morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-20
From: Pearisburg

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: clear sky

Nice weather today - cool temps, cool breeze. Started up from Pearisburg hoping to get breakfast at Wades grocery on the way out of town but we were there at 7:30 and the store didn't open until 9 so we left with one of our Krispie treats in our mouths. Crosssing the Bridge over the New River we could see many railroad tracks and sidings and the nearby factory. The river looked deep and fast. Soon we were off to the woods and many road crossings until we made the final climb to Rice Field and Rice Field shelter built by the local Rice family. There we met O2 (short for oxygen) who was also going north. We had some cheese and crackers there and then pushed on. At 11am we reached a campsite under an old oak tree where Slim saw the rear quarters of a female deer. When she looked up Slim was standing still watching her and she seemed confused not knowing what it was that changed out there. Then Bogey came up and said "Look there's a deer". No, Bogey...WAS as a deer. Then we were walking just past the Allegheny trail junction and Slim spooked two black bears and they ran away. They were about 30 inches tall at the rump. We've seen 5 bears on this trip. We stopped and had snacks at 3pm and then continued on to get water before finding a campsite near the shelter. When we arrived there were no flat places to setup a tent so we are in the shelter for the night even though the roof is caved in on the south side from a fallen tree on April 17. O2 is also here and he was lucky to pass us when we were getting water and he got the only flat tentsite but Bogey and Slim are happy in the shelter with the broken roof timbers. Bogey is having problems again. His back is hurting along with his right knee and left hip. Slim's feet ache. But her heart aches more - for the pain her mother's enduring. We are praying for her. And for Bogey.Words of the day:What bears?
Date: 2007-05-21
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: Warspur Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: clear sky

Just for the record: The mileage in Wingfoot's book is off as are the signs posted along the way. There was definitely an extra mile from Warspur Trail junction and Warspur shelter. Our pedometer said 2.3 while the book and sign said 1.3. Other hikers have written in the registers that the mileage is off. I have only one big question: WHY IS IT ALWAYS MORE MILES THAN THE BOOKS SAY?ANSWER: So you can practice getting over discouragment one section at a time instead of all at once. We rolled out of the shelter late, around 8:00. The hiking was good the first 1.5 miles. Then we climbed 1000 feet in 1.5 miles to Bailey Gap shelter where we met Couch who at 10:30 was just rolling out of his tent. He's young and will easily hike his 17 mile goal today and leave us in the dust. He is from Maine. We passed a lot of south bounders including OD & CC who were flip-flopping from Harpers Ferry to Springer and then Katahdin to Harpers Ferry. Most of the afternoon hike was rocky today. As expected Couch passed us near Wind Rock, a flat place on top the hill. We are here gathering water and soaking our feet on the stream, eating dinner of Kippered Herring, Goldfish, Doritos, Chips, Goldfish, Gatorade, and candy. We're hoping Kim and Trevor come in.Words of the Day:Woodland Realm
Date: 2007-05-22
From: Warspur Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: broken clouds

We talked with Rafiki last night about birds. He's quite an expert on them and their songs. He took a photo of two baby Barred owls sitting on the ground. He had many interesting photos. His website is www.uvm.edu/~chansen. We got on the trail today at 7am and found trail magic just 3 miles out, sodas in an ice chest. Yes! At last the ice chest was not empty. Thank you trail angel. There was a long 1000 ft ascent and we arrived at Laurel Creek Shelter 10am and met two soutbound section hikers. Forgot their names. Then we pushed on to Sinking Creek Valley a lovely, pastoral scene of farmland and mountains. It was the place where in 1993 we had parked a shiny red Mazda MR3 rental car to do a section hike. What does this have to do with anything? Well, today there was a little bright red sporty car parked at the same place. De-ja vu. The ascent of Sinking Creek Mt was somewhat taxing although with many views. The rock scrambles at the top were often on a 40 degree slant and very difficult to walk. The Sarver Shelter was .3 miles on a steep side trail so we continued past it. Finally we descended through Mountain Laurel blooming in masses of white and pinks. Fragrant. We arrived at Niday shelter at 6pm and were greeted by 2 Dogs and Long Step, Jeff, Willing and Abal from Minnesota, Ishmael, Blue Yonder and Daybreak. We all shared fun and conversation at the table. It was good to see our old friends and meet new ones. It was a good day but with difficult terrain which slowed us down fron 2mph to 1 1/2mph.The whip-or-wills are singing our bedtime song. Word of the day: LottaRocksAfter eating smoked oysters and crackers we laid down in the tent for the night. We were tenting beside Blue Yonder and Daybreak. I, Slim, had a breathing problem. All of a sudden my throat closed off and my breathing became thin. As I gasped for air a loud, thin, high-pitched strider was over-shadowing the sounds of the night. I grabbed my water bottle and took a few sips but it did not help. Bogey was now pounding me on the back as I struggled for air. After what seemed to be minutes my throat opened a bit and I was able to breathe a little more. Wow! That was a first. In the morning Daybreak and Blue Yonder said they heard me and were quite concerned but probably not as much as Bogey and me.
Date: 2007-05-23
From: Niday Shelter

