morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-07-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

The first day in Pennsylvania we saw a bear, a baby rattle snake, a black rattle snake and a deer. I was very excited to tell Stacy there was a dog walking towards us only to stop her from passing me when I thought it odd that there was no owner and no jingling of a collar; well that was because it was a bear. The black rattle snake had us trapped for 15 minutes until Stacy could muster up the nerve to pass it on the trail, of course at a safe distance. The southern section of P.A. was beautiful. We walked through miles of cornfields, crops and pastures. There were a number of state parks with picnic tables, restrooms and spigot. One of the parks had a beautiful lake and a concession stand with soda and snacks. We spent 3 1/2 hours there enjoying the lake and food. It was a great break in the middle of a hot day. We enjoyed the easy terrain hiking through lush woods. We saw two fawns chasing each other and another fawn that raced across the trail about 3 feet infront of me with mom crossing up ahead. We stopped at a restaurant/hostel the Doyle for a quick bite in Duncannon and had a great time chatting with the owner. She was a spitfire from Mississippi who called me a Yankee like three times. Once was when I didn¢t know what a hush puppy was. Hush puppies are fried balls of cornbread. The story is that while the catfish was being fried the leftover coating of cornbread would float to the top in the oil and that was given to the puppies that were crying for some of the food. They would scoop this left over cornbread often in a ball and give it to the pups saying ¢hush puppy.¢ They are delicious! We spotted a lot of hawks in this area. Apparently there are lots of hawks as a trail leads to ¢hawk rock¢ a lookout. Of course we found the ice cream before heading back on the trail. In these parts they call hard ice cream, hand dipped. Weird! The northern section, well all I can say is ROCKS! We saw our first raccoon during the day, not a good sign but it climbs the tree and we hiked on. Knifes Edge was very cool, not as difficult as I thought but the rain had subsided and the sun came out long enough to dry the rock clusters before we reached them. The rain, what can I say, rain and rocks do not mix. On our last day hiking in P.A. we saw either a pheasant or quail with little babies in tow. It was very cute and they scooted off into the ferns when we approached, which made me wonder are these ferns loaded with creatures. If anything P.A. has taught me to be patient, to challenge myself, and to accept my shortcomings. It was challenging to make it through the wet rocky areas with an injured foot but I did it. The biggest lesson ¢this too shall pass¢. It ended with a lot of gratitude for a sunny day. Hiking tid-bits: look up information about berries before eating, they may kill you. We don¢t know of anyone who has done so but it is tempting.
Date: 2018-08-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

New Jersey is one of my favorite sections. It held so many good memories and hiking through a second time brought them all back to me. I love the Wallkill National Wildlife Refuge which is a beautiful walk around marshland with all types of birds. We spent some time talking with two bird watchers who were trying to spot a rare bird to the area. We watched a Swan and her babies cuddle up. My favorite part of the refuge are the trees, they are gorgeous. There is one tree that I found in 2015 and when I saw it again I was speechless. I have been told it is a London Plane which is a hybrid of a Sycamore. The Swamp River boardwalk is an almost mile walk along a boardwalk built around a swamp with fields of wildflowers and surrounded by the Mountain View¢s. The end of the boardwalk is a country store that serves ice cream and apple cidar donuts. The Secret Shelter is this man¢s farmland that he allows hikers to use. It has a water spigot, a shower and these cute little cabins. We met the man the first time and he was there again. This time he took us over to feed the donkeys. We made a truce with the donkeys that chased Barkley the first time we visited in 2015. New Jersey is easy terrain but beautiful. The deer are everywhere and I have had long moments with them. Sometimes they are interested in you and other times they look up then go back to eating the berries. The berries.... huckleberries are everywhere, not as yummy as blueberries but still good. There are large areas of these beautiful trees that are white in color with smooth bark. There are a lot of bogs so we saw a lot of frogs and on land there were a lot of tiny toads. Hiker tid-bit: chewy says ¢don¢t fall down when no ones around¢, because it¢s funnier if there is a witness.
Date: 2018-08-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

