morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-10-16
To: I miss the woods
Miles today: 0.0

On the AT, there were rarely times when I wanted to be doing something else, hardly ever a time when I was bored or lonely or overwhelmed. A thru-hiking is an artificial one in many ways. First, it's too simple: eat, sleep, walk, procure provisions (all else is optional). It's free in a way real life won't ever be -- free from the responsibility of making decisions about the future. Also, it's too beautiful. The air is clean, the people are kind, and nature unfurls itself (for the most part) unmolested. For six months, everytime I woke up, it was beautiful. All day it was beautiful. When I fell asleep -- beautiful. Even in the rain or the cold, it was beautiful (though it may have been uncomfortable). It is hard to adjust to not being surrounded by beauty.Now, I don't expect to be as happy back here in the poisonous real world. But I suppose it couldn't hurt to concentrate a little harder on simplicity and beauty.
Date: 2006-11-30
To: Signing off...
Miles today: 0.0

Well, there you have it. I copied my whole journal onto this site, after the fact, because... well, because it was there. And it's allowed me to re-live the trail in a way -- to contemplate it, and to remember how I felt on all those days back in the beginning that now seem so far away. I've done my best to keep it honest, editing just a little for clarity.I hope someone will read it (and sign the guestbook!), but even if no one does, it's probably done me enough good to be worth the time spent.This isn't the place to write about real life, in which I'm now fully immersed, so I'm going to go now. With any luck, another journal will be forthcoming in a few years with a new trail, and a new perspective.
Date: 2006-03-07
To: Officially journaling
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I guess this is it....my first "official" journal entry. To be honest, I'm not exactly sure where to start. In less than a month, I will be headed northbound on the Appalachian Trail. The fact that it is over 2,000 miles and that I will be hiking for about 5 months is something I have been telling all my friends and family; but, I'm pretty sure that the magnitude of this journey, hasn't truly "sunk in" yet. Even though I have gotten the usual responses of "What?", "Are you crazy?", "Have you lost your mind?!" I guess it just all seems surreal at this point. I've been doing the usual....planning, getting gear (that I didn't already have), preparing friends and family of what is to come and how I will need their help and prayers, and trying to learn some "ins and outs" of the A.T. from previous hikers. Hopefully all of this prep work will pay off. I guess we'll see what happens! More thoughts, questions, facts, updates, and journals to come........
Date: 2006-03-08
To: Why the hike? (Part one)
Miles today: 0.0

I guess I should back up a little bit......So why the hike? Why take somewhere between 5 and 6 months of my life- away from family, friends, pets(pup dogs) , jobs, conveniences, comforts, and the so- called "normal" life - to strictly hike? Good question. But I think the better question is.....Why NOT attempt a trek like this? It's not every day or every year that you get the opportunity to try a "once in a lifetime" trek. So why pass it up? I guess the first time I even thought about hiking the A.T. came about in the Rocky Mountains. Yeah, I know, it sounds kind of funny.....in the Rockies and thinking about being somewhere else. Well, it's not that I WANTED to be somewhere else right then; it's just that I was inspired to consider other future treks. I was in highschool and my church youth group was on a week long Wilderness Trek in Salida, Colorado. Our guides were college kids, who spent the entire summer taking group after group rapelling and hiking in the Rockies. What could be better? AND, you mean, they actually got paid too?!Even though we only had a week to get to know them, we all (deep down) wanted to be just like them! They were the coolest people we knew. Old enough to be respected (and they weren't our parents), and yet young enough to still know how to have fun! I remember sitting around a campfire one night and listening to them talk about hoping to hike the entire A.T. someday. It was a dream and a lifetime goal. I didn't know much about the A.T. then, but I knew I wanted to find out more. Shortly after the Wilderness Trek and after "researching" it a little bit, I decided to make it a lifetime goal as well. (It became one of those goals that you put away in the back of your mind and not say much about, because if you don't do it at some point, you risk looking like a fool.) I didn't know how I was going to hike the entire thing, or when I would do it; but I knew if the opportunity presented itself, I would try it. And it did. To find out how, keep reading on to the next journal......
Date: 2006-03-09
To: Why Hike? (part 2)
Miles today: 0.0

