morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-05-24
From: Fish Hatchery Rd. (Dutch Haus B&B)

To: Maupin Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.2

Procedural note- incision and drainage for the treatment of an abscess with surrounding cellulitis.AT Hiker/pt ID #278572(do not try this at home)Patient was found to have a cellulitis (superficial skin infection) resultant from a neglected blister that had abscessed (i.e. filled with pus). Procedural technique was discussed and informed consent was verbally obtained. Provider and patient reviewed history of communicable diseases and risk of contact percaitions. The patient was placed prone (on her tummy) on the bath mat and the right heel was non-sterilely prepped with dial and alcohol and draped with a hand towel. A well-washed knife was further cleaned with alcohol wipes as the patient gripped the tub for bravery. A horizontal incision, 2cm in length was made. Malodorous pus was obtained and cleared of the region both spontaneously and with gentle expression. The patient was then instructed to have routine hot soaks. The patient reported a pain free course of care.Follow up- within 12 hours the cellulitis had resolved, there was no further drainage, pre-procedural discomfort had cleared¢¦Tomorrow back to real job of hiking. PS swimming season is here!
Date: 2008-05-25
From: Maupin Creek Shelter

To: Waynesboro (YMCA)
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: clear sky

Up and down and up and ...Yesterday we had some massive ascents and descents. My knees were glad to see some reprieve today. After Humpback Mt. it was a steady day of hiking without climax. My motivation was low. I knew I wanted to get onto Waynesboro, but my heart would not give me more than two miles an hour. After six of the twenty miles I sat by a roadside waiting for some trail magic (that had been markedly absent this holiday weekend). Just as I was packing up, magic appeared as Bronco. I had not seen Bronco since after the Smokies. There he was, plus he had news Sampson was in town! Bronco said he would pick me up at Rockfish gap and save me the seven mile hitch into town. Magic, with motivation ¢ Bronco was going to pick me up in six hours, and I had 16 miles to go!!!I made it in 5 hours and 15 minutes. So powerful!!!I decided to camp at the YMCA for the low, low price of Free. The weather was fine and the crowd was perfect. There was Sampson, Creek Diver, Wooly, 85, the list goes on and on. For Memorial Day Dr. Zayus was going to be working the grill. Hiker Heaven- tonight will be warmer and tomorrow a ZERO. I have spoken it and it will be so...the Five Knuckle Shuffle Reunites!
Date: 2008-05-26
From: Waynesboro (YMCA)

To: Waynesboro (YMCA)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

A wealthy development.I would like to give great praise to the Waynesboro YMCA. They offer a beautiful field with grill, picnic table and benches to weary hikers at no cost. In addition we are welcome to use their showers and bathrooms. They even provide free diddy bags filled with toiletries, candy, and other hiker sized treats. Even when it rained I was happy to be there.It was hot today, easily in the eighties, with early evening showers. I was happy not to be hiking and found Sampson warming to the idea as the sun beat down on us, forcing us into the shade. We had a diner breakfast, a picnic lunch and slept through dinner. Bones woke us up and we rallied just in time for my friend Rich to arrive. Rich drove more than eight hours to come and taste a sampling of the AT lifestyle. We greeted him with a warm beer and watched as he set up his tent in the dark, rain soaked field. Quite the first taste.Tomorrow we will trump Waynesboro and head into the Shenandoah park.
Date: 2008-05-27
From: Waynesboro (YMCA)

