morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-05-09
From: Campsite

To: Warspur Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: clear sky

may 9-symms gap meadow-war spur ashelter-19.8 ??The mileage is wrong.. I think it is more like 22 or so. The signs are a bit screwed up and Va sure as heck ain't easy ! ! I didn't turn my ankle today, thank God. I am normally a free wheeling hiker so having to be cautious and slow was a lesson on patience for me. I am very tired becuz of hiking that way...The day was very very nice. It was hot out, believe it or not. I even took a sponge bath... felt fantastic. Early this afternoon I came to a sign saying bridge out in 2 miles, encouraging us to take the road instead. Well, I am a curious person so decided to stick to the trail and see what the crossing was like. I have done some terrifying ones along the PCT. This one turned out to be nice and I enjoyed soaking my poor feet. I had a climb out afterward and it turned out to be very rocky which really slowed me down as I did not want to turn my ankle. It all worked out though and I am here with my friends. I am camped by the creek, once again I don't have my rainfly on. I have a bit of a headache... maybe from the heat. It will take awhile to get used to that after 6 weeks of cold weather. I drank quite a bit of water today, more then ever. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I would absolutely hate to get off this trail cuz of my ankle. I am getting sleepy..gonna let the birds sing me to sleep....they do an outstanding job of it.
Date: 2005-05-11
From: Niday Shelter

To: campsite
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

Ok you guys, I am handing it over to my friends for thier perspective on this long, bruising and wonderful day.Well, they chickened out so you are stuck with me. I had a great day, even though very challenging. The first several miles of the day were nice..with a REAL tread. In the late morning I got to a pretty little creek by a gravel road. So, of course, I rinsed off, ate some lunch and generally lounged in the sun awhile. I headed up towards Dragons tooth and the fun began ! Walking on rocks gives you are new appreciation for dirt. I love dirt ! The rocks today came in every shape and size and they can grind your will down as well as the soles of your sneakers. The pain starts in the bones of your feet and travels its sizzling way up your calfs to your knees and , if your unlucky, sets up house in your hips and back. Then throw the strength sapping heat into the stew and you have yourself a day that if you don't want to be out here can send ya home. I, right now, have a fire burning in my belly for this trail and all that it tosses at me in a day. The climbs began to take their toll on me but the views were splendid... greening hills folding into themselves... and rugged ridges dipping into fertile valleys. What a sight! The downhill had me limping and muttering to myself as I half crawled, fell, jumped and leaped down rock face after rock face. Who designed this thing?! But, it is not just this day that was tiring. It is the accumulation of the miles that cause the fatigue. Even though we are getting stronger every day our bodies need rest and alot of it. Anyhow, just as I was coming to the road what did I see ?? Another cooler ! The folks of Virginia are the best...the generosity makes my heart want to burst If we could only pool all that goodness together we could change the world. After we guzzled a pepsi and split a pb and j I was ready to get to the store. The feeling of walking into a store afer 70 brutal miles hammering on you and seeing all that food is overwhelming. The first hotdog went down in a blur, followed by a 2nd...tasty ! The gatorade, choc. milk and oatmeal cake was gooood....On our way back up to the trail Vision Quest was coming down..a look of wounded exhaustion on her face. We all stopped for a moment to let her know we understood. Anyhow, we are at a lovely campsite, all our tents up and I expect to have another terrific night out here. The just keep coming. I do love it out here. This trail and this experience never fails to inspire and enlighten. It makes you think you can do ANYTHING if you put your mind to it. PS- I will never say Va is EASY again !
Date: 2005-05-12
From: campsite

To: Campsite below McAfee Knob?
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: scattered clouds

