morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-03-22
From: Cary, NC

To: Cary, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

When I got home I knew I wanted to be back out on the trail. It made me a little sick to be here. I knew I needed a break, but I didn't want to be home. Does this make sense? I weighed myself when I got home and was at a shockingly low 170! I started at 191. I knew I would lose 20-25 lbs, but not this quick. I'm hoping my hunger will increase.A surprise visit at Barnes and Noble to see my daughter was on the forefront of my mind. She came in the store and sat down at the Nook table. I stood there for a few seconds waiting for her to look up. When she did, I could just see the wheels turning in her head trying to comprehend what she was looking at. Of course the beard might have made it turn a few seconds longer, but when she processed it fully she jumped up and gave me a long awaited hug. She hates my beard though, and come to find out so does most people that are used to my subtle goatee. For those on the trail who are only used to my facial scruff, they think it's weird seeing a picture of clean shaven Figgy. When The Grinch shaved in Cherokee, both Emerald and myself thought it looked so weird to see him clean. I guess it's just what people are used to. The deal is however.....I'm not shaving! My last shave was Feb. 15th, and I haven't shaved my head since mid December. I'm leaving to head back to Erwin, TN and the trail on Sunday, right to the very spot I left off. I made my short visit home a quiet as possible. I did not want to get acclimated to normal life back here in Cary. I thought about working, but didn't. Thought about sneaking into softball practice, but won't. Thought about going to Starbucks, Ok, Oops, I DID do that. :/ Honestly, I kept thinking of ways to get back earlier than Sunday. I feel great physically which isn't bad for an old man and looking forward to getting in more miles a day due to a less stringent terrain. It felt good getting caught up on my journals, along with other detail stuff. Felt good to watch a little March Madness, and The Bay Hill golf tournament, even though I seemed out of place. My mom said that in a week this little detour will seem like a blip, and I agree. I want nothing more than to finish this trail. I'm 340 miles in which is about the same as walking from Raleigh to the Tennessee border on highway 40, but have over 1800 more miles to go. Seems daunting after a month of hiking, but anything worthwhile is.On my way to Erwin!Song of the Day, Send me on my way, -Rusted RootMovie of the day, Shawshank Redemption. "I believe in two things, discipline and the Bible. Here you will receive both. Put your trust in the Lord, but your ass belongs to me.....Welcome to Shawshank.
Date: 2014-03-23
From: Cary, NC

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well for Greyhound it wasn't that bad. Or maybe I'm just getting used to it. 11 hours with 2 transfers to complete my return journey to Erwin, TN. Woke up to steak eggs and pancakes that my mom made for myself, Kaytlin, and my dad. Kind of a going away/get out of here breakfast. A last stop at Starbucks and a last hug from my daughter and on the way I go. Would love to tell ya some great story or excitement that happened while on the road but really have nothing to say, hence my exciting picture of a bus. Just a routine ride. I did stop in Winston-Salem for 3 hour layover which I walked to Mellow Mushroom for a Mellowterrainian pie and a Duck Rabbit. Which was real nice. I bought a book to read on the bus and at night on the trail if I have time and energy. A book that probably nobody that I know of in their right mind would read. I'm admitting my selection is slightly odd balled, but to me I find it very interesting. I'm reading a biography of our 30th president Calvin Coolidge. Judge if you will, but it's New York Times bestseller and the author Amity Shlaes is an excellent author. Other than that I am ecstatic to be back. Not looking forward to this predictable continental breakfast in the morning, but hey it's free. Thank you for those who are supportive, and double thank you for those selfish beings who are not. You are both needed to be honest. Don't know what I would do without you.Song of the day, Its Not Unusual - Tom JonesWhy won't any UNC fans return my text? I just want to tell them they had a great run.
Date: 2014-03-24
From: Erwin, TN

