morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-05-28
From: Cove Mt. Shelter

To: Stream campsite
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: light rain

This is the day I finally met the Garland 5. I'd been hearing about them for sometime, a family of five from New Hampshire who are thru hiking the trail. They gave me a piece of paper with everyone's name on it along with their website. Sadly I washed my clothes (actually the experience of washing my hiking clothes can be quite joyous; not really sad at all) and destroyed the piece of paper that would assist my faulty memory. Not remembering all their names I am reluctant to mention any for fear of offending (I'm sensitive that way)...but what the heck. The father's name is Photo (foto?), the older daughter of 14 is Wolfsong, the daughter who just had her birthday on May 31st is now 13, Zing is about 11 and, unfortunately, Mom's name is buried somewhere in the depths of my Leinenkugel's afflicted brain cells. Sorry. Anyway, they're hiking the AT as a family, something I think is fabulous. Even more fabulous is that, up to this point, no one has killed anyone else. Of course they're only a little more than one-third finished with the hike and someone's bound to end up at least maimed. Dad, Photo, worked for a church and lost his job when someone screwed up the budget and it no longer allowed for his salary. Their response was to hike the Appalachian Trail. Good move. Everyone has a load to carry, everyone has a pack. Chores are assigned both individually and rotationally. They get along extremely well together and their mutual love and respect is clearly obvious. Just as clear is that they have no intent of being a poster-type Brady Bunch family. They aren't perfect and hide nothing. They have their squabbles. Because the trail is not always forgiving of certain errors, rules are a must. The parents balance this perfectly with rules that accomodate both safety and the energy of young, strong children. While they are allowed to hike on ahead of the parents, they are only allowed a set distance and if the trail intersects with any type of crossing the kids are required to stop and wait. During the day I hiked with them I noticed that rules were in place and enforced, but the reins were loose enough to allow kids to be kids. They are a great group and I hope to run into them again once I return to the trail...if they'll slow down.
Date: 2005-05-29
To: Marble Spring Camp site
Miles today: 11.0

My current total mileage at the end of the day's hike is 762.9 miles despite what the automatic calculator totals. I hit the one-third mark a couple of days ago and the realization both elated and depressed me. One-third is a significant chunk of the hike and I can look back on a significant accomplishment having weathered 3 significant injuries, some difficult climbs, dumb choices, winter through Georgia, North Carolina and parts of Virginia and I feel good about my effort. Even though I was never good a math I am aware that fully two thirds of my hike are in front of me. Now that I'm well into the teeth of my hike the mileage yet to the north of me absolutely boggles my mind. I remain unconcerned about the physical challenge remaining, but keeping my head into the hike is another matter. Days blur into days, getting up, packing up, hiking all day, setting up camp and starting over the next day...and again and again and again. With two thirds to go. The answer of course is to live in the present. The only moment that exists. One little step at a time and it will all add up. Just keep on keepin'on and it'll all add up to Mt Katahdin and Maine. That's what I do best, keepin' on.
Date: 2005-05-30
From: Marble Spring Camp site

To: Salt Log Gap
Miles today: 15.1

Too tired to take notes and remembering nothing about the hike, there is little to write for the day. My food bag was very low and so my load was light bring me considerable joy. However, this euphoria was balanced by the reality of being out of toilet paper for the past 24 hours and being reduced to using leaves or handkerchiefs. The civil war being waged in my belly between spicy and bland had been decisively won by spicy. Mylanta and large amounts of water would not put the fire out and the wonderful taste of the food would not permit me to decline Hareball's offering. My appetites had done me in. For once in my life my trouble with a female wasn't brought on my hormones, but the result was eerily similar. My ass was still in a jam. Fortunately, at this point, Hareball was also running low on food and so the fire in my belly that had been stoked by her cooking slowly began to subside. My guts slowed their churning protest and I rested easy in my tent preparing for tomorrow's 14 mile sprint into Buena Vista for resupply. Tomorrow would be my last hike with Hareball for sometime and it brought some sadness since she "affected" me like none other on the trail and had become a good hiking partner as well. It rained during the night and though I stayed dry there was a lot of damp, sloppy gear to be stuffed into my pack in the morning and I eventually got started at 7:30
Date: 2005-06-01
From: VA 826, Crab tree farm rd.

