morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-03-18
From: Nolichucky River

To: Greasy Creek Gap
Miles today: 23.2

Yeah, I know, you're thinking what happened to Sams Gap. Well, the fact of the matter, is, is that I'm not hiking for a patch or certificate. I hike for the adventure. That's one reason I do a lot of road walking. I like to eet people, that have no idea why we walk. And then there are those that know and want to, but can't. They are "nailed down" for what ever reason. Off the trail I get the same questions: where are you from; where are you going; why are you walking; what do you eat; etc. Anyway, so much for that - I am a long distant hiker, period. In fact, that is how the name 'Tumbleweed' came about. A friend dubbed me with that name. If I get tired of the same scene - I'll change it.I got my head/attitude right at Miss Janet's House. I leant a hand with the hiker bathroom. That was a good change from walking. I wasn't thinking of ice, snow, cold, freezing, wet, etc. For awhile, I was thinking of getting off the AT and go somewhere else, or just get off for about a month or so. But, while at Miss J's some NOBOs came in: Mark, Matt, Jeremy, Thick-it, Pinetree and Oky. Oh and a SOBO called Dude. I think that is what helped to motivate me once again.Most of us left about 8am. I reached the USFS Rd 230 at (mile 351.5) and waited on Pinetree. He said earlier that his leg was bothering him. Just wanted to make sure he was OK. Pinetree arrives and we talked about this USFS Rd 230. It looks like, in 'Wingfoot's book', it goes around the summit of Unaka Mtn. Pinetree wants to take it, so I said I'd go with him. We are looking for some kind of marker or trail back to the AT. Nothing to be found. We keep going. Now it's too far to go back, we keep going forward. As we are desending along decline, Pinetree spotted someone coming up pushing a bicycle. When we meet, Pinetree asks - where are we. He said Iron Mtn. Gap. We told him what was going on. He said we had another 3.7 miles to reach TN 107 then turn left for four miles and you are on Iron Mtn where the AT crosses. He also said as we were leaving that if we waited down at the highway (where his Jeep was) he'd give us a ride. When we reached his Jeep it was almost dark.. We waited almost an hour. It was about 8pm when he showed up. Pinetree, now wants to go to the hostel at Greasy Creek Gap, if he'd take us. I was freezing and didn't care. He took us to a little c-store and Pinetree calls "Pack rat" at the hostel. He's coming. Well, I guess we missed some white blazes, but we walked at least 25 - 30 miles - I know from expirence - how my body feels. Not happy.
Date: 2005-03-19
From: Greasy Creek Gap

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I left about 8am and Pinetree stayes for a zero. My heels are hurting and for some reason I felt like I was going in the wrong direction - it was just stuck in my head. I checked the book, the sun - I know I going the right way, but I can't get it out of my head. Anyway, that was causing me to walk solw. When I reached Clyde Smith Shelter, I was able to rid myself of that thought of goin in the wrong direction. Had a late b-fast. Thick-it comes in for water and asks what happened. Told him I had a strong tail wind, then told him what had happened. Well, finally reached Roan High Knob Shelter (the highest shelter on the AT, elev 6285'). Packed snow, drifts about 2 feet, man, I was tired and my dogs are howling. Staying for the night.There is a lot of people here, tenting for the weekend. They all came in the shelter to cook/eat. I don't tent in this stuff if I don't have to. One group (3 guys and 2 teenagers) were good company. One offers a shot of Jeremiah Weed (not pot), I sipped it. Very good. After supper, mac/tuna/cheese, another offered a shot of Jiom Beam. We shatted til about dark. Alone again in the shelter. I closed the door and windows (glad to have). Good nights sleep. Windy through out the night.
Date: 2005-03-20
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: broken clouds

