morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-04-09
From: Fontana Village

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I was up at 7:15 AM and left the room at 7:30 AM for an AYCE breakfast buffet. Greg was still in bed. He later claimed that I kept him awake all night with my snoring and that when he heard me leave the room all he could think was "Ah" sleep at last. Well he could not stand the thought of me down in the restaurant eating all that good food and he joined me about 15 minutes later.After breakfast we walked to the laundry with our dirty clothes and after placing them in the washer we walked to the Post Office for our resupply boxes. When our laundry was done we hiked back up the hill to our room and began repacking our packs. Greg is expecting his parents and he is like a cat in heat. He has walked to the lobby at least 4 times to check the parking lot for his parents car. On his last trip to the lobby his parents arrived at the room. They have the room adjoining us and hid there until Greg returned at which time they jumped out and surpprised him. Cindy and Alec Sharp drove Greg and me to Bryson City for an AYCE Chinese lunch.We them drove to the dam where I showed them the Fontana Hilton, one of the nicest shelters on the trail. We then drove across the dam to the spot where the AT enters the Smokies. They were really surprised at how narrow and rough the trail was. They expect a much wider and smoother trail surface. We all returned to the motel and everyone took a nap till dinner time.
Date: 2004-04-10
From: Fontana Village

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I awoke at 5:30 AM today and was having trouble breathing. I got up for a glass of water and then arranged my pillows and tried to lie back down. I could not recline without experiencing the sensation that I could not breathe.I ended up putting my pillows against the head board and sitting up. As long as I sat upright all seemed okay. At 6:00 AM I decided to walk up to the lobby for some coffee. The walk up to the lobby was tiring. It was like I was carrying my pack up one of those mountains. I decided something was definitely wrong and I called my wife. My wife, who has a friend with congestive heart failure, scared me to death. She said I had all the symptoms of congestive heart failure. She insisted that I go to a local hospital, but I refused. I told her I would leave the trail and would come home with the Sharp's and would go to my doctor first thing Monday morning. I promised her that if I experienced any more difficulty breathing before I got home, that I would seek medical help. I broke the news to Greg and his parents. They were all most understanding.So my second thru hike is not to be. I will not attempt it again.I wish much success to all of the 2004 crowd who are still out there on the trail hiking their way North or South. Good luck one and all.
Date: 2003-12-22
To: Introduction
Miles today: 0.0

Well; slowly this dream is becoming a reality. The Appalachian Trail seemed distant during high school, I knew I wanted to hike it but the question was when. The fall of my senior year I knew exactly what I wanted to do; I wanted to be a music teacher, but my music teacher had other plans for me and refused to write me a recommendation. Several huge arguments and months later, I wanted absolutely nothing to do with music and found myself clueless of where I wanted to go to school in the fall, let alone major in. Now that music no longer dominated my life, I was able to get back to the things I had put on hold for the music program at school, a.k.a. finishing up my Eagle Scout.After kinda-sorta discussing it with my parents, my mind was set; AT 2004. Now by kinda-sorta I mean I basically made up my mind and let my parents know that¢s what was up. Convincing my father was pretty easy; ¢The way I look at it dad is that if I spend six months in the woods figuring out what I want to do with my life; it would be cheaper than having me switch my major like 8 times at school.¢ The keyword of course was cheaper; I think that¢s what really convinced him. My mom on the other hand I guess eventually was ok with the whole idea; I never really sat down and talked with them about my plans.So here we are, a few days before Christmas, (hopefully a few maps and guidebooks, along with some gear is heading my way), and roughly 76 days before I start my trek. At 18 I¢ll be at the younger spectrum of thru-hikers this year, but I¢ve dreamt about this hike for ten years now, and it¢s time. See you on Katahdin sometime,Dwight Stevenson, AT 2004
Date: 2003-12-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

With less than three months left until my hike, I totally am freaking on whether I'm in shape enough. I know the trail will be rough no matter what, but I'm planning on starting a hard core training and exercise program at the YMCA after New Years. I've got to get back the leg and back muscles I had when I backpacking in New Mexico at Philmont Scout Ranch.
Date: 2003-12-25
To: Merry Christmas
Miles today: 0.0

