morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-13
From: Newfound Gap

To: TriCorner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: broken clouds

This morning our wonderful trail angel friends drove us first to the drugstore so we could stock up on Ibuprofen and duct tape, and then back up to the trail, where we ran into Paloma, with whom we hiked for the rest of the day. We had been expecting rain all day, but for the most part it turned out to be a nice day with good weather. The terrain was fairly easy, we had great views, and 15.6 miles feels wonderful compared to what I have been doing!Now I am in a packed shelter, listening to the rain and to people snore (as usual).
Date: 2007-04-14
From: TriCorner Knob Shelter

To: Green Corner Road
Miles today: 18.1

It was not a very restful night, thanks to the cacophany of snoring inside the shelter. I can't wait for good weather to return so I can sleep in my tarp insted.The rain had stopped by morning, and it was much warmer than I had expected. I got another late start, but the first 15 miles to Davenport Gap were mostly downhill and easy, so we made good time. I felt good most of the day, but Lala has been having bad problems with blisters. So that, along with the rain that finally started back up this afternoon, made us decide to stop and stay the night at the STanding Bear Farm and Hiker Hostel shortly after the trail crossing with Interstate 40. Unfortunately I seem to be in the middle of a huge crowd of hikers right now and the hostel is completely full, so Lala, I, Gator Gump, and Barking Spider are staying in an out-building tonight. I had hoped to make Hot Springs tomorrow, but it looks as though I'll be there on Monday instead.
Date: 2007-04-16
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

After yesterday's ordeal, I was hoping today would be a restful day, but it didn't turn out that way. As most of you know, Carter and I live in Blacksburg, VA, and Carter works at Virginia Tech. I'm sure you've all heard the news, so there's no reason for me to repeat it here, but it was a tough day for me and I really wanted to be with Carter.
Date: 2007-04-18
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Due to recent events, I am getting off trail tomorrow, at least for awhile, and heading home to Blacksburg, Virginia for awhile. I want to be with my fiance and my community as they begin to heal. (And my foot could use some time to heal too.) I'm not sure if/when I'll be getting back on the trail. If I do, I will probably skip ahead to wherever my original schedule tells me I should be. Thanks to all of you for your support.
Date: 2007-04-19
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Allen Gap
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: light rain

I had a very short last day on the trail, and shed not a few tears over this decision. It's been a difficult one to make, but I think that for now it's the right one. Carter was to pick me up at Allen Gap to drive me back to Blacksburg around noon. There was also some trail magic there at the house of FAL and Hercules, 1999 thru-hikers who have since bought a place right off the trail. I and almost everyone else from the night before (Lala, Paloma, Carpenter, Crazy Bear, Blowtorch, Buttercup, Step and a Half, and Gus) stopped there, and FAL and Hercules fed us all extravagantly. We had a wide selection of beverages, Belgian waffles, stew or vegetarian chile, and tiramisu! It was wonderful. Theirs was the first vegetarian-friendly trail magic, so I was thrilled. They also let me wait there until Carter arrived, and then they fed him lunch as well!Now I am back in Blacksburg, not an easy place to be right now. The town is still very much in mourning. Everyone is wearing orange and maroon today. It will be a long time before things return to normal. I am glad to be with Carter right now in this difficult time. We needed each other to get through this.
Date: 2007-04-28
From: Damascus, VA

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

Well, I am back out on the trail for awhile, after a week and a half off. Since I took so much time off and only have a limited amount of time to hike, I decided to skip ahead to Damascus to stay on schedule, rather than getting back on at Allen Gap. This way, if I make it to Maine and run out of time, the miles from Allen Gap to Damascus will be easier to make up than the same number of miles in Maine (and I'll avoid the April 1st crowd). So Carter drove me down to Damascus this morning, and after a lunch of the worst fettucine alfredo we've ever had, I was on my way.The terrain wasn't too tough today, which was a real blessing since I seem to have lost more fitness than I expected to. There was a bit of rain as I was starting out, but it cleared up soon and turned into a beautiful day. The trail paralleled the Virginia Creeper bike trail for awhile, and I envied the smoothness and directness of that trail in comparison to the AT.The last 5 miles were harder for me than they should have been, so I was very grateful when the shelter finally came into view. I was pleasantly surprised to run into Spence there, because I assumed he had shot ahead of me. I won't be seeing much of him, though, because he's mostly been doing night hiking lately, for reasons I don't really understand.Tomorrow will have some big climbs, and I'm scheduled to hike 23 miles. We'll see how that works out for me!
Date: 2007-04-29
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: broken clouds