To: VA Route 624
Miles today: 16.6

At noon today we made a decision..We've agonized over this decision for four days folks. We must go home. Slim's mother is 79 and was diagnosed with lung cancer and it is giving her severe pain. The pain is so bad she cannot cook or sit up to eat. She tires at the least bit of effort. She needs help and I am retired. Lets put it this way..if I continued this hike as planned I would regret it forever. We are so sorry to disappoint our followers. We did the hike to, over and down Dragon's Tooth and it was a real difficult, often dangerous descent but everyone made it safely. Ishmael said he slipped going down the rocks and asked if we heard him. Nope. We couldn't hear anything over our own screams. We hiked with Ishmael most of the day and met up with Blue Yonder and Daybreak at the grocery store along rt 311 where we had BBQ sandwiches, Cokes, Ice cream and chips. They are aware that tomorrow will be our last day on our attempted 2007 thru-hike and they are wishing us well and are saying goodbyes. We will have done near 700 miles of the Trail when we stop in Daleville. Bogey is tired and we are in the tent camped just 1/2 mile north of rt 624 with our trail friends, Daybreak and Blue Yonder and Ishmael, listening to the crickets and the birds. Off to sleep now. Tomorrow and Friday McAfee Knob, Tinker Cliffs and the Daleville and the Econo-lodge motel. Oops, We had a change of plans - SoulLive, a 2006 thru-hiker, was doing Trail Magic and Slim asked if he could help us get to Daleville and he offered to pick us up at route 311 tomorrow after we hike there from camp. Word of the Day: Heavy-hearted
Date: 2007-05-24
From: VA Route 624

To: Catawba, VA
Miles today: 6.0

We finished the last few miles of our 2007 thru-hike by 11am with a ride offered by SoulLive who took us to Daleville as planned. We are at the Econo-lodge motel with Daybreak, another hiker who offered us the use of her van that is parked at Damascus, to drive to PA and Slim's mother. Then we must park it at Harpers Ferry by the 8th of June so that she has it when she finishes her section hike. We will leave here tomorrow and drive to Damascus then home. It was a lovely day to say goodbye to the Trail and the friends we've made. A special thank you to DayBreak and Blue Yonder and Ishmael for the support they've given in this trying time by allowing me, Slim, to confide in them. Its a great day to say "I love you mom."This is from Bogey: After we knew we in our hearts had to leave the trail to help Slim's mother, we just found out she has lung cancer and she lives alone, it broke my heart to see the tears running down my Slim's cheeks as she typed our decision on her pocketmail machine. Tears because we were leaving the Trail and tears for her mother. There was no other choice to make and I don't regret for a second this decision. The Trail will be there for many, many years, but her mother needs us now. We will do all we can for her. We want to thank all who have been reading our journal and signing our guest book and hope you have found some things of interest. It has been a wonderful experience and a great adventure. We really got to experience what thru-hiking is all about, the hitching into towns, the hostels, the companionship of other hikers at shelters or tenting together. We never experienced these things when we section-hiked the A.T. I can honestly tell you that everyone we met, in towns or on the trail, motel operators, clerks or people who gave us rides were friendly and outgoing and willing to help us in any way. I also want to thank the Trail Angels and those people who've helped us on the homefront while we were gone, our good friend Lynn, who mowed the lawn and drove our vehicles, our best friends and transcriber for our journal entries, Sweet Violet, Josi and her husband Dave. God bless you all and all the hikers still out there. BogeyWord of the Day: Family
Date: 2007-05-25
From: Catawba, VA