To: Unknown tent site
Miles today: 24.4

Everything on me hurts. A stiffness under my right knee cap, soreness on my left shin, heating blister on my left foot, moderate case of shaffing where shaffing is not fun, and my left pointer finger tingles and goes numb from time to time. Other than that I feel great after my 24.4 day hike away from Erwin. With the combination of longer days and easier terrian I was able to get in a good chunk of miles. The 1st part of the hike up to Curly Maple Gap Shelter 6.2 miles long reminded me of some trails in the Smokys. Lush green with the trail following a cascading creek. I had exposed balds after, then turning to spruce trees at Unaka Mountain 5200' high. Not many views but the weather was clear and cool, perfect for hiking.I was surprised I only ran into one thru-hiker today. An older guy probably 65ish with the name of Mississippi. Didn't chat long. I figured with a week off a big crowd would catch up. Seems like I'm still ahead of the rush which is nice.The last couple of miles were tough. Everything started to hurt. I guess a 25 miler was pushing it a bit. I stayed at a small campground with a great running stream. I was very impatient with the fire and didnt get it going, but it was enough to burn my trash. All I wanted to do is get in my warm bag and sleep, but pitching a tent, cooking, eating, hanging my bear bag, and setting up my bed takes time. It's supposed to get well below freezing tonight and even colder tomorrow, plus I have my last 6000' mountain to climb till New Hampshire. Song of the day, Heaven is a Place on Earth, -Belinda Carlisle. .... Thats a manly song right? ............Right?
Date: 2014-03-26
From: Roan Mountain B&B

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

A late start but the sun was out! Not exactly warm but a whole different world than yesterday. Steve and Ann were great host at the bed and breakfast and I would recommend the stay. They both still work however and the ride to Hughes Gap was at 7:30. I was not planning on getting going that early so they let me stay as long as I wanted but I had to find a ride. They told me to call Mountain Harbour Hostel and they would be able to get you there. I walked the 1 mile to Bob's Dairyland to eat breakfast and call for a ride. Although the country ham biscuit was great the people at Mountain Harbour Hostel were not. Very disappointing. They seemed very irritated that I was even calling and when I asked for a shuttle it felt worse. $40 to go 8 miles! I got a ride from Erwin to Johnson City for $24 and that was 30 minutes away. I could get a limo for cheaper. If you need a ride anywhere from Damascus to Springer call Shuttles by Tom. He is super nice and reasonable. Look in the AT book for the number. If you get to Hwy 19 in Roan Mountain either keep going or go see Steve and Ann at the B&B. Dont even bother with Mountain Harbour Hostel even though its closer. Just go on by!So I walked about a mile and a half until I got picked up by Jerry and his hound Gumby in his red Z-71 pickup. Super nice guy from Hampton, TN. He makes it a point to pick up hikers. He says about a 30 a year he comes across.I only had 11.9 miles today to the red barn of Overmountain Shelter, but a huge climb loomed. The snow made it very difficult especially on the Rocky downhills. The sunny skies lead to fantastic views on the many balds. It made the half day off yesterday worthwhile. The highest shelter on the entire AT is at 6194' called Roan High Knob Shelter. This will be the last time I summit 6000' till New Hampshire. Snow was falling from the trees and pelting me in the head again very much like they did in the Smokys. Word has it that 50 & 60 degree temps are on the way. We shall see. Song of the day, 16 tons, Tennessee Ernie FordMovie of the day, Caddyshack, "Its easy to grin when your ships come in and you got the stock market beat....but a man worthwhile, is a man that can smile, when his shorts are too big in the seat."
Date: 2014-03-27
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: clear sky

