morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-07-12
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: High Point Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

~~~Yet ANOTHER Injury~~~Woke up this morning with my left leg hurting up the front. Guess what? Shin splints, which is a term used for someone who has damaged the muscle in the front of the leg. Josie told me that she and others had it when she was in Army Boot Camp. A classical hiking injury and it hurts like crazy.I didn't hike today; I again, hobbled. It's like hiking on a broken leg. Another day of exposed ridges and tears of pain. Took my lunch on the trail, again, because Rutherford Shelter was down this huge boulder area and there was no way I was hiking down there with a leg injury. The view was lovely and there was a cool breeze. Even made a phone call to Grace.Struggled the rest of the day. The trail comes out at High Point State Park into a parking lot and it momentarily confuses you. Not to worry. Went over to the Ranger's Station, used a "real" bathroom, got rid of my trash and found my way back on trail. Others would hike the two miles down to where the cold drinks and burgers are and, had I not had a shin splint, I would have too. Not today, though. Trudge on I did.Finally found the shelter and there was Freeman treating water. He was heading into Unionville, NY to this place called the Mayor's House, which I learned later was a hostel. I, however, could go no farther. And so, I spent the first night alone at a shelter, my hammock up. Dinner alone. Chores done alone. Of all people, the person who did stop by was the famous Warren Doyle, he of the fame of hiking the trail 16 times. He's leading a group of hikers, his eleventh expedition, up the trail at an alarming rate. They started in Georgia in May and plan to summit in early September, making it 20+ miles each and every day. BUT, they are a support group in that they are met every night with vans who ferry them to hotels or restaurants and such and carry / slack pack with a load of less than 10 pounds; a different way of hiking.Warren stopped in just to read the shelter journal and sign off on it. One of his group, a hiker named Calculator, also stopped by for a short break. We talked for a bit; I met him at the hostel in Deleware Water Gap. Very nice man.Lonely evening. Funny how sounds are magnified when you're alone and it's dark out. What I thought was a bear turned out to be noisy squirrels. I went to sleep.
Date: 2010-07-15
From: St. Thomas Episcopal Church Hostel

To: St. Thomas Episcopal Church Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

~~~Were it Not For My Legs and Feet, I'd Be Having a Great Time~~~Second day here at the hostel, icing down my leg and foot. Just an update on the latest injury; I developed a shin splint on my left leg which is an aggravation of the muscle that runs up the front of your calf and is extremely painful. It feels as though I was hiking on a broken leg.Hiking in northern New Jersey, there are several bogs that have wooden plank bridges that cross over the bogs to protect them from foot traffic. As I was hiking along on Monday, during a rain that made the planks slick, sure enough, my right foot went up and my left leg, the very leg that I was protecting, was jammed under a plank and the fall made my leg scrape up the very calf I was protecting.Three days later, the leg and foot are still swelled up and I have severe bruising on both sides on my left foot as well as the front of my leg with multiple contusions. Yep, it's just a doosey. I have spent these days at the hostel with either my feet elevated or icing down my leg. I still cannot get them into my trail shoes and I have decided to stay on here at the hostel until Saturday to continue icing down my leg and deciding if the trip is over for me.Freeman and Patch left this morning; the Canadian Geese have decided to stay another day to heal their own war wounds. I'm feeling a little left out; I just want to continue my hike and just feel tired at the end of the day as opposed to dealing with the latest boo boo.I can see now why so many people have to drop out due to injuries; accidents that happen for no reason other than being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I can handle blisters far better than leg injuries.And so, I leave in God's hands to show me the way to go. I feel as though I have just got my trail legs and little bit of trail wisdom and after sleeping two nights in a row by myself at shelters, I'm over the "lonely" factor.Dear Lord, if this is your way to help me slow down, I get it. Please don't give up on me now. This is really important to me and I've just got to finish it.
