morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-05-01
From: Watauga Lake Shelter

To: Double Spring Shelter 
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: clear sky

BEAR!!!!!!   This morning several times I heard something and shined my light but could not see anything...then about 0600 I heard a bag being batted at. I sat up and said BEAR really loud. John and the two others in the shelter sat up just as we saw a sillouette (sp) of a bear fall out of the tree and run. I got up and there was snack bars all over the ground...my new water proof bag that had 3 bags inside it (breakfast, snacks and dinner) was just a shell in the tree. As I got closer I heard the bear take off in the woods. He got Johns toothbrush and paste, most of his food and ALL of mine. I had just resupplied so I needed another two days worth. Several hikers were nice enough to give me what I needed. Also Tumbler got sick during the night. We were afraid she wouldn't be able to make the mileage we needed to get to town. We did take a two hour nap/break so Tumbler could rest and it was at a blue blaze to get water. It was a nice break. We hit trail magic about 6PM. It was a bear proof box with Pepsi and Little Debbie snacks in it. Since I didn't have much food I inhaled 3 snacks and downed that Pepsi...Good stuff when you don't have anything. Started sprinkling and we put on our pack covers...only for about 10 minutes. Got to shelter about 9PM and went right to bed.
Date: 2010-05-02
From: Double Spring Shelter 

To: Damascus, Virginia (Dancing Bear)
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up around 0630 and left about 0640. Ratman's mom is supposed to meet us at the Subway in Damascus with soup beans, corn bread, chocolate pie...etc. Tumbler hadn't eaten anything and wasn't feeling good yet. I stuck a pop tart in my pocket and ate that on the way. Ratman walked way ahead. We caught up to him later on. Tumbler doing amazing and she hasn't eaten anything. I then walked ahead. At around one oclock I was out of water and I saw two guys hiking in the woods. I asked them how far to town. About .9 miles. I can do this. About 15 min. after I came out of the woods here comes Ratman and Tumbler. We were afraid we wouldn't make it by three and here we made it by one. Some very fast and furious hiking done today (with very little food or water).
Date: 2010-05-03
From: Damascus, Virginia (Dancing Bear)

To: Zero day
Miles today: 0.0

The four of us stayed at the Dancing Bear...Nice place and nice people. We are getting caught up on the computer (as well as the rest of the hiking population), plus laudry and good food. Next stop will prob. be Adkins, VA next Fri. then into Bland and Pearisburg were Mark will be joining us in two weeks. I will be doing my journals through him til then. Happy hiking   Love to you all. DEB/SID
Date: 2010-05-04
From: Damascus,VA

To: camp in the woods
Miles today: 14.9

This was a good day of hiking. We enjoyed our days off. Ate a bagel and coffee at the Dancing Bear in our room and headed off through town for the stairs and into the woods again. We did take a stop at the Cowboys rest. and bought a package of donuts to eat on the way. The sun is shining and we are ready for hiking. (My legs aren't though)I am a very slow hiker going up.
Date: 2010-05-05
From: camp in the woods

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

This was an unusual day due to the fact that we left the camp with Ratman and Tumbler still in their tent. Ratman was sick all night and they were going to get a late start. Six Course and I climbed the 4 miles up to Buzzard Rock. What a view...360 degrees and you could see mountains for miles. We stopped for a snack with packs off. We headed for Mt. Rogers which was another bit of a climb. Six Course is so king to this old lady for waiting on me. We got to the top and they were doing some rock explosion. The first time I heard the explosion I about lost it...it shook everything. We had to pass by trail guards so they had to radio ahead to make sure we all were safe. We did get a text message from Tumbler saying they had to get off the trail and get Ratman to a Dr. Then there is no cell service so we didn't hear from them all day. When Daytripper got to camp we did hear that they had gotten a ride into town and were going to stay in Damascus again. We walked through alot of rocks today...even a cave (a very short one called "fat mans squeeze"). Very cool. Did I say lots and lots of rocks? My feet are so sore. We did run across wild ponies all over the place. That was neat too. We stopped for a short break at Thomas Knob Shelter and a mom pony and baby came up there to visit us. Got some good pics of me with the baby. As soon as I can I will download those. We are off again to the next shelter. Arrived at around 5ish and 2 gentlemen where already there. We got our spot in the shelter and then we got a mass of campers. Conan and Backwards, Long John, Daytripper and Thunder, Cody, Skippy and a few others I don't know. They were all camping in their tents except for us and Skippy. I cooked chicken and rice for dinner...couldn't eat it all and gave some to Six Course...for dessert a snickers bar. I could eat those everyday. Yum. In our sleeping bags about 7PM. Still waiting to hear from the rest of the Ratpack.
Date: 2010-05-06
From: Wise Shelter

