morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-04-24
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Hallo, liebe Wanderer und alle die mich kennen, heute morgen war es schwierig aus dem warmen Schlafsack zu steigen. Es war draussen so kalt und gefroren, das ich am liebsten liegen geblieben waere. Aber Bewegung ist Leben, Leben ist Bewegung. Dabei hatte ich am Anfang erst einmal mit steif gefrorenen Wanderschuhen zu tun, eine Herausforderung, wie vieles an diesem Tag. Nachdem wir gefruehstueckt hatten, was auch nicht einfach war, bei gefrorenem Wasser, ging es ans Wandern und bewegen um Warm zu werden. Auf dem Weg dann war ein eisiger Wind der uns das Leben ebenfalls schwer gemacht hat. Doch wir sind Schritt fuer Schritt weiter gekommen und haben auch diesen Tag gemeistert. Viele Gruesse Reinhard-Rhino-the GermanWe could hardly get moving this morning because it was so cold. It was really windy last night and we didn't sleep very well. The water that we had kept inside the tent was now frozen solid, just to show you how cold it was. It was an extreme pain to pack up the tent this morning. Our boots were frozen also, which made it impossible to bend them. Putting on warm socks hardly helped at all.   It was very dangerous when we started walking since our feet were frozen, and it was icy especially going down the rocks. We usually walk around 2-3 mph but today we walked 1 mile in 2 hours. We stopped around 3 pm when it warmed up a bit to dry everything out. It was sunny but still very windy. At least we were able to see the sun! It was especially bad on the balds (mountains with little to no trees on them, which proved to be have some of the most scenic views thus far on the Trail). We talked to other people that stayed in the shelter last night or who had tented. Everyone was miserable considering the weather, so I guess it didn't matter where you stayed.On a happier note, we reached our 500 mile mark today, which is a huge accomplishment because it means that we're almost 1/4 of the way done with the Trail.
Date: 2012-04-25
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

A good day. The wind died down today and it was pleasant to hike. Saw several hikers we had not seen in a while. It is interesting how different hikers you saw in the past show up at different locations. We were talking about the age demographics of hikers. Our unscientific guess in order of most hikers: under 25; over 50; 25-50. I'm surprised at the numer of over 60 hikers. I'm also surprised that the over 50 group is probably the least likely to quit - my personal oponion.
Date: 2012-04-26
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Mt Rogers Visitor Center - Marion Virginia
Miles today: 10.0

Last night we experienced the most intense lightening and thunder storm I can remember. For over an hour the sky was almost constsntly lit up. In one two minute period there were at 6 almost simultaneous lightening strikes and thunder. Very scary especially since we were sleeping in a tent held up by metal poles. We all dicussed that in the AM - should we leave our tent or stay in them. It was not raining when we woke up and were hoping for a pleasant day. Then, after about an hour the wind picked up and it started pouring. It didn't stop until around 12PM. By then we were completely soaked (partially from sweat) even though we had our rain gear on. Our boots, socks, and feet were especially bad because the entire trail was a big puddle - sometimes 2 inches deep with water. You couldn't avoid it. We stopped when we came upon a National Park visitor center and called into town for a ride. Reinhard was out of fuel and breakfast food so we needed to stop anyway. Again, when adversity strikes the hikers stick together and look out for each other even though it is in silence. Hallo, liebe Wanderer und alle Interessierten! Ja, die letzte Nacht war sehr aufregend. Nach dem Abendessen beim Shelter unter blauem Himmel bin ich in mein Zelt in den Schlafsack, mit der Hoffnung, das es diese Nacht trocken bleibt! Tja, inder Nacht dann bin ich vom Regen und einem Gewitter geweckt worden, welches ich in diesen 6 Wochen noch nicht erlebt hatte. Ich habe ernsthaft ueberlegt bei dem Regen und Gewittersturm das Zelt zu verlassen, wegen der Leitfaehigkeit des Zeltgestaenges. Habe es dann aber gelassen und abgewartet. Am Morgen dann war das fast einzig trockene mein Schlafsack. Denn das ist wichtig, es darf alles nass werden, nur nicht der Schlafsack. Nach dieser Nacht brauchten wir dann eine Pause, die wir uns in Marion, Virginia, nun goennen. Viele Gruesse Reinhard-Rhino the German
Date: 2012-04-27
From: Mt Rogers Visitor Center - Marion Virginia

