morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-02-18
From: Blacksburg, VA

To: Blacksburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

Once again we got dressed and headed out to the AT, and once again we turned back.It was still fairly cold and the snow was still deep. We went first to where I got off the AT several days ago, on 2/14 - Rocky Gap. Ours were the only tire tracks in the snow. No foot prints crossed the gravel road headed in the direction I needed to travel. I would be cutting trail in the deep snow.In this area cell service was very sketchy. If I headed out and got into trouble I may not be able to call my husband for help. (As always, I was carrying my SPOT.) It was at least a 5.9 mile hike, and most likely an 11 mile day because the 5.9 point was the road crossing we could not get to because Maggie got stuck in the snow. I added a sleeping bag, tarp, extra warm clothes, and extra food in my daypack just in case I got into trouble and had to hunker down to wait for help. Rod offered to wait 30 minutes to give me a chance to turn back if I thought the snow was too deep. I headed out, but I admit I was more than a little concerned about the situation. The trail ran along a steep side of a mountain, was very narrow, and slanted downhill. I was postholing through the snow almost up to my knees. And the snow had a hard icy slippery crust to it. Even with my hiking sticks and micro spikes strapped to my boots, one wrong move and I could easily have slipped off the trail and slid down the side of the mountain, crashing into trees on my way down.I hiked in for about 10 minutes. Postholing can be exhausting and burns a tremendous amount of calories. It is also slow and tedious. I quickly realized that I would make less than 1 mile per hour. I did not have enough daylight (or energy/stamina) to finish all 11 miles, I may not have cell coverage, and Rod may not be able to reach me at the 5.9 mile point.To hike on would be crazy, dangerous, and an unnecessary risk.   I turned back. My husband was still there, and from the look on his face, he was relieved that I was back.Just for fun, we tried to reach the road crossing at the 5.9 mile point. This time, however, when we reached the turn off to the trailhead, we stopped. The snow was still deep. We learned our lesson. We were not going to risk putting Maggie in a ditch again.We headed back to the hotel for warm drinks and more cards.The AT is calling, but will just have to wait until conditions are better.
Date: 2016-07-02
From: Florida

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

We got a very late start driving yesterday. The CGM, and necessary supplies that go with it, did not arrive until the last minute, despite the fact that my doctor ordered it about 3 weeks ago.Today we had a 10:00 a.m. appointment in Franklin, NC at Outdoor 76 to have Rod professionally fitted for hiking boots. Last year I hiked to Franklin and did the same thing. My boots were shot and, thanks to plantarfacitis, my feet were killing me. They fixed me up, and I was hoping they could fix Rod up too. Rod, or "The Goat" as he is known on the AT, planned to drop me off, drive to the pick up location, and hike in to meet me every day. To commemorate the anniversary of the National Parks, the National Park Service has a 100 mile hike program. Anyone who hikes 100 miles and sends in a form receives a patch or sticker. The AT, a National Scenic Trail, is a National Park. So in addition to being supportive to me, and getting some exercise, Rod wanted to work on getting a 100 mile National Park sticker or patch. Under the circumstances he definitely needed new hiking boots.While Rod was being fitted, I explored the shops in the cute downtown area. Last time I was in Franklin my feet hurt, and I was not about to buy anything extra I would have to carry in my pack, so I skipped the shops. Instead I did laundry and spread my pack contents all around my motel room to dry everything. Today my feet were fine and I enjoyed visiting the shops.Thankfully Rod was happy with the fitting and his new boots. We then used the $10.00 voucher given with his purchase to have lunch at the Sunset Restaurant in Franklin before continuing on to Pearisburg VA.Many thanks to everyone who has posted and/or emailed me. Kevin & Bruce, my peak bagging buddies, I often tell people how much I appreciated that lift you gave me. BonBon I have sent you an email about hiking in September. Mary and Joy, it is always good to hear from you. Hummingbird Ellie, thank you for the kind words of encouragement. The AT is calling. I will be there tomorrow!
Date: 2016-07-05
From: Cross Clendennin/VA 641

