morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-02-21
To: that'll do pig...
Miles today: 0.0

Another snowy morning in Rochester. Yesterday I tried to honestly look at all my gear. My list of little things to get is growing ever smaller, and my base weight (sans fuel, food, and water) is growing ever more daunting. Everything, including poles, minus boots, is about 25lb. I would love to see a few pounds shaved off of that but I have no idea where. I had heard that we carry what we fear, I must fear being cold or naked, I have nearly 5 pounds of things to wear. One fleece shirt, one long sleeved shirt, one short sleeved shirt, one tank top, one sports bra, one down sweater, one rain jacket- I only have one torso! One pair of rain pants, one pair of thin long johns, one pair of heavy long johns, one skort and I only have one pair of legs. One pair of boots, one pair of "not" crocs, 3 socks- 2 feet! Water proof gloves, warm weather mitts, hat, baklava- am I going to the Arctic? Where is the fat I can trim off? I guess I could have some stuff sent later when it will be warmer/cooler...When dealing in oz everything looks evil. How many Aleve will I really need, what about those Benadryl, I have never before had an allergic reaction, why would I have one now... Am I carrying things so that I have them just in case I need them or in case some one else needs them. I think if I took every man for himself mentality I may save myself 6 oz.... but that is 6 oz....I moved all my "real clothes" (ie cotton based) clothing into tubs. My great fun colors gone for 6 months to a dark corner of the attic. I worried if they would smell like plastic when they were retrieved, but at that point plastic may be a pleasant smell...Enough chit chat....Just wanted to comment that after an hour on the treadmill this morning I thought, "yeah, that'll do"What exactly will that do? In the long haul, the big picture, really not much. Oh boy I am in for it!Mac
Date: 2008-02-22
To: how much fuel...
Miles today: 0.0

This morning I woke to more snow- Nice fluffy stuff. After tromping down to the gym for some weighted reading and climbing I headed home to fuss over my pack weight some more, clean up the house, think about studying, and make some lunch. Not bad for one snowy morning. I found a pound to shave off my pack, but then remembered there was no TP in it! I reviewed more organ systems and found my own nutritional needs depleted. Time to test the stove-----again. I made ramen from the comforts of my kitchen floor without much difficulty (note the cameo of my Uncle Bill Cole's sweet cabinet handy skills and mine and my father's approach to a low fuss floor refinishing- please don't note all the crumbs, more then anything I need practice opening ramen packages apparently).The stove worked great, about an oz or so of fuel for each cup of water needed to reach boiling. The pot did not get too hot to handle, nor did it melt my pot holder/towel/sling etc etc etc. A successful attempt all in all. I even put the ceiling fan on high, not exactly Mt. Washington winds but close enough for now. There are more things up on my gear page, and more things strewn over my bedroom floor. back to that...Mac
Date: 2008-02-23
To: Finding a balance
Miles today: 0.0

Planning for this trip has involved finding, accessing a balance that I may never find. Planning vs winging, weight vs dollars, trail vs work, exercise vs study, sparse vs prepared. It leaves one a bit unsettled. I have 5 days of work left. Five- 12 hours shifts that suddenly are producing in me an anxiety I have not experienced since my first months in my field. It reminds me that even after miles of walking, each day will have new stress-ors and challenges. It may be that the same old same old suddenly strikes me in an new anxiety provoking way. I will be ready. I will thwart off offending agents with hugs! Or maybe casual indifference. Maybe I will find an aggression unknown before that day. Only time will tell. I wanted to mention that after I actually take my gear out on the trail I will gladly give advise. I feel at this point it is like asking a chicken what sauce she should be prepared with. I did a bit of on-line comparison, but hardly exhaustive. I tried trolling sites for suggestions, but every one is different in their needs and strong in their opinions (as subjective as they may be).
Date: 2008-02-27
To: scapegoat
Miles today: 0.0