To: Marion, Virginia
Miles today: 0.0

Staying in Marion, Virginia today to dry out, resupply, and do some computer. But, after a 1 hour bus ride to the city library we find out is is closed. So we walked around town asking all the computer stores, print shops, etc for a computer to use. No luck. Last attempt was a very nice hotel in the old part of town ( I thought they might have a business center). All the folks walking in and out were wearing suits or nice dresses. Then we have John and Reinhart wearing 6 week old hiker clothes and Crocs. Anyway, they let us use the computer for free and they gave us a cup of coffee as well. It is amazing but most town folks along the way go out of their way to be nice to hikers. As I wrote before, offering rides, trail magic, talking to you, just a variety of things.   Here is the website of the hotel that let us use the computer (not the hotle we are staying at). Very nice people. We will bet a burger here before we leave. -- http://gfmhotel.com/ --
Date: 2012-04-28
From: Partnership Shelter

To: In the Woods
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

Last night we were leaving to go get dinner when we saw Wall Street (the guy we were hiking with since about the third day). He developed shin splints about 10 days ago, so he left us and we hadn¢t seen him since. He came driving into town to the hotel since he hitchhiked and got a ride. It¢s good seeing him since we had hiked with him for almost a month. He went out to eat with us, slept on the floor in our hotel room, and we actually departed late this morning so he could go ahead and resupply. He went out to the trail with us and hiked. It was a really nice hike today. We saw a 1890s one-room schoolhouse, an 1890 farm and a settler¢s museum--and it was free and open to hikers. That was pretty neat and we took a lot of pictures. Reinhard¢s under a little bit of stress today¢his hand is swollen, his backpack is getting kind of big since he¢s losing some weight. We weren¢t able to get any fuel for either of us, so he¢s completely out and will have to use the campfire for the next week. And both of our Camelback¢s took a beating in the snow. Neither one of the mouthpieces work like they¢re supposed to because they got frozen and all messed up, so we¢re going to have to get new mouth pieces soon. It was really a good hike; we took the day off yesterday and resupplied but it¢s good to be back on the trail. Tonight we¢re going to be staying at Davis Path campsite, putting us at 14.7 miles today.
Date: 2012-04-28
From: Marion, Virginia

To: Marion VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night we were leaving to go get dinner when we saw Wall Street (the guy we were hiking with since about the third day). He developed shin splints about 10 days ago, so he left us and we hadn¢t seen him since. He came driving into town to the hotel since he hitchhiked and got a ride. It¢s good seeing him since we had hiked with him for almost a month. He went out to eat with us, slept on the floor in our hotel room, and we actually departed late this morning so he could go ahead and resupply. He went out to the trail with us and hiked. It was a really nice hike today. We saw a 1890s one-room schoolhouse, an 1890 farm and a settler¢s museum--and it was free and open to hikers. That was pretty neat and we took a lot of pictures. Reinhard¢s under a little bit of stress today¢his hand is swollen, his backpack is getting kind of big since he¢s losing some weight. We weren¢t able to get any fuel for either of us, so he¢s completely out and will have to use the campfire for the next week.   And both of our Camelback¢s took a beating in the snow. Neither one of the mouthpieces work like they¢re supposed to because they got frozen and all messed up, so we¢re going to have to get new mouth pieces soon. It was really a good hike; we took the day off yesterday and resupplied but it¢s good to be back on the trail. Tonight we¢re going to be staying at Davis Path campsite, putting us at 14.7 miles today.
Date: 2012-04-29
From: Partnership Shelter