To: Cross Avenue /VA 634
Miles today: 4.9
Weather: light rain

When you slackpack you are at the mercy of the availability of road crossings. My choices today were a short day (4.9 miles) or a long day (15.6 miles). I did not want to push myself too hard at the beginning with back to back 15+ mile days after being off the trail for a while. Last night, in addition to pulling a large embedded, but not yet engorged, tick off Rod's leg, I discovered that yesterday my wet socks caused a blister under a toe on my left foot and on the heal of my right foot. Now that I am diabetic I have to be super vigilant about any problems with my feet. Under the circumstances I thought it was best to opt for the shorter day.The trailhead was just north of Pearisburg. The AT skirted the edge of town, utilized a long bridge to cross over the New River, and then headed back into the mountains. The trail was so beautilly done and maintained that it looked more like a park nature trail than a rugged backcountry scenic trail. Despite the close proximity to a town, the trail was meticulous. I stopped briefly for a break and to check my BG, and met a very speedy NOBO thru hiker on his 2nd AT thru hike. We had a nice chat before we both headed up the trail.It was a beautiful day, the trail was super easy, and I was thoroughly enjoying the hike. Rod met me about midway. His new hiking boots are working well. I am so glad we stopped in Franklin to get him fitted. He also looks a lot more comfortable on the trail than he has in the past. (He previously looked very stiff - like Frankenstein hiking down the trail.) And he is growing a beard. I LOVE the beard. He is starting to become a Hiker Dude! Except he showers every night, so he smells a lot better!We met an older couple out day hiking. We talked with them at one of the benches placed along this portion of trail. The man asked 3 times if Rod helped me hike the entire AT. It was clear he did not think a woman could handle hiking the AT alone. The 3rd time I told him that, with the exception of the few times Rod took vacation, I hiked the AT without him, just like everyone else. I was convinced that since the NOBO bubble was long gone, and it was too early for the SOBO bubble to be this far south, there would be no trail magic. I was wrong. A kind local soul left peanut butter & jelly sandwiches and cans of LeCrois on a stump at the Lane Street road crossing. I was thrilled to discover that LeCrois has no carbs. In addition, someone left bottles of beer at the next road crossing.We were done early in the day and, because it did not rain, we were dry for a change! So we checked out Pearisburg, which did not take long. Like many little towns along the AT, Pearisburg has seen better days. Sadly we were told the major employer in the area, the town's life blood, makes filters for cigarettes.The AT is calling. Things are going well, and it is great to be back.
Date: 2016-07-07
From: Sugar Run Gap/Sugar Run Road

To: VA 606/Trent's Grocery
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: haze

I had hopes for a 20 mile day today, but it just was not meant to be. We had quite a drive back out to the trailhead, we got a bit of a late start, and rain made the AT a slick mess in some spots. In addition, the trail was becoming more challenging.The rain started shortly after I started hiking, and continued on and off all day. The trail climbed out of the gap over 2 miles, gaining only about 600 feet of elevation, and maxing out at approximately 4,000 feet. The rest of the day the AT gradually dropped to about 2100 feet.I ran into a handfull of NOBO hikers throughout the day, including Sir Pass Alot. Water sources seemed a little more plentiful in this portion of the AT. Up on the ridges water had been pretty scarce the past few days. I was glad I carried enough water for the entire day, so lack of water sources was not a problem for me. But I tried to warn the NOBO hikers as I passed them.I stopped for lunch and to check my BG at the Wapiti Shelter. I also picked up trash to pack out. I was surprised, and disappointed, to find an entire bag of trash here.At the time I was not aware of the shelter's history. I subsequently learned the details by searching the internet. Sadly, many years ago 2 hikers were killed in this area. The person who committed the murders was caught. Pursuant to a plea agreement, the killer was sent to prison, served his term, was released, returned to the AT, and tried to kill 2 fishermen camping near the trail. It was a miracle that either man survived. The killer died in jail a short time later. Fortunately, such incidents on the AT are extremely rare.I met Rod just south of the shelter. The smooth wide trail tread I experienced just north and south of Pearisburg was replaced with rocks, roots, and mud. But the trail was still not all that bad. As he hiked in to meet me, Rod took the .3 mile side trail to Dismal Falls. He was not impressed, so I skipped the side trail to Dismal Falls. When we reached the road crossing we drove a short ways to Trent's Grocery. The NOBO hikers all told us to have a burger there. I wanted to give Rod the full trail experience, and it was unlikely any place in Pearisburg would be open by the time we reached town. So we both had burgers, which were actually pretty good. We were wet, sweaty, tired, dirty, stinky, and hungry. We sat on a wooden bench outside the country store and woofed down our burgers and diet cokes like true hiker trash.The AT is calling. Although we did not see any bears today, and I did not make my 20 mile goal, it was still a great day on the trail.
Date: 2016-07-09
From: Atkins, VA