The opportunity to hike the A.T. came through an adventure-based team building ministry, ChallengePoint. I have been volunteering part-time with this organization since the summer of 2002 when I was first hired as an intern. Since then, I have been a group facilitor, backpacking guide, and am on the board of directors. The original idea came from one of the founders of CP, Larry, as a fundraising campaign. As soon as he approached me with this idea, I knew it was the perfect method to kicking off our first fundraising campaign. I was thrilled with the idea! I also knew it was an opportunity I had been looking for. Although I didn't mention it to anybody, I started asking myself all of the questions: Was I ready to try this trek? Could I REALLY do it? Is this the right time? What about my other jobs? What will people think or say? Who will handle the bills and my responsibilities while I'm gone? How can this possibly work? etc.etc. After weeks of thinking it through, weighing out options, going through the "what if's", visualizing myself on the trail, feeling confident about it and then doubting again later, and lots and lots of prayer I made the decision to do it. As soon as I started telling my family and friends I was going to attempt this, I knew it was the right decision. I couldn't believe what I was saying, but with everyone's excitement, encouragement, and support I was reassured of the decision and of things to come.
Date: 2006-03-13
To: Packing process
Miles today: 0.0

Earlier today I started the process, and I do mean PROCESS, of packing. I started focusing on what clothes I wanted to take. Instead of looking for coordinating outfits(not that I ever really do that anyway ) I was focusing on the purpose and the weight of each item. Do I need to take one or two shirts? One pair of shorts should be fine....I think. What about socks? I mean, my feet will be one of the most important things to take care of on the trail, so I guess I should splurge and take three pairs. Right? Rain jacket....definitely! Long underwear?...Well at least in the early part of the trip- I can always mail it home later. On and on and on..... But, honestly...HOW DO YOU pack for a 5 month backpacking trip? Is it best to just pack for a week to 10 days, then have things sent to you on the trail? Or do you pack everything at first and then send things back home? Do you pack the one set of clothes you plan on wearing everyday for the next 5 months, or do you see yourself splurging at the next outfitter and buying a new shirt? And what about laundry? What are you supposed to wear, when the few clothes you have and want to wash, you are wearing?! Now that can get a little tricky!I have a system that works for a 5-7 day backpacking trip, so maybe I can use that system over and over again. That's probably just part of the process too-trial and error. Experience is the best teacher. I guess the test will be starting soon!
Date: 2006-04-01
From: Approach Trail- Amicalola Falls State Park

To: Springer Mtn., GA
Miles today: 0.0

Today started off with finishing last minute packing, and leaving Huntsville, AL to make our way towards the start of the A.T.- Springer Mountain. Jim and Jennifer with ChallengePoint offered up their Saturday to take Larry and myself to the start of the A.T. After a 4 hour drive up and down, around and around, winding through the half paved, half rocky, half dirt roads of the north Georgia mountains, we made it to Amicalola Falls State Park. Here it was....the approach trail to the A.T. The closer we got to the park, the more knots formed in my stomach. Excitement, anticipation, nerves, were all the cause. Was I REALLY about to start this major committment? Was I physically and mentally ready for this? I soon would find out. Larry and I signed the log book at the park and had our picture taken at the start of the approach trail. It was official....we had now become just two more of the thousands that would attempt the journey from Springer Mtn, GA to Mt. Katahdin, ME. We filled up our water bottles, grabbed our packs, and said our goodbyes then took our first steps in the new lifestyle we will be living for the next few months. A lifestyle....that's really what it will be. Yes, this is a trip of a lifetime, and yes, this is the start of an unbelievable journey. But really, it was the start of a new lifestyle. For the next 6 months I am no longer a small business owner, or a coach, or a guide.....I am a hiker. I will be sleeping in a tent; carrying everything I own on my back; filtering water from creeks and streams; planning food drops as my life would depend on it; weathering sun, wind, rain, hail, possible snow; enduring constant physical soreness and exhaustion; treating blisters and injuries a like; spending time alone, but also meeting others who are on the same journey. As a hiker, it's nice to have a warm-up before such a journey. But, in this case- that wouldn't happen. We started the Approach Trail which is an 8 mile hike straight up that leads to the official starting point of the A.T. Welcome aboard! Just in case we had any doubts about the trail, the Approach Trail was there to give us our first test. One of it's main purposes must have been to get rid of a few people. It did just that. Some didn't make it passed this trail. Others struggled up it's rocky terrain. Larry and I struggled, but we succeeded and made it to the top just as the sun was setting. The first victory of the journey! We were immediately greeted by "Many Sleeps" an A.T. Ridgerunner whose job was to police and maintain order along that section of the trail. You could tell he had been in this position for years as his long unkept white beard, leathery warn skin, and hearing aids all implied his lifestyle. In case we were unsure of our surroundings, he directed us towards a spot where we could set up camp for the night. After a long day and physical exhaustion I had no trouble going to sleep at the top of Springer Mtn. It was a long day, but I had a feeling tomorrow might just be even longer. Tomorrow.....we would start the A.T.
Date: 2006-04-02
To: Justice Creek Campground
Miles today: 13.4

