morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-04-25
From: Springer Mnt, 4/14/13

To: Stecoah Gap 
Miles today: 147.0
Weather: clear sky

So I'm now in Robinsville, NC and have hiked 147mi so far. I'm staying with a friend I hiked with in 04 and have been enjoying the sites and history of the Ville. Today I helped string out some perimeter fence on some land for Beef Cattle, and have learned about keeping bee's. Both are ventures that Bob Wehr, "Quest" is involved in along with one of his daughters, Jessica and her husband Arron. The area is surrounded by mountains and steeped in moonshine history. Today I had my picture taken with 2 cast members from the show Moonshiners. They are local celebrities here and are some very interesting people with many stories to tell. Lumber is getting back on the trail tomorrow and plans on entering the Smokies on sat morning. Today was my 1st zero day and I feel was well earned. Stay tuned, the adventure continues....
Date: 2013-05-05
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Elmer's
Miles today: 274.0
Weather: moderate rain

Made to Hot Springs, NC yesterday and also pulled my 1st 26mi day for the season. Taking a zero today because I need to wait for the PO office to open. All is good on the trail and it keeps getting greener. 274mi so far, don't know whats going on with it listing 147...
Date: 2013-05-15
From: Kincora

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

So its been a little bit since I've posted, due to the fact that I don't have a smart phone. Getting online while in town isn't always a priority either. That said, everything was going well until a couple days ago. Woke up feeling tired, dizzy, puked after walking 8mi and had zero appetite all day. Walked 16mi to Kincora Hostel on 2 poptarts and a bunch of desire. The noro virus is still traveling up the trail and maybe thats what I had, minus having the runs. Came down with a low grade fever, had zero appetite, and couldn't have a bowel movement. Good to know eh,,. Ha. So yesterday I drank 32oz of prune juice and headed back on the trail. On way to trail head I got bit by a dog. Was about to kick the bastard when 3more came around the corner. 2 of them being rather large. 8.7mi later I was heading into Hampton,Tn for more toilet paper. Ended up staying at a hostel here and drinking a bunch of gatoraide. It all started with a side trip down hwy 19e for a little resupply and a burger. I mean "The Burger" called the Holly Cow. It had 3 5oz patties, 6slices of bacon, 3 slices of ham, chili,onion rings, n swiss cheese. Packed out a 12" sub from subway and hiked 9 more mi to mountaineer shelter. That burger was poking me in the side the entire way. So today my appetite is back and will be heading to trail days this afternoon. Lumber.
Date: 2013-06-19
To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Like I said last entry, I should probably get a smart phone. Getting back on the trail today after a week off. Tweaked my bad knee so decided it was best to head to my brothers in Fairfax, VA for some rest. I've been icing it, riding a bike on trails, taking protein powder, eating chipotle burritos, n drinking beer. Kind of like Rocky's routine, minus the beer. I've actually not had more than 3 in one day the entire time. The trail has been awesome and have seen bears, snakes, various birds, wild ponies," one of them attacked me so I dropped some f bombs on it and sent it down the trail after the next hiker". So I'm pumped that I will now have music on the trail, had my bro grab my mp3 player. Yesterday I spent 25$ downloading new songs on I tunes. Walking for so long without music wasn't the easiest thing to do. The biggest thing is wanting to sing a song to yourself out loud n not remembering all the versus. I was working on Honky Tonk Women for like two days before I nailed it down. My theme song for this trip is, " Hold On", by Alabama Shakes. Check it out if you haven't already heard it. Looking forward to less elevation gain n loss. There's nothing substantial till VT. It doesn't get easier, just less difficult for awhile.Stay tuned, 1200mi to go.
Date: 2013-07-07
From: wind gap, pa

To: palmerton,pa
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Made it to wind gap today. Need to take some time off to heal a shin splint. Taking 1000mg of ibuprofen by noon everyday is not the way to hike. Might take 3 days off, might take a week. What ever it takes to get to Maine. Pa is living up to its reputation for being rocky. 16 mi till NJ and the Delaware water gap.
Date: 2013-07-17
From: high point shelter

To: vernon,nj
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Been awhile since my last entry. Man is it hot out, can't drink enough water right now. The trail has been awesome every day. Moving from one state to the next more frequently is a good feeling. Been nursing injuries left and right, but am still trucking. Just not trucking 20mi in a day anymore. Note to self, " don't drink 60oz of beer and then climb 600ft in a half mi when it's 90 degrees out".
Date: 2014-04-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I can remember stepping out of the 100mi wilderness like it was last week. When really its been almost 5months. I didn't keep my journal updated last year because I thought I would just sit down and write about it when I finished. Not much of that has happened and my mind has been focused on thru hiking the PCT this year. I don't feel it will be a problem for me to remember my experiences on the trail. When Im ready to put most of it in writing it will flow out of me like water, ha. Just got done shoveling the driveway again, today puts the total over 90" for the season. I didn't run into much snow on the trail due to my later start of April 14th. Let me say that was no problem for me.
Date: 2012-12-05
To: Starting My Trail Journal
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