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Fifty nine days and almost 700 miles of wonderful memories. No regrets. Slim called her mom from the motel and through her tears she said she wanted us to continue the hike but we are coming home and glad to be doing so. As I write this we are on I-81 near Harrisonburg, VA and should be home in 3-4 hours and sleeping in our own hostel. Going into this hike early in the year never, ever did we imagine that we would quit for any reason but the reason was so beyond anything we could imagine. Slim's mom is more important right now. We will be back. Thank you everyone for your support. Slim and Bogey
Date: 2007-06-19
From: Home

To: Dreaming
Miles today: 0.0

Slim's Mom has cancer in the right lung and it has spread to the ribs and is near the spinal cord. Eventually the cancer will take her life. She is in terrible pain and we are awaiting radiation treatments to stop the pain. Bogey and Slim are in the toughest role of their lives, that of caretakers trying to comfort her when there is none. Slim's sister and husband have come to Pennsylania and helping with her care so B&S can get out once in awhile. Family has come to visit frequently and and they are given short breaks during that time. Thank you everyone for your kind words, prayers and thoughts. You've uplifted us when we needed it. Keep on hiking and know that we are with you in spirit. Kimmi called from Harpers Ferry today and while choking back tears she told me that she and Trevor are getting off the trail. How I wish we could be there for them and support them. They are feeling good physically but their funds are low as are their spirits. You know, the Trail is tough enough but when it stops being fun it is time to rethink. After a hefty hike of 1000 miles, which they should be very pleased, she said they may come back and finish another year and we hope then to hike together again. We miss them so much. Then she said that JimE Cricket is having foot problems again, the same problems he's had throughout his hike. He may get off the Trail too. We are hoping he will heal and continue if he desires to do so. We miss JimE too. We met way back in GA. BTW just for the record JimE has hiked 1000 miles too and Folks, get this, he summitted Denali back when it was still called McKinley. Hooray! How many of us can say that? We will never forget the times we enjoyed together, especially when we, us, Kim and Trevor and JimE all camped together just south of Damascus and then made the run to town early in the morning. What a memorable day. Drizzle, cool, steep, muddy, houses, garages, automobiles, grassy park area, Damascus sign, Laurel Creek, bridge, more cars, Dave's Place, Mt Rogers Outfitters, town chores. REAL FOOD! Coca-Cola! ICE CREAM! PIZZA! YES!!!!We miss the peace and tranquility of the Trail and often times we escape there in our minds and it brings us comfort. The Trail is like living in another world. We yearn to connect again with our good friends we hiked with. We love you and miss you and wish you the best as you make your way to other paths or the big K. Life is full of wonderful choices.
Date: 2007-06-29
From: Dreaming

To: Living on Memories
Miles today: 0.0

JimE Cricket called last week and what a lift it was to hear his voice and feel his Trail spirit again. He called from Route 11 here in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and said he is going home. He is bored with the hike and the lack of mental stimulation while solo thru-hiking. We know the feeling. He plans to complete it as a section hike in the future. Many of you thru-hikers know how a thru-hike becomes a mental challenge once the physical body conditioning is met. JimE had foot problems from the start no matter what boots he wore. He will heal his feet and hike again. We hope to hook up with him and Kim and Trevor sometime in the future and hike with them again. The reunion will be sweet.
Date: 2007-07-17
From: Living on Memories

