morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-04-14
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

The rest of the tent city in Woodchuck's backyard was still asleep when I poked my head out this morning. Trying not to wake Trix, I put together my town bag and headed in to shower. A few people were up getting coffee when I stepped into the kitchen and by the end of the shower most people were up.My plan had been to take advantage of the included breakfast at the hostel but Rabbit had been informed that the Blue Blaze Cafe had another eating challenge record waiting to be broken: pancake eating. He and I tried to rally a crew to head over there but only Trix, Violet, and Flood joined us. We sat down for the first plate around 9:45 and after applying a "diabetes amount of syrup" (Rabbit) we went to town. The kitchen wasn't able to bring them out as fast as we were going though them and by our tenth pancakes our stomachs had begun to realize they were full. Rabbit tapped out after twelve and shortly after he, Violet, and Flood headed out to take care of business. Trix stayed with me as I struggled through another six. It turned out to be quite the dismal affair: sitting almost alone inside on a sunny day forcing down pancakes well past the point of enjoyment. All of the blood in your body goes to your digestive system and you begin to feel almost hungover. However, with twenty minutes left on the clock I finished the eighteenth pancake setting a new record! Got my photo taken and then was all too happy to put the pancakes behind me.We headed back to Woodchuck Hostel, packed up the tent as it began to sprinkle a bit, and headed over to meet Peg and Bill. With Peg at work, Bill was holding down the fort and he welcomed us in and got us comfortable. We started a laundry load and then headed back into town - only five hours later than the originally planned productivity streak. I got my shoes replaced under warranty at SunDog Outfitters with no hassle from them or Salomon. Loving the shoes, but was disappointed they had lasted only around 400 miles before the soles started falling apart, the tops ripped, and the kevlar laces began to fray. After hitting the post office and the Dollar General we stopped back in at Blue Blaze Cafe - unlike myself, Trix was not still totally stuffed from breakfast. Then we headed back to meet Peg, now home from workI couldn't have been more than ten the last time I had seen either of them in New York and it was nice to catch up. We chatted for a while between showers and finishing up laundry and then headed out for a later dinner, my belly finally ready for more this time around. After the meal we were given a driving tour of the rest of town we hadn't seen as well as the lovely orchard they will be moving to next month. After a quick call with the family bed was all that was on the mind
Date: 2014-05-05
From: Glasgow, VA

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: clear sky

I was one of the first up and was surprised to find that I had actually slept pretty well on the picnic table bench. I packed up as quietly as I could but it wasn't too long before the rest of The Herd was stirring. They all headed out early with the plan being to put up twenty miles out of town. I had smaller dreams though that included a resupply and a quality amount of time at the library.Trix was in the same boat as me and together we hit the Dollar General and grocery store while waiting for the library to open. It took longer than expected to get through the build up of emails, but I got a few things taken care of I had been putting off for weeks.It was mid afternoon before too long and my plan to get 10 miles in was rapidly fading. Trix and I had lunch under a pavilion as a quick rain shower blew over. Along with lunch came the most clean cut breakup I've ever experienced and in a matter of sentences Trix and I were no longer hiking together but still on good terms.She was staying another night in town so I set out to hitch alone around 5:00pm. I ended up walking half of it before a truck stopped on a blind turn and told me to hop in. His spedometer was not concerned with the relationship between speed and centripetal force and I got quite a workout staying upright in the bed of the truck.Arriving unharmed I thanked him and hit the trail hard at 6:00pm hoping to make up for time lost. I ran into Chainsaw and Redwood at the first shelter as well as my first tick of the trip (removed in short order). Then back on the trail for a pretty respectable climb and some night hiking.Fog rolled in as it was getting dark and about halfway up I went to switch on my headlamp. This turned out to be useless as the fog reflected everything and I could see less with it on. Continuing on with what could only have measured a few lumens I continued climbing until even the crescent moon was not enough and I went back to the headlamp.It was eerie to be sure hiking near blind at night through thick fog. This was compounded further when out of the fog materialzed a memorial for a four year-old who had wandered of the trail and perished at that spot. I'm not one for ghost tales, but it ran a chill down my spine.I finally arrived at the second shelter around 10:00pm and struggled to find the shelter. I found the picnic table that usually sits right out front but for the life of me couldn't locate the structure. I threw in the towel on finding it and just threw up my tent. During that a headlamp came on just up the hill and I met Guy on a Buffalo whose name I had been hearing for a while. He had also been unable to find the shelter and set up right near by. Having skipped dinner I was grateful for the cookies he offered me and was quickly wrapped up in my bag.
Date: 2014-05-06
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Hog Camp Gap
Miles today: 17.6