The beginning of N.Y. started hard with rock climbs which were fun but time consuming. We met our first family hikers. A mom (drip dry) and her sons 14 y.o. Scout and 10 y.o. Clumsy. I love this family and I can¢t wait to see their pictures of Katahdin. The Lemon squeeze a rocky section that is a tight squeeze, was the end to the rocky climbs. We had a nice surprise that morning when (Penguin) our friend that we hiked with for many miles at the beginning, came down the trail. It was a great moment that made my day.I was looking forward to bear mountain as I have good memories of the area. We had section hiked this area with my best friend Alecia. I had thought the mountain difficult but was surprised by the ease. The best part of Bear Mountain was seeing (Chewy) our trail friend. We hadn¢t seen him for many weeks. He stayed with us and the next day we took a zero (no hiking) day to celebrate his birthday. It was a great two days. New York was not quite as I remembered it but it is a beautiful state. What stands out are the many tiny toads that were leaping along the path and lots of mushrooms. We saw our first Buck and two in one day. Rock climbing , cool rock ledges and the Lemon squeeze make New York a state to remember. Hiker tid-bits: sour cream chips plus flour tortilla equals emergency lunch. High calories are needed to hike these miles so don¢t run out of food.
Date: 2018-09-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

New Hampshire has been the most incredible experience on the trail, it is absolutely breath taking. Franconia Notch and Mount Hight have the most amazing vistas. We hiked 11 miles above tree line (Alpine zone) with mountains surrounding us and the next mountain to climb in view ahead. It is impossible to capture in a picture or to describe my feelings while hiking the Whites. Mount Washington and the surrounding Presidential Range were within those 11 miles. I have gained confidence in myself in the Evergreen Conifer forrest with its steep ascents and descents, rock climbing and rugged terrain. Mountain after high mountain (3000-6000 elevation) the perserverence and work put in to make it to the peaks was a challenge but a testament of character.  The continual thousand foot elevation climbs has tested my reserve and the views at the peaks have humbled me. New Hampshire has a magical Christmas feel with its narrow winding trails that are lined with fragrant evergreens and sparkly mica glistening in the sun rays. The forest is a strong and powerful place that will make you struggle to see its beauty but once you get a glance you crave more. It was a perfect balance of perseverance and a glorious reward.
Date: 2018-03-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Starting to prepare for my AT hike this year. This will be my 4th year hiking. In 2015 I started at Springer with many other thru hiker wanna bees. Unfortunately I sprained my ankle in Hiawassee, GA. I got back on the trail the next morning not realizing how badly it was sprained and hiked for 3 more days until I reached Deep Gap in North Carolina and got a ride out to Winding Stair Gap parking lot where I got a ride into Franklin and rented a car and drove home. That was the end of my thru hike.In 2016 I started at Harper's Ferry and hiked north, planning to do a flip flop, but my ankle again stopped me outside of Lickdale, PA. Then later in the year my sister and I hiked 2/3 of Vermont. A total of approximately 450 miles for the year.In 2017 I started at the Nantahala Outdoor Center and hiked north for about 2 months then headed north to hike in Maine with my sister. We finished about 150 miles there. Then I did a few other miles in CT and MA. Total for 2017 was about 650 miles.I still have about 1/2 of the trail to finish so I'm starting in VA where I left off last June and will hike as far as my body will allow this year.
Date: 2018-04-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: snow

Had planned to start hiking this week but things at home have made me push that back a couple if weeks. I'm knee deep in drop boxes. A lot of hikers don't do drop boxes but I'm convinced it saves me a lot of money and gives me a better variety of food since I dehydrate food and make up meals ahead of time.I will probably have drop boxes for about half the time this year. In past years I've done more boxes , but just got tired of putting them together this year and will be in sections where food will be easy to access, just off the trail in the Shenandoahs and in NJ and sections of NY. Still have lots of things to do to get ready, so I'd better get back to it.
Date: 2018-05-11
From: Stealth camp mm 598.9