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

When I woke up I immediately knew I had a serious problem with my right knee. I had full range of motion, I could stand on it, and it was stable, but there was some swelling over the medial meniscus and it hurt like crazy when I tried to walk on it. Stairs were particularly painful (our room was on the 2nd floor). I decided to see how I felt after breakfast before making any decisions. I had a hard time just walking to breakfast and back. Obviously, I needed to rest, elevate, and ice my knee. No hiking today. Hopefully things would be better tomorrow. We saw on the news that the storm we hiked through yesterday afternoon was very dangerous and destructive. A tree fell on a tent in a campground killing two people. Thousands of people lost power, which would not be completely restored for several days. I am glad we only got wet and cold.The AT is calling. With a little luck (and TLC for my knee), I will be back on the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2016-07-14
From: VA 610

To: VA 683, US 11, I-81, Atkins, VA
Miles today: 9.8

This morning, on the way to the trailhead, we spotted bears right at the edge of the gravel road - a sow and 2 very small adorable cubs. Mom was a little ways into the woods with one of the cubs. The other cub just sat at the edge of the woods like a little teddy bear.Rod dropped me off at the road crossing, which was actually a road between two pastures. I climbed over the stile and started hiking toward the posts with the white blazes which marked the trail through the pasture. Then the blazed posts stopped, right in the middle of the field.The trail appeared to continue through the center of the field, but I soon realized that what I thought was the trail tread was actually a tractor track. Somewhere the AT veared off, I just could not find it. I hiked back to the last post and looked along the fence at the edge of the pasture for a white blaze. I could not see one. Then I walked toward the fence line and followed it south. Eventually, at the far end of the pasture, I looked over the fence and saw the AT white blazes. I then went over the fence and back tracked north along the AT to see where it left the pasture.The AT ran through the trees parallel to the pasture fence to a point where a large sign AND double blazes directed NOBO hikers to turn and enter the pasture. I turned and entered the pasture, continuing on for several yards, to the last blazed post in the field. Then I turned around and hiked SOBO. There was no sign or double blaze. But to be fair, there was a white blaze on a post at the edge of the pasture. Unfortunately the white blaze was only visible from a certain angle, and it was partially covered by a tree limb. Relieved to be back on the AT, I continued on. (I later learned that at least 2 other SOBO hikers likewise struggled to find where the AT exited that pasture.) I had a long climb up Walker Mountain, but the trail was relatively easy. Along the way it rained off and on. I took refuge from the rain under the rhododendron bushes. At one point, near the turn off for the Crawfish Trail, I looked over and saw a deer, just starring at me as I hiked past.I saw several wet NOBO hikers out for just a few days, including a group from Florida. I met Rod just north of the turn off for the Virginia Horse Trail. A little further south we ran into "Nose Flute" who was taking refuge from the rain under a tarp. The three of us hiked together, taking a break at the Davis Path campsite. When we reached VA 617, where Maggie was waiting, "Nose Flute" and I continued hiking to VA 683, US 12, I-81, and Rod drove Maggie to meet me."Nose Flute" was looking forward to the Hiker Burger at the Barn in Atkins. Rod and I had plans to eat in Marion. (We had the Hiker Burger at the Barn a few days ago.) So we said our good byes to "Nose Flute", who was getting off the AT tomorrow in Marion.The AT is calling. Tomorrow is my last day slackpacking. I hope it is a dry one!
Date: 2016-07-15
From: VA 683, US 11, I-81, Atkins, VA