The weather was perfect today. Sunny, comfortable hiking weather. I wish I could say the same for my body. What training I did beforehand seemed to have been tossed out the window as I hiked up and down, up and down, around and around. The morning started from atop Springer Mountain and the days end would be here in a valley at Justice Creek. It was a tough day of hiking; but I might as well get used to it. It's going to be tough for a while. Larry and I started off hiking the first couple of miles pretty much by ourselves. We were kind of quiet so both of us must have had a lot on our minds. It wasn't until Stover Creek Shelter that we began to meet other thru-hikers, section hikers, and day hikers. We started "leap-frogging" or "yo-yo"ing with several others. We would meet and then pass them on the trail. We would stop for a break, then they would pass us. We would later pass them again. Back and forth, back and forth. Although we didn't really know them, we would start forming an immediate bond with all that we met. It's the whole misery loves company kind of thing. We were all struggling with the same mountain to climb- just maybe in different ways. But, it was this very struggle that enabled all of us to care and understand about each other. We met "Ranger Dawg" and "Model T." Two men, who looked to be in their 60's, who were out to hike all the way to Maine. If that's not impressive in itself, we would soon learn that this was "Model T's" 4th time to hike the entire trail. Four times! I couldn't believe it! He has written a couple of books already and is in the process of writing another one. It didn't take us too long to figure out we were hiking with an A.T. celebrity. Model T and Ranger Dawg seem to both be wise men, who come from different backgrounds, and of course who have different philosophies on everything in life. Later we would meet Brett(trailname- "Social") and Bronwyn- a young married couple from Memphis, Lyle ("SnakeBite")- late 20's from Mississippi, Josh ("Slingshot")- 17 years old from Maryland, and a few others along the way. But it was this group we would spend most of the day with. We all hiked around the same pace and decided to camp out together for the night as well. We are all headed towards Katahdin. It's kind of scary to say that now, because it seems so far away. So how will we get there? Right now, my body doesn't know. But my mind says, one step at a time.
Date: 2006-04-03
From: Justice Creek Campground

