morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-12-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Isn't it supposed to be warm in the South? Isn't that why birds fly here? Well, apperently the South didn't get the memo. We've been walking thru 4-8 inches of snow and the temps have been down around 10 at night. Maybe in the teens during the day, but with wind gusts blasting our face all day. I thought we would be home free after the smokies......nope. We are at the Natahala outdoor center. We got a bunk room with heat so we are ok for now. However, outside it is 8 degrees and up in the mountains it's -8 with wind chill. Here's the thing....we just don't have the gear to survive in those conditions. We could literally die of hypothermia in our sleeping bags. So we may have to sit this one out for a day. It's supposed to get a little warmer (20's) on Wed. That is at least survivable. We are winter 4 season camping with three season gear. It's just not supposed to be this cold. It sucks being layed up so close to the finish, but I'd rather get home a day or two later with all my fingers and toes intact not succumbing to frostbite. You know what really sucks about hiking in the cold? Stopping. Oh I got some bad Irish blood. My hands turn purply with hints of flourecent orange. Every time I stop my hands and feet become blocks of ice. Your body just shunts blood away from your extremities to warm your core. I beg my organs to spare a little for my hands but they won't. Not until I get my heart rate up long enough. When the blood finally does reperfuse my hands it hurts like hell for about five minutes. This has served to enhance my hatred of winter and steeled my resolve to move to Florida. In addition, I'm pretty sure I have either a stress fracture or plantars facitis in ny right foot. It hurts like hell and is constantly swollen. One nice thing about the snow is the icing affect it has on my foot. Although I'm a Nurse, I know very little about bone or foot things, so it's just a guess. It's been going on for a couple weeks, but really getting alot worse. No worries, I'm almost in Georgia and I'll walk on my hands if I have too.The trail has saved the worst for last. I'm a little upset, but I can forgive it. I realize some of the biggest oppurtunities for personal growth and learning lessons are during times of adversity. On the trail.....in life. In the worst of conditions (now) I'll continue to look for the subtle meaning and lessons to be learned out here. In the grand scheme of things I'm just fine. Just gotta remember perspective. I may just go back and read my own entry on that topic!We will continue, and we will finish. And with any luck we will be blessed with some more enjoyable weather. I'd sure love to stop on top of a mountain and take it all in even if just once more. We are shooting for a Springer Date of the 13th or 14th. Please say a prayer and cross your fingers!So close......yet......so far
Date: 2010-12-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Ok we're back....life is good. My brother Mark is on his way to Georgia. He picked up my truck this afternoon and is on his way. He's gonna slack pack us and provide hiker support. Not sure if we can slack the whole way b/c of logistics, but this is gonna be sweet. It is the perfect trail magic at the perfect time. By slack packing, it will reduce some of the burden on my ailing foot, and allow for more enjoyable miles. We will be able to resupply easier, and have access to warmth. The best thing about is that Mark gets to be a part of this journey. If you read my whole journal you'll know he was supposed to be out here hiking with me. This also saves me the hassle of arranging a flight home and shuttle/hotel accomadations. It's gonna take some logistical genius, but it's gonna be worth it. Just another adventure within the adventure.