What a special day. I actually slept in..which is rare for me... I am sleeping hard now, one of the bennies (benefits) of such intense exercise. I got hiking at 8 after a restful night's sleep. I only had 5 miles to go before Catawba and the Homeplace restuarant. I got into town just behind Northman and had some food ( as usual ! ) and then chatted with him. The store is a geniune country store with a beautiful hardwood floor. She had CNN on and the gatorade was sweet and cold. The mornings are already getting hot now and I slipped into a rocking chair with glorious relief. I love sitting almost as much as I enjoying lying down at the end of the day. Anyhow, I met Norths' wife and they took me to a bigger store to resupply for tomorrow. Thanks...Houdini, Red and Dead Animal all came in later and we sat outside,drinking, eating and yacking about the trail, which we all can do endlessly. Another car pulled up and out jumped Jersey ! Yahoo! We eventually made our way to the Homeplace and sprawled on the porch anxiously watching the clock. The food is served at 4 pm and to put it mildly were like race horses at the gate. We stood, we sat, we looked at the door - grinning at each other. We knew the real thing was just on the other side of that door. Finally, they came and got us. I will never forget when they started bringing platter after heaping platter of the best smelling food. It was fantastic ! I don't know what I enjoyed more..how heavenly it all tasted or the utter joy of the expressions on my buddies' faces- priceless! We just dug in to fried chicken, roast beef, ham, biscuits, coleslaw, beans, pulled pork and ice tea and lemonade. I seriously doubt it could have been any better and the company..well... these guys are beginning to steal their way inside my heart. It is like I have 5 "big brothers", most of them younger then me, but who worry and care about how I am doing and generally give me a hard time - but would, no doubt, give me the shirt off their back if I needed it. The smiles and laughter we share now come from respect, friendship, and a splendid kinship with this fabulous trail. Soak it up Yappy... never forget so you can pull it out of your memory and enjoy long after the last mile is walked.
Date: 2005-05-15
From: Daleville

To: Campsite by Boblet Shelter
Miles today: 18.9

It is soooo nice to be back out. Lately, while in town, talking with Brad I get homesick and can literally taste Alaska on my tongue and feel Lulu and Vegas beneath my fingers. It is getting harder to be away from them and it has never been easy. But when I get back out here I feel better.I left pretty early this morning after chatting with a guy hitching around with a cat in a box on his shoulder and a friendly pit bull pup for company. Guess who I hiked out with, Neighbor and Chickadee! They actually came in yesterday and I ate Mexican with them last night. I hadn't seen then since Fontana Dam so nice to see them again. They are from New Hampshire. She is very sweet and he is a riot. They are both excited by the trail and already talkin about New England. I left before Jersey and now he is behind us. Daggone it!.. He is tons of fun and I would love to hike with him again. Red and Houdini left yesterday so our little group has been broken up for the time being. I have met other folks though, Finn and Airbus and we are all camped at this same place tonight. The 19 miles was fairly easy and I felt fresh all day. The day off did me good. I might try and get into town and see Idol on Tuesday. A girl has gotta do what a girl has gotta do. There is very weird conversation going on outside my tent by these guys. It is hard to concentrate! I think I might try and shut my eyes. Glad to be on the trail again... ------------------------------Sent via PocketMailEmail Anywherewww.pocketmail.com
Date: 2005-05-16
From: Campsite by Boblet Shelter

To: Harriman Campsite
Miles today: 26.5

Long day, glad to be here. The terrain today was forgivng and the rocks not too bad but there none the less. I hiked alone most of the day but would see the others at the shelters. We had another perfect day. We are getting spoiled! After going over Apple Orchard Mt. I pulled in Thunder Hill shelter. Rainbow and Sparticus where there. I like them. She just shaved her head and it looks good.! I set my tent up with good intentions to stay. Neighbor, chickadee and Finn came in. Finn was going on and I still felt good so.......down came the tent, the pack repacked and off I went for another 3 miles. I am trying to get as far as I can before I go see my family over Memorial Day weekend. I hope to meet my sister on the 25th and head to Wheeling, WVA. I had better get some sleep! Finn outside eating some dinner..it is just about dark. Think I will visit awhile.Sent via PocketMailEmail Anywherewww.pocketmail.com
Date: 2005-05-17
From: Harriman Campsite