To: mystery camping spot
Miles today: 11.0

Four hour tourWell, Rich got a fair taste of hikers in town, especially when provided with rides. Grocery store, breakfast, pharmacy, ABC store, we even flirted with the idea of a movie! Nononono we are hikers- to the trail, well... one more stop at the outfitters. Typical noonish start time. It was nice footing and gentle rolling elevation changes but we were all weighed down by our massive food bags! I had food for six to seven days, Sampson food to feed six or seven families. We decided to call the day done at 5:30 which is right around the time we found we were nowhere near water, and none of us had any.We drew straws (actually bits of twig), the most unbiased way to determine the members of the mission, to see who would be the lucky pair. Moments later Beartrap and I were on a twelve-liter mission that would resultantly take an hour and a half. Long and short of it was we found water by descending a trail that had been abandoned for 15 years only to find what appeared to be a dry creek. In a blaze of genius however we found that it wasn't all for naught. Beartrap pushed aside some leaves, and when he found them to be damp he dug deeper. Hitting water finally, we dug a bigger section clear and hunted for a while as it cleared. Finding nothing else we returned to the leaf well, filled up and started the arduous journey home.Rich and I made pasta with salmon, green onions and tomatoes. We enjoyed fresh bread dipped in olive oil as we cooked- crazy section hikers and their tasty food.In honor of Memorial Day, May Monday Menus was postponed. We ate ¢ sorry for any confusion.Tomorrow more hiking with Rich and crew- until then
Date: 2008-05-28
From: mystery camping spot

To: Loft Mt. Campground
Miles today: 10.2

Round two for RichAhhh, the leisure of the trail. This morning it was raining and there seemed to be an unspoken agreement that we weren't going anywhere until the rain stopped. So what this lead to was another eleven am start time. Sampson had convinced himself that we were further from the trail so when we crossed onto AT he exclaimed "what is this?" Stiches, torents of giggles- only the same trail you have been on for 850+ miles! Silly hikers, so easily amused.We walked for some time and Rich called uncle. Concerned about fatigue and driving we made some quick desicions and galloped ahead to Loft Mt. campsite. We were joined later by the rest of our cohorts and feasted on campstore delights. A fire, then off to bed for a sleepy crew. Tomorrow, north, south and north again.
Date: 2008-05-29
From: Loft Mt. Campground

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: few clouds

Flip flop/ pitter patterAs Rich headed off for his hitch hike back to his car I headed South. Yup- I hiked back to cover the miles we had skipped in our magic by pass. I was worried about catching a ride back North as Skyline Drive is all about driving and less about giving rides. I was hustling, knowing I wanted to cover the lost miles and still catch up with Sampson and Butters. I landed at the gap with a big sigh that was answered back by some fellow hikers out for the day. I told them my plight and within minutes I was back to my first starting point to start off again. MAGIC!I soon found Butters and soon we were united in our quest to find Sampson. Well not four miles later we did. He had stopped early, feeling tired, ill and without much motivation. We gladly joined him and called it an early day. The park is so beautiful I feel no pressing desire to run through it. There was a wonderful crowd at the shelter and after visiting and story telling we all headed off to bed for some much needed rest (yesterday was another cold ie sleepless night for many)Tomorrow maybe more, maybe less, maybe snakes, maybe bear but all north!Kudos to Rich for a great visit and for bring class to our hiker society. Thanks for visiting!!!
Date: 2008-05-30
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: clear sky

By the by, a hut is just Shenandoah speak for shelter, they are no fancier.Up early this morning, or so I thought. I came down the hill from my tent site at 6:30 and the shelter (hut) was already empty. Strange Habit reported that all the shelter sleepers had left an hour ago! Slack jawed I was. Butters and I left as Sampson rolled out of bed and we started the morning with a special treat. There in the creek bed was a momma black bear and one of her cubs flipping rocks, looking for snacks. They were about 15ft off the trail and Butters and I took a few photos. I felt falsely safe as long as I was standing on the trail. Silly hikers and their trail logic. An exciting experience, Butters was truly invigorated by the experience.I slept well but felt a bit under the weather. By eleven I felt as if I was down a lung and breathing like day one. Not a good feeling. By noon we had reached Hightop Hut, with plans for 12.4 more but we all decided to call it a day. I napped on and off, even held back on a few stories. I feel okay, but nervous for tomorrow. Going this speed will give us a better chance of seeing Beatbox and Rocksteady as they come out of Waynesboro.The park is beautiful, and slow is okay. Slow is okay.....Hold your breath, I felt like I was holding mine.
Date: 2008-05-31
From: Hightop Hut