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I caught a ride with a Trail Angel to Crab Tree Farm Rd., about 20 miles north of Buena Vista. This was completely intentional since I plan on coming back and completing this section with my friend, CreekDancer, on the 4th and 5th of June. It was a day for rugged climbs and I must be rounding into pretty good shape because I handled it with relative ease. Rugged and lots of up hills, but it's always the descents that get to me more than the climb and I seemed equal to all of it. The day was spent all alone and I eventually camped in a field close by Maupin Field Shelter. I felt pleased and satisfied with my effort. Tomorrow I'll try the long haul to Waynesboro and see if I can get to Richmond a day early and surprise my son.
Date: 2005-06-09
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Calf Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: light rain

Joe drove me from his home in Richmond, to Rockfish Gap in Waynesboro, VA, and, following our goodbyes, I was on the trail at noon. I really enjoy spending time with my son, but 8 zero days in a row is enough and I was ready for trail life again.Signs of rain were in abundance and it didn't take long for the actual event to precipitate (pun, get it?) I had only hiked about 2 miles and the light sprinkle turned into a warm, steady rain. considering that the temperature was in the low 80's I opted to hike in shorts and t-shirt rather than donning what little remained of any rain gear. My pack was lighted considerably by still more gear choices made while in Richmond. Filled with 4-5 days of food, it weighed a mere 26 lbs. When I get to the next town, I'll send a lot more home -- items I'll have to reclaim in the colder months but just take up space and add weight during the summer. Next to go will be my underwear, long & short, fleece bottoms, a small recorder I've never used, body glide, scissors and some other items. I'm sure My quest for eliminating useless weight is endless and I'm not finished yet. This is, after all, a grand and very long experiment.Early in the day's hike I ran into Red Hat who I first met shortly after spraining my ankle in Georgia. Due to some issues she left the trail for a month and just recently returned. She is about 60 (I could get in trouble here) and was sporting a black eye and 12 stitches in her forehead from falling and doing a face plant a couple days earlier. There some tough cookies on the AT!At about 4:00 PM I had hiked the 7 miles into Calf Mountain shelter. The rain had not let up and so I decided to stop early and spend the night rather than get increasingly wet and soak my gear as well. New people I met at the shelter were Painless from colorado and Souleman and Brownie from Vermont and New Hampshire.
Date: 2005-06-10
From: Calf Mtn. Shelter

To: Loft Mt. Campground
Miles today: 20.9

I rolled out of camp by myself at about 7:30, an average starting time. Within a couple of miles I was overtaken by Princess, a 22 y/o recent college graduate from the U. of Colorado. She is a pretty quick hiker, but it seems that after 850 miles I've finally built up some speed of my own, so we continued together through the clearing morning.Somewhere along the way a compromise was reached. Initially I planned to do about 17 and she 26, and so we settled on 20. We ran across Souleman and Brownie at a road crossing and decided interrupt the hike and hitch to Loft Mtn. campground to get a blackberry milkshake and reserve a tent site at the campground.The very first car stopped (rule #1 -- always hitch with ladies) a gentleman named Walt. This fine specimen of Christianity at its best drove us to the ranger station and waited while we made our reservations and then drove us to the camp store for our malts. He so enjoyed our company that he came in and allowed me the favor of paying for his treat. We had a pleasant, humorous visit and soon Walt had to go back to work and we had to return to our hike.Souleman and Brownie prefer not to slackpack and so hitched a ride back to the point where Walt picked us up. They would then don their packs and hike north back to the campground. Being born-again slackers, Princess and I opted to hike the trail south from the campground back to the earlier point where our packs rested. Our intent, since we were unencumbered by packs was to run the trails as much as possible. This we did -- with her considerably in the lead, down to the gentle grades and flats, while hiking up the hills. The afternoon was quick and fun, a diversion from the normal trudge and I enjoyed it tremendously.All in all, a great day -- 13 miles of hard hiking, a blackberry shake and a 7 mile run in the mountains. Lots of fun.
Date: 2005-06-26
From: Pole Steeple