To: In the woods on a Mountain
Miles today: 12.0

We hiked 11.9 miles. Today was the first time we went through private land (farm land). There were beautiful hills and meadows. Rural, southern Virginia is very nice. Beate took off yesterday; I hope she drives safe. She should be in DC tomorrow, and I¢m really looking forward to seeing her next Sunday.We had some more Trail Magic today¢you can see it in the picture. A gentleman, about 69 years old, actually moved from North Carolina to Virginia so he could be closer to the trail. He spends about $100/week on food, doing Trail Magic for hikers. He does it for about 5 months out of the year. He says, ¢You can¢t go ahead and take the money with you, so you might as well help someone you like, and I like hikers.¢ He calls it ¢ministering¢ to hikers because he also leaves some religious material. We¢ve gone over 546 miles, which means we are now 25% done with the AT¢a significant accomplishment. Tonight we¢re sleeping at Lynn Creek in the middle of nowhere. Tomorrow we¢ll have to hike about 18 miles. We¢re walking so far because for the last 10 miles there was no water. It¢s the first time since we¢ve been hiking that water is scarce, so we have to pay attention to where the next water supply is going to be.
Date: 2012-04-30
From: Lynn Creek

To: Lynn Creek
Miles today: 15.0

Slept next to a creek last night. Beautiful. Walked through some very geological diverse lands today with a lot of rock structures. In fact, one area was the Vanderbilt's first choice for their Biltmore Estate but something happened and they chose Ashville, NC instead. Temperature was in the 80's today and their were only a few water sources. We actually came across some Trail Magic today - water in jugs. Some of the best Magic yet since we were all out. It is some the simple things in life (water, food, and shelter--and of course family) that are important when you don't have them.
Date: 2012-05-01
From: Jenkins Shelter, Va

To: Bland Va
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

Completed 12 miles before 1PM - a good day. Since we need to slow down to meet my wife in Pearisburg on Sunday we went into the town of Bland - population 500 - county population 12,000. Reinhard and I each got a haircut since it has been a while. Best haircut ever - 20 dollars for a haircut, beard trim, hot towels, massage -- about an hour. They even used a straight a razor - just excellent.    My wife made it to VA safely from WI. She is picking up my son from Old Dominion University. They will meet us and hike with us for about 10 days. Really looking forward to it. Will also use her visit as an opportunity to exchange some winter gear for some summer gear. My 15 degree sleeping bag is just too hot when the night temperatures drop to 50. Just hope it doesn't snow anymore. Hallo, ihr lieben Wanderer, hier bin ich mal wieder, ich schreibe euch aus Bald, einem Kleinen Staedtchen in Virginia. Es hat sich nicht viel geaendert, Wandern, wandern, gehen gehen, manchmal stehen. Habe mir auf dem Trail eine geschwolle Hand rechts zugezogen, wahrscheinlich Ueberlastung. Habe sie bandaschiert und es geht besser. Heute einen super Haarschnitt verpasst bekommen, klasse. Und am Wochenende sind wir in einem Nobel-Hostel untergebracht. Viele liebe Gruesse, bis bald Reinhard the Germanmore.
Date: 2012-05-02
From: Bland Va

To: Jenny Knob
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: light rain

A bit more about our stay in Bland. Met my first "Rain Man" - (the movie). Reinhard told him he was from Germany and the guy gave us a tutorial on the German autobahn from 1930 to the present, detailed geological characteristics of the Rhine River and many other trivial/detailed facts of Germany. When I told him I was from Wisconsin he told me WI had 72 counties (I went to the library later that day to check it out and he was right). He also told me the airport in Milwaukee was Gen Billy Mitchell and proceeded to give me the biography of General Mitchell. Since I did a paper on him when I was working on my Master's Degree I was amazed he got all the details correct. Amazing guy who was a coal miner, construction worker and flag guy on the highway who did not have any higher education. He certainly was not autistic because we had a really good conversation - maybe towards savant syndrome. Not sure but an interesting day.
Date: 2012-05-03
From: Jenny Knob

To: Next to a stream
Miles today: 8.6

Again, more about my visit to Bland, VA (see previous entries). When I was going to library to check out the facts of the guy I met earlier a lady said she was a Trail Angel (a term used to describe someone who helps hikers) and asked if we needed a place to stay. We said we did. She offered her house for dinner, laundry, shower, sleep and breakfast. She took us to her house and indeed fed us homemade pulled pork BBQ with chips and iced tea, she did our laundry and she let us take a shower. We slept in the guest room and in the morning when we woke up she had coffee, bacon, eggs, and grits for us. After we ate we talked a bit then she took us back to the trail. Amazing. She and her husband have been Trail Angels for 29 hikers to date. Amazing trust on both sides. We slowed down hiking a bit since it is only a few days until we link up with my wife, my son and his girl friend. Amazing we had this link-up place planned since early March and now it is all coming together. Beate drove from WI to Wash DC to pick-up my son from college and will meet Reinhard and I on Saturday (Reinhard and I will have walked 619 miles to arrive at the exact date). Looking forward to the visit since it has been 7 weeks since I saw Beate and since Christmas that I saw my son. We will do something different while they are here - hike.
Date: 2012-05-04
From: Next to a stream

