morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-02-23
To: Re-start Prep - Day # 1
Miles today: 0.0

I've made a few changes to my TJ site to reflect that I am in a "preparation stage" prior to my March 6th re-start. So, you can find my journal under the main listing of 2005 AT Hikers.I've also updated my mail drop entries to accurately reflect dates I'll be picking up and/or checking for packages. This update goes through Harpers Ferry.Prior to my March 6th re-start, any entries I make will be listed as "preparation" entries. After March 6th, all of my entries will be listed as regular "hiking" entries. As I re-hike parts of the trail covered in January and February (Springer through Erwin, Tennessee) I will try to compare notes and report back any changes, noted differences, etc. I will also be testing out various different pieces of gear - from a personal use standpoint. I'll update on my GEAR page those items and let everyone know how the gear works while hiking. Probably the most obvious difference in the re-start vs the winter start - I'll be spending a majority of nights tenting (and down the road, in warmer weather, sleeping in a Hennessey Hammock) instead of using the shelters. This is necessary due to the larger amount of hikers using the shelters and my terrible habit of starting my daily hike late in the morning (thus arriving at shelters that are already full). I've also decided to re-start with a different backpack - at least initially. I had been carrying the Granite Gear Vapor Trail - and it is a very nice pack. But it almost seemed like "overkill" with a bit greater capacity than I needed; excessive padding; etc. Although I will still use my Golite Breeze for summer (light-weight) hiking, the Breeze can't handle the extra clothing and gear that I am currently carrying.So, I did some research and opted to buy and try a ULA Fusion backpack. It has some novel features that I really like (in theory, anyway) and will plan on testing it and letting all of you know my thoughts.
Date: 2005-02-24
To: Prep - Day 2
Miles today: 0.0

Several folks have emailed about why I chose to try out the ULA Fusion backpack - noting (correctly) that both the Granite Gear Vapor Trail and the Fusion are similar in carrying capacity and weight. Here are my thoughts in response:I had already cut down the Vapor Trail extension sleeve, but still the pack was a bit too much in capacity. Having said that, my summer, lightweight-pack is a Golite Breeze and it is indeed too small for the extra clothing and associated "winter" gear I'm still carrying.In all honesty, I realize the ULA is about the same size - but I prefer it's style of external pockets. The GG VT has two side pockets that are reduced in useability because the lower compression straps go over those pockets. Plus, I could never reach the VT side pockets while wearing the pack. That made them unsuitable for a water bottle, etc. while hiking with the pack.What intrigued me with the ULA Fusion is that it's side pockets can be reached while wearing the pack. Also, from what I can tell (won't get the pack until tomorrow) those pockets are better suited for storing wet gear like a tent that needs to be air-dried. In addition, the Fusion foregoes the thick padding in the back-support area - instead allowing the insertion of a folded, deflated Thermarest to serve as a pad. I like those type of dual-purpose use concepts. Again, just my personal opinion, along with the willingness to spend $150 to give the idea a try. Also, the Fusion incorporates small storage pockets in the hip belt - another feature that can de duplicated by attaching some third-party external pockets - but still something I wanted to try out.I'd also heard some pretty good stories about ULA and their customer support. That may not seem like much justification to buy their pack - but given that they are a small company that is oriented to the AT hiking community, it is something I'd be willing to support.Who knows, I may well revert back to the VT. But since I have a week before the re-start I have a great opportunity to test the Fusion and decide accordingly. If nothing else, I can try to do a subjective evaluation and report the results on TJ. That might benefit others who are not sure what pack they want to buy/use.
Date: 2005-02-25
To: Prep - Day 3
Miles today: 0.0