Well today was a wonderful day spent laying around the house with the family. We watched most of the new videos and basically spent a lazy day just being together. My brothers and sisters were excited with their gifts; my brother with his Digital Cannon Rebel, and my sisters one with her RC racer, and the other with her robotics kit. I however was estatic when I unwrapped a 12 pack of Boulevard; however that was just the box, inside was the complete trail. All the maps and guidebooks along with the data book, I've had the maps from Springer to the Smokies out all afternoon. With every passing day I realize this trip is getting closer, and I find myself thinking more and more about it. Also for Christmas I got a few books, several I'll probably be taking on the Trail, one is by Henry David Thoreau and looks like it'll be great! Merry Christmas everyone.See you on the trail.
Date: 2004-01-05
To: New Gear... New Worries
Miles today: 0.0

Well... last night I recieved my Christmas gift from my grandparents, a hundred dollar gift card to EMS, so of course I had to run right out and spend it on some new gear. I purchased all new raingear, I bought the EMS Thunderhead Jacket, made with EMS System III waterproofing ($63.20 on sale), and the Thunderhead Pant ($47.20 on sale). All in all a great lightweight packable rainsuit for just over a hundred dollars. Oh yeah the jacket weighs 14.5 ounces, and the pants weigh 12 ounces. A great weight savings over my last set of raingear, the jacket weighed 23 ounces, and the pants weighed in at 16 ounces, all in all 13 ounces of weight off my back.Now back to the worries... well with realizing I now have a little over 2 months until my hike, I've gone into fitness overdrive, I'm worried that I won't be in good enough shape, that I won't have what it takes... I know it's just pre-hike jitters but I guess it's all for the best, I have started working out much more, I've been hiking around the neighborhood with my pack on and it's been going well... now I've just got to finalize my gear decisions. Do I want 3 shirts or two? A set of camp clothes? An mp3 player?Oh and a new starting date, March 10th. SU is playing UCONN in the Dome Sunday March 7th. Can't miss that game!
Date: 2004-01-17
To: More Prep!!
Miles today: 0.0

Well the time is now getting closer everyday. I was planning on playing basketball on Thursday night with my father at the YMCA, but his whole team actually showed up, instead I went and hit the aerobics room after heading out to the van and picking up a day pack with about ten pounds of goodies in it and did I nice walk on the treadmill of about 4 miles, in the hour I was there. I'll probably be heading back there with a much larger pack in the coming weeks, I can't wait for the stare's and questions. In further preparation for my hike I've decided to get an email account with backpacker.com that way I can check my email from wherever; that email address is: dwighthike_at_04@backpacker.com . Today was a nice lazy day actually. Watched a whole lot of basketball including SU's awesome win over the Fighting Irish.Gear choices and the such are continually being narrowed down to what I really need. And I'll soon be picking up an mp3 player to take along with me, I know what most of you are going to say, but music is really important to me, I can't go six months with hearing only the stuff they play on the radio. I need my fill of old live Grateful Dead shows. So I'll be picking up a nice 40GB mp3 player for 250 from Best Buy, weighs about 7 ounces it'll be well worth it's weight when instead of the rain pouring down on my tent night after night, every now and then I'll be able to be put to sleep with Jerry's swooning vocals on Morning Dew, or Stella Blue... well that's all the updates for now... See you on the trail.
Date: 2004-02-18
To: WOW
Miles today: 0.0

Wow, only three weeks until I hit the trail, give or take a few days. Still not quite sure my exact start date, I mean I'd love to be on the trail by the 10th but it's looking like that may not be possible and a start on the 12th is looking like a possibility. My father is being a stickler about the SU game on the 7th. I handed my employers my request for a leave of absence from work a few days back, and it was interesting to see their reaction. They've known for a while it was coming, but when they actually got it Martha looked as though she were going to cry. (Don't worry Martha, I'll be back) Anyways my last day at the Creamery will be the 24th, after that I will have the rest of the time to finish my preparations for my thru-hike. I can't believe how quickly time has flown by, I mean it literally feels like last week that I was only dreaming of doing the trail, now I'm only three weeks away from starting it.There's so many emotions that are running through me it's impossible to explain how I feel. I'm excited, nervous, sad, happy, worried just a whole amalgam of emotions running through my mind. Thoughts questioning my preparedness both physically and mentally, as well as just thoughts of people and places I'm going to miss; but then there's another part of me, the one that put all this into motion, the part of me that's yearning to explore, the part that's saying enough is enough, GET ME OUT OF SYRACUSE. I mean it's not that I'm trying to escape, or trying to really do anything, all I really am looking to do is hike 2,174.1 miles from Springer to Katahdin, Georgia to Maine and have a great time along the way.
Date: 2004-02-25
To: I Once Was Lost...
Miles today: 0.0