To: Slaughter Creek Campsite
Miles today: 14.1

We woke up this morning around 5:00 am to the sound of a thunderstorm moving in. I had pretty much slept the entire night through as the sound of the creek right next to our campsite was soothing and relaxing. As the morning sun would soon be attempting to rise, it would be overtaken by dark, heavy clouds, gusting winds, crashes of thunder, and lightening flashes that lit up the entire sky. We could hear it moving closer to us. The time between each crash of thunder and bolt of lightning was a rough estimate on how far, or close, the storm was. I layed there in my tent just listening and counting. It's about 14 miles away....now 9 miles....now 4 miles......now.....it's on us! The pounding of the heavy rain on the tent was kind of soothing in an unusual kind of way, but I was just hoping my tent and sleeping bag would withstand the test and keep me dry inside. Much to my relief they did their job. After about an hour or two, the storm passed and we were able to pack up camp and head out for the day. Most of the morning it was beautiful. We were just thankful we had weathered our first storm of the trip. After about 6 miles of hiking we stopped for lunch. Several other hikers stomachs must have been talking to them around the same time, because there must have been 12 of us eating all together. It was our own little picnic area. We started to head back out on the trail, and all of a sudden the weather moved in again so quickly. In a matter of minutes, it was sunny, then cloudy, then rain, then hail- about the size of M & M's. The hail didn't last long, but the cold front it brought in did. We had started the day in the 70's and now it had dropped down to around the 40's. We were cold and wet the rest of the day. We made it here to Slaughter Creek Campsite in just enough time to set up camp and eat dinner before dark. We had been looking forward to this place all day, but our hopes were crushed when we realized it was on the side of a ridge, around 4,000 ft in elevation, and facing the wind. We knew we were in for a long, cold, bitter freezing night. We had experienced almost all types of weather on the day- almost like what Nashville weather would be like during a week (sunny and 70 degrees one day, to be followed by cold and 40 degree weather the next). I had to keep reminding myself of God's faithfulness. He had carried us through the day- I knew He would protect us through the night. We were all freezing, but were all being tested as well. There will continue to be many challenges and tests along the way- several each day. But that's part of the entire growing experience. Whether it's outside conditions, to phyiscal pain, to emotional struggles, to hard times- here on the trail or back in everyday life- there are constant opportunities for growth. Although things might seem miserable at the time, there are brighter days ahead.
Date: 2006-04-04
From: Slaughter Creek Campsite

