morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-04-17
From: Zero in erwin

To: One month on trail
Miles today: 0.0

Well today marks 30 days onthe trail. I will be in town today. Tomorrow I'm leaning real heavy towards slackpacking for a short 7-8 miles and getting picked up on hwy395 and stay wed night again in the hotel and get ms janet to drive me back to 395 thurs morn to Indian grave gap. It serves two purposes. Breaks my ft back in slowly and allows me to dry off since heavy rain is expected. Then I can still press forward Thursday and get over the roan mts in the two day time it looks like the weather clears. The tendon feels better, but the two half-dollar size blisters on the heel are sore. Here's a few observations I've seen over the last month. Say 4000 start the hike this year, a lot drop out, they find out this isn't what they want to do. I feel they at least tried to do the trail, look at the millions that have no desire to try this. So everyone is in an elite group. Second the enthusiasm and desire shown by the young and old as they trek forward is amazing. If the young folks use that drive towards other things in years to come they have it made. I've noticed a lot of homeless type folks on the trail as well. Living from shelter to shelter. Tough existence. There is a common bond among the hikers, they seem to help what were total strangers before the trail but now are fellow hikers anytime needed. Section hikers are either really helpful or rude and crude, I've not seen the middle on that group yet. Folks that do the trail magic are just plain awesome. Every time I mention trail magic a smile breaks out on the hikers face. The lifting effect a cold soda, a burger, chips or cookies has on a hiker not expecting it....is a natural high. Speaking of high, the usage of drugs on the trail surprised me on how much. One reason I trimmed my beard is I noticed that I started looking like the uni bomber twin. I scared myself. The time folks spend helping hikers is amazing. it was one of the things I wanted to see and I have seen it first hand. I'm looking forward to the next 30 days. I'm a lucky person, I've failed in a lot of things, but grew from each experience. Even my friends say I'm an ass alot, but they know my word is good and if I tell them I'm going to do something I do it. My retirement house is a prime example. I have a great daughter, she has that independent streak and stubbornness that makes her hard to deal with at times as well, but shes a good young woman. I got lucky when deb decided to marry me. I mean she is working 12 hr days, taking care of two homes, yards, and stuff I should be doing. I'm spending more money than I expected on the trip so far, but not a bad word from her. I struggle at times that I dropped everything so I could go do this. I think when done I'm going to owe her a lot...trip could be more expensive than I expected. So daughter I tried to keep the"sappiness" to the minimum. It's been 30 days I'll never forget. heres to the next 30. Lets get out of NC and Tenn and get to VA. Thanks to all for the comments.
Date: 2012-04-18
From: One month on trail

To: Indian grave gap
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: moderate rain

Well did a short trial hike today and all is well so tomorrow we hit the trail hard again. Sherpa did the hike with me and we'll see if we can match pace for a while or not. I've been telling him I'm not that fast and today he burned through the trail. It rained most of the morning but the trail is well built and water ran off it well. Saw some of our old hiking mates. MOM SPOOLS....spools is nobo out of erwin today. We saw davey jones, pants on fire, gribley and others. All good folks. Talk abt good people ms Janet spendsAll day driving hikers to places. Donations for gas is all she takes. She loves doing it and later this year will be up north to assist hikers again. The trail went through some nice lush forest and a lot of water. It was a nice change of pace. The first shelter out of erwin is almost new and a great place hikers stay on a nero day. We sat in the hostel on river road for a while and it was nice to just watch the variety of hikers and how they interact. Oh to be 20 something again....na don't think I could work for forty years again. All in all good to be semi back on the trail. I forgot to mention the other day my map said water was at this one gap, it wasn't, I was hot and trying to figure how far it was to the next water spot, just then a day hiker walks up and stated he was only a mile from his car and done, so he gave me his water....to a stranger from a stranger...it was amazing as well. It was noted that section hikers have hiked more miles than me, I don't judge people by miles, I judge them by actions, thru, section, day, hr, doesn't matter to me, what is inside and works it way outside in actions or words is how I see people. HYOH doesn't mean to forget common decency or the golden rule. Thankfully 99% of the people I've met have been awesome. The 1%ers they just need some tender loving. Take care be safe.
Date: 2012-04-20
From: Greasy gap camp site

