morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-06-03
From: Fullhardt Knob Shelter

To: Blackhorse Gap
Miles today: 8.6

Well, today was certainly not a good day. I sprained my right ankle. Yes, my good ankle. I'm very upset about this. I woke up today at 6:30am and was walking by 7. About a mile into the hike, I stepped awkwardly on a rock, and felt a slight pop in my right ankle. It hurt, and I knew immediately that it was sprained. Now I have 2 bum ankles, with over 1400 miles to go. I called Earnhart, who is still in Roanoke, and he agreed to meet me at the nearest road crossing, where the Blue Ridge Parkway crosses the AT at Blackhorse Gap, still about 7.5 miles from where I sprained it. I got to Blackhorse Gao at 11:30am, and there was a Christian camp group there, peppering me with questions about the hike and this and that. I didn't want to talk to any of them, considering my ankle was in pain, but I did my best to answer their questions about the AT. Earnhart picked me up at 12:30pm, and took me to a hotel in Roanoke to rest. I'm really upset about this. I had dinner across the street at The Great 611 Steakhouse.I hope to hike out in the morning from Blackhorse Gap, but that depends on how the ankle is feeling.
Date: 2014-06-04
From: Blackhorse Gap

To: Zero day in Daleville (again)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Zero day today. My ankle was still hurting pretty bad. What else is new? Earnhart took me back to the HoJo in Daleville because it was much cheaper than the hotels in Roanoke. I limped to the nearby Kroger and bought some epsom salt so I can soak my ankles. Appalachian Impressions was on TV tonight. It is a documentary about thru-hiking the AT. It was hard to watch while I'm laying injured in the hotel.
Date: 2014-06-05
From: Blackhorse Gap

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up today around 7am, and Earnhart's friend Ed picked us up at 8am and took us to Bojangles for breakfast. Ed then took us to Blackhorse Gap, to resume hiking where I left off 2 days ago. The terrain was a bit rocky, but was made very difficult by my stiff and painful ankle. The AT paralleled the Blue Ridge Parkway for most of the day, and several times it went through the overlook parking lots.At Bobbletts Gap Shelter, I ran into Caddy and HoBo. HoBo gave me an orange, which I split with Earnhart. 3 miles later, we got to Bearwallow Gap, where the AT crosses VA HWY 43, and we sat for a few minutes debating on whether or not to hitch-hike 5 miles west into Buchanan, VA to go to Burger King. We decided that it would be too hard to hitch in and out of town, so we got packed up to resume hiking.Just then, Hilton Dooly, a local farmer pulled his truck over and said he was going into Buchanan to get a part for his tractor at the John Deere dealership, and that he'd be happy to take us into town and then bring us back to the trail after he goes to John Deere. We gladly accepted his offer. He was a wonderful man, and owns a cattle farm with 1200 head of cattle in nearby Montvale, VA. After eating at BK, he took us back to the trail as promised. What a wonderful turn of events! From then, it was 3.5 miles to the shelter, where I decided to call it a day. 11.4 miles isn't so much, but I don't want to push too hard while my ankle is healing.
Date: 2014-06-06
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Jennings Creek
Miles today: 3.2

Earnhart and I had the shelter to ourselves last night, and we made a nice fire and hung out around it until 9pm (also known as Hiker Midnight). I got up at 6:30 and by 7:30 I was hiking. I walked the 3.2 miles to Jennings Creek, where the AT crosses VA HWY 614. I was stepping very carefully, and even so, the ankle pain was intense. I'm very upset that I sprained my right ankle a few days ago. There is nothing I want more right now than to heal up and continue north. I want to complete this thru-hike so bad, and anything that could compromise that really upsets me. When I got to Jennings Creek, I went over my options. I decided that the best thing for me to do in the long run would be to get off trail for a few days and rest in a nearby town, and let my foot heal fully. It was a hard decision to make, as any time off the AT seems like a waste of time out here. I saw a guy sitting in his van nearby, and asked him if he could take me to a town nearby, explaining that I sprained my ankle and need to get off of it for a few days. I ended up going to Buena Vista, VA, which is a tiny town. The local hotel looked like it hasn't been cleaned since the 1970s, so I opted for a room at the Blue Dog Art Cafe & Hiker Hostel. It wasn't much better, but for $20 a night, I could at least afford to take a few days here if need be. I had dinner tonight at a nearby Mexican restaurant called Don Tequila's, where I was served stale nacho chips, a sorry excuse for what they called a chicken taco salad, and a bug was floating in my beer. Needless to say, I wasn't thrilled. I came back to the hostel, where I was the only one for the night. The TV didn't work, and the only book around was Chicken Soup For The Soul, which I read until I fell asleep. Wild Friday night!
Date: 2014-06-09
From: Zero day in Buena Vista

