morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-05-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Well my hike is in one week and things aren't going very good. Last Saturday, I walked for 4 hours 30 minutes with my 28 pound pack (I won't be carrying that much weight) and did about 15 miles and things seemed very promising. The next day I walked 2 hours and pulled a groin muscle. It's been huring me since then even when I walk with the dogs for a mile or two. At this point I just can't see myself climbing mountains.What do I do now? I really need to continue training with my pack but I can't risk a more serious injury. I suppose I'll just rest and try it again on Thursday and hope for the best. Either way I'm going to Virginia and let the chips fall where ever. In the meantime I think I'll try to cut more weight from my pack. I've got a couple of great ideas. You know the ideas that look good on paper or sound good when you say them in your head but are really very stupid ideas. I'll let you know what they are when I'm on the trail and we can evaluate them together. Next Sunday, May 29th is the big day.
Date: 2016-05-30
From: Campbell Shelter

To: Daleville
Miles today: 15.6

Memorial DayI didn't sleep at all last night so why not start hiking early.  I was on the trail by 7:00 am. My legs hurt everywhere.  One thing that worries me a little bit (besides the bears, cliffs, incessant rain and the serial killers) is that I really haven¢t trained very much for this trip.  Last time, I climbed the mountains in Phoenix, ran the 203 steps in the Federal Courthouse for hours at a time and walked everywhere with my 32 pound pack.  Now I can't even handle a stinking 23 pound pack. This year this only thing I¢ve done is walk with my black labs and think about how I can cut down on the weight I carry in my pack.  Ok I admit it I just procrastinated.  I couldn¢t make up my mind if I really wanted to hike the AT or just stay home and babysit my grandkids.  Then about 6 weeks ago, I was watching Joe and Addy and for once they were pretty naughty and I made an irrational stupid decision and decided to hike the AT.  A few weeks ago, I started to get serious and train with my pack and everything was fine until last week when I hurt my hip and pulled a groin muscle.  So why not make it really hurt and go climb a few mountains. It was very slick on the trail today and I fell 4 times. Not to brag but these were all pretty good falls. What's the chances of breaking your ribs twice?  Right about now I'd say pretty good because they hurt quite a bit. It irritates the crap out of me because I purchased some good Merril hiking boots which I thought would take care of the falling down like a drunken idiot stuff.  But 5 good spills in two days has me worried.  Anyway because of the bears in the area I was forced to try and hike 15 1/2 miles to Daleville.   I knew this would be a hard day but didn't know how hard. The first half of the day was ok. I did about 10 miles in about 6 hours and just ran out of gas. The last 5 miles took me 4 hours and it was pretty much downhill. I think all of us older folks still think we're 25 years old. News flash - we're not. A few 30 year old hikers left the shelter about an hour or two after me and beat me to the hotel in Daleville by 2 hours. No offense but 2 of them were girls. I just had my ass kicked around the block by 2 women. But they've been hiking 700 miles and I've done 20. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. At one point I just fell down on the trail and took a 15 minute rest. I would have stayed there all night but I needed water really bad. When I got off the trail I was exhausted. I immediately went to a gas station and purchased 64 ounces of Gatorade and a 2 liter Diet Mountain. I drank about 100 ounces of cold liquids in about 15 minutes and didnt go to the bathroom for 4 hours. I have to stick to about 10 miles a day. I logged 42,000 steps on my Fitbit (and yes I took my Fitbit - but I may toss it over a cliff for all the good it's doing me) for 15.5 miles in the mountains. That would be about 30,000 on the streets of Milwaukee.
Date: 2016-05-31
From: Daleville

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This is pathetic but I had to use a zero day (no hiking miles logged) already. My legs and ribs are hurting pretty good and I'm hoping they will feel better tomorrow. Otherwise I'll take some Aleve and head out tomorrow. Yesterday I hiked almost 10 hours. They say an average hiker uses 500 calories an hour so I expended about 5,000 and took in about 2,000. I had a free breakfast at the hotel; made a big waffle and a bunch of other stuff and basically ate enough for 2 (maybe 3 people) but I've got to bulk up a little. Dean's first "Thought of the Day". After losing a few pounds there's nothing wrong with stuffing your fat face. Side Note: this only applies to hiking the AT because most of us can afford to lose a few pounds and don't really need to stuff our fat faces at every meal. Once in a while it's ok but don't get in the habit.
Date: 2016-06-02
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: The First Shelter in the Shenandoah
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: light rain

