morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-06-17
From: Thorton Gap/Luray, VA

To: Little Hogback
Miles today: 12.7

We arranged for a shuttle back to the trail and then in the morning decided to slackpack. The heat is rising this week. It is suppose to be in the 90's all week. Still in the Shennie's but getting close to the end.The trail was beautiful - lots of lush green, the floor covered in ferns, deers eating by the trail, looking up at us then going back to eating. A few nice views and the last wayside in the park today.Even going what seems slow we are averaging 2 mph, we made arrangements to be picked kup at 4 pm and made it at 3:55pm. Rodney gave us a ride to Terrapin Station Hostel.Once at the hostel, we settled in the bunkhouse, drank a few pops, and relaxed. Mike the owner invited us to dinner/trivia challenge. The three of us accompanied him making a trivia team of five and we came in 2nd place, Woo Hoo. We got back around 9:45pm talked for a few minutes and then to sleep. Another good day!Good NightTigerlily
Date: 2010-06-18
From: Little Hogback

To: Linden back to Terapin Station
Miles today: 12.0

am sleeping around me. I woke up @ 2:17am got up came into the social room. I read for awhile and fell asleep on the couch.This morning Croft, Big foot, Swift and I went into town with Mike for breakfast then to Linden PO to get my new card. We got on the trail at Linden at 10am and hiked back to Terrapin Station. A lot of uphill today not hard but we felt like we weren't making much progress. No views today but a couple of nice shelters.Okay I must take a moment of your time to discuss trail names. Some hikers come with a trail name already, some name themselves, and then there are those of us who obtain their names on the trail. The latter is how I got the name "Gearbomb". Capt. Slick I love you but I have to lose the trail name - it no longer applies. I have evolved, I can now open my pack with out losing my gear. So now I know you all are wondering what are we call the hiker formerly known as "Gearbomb", today the name came. While hiking I mentioned my favorite flower and then we stopped at Molly and Jim Denton Shelter (which is a beautiful shelter) for lunch and it had the very flower. So my trail name is now "Tigerlily" - it sounds much less harsh. So "Tigerlily" it is.We made it back to the hostel around 5:30pm, rested, showered, and ate. We got two new hikers - Papa Smurf and Shrek at the hostel, interesting men. Well I am getting tired will finish laundry and hopefully get some sleep tonight.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-06-19
From: Linden back to Terapin Station

To: Front Royal/Terrapin Station
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: broken clouds

This morning we were shuttled back to "little hogback" in the Shenahdoh's and hiked to Terrapin Station again. Yesterday was southbound, today northbound. We are confusing everyone! But we are making sure we cover every mile.A few views today of the valley, no wildlife sightings. I have 1000 miles, its hard to believe. Still excited to be here - never once have I thought about quitting or going home. In fact what I am afraid of is this journey ending. I think about finishing and turning around and hiking back. Don't worry I won't, I don't think. But I am excited to do the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail), Long Trail, and many others. I think I have been bitten by the hiking bug!Got back to the hostel around 2:45pm, took a nap. We had more people here, 9 in total. We all loaded up and went to dinner, then the grocery store. Ran into Hoofit at the store, it was good to see him. Tomorrow we head North - Bears Den in two days. Great times, good life.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-06-20
From: Front Royal/Terrapin Station

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: broken clouds

Left the hostel, got my card from Linden PO - back on track now. On the trail by 9am. It was nice - took a few minutes at a picnic table by the trail head just to enjoy the quiet of the outdoors. It's good to be home again. It was a lovely hike today few climbs but nothing crazy, the temps got to 90 but didn't feel oppressive. Took a long lunch at Dick's Dome Shelter and soaked our feet WOW! The water felt great on sore tired feet. After lunch I took a nap on the picnic table.Today went smoothly. About four miles out from the shelter was the most extrodinary forest. I told Swift to look at the woods - he said it was a perfect stand of maples. It was 6pm (my favorite time to hike), the sun flickering through these magnificent trees onto the forest floor. The birds singing their day is ending songs. The day windingdown is a very peaceful time of day for me. I enjoy it very much.Got into camp around 7 ish set up, made dinner - talked with a few hikers then off to bed.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-06-21
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