To: mm 598.9
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: few clouds

First day on the trail in 2018. Took a  Greyhound bus to Marion, VA on Tuesday night and arrived in Marion at 11:15 on Wed. Planned to start hiking on Thursday but had some stomach issues so waited until Friday to start. My friend, Rambunny picked me up at the Econolodge and took me to the trail north of Bland where I stopped last year in VA.It was a relatively nice hike today. The trail wasn't overly difficult except I'm sure out of shape which didn't surprise me. It was hot, probably about 85 and there were no water sources. I had planned for that but still almost ran out of water. I'm camped just past the VA 611 parking lot, hoping there aren't any partyers that come up from town tonight. I was so tired that I couldn't carry my pack another foot so I stopped and got my tent out of my pack and it started sprinkling so I set it up in light rain. Then I grabbed my water filter and hiked .3 mile to a dried up creek but I had made a note from Whirled Peas' journal on my trail guide that if you walked up the creek there would be water and she was right. Had trouble with my filter so it took forever to do. Came back to camp and ate the other half of the sandwich I carried out from town.I'm exhausted so I'll call it a night. Hope I can sleep!
Date: 2018-05-12
From: VA611 Campsite

To: Campsite @ mm 607
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: light rain

Today was a humdinger!!  Very little sleep last night.  No one else showed up which was good. Had leg cramps most if the night. I think it might be due to not drinking enough water.Woke up at 5:45 due to the birds making so much noise. Was able to doze off and finally got up at 7:00 and was on the trail by 8:45. Had to hike up Brushy Mtn. again, I think we've done that at least 3 times now. Water was going to be scarce again this afternoon so filtered extra water at the last stream I would go past today. Still having issues with my filter so I plan to buy a new one in Pearisburg this week. Carried 3 containers of water and boy was it heavy. In addition there was a big climb this afternoon and temps were in the mid 80's. I took more breaks this afternoon than I ever had.Found a campsite around 4:30 and stopped for the day. Exhausted!
Date: 2018-05-13
From: Stealth Camp mm 607

To: Stealth camp@ mm612.5
Miles today: 5.5

It was hot again today but didn't seem quite as bad as yesterday. Left camp at 9:00 and walked to VA 606 where Trent's Grocery is located .5 mile west. I was pleasantly surprised that it didn't seem like a .5 mile road walk. Those always seem very long and tedious since cars are moving at 60 mph and you are walking on a very narrorw shoulder. But this one seemed shorter.Had a hamburger and potato wedges and a Diet Coke. All of it tasted great! I met a section hiker from here in VA and we enjoyed our food. When I got up to leave, I realized I'd forgotten to charge my phone so I had to wait for that. Got back on the trail around 1:00 and walked 1.5 mile then took a .3 side trail to Dismal Falls. It was a great day to soak your feet. The water was very cold but felt great. By the time I got my feet taped up (I have 4 blisters) it was 4:00. One of the thru hikers gave me some KT tape to hold the Band-Aids in place. I've never had this much trouble with blisters before.After the .3 mile walk back to the AT I hiked until almost 6:00 and found a stealth camping site. I'm the only one here, but there's not room for one tent. I'm next to a creek with very cold water...just what I needed after such warm temps.Got set-up, ate a tuna sandwich and called Mom to wish her a Happy Mother's Day and washed off in the creek. Have been drinking the cold creek water since I got here. Guess I'll be up several times tonight. This was a very different day on the trail...only hiked 5.5 AT miles but actually walked 7.1 miles. The miles to Trent's and to the falls don't count. Too bad! It was worth the extra miles for both.
Date: 2018-05-14
From: Stealth Camp @ mm 612.5 

