morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-09-06
From: Front Royal

To: Blackburn Trail Center
Miles today: 11.9

9/6Harpers Ferry to Blackburn Trail CenterBunkhouse11.9 miles JD had a coughing fit at 6:30. The dogs and I awoke. I glanced at the clock and realized it was relatively late going by hiker time. I turned on a light to get up by. JD had picked up "con crud" at Dragoncon. Con crud is the generic term for the sorts of upper respiratory viruses that go around these big groups of people crowded into relatively small places. It's a glorious breeding ground for those of the viral persuasion. It's no surprise that he picked it up, but it's always a bummer. I'm just assuming I'll get it too. JD speculated that he had it before he actually got to the con - in which case I was definitely exposed. I should find out soon. I ate my breakfast and checked the weather - local, AT, and Hurricane Irma. There's no telling where Irma will head but I need to stay aware. Locally and on the AT, a rainy day was predicted. Oh joy! An all day rain for my first day back. At least I got to start the day dry. I specifically did not kiss JD goodbye, although I'm dubious at how effective not kissing is when you've been sharing a bed and a car. He went home to spend the rest of the day being sick. I walked off into the rain. These home-trail transitions are so weird. Even as I drive to the trail, it's hard to really believe that I won't be sleeping in my own bed tonight. Two weeks ago, while I was on the trail up north, it was hard to believe I'd be sleeping in my own bed very soon. And going home where everything is familiar feels odd too, like after months away I should stumble over daily routines. But as soon as I enter the house I fall back into my suburban normal. Then I wonder if I had really just been hiking up crazy mountains or if it were just a daydream. The day went by soggily. My IT bands started hurting early on. They never got horrible, but the pain was noticeable all day. Mostly I was alone in the mist. Which was fortunate because I had to pee all day. I don't know if it was from having wet stuff up against me, or my hipbelt tight over my bladder, or what. But I dove off the side of the trail to peel my sodden pants off of me on multiple occasions. I finally came up to the side trail for Blackburn a little after four. Despite my IT bands I made good time in the afternoon, after the rocks around Harpers Ferry let up. I gingerly climbed down the side trail. I have stopped here for water many times, but I have never spent the night. I was very pleasantly surprised when I entered the hiker cabin. There are four double size bunks and a functional wood stove! Another hiker made a fire which I am greatly enjoying. It was in the 60s today but I had been soaked since morning and I was chilled. I have my clothes and rain gear hung up to dry. I look forward to a cozy night and dry clothes in the morning. It should be nice the next few days. Yippee! I love hiking on those sorts of days!
Date: 2017-09-07
From: Blackburn Trail Center

To: Sam Moore shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

9/7 Sam Moore Shelter11 milesI didn't realize just how much I needed that fire until hours later when I realized that despite food and heat, my feet were STILL cold. I warmed up the rest of the way within the next hour. Without the fire, I would have had a very uncomfortable night. Instead, I slept great and woke up to dry clothes. No morning yells of horror were necessary as it was quite comfortable to put on my clothes. Except for my socks, which had dried stiff. As the world grew more defined, I packed as quietly as I could. The inevitable crinkly sounds made me cringe slightly, but I packed as quickly as I could so the other fellow could return to the slumber that I presume I had disturbed. I walked over to the cabin and set my backpack down on a table around the corner from the three sleepers. Cheryl, the caretaker, had left coffee ready to brew. I hit the button and waited impatiently. After I ate and packed up, I checked the time. 7:30?! I had gotten up at 6. How long does it take to drink a cup of coffee? Okay, two cups of coffee. Okay, two and a half, but that's my final offer. It wasn't truly raining, but it was very misty and the leaves were wet, so I started with rain gear and pack cover on. Within an hour beams of light started appearing in the mist. They looked spectacular, and were warm when I walked through them. Soon after that I glimpsed a patch of blue, and it turned into a beautiful day. Around lunchtime I arrived at Snickers Gap and walked immediately to the Horseshoe Curve restaurant, where I had the stereotypical cheeseburger, fries, and a coke. They weren't the best I'd ever had, but they hit the spot. Shortly after I started walking again I felt a sudden sharp pain in my hand. I'd been hit by an acorn. It left a mark. These are largish acorns and I estimate that they could be falling from as high as 80 to 100 feet up. I think that if it had hit one of the bones in the back of my hand, it could have broken the bone. I'm trying not to imagine how much it would hurt to get hit in the head by one of these little menaces. When I reached the shelter I decided to sleep in it. I had been planning to tent, but I'm not sure my tent would survive impact with a kamikaze acorn.  I hear them falling in the woods, often making quite a ruckus. I expect it will be pretty dang loud if one hits the shelter roof. When I took off my socks I was surprised to see a sizable blister near the base of a toe. It hadn't hurt while I walked. I almost wonder if I somehow encountered poison ivy. It doesn't really itch, either. I'm leaving it alone for tonight. I have no idea how to bandage it tomorrow. It's in an inconvenient spot. I'm thinking my stiff socks may be to blame. This is problematic. I don't carry an electric dryer with me, and I can't carry enough socks to have a clean pair every day. Stupid sensitive skin.
Date: 2017-09-08
From: Sam Moore shelter