The "Roller Coaster" VA version of mountains "13.5 miles of tightly packed ascents and descents". We are headed to Bears Den hostel which is only 9.9 miles away but in that 9.9 miles we have 9 climbs. I like having the variation of the ups and downs. We did have a lot of rocks to deal with. I was ready to be at Bears Den when we got there.This place looks like a castle with it's stone fence and pillers. The building is all stone, I got pictures. The inside was clean and roomy. The stay included: tombstone pizza, pop, Ben & Jerry's ice cream, laundry for only $27. Now you can't beat that. Both Swift and I had mail drops which we went through. I finally received my package from Suzie, Andrew, and the girls for Mother's Day. They sent great pictures, which I showed to everyone in the hostel. The care takers of the hostel, "Hopeful and her husband had a 3 yr old and a 9mo old. Very cute but made me miss my grandchildren. They also had a computer there so I entered some entries, stayed up late. Oh yea got all of my bank stuff taken care of, that's nice. I think I'll deal in cash from now on.Hiking out tomorrow - suppose to be a warm one. Good niteTigerlily
Date: 2010-06-22
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: David Lesser Shelter 
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: broken clouds

Had to send packages this morning-so Swift got a ride into the PO and I ate Ben & Jerry's ice cream and checked the weather. The word is hot, for the next 10 days it is suppose to be in the 90's.Hit 1000 mile today and left VA and entered WV. We got on the trail around 9:30am and had the rest of the "roller coaster" to finish about 4 miles of it. Then the trail flattened out till we get to Harpers Ferry. There were a lot of rocks today so you couldn't look around. That's not bad for short periods of time but this went on for a lot of the day. A couple miles after the end of the the "roller coaster" we stopped for lunch. I told Swift we were having a gerbel day (a day where you hike and hike and it seems like you go nowhere). I hope it gets better during the second half. The temps were rising around 92-93, we're moving along things seem to be going better. We stopped to rest and assess our water situation by the trail to Blackburn Visitor Center & met Powder and Russell (the dog). We talked for a while and moved on - I had decided to go five miles to a campsite today since the heat of the day pad passed and tomorrow is suppose to be worse. Well we were humming along - things going good this afternoon - then we met Harvey!About 2.4 miles from the campsite Swift passes a man sitting on a rock on the phone and continues. I approach the same man and he says search/rescue wants to talk to me (phone). I got on the phone and 911 asked if I could stay with Harvey, I said of course. He had stopped and called 911 because he was suffering from heat exhaustion. I called Swift back and gave him the phone (both Swift and I are CPR trained) but Swift knows the area better. Search and rescue came and escorted Harvey off the trail and Swift and I continued. Hope you are doing well Harvey. We reached the next shelter and it was still 1.9 miles to the campsite we originally aiming for, so we decided to stay put at the shelter. I liked that decision because I was tired. We set up camp and got into our tents/hammock to get away from the bugs and planned the next day. It took us a while to fall asleep, as the night was warm and muggy with no breeze, yuck.However, I am still getting sleepy, so I will try to sleep.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-06-23
From: David Lesser Shelter 

To: Harpers Ferry/Northgate Inn
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: scattered clouds

We got up early as planned. I was packed up when Swift discovered a mouse had eaten through his food bag so he checked his tent, yep hole in the tent. Not a good way to start the morning but sometimes it happens.We were on the trail at 7:30am pretty good. It's going to be another hot day, 78 deg. at 7am. The trail was a bit rocky but flat or down hill but the heat must be getting to me cause I struggled today. We still made good time though. We got to ATC headquarters about 12:30pm. I got my picture taken, I was #445 to come through Harpers Ferry. Swift found his picture from last year and showed it to me, wow did he look different.We caught the bus to the WalMart and resupplied - everything was going to plan. It was about 3:40pm and we were about to head out around 4pm. But I had been watching a bite that Swift got several days ago on the back of his right knee, and it had gotten bigger and redder and was creating a poison line. I told him that he needed to get it looked at before we hiked out. So we caught the bus again and went to the Urgent care. I went to get a room at the motel across the street.The doc wasn't sure what it was but started him on Doxy. We got to the room and turned on the air-conditioner and didn't move-it was nice not to be in the heat 95 deg.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-06-24
From: Harpers Ferry/Northgate Inn

