morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-03-09
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Damascus is BEAUTIFUL. I arrived on Saturday, and spent Easter biking the Virginia Creeper Trail. Or should I say coasting? For the first ten miles, I only had to use the brakes. I moved so fast at first, it was like being in a time warp- I'm used to 2-3 miles an hour!!! But it was beautiful. And coincidence of coincidence, on the bike trail I stopped at a small store, got off the bike, and the woman next to me said hello. Then "You look sooo familiar... Hey- I gave you a ride into Franklin!" It was the woman who gave me, Axman, Cygnet and Snowplow all a ride into Franklin on that day we were frozen solid and trying to hitch into town. She took off her sunglasses and I recognized her right away. Small world! She doesn't even leave near Damascus.Anyway, I'm still here- taking Tuesday (today) off as well, because, hey! I've got the time. I can just amble along to Harpers Ferry (where I'm meeting my family for a couple days) and take my time. SUNSHINE!
Date: 2010-03-10
From: Marion, VA

To: Marion, VA
Miles today: 317.0
Weather: clear sky

So yes, it has been a while since I updated for real, I suppose.Boy, Damascus was a VORTEX. You know the town vortex that most thru hikers (and large sectioners) talk about? Damascus was the biggest vortex for me! It was like a combination of Frenchtown and Lambertville from home (both of which I love), with a chill cafe and cool people. There are several people working there (in outfitters, etc) who were trying to thru hike at one point, and just never left Damascus. And I can understand why- it was super hard to leave.But, I did, and I'm glad. Hiked (slowly) from Damascus to Troutdale. Spent the night with the ponies up in Thomas Knob shelter (and some weekenders who sealed off the shelter with a tarp and spent the night chain smoking and shouting about how they couldn't sleep...), saw one thru hiker the whole way, and got to Troutdale. Troutdale is a beautiful town- I stayed at the Baptist Church Hostel, which was clean, and on a hill and beautiful. It was very springy there. And not at all vortex-y. (It was so small, how could it be?)And now am in Marion (I planned to resupply in Atkins, but ended up getting a room here with Fishy and Caken instead). Soon, on to Pearisburg!
Date: 2010-03-11
From: Sugar Run Gap/ Wood's Hole

To: Sugar Run Gap/ Wood's Hole
Miles today: 88.0

So, I am at Wood's Hole Hostel, kickin' up the feet and taking a zero day. It'd definitely be safe to say that this hostel is in the running for best hostel on trail. There is a great atmosphere, and I got a room inside the house (instead of in the bunkhouse, like I usually would), and most importantly, the food is amazing. And when I say amazing, I don't mean "all-you-can-eat greasy diner food". No. Good quality, all natural (and much home-grown) deliciousness. I have been looking for good, healthy food for ages. Miles. Hundreds of miles. Literally. And fruit smoothies. Amazing. This is my two month anniversary of being on trail, so I treated myself to half an hour in the sauna... It was good. The weather has been beautiful and dry and warm, but the conditions have also been perfect for a forest fire (And I've been a little worried about somne of the smaller water sources drying up) so the rain last night was very welcome. Especially since I was warm and dry in a hostel of course... Rain is predicted for the next week solid though, and we'll see how that goes.   I'll probably just give up on trying to keep myself dry at all during the day, and just try to keep my night clothes/sleeping bag dry. Trying to be dry while hiking in the rain? Complelety futile attempt. Don't even try. You'll just get wetter.I have hiked really slowly and small mileage days since Damascus (nothing above 16) and out of Atkins, my body just said "Shlep, if you don't start hiking bigger days, we're going to just turn into jelly". So I did 14 out of ATkins since I left late, 19 the next day, then 23.8- which felt good. Then a slow 14 (with lunch at Trent's Grocery), and a nero of 6 miles into Wood's Hole Hostel yesterday.Love this hostel and great place for a zero day!
Date: 2010-05-07
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 235.0
Weather: overcast clouds