   I've been sick for the past week with what seems to be the "Crud", and upper respiratory infection that is running rampant throughout these parts. I visited the doctor yesterday and I am so glad that I did!!! Not only because I got antibiotics and narcotic cough medicine to help knock this monster out but also because my new doctor is a backpacker and hiker too!!!    He was very interested to hear about my upcoming AT thru hike in April. He had alot of questions about food, water sanitation, and injury/illness prevention. Not really questions but discussion topics that he wanted to help me work through. Specifically, he wanted to discuss what happens if I get sick out on the trail.    After a nice chat, he promised to set me up with a nice little arsenal of medical necessities to keep me healthy and on the trail. Most importantly, I will have antibiotics to help any illness that I may come across. He was very helpful and I'm so happy to have an MD that I will be able to call while on the trail if I am in need of anything. I'm a physical therapist so I have the injury prevention and treatment down!!!!....but illness is a different story!!Yay for hiking/backpacking doctors!!!
Date: 2012-12-06
To: Sick Days, Disability, and Trail Blessings
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

It really stinks to be home sick!!!!! But, it is also a great time for me to read trail journals for preperation of my upcoming thru hike! Believe me, I'm taking full advantage of these days off...even if I feel like crap! I am starting to feel a little better with the help of a "Z-Pak". It's an antibiotic that I am definitely going to have available on the trail!    Being sick has made me think about how lucky and blessed I am to be a healthy woman (this is usually the case!!) who is able to hike long miles and endure (read-"enjoy") all that comes with the rigors of such an endeavor!!!! As a physical therapist I work with so many people who are physically unable to even get out of bed sometimes! Obesity and Diabetes are huge huge culprits in the disabily that I see!    Movement in the form of hiking is such an inexpensive and accessible activity here in Appalachia....If only more people would get out there. Sure, we think about the trail as a challenge...but it is truly a blessing for all of us. It helps us maintain our health, both mentally and physically. When I prescribe modalities to treat patients (such as e-stim or therapeutic exercise)....I sooooooo wish there was a box that I could check that read...   HIKE!!!!      Just thinking about health in general today and am so happy to be able to even contemplate thru hiking the AT when so many cannot!
Date: 2012-12-07
To: To Bring or Not to Bring
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I've struggled over the last few months on whether I will bring one or both of my dogs on the trail. After many many backpacking trips on the AT with them I have decided to leave both of them with friends. The trail is too difficult for one person let alone a person who also has to take care of two dogs and all of their needs.   I tent mostly but I also stay in shelters at times. The shelter is no place for a dog and definitely not for two!   I love them dearly and they are very very well behaved dogs. They are amazing trail dogs and are off leash most of the time with absolutely no problems. However, try carrying your food AND food and water for two dogs on a 3 day backpack trip with minimal water sources. It's very taxing both physically and emotionally. I usually end up getting dehydrated because I give my water reserve to the girls.    At any rate, I have decided that they won't be joining me. I'm very lucky, however, that I have 8 solid backpacking friends in the NC, TN, and Va. area who are willing to bring them on the trail with me when ever its feasible in those states!!!!    I'd love to hear any input that any of you may have on this subject!!!!
Date: 2012-12-11
To: Backpacking this weekend????
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I'm really struggling tonight. I'm feeling much better after recovering from the 'crud' last week and now my friends are enticing me to backpack this weekend. Clearly, I would want to do this any other time and I really want to go THIS time!!!! I'm missing being inside of my tent and the smell of the trail and all that goes along with it!!! Our itinerary would consist of parking at VA 42 and hiking up to Chestnut Knob Shelter at about 4250'. 11 miles up and then back Sunday. The mileage isnt the issue. We hike long miles and love elevation gain!!! It's the weather, the cold, and my recent sickness....Take a look at Chestnut Knob Shelter online if you have never seen in. It's a very very cool place!!!! It's amazing how, even though I have been sick, the trail pulls me and draws me in!!! We backpack all throughout the year including the winter so I'm used to the cold weather...but still I'm a little torn.45 minutes later....   After reading Journey's posts about her recent shakedown in October north of Front Royal???? I'm all in! I think it will be a good way to test my immune systems fortitude in a safe way as well. I loved hiking into Front Royal after hiking from Waynesboro and spending 6 glorious days in Shenondoah!!! I love that place. Thank you Journey for helping me make my decision. I am also taking a look at her choice of tents....The Moment Tarptent. It's light but the reviews are mixed. Hmmmmmmmm. I also have a Western Mountaineering 20 degree bag but FROZE in Shenondoah!!!! I think that may be because I had alot of clothes on and didn't allow the warm air to circulate in my bag. I'm sending it bag for them to add a little more loft and I have reactor liner now...which I love!    Anyway...just thoughts tonight. And, yes!!!! I am going to head up to Chestnut Knob on Saturday!!! I cannot wait!
Date: 2012-12-12
To: Cost of the Trail
Miles today: 0.0