Waking up this am and hearing the noise of the wind, kept me with 'honey' a little longer. Finally, I got up and went out to pee. Snow blowing all around. BURR. Made b-fast and geared up. Hiker John (one of the 3) comes in to make b-fast. He offers another shot of Beam for the trail - well of course I took it. Coming down Roan I was just walking through the clouds. Passed a couple of skiers. The snow was packed good. Had to really watch footing. When I reached Carvers Gap a young couple was looking at the information board, I was headed to the outhouse/privey/toilet/restroom. The woman said, I think we are going with you. I know what she meant, but I said, I'm going the the restroom. The fellow got a good laugh. She thought I was going south up Roan. I told her I was headed north and that they would probably enjoy the 'balds' more than trying to go up Roan. So, they went.Reached Overmountain Shelter - suns out. I can't leave. I've got to look for ramps. Someone in Erwin said they were up. Oh, a ramp is a wild leek. No luck. While setting and taking in the scenery, some hiker is approaching. Has a walk like Pinetree. But, it can't be him. I yell out, Pinetree?? Yeah, I figured you would be here Tumbleweed.Well, It turns out he got a ride to Carvers Gap.
Date: 2005-03-21
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Elk River
Miles today: 14.9

Beautiful am. To the east over the valley the sky is painted in various shades of red, white and blue.Little Hump Mtn and Hump Mtn Grand views. No longhorn cattle. WindyElk River - must camp here. Rushing river, frogs and wind - music.Lonely tonight.
Date: 2005-03-22
From: Elk River

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

My water bag that I left outside my tent was froze (not solid). I was comfy.No b-fast. Geared up and left.Looks like a storm coming.Got to Moreland Gap Shelter (elev 3815') in time. Winds are strong. Lighting. Thunder. Clouds passing through trees. Almost a full moon. Ghost trees. Dancing tree shadows. Howling winds. Lonely.
Date: 2005-03-23
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Dennis Cove
Miles today: 6.1

A walk in the park.I've heard a lot about Bob and Pat Peoples, so, destination Kincora.Yelp, it was all true. Good people. Just down right good hearts. Not trying to get rich off hikers. (can one get rich off hikers?) Boom-a-rang walks up. Tumbleweed - I've been following you. So has others - but, I am going slow. I want to enjoy.About an hour or so, Apple Pie walks in.
Date: 2005-03-25
From: Dennis Cove

To: Watagua Shelter
Miles today: 3.0

Left at 8;20am got a big hug from Apple Pie. Beautiful walk through and up Laurel Fork Gorge to US 321. Whoops, got pulled to Hampton. B-fast. After that TJ internet Cafe - closed. Someone stopped and asked if I wanted a ride to the trail head. Used hand signals - computer. Leaving town - a bar (Ice House) haven't had a beer in a while - one won't hurt. Man, a lot of friendly people here - must have something to do with the people(s) of Kincora. Got purdy drunk. Got a ride to lake and walked to Watagua Shelter. Carried some beer.
Date: 2005-03-26
From: Watagua Shelter

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: broken clouds

Hung over... Stopped at the Dam almost stepped on a baby copperhead. Man, I feel bad. Ate an apple, plum and snickers bar. Walks-alone, JByrd passes me. Got to Vandeventer Shelter, I'm done.
Date: 2005-03-27
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: broken clouds

I'm better today. The Tennessee Turnpike, can make a few miles today.A quick/late lunch at the shelter - probably about 3pm.Winds are strong - storm coming. Make it to The shelter - water ok. As I was trying to hurry and set camp up, some day-hikers come over and start asking a bunch of questions. I wanted to say 'I don't have the time for your questions'. Unless you got something for me - like beer, whiskey, food, etc. Finally, they left. Make oatmeal and cocoa for supper. Oh, for lunch - mac/cheese with bacon bits, washed down with cystal light.It's dark, raining and strong winds - but sounds good.
Date: 2005-03-28
From: Double Spring Gap

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: light rain

Rolled in town about 12:30. Met Walks-alone, JByrd, mousetrap, one-hung-low (a Marine aviator). It's been raining since last night. Everything is wet. Greg this is the AT - you will be wet. I got up, and went out the tent, wow, a limb was laying over my tent. It had a curve in it. If not for that curve, I'd be a cussin'. Easy crusing today.Wet, Wet, Wet, but better than snow, ice, wind, old snow. Good change.
Date: 2005-03-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