To: Troutdale, VA
Miles today: 16.0

Six Course and I were up at 0630 and on the trail by 0700. We covered about 2 miles per hour and sometimes more. Trying to cover 20 miles today. I walked alot by myself again cause Six Course has really long legs and I have about 26+ years on him. He was good to wait again for me...especially since Ratman and Tumbler are not on the trail. Still have not heard from them. We came to a road around 2ish and after covering 16 miles there was a note posted for us that Ratman and Tumbler were at the Hostel in Troutdale. We decided to hitch a ride the 2 miles into town to find them. This very nice couple who had been married just 3 weeks picked us up and dropped us right off at the First Baptist Church Hostel. We will get showers tonight We walked down the road to the only diner in town and had a good meal. The hikers keep pouring in to eat. Ratman and Tumbler are doing fine and will be back with us after they make up the miles they missed by slack packing it. Tomorrow will be a high mileage day because of this detour. It's okay with us. There is absolutely not cell service in this town. Sorry.
Date: 2010-05-07
From: Troutdale, VA

To: Troutdale,VA
Miles today: 0.0

Since Ratman and Tumbler are slackpacking today Six Course and I decided to take it easy with another zero day here in Troutdale. My toe has another huge blister on it...medicine on it...bandaid...and rest. The only problem is there is no cell service at all. Ate breakfast at Jerry's rest. Ratman and Tumbler left with a hitch to Elk Park and will end up here tonight. Then we will be on schedule again with the Ratpack Sid
Date: 2010-05-08
From: Dickey Gap

To: VA 683 & US 11
Miles today: 26.1

We planned to slack pack today. Slack packing is hiking without your packs so you can go longer distances. It was really windy during the night and started raining early. After ten minutes it stopped and by the time we were ready to hike you couldn't tell it had rained at all. The owner of the restaurant drove one hiker named Muddy to a motel and he took our packs. Armed with snacks and water bottles we started hiking at 10am. We stopped at one shelter fourteen miles out and ordered pizza. We finished our hike at 8pm while it was still light out. The hostel was full so we are staying at the Relax Inn. Dinner at the Exxon Gas Station.
Date: 2010-05-09
From: VA 683 & US 11

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Taking a zero day today. We need to get our mail (food boxes) on Monday morning. Just resting our feet and legs. Eating at the Barn on Mother's Day for breakfast. Laundry done. Watched movies and sports today. Not very much to do at this end of town. Long day when you are used to hiking all day. Hope to load new photos this coming weekend.
Date: 2010-05-09
From: Zero

To: Zero Day near Atkins, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today is Mothers Day (happy mothers day to all the mothers out there...) It certainly was a different mothers day for me. I am in a very small hotel room with 3 other hikers...the rest of the Ratpack...on a very cold day, by a small road where there is nothing but an Exxon station, Shell station, and a restaurant called The Barn. I was up around 0645. Everyone else wanted to sleep in so I went to breakfast with Muddy and Guppy (formaly Marty McFly). About an hour later the rest of the Ratpack showed up. Zero days are kind of boring if you aren't in a town. We got our laundry done and walked to the gas station for snacks and then dinner We watched movies...part of the Mummy 2, part of National Treasure 2, and the whole of Sweet Home Alabama. The guys then turned it to sports. I didn't have control of the remote. Also made sure both batteries to the phone were charged. Hard to sit still and not hike. Started to have pain in the left shin. Hoping it works its way out. Sid
Date: 2010-05-10
From: Zero Day near Atkins, VA

