Sunday (exactly a week from the day I went to the hospital).That's all for now. I'll continue to update my journal during this period as I feel that these sometimes necessary breaks are as much part of the thru-hike experience as anything else is.I really want to thank all of you who have been reading along and have signed my guest book. I'll now have some time to respond to your emails personally. Thank you!Now on to a few days of rest and something approaching a good time... that's "excellent-good!"
Date: 2010-06-09
From: Daleville, VA

To: Charlottesville, VA
Miles today: 0.0

"I can connect nothing with nothing¢¦"--T.S. Eliot, from "The Waste Land"I drive to Natural Bridge and dig the sites.I dive to Charlottesville and dig the funky downtown adjacent to UVA.I go to Vinegar Hill Cinema and dig The Secret In Their Eyes, the Oscar winner for best foreign film this year.I stay away from the Trail and I dig that too¢¦
Date: 2010-06-10
From: Charlottesville, VA

To: Washington, D.C.
Miles today: 0.0

"Fail, Fail again, Fail better"--Samuel Beckett, from a note card on his writing desk.I drive to Washington, D.C. (that's not on the Trail)I walk a couple of miles around the National Mall, from Capitol Hill to the Washington Monument. (that's all flat and not on the Trail)I visit the National Gallery of Art and the Hirschorn Museum of Art, from Manet to Koons (in air conditioned comfort and not on the Trail)I attend a ball game at Nationals Park, the Washington Nationals v the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Nats win 4-2.(seated and not on the Trail)I guess I'll soon miss the Trail¢¦
Date: 2010-06-11
From: Washington, D.C.

To: Washington, D.C.
Miles today: 0.0

"Choose a positive thought¢¦ YES YOU CAN!"--from a yoga advertisement on a pedicabWalk around D.C. this morning.Watch the opening match of the World Cup. South Africa v Mexico, 1-1 draw.Go to the Smithsonian Museum of American History.Go to the National Gallery and Sculpture Garden.Go back to the Museum of American History.Take an early evening walk around the National Mall.The odd thing is that I don't miss the Trail at all, but returning to it looms in the future. It's much like being a kid away from school during summer vacation, I know I'm going back but I don't particularly want to -- it's just what I have to do.
Date: 2010-06-12
From: Washington, D.C.

To: Washington, D.C.
Miles today: 0.0

"¢¦the struggle itself towards the heights is enough to fill a man's heart¢¦"--Albert Camus, from "The Myth of Sisyphus"I spent the entire day watching World Cup matches, and naturally the highlight was the USA 1-1 draw with England. I then took a walk around town and visited the Museum of Natural History for a couple of hours. And for the sake of doing something I've never done, I stuck around the museum and went to the IMAX 3-D screening of Avatar.As I said yesterday returning to the Trail is an inevitability. In fact, today I made my arrangements with Del Schecterly for a shuttle back out to VA 620/Trout Creek on Monday morning.But do I feel like going back out to the Trail? Not really, but just as one returns to work or school, or some other responsibility after a vacation, I must return to the Trail. It's what I set out to do 2 months ago; it's what I prepared all year for; I've already almost completed a third of it, and so it begs the question: what else could I do but return?I'd prefer to go home and see Pattie, be comfortable, and get on with other stuff, but I committed to this endeavor and it is what I'm going to see to fruition -- at least I'm going to try -- I'm not giving up.The break away from the trail has been good, but I thought I'd be eager to go back out and get back to hiking¢¦ that hasn't happened, but how often is someone really eager to get back to something mentally and physically difficult? Not often, but that's my reality, and I will force myself back, and after a few days back (hopefully) it'll seem as I never left.Tomorrow marks one week from my last day hiking and my visit to the emergency room. I needed the break, I took it, and i'll head back to the Roanoke/Daleville area tomorrow.
Date: 2009-12-29
To: 2010
Miles today: 0.0