Someone told me that at each shelter there were hot tubs and a wait-staff unparalleled in their service. Do you think they were fibbing? I had hoped to spend snowy Smokey evenings soaking. I like the alliteration of it all. Oh well, I have a feeling that my sleeping bag will feel like sliding into a hot tub after miles of plodding and climbing. We have had more snow here in Upstate New York and I continue my feeble attempt at training at the gym. My knee worries me. Sometimes it hurts, sometimes it is not painful, but nor is it reliable to bear weight. I will try and descend stairs and if there was not a railing, there would be a pile of me at the bottom. I have done what I can to strengthen my quadriceps and loosen my hamstrings but I worry what the trail will do to me. I bought a cho-pat knee brace (thanks baglady!) and I hope to start testing it out. I hope to not need it, but this is one time when I will air on the side of prepared. So my knee is my scapegoat. My whipping boy. I can work through knee problems, I will have poles, a brace, a light pack, and a stubborn persistence. I also know when to rest and listen to my body. I am going to learn to go slower on this trip. A lesson I could of stood to have with me for some years now. Maybe all that extra leg hair will make it burly and strong. Yup, heck I am not worried one lick!Tomorrow my mom comes up for "one last visit" and we plan to pack up drop boxes. She told me my dad is sending along about 50lb of dried crunchies!!!! PERFECT. I can't wait.until thenMac
Date: 2008-03-07
To: I said hurtle, not hurl!
Miles today: 0.0

I have been out of work for a full 8 days now. I have used this time to sell bags of cocaine (pictured here) to supplement my income. I lost a lot of customers when they found out it was fat free powdered milk. We all tried it together (first time for me, powdered milk that is) and found it quite yummy! No No No, just kidding, it was yummy but drugs are bad and I would never sell drugs, but not having a job is tough on the the ole purse. I have spent the last week studying for a National Re-certification Exam for my field. Every six years we have to prove that we are safe to work with society. I finished the test this morning, results return in about "2-3 weeks". I wonder how I will find out.After my test I tackled my drop boxes (see newly posted list). There are additional photos of all the food stuff and some of the emotion. Oscar stuff really. My father had sent 30lb of food for me to divide up (big sale at the Price Chopper on Lipton sides) and I had supplemented with Wegmans purchases (product placement- how about sponsorship?)I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I AM DOING! How do I know how many days a segment will really take me. What about how much food to consume! Wow this is tougher then I thought, consuming all I can stand. Will I have too much, too little, will I be able/willing to carry it all- won't all this salt make me thirsty? Well after much parcelling out, and a lot of help from my future scribe Patti, the boxes are nearly complete and ready to be handed off to my post office shuttlers, The Stroberts. Who knows... The Bag Lady told me that we carry what we fear. I think I fear a lack of snacks, oh yeah and cold temperatures, and a guide to which snakes will kill me (Rich I need that brochure illustrated too) boy, my pack is going to be heavy. I wish I feared Ultra light gear....
Date: 2008-03-13
To: It is a small world
Miles today: 0.0

It is a small world, one that will suddenly seem so much larger as I start to walk across just a micro sized portion. I am tonight at the amazing Hiker Hostel in GA, I have officially eaten food that I have not eaten in years (corn chips!) and have gone over my pack for the final time. Tomorrow is breakfast and ambling. Then that will be the theme, ambling. It was bitter sweet to leave Rochester this morning, but unlike the typical vacation departure I have no closure to this trip. "I will see you soon." I tell everyone. Last night I had a wonderful diner at my favorite restaurant with some of my favorite people. The host gave us free wine, cheese and ice cream to fatten me up! Success....Stuffed sacks, stuffed bellys, stuffed packs- The trail starts tomorrow for me.
Date: 2008-03-14
From: Springer Mountain

To: hawk mt shelter
Miles today: 7.6

The kind folks at the hiker hostel dropped us off at the Springer Mountain lot where we had to loop back .9 miles to the summit of the mountain. It was beautiful and refreshing. Then it started to rain. My fingers got wrinkly pinkly! I stopped early with a crew today, calling it a day at one thirty or so. Looks like it¢s due to rain tonight and all day tomorrow. I felt good today after the mileage but not eager to wound myself early on.I learned wet is wet and wet is cold. I have learned I am not fast; and I may be slow. I learned that is had to not get out of breath going up hill and harder yet to drink through a camel back when out of breath!Sausage and cheese in a burrito shell for din din.
Date: 2008-03-15
From: hawk mt shelter

