morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-03-12
To: Groundhog Creek
Miles today: 100.0
Weather: broken clouds

(Entry by ZipLoc): 252 Miles! Wow!AlleyCat took 2 days off when she reached the top of the Smokies in order to visit with her aunt and nieces near Asheville. Leland joined her and they returned to where AlleyCat left off. Now they're hiking together with several other thru-hikers. She is healthy and happy - albeit with some shoe trouble that required repairs to keep her heading north. No blisters, a happy tummy, and a strong constitution. Having Leland with her must be a great treat. He wasn't sure about heading to Costa Rica for Spring Break or heading to the AT. He couldn't refuse the offer of being outside with Alice, Mother Nature, and new friends.Four steps for the price of one!XOXOXZipLoc
Date: 2007-03-13
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Taking a zero day unexpectedly in Hot Springs, NC. It's easy to forget how demanding the trail is when you've been on it for a few weeks! Chilling and enjoying the hot springs, good food, and great company. God is very present and bringing beautiful people into my life around here! Holler Sunny. Staying at Elmer's incredible victorian house, and chilling with Hawk, Mousetrap, BBoogie, and Leland aka Balsy Palsy. WHERE ARE THE WOMEN!?!?! please catch on up! So much to write about...will update very soon! Right now = Naptime!
Date: 2007-03-17
To: Jerry Cabin?
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

(Entry by ZipLoc): Closing in on the big 300!AlleyCat and Balsy Palsy are, we believe, closing in on Jerry Cabin, near mile 300. They are supposed to meet DKR tomorrow and hopefully there'll be more to report then.Weather seems pretty good, with little rain (unlike the weather that grounded 5200 flights in the Northern part of the country). If this is right, they're almost at Tennesseee, which is remarkable. Last word was that AlleyCat is on top of the world and Balsy Palsy is having a great time despite more aches and pains than he's had since last summer's broken arm. It's terrific that he's recovered from what would have been a permanent disability for many with enough strength and drive to head for the AT. Good on ya!Enjoy the great weather!XOXOXZipLoc & Co.
Date: 2007-03-17
To: Hemlock Hollow - ONE MONTH
Miles today: 0.0

(Update by ZipLoc): ONE MONTH ON THE AT! YAHOO!Well, big update from AlleyCat and Leland. Today is AlleyCat's first month anniversary on the trail. On St. Patty's day no less!This week has been wonderful, with Leland joining her and realizing how strong and sure she is. Today was a little slow, with 3 miles done in order to meet up with DKR tomorrow. If they'd gone further it would have been something like a 15 mile day and Leland's knees are bothering him.They're staying at Hemlock Hollow (near Greeneville, TN) at a wonderful place (an inn or hostel) with the most generous hosts imaginable. Kudos to them!They also reported that a few days ago they came across a house near the trail that had a standing invite to thru-hikers. They stopped in for a great meal and wonderful companionship. It's amazing how many nice people are on the trail!AlleyCat's shoes continue to be a little problem. Solomon has graciously agreed to send a new pair (old one's had a grommet/eyelet failure right away) to an outfitter a few days ahead of them. When that can get coordinated I'll give them a call. The customer service is appreciated!More tomorrow after DKR meets up with them. He's planning to bring steaks for lunch!Limp in love,ZipLoc
Date: 2007-03-19
From: Hemlock Hollow - ONE MONTH

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: scattered clouds

(Entry by ZipLoc): Ah, the meandering days of late winter!AlleyCat ssssssssstreaks ahead with 4 miles under her belt today. It sounds like a wonderful, relaxing day, as she and the gang (Hawk, Turbo, and tonight Back Yard Boogie) are settling in for a nice dinner at the shelter and a night of slumbers under the beautiful Northern North Carolina mountains. Per whiteblaze.net, this shelter is at 3,500', so it's mountains, not hills.Some good altitude in the next few days, as the troupe heads for 4,000+, 5,000+, and then over 6,000' at Roan High Knob shelter. She's having an "awesome" time and couldn't seem to be happier out there - even though Leland has headed back to school. No steak dinners from DKR for a while, we reckon!AlleyCat reports that part of her trek today was over a razorback, with the trees covered in ice and scattering ice pellets every time the wind blew. Sounds cold but beautiful.Stay warm, dear AlleyCat!XOXOXZipLoc
Date: 2007-03-20
From: Bald Mountain Shelter 