To: VA 615, Lindamood School & Settlers Museum 
Miles today: 2.7
Weather: moderate rain

Rod dropped me off at the large parking lot next to The Barn Restaurant. The goal for the day was the Mount Roger's Visitor's Center. But on the AT, as with life in general, things rarely go as planned.   The AT followed the road a short distance and then tucked back into the woods. I stopped to take pictures of the beautiful wildflowers and to pick some blackberries.Before long the AT was climbing slightly through pastures. The tread was very rocky and uneven. For about a week I had been babying my right knee, the one that was injured when we tried to get up and over the first Brushy Mountain in the terrible thunder storm. I iced my knee at night and used various pain relieving creams, including Biofreeze, Aspircream, and Arnica. I found that Arnica seemed to work the best to help, but not completely eliminate, the pain. It was stiff and most painful in the morning, but usually loosened up and felt better after a few hours of hiking and a couple of doses of Tylenol. Today my knee was extremely painful, and nothing was helping. The rough uneven grassy/rocky trail was definitely making it worse.   While I enjoyed the views from the pasture and the boardwalk over the wetland area, it was becoming clear I could not possibly hike all the way to the Mount Roger's Visitor's Center.Because of my knee pain and the weather forecast, Rod was meeting me at VA 615, Lindamood School & Settlers Museum to make sure I was OK. It was a good plan. As I limped across the last pasture I was glad to see Rod waiting for me on the porch of the old wooden one room schoolhouse. Rod could tell from the obvious limp and the pained look on my face that my knee was not doing well.I took a quick look around the school house and museum, but skipped the .4 mile walk to the farm. (I barely hobbled to the parking lot.) I was definitely done hiking for the day. My right knee was swollen, very tender, and had some fluid in the area of the medial meniscus, but there was no discoloration and I was able to walk on it.   We were heading back to Florida tomorrow. Under the circumstances there was no point in possibly causing further pain and injury.Nearby Hungry Mother State Park was having their annual crafts festival, and it seemed to be a big deal. So we went. It really was not that big a deal, which actually worked out very well. The walk from the parking area was very short, and the festival was small & compact. We had a nice lunch outdoors, listened to some music, and watched people go by. Then we (I) checked out the craft booths. Before my knee really got aggravated we were done and back to the car.I spent the rest of the day resting & icing my knee, and getting ready to go home.The AT is calling. If my doctor is happy with the way I managed my diabetes, and my knee pain resolves, I hope to be back on the AT, solo, in early August.
Date: 2016-08-13
From: Florida

