morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-24
From: Jerry's Cabin

To: Hogback Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

We were hoping to hike further today, but sometimes you have a day where you just feel awful. Today was one of those days for me. Singing Sister, another one of BS's friends, is picking us up tomorrow from Spivey Gap to take us into Erwin. BS is well connected, bless her.
Date: 2008-04-25
From: Hogback Shelter

To: Spivey Gap
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: broken clouds

I'm Writing from Erwin, TN.I have not been very good about updating this site, I know, but that is because life is absolutely crazy when I am in town. THere is laundry, eating, cleaning, package pick-up, mailing, financial aid form writing, resupplying, etc, etc etc to do in just a few hours time. I've found that getting all of these things done on a 0 mile day is still difficult. Sooooo many good stories. I WILL catch up with them some day, and soon I hope.Have walked about 320 or 330 miles so far. Feeling good right now. There are great people taking care of me tonight: Singing Sister and Mr. Blister. They gave me a spare digital camera to keep since mine just broke! The generousity out here is outrageous and wonderful. They have also shuttled me, fed me, and even let me do my laundry. Life is good.THANK you for all of the great, encouraging words. They are priceless.Peace and love,Colleen
Date: 2008-04-26
From: Spivey Gap

To: Curly Maple Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: few clouds

Today was awesome! I really feel like I turned a corner... I could have hiked forever! And right on cue because today is day 28 of hiking. They sya after about 4 weks you really start getting into shape. IT was a beautiful day--I saw a garter snake and a black rat snake, and a lot of the trail wound around this gorgeous stream. We stopped at Johnny's hostel for lunch and visited with folks... Pod and Rhody, guns, the breeze and some others. We had a lot of great laughs.The morning was really interesting because there was a re-route on the trail due to a controlled burn. It was like walking through an enchanted forest. The left over smoke made the light shine down at unusual angles, and there were lots of new and different smells. It was quite the hike.
Date: 2008-04-27
From: Spivey Gap

To: Greasy Creek Gap Hostel
Miles today: 19.0

What a difference a day makes. It was much cooler and it POURED all afternoon. The biggest blessing of the day was being served blueberry pancakes and farm fresh eggs from a former thru hiker and his family. It was so heartening and delicious. Staying at the Greasy Greek Friendly Hostel tonight to dry run by CC. This woman has endless energy and loves her hikers. A word about the miracles that seem to surround me on the trail. BS wants to re-name me Lost and Found because of all of my luck at obtaining things i lost or things I need just when i need them. Here is a list of those items:1. Warm jacket containing wallet lost on the trail somewhere near Climgman's Dome. Returned the very same day by Pod and Rhody2. I needed new pants because the ones I was hiking with were rubbing on my legs too much. Pod pulls a much better pair of $70 pants out of a hiker box for me.3. Lost my hat on the trail. Again, the Pod Squad comes to my rescue.4. Left my sleeping pad in a shelter. The very same day one awaits em in a hiker box at the next hostel.5. My camera breaks. Singin Sister and Mr. Blister just happen ot have a perfectly good extra digital camera hanging around my house that they donate to my cause.6. I have an urge to see live music. there it is in the next town i stop in.Clearly someone is watching over me. Please continue whatever prayers or blessings you are extending my way. They are working.
Date: 2008-04-28
From: Spivey Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

IF you are a regular to my site, then you will notice that I have tried ot make some headway and catch up with this journal. It's designed so that you write a new entry every day... not sure why since most people can't get to a computer everyday. Anyhow, I still haven't been able to catch up to the point where I start writing about Pod and Rhody, father/son duo from Rhode Island. BS and I end up staying with them almost every night whether or not we plan to. Because of this, I think you should look at Rhody's pictures,as there are some of me. If there aren't any of me, you'll see stuff I've seen on pretty much the same day, starting in the smokeys/Fontana Dam. Here's one of us taken just the other day on Big Bald: http://picasaweb.google.com/ryanatanner/HotSpringsErwin/photo#5193635544300835394FOr more, see here:http://www.ryanatanner.blogspot.comhttp://www.picasaweb.google.com/ryanatannerIt's been raining the last couple days and I'm writing from the Greasy Creek Friendly Hostel. They're friendly here. I'm dry. I'm also hungry. Despite being so hungry, I've actually gain a couple of pounds. The ladies on the trail tend to gain weight or stay the same while we watch the boys wither. IT's almost creepy, like w're mother nature's favored children. Heh. Getting stronger every day and marching over hills like it's my job. Well. I guess it sort of is for now.
Date: 2008-04-29
From: Greasy Creek Gap Hostel

