morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-04-22
From: Wesser Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 137.3

Day 10. 4/20/15. The time in Franklin was nice but by today I was itching to get back on the trail. Did the 14.8 miles to wayah shelter, but felt like I still had more gas, so I kept going. The problem was I took a right instead of a left, following a yellow blaze trail that had been running with the AT. I guess I was lost in deep thought. Well, I went 5.3 miles down the wrong trail. Blast it all! It was late so I set up camp, knowing I would have to retrace the 5.3 miles up hill first thing in the morning.Day 11. 4/21/15. So I did the stinking 5.3 miles plus back up to the AT, straight up hill. So after that lovely lesson learned, I will now pay closer attention to the sometimes elusive white blazes. I then headed another 10.6 miles on to Wesser bald shelter. It was a nice evening in that shelter. After all the rainfall of the previous day's, we were finally able to build a camp fire, the first of the trek.Day 12. 4/22/15. Just a short, but hard 6 miles trip down the mountain into the famed NOC. Nantahala Outdoor Center. I'm doing this update from this beautiful spot, offering rafting, kayaking, and full outfitter for us hiker types. Everything is great - just sore feet and a little IT band pain in the left knee. Those rugged downhills do that. But feel myself getting stronger everyday. You know - " strong like ze BULL. Keep Charging.   BULL
Date: 2015-04-25
From: fontana lodge

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

At Fontana Lodge waiting out another storm system moving thru today. The real reason I'm waiting is because I have some shin splints low on my left shin. It feels like someone hit me a few cracks with a hammer in that spot. Hopefully by morning, with some intense ibuphrophen, it will be some better. Pray. It's these hard pounding downhill sections that are hurting the old bones. I'm having a great time, and I'm looking forward to "keep charging".   BULL
Date: 2015-05-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hey everyone! I am alive - I know some family and friends were beginning to wonder. I rolled out of the Smokies on Thursday evening having spent five days in that seventy-some mile stretch. I spent a day longer than I wanted to in that part, nursing what I had earlier reported as shin splints. turns out that I have some kind of mystery bacterial infection in my lower left leg(self diagnosed), and started on a antibacterial antibiotic on Wednesday(self-prescribed)I , thank God had decided to bring this medication that I had gotten last summer after I had a tooth extracted - and had never used it. I've also been slamming 800mg of Ibuprophen a few times a day(we call it vitamin I out here on the trail). So I'm sitting at mile marker 274 in Hot Springs NC, waiting for tomorrow morning when I can pick up my food drop box at the Post Office and be on my way. Just as well I have the rest day. My left leg which had been about twice the size of the right is just about back to normal. PTL.Thanks for the prayers and well wishes thru email and other ways. I love hearing from anyone - it's encouraging. Bye for now. Blessings.
Date: 2015-05-07
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 95.2

I'm glad to report that my left leg is almost completely well. Finished the antibiotic yesterday and have been hiking fairly long days with no ill effect.I'm not sure if I have the above mileage calculator figured out yet or not - maybe. Just in case I haven't I'm sitting at 341.5, in Erwin Tenn.Things of note in the last few days since Hot Springs are: I passed the 300 mile mark on Tuesday (day 25), and this late afternoon, after arriving at this hostel, a guy walked up to me and introduced himself as "Bull". So I've now actually had the privilege of crossing paths with the "other bull in the pasture". Fun. We later took the shuttle van out to an Italian restaurant and enjoyed a good meal together, with a bunch of other hikers.I look forward to getting back on the trail in the morning, after a good breakfast of course.Great to have many of you email my guest book. Always great to hear from you.Keep Charging - BULL
Date: 2015-05-13
From: Hampton Tenn.