To: Florida
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

When I returned to Florida I immediately saw my primary care physician to review some diagnostic tests and to have her look at my right knee. She agreed that it was swollen and had fluid in it, but she did not think it was serious. She told me to rest, ice, and elevate it. If there was no improvement in 2 weeks, she would refer me to an orthopedic specialist. TWO WEEKS!! Her plan was more than reasonable, but of course I wanted an instant "fix" so I could head back to the AT as soon as my endocrinologist gives me the green light. I was the model patient, resting, icing, and elevating my knee several times a day. I also had blood tests, and the following week I was in my endocrinologist's office. The blood test results were good. Then we reviewed my BG levels. I keep a paper record of my BG which I showed her. She also reviewed the data stored in the CGM. In addition to telling me in real time what my BG is doing, the CGM also keeps a continuous record that my doctor can download, print, and review. Basically, it is a "snitch." There is no cheating. No skipping or delaying a finger stick because I know the number may be too high or too low. No fudging numbers.Fortunately the CGM showed that I actually did very well managing my BG while hiking the AT. I think we were both relieved. I just need to work on checking the device more frequently, and I need to watch the trending arrows more closely so that I can head off highs and lows to keep my BG fluctuations within a reasonable range. I had her blessing to return to the AT!! Yippee! Thank you Dr Silva!!p>Now I just had to get my right knee in shape. At the end of the first week the limp was much better. At the end of the 2nd week I walked 3 miles. That was enough. I continued the rest, elevation, and ice. I was hoping to return to the AT 8/7. Instead I thought I had better wait another week. At the end of the third week I walked 4 miles. That was enough. I began to get nervous that my knee would not be ready in time. My weather window was going to close soon. I wanted to finish before I needed to carry heavier cold weather gear. The extra weight would make the new and very expensive ultra light pack useless. Also, last fall I learned my lesson about trying to find the trail with a thick layer of fallen leaves hiding the tread, especially if the white blazes are few and far between.In addition to babying my knee, I used the time at home to become more familiar and comfortable with the CGM. After (somewhat) patiently waiting 4 weeks, babying my knee, and not training, I am FINALLY headed back to the AT to finish. Under the circumstances, Rod is going to slackpack me for a week to make sure my knee is OK, then I will be on my own to finish.The AT is calling. I am (finally) on my way back.
Date: 2016-08-16
From: VA 16, Mount Rogers Visitor's Center

To: VA 670, South Fork Holston River
Miles today: 7.8

We got a later start than planned. Before heading to the trailhead I noticed that the CGM was not working. In my sleep I must have dislodged the sensor. (The sensors have to be replaced every 7 days. This sensor was only 4 days old.) I hoped it would start working again, but it became clear I had to replace it.I wanted to visit the Mt Rogers Visitor's Center one more time before heading out. (I previously checked it out in July, before we headed to Hungry Mother SP.)There were 3 hikers at the Partnership Shelter as I passed thru. Two were young NOBO section hikers getting ready to move on. The third was an older guy who seems to be living on the AT. He said he spent the winter working for a local cult. He was also familiar with the cult in Vermont, and had done some work for them too. He reminded me of Baltimore Jack or Cody Coyote. He said he was probably going to take a zero at the shelter. He made me very glad I had a husband and a home.The trail was easy. The AT is usually very easy and well maintained in and near parks. There were rhododendron tunnels here and there, along with patches of mud. But there were few flowers, no animal tracks in the mud, and no blackberries. It did not matter. I was just happy to be back on the AT.There was a slight easy climb to the powerline. I took a brief break there to calibrate the CGM. (Two hours after changing a sensor I have to do two consecutive finger sticks and enter the numbers.) I hoped the powerline would have a great view. If I have to poke myself with needles, I should at least have a beautiful view to enjoy while doing it. Unfortunately the view was marginal. I met a couple with very large packs taking a break at VA 601. They were the only other hikers (besides Rod) I saw all day. It is too late now for NOBO thru hikers and too early for SOBO thru hikers. I love having the trail to myself, but that also means that if I get into trouble and need help, I will pretty much be on my own.As I do when I am slackpacking, I stopped to pick up what I thought was a single piece of trash. Then I realized it was actually a trash dump site. Someone just dumped a huge pile of trash along this beautiful forest gravel road. It was way too much for me to pack out. I felt terrible leaving it.I met Rod shortly after crossing the gravel road. The AT followed a ridge for quite a while and then dropped down onto an old dirt road. The whole day was very, very easy.A storm was headed our way. My right knee still felt fine, and I did not want to press my luck by over doing it. So we called it a day. We were safely back at the hotel when a terrible thunderstorm came through.   Obviously we made the right decision.The AT is calling. We had another good day on the trail. So far, so good.