To: Bearfence Mountain Hut
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

The Hut Hip HopI was feeling a bit better, but certainly not at 100% back to my power level. I slept well, besides the nightmares of being socially out of control, I don't know if that is a true reflection of how I feel about these mini mile days. Bah, Sampson snapped me out of my humbug and we hiked merrily in the 80+ degree weather. Ahhh the heat v. the cold. Sampson and I had evaluated the situation regarding our food bags and found it to be rather bleak. Neither of us had planned to be in the park for such a prolonged period of time. We figured our best bet was at an approaching camp store, low selection + high cost- only thing for miles around= perfect.A short term resupply, and a can of chef boyardee (or two) later we sat and watched the storm that we dodged roll in. Hiker success-missing a storm and staying dry. Well, while waiting out the storm hours had passed and resultantly we had another short day. Where is the fire, it isn't a race (repeat this twelve times to justify sloth). While we were puttering around, to make reaaaaaal sure the rain had passed we met Web Breaker who thru hiked in 2000 and gave us a plate full of brownies!!!Happiness is...Tomorrow a wayside (read shake and fries) and maybe some hiking...P.S. - we passed 900 miles!!!!
Date: 2008-06-01
From: Bearfence Mountain Hut

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Another beautiful morning in the park. I may be in love with my tent. There is something so sweet about a perfectly sized space, to have all to yourself, in the great outdoors. It was cold last night so we all slept in a bit to get a fair volume of shut-eye. I hoped we would see Beatbox and Rocksteady soon; north-bounders, moving faster than us, had reported sighting them.Fast moving north-bounders are a great source of information for what lay behind. The registers and south bounders provide information on what lay ahead. News that south-bounders share must be taken with a grain of salt. South-bounders can tell you who is where, good places to eat in upcoming towns, and when and where to get water, but when they tell you about the miles that lay ahead, apply caution. To generalize, it seems that every south-bounder will tell you that "oh it is all downhill, that climb is nothing" or maybe worse "oh man you are nowhere near the top, you got miles to go, it is all rocks too!" These statements are never made with malice (at least I hope not) but they are coming from someone from the other side of the table. I remember most of the climbs, but forget many. It is easy to forget the benign terrain and only recall the nasty stuff. I have learned to edit what news I take to heart. I am going to walk the miles anyhow, why fret over them before they happen based on what someone has said (I do this well enough on my own by staring at the profile).Enough! Let¢s hike!
Date: 2008-06-02
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

In style, out of touchLast night a thunderstorm rolled in. Just as the rain started really coming down a south-bounder named Seeds jumped under the roof of the shelter. We all applauded him. Two seconds later, with slacked jaws our applause was joined by whoops of awe as marble sized hail started pounding down. This hail would have injured any normal human but luckily we are strong powerful hikers. Luckily we were under the protective roof of the shelter and we did not have to test this theory.Today was beautiful and we saw another momma bear and her cubs. Soooo cute but not for cuddling! Sampson and I had lunch at one of the lodges in the park, as did many other hikers. High class dining seemed to be quite the juxtaposition to our weak, dirty hiker filth, so we ate,outside. Spoiled. Paninis, massive burgers, eggplant ¢ this isn¢t hiker food, but why fight it. I left full, tired and spent the rest of the day longing for home. I hope I can shake that feeling- it lends itself to apathy.I hope to leave this beautiful park soon. Making such slow progress is starting to weigh on my type A goal set. The feeling of stasis is making me fussy.Two more days at the most. At least that is all my food bag will allow.
Date: 2008-06-03
From: Pass Mountain Hut