To: Over look shelter
Miles today: 16.4

Made it over mt roan, things going good.weather is supposed to get bad tomorrow. Sherpa and I plan to hike 9 miles to mt harbour hostel. Foot over last two days was doing great, but last mile got sore. I'll make it to damascus and eval there. I may just say I did a great section hike and go if not better there. I can't deal with the foot every day, every step. I'll wimp out, but I'm giving it my best, all I can do. Kind of dissapointed right now....but not much I can say or do.
Date: 2012-04-21
From: Over look shelter

To: Harbour mt hostel roan
Miles today: 9.0

We made out to the hostel, a great place. I'm taking a down day to heal blister/heel and we'll leave on monday. I've met some great people lately, trog who is hiking the AT for the third time, fell 70 miles short in 2010. The honeymooners, who got married on the trail last year. Fire cracker and her husband. Miles who walked the trail in 99, just tons of folks. Spools, davey jones and bamboo bob are staying in the hostel with us. This is a great place for folks hiking, put it on your map. Trail was interesting today, big bald with the trail straight up, rocky, boulder hopping on some of the downs, and a long well maintained down to highway 19. Weather is supposed to change and rain and be cold. It's been colder at the end of april than mid-March, go figure. Stated in the over mt shelter last night, 20+ folks in it. Over looks the prettiest valley we've seen so far. The shelter was used for a film in winter people. It's been great and I hope things get better. Take care be safe.
Date: 2012-04-22
From: Harbour mt hostel roan

To: Harbour mt hostel roan
Miles today: 0.0

Smart taking a zero day, supposed to snow tonight so we get to hike in it tomorrow. Got to meet bamboo bob, who had hiked the trail before and is doing it again. Staying in the hostel an extra night we get to meet some new folks, tower, hawk and whiffle, who carries a whiffle bat and ball. Also big country's mom gave us trail magic the other day while she was waiting for her son. She walked the trail last year, trail name mothership. Also got a card from a hostel/outfitter in andover maine, who said when we got there call and he'd pick us up. So come on ft, heal because I want to keep walking. We are just doing 12 tomorrow to get to the abby hostel, but it should be interesting conditions. be safe
Date: 2012-04-23
From: Harbour mt hostel roan

To: Vango and Abby hostel
Miles today: 12.0

well today we had it all. the day started with again the breakfast of Champions from Harbour mt- Mary is a fantastic person and makes one hell of a breakfast. At last count must have been 20 different items on the menu,porkchops, homemade buscuits and gravy, three different types potatoes, cinnamon rolls- fruit, coffee. makes it hard to leave. I can see why I have only lost 14 lbs on the trail...I eat really well. LOL. so Sherpa, myself and Spools started at 0830 in a driving snow storm, made it to a rain storm, then a wind storm, then somehow the sun came out. weather man had it right when he said, rain, snow, wind and sun. we made it the 12 miles to the hostel and Scotty is another of these great folks- opening up their place to hikers. Spools decided- i think wisely to tag with us again and stay at the hostel. It has heat, and a roof so life is good. It is really windy out there so tenting tonight in freezing temps just didn't sound great. Right now we are cooking tombstone pizzas in the oven as this is being composed. For the first day in a month, my heel loosened up and stayed fine. The wrap around blister after two days of epsen salts is healing as well. There is hope after all. I really enjoyed the trail today, it was relatively easy with slow ups and downs. The snow made for some real pretty shots as well. things are turning green, I think rick and I turned blue for a little when the wind picked up, but all in all the cold and snow didn't bug us. Tomorrow is another short day, a 12 miler to black bear cabins where we will buy food for the next three days. then the easy miles are done as we need to get to Damascus by Friday night.i think Debbie will be driving in about the time we are limping into the town.we made two milestones today, we are over 400 miles and we are done with our second state! No more NC. NC was a tough state and my hat off to the folks that work trail maintenance. some of the ups went straight up the mt and others were routed really nicely to avoid erosion. Bob Peoples and his trail commandos do one hell of a job!here's hoping that tomorrow goes as well as today. our clothes remained dry, our boots are drying, no trees fell on us, we saw some great waterfalls, and got one hell of a picture of snow on the balds that we hiked a few days ago. exctly what I've been hoping for. last night at the Mt Harbour hostel we got to meet some more hikers that we haven't seen since we had another zero, thus some folks caught us. It is really nice to just sit and talk with folks that in reality the only thing we have in common is ...hiking the AT. I've met folks from all lines of work and it is an interesting bunch. take care and be safe. 59 miles to VA!
Date: 2012-04-24
From: Vango and Abby hostel