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: clear sky

Started out with a bang this morning. Was doing 2 miles per hour the first 2 hours. Made it to Wapiti Shelter much sooner than expected. Had planned to stop for lunch there but it was only 10:45. Then the climb started. I had expected it to be bad but I had no idea. It was a hot day, over 85 and not much shade. I had met up with Marmot just after the shelter. She's hiking on a sprained ankle. She was wearing an air cast until it cracked so now she's hiking with it taped so tightly it can't move. What a woman!We found a shady spot and took a long break then I had to get water so she went on ahead. I got extremely overheated and had to stop frequently. I thought I'd made it to the top and considered spending the night at a campsite there but thunderstorms were predicted and that wasn't a good place to be with thunder and lightning. Plan B was to hike down the mountain and stealth camp so I kept walking. Surprise, surprise...that was a false summit. I hiked at least another 1.5 hour to the top and then the descent had no shade. I put a Nunn tablet in my water and kept going because there was no place to camp.Then I got to Big Horse Gap...Forest Service had done a controlled burn.  Hiked thru burned out forest for a 1.5 miles. The charred smell was horrible and, of course, no campsites available even if I'd wanted to stay. Decided to stay at Woods Hole Hostel for the night. It's located .5 off the trail and I could hardly stand up when I got here. This is a very nice hostel and Neville was very helpful. I decided to have Neville shuttle me to Pearisburg and I might go to a clinic to get my blisters looked at. I have one on each heel which doesn't concern me, but I also have one on a toe on each foot. These are around a toenail and look like blood blisters and are pushing up the nail.
Date: 2018-05-15
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: mist

Zero dayNeville took me to Pearisburg and we went to Walmart and then to the Plaza Motel. They were completely booked, so I decided to go back to Wood's Hole. Decided not to go to a doctor for my blisters. Soaked my feet this afternoon in Epsom salt. Still having some pain but plan to go back on the trail tomorrow. Rained a little off and on this evening so I'm glad to be here at the hostel.
Date: 2018-05-17
To: Woods Hole Hostal
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Decided to do work for stay until I can get back on the trail. Rode into Pearisburg with Neville and picked up my dropbox. Blisters are getting better but still keeping my feet out of hiking boots. I was busy helping with laundry,meal prep and cleanup. Will try to start in the morning.
Date: 2018-05-18
To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Still shouldn't hike today. It's raining steadily too. Neville and Blue (owner and employee) at Wood's Hole Hostel are going to Trail Days for the day and had asked me to hold down the fort while they are gone, so I'll do that for them. Pappy, the 87 yr. old hiker came in soaked. A day hiker had found him wandering on a road soaked and shivering. He had been in the process of setting up his tent when a downpour came and drenched all his gear. He said he had spent the whole night cold, wet and shivering. So he stayed in a room inside the house. His stuff was just dripping wet when he took it out of his pack.It rained steadily all day. Hikers came in soaked to the skin. It was a busy day checking in hikers and trying to keep things running relatively smoothly. I was glad when Neville and Blue returned that night.
Date: 2018-05-19
To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Probably could have hiked today, but didn't want to quit on Neville without any notice. Worked all day and told Neville I'd leave first thing in the morning. It was a full house and I was busy all day. Finally stopped raining. It's past time to get back on the trail. Neville and Blue are great to work for and if you get in the area you should definitely stay there.
Date: 2018-05-20
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Pearisburg (Angel's Rest Hostel)
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Sun 5-21 I really put the feet to the test today. It was a relatively easy (well, not really easy) hike until the last 1.5 miles where it was switchbacks down to the road. There was so much mud and the trail was a creek in some areas. I had planned to camp on the ridge before I got there, but decided to camp somewhere right outside Pearisburg since I was going to the post office first thing in the morning. Well I couldn't find anywhere to camp and had to hike all the way to the road and then .9 miles to town. Total miles for the day was 12.3 by the time I got to the hostel. What a day....I was afraid of what I would find when I took off my boots, but everything was fine.
Date: 2018-05-21
From: Pearisburg (Angel's Rest Hostel)