To: Whiskey Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

9/8Whiskey Hollow Shelter15.3 milesA fellow showed up right at full dark last night. It was good to have company. He set up a hammock so I had the best of both worlds - company plus the freedom to crinkle. I slept great. He didn't, though. He was pretty new to backpacking and his setup was wildly inadequate for the temperatures. He said it was the worst sleep of his life. He hadn't used his stove before either, but the stove wasn't a problem. He chalked the night up to a learning experience and called for a ride rather than spend another night like that. I thought that was smart. It was another beautiful day but I was a bit anxious and it detracted from my hike. I needed to hike a longer day than I have recently, and the first half of it was in the Roller Coaster. It went fine, despite my concerns. I arrived at the new Whiskey Hollow shelter well before dark. My feet hurt, but not horrendously. My current discomfort is a headache from a fire some sectioners built in the fire pit in front of the shelter. It's blowing smoke right into the shelter. The area isn't blessed with flat spots so I'm in the shelter breathing the smoke. I expect they'll stay up late chewing the fat around the fire. I might too in the same situation. But it promises to be a miserable night for me. I met Wash and Biscuit somewhere in the middle of the day. They are doing much higher mileage days than me so I'll never see them again, but I used the opportunity to ask questions about the Colorado Trail since Wash had hiked there a lot. Tomorrow JD is bringing me some things, and soon after that I hope to stay at a hostel and get cleaned up. Non-stiff socks are on my agenda.
Date: 2017-09-10
To: Mountain Home Cabbin
Miles today: 4.9
Weather: clear sky

9/10Mountain Home Cabbin4.9 milesIt got quite chilly overnight. Even with my down jacket draped over me, I was uncomfortable. I had enough awareness to think that I would need to start sleeping with my filter soon, but not enough to get out my silk liner which might have made me warm. Fortunately it should be warmer at night for at least the next week, according to the forecast. Clover and Yogi were up before me. I slept in because I knew I wasn't going far. I really enjoyed meeting those two. But like everyone else they're going faster than me so I'm unlikely to see them again. Nevertheless I hope our paths cross. The weather was perfect. The trail was perfect. When I got to the road I wanted to keep going, but I turned and walked to the hostel. Regardless of the weather, I needed a shower. And laundry. Good lord, I needed laundry. My poor feet look abused. They welcomed me in and I right away got a nice hot shower, then put on loaner clothes so mine could get washed. With JD's resupply run yesterday I didn't need to buy things in town, but I looked through the hiker box. I used a bottle of liquid bandage on my toes, and I ate two servings of fruit salad and one of butterscotch pudding. And a ton of animal crackers. I forced myself away from the food and back up to the bunks. I intended to take it easy to let sore feet and abraded skin heal. I read some information on the hostel's history and on one of the owners' thruhike. I don't think I slept, but I wasn't quite awake, either. In late afternoon they dropped me off in Front Royal at the Blue Wing Frog for dinner. The food was pretty great. I got a Cuban sandwich. Afterward he told me that the only thing they didn't do themselves was the cheese. They made the bread, pickles, and mustard, and they roast the pork. The care showed. I devoured my sandwich. While I waited for a ride back, I went to a gas station for a frozen drink, and saw they had Toffifay. I hadn't had that candy in forever. Despite my thoughts about maybe having a pint of ice cream tonight, I picked up the candy. It, too, was delicious. My stay here at Mountain Home Cabbin (spelled that way as it was in the diary of the daughter of the man who built it) has been very nice. The prices are extremely reasonable, the place is clean and comfortable, and the owners are very hiker friendly. I recommend it for sure.
Date: 2017-09-11
To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: overcast clouds