To: black bear hostel/cabins
Miles today: 12.6

made it to black bear cabins about five minutes before the sky let loose. tomorrow we won't be that lucky as a front is moving through and rain is in the forecast. it is supposed to be warmer tomorrow though. PJ- even though we are from ut- this damp cold goes to my old bones. Give me zero and no humidity anytime. we also don't have a lot of clothes so we cover up we sweat so much under the clothes it is like we don't have rain gear on anyway. when we stop we get cold. today we walked in the leftover snow at the higher elevations and the wind picked up. we finally had to put on an outer layer.To make big D on time we have to do 16-18 miles a day for the next three days.Deb- i don't have cell coverage here- but I will try and call you with their phone in the office. If there is an issue just send me a g-mail and I'll check my phone in the mts tomorrow. funny we have cell coverage in the mts, but not down in civilization. foot held up good today, stuff is healing. I actually took the ace bandage off that i was using as a buffer on the heel. the next few days will tell. country side is greening up and things are getting pretty. I'm excited about getting to Damascus, but until I'm there and in good shape...i'll keep the celebration on hold. I really liked the abby hostel last night. we were able to read books on the AT and the AT JOURNALS all the way back to 2008. i need to buck up and enjoy the hike and go forward. the readings were all inspirational and my hat remains off to all that have completed their walks. some truly amazing stories of mental toughness. take care and be safe.
Date: 2012-04-25
From: black bear hostel/cabins

To: wilbur dam road
Miles today: 13.0

when I worked on aircraft a pilot once wrote in the forms "sounds like little man with hammer in the cockpit". my response when i signed the forms off was "removed hammer from little man". the reason i state this is I think i have taken the nail gun from the little man hammering my heel and all he has now is a brad gun. The foot still hurts, but no where close to what it was doing. When i get to Damascus I am looking forward to the down time and then hitting the trail once again. today we slacked packed 13 miles, it wasn't long enough to hit our mile goal, but for a little bit i have been trying to keep my shoes dry so my heel can stay dry and not blister up anymore...so I'm hostel hopping I guess. trail today was simply beautiful. It poured rain all night and was raining when we hopped in the car to drive up to start hiking at 0800. By the time we got there the rain stopped and it didn't rain for the rest of the hike. some people may not admit it, and I am not an overly religious person, but I believe no one can finish the trail without God helping some time along the way. I think he may have been watching over me a little lately. the other day my ft gave out on a boulder coming downhill, and I stumbled forward. and luckily caught myself just before what would have been about a 30 ft drop off straight down over the ridge, in fact my foot was walking on air. like i said before the trail is hard enough with two good feet and really hard at times with less. I know he has more important things than me walking the trail so all help and prayers have been greatly appreciated. Laurel creek has to be one of the prettiest in the world. lush vegetation, water falls and rapids all over the place. folks hiking NOBO/SOBO you should take advantage of these hostels. the Black Bear resort folks are again... fantastic. I've been lucky- if things feel good i stay, if not I've moved on. A FEW hostels, which I won't name- just didn't feel comfy and I moved to other locations. I'm hesitant that I'm up to the 19 miles tomorrow but I think I will give it a try. If not then I'll have to Call Debbie and work out how she can pick us up in Shady Valley/Inn? before she gets to Damascus, but for now I want to try. I've been doing 16-17 before on a worst foot, so one more hour shouldn't hurt. I just don't want to push too soon. Gran Bob hurt both knees and is off trail now today. He's been a great person to know as well as I was following his journals and caught up to him at this hostel. over the course of the last week or so...emotions have hit all levels, disappointment when i thought my heel was done, to excitement that I want to continue. I know the road ahead isn't going to be easy, and my foot is far from being a mute issue, but at least I'm trying so I can still see the things I want to see. The trail is simply amazing. take care- be safe
Date: 2012-04-28
From: Damascus