To: Bound to home
Miles today: 0.0

To everyone who sent kind words of encouragement via this website and to those who are quietly wishing us well, we thank you for the support. We totally miss the trail but are totally involved in my mother's care. She is not doing well. Her days are numbered and we are doing the best we can. She entered hospice care July 16. Her 79th birthday is July 19th. I feel she will pass away on a significant day such as her birthday or a family member's birthday or such. It is so sad to see her go from a robust, happy, communicative person to a very old, sick shell. But thank the Lord, I know where she will go, and the happiness she will feel there when greeted by loved ones. Such love and hope our Savior has provided is beyond my ability to express. Mom enjoys this poem:When you get to heaven you will likely viewMany folks whose presence there may be a shock to you.But keep it very quiet. Do not even stare.Doubtless there'll be many folks surprised to see "you" there.
Date: 2007-07-28
From: Bound to home

To: Eternity
Miles today: 0.0

Slim's mother passed on to eternity on July 26th after 52 days in our home and 79 years in her earthly home. At last she is free of the pain the cancer caused and is in a far better place. We thank you for your kind words and emotional support. Keep on hiking and enjoying life. Its times like these that make you firmly aware of how fragile we all are and how important loved ones are in our lives. Next to Bogey my mother was my best friend and I miss her terribly. God bless you all. Cherish those whom you love and those who love you. Slim
Date: 2007-12-02
From: Renewal of Life

To: From Chrysalis to Butterfly
Miles today: 0.0

This post, like the photo, is a reminder of the renewal of life and love. Just wanted to say that Bogey and Slim are thinking about thru-hiking all over again this year..starting again at Springer. We only regret that it will never be the same since my Mom, our one woman cheering section, won't be at home waiting for our phone calls. All our 2007 hiking friends will not be there either.As some of you may remember we were hiking to Maine in 2007 when Slim's mother became ill with cancer. Mom was our "one woman" support team who sent us gear in mail drops with cookies and other things from home. She took care of mailing our bills and kept everything at home running smoothly. When in Pearisburg on May 18 we found out that her tests concluded that she had cancer and we decided to go home. We left the Trail 4 days later at route 311 in Virginia when we were offered the use of a van for the trip home. Thank you Blue Yonder and Daybreak. For 52 days we took care of my mother and watched her go from a healthy, vibrant person to a helpless, pain-riddled elderly lady. She was so valiant, so dignified in facing the inevitable, never crying or pitying herself. Bogey and I took her into our home and spent all those days talking and sharing sweet memories. From the beginning the doctors said her care was palliative, not curative and they promised to work to relieve her pain. I am so sorry that it never happened. Her pain got increasingly worse the whole time. We, along with my sister and her husband, devoted all we could to her comfort. Cancer is a wicked, torturous joy-thief, a thief to life and hope. We still mourn for our loss. Someone told me that it will get worse before it gets better but I think I am finally coming out of the darkness and beginning to see the light and give thanks for the many good years we had together as mother and daughter. There are lots of things I wish we could have done together but alas these will never be realized. I've lost my whole cheering section in One Person. She loved me unconditionally and I her. If I would say one thing to everyone it would be...don't ever put off doing something you love to do, do those special things for those you love. Cherish and enjoy and live your life so that you have no regrets. I know that we will meet our loved ones again. Change may be inevitable but... I don't have to like it...just endure it. Slim and Bogey
Date: 2006-10-24
To: Gearing Up
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I have accumulated most of my gear. I am in good physical shape. I just need to work out the logistics of a schedule and possible mail drops. I am not sure which way I want to go at this point, as there are pros and cons to the mail drops. Part of the reason I am hiking the trail to get away from all the technology that surrounds me daily, so I am leaning toward being more spontaneous while on the trail. I am wired that way anyhow. However I want to eat healthy and I have been dehydrating some of my food. I guess I will have to find a balance. I have been preparing myself mentally now. Hiking the AT in June was an eye-opening experience for me. I am ready physically. I know the journey will be mental from this point on. And I have also be laying a foundation for what happens after the trail as that doesn't get discussed much and I have heard of people struggling after they finish the trail in Maine. So, with that said, I am hoping to try to keep up with this journal as much as possible. I am not taking any electronic devices along with me, so if I can get access along the trail towns to update this, then I will do so.I have chosen my trail name "Boo Boo" as Yogi's sidekick in Jellystone Park. That may change, if so, I am open. That's all for now.
Date: 2006-10-25
To: Preparation
Miles today: 0.0