Date: 2010-12-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

When Aubrey and her father drove us to Baxter State park in Maine, I distinctly remember the conversation he had with a park service employee at the entrance gate. She asked what our intentions in the park were. He responded, "well i'm gonna drop these boys off and they're gonna walk to Georgia". My eyes widened, and I thought "i'm gonna do what"? First.....i'm about to walk in the woods and leave Aubrey. Second, i'm walking to GEORGIA????Guess what, i'm in Georgia.....and you wanna know something else? I freaking walked here.....from Maine. Look at any descent sized map of the U.S. and it up there in the right hand corner....a foot, maybe a foot and a half away. That was 13 states ago...i'm in my 14th. It takes two hands and almost a whole foot to count that high. If your on a jet flying 500 miles an hour, it would take over 4 hours to go that far. But jets fly level, the 2179 miles on the AT has 515,000 of elevation. It would be a bumpy 4 hour jet ride.All kidding aside, it's starting to sink in that this is about to be over. I mean, what does that mean. In my mind, walking is all that i'm good at right now. It's my expertise if you will. I'm afraid of Springer....it means its over. I want it to be over, but I dont. What i'm trying to say is that I have no idea what i'm saying. I have to embrace for life after the AT, and i'm not sure I know how. I got a good start when we stopped at a K-Mart tonight. I spent some time in the deodorant/aftershave aisle removing all the tops and getting re-aquainted with what "good" smells like.Today was another nice hike. Not too much in the way of great views, but a pretty gentle 24 miles. We'll be in Hiawase GA the next two nights before moving down somewhere near Neels Gap to finish the hike. We were able to see all the boys one last time today. We slack packed Northbound, so we past them early in the morning. They are finishing Sunday, so we'll be a day or two behind. We could finish Monday, but we'll probably opt for Tuesday. For the longest time, I envisioned us all finishing together, but It just wasnt to be.Well thats about it for tonight....wow, i'm in Georgia
Date: 2010-12-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 91.6

We love us some Tater Chip!! Tater chip came out to visit Geo and I while we were in Hiawasee the other day. He brought his wife Linda who we were thrilled to meet after having listened to stories about the "little white haired lady" for so long up north. There is a couple that live here named Robin and Dave who have been following my journal. They sent me a message offering to help with transportation or information regarding the roads and trail in the area. They also invited us to their home for some drinks, so we headed over with Tater and his wife before heading out to dinner. We each had some wine or beer, and enjoyed a couple of hours of story telling. Robin and Dave are avid hikers, and retired to the area becasue of its proximity to the AT. They commonly take hikers in and offer all kinds of assistance. They had a very warm and beautiful home, and we all enjoyed ourselves while having a good deal of laughs.We than went to dinner with Tater and his wife at a local buffet and had some more catch up time. It was so good to see him again. When we were finished, Tater chip took the bill. In his Southern Gentleman fashion he thanked us as he snagged the bill and didn't allow us to wrestle it back. What a great night.Robin and Dave.....you personify the words "Trail Angel". Thank you so much for your kindness and you offers of assistance.
Date: 2010-12-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Where is Churchill? Well I'm still in Georgia, 20 miles short of finishing. We hiked 10 miles today through 2-3 foot snow drifts and bone chilling cold. The access road to Springer (16 mile forest service road you get off the trail by) is impassable right now, so we are kind of stuck in a holding pattern. No worries, it will soon be finished.....patience John, it is as if Springer is smirking at me saying "how bad do you want it". The end of this trip is becoming epic. Than-you all for your congratulations sentiments....almost there. I still have so much to say, please stay with me a little longer!!
Date: 2010-12-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 20.1

If you look in the upper right hand corner you'll see the number I had dreamed would one day be displayed. I had hoped it would, I knew it could. 2179.1That's it folks, that's the Appalacian trail. I'm sitting behind an accident in VA with no sign of getting home. But it's done. I'll give a full update tomorrow, but I did just post sone old entries that were stored on my phone. I'll continue to update about the last couple weeks as well as my transition back to non hiking life.Churchill
Date: 2010-12-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