Morning came and the fog had lifted by the time I unzipped my tent. I stepped out to find the shelter not forty feet away. It was occupied by Sassafras, Prom Queen, Wees, Ice Party, and Hyperbole who I had not seen in a while. Redwood had arrived the night before as well so it was a little breakfast party going on.I was the last to head out, but caught everyone at the next shelter taking lunch. It was a nice day and a little swim was on the menu for sure. The Brownie Troop (as the ladies were now being called) and Redwood left to head into town leaving Guy on a Buffalo and myself to talk for a while. After food was eaten he lay down to take a nap and I went to lay down in the stream - a position I managed to hold for only a few seconds before deciding that was enough cold water for the day.Hoping to catch The Herd at the next shelter I headed on. I reached the road into town one third of the way up the big climb (3000 ft) of the afternoon and found Gentle Spirit, Moose, West AND trail magic waiting. They had been off adventuring in town during the morning and had just gotten a ride back to the trail.The four of us set out to take the climb by force and with Moose in the lead we made incredible time up the 2000 ft. We stopped at the top for snacks and water and were joined by Guy on a Buffalo. The merry little troop had grown and we began the descent down the other side.Gentle Spirit had gone ahead at the top and we found him setting up camp only six miles from the road. He had been low on water going up the climb and somehow during the last descent had gotten turned around and begun to reclimb the peak! Fortunately he ran into Boomer and got turned around the right way, but he was feeling done for the day. We took stock of the campground and even though it was only seven miles for them that day we decided to stay. Boomer, Smudge, Guy on a Buffalo, and later the Brownie Troop and Safari also set up shop there.Moose rebuilt the fire ring to more stringent specs and before long we were all sitting around a nice blaze after having tossed a frisbee around for a while (a welcome first for me on the trail). Feeling good to have a trail family back together I called it a night around 10:00. It was a beautiful evening and a sweet camping location but I couldn't help thinking how much nicer it would have been a few days earlier had we been able to catch Fresh Ground here.
Date: 2014-05-09
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Calf Mountain Hut
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: clear sky

I woke up with the sun and managed to catch it silhouetting the abandoned factory next to the park. With no tree cover or mountains to delay the sunrise everyone else was up at about the same time. With the exception of Moose. That man can sleep through anything I'm convinced.Safari, Gentle Spirit, Violet, West, and I headed over to Weasie's Kitchen to see what damage we could do. Only Gentle Spirit and I were going for the all you can eat pancakes, and I wasn't even planning on really pushing for it - my sails still deflated from yesterday's news about my Blue Blaze record.We came. We ate. We conquered. I put away nine plate-sized pancakes and everyone else left happy with their meals it seemed. West, Gentle Spirit, and I got a ride back out to Rockfish Gap outfitters where I got my pack adjusted and my feet diagnosed. My pack was indeed a size too large which means the hip belt doesn't tighten quite enough and even when that is riding high enough the top then feels awkwardly tall. But when it sits too low (as it has been apparently) then it bites into a big artery causing my foot to go to sleep. The pain in the arch of my foot was diagnosed as plantar fasciitis, an inflamation of the tissue creating the arch of the foot.That was a pretty big bummer because the usual treatment for that is primarily rest. He said I should just up the vitamin I and try to stretch, massage, and ice it as much as I could on the trail. Fortunately I had already been massaging and icing it in streams when I got the chance and was on the right track. I got some new insoles as well which provide a lot more support so that should help as well.After a resupply and some more pavilion chilling West, Gentle Spirit, and I got another trail angel ride back out to the trail head. It was later than planned and dusk had settled in by the time we arrived at the shelter. It was full, as were most of the tent pads, but I managed to find a somewhat level one to set up on.Violet's mom, trailname Mama V, had joined her for a few days and they were just finishing up dinner as we began ours. The meal and subsequent socializing was cut short by the night and a light sprinkle but not before she had pulled a few trail surprises on us.
Date: 2014-05-10
From: Calf Mountain Hut