Thursday Dec 31st 2009...WOW!...the LAST day of 2009...where did the YEAR go???Santa was very good to me...brought me some new hiking socks...a 2010 Calendar...a Sam Bush DVD & other goodies...I plan on joining in on the annual New Years Day hike @ Montgomery Bell State park in nearby Dickosn,TN w/ Clarksville friends.Sadly, several of my Clarksville hike buds wont be there..."Model-T" (my friend & hiking mentor)is still recuperating from recent surgery, "DragonFly" & Jumpin' Jack Bastin wont be able to make the hike...(she had a death in the family)Should be a COLD hike...forecast is for 35 degrees & maybe a few SNOW FLURRIES!weeeeeeee ;0)
Date: 2009-12-30
To: a successful NEW YEAR!
Miles today: 0.0

Awwwwww come on....i'm just getting my 3rd entry so that i can be listed on the JOURNALS page! HAPPY NEW YEAR!Follow along in 2010 as I hike, bike & pretty much walk thru LIFE...wherever it takes me...This year "Jigsaw" & I plan on section-hiking the Appalachian Trail May 1st-15th...beginning (where we left off last year) @ Clarks Valley (PA325)PA & finishing up our hike on the NY/NJ state line on Hwy NY-17A. I hope you'll enjoy my entries & PLEASE sign my guestbook.
Date: 2009-12-31
To: New Years Eve!
Miles today: 0.0

Thursday Dec 31st 2009...WOW!...the LAST day of 2009...where did the YEAR go???Santa was very good to me...brought me some new hiking socks...a 2010 Calendar...a Sam Bush DVD & other goodies...I plan on joining in on the annual New Years Day hike @ Montgomery Bell State park in nearby Dickosn,TN w/ Clarksville friends.Sadly, several of my Clarksville hike buds wont be there..."Model-T" (my friend & hiking mentor)is still recuperating from recent surgery, "DragonFly" & Jumpin' Jack Bastin wont be able to make the hike...(she had a death in the family)Should be a COLD hike...forecast is for 35 degrees & maybe a few SNOW FLURRIES!weeeeeeee ;0)
Date: 2010-02-20
To: HOODIE HOO!
Miles today: 0.0

Sat. Feb 20th....HAPPY HOODIE HOO DAY! (Feb 20th each year!)Today is the day when @ 12noon you are to go outside & YELL (& the top of your lungs)..."HOODIE HOO!...HOODIE HOO!...HOODIE HOO!....3 times...@ the sky to scare away the winter & welcome in the SPRING....Because....Spring is only a month away....so, why not get it here a few days early, huh?Who needs a stinkin' mangy groundhog when we have HOODIE HOO DAY???hehehehehe ;0)After all my HOODIE HOO-ing @ 12 noon....the SUN was out...the temps were heading to the upper 50s here in Springfield,TN....so,....i dust off my bicycle, pump up the tires....& head out for a short HOODIE HOO DAY ride around the neighborhood...Nice weather...gets everyone in the mood to get outside....kids playing....dogs running up & down the yards (barking @ me, of course!)...parents yelling at their kids...to get in the car!...(must be heading to Wal-mart for a wupping!)...A Great Spring day...i got in 10 miles....(on the bicycle)man!...i've got to get rid of some of this spare tire around my middle...serious training starts NOW!i'll be hitting the local parks for some day hikes in the coming weeks....leading up to my 2 week section hike on the Appalachian Trail beginning Apr 24th....See Ya'll UP the trail!
Date: 2010-03-06
To: track
Miles today: 0.0