Date: 2010-07-16
From: St. Thomas Episcopal Church Hostel

To: St. Thomas Episcopal Church Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

~~~A Lonely Day at a Lovely Hostel~~~Third day of icing my leg and foot. I am a little bored and extremely anxious to go back on the trail. I don't even mind the mosquitos anymore, I just want to be back on the trail.Litefoot, Boomer and Canadian Geese left today and I have been alone this entire day, really expecting more hikers around dinner time. But nope, I'm here watching Whale Wars and thinking to myself, what is it about me and this hike that makes it so lonely? I expected a few nights by myself every now and then but this is making me ponder what God has planned for me.Here is a sample of research I found about the AT on Wikipedia:Hazards:Severe weatherAmerican Black BearTick-bourne diseasesMosquitosBiting fliesChiggersSteep gradesLimited waterDiarrhea from waterPoison IvyVenemous snakesThey forgot mice and lonliness. Hoping that the swelling in my foot and leg will go down miraculously throughtout the night so I can leave tomorrow. If not, I'll take another look at the situation, perhaps just one more day and I can get out on Sunday. I don't want to go home.Once again, all the hikers have left and I am here by myself. I tidied up what I could and vacuumed the carpet (this hostel, wisely, wants each hiker to do a small chore to help maintain the cleanliness of the hostel).Again, spent the day icing my leg and elevating it. Some time on the computer, some time reading, some time watching tv. Bored, bored, bored and aching to go back on the Trail. Absolutely anxious to get back to the woods and take it slow and hear the birds and wake up at 0515 when its cool and crisp and praying that I can get my foot swelling down to where I can wear my hiking shoes. Please oh please oh please ~~~~No other hiker showed up all day. Had the entire hostel to myself, much like in Palmerton where we had the whole building to ourselves the holiday weekend when it didn't open again until Tuesday. Watched Whale Wars and stayed up wicked late (for a hiker). Praying that my foot will heal on its own by morning. I am desperate to get back out on the Trail.
Date: 2010-07-17
From: St. Thomas Episcopal Church Hostel

To: The Outhouse Unionville 
Miles today: 0.0

~~~Time to Make a Decision ~~~Another night with little sleep due to the pain. I am getting nowhere and the swelling is getting worse.When I woke up this morning, there was this loud sound as though a washer was going or something. Stepped into the women's bathroom and the floor was flooded. Oh my ~~~ The hallway was soaked and the kitchen was really flooded.Turns out, a flexible pipe under the sink had sprung a hole and water had gushed out all over the place and the kitchen drain in the floor couldn't handle the overflow. Turned off the water underneath the sink and made a phone call to the Pastor. Lucky for the church, a hiker was present to shut off the water main or it could have done far more damage than it did.Then, I spent the next few hours helping the Pastor and his parishioners mop up. It was like being at home again and working at my brother's church in Florida ~~~ always something.So, the hostel was effectively closed until they could get someone out to unclog the drain and restore water. And in my mind, this was a sign ~ a sign that even the place that I was trying to recuperate from my injuries was shutting down and it was my signal to go home. To further add to the sign, when I got back from the super breakfast that the Pastor treated me to for helping out, there was Butch, one of the caretakers from The Outhouse, delivering hiking poles to the hiker that he had dropped off earlier this morning from Unionville, a hiker that was going to use this hostel to also recover from trail injuries.He noticed I was limping, I explained the situation and how I was on the computer trying to line up a bus schedule to NYC to catch a flight home. And this man, this sweet soul, just casually informed me that he could take me back to The Outhouse, I could stay overnight and HE would personally drive me to the airport himself.Well, THAT was the final sign from God, for me. Everything just lined up and it was my notice to go home and take care of my leg. So, Butch waited for me to get my pack together, I left ALL of my food and denatured alcohol and medical supplies for hikers to use, re-cycled my Gatorade water bottles and hit the road. That was it. I'm done.Had a wonderful stay at the Mayor's house, now understanding why so many people seek out this hostel, cheap canned Busch beer ( yes, ALL of my standards have dropped on the Trail), BBQ chicken dinner and a lovely breakfast by Bill. The trip is over.