9/11Gravel Springs Hut13.7 milesI'm feeling glum today. I look at the world around me and I say "Meh". I was so excited to get to Shenandoah, but now I'm here and I'm not feeling it. Perhaps it's the impending week of rain. Perhaps it's the dull white sky. Whatever the reason, the miles came hard today. Tonight I'm at Gravel Spring Hut, the northernmost shelter in the park. I've stayed here on many occasions and in all seasons. Frequently I've stayed here alone. Although at least two people are setting up camp somewhere in the sites uphill of the shelter, I may have the shelter to myself.  Not that I particularly want it to myself. There were a few high points today. Lisa made me very nice French toast and sat with me while I ate. I saw a white bird looking out at a view, and had quite a long one sided conversation with it. I enjoyed seeing Hogwallow Flats again. I saw many new campsites by the trail and thought about stopping at most of them. Maybe I have post-JD letdown. I'm usually a little glum after we part. The mornings have started getting cold enough to make me want gloves to start in. This morning I wanted them, but not badly enough to dig them out of my pack. Once I start walking it takes more than minor discomfort to make me stop and deal with my pack. I'll see how tomorrow's rain goes. There is a hostel I could potentially go to to get dried out. Maybe even slackpack. That's a very civilized way to handle rainy days.
Date: 2017-09-12
To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: moderate rain

9/12Pass Mountain Hut - tenting13.1 milesOnce my subconscious got over the possibility of bears, I slept just fine. The nights have gotten a little warmer and I wasn't chilly. At 6 I heard a sound and it woke me enough to check my watch. I decided to get up and hike as much as I could before it started raining. I would also hike after it rained, but it would be nice to be more comfortable during some of the miles. I put the rain cover on my pack and put all of my rain gear into pockets I could reach easily. Then I set off, still wearing my headlamp. The sun was obscured by the cloud cover, but it gradually got more light out so that I could shut off my lamp. Within a mile I started seeing patches of blue sky. The predicted rain evaporated into a beautiful fall day. I was confused but happy. The sun streamed down and my mood lifted. I am SO solar powered. Remind me not to move to a cloudy place. I arrived at Elkwallow Wayside at 10.  I immediately ordered a breakfast sandwich and then shopped for some groceries while I waited for it. I hurried the shopping, trying to be done before the sandwich.  At 10 on a Tuesday the shop wasn't busy so there was no line to check out. I figured I would sort things out while I ate and then go back for what I had missed. My egg sandwich and hash browns were not the best I've ever had, but they still hit the spot. I ate them and sorted my food while also chugging a coke. I had bought a tiny bottle of instant coffee which I poured into a little plastic bag so I could discard the jar. Everything else went directly into my food bag. A couple of breakfasts, some salty snacks, bulgogi flavor jerky, and a Backpackers Pantry meal that probably wouldn't taste as good as it sounded. On my second trip in I got more salty snacks and a 500 ml box of Cabernet Sauvignon. I might be thruhiking but I'm still civilized. Red wine goes well with freeze dried beef. I felt great all afternoon, hiking steadily along familiar trails in my favorite park. I was nostalgic as I noted places I had hiked with DeLee, JD, and Just Blue Skies. I played leapfrog with another hiker as we took breaks at different spots. Approaching Pass Mountain, I entertained the thought of moving on to Byrd's Nest #3. But as I got to the hut, my feet felt sore and I was tired. I knew that I could make the next place, but as it wasn't an emergency I wasn't going to drive myself into the dirt. After all I had been walking for about eight hours. Less with my egg sandwich stop I suppose. But enough. I found Bill in the shelter, and Louie arrived shortly after. They turned out to be extremely good company. I'm sad they are headed north and I won't see them again but I very much enjoyed eating dinner with them. Bill said a couple with a baby were supposed to be staying at this hut tonight, so I set up my tent and moved my stuff to it. As of 7, no couple and no baby. I expect it'll rain tonight, too. If I had not set up my tent, either it would not rain or those folks would have arrived. Or both.
Date: 2017-09-13
To: Skyland
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: clear sky