It was a masterpiece. Crafted on empty canvas that started with a vision of myself standing on Springer mountain. It was my masterpiece, but it needed some finishing touches. A few more brushstrokes and it would be complete. As Thoreau would say, it was my "castle in the air". But it needed foundation....it needed 2179 miles of foundation. I layed that foundation over the course of 5 1/2 months. In the searing heat of July, over the mountains of New Hampshire, the rocks of PA, and the fall foilage of the Shenendoah. It was created on countless endless days filled with endless smiler. On mountain tops, in swimming holes and in trail towns. It was a masterpiece colorful with friendships and comraderie. It was mine and it was perfectly brilliant.It needed 20 miles of finishing touch to be complete. Thats what we set out to do....finish it. We were greeted with an amazing sunrise at 7am, a fitting beginning to a perfect day. It was no different than any other day on the trail, we had a destination and we had to walk to it. The difference lie in the destination. So, we walked. Obviously on a day like this there is quite a bit of reflection. I can't easily explain the emotions on a day like this. A day you worked so hard for so long to get to.When we reached the access road 1 mile from the Springer terminus, I stopped and turned to Geo and Roots Rock...."anyone got one more mile in them" i asked.So many times the last mile on the trail never ends. The last mile to a shelter, the last mile to town, the last mile to a water source. This is the mile i'm not sure i wanted to end. I wanted it to stretch out a little further. I didn't know what to think yet....I needed more time to gather my thoughts. We pushed hard over that last mile. I was in the front. I knew we were close, and than we were there. The last white blaze.....the plaque in the rock, the southern terminus of the 2,179 mile Appalacian trail. I walked up and barely aknowledged that rock on my left. I excitedly threw my tracking poles in front of me, and walked right past that elusive plaque. I looked off in the distance and I took it in......I breathed victory......it was finally complete. We all kind of took to our own space looking off into the distance. There were watery eyes for sure. Than I stood on that rock and I screamed at the top of my lungs......"HEY KATATDIN.....ITS ME CHURCHILL....I MADE IT!!!! IM ON SPRINGER MOUNTAIN....I FREAKING MADE IT!!!!!! I wanted the world to know.We drank our beers and embraced eachother. We were giddy, we were content.........hell, we were THRU HIKERS!!!! The temperature dropped, and the snow came down. It was time to walk back to the access road and meet our ride off the mountain. As I walked away, I could not stop looking back at the plaque in the rock....it was so surreal. I took one final look and offered one final grin. And then I walked down that mountain....and "the voice" came with me.Churchill
Date: 2012-08-01
From: bed

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

It was a dream. It was my dream. Thats all it was. Coulda called it a goal....but its far too big for that. You dont lie awake every night and think about goals. I learned so much from my six month adventure in the woods two years ago. I learned that you dont "follow" dreams, you live them. If you think your following them, its as if they are dangling from a stick in front of you always out of reach. When i was hiking the trail....it was the journey. Springer mountain was the endpoint, but I was literally living the dream with every step. It was a dream that I lived. There will be others....many. In fact there is one named Aubrey sitting on the couch right now in the living room. We've been in the "pre hike" preperation phase for far too long. It's time to throw the boots on and get to hiking. Its a dream. Its my dream. Its my American Dream.
Date: 2010-01-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

33 Days until I start walking. My hiking partner Jess and I have been planning this for nearly two years now. We got this random idea in our head back then that this would be a good idea, and it's kind of snowballed since then. I'm taking time off of class in order to do this, he's quitting his day job, and together we're a small part of the aspiring thru-hiker class of 2010.   I've been busy researching and purchasing gear for a while now. I'm good on stove, pot, shelter, sleeping bag/pad, clothes, boots, water purification and containers. The whole nine yards. I'm bringing it all to REI later this week to find the perfect sized pack. I'm currently looking at the Osprey Atmos 65 or the Gregory Baltoro 70, but I might go in a completely different direction altogether. I know the Baltoro especially is a heavy pack.   Mostly, I've been getting ready physically and mentally. I did 500 miles in the Sangre de Cristo of northern New Mexico over the summer, and scattered hiking since then. Been hitting the stairmaster in the gym, because I live in Sourthern MD with no hills and no car. Hopefully that will get me in decent enough shape that I don't die the first few days.   Anyways, I'll be updating this as often as possible, with new developments in my preparation and then when I hit the trail, whenever I have the chance, I'll write some more of the adventures I'm having. See you all after Katahdin!
Date: 2010-01-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Went to REI today, and I'm now down to just a few things I still need. I think I'm going to go back tomorrow with all of my gear and try to find the perfect pack. As of right now, I'm just planning on mail drops, what to have in them and when to get them. I'm trying to go with only a few, but I think going with none would be a bad idea. Any suggestions on packs or things that definitely need to be mail dropped?