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Way over yonderWaysides waylay you. A wayside is a bar and grill strategically placed on Skyline Drive for the motorists to fill their bellies and fund the park. A wayside is there, in a hikers mind, as a gift. Hot food that wasn't dehydrated, drinks on ice, mainly something you didn't have to carry. As the hiker pile up occurs in towns, so does it at the wayside, some times consuming as many as twelve hikers at a time for upwards of three hours. It is probably best that this only happens in the park.It is because of one of these hiker pileups that we were once again (does that make six reunions) reunited with Beatbox and Rocksteady. They, along with Beavis and six others, had come into camp a little past midnight. Only on the AT can you be traveling just mere miles from someone, on the same path, and not know they are there. I met people I had never met before, and saw people that I had never expected to see again. For me, experiences like this resuscitate the energy of the trail. I felt it and hiked like I had wings.I hiked most of the morning with SuperChunk (a nurse from NC) and BondEye (chemical engineer from Philly). When we reached the first shelter at a little after four there were some decisions to be made. The original plan was to go 23 miles today, making Front Royal only three miles out. But that was the "original" plan- waylaid by the wayside. The boys chose to push on, but you know where night hiking stands with me (quick review- out of favor). I stayed with the five-knuckle shuffle. With a catch- I proposed that I would be at BondEye and SuperChunk¢s shelter in the morning before they left.All talk that Lady, but can she do it?
Date: 2008-06-04
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

A twister, a twister!Up and at ¢em! Bright and early nonetheless. My mother gifted to me an ability to wake up, sans alarm, at any perverse hour I preset in my mind. She also gave me the gift of anxiety. Because of the anxiety I am fearful that I won't wake up in time so I subconsciously wake up in 5-10 minute intervals up to an hour before the desired wake time! Inconvenient yes, useful yes, efficient no- get an alarm clock for goodness sake.So, as desired, I was on the trail by 5:30 with a coolness in the air I had forgotten and a hustle in my bustle unparalleled. There had been a dramatic lightning storm the night before so thankfully the cobwebs were few in number. I was haulin' - I had to put my pack where my mouth was. And did I ever- 10.5 miles before nine am. I am a hiking freak! Freakish that some days I move like I am a broken woman, other days- well more like a normal human. I think with the impending heat of summer this early morning method may have to become standard procedure. I found Super Chunk and Bond eye sitting at the shelter, just as surprised as I was that I made it. We hiked the last three miles into town and easily caught a hitch in. First stop coffee and breakfast, next stop shower and laundry. While we were doing our laundry the strangest thing happened. A tornado rolled through Front Royal. Yup, a real storm ball! Rain and wind and a tornado. We were happy to be safe, sheltered and dry- and hoped the same for all our friends on the trail.With no power, a nap was in order- and I obeyed.Tonight- who knows, tomorrow- more heat!Gotta get out of the South!
Date: 2008-06-05
From: Front Royal, VA

To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We're on a road to nowhere...Last night a wonderful trail escaping experience- a movie! Indiana Jones, all action, limited plot, and not a lick about the trail- perfect.Super chunk got a new pair of shoes in the mail. He actually got the same pair of shoes all over again. The photo is of what 900+ miles will do to a pair of shoes. Imagine what our bones look like!We had planned to hike. As is typical, we had approximately twenty errands to run, plus diner breakfast (my favorite part of town, well after shower and laundry) so it was nearly one when we started shouldering our packs. It was also 93 degrees out. But the Grateful Dead saved us from our Dread. Grateful Greenpeace Guy, a hiker and friend we met in the Smokies, ran into us and invited all over to relax and escape the heat. Us hikers- all leg, no arms- make for easy twisting. Burgers, hot dogs, beers and yes, even pi±a coladas (super chunk bought a blender just to make them) became our hiking plans.Genius- I hear Katadin is open until mid October.... At this rate, I may be cutting it close. Better go hiking, Virginia is very powerful, a tricky state to leave apparently. WV is still 37 miles away.
Date: 2008-06-06
From: Front Royal, VA

To: Ashby Gap
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Halfway is near... Let's review gear.With the halfway point looming closer I thought a review of my gear, my satisfaction, amendments made, its performance was in order. Remember it is all opinion based, and my personal preference. You will see a lot of the same gear, getting very different reports from lots of different hikers. For those of you who don't care about gear I will include with each entry a Sudoku puzzle.No sorry, that is not going to happen.It was hot today, so hot, and I saw my first S.O.S.S. I was not scared because Boggie pointed it out to me. Four feet long, moving without limbs or sound, a threat to my nerves. What is it? Snake of Significant Size.I hiked in grass as high as my shoulders and over and around many storm based blow downs. I collected two ticks on my legs and drank six liters of water. A red-letter day.Tomorrow temps into the high nineties and we can chat about clothing.
Date: 2008-06-07
From: Ashby Gap