To: gooch mt shelter
Miles today: 7.3

Early start today bookends with another early end of the day. Forecasts of multiple thunderstorms, ridge runners with tornado warnings and a torrential downpour drove many of use into the next shelter. After a break in the rain and some sunshine we were not sure if we had made the right choice; then it started to hail. Satisfied we claimed our sleeping spots. Then it hailed some more.I felt good today, my muscles outlast my lungs in the race to fatigue. Plans for a big 14-15 mile push tomorrow, I must attend wisely to my first blister.
Date: 2008-03-16
From: gooch mt shelter

To: neels gap
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: clear sky

Part Irish, Part German, Part hiker, totally dirtyBig push today one and a half our prior milage. Stephanie decieded to take a slow day and she and I stayed together the whole way. Blood Mountain was the biggest and the final climb for today. Beautiful day weather-wise sunshine and not a cloud in the giant blue sky.Third day out and I definitely have hiker odor. I also have my fair share of blisters sadly.Scariest moment today was waking to 43 degrees with -- get this -- the melody for the son, "I want a hippopotamus for Christmas" in my head! Shear panic let me tell you. I pushed it out trying to think of state nicknames: ie Empire State, etc. This helped and soon Bing Crosby replace the Hippo song. We made it up and down the final mountain ( those downs are hard too) and stumbled into Neels gap and right into a can of v8. The chef at the Walasi-Yi hostel made the very best sloppy joe I had ever had and we visited with the other hikers as we tended to correspondence.A great day. I will be sore tomorrow for sure but for now- my first shower!
Date: 2008-03-17
From: neels gap

To: low gap shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Today it was tough to leave the comforts of the hostel ¢ a chef named Pirate, (his ¢trail name¢) even made green eggs gravy and pancakes to fit the occasion of St. Patrick¢s Day! On the trail people often go by trail names. They are unique to each person and sometimes they or a loved one at home named them and sometimes they earn it on the trail. For my trail companion, Stephanie, we are tossing around ¢Motor butt¢ or ¢Kitten eggs¢ for her. We also tried to name a girl ¢Aqua maria¢ today but she is still considering it. I remain nameless. Ideas anyone?With four miles left and some mighty achy ankles we descended into a gap and experienced our first "trail magic." Trail magic is when something good happens just at the right time. It may be water when you are out or someone with too many m&ms and there you sit craving them. Today came from trail angels ¢ a couple who drove fifty miles to give us fresh fruit water and cookies. It made the last four miles fly.I wanted to say that I have made it past the first blockade - 15-20 percent drop out by Neels gap. Not me not today, no sir
Date: 2008-03-18
From: low gap shelter

To: unicoi gap
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Hikers in the mistStarted the day in 38 degree chill with a sharp breeze that smelled of rain. Mom, you may not want to read the next part but I slept in all the clothes I carry except for my rain coat. I then got out of "bed" and took half of them off and started walking. This is about the mode of operation each day. It is closed by getting back into all my clothes when I return to camp. No mom, I don't let my skin breathe very much and yes, I smell like an old pumpkin.The A-team weather forcast (courtesy of my dad) called for all day rain on Wednesday. It started today at the higher elevations. The mist was so thick you could not see ten yards in front of you. We had covered seven miles and stopped for a much needed refuel and started to shiver. Motorbutt (the hiker formally known as Stephanie) and I thought we did not want to tent in the rain, nor did we want to push an additional eight miles to the next shelter. Then, as if heaven sent, a rain soaked flyer appeared before our eyes - cloud nine hiker hostel. The flyer went on to explain that they would pick you up, allow you to bathe, sleep in a bed, use the laundry and the clincher: a hot tub. Faster than Flynn we called and made reservations and with wings on our feet we flew up and down two plus miles of mountain.I am eager to take a warm rest and pay some much needed attention to my foot as I fear I may be cooking some Achilles tendinitis. But all is well and today five of my fellow hiker and I came out of the mist- smiles and hot tub eyes blazing.
Date: 2008-03-19
From: unicoi gap