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After two zero days, it felt great to get back on trail. I braced my ankle with an elastic brace from Wal-Mart, and was careful where I stepped. Several times I stepped down and a sharp pain reminded me that I'm still injured. Today wasn't too enjoyable because my mind rarely left my ankle. The highlight of the day was passing an FAA communications tower that looked like a huge soccer ball. About a half mile north, I hiked under "the guillotine," which is a giant boulder that fell, but got stuck between two rock walls. It is now perched about 15 feet above the trail, waiting for the right time to fall and crush a hiker! I got to the shelter around 6:30pm, and made a gourmet feast of Ramen and tuna. It is very buggy tonight, and I couldn't find any suitable tent sites, so I set my tent up inside the shelter! I'm going to try to get to Waynesboro, VA in 5 days, but my ankle will determine whether I do or not.
Date: 2014-06-10
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was mostly downhill, which means slow-going for me. The day was pretty uneventful for the first 12.2 miles, until I got to Matts Creek Shelter. I soaked my feet in the cold creek water, and rinsed off my dirty legs while I was there. From here, the trail parallels the James River for a mile of flat, but rocky trail. It crosses the James River on the James River Foot Bridge, the longest foot-use only bridge on the AT. When I got to the other side of the river, the AT goes under a railroad bridge, and then to US HWY 501.I tried to hitch a ride into nearby Glasgow, VA for about 30 minutes with no luck. As I was sitting there, no longer actively trying to get a ride, a man pulled over in a new car and asked if I wanted a ride to town. Of course I do! Getting into his car felt wonderful because he had his A/C on full blast, and it was very hot outside. Then I saw that he was visibly intoxicated, and had an open beer sitting being held between his legs as he was driving. He offered me a cold beer, and I graciously accepted. I was pretty dehydrated, and the cold Budweiser tasted good as it went down my parched and dry throat.Ten minutes later, we got to Glasgow, where he gave me the grand tour, which lasted about 20 seconds. He then dropped me off at Scotto's Italian Restaurant. It felt great to sit down in the air conditioned building, and I kicked off my shoes and socks while I ate an eggplant parm sub, which was washed down by a large Pepsi. Through the window, I saw Sprout walking to the town-provided hiker shelter, so I went out to talk to her. Lots of other hikers were there, and a section hiker had a van and offered to take anyone back to the trail that wanted to go. Perfect! I readily agreed to go back to the trail, instead of trying my chances at hitch-hiking later. 10 of us packed into his van, complete with packs and poles. Needless to say, it was a cramped ride! When we got back to the trail, we posed for pictures with all of us and our packs in front of his van. Sprout and I then hiked together to the shelter, where she decided to pitch a tent, and I decided, based on the forecast, to sleep in the shelter. Good decision on my part! At 4am, a raging lightning storm hit us hard. I've never seen so much lightning and thunder before in my life. Seriously, the lightning was so bright and struck so often that you could read a book using only the lightning for light, with minimal interruption. It was very fun to watch this tempest from the shelter, while staying warm and dry. Not everyone here was that lucky, as most were camped outside.
Date: 2014-06-11
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I passed the 800 mile mark! I don't know why, but I have had no energy for the past week. I find it extremely difficult to do a day's hike lately. Very frustrating stuff. I need to snap out of this funk soon. The hike leaving Johns Hollow Shelter this morning went straight up for 3 miles, and it took me a long time to do it. When I finally got to the top, I had amazing views of the James River valley far below. Several miles later, on top of Punchbowl Mountain, I came across a memorial for 4 year old Ottie Cline Powell, whose body was found there on April 5, 1891 after wandering away from his schoolhouse 5 months later. Very sad stuff, and it put my seemingly large problems into perspective, which seemed not so large after thinking about this poor child's untimely death.From here, the trail went down to Punchbowl Shelter, and it began pouring rain. The rain was coming down very heavy, but all I could do was keep going. I didn't wear a rain jacket, because it wasn't cold, and I would just end up sweating inside of it and getting wet from sweat. I'd rather just get wet from rain. When I was 5 miles from the shelter, I met HOB (Hiking or Biking). HOB has bicycled across America 9 times, thru-hiked the PCT in 1977, and the AT in 1990, and is now doing it again. We had a nice conversation while hiking together in the pouring rain. We soon crossed the 800 mile mark, and we took turns taking each other's pictures in the rain. Lightning was continually striking nearby, and the rain really began to come down heavy at this point. I felt so damn alive! It was awesome, and I will never forget it. Soaked from head to toe, hiking through a lightning storm, with a smile on my face grateful to be alive! I arrived at the full shelter, but they made room for me. After changing out of my wet clothes, I cooked a hot dinner and got into my sleeping bag. Hell of a day!
Date: 2014-03-16
From: On your mark...

