morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-08
From: Comfort Inn, Troutville,VA via VA 632

To: Comfort Inn, Troutville, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Took a ZERO here in Troutville. Felt great. Ate lots.Tomorrow Osprey & I are gonna hitch a ride back to VA 42 with Rambler,[oddly a guy I met my first nite before I hit the trail back in Georgia; former thru hiker, now section hiking; called me outta the blue ath the hotel based on reading my journal I'd just written;thought he might hook up with us here! How cool is that for the electronic journal at work!] Will get back on roughly where we jumped off and hike north back to here, roughly 60 miles I think. Probably 2 1/2 days depending on snow and motivation.Chillin here on Easter Sunday.Been brainstormin a lot about how to get more protein in diet without carrying lots of weight. Evening meals I sometimes add tuna in oil in foil package but weighs 7 oz! That's HALF A POUND for about 35g or so I think. Mostly we eat lots of carbs all day which is great, but short lived energy.We may order some TVP Textured Vegetable Protein. Can't find it in supermarkets so far. It's lighter and would add more protein, but only for eve meal. Soy is great, but heavy per ounce. Same with Wey and other protein drinks, powder form not as bad, but I don't think it mixes too well without a blender. Not really sure. may try some anyway. Ounce for ounce the powder would supply 23g of protein in a 8 oz water (and probably taste horrible).I'd like to figure out something I could eat for breakfast or mid day as snack to keep energy levels up. For now I have some beef jerkey. I'd like to increase my protein substantially to see if it helps keep energy levels up especially on high mileage days.Called home to Connecticut and it's just as cold there. But no snow. Actually there's now snow here in town either, but in the Mountains...oh baby yes...there is snow! and cold!Hope all is well with everybody out there.Fellow thru hikers: Update your journals so we know where you are!!Happy Easter!FedEx [pic is from yesterday, April 7th!]
Date: 2007-04-09
From: VA Rte 42

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Got a ride back to VA 42 with The Rambler - THANKS SO MUCH!Chilly in the morning, 30's, warmed to 40's and eventually 50's. Good hikin weather. No snow left in the moutains.Crossed the Eastern Continental Divide (405 miles to Atlantic Ocean; 1920 mi to Gulf of Mexico). Passed the Audie Murphy monument. Old movie star in WWII flicks. Was the most decorated WWII vet who single handedly captured a large number of Germans, making him a legend. Unfortunately he died in a plane crash near the monument.A chilly nite at the shelter, in the 20'sFedEx
Date: 2007-04-10
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Lamberts Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: few clouds

A very chilly morning. tuff to get outta the toasty sleepin bag.Got warmer as the day went on, comfortable for hikin, but chilly when we stopped.Originally considered doin this day as a 33 miler. Would have been a LONG day with the steady climbs.Climbed to Dragon's tooth, nice view and eventually to McAfee's Knob late afternoon. Awesome view. Great pics to follow.I was inspired by a group of 4 in their 70's! They finished the AT in 1990. Today they're doin an overnite at the Campbell Shelter after hikin up and ova the Knob. Kinda humbles us, the "tuff guys".Great view of Tinker Cliffs, which we then hiked around to. Also great view.Finally made it to our shelter, Lambert's for the nite.Not as chilly.Dinna was good, usuall, Lipton Rice w/Tuna added for protein.Naptime.FedEx
Date: 2007-04-11
From: Lamberts Meadow Shelter