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: clear sky

Real short hike today along a stream bed. Lots of water and waterfalls today. After we set-up camp and purified our water I hiked 45 minutes up a steep mountain without my pack just to try to get a signal to call my wife. No luck. Not sure I would ever walk an hour anywhere in WI, especially up a mountain, just to get a phone signal. This whole trip has been an adventure with phone service. We have gone 4-5 days at a time without service (regardless of the service). It is frustrating sometimes because you are so high up in the mountains but still no service. It took my wife a while getting used to me not calling.
Date: 2012-05-08
From: Wood's Hole Hostel

To: Wood's Hole Hostel
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Went on a day hike with Beate, Steve, Hillary, and Reinhard. Ten miles up some pretty big hills was pretty tough on their feet but we all made it and went back to Wood's Hole Hostel for a wonderful dinner. It was great seeing some more family after so long. This picture wasd taken after a long climb from the valley to the top. Great day, great view, and it was great to be with Beate.
Date: 2012-05-10
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Had an incident last night hanging a bear bag and Reinhard hurt his hand. It was bleeding bad and we had to apply some steri-strips (like stiches that a nonprofessional can apply). Thought about walking out down the mountain but it was getting late and we didn't want to walk in the dark. The situation was compounded because my son and his girlfriend were with us (they were on a mini 4 day hike with us) and they didn't have headlamps. So, we spent the night on top the mountain and at first light we started down the mountain. I called my wife who was in at Mountain Lake Resort (where they filmed Dirty Dancing) and she quickly checked-out, met us at the bottom of the mountain, and took Reinhard to the emergency room at the local hospital. It turned out that Reinhard had a broken hand that required 2 pins, a torn tendon, and a large laceration. He is wearing a cast and we need to stay off the trail for a week. He was amazing through the entire ordeal and did not complain even with all the pain he was in.
Date: 2012-05-11
From: Pearisburg

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

My wife, son and his girlfriend left this morning for Springfield, Virginia. The incident with Reinhard's hand changed many of our plans. Reinhard and I will stay in Pearisburg until his follow-up appointment with the surgeon who repaired his hand. Beate is taking Steve and Hillary back so they can get ready for summer school that starts next week. Sad to see them go since it will be a while until I see them again. Talked to "wall street" - a hiker whom we hiked with for about 5 weeks - last night and told him about Reinhard. He is about 100 miles ahead of us now. He told me about several hikers who we know that are now off the trail. The number of hikers are starting to thin out. Only about 20% of the hikers that start finish and it is starting to show. There are many reasons why people quit - physical, mental, money, family or just had enough. It takes a lot of energy, willpower and luck to make it.Hallo, ihr lieben Wanderer und alle die mich kennen. Ich habe jetzt eine Zwangspause in Pearisburg von 8 Tagen. Vor 2 Tagen hatte ich einen Unfall auf dem Trail und bin dann gestern operiert worden an meiner linken Hand. Es geht mir gut aber ich vermisse den Trail. Ich hoffe das ich naechste Woche den Trail fortsetzen kann, ich bin guter Dinge. Reinhard the German
Date: 2012-05-12
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We will have to stay off the trail for a week per doctor's orders. The bone in his hand was broken and the tendon cut. Surgery went fine - the tendon was sewed togother and a couple of pins were placed in his hand. Need to again thank my wife for her help getting Reinhard to the hospital and staying with him in the ER. Also, Steven and Hillary were great helping treat the wound on the mountain and were very strong hikers - especially on the way out.   Hallo, ihr lieben Wanderer und alle die mich kennen, heute schreibe ich hier am Computer mit einer Hand, da die andere in einer Gipsschale ruhiggestellt ist. Ja, ich muss jetzt Geduld haben und hoffen das die Wundheilung gut geht um dann auf den Trail zurueck zu gehen. Das bedeutet fuer mich: Glueck, Willenskraft und mentale Staerke. Ich hoffe darauf und ich danke meiner Frau fuer ihre Liebe und Ihren Zuspruch, und meinem Schwager/Schwaegerin und den kids fuer ihre Hilfe. Fuer heute dann genug: Reinhard the German
Date: 2012-05-13
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Most importantly --- Happy Mother's Day to my wife and mother of our three children. She is spending it with one of our son's who lives in Virginia. She also had the opportunity to talk with our other sons who live in Japan (teaches school) and Hawaii (a student at UH). While I was in the Army I missed a few Mother's Day because of deployments but today is the most difficult. Reinhard and I need to wait until Friday to resume our hike. But, as so often on the trail, I experienced some irony today.   On Mother's Day in 2008 a hiker stayed at the Plaza Motel in Pearisburg, VA (we are staying at that motel now). Perisburg has a population of 2,500 and is a trail town (located near the trail and many hikers stop for resupply and a shower). That hiker wrote a book about his AT trek. Today, another hiker delivered a copy of that book per the author's request to the Plaza Motel office manager and she is letting us read it. The book is titled: Hiking Through, Finding Peace and Freedom on the Appalacian Trail. The author, Paul Stutzman, had quit his job after his wife died of breast cancer. He said he wrote the book in hope that he could convince others not to take for granted their spouse. Beate, I think of you often - everyday - while on the trail and do not take for granted everything you do. I know I could not be taking this trek without you.   LY
Date: 2012-05-14
From: Pearisburg, Va

