morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-05-07
From: Curley Maple Gap Shelter

To: North of Iron Mtn Gap
Miles today: 15.0

So yeah, night hiking turned out to be the scariest thing I've ever done. I was just always on edge from the late night cars and trucks on the forest roads, to the random people I came across, to the eyes staring at me in the woods. I definitely thought doing it would help cure my fear of the woods at night, but it only reinforced it. Good experience, but never again by myself. I did happen upon some nice trail magic. Digger and Wayah were slack-packing Baby Blue, T, Firecracker, and Saffron with their rental car. At the pick-up spot, they brought pizza, lemonade, Sunny D, and fresh fruit. It was so good and Saffron gave me her extra Chinese food from last night. I just heated it up. What a great Trail Dinner. Gotta hike up Roan Mtn tomorrow. I'm going to try and climb it early, cause these days are getting oppressively hot.
Date: 2004-05-08
From: North of Iron Mtn Gap

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: few clouds

Got up early and on the trail by 7. Made for a long day but was it was nice not being rushed up and over Roan Mtn. It was a good solid 3.5 miles UP. Hot today, but the breeze helped keep it bearable. Almost got caught in a thunderstorm, just before the shelter. Stayed dry and got to enjoy a beautiful double rainbow. Futily tried to take pictures of the lightning , but just used up the batteries. Sleeping in a big renovated barn with lots of other people. Good times. Lots of laughs. Why am I so tired? Oh yeah,...19 miles...zzzzzz
Date: 2004-05-09
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Who knows....
Miles today: 23.0

I wrote my mileage in pencil tonight cuz I really have no idea where I am. They did some trail relocations and don't have very good signs or landmarks yet. It threatened to rain at 4 o'clock so I threw up my tent and was going to call it a night. Then the sun came out half an hour later and I didn't want to sit there for 3 hours, so I packed up and headed on. Did probably 7 more miles, but I have no clue. I'm going to take tomorrow afternoon off at Kincora Hostel. It's only $4 and is supposedly run by wonderful people. I need a shower so bad, not to mention laundry. Last shower was the morning of May 1st just before leaving Hot Springs. Didn't my parents ever teach me any hygiene? 9 days of hiking, even I am horribly disgusted by myself. Eh, who am I trying to impress? Or maybe its seriously unhealthy. What are ya gonna do about it anyway? Showa.
Date: 2004-05-10
From: Who knows....

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 9.3

So I'm all showered up now. No damage done. I pulled in here at 11 AM and the place was full! Turns out it's all of the slack-packers who decided to stay 2 nights. They leave their packs here and get shuttled ahead and hike south back to here without their packs. At first this didn't bother me. I choose not to do it. They choose to hike their own way. My pack is travelling every inch of this trail with me. Now though, this slacking is starting to piss me off. Are you backpacking or are you dayhiking? Suck it up and carry your pack! You paid enough for the lightest materials! People are so soft. Maybe I'm stubborn and don't know what I'm missing, and maybe I'm just bitter at the moment. If it works for them, wonderful. I'll hike my hike.
Date: 2004-05-11
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Kincora Hostel (again)
Miles today: 0.0

My first unplanned zero day. It felt pretty good. That's what's great about being out here. No deadlines, no responsibilities, no worries. I was getting ready to head out and someone mentioned that people were coming to cook a spagetti dinner for all the hikers. So, bump my plans back a day, enjoy an incredible feast, and just chill. A couple from Maine who drove down for traildays so generously cooked up a meal that could feed an army. And we ate every last bite. We, as in about 30 hikers. If nothing else out here, you learn to appreciate food, period. I'm falling in love with how simple life is out here. It will be a struggle to balance going back to the daily stresses while keeping a lot of this simplicity. Maybe I can find a way. Maybe it's also a frame of mind.
Date: 2004-05-12
From: Kincora Hostel (again)

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Stopped pretty early today. I actually got out pretty late too. Nice leisurely walk though. Laurel Creek Falls were absolutely gorgeous. I sat by the river for awhile and watched trout rising. I was dying to have my fly rod. Not much was hatching, but I bet I'll be able to witness some other hatches at other rivers along the way. I was trying to remember all of the entomology I used to know. Think I could carry a rod out here? People have finished while carrying a lot crazier things (ex: a tuba) Oh no! I skipped a page. HaHa. By default, I now have a doodle page.
Date: 2004-05-13
From: Watauga Lake Shelter