...But Now Am FoundAhh yes, Amazing Grace, I found my stove! It was hiding on a shelf in my garage. My dad calls up today; "you find the stove?", umm no dad I haven't, "check in the garage on the small wooden shelves, I remember putting it up there in September" Sure enough I go out and there it is, way up on the top shelf like 20 feet up. Well, I'm just glad I've got it now, and the other kicker with the water filter, same call as earlier, my dad goes; "Oh yeah, the water filter is in the back of my van, I took it to scouts last week." So after me worrying about missing gear, my father knew where everything was all along, and let me get all worked up. Yes I know, yet another thing I'm blaming on my parents, but hey, what do you expect I'm a teenager, everything is their fault. Another thing with my parents is my starting date, I want to start from Amicalola Falls SP the morning of March 10th, but it seems that my parents would like to delay that a bit. I've got to do some discussing with them, but I'd really like to start mid week rather than on a weekend. Till next time, I'm Dwight and "that's the way the cookie crumbles"
Date: 2004-02-26
To: Motivation is what's Happening
Miles today: 0.0

In the Spring of my sophmore year of HS, I attended a life changing weekend retreat called Happening. Tonight as I cleaned my room, I found some pieces of Caritas (Little notes, inspirational stories, or gifts, meant to show Gods love). Many made me cry, more made me laugh but mostly they made me smile. I'm going to miss this Spring's Happening retreat, but I will be there in spirit and prayer. I've chosen a few small Caritas to take with me on my hike, sure it's added weight you say but it's an ounce I'm willing to add, for if at all I think I can't, I'll take out my little Caritas and read a passage or a note and realize that I can. Sooo without further adew, I'd like to share a few of these Caritas on here with you:Faith and Doubt:Doubt sees the obstacles,Faith sees the way;Doubt sees the blackest night,Faith sees the day;Doubt dreads to take a step,Faith soars on high;Doubt questions, "Who believes?"Faith answers, "I!"There's always another rainbowSearch until you find itDon't look at the cloudLook behind itThere's a rainbow there somewhereThere's always a ray of sunshineThough it all seems tragicYou may take another step and like magicThere's an answer to your prayersNow you feel forlornBut hope can be rebornTry and lose that frownLook up, not downAnd you'll find another rainbowI can guarantee itEven though you thinkYou've reached the rainbows endThere's always another rainbowWaiting around the next bendSo here it comes, March 8th is coming quickly, and a reservation at the Amicalola Falls SP lodge for March 9th was made today so it looks as though on March 10th I'll be taking my first steps on my Northward adventure along the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2004-03-01
To: Weekends Like These
Miles today: 0.0

Its weekends like this past one that I am sure I¢ll miss while on the trail. No huge frat keggers or all night raves, it was just a lot of fun! Friday afternoon I made my way down to Mansfield University to visit my friend Kelly, we¢d been talking a lot lately and she¢s been really supportive and I¢m certainly going to miss her while on the trail, it¢s different somehow when we talk, we must have that whole ESP thing going on or something because she¢s always saying just what I need to hear. Then on Saturday I made my way back to Syracuse being treated to an amazing sunset over Seneca Lake on the 40 mile drive up route 14 from Watkins Glen to Geneva. Back in Syracuse I got a call from my friend Katie, and with it only being 8:30 on a Saturday night there was no way I was staying in, so I made my way to Denny¢s for some great company, and some not exactly great pieces of French Toast. After Denny¢s we headed back to Katie¢s place up on Tipp Hill, and just hung out and talked, watched Finding Nemo, took her little dog for a walk at 11pm, and I ended up getting sucked into color coordinating ideas for the living room with her mother. It made for an interesting Saturday night to say the least. Sunday was a nice laid back day. Not too much driving, other than picking up Katie and getting her to work, but then it was home to watch SU hand Pitt their first loss in their new arena, pretty non-eventful but intense 49-46 overtime win.All in all a weekend that gave me the best life had to offer; great friends, great driving, and college basketball. I¢m sure going to miss weekends like this, but it¢s a sacrifice I¢m willing to make. Only a week to go, and damn, I¢m getting pumped.
Date: 2004-03-01
To: The Song I Will Sing
Miles today: 0.0