If all days on the AT could be as lovely as today, I could really fall in love with this trail. I managed to get out of camp a little before 8 this morning, and had a short downhill stretch before I began the big climbs of the day. The one, long switchback up Whitetop Mountain was tough, but not as bad as I expected. There were lots of day hikers out enjoying the weekend. The views from Whitetop were wonderful, although the wind made it too cold to stay long.As I approached Mt. Rogers, the highest point in Virginia, conifers took over, reminding me again of the West and making the air smell delicious. Then the conifers gave way to glorious grassy balds, signaling my arrival in the Grayson Highlands. It's funny: on the PCT, I always wished for more trees; here I am thrilled whenever I get out of them. Finally, some views!The Grayson Highlands are home to many wild ponies, and reminded me of a similar park I visited in England because of it. I saw many of them, and one even came up to me and allowed me to pet it. Amazing. What a great day!
Date: 2007-04-30
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: clear sky

I did a better job getting out early this morning, around 7:15. The trail was pretty easy today, but very rocky, and today was the first really hot day. There wasn't much scenery. We did pass through an open cowfield, which was actually quite pleasant. And there was a lovely waterfall at Comers Creek early in the day, and a nice bridge over the Holston River.From Partnership Shelter, Sniper and I hitched into Marion and ate at Wendy's. I think I'd have been better off staying here and ordering from Pizza Hut with everyone else. I am sleeping in the shelter tonight for a change, because the 2 other people in here promise they don't snore. (I don't believe them, so I took sleeping pills and am keeping my earplugs close at hand.)
Date: 2007-05-01
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Knot Maul Shelter
Miles today: 25.5
Weather: clear sky

A dayhiker today asked me where I was from. When I told him I lived in Blacksburg, he said "It's a shame what happened there." What a completely inadequate expression. It is "a shame" if I can't make it to someone's weeding, or if I burn the dinner. The murder of 32 people is not a shame. I don't know what word is adequate; I guess I'll stick with tragic. This is now a common response every time I say where I'm from. I wish people would realize that I might not want to be reminded of that each time I talk about my town; as if I don't spend enough time thinking about it as it is. I guess I'll just have to get used to it, because it will be a long while before people stop commenting on it.Three 20+ days in a row is tiring. If I can do it for 3 more days, I'll get to Pearisburg and home on Friday instead of Saturday. Then I could spend all weekend with Carter, so that's what I'm going to try for.The first 11 miles today were nice and went by quickly. At I-81, I ate some grilled cheese sandwiches at a greasy diner and stocked up on snacks. When I got back on the trail, it was blazing hot and my pack felt as though it was full of bricks. It shouldn't be that heavy with just 3 days' worth of food. I'll have to eat more. My shoulders and collarbones have been hurting all afternoon and I've been trying to come up with ways to improve my pack.The trail went through lots of cow fields today and over way too many knee-grinding stiles.I think I'm ready to get off the trail. I'm not enjoying it as much as I hoped to.
Date: 2007-05-20
To: Off the trail.
Miles today: 0.0

I am off the trail for good (or at least for this year). I had some good times and met some great folks, but unfortunately the AT wasn't what I wanted to be doing right now. I lost a lot of momentum after the week I took off, I was having trouble with my foot and knee, and I was missing Carter too much. I'm sorry to those of you who had been following my journal.
Date: 2007-02-24
To: Waimea Town Celebration
Miles today: 0.0