I've been reading alot of journals recently and it seems that many people in the past years have spent many days in trail towns. That's cool because it is so much a part of the community of the trail and the whole trail experience! And, I really want to be a part of that as well. I've been trying to work on my finances and figure out how much I am going to need during 5-6 months on the trail... Many books and journals say about $3000. I'm just wondering if that is enough? or too much??   I enjoy being on the trail and staying in my tent and shelters but I also love going into towns or waysides for food/drinks and comfort. I won't kid myself into thinking that I will have 1 zero every 10 days. I'm sure there will be instances when I have slight injuries, sickness, exhaustion, or much needed pampering time!!! I'm tough...but not that tough!   So, for any of you that have hiked the trail before...what realistically do you think is a comfortable bankroll during my trek? And for those of you joining me on the trail in 2013...what are you planning on financially? Again, this includes what you will need on the trail....not your car payment, mortgage or insurance payments that will need to be continued during your six month leave of absence from society. :0) Any thoughts would be appreciated!
Date: 2012-12-20
To: Just Pondering....
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I've been pretty busy the last few days with work and holiday social events.... I haven't had a lot of time to do much research on needed gear or to check out other tj's, which are so important in the preparation phase!!!I have, however, received the DVD TREK which I have watched several times!!! If you don't have this DVD, get it! It's awesome! It gives you a feel for the community we are all going to be a part of when we are on the trail.   I also have emailed and been emailed by a few past thru hikers concerning financials, gear, and choice of direction to hike. I was concerned about how much it would take financially to be very comfortable during those 5-6 months. Tumbleweed, who did the trail NoBo in '11, said that $4000 would be much more reasonable than the usual $3000 that everyone seems to suggest. That being said, I started thinking about the time I have left to make the money I need for the trail and to make payments on things while I am gone.I'm a physical therapist and I make good money but I definitely need to work alot of weekends in the next 3 months in order to put all of this together!!!!   So, I started worrying that I may not be able to make it work by April 7th. I mean, I think I will if I get all the extra work I want, but if I don't get that work I have to go to plan B which entails a southbound trek starting in June. After talking to Tumbleweed and looking at some info online, this is obviously more difficult physically and mentally. There are very few people who opt for the SoBo route. The community moving NoBo is huge and a ton of fun from what I am reading! SoBo is not as social....not by any stretch!!!    The SoBo's that I ran into up in SNP and in the Smokies this year were alone, tired, skinny and just didn't seem to have the same glint in their eyes as I saw in the NoBo's. Except for Train Wreck...Now that dude was happy, moving fast, and loved stopping to talk to us!!!! I actually just read the names of the class of 2012 2000 milers and was happy to see that he made it!!!!Unfortunately, I didn't see any of the other SoBo's names that we ran into.   The Gemini and introvert part of me is very attracted to the SoBo choice. But, the strong community feel of the NoBo trek appeals to me as well. The other thing that I am thinking about is the final summit. Katahdin is sooooooo dramatic but Springer is more like coming home for me. Both are attractive to me....Katahdin wins out by a little, however, because of all the reading Ive done on NoBo's and all of the pictures that I have seen.I should hear soon if my weekend gigs will increase so I think I am going to just leave it up to that. If I am set in April...I will go NoBo...if not, I will wait til June and join the very few who have finished Southbound.    Are any of you struggling with this same issue?????
Date: 2013-01-12
To: Last overnight before I head east
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

4.9 mile hike up to laurel shelter from Allen gap. Lord I'm outa shape!!!! So is Addie! We were both huffing and puffing!! Got here at 3:30 and read the journal at the shelter. The tent site Is about 50 yards away from the shelter. Got it set up and then went down 100 yards behind the shelter get water from the spring. I like my new katahdin water filter. Came back and gathered wood. Still pretty warm out but I definitely wAnt a fire. I know I'll be in bed early since I didn't get much sleep last night ??. It's quiet out except for the cracklings of the fire, the wind and an owl hooting off in the distance. The owl frightened Addie.... She's a little lost without Ruby here to guide her. So I leave Tuesday for Fayetteville to start my 13 week contract. 3 months from tomorrow I will be on top of Springer mountain beginning my adventure
Date: 2013-01-29
To: Got my keyboard!!!!!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