Date: 2010-07-19
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

~~~Home; And I Am Completely Bummed~~~Josie came over to the house to take me to the grocery store to get just a few basics. I've already been on the phone to reconnect DirectTV and the internet.Josie's husband, Brett, is at the local hospital doing clinicals as part of his Paramedic Training and strongly advised going to the ER to get an xray. As my daughter would put it, for once, I listened. The pain was that great.As is with all ER's our ordeal took just over five hours. Several xray's of my leg and foot later, it was determined that there were no fractures; just several ligaments that were torn and were causing the blood to pool in my toes and the sides of my foot. My daughter said my foot looked like it belonged on a cadaver, it was that lovely to look at.Happy that I had no fractures, I was released with a script for hydrocodone for the pain to help me sleep and a pair of crutches. It will take upwards of eight weeks for recovery with the possibility of light physical therapy needed.So, this was an injury that I would have never been able to recover from on the Trail. Yes, it makes me thankful to have made the right decision. However, I am still completely bummed to be sitting here in my home typing this.I am already planing my next attempt, hopefully in 2012, starting in Georgia this time and I will re-read ALL the books and notes and I guarantee that my pack weight will be significantly reduced this next time around as my five weeks have given me taste of what to expect, of what I really need to carry, of what I can chuck with no qualms and perhaps, this first attempt was just a really expensive test hike for the real thing.I haven't unpacked my backpack yet. It's still sitting on a chair with Snoopy still attached to the top.A total bummer.
Date: 2010-07-20
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

~~~Re-Living my Moments on the Appalachian Trail~~~De-compressing from the Trail should not be so difficult for me as I was only out there five weeks. But every moment, I am reviewing the Trail, pulling myself up those mountains, remembering the different shelters, all of the wonderful people I've come to know, although maybe only two actually know my "real" name.I've reread many of the books I used to help me plan this trip, but I always stop reading once the author hits New York as that is only as far as I got on the trail. The rest doesn't interest me; I only want to read what I experienced myself. How pathetic is that ?My injury recovery is a slow, slow process. It was painful enough today that I took a pain pill during the day to give me some relief. After one week, as the injury happened one week ago today, it is still bruised and the leg and foot are still puffy and the front has multiple contusions.On the brighter side, though, as I was starting to unpack my supplies and such, I took note that all of the tuna packets that I bought for my mail drops are good until 2012 and 2013; hence, they will be stored for my next attempt. The rest of the food ~ all of the pre-bagged noodles and potatoes and such, I'll eat when I can. The boxed items will be donated to the local food bank and the snack items have already been taken to Brett's firehouse for the guys to eat (they eat anything).Tomorrow I'm getting rid of all the high caloric items immediately as I noticed this evening various mini candy bar wrappers all over the couch (who ate all of those ??!?). Whatever weight I lost on the trail is rapidly coming back as I NOW have a hiker appetite without ANY movement whatsoever ~~~ a dangerous place to be.Tomorrow, also, I will tackle all of the home problems, the phone calls, checkbook, etc...   I've already been to the bank to cash in my traveler's checks (they were very hard to cash on the Trail) and I have bread, milk, eggs and amaretto cream in the fridge, so I'm set. I've already started my coffee routine.There is a depression setting in that I am pushing aside; I refuse to let this get me down.
Date: 2010-07-21
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

~~~Regretting My Departure from the Trail~~~So I spent the morning taking care of all of the house business on the phone and such...calling the Post Offices to have my mail drops returned, got a refund from Hennessey Hammock concerning an extra set of snake skins that were misdelivered by UPS, disputed a charge on my credit card, yet another call to my useless mortgage company who charged me, AGAIN, a late fee when I actually paid ahead of time, balanced my checkbook, and did a load of laundry (all of my Trail things) to have done something tangible while I limp around the house, forgetting to use the crutches assigned to me.I have scoured the website to better plan my next hike using ultra, ultra light equipment, NOT my present backpack, sorry Granite Gear, and have completely disassembled my remaining drop boxes and reassembled all of my hiking gear into their drawers and closet space.Then, I just wanted to cry.You read about all of the people who succeed this arduous hike, but rarely do you read about those who dropped out. This is my read now, the failure of a thru hike.While I have had many people congratulate me on 330 miles that I did do, Pennsylvania miles at that (and you all know what I mean), I had so so much more to do. It was as though I was JUST getting my hiking mojo when I succumbed to the worst possible scenario ~ an injury that could not be healed within a week.Back to reading "other" people's Trail Journals again ~ and wishing I were there every step of the way.