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 21.7
Weather: light rain

I've now hiked 450 miles of the AT. Sounds like a lot, but it's all relative when you think about how much I have left. I got rained on today. Soaked to the bone. We're stuck in this "unsettled" weather pattern. Very humid, and chance of showers every day. It's hit or miss. Met up with a college philosophy class out here. They do a 2 week hike and get credit for it. I talked with the teacher for awhile about the studies he's done on the trail. Very interesting stuff. Made me think about other aspects of why I'm out here. I've always avoided using the word spiritual to describe my hike. Mainly because I connect it with religious tones. Kip, the teacher, kind of reminded me that both of those terms are very broad and mean very different things to different people. The question is what do they mean to me? Thankfully, I have ample time to figure it out.
Date: 2004-05-14
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Damascus, VA Trail Days
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: scattered clouds

First off, there's TONS of people here. Everyone I've met so far and more, lots more. Lots of stuff going through my head. Unsure how, or if, I should write it down. They're not even clear things to write about. Just a bunch of questions. It seems like all I ever have are questions. I'm not feeling too hot, its tough being among this crowd. I do know one thing though. I enjoy, and am so much more comfortable with one-on-one conversations/interactions with people. But at the same time, I question that. That's something I'd like to gain from this hike. Some self confidence about decisions. Lose some fear of regret. Alright, enough babble. I could drive myself crazy going in circles. Why the hell am I out here?
Date: 2004-05-17
From: Trail Days (The Place)

To: Saunders Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Finally got my ass out of Damascus. Running into a little trouble with the bus and train travel plans. I've got to be in Marion a day earlier than expected. I think I'll stay on normal pace instead of rushing to get to Atkins. No need to hurry. Pulled another spaceshot move today. I left my trail guide Data Book somewhere in town. Second time I've lost that book now. Maybe it's a sign to buy Wingfoot's book instead. I bought new boots and insoles at Trail Days and so far, I am very worried. My feet hurt even worse today than ever. Some people out here have had tendonitis and stress fractures in their feet. I hope it's neither of those. I just wish someone could give me a straight answer (and a knowledgeable one) about feet and footwear. Only thing to do for now is keep walking on them.
Date: 2004-05-18
From: Saunders Shelter

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: light rain

Unexpected big mileage day. Started real late, around 10, just taking it easy. Got down to the river and couldn't resist jumping into the perfect swimming hole. Had a good time hanging out with Kip and his class. Seen them on and off for about 5 days. They're a college religious studies class, out here on an "AT Pilgrimage". And I had to drop out to hike! I guess I already talked about them once before. Just goes to show you, hiking doesn't improve your memory at all. Chilly night tonight. Back up above 5,000 feet. Got rained on briefly 3 different times today. We're stuck in this lousy summer storm weather pattern still. It rains every afternoon! I came across some cow pastures today. Feels very weird to have to shoo cattle off the trail in order to hike. Two more 18 mile days, then it's off to Bethlehem, PA
Date: 2004-05-19
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: light rain

Came over Grayson Highlands in the clouds and rain today. Seems like everyone got to see the wild ponies except me. No biggie. 18 miles is getting to be easy. I better slow down by taking 5 days off! Didn't sleep too well last night. Very windy. It kept making the tent flap loudly which is tough to sleep through. I don't know any of the people I'm hiking around anymore. It was nice knowing there would be a familiar face at a shelter before. They all left trail days a day later, so I'll be 3 or 4 days behind them when I get back on. I guess you have to make an effort to hike with people. As with fitting in too, both sides have to make an effort to stay together. In some ways, it's so much easier and more enjoyable to just do what I want. I guess it's the friendships that arise without effort, just mutual enjoyment, that matter most.
Date: 2004-05-20
From: Campsite

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiked pretty slow today. Got out early enough to enjoy the good weather. No rain! for the first time in 9 days. Very muggy though, this morning especially. Tomorrow I begin my 5 days off. Will it fly by? Will it drag on? Too exhausted to even think. The bus and train will give me plenty of time to write. I want to drag this hike out as long as possible but I don't think I can afford to.
Date: 2004-05-21
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Greyhound Bus
Miles today: 0.0