To: The Troutville Home stead
Miles today: 9.4

Not so chilly mornin but always difficult to get goin early.Out at 0615 to get to Troutville (10 miles) as soon as the gear store opens 10am, resupply and get back outta town. "10 by 10" always a good start to the day.Looks like rain in the afternoon so may play it by ear and stop short just outta town at first shelter vs. second.Today could be a big mileage mark 1/3 completed on the AT IF we do the 10 miles outta town to the second shelter. Actually we'll be 1 mile short of 726 miles, the precise 1/3 mark-Close enough. If not we'll hit it tomorrow.Lite rain into town, we made it by 0945. Enjoyed coffee and snacks next door, hit the gear store for a few odd items.Now it's lunch time then flip a coin, get outta town somehow.Gotta go.FedExUpdate. We didn't. Get outta town that is. We were so close. We decided to call it a day at 10 miles, stay at our familiar Troutville Homestead, aka, Comfort Inn, with deluxe accomodations, hi speed internet to update trailjournals, email, etc, a pretty darn good free breakfast and all for a majorly discounted $40 FOR UP TO 4 hikers! We squeezed in 3 making it a real bargain.We'll grab breakfast at 6am and hit the tail by 7. We'll either make up the 10 miles (orginally planned) tomorrow, making tomorrow a ~30 miler or just at 5 tomorrow and 5 the following day. No rain expected, and too easy to pass up the opportunity for another meal or two ...or three...We ran into The Rambler here again...looks like briliant minds think alike!He told us Guthook is just a few miles behind us!! [so much for never catching us! UNBELEIVABLE considering we've been CRANKIN since Damascus!] Rambler also said Guthook was planning to hike thru this town; maybe just jump off to resupply. So if he doesn't show up here tonite, we should likely catch him tomorrow on the trail.It'll be good to catch up on what he's been up to with the gang since we departed.Well, it's almost dinna time AGAIN!Mmmmmm...FedEx
Date: 2007-04-12
From: The Troutville Home stead

To: Jennings Creek, VA 614
Miles today: 28.1

0715 Early start. I was up late catchin up on trailjournal. I am SOOOO tired now. Stopped at 24 hour store on way outta town. Downed large can of energy drink and bought mega No Doze.Popped 2 or 3 of those just to stay alive for now. That helped a little but I am so fatigued. Foggy 40's. Jumped on the trail, lots o cows in very foggy field. Hard to follow the trail. According to the shelter registers Guthook DID catch up and stayed at the first shelter outside of town! He passed us!!! Had we continued as planned he would have met us. Anyway, it warmed up to 50's and Sunny with winds 30-35mph, kinda nice hiking weather. More importantly at the second shelter Wilson Creek, Opsrey & I hit a big mileage landmark-725miles hiked- WE REACHED THE 1/3 WAY TO MAINE MARK!!!Reports were that we were only 1 hour behind Guthook per southbounders!p>But ran outta time to catch him today. As it was gettin late, we stopped and cooked dinna at Cove Shelter then continued on and camped by the river. Osprey used his hammock. Hung our food in bear bag from a tree. The river was roaring all nite and helped us sleep nicely. Quite soothing. Dropped to 40's and breezy but we were warm in our sleeping bags.Guthook continued on the Bryant Ridge shelter.Guess we'll catch him tomorrow. Hopefully before he gets on the trail or we'll be chasin him all day!FedEx
Date: 2007-04-13
From: Jennings Creek, VA 614

To: Matts Creek Shelter
Miles today: 26.4
Weather: clear sky

Got early start by 0615, hoping to catch Guthook before he bails outta the shelter. Reached Bryant Ridge Shelter, the Taj Mahal of shelters by 0800.Guthook and an entire boy scout troop were there! 3 levels, exposed post and beams, wooden pegs. Got caught up on his whereabouts and our adventures since Damascus whence we last saw him. Turns out he was never far behind us! Kept pushin to catch us. Even pushed through Troutville/Daleville to the shelter thinking we were still ahead, as the Outfitter had told him.So we finally hit the trail. Met Blue Skies from Denmark, flip flopper heading south to Georgia then finish northern section. Her friend Shep is from Massachuesetts, hiking a little further south,then jumping back on in NJ headed north. Both very nice and gave us great hostels and food descriptions ahead. Can't wait.Sunny & windy.Ideal for hiking. My achilles tendon was pretty sore for some reason so I took two tylenol to take the edge off. Was getting hard to walk let alone hike.Unfortunately I took wrong tabs-took Tylenol PM which has BENADRYL. So NOW I'm wicked tired. No energy. Took some NODOZE hoping to counter the effect. Sorta worked.Several big climbs today, went ok.Was good to hang with Guthook again. He too had hiked alone several days and stayed solo in a couple shelters, and agreed with us there is a big gap ahead until we might catch any northbound thru hikers. Could get lonely out here.Made it to the shelter by 2000. A great day.
Date: 2007-04-15
From: Budget Inn, Buena Vista, VA

