morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-08-08
To: Getting Closer
Miles today: 0.0

I met Land Cruiser and we hiked the OHT this spring. I had a great time and am delighted to have finally gotten together. We will start hiking on the AT at the MD/PA line on August 25. We have committed to hike PA and I think there is a good possibility we will do at least NJ...maybe NY - who knows?I have had my children and grandchildren in my home since July 21 and will have company until I leave to go on the trail. Kara, my youngest, and her 3 children are here and I will drive back to the DC area with them. Luckily, Kara is very organized and will be helpful to me when I start to organize my food resupply boxes. The only negative is that I won't be at top physical conditioning. I usually work out at least 4 days a week. With all that has been going on, that is not happening. I know I will pay the price when I get to the trail. Guess I'll just have to suffer until I get "trail-hardened".I'm emotionally ready for the hike. My aging parents have been requiring increased care and I was just involved in getting my father to give up driving - one of the hardest things I have ever done. Sweating and huffing and puffing up the trail will be child's play in comparison to that! I need the tension release that comes from being in the great outdoors and in hiking.I think we've got the resupply points figured out. It has been terribly hot. Water will probably be a problem. I'm going to get another platypus so I can carry more if need be.Life is never boring - guess that's good.
Date: 2010-08-14
To: Will I be ready?
Miles today: 0.0

I've done some work getting my food resupply boxes ready. I leave home with my daughter next Thursday driving to the Washington, DC area. The house is full of grandkids and lots of activity. I don't feel like I've spent much time either in my planning or my physical preparation. Hope I don't pay too high of price on the trail. I know have been having fun and enjoying the activities.My main concern is that I get all essentials in the pack - the rest I'll just have to make up as I go. Hopefully, my fitness is good enough that I will toughen up quickly. I also hope that the heat will not be too oppressive. I understand that there has been rain in the area. That should help the water situation.Ready or not, the 25th is only 11 days away. The adventure will begin.
Date: 2010-08-21
From: Will I be ready?

To: The Countdown Continues
Miles today: 0.0

I am now in Maryland with my daughter. We made the long drive back here from Missouri. Debbie will fly in on Tuesday then we'll start the trail on Wed.I did weigh my pack - no water or no food but fuel for the trip and I was at 19.2 pounds. Wish I had a new lighter pack to try but I just couldn't get it done with all that was going on this summer. I'm excited about my new tent - Big Agnes Fly Creek (it's a 2-man). I'm doing the fast pack for this hike since we'll be in the shelter most of the time. I've never done that before so hope I like it - if not, hope I'm good at enduring! Rain fly, foot print, poles & stakes don't weigh much.Driving through the Appalachian Mountains of West VA really made me ready to hit the trail.
Date: 2010-08-25
To: Rocky Mountain Shelters
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Kara, my daughter, her children and I picked up Debbie at the Baltimore airport yesterday about noon. We had an enjoyable afternoon chatting and getting ready for our adventure. This morning we drove to the trailhead. We made the kids very happy by finding an IHOP for breakfast - one of their favorite places!Got to the trail and started hiking about 9:40A and arrived at the shelter at 4 PM.The day was overcase and not too hot but rather humid. The trail was great - rocky at times but not bad at all. Had a climb of about 1000 ft after lunch at the Tumbling Run Shelter. I did OK but can tell I need to be in better shape. We took minimum breaks between 1P and 4P but it was OK.Shelter is 0.3 miles off the trail DOWN hill. Water was also 1/2 mile from the shelter also down hill....oh, well.....The climbing is what it's all about right?It felt super to be on the trail. Very much in the forest and very pretty. Loved several areas that were lush with ferns. Several area of piles of rocks - almost looked like planned piles but I think they were not.It was fun to hike with Debbie and to visit and catch up on each other's lifes. It is so hard to understand why I love backpacking so much but I certainly do!Three sisters came into the shelter - college age. Really neat young women. From a family of 10 children and they were obviously enjoying each other. They had a horrible experience before Boiling Springs. They saw a woman hanging near the trail - a suicide. They notified authorities, etc. What a distressing thing to experience.Great to be on the trail.
Date: 2010-08-26
From: Rocky Mountain Shelters