To: camp just past Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

We left the motel at around 0800 this morning and hiked along the road just past I81 then off to the right and again into the woods. This is really interesting because 5 yrs ago friends of ours took me on my first overnight on the AT. This was the place we started although it's not exactly as I remember it. We walked through many fields, some with cows, up and over seven stiles. Try to do that with a 35 lb. pack on your back plus your walking poles. It's easy if your alot younger I think I did pretty good though. We stopped at a picnic area for a snack and a rest then started to climb again. Four more miles to get to the shelter...only a couple of more hours. When hiking in the woods with lots of ivy and dead leaves on the ground and as you walk by it sounds like raindrops. Come to find out that they are little tiny crickets hopping around only when you walk by. It's kind of weird but it sounds like they are clapping for you...like "keep going, you are doing great". Happy crickets Knot Maul Branch Shelter was not full but alot of tenters. This was were we tented 5 yrs ago and I remember it well...This was were I spent my first night on the AT in my new tent and scared to death of all the noises that I could here around me just sure a bear was going to attack me in my tent and kill me. The Ratpack decided to hike a little further down the hill to a campsite. My leg is really hurting today and is red on the shin of the left ankle. Took 800mg Motrin. Tumbler got the fire started and we had our dinner. I boiled my water and added it to my pack of Beef Stroganof and had an oatmeal cookie. I couldn't eat it all so gave the rest to Ratman and 6-course. In our tents by 8:45 PM.
Date: 2010-05-11
From: camp just past Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: light rain

Woke up at 0615 by three drops of rain on my tent and then it stopped. As fast as I could...dressed, sleeping bad stuffed, boots on, out of the tent, packed the tent (which was still dry), then packed my pack. Woke the rest of the crew up so we could get going before the rain hit. I didn't wake 6-course up fast enough cause he had a little rain on his tent. Sorry 6-course. Started walking at 0720. Drizzled for about an hour then stopped. Big climb up to Chestnut Knob Shelter. Long, long road to the shelter on top of this mountain. The book states that this was the first choice of spots to build the Biltmore estate. It sure was cold and foggy. I lost sight of Ratman and Tumbler (6-course zoomed past us early and didn't see him til the next shelter). What I remember from 5 yrs ago was that the shelter was sitting by itself on the top of the hill then we started down the hill to Walker Gap. Well when I lost sight of Ratman and Tumbler and I started going down on the road...I lost it. I thought I had missed the shelter...I was hungry and very cold (was waiting to get to the shelter to get my coat out of my pack), and my leg is hurting very bad. I sat down on a log, took off my pack, put my coat on and cried. I told myself I just can't just sit here and feel sorry for myself. I put my pack on and started off again...only to walk about one minute down the road and there was the shelter. Wow...how different 5 yrs can make on the AT. Ratman and Tumbler were there...we had something to eat: candy bar, cashews, fruit chews and lots to drink. We headed off again. I knew from hiking this way before that we would be on a ridge for about 4 miles before we got to the shelter. My leg is killing me and the two others hike very fast. The ridge is all rocks and cliffs. I slipped on a huge rock and landed on my left side...skinned my left hand. Oh bother. Took another break at the road. Climbed up again to ridge then down to Jenkins Shelter. Arriving about 5PM. No one is in the shelter. Tumbler got the fire started again. Dinner: Very Veggie Pizza. It was spicy so gave the rest to the guys again. Could be why I can't keep the weight on. Jenkins Shelter has the most amazing privy. It truly is a seat fit for a king: no door or roof...it's a seat on a platform...literally. Kindof weird to sit on it too Didn't set up tent...staying in the shelter tonight. Two more people showed up to tent and another to stay in the shelter. Slept really good. Did hear a bear down by the creek.
Date: 2010-05-12
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Bland, VA
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: light rain