To: Mountain Harbor Hostel
Miles today: 14.7

Today was interesting... it was cold, blustery, cloudy and the trail was a sheet of ice this morning, but by the afternoon we descended 3,000 feet and were walking through a lush forest in the 60s. It was like walking through different climates. And I saw the fabled AT worm! This rare worm has only been found along the ridge of the Appalachian Trail near the Smokeys.
Date: 2008-04-30
From: Mountain Harbor Hostel

To: Kincorra Hostel
Miles today: 23.3

Wow. It's hostel week. I've unintentionally gone from hostel to hostel because of weather or just plain exhaustion. I was going to go another 2 miles to the shelter today, but I ran into Last Minute and Atreu who convinced me to stay at Kincora. It's supposed to be the best hostel on the trail becuase it's owner, Bob Peoples, is so committed to the trail and does AMAZING trail maintenence.I saw Jones Falls today and stumbled upon a graveyard. One of the strange things about the trail is that one moment a hiker will be sure she is all alone in the middle of no where, only to stub her toe on a plastic Jesus statue overlooking a graveyard the next. Ah, the surprises are endless out here. I've gotta put some serious miles in the next couple of days... gonna meet Michael in Damascus! It's amazing what pep going to see your sweety can put in your step. Can't wait.
Date: 2008-05-01
From: Kincorra Hostel

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: overcast clouds

May Day May Day May Day! Ha. I thought going to see my sweety added pep to my step. Sorry Michael, but seeing a bear added way more pep to my step. I had just hiked over the dam at watauga Lake and entered the woods. I was only about 200 yards behind Jackaroo, a fine trail character, when I stopped to zip off my pant legs. I came around the next bend and saw a giant head pop over the bushes about 20 yards away out of the corner of my eye, then heard a great grunt. By the time i turned my head all the way to see the bear it was gone. I could hear it crashing through the woods at full tilt. Then I found myself flying up the hill at full tilt until i caugh t jackaroo... I ahd to tell someone about this momentous experience.Otherwise it was a REALLY tough day. No sure why, just one of those days I didn't feel good. Still, I made it to my destination and I'll be in Damascus tomorrow!
Date: 2008-05-02
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Damascus!
Miles today: 25.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Talk about pep in your step! I made 26 miles in just over 9 hours. Wow...I'm even impressed with myself. Granted it was the easiest terrain over the whole trail, but still, I think it was the motivator--Michael! we ate dinner at Dot's, the must see dive bar in town (pitchers for $6!) and stayed at the Mountain Laurel B&B. Michael really wanted to do some AT hiking to get the real experience of it, but I absolutely refused. I needed a break and just wanted to sit and talk. I realize I have really been taking something as simple as having old friends and family around for granted... that familiarity and instant intimacy one has with the important people in one's life... yes, I've definitely been missing that a lot. Remembering this lesson will help me look at folks at home with fresh, appreciative eyes.
Date: 2008-05-05
From: Damascus!

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

Well, for the first time I had a really tough time leaving town. I've heard that visitors from home, significant others especially, can have this effect on the lonely hearted hiker. I actually tried to leave town yesterday... well, I actually did leave town. I walked about 1.5 miles down the trail after Michael left, realized I really had no interest in hiking whatsoever, and turned around and walked right back to town, and stayed at The Place, a $4 per night hostel run by the Methodist Church. THAT was a good move. Today was lovely. Plus there was the added bonus of being back on track with Barefoot Sage, Pod and Rhody. Laziness has it's benefits, friends. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.Staying at the shelter with us tonight are Dust in the Wind and Liberty. Good crown here.
Date: 2008-05-06
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: broken clouds