To: damascus in two days
Miles today: 84.1

So here goes for a quick update as I sit in McDonalds swilling coffee at 6:30 am this Wednesday morning, waiting for the local post office to open so I can pick up my Dropbox, and be on my way once again.Saturday 5/09/15 was the first night so far that I had a trail shelter all to my self. Two miles beyond the Stan Murray shelter that I stayed at was the very popular and much photographed "Barn", so everyone usually bypasses lonely Stan Murray - not me. Fortunately, because few people stay there it's not a favorite spot for the mice either. The shelters are notorious for mice.Sunday marked one calendar month on the trail, along with being Mother's Day. Yes, I did manage to call my sweet mama and thank her for being such a sweet mom. Also on Sunday I passed the 400 mile mark on this long trek. Whoopie!!Yesterday, Tuesday I did a shorter day of 14.9 miles into Hampton Tenn. But then had to walk the 2.5 miles down into town because no one would pick up this sorry looking hitch hiker. I have to be honest and say I was not speaking blessings over this town on that walk. My feet actually hurt for the first time in weeks because of beings constantly wet the last few days.We've had lots of late afternoon thunder and lightning storms for several days now- keeping my boots, thus my feet constantly wet. In fact I walked over a high grassy bald on Saturday with lightning hitting way too close.??Think I'll have another breakfast sandwich and be on my way. Keep Charging.   BULL
Date: 2015-05-15
From: Damascus VA

To: Marion VA
Miles today: 44.0

Wed. 5/13/15 Day 33. Picked up my Dropbox in Hampton Tenn and got shuttled back up to the trail head by Sutton Brown, the very accommodating owner of the Braemar Castle Hostel where I stayed Tuesday night. Started hiking around 10:30am, and because of the late start got in 15.7 miles.Thurs. 5/14/15 Day 34.This was a great day on the trail in about every possible way. Had a good night on wed with a bunch of kids at the Iron Mtn Shelter, and got out off there early, to push for Damascus. This ended up being my longest mile day yet of 25.8. Also, right in the middle of the day was trail magic. Love that. Keep charging. BULL
Date: 2015-05-19
From: Marion VA

To: Marion
Miles today: 64.1

Saturday. 5/16/15. Day 36.Left the largest hiker festival in the country this late morning and headed for the hills again. Damascus trail days had tons of good free food, exhibitors, outfitters, authors, speakers, revellers, ministries to hikers galor. Fun. But after a day and a half I had had enough. This ended up being a very wet day on the trail - oh well.Sunday. 5/17/15. Day 37.Today on the picturesque Grayson Highlands I passed the 500 mile mark. This area would put you in mind of the setting for the movie Braveheart - wild and rugged grassy, rocky balds. To add to the austere beauty are hundreds of wild ponies. With hundreds of hikers walking thru their living space every year they have become quite tame, allowing us to just walk right through the herd.Monday. 5/18/15. Day 38.First one out of the shelter today. This is quite typical that the older hikers are the first ones up, fed, and on the trail for the day. Doesn't mean much, the faster young stock blow your doors off by noon, and are off to their destination.?? Wanted to get into Troutdale today to experience a hostel that a little Baptist Church runs here. What do you do to have a real world ministry when you are in a tiny church in a tiny town(200 people), the only outside visitors are smelly, needy, hungry( in more ways than one) hikers - you do whats in front of you and build a hostel for hikers. A real shout out to Pastor Ken Riggins and his people. Great little spot.Tuesday. 5/19/15 day 39.Headed into Marion Va. ( ironic) to try to replace my boots which have had it. The toe of my right boot came apart yesterday after 650 miles, including warm break in miles at home. Not bad. Replaced them with the only thing I could find, a pair of NB trail runners. All for now.Keep Charging. BULL.
Date: 2015-05-22
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Bastian VA.for dropbox
Miles today: 56.4

Wednesday. 5/20/15. Day 40.Wow, forty days, I wonder if that has special meaning? Got the excellent Shute that Marion VA offers hikers back up to the trailhead around 9 am, intending to do as many miles as possible, knowing that I have a resupply Dropbox coming to Bastian VA Friday. By the end of the very wet day, I had just passed the one quarter complete mark on the trail, and was out of day and out of energy. I had gone 20.9 miles in about 10 hours. We hikers figure that two miles an hour is decent speed on most AT terrain.Thursday. 5/21/15. Day 41.Well, today ended the way it started - WET. The middle of the day was fairly nice. Again, my goal was fairly big miles today so that tomorrow I could cruise into Bastain without having to really push too hard. So by the time I got to Jenkins Shelter, which was my goal, I had covered 23.6 miles, and set mysf up for hopefully an easier day Friday. About 11 hours of hiking today, much of it strenuous and laborious. Friday. 5/22/15.My daughter inlaw's birthday today. Happy Birthday Michaela!! The 11.9 miles into Bastian flew by pretty quickly allowing me to arrive at the road to Bastain by noon. Problem - I cled the post office from the mountain a bit earlier to find that Bastain PO now only has half days!?#¢¬¢¢¢¢¢¢. . To complicate matters, there is no lodging at l in Bastain, where now I am forced to pick up my box Saturday morning. As I am contemplating my situation by the side of the road a van pulls up - it's Bubba, of Bubba's Shuttle service. He offers to drive me into Bland, the town in the other direction five miles, where there is lodging, then to morrow morning drive me to Bastain to get my box, then back to the trailhead - for free.God is surely good to me.I'm tired. Good night. Until next update.....Keep Charging.   BULL??
Date: 2015-05-31
From: Daleville VA

