morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-08-16
To: Conclusion/Reflection
Miles today: 0.0

Well I am finished. I am officially a completed thru-hiker....and it feels damn good. Here is what I wrote on my myspace blog:Well for days I dreamed about writing this blog update. I am sitting at a coffee house in Millinocket Maine about 20 miles from Baxter State Park and Mt. Katahdin. Yesterday morning I climbed the 4000+ feet to the summit and laid my hands on the sign stating "Katahdin - Northern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail". It was truly one of the greatest feelings I've ever had in my entire life. I have never worked so hard for something, and put myself through such hardship in order to reach a goal. Without question this was the hardest thing I've ever done, but also without question, the most rewarding. I don't know if I'll ever again be able to match the feeling I had on top of that mountain yesterday. I am very anxious to get back to life and start my Masters Program at Penn State. In my final trail journal entry at Baxter State Park, I wrote something that pretty much sums it up:"I learned more about myself over the past 100 days than I ever thought possible. I met people and made friends that I will keep for a lifetime. I was finally able to say my much needed goodbyes and truly clear my head. Most importantly though, I have filled my empty heart and mind with some of the most amazing memories that any person could ever ask for. I know that I will never forget the summer of 2007. Good luck to everyone reading this and to all those that will thru-hike in the future. Good luck also to all of the amazing people I met along the way. I will miss you all. Signing out for the last time: Number 85 up Katahdin in the Class of 2007 Thru-Hikers:                                 --Lakewood" I will see you all back in the real world...real soon,(You can read all my blog entries at www.myspace.com/johnfegy)
Date: 2007-12-23
To: 2007 Thru-Hiking Year Comes to an End...
Miles today: 0.0

Well...2007 is finally coming to an end. I have survived my first semester of Grad School and my mind has never fully left the A.T.   It's amazing how much I couldn't wait to be finished...and now all I want is to be back out there. I feel almost compelled to thru-hike again in 08. People always talk about how it gets "in their blood". Well, It is in mine. I don't know if it always was and I simply woke it up, or if it was a newly added thing...but regardless, it's there now. 2007 will always be one of the most important years of my life. I set an incredible goal for myself and actually accomplished it. All the things that I had hoped to "sort out", I was able to....and I also was surprised by a lot of other unexpected experiences.Whether or not I'm hiking next summer, I am definitely going to go to trail days...since I missed it by a few days this year. So hopefully I will see many of you there.Happy Holidays to everyone and for those of you still on the fence on whether or not you can make an 08' thru hike happen....you CAN. I was in the same boat, and was able to pull together a plan in less than a week this year.   It might be a little stressful, but it will be worth it. I only wish I could thru-hike every year.I want to personally thank the following people for helping me to make my hike a reality:My Mom:   For sending all my PO boxes, taking care of my bills, and for her genuine support. Love you mom.My sister: For watching my cat, and taking care of my car.Aaron Nolan: For driving from Providence RI, to meet me in Ft. montgomery NY and hike with me for a day and a half. (And for sharing a few beers and good 'ol times)Patrick McGinty: For driving over 10+ hours round trip from Cleveland to Shendandoah to hike with me for a day and feed me the best food on the entire trail (Thanks for the cornish hens!!!!!)"Nature Boy"/Willy Syndram: For the good company throughout the Smokies and into Hot Springs"Wrongturn"/Michael McDaris: For the awesome company from Gorham NH all the way to Katahdin. I sincerely do not know if I would have made it through Maine alone. Take care of yourself Mike. I hope someday we cross paths on the CDT or PCT.My Cousins April and Patrick: For printing out a large AT map and following my progess every day. And patrick...I was honored to be the subject of your show and tell in school and loved sending you post cards at every town stop.My Fegy Family: For hosting the Fegy Fest (reunion) at the perfect time so that I could take a break mid-hike to see everyone.and most importantly:My Dad: for hiking every step of the 2174 miles by my side. I know that every time I wanted to quit, I thought of you dad, and refused to give up. I hope that I make you proud. take care everyone, and again....Happy Holidays/New Year.-john "lakewood" fegyveresi
Date: 2007-03-07
To: HAZMAT
Miles today: 0.0