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Made it to Erwin! Yahoo! I am sitting here at Miss Janets in some very comfortable, albeit baggy, clothes from a pile labeled "town clothes." What a bizarro week! My sweet brother is gone now, and the mileage days have been all over the charts. Yesterday we did 17, the day before 12, today 7 into Spivey Gap where we got a ride into Erwin. I am here with Mousetrap (reunited after a split when Leland, Hawk and I stayed at a Hemlock Hollow aka BOONIES when we realized hitting 212 was just going to be a bit too tough), KY Blue, Guthook, Hawk, Sticker, Turbo, and Jen. Some amazing views and rugged terrain since Hot Springs. I am in great spirits, and loving what I see and learn. The trail is slowly becoming less about nature and more about people. It's nice to have some girls around, although it has been strange to have a lot of people catch up to me over the last week after my days off and time with my bro. I hope to keep moving so as to avoid the March 1st crowd, even though I'm sure they are very nice people. :0) I feel very rested after the family love, and the zero from Hot Springs. It seems everyone I've met has pretty much remained on the trail, and I love reading the registers and keeping up with everyone's journies. God is present and protecting. I can barely believe I have no blisters, no major pain. (KNOCK ON WOOD. SERIOUSLY RIGHT NOW!)I am sendin a maildrop ahead with some items - crocs, stove, others - to Damascus to test out the cold food theory for a few days and see how I do w/o some creature comforts. I need to get my weight down to about 25 from the 33 it seems to be. Staying strong and giving thanks. Prayers flying around these hills, returning as guidance and discretion. My feet follow the path of the ones who have gone before.
Date: 2007-03-24
From: Erwin, TN

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 87.1
Weather: broken clouds

(Entry by ZipLoc): Motoring along!Motoring, yes, but not 87.1 miles in one day! That's just to catch her up to her actual mileage.AlleyCat called (twice!) yesterday, checking in about her replacement shoes. Per her last posting, she has NO blisters, which is great. We've got new versions of the same shoe, without Goretex, that we're sending off to Damascus.The weather sounds great, but the heat is building. In the 70's recently and heading for the 80's! Saturday should be a good day for covering territory and staying North of the pack of March 1'ers. Food is going well, friends are going well, life sounds like it's going well.XOOXZipLoc
Date: 2007-03-25
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Apple Jack Shelter
Miles today: 30.0

(Entry by ZipLoc): Life is a Subway!AlleyCat called for a quick update. She & Hawk are at Roan Mountain, TN having real food at a Subway shop. They've had three 15 mile days, having stayed at Roan High Mountain last night. Hot and the bugs are beginning, although on hearing that Deet is on its way to her, she pooh poohed it. Getting tough enough for bugs, eh?Sounds like all's well. "We're pretty dirty, but I think they've seen worse here" she reports. She misses Leland.We miss her.XOXOZipLoc
Date: 2007-03-26
From: Abby's Place (mile 398)

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

The first chapter of this journey is almost over. Soon begins Virginia, the great miles state, the mental challenge, the second step. Here we come! Hawk and I are together and having a great time hiking along this beaten path. The last few days have been entirely mind-blowing with the views from the balds and their ridges. I feel alive.The heat was pretty oppressive the last few days, no joke. I know there is much worse to come, but 70/80 degree weather was a real shock for our bodies. I took a lot of care to hydrate. The great news is that not only is my body happy, but my back is very pleased as I seem to have dropped a lot of weight from my pack. I sent ahead a 10 pound maildrop to Damascus. Right now my food bag is just about empty and I think I'm weighing somewhere just under twenty pounds. Hooyah! As Boogie would say. What am I carrying now? Shoes, one socks, one wool socks, capilene pants, running shorts, sports top, 2 underwears, 2 long sleeve t-shirts, one raincoat, one wool hat, one pack, headband, ipod, emergency iodine, cold food, thermarest, sleeping bag no liner now, pen, wingfoot, wallet, cell, charger, small prayer lent leaflet, lighter, one water bottle, pack cover. That is literally it. Yay! Oh, and one hawk.A crew of thruhikers are a day in front of us - about 8 of them, and I really enjoyed meeting them... I have a strong feeling our paths will cross again with most except the super speedies. Hawk and I have a TV show going in the registers full of crazy notes... its called "The Young and the Restless." We can be a little too dramatic sometimes. Giggle! Looking forward to seeing Bob Peeples again - we ran into Juniper, Molasses, and Salamander on Saturday at the Iron Mountain Gap (yay!) as he brought like 50 people out for trail maintenance from Appalachian State and ETSU or something. Tonight we go to Kincora - random stop today at a new, quirky hostel after Mountaineer Falls called Abby's Place. Had a little Ben and Jerry's, a little pizza, a shower: what luxury! I am getting easier to please. Really REALLY REALLY REALLY!!!!! excited for Damascus this week! YES!! So exciting. Milestone!"HOLD FAST"God's peace, ALLEYCAT
Date: 2007-03-27
From: 91