Date: 2015-09-23
From: Home

To: Iceland, France, Spain
Miles today: 0.0

Leaving a Feathered NestIt never fails for me,when I am ready to go big on travel,that I deeply regret leaving the familiar.Years of dreaming, hours of planningand don't even start me on the cost...I want to stay home.But I know myself well.....very well, in fact,and I know that the heightened anxietyis just the vastness of the unknown.I suppose my heart palpitations would beless sharp if I were to travel with someone;but the timing of it all said..."You are on your own."So, the riches I seek these next few days,besides the new memories and photos of Snoopy,will be the goldmine of seeing a fellow peepwith a backpack....May I follow you? Just until I findmy own trail ~~~
Date: 2015-09-23
From: Iceland, France, Spain

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Leaving a Feathered NestIt never fails for me,when I am ready to go big on travel,that I deeply regret leaving the familiar.Years of dreaming, hours of planningand don't even start me on the cost...I want to stay home.But I know myself well.....very well, in fact,and I know that the heightened anxietyis just the vastness of the unknown.I suppose my heart palpitations would beless sharp if I were to travel with someone;but the timing of it all said..."You are on your own."So, the riches I seek these next few days,besides the new memories and photos of Snoopy,will be the goldmine of seeing a fellow peepwith a backpack....May I follow you? Just until I findmy own trail ~~~
Date: 2015-09-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Leaving a Feathered NestIt never fails for me,when I am ready to go big on travel,that I deeply regret leaving the familiar.Years of dreaming, hours of planningand don't even start me on the cost...I want to stay home.But I know myself well.....very well, in fact,and I know that the heightened anxietyis just the vastness of the unknown.I suppose my heart palpitations would beless sharp if I were to travel with someone;but the timing of it all said..."You are on your own."So, the riches I seek these next few days,besides the new memories and photos of Snoopy,will be the goldmine of seeing a fellow peepwith a backpack....May I follow you? Just until I findmy own trail ~~~
Date: 2010-03-22
To: I made it to Georgia!
Miles today: 0.0

I made it to Georgia! Visited some family in New Jersey yesterday on the way down then got a couple hours of sleep before hitting the road at 2am for the long drive. Finally looking forward to getting some sleep tonight because this past week has been crazy finalizing everything for this epic journey. I'm staying at the Hiker Hostel tonight with many other hikers who are here slackpacking it. Slackpacking is hiking with a daypack instead of a fully loaded pack while staying in one place for a few night and having someone shuttle you to the trailhead then picking you up when your done at the end of the day. This hostel is great and has so much more than any hotel could ever offer. The owners, Josh and Leigh, are great people and truly make you feel at home. Looking forward to the many more places I will be staying at along the way. Well my beer is getting empty so it's time for another and to go hangout with the other hikers here for the night. Wish me luck tomorrow on my first day hitting the trail!
Date: 2010-03-23
From: Springer Mt

To: Cooper Gap
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: few clouds

The first day turned out great. Spinger Mountain was pretty well covered in snow but after the sun came out all the snow burned right up turning into a beautiful day. Did more miles than I was planning on but I wasn't feeling too bad... we'll see if I'll be regretting it. Had a great crew to kick it off with! Nightcrawler and Greyback are a hoot. Met a guy who was dropping out because his tent got stolen. Who would have thought that could happen on the trail.
Date: 2010-03-24
From: Cooper Gap

To: John Gap
Miles today: 11.3

Another good day on the trail and still feeling good. Made some good mileage and meet some more great hikers. I learned today that its not a good idea to use my crocs to try and put up my line for my bear bag because I almost go it stuck up in a tree. Thankfully I had my dad there to help me up into the tree to get it. Everything is looking good and happy to be on the trail!