To: Harpers Ferry/Northgate Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

We had a taxi scheduled to come to take us back to the trail. But 20 min after Swift took his meds he was throwing up. I cancelled the taxi and told Swift to go back to sleep.I left and caught the bus back to the ATC to give him some quiet time and I did some updating on my journal. I also went across the street and got my nails done and my eyebrows waxed, hiking the trail is hard work. lol I went back to the motel around 2pm to check on Swift, he was feeling better.Later that evening we went to the AYCE Chinese buffet. We plan on hiking tomorrow if all goes well.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-06-25
From: Harpers Ferry/Northgate Inn

To: Rocky Run Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: broken clouds

We hiked! Paid way to much for a taxi ride $25-crazy. But were at the trailhead, pack full of food ugh.First off this morning doing a road walk and road walked rite into Maryland. That sounds so far away. Then we had a short climb with rocks of course and the rest of the trail has been level but rocky. We hiked to the park where we hung out for a couple of hours during the heat of the day and then hiked another five miles around 4:30pm.The last five miles offered a fall for me (scraped my leg), blackberries, and trail magic (fruit, chips, pop) very nice lil foot, big foot - Thanks. Greatly appreciated. Got to the shelter set up camp ate dinner, talked for short time then off to bed. I'm tired going to sleep early.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-06-26
From: Rocky Run Shelter

To: Ensign Shelter
Miles today: 15.7

Up very early but didn't get on the trail till 7:45am. We got trail magic about an hour after being on the trail and you never pass up trail magic. It was quite a spread but I just had a banana and a coke. ThanksToday seemed more hot and humid. I was harder to doing less miles. But we made it to Annapolis Rocks where we planned to take lunch and a long break. Two hours later around 3:45pm with 6.6 miles to go we hiked out. The trail was rocky and not pleasant. We were slow moving and took a lot of breaks. We finally arrived at the shelter around 7:15pm and hoofit was there. It was good to see him.I was tired so I ate a cold supper - hung my food bag and crawled into my hammock journalled for a bit and will slide into my silk liner and go to sleep. Oh I forgot I crossed into PA today. Crossed the Mason/Dixon line, I'm technically in the north.>Tigerlily
Date: 2010-06-27
From: Ensign Shelter

To: Deer Lick Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: few clouds

This morning when I got up at 6:15am everyone was gone but one guy and he left shortly there after. We were on the trail at 7:40am.The trail today had some climbs and lots of rocks. A steep down hill all rocks - it was a hard day and of course the heat and humidity were up as well.But we did reward ourselves with a break at Pen-Mar Park. We got there at 1pm, Hoofit was already there. We hit the concession stand for a cold pepsi. This was a nhice park with live music and dancing. Many pavillons and a view. I also went back to the consession stand and to a cheeseburger, fries, and onion rings. My eyes were bigger than my appetite and I couldn't eat them all but it all sounded so good at the them.We started hiking again around 3pm, still very hot and humid so we only hiked 4.9 miles to the next shelter. Got there around 6pm. There are three section hikers Tiptoe is one of them, Hoofit showed up along with a couple of other guys later. We ate, stradegized and came up with a plan. It is suppose to rain tomorrow. I hpe so, we really need it. I don't like hiking in it but if it means a cool front, bring it. We are suppose to get a break from this heat starting on TuesdayWell time for sleep. Tigerlily
Date: 2010-06-28
From: Deer Lick Shelter