Today is Thursday June 2nd, I woke up with a big headache. My lip is a little fat but it's ok. The doctor who stitched my lip said it was a good thing I came in because it wouldn't healed.  He also said I have to get the stitches out in 5 or 6 days.  This presents a problem because in this area of the trail I won't be by any towns at that time. So I decided to hitch a ride to Waynesboro and start again in the Shenodoah National Forest. My friend Richard lives in the area and I think he will help me if he's in town.I caught a ride and started hiking about 11:00 am.  I was sluggish and just didn't have much motivation. It took me about 5 1/2 hours to do 8.1 miles. About an hour later there was a rain storm of Bibical proportions. The shelter filled up fast and we pretty much sat around waiting for the rain to stop.  A couple days before I left I took my grandson Joe to school on the bus.  He loves the bus which means I do as well.  He said "grandpa momma says its going to rain this weekend. It rains because the flowers need drinking water. Yesterday I saw some flowers bending down".  So according to a 4 year old rain is a good thing.  But Joe I'm here to tell you rain on the AT stinks and grandpa hates flowers.  Rain on the AT is miserable and it's supposed to rain the next three days. I found out that Teresa the trail angel that picked me yesterday thru hiked the trail in 2002 with her husband, 11 year old daughter and 8 year old son. They did about 2200 miles.  Good news I didn't fall today.  But I walked slow and very deliberately.  I just can't take many more falls like I've had.  A lot of people passed me on the trail today all of the much younger and in much better shape. Plus this old man has a pace maker. More on that later. And now a political commercial from your prophet on the AT - also known as Dean's thought for the day: it looks like it's going to be Trump vs Clinton. What has this world come to.  We're all going to get in the voting area and vote for whoever we hate the least. Maybe everyone should head to the AT for a few years.  The only thing scarier is that one of those 2 will be running for reelection in 2020.
Date: 2016-06-03
From: The First Shelter in the Shenandoah

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: light rain

According to all the thru hikers going from Georgia to Maine the Shenandoah National Forest supposed to be easy hiking and it's killing me. Theses hikers are doing 20 miles each day plus some. But they've hiked 900 miles from Georgia. I was exhausted when three Trail Angels arrived at the shelter with soda, beer, fruit and candy. That was amazing we're in the middle of no where and these 3 great human beings arrive with just what we needed. Plus they announced they were cooking lunch tomorrow at a camp ground 6 miles up the trail. An actual meal in the afternoon is just what I need to get me through the day. A little while later we spotted a big bear (300 pounds) near the shelter.  I tried to get a good picture and moved close to the bear but decided it really wasn't worth a picture and backed off a little.Thought for the day: everyone of us could be a trail angel to someone. Go out of you way to help other people and the world will be a better place because of it.
Date: 2016-06-04
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

I left the shelter at 7:00 am looking forward to a little trail magic. This quickly turned out to be a disaster and  after I hiked 8 miles I ended up walking an extra 3 miles or so through the campground looking for the trail magic. It's a very long story and I won't bother you with the details because what's important is that I received a great lunch from my trail angels. One thing about the AT is there are many side trails. The shelters or huts are all on side trails. You (rather me) get pissed off after hiking all day to find the shelter is .3 miles down the trail from the AT. Many times it's down hill (to and from the shelter of course) and believe me it's always further than the sign post indicated. Then this extra mileage doesn't even count in your daily total.  I think this is bullshit and I started counting the extra mileage in my daily total. Anyone who doesn't like it TS or like us Polish people say "toughski - shitski".What's more irritating is when you stop to rest and after resuming your hike realize you forgot your hiking poles or glasses and have to walk back a mile or so to get them.  You ask yourself if your $400.00 glasses are really worth the extra two miles. To prevent blisters I wear a liner sock and a thick wool sock and change socks midway through the day.  My socks were all soaked so I didn't do it today and now I have my first couple blisters.  When you're doing 35,000 or 40,000 steps and your feet hurt with each one it makes for a long day.  I did have more energy in the afternoon because I had chili dogs, soda, and ice cream. I have to find a way to eat more during the day.  This year I spent more time planning my menu and trying to figure out how much weight in food I was carrying but while it's better than last time it just hasn't worked out. People are eating all kinds of great food on the trail and I'm eating crap.  Right now I'm craving a hard salami sandwich.  I mean seriously if you can bring me hard salami sandwich I'll be your friend for life. Forget that if you can meet me on the AT with a soda we're connected for life. I'm somewhere on the Appalachian Trail in Virginia. I think about all kinds of crazy things during the day.  A few thoughts for your consideration: *Rule number 1:  There's nothing more important than your family.  I've   mentioned that to my kids 100's of times over the years.  After 30 + years I think they're finally starting to believe that.  More importantly I actually believe it.*Rule number 2:  Your dad is always right. The sooner you learn that and accept it as a fact of life the better off you will be.  The nice part about this is that sooner or later we're all dads. *Rule number 3:  If you're a parent remember sometimes you're wrong. Your kids will remember in 30 years and they're never bashful about pointing out your mistake from 20 years ago.
Date: 2016-06-05
From: Pinefield Hut