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: few clouds

On the trail about 7:55. Beautiful morning and day. Lots of big stacks of rocks - huge rock formations. Interesting and pretty. After 3.3 miles arrived at Caledonia State Park. Fresh water, real toilets and hand wash with soap and warm water - always nice!Had to climb pretty steeply upon leaving the park but it was OK. Slow and steady works every time. Saw deer and lots of woolly catepillers. On the climb found a bunch of wild blueberry bushes loaded with ripe blueberries. Very small but very tasty. We picked and ate for probably 15 minutes.We only met one man on the trail SOBO doing a loop with another trail. Saw one couple at at campsite. I surprised that we're not seeing more people.My hip flexors are sore and I have some tight muscles but it's all very doable. About 1/2 mile from the shelter I had a very, very hard fall - a face plant! My lower lip took the brunt of the fall. It split horizontally along my lower lip then a middle vertical split. I bloodied my nose. I hit my left brow. After I got to the shelter, I kept finding new sore places. I've got a left wrist sprain and it's sore and swollen. My left knee has some sore places. Good news: 1. I still have all my teeth. 2. I didn't injure my legs - I can still hike. 3. My glasses aren't broken. 4. I have a great hiking buddy. Debbie was supportive and I felt comforted by her presence and help. The whole thing was so frightening. I literally saw stars for about 5 minutes. 5. Skin cells for lips and mucosa heal quickly. Hopefully the split will heal quickly.The shelter is really neat. There is a covered area in front that protects a sturdy picnic table. The privy is close. There's a niced grassy area around the shelter and the shelter is right on the trail! Yoo Hoo! Tomorrow we get to shower and wash our clothes. I guess I'm still a Lucky Dog!
Date: 2010-08-27
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: James Frye Shelter at Tagg Run
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Today started in an awesome fashion. The trail was good and we were energetic. we got to Pine Grove Furnace Park at about 1 PM. We found that the Iron Masters Mansion Hostel was closed for 2010. The camp store was next door. An older man ran the place and he was the definition of nice and helpful. He fixed an awesome cheeseburger and fries and called about our packages that had been mailed to the hostel. My package had arrived - Debbie's had not. (UPS delivered it right after he called). There is a corvette convention in a nearby town so all lodging is taken. The camp site we could have at the state park was in the back forty - not near water; not near the bathrooms or showers; and pretty unattractive. There is no place to eat. We decided to go on to the next shelter - 7.2 miles.The trail went by a pool and bath house and we had free showers. It is so much fun to dry off with a bandana! It felt awesome to be clean even though our clothes were not. The day was beautiful and on we went. We made it to the shelter about 6:15 PM. It really wasn't bad until the last 2 miles. I am stiff all over and have some areas on my feet that feel like I am next door to blisters. I'll protect those areas in the morning.The shelter is 1/2 mile off the trail and the spring next to the shelter was dry so I had to walk BACK to the trail to get water. Debbie is having some pain in her lower shin.My fall injuries are much more apparent today. My nose is turning black and blue. My left wrist is swollen and much of my lower arm is discolored. My knees are bruised. The weirdest thing is a strange sensation under my left ribs - painful when I bend over or have to move just the wrong way. I think I"m OK though.We're going to Boiling springs tomorrow - 12 miles and we'll stay in a campground - if all the lodging is taken as we expect it to be. We should have a nice dinner, though.I was cold last night - hope I sleep warmer tonight. I just brought my 35 degree bag - who would have thought I would need more in August? I am totally whipped. Have 4 people in the shelter - all very nice. In bed by 8 PM
Date: 2010-08-28
From: James Frye Shelter at Tagg Run