I have been thinking about purchasing and using a battery recharger for my batteries when I re-start. Currently, I'm carrying a Petzl headlamp (3 AAA batteries); a Minolta Dimage camera (2 AA batteries); and a Compaq IPAQ PDA (personal digital assistant - used to store downloaded books for reading and MAYBE to use for recording my daily journal) (4 AA batteries).I'm thinking that it might make sense to use rechargeable NiMH batteries to save on the battery purchase cost. Also, the newer NiMH batteries have ratings as high as 2500 mA - thus lasting longer.What I am NOT sure about is if it is practical to use a recharger while doing a thru-hike. I have heard of some folks who put a recharger in their bounce box and recharge when they have access to the box and a source of electricity. That would seem to be a difficult logistic to achieve on a regular basis.Perhaps another way to use a recharger would be to carry it in your pack and pull it out whenever you stay in a town overnight. But that means carrying some additional weight for a piece of gear that is not being used that often.There are now "15-minute" rechargers that say they can recharge a battery(ies) quickly (a lot of the older chargers can take 6-8 hours). I wonder, if I had one of these fast chargers, if it would work to pull it out whenever I came across an electrical outlet and take a 15 or 30-minute break while recharging my batteries? Such a scenario would not apply just to overnight town stays - you could do the 15-minute charge whenever you were hiking through a town or other location with an available outlet.There might be more available AC outlets than you realize. You could find them at Neals Gap, Hiawassee, Franklin, NOC, Fontana Shelter, Newfound Gap (in the restroom), etc. None would require spending the night, but you would want to ask permission as is appropriate.The problem I can see with the "15-minute" chargers is that they appear to be bulkier and heavier than the other (8-hour chargers). Some even require a separate AC power supply. Over time, maybe they will also become more compact.The NiMH batteries are constantly becoming more powerful. The AA batteries are up to 2500 mA and the AAA batteries are up to 850 mA. These should supply a lot more juice than standard alkaline batteries - and last longer. One point to keep in mind - both regular alkaline batteries and the NiMH rechargeables do not work as well in cold weather. Lithium batteries perform much better in winter conditions.Also, apparently once a NiMH battery is charged, if you store the charged battery it will begin to lose a certain percentage of it's charge as days pass. I don't know what that percentage of loss is. My thought was to possibly carry two sets of NiMH batteries - one being used and one as a spare. I could then leave the charger in a bounce box and just carry the rechargeable batteries. But if the stored batteries are going to lose their charge gradually, that would not be much of a solution.More to come . . .
Date: 2005-02-26
To: Prep - Day 4
Miles today: 0.0

This afternoon I received my ULA Fusion backpack in the mail and figured I would head out into the woods for a "trial run" trip to test it out. Well, today turned out to be my "lucky day." I was unaware that a number of 2003 NOBO thru-hikers had planned a small reunion over this upcoming weekend at Hungry Mother State Park, not too far from Damascus. A couple of the hikers showed up at Miss Janet's this afternoon to share a ride to the Park. I not only got the chance to meet Moonshadow and Hopeful - I was invited to join the group for the weekend.Well, I did want to get out and test the backpack, didn't I? And I have to admit I was getting a little "antsy" about the upcoming re-start at Springer. So I said "yes" and we were soon on our way to Hungry Mother.Although I had completed a thru-hike in 2003, it was a SOBO. All of the folks I would be meeting (and perhaps intruding upon?) had hiked NOBO. Would we be compatible? Could we get along? Heck, did we even speak the same language?Well, let me just say that once I was introduced to everyone else (Foz, No Pepsi, Viking (US), Last Minute, Blink Blink and Zannah) there was no question about hiker compatibility. They were a delightful bunch and very kind to let me stumble upon them at the last minute. Everyone had a great time sharing trail "war stories"; sharing some great food and "drink"; and sharing some pretty deep philosophical thoughts about life in general and a thru-hike in specific.During the day I got out on the trails at Hungry Mother and tested out the pack. I think the Fusion is a "go" for the Springer re-start. I'll probably put the Vapor Trail pack in a bounce box - just in case I change my mind later.If you haven't been to Hungry Mother State Park, it is located a little ways north of Damascus, near Marion, Virginia. The AT runs on the east side of Interstate 81 and Hungry Mother is on the west side. More in my next journal entry.
Date: 2005-02-28
To: Prep - Day 6
Miles today: 0.0

Well, today is Monday and only four more days before I head down to Springer for a re-start on March 6th. Still a lot of last minute things to get done. Hopefully will get my last W-2 tax form at the post office and can send in my tax return. A last trip to Food Lion to get groceries for my Fontana mail drop.Miss Janet has also been busy with the work on the hiker bathroom. There have been a number of current/former hikers who every day "magically" show up at her house to help out. I guess that's something like "reverse trail magic."Although I have uploaded a large number of pictures taken during my January-February winter hike, there are still more that I had not uploaded. I have finished uploading the remaining pictures (43 of them) and marked them with an asterisk (*) at the start of their name so all of you can tell which ones they are.
Date: 2005-03-01
To: Prep - Day 7
Miles today: 0.0

Well, here it is the 1st of March in Erwin, Tennessee. And, yes, there is indeed snow falling here. Some of it comes down vertical; some sideways; even some seems to blow upward.Only a couple of inches in town - but the nearby mountains are supposed to have as much as a foot. There have not been many hikers arriving at Miss Janet's recently, so it is hard to say for sure.Today's prep hiking involved a brisk walk of about two miles to the local Food Lion store. Purchased a week of food for my Fontana mail drop prior to starting the Smokies later. I say brisk walk because the wind was something else. Just about everything else is done. Still on schedule to head down to Springer the evening of March 4th and starting on the 6th.Good luck to everyone else who is either hiking or about to start. Best wishes to all.
Date: 2005-04-29
From: Onward & Upward