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Updated pictures - may want to review.A boring day. The highlight is walking to the library with Reinhard. This weekend we saw several hikers we had not seen for a while: MuckMichigan, Gypsy, April Showers and General Custer, and Wild Flower. Of course those are all the trail names they use on the AT. Nobody uses their real name on the trail. Here are some trail names and the stories behind them: Spiceman (me) - I carry many different spices and herbs because I like to season my bland trail meals; Rhino (Reinhard) - when he sees a hill he charges up it and seldom stops until he gets to the top; General Custer - looks like General Custer; Risky - wears sun glasses like Tom Cruise in Risky Business; Diesel - goes slow uphill but fast downhill; Connect4 - carries a small Connect 4 game in her backpack; Wall Street - a guy who worked on Wall Street who quit 2 weeks before his hike; Big Sky - her real name is actually Montana; Doc - a real medical Doctor; Preacher - you guessed it, an ordained minister; Lime Green - wears lime green hking shoes and t-shirt; NoKey - sold everything he owned that had a key before this trip. The list goes on and each name, like each person, has a story. Thanks for reading this journal and the notes you left for Reinhard in the guest book. He read them but is now a one-handed typer.
Date: 2012-05-15
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Added some more pics today from the past.Hallo, ihr lieben Wanderer und alle die mich kennen, wir sind immer noch in Pearisburg und ich hoffe darauf das ich am Freitag nach der Arztvisite im Krankenhaus zurueck auf den Trail kann, mit meinem zirkulaeren Handgips. Ich bin durch ihn natuerlich etwas behindert,aber wir werden sehen. Die Schmerzen werden weniger aber ich bin nicht so beweglich durh den Gips. Auf diesem Wege moechte ich ganz lieb meine Frau Gisela gruessen, die ich sehr liebe und ich denk an sie. Reinhard-Rhino-the GermanAnother day in Pearisburg, VA. You know you are "in the south" when you see pillow cases with the rebel flag, ten commandments signs on just about every third lawn, and a Civil War reenactment at the county courthouse called "The Yankees are Coming". But, southern hospitality is alive and almost all the locals that we meet are friendly and helpful. The pharmacy clerk at Walmart even offered help with transportation if we could not get back there to pick up Reinhard's pills. The lady who works the desk at the motel we are staying at washed our clothes for free and offered us rides if we need them. We are trying to stay in hiker shape so we walk where ever we need to go. In case you are wondering what Reinhard wrote avove, the jest of it is: on Friday he goes back to the doctor and hopefully he gives us the OK to move on; the pain has pretty much left but he is hindered by the cast; he wants to thank his wife for her support and loves her. And, I would like to close by saying - Beate, love you.