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I have had a very entertaining day out here. If there is one thing you can count on while hiking long distance is that every day is an adventure! I got up early and hit the trail at 6:30. I love that time of the day cuz I might see an animal or two. Yesterday I saw the tail end of a fox and a fast moving bob cat. Wow, he was just a blur. Just about every morning I hear crashing around but not sure what I am hearing. Today I saw my first bear. Very cool. It was a pretty litle black bear, sleek and healthy and moving at a fast clip up the mountain. I stopped and watched until he was out of sight. I then went up and over two knobs, finally warming up. It has been cool the last couple of mornings. Yikes! The flowers are absolutely unreal now. The rhododendrons are a bold, splashy purple. They just about dare you to walk on by without admiring them. I am also seeing a more delicate but just as lovely pink flower.. maybe a mountain laurel? The forest smells heavenly. We dont even come close to copying it.I am seeing more folks out enjoying the sweet spring days we are having. Of course I have to stop and yap with them. I gotta live up to my name right? .. While I was taking a break I met two guys out running. One of them turned out to be the guy who hiked the Long Trail (270 miles) in 4 days-22 hours. That is nuts! He also did the AT in 50 odd days and is planning to do the PCT in 63 days starting in June. He runs these trails with support. He is gonna need some luck thru the Sierras this year.It was a grind getting up to this shelter but nice to be here. I am glad the climbing is over for the day. Finn decided to stop here also and ChillOut is here. That was a nice suprise. I like him a lot and I cooked around his little bench and shared trail gossip. Anyhow, I thought Red and Houdini would show up here. They are somewhere behind now I think. Still no sign of Jersey daggone it!This shelter has a pond in front that is full of bullfrogs. Should be an interesting night. Ribbit!------------------------------Sent via PocketMailEmail Anywherewww.pocketmail.com
Date: 2005-05-18
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Buena Vista
Miles today: 10.9

You guys wont believe what a bone head mistake I made today! This one takes the cake. I got up this morning ..bright and early..packed quietly and, well..hate to admit this..went the wrong freaking way. Ahhhhhhhhhh! I even went up hill,a 1000 foot climb for heaven sakes. I finally figured it out when I got to the top (of course). After I stomped my feet at the 2 mile climb..wiped the sweat off my brow, I took a long drink of the view. On the way down I laughed sorta wildly. It was either that or have a cow. Oh well...Now ya know my secret, don't tell Red or Houdini ok? I would never hear the end of it!The rest of the day was uneventful and very pretty. I hiked a couple of miles by a deep, swift creek, butterflies floating thru the warm air. I could have snoozed the day away by that singing water. I got to the highway and got a ride quickly with Finn, who was there also. He has since gone back to the trail and I am in town for the evening. I am barefoot with the door open. Nice, very very nice...Tomorrow on towards Waynesboro and maybe if I am lucky catch up to Red, Houdini, Chillout and the gang.PS-bullfrogs don't "ribbit". They sound like they are chewing on plastic milk cartons actually.------------------------------Sent via PocketMailEmail Anywherewww.pocketmail.com
Date: 2005-05-19
From: Buena Vista

To: Priest Shelter
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: light rain

I am in my tent listening to the rain fall. It is has been a long time since I have heard the pitter patter of the rain. I love sleeping with it but hate packing up a wet tent. Oh well.Bam Bam and I got our ride about 9 this morning . It was a cool gray day..nice to walk in. Leaving the road I braced myself for the 2000 foot climb but it wasn't too bad . I think the town food and rest always help me. The whole day flew by . I didn't see another thru hiker until I got to this shelter and found chillout and x05. They had an inviting fire going and I decided to stay. I hope I don't regret it tomorrow...It could be chilly here . I still have hopes of getting to the post office in Waynesboro by Sat morning so need to do a 25 miles day tomorrow. Even though there are folks here tonight I am lonely.. just 1 of those nights. I wish Lulu was curled up at the end of my sleeping bag. What terrific company she would be ! Miss you Brad..always missing you. Ps- I miss Dennis out here too. He is a great hiking partner and friend. My hike is very very different without him.------------------------------Sent via PocketMailEmail Anywherewww.pocketmail.com
Date: 2005-05-20
From: Priest Shelter