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: clear sky

Absolutely the hardest day thus far on the trail. Fraggle spoke with a man that claimed it was 95 degrees in the shade, under his porch, at noon. We started out moments before 7:00AM on fairly flat but rocky terrain. Fraggle was soon ahead and out of sight as his long legs rapidly ate up yardage that my short, stout bowling pins could only envy. The heat of the day was foreshadowed by a dead calm in the forest; nothing stirred even at this early hour. Having eaten a good breakfast I expected to make fair time in the early AM, but the humidity wiped me out. By ten o'clock, I'd only advanced my cause by 5 miles and stopped at a roadside grocery store for water and a snack. The snack turned out to be a half-gallon of milk and 2 cheeseburgers, but I felt better with extra fuel, leaving at 11:00 with a slightly quicker pace.The afternoon was all rock-hopping in the blazing sun as I climbed and descended small ridges; the last of the Blue Ridge Mountains, or so I'm told. Following the rock-hopping there was an easy descent through forest of about 2 miles, culminating on a flat trail through 2.5 miles of farm fields -- still in the blazing sun.As I staggered into town I met Fraggle headed for dinner and detoured with him to a local eatery for lasagna and iced tea. Fraggle initially asked for Pepsi, but every time the waitress gave him a refill it was a different beverage -- first Dr. Pepper, then root beer. Realizing her mistake, she threw her hands in the air and said "I'm so sorry, you're drinking Coke, aren't you?" Who could argue?Presently I'm camped in the back yard of a bed and breakfast for one whole American dollar. I'm hoping to get started at 5:30 tomorrow morning because the goal is Duncannon, PA, a distance of 25.7 miles.Lately the hike has been going quite well. I'm doing at least 16 miles a day and quite a bit quicker explained perhaps by the easier terrain -- though today was definitely NOT easy.The Mason-Dixon line had been crossed on 6/23 and I'm back in the North again. The change was immediate and dramatic -- people just not as friendly -- seem to be more afraid. They really love hikers in the South; up here we're merely tolerated. I never thought that would be the case, but it certainly is my early observation.Oh, another thing. If I average 16.25 miles per day I can finish on the last day of August -- so long as I take NO days off. Every time I hike over 16.25 I bank the difference and each time the difference totals 16.25 miles I get either a day off or can bank it for the White Mountains and the climbs from hell. Unfortunately the reverse is also true, every time I do less than 16.25, the odds of NOT finishing on 8/31 are increased. Not a big chance of finishing then, but I'm going to keep trying while I have a chance.Came across two thru-hikers laying in the shade during the heat of the day. Both in their mid-20's. One was "Goat" and I forget the other. The 2 just now rolled in and pitched their tents, Goat saying he's quitting the trail. It really WAS hot today!
Date: 2005-06-27
From: Boiling Springs