To: The Dutch Haus (B&B)
Miles today: 16.3

Overslept slightly (0730), caught big breakfast at Hardy's on way outta town. Another cold rainy day. Couldn't get a hitch outta town, 9 miles too far to walk.Made couple calls to Trail Angels, secured ride. Got back to trail by 0930.Good thing only going 16 today. But my spirit was dampened after yesterday.And immediately I climb 2000 feet! Not too motivated.But hit it as good as I could, wondering if Guthook even left the warm cozy Dutch Haus in such weather. Osprey probably was on the trail ahead somewhere.40's & cold heavy rain. I'd put on my rain pants before leaving town since I was already getting wet and cold. Usually we don't overdress since we overheat and have no energy. Gonna get wet eventually anyway (wet through outer layers)and much better to be a little cold and motivates you to crank to stay warm.Tried different glove plan too, wearing an outer shell mitten I was gonna ship home very soon. Moved slow all morning, only turnin 2mph durin the climb. I think it was the cold rain and no enthusiasm more than the climb. Eventually figured out Guthook was on the trail an hour ahead, Osprey had met Fruitfly last nite at the shelter. We've been trailing him by two or three days for a while now. He's the only one left we might catch.Every time I thought of taking off my rain pants or shell jacket to cool down a bit it would rain again. Then I heard thunder boomers. I was still 5.5 miles from Selley Woodworth Shelter and then 2.5 miles to the road, then a 1.9 mile walk to where I could get a ride to the Dutch Haus.Fortunately the real thunder & lightning never came and it stopped raining and warmed to ?50.Thank God, cuz I dunno if I had the energy to hike fast to stay warm.Got to the road, caught my ride. Yee Hah!!!Warm Shower, Bathrobe, juice awaiting me after shower, awesome dinna meal.Wow. We really appreciate the hostels. and the B&B is even betta at a hostel price for us!! It gives us incredible motivation to hike fast to get through the crappy weather and hard miles.Tomorrow is gonna be crappy too.HIGH of 38! Rain, maybe snow. And we're climbing a lot up and over The Priest.Guthook and I are gonna do a 20, Osprey already did part of it and got ride back here, so he's doin his own thing.Weather looks same tomorrow and next day, so gotta keep movin.Oh well.Oh ya, my bottom orthodontic retainer came uncemented on the rigth side of my mouth, so it's tearing up my tongue and gettin caught up in food. Gotta try to find an orthodontist to repair it in Waynesboro. Hopefully.Also met two more hikers, one called Tyvec who who made a backpack outta Tyvec material and walks and hikes barefoot! Even today, rain, cold, whatever. Says he hasn't worn shoes in 35 years, except rare occassions. a Veteran I think. Whateva.Good nite.FedEx
Date: 2007-04-16
From: The Dutch Haus (B&B)

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: broken clouds

Awoke to power failure at the B&B. Back to basics. Earl & Lois whipped up a pretty good breakfast despite the challenge.Weather report sounded horrible: high of 38, low 32, 40% chance of rain or snow and windy with gusts 40 to perhaps even 60mph.Finally got moving after late breakfast by 0930.1.9 miles extra UP the access road. Long walk on gravel. Uggh. Chilly and quite windy already, soon with frequent gusts to 40mph. snow on the ground. But sunny.Fortunately the weather report turned out bogus. It warmed to 50 degrees by afternoon and no new precipitation!Stopped for lunch at the Priest Shelter.Ready for the big climbs. The Priest as it's known is supposed to be challenging climb followed by 3 other ridges up and down.It tried to snow several times, but never quite happened.The climbs turned out not too bad. Probably cuz Guthook and I were movin fast to keep warm all morning.Got to Maupin Field Shelter by 1830 hours. It remained VERY WINDY.It looked to be an intensely windy nite in the shelter, with the front wide open.Guthook offered and we hung his tarp across the front securing 6 places, staking across the bottom.The wind actually increased throught the nite and pulled the stakes out 3 times, despite placing large rocks and a log over them to prevent it.But we slept well and I was very thankful for the tarp!FedEx
Date: 2007-04-17
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Quality Inn, Rockfish Gap, Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: few clouds