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Remember how I was saying how sweet the pitter patter of the rain was on my tent? Well, that was a retarded statement and I take it back! At first I liked it and fell asleep to the music of the rain. The torrential downpour woke me up around 11. Yikes, was it coming down! It was also coming down on my poor head! It was awful. I turned on my head lamp and peered around my tent. Water was seeping thru the walls and floor. I looked outside and my purifier was actually floating. I sat inside and guarded my sleeping bag for another half an hour and then I put most of my gear in plastic bags and went into the shelter..abandoning my poor, useless tent. I woke up, after hardly getting any sleep, and went out to inspect the damage. My tent was sopping, soaking wet with mud inside. Yuck....It weighed a ton let me tell ya. My thought was to just get to the road and come in and dry my stuff. The weather hadn't improved much and the hike was a steep, tiring and slippery one. When I got to the gap the fog was so thick that I wondered who in the heck is gonna pick up a bedraggled hiker? Well, I got lucky AGAIN and the 1st car stopped. Thank you thank you thank you......It has been quite a day and I am soooooo glad to be out of the mountains. This place is full of hikers..most I don't know. Pathfinder is here though and that is nice. He has hurt himself and jumped up here to wait for his friend who is hiking. I think I may have shin splints myself. I hope not as I wont be able to hike for a few days if I do and I really want to get into the Shennies before I visit my folks. Well, that is about it. I am exhausted and hope to get a good nights sleep.------------------------------Sent via PocketMailEmail Anywherewww.pocketmail.com
Date: 2005-05-21
From: Reeds Gap

To: Reeds Gap
Miles today: 0.0

I had a nice day..although you do seem to be on your feet a lot when you are not hiking! I went to the library, outfitter, grocery and 2 buffets...yum. I will definitely put on weight when I go see my family.. yikes! Tomorrow I am going to slack the 20 miles from Reeds Gap into Waynesboro. That will put me on course for entering the Shennies on Monday. It looks like I will have decent weather. Maybe I will see Jersey coming in. That would be cool. I feel a whole lot better than I did last night. Amazing how resilient the body is, isn't it?.. ------------------------------Sent via PocketMailEmail Anywherewww.pocketmail.com
Date: 2005-05-22
From: Reeds Gap

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: clear sky

I went out this morning to complete the section. I left most of my stuff in the room so had fresh legs and a light pack to go with them. Not a bad combination !Yesterady I went to the drive thru coffee place by the hotel and lamented to the guy working there that I was having a tuff time finding a ride back to the gap and he nonchalantly says he will take me!! Nice.. He showed up promptly at 8 am and I was cruising down the trail soon after. The air was crisp, the sun warm and the sky a vivid blue. What a difference from the past few days! I saw a few folks taking thier own Sunday strolls but for the most part I had the forest to myself. Except for 1 wonderous moment when a bear and I said a suprising hello to each other. I was walking lost in my own human thoughts and it seems like the bear was in his own wild world also cuz we didn't see each other until we were about 30 feet away and the planet stopped for a sweet authentic moment and we looked at each other, both bright with curiosity. In what seemed like an effortless motion he turned and fled back up the mountain with raw, elegant and noisy power. I was still standing there trying to catch my breath when he turned, lowered his sleek and shiny head and gazed right back at me. Needless to say I drank in the sight until like a ghost he was gone. Wow!! I have seen bears before (obviously living in ak) but not this close and for this length of time. That bear doesn't know it but he made my day...I got back to town not long after that and Dead Animal, !pathfinder and I went to the Chinese place. The shrimp was good... and now I am relaxed, packing up and hope to be on the trail early tomorrow. I hear rain is in the forecast....But, I hope to be watching American Idol somewhere on Tues and Weds. Hey, I have my priorities straight !------------------------------Sent via PocketMailEmail Anywherewww.pocketmail.com
Date: 2005-05-23
From: Waynesboro