I'm preparing a special box with all of my gear that might be hazmat. i'll fedex it up to the hostel and pick it up when i get there. there may or may not be a grab-bag gift included in the box for birdlegs, i haven't seen her in a while and a little gift bag from the keys might be nice. grab-bags are made up of things like old used sandwich bags, found playing cards, a button that may or may not have been hers at one time, chicken sculptures made out of pipe cleaners, an old toothbrush that she might have dropped in the street, a yellow bird, etc!I am flying to atlanta in 2 weeks. I am so excited--do you know what my favorite thing about the war on terror is? FOOT FETISH AT THE AIRPORT!!! yeah.see ya'll in 2 weeks
Date: 2007-03-12
To: visitors from the cold north
Miles today: 0.0

i had a fun weekend playing tourist. my mum and dad came down from the cold north so we could all get together before my trip. mum had a blast out on the boats--i thought that i had taken her out on the schooner america last time she was here but i guess i didn't. this was the first time they'd been here in 7 years! geez, if i had known that before they woulda been here a lot sooner. i used to work for an airline so we could all travel for free. i went "home" to see them all the time. we all pay full price for seats now so they've gotta come here sometimes... thanks again for coming down guys.
Date: 2007-03-17
To: Pennant for my pack
Miles today: 0.0

Since I'm doing my hike to raise awareness for a government watchdog group (the center for public integrity) i figured that i should carry something that people might see and ask about. what would be better than a pennant hanging from my pack? i made one for myself. it'll last 4-6 years outside without fading. i'm sure someone will mention that the red thing on my bag looks like extra weight but it'll be worth it. if one person is reminded about the stupidity of the "war on terror" i'll be happy.The flag reads: "What's your favorite thing about the War on Terror?" "Guilty until proven Innocent!"thanks to stealthatsweater for the slogan i'm ripping off. i'm sure she'd be proud...will i care less about all the crazy s@#$ our government does if i don't hear or read about it everyday? we'll see... trade oil in euros
Date: 2007-03-17
To: I'm really gonna miss my bike:(
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday was my last day of work before my trip. I work at a small shop and I'm the first person who's left for any significant amount of time. Nobody's ever quit or been fired! anyhow, they through a pizza party for me! haha, i think that's so funny. they also got me a cake that said "Take a Hike!" I loved it. I'll miss them. I couldn't believe it but they asked if maybe I could ride my bike on the trail instead of walking so I could get back quicker. That would be fun huh? Alas, my tires are half an inch wide and and I'm stuck with one gear and no brakes. I'll have to walk I said. I will definitely miss riding my bike too.
Date: 2007-03-27
To: Sean is at Neel's Gap
Miles today: 0.0

It is going better that he expected. Sean has blisters on both feet, and he is sure to lose a big toenail. (it'll make a good snack) He has been heading through alot of Purple Trillium in Georgia. They've joined in a group of 8 hikers, including Walker and his dog, and StepSmall.transcribed by FAN3236
Date: 2007-03-28
From: cloud 9, hiawasee

To: katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

after a week of painful feet and aching muscles i have found my trail-legs and i'm feeling good. today's a resupply day and we're going into hiawasee, ga for food. my body feels in better shape than it's been in maybe 10 years.i feel great and i'm having fun. we've been hiking through the mountains of georgia, lots of 500-1000 ft climbs and descents. sometimes we have amazing views from the tops of the hills and sometimes we're in the clouds. the last two nights we've been camped above the cloud line so it's been pretty damp. so far no rain though.looking forward to the smokies later this week. brr!
Date: 2007-04-01
From: cloud 9

To: katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

still sitting around in cloud 9 hostel... ready to start putting on some big miles. aargh, sitting around is driving me nuts today. after the smokies i'm picking up the pace big time. today's the first day we've seen rain. we made the rain work for us by fishing in the trout pond. moon goat caught a nice trout that had a big bite taken out of it. odd.i went to a "hiker bash" in franklin, nc last night. it was pretty fun. felt like a concert parking lot atmosphere. there were about 50 people there, there being the parking lot of some old fashioned 2 level motel. lots of food and beer and some banjoes and fiddles too. franklin, nc is 40 miles from here on the trail. hopefully that's 3 days away. one of those days is going to be a killer though. how does climbing 4000ft in 11 miles sound? not fun. it's coming though. that's the hardest day on the southern AT and it's only 2 days away. yeehah! i'm pretty confident in my climbing now though. i think i'll be fine.the DoD confirmed number has bounced up to 3243 with 9 pending.
Date: 2007-04-02
From: rock gap shelter