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Today was a really hard day for me. I think it's left over from the long day yesterday. The elevation profile really didn't show it but we had two hard climbs and lots of ups and downs but it was probably me more than the trail.Debbie's lower leg is OK. My rib cage is more sore but manageable. I have acouple of blisters. One on each second toe. Really didn't bother me though. Mainly I just felt dead. Debbie lead a great deal of the way and I really depended on her to set the pace.We went through a lot of big rocks today. Reminded me of Ozark bluffs. We're staying at a Garmanhaus B&B - it's too expensive at $100 but I'm really glad we're here. The shower was wonderful. We're in the upstairs of this big old two story house. Lots of antique furniture. We're not allowed in the downstairs. I'd like to see rest of the house. The old man who runs it is very strange. He won't let us bring our packs in our house - weird but doesn't bother me too much. It's driving Debbie crazy! We're doing laundry for $2.I'm hoping I will get renewed and refreshed. I'm not sure what was going on today. Boiling Springs seems like a nice little town. It's a weekend so lots of people were on the lake and at the swimming pool.Plan to eat at the Tavern which is supposed to have great food. Wine will be nice.
Date: 2010-08-29
From: Boiling Springs

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: clear sky

I slept well. Breakfast was served at 9AM & was delicious. I especially enjoyed the fresh fruit and mint. I'm glad we waited for a late departure so we could have the whole big breakfast.We hit the trail at 9:30 and it was an incredibly level trail and smooth. Must have been the easiest section of the AT anywhere. The last two miles were gaining elevation but before that - nothing. We sped along. I actually went too fast and didn't pace myself. We had a 1000 ft climb over the past 1 1/2 mile. I felt nauseous and dizzy at times during the climb. I do not know what the problem is. I really had to do the slow trudge - not like I usually feel. I don't think I'm that out of shape. I've been hiking now for 5 days. It's very frustrating.It was very hot today but a beautiful trail. We hiked in groves along side corn and soy bean fields. Lots of interesting barns. I was certainly drenched in sweat. I'm trying to get my hiking clothes dry. I have no appetite today. I'm going to try to make myself eat - I ate minimal lunch and snacks today. Maybe it's the heat, I think. Tomorrow iwll be in town again at the Doyle Hotel in Duncannon. I was success at eating supper - didn't really feel hungry but I ate.
Date: 2010-08-30
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Doyle Hotel
Miles today: 11.4

Debbie and I were the only ones at the shelter last night. It never cooled down much and both of us slept poorly - too hot in the sleeping bag and too cool out of it, etc.We hit the trail - had one hard climb between mile 3 &4. The rocks have started. The trail was rocky most of the day. We were on a ridge top and the descent into town was steep and rocky at times. I did feel the need to pay attention - imagine that?Duncannon looks like a tired, down on it's luck kind of town. We're at the Doyle hotel. It's having it's 105 year anniversary. It caters mainly to hikers. I think it was built by Anheuser Busch and was once a grand old hotel. It is now in terrible shape. No air conditioning. We are the lucky ones - we have screens on our window on the 3rd floor. There is a big hole in the ceiling above the shower in the shared bathroom. The sink and tub in the bathroom are definitely stained - are they dirty? Who knows. Our room has two double beds, a fan that "talks" as it rotates, 2 straight backed chairs and a little round table. The sheets look and smell clean. Mike would never stay here but I find it a lark.Pat and Vickie are the upside of the Doyle. They are friendly and cater to hikers. They will do anything they can to be helpful. The little pub on the first floor appears clean and the food is very good and is cheap. I had a great Reuben and home cut fries for lunch. Tasted very good. The beer is great too. They shuttle people to the store - the whole experience is one unique to the AT. Wouldn't miss it for the world.I just found out that Sherry is at Overlook Hospital - thinks she is having a gall bladder attack. She's in the emergency room. I hope I hear something soon.Talked with Kara. Sam & Emily had a good 1st day of school. Mike sounds good - maybe a little lonely.Debbie and I have laughed & laughed - her husband sent her an e-mail re his plan to take Lysol on all future trips that involved hotel stays - that he is convinced that he is getting germs from the hotels not being clean enough. The irony of our being at the Doyle and getting the e-mail was too funny. Both Debbie's husband and mine would have been way too fussy to stay.My pack is going to be so heavy tomorrow. Five full days of meals! Ugh! Pat did boil eggs for us to take which will be very nice on the trail. They do taste good to me in the morning - my hardest time to eat on the trail.Now if Sherry would just get better.
Date: 2010-08-31
From: Doyle Hotel