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

GREETINGS FROM DAMASCUS VA! I cannot believe that I have been so blessed to have made it this far! What a victory. Such a milestone! And with Damascus comes a trip home for Easter week. Hawk and I are renting a car and taking 7 days to be with family for the holiday. I am having the time of my life, but I also recognize that this is the longest I've ever been away from home (exactly 6 weeks) and that home is the best place to recharge my heart, soul, and stomach. The walk into Virginia is a beautiful ridge walk. Hawk and I ended up hitching in from 91 (we were really ready for some food/sleep), and are heading out tomorrow before we leave on Monday to do the last 19 miles to Damascus so we can feel good about having completed this section. I have walked past every single white blaze so far, and feel proud and right about finishing strong into VA. What is the point of walking the Trail if you don't do all of it?Hitchhiking is a real adventure, and it is very crucial to be with a strong guy during the process. I would not hitch alone in the South. Or anywhere for that matter. A very wasted group of 20-somethings pulled over for us, and gave us 2 beers, after apologizing that they couldn't go our way. I said, DONT WORRY ABOUT IT. This trip is definitely eye-opening and wild some days. Here in Damascus live 900 people. In a month and a half, 25,000 will infiltrate this tiny town. Hard to imagine.Last night we listened to some bluegrass and hung out at the Old Mill Restaurant with Tito, FedEx, Molasses, Coughdrop, KY Blue and Guthook. I have also caught up to Zero (who is as cool as his journal) here in town at the library. Awesome! We'll be back on the Trail on Monday afternoon (the 9th I think). I can't wait to hit VA! Whoop! I have bought a hiking skirt, and am excited about my new outfit. Very comfortable and free! This retreat for a week feels ordained - a time to get rebooted and pumped for VA, be with my incredible family for a few, and gather my thoughts. (Sunrise I owe you a phonecall! Please keep on praying. God is moving in mysterious, "protective" ways. I am safe and at peace. Thinking of you daily - will call from NJ.)This trail is shaking my core philosophies and I like it. At home I will update with several longer entries about my time out here. In excelsis deo!"I can count a million timesPeople asking me how I can praise youWith all that I've been through.The question just amazes meCOULD CIRCUMSTANCES POSSIBLE CHANGEWho I forever am in You? Bring me joy. Bring me peace.Bring the chance to be Free. Bring me anything that brings you glory.And I know there'll be days When this life brings me pain...But if that's what it takes to praise youJESUS BRING THE RAIN."(-Mercy Me)PEACE FROM THIS ALLEYCAT
Date: 2007-03-28
From: Damascus

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Alleluia! He is risen!Happy, joyous Easter. This past week at home has been incredibly rejuvenating and has helped me to massively regroup and prepare for my trip back to the Trail. Virginia stands before me, and I hold out my arms for an embrace. Tonight I return to Damascus. How strange to be in Sunday clothes, to have worn jeans, cotton, jewelery. This holy week has truly felt sacred, as my whole family reunited under the holiday's beauty. Have I really walked 460 miles? Has this been a dream? Nothing has changed at home - the same people work in the same places, the same trees, same house. I remember why I chose this dream - this trip for a life of beauty and adventure, away from the routines of society. I needed to see family, to get recharged, and I have also come home to think about my hike in a new way. Now that I have a wonderful hiking partner and relationship, it has caused me a great deal of confusion and wonder regarding the routine and purpose of this hike. I came home to figure out how I can 'hike my own hike' and still balance that with the teamwork of a serious hiking partnership. Ah, the woods! I am carrying out a Big Agnes single (wo)man tent that my Dad has generously given me. AT here I come - what will the next month hold? Prayers requested for the purposefulness of my trip and that I might walk in love as Christ loved us, as he gave himself for us, in offering and sacrifice to God. To growth, to courage and strength, to sanctity, to the Spirit. I return today.Peace --- ALLEYCAT
Date: 2007-04-15
From: Marion, VA