Wonderful public transportation! Of course, the bus broke down. An hour and 25 minute bus ride that has gone 30 miles in 3 hours and 35 minutes. Its things like this that make me want to get back hiking ASAP. I already miss the woods. Being around people makes me uneasy. I feel like I stand out in my hiking clothes and space clogs. And I probably do!
Date: 2004-05-22
From: Greyhound Bus

To: Lynchburg,VA
Miles today: 0.0

So I gave in yesterday and got a ride to the Travelodge from the woman working at the bus station. I was going to try avoiding hotel costs, but the bus ride took 7 hours total and I needed a shower. I've spent the day trying to occupy myself. Walked around a lot. Had a supersize McD's meal for lunch and read the nutrition facts they had posted on the wall. 1,600 calories in my $6.00 meal! 112% of my daily fat value! I'm lovin' it! Then went to the library for some internet access. And of course, got hungry a few hours later. Picked up an overpriced pint of Ben and Jerry's Oatmeal Cookie Chunk. That's another 1,200 calories down the tubes. I also stopped by the used bookstore in town and picked up a few more books. Now I have about 15 books to read. I think I'll sleep on a bench in the train station tonight, so I can wake up at 5 AM and be right there when the train rolls in at 5:15. I should've bought something I could have for breakfast. Might have to settle for trail mix.
Date: 2004-05-23
From: Lynchburg,VA

To: AmTrak Train
Miles today: 0.0

I think this is my first time ever travelling by train. I'm surprised at how closely the cabin resembles airplane seating. I'm starving, but the guy sitting next to me is sleeping. Maybe I could scramble over him without waking him up, OR, I could just try force feeding myself the last 1/2 lb. of trail mix I have. Slept on the the floor of the train station last night. Didn't sleep too well, but given the circumstances, I was lucky to get any sleep at all. I've travelled just about every way possible now and I must say, sitting in the back of a pick-up truck is by far, the most enjoyable. There's something carefree about it. The wind whipping by, the view backwards as you pass by the countryside, and at the same time, an uneasiness about not seeing what's ahead and the vulnerability in case of trouble. They should sell tickets to travel in the back of a pick-up. Then again, I've never ridden a motorcycle. I bet that's a good way to travel too.
Date: 2004-05-25
From: Bethlehem, PA

To: AmTrak Train
Miles today: 0.0

On my way back to the trail. Had a good time seeing the extended family. Wonderful home cooked food from the Dales'. Bought new boots today, AGAIN. These are bigger and more of a hiking boot. Hopefully, they'll help my foot pain. It's too bad there's only one way to find out. Also, kinda fixed my website. I just can't get a message board to work correctly. I guess that's why they're free though. I gave in and used one hosted by some free service. They use ads, so it sucks, but it's better than none. The train was an hour and 45 minutes late from NYC. A blessing in disguise, because it allowed me to eat lunch with my mom, sis, Gael and Curt. Good to see all of them. I'm always unsure of when I'll see anyone again, whenever I say goodbye.
Date: 2004-05-26
From: AmTrak Train

To: Campsite
Miles today: 4.2
Weather: light rain

Well, I didn't get to sleep much, but the travelling went about as well as an 8 hour train ride and 5 hour bus ride can go. Got back to Marion, did some shopping and eating, and hitched back to the trail. I could've stayed at Partnership again, but I wanted to hike some today. Five zero days is enough! Turns out it was too many. Getting back is tough. I was panting and sweating like it was day one all over again. And to top it off, it started to pour. I stood under a heavy canopy tree to try and wait it out, but it just got heavier and started to thunder. So, I set up my tent and got pretty much soaked to the bone. I put my head down for a minute after unpacking and passed out. It was 7 pm. Now it's 4 am and I just woke up because another big thunderstorm is rolling through. I don't feel like making dinner. I'm just going to go back to sleep I guess.
Date: 2004-05-27
From: Campsite