SO! I'm in Waynesboro, VA. A hiker friendly town, and camping at the YMCA. It is beautiful down here! I hope this amazing weather continues into the Shenandoahs for me...Note for NoBos. If you like eating healthy food (ie- not living off of little debbies) do NOT resupply in Glasgow. At all. Just don't do it. Ugh. SUPER glad to come to a Kroger in Waynesboro. Yahoo!!! Will make a much more complete entry later.Doing well, had some rain, now some sun!
Date: 2010-05-08
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Okay, so yes, I know the days and the mileage on this journal are kind of messed up, but since I don't do entries day by day, that's how it is. (If you haven't guessed, I update the mileage by typing in the miles I've done since my last entry- so no, I haven't done any 200 mile days... yet.) And the dates are messed up, because I didn't realize that they weren't being changed automatically. Onward to the SHENANDOAHS!!! (Come on Boo-Boo, let's get us a pic-i-nic basket!)
Date: 2010-05-18
From: Front Royal, VA

To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 100.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hey all! So I'm currently sitting in the Front Royal Hostel (just off the trail, and nearish to the town of Front Royal). I have finished Shenandoah National PArk! I'll admit it, I enjoyed close access to civilization (ie- blackberry milkshakes) and even walked on Skyline Drive a little to get some sun. NOT. I walked on skyline a bit, but no sun did shine for the first four days! But, what better place to have rain than the Shenandoahs? Land of Wayside stores in which you can sit and drink coffee and watch the rain while staying dry...The weeks was nice- I did many 13 mile days, and one 33 mile day (!!!) to get dinner at Big Meadows. Staying at the Terrapin Station Hostel for another night to wait out the rain and not beat my family to Harpers Ferry. Glad to be dry, full and warm, and CAN'T WAIT to see my family in a couple days!!!
Date: 2010-05-21
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Harper Ferry
Miles today: 64.0
Weather: clear sky

So, I am finally in HARPERS FERRY!!! I got in to town two days ago, and was marked down and photographed as NoBo thru hiker number 96. No idea there were so many ahead! There are many more behind. My grandparents arrived a few hours after me, and my mother and brothers arrived the next afternoon. YAY!!!!! I have COMPLETELY re-outfitted (with the help of my grandparents) and am now carrying probably half the weight I was carrying up until now. Hmm... will my name be "Half ShLep" now? We'll see. Too much to do, so little time, sorry trailjournals, family takes precedence!
Date: 2010-05-25
From: Harper Ferry