Tonight I sat down and thought I better capture some of these emotions that are running through my head. And here's the result:My mind is swirling like a hurricane. Emotions thoughts and things left unsaid picking up speed as my time grows nearer. The warm waters of excitement only increase the strength of these whirlwind emotions that have taken hold of my mind. But as my day nears my heart beat slows to match the rhythm of the earth as this hurricane moves inland. It¢s this rhythm to which my symphony will be played; it¢s to this rhythm that my pace will be set. Step by step, mountain by mountain, along the Appalachian Trail my body and spirit will be infused with that of Mother Nature¢s. My heart aches as I leave my loved ones behind and take up this song alone. But this song has been cast in my soul and now upon my body and there is nothing to do but sing it. And sing it I will with every melody and harmony along the way my spirit will sing with every step I take. With every view that blossoms to a forte and every drop of percussive rain my journey will be my song, and God and Mother Nature my composer. My hike will be both the song and dance for this melody, to which I can only praise them both for giving unto me.3/1/04 11:30-11:45pm
Date: 2004-03-11
From: Springer Mountain Shelter

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: clear sky

Hiking Today from 8:50 AM - 1:35 PM with a 40 min. lunch at Long Creek Falls.2:15 PM:   Seiko the 14 time thru-hiker is here, he'll be staying at the Hawk Mtn. Shelter too. He's a riot, flip to any shelter in the data book and he'll give you the mileage damn near exact. The hike today was GREAT! I started from Springer Mtn. shelter a little late (8:50) but still made the 7.8 to Hawk Mtn. shelter by 1:35. Passed a thru-hiker on her way up to Springer early on, then saw no one until about 20 minutes before I reached Hawk Mtn. There was a DEFINITE change in vegetation today, Springer and the Approach Trail were pretty much all leafless deciduous trees, but as soon as I crossed the road I found myself in rhododendron tunnels and after that stands of red pine. Then as I made my way closer to Hawk Mtn. the trees transitioned back. It made for something to think about as I hiked solo. MEALS: B: Granola Bar      L: Hickory flavored tuna, PBP GS cookies      Sn:Mint chocolate cookie bar      D: Southwest mashed potatoes with Mexican beef~Dwight~ AT 2004MOM'S ORIGINAL ENTRY:Spent a couple of hours at Long Creek Falls for lunch. In at Hawk Mountain by 2 PM. Legs feel OK; taking advise from various AT books - don't overdue it the first couple of days! Met up with Clint from Maryland whose thru hiking as well; good company and good pace!
Date: 2004-03-12
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Gap (2'784') Campsite 16.1 mi. from Springer
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: clear sky

3:40 PM: Yet another sunny day. I must have chosen the MAGIC date. About 3 PM or so yesterday afternoon Wolfwind whom I had seen that morning on Springer arrived at Hawk Mtn. Shelter, waking me from my nap. Then about 5 PM or so Clint showed up, it was the first day of his thru-hike. Hiked most of the day today with Clint. We had a pretty good pace and about half way up Sassafras Mtn. we passed Wolfwind. She had set out about 30 minutes prior to us this morning. It was nice to have someone to hike with today! We talked as we hiked about movies, T.V. and music. I found out that Clint's 25 graduated from Maryland last spring and that he's hiking because he's getting married in August. However he opted to stay @ Gooch Mtn. Shelter rather than to press on with Seiko and I. We headed for a campsite Seiko uses that's 16.1 miles from Springer. (USFS 42) Seiko's been kinda like a Big Brother to me so far. He gave me some tips for loading my pack. I think that's why I made better time and aren't as sore. So it's a small camp tonight, but all is well here @ camp. I bid you goodnight.
Date: 2004-03-13
From: Gooch Gap Campsite