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

After a few warmer days the snow has melted back to just drifts. The temperature has dropped to 22 and snow fluries today but the trails should be less treacherous and spring has promised to make an appearance soon. I volunteered with a backpack training yesterday and spending the day talking backpacking has my anticipation level peaked. Nows the time I need to get serious about equipment review and conditioning. I received my new Mini Sawyer Squeeze in the mail yesterday. My original Sawyer froze last season while hiking and I've read that there is a possibility the internal filtering fibers have seperated and would not work effectively. The new Mini cost $20 and weighs 2oz. The reviews say the Mini is a little slower than the original and that is needs backwashed more often but I think I can deal with that.I've been going to physical therapy for a hip labral tear. My hip bothered me some last year as I hiked and I finally decided on the MRI. I've been holding back on hiking more than 5 miles but need to pick up the pace soon. Fortunately not a serious injury. 28 Days and counting!
Date: 2014-03-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: mist

Food is packed and ready to go. Final gear selections complete and backpack is packed weighing 25# with 3 days food and water. I've added an ipod shuffle to my gear this year...mucic helps when the pack gets heavy. Local trail conditions have gone from ice to mud and, today, back to snow-covered but that should melt off pretty quickly. Conditioning is going well and I'm feeling good (with my fingers crossed). Turtlestone did the hike plan so all I have to do is show up. THANKS TURTLESTONE! We never totally stick to the plan but it gives us a forewarned knowledge of the trail and its challenges. Our husbands, Sherpa and Rescue#1 are spotting us for resupply as we hike. Lucky us!A shakedown hike is planned for next weekend and then we hit the trail.
Date: 2014-04-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

A cold day of hiking and a very cold night is the real equipment test and that's what we had on our Shakedown Hike Saturday night. Turtlestone, Crazy Legs, Jackonamountain and I will be starting our AT hike in 5 days so we still have time to work out those little bugs before hitting the trail. I picked up a few new food ideas over the weekend from other hikers and had a very enjoyable trip. I bought new rain pants cutting 8oz from my pack weight and bought some injinji liners to keep my toes happy. My conditioning has increased and I'm feeling good. I'm as ready as I'll ever be. My next entry will be from the AT!
Date: 2014-04-13
From: VA 683

To: Crawfish Trail Tent Site
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: few clouds

After a sporadic summer of hiking last year I'm glad to be back on the trail and hiking with Turtlestone and Crazy Legs and Jackonamountain. Today was an "easy does it day" past Davis Cemetery and up and over Little Brushy Mtn. to our campsite for the night. Little Brushy was as much challenge as I wanted today. Tonight we're tenting at a campsite near Crawfish Trail. Only met one Sobo section hiker today as we hiked but Rocketgirl, Windscreen, Professor Turtle and Deep Blue passed our campsite and chatted a bit on there way to Kataden. Several Nobos passed as the evening went on. Water is a short distance from our site and there are several flat tent sites. A nice spot. The weather was perfect. A great first day back.
Date: 2014-04-14
From: Crawfish Trail Tent Site