ZERO - - - I feel like a lonesome tumbleweed rollin' across the landWater is my only need All I take is a tanI feel like rolling, so keep the wind a blowingFree and wild, I will talk about my journey should not be of doubtJust a lonesome tumbleweed rolling end over endA slave to the wind with no direction and no endCaught by the barbed wire I may only stay an hourThe free and wild is what I boast Just a tossing, fringed and homeless host...Well, Just thinking.In 'THE TRAIL TOWN'Met Big Daddy last night at Dots. He's a retired LtCol USAF, but that's OK.Most of the hikers have left town this am. Tonight a new crew will be here.Talking with Lone Wolf, I was informed of the 'hobo camp' about 6 miles north on the creeper trail. I'll go there tomorrow. I like changes. I can't go too fast - a friend is picking me up (where ever I am) to come back to Trail Days. So I'm no going past Harpers Ferry. After Trail Days - I'm rolling.
Date: 2004-11-18
To: Trial Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello and welcome! I am so glad you have decided to visit my humble little journal, and I hope that what you will find in these pages will be worth your time. I cannot explain to you how much I look forward to this adventure that will begin in just a few short months. While I think the term "Springer Fever" is generally ascribed to those who have already thru-hiked, I can attest that the virus has, in fact, mutated and that I am currently infected. I know that God is going to bless this hike in ways that I cannot imagine or anticipate. For those of you who will be hiking this spring, I look forward to meeting you. And for those who will not be hiking, I would be delighted to have you join in this adventure (vicariously, anyways) by tuning into my sporatic (both in timeframe and content)entries on a somewhat regular basis. Please sign the guestbook and look forward to tales of adventure and mayham! Have a great day!
Date: 2004-11-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So I would like to talk a bit about myself (don't we all like doing that) and my relationship with the legendary Appalachian Trail. I' have had the blessing of a wonderful father who loves the outdoors. Consequently, I was exposed to hiking before I could even walk. Here is a picture of my dad carrying me "hiking" in a denem sack - I was a much younger man then. We would continue hiking throughout my youth (along with my brother/sidekick, Chris) and at some point I would even begin to carry my own weight (although this was a gradual process). I never really became involved with the Boy Scouts or anything of that nature, as I had all the backpacking I needed within my own family and a much more pristine experience toboot (think yelling 10-year-olds and fire). As I entered high school, I started to disassociate myself from family and other conventional institutions (at least, in my mind), but for no good reason. I sought out truth in avenues that repeatedly led to disillusionment and distruction. While my parents had taken me to church my entire life, I had written off Jesus Christ as an icon of the culture that I was now trying so desperately to escape and transcend. Because of my presuppositions (can you do "spell check" on this thing?), stubborness, and ignorance, I would not allow myself to see the inconsistancies and absurdities within my own pursuits. I even entertained the Nathaniel Hawthorne-like transcententalist approch to seeking transcendent significance by fondly looking back to my now distortedly romanticized youth in the woods and thinking that a thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail was surely the physical manifestation of my spiritual journey. "Yes, this will solve ALL my problems!" I thought in ignorance.It was not until I became a bit older and until God did an amazing work in my heart that I realized that meaning beyond this world could not come from anything in this world. My previous line of thinking resulted, as I said, in many incongruencies and much disillusionment. And I have been overwhelmed with joy since that time of regeneration to be set free from seeking that which will always disappoint, always fade away, always fail and to be restored to the prusuit that becomes increasingly climactic with each passing moment and that has eternal, transcentent, objective significance.So, why am I going to hike the trail now that I claim to "have it all figured out" (I, by the way, do NOT claim to have it all figured out, and what I do know did not come to me by any merit of my own)? Well, this is what some call "the hook". You see, you end the story 'in media res' (in the middle of things, in suspense) so as to draw the reader to the next entry. I hope it works.
Date: 2004-11-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Why? This is the question that prospective thru-hikers receive constantly in both the preparatory and execution stages of their trek. The answers have ranged from deep philosophical justifications concerning the subversion of dominate paradigms and so forth to a simple shrug of the shoulders. Many thru-hikers begin asking themselves this question (often after long bouts with unfavorable weather), and the lack of a superior argument results in that final ride into town.I could provide plenty of reasons why this is something that I would like to do. But what is truly important is not whether or not I should hike the AT, but for what purpose I should hike it. As I mentioned earlier, I¢ve found time and again that when I seek significance from anything less than God alone, I am always coming up short. When I try to prove my own worth, satisfy myself internally, or place my identity in some sort of superior classification, I can never find ultimate satisfaction ¢ I always leave such pursuits spiritually tired and insatiably hungry. Thus, hiking to prove myself or to seek truth from within myself or even to enjoy myself is all a waste of time. I must hike (as I must do everything else) for God¢s glory rather than my own. This is the essence of life, the medium through which we achieve it is secondary.
Date: 2004-12-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