9/13Skyland hotel10.9 milesI thought my bearanoia was overkill, but it turned out to be just enough kill. I woke up in the dark at six. I wanted to get more sleep, but my body insisted that it was time to get up. Grumbling, I sat up and started dressing. It had rained much of the night, but it was a gentle rain and I had not even needed to close the doors to the tent. It was warmer, too, so getting up was more comfortable than it had been recently. Following my routine when I'm not camped alone in wilderness, I packed up everything including the tent so I could take my whole pack up to the shelter to eat breakfast. Once that was done, I went to the bear pole to get my food bag. A quite small juvenile bear was standing by the pole and was not interested in leaving. I got it to move ten feet or so off into the bushes so I could retrieve my bag. I told Bill and Louie about the bear, then we all ate breakfast at the shelter. I heard no untoward sounds, but when Louie went to take down his tent, he came back unhappy with arms full of ruined gear. He had left his tent door open and no food in the tent. The bear had destroyed the tent and his sleeping pad, and had absconded with Louie's Platypus water bag and it's attached filter. Louie's trip ended right there. He handled it better than I would have, for sure. I was extremely glad that my own habits had paid off, as I walked away with all of my gear intact. I'm not sure how we missed the sounds of the poles of Louie's tent breaking. That juvenile bear had some advanced ninja bear skills. I walked in a cloud most of the day. It wasn't raining, but moisture filled the air. I was on edge about bears, for some reason. Walking up to Mary's Rock I ran into a couple retreating from a bear they couldn't scare off the trail. They gave up and were backtracking to their car. Fortunately it was gone when I got there. But when I stopped for lunch a while later, I found my eyes darting around, looking for dark lumbering figures come to steal my beef jerky. Relaxing. Between bears and the possibility of more rain, I decided to get a room at Skyland. And a burger and fries and a beer. And another beer. And some dessert. Despite fairly low mileage on fairly easy trail, my feet hurt. I'm not sure if it's my shoes or my arches. Taping seems to help. I tried taping my left foot yesterday and it was comparatively better. I'll tape my right foot tomorrow so it doesn't feel left out.
Date: 2017-09-14
To: Bearfence Mountain Hut
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

9/14Bearfence Mountain Hut15.9 milesI didn't want to leave the womb. Overnight the wind was fierce, driving leaves or branches against the wall of my room and rattling the door in its frame. I was safe and warm and I didn't want to get up. Finally as the alarm clock by my bed neared 7 AM, I gave in. First order of business was coffee. As it brewed I quickly dressed to ward off the chill of the stone floor. I ate the breakfast I had purchased yesterday. I looked on Facebook for updates. I checked the weather. I played games on my phone. Clearly I wasn't motivated to rush out and hike. The clock rolled over to 8 and I accepted that I would need to leave eventually. I packed up all my gear, took my phone off the charger, and faced the day. Quite a nice day actually, as it turned out. I turned in my room key and set out. Once again on a predicted rainy day, the weather was beautiful. The terrain was gentle and the miles rolled by quickly. Before I knew it, I was at Big Meadows. I walked to the wayside and bought food, which I ate under threatening skies. It seemed more likely to rain so I tried to pick up the pace. I did the 8-ish miles to the shelter in about 3 hours. That is radically fast for me. At the shelter I met JD, Coach, and Froggy. We had a good time chatting over dinner. JD and Coach are headed for Georgia so I might actually see them again. I felt an affinity to Froggy but she's on a northbound section, sadly for me. We all discussed recent bear incidents in the park. Apparently other hikers were bluff charged at Pass Mountain Hut. I'm glad that didn't happen to me! I've been bluff charged before and it's scary. I hate to say it but I'll be glad to be back in territory where they hunt bears.
Date: 2017-09-15
To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: scattered clouds