To: Jarrard Gap Campsite
Miles today: 11.6

Nice day today. Woke up and had everything set to go then who comes round the bend but my buddy Clint. We decided to hike together today as well. The trail was pretty rolling to Woody Gap where a whole crew of Trail Angels awaited our arrival. They gave us tons of snacks and drinks. We chilled around there for at least an hour or so and then hiked onward. The first climb out wasn't bad but the up down all around that followed seemed to go on for...ever. Let me just say the uphills wear me OUT. On top of Burnett Field Mountain during a break, I pulled out my Companion and noticed: "Jarrard Gap, Lenny's Grill 1 mile west". Our minds were pretty well set, we're having BBQ tonight! So the 1 mile was a bit of an understatement. It was probably closer to 2 miles one way but damn it was GOOD! We both got the pulled pork BBQ sandwich with french fries and a pickle. Then for dessert I got a slice of pineapple cake and Clint got the banana pudding with Nilla wafers. Then to go I got some chicken strips and Clint got a grilled cheese and onion rings. While we ate and flirted with the waitress we watched the Detroit vs Dallas hockey game. I'm not quite sure who won but it was nice to watch some sports. Haven't seen Seiko since morning but I'm sure he'll pop up. Well it's time to head back up to the Gap. 7:05 PM:   Well Clint and I headed back up to Jarrard Gap, there's an Ultralighter here also that started out yesterday at Springer. So it'll be Clint, the Ultralighter and his friend and me here at the Gap tonight. Tomorrow will be a pretty easy 5.4 mile day down into Neels Gap but up and over Blood Mtn. (4,461') which I'm pretty excited about. Tonight, I'll be out under the stars again although it's a little windier than last night. Still gives me a great nights sleep. Well it's time for bed it's gotten dark enough, so I bid you ...Goodnight!~Dwight~ AT 2004 DAD'S Journal entry:Hiking with Clint from Maryland - twenty something and no trail name less, like me! Lost track of Seiko, the 50 something multi-trekker. Slept under the stars - no lodge, no tent, no threat of rain!!
Date: 2004-03-14
From: Jarrard Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: broken clouds

Short day today! Just 5 miles into Neels Gap, it's just we have to go up and over Blood Mtn. The climb up wasn't too bad, I think mainly due to the fact my legs are getting stronger as well as my lungs. I was able to climb faster and take fewer breaks. The trace bits of snow toward the summit reminded me of home. Blood Mtn. Shelter was cool, I'd never seen an all stone shelter, Clint and I admired the view from a top the boulder looking to the S.W. We tried to figure out which mountain was Springer. The trail down Blood wasn't as steep as I had expected, about halfway down we passed Wolfwind. She'd slept at Wood's Hole Shelter the night before about 1.3 miles beyond Jarrard Gap. Neels Gap came quickly after the rolling bottom to Blood Mountain.Neels Gap was like HEAVEN; cold soda's, Ben and Jerry's (sorry Martha but there's no Cold Stone), oranges, showers and washers & dryers. Clint and I went to the Outfitters to get a bunk for the hostel. While Clint hit the showers I threw in our laundry and munched on some Ben and Jerry's. Once the laundry was done I tossed everything out of my pack; knowing full well that I needed to drop my pack weight. Soon there were several others in the hostel, not staying the night just laying their 6 month old down for a nap. They saw my Bear Canister and mocked me for it. Then Hey Bob pops in he'd been hiking with the couple with the young one. He helped me to sort through what to send home and what to keep. Hey Bob is an interesting older guy that absolutely cracks me up. One of the things I was sending home was my tent, but I couldn't go without shelter! So Hey Bob tells me to keep my tent fly and set it up like a tarp, we then spent the next hour trying to figure out a configuration that WORKED.So here's a list of what got sent home:Tent body, 3 stakes, tent poles, gaiters, fleece pants, Bear Canister, water filter, book. The weight of the box going home 11.5 pounds! Some things I had to purchase at the 'overpriced' Outfitters at Neels Gap:A food sack ($14.95) and 50' paracord ($5.00). The best buy though was for Superfeet insoles ($30.00), they should come in handy. My 'dogs' were getting pretty tired. Well it's time for the Dinner Shuttle to Blairsville (AYCE). More will come latter... ~Dwight~ AT 2004Dad journaling as Dwight:Still hiking with Clint; Seiko showed back up on trail today. Short jaunt from Jarrard Gap to Neels Gap but over dreaded Blood Mountain. In Hostel by 2:30 PM. Called home to tell mom & dad that the bear canister, the body of the tent and the fleece pants for sleeping in are being shipped home from the Hostel - dramatic weight reduction necessary!! Have spent last 2 nights under stars... beautiful!!