Got outta the shelter and hiking by 0800. Another MEGA WINDY day, but much warmer and sunny. Much happier, though yesterday was good for hiking.The wind saved us from sweatin to death as we conquered several climbs.Weather was nothin after 2 days of cold rain, wind and snow prior.The streams were all overflowing from the rain, etc, making for some tricky crossings. And it was still cold enough you didn't really want wet feet.Stopped for lunch at Paul Wolfe Shelter, a great shelter with a roaring babbling stream. Very nice.Reached Rockfish Gap by 1615 hours. Yee Hah! Found out about tragedy, 33 dead at VA Tech by crazed student shooter. Talk of the town. Must have been crazy. Lucked out and caught a ride to the gear shop and town with an off going worker at the visitor's center.Checked into the Quality Inn with Hiker discount.Ran into Pixtake, a cool photo editor at a Greenville,NC newspaper [The Daily Reflector; checkout relector.com for his journal "the Longwalk"](who previously sheltered with Guthook 325 miles back ~April 1 and bought him Pizza. This was the Partnership Shelter by Mt Rogers HQ where Osprey and I ate Gourmet Italian food delivered to the shelter! Pixtake is section hiking out for 30 days and ran outta time to do all of Virginia so he caught a ride to the Shenandoahs. We had hiked the whole way here!!)Anyway, the 3 of us hit a Gavid's Steakhouse and chowed; salad bar,etc.Called it a nite.We'd come 226 miles from Pearisburg to Waynesboro in 12 days! That's averaging 18.3 every day though 6" of snow, rain, cold rain,cold and windy, sunny and windy. Pretty good I think. Wow. Time for some R&R!FedEx
Date: 2007-04-18
From: Quality Inn, Rockfish Gap, Waynesboro, VA

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Lots to do today, so we planned to take a long half day in town.Grabbed a waffle, etc. at a great continental breakfast at Quality Inn.Walked to my 0800 orthodontic appointment to fix my now uncemented wire retainer that's been tearin up my mouth for a week now.Dr was great. Wire too bent up to recement. Spent an hour of his time ground off all cement replaced wire and recemented-NO CHARGE!Had lunch at the Tailgate Grill-huge burgers & fries.Awesome Peanut Butter Chocolate and Heath Bar milkshake downtown (very spacy lady runnin the joint though).Mailed home a few more ounces of minor stuff I don't need and haven't used.Got our ride as arranged at 3pm and hit the trail. 50's overcast. Good hiking weather!! Yeah!! We officially entered the Shenandoahs after obtaining the Backcountry Permit (like the Smokies) and headed out for a short hike 7 miles to Calf Mountain Shelter.Pixtake was there, along with Papa Leo, a older Canadian section hiker with a funny but foul mouth and NO SLEEPING BAG. Sleeps in a hostel sheet/sleep sac with winter clothing. Whateva.Kinda Cold nite tonite. I'd be freezing. But I was toasty in my 15 degree bag.FedEx
Date: 2007-04-24
From: Rod Hollow Shelter - The Shanendoahs!

To: Bears Den Hostel; VA
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: broken clouds

Hit the trail about 0715 5 minutes after Tito. Guthook left 30 minutes after.Got hot quickly though it was overcast which helped slightly.But today we hit the famous ROLLERCOASTER of northern Virginia-13 miles with 10 large climbs and descents. Uggh.Turned out they weren't so bad. Long in the humidity, but nothing compared to what we've done in the past south of here. Virginia in general is much less altitude, so the climbs can only be so tough.I caught Tito quickly and eventually Guthook caught us. It was good to hike the last day with Tito.Looks like rain tomorrow.Tito laughed. He almost hopes to get doused with rain. It would be his last day on the trail. And we both started March 1st in a terential downpour all day.Anyway we banged out the 10 miles to The Bear's Den and were glad to be off the trail.Kicked off our shoes and put on the camp shoes. Much nicer. Grabbed a shower.Tried hard, but couldn't find a ride to Harper's Ferry. We'd hoped to buy shoes today, then hike in with them (20miles) tomorrow. No luck.Had to HIKE back on the trail (over part of the Rolercoaster!) in our camp shoes (Crocs & Waldies) 0.75 LONG miles to a restaurant. Burgers, fries, fried zuccini & a beer. Great Blues music too![Oh yeah-even Tito saw a bear yesterday! Why not me?!!]Got a ride back to the hostel. Did some laundry and dined on a whole Tombstone Pizza Supreme [1500 calories] & a pint of Ben & Jerry's [1200 calories] EACH! Hiker Appetite!That's all for now.More in a while when I have internet to update.Fedex.
Date: 2007-04-27
From: Crampton Gap Shelter