As I sat in the computer lab with my final paper attached to the email I was about to send, I realized that by pressing the ¢send¢ button, I would solidify the completion of my college career. What a glorious feeling it was to press that button! I spent the rest of the day smiling and humming slightly relevant songs about freedom by Phish, Eric Clapton, and the like. I watched a move last night and ¢slept in¢ till 7:45 this morning ¢ both relatively incredible signs of relaxation and unproductiveness for me. And now I must shift the focus of my productivity to planning this hike in further detail.I still have quite a bit of gear to acquire, but that¢s not really going to be a problem. I¢m going to try and set up somewhat of an itinerary for at least the first several hundred miles. But that¢s not too big a deal either as I want to be as flexible as possible on this hike. Well, surely there¢s something I¢m supposed to be doing. Oh well, I¢ll figure it out as I go along.
Date: 2004-12-12
To: Ouch, my finger!
Miles today: 0.0

That is what I said (along with an involuntary but impressive yelp) last week after falling down while hiking to the Sun Wall at Looking Glass rock. I felt like I could just walk down this short but steep section of smooth exposed rock, but my feet rejected the notion and slipped out from under me. My hands did what they were trained to do and attempted to arrest my fall and save me from a sore butt. However, the middle finger on my left hand did not reckon with the force generated by this fall, and tendons (or perhaps ligaments) were definitely blown, as I could bend my finger about 20 degrees in an unnatural lateral fashion at the proximal joint. It looked pretty gross, but didn¢t hurt at all. But man did it hurt that night, and the next day, and the next. In fact, it still kind of hurts today. But mobility and stability are both slowly returning and I expect it to be in decent shape in the near future. But in the mean time, be thankful for God¢s gift of friction. Without friction we¢d all be sliding around on our butts and the world would be in utter chaos!
Date: 2004-12-27
To: Merry Christmas!
Miles today: 0.0

I know I¢m a couple days late, but I still feel justified with the title of this entry. I hung out with an ¢04 thru-hiker last night and received a wonderful comment from him when he told his friends that he thought I would make it. He based his comment on his observation that I was easy going since I had been asked at church that morning (in his presence) to attend a community group and replied ¢sure¢ and later had the same reply to go hang out with him and a bunch of other people I didn¢t know. Apparently, this attitude will get you far on a thru-hike, but I doubt that it alone will carry you to and through Maine.So with that in mind, I¢ve been taking some other preparatory measures. I¢ve been running about five days per week. I¢m not much of a runner, so three of these days are fairly slow and short (with a friend who is a bit less of a runner than me) and the other two are longer and faster ¢ just over six miles at just over a seven minute pace. This distance is becoming easier to me and I am responding by increasing my speed rather than my distance. This decision comes after listening to my knees ¢ another practice that I hear is helpful for aspirant thru-hikers. The knees aren¢t very bad (no need for extra zero days or vitamin I yet), but much more than six miles of pounding on pavement on a semi-regular basis is probably not helpful.I plan on taking a pretty inclusive ¢shake down¢ hike toward the end of January. I will obviously have to adjust for temperature differences when criticizing gear selection, but I think I am prepared for this. I think I will hike the Bartram Trail in NC and GA for a week or so. I would like to do the whole trail during this time since it came highly recommended from a friend who recently hiked part of it and is letting me borrow her maps.My final form of preparation is more mental / psychological. Three times a day, I stare at a 4¢ / 2¢wall poster of the AT, illuminated only by candles, for a solid hour while listening to motivational music. In the morning I listen to the Rocky soundtrack, Braveheart in the afternoon, and at night I just play Eye of the Tiger continuously for the entire hour. The only problem with this practice is the effect of the candles forces me to continue seeing the poster for up to 10 minutes after I¢ve stopped looking at it, causing me to run into a number of objects of varying fragility around my house. While this is consequently becoming an increasingly expensive practice, I still think the benefits outweigh the costs. Just kidding, I don¢t do anything quite this absurd ¢ but I figured that if you¢ve read this far, you¢re ready for some humor.
Date: 2005-01-06
To: New Name & Hover Shoes
Miles today: 0.0