Today was the first race of the 6 man outrigger canoe season in Kauai at the Waimea Town Celebration. My crew (pictured here)took first place in the women's masters division. I am second from the right - it was taken hours after the race but my face is still beet red from the exertion. Um, we were also the only boat in our division - so we got first and last. But we did a respectable 1:14 for about 8 miles (much faster than I hike!). The headwind on the first part of the race was kind of brutal - but on the downwind we were with the waves and it was awesome - alot of fun. Unfortunately, I had to go right from Waimea to work - would have loved to hang out in the beer garden.About 80 days until I start my flip-flop hike in Harper's Ferry, W. Va. I'm going north from there to Katahdin in Maine. Then back to Harper's Ferry and south to Springer Mountain in Georgia.
Date: 2007-03-10
To: Pu'uwai masters women - streak continues
Miles today: 0.0

Our 3rd win this season! All uncontested. Instead of giving koa bowls as trophies, Kaiola canoe club gave out toilet seat covers. Can you tell we'd had a few beers? (except for Jo with her Chivas).I reached the point this week where I decided I had all the gear I needed. And then I read something on whiteblaze.net that you can't use lithium batteries in Petzel headlamps. Not sure what happens - it explodes or fuses to your head or something?! Or maybe just stops working. So now I'm looking at a few Princeton headlamps....68 days to go - lots to do
Date: 2007-05-14
To: unemployed and homeless
Miles today: 0.0

I am at my parent's in Delaware. I am busy dehydrating, getting last minute items, and organizing my maildrops. I will start the trail Thursday or Friday of this week - depending on when I get things done. One of the things to do is to show my mom how to transcrbe my journal - which is sort of the purpose of this post.
Date: 2007-05-17
From: Newark DE

To: Harper's Ferry Hostel, Knoxville, MD
Miles today: 2.9

I took Amtrak to Harper's Ferry,West Virginia.The train I switched to in DC was a superliner - a double decker, very plush.They were taking reservations for dinner and announced the menu - braised beef, pork chops etc. I had a Backpacker magazine to read on the trip and there was a short article about the AT in MD - it said that thru-hikers have this crazy tradition of hiking all 41 miles in 1 day but its so nice that its worth it to do it in 3-4. When I got off the train in Harper's Ferry, it was a gorgeous spring evening. I was walking across the train station parking lot, and this guy rode up - he looked like he was doing a long distance bike trip since he had panniers on his bike. He asked are you going all the way? I was somewhat taken aback because I hadn't seen a single white blaze yet. So I said 'Hope to'. He pointed to himself and said 2005 (meaning he had thru-hiked in 2005) and said good luck. I hurried by these cute shops and quaint pubs - maybe I can spend more time when I come back in August. I finally saw my first white blaze and took a picture. There was an overlook over the Susquehanna and Potomac rivers. There was a bunch of folks white water rafting. There were almost no rapids but since it was at the convergence of 2 rivers, the current was really moving -they didn't have to paddle at all. It looked really fun. Again, maybe in August. I went over the bridge into Maryland, and saw a 2nd white blaze,and took a picture. Then I saw a third blaze, and resisted the temptation. The trail was a wide path that used to be the towpath for the Chesapeake and Ohio canal. There were people doing after work jogging, walking and biking. One person was reading a book by the river. I had a scary wildlife experience - these 2 guys biked by a pair of Canada geese right before I walked by. I realized they had 3 little goslings with them. One of the adults started hissing and acting very aggressive. What a difference from nene goose. The trail was lush and green with splashes of colors from flowers. Birds were singing like crazy. I overshot the hostel turn off and had to backtrack a half mile. I heard a woodpecker drilling on the way to the hostel and saw a teeny tiny bunny. I got to the hostel and went to Cindy Lee's restaurant with Heinz and Caterpillar where I had bread pudding. It's almost lights out here. A great first day.
Date: 2007-05-18
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Rocky Run shelter site MD
Miles today: 12.5