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

So, I'm still in Harpers Ferry. I had an AWESOME time with family on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (and Monday morning), and was very sad when they left. I, however, am still here. Why? That bug bite on my ankle that gradually started hurting on Friday started to be truly painful on Monday morning. I slackpacked into Harpers Ferry (my mother dropped me off on her way home) because I skipped the last one day's worth of miles to get in to Harpers when my family arrived, which was great- love slackpacking. But, my ankle hurt even more. So I stayed the night at the hostel. In the middle of the night, my ankle hurt SO MUCH that I almost passed out. I decided that bug bites shouldn't do that (and had already been applying hydrocortisone and antiobiotic ointment), and the pain should not be crawling up my leg, so talked to my mother, and decided I needed to go to the doctor.As I was sitting on the sidewalk, trying to get through to the Harpers Ferry Family Practice (and failing- apparently they were quite busy and the call wouldn't go through), a car pulls up and someone sticks his head out. "ShLep?" I was surprised and nodded- turned out to be Baltimore Jack who I've talked with before but never met. (Good to finally meet you Jack!!!) Explained my problem, he took me to meet Lauri/Laura from the Outfitter, she took one look at my ankle, and drove me to the doctor. (Apparently, she's seen some spider bites and infected bites get really bad).Dropped me off, I got an appointment, the nurses expressed total SHOCK at the very idea of walking for five months, and saw the doctor. Who then prescribed anti-biotics and pain killers, etc... Then told me to come back for a follow up in a week. [Pause] uhhh... I can't do that- I'm going to Maine... She asked what day I'd get there, and didn't quite understand (until I explained) that I was walking there. So, suggested that if my leg still felt bad or it didn't go away, I should go off trail and find a doctor.Few!!!!! Ugh. Now I have to catch the bus to the pharmacy in CharlesTown.   Hopefully hiking out tomorrow!!!!!
Date: 2010-01-06
To: Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Things are starting to fall into place. I got the okay from work to hike and that I will definately have my job when I return. That is so awesome. I am relieved. I have written on my calendar how many days til I leave and the countdown has started. Eighty days from today. To the gym we must go to prepare the legs.
Date: 2010-01-31
To: Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Sitting at First Watch again contemplating this amazing journey. "All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go..." Sixty three more days and I'll be in Georgia. I will be meeting someone today that thru-hiked last year to see if she can allay some of my fears about this hike. Packages to be sent and to where are questions I need to ask. I have my plan as to how many miles I'll hike a day and where I will be staying but I've heard that soon you will change all of that depending on weather, feet, and days off. Zumba is the activity of choice to get me in shape. I've been doing this for about a year and had a personal trainer. I've lost weight and gained muscle but still not sure that it is enough. I can't tell you the cost of my equipment because I've had it for so long. The one thing that is new is my pack. I bought a new one due to the fact that my old one didn't fit right and it weighed twice as much as this new one. The old one weighed 6lbs and my new one is three. My new pack is a Osprey 55. I shed three pounds...so does that make me a weight weenie? We'll see if I cut off the handle to my toothbrush Have a great day, and I'll be back next weekend. Sid.
Date: 2010-01-31
To: Mt.Katahdin in Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Ok, now I am thoroughly frustrated. I have planned my hiking days to Maine and I'm over my 150 allotted days with no zero days. Sitting at Panera on a Sunday morning trying to revise my plan. Only 55 days left til I start my hike. Everyday is a different emotion from excitement to being anxious to frustation and even depression. (It's mostly excitement though). "All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go..." Now for more planning. See you next week. (thanks to everyones support).Sid
Date: 2010-02-06
To: Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

It snowed around 4 inches last night and everything is cancelled in Datyton,OH. Still, we made it to First Watch, our favorite breakfast place on Sat. mornings. I am in awe of the entries made by many who will be starting their hike soon. I'm hoping to meet up with some of you on the trail. I am feeling very unsure of myself right now...I have much planning to do as far as mail drops to plan out but I'm pretty set on all my gear and food. It's down to 49 days. Awk. See you in Georgia on March 27th. SID
Date: 2010-02-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

For some reason the starting location is always Maine. How can i change that? Anyway. Have my boxes set up in the basement ready to be packed with food and snacks. Can't believe we will be leaving in 4 weeks. Today there are 35 days left before the hike and 30 days before i see our daughter, Beka in New Jersey. There are 27 days before my last day of work This is sooooo exciting. Every Sat. I sit here at First Watch, eating breafast before my workout and think...I just want to be at the arch at Amicalola Falls. I am so ready to start this adventure. Several of my friends are going to be meeting me in Georgia to see me off. I have the greatest friends and a wonderful support system here in Dayton. Til the next time. Sid
Date: 2010-02-27
To: 28 days and counting
Miles today: 0.0

Again at First Watch (we have bought stock in this company)--just kidding. Having some friends over tonight to review the contents of my pack. More than likely I will be dropping some weight from their perspective. Almost frustrated at this point...Trying to balance full time work, getting ready, ordering maps and food, planning the post office drops and the training part is really hard. I feel like I'm not making any head-way. Really anxious to get to Amicalola and show off my favorite lodge and waterfall to my husband. I guess more than that I am anxious to see our daughter and son-in-law in New Jersey before we head down to Georgia. They were married last summer and haven't seen them since Christmas. I am missing them. They will be a big help when I hit their area on the trail. I know I'll have a ride and a place to stay. That is somewhere in July...seems like an eternity away. To all of you hiking now and soon to be hiking...I'm thinking of you and hope your journey is everything you dreamed it would be. Sid
Date: 2010-03-06
To: Three weeks and counting
Miles today: 0.0