9/15Hightop Hut tenting area12.4 milesIt was a beautiful day again. I started my morning with coffee and a honeybun, said seeya to the others, and headed out. First stop: Lewis Mountain Camp Store in one mile. I hadn't been at Lewis Mountain in a long time. I forgot how much I liked it. If I were to choose a campground to stay at in Shenandoah, it would be Lewis Mountain. I purchased two cokes - one to drink and one to carry. I also got peach slices in juice and some hummus. I ate the peach slices sitting on the bench and stowed the hummus for lunch. I heard a tale of woe at the register. The checkout computer had lost its hard drive last week, while their IT guy was on vacation far away. A replacement had been cobbled together but didn't work well. I know exactly how these things go. I listened sympathetically. Before I left I stopped to use their restroom, which for a miracle was both private and heated. Heated! Such a luxury that felt like to me. Clean and dry and warm. Just like I would like to be. I don't expect to be particularly clean or dry for a while. Warm is when I sweat walking uphill. I met Silky Pete today. He's another southbound thruhiker, but he's planning to get off the trail in two weeks. We played leapfrog as he walked faster but apparently took longer breaks. My legs ached and my feet hurt extra special. The first two metatarsals of my right foot felt a little out of place and stuck at their proximal ends. It hurt quite a bit so I stopped, took my shoe off, and moved my foot all around to try to work things back into place. It worked, but then the third and fourth metatarsals started hurting feeling jammed up at their distal ends. For a wonder my fifth felt okay, despite being the one I had thoroughly broken and healed a little crooked. As usual the last few miles were a little harder. Despite that I rolled up to the shelter at four. It was jam packed so I set up my tent in the tenting area beyond the shelter, where I also found Coach and JD. I left the tent empty to dry out a bit from my wet night at Pass Mountain Hut. I swapped my shoes for crocs and designated an unused tentsite as my camp kitchen, since the hut's table was in use. I let my tortellini soak for twenty minutes in hot water, which gave me plenty of time to try to text JD. No joy on the cellular signal front. Also, hiking with somebody named JD is going to be a little confusing in my journal, I can tell. Maybe I should give hiker JD and alias. Maybe my JD should be Mr Joy. I think by the time I leave this park, my clothes may be able to stand on their own. I better make sure my stay in Waynesboro in a few days involves a laundry stop. Between dirt and sweat, my clothes are sticky and uncomfortable right now. They haven't reached the state of salty sandpaper yet, but it's only a matter of time.
Date: 2017-09-16
To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: scattered clouds

9/16Pinefield Hut8.2 milesI love my tent. I sleep so well in it. But sometimes I set it up on a hill that is imperceptible to the eye. My prone body can perceive it, and I spend the night sliding downhill faster or slower depending on the tilt. Last night was a slow slide night. It was all right, though. I scooched uphill periodically and otherwise slept well. When I got up to visit the woods in the night, I managed to encounter stinging nettles with my butt. That was my first butt related incident today. The second one was during the day, when I put a hand out to steady myself on a tree. The tree fell over and so did I, right on my butt. Butts aside, my hiking day went great. I only went six miles, then I stopped at a gap to wait for Cody. She was driving approximately past where I'm hiking so she kidnapped me briefly from the trail and took me out to lunch. It was so great to see her! We had a great meal, catching up, then she drove me back to the trail. Two miles later I ended my day. Our options for today were 8 mikes or 20. 20 isn't an doable for me so 8 it is. JD's friend Cujoe had brought a fried chicken feast to the shelter with plenty to share, so I ate another good meal. Easy hiking and lots of good food. That's a good day in a thruhike.