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: broken clouds

We got out of town around 8 and were back in the woods by 9. I hiked most of the day with Neighbor and Chickadee with DA coming up behind. It was sorta amazing entering the Shenandoah National Park. Where did Va go? We have come almost 900 miles now and I can feel the trail beginning to change, becoming softer and hanging low in the woods, stretching endlessly. Our mindsets are changing also as we set our sights on the half way point and then the surreal start of counting the miles down..How wierd. I felt good today and my miles ticked off. The park is nicely graded and easy on the knees and feet. We did get rain and I bundled up in my rain jacket and kept moving. The sun came out in the afternoon and painted the forest a fresh, incandescent gold. Nice. I pulled into the shelter and decided to stay there even though I am not a fan but I am leary of getting soaked in the tent again. Yikes! So, snug in my bag I am half listening to Neighbor and Chick and chatting with you guys... Thanks Frank. I'll buy ya the best cup of coffee in Seattle!Miss Chelsea, if you are listening Chick and Neighbor say howdy ....and 1 more time in case he doesn't quite get it yet, {he can be sorta slow}.. missing you. always missing you. ------------------------------Sent via PocketMailEmail Anywherewww.pocketmail.com
Date: 2005-05-24
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Big Meadows Lodge
Miles today: 18.6

Well, well, well..never a dull moment out here..Guess what? I just watched American Idol!! and Bo Bice rocks and if he doesn't win I will be disappointed America....So how did I get here you ask? I got lucky and I took a chance at the road. I stuck out my "I am soaked, cold and pathetic please pick me up" thumb and ...yep, the first car stopped. What is up with that anyhow?I was out hiking at just after 6 am. The sky greeted me begrudgingly.. gray, moody and heavy with rain. I knew I was only 7 miles from a hot cup of coffee. It started to rain well before I got there. I hiked thru a misty, lonely Shenandoah National park. There is a certain beauty to rain. The overlooks were lost in the clouds and my feet seemed loud when I crossed empty winding roads. Was I the only one on the planet? When I got close to the store I took a wrong turn and wandered aimlessly through a mostly deserted campground. Just when I thought I might as well go back to the trail I saw a foggy shape of a car and I stumbled in for my much anticipated cuppa joe. By then it was pouring and the temps were dropping. Excuse me .. but does anyone know where late May went? It feels like early March. Rumor has it that there is a 25 degree difference in what the temperature should be. I tell ya.. the weather is the biggest challenge and I am sure that it is sending people home. The cold works its way into your psyche...demanding your respect and attention. If you have any doubts why you are out here..the cold can seep into your insecurities like a frigid, drenching rain...and creep it's way around the cracks and crevices of your composure until it finds your timid, soft spot ....send you packing. Dead Animal decided he was going to the grill for blueberry pancakes and I thought.. hmm... sounds good. We took the half a mile side trail and enjoyed the warm cafeteria. We lost Chick and Neighbor after that..oh well. While we were eating we began plotting how we could watch Idol... which I wanted to do badly baby!! We decided to walk another 12 miles and try our luck on the park way. You know the rest. For some reason people stop for me and here we are and man oh man is it nasty out ..yikes! This is a very very nice lodge, with terrific food and copious amounts of hot water. After last night, which was seriously bad...some guy snored like he was trying to compete with a dragon. Don't laugh! This is a tranquil, QUIET place and I am relieved, happy and relaxed. We may not hike tomorrow and just start our break from the trail. We will meet my sister on Thursday and she will bring us back to where we got off next Monday PS- Why is it that the guys are starting to look like they are eacapees from the skinny camp and I look like I could beat them up? Hmm.... don't want to think about THAT! Now where did I put that Hostess donut?..------------------------------Sent via PocketMailEmail Anywherewww.pocketmail.com
Date: 2005-05-25
From: Big Meadows Lodge

To: Big Meadows Lodge
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up nice and toasty. I laid under the covers and watched rain course down the windows like weary tears. Rain again....We decided not to hike today and just enjoy the lodge and the cozy fire in the library. Being in this very inviting place has been a real treat and I would recommend it. It has the same feel as the Long Trail Inn.Chick and Neighbor came in and we had dinner together. They are hiking tomorrow so they will be about a week ahead of us. I hope to catch up to them sometime in New England but who knows. I did hear from Jersey though and he will be about 3 or 4 days ahead. Daggone it!.. I already miss those guys.Tomorrow it is on to Luray and my sister will pick us up. It will be odd to be so far from the trail..Well, the coffee here is good. Think I will take a cup, sit by the fire and watch the rain.------------------------------Sent via PocketMailEmail Anywherewww.pocketmail.com