To: Dropbox in Glasgow
Miles today: 134.0
Weather: light rain

It's been so long since the last update I don't know if it makes sense to try to do a daily update, but here goes a brief shot at it. Saturday 5/23/15 Day 43.Hiked 18.4 miles today from my stay in Bland where Bubba got me where I needed to be to get resupply and carry on. I tented at Trents Grocery where camping and showers are available. It was a quiet night with a few other friendly hikers. I took a picture of the store front sign and sent it to my son Trent, and wished I could hang out with him for a little while. Broke the 600 mile mark today.Sunday 5/24/15. Day 44.Was tired all day today. Never really got into that hiker cruising gear. Stumbled into Wood Hole Hostel around 3 pm. This is probably the mostly amazing hostel of my bike so far. Pretty much self sustaining, with gardens, bees, animals, beautiful chestnut log building, and the most awesome new shower house. They get butter, icecream, and such from local Amish. I could stay there for a while.Monday. 5/25/15. Day 45Wood hole hostel to Rice Field Shelter. Maybe the most beautiful setting for a shelter so far on the trail, facing an open field that goes slightly up to a 240 degree panoramic view of a fertile valley below. Wow. 21 mile day.Tuesday. 5/26/15. Day 46.Had intentions of doing bigger miles today, but rolled into Bailey Gap Shelter around 3:30 pm in fairly heavy rain that I thought would stop soon. The rain didn't stop soon so I changed into dry camp clothes, made some hot food and chilled out for the evening. 16.4 miles.I should add here that this has been the toughest week on the trail for me mentally/emotionally so far. Thoughts and memories of the final few days with Ingerlin rolled over and over in my mind. Sadness. Numbing pain. I really just wanted to go to a hostel or hotel and hide for a while but there were none close. It dawned on me later in the week that this was partly prompted by ingerlins 60th birthday coming up on May 30th.Wednesday. 5/27/15. Day 47.Had a serious drop in blood sugar or something this afternoon. Totally hit a wall just before getting to the Sharver Shelter. Managed to get there, finishing 21 miles. I need to pack more snacks??Thursday 5/28/15. Day 48.Two times today black rat snakes, about 5 feet long, would not yield the trail to me. I had to find long branches and pitch them off the trail. Snakes really freak me out. Managed 22.8 miles despite the snakes and got to the Four Pines Hostel, which had about 40 hikes hanging around. I pitched my tent on the hill behind and had a peaceful night.Friday. 5/29/15. Day 49.New personal best of 27 miles today to get into Daleville where I neesed to to some resully and some gear changes. Time to send my 20 degree sleeping bag to Dina-rae and buy a new pair or shorts that won't fall off my now skinny butt, or should I say hips?? a night at HoJos is nice. I took a hot bath and thought for a moment I was in heaven.So today Sunday I'm set to hit the trail after a restful day Saturday- may 30th, what would have been Ingerlins 60th birthday. I know she had a good day. Yeah.Keep Charging BULL??
Date: 2015-06-02
From: Dropbox in Glasgow