To: Hwy 58
Miles today: 8.1

Resting and taking it easy. Sherpa is heading back to utah monday. I'll be hitting the trail going forward. Jones you can move the pin to damascus. I think we are now at least six inches from the bottom of the map. Add 8 coronas to the list. Figure foot is stil sore, but better each day....waiting for normal walk. Nice having debbie here. The cabin is abt 14 miles out of town, but really nice. Deb had a hell of a time finding it at night, no cell signal to call for directions, but she made it. Trail is nice follows the stream and the virgina creeper trail which is a bike trail as well.
Date: 2012-04-29
From: Hwy 58

To: base camp
Miles today: 9.5

I will hit the trail alone tomorrow heading for mt rogers. It's been nice hiking with sherpa, but I'm also ready for the hike alone. Foot is going to be a challenge for awhile, but what the hell. Next stop harpers ferry. To the ammo folks, thanks for the card and kind words of encouragement. Words from wendy stating don't wimp out are kind words from her...lol. IYAAYAS bros! Working in ammo was the highlight of my career.....trail looks interesting...2moro mt rogers which will be the highest point until I believe new hampshire. One day at a time. Be safe take care.
Date: 2012-04-30
From: base camp

To: Massey gap
Miles today: 14.5

Well today had a range of emotions. Saying good bye to deb and then hitting the trail was really tough. I hiked four miles and sat down thinking abt reasons to stay or go. I'm pretty lucky, deb has been my best friend for twenty years, we butt heads at times, but we've always are happy just doing things with each other. I decided I wasn't done yet. I ran into spools and county slack packing when I was going up and then into them again at elk road?, they invited me to slack eight miles and then since it was going to thunder I was invited to go to country's mom's house for the night. it was trail magic that I needed to lift my spirits. Tomorrow I'm going to try and do 18 to troutdale, but if I get tired I'll stop. Miles is here with shin splints, but is recouping. So saw some animals today, squirrels, chipmunks, wild tame ponies and babies, and my first copper head. All in all it was a good day. Mt roger is done, beautiful mt, rocky walk into the park, two miles of boulder hopping down. I redid a lot of my gear since rick headed home. Got his tent which is a lb lighter than mine, his jet boil stove. Deb brought me some new lighter shirts, I sent a few items home, and I bought new trail shoes. The shoes did great today. No new blisters, and the cushions on the soles made my feet not tired after today. Pj add eigt coronas. I'm tired today for some reason. I'm glad for the chance to do this. Trail looks easy tomorrow myself considering every thing. I'm watching the sun set, green hills, and a bull raising hell. Hikers are bsing inthe room, all the pain has been worth it. Debbie thinks I've lost 25 lbs. Me too, I loskinny now. I just weighed myself and I weight 198..20 lbs lost...more coronas are needed.
Date: 2012-05-01
From: Massey gap

To: Country cabin
Miles today: 0.0

So choice was to kayak or hike today and folks went kayaking. I'm guarding a 12 pack of corona the cabin and resting my ft. a true zero day. We'll do the 18 tomorrow and then head out thursday as hikers again. I'm glad I ran into then yesterday. Luckily davey j was running late or I would not have had the chance to do this. Not much rain here last night but the thunder and lightening over where I would have camped looked bad. Some intense strikes. Pj the corona total should increase by 12. Debbie took a pic of the pig decal, it has traveled 500 miles in honor of all the pigs boondoggles. VA is going to be greener just due to the fact that we are lower in elev and it is spring. It should make hiking more fun. Had a $4.49 breakfast buffet plus omlet....they lost money on us. I'll lose this group in a few days cause they hike so fast but they are a good group. The trail its starting to thin out the party animals and only the serious hikers are surviving. Some of the riff raff that was ruining it for all, got arrested and then booked when released. A lot of folks are off trail now and the total grows daily, but there is still a strong group that is pushing on. Truthfully I doubted I could walk 100 miles, but I'm now going over 500 miles tomorrow. It is so easy to say you want to thru hike, doing so is a dif story. Each person has their own battles and I think they happen daily. Heat, cold, rain, snow, lack of food, sleep, repetition of trail, solitude, too many people, family, injuries, but folks old and young keep on trucking. I'm seeing first hand what the human spirit can do. I may fall apart 10 ft from here or I'll trek for months, but I'll never ever forget what I've seen or experienced. When we watch the news most of it covers the bad aspects of life. too bad they don't cover things like this. Why do folks do this? I still haven't figured that one out. I guess why not? I know my perspective has changed even in this short time period. Food, staying dry, warm, and a hot shower are important. World news, rushing around, and worring abt what other people think are low on my list. And I have on a few occasions asked for help from the man above when every step was a chore, mainly because I just wanted to move forward and not give up. My ft is so-so, but I'm moving forward, so maybe he heard me. Now the temptation is these coronas....like I said, I'm going to start enjoying the trail. There won't be a PCT or CDT in my future, I have to do this as my chance in life to be insane and walk. Day by day, one step at a time. Words in a journal just doesn't do justice on the experience. Take care
Date: 2012-05-02
From: Country cabin