To: 1 mile past Neels Gap
Miles today: 4.2
Weather: clear sky

We had shorter, easier day today. It was a day we had been looking forward to and woke up with a little extra spring in our step. We were headed into Neels Gap. It's a little small Hikers Hostel where we could restock on food, take a shower, get a good meal, wash some clothes and just relax with other hikers the rest of the day. It's only a few days in on the trip, but we were intentionally trying to start the first couple of weeks off rather slowly. My thoughts and feelings up to this point are still ones of excitement and confidence. It's still early; things are still new; we are meeting people from all over the country; I am having a great time! It's amazing what a half day of rest will do for you, not just physically, but mentally as well. I know I will be physically exhausted at the end of each day to come. But the human body is amazing. We can do more when pushed and stretched then we mentally believe we can. Your mentality and emotional stability are huge factors and literally make or break the experience for you. Right now, I am physically sore, but yet feel good. Mentally and emotionally I still feel very confident. I am so thankful for the people we have met along the way. Their different personalities, humor, and determination have been such an inspiration and encouragement to me along the trail. I am looking forward to seeing how God will bring each of us together along the way and how He will use us for His purposes. People are out here hiking for all sorts of different reasons. I am confident that God has a special intent and plan for each one of us as our paths cross. It will be exciting and interesting to see how His plan unfolds right before us.
Date: 2006-04-05
From: Campsite- GA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today went by pretty fast overall. When all you do is hike, snack, hike some more, you tend to get in the zone and just keep going. We were all like walking zombies today. Not too much was said as the trail was more long and enduring rather than difficult. I found myself focusing more on my physical exhaustion late in the day. I'm continuously amazed at how the body can do some amazing things sometimes. After hiking so much and so long, your mind and body sometimes have trouble getting on the same page. It's a constant struggle at times. My mind tells me that I should stop because my legs are screaming at me- "We can't go on any more!" But yet, my body just kept going. At some point, no matter how bad you hurt and ache, you can still go- it's definitely mind over body. There were times I had my doubts today; but then was thankful for the group. I have opportunities out here where I am able to walk alone, talk to God, and think and I am so thankful for those times. But it's such an encouragement to have others around as well. I find myself relying on the group a lot- maybe too much at times. I have this on going struggle- I am thankful for the group, but yet I need to learn to rely solely on God. I think I am out here for several reasons, but one major thing I need to learn and be reminded of, is to stop relying so much on myself and on others. I should walk and talk with God every second as though he were physically right there beside me. I definitely feel His precense as He has carried me this far. I must not forget to give Him credit at the days end.
Date: 2006-04-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today we hiked just over 14 miles, but it seemed a lot longer than that. The terrain was tough as we crossed Rocky Mountain and Tray Mountain (the highest point in GA- over 4,000 ft). I continued to think about my limits today. Just when I thought I was about to hit the wall¢¦I didn¢t. Somehow, I was able to keep on going. It always seems to take a little while to get going in the mornings, but as we keep pressing on, we get past the point of physical pain and become the walking zombies. The uphills and downhills don¢t really seem to matter anymore.    Baro and I continue to hike with the same group (as of now)- We have somewhat formed a name¢¦the Sunshine Group (given to us by the famous Model T)¢¦.¢Pain Train¢ was suggested by Snakebite, the comic relief of the group. We haven¢t seen as many people on the trail since Neel¢s Gap, so I guess it is true that many stop there. But, we are still meeting characters such as Model T and Ranger Dawg, Pairo and Critter, Powerstroke (a retired man who had started hiking in the Florida Keys and headed to Canada!) plus several day hikers.    I used my mp3 player for the first time today. This might not seem like a big deal, but it¢s pretty amazing how music can pump you up and inspire you¢¦it can completely change your mindset. It helped give me the extra boost and encouragement I needed to get to the top of Tray Mountain. While we (the Sunshine Group) were resting at the top of this mountain, another hiker met us at the top. He looked to be around our ages (mid-late 20¢s) and he must already be in great trail condition- he looked like he had just conquered Tray Mountain like it was another walk in the park. He somewhat looked familiar, but I wasn¢t sure how. Once he said his name was Mouse, I immediately remembered that he was one of the first to sign my trail journal guestbook a week or so before ever hitting the trail. At the time of reading his journal entry, I had no idea who he was¢¦..much less did I think we would actually meet. Based off of first impressions, he seems like a nice guy, and a strong hiker. He will probably hike at a much faster and longer pace than the rest of us. I guess we¢ll see.    A closing thought for the day¢¦.. It¢s funny how when you want to give up and quit, at that exact time something or someone comes along and is an immediate encouragement or inspiration. Sometimes we just have to look for it. Powerstroke was that inspiration for me today. I think he said it right- ¢If you have a good attitude, you can make it all the way to Maine.¢
Date: 2006-04-07
From: A Quick Hello

To: Hiawasee, GA
Miles today: 0.0

Hello Everyone! This is my first entry in a while- sorry it has taken so long. Before I tell you about my trip and experiences so far, let me say a HUGE THANK YOU to all who have signed my trail journal, said a prayer or two for me, and for just keeping me in your thoughts. It is absolutely impossible for me to express the gratitude I have for all of your encouraging thoughts and words. I appreciate them all so much! Right now I am in Hiawassee, GA at the Holiday Inn Express. We decided to hike and hitch-hike in to town today to restock on food, get a good hot meal, and spend the night tonight. You know what that means....a good meal, a good shower, and a nice bed to sleep in tonight! After 7 days on the trail, you learn real quick, not to take certain small things for granted. The first thing I wanted to do when we got here was to check my trailjournal. I couldn't wait to see what was on here! It made my day reading all of the messages! Again, THANK YOU! I just turned on the t.v. and noticed that Nashville just got hit with some major weather and possible tornados. I hope everyone is alright. My thoughts immediately turned towards concern for everyone back home. I'm waiting to use the phone right now, so I'll be calling and checking on everyone ASAP! Well, we are about to go get something to eat- maybe we'll find a good buffet or something around small town Hiawassee! I'll be back on here later tonight to record everything upto this point. I just wanted to say a quick hello! I miss all of you so much, but just know you are in my constant thoughts and prayers! Things are good here....can't wait to be back on here later tonight! Sorry to leave you hangin' at this point!