To: no change
Miles today: 0.0

This engine stalls in the rainA zero day is just as it sounds. No forward moment. I am well prepared to hike in the rain, wake in the rain, and sleep in the rain... Just not today when there is a warm house with friendly warm faced hikers surrounding. I wanted to pay some respect to my neglected heels and give them some much needed rest.I have been enjoying the day to day and how new and different each day is. Tomorrow is a new challenge. MotorButt and I are going to try and hike 16.6 miles tomorrow to make up for such an early zero. We are going to slack-pack which means hiking with a much reduced load with plans for a reunion with your pack at the terminus of your day's hike. This will give us a chance to make up some time (I know I know there is no deadline) and test out my heels without a thirty plus pound monkey on my back.The sun is shining
Date: 2008-03-20
From: unicoi gap

To: dicks creek gap
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: clear sky

Slight modifications...Motor butt and I pushed for some big miles today. We did a nice job. We found that the trail is hard even with only a day pack on. My heels continued to be bothersome and I hatched a plan as I walked, but more on that shortly...There were a lot of big climbs today. Part of the way up Tray mountain I noted - dunn dunn dunnn - snow, ice, frost and wind. I call it beautiful motivation. Moving fast means a better chance of staying warm. I used my iPod to help me move through the cold and up all the hills/mountains. Nothing like a song in the rear to propel your front.So back to those heels of mine. The blister on the left may be improving but certainly not worsening. My right heel tendinitis has not improved despite good anti-inflammatory application, a day full of rest and lots of ice. On the walk today I hypothesized a number of solutions including adding a heel lift, changing to liner socks only, or "docking" a pair of shoes. By the end of the fifth mile I needed to come up with a definitive plan. When we got back into town I bought a pair of tennis shoes and cut back the heels. Duct tape, tennis shoes, a knife and a plan- equals hope. Test drive tomorrow, worse comes to worse I will put my boots back on.
Date: 2008-03-21
From: dicks creek gap

To: Bly gap
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: clear sky

Feeling better/looking sillyI woke in my tent at the cloud nine hostel to find that it was covered in ice. I saw Aqua Maria and Eric off and geared up to go out myself. I am going to be going in small slow sections testing out the shoes and my heels. My pack weighs quite a bit more now that I carry my boots. I did not dare send them ahead. Motorbutt stayed at cloud nine hostel with Lucky, Clothesline, and Jaybird to rest their knees. I hope they are all up and rolling soon. I feel that Stephanie will soon be motoring past me once again.Big first today - new state! We rolled in to north Carolina today just before four. Grey Ghost and I sat and took lots of photos for people as they came through. It is like the first born child - big deal, lots of pictures. I may mention it again as I roll into twelve more states.Camping tonight in Bly gap with a fun bunch (7 of us) on to Franklin, NC in three to four days. Tomorrow lots of big ups/ wish me luckUntil then
Date: 2008-03-22
From: Bly Gap

To: Beech Gap
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: few clouds

Woke in chilly but tolerable weather with a treat of a morning fire thanks to "The Fireman". Grey ghost, sundown, and the rest of the crew rolled out early. I was out in the trail by nine but moving like a tinman for the first Two miles. We started with big climbs and I was testing out my boots again and it seemed to go well. I caught up to friends at the first shelter and noted a message from old beard tooth, I hope his knee is treating him well. I hope everyones knees are better, I also hope to see motor butt real soon.Today I saw my first snake and I wasn't a bit afraid. It was no wider then my pinky and no longer than my foot. I was most relieved in that us was pointing away from me.Today was a big day for trail magic a bag of Easter candy including a colored hard boiled egg! Then three miles down the road sandwiches sodas cookies you name it! There were promises of massages and omelets to order the next day! Many of our crew deciede to stay, but grey ghost and I pressed on.It us due to be cold tonight and in the am so wish me luck. I want to thank everyone at cloud nine for all their generosity and kindness, there are not words. Crutch was espescially impressive. That is one of the finest aspects of this trail, the people. Today it was also the ham sandwiches!Until then
Date: 2008-03-23
From: Bly gap

To: rock gap shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

Woke in my tent to find it mostly frost and ice. I typically wake-up nearly every hour after four wishing for daylight so the day can start. Then around 7:30 when the sun does come up I pry myself from my slleping bag and start walking around. I am glad that most of the day all I have to do is walk because I can make eating a bowl of granola into thirteen inefficent steps!Once I am packed the first mile I move like a wind-up toy until I loosen up. And speaking of loose, today I took my jacket off while walking without taking a thirty five pound bag off my back - it was like a magician removing a tablecloth from a fully set table! Also I crossed the one hundred mule mark today! Tomorrow another big day... Town! I am going into Franklin, NC, to resupply with food (I had amost enough to get me here from Springer), shower, and sleep in a building.Until then
Date: 2008-03-24
From: rock gap shelter