The snow was now refreezing overnight after a slight defrosting due to warmer temps. Now the traction was getting slippery and slushy. If I were to take my boots and tie them to the wreckage of the Titanic in the bottom of the Atlantic for a week, they would not be anymore soaked than they are now. The positive thing was the sun was out, the winds were calm, and the terrain was better. As long as I kept moving my feet would stay warm. Again, I didn't see another thru-hiker all day, but I was following at least 2 footsteps in the snow. You can actually see where someone slipped and "butt-planted". I thought it was amusing, but tried to stay humble because you never know......I could be next. My trekking poles kept me upright several times when I slipped and could of made a huge indention in the 6 inch snow myself. Downhill was getting tricky.At Dennis Cove Rd, is one of the more famous hostels on the entire AT. Bob Peoples' Kincora Hostel. (Pic Above) Now lets get one thing straight. Hostels are not, nor or they claim to be, the Ritz Hotel in The Upper West Side of Manhattan. These are mom and pop type places, where they open their house to hikers, mostly because they are or were hikers themselves. Bob open this place in 1993. He is still very active in trail maintenance and rerouting. The Mountaineer Shelter which is one of the nicer/newer shelters on the AT, he and his crew built in 2 days. At over 70 years old, he was still planning on taking a band saw in the next few days with his helper Lumpy, and cut up a fallen tree a few miles down the trail. His place is alcohol free, and donation driven. He suggest $5 per night! For a roof, a shower, laundry, and kitchen privileges. Of course some people stiff the dude, but he said after 20,000 guest he has only had to kick out 1 guy. Not bad. Of course I'm the only one there, and of course Bob and Lumpy are surprised of that fact. I sat there on the 40 year old, fallen apart, yet still comfortable couch listening to the two of them tell stories about others that they commonly know and their plans for the upcoming Trail Days. I was wet, cold and wanting a shower, yet didn't want to stop listening to them banter.Did all my usual hostel stuff, and made Ramen and Instant mash potatoes concoction for dinner and picked out one of the 20 some beds to choose from. Another good day on the trail.Song of the day, You're My Home, -Billy JoelMovie of the Day, Christmas Vacation. Must be cause of the snow.......
Date: 2014-03-28
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Amazing what a warm night will do to the snow. When I left Kincora and hit the trail .2 miles away there wasn't a bit a snow to be seen. Very odd to be honest. I couldn't believe the difference a day made.I wanted to get in 25 miles today, and get to Iron Mountain Shelter which was only 10 miles from Damascus, VA. With only one semi-major hill to climb and no snow, I thought it could be done.Oh my!!!! I ran into a thru-hiker! Well, sort of. P.A. System, mid-20's maybe,is from P.A. but he is only hiking half the trail this year. He has a messed up ankle and is taking it easy with a zero every other day. A couple highlights. Laurel Falls is very pretty, but can be easily missed by taking the blue blazed trail. Unfortunately several people have died swimming too close to the falls over the last couple years. But it really is a pretty place, best falls since the beginning. The other was the dozen or so trail volunteers that I ran into after Watauga Dam. Some of these poor souls were carrying very heaving stuff to the next shelter 5 miles uphill. Couple of them gave me Snickers as a treat when I hiked by them. I was hoping they would stay at the next shelter cause at this point I knew I wasn't gonna make the 25 miles today, and it would be nice to finally have some company tonight.I reached Vandeventer Shelter around 6 and found out the water source was .3 miles downhill. And I mean DOWNHILL! But what can you do? When I can back up the hill with a couple of liters, about half of the volunteers were at the shelter camping up. Sweet! This shelter only fits 6 hikers as it is one of the smaller shelters. They insisted that I take a spot, but I thought they should have first dibs. After all they are working on a trail that I'm enjoying. But no convincing them, and I took my place in the structure with 5 others, as the rest pitched there tents with one guy stringing up his hammock. I was really impressed with these guys. They took what they did very seriously and didn't waiver on any of the precautions of bear safety. I enjoyed talking them and getting to know exactly what they were planning to do. They had the area from Vandeventer to Iron Mountain Shelter almost 7 miles worth of trail. Some were college students and their first time doing this type of work while others were older more experienced hikers. 5 females and 7 guys made up the group. They made chili for their dinner and offered me some, and have to say was very good. The conversation would always come to gear, and why I was thru-hiking. I tried to divert it back to them and let them know how much they were appreciated in what they were doing. I mean...no trail workers....no trail. It's as simple as that.I went to bed with a pain on my shin that I also had a few days earlier. I felt slow going, but figured rest would take care of it like it did before. I mean there is always a little pain or soreness at the end of the day.Song of the day, Black Hole Sun, -SoundgardenMovie of the day, -Rocky. The 1st one.
Date: 2014-03-30
From: Low Gap