To: Chatfield Shelter
Miles today: 138.0
Weather: light rain

(Entry by ZipLoc): Shelter from the stormAlleyCat has checked-in after being out of cell range for almost a week. She's doing great and has now topped 523 miles.After being home for Easter, she and Hawk headed back to Damascus with Molasses late Sunday nite. They dropped Mo off about 22 miles up the trail and returned their car and got back on the trail in Damascus. A long night of driving and the "exhaustion" from being back in the real world led to just one mile last Monday. Then 11, then a zero day as they camped out by a pond during a rain storm. Back up to 16, 17, and 21 miles yesterday (Saturday 4/14).We were able to convince AlleyCat to avoid the worst of this weekends' Noreaster storm by staying at a motel last night. She reported this morning that it rained cats and dogs and she was grateful for a solid roof and four sides to the room instead of just the 3 sides in the shelter or the relative lack of protection in her new one-person tent.She's had a great week, marred by her first two injuries: a "bad ass" scraped knee and some pain in her ankle. That seems to be subsiding and she is enjoying her new Salomon shoes (yes, they replaced them for free - good on ya!).The weather has been un-April like, with 19F on Thursday, with an ice storm that they waited out with a group of Boy Scouts at Thomas Knob shelter. Snow last week and possibly tonight. Yikes!The sites have been great, with an odd collection of deer, wild ponies, and an abandoned school bus. More thru-hikers are coming through, including some speedsters that seem to this writer to be more interested in jogging than experiencing the trail. Why not stay at home and run on a track?Yesterday was culture day, as AlleyCat listened to the entire Turandot opera by Puccini, from 1pm in the afternoon until 5pm. She and Hawk had arrived in Marion a little earlier, and AlleyCat made him wait until the final few minutes of the opera wrapped up. They extended the experience with a Chinese buffet that she really seemed to be enjoying while catching me up.This coming week sounds like a great one, with a rendezvous with her grandmother (and grandfather too?) on Wednesday. The senior Alice has been asked to bring along a paperback copy of Swiss Family Robinson. Perhaps AlleyCat is planning her next trip?She's back on the trail this morning, thanks to a ride from a friend of Hawk's. Next major stop is Pearisburg, VA!Practice safe stepping between puddles!XOXOXZipLoc
Date: 2007-04-22
To: Ox Knob
Miles today: 0.0

(Entry by ZipLoc): 600 and still ticking!Alleycat reports that she's at 614 miles today, a beautiful, hot, relaxed day, great for lounging around. She hiked 19 miles yesterday and "only" 9 today. Even at 9 she puts 99.8% of the country to shame.She and Hawk met up with Ladybug and Natural High, both from Fresno. Alleycat enjoys chatting with the 30 y/o Ladybug but reports that 33 y/o Natural High is sick. Up until today she and Hawk have been hiking alone - something that might not happen again for a while as thru-hike season kicks into high gear.Seeking a local on-trail beauty parlour but failing in her quest, Alleycat decided to cut her hair the "trail way," with a Leatherman. One can only imagine, although I'm sure that Alleycat can only look even more beautiful with a home made trim!She is rethinking some food carrying logistics and has decided to carry her own food for now, so a cooking pot is heading down to meet her. Chef Hawk still carries the stove, however.X's and O's from ZipLoc et al
Date: 2007-04-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 50.0

(Entry by ZipLoc): All is well, thanks to Wally's and SuperFeet.Alleycat reports that Natural High is better, which must have worried her as it was practically the first thing she reported on.A quick visit to Walmart demonstrated how quickly one can spend $70, although it seems to have been the typical cost savings that one finds there. Good for one's budget, despite what many think of the company. A new pair of SuperFeet were had for $6 vs. the previous $35. Go Wally's!
Date: 2007-05-09
From: Glasgow, VA

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 175.0
Weather: light rain

(Entry by ZipLoc): Let's pave the AT and add cell towers!AlleyCat has been out of touch for a while, having been so remote that there is no reliable cell service for days on end.She and Hawk called in from Waynesboro, fit and happy, restocked at the supermarket and visiting the local outfitter to see what they don't need to add to their ridiculously light backpacks.All's well with her except for some shin splints. They averaged 20 miles a day last week and 13.5 per day this week. At that rate they'll be finished on time in August.They're hoping to ratchet up the miles to stockpile some before Perry's graduation and before the harder miles up North.Cancel that idea about cell towers.XOXOZipLoc
Date: 2007-05-10
From: Waynesboro