To: Peter's Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: few clouds

The word for today is HOT! Temperature in the 90's with an intermittent breeze. We got up and ate at Goody's for breakfast. I had heard in the night that Sherry is scheduled for surgery on Tuesday. John's mother has come to help them with the children. I tried to talk to Sherry but had to leave a message. I feel really bad and wondering if I should leave the trail to help. It's not a good situation.Enjoyed breakfast and then it took a long time and a long way to get our of Duncannon. We had two long bridges to cross. First the River Juniata then River Susquehanna. Very noisy traffic and very dirty and tons of spider web. Thought I might have to change my trail name to "Web breaker". We then had to cross the RR tracks. There were hopper cars on the siding so we had to circumvent them. Quite an adventure just getting out of town.We climbed over 1000 ft then hiked along a very narrow rocky ridge. A "reliable" spring at the shelter between Duncannon and Peter's Mtn Shelter was dry but there was water at a pool so we each carried an extra 2 liters. It was a hot, hot, hike. I don't feel as energetic as I would like and I'm puzzled as to why not. Three miles before the shelter, a trail angel left 1 gallon of water on the trail. We were delighted to get it even though the packs were super heavy. Resupply for 6 hiking days and 5 nights to Port Clinton - all makes for a heavy pack.Eighteen miles is on the itinerary for tomorrow. Supposedly the trail is not too rocky and is very doable (all reported by a 33 year old man). Hope it feels that way to this 64 year old woman! There is water at the shelter we are going to tomorrow. He thru-hiked in 2009.Found out that Sherry was to have surgery at 4:30 today. Am waiting to hear from John about how she did. I don't like being so far away. Still hasn't cooled off much - hope I can sleep. I'm drinking like a fish. I don't think I'm dehydrated. I drink a lot more than Debbie.
Date: 2010-09-01
From: Peter's Mountain Shelter

To: Rausch Creek near Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

Today was a hard, hard day but could have been worse. I slept well last night. Debbie did not - lots of mice. One of them punctured her Platypus near the mouth. Luckily the extra 3 liter bag I'm carrying can serve as her reservoir for her sipper. Started out trying to make good time to get off Peter's mountain. Continued to be an up and down ridge walk that was slow going. Finally got to spring on trail at mile 7. I wanted to stop for the day - it was only 11 AM. I was concerned about the heat and the no water and the long, long mileage we are doing. Debbie wanted to continue. She felt strongly about it and it was early. The day was very hot. We started our climb up Stony Mountain - it was continuous but not too steep. Made it to the top about 1 PM. We stopped and took a break every hour trying to rejuvenate as we were both really tired. Saw two eastern Timber rattlesnakes mating near the top of the mountain.We finally got to the shelter at 5 PM. The "reliable" spring was dry. Rausch Creek was 0.3 miles back. The shelter was weird and low slung - looked really hot. We decided to tent and this young female inexperienced hiker was all excited about showing us toward a neat campsite near water. (There was a good campsite back the way we came and was fairly close to the creek but she insisted that the one on down the way was better). Anyway, we followed her advice. Bad choice! The campsite was not near. The water was way down and hard to get. We then walked back UP the trail to where we should have been in the beginning. We added 1 mile to our already long 18 mile day!We had a nice camp site near the creek. I was sooo tired but I did recover somewhat. Had a nice dinner and to bed at 8 PM and slept like a baby.
Date: 2010-09-02
From: Rausch Creek near Rausch Gap Shelter

To: Camp Site near William Penn Shelter
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