For all those who check updated journals on a regular basis (daily basis in my case), I thought I would give a short update since I have officially chosen a trail name (go to trail name section for details) and am now in an entirely different region of the site. All has been well lately and I have made several major gear purchases for the trip. I¢ve ordered a Western Mountaineering Ultralite sleeping bag, a pair of Montrail Stratos XCR shoes and a Granite Gear Vapor Trail backpack. The shoes are the only piece of equipment that some might not recognize. With that in mind, I posted this picture of the charming Michael J. Fox modeling the Montrail Stratos XCR¢s. Seriously though, these shoes look like they are from Back to the Future II or the Michael Jackson Thriller video or something. They are about the ugliest hiking shoes I have ever seen and I can use them as conclusive evidence for my function over fashion mentality. I like all the features for a pair of early spring shoes ¢ waterproof and warm because of the Gor-tex, lightweight because of the synthetic material, they fit incredibly well, and the futuristic design actually enables them to defy gravity (an added bonus, of course). I just hope I can get them dirty quick!
Date: 2005-02-03
To: Nothin' Shakin' on Shakedown Hike
Miles today: 0.0

During the last week of January (22nd - 28th), I had the wonderful experience of hiking the majority of the Bartram Trail. I excluded the northern 6.6 miles along with its 8.1 mile approach due to potential time constraints, which turned out to be a non-issue. Nevertheless, the 109.5 miles that I did do provided for a great time of growth and enjoyment. God truly blessed every step of this trip in spite of my feebleness. I had a number of hang-ups (primarily self-imposed) that God just continued to resolve in the most incredible ways. ¢He who did not spare His own son, but gave him up for us all - how will He not also graciously give us all things?¢ (Rom. 8:32).Surely one of the reasons I grew closer to God on this trip is because it was just me and Him. Most of the trip was freaking cold and ¢people season¢ has long since ended. The longest conversation I had all week was with a solitary forest service ranger, Grant, and that lasted only about 25 minutes. The solitude was nice though, for a number of reasons, and I often found myself basically skipping down a hill with an uncontrolled grin across my face. I can¢t wait to share this joy with my fellow AT thru-hikers though.Speaking of thru-hikers, the sub-community that will be leaving during mid-march has already begun to congregate. I came back to my computer after the BT to find emails galore from various members of this bunch, initiated by Longhaul and taken to the next level (that is, our own website) by Traction ¢ thanks again guys. I¢m so excited that fellowship is already beginning to occur among this group as enjoyable companionship is a blessing wished upon me by many a former thru-hiker.Oh yeah, the weekend before the BT, a couple of buddies and I went to the SORUCK at the NOC. This was lots of fun and was also great encouragement concerning the AT community. However, my friends and I were well below the average age of attendees and were repeatedly mistaken as students in a nearby EMT course. Nevertheless, we were treated with great hospitality and I was able to gain a good bit of wisdom. The highlight of the weekend for me was probably the CDT slideshow by Spur, who finished this past December. Every shot was absolutely magnificent and the music (mostly John Denver and James Taylor) sent me straight back to my early childhood days of hiking with my Dad and brother. It almost brought me to tears ¢ very nostalgic. Anyhow, if I have any desire to ever do another long distance hike after the AT (and if I can find a partner ¢ otherwise that¢s a lonely trip), the CDT might be the one. But for now, the AT has my full attention.