To: Shenandoah
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

(Entry by ZipLoc): Shenandoah NP here we (they) come!Quick call from Rev. AlleyCat this morning. She and Hawk pitched their tents at the "Y" in Waynesboro last night rather than head for the trail. Very nice folks to make their yard or field available to the two of them (and others, I believe).Today it's off to start into Shenandoah National Park. Jealousy reigns, but it's a delight to hear the smile in her voice.Harper's Ferry is the next big stop!XOXOXOXZipLoc
Date: 2007-05-13
From: Shenandoah

To: Shenandoah
Miles today: 40.0
Weather: clear sky

(Entry by ZipLoc): Cell phone? I don't need no stinkin' cell phone!AlleyCat called today to report that she and Hawk were taking their first "zero" day in a month. They are apparently on schedule but won't make it to Harper's Ferry on the three month anniversary.She also reported that she either left her cell phone at the post office one day or actually packed it into a box she sent to us. Fortunately it was the latter, so it's here with us. It means we'll be adding to Hawk's list of duties, as he will now be the official telecomm link to AlleyCat.She sounds great and is having fun.Pack weight down by half. Cell phone count down by half. Not bad.XOXOXZipLoc
Date: 2007-05-17
From: Shenandoah

To: Shenandoah
Miles today: 53.0
Weather: broken clouds

(Entry by ZipLoc): Shenandoah it was great to know ya'AlleyCat reported in today to say they're wrapping up Shenandoah today. She's doing well and looking forward to seeing her parents this weekend. Her feet are tender but not a particular problem.She promises to do lots of logging when she next gets to a PC.XOXOXZipLoc
Date: 2007-05-19
From: Shenandoah

To: Ashby Gap
Miles today: 50.0
Weather: clear sky

(Entry by ZipLoc): 2.5 million! Count'em 'cause they can feel 'em!AlleyCat and Hawk are just about to pull into Harper's Ferry, having traversed almost 1,000 miles and 2,500,000 footsteps. YAY!On Saturday, AlleyCat and Hawk met up with AlleyCat's parents on the road to Paris (VA). A beautiful day with hardly a cloud in the sky, the meet-up was as one would expect on the AT: no real signs by the road (at least not something one would notice at 60mph). Just two cute hikers hanging out in the median on Route 50, happy and smiling, trying to describe the place to a clueless driver: "there's a white fence here and we're near route 601." Luckily, despite the lack of AT signage, the directions were clear enough and the glow of their smiles removed the need for any AT signs.Packs into the car, hikers piled in, and off to breakfast at a small country diner, eating home-made cookies on the way. A great time was had by all, with photos copied, water bottles refilled, and full tummies to help carry them on the trail.After breakfast it was still too soon to leave (although the hikers had "only" covered 4-5 miles and were looking forward to Harper's Ferry), the group decided to stop in at Sky Meadow State Park (see pix), which was a delight. A great old homestead, with 40 mile views and a team of park rangers and docents to help explain how the family had lived there over 100 years ago. Compared to the single change of clothes our hikers had, the family there lived like kings!After lolling about on the fields for what seemed too-brief a visit, it was back to the trail for our fearless duo, who smiled, hugged AlleyCat's parents, and headed back in the quiet and invisibility of the trail.There aren't 2.5 million steps to go, just a series of adventures and good cheer.XOXOXZipLoc
Date: 2007-05-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

(Entry by ZipLoc): Vegetation can hurt!Through a series of poor phone quality calls, it seems as if Hawk has discovered that sticks and heads do not go together well. Not quite sure what happened but it seems as if a stick rebounded off the ground when Hawk was building something. A stone was dropped and a stick smashed into his head. Or somesuch. Seems as if there was a contusion and a drop or two of red stuff but otherwise, thankfully, everything was reasonably fine.It did sound as if the cavalry may have been called out by accident (perhaps it sounded to others as if he had impaled the stick in his head?) to help Hawk, so stay tuned. AlleyCat and Hawk should be in Harpers Ferry shortly and we should hear from our valiant hikers soon. I'm sure AlleyCat put her Cheley wilderness first aid skills to work and Hawk is fine. Please keep them both in your thoughts.And, yes, watch out for attack sticks, ya'll!XOXOXZipLoc