As I walked back to the trail from the hostel, Weaverton Cliffs starting looming higher and higher, but it wasn't a bad climb. It was overcast and temps were in the mid-50's. I finally got to break into my stash of audiobooks I've been hoarding since last October. I started listening to "Dragonfly in Amber", the second in Diana Gabaldon's 'Outlander' series. The section guide mentioned a side trail at the top of the cliffs that had a "not-to-be missed view of the Potomac". Well, I missed that, as well as a memorial plaque to an AT hiker and graves of Confederate soldiers. I went to the Ed Garvey shelter, just to check it out. There was a sign there that although the shelter at Rocky Run was closed, there was water and tent sites there. I went through Gathland State park, which was the former estate of a Civil War journalist who went by the pen name of 'Gath'. There was a tomb there that Gath had built 20 years before he died, but by the time he died in New York, he was penniless and so he was buried elsewhere. The plaque that expained this ended with "Gath's empty tomb mutely symbolizes the uncertainties of life, fame and fortune and the certainty of death". Whoah - I'm just hiking here, I'm not ready to get that philosophical. It rained a bit on and off, and when I got to the turn off for the Crampton Gap shelter, it really started coming down steadily. So I went to the shelter and made butter and herb mashed potatoes and cafe con leche. I wasn't sure what to do, since that was my intended destination (7.5 miles for the day), but it was only 2:30. By the time I finished eating, the rain stopped so I decided to keep going. Rocky Run was 5 miles further, but I really wanted to get to the Dahlgren Backpacker campground, which is free and has hot showers. By the time I got to Rocky Run, it was already 6:30, so it seemed a good idea to stop. I was the only one there. I got set up and made dinner. At that point I was really tired, so I didn't treat the water from the spring and decided to keep my food bag in the tent with me, rather than hang it. I toasted my birthday with a drink made from a plastic airline bottle of Orange Bacardi my dad got for me mixed with hot Tang. I was in the tent my 8:30.
Date: 2007-05-20
From: Annapolis Rock campsite

To: Free State Hostel, Smithsburg, MD
Miles today: 6.5

I slept a solid 9 hours that night and didn't wake up until 6 AM. There was some rain and I still wasn't feeling that great so I dozed on and off until 9 AM. Actually, what finally got me going was the thought that the drag car racing was about to start up. I didn't get out of the campground until 10:30 and was taking it pretty easy. I took a detour to the Black Rocks trail. Shortly after, I ran into the Ridge Runners again - I hope to see at least a few of them again. I listened to "Wait, Don't Tell Me" on NPR. One of the questions was "A man in England was mugged by blank" and the answer was a flock of geese. Apparently, a bunch of rowdy geese attacked him and made off with his cell phone. So I was right to be scared of the hissing goose. It was again a gorgeous sunny day with temps around 70. I made it to the Free State hostel at 4 PM. This hostel is run by Ken "Bone-Pac" Berry and his wife Jennel. I followed Bone-Pac's journal last year. Bone-Pac was the first NOBO AT thru-hiker to finish in 2006, and they opened the hostel just this season. Caterpiller (who I met in Harper's Ferry) and Bird are staying here and we ordered pizza. Jennel took me to Food Lion and Rite-Aid so I could get some soup and decongestants. Not sure what to plan for tomorrow - will see how I feel when I wake up.
Date: 2007-05-21
From: Free State Hostel, Smithsburg, MD

To: Deer Lick Shelter. PA
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: clear sky

In shelter today. I had to choose between 5 miles or 15 so I did 15. 10 would have been perfect, but there weren't any campsites or shelters in that range. Weather again was sunny with temps around 70. I sawmy first deer on the trail - probably the first of very many.I went over the highest point in MD 189ft. Shortly after,I took a break at High Rocks, which had a great view. Afterthat there were a few nasty rock fields that really slowedme down. I went thru Pen Mar County Park and shortlyafter that entered PA. 1 state down, 13 to go. I SAW dozens of chipmunks but only a couple of people. Igot to the shelter - there are actually 2 identicalshelters here and prepared to spend the nite alone.Then Backbend and Dirty Blond came which shouldmake me not worry about killer beagles. There is a bird who keeps flitting in and out of the shelter so I guess Ihave to share.
Date: 2007-05-22
From: Deer Lick Shelter. PA

To: Stone Mountain shelter, PA
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: haze