To: Hwy 603
Miles today: 9.5

Okay we did half of what we wanted to do. Tomorrow baseline is 15. Trail was nice, easy at the end and rocky at the top. We are in the big city of boone...home of ASU. Road trip with the guys. We are working the slack pack deal...taking a few days to enjoy life then I'll have to hit the trail again. I think we are talking abt a 20 on friday, I'll have to wrap my ft I think. So life is good simple day. PJ...best days asd a loggy was with the pigs. I mean the pigs have a limited membership! Take care.
Date: 2012-05-03
From: Hwy 603

To: Hwy 670
Miles today: 15.0

Nice trail today. Didn't start till almost 10 was done by 3. Ft held up well. Tomorrow we plan to do 20. no steep ups or downs. Saw a few water falls. It rained a bit but only a light rain to cool things down. Plans for Sat are tbd til after the hike on friday. I'll prob hit the trail. Not much else is new. We all bought some food at walmart and plan to create our own buffet tonight. Saw some of the hikers we've been hiking with...they are giving us a hard time for slacking so long. Gung ho hurt her heel and is off the trail for awhile back in mich. I hope to see get again in the park. Today the foot gave me some hope. I'll see how it feels in the morn. Mother ship plans to open a hostel starting next year, maybe this year. So folk s need to plan to come here. A hostel run by thru hikers will be awesome. I'm trying to figure out how to slack pack to Maine...hmmm. I figure in another week or two I plan to drop the last of any winter stuff and send me sleeping bag home for the new SOL breathable bivy. That alone will save over 2 lbs in weight. Coming up as well most of the time I can get by with two days food. If I can keep the bag around 25 lbs all is good. I don't even know its on anymore. Take care and thanks to everyone for their support. it is nice to read the comments, my connection with the outside world.
Date: 2012-05-04
From: Hwy 670

To: Atkins
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

so we got moving around 7 and then made it to the drop off point about nine. Weather looked like it would rain hard on us but we were safe all day. They have had some bad thunder storms at night but where they hit is anyone's guess. Trail started out real nice and we killed the first four miles quickly. The rest of the day the majority of the trail was the loose rock ranging from fist to suitcase size. Some of the trail made me think we were back in georgia, straight up and straight down. sun came out on cue on the ups. Partnership shelter is the one that has showers and you can order pizza at it from 4-7pm. We hit that at the eight mile mark abt noon. Saw pants on fire, tater tot and found out gribley and day star were already at atkins. So in the end rock hopped for another eight miles and then the trail leveled into town. For folks that are thinking abt staying at the relax inn in atkins....I suggest you look at sleeping elsewhere. Several folks told me the inn had gone downhill. From the outside when I looked at it, I think I would have slept in the meadow with the cows. In return for mother ship's kindness tomorrow we are going to work around the place doing a few things and then hit the trail on sunday morn. They'll book and I'll limp along and camp down the road abt 15 give or take a mile. funny this week we went a couple of times to a restaurant for the breakfast buffet. We went there a day ago and they no longer do the buffet....I think we ate then out of profit. Tonight we went to a buffet for pizza and after 20 miles of hiking we ate some food....wonder when that buffet is closing? Take care be safe