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: light rain

The AT was talking to me first thing this morning. Welcome back and get up that mountain.   A cup of coffee and a 1100' climb up Walker Mtn.   Not as bad as I feared thanks to some well planned switchbacks. Life is good. Another short day to ease us northward. Met James and Ryan right beside the trail hunting turkey. James had double by-pass heart surgery 2 years ago so is sharing his time with Ryan his 15 year old grandson. James says every day is a gift. Just a reminder it's turkey hunting season in VA. Hikers, wear some blaze orange. Met Rescue#1 and Sherpa for lunch and our first food drop. Nice to be pampered backpackers. Hiked on to Knot Maul shelter which we're sharing with Batman, Cowgirl and her dog Cooper, Radioman, and PoohBear. Several other hikers came in late and are tenting near the shelter. Rain due for tonight and all day tomorrow. Jackonamountain is taking a few zero days at base camp with the guys. We'll be glad when he rejoins us.
Date: 2014-04-15
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: heavy intensity rain

A rare treat starting our hike with a downhill. We are continuing our hike in the Jefferson National Forest. We climbed up and over Lynn Camp Mnt. and through Poor Valley. The 4.2 mile climb up to Chestnut Ridge and to our shelter was tough on its own but the weather turned a warm drizzle into near blizzard conditions by the end of our hike. Chestnut Ridge Shelter at 4409' is the highest shelter elevation on the AT until we reach New Hampshire. This is a stone block shelter with 4 walls and a door made to withstand the high winds. Five bunk beds filled, one hiker sleeping on the picnic table, one in his hammock and one on the floor. 15 hikers and 2 dogs huddled together made a cold night warmer. A beautiful full moon but a trip to the privy seemed life threatening.
Date: 2014-04-16
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

My thoughts as I pictured the hike to come today "Ah, an easy ridge walk day." Well, most of the day was near 4000 feet with wonderful views into Burkes Garden but it was not easy. The trail was extremely rocky and the day was exhausting. Probably a little more than my body was ready for because by the time I reached the shelter I was dragging and very relieved to see the shelter sign. LESSON...plan every step you take...even if the shelter is within sight! I tripped on a root and down I went face first. A minor incident with a small eyebrow cut but it could have been much worse. My guardian angel is still with me. Turtlestone and Crazy Legs were already at the shelter and came to help me up and to the shelter. We just happened to have a doctor at the shelter who looked at my eye and declared I'd live to hike on. The three of us slept in the shelter and Vegemite joined us around 10. There were four other hikers tenting. The privy at this shelter is a stool...just a stool. A good shelter and considering all, a very good day.
Date: 2014-04-17
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Laurel Creek
Miles today: 4.8

Woke to a cold morning but the night in the shelter was good. Cold fingers and frozen water makes a hot breakfast essential. Short and easy hike to meet Sherpa and Rescue#1 for a ride back to base camp and a shower and laundry. Laurel Creek is beautiful. What a wonderful man Rescue is! He had bean soup in the crock pot, fresh cornbread and he made apple pie. I'm a lucky hiker. PS. Just a word about the picture from Day 3 of the three of us with Batman. Occasionally a hiker seems to make an impression on the trail. Stories passed down the trail hiker to hiker, some exaggerated I'm sure, but Batman seems to have become one of those hikers others share stories about. We shared 2 shelters with Batman and enjoyed his company. He seems to have a bottomless backpack filled with goodies he's more than happy to share. While at Chestnut Knob Shelter he prepared hors d'oeuvres of Ritz crackers with cheese and smoked trout to all 15 hikers. He also braved the storm and fetched our water. The shelter was filled and every available space was filled and in spite of the fact he was one of the first in the shelter he volunteered to sleep on the concrete floor. A really nice guy. Thanks Batman!
Date: 2014-04-18
From: Laurel Creek