To: Quarry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

We were on the trail at 7am this morning, even left before Hoofit. I wasn't far down the trail when I remembered that I left my tarp ropes around the trees, back I go. I was just glad that I thought of them when I did. I go through this routine every morning-I start visualizing everything in my backpack from the bottom up. I pack everything in the same order so that way I can always make sure I haven't forgotten something, I know I'm crazy but today it paid off.The trail started out nice, we had a couple of shelters close and a park with a spigot where we filled up with water. This morning we had a climb up to Chimney Rocks - the climb was like the chimney had collapsed on the trail rocks every where! Then we headed to Caledonia State Park which had a pool. I didn't swim but did take a shower and hit the concession stand for a fizzy drink (pop and/or soda) and a cheeseburger and fries before going to the next shelter.Got to this shelter, its amazing - I have pictures. This is the Ritz of the AT shelters thus far but I am sleeping in my hammock. Glad to be in my hammock now and off my feet. Lots of rocks and I'm getting one of those ridge blisters on the bottom of your toes, ouch. I have taped it, it helps some.On to weather-it was suppose to rain today but it didn't. The forest really needs it, the undergrowth is wilting and dying in some cases. Talked to a guy who lives in the area, he said no rain is predicted. He did say that the 90 deg days are suppose to break tomorrow, that is great news. Tonight it might even get down into the 60's wooo hooo below 70.Good nite allTigerlily
Date: 2010-06-29
From: Quarry Gap Shelter

To: Tom's Run Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Lousy night, didn't sleep at all and I also had to get up to pee 4 times. I never have to get up at night. I went from shivering to sweating all night long. Maybe I am getting sick but don't feel bad.The trail doesn't care if you sleep or not, so on the trail at 8am. A climb first thing and I was tired but hike on. Grow up don't be a baby, quit your whining has become a saying i hear a lot out here.Got to the next shelter about 11:45am rested and ate lunch. After lunch I got a boost of energy and a nice trail and I hiked like a God. I think I averaged 3mph. Took a break about halfway to the next shelter - and hiked swiftly again, gliding gracefully over the rocks (and not rolling any ankles). Made it to this shelter around 4:30pm, had plenty of time to hike another 3 miles to a campground but this shelter was nice and in the woods so we all decided to stay.The shelter is .4 short of the midway point of the AT (1089.55). I can't believe that I have walked that far, it is crazy when you stop to think about it.I am going to bed, hope I get some sleep tonight.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-06-30
From: Tom's Run Shelter

To: Boiling Springs/Allenberry Resort
Miles today: 12.7

Again last night I had difficulty sleeping. Fell asleep okay but woke up @ 2:21am and could not go back to sleep. I stayed in my hammock till 4 ish and then I finally had to get up. Went to the shelter and laid down and waited for the sun to come up. Long night.During breakfast I noticed my jaw hurt some when I ate, didn't think much of it also the temps were cooler and everybody else had jackets on but I was hot, hmmmmm!Got on the trail and walked only .4 miles to the halfway point of the AT 1089.55, amazing. It is hard to believe that I have hiked that far. In some respects it seems as if this journey has just begun and then at times it seems as if I have been out here forever. It is amazing how quickly this trail becomes your life and the people your family. I could stay out here forever.Today was a good day, a fast day. Reached Pine Grove Furnance Country Store (which is where they have the 1/2 gal ice cream challenge), I got there at 9 am so i did not partake - not that I would have anyway. But if you do complete the challenge, now hold on to your seat you get a wooden spoon (you know the kind I mean, the flat ice cream sampling ones). A covetted prize for sure out here.Hoofit and I left, easy path we talked while hiking. He has to get off the trail for two weeks to take care of some business. I will miss you, come back strong. You and Swift are my two favorite men out here.We started to climb and I took off, I hike fast sometimes it helps me focus. And not sleeping well the last couple of days I needed the extra help. I hiked about 3 mph for the the next couple of hours and went further than I anticipated. When I stopped to wait for Swift, I checked myself for bites and ticks and damn found a spot rite behind my right knee just like Swift had. When he finally caught up I had him look at it and he didn't like the way it looked. We only had 1.4 miles to go to the store we were planning on taking a break for fizzy drinks and sandwiches, so we hiked on.I apparently was fading fast because Swift insisted we were getting a ride to Boiling Springs. Hoofit's friend owned the store we were at and gave us a ride into Boiling Springs. He dropped us off at the ATC office and we walked to the Allenberry Resort .4 miles down the road. I got a room and then collapsed on the bed. I still couldn't sleep, finally I got up to shower that helped some then ate some dinner. We made arrangements for a slackpack for the next day to cover the miles from the store to Boiling Springs (about 10 miles) so we could stay on track time wise.I am really tired and hoping that I will be able to get some sleep. Tigerlily
Date: 2010-07-01
From: Boiling Springs/Allenberry Resort