I have definitely needed to pare down some of the gear I had packed. I think my first aid kit is down to moleskin and aspirin. I figure if I need something more than that I can make it to a trail town for whatever it may be. I also have found out I don¢t like instant oatmeal! So why do I keep packing it on these adventures only to return home again and again with it? I seem to be ok in the clothing area.I will be coming off the trail for my daughter¢s graduation, my son¢s birthday and my anniversary probably near the end of May. So, I figure about 2 weeks at home and I can drop off a lot of my gear and pick up lighter weight items when I head back out. Then, when it begins to get cool I will have them mailed back to me. All I have to do now is plan a tentative schedule. I use that term loosely because I know it will change.
Date: 2006-10-26
To: To bring or not to bring...
Miles today: 0.0

It's amazing to me how much I naturally want to bring all the creature comforts of home, yet when I am out on the trail, I find myself asking "what the hell did I bring that for?" It seemed like a good idea at the time. But going against the grain of bringing comfort items is a tough one. Now I have heard from many other people who have hiked the AT to keep a journal and take lots of pictures. So, do I bring a camera? There is the issue of preserving my memories with an arguement of theft and weight. It's a tough call.    Gawd, I feel like such a pantywaist (as Grandma Gatewood would say). For those of you who don't know...Grandma Gatewood was the first woman to thru-hike the AT. She did it at the age of 67 and was the eighth person to complete the hike. She did it with a denim sack, a shower curtain as her shelter, and she tore thru several pairs of keds. She didn't have people telling her what lightweight fancy gear to take, or when to mail drop her any items. Sheesh, when I think about it in that perspective, THAT is the kind of hike I want. After all, who needs all this stuff out on the trail?
Date: 2006-10-30
To: Where or where is the data book?
Miles today: 0.0

I went to my local outfitters and was trying to pick up the 2007 Data book. Its the book the contains all the useful information for a thru hike, such as water locations, mileage, elevations, hostels, post offices, etc. They didn't have it.    So, home I went and I decided to see if the ATC had it online. Nope, it's not out yet, they still have 2006. I was considering getting the 2006 version so I can start planning this trip. I know it won't have the most update information, but it's tempting. I better just wait.   The next thing I started to look at was getting to Springer Mountain and home from Katahdin (yea, I am optimistic I will make the whole thing)as well as home in June for my daughters graduation, son's b-day and my anniversary. I was looking at airlines and buslines and trying to consider which would be the best alternative. My husband wants to hike some of the AT with me so I can see that happening when he drops me back on the trail. We are still working on which way will work out best for us. Once we figure that out the rest should be relatively easy. I guess that's it for now.
Date: 2006-11-30
To: Found a Data Book
Miles today: 0.0

So, I've finally located an older version of the data book that a wonderful friend has graciously let me use so I can begin to plan my trip. I am amazed at what a useful tool this is. He has hiked the AT as well, so he is a good resource of information. I know when the new 2007 book comes out it will just be a matter of tweaking , so I am well on my way. I have been looking at my food items and think I need to continue to dehydrate more food, as I will be on a tight budget. So if I can mail drop most items rather than purchasing them, that will be a bit more frugel for me. I also do not plan to spend alot of time in towns, because my main focus is to be out on the trail, but I am well aware that those plans can change, and I do need to resupply and get clean (shower and laundry). I guess time will tell.   As far as training, I am lifting weights, swimming, and I am beginning to climb stairs. I am going to enter a race in my town in February, so that will be motivation to get in shape for the trail as well.   I have been very busy with my new job and there is a lot of training/testing that I am going through right now, so I am trying to be aware of budgeting my time...especially with the holidays. It is a bit tough, but if I stay focused, I know I will get through this alright. I know the AT is coming and rather quickly, but hey, I gotta roll with it. Ready or not, here I come!   So I guess for December, I am staying focused on training, finishing up my hiking plan, and tweaking my food. Accomplishing this before January will be a BIG load off of my mind. It will also allow me to plan out my daughter's graduation and help her with her college plans.   That's it for now. Just keep moving forward.