To: High Top Hut
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: light rain

There was a huge storm about 6:00 pm last night and I thought the shelter was going to be jammed but only 4 hikers showed up.  Since everyone was spread out I finally had a good night sleep of about 6 hours in the shelter. I woke up about 6:00 am and had my usual 2 Pop Tarts and 32 ounces of water and hit the trail by about 7:00 am.A ranger stayed at the shelter last night and warned everyone of pending storms the next day starting early in the afternoon. So I took a short 8.4 mile hike to the next shelter. My other option was another 12 miles so the decision was easy simply because I can't hike 20 miles on the AT just yet (probably never will).  There were gorgeous views and I saw a deer about 15 feet off the trail. I Arrived at the hut about noon and it didn't start raining until 5:00. My entire wardrobe is soaked and I stink like death warmed over. I was alone at the shelter until about 3:00 so it was rather boring. I ate a nice lunch and hung my food bag in case a bear wandered by.  I put up cloths line and tried to dry a few socks but there was no sun and it was humid as hell. I gave up after 4 hours.  Just a nice relaxing day on the AT.  Dean's thought for the day: Sometimes doing nothing is nice. Relax and see where the day takes you. That may mean sitting on the couch in your pajamas and eating ice cream. After 8 days my trail legs haven't arrived. But I've hiked 80 miles which has to count for something.
Date: 2016-06-06
From: Next Hut

To: Lewis Campground
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: light rain

Due to the storm the shelter was packed and I slept about 2 hours.  The other reason I couldn't sleep was I use my clothing bag as my pillow and my clothes stink so bad after 5 days of sweat and dirt I had to breath through my mouth.  The mice were running everywhere in the shelter. One young women had a minor panic attack when she realized in the morning she had crushed a mouse by rolling over on it.I got up very early and was hiking by 6:45.  My goal today is Lewis Campground; a nice hike of 12 miles.  Last night I spoke with a southbound hiker who stayed there last night. He's a school teacher from Georgia who said you can get a shower, do your laundry and rent a cabin for $40.  The teacher is hiking from Harpers Ferry to Roanoke, the exact opposite of my hike. It was a decent day.  I stopped on the trail and ate lunch which provided me with the energy I needed to get there by 2:00 or so.  I found out the cabins were $134.00 a night but he offered to give my one for $100.00. I was ready to take it when he said the woman in bunkhouse 15 sometimes lets hikers stay with her.  So I went down there to size her up - making sure she wasn't a serial killer. After a few minutes I asked if I could stay and she said sure - so I yogied my way to a free nights lodging.  Note:  on the AT if you can get something for free it's called yoging - after Yogi the Bear.  There's a good chance most of you are saying who the hell is Yogi the Bear.  Now there was a great cartoon. Anyway when I got in the shower I checked myself out in the mirror and I looked pretty rough not having shaved for 10 days.  I have a nice new scar on my lip and the start of a pretty good beard. Well ..... It is a little scraggly. I'll definitely have to cut it. I don't remember it being gray - where did that come from.  I'm keeping the mustache though - it's nice and thick.  On second thought people on the AT may mistake me for a 1980's porn star. It would be a hassle getting propositioned by all the women on the AT.  I'd have to carry condoms which would add weight to my pack. Well I'm keeping the mustache so maybe I'll carry a couple just in case.In case you haven't figured it out I have a strange sense of humor. If I've offended you with a few of the stupid things I've said I apologize.  Dean's thought of the day: sometimes I say stupid shit simply to amuse myself. You just can't take life to seriously.
Date: 2016-06-08
From: Big Meadows to Luray