To: Davis Path Shelter
Miles today: 10.1

Ended up with 13 hours of sleep last night. Guess I needed it, felt good. My new boots are killing me. Bad blister on my left heel. I hope they break in soon. I just want comfortable feet. Is that too much to ask? Hiked into Atkins today to pick up my bounce box and get some food. Decided to take it slow on the new boots and shoot for Bland, Va (I didn't make that up) in 3 days. Saw my first deer today! She was bounding away but it was nice to finally see one. Had more incredible luck today. I was sitting in front of the Dairy Queen when this couple walks by and says "Did you lose a license and credit card on the trail?" I said "No", and he said, "Are you sure?" Turns out they had fallen out of my pocket when I pulled my bandana out and I hadn't even realized it yet. He just happened to have picked it up on the trail and recognized my face. Someone out there must really like me. I just have to find her :-)
Date: 2004-05-28
From: Davis Path Shelter

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: light rain

Long, rough, day today. Took me forever to get motivated this morning. Wasn't looking forward to putting my feet in those boots. And for good reason. My foot pain has reached a new high/low today. Everything from ankles, to heels, to tops and bottoms, sides and toes hurt! I'm hoping that as the boots break in some pain will go away, but chronic pains are starting to worry me. I saw 2 more deer today. Nearly walked directly into one and had a 15 foot staring contest with it. I won. Also saw the first wild turkey. I'm kind of in a slump, trying to hike out of it. We'll see.
Date: 2004-05-30
From: Chesnut Knob Shelter

To: Helvey's Mill Shelter
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: moderate rain

ROUGH day today. Hiked 4 hours in the pouring rain. Got a blister on my right heel now too. I had diarrhea all day long and have now developed severe crotch chaffing also. I feel terrible and spirits are very low tonight. Tomorrow is another day. Let's hope I have the energy and pain tolerance to get me to Pearisburg where I will get a hotel and take a zero.
Date: 2004-05-31
From: Helvey's Mill Shelter

To: Trent Grocery Campground
Miles today: 16.3

Pulled in here to get a shower, laundry, and Immodium. Food is not staying with me long. Makes for very tough hiking cause I'm not getting much nutrition from it. I hope it's just a passing stomach bug and not something that needs medical attention. I'll give it to Pearisburg and then do something major if I'm still plagued. I've also decided that chaffing is the worst pain EVER. Did a lot of thinking today, about why I'm out here and for how much longer. Quitting hiking is comparable to comitting suicide in real life. It's seldom talked about and when someone quits, it shocks everyone and leaves them asking "why?" In a lot of ways, I just want to go home and sleep in a warm cozy bed and have tons of good food. But I also know for every trouble I have out here that is solved by going home, there's twice as many created. I'd be back to a job, college apps, sky-rocketing gas prices, and all of those other daily stresses. So, I guess quitting in not really a way out, but that's beside the point. I just need to find a way to make this an enjoyable experience. Deal with the problems, eat Immodium like candy, powder the chaffing, and duct tape my feet. I didn't come out here looking for the easy way out of anything, but I do need to learn how to enjoy it or I won't last long.
Date: 2004-06-01
From: Trent Grocery Campground

To: Who knows...
Miles today: 0.0

Weird day today. It had its ups and downs. Ups were no chaffing, minor blister pain, and everything I ate today is still in me. Downs were, not reaching the campsite I wanted to make it to, trying to set up my tent in 30mph winds as it started to rain and losing my temper at my tent. I hope I never curse at my tent like that again, I must've looked like a bumbling fool. Oh yeah, I also got to leave a register at Doc Knob shelter. Hopefully, when it's full someone will send it to me. I have the other one that was full that I'll send to the guy who left it. Pearisburg tomorrow, and hopefully out by the end of the day.
Date: 2004-06-02
From: Who knows...

To: Catholic Church Hostel
Miles today: 3.9

Well, as always, you've got to be flexible with your plans on the trail. My package from my parents didn't get to Pearisburg yet, so I'll stay the night and hopefully it will be here tomorrow. The holiday weekend slowed it down. I ate at the AYCE Chinese buffet for lunch and nearly died. I felt horrible for about 2 hours and probably should have thrown up. And I'll probably just do it all over again tomorrow. Also hit another food milestone today. June 2, 2004, is the first day I ever tried Spam. I found it to be a mix between cat food and hot dogs, and seeing as cat food is so much cheaper, you will be more likely to see me eating that than Spam ever again. They're both just as emetic.
Date: 2004-06-03
From: Catholic Church Hostel