To: winding stair gap
Miles today: 102.0
Weather: light rain

we're in north carolina! we crossed the border 2 days ago and we passed the 100 mile mark yesterday! those are 2 big milestones in my opinion.yesterday was probably the most beautiful day of the trip. we started from our camp at beech gap and hiked for miles through trails that seemed to have been carved through a rhododendron forest. it rained the night before so it was a soggy walk full of swolen stream crossings, a couple of which were the type you'd imagine when you think about crossing a stream on a fallen log. the afternoon brought a surprise climb up albert mountain. the trail went from 4400ft. elevation to 5200ft elevation in 2.5 miles which would have been no big deal but the last 1/4 mile had a climb of about 450ft! it was the first real rock climb of the trail and a welcome site. the top brought beautiful panoramic views and a nice brisk breeze.i was struggling with finding daily rewards from this hike yesterday. i'm seeing some amazing sites and meeting wonderful people but what do i really hope to get out of this hike? until now i've been focused on the ultimate goal but this trip has to be about way more than that. stay tuned...i've been listening to my mp3 player alot. the battery usually lasts 3-4 days, perfectly in synch with my resupply schedule. what kind of music? tom waits, jolie holland, neil young, belle & sebastian, sinead oconner, grateful dead, etc. i skip forward to fast music with a good beat to help me up the hills. and there are definitely hills. georgia and n. carolina have some mountains. i miss some friends from home. that's the hardest part.we all miss our buddy jim who had to drop off the trail for a while with shin splints. jim if you're checking up on us, get back out here soon! wait 'til after the smokies though, give yourself some restout of the original group that birdlegs and i have been hiking with we've still got "step small", "moon goat" and his dog otto, "bad influence", and "mr. cheeks". i'm sure we'll get separated eventually but i hope we can stay together for at least a little while longer.check out birdleg's journal for other insights into our daily antics, she's an author and has been taking notes about what to write here!!!seeya
Date: 2007-04-14
From: icy spring shelter, smokies

To: standing bear hostel, davenport gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

What a week it's been. the morning after we hiked out of franklin we woke to find 2-3" of snow on the ground. the next night brought 7degree temps. by mid-week it was back up into the 50's in mid afternoon. we went through a place called The NOC. i guess it's some kind of kayaking mecca. the us olympic team trained there. i started into the smokies thursday morning without any of my old hiking buddies. i went off with a new hiking partner named g-smurf(she has a journal too) who i feel lucky to have met. my old group was planning to tackle the smokies in 7 days while we managed to get through in 4! 7 days in the smokies might be nice in the summer but i wanted to be in and out as quick as possible to avoid any weather. it didn't quite work out as planned. the first day we went from fontana dam to derrick's knob shelter, a distance of 23 miles. we were in the clouds from 1030am on and i got soaked under my rain gear before any rain storms started. the highlight of that day was getting caught on top of thunderhead bald in a lightning storm at 5500ft. stupid, stupid stupid. that night we rolled into the shelter to find a nice fire built by "genesis". thanks again, you probably saved our lives. next day took us up to and past clingman's dome. a nice hike but probably the least impressive day, with one exception. the trail took us through stands of trees that were bigger than any i have ever seen before. they're mostly frasier firs and spruces and they're all dying. acid rain they say. the trees just fall over with all of their needles still on, looking very much alive. they topple over,tearing out their roots and making big root walls with rocks and dirt still hanging on. it's really sad. that night we hitched a ride into gattlinburg, tn to find a room and rest our feet. we got picked up by the greatest couple ever--Brian and Julie. they were in town for some light backpacking fun, down here from wisconsin during julie's spring break--she's a teacher. we all went around town looking for rooms but there were no rooms to be found. a big bridge tournament had all of the hotels booked full. off to the next town, pigeon forge/dollywood! found rooms for 30something a night and then they took g-smurf and i out for dinner and wine at a delicious italian restaurant! hooray. i couldn't believe it but they also offered to take us back up to the trail the next morning. we accepted even though it would mean we'd miss the 22nd annual dolly parton parade.more later, sorry gotta go.
Date: 2007-04-22
From: Miss Janet's House