First Watch again? Yes...every Sat. morning my husband and I head to our favorite breadfast place and get things started on our day. Next is Zumba, the exercise I love. There is an outdoor adventure at Wright State Univ. all day today so I want to stop by there to see if they have any more instuctions from the pros before I take off on my journey. My maps came in the mail yesterday and I have been looking at the familiar red lines that I will follow for the next 5 months. My family, that is my dad, my four brothers and their wives and kids, my sister and her family, will all get together for a send-off tonight(and celebrate my nephews birthday). They are curious about the pack and what I will eat, where I will sleep and really think I'm crazy for doing this. Goals for this week include getting the labels on my boxes, finishing projects (sewing) that have to be done prior to leaving, buying more food, Zumba Monday, Tues, Thurs, and Sat, plus walking on the treadmill with my pack at the gym and, oh yeah, 40 hrs. of work. I soooo need a break, and I think it's because I'm so excited about my trip and just want to be in Georgia now.For all of you starting this weekend--have a great week. Enjoy Amicalola Falls and hope you hike the approach trail. It's a neat hike to the top of Springer. On to Katahdin,Sid
Date: 2010-03-13
To: One last week of work
Miles today: 0.0

Now it's really getting close. One more week of work, (14 more days to be exact before I'm on the trail)...the weekend, then taking off to New Jersey. I keep going over and over the inside of my pack. Last Wed. was down at Miami Valley Outfitters to buy a ton of food. Still have to get some breadfast things. Broke down and bought some gators. Have never worn them but the salesman was good and convinced me. It's raining here and I know several of you have said you are hiking in rain. Bring it on!!! You can do anything for a time Happy soggy trails.Sid
Date: 2010-03-20
To: Last weekend at home
Miles today: 0.0

Well...this is it. My last Saturday at First Watch with my hubby. Treated myself to the Floridian French Toast. Love it...love it. I'm sure my taste buds will be drooling at the thought of this breadfast when I am eating freeze dried everything It just doesn't seem real yet. Yesterday was my last day at work. My girls at work brought in food and I brought in my pack. They all think I am absolutely nuts for doing this but are excited in a way for me to have this experience. I am not a very good record keeper for how much things cost. I can't tell you how much I spent on food, clothes, gear, etc. Over the past 5 years I have accumulated alot of gear. I think you need to be comfortable with what you carry...it is your home away from home. It's all there on your back. So sorry if you forgot something...oh well...and off we go. I'm a little concerned about the amount of food in my boxes...that it's not enough. I will be asking my new friends on the trail how they are handling their boxes...I might have to ask my husband to revamp my stuff sitting in the basement. Now it's off to my last Zumba class with my sister in law. I LOVE ZUMBA. I have the songs loaded on my MP3 player so I can Zumba down the trail.See you on the trail next Sat. Sid
Date: 2010-03-27
To: At the Amicalola Lodge
Miles today: 0.0

This is it!!!! The day I have been dreaming of it seems like forever. My family and friends are meeting at 0800 for breakfast...me?...I am up at six and going over my pack (and my pack does seem a little on the heavy side). I will find out in a couple of hours just how heavy. I'm sitting in the foyer of the Lodge at Amicalola thinking about the Approach Trail today...it's gotta be one day at a time. My mind cannot grasp the whole trail and being gone for so long...it's just one day at a time. It's starting to get light outside. Looks overcast. After breakfast I will layer on the clothes and head to the Visitors Center to register. Several of us will start to hike and the others will meet us at the top of Springer Mtn. We will get the typical pics taken there, say our good-byes and be one our way. Say Good-by? Wait...I'm not ready yet...I don't have...I need...One more kiss from my hubby and I'm off. My stomach in knots but I am smiling...and MY JOURNEY BEGINS. Enjoy the day, enjoy the journey. I love you Mark, your wife Deb
Date: 2010-03-27
From: At the Amicalola Lodge

To: Stover Creek Shelter 
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: clear sky

Started out from the Visitors Center at Amicalola Falls with a pack weight of 40 lbs. and climed the 400+ steps to the top then onto Springer Mountain. It took several hours to get to the top. Fresh air and sunshine plus alot of Boy Scouts. Family and friends met us at the top and hiked with us down to the parking lot...then off we went. Stayed at Stover Creek Shelter with many scouts. It was a double decker shelter and we were on the lower deck. So excited to be on this adventure. Nervous still. Alot of friendly people and new trail names to remember. It was very cold at night but stayed warm in the sleeping bag with silk liner. Up and at it early and off we go again. Privy close by
Date: 2010-03-28
To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: moderate rain