Date: 2010-03-25
From: John Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: light rain

Still no blisters and the weather was nice with only a couple rain showers. Last night I woke to the sound of a bomber plane flying only a few hundred feet about the trees. It scared the crap out of me, and sounded like it was going to crash into the mountains. The military does a lot of training around here and I heard of someone seeing 3 rangers with guns dragging a body down the trail and it really freaked the guys out. I hiked over Blood Mountain which was the toughest so far and made me think of the Adirondacks. Other than that I've found the trail to be easier than what I'm use to. Maybe that's why I'm holding up so well. On my way down Blood Mt I was told of a burger feast down in Neels so I picked up the pace to get my first taste of trail magic but I got there 10 min too late. Oh well I know there is going to be more along the way. I'm staying the night back at the Hiker Hostel with Dad before he heads home. It was great having him here for the first 30 miles. I gave him the trail name Trippin, because he's always tripping over roots and rocks when he hikes. Everyone was getting a kick out of his name. No name for me yet but I'm sure I will soon.
Date: 2010-03-26
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I walked in the clouds today and the wind was pretty brutal! I started the day off a little under the weather because I had a few to many beers at the Hiker Hostel last night but after a few miles I walked it right off. Along my way to over Sheep Rock Top I noticed down over the slope trash scattered everywhere. I figure it must be what was left of someones food bag that a bear got its paws on. Then later at the shelter people were talking about how someone the night before had lost their food bag to a bear. Hope it doesn't happen to me but I can't wait to see a bear! Had a great night at Low Gap with more than a dozen other hikers.
Date: 2010-03-27
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: clear sky

Slept in too late today but I guess I was just catching up on what I lost the night before. The weather was great and I'm still feeling good! I caught up with a group that was going into Hiawassee to the Holiday Inn Express where there is word of a jacuzzi! In Unicoi Gap were lounged around while some hitched into town but I stayed around to wait for a ride from someones mother, and I'm glad I did. While waiting a guy visiting from Miami invited us over to his cooler of cold sodas and top shelf Black Label whiskey. My first taste of trail magic! We enjoyed his whiskey and he enjoyed our story's about what we were doing. The hotel is nice and was only $20 sharing a room with 3 others, and the $8 buffet down the street was great! I'd like to get back on the trail tomorrow but we'll see how the weather is looking.
Date: 2010-03-28
From: Hiawassee

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Took a 0 day in Hiawassee with 4 others at the Holiday Inn. The weather was calling for thunderstorms so I figured it might be best to take a day to rest my legs and sit out the storm. It was nice relaxing, playing cards, resupplying, and eating in town. Oh yeah and more jacuzzi time! I'm planning on heading back out on the trail for 5 days to get into Franklin NC for Hiker Fool Bash Day. Hope the trail isn't too trashed from all the rain we just got. The weather is looking good for the next week so all should be good on the trail!
Date: 2010-03-29
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Got back on the trail and the weather was fair with an overcast. The hike was mostly up and downs. I slept in a shelter for the first time and during the night some guy started hitting the shelter while yelling at Carlos that he snores like a train. Then the guy went to sleep and started snoring himself. We laughed about it in the morning but I dont think the guy liked it. He was yelling so loud someone said they woke up in their tent 50 yards away.
Date: 2010-03-30
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Plumorchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: clear sky

The day started off cloudy but turned into a nice day. I was planning on a longer day today but ended up only doing 8 miles which I'm glad we did because it gave Superman, Cope, and Rachel a chance to catchup with us. Got my trail name today when I was drying some socks by the fire I ended up burning them. The in the morning when I put them on one of them tore open to form the shape of an eye so they gave me the name Sockeye.
Date: 2010-04-01
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

Today was a great hike! We had a little way to go up Standing Indian Mountain and we found snow at the top so we decied to make a snowman. After that the hiking was mostly ridge walking and slight downhill. Everyone is excited to get into Franklin NC for the hiker bash, so all the talk is about burgers and beers.