Got up early this morning to get to town. Left about 0700. 6-course just getting up. I had made a decision about my leg...I neede to see a doctor. My leg was getting worse and the redness had gone all the way up the shin. We started up a hill and that's the last I saw of Ratman and Tumbler. I hiked for five miles by myself then stopped on a road for a break. After another hour 6-course was behind me. We hiked the last nine miles with him sortof keeping track of me. The trail kept going up and I just knew that if it went up it would have to go down. My leg hurts worse going down. I knew we only had an hour left but we are still going up. In my shin the pain is shooting and it feels like it's on fire. I stopped and cried. I didn't think I could go on although I knew town couldn't be far away. I finally got a signal on my phone and called Mark...I feel like such a cry baby but I'm telling you IT HURT and I thought I might have a stress fracture, a tumor, or they are going to have to cut off my leg...or something like that...you know how nurses are. Anyway, I'm letting him know what's going on as I'm sobbing and hiking at the same time. He was scheduled to come down this Friday so he took off Thurs and left work at 1230 and by 1PM was on his way. I have the best husband in the whole world! By the time I hiked another 1/2 hour I was on a road and I could see 6-course way ahead of me. We hitched a ride with a really nice man who drove us to get something to eat at Subway, drove me to get a hotel room, drove the others back to their packs (they would keep hiking) and took me to a clinic for my leg. One of the Pharmacists drove me back to my hotel on her way home. This is a great community that helps hikers. The verdict on my leg is that the tendon is severly inflamed and I have a bad case of cellulitis. He gave me a shot of Rocephin and put me on Cipro for 10 days. I also have to put ointment (Mupirocin) on all the toes that I've lost the nails to and the leg itself. He said to stay off my leg til the left ankle looks like the right ankle. I don't know how long that will be. Mark is here til Monday if needed but it's so hard just sitting after hiking for miles and miles. We did take the rest of the Ratpacks packs and they are slack packing today. We will pick them up when they call. This will be a zero day. I've not completely given up but after this second round of taking more than one zero day in a row is very frustrating and I wonder if I'll see Maine. Just wondering...and waiting.
Date: 2010-05-14
From: Somewhere in Virginia

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well the verdict is in: STAY OFF YOUR FEET!!!! How can I do that and make it to Maine??? After x-rays of the feet and ankle as well as an ultra sound to rule out any blood clots the doc says go home and rest for 2 weeks and stay off your feet then get another x-ray to comfirm. After 2 zero days and keeping the leg elevated it's still swollen and it's moving into the foot so the whole foot is now swollen. I guess it's time to go home and see what the next step is. I could possibly join my group later or just realize that the dream of hiking to Maine is ended for a time. That does not mean defeat. Afterall I have hiked over 500 miles on the trail I have loved for 35 yrs. I could still possibly be a section hiker...it's not the dream though. Emotions are weird...I feel so down, but yet I get to go home with my husband who I miss so much when I'm hiking. I feel frustrated, I want to go on. Dumb foot! There must be a reason for this delay...I will wait...I think...I must wait...but what if...Thanks to everyone who has been so supportive and positive about this adventure. My family and friends and some of you I haven't met yet have been so encouraging...thank you. I couldn't have made it this far without your kind words and lots and lots of prayers. Did I mention the 500 miles? Oh yeah I did. I leave you with this thought from Phil 1:6...Being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. I don't think He was referring to the Appalachian Trail, but He did start a work in me and I am in His care. I will continue to memorize the book of Philippians even off the trail. Later, Sid
Date: 2010-05-16
From: Home

To: home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got home Sunday night after a detour to Harpers Ferry. Wanted to see the headquarters before heading home. Monday morning called the Dr. and got an appt for Mon. afternoon. She took x-rays and blood work. Still pitting edema in the lower leg. It is still a little red on the lower shin plus it still feels warm to touch. I can walk on it although it aches even when sitting still. Dr. might do a bone scan and send me to an orthopedist. I will keep you posted on what the Dr. says. The waiting is the toughest part. I want to get back on the trail. I've learned that I don't have much patience when it comes to laying low. On the positive side...I will be with my Dad on his 84th birthday, with my husband on his birthday and see my daughter when she comes to visit next week. (She was traveling to see Daddy and help him with cleaning windows while I was on the trail-guess I'll do the windows later on). I feel very blessed to have hiked on the AT and to have met all the wonderful people I would have never met if I hadn't taken this journey. Praying for all my fellow hikers for safety and amazing memories. Keep hiking your hike.Sid
Date: 2010-05-19
From: home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Went to Dr. on Monday and the results are in: There is no stress fracture and my blood work is just fine. I'm very happy about those results. On to the next Dr. visit which is the ortho doctor next Tues. They will probably do a bone scan. The shin still hurts and there is a lump there, but it doesn't hurt to walk which is really weird. The rest of the Ratpack is taking a few zero days. Still have not given up the thought that I will be back on the trail soon. Sid
Date: 2010-05-25
To: the end
Miles today: 0.0