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: few clouds

Super long day today. I didn't get out of town till one o'clock and still did a huge day. My feet sure took a pounding from it though. Turns out my package was there the whole time, but they had it filed under "Tunes". I've got to tell my parents to only put my real name on there. This is day one of Operation Homeplace. Its an AYCE that's in Catawba and is supposed to be the best food on the AT east of the Mississippi. The catch is they're only open Thurs-Sun. So either go slow, and do 12 mile days or fly there doing 20's. I don't think I really have a choice. The things we do for food out here......
Date: 2004-06-04
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: moderate rain

Operation Homeplace is in jeopardy. It poured rain all morning and afternoon. I don't hike well in the rain, it gets me down. So now I'm behind schedule. If it's nice, I may be able to do 25 tomorrow, but I'm not optimistic. I can't wait to get my new shoes in Catawba. These boots are killing my feet still. I see deer everyday now. There are tons of them in these woods. I'm at a loss for words...
Date: 2004-06-05
From: War Spur Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: light rain

Forgot to mention it, but, yesterday was my 2 month anniversary. Looks like I may be able to pull up early before Catawba at the hostel and get a ride to the Homeplace. Sounds like a good idea. Whoever said Virginia was easy was lying. Today I had 2 really tough climbs and some slanted rocky ridge walking. Painful on the feetsies. I did get some wonderful trail magic from Grandpa Jim's family. They gave me a blueberry square, a banana, banana bread, a fruit cup, an apple, orange juice and string cheese. Very nice group. It was a nice surprise. I was thinking about all the other places I'd like to be like windsurfing in Bonaire, skiing in the Alps, flyfishing in New Zealand. In some ways, I thought of this hike as time off, but it's far from it. Plus, everything gets boring and there's always some place else that would be nicer than where you are. Maybe they're only great because when you do get to go to those incredible places you don't spend 6 months there and you sure don't have to work as hard. Maybe life will seem easier after this hike.
Date: 2004-06-06
From: Niday Shelter

To: 4 Pines Hostel
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: light rain

More very hard Virginia hiking today. Don't believe anyone who tells you Virginia is easy. I made it though. Operation Homeplace was a huge success. The first thing that truely lived up to my expectations. It rates as one of the best meals of my life. Still quite far from 111 Chophouse, but it's up there. Picture, all you can eat fried chicken, roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, buttery biscuits, green beans, baked beans, coleslaw, iced tea and lemonade. Plus AYCE ice cream, peach cobbler and coffee for dessert. I can't even explain how good it was, and it was all for $12. I gorged myself, almost sick, but I'm getting to learn my limits so I was more content than anything. Also, on the same topic, I got to weigh myself back in Pearisburg. I've gained an unheard of 10 lbs! Most guys have lost 10-20. I weigh the most I've ever weighed in my life, 155!! It's gotta be all muscle for the amount of fat I'm burning, if there is any fat. Let's see if I can keep it on now!
Date: 2004-06-07
From: 4 Pines Hostel

To: McAfee Knob
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: haze

I'm sitting here at one of the most amazing places I've been at along the trail. I'm not sleeping here tonight, but I like writing in my journal when life couldn't be any better. For the second time, I honestly can say there's no place else I want to be. I am happy in this instant, in these hours. It's crazy how quickly moods can change out here. I've met some great people lately. Had some uplifting laughter with Podini, Fugitive and Dr Space Monkey 5000. Played charades with them up here on the knob. Took some of the best pictures of the trip so far. The view from here is amazing in every sense of the word. Now the sun is setting and tomorrow it could rain, but this day is infinite.
Date: 2004-06-08
From: McAfee Knob

To: Fullhardt Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: haze

Hiked into Daleville today. Got my resupply of food and my pint of Ben and Jerry's. I was able to check my message board and had some nice notes from people, but nothing at the post office. Picked up some line socks that may help boot fit and blisters. Also, I got kicked off the swinging seat that was on display in front of the grocery store. When he told me that it "was a place of business" and that "he'd appreciate it if I didn't lay around there". I asked him who pissed in his Wheaties this morning. I did kind of understand where he was coming from because you could tell by his awkward walk that he had something crammed in his ass and that can't be too comfortable. OK, so I made some of that story up, but still....some people!