Saturday, March 6thGonna be a BEAUTIFUL day...highs in the low 50s...& for WINTER weather....we'll take it!After a meeting in downtown Springfield...i feel like taking a walk....so, i head to the Martin Luther King Jr Park on South Main Street in Springfield (our newest park)...which has a regulation TRACK & FIELD oval track for the use of the local high schools & citizens.I've been contemplating entering the Powerwalk & RaceWalk events in the TN SENIOR OLYMPICS this year....so, with that in mind...i need to practice & get in better shape (lose weight) getting those calf muscles & shins in shape....weeeeeeee ;0)I called my lovely wife, Donna Faye (aka: "D-bird") to tell her i'm walking for a few minutes & then i hit the track...The Sun is shining & there are a few other walkers & joggers on the track....I do a lap (1/4 mile) to warm up the legs...then i hit the starting line....& click the ol' STOP WATCH....fast walking.....fast....walking.....1st lap (1/4 mile)...just under 4 minutes....2nd lap....just over 7:30 mins....3rd lap....just under 12 mins...4th (& final)lap...abt 2:40total 1 mile time was 14:16...by no means Olympic time...but, not bad....i continue to walk to keep the legs warm....will try one more lap just before quitting for the day...my last lap....here we go....& we're off!hurry, huury!...walking faster.....1/4 mile time: 3:12....not bad....not record breaking...but, not bad...get home & wash up & spend the day with my wife...& might take a bicycle ride this afternoon....weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee ;0)
Date: 2010-03-10
To: walking TRACK
Miles today: 0.0

Wed.March 10thAs many of you know...I'm a bit competitive...(No surprise there)...but for the last year or so have been thinking over my competitions in the TN SENIOR OLYMPICS...Since I turned age 50...i've competed in the CYCLING events in the TN SENIOR OLYMPICS....& thoroughly enjoyed it....both the competition & getting to know my fellow athletes.(& have even won a few MEDALS!)I've been competing now for 7 years & i feel its time to SPREAD OUT!I've been interested in the walking events for a few years...but never found time to train properly...After investigating PowerWalking (1 mile) & Race Walking (1500 meters) events...i've decided to give them a TRY!My problem is...I have to QUALIFY in a DISTRICT competition before i can make the STATE FINALS...& another problem...i'm out of town for my home district (Greater Nashville District which includes ROBERTSON COUNTY)competition...I'll be hiking the Appalachian Trail for 2 weeks Apr 23-May 8th...& the Greater Nashville District competitons are to be held May 1-8...SO...LUCKY for me...this year...they've RELAXED the rules...& are allowing athletes to "qualify" in any district they want.I check ed the schedule of all the competitions & found the SOUTH CENTRAL DISTRICT (Lawrenceburg,TN)fits my schedule & needs...Apr 12-16...My walking events will be on Wed Apr 14th & Thursday April 15th @ 8:30am each morning.The bad part is...i have to take off 2 days of work to compete in the events.I've done a load of research & homework on the events...RACE WALKING= is a long-distance athletic event. Although it is a foot race, it is different from running in that one foot must appear to be in contact with the ground at all times. Stride length is reduced, so to achieve competitive speeds, racewalkers must attain cadence rates comparable to those achieved by Olympic runners.Power walking is walking at a speed at the upper end of the natural range for the walking gait, typically 4.5 to 5.5 mph. In this range walking and jogging are almost equally efficient, and the walking gait gives significantly less impact to the joints.Checking the past results for the 2009 TN SENIOR OLYMPICS in the RACEWALKING & POWERWALKING 55-59 (my age group)category...Eddie Cody from Memphis is the champion...he did the PowerWalk in a time of 13 mins & 5 secs.& the 1500 meter Racewalk in 12 mins & 38 secs.I can possibly beat him in the State Finals...I warmed up on the local TRACK today...& then powerwalked for 1 mile with a good time of 13 mins even....good enuff to take the GOLD MEDAL from Mr Cody of Memphis!I've contaced a local Racewalker, Jerry D. Dixon who lives in Greenbrier & he says he'd be glad to give me some tips & some coaching...i look forward to getting to know him & walking FASTER!!!I now have to make a decision whether to stay with CYCLING & add the walking events or give up CYCLING all together...Decisions...decisions....I have a hike with the Clarksville TTA group this saturday @ Collins Gulf.Still need to lose 30 lbs!See ya'll UP the trail!