The doctor told me today to take another month off to rest and not to go back on the trail. My leg needed to heal completely. If I did this again the infection could be worse, might form a blood clot, and lose my leg. I kinda like my leg so I think my dream of a thru-hike is over for the time being. Total disappointment. To everyone I met on the trail: you have made this an unforgetable journey that I will never forget. I will consider myself a section hiker and will still attempt to get to Kathadin someday. In the meantime I will follow you on trail journals and be praying for your fun and safety and enjoy the pics at the end. Sid
Date: 2010-06-23
To: update
Miles today: 0.0

I have been off the trail for a little over a month. I rested and rested and rested...is my leg healed yet? It's not sore nor does it hurt to walk. More Dr. visits later on in July. The rest of the Rat Pack is finishing up in PA. I'm flying out on Friday to see my daughter, pick up the Rat Pack and do some great trail magic for them. Maybe even a trip into NYC Can't wait. Sid
Date: 2010-07-15
To: for Ratman and Tumbler
Miles today: 0.0

Got a text from Ratman and Tumbler this morning and they were at Upper Goose Pond Cabin. Hiked 9 miles today to the "Cookie Lady" and are camping out there. I am so impressed with you two that you are already at 1550 miles from the starting point. Wish I was there with you. This is Sid signing off for the rest of the RatPack.
Date: 2010-02-04
From: Nowhere but here

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

It's official. I'm trail-bound once again.Last year was an outstanding experience & I most certainly look forward to it again (and maybe moving a bit slower this time?).No juggling gear choices this time around.I know what works for me thanks to last year.(I'm still going heatless though.)As things currently stand, it's looking like another 1 March kick-off.We'll see. It's nothing to grab a bus & get anywhere in a few days.I have "lost my legs" a bit, but the feet are as tough as ever.I've done about 45 miles in the last few weeks ("just in case").1 11 miler (from which I discovered that my legs weren't so eager to remember those 20+ mile days LOL), 3 6 milers & 3 5 milers.I suppose it'll be a repeat; short slow days to begin with.By the time spring hits? Cakewalk (or whatever it is one likes to walk in).Just eager as a beaver with a brand new forest for now!
Date: 2010-02-08
To: Nowhere
Miles today: 0.0

So it's snowing out, again, which everyone but me seems to dislike.I'm looking forward to going out into it once the morning traffic trickles down & everyone's busy at work.If I'm lucky the snow plows will not have removed all the snow from the lesser used roads before I have a chance to plow through them myself!(No, that's not sarcasm...I mean it; I'm the type to run through sand just because it's more exhausting)Now that my new boots have initiated my feet into their club of pain, I'm pulling out the factory inserts & putting in the superfeet. I figure I'll have a dozen or so more miles of foot-rebellion before everyone is getting along nicely.And, with that said, time to suit up & head out!-3 weeks & counting...
Date: 2010-02-09
From: Nowhere

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Was plenty cold this morning. Downed a few pieces of toast with peanut butter & banana with honey, took some vitamin I & jumped out the door...into what I assume hell would be like if it were in the first stages of freezing over.I went out in -9 degrees (with breezes). Breath moisture froze my balaclava (or what passes as one for me) in about 10 seconds whenever I slipped it off. Evaporation from my head was frosting up on the outside of my wool cap. Plowed through ankle-to-shin high snow drifts for a few miles (I beat the plows to it!) Awesome morning outing.It started "snow misting/sleeting" about 9.5 miles out and the breeze picked up. Temperature had picked up considerably by then, but so had the wind.My eyelids were freezing together. That was fun... (not really).I think I'm going to put my Superfeet on a pedastool & worship them though.My arches aren't even sore. Tight, but not sore.Cold as it was, I was still nice & toasty. Didn't even break out the wool top or the outer shell (which is more for rain anyway).Took pics & some video, but I'm still figuring out how to post that somewhere without being inconsiderate (the whole Tube thing doesn't excite me all that much & my personal site is a rough ~47k/b rate for upwards of 5meg files).A good ~12 mile trot with 50lb. pack.Now I'm off to snarf down some chicken noodle!