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: haze

Awoke to fog and drizzle in the 50's. nice hikin weather.Got outta shelter by 0730, a good start for us.Not a bad day. Tryin out the new treads for the first full day. The dogs are luvin them so far.Not a whole lotta zip together, just marchin along.Mostly overcast and drizzle. A little sun and humid late in the afternoon. Booh.Got to shelter by 1700. So strange to be in so early and even afta dinna, so bright. We were in our sleepin bags by 7pm planning our hikin itinerary into Pennsylvania.Gonna back off on hi mileage days for a bit. Just 20-ish. Give our feet a chance to rest, plus the shelters don't work out well. And no great advantage to camping between.The shelter is ok, but NO PORCH. Nothin special. Tiny, sleeps about 6 and no frills. We always sleep at the dumpy old ones. Rats.Gotta get up early tomorrow.FedEx
Date: 2007-04-28
From: Ensign Cowall Shelter

To: Tumbling Run Shelters
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Slept well in HEAVY rain all nite. It was SO strange to be at the shelter by 1700 hours, broad daylight for a few hours even after dinna. Stays light later, plus a short day. Awoke in foggy overcast morning in the 50's. Great hiking weather. Lite drizzle all day but mucho bettero than sunny and humid.Got an early start by 0610 to get to road crossing 12.4 miles from shelter as early as possible. Today is Saturday, doin the Sat nite church routine. Leave early, catch ride to town, catch Sat nite vigil mass, then back to trail, hike to shelter, meetup with Guthook again. If all goes well.Left camp. 5 minutes out, just past a field and back into the woods, I FINALLY SAW A BEAR! 3 BEARS ACTUALLY! No Goldielocks, just 3 bears! Mama and 2 cubs moapin along diagonally beside trail no more than 100 feet away. I froze, quietly grabbing & powering up my camera phone, but it was too slow! Bummer.Mama perhaps ?2-250lbs, cubs ?40-ish lbs. I didn't make any noise hoping to grab a pic, but I think mama noticed. I was downwind with a slight breeze, but she quickened her pace a little. the last little cub stumblin along a little slower. It was so cool.Hope to see more bears! (As long as they don't eat me!)Their path suggested they were headed toward the shelter. Hope Guthook doesn't look to tasty in his sleeping bag, like a borrito!Made it to 10 mile mark in about 4 hours, by 1015. The Mason-Dixon Line was supposed to be immediately after the Pen Mar County Park. State line, end of Maryland, beginning of Pennsylvania. Somehow I missed it. Probably not too well marked. Typical. Oh well. It's ONLY the boundary between the northern and southern half of the U.S. Nothing significant. Got to PA 16 and hitched a ride afta about 10 minutes into Blue Ridge Summit, 1.2miles away. Not much here, but a Catholic church nearby with Sat nite mass-perfect.Grabbed nice lunch at the Mountan Shadow Diner. Roast beef dinna, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, buttered roll, mountain dew, and Peanut Butter Pie with milk for delicious dessert! Mmmmmm.Quick resupply at convenience store, just a couple things I need.Hit the library to upate this journal and upload a couple pics then on to church.Caught a ride back to the trail from churchgoer and Boy Scout Leader and banged out 5.7 miles to the shelter. Went well, got in before dark and dinna @ Tumbling Run Shelters (2 tiny old style shelters from th '40s that sleep 4 each.) No palace tonite. Oh well.Tomorrow it's 26 to Tom Run Shelter, JUST before the half way point!!FedEx
Date: 2007-04-29
From: Tumbling Run Shelters

To: Toms Run Shelters
Miles today: 25.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Good start. Out by 0705. Not too hot yet. Tomorrow is a big day. not mileage but significance. We hit the official half way point AND the traditional Hald Gallon Challenge!! Can you eat a half gallon of ice cream??! I dunno. Guess I'll find out!As the temperatute heated up we took 2 long breaks at shelters along the way. Much needed. We heat up with humidity and so do our feet. It's oh so releaving to take of the shoes and air out the dogs for a even a few minutes. Works miracles.Got into the shelter by 1830hours.Another double mini shelter tonite. Built long ago, in the 40's but in good shape, well maintained. Guthook gave me the hint, so I slept in the other shelter to give him some good sleep. Apparently my snoring can be overbearing and quite irritating. I actually drove him outta the shelter one nite in the distant past. Anyway, we both slept well. A hint of rain in the morning but we don't care - it's on to the half fgallon challenge!!FedEx