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

I stayed at the Best Western Hotel in Luray Virginia. Even in a hotel I still didn't sleep very well but at least I had a shower in the morning. I also had the greatest pancakes for about $3.75.  I received a ride to the AT from Pittsburgh (trail name) who was thru hiker in 2007.  My pack was unbelievably heavy because of all the food I purchased in town.  I started hiking at 7:45 and after 15 minutes I was sure I was going to have to throw some food away. I even started planning what I was going to chuck.  Then miraculously I got used to the weight.  Thank God it was an easy trail to start.  It was a cold and windy day on the AT.  Trees were blowing over and falling on the trail. Some of the trees that fell were huge and made loud cracks as they hit the ground.  In some areas trees blocked the trail. As I was walking down the trail pretty much day dreaming 2 bears ran across the trail and suddenly stopped and stared at me.  They both were medium sized bears and when I heard rustling in the woods I knew it was mama bear.  I don't mind saying I was a little apprehensive as I quickly walked away. It all happened too fast to get a photo. About 1/4 mile up the road  was the biggest pile of shit I've ever seen. Trust me on this one I've got two black labs and consider myself an expert on piles of shit. So I was finally able to answer that age old question. Does a Bear shit in the woods?   About 8 miles into the day we crossed a road and there was a wayside.  I had a great lunch:  grilled cheese and cheesy fries. If I could eat like this on the trail all the time I'd be a great hiker. I was very hydrated and it was cool so I actually went to the bathroom several times. The last few hot days I drank 100 + ounces of water and never went once. Very relaxing and enjoyable day on the AT.My mileage total is about 118 in ten hiking days. I have officially smashed my mileage total from 2013. Good job Dean.
Date: 2016-06-09
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Front Royal Hostel
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: clear sky

Last night the Shelter and tenting areas were packed with about 30 hikers.  So as you probably guessed I had another crummy nights sleep. It was very cold. I wore two pairs of socks, long pants, long sleeve shirt and my rain jacket.  I was snuggled in my bivy and wished I brought my sleeping bag.  I looked in the Guidebook and decided I would spend the next few nights at the Front Royal Hostel. It's up the trail about 10.5 miles. a hostel is basically a hiker hotel, like a bunkhouse / dormitory with showers and laundry services. I should be able to get good sleep here.  What was appealing to me is I can slack pack for a couple days. Slack packing is when you leave your pack at the hostel and get dropped off on the trail and simply walk (southbound) back to the hostel.  Today about midway through my hike I met "Old School" who is a retired Navy Veteran. He was a mustang (someone who enters the service as an enlisted man and later becomes an officer).  He served 23 years and was promoted to Lieutenant Commander when President Clinton downsized the military and he was forced into retirement (guess who's not getting his vote in November). We had a lot in common and made some tentative plans to hike together in 2017.   I arrived at the hostel and had a nice relaxing afternoon.  They had ice cream for sale so I was forced to eat 1/2 gallon. I showered, washed my clothes and  made plans for my slack packing trip tomorrow. It looks like I have a choice between 12 and 18 miles.  With no pack I'll take the 18 mile hike. Note: when you're slack packing you have to carry your supplies for the day. So your pack weighs a few pounds.
Date: 2016-06-10
From: Front Royal Hostel

To: Trico Tower Trail
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: few clouds

Great night sleep at the Hiker Hostel. Mike the owner gave me a ride at 7:00 am and dropped me off on the trail 18 miles north.  I had a small pack with water, food and my water purification system.  The pack probably weighed about 6 pounds or so.  The light pack was great and at first it felt like I was moving like the wind. With the light pack I expected to hike about 3 miles an hour which would put me back at the hostel about 1:30 pm or so.  After a few hours I noticed I wasn't hiking quite that fast. On a relatively easy trail I usually hike about 2 miles an hour.  I kept running into northbound hikers that I was with the past two weeks and everyone was surprised to see me now heading southbound.  So I was talking to many different hikers during the day.  I saw all kinds of animals today: bears, defers and foxes. The last part of the hike was a 1,500 foot climb over about 3 miles. It was the end of the day and I was dragging a little.  My IPhone showed 46,700 steps, 198 floors climbed and 18.74 miles traveled. Even when your slack packing 18 miles is a long way. It took me about 9 hours to complete my hike which included about an hour rest during the day. Another great day on the AT. Thought of the day: more miles doesn't necessarily mean more fun.
Date: 2016-06-11
From: Trico Tower Trail

To: Ashby Gap
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: clear sky

The last two days at the Hiker Hostel have been great. I really don't mind the shelters but I just can't sleep. This has provided me a good chance to catch some zzzz's.  I hiked 10.1 miles of easy trails and was done by noon. I had a little problem with my eye this morning that's nothing worth mentioning unless it happens again. My concern is that it's my good eye. I returned to the hostel cleaned up and relaxed.  The last two days there have only been 2 other people here but today a Boy Scout group of 11 people showed up.  You know it's going to be a crummy day when a scout plugged the toilet (overflowing) and I had to fix it.  I was the only one around and I felt sorry for him. I didn't say anything to the leaders - our little secret.  Hopefully it will be a good night. I plan to be hiking at 6:30 in the morning. It's going to be hot so an early start is necessary.