This morning I walked thru a forest with really talltrees and went over several streams via footbridges.Once again I lucked out with the weather - sunny, highof 80. I went up a seemingly endless hill. It was thefirst time I used my altimeter for motivation - 300feet to climb, 200 feet, only 100 more to go. Therewas a side trail to Chimney Rocks which had animpressive view. Debbie - not sure if this was theplace your aunt was talking about, since I didn't seeany waterfalls, but it is a really beautiful area.There were 2 couples there who gave me their crackers:-). As usual, someone commented on my gaiters whichare a really bright hibiscus print. Then a man and hisdaughter came up and he said NICE spats! Some hikershave tried to give me a trail name based on my gaiters- Gaiter Girl was thrown out since it sounds like I'mfrom Florida, Tapper suggested Wild One., one of theridge runners suggested dirty girl (the brand), but I'mleaning towards Spats. After that, it started feeling reallywarm and I was really tired but I was concerned aboutmaking it to the post office before it closed. I finallydecided to pick up my mail drop tomorrow and go ahead and take a nap. So I laid out my groundclothand dozed for about an hour. I finally sat up andscared a deer who ran off snorting, presumably to warnother deer. I did make it into the town of SouthMountain in time but sent most of my maildrop on toDuncannon - my original food bag is still basicallyfull. The postmistress was telling this guy that thebear had taken her bird feeder that morning. Not justknocked it down and eaten the seed, but taken thewhole feeder and its pole. Then I went to Nan and Papsmarket for a sub and Mountain Dew. Some one came inand said she had heard them talking about the bear atthe PO. Nan said the kids waiting for the school bushad seen it this morning. I hope he realizes the pickings are better in town and stays there. My food bag is hung - with a bowline knot which I'm really proud of doing by myself. Once again I'm in a double shelter space - I have 1 to myself and Bill from NJ is in the other. He works for the cape may-lewes ferry. Bedtime for me-
Date: 2007-05-23
From: Stone Mountain shelter, PA

To: Birch Run shelter, PA
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: broken clouds

Another beautiful day although it did get a little hot(80s). I went thru Caledonia State Park in the am andhad a bird bath in the restrooms. The pool was visiblefrom the trail but isn't open until after Memorial Day.I went up thru what I thought were rhododenron tunnelsbut the guide says they were mountain laurel. Istopped at Quarry Gap shelters which had hangingbaskets of pansies and a center picnic table under anoverhang. Right after that I saw this bright bluething that I thought was trash but was actually arobin's egg. Its hard to believe a color like that isnatural. Also, its more of a teal rather than a babyblue like I thought robin's eggshell blue was. Istopped at my intended lunch stop at a stream where iplanned to soak my feet while I ate, but I couldn'timmerse them for more than about 15 seconds it was socold. The afternoon was long hot ridge walking withlittle shade. When I got to the shelter, my buddy Billfrom NJ had water heating which he offered to me whichwas so awesome because I had no energy (although Idid after I ate). There are 4 thru hikers and 3 section hikers Here which is a nice change. My tent is set upnear a stream which has a great sound effect - hope it doesn't have me getting up all nite to pee. :-)
Date: 2007-05-24
From: Birch Run shelter, PA

To: Pine Grove Furnace Stae Park, PA
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: few clouds

I started out soon after a hiker who had introducedhimself as Snickers. Less than a mile from theshelter, I found a fun-size snickers bar carefullyplaced in the middle of the trail. My first trailmagic -thanks Snickers! I almost stepped on a blacksnake (non-venomous) that then slithered across thetrail - very fascinating. I got to Pine Grove FurnaceState Park - my intended destination - at 1230. I feltbad for the nobos because its the site of the halfgallon challenge where the midpoint of the trail iscelebrated by eating a half gallon of ice cream. Thestore doesn't open until Memorial Day weekend sothe guys this week are out of luck. I sat down on abench outside the store in the shade. A guy drove upin a truck and 1 of the hikers near me said if this is theowner I'm going to be upset. It was the owner and theguys had been psyched for the challenge but becausethe store was closed they had eaten a big lunch. Butthey went ahead and did the challenge any way - didwell under the circumstances. FYI it is probably betterto choose cookies and cream rather than mint chocolatechip or cherries jubilee. I hung out at Fuller Lake for theafternoon while I waited for the hostel to open. I gotto the hostel and there were hikers playing volleyball -because I guess hiking 20+ miles a day isn't enoughexercise. I showered and did laundry and watched thefilm on the vcr. There were quite a few hikers at thehostel (which was a stop on the underground railroad)but they are all doing a lot more miles than I so Igenerally meet them that day and then they're longgone. Its nice though that I can already do a 10 mileday easily.