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 26.2
Weather: light rain

It was a good, old fashioned, lazy morning at Calf Mountain Hut. Moose and Guy on a Buffalo had arrived late the night before which was a nice morning surprise. Even nicer was the peach pie Guy on a Buffalo extracted from his pack entirely intact! And of course, what trail breakfast would be complete without a game of chess?Violet and Mama V left early to give Mama V, lacking the trail legs the rest of us have, a full day for her first 13 mile day - a distance many of us did not push until the second week on the trail, let alone the second day. It was not the last we saw of them, however, as Violet returned twice for forgotten gear.It was coming on 10:00am when I hit the trail and the day continued at a relaxed pace. The Herd was only going to the next shelter and were in no rush. I was planning on going further, but wasn't sure just how much more I wanted to push, especially as I was quite enjoying the company. The morning held frequent just-because stops, a trail snake, and an early lunch before the clouds began to take on a threatening look in the afternoon.The rain started coming down about two miles after the lunch break. It wasn't quite hard enough or cold enough to warrant anything beyond the pack covers thrown on after lunch but Moose and I definitely threw it in high gear for the last four miles to the shelter. The rain stopped within a mile of the shelter and we were no longer soaked, only very damp, on arrival.At the shelter we found Bean Dip and Mama Bean making lunch as well as a section hiker out for a few days to prepare for his thru hike next year. Bean Dip and Mama Bean had a line up and invited us to add to the drying clothing. My socks made a brief appearance before being banished from the shelter - I guess it's about time for some laundry...Gentle Spirit and West arrived shortly and were followed a little later by Violet, Mama V, and Guy on a Buffalo - quite the party. Second lunches and early dinners were in full swing and it was difficult to tear myself away, but Front Royal was calling my name and I had surprises to plan.I finally said my goodbyes and began the climb out of there right at 5:00pm. Other than bringing my millage for the day up to at least twenty I didn't really have a plan besides just hiking. As I got further I realized the listed water sources for this section were in short supply and that my options were limited. I was making good time though and decided the next shelter could be reached before dark if I pushed.Aside from a few pauses to soak up sunset views I just kept moving and arrived at the shelter just before 8:30pm. It was my biggest non-stop push yet doing 13.5 miles in 3.5 hours and, fittingly, brought my millage for the day exactly to that of a marathon.At the shelter were Val and 3x5 who informed me there were three other section hikers as well but they were making a town run and would be back later. I was too hungry for much conversation, however, and went straight to making dinner and then sleeping.
Date: 2014-05-11
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Bearfence Mountain Hut
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: clear sky