To: VA 612
Miles today: 7.9

I'm a rested and clean hiker back on the AT. Jackonamountain rejoined us so we are again a Buckeye foursome. We started with the typical morning climb then lots of gentle ups and downs on Brushy Mtn. The trail was narrow with steep drops off at times. Carefully watching each step and pole placement. (Thinking of you Joyce D. and you'd do fine.) Today my backpack has only essentials for the day thus reducing the weight considerably. The guys will be meeting us at the road in 7.9 miles. I decided to go to plan B and rather than continue with the group I went back to base camp for the night.   I'll rejoin the group tomorrow at Jenny Knob. The picture is Turtlestone and I showing off our trail wounds. We face planted on the same day and we're both fine. Falls happen to everyone at some point while hiking. I've met a hiker with a broken arm suffered while climbing a waterfall and another hiker who fell off the top of an icy style. Part of life and I'm so thankful I'm here on the trail living it.
Date: 2014-04-19
From: VA 612

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Since I opted to return to base camp last night I was hiking on my own today. Rescue#1 dropped me off at VA 612 and up the mountain I climbed. That initial climb was a long tough one but once I reached the ridge the ascents and descents were gentle. Turtlestone, Jackonamountain, and Crazy Legs spent the night at Helveys Mill Shelter. I talked to Handsome Dan and Goliath who also spent the night at Helveys Mill who said my group was about 30 minutes ahead of me. I did come upon Jackonamountain but didn't see the ladies until I reached VA 611 where I met Rescue and resupplied my pack for the night. Eight miles done and 3 to the shelter and I felt good. Taking the trail in little doses will get me stronger. Many hikers at the shelter for the night including a jubilant Ramble who will hike his final 20 miles tomorrow. He started his hike last July in Kataden, flip flopped to Springer, took 2 month off for winter and finishes in 20 miles. He could recite the menus from every AYCE restaurant on the trail. Seven tents set up around the shelter, 6 hikers in the shelter and 3 hikers cowboy camping...All those hikers, and at 8 pm all was quiet.
Date: 2014-04-20
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: VA 606
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: clear sky

Happy Easter! A good nights sleep but I seem to have a slow leak in my air mattress. Need to find the problem. Ate a cold breakfast this morning and hit the trail. The path was very rocky most of the day but no major problems. Met the guys at Kimberling Creek then to Trent's Grocery for lunch. The hikers at the shelter were anxious to resupply and eat lunch at Trent's. Trent's also offers a shower. Hiker heaven!Rescue and I have to take a quick trip to Ohio this afternoon to take care of some business. The plan is to return in time for me to hike in to meet the group at our next shelter. Hope all goes well.
Date: 2014-04-21
From: VA 606

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: clear sky

Ohio business taken care of, a good nights sleep, found and patched the leak in my Neoair ( I hope), and enjoyed a bubble bath. A completely successful trip. Rescue dropped me off on the trail at 12:15 so I had plenty of time to get to the shelter and join my group before dark. Once I climbed out of the creek bottom the trail was fairly flat. A few rocky areas but mostly stumble-free. Some sections reminded me of Smokey Mtn. Nat'l Park as the path was in a trough and in a rain would quickly become a creek. The sun was hot in exposed areas but much of the trail was through cool Rhododendron groves. Many stream crossings and at least a dozen footbridges. Water is plentiful on this section. Southbounders, Blaze and Sockless are here tonight plus five other hikers. Not seeing many on the trail today. I'm in my tent tonight with the rest of our group in the shelter which sleeps five. A cozy log cabin look to it but still open in the front. Many flat tent sites, water is close and the privy has four walls and a door. A good site and a great day.
Date: 2014-04-22
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 7.2

Slept in my tent until 7:00 this morning. Slow start to my morning but a good rest last night. Hiking up my first climb I realized I was no longer hearing the bubbling sound of Dismal Creek. I walked beside it so much of the day yesterday I missed it. The woods were quiet and not a bird to be heard. I've been working on evening out my hiking pace by slowing on the downhill and maintaining the same pace uphill. I feel like this helps me rest on the easier sections and gives me more strength on the uphills. Hard to do if the trail is ankle breaker. We hiked in to Woods Hole Hostel early afternoon. Not only a hostel but a working farm. Pigs and chickens, cold frames and raised garden beds with a colorful variety of Spring greens as well as the rustic charm of the bunkhouse and the out buildings including the outside shower. We signed in to the bunkhouse and for dinner and breakfast. What a treat our stay was. Food was fresh and delicious and we met many hikers. Neville and Michael, the owners, are wonderful hosts. I've never seen two people move as fast as they do. Yoga, meditation sessions and massages are also offered. I've included several pictures in the photo album.