To: Beuna Vista
Miles today: 55.0

Just a quick update from Glasgow- VA that is not Scotland. Although I've been in the highlands lately. I'm here to pick up another dropbox, that is a box of food that I put together before the trip and gave to my sweet daughter Dina-rae to "drop" when I gave her the word.So it's been in another cycle of humidity, resulting in late afternoon thunder and rain storms about every day. It just means everything gets quite wet, despite our best efforts to keep gear dry. It's just water.??Hope to head back out to the trail in the morning if the box arrives. It's great hearing from many of you either thru guestbook emails here or other ways. All is well with me. Doing better after a more downer week last week.More soon hopefully.Keep Charging.   BULL??
Date: 2015-06-08
From: Waynesboro VA

To: Shenendoahs
Miles today: 74.0

So here i am in Waynesboro VA. I came into town yesterday late morning after a short five mile hike in from Paul C. Wolfe shelter where I had spent Saturday night - a beautiful spot to camp by a rushing noisy stream, swollen a bit by the recent rains.Saturday I had hiked just shy of 30 miles(29.6 that is, to be precise). I had not intended to go so far, but Friday night at the Priest Shelter I was awakened about 2:00am by mice chewing holes in my tent. One was successful, I dispatched it(I smashed the crap out of it with my shoe, and more were trying, so I got up at 3:00am, packed up, and was hiking by 4:00am.By early afternoon I was around the twenty mile mark when I entered a ten mile stretch where camping was prohibited because of bear activity. So, I kept pushing until I reached Paul Wolfe around 5:00pm - I was, needless to say, totally exhausted.So, back to the present. I'm here in Waynesboro and I have discovered that my primary piece of equipment, my backpack is broken. The internal frame is literally broken, and a part of it missing. No wonder the thing has been very uncomfortablr for the last couple of weeks. I was thinking it was uncomfortable because I had lost so much weight that it wasn't fitting properly any longer. Well yesterday i decided to examine it closely and discovered the busted frame. Today I have to go back to a local outfitter who is going to call NorthFace for me to try to get it replaced. I pray they are understanding, and stand by their product - if not I'll have to bite the bullet and go with a new and different brand.Just part of life on the trail I guess. Will let you know the end of the story.Keep Charging BULL
Date: 2015-06-14
From: Front Royal

To: next stop Harpers Ferry WV.
Miles today: 116.3

Since the last entry I've trekked the entire length of the beautiful and peaceful Shenandoah National park plus a little more. It has been a good week, much of the week a little more like a vacation, with it's slightly smoother trail surface, and ocaasional wayside restaurants, with their trail famous blackberry shakes.So I had to purchase a new Osprey backpack, and I don't know what NorthFace is going to do about the busted one yet- maybe nothing the rate they are moving on it. Disappointing.Tuesday Day 60. 6/09/15.Started my trek into the Shenandoahs in the morning after signing in at the self serve kiosk on the trailhead. About 100 miles of the AT thread thru the Shenandoahs. 20.7 miles today.Wednesday Day 61. 6/10/15.The most incredible trail magic happened today. I don't see how it can be topped. I was pushing for a high mileage day and popped out of the woods at Swift Run Gap, about to renter the trail on the other side of the road with a fellow hiker O'Ryan, when a truck beside us blew it's horn. An older guy( Max Factor - trail name) jumps out of the truck and comes around to us. He offers to take us to his condo, cook us dinner, let us shower, do laundry, eat snacks sleep in a bed, cook us breakfast and drive us back to the trailhead first thing in the morning. We thought he was kidding. He wasn't. We ate pot roast. Best I've ever had. Showered and did laundry. I slept in a king sized bed in a room by myself, after eating every kind of snack all evening. Breakfast was as incredible as dinner. Max is a former hiker and a medical doctor who comes to this vacation condo on his vacation time to bless people with the love of Jesus and in memory of a precious son that he lost in a tragic accident. I shall never forget his amazing generosity and kindness.Thursday day 62. 6/11/15Did 20.5 miles today and found this to be a day or tremendous enjoyment. A more relaxed pace and more breaks than I normally allow myself. Had one of the Shenandoahs Wayside Restaurants famous Blackberry Milkshakes today. They are worth taking about.Friday. Day 63. 6/12/15.Early start today from Rock Spring Hut and managed 23.4 miles by early evening.Saturday. Day 64. 6/13/15.Eased into a fairly low mileage day heading down into the trail town and the historic area of Front Royal VA, where a couple of drop odds are waiting for me on Monday morning when the PO opens.Hope everyone is doing well out there including my sweet Mom who celebrated another birthday last Tuesday. We are thankful that Mom is still enjoying fairly good health and loving life. Much love to you. Keep Charging. BULL
Date: 2015-06-21
From: next town stop Duncannon