To: Franklin
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke with a frozen water bladder which then cracked and leaked inside my pack. A short morning trek luckily, then into town for a warm bed, shower and to resupply on meals.My feet have felt pretty good so I am sending the sneaks forward without me. If I don't need them when I reach them I will throw them out. Wish me luck. I sorted exhaustivly through my bag and got rid if six ounces but sewed myself a fleece liner for my sleeping bag that probably weighed ten ounces. Maybe I will be warmer at night.I parted ways with Grey Ghost this morning -- he was a great traveling companion but I am sure to see him again soon. Tomorrow who knows who I will meet.I am off to bed in sheets and pillows as it snows outside. I am glad I am not at 5200feet elevation tonight
Date: 2008-03-25
From: Franklin

To: Wylah Bald
Miles today: 10.8

Late start of all late starts today. I left franklin on Ron Haven's bus from the Budget Inn at 11 and started hiking about thirty min later. Epcot, Long-Burn and I thought we would take it real slow and just aim for the first shelter 4 miles in. Epcot is nursing a sore knee and Long-Burn was not sure if his plans. I still felt like we were moving pretty quickly. The first shelter was on a half mile loop off the trail and was beautiful -- the Silver Bald shelter. Epcot and I pushed on until six when we found a spot to have a great camp site. All day we only saw three other people, I think I am in a groove between the fast and the wounded.I am testing out my new self constructed bag liner tonight -- cross your fingers. There was still ice on the trails this evening. My body feels good and I still love Chicken Ramen Noodles! Tomorrow we move a bit closer to the NOC, and with that the Smokies are near!Hiker craving: red meat, oranges, salad, and a good nights sleep. Wish me luck.Until then
Date: 2008-03-26
From: Wylah Bald

To: NOC
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: clear sky

Amazing what the idea of grilled cheese will do for your feetMy friend Epcot decided to sleep under the stars like a cowboy based on clear skies and the "A-Team" (that's Team Abby) weather forecast provided by my Dad. He looked like a giant meal worm! I kept warm last night with a sweater I mooched and two liners! Yippee, no water was frozen but hey cold is cold and I wasn't. There are two quick sojourns between resupply, the NOC and Fontana dam. And then it is into the smokies with elevations of five and six thousand feet and the weather to match.You may wonder why mileage changes so much. There are many variables. Weather is a big one, the placement of the shelters as well as their capacity, where campsites with water are and where mountains and towns are. We landed at the NOC tonight to find everything closed. But Tim was a hero and checked us in. I ran into old friends the Fire Man and Sundown. The trail remains beautiful and wonderful each day. I am so glad I am here.My ground-pads will be sore from the big miles. No grilled cheese after all but Epcot and I made quesadillas and couscous for dinner. Tomorrow the tale of the princess and the pack.Until then
Date: 2008-03-27
From: NOC

To: Sassafrass Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: overcast clouds

The princess and the packToday was alllllllll up hill, no joke. But a beautiful day. I even got sunburn lines from my hiking pole straps! Good thing I have been sunscreening my face. We have had so many clear days with beautiful blue skies at summits but I hear we are due for more rain. Plus and minus, the good and the bad, you get all sorts on the trail. I even have a trail friend named Hi-Low.It was hard to leave the NOC. We didn't depart until noon! Epcot and I both filled our bellies with coffee and biscuits and then started up the mountain. I was glad to reach the shelter. I have a high tolerance for sleeping in awkward places, I can sleep on the ground, the floor, even when in pricker bushes. But if there is something fussing with my pack or my boot - sheesh - I lose it. The princess and the pack! I had to cut a tag out of my skirt so exact that it took nearly five minutes. I have interrupted my walk to remove pebbles the size of snow flakes in my boots. Maybe my fussing is in order because I love how my pack feels and my feet have carried me many miles.But for now I am off to dreamland. I am loving this trip!