It was cool by the creek last night - Thank Goodness.This morning I felt pretty good. Had one moderate climb then we went under I-81. Had long thousand foot climb. We had picked up maximum water at creek 2 miles before so we were both carrying 4 liters of water. I continue to drink like a fish but wonder if it's enough. It is so terribly hot. After the climb we were on a ridge with lots of up and downing. I am just so in need of an easier, short day. There is no water so we really can't just stop and make camp after doing 10 or 11 miles. The last 3 miles were very tough but I made it. Internally I feel like I am using all my strength to just put one foot in front of the other. I've never had these feelings day after day. I am not ill. I don't really feel like it is a fitness issue. I just feel like I've hit the wall. I feel like I'm just plodding along. I feel sorry for Debbie. I think I'm terrible company. What is going on?We met a hiker who told us that there were major problems with water between here and Port Clinton. The spring near where we are camped is a drip. It took almost 10 minutes to get 1/2 liter of water. We had carried enough that we can get through tonight.Debbie found a woman who will shuttle us and we can slack pack tomorrow and only carry water needed to drink. She would get us at Hiway 501. We would then have two short days into Port Clinton. It is supposed to get cooler. I surely hope so.Tenting tonight. It's quite buggy. To be honest, these last 3 days have been more work than sun. Guess I'll see what tomorrow brings. I've got several blisters and I still feel bunged up from my fall but that is not the problem....what is? Wish I had some answers. A zero day might help but since I don't know the problem, I'm not sure.....
Date: 2010-09-03
From: Camp Site near William Penn Shelter

To: 501 Shelter then Tom & Elinor's home
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, I did something today that I've never done before or even considered before - I quit! We had 4 miles between our campsite and 501 shelter. I felt fine for the first 2 + miles then the trail became somewhat rocky and with some mild climbs. I immediately felt heavy and like I was really having to work. The thought of having 10 miles more to go was more than I could take - even 5 or 6 seemed impossible.I can't identify the problem. I just know that the joy and physicality of my usual hike is missing. I don't hurt anywhere. My left ribs are still bruised but don't seem to bother me when I hike. My leg and glutes do not feel sore or weak. It's been terribly hot the last 3 days but it isn't too hot today. It's just humid. I made up my mind to quit and then told Debbie when we cane to the 501 Shelter. I feel like such a heel. She has been patient and we've had a good time together. She cried and I feel just terrible. I've shed tears over this. I'm glad she hiked the OHT with me so at least she knows I'm not always this way. She said then I was the stronger hiker - definitely not so on this hike! She has recognized that I have been struggling. I have just kept thinking that it would get better.Debra knows a person who used to work with her husband. He lives near here and was going to pick us up in Port Clinton. He and his wife offered to come pick us up and for us to stay the night with them. They were delightful and so nice. They have been so gracious and have been true trail angels.Sherry's husband, John, is going to come after me in the morning and I'll go there until Mike comes to get me. I can help Sherry in her post gall bladder surgery recovery. Debbie plans to continue her hike. I will pick her up at Delaware Water Gap whenever she gets there. She can come to Sherry and Johns for some R & R and wine.The only thing I keep thinking is maybe the days mileage each day was just too much. We've done a 17 and 19 mile day and 11.2 is the shortest day we've done. I definitely won't repeat that when I get to hike again. (the voices in my head ask if I will try again) I'm pretty upset and shaken up about this whole thing.The OHT in April was fine. All the cay hiking in Colorado in June and July was fine. That was at high altitude and with big gains.....What happened?Just talked to Mike. He is so good to listen to me. I'm really missing him right now.Late tonight I found out that Sherry was back in the ER and admitted back to the hospital with intense epigastric pain. Guess it's a good think I'm off the trail. Tom and Elinor are being super and are taking me to New Jersey tomorrow to be with Sherry. My hiking was terrible, but I met two people who proved all over again that there are wonderful, caring people in the world. I guess I'm still a Lucky Dog!
Date: 2010-04-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

my name is dustin cravens and ive decided to post my journal from my 2010 thru hike of the appalachian trail online. i kept a fairly detailed journal of my trip, but i unfortunately lost it in stratton maine due to an unfortunate encounter with a washing machine. so this journal will be written completely from memory when i get the new at guide that i ordered. im going to use it to try and get the mileages, locations, and dates correct. i have a pretty good memory and have been reading through other trail journals the past few weeks and they have been jogging my memory a lot of things that i had forgotten. main reason i have decided to do this is i have been feeling very "homesick" for the trail here lately and i am hoping that this will be a good way to reconnect with the trail vicariously through my own journal. maybe this journal will be a completely different perspective from other ones that people may have read because it will be written from memory a year after my hike instead of while lying in ones's tent at night.