Date: 2010-01-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Just got my pack today. Went to REI and spent two and a half hours trying out different packs. Wound up going with a Palisade 80, which I know people will bash due to sheer size and weight, but it works for me. I'm bring a lot of camera gear, which takes up more space than anything else, so I feel like I need the extra space. Anyways, I fly out four weeks from tomorrow. It's gonna be a party.PS, note about REI: They are the best with everything.
Date: 2010-01-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So yesterday I got most of my camera gear. I'm still waiting on a few more batteries and chargers, a surge protector (so even if I only find one outlet I can still charge all my batteries during a short stay in town) a shotgun microphone, fishpole, batteries for the mic, and connector cables. Actually, come to think of it, I feel like an idiot right now, cause I just realized I don't even know what sort of sound equipment my new camera is compatible with. Oops. I guess I'll figure that out before I get the audio equipment. But, as you can see, it's going to be a pretty penny in weight. Probably around an additional ten pounds of gear. It's a lot of extra weight, but I've done much more, and as it slowly gets warmer, I'll start ditching gear all over the place. That's going to be really nice. And no, it won't be left on the side of the trail. It will be mailed home to where I can use it again later.   Oh well. Fly down in three weeks, six days, not that I'm counting. Depending on if I find the time, I might put all of my gear on here, see if anyone has a compelling argument on why I can shed something. But I don't know if I'll have the time. I'm back down at school for the next three plus weeks taking care of a bunch of things, and that's going to eat up all of my time.
Date: 2010-01-31
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I tried out my sleeping bag a few nights ago. I have a Eureka Cimarron 15 degree bag, plus a 15 degree liner. Using those and my therma rest, but wearing only boxers, a t shirt and beanie, I ventured out in 20 degree weather to see how it would work. Most of me was fine. My feet froze. I'm going to try again in a few days, this time wearing slipper socks, to see if that solves my foot problem. I hate the idea of wearing socks for such a long time before it gets warm enough to let me air out my bare feet for extended periods of time, but I hate the thought of feet so cold I can't feel them and can't sleep even worse.      I might also go ahead and get a new sleeping bag. This one has a good deal of wear and tear on it (3 months or so on the trail) and I'm finding some nice 20 degree bags that are much smaller and lighter. If the socks work out, I might go ahead and make the switch. Anyone know anything about the REI Zephyer?   I also spent inordinate amounts of my day reading the 2010 thru-hiker's guide. I think I might just go with three maildrops (each a quarter of the way to restock on aquamira, a new waterproof notebook, more miniDV's, and maybe some seasonal changes). I haven't yet identified another stretch of the trail that looks to be too far between quality resupply points. I've heard that a maildrop at Fontana would be a good idea, but if you call for a shuttle to the town two miles away, theyre supposed to have a quality grocer to get you to Hot Springs. Might even jump into Gatlinburg while in the Smokies. Again, if anyone knows any stretch that would be a really good idea to get a maildrop resupply, please let me know!