Feral Ponies galore! Welcome to the Grayson Highlands, where the landscape suddenly is reminiscent of Montana, with its gnarly rocks jutting out of the grasslands. I don't know where they put the forest, but it disappeared on out stroll up Mt. Rogers, the highest peak in Virginia. The ponies are robust and fearless. They approach hungry hikers as if they didn't have to fear for their lives... I heard a group of 3 of them plotting to slay one for dinner. if you happen not to eat one for dinner, a pony will quickly find your hand looking for a morsel. I had none to spare for them, but thoroughly enjoyed rompng with and petting the ponies. In fact, I'm goning to ask for there to be pony rides at my next birsthday, that's how much I 'liked them. At one of the road intersections today, we ran into a local named Heavy. And there isn't a more aptly named man in all of Virginia. He was getting into his pickup when he started asking questions about our hike. Before long, he had fed me my first ramp (oniony/garlicy bulb like plant that grows wild all over the place down here), and had given water to some of the other hikers. What a delight. Some other folks gave us their left overs from breakfast. God bless the many faces of trail angels!
Date: 2008-05-07
From: Wise Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

Today is the day that I really started appreciating all of the changes in my body. Beleive it or not, I am the heaviest I have ever been in my life... 131 pounds! Yet, my thighs aren't touching anymore, and I'm sure none of my bras at home will fit when I get home (well, not the first 2 weeks, anyway). I'm turning into a hiking machine. My quads arent' exactly bulging, and neither are my calves for that matter, but I just feel so much stronger. sweet!
Date: 2008-05-08
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: clear sky

40 days in the forest. It's just so blessedly biblical. Another big mileage day through a BEAUTIFUL section of trail. Deciduous forest to meadows and farms and all sorts of other glorious naturey stuff. It struck me today that I really won't remember most of what I see out here and I've been not so great about taking pictures. I dont' even bother packing my camera ina reachable place if there is even a hint of a threat of rain, which is common these days. I mean... it IS spring. I will change that though. IT strikes me that there are a lot of things that I really just don't have time, especially when i'm hiking big miles. Taking pictures. Journaling in a reflective manner rather than just recording the day to day happenings... Wow. Just realized this whole journal is probably pretty boring since my daily happenings are pretty much all the same. Hike. Eat. Run from clawed, blood thirsty predators. Sleep.And poop. That is definitely one thing that had changed out here. I know I'm eating more, but I wasn't ready for the increase in the size of my turds. Little brother, they'd make you proud... maybe even bring a tear to your eye. And some days, especially after I visit a town and ahve a town meal, I can push out three of those little monsters. Too much information? Just remember you're reading this by choice...:-)Stayed at the Relax Inn with BS, Pod and Rhody. Caught up with Jackaroo again and Briar Patch who I haven't seen since day 2.
Date: 2008-05-09
From: Atkins, VA

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: light rain

Lord in Heaven, I do pay for it when I over resupply. I think I have enough food in my pack to get me to Pennsylvania. Why do I do this to myself? It only makes me miserable. To celebrate my incessant stupidity with resupplying, I ate 2 dinners. Cheesey broccoli rice stuff that I added some dehydrated tomatoes to. Yum. Felt awful today. I deserved 2 dinners. Felt very unmotivated. Maybe it was the ridiculously large breakfast I ate... 2 eggs, 2 pancakes, 2 biscuits, 2 bacons, 2 sausages, designed especially for the truck drivers. I could have eaten 2, but I'm trying to save dollars.Good thing there was a good crew at the shelter. Today I caught up with Free Bird, another fellow I started with. Catching up with all the folks I started with is very heartening since I lost 5 days in the very beginning. Though it's also kind of tough meeting so many great people and leaving them in a couple of days. I wonder how many of these folks I'll talk to post trip.Funny thing about yesterday I forgot to mention about yesterday. I practically ran the last 5 miles to town, and made it to Atkins in about 1.5 hours. One more thing that adds pep to my step: impending thunderstorms. Especially when I'm walking (aka running) across an exposed meadow with metal poles.
Date: 2008-05-10
From: Atkins, VA