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0

I barely slept. My leg was very painful and there was no position I could sleep in that made me at all comfortable. It took me 20 minutes to go 20 feet to use the restroom. Even when I tried to crawl it was painful.... or should I say pitiful.In the morning 5 Star and Marshmallow went to breakfast and brought me back 2 bacon egg and cheese croissants from a restaurant called In the Country. Very yummy! Very fortunate. When the Outfitter opened at noon I hobbled over with 5 Star, who was taking a zero as well, to get my 2 care packages. Robbie and Heather, good friends from Raleigh, sent me a box Monday with a bunch of yummy goodies. Two awesome people who just had their first baby on Tuesday. Just very happy for them knowing they have been waiting to be parents for a long time and now they are. Thank you, and congrats! I was also able to barrow a pair of crutches, as I was sure I'm not the 1st hiker to hobble into Damascus. Come to find out a thru-hiker from Australia is in town with a broken foot as well. The Sunday was spent being lazy and resting. I was debating on my options and what to do. I got suggestions from a lot of people and they were all appreciated, but didn't come any closer on what to do. During the afternoon 2 other hikers dropped in for the day. Gary, who started last year and had to drop out due to an injury, was back at it and ready to complete the journey. Skinny D, a 33 year old female who thru-hiked the PCT last year was giving it a go on the AT. The 3 of us went to The Blue Blaze for dinner and to watch some basketball. The food and the service there was excellent. Some of the best burgers I have had have been in towns along the trail. This time Gary and I shared a BBQ chicken pizza, and Skinny D being a vegetarian, had the black bean burger.I decided to give this thing another day and another zero Monday to see what would happen. I soaked my foot and relaxed again that night as conversation continued in the common area as it did the night before. I put a brace on it, downed some Vitamin I and went to bed.I woke up at 2 am doing everything I can not to scream due the pain I had. I was actually near tears. I texted my dad right then to come get me in the morning. I needed to get this thing looked at, and home is only 5 hours away. I spent the morning packing up very slowly waiting for my dad to get me about 2pm. Of course I went to Blue Blaze Cafe for lunch, watch some Opening Day Pirates baseball till my dad came and got me.So it's either a shin splint, or a fracture of some kind. Both need rest to heal, but one takes longer than the other. Only one way to find out and that's having a doctor look at it. I can't afford to hurt it anymore because my profession depends on walking. I'm hoping to get back on the trail soon if its a splint, but for now I'm heading home. Again. I'm not happy.
Date: 2014-03-31
From: Damascus, VA

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0

Went to the doctor mainly to see if there was a fracture in my leg, and when or if I can get back on the trail. After some Xrays and a consultation from the doctor she concluded that I had Celluitus, a skin infection that I got from scratching my poison ivy looking bumps on my leg. An antibiotic shot in the butt and a 10 day supply of oral antibiotics should do the trick. I can now see my ankle bone which is nice and can walk around without crutches. The immediate future of returning to the trail is optimistic but I'm gonna take my time so I can heal properly. In the meantime I can see my daughter, watch some Buccos games, and attend the WSOP event in Cherokee which I really didnt want to miss anyway. I guess this is why they say you can't plan this hike. Too much can happen. I have hiked 445 miles which is the same distance from my parents house in North Carolina to downtown Pittsburgh via West Virginia, yet still have over 1700 more miles to go. I dont exactly have a time frame to finish, but it HAS to be this year unless I want to attempt again in another 7+ years. I have learned alot so far, but still have a hard time taking my time and not worrying about the miles. I know I can't hike the entire trail in one day but sometimes I try. I want to over power and conquer the mountain instead of just taking what it gives me. When I return, my mental approach will be different though it will not be easy to change. "Hike your own hike" (HYOH) is an annoying saying you hear over and over at nauseam, but there is so much truth to it, and it means something new every week. I get so worried about the big rush catching up to me and it's just silly. Stop worrying Figgy. There is a reason for everything. Hopefully in a week I will be back at it again. Thats the goal.
Date: 2014-04-07
From: Low Gap