Date: 2010-02-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Ok, so a mild panic has now set in that my pack is too heavy and I'm looking at cutting weight in many areas. However, being stuck down at school without a car makes updating gear quite difficult. I'll let you all know how it goes.   More importantly, despite the freezing temperatures and my general dislike of winter in comparison to summer, I still continue to feel more and more drawn to getting outside and soon, onto the trail. For now, I have to make due with just being outside. I went down to the river the other night, when it was a fully moon, and just stood there watching it for a good twenty minutes. It was a really bright night out with the full moon and all of the snow still on the ground. I don't remember ever being out in a brighter night. I'm hoping that when we get a new moon and I'm out on the trail, the stars will be as magnificent as they were out in New Mexico. I think there is little in this world as beautiful as a non-washed out night sky. One of those nights when you can stare up and see the faintest of nebulas and galaxies, the dimmest stars invisible to most of the world.   I think one of the smartest things I've ever heard was when a friend of mine looked up at the night sky and said, "the colors are beautiful." I looked up and saw nothing but darkness, and did not get it. But as I continued to stare up, and have continued since, I have begun to notice the colors and appreciate them. They're not classic colors, and it will never look like a rainbow, but in some ways, it is so much more beautiful. On those darkest of nights, without a town for a hundred miles, the colors are overwhelming. So while I spent my night down on the river awash in light, I look forward to my nights on the trail when the only light is from millions of stars.   Three weeks until I leave
Date: 2010-02-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So for those of you who haven't heard, we just got a million feet of snow here in the mid Atlantic. I actually got lucky down in Southern MD and we only wound up with about a foot. But that came at the cost of a ton of sleet, thus meaning all of our roads were coated with an inch of ice for a few days. The bottom line is, I was going to make makeshift snow shoes and go for a hike, but then I got sick and decided to get better rather than risk something really bad before starting the trail.   The fact that I leave so soon hasn't yet hit. Everyday as I subtract one more day from the total, it still seems strange to think about the journey I'm embarking on. I'll be out in the woods for six months, and have been spending the last month or so crashing on people's couches. Not exactly the high life by societal standards, but it's so much more exciting.   I find that the toughest thing is when people say they're jealous and wish they could do something like this. I wish they would just go out and do it. Liberate the mind. If someone loves what they are doing, then there is no need to be jealous. But if you find yourself jealous of other people's lives, it might be time to change something in your life. I want to convince people of this fact, but I cannot find the words. I think, more than anything, that is what I want to convey in my film. I don't want to convince people to hike the trail. That isn't for everyone. What I want to do is convince them that if they are not happy doing what they're doing, to find something else to do. And of course, if they are happy, to keep doing what they're doing. But how to convey that?   So while I'll have a film that says this later, for now, go find some answers. If you're unhappy, find whatever makes you happy, and do it. That's my rant for today.
Date: 2010-02-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Last night I finished a book. Today I have been walking around with an uncontrollable smile, truly happy and much less worried, despite being even further behind on everything I need to do. "Way of the Peaceful Warrior" by Dan Millman. I've even decided to bring it on the trail despite the weight, because it was such an enlightening book. I won't spoil anything, but I will say that this philosophy based novel, if you approach it with an open mind, will rock your world. So please, go read it.Like I said, I am far less worried than before. I have made peace with the uncontrollable, and focused on what I can change.I've bought a few more items of gear to attempt to lighten the load somewhat, and am still clearing up a few things at home. My license expires while on the trail, but I called today and found out I can just get a new one by mail, which is so handy. I'm about to buy the last of my camera gear. Once I have everything and find a few spare seconds at home, I'll try to take pictures of some of it and put it up. I'm adding maildrop points today if anyone feels like mailing me baked goods :P
Date: 2010-02-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So I got into an accident on the DC Beltway this morning. That was no fun. Luckily, no one was hurt, and there's only cosmetic damage, but that still hasn't stopped everyone from being upset with me. Even though it wasn't my fault. Guy next to me had his dog jump from the backseat into his lap, causing him to swerve into me, causing me to swerve into the guy next to me.   That's most of what you need to know for how great of a day today was. I'm so looking forward to not driving for six months. Heck, I just started debating not getting a driver's license for a while and seeing what life is like. I'd have to quit my job (driving drunks home from the bar), but it would eliminate one of the few things I'm not a big fan of. I have six months to debate it, I'll let you know how my thoughts are rolling.   I'm still down at school for another 2 1/2 days or so (leave Sunday morning) and then I'll be home for about three days before flying down to Atlanta. While home, I'll try to add my whole gear list and a more detailed locale of where my mail drops will be. The important thing right now is that despite this crappy day, I'm still pretty happy, and I think that bodes well for life in general. Alright, I need to go feed myself which I have forgotten about doing so far, and then I need to get more work done. Hope everyone who is reading this is having a fantastic day!