To: Pearisburg (Angel's Rest Hostel)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Mon, 5-22Today I mailed home my winter gear and some misc. gear. I started to the post office and realized I'd left my money behind. Everything works out for a reason..I was able to get a box from someone who had just gotten a new pair of shoes and the hostel had tape, so I was able to get everything ready and not try to do all that at the PO. I also met Kinder and Pinecone. I had met Pinecone at Wood's Hole a couple days ago. Kinder is a section hiker who has only 200 miles to finish the entire trail. Wow! I think we all might do Dragon's Tooth together because we're all concerned about that section.  It's known as a difficult section with rock scrambles and ledges with just finger holds.  What a relief to have others to do it with.Got my package mailed and went to lunch at Pappa's Pizza with Pinecone. Meatball sub tasted great topped off with a cupcake. Just relaxed the rest of the day. One of the hikers made pasta bake for dinner...yum!
Date: 2018-05-22
From: Stony Creek

To: Clendennin Road
Miles today: 15.5

Up and out by 7:00 am. Pinecone, Kinder and I are slackpacking SOBO today 20 miles. So our shuttle dropped us off at Stony Creek at 7:45. We immediately had a problem. Ended up all three of us went the wrong direction and didn't realize it.Pinecone is fast so she hiked on and Kinder and I came to a swift running creek and I fell in while crossing. Took me a few minutes to get up but when I did I just said "How refreshing". Bad thing was that I had to retape my feet and  then walk in wet boots and socks all day. Walked for a mile and R.R. came up behind us. I knew he was going North so that meant we were headed in the direction. I turned around and walked back across the creek. Kinder decided to continue north and get a shuttle from a different road. So now we're all split up.Had a long, exhausting hike but it was fun because I was meeting all the hikers I'd met in the last week at the 2 hostels. Made the trip a social one, even tho it slowed me down. Four hikers told me there was a bear close to the powerlne clearing, but he was gone by the time I arrived. Made it to Rice Field Shelter a little before 6 and tried to call to let them know I'd be at the pickup point in 90 minutes. No cell signal but was able to get out a text and they were able to call me to confirm. So got picked up at 7:30. What a long day!Pinecone and Kinder were already back at the hostel. It had been an ordeal for them to get back, but we all made it. I actually hiked 17.5 miles but only 15.5 counts as AT miles.
Date: 2018-05-23
From: Clendennin Road

To: Cross Ave VA 634
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Again I'm slackpacking southbound... starting where I finished and back to the hostel. It was a beautiful day and had to wait for a shuttle until 12:15. My goal for the day was to be sitting in Dairy Queen eating ice cream by 4pm. Thankfully this was a fairly easy hike. Clendennin Rd. Is close to where they are building the gas pipeline and they don't let any cars up that road but the trail is right where the road is blocked. I headed into the woods and at the next gravel road crossing there as a pickup truck that drove by. I think the driver was a pipeline worker just checking to make sure I was actually hiking and not up to some kind of mischief. There are 2 tree sitters still protesting. Someone  is getting food to them somehow and maybe they thought I was part of that group. The truck driver past me and then turned around and came back by me. I just waved and he didn't stop. One of the protestors has been out there for 30 days and the other for 60 days. I saw all kinds of police tape when I was hiking yesterday.The trail went under the US 460 bridge and then you pass by a big factory that makes cigarette filters (I think) then you walk along the highway  for about .5 mile. It was hot and noisy. Then you pass the Pearisburg Cemetery and walk along a nice pathway. Then the trail goes uphill and before I knew it I popped out of the woods at Cross Ave. And walked .9 to the hostel with a stop at DQ at 4:00. Pleasant, short hike. Still having blister problems but at least I can still hike some.