To: nowhere, fast
Miles today: 0.0

i pitched my tent right below big bald mtn. the night before last. that allowed me to climb the mtn. first thing in the morning. great idea--i got some good pictures and i was up there all alone.today i'll take the opportunity to list some of the people i've met. i'm not one for descriptions so i'll just make a list and comment when i see fit.i started out with birdlegs, moon goat, otto the dog, jim, bad influence, step small, and cheeks. these guys are great and as far as i know they're all still out here and only a few days behind. i felt like going quicker so i went off with g-smurf. we saw a group called the maine train, the only individual name i can remember from that group is newt. nice guy, was he actually part of that group or just around at the same time? anyways, i ran into paloma in the smokies. she was trying to catch up with a hilarious bunch that includes crazy bear, ghetto blaster, and carpenter. carpenter and i may attempt the 50mile challenge right after damascus. stay tuned. hmm... then there are all the people i've met at hostels. rio, hemlock, blue meanie, hiker chick, echo, scout--the guy who may or may not have been lost on max patch, gator gump-- a fellow floridian with a great sense of humor, barking spider(where are you?), step and a half, gus, barry manilow, etc. couch just walked in to say goodbye, he's back off to the trail i guess. not so interested in this journal entry right now. i'm posting lots of pics on my blog.4/21/07: 3312 with 11 more pending
Date: 2007-05-07
From: damascus

To: lost mountain
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

we're in virginia! damascus, va to be precise. thanks for all of the packages at the post office everybody! damascus is on the trail at about mile marker 450. 500 is about 1/4 of the way. i'm feeling pretty good about that.i think i have to change my goal of a full thru-hike to a 1/2 thru hike with a finishing point of pennsylvania. i've spent well over half of my budget already and i think this is my best option. too bad.i'm leaving damascus today with birdlegs(michelle) and bad influence(mark). the weather is absolutely perfect, sunny and 70degrees with no humidity.DoD confirmed 3377
Date: 2007-05-17
From: nowhere, fast

To: Blacksburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0

i'm in blacksburg, va today and i've been here since tuesday. i'm staying at g-smurf and her fiance's house. tomorrow i'm off to trail days back in damascus. so far i've walked 622 miles. hiking in virginia has been great. it's by far my favorite state on the trail.on monday i saw 7 deer. tuesday morning i saw 3 bears--2 cubs with their mum. i also saw a grouse or pheasant of some sort, a rabbit, and a long black snake on tuesday. i'm not making this up. lots of people are seeing rattle-snakes lately. i haven't heard one but i think i saw a diamondback underwater in a puddle next to the trail. bad influence was with me at the time. it might have been a harmless type of snake. it was tan/brown with diamond patterns on its back. maybe there is a friendly snake like that too. the rattle-snake that people are seeing most is thick and black with yellowish diamonds. last week we played with wild ponies in grayson highlands. i'd like to read Daniel Gilbert's Stumbling on Happiness. if somebody would like to buy that for me and mail it to my next maildrop i'd gladly accept it! however, if it's not available in paperback i shouldn't even ask for it. hardbacks are too heavy. this week i'll be carrying annie dillard's pilgrim at tinker creek and noam chomsky's failed states. this is a new trend, carrying 2 books. up to this point i have done the following: read the first half of a book, tear it in half, carry the 2nd half of the book til i read it, discard.happy birthday ashleyi'm uploading more pictures tonight
Date: 2007-06-13
To: it's official, i'm done
Miles today: 0.0

it's official, i'm off trail for the season. i visited family and friends in pittsburgh last week and i've been playing nanny for my niece in columbus this week. reassimilating hasn't been too tough but dealing with this hiker's appetite sucks! it won't go away. when i get home to key west friday i'll post a lot more pictures and try to flesh out my reasoning for getting off trail. i'll try to get in touch with everyone as soon as possible --lala/seanhey, let's not forget the numbers...DoD confirmed when i started: 3236and when i quit: 3511they're still going...
Date: 2007-04-20
To: AT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I'm starting to get everything finalized for the trip, so I reckon it's time to start writing. I quit my job last Sunday. Canoeing this weekend and then a ride to the trailhead Sunday evening. I start walking on Monday. Most looking forward to meeting other folks on the trail, And least excited about my food budget. Everything is packed and fits.
Date: 2007-04-21
To: Hawk Mt., GA
Miles today: 0.0