To: Boiling Springs/Allenberry Resort
Miles today: 10.6

Sleep was not in the picture for me last night again. I woke up around 2:21 am and am in severe pain. I am having shooting pains from right in front of my right ear into my head, not oh that hurts pain but the pain that brings you to tears and doubles you over in pain. I grab the bedspread and leave the room so I don't wake up Swift and walk around the grounds but nothing helped. I finally decided to call 911 cause the pain was more than I could bear. But I told the 911 operator that I would meet the ambulance at the road.The Dr. said it was a eustachian tube problem and that I needed to pop my ears to release the pressure on my ear drum. He gave me a nasal spray, ear drops, pain pills, and told me to take Clariton & tynol PM and chew gum. Trying to pop my ears often. I also showed the Dr. my bite behind my knee and told him that I had started taking Doxy (antibiotic for lyme), he didn't think it was lyme but still gave me a lg shot of antibiotics in the butt of course. I asked the nurse to call me a cab and went back to the resort.Swift was still sleeping when I arrived, never knew I was gone, good. When he woke up I told him what had transpired during the night. He asked if I still felt like hiking at that point I felt pretty good so I said yes. What a mistake.We got shuttled back to the store and begain hiking north toward Boiling Springs. The sharp shooting pain in my earn (every 20 sec or so) was so bad I just wanted to die. After about 5 miles, if Swift had asked if I just wanted to hitchhike back to the resort I would have said yes. But he asked if I was going to make it and if nothing else I am determined so I pushed on. Made it but it was the worst day I have had.Back at the ATC office I saw Tatoo, he had gotten off the trail and was now back on, it was nice to see him. I think he is going to stay at the Allenberry also. I walked back to the resort and collapsed again in bed. Swift went out to dinner with several hikers that had come into the Allenberry that we hadn't seen for a while but I just wasn't up for it - but I did get up and go to the hot tub. Hedgehog was there so I visited with him. The hot tub seemed to help, at least it relaxed me. The pain has been so severe that every muscle in my body was tense. Also my leg on the side where I got my shot was in a great deal of pain also.Well it's time to try to go to sleep again, I pray that I am able to get some over due rest.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-07-02
From: Boiling Springs/Allenberry Resort

To: Boiling Springs/Allenberry Resort
Miles today: 0.0

A good nites sleep was not in the cards. I woke up @ 11:30 pm with excruciating shooting pain in my right ear again.This pain was so bad, worse than the night before, that it reduced me to crying like a baby. I have never experienced anything like this before. I now lunderstand why people commit suicide over pain. I knew I could not stand this pain all nite, so I called a taxi and went back to the Carlisle Emerg. Room./this time the Dr. gave me some pain meds there and wrote me a script for more percocet. But he was more concerned about my bite and the fact that even though I have been on antibiotics for over 24 hrs I still had a fever of 101. So he thinks I do have Lyme and he gave me another shot of antibiotics in my butt, of course. He also gave me a script for Doxy. The kDr. ran blood work/urine test they will call if test is positive. Also had Dr give me names of ENT specialist. Got back to the resort told Swift I wasn't up for hiking. I started to calling ENT's @ 8:00am, first one closed in observance of 7/4 holiday, second had no appt's and was closed the next week. Swift went online and tried to find an ENT about 6 days up the trail so I would be able to make an appt. I called the ENT he found (89 miles up the trail in Pottsville), they said they could see me today! I called Mike (the shuttle guy) made arrangements with him - called ENT back told them I was on my way.Mike got to the resort in about 20 min. and I was on my way 89 miles to the ENT. Dr. Boran said I had TMJ - he told me to stop doing and taking what the other emerg Dr. said except for the Doxy. He said he was an ear expert and the other Dr. had misdiagnosed me. Dr. Boran put me on a steroid pack, diazepam, naproxan, and nexium for my tummy less not forget the Doxy also. I have become a drug addict. I finally got back to the resort and just broke down and cried. Swift was wonderfui through this whole ordeal. I finally took my pain meds laid down and prayed I would be able to sleep through the night. At this point I had had 12 hours of sleep in the last 6 days.Tigerlily