I met the section hikers the next morning while making breakfast: Speck, Gigline, and Brenda. No longer focused with single-minded intensity on dinner, I had a proper conversation with 3x5 before he got going. I took my with breakfast and was the last one out.It was quite a nice day and even at 8:00 am provided a taste of the summer heat to come. I passed Speck and Gigline when they were stopped talking to a few bikers and caught up with Val and 3x5 at the next shelter. It was a little early for lunch, but there was a picnic table and shade so decided to finish off the last of my falafel. Speck and Gigline arrived shortly after that and we chatted while they took a break for snacks and water.The four of them were all back on the trail by the time I finished with my first lunch. I still had quite a bit of leftover olive oil from cooking the falafel which I couldn't let go to waste. The only thing to be done was to cook a second lunch! I made some beans and rice and then lounged around for a while catching up on some journal writing.After clocking two hours at the shelter I decided it was probably time to move on. I ran into a southbound thru hiker (whose name I'm blanking on :/ ) at one of the vistas and we talked for a while before the necessity to get put up some more millage for the day caught me again.I got to the shelter just after 8:00 pm to find quite the party. I had caught up with Sun Bear, Coconuts & Spice Kit, as well as the usual suspects from the last few days and a few section hikers. Dinner was quite lively and it was well past dark before I set up in the mostly-empty shelter.
Date: 2014-05-14
From: Tom Floyd Wayside

To: Mountain Home Cabin
Miles today: 2.9
Weather: overcast clouds

With a very short day ahead of me I took my time in the morning with a long breakfast and goodbye to Dune. The walk was a little misty but no complaints as it meant no fresh sweat stank for whoever was kind enough to give me a lift into town. It was the easiest hitch I have ever had; my thumb had been out for less than thirty seconds when the first vehicle to pass pulled over.The first stop was the diner followed by four hours at the library. My goal was to totally catch up the blog, including the past days still sitting in the journal in my pack, but other hikers and a large number of emails needing attention scrapped that plan.I took a quick lunch break of double-entree proportions. That was followed by a phone call to Cambridge addressing some business that had been waiting for two months. Then back to the library where I was able to score another four hour session and get another few posts caught up.Brenda swung by to pick me up and bring me back to Mountain Home Cabin. There I was pleasantly surprised to find Robert and Svenja! They were just as surprised to see me, convinced that they had most certainly jumped far ahead of our group. I had known that Svenja had been having some leg pain problems and that they were faced with a visa time crunch. The news that they were getting off trail for good and going home wiped the smile from seeing them right off. The reasoning behind that decision, however, brought it right back - and then some. I was sworn to secrecy, but I can say that it's a happy reason and that I'm glad to have been a part of their hike.Speck, Gigline and his wife, Brenda, and I then headed down to the diner again for dinner. I packed away quite a meal of my own, followed by left overs from the three of them. To top it off Gigline treated me to dinner (another thank you if you're reading this!). Then back to Mountain Home for an early night, though not before a solid hour long conversation with Scott, Robert, and Svenja about the notable differences between Germany and the US. It was my first night paying for a bed in over three weeks and man, was I looking forward to it.
Date: 2014-05-16
From: Kingston, NY

To: Kingston, NY
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: haze

As much as I try to, it seems impossible to stay up to date with posts on here. Pictures and a full post to come - for now the shorthand rundown:My plan had been to drive down to Trail Days and pick a few hikers up along the way. After the drive yesterday and the midnight letdown I was not feeling like a 10+ hour drive. The real game changer was just the opportunity to visit with my family though.Maya and I went out for a sibling breakfast of crepes. This was followed by a trip to the beer distributor where I picked up a few bottles of nice beer. The rest of the day was spent drinking those and hanging out with the family.
Date: 2014-05-17
From: Kingston, NY

To: Kingston, NY
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

As much as I try to, it seems impossible to stay up to date with posts on here. Pictures and a full post to come - for now the shorthand rundown:Much like the day before I didn't do too much besides simply enjoying spending time with my family. I did make it out to the mall area to get some new shorts and replace my water-damaged iPod. The shorts are just as short as I was looking for and will (fingers crossed) alleviate all chaffing and blood loss problems.
Date: 2014-05-18
From: Kingston, NY

To: Kingston, NY
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

As much as I try to, it seems impossible to stay up to date with posts on here. Pictures and a full post to come - for now the shorthand rundown:The plan for today had been to drive back down to Virginia to return the car but I scrapped that and spent another day. The car didn't need to be back until Monday anyway so as long as I started early I was fine in that respect.
Date: 2014-05-19
From: Kingston, NY