Started off at 0800. Hiked today in the rain all day. Rain, rain, go away. Really just a drizzle. It was cold too. We had our layers on plus rain gear. My gloves kept my hands warm but not dry. Feet were wet...soaked through right boot. Sassafrass Mountain was very slow going. 2750 elevation to 3350 in one mile. Arrived at Gooch Mountain shelter and it was full. Had to set up tents. Feet are tingling especially in the toes. All the people in the shelter where very nice. Crowded though because of the drizzling rain. Started shivering in the tent but not cold. Maybe I'm just a bundle of nerves. Glad Bill Nye is hiking with me today. (Side bar girls...there is no foliage on the trees...therefore the question is...where is a safe place to pee in the woods? NOWHERE!!! Holding it is not an option sooooo...Yeah-get over it and just do it!)
Date: 2010-03-29
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Blood Mountain Shelter/Neels Gap
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

WOW...what a day. Hiked from 0815 this AM til 5 PM. My feet hurt sooooo bad. The wind on this mountain is wicked. Blisters on my toes that are so bad-they are underneath the toenail raising the toenail up away from the base. Got in sleeping bag and cooked dinner right there. Not hungry at all. So cold we can see our breath. Anansi showed up and said she was going to set up her tent. At about 6PM Tumbler and Ratman showed up...they were taking a break. Said they were heading down the mountain to Neels Gap. (That's 2.5 miles down). We asked them if they could wait for us to pack up our gear and we would hike down with them. It took about 8 min. for us to be ready to go. Very painful to shove my swollen feet into my shoes. We didn't see Anansi anywhere so assumed she had already hiked down. We hiked the 2.5 miles in one hour. Still daylight at Neels Gap but no room at the inn. The hostel was full. They have cabins...so we talked to George Case, the owner, and he gave us a sweet deal on one of the cabins for Tumbler, Ratman, Bill Nye and myself. Ahhhhh...a soft, warm, dry bed and shower. The simple things in life
Date: 2010-03-30
To: Zero day at Neels Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Ok...ok...I'm listening to my body. My feet look awful. Put ice on, elevate, and stay in one place. Hard for me to do. Tumbler and Ratman are leaving for Low Gap today. Got pics of them and cell numbers. After 10 min. they called and said they were grilling hamburgers at Walasi-Yi Center and they were FREE. Dan went up and I hobbled behind after stuffing sore, swollen feet into boots. Sat down on the benches with Tumbler and got a text from a dear friend in Texas. Isa. 40:31. "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint." Run, walk...I can't! My feet hurt. I burst into tears. A nice lady came up to me and hugged me, prayed with me and gave me a tissue. This group from 1st Baptist of Blairsville, GA were serving with Mountain Resort Ministries and cook hamburgers for hikers every week. Talked to several people from the church: Sherril, Shelby and Jane. Jane and her husband, Dave invited Dan and I to stay in their guest house if we needed another day off. After we ate we talked with Felicity and she said my shoes were too small and set me up with a new pair. Yikes! More money. They feel great but look like boats on my feet. Anansi, showed up at the Center, and I saw her tears starting to flow. We all went over to give her a hug. Her story was, she stayed on blood mountain last night. She set up her tent behind a rock where it blocked the wind. Cooked her dinner in the shelter and saw that we had left. Hung her food with rope from a tree that took some 45 min. to do and went into her tent. Not 15 min. later she hears a bear hitting the bag. Next morning the bag, food and rope...completely gone. She had no food. She hiked down the mountain and we invited her to stay with us in the cabin. Jane drove us into town to Wal-Mart so we could buy groceries. Bought Subway and back to the cabin. George, the owner of the cabins let us borrow a movie and a puzzle. Frozen pizza for dinner...Yum! To bed at midnight. Sleep tight.