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Bear cubs! I had a beautiful, albeit breezy and almost chilly, hike up to Chestnut Knob and had lunch at the shelter. I was joined by Jackaroo, and a youngin' from Maine named Zach, Bus Driver and BS. There was a local guy in there making peanut butter and banana sandwiches for everyone... sweet! Thanks, Gary!Zach was the first to leave, but came back 5 minutes later. He said, "ummm, guys? I'm single and all,but I'm not ready to be a mother." We were all very puzzled with this comment. He said he'd jsut seen 2 bear cubs and no mama, so and that the cubs started running after him, and now he wasn't sure what to do. Bear cubs with no mama in sight can mean trouble. Big trouble, bcause she might be lurking nearby, and interfering with cubs is one of the few things that can provoke a bear to be aggressive instead of running like the wind. So we did what any group of trhu hikers would do... we grabbed our cameras and started running. IN the end, we think mama bear is sick, injured or dead, because there was a lot of traffic though that little section today and there was no sign of her to anyone. Hope the little guys make it. Sort of.
Date: 2008-05-11
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Bland, VA
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Oy. The virginia Blues are setting in. I'm tired, hurting and it's been damp and cold these past few days. And I've only just passed the quarter mark a few days ago. Sooooo much hiking left to do. So very much. BS and i tried to cheer ourselves that we've just come so far and isn't that great? But that did little to cheer me. In fact, mean Colleen came out. We decided that we both needed a break, so we headed into Bland to get some veggies, ice cream and much needed rest. Now I will try to write about something funny.I I realize I've dedicated many posts to bodily function often referred to as "Number 2," and realize that I have terribly neglected. Talking about Number. In one of my past posts I discussed how the trail is the ulimate leveler of the playing field, how everyone is subjected to the smae rigors and trials, and everyone has many moments where pride just doesn't matter anymore. One of these moments happens when a hiker pees on herself. This act is not just reserved for ladies, oh no. EVERY hiker pees on him/herself. It is an unavoidable fact of life, however, ladies do seem to do it more at the last shelter i polled. Fret not, ladies, for help is out there. Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the weenis! The weenis is kind of like a prostheic penis that allows its user to pee standing up. There are 2 models on the market of which I am aware: The every popular Lady J (available at rei.com) and the Travel Mate. Now I haven't used one myself, but I've seen them in action and ho! What a marvel.
Date: 2008-05-12
To: Bland, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

BS and I awoke a bit refreshed today, but still sluggish, tired and I was still a bit depressed. Then we looked at the forecast. Thunderstorms and sustained winds at 50 miles an hour. The wather channel actually warned to watch for trees being uprooted and snapped. Yeah, it didn't take us long to decide to zero. it's amazing how easy it is to zeor on a day like that.Forgot to mention yesterday's trail magic. As we were coming down to the road the first buillding we saw was a church, and there was a man getting into his pickup just as we were comiong off the trail. BS (who is truly gifted at yogi-ing rides) asked if we could jump in the back and he drove us the 2 miles into town. God bless him. As soon as we got under the awning of the grocery store, the skies opened up... lightening and everything. After we shopped ofr a few more things and fellow coming out of the store asked us if we wanted a ride up to the motel, another 3/4 of a mile away (again, thanks to BS's yogi-ing). God bless all these southerners and there wonderfl pickup trucks!
Date: 2008-05-13
From: Bland, VA