I dropped Lucas off at the trail head today. It was 80 degrees and sunny. He was excited about the upcoming months. We spoke to a Georgia Trails Association guy up on the moutain who said there were a number of people who had started the trail the day before. Lucas was pleased with the possibility of meeting some fellow hikers and truly enjoying the fellowship of the woods.
Date: 2007-04-23
From: Springer

To: Hawk Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: broken clouds

First day on the trail and the weather is awesome. Not a bad way to start off the summer. I went paddling with the Tennessee Scenic River's Association (TSRA) over the weekend and my good friend Jody gave me a ride to the trailhead after paddling tandem on Sunday. Said goodbye to Jody after we walked to and from the Springer trailhead. Made it to the shelter and found many left-behind goodies. I scored some chocolate covered peanuts and freeze-dried black beans.I enjoyed my first trail magic before I even made it to Georgia, Gene and Sheila (from TSRA) gave me some money to buy powerbars to enjoy on the trail. Thanks guys.I saw some irises, an oriole and a black-and-white warbler on the walk today.Shared the shelter with 'Don't Wait', who taught me how to use a flint and magnesium contraption we found in the shelter to build a campfire. My first ever flint and magnesium fire!Finished off the first evening by playing a round of pigs with Don't Wait.
Date: 2007-04-24
From: Hawk Mt. Shelter

To: Gooch Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: broken clouds

Lots of up and downs on the trail today, but I wouldn't call them pointless, great views made possible by the lack of leaves on the trees.I saw wild Columbine and tons of Trilliums today while walking. Ate a lot after arriving at campsite this evening. Joined by two thru-hikers at the shelter; Pittsburgh and Audrey.Played a couple of rounds of pigs and many conversations about gear, Pittsburgh and Audrey fully believing lighter is better.I was chased out of the shelter by a mouse slept on the ground, on top of my ground sheet.
Date: 2007-04-25
From: Gooch Mtn Shelter

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I was the first to leave the shelter this morning. Found an excellent overlook and stopped to take off my shoes, socks, shirt and sit for a while. Wildflowers are out of control and everywhere today. Literally thousands of large-flowered white trilliums, on mountainside was covered with them, with sweet white violets growing everwhere below the trilliums.13 miles of walking today made it the longest day thus far.Scored some Nutter Butter cholcolate bars from Pittsburgh and Audrey. I've been cooking all of my meals on a small twig fire to save on fuel costs, enjoyed rice with split peas and garlic.Heard both a Barred Owl and a Great Horned owl hooting near campsite tonight. Pittsburgh and Audrey spotted a Great Horned.All is well.
Date: 2007-04-26
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: light rain

I made it to Neels gap before the rain started today. Couldn't see any views while heading over Blood Mtn, thanks to heavy fog. I walked a total of 14.5 miles today and was thankful I didn't get any blisters from walking in wet shoes and socks caused by the heavy rains.I saw Bloodroot (flower) and learned to identify Ladies' Slippers (not in bloom yet).My former Shelter mates stayed the night at Neel's gap, but I have new shelter mates, Alex and Trapping James. Trapping James is a trail bum with about 400 pounds of gear with him. Alex is a Social Worker from Chapel Hill. Trapping James shared stories of adventure and showed us pictures of the family.We all enjoyed seeing multiple dusky salamanders and a crawfish at camp this evening, brought out by the warm rain. Again heard owls at camp this evening.About ten minutes after laying down for the evening a mouse ran over my head, through my hair. That's more than I can handle. I don't think I will be sleeping in shelters anymore on this trip. After the mouse incident, Alex set-up her tent and we retreated from the mice.