My verbatim mobile keyboard arrived today and it is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It paired up instantly with my Iphone without one single problem! Thank goodness because I'm not the best at technical stuff!!! :0)~   It's not very heavy with or without the carrying case so I think I will bring the case. Like I said in one of my previous posts...I'm a little bit hard on my gear! I'm going to have to squelch that trait of mine however; if I want my gear to last the whole trail that is! ;0) My ULA Circuit should be here in the next few days as well. I opted for the "S" type shoulder straps as opposed to the traditional type. I think that will alleviate the load bearing pressure on the front of my shoulders. I'll check it out with a load for a few long walks and then make my decision.   Now....about WORK....I moved here to the Raleigh area because there was no extra work in the Asheville area to fund my trip but, lawdy lawdy do I have WORK now!!!!! Which I am so so so grateful for!   I'm working 66 hours this week and the next 11 weeks will bring me 55-70 hours of available work per week. It's exhausting but perfect for providing me with the funds I will need AND keep me out of trouble.;0) During these 10-12 hour days all I have to do is think about 6 months on the trail without any work and all of the adventure I will experience....it is soooooo worth it!    I am reading many of your journals and so many of you are getting close to your departure date. Lucky lucky dogs!!!!! :0) I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO excited to start my trek and would love to get going earlier but April 14 will have to do for me. From what I understand, April 15th is the traditional start so I feel a little comfort in that. And, besides that, I will look forward to reading everyones journals and learning from your experiences so that I can make last minute changes if necessary. I really do hope that everyone will try to keep up with journaling on the trail...I will be chomping at the bit to get home from work every night to live vicariously through you all!! So, PLEASE.....WRITE!!! :0)   I love this picture and quote that I added to this post!! It is so true..."Not until we are lost do we find ourselves" ~ Henry David Thoreau. This quote is quite significant for me because, as my thru hike gets closer, I am really thinking about it as a conduit for discovering what it is that I want to do with the rest of my life. I don't wanna get too deep...that can be tedious..but, in short, I am hoping to get lost in the woods only to come out on top of Mt. Katahdin knowing who I want to be for the second half of my life:0)
Date: 2013-02-13
To: The pups are confused!!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I continue to enjoy reading everyone's journal entries! I especially like looking at the gear sections since I'm getting last minute ideas about the remaining gear I will need. The one thing I am researching now is a camera. I'd like one that has good video quality with a stabilizer feature so I can clip it to the end of my trekking pole. That way I can get some video of myself while hiking along the trail. This will be great when I put together some kind of video montage at the end of my hike. I've been looking on Youtube at a lot of thru hike picture/video memoirs set to music. I really like the ones that have more video...it's much more interesting and really puts you in the moment and on the trail with the hiker. Any camera suggestions??? I'd also like one that I can put a water proof case over so I can video when it's raining.   I'm hoping to get my mail drop boxes put together by the end of next weekend, however, I'm still wavering on the number of boxes I will send out. I have a little under 2 months to figure that out so I should be fine. Now I just have to figure out all the contents of my bounce box! It will definitely be plastic for durability. As far as gear change out for warm weather...I will get what I need at an outfitter along the trail. I just need to figure out who I'll send my cold weather gear back to so they can send it to me further up the trail when the cold weather returns. Lots of logistics in a thru hike that's for sure!!! :0)   I'm really starting to think about how much I'm going to miss my babies, Addie and Ruby!!! They are such sweet dogs and are such a huge part of my life! They are so confused about my long hours at work and all the backpacking gear all over the apartment...but no backpacking trip .... :0( Usually, when I am getting gear together and putting on my pack (which Ive done several times to test out the ULA) it means they are hitting the trail with me! When I take the pack off, lean it against the wall, and get on the computer...they are left baffled and frustrated. I can see it in their sweet faces!   Poor babies! :0(   The planning continues and long hours continue! Ill have a couple days off next weekend so that I can bring Addie to Atlanta to my sisters for a trial run with her pups. God, I hope they get along!!! I certainly will be happy to be driving west into the mountains :0) Well, I'm a tired girl tonight and UNC and Duke are playing...I hope all of my fellow hikers that are already out on the trail are safe, warm and full!! :0) To those of you heading out this week...especially Prayerwalker and Rash...enjoy every moment leading up to your first step and don't forget to pick up that stone on Springer to be deposited on top of Katahdin at the end of your journey! :0)