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 26.3
Weather: clear sky

Well, I certainly felt refreshed today.... refreshed enough to do 26 miles which was really like 28 since we had to do a lot of road walking. This is where the competitive side of BS and I comes out. First we were going to go to Trent's Grocery and camp. Then we realized that it cost $6 and we's just spent too much money in Bland, so we figured we'd find a nice camping spot. Then we said, heck, it's just another 6 miles to the shelter, why not just go there. And thus, my biggest mileage day was born. The funny thing was ending at Wapiti Shelter because it was the one shelter I was adamant about not staying at. It was the site of a double murber in 1981 and there was some VERy recent trouble there too (and I won't go into detail because my mom reads this. In fact, I think 7,000 of those clicks are from her). I just wanted to avoid the bad juju. It turned out that it was a really nice place and there were only camping spots when we got there since we didn't roll in until 9:00 (spent about 2 hours at Trent's). Chewbaca, a rare character of the trail, had hauled a 12 pack of beer up to the shelter to share... now that's dedication. and the campsite was crawling with deer. they just about came right up to the campfire to share in the festivities. It was a great night
Date: 2008-05-14
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Well we weren't expeciting to make it to Pearsburg until tomorrow, but 26 miles yesterday made that our only logical option. A lovely woman picked us up and then took us to the post office, waited for us and drove us to the hostel. The Holy Family Hostel is my favorite so far on the trail. It's a converted barn with a huge porch and a porch swing that overlooks the mountains. you'd think I'd have enough of looking at the mountains as I walk through them everyday, but it really just never gets old. We're hoping to get a slackpack tomorrow so we can put some more miles in beofre taking off for trail days and me to the wedding. We'll see what happens.
Date: 2008-05-15
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, we didn't get a ride to slack, but it was a great day. Jsut hung out at the hostel and town with Snackies, Jackaroo, Mama Bear (the hiker formerly known as Zach and the only one I've named), Sea to Land (also one of my favorites), and a few others. BS got a ride to Damascus and my ride for home wasn't leaving until 10 pm. So it was just a good, relaxing day full of chilling out, laughing and other such shenanigans. Met a fellow hiker named Mike who also has a lazy eye. Heh... it's amazing the things that make you feel like you're in solidarity with another person. I'm pushing off feeling guilty for not hike. I'm I've been putting a lot of 20+ miles days in... it's not like I'm loligaging here. But the start of school is definitely looming closer. But by weeks end I'll have hiked 2 days and zeroed 5. Oh well. At least I'm enjoying myself again. Plus I'm totally psyched about going to Keving and Christy's Wedding and seeing folks from home. Looking forward to seeing my mama too! See you all after Trail Days/wedding.
Date: 2008-05-19
From: Pearisburg

To: Campsite
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: clear sky

Heh, my second lowest mileage day. But that was because I didn't get started until about 12:30 after my second grueling trip on the Greyhound. If there is one thing you remember from reading all of these darned entries I want it to be this: never, ever, ever take greyhound. I think the staff might actually be working for Lord Voldemort, for they are so negative that they actually make you feel as if they are sucking the life out of you if you get too close. Heed my advice. The train is worth the extra bucks. A strange thing did happen on my bus rides, though... My feet swelled until the skin felt like it was going to rip! It was incredible! I thought I had a stress fracture in both of them or something, then I finally figured out that it was just blood pooling in my feet since my body actually has more blood in it now than when I started hiking. Huge sigh of relief there. The wedding was fantastic, but I drank too much, and did some pretty embarrasing things that I shall not write about here. But my behvior made one thing clear... things definitely get closer to the surface once you're out here for a while. Anyway, as always, it's tough coming back to the trail, so I don't think it's a good idea to go home again, even though the Father's Day soiree is tempting and I'll be close to home. Camped with Mama Bear tonight, but it started raining pretty early so we went to bed early.
Date: 2008-05-20
From: Campsite

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: light rain

Guess I made up for the 8 miles I did yesterday. I also caught up with BS today. Still getting back into the swing of things here on the trail. I hikied with a fellow named Duncan for a bit today, and we took the detour on the road rather than fording a river. Have I mentioned that I'm not a putist? Anyway, it was kind of dreary today and my mood matched.I also ran into Liberty at the shelter and met a 70 year old section hiker named Morning Sun. I like to call him Mr. Sunshine because he is full of sunshine. I sorta fell in love with the guy. What can I say? He's got great legs.Also met section hikers and brothers Leo and Terrapin. What an amazing pair! Terrapin is almost completely blind, so Leo hikes ahead and calls out what obstacles are coming next. When I arrived at the shelter BS was dressing some of his wounds. I couldn't believe it! I can't imagine haivng that sort of vision difficulty and being out here. It's hard enough being able to see everything. Three cheers for Leo and Terrapin!