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 25.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, I did what I said I would do, so I'm still stupid. Wow! What a tough day. First 12 miles was easy and then came the rocks and the up and downs. My feet are swollen and blistered, first ones of the trail. Toes on my left foot are numb. Why? Because I made my mind up to do it. Not a wise choice, me listening to me.A smarter lady, Ginny, wrote on the Trail Talk website that if I was enjoying the trip, why do anything to finish quicker? If I wasn't, why not go home now? I heard her words loud and clear. To hell with any possibility of finishing in August, I'm taking tomorrow off and resting my poor old feet. While I'm nursing myself, I may as well nurse a couple of beers. Good night all!
Date: 2005-06-28
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Sitting in my room in the Doyle Hotel, Duncannon, PA. Another day in the 90's and while I'm glad to have the day off, it's pretty hot in this old decrepit late 1800's hotel.Since I left my son's home I've traveled almost 300 miles in less than 3 weeks. The half way point is now firmly BEHIND me and I've travelled 1132.7 miles with 1041.4 to go. Everything will continue well so long as I start each day at 5:30 to 6:00AM, break during the heat of the day, and hike well into the cooler evening.The infamous "rocks of Pennsylvania", a section of sharp, pointy little rocks are soon to come and quite frankly I'm afraid of them. My feet bother me enough as it is. I have a few ideas for minimizing the assault, but have no idea if it will work.No doubt this seeming vacillating of my mood and spirit is tedious, but that's what happens. The energy demand is so great during the hot weather that I am drained physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. There is a saying "that which does not kill me, strengthens me." The trick is to keep it from killing me.Thanks for reading!
Date: 2005-07-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Graymoor Friary, NY. Total miles 1394I am seated at a green painted picnic table in a pavilion at the Graymoor Friary in New York State. According to my Hikers Guide it is 4.5 miles from Peekskill, NY and I don't know where that is either. I do know that I crossed the Hudson River on a large suspension bridge yesterday afternoon about an hour before a warm summer downpour (the second of the day and fifth in three days) that continued until shortly before entering the Graymoor property at about 7:30 p.m. on July 18th. It's now 1:37 in the afternoon of the following day. My tent remains pitched on the soccer field directly in front of me, air drying from repeatedly being stowed wet in my pack and I trudged north with wet and heavier gear. To the left various articles of gear and clothing hang from a clothes line generously provided for people just like me: hikers. Moments ago I took advantage of the cold water shower and feel refreshed beyond imagination. It was my first shower of any type through the totality of New Jersey (81 miles) and 42 miles of New York. Considering the warmth & humidity of mid-summer, you can surmise that my stench is worse now than at any point in the trip. Inhale deeply through your nostrils and imagine. A thru-hiker will have the memory of this foul and noxious odor permanently seared into his memory. Future generations of his or her off spring will, sadly, be hardwired with it. Sometimes I believe that I will never gain be truly clean. If I could just eliminate that green fuzzy stuff growing in my arm pits I'd be okay. Help's on the way though. I'm taking another day of 61 miles north in Kent, Ct and will once again get my laundry and personal hygiene needs met. That cleansing should carry me through Connecticut and Massachusetts.Yesterday, while slogging in the rain, I could feel the signs of the skin covering my feet breaking down due to being continually wet. The so called "hotspots" that show up just prior to blisters forming, awaiting only the friction brought on by the inevitable hiking. Paying close attention to my feet, and taking preventive action, has saved me much grief on this hike. It's a little different, though, when all of your clothing is soaked and you have no dry socks. Had my destination been further I would have pitched my tent in the rain and tended to them. With only 3 miles to go I continued on in the hope that I could fix the situation after stopping. Last night they were somewhat macerated (correct word?) with those same hot spots in several areas. I washed and dried them to the best of my ability, applied antibiotic ointment and slept with my feet elevated to reduce swelling. Today I lay in the sun for a bit to help dry the skin and facilitate healing. Before I leave tomorrow I will tape those areas with either band aids or duct tape, completely dependant on whichever sticks better. Situations not really demanding immediate attention at home must be dealt with promptly on the trail. The consequences are too great.
Date: 2005-07-22
From: Telephone Pioneers Shelter