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

What a difference a week makes. Two weeks ago I hiked for days without seeing anyone to now where I can't go a mile without tripping over a north-bounder. The rush is here!I went to Cherokee with my parents to play in a couple poker tournaments run by the WSOP. How convenient concidering Cherokee is only about 2 hours away from my trailhead. At noon they dropped me off at Low Gap where I was 8 days earlier with my busted up left leg. Warmer weather and definatly drier than before, I packed up at the stone picnic table and realized I forgot my water bottle. Hilarious! Before I was done the 1st thru-hiker came trotting along. His name is 2-forks. I didn't quite get all the info but he said the name was given to him and most hikers are at some crossroads in life. So i guess he is at some fork in the road? I didn't press much but he seemed to like the name.The hike might be one of the easiest stretches on the entire AT, at least it was this far. Perfect to test out the legs and my new orange Ronald McDonald trail shoes. I will say by ends day I was missing my Oboz boots. My knees where really feeling it by the end of the day, and I can only attribute it to the change in footwear. My shin however felt great.The 15 miles to Damascus was easy and quick. I really didnt think I was going to get into town with the noon start but I'm just trying to stop planning this damn thing and just hike. I stayed at Dave's Place again as I did last week and headed over to The Blue Blaze for dinner. What great food they have there. If this place was in Raleigh I would frequent, that's what I think of the place. Last week maybe 3 or 4 hikers. Now 25 packed this place! Last week they closed at 9, today.... probably much much later. Met a hiker named Tree. Given name, tall, loves nature, among other things associated with the word "tree". For the most part everyone seemed to know each other which is expected so I just blended in and watched these guys drink beer, play pool, and unsuccesfully hit on the few females in the room. Very entertaining. The National Championship game was also on so I kept my eye on that as well, but I was getting tired and wanted to head back to the hostel. Another change is this is the first night I kept pushing the bag off me cause it was too warm. Before the bag was not just for warmth but survival.... a week changes everything.Song of the day, Still the One, -Orleans "After all these years, your still the one I want whispering in my ears"Movie of the day, Twister.
Date: 2014-04-08
From: Damascus, VA

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Stayed at Dave's Place and never met anyone else there although it was full. Walked about a mile to a breakfast place called "In the Country" No one was there as it seemed like a place that had no identity. They were a breakfast place that was also a ice cream place, and it was hard to tell if it was a sit down joint or not.... kinda strange. But I nailed some eggs and bacon with 3 pancakes, and hit the trail.The AT follows the the Virginia "Creeper Trail" for a while. Its a bike/horse trail that goes for several miles with a slight downhill grade which makes it very popular for families to bike cause of the many miles you can go without even peddling. Very scenic as well as it follows Laurel Creek. My shin was again giving me problems as I started feeling the same stiffness as I did before. This is becoming very tiresome and frustrating... Im not going home again! I continue to take the oral antibiotics hoping its just a matter of time for this thing to go away. I decided to take a break at the creek and soak my legs in the water. Wow! It was ice cold but seemed to help a bit. I stopped in at Lost Mountain Shelter undecided if I was going to camp there or not. I couldn't believe how many people was at this shelter when I arrived. Im used to sheltering by myself or maybe with 2 or 3 more, at least 16 were already here. Of course I didnt know anybody which is awkward so I just stayed to myself and observed. I ended up meeting a few of them but very briefly. Trillium and her dad two-weeks, Mogley who just graduated from Appalachian State, and Happy who went to NC State but was very sick, vomited most of the day and fell down from exhaustion when he showed up. Come to find out a lot of hikers have left Damascus sick. I love Blue Blaze Cafe but something funky is going on with their food. I had the burger and felt good....so it must be the pizza.I observed long enough and headed for my tent to journal and read while I still had sunlight left. My shin was throbbing and I'm worried that it won't go away. So frustrating! Still chilly enough at night but the temperature is improving. Song of the day, Im Alright, -Kenny LoginsMovie of the day, Karate Kid. "Leave him alone Johnny, he's had enough!"