To: Bears Den
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: broken clouds

These are a few of my favorite things...Today it was well into the nineties with humidity you could scoop with a ladle. Ick, really ick. Today was also the start of the "Rollercoaster". The Rollercoaster is a section of trail composed of approximately ten sharp ascents and descents in 13.5 miles. Just a little reminder that you aren't out of Virginia yet. Then to get a sense of the profile, google image ventricular tachycardia. Ugly, killer.Slowest miles ever. I put my headphones in and my head down but quickly snapped them off. I realized that in this heat there should be no powering forward, no push till the end of the song. If my body said stop I did, if I felt hot, I drank. Lots of sitting and lots of water equals slowest miles ever.I pulled into the Bears Den about eight hours after starting the day. At once I was rejuvenated! There was Bondi, Super Chunk, Hotwheels, Shutterbug and The Dog (Lucky and Red), all smiling all welcoming. The Bears Den is a old castle-like mansion that has been converted into a hostel. And what a deal- twenty-five dollars gets you a large pizza, a pint of Ben and Jerry¢s ice cream, a bunk, a shower, laundry and a soda. Dreamy really, all of it after a hot, hard day. The caretakers were wonderful and the grounds immaculate! Not to miss.Gear change:::Favorite top: Hind tank top- Campmor, less than ten dollars. Lightweight, light in color, wide straps to protect from the pack, and a long torso so it doesn't ride up. Its material is breathable and a quick drying synthetic. I love it. I have spent over 500 miles in it. No signs of deconstruction, no fading and frankly quite sharp looking on the trail.Favorite bottom: Outdoor Reasearch Skort. 600+ miles (now home, too warm for this heat). Quick drying, breathed well, but kept me warm when it was cold. Easy to use the facilities in and easy to take layers on and off with. Classy looking, real classic, great cut- even looked good with boots. Pockets were a plus.Tomorrow I will wrap up the rollercoaster, shut down Virginia, and aim for Harpers Ferry- the mental mid point...
Date: 2008-06-08
From: Bears Den

To: Keys Gap (into Harpers Ferry)
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: few clouds

Voted off Lady Island...Soooo, it was wicked hot again today. I wish I had not damned the cold quite as much as I did. Monkeys Paw! (a classic scary story reference-if you don't know it check it out!) I got up at 4:15 but it was too dark to hike, and then the sleep took me back. I think I only got four hours of sleep, I felt it all day, I got hiking by seven, the boys caught up to me fairly quickly. We celebrated crossing into West Virginia by sitting on a log, talking about the heat, drinking tepid water and discussing the news of Beavis quitting. Rocksteady reported an announcement of ending for Beavis when he reached the Bears Den this morning. Hopefully he will think over his choice and ultimately do what is best for him- totally left field news.The good news (to the bad) was that Rocksteady¢s parents were in town! All the way from Maine (a theme for our parents) they came to give him kisses and hug some smelly hikers. We were eager to see them, they were eager to see their son, and we were all happy to call it an early day (especially hot, chaffed, sweaty, poorly rested Lady) at Keys Gap. They greeted us with cookies and water, and promises of a hotel room down the hill. Dreams come true all the time on this trail!Changing Gear::: boosAsolo Stynger (sp?) boots for women- rejected back in TN- blisters, tendonitis-was it the boots fault? Really who knows but as soon as I went to trail runners all was better. I saw a lot of people on these boots and frankly no one was happy. The company though is reportedly very responsive when the sole starts to peel off.... Good and bad- I say skip them.Kelty 3-D light year sleeping bag, 25 degrees- not! Always cold. Light but bulky and poorly rated. The light weight is all for naught when you carry a fleece blanket, an additional liner, and extra clothes to sleep in. How fun is it to hike all day and fear sleeping- zero fun- I should have carried a bag rated closer to zero. It seemed those in down- never frowned.Tomorrow we will sign in at the ATC and continue to talk about how hot it is!