To: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 5.2

As much as I try to, it seems impossible to stay up to date with posts on here. Pictures and a full post to come - for now the shorthand rundown:Despite a slightly late night beginning the new season of Game of Thrones I was up and out early. The drive down was uneventful aside from accidentally running a toll booth. The car was returned with no hitches and I was able to hitch a ride back to the trail head with no problems.At the shelter I found Prom Queen, Thin Mint, and Midnight Sparkle already there. We were joined by Wees, Ice Party, Marshmallow, and Simba. I did not take advantage of the solar shower but was certainly impressed with the facilities in general.
Date: 2014-05-20
From: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter

To: Morgan Mill Stream
Miles today: 21.7

As much as I try to, it seems impossible to stay up to date with posts on here. Pictures and a full post to come - for now the shorthand rundown:Yet another morning where I was one of the first up but still one of the last to leave. Learning to multitask socializing and morning routine is on my to do list. I stopped for a snack at the first shelter then continued on to the next one for lunch with Wees, Ice Party, and Prom Queen.My feet were giving me problems on the next stretch but we made it the next shelter and decided on going another 3 miles to a campsite instead of 7 to the next shelter. We were at the edge of the Roller Coaster (13 miles of tightly packed ascents and descents) and none of us were looking forward to doing half of that as night fell.The campsites were not very flat. At all. But we still found a few reasonable spots. I took the time to actually soak my feet in the stream in lieu of ice and it was close to 10 before I hit the pad.
Date: 2014-05-21
From: Morgan Mill Stream

To: David Lesser Shelter
Miles today: 17.8

As much as I try to, it seems impossible to stay up to date with posts on here. Pictures and a full post to come - for now the shorthand rundown:Despite the late night I was up early and actually out of camp before anyone else was up. I caught Midnight Sparkle at the next shelter for a snack and then continued on to finish up the Roller Coaster. It didn't feel all that bad while I was hiking it but I felt it as soon as I sat down for lunch at the other end.The afternoon was a little slower and I rolled into the shelter relatively early to meet section hikers Captn and Sarge. Twizzler was there as well and later Ice Party, Wees, and Prom Queen arrived. It was a nice social evening and an earlier bedtime than last night.
Date: 2014-05-22
From: David Lesser Shelter

To: Ed Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: scattered clouds

As much as I try to, it seems impossible to stay up to date with posts on here. Pictures and a full post to come - for now the shorthand rundown:The 10 into Harpers Ferry wasn't too bad at all. I stopped off at the ATC HQ and then went to lunch with Thin Mint and Twizzler. Then came second lunch with Prom Queen, Wees, and Ice Party. And then third drink with Bean Dip, Rocket Man, Princess, and Mama Bean.Eventually I made it back to the ATC HQ to try to get some journal entries done. It ended up being more socializing than updating but I got a few done! They closed at 5 and I got moving at 5:30. On the way out I received some entirely unexpected trail magic from Rudy and Rose, an aspiring thru hiker. That lead to another snack on the way out then a flat walk along the tow path and a short climb up to the shelter.
Date: 2014-05-23
From: Ed Garvey Shelter

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: light intensity drizzle

As much as I try to, it seems impossible to stay up to date with posts on here. Pictures and a full post to come - for now the shorthand rundown:Not too much to comment on during the day without referring to the journal at the bottom of my pack. Stopped at the first George Washington monument ever built and crossed over another thruway. This gets even more exciting as I get closer to the one bridge over I-87 in NY that I've driven under so many times, dreaming of one day walking over it.Found Thin Mint at the shelter set up in his tent. The shelter itself was monopolized by some high school boys who had strung hammocks up through the entire thing making it unusable by anyone actually wanting to shelter. I was too run down at that point in the day to make a big deal out of it. Instead I went with the path of least resistance and set up under the stars.