To: Duncannon PA
Miles today: 133.4

Since my last update I've crossed the 1000 mile mark and today the 1100 mile mark, and with that have officially stepped over the half way point of my journey. Also since writing last I've gone from Virginia into West Virginia, where at Harper's Ferry at the Appalachian Trail main office site I got my official picture taken and had it placed in the official thru hiker book. That was fun. Then from West Virginia I did the quick 40 some miles thru Maryland(very rocky but not so many up and downs), and am now in PA. state number seven(of fourteen).Two stories I need to tell you.The first is another thunder and lightning story. Thursday, June 18, I was in George Washington state park in rural Maryland, when in the late afternoon a crazy thunder and lightning storm broke open in full fury. I had nowhere to run and hide . There was no time separation between the flashes and the bangs - if you know what I mean. And I was hiking in the water up past my ankles. All i could do was keep walking. Then I heard sirens, and they kept getting closer and closer. Finally the emergency vehicle speeds past me(I'm on the road/trail leading to the summit now). when I get to the top I found out that the lightning had stuck the monument, blowing one 24 year old girl out of the structure(not hitting her directly)and down the front steps onto the stone front entry area. She was bleeding from a serious head injury, but was awake and oriented. That's how close the lightning was. I didn't rubberneck too long - I walked on. that's what I do.The second story is another trail angel story. I went into Waynesboro PA on Friday because I needed new trail runners. the old ones lasted 500 miles - not bad. So I got my shoes, noticed that there was an all you can eat Chinese buffet next door, so I went and did some "serious damage" there. Coming out I was having a conversation with myself about where to go for the night when a car pulls up beside me with a cute mid twenties girl driving. She asks if she can give me a drive somewhere. I tell her I was just trying to figure that out, but I guess Days Inn would be a good place. As we are on the way she explains that she thru hiked last year and there is nothing she would like to do more than take me to her folks place for the night(she lives with her parents), it's no problem she says. Long story short, they fed me, did laundry for me, gave me a room, made me dinner, talked with me all evening, gave me breakfast(great coffee), and in the morning Emily(the girl) drove me back to the trail. Talk about trail magic baby!! Amazing. More later. Keep Charging BULL
Date: 2015-06-30
From: Wind Gap PA

To: Delaware Water Gap PA
Miles today: 175.8

Again it's been a long time since the last update. Not many chances with good connection.The night of my last update my daughter forwarded an email she recieved from a dear life long friend of my wife, Barb Syvertson. Barb and Ed, her husband had read my post late that Sunday night and saw that I would be hiking to Boiling Springs PA, close to were they live. Barbs email asked that, please, would I allow them to pick me up in Boiling Springs and spend the night with them at their home nearby. I'm sure glad I agreed. We had a lovely evening of catching up over great food. That evening before we turned in Barb asked if I would be interested in being driven up to Duncannon the next morning so that I could hike the 25.6 miles back to Boiling Springs and spend another night with them. Then the next morning she would drive me back to Duncannon again where I would continue my journey. I'm sure glad I took her up on that. Another great evening and night with these sweet folks. Thanks Ed and Barb - so fun to see you both again.Several twenty plus mile days that week. Thursday 6/25/15 I saw my first Rattlesnake on the trail. About I four footer and pretty lethargic, thank God. We had to assist him gently of the trail after we took some pictures. He's famous now.The thing that PA is renown for amoung the AT community is its rocks. Now you have to understand these are not just any old rocky hiking trails. Some of the sections of this state are so crazy rocky that I have to stop, stare in unbelief, and just laugh outloud (to keep from crying). Bruised feet and new hiking shoes that last literally less than a week are the norm. I only have one day left in Rocksylvania??I got rained off the trail again today here in the little town of Wind Gap PA. I'm such a wimp. And like I said I expect to finish this state tomorrow. Just a few days in NJ and NY and I will be in New England. the long awaited, and much anticipated home stretch to Katahdin.Keep Charging BULL