To: Dry Gulch Ravine
Miles today: 18.1

Transcriber's note: Nimblefoot has written at the top of this entry "total 1448.1, remaining 726.".Entry:Tomorrow early I will be 2/3 of the way finished. A lot of miles walked with a lot still to do. Today I checked New York off the list and moved into Connecticut. Seldom has going from one state to the next felt so dramatic; it's starting to look and feel like the Northwoods, but wth moiuntains. It's comforting to be in this kind of environment; I really do miss home.Today I noticed something a little strange. Well, I'll describe it and you can decide now strange it is. I've been aware for some years that, as I've gotten older, hair has sprouted profusely in some areas and disappeared from others. For instance, while my head is bald there are areas of my back, nose, and ears that are getting rather furry. The nose and ears I try to keep trimmed; the back is on its own.Evidently with living in the woods and all I've gotten a little negligent and the other day became aware that mosquitoes and other small insects were flying into my ear but not flying back out. Naturally, this concerned me and I investigated. Evidently my unchecked hair growth had interwoven to the point it became like a spider web and was snagging small bugs. In fact, a spider too smart and lazy to spin his own web had set up housekeeping on the auricle (flap) of my ear and was devouring the unfortunate insects who got stuck in my ear web. To make matters worse the "he" spider is actually a "she" and has laid a batch of eggs behind my ear. I suppose something should be done, but it is pretty good pest control and not bad company when I hike alone.
Date: 2005-07-24
From: Dry Gulch Ravine

To: Caleb's Peak, North of Kent, CT
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday I hiked into Kent, CT to pick up a food drop provided by my friend from Virginia, Creek Dancer. Today I've been camped all day about 3.5 trail miles north of Kent. Buttah and I left town together and were soon overtaken in the late afternoon by Leviathan. Considering the hour growing later we decided to stealth camp at Caleb's Peak and continue on in the early morning. Unfortunately, I was afflicted with some really great vomiting in the middle of the night, soon to be joined by equally enthusiastic diarrhea as the sun rose in the east to announce an otherwise beautiful day. My friends, at my urging, departed up the trail by 7ish and I continued to linger in my tent, sleeping sporadically til about 10:00. The worst seemed to be over, but in a greatly weakened state I decided to take a recovery day in the woods, and so I have.About all I did today was lay outside on my mattress pad and alternately doze off and read "The Third Wave" by Alvin Toffler. Occaisionally I'd risk sipping water and by late afternoon I tried a few solids from my food bag. So far so good. Tomorrow I'll rise early and hit the trail. I definitely do not want a relapse of this bug so I'll probably rest often and do what I always do -- drink lots of water.I saw Angie and Jules (Giggles and Box of Fun from the Fun Factory) yesterday at the outfitter. Hadn't seen either since Trail Days and it was really nice. Also picked up some new hiking shoes that really grip the rock. My old ones lasted less than 2 months, or 600-plus miles. I should finish with these.
Date: 2005-07-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hi,I'm at the library in Salisbury, Ct. Somewhere between 1500 and 1600 miles up the trail (don't have my book with me). I've been hindered and then stopped by a severe bout of vomiting and diarrhea of 4 days duration. The vomiting has ceased, but I'm very weak and hiking is not presently possible. It's only 11:00 a.m. and I already need to lie down. I don't think I'm done with the trip and have at least recovered to the point where I'm able to think of wanting to finish again. The last few days left me with no feeling about the Appalachian trail, only survival. The good news, between the energy spent on the hike and the added weight loss of the diarrhea, et. al. I've finally lost enought weight that my love handles have disappeared. Pretty extreme weight loss program, but I may as well look for something positive out of this debacle. No idea of when I'll hit the trail again. I'm not getting any worse, but not really getting much better either. Don't waste your time worrying about me because it won't help. Remember, it's not the event that causes the grief, but your reaction to it and you have a choice. Rest assured I won't waste any energy (as if I had some) worrying about you worrying about me.
Date: 2005-07-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hi,Just got back from seeing the doctor. He agreed that I have Giardia, tho a milder case than most. I am on a medication (Flagyll) and can't eat solids for 24 hours (couldn't anyway. I'm feeling better just knowing I'm going to feel better. This time tomorrow I'll be one with a cheeseburger. The doctor must give hiker discounts because he only charged me $20. Such a bargain I should do it all over again. I expect to be back on the trail in 2-3 days.