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, it has been a long time since I last updated here. My apologies to everyone who waited patiently.As most of you know, I went back to Amicalola State Park during the first week of March and re-hiked the approach trail to Springer. There I met up with the friends that I planned on thru-hiking with. We all got started, hiking slow at first and setting up our tents at campsites each evening. But before we could get to Neals Gap, an unexpected snow/ice storm had hit and my friends realized they needed a brief break to get some more suitable gear. They took a brief detour to an outfitter and I marched on towards the hostel at Neals Gap.Arriving at Neals Gap, I found a note from my friends saying they had passed through about a day earlier and were slowly heading north. So, I figured I¢d spend one nite at the hostel and head out in the morning. Well, something inside me made me question the hike. Not really sure why. Just a feeling that I needed to get back to work and make some money. Also, I had been trying to get over a failed relationship that ended in December ¢ and I thought hiking the trail would help. But it really didn¢t. Instead, I was doing a thru-hike where I wasn¢t enjoying much of anything. That is a terrible way to spend a thru-hike on the AT.So, I made the decision to head back towards where I lived/worked ¢ greater Washington DC area. I spent a little bit of time at Bears Den ¢ wonderful folks there: Queen Diva and Dave. If you haven¢t heard yet, Queen Diva is fixing meals for all the hikers who stay a night there. Some VERY good food!!!Now I have an apartment in Germantown and a new job at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington DC. Maybe now I can work on my personal feelings about the failed relationship ¢ concentrate on myself, if you know what I mean.In hindsight, I probably should have kept going when I reached Erwin, Tn. Maybe I would have worked out the inner issues by pushing forward. But that is past history. I am very proud of having had the opportunity to start a winter thru-hike with the likes of Hydro Heidi, Cocoon, Hercules & Fal, BlueVist, and Alpha. My thanks to all the folks at the various hostels along the way ¢ especially Miss Janet.I wish everyone who is currently thru-hiking the very best. You have my greatest admiration and envy.Hope those of you who have emailed will stay in touch.
Date: 2005-09-01
From: Germantown, Maryland

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello everyone,This will probably be a last update to my Winter, 2005 attempt at a NOBO thru-hike. Thanks, again, to everyone who was involved or assisted.I wanted to also congratulate all of those fellow hikers who persevered to Katahdin. I'll definitely start again in 2006 - probably in early April. The winter "experiment" was exciting but required just too many compromises. It wasn't for me.I'll work on a new site here in the months to come - see everyone then.
Date: 2005-02-09
To: One Month Left...
Miles today: 0.0

Well, there is a little over a month left until the train leaves the station. I'll be departing Providence, RI at 10:16am March 10th and arriving at Gainesville, GA sometime around 7am March 11th.There's still a fair bit to do - pack, unpack, repack etc. Do a little more training (I've been slacking in this department recently). It's time to start seriously researching food too. 2 pounds/day of nuts, dried fruit, peanut butter, and pasta. Woo hoo! How on earth am I going to eat enough calories?Well, that's all for a first entry, I'm looking forward to communicating with people through this little device, and hope that it's useful to ya'll out there.Peace,Jay
Date: 2005-02-09
To: The gear list...
Miles today: 0.0

Right - So, I'm not a particularly light weigh hiker. Ok, that's not true, I am very light, but my pack isn't. I think I made some gear choices early on which committed me to this path (especially the pack and the bag) I don't have OZ measurements for everything, but I hope it's all detailed enough that you know what it is. Startig March 12th I don't want to be cold, and I expect to be loosing both layers and trading out my sleeping bag and maybe even my pack when it gets warmer and I get lighter.Tonights pack weight was basically: 29.5 LBS w/o FOOD (but including fuel and 1L water). That's not bad really - theoretically with food it should stay under 40 lbs. But I really was hoping to end up with a total of around 35. ::sigh:: Anyway, that weight included:Big Three:Gregory Palisade PackTarptent SquallSierra Designs Spectrum 0°F BagCompression SackTherm-a-Rest Prolite 3Cooking/Eating/cleaning:stuff sacktooth brushtooth pastepolar pureolive oil (5oz)dr. bronners (2.5oz)pepper (1oz)matchesPlatypus pour capTi Spork.8L Ti pot w/ Lid/panstove stuff sackMSR Whisperlite w/ windshield11oz fuel bottle W/ white gas fuelfuel pumpClothes (packed):REI Pack coverMarmot Precip JacketMarmot Precip PantsMarmot Softshellwindstopper gloveswool hatcompression sack containing:1 pair underwear2 pair Smartwoolbalaclavaglove linersmid weight Capaline bottomsEW capaline topLL Bean fleeceOther:Leatherman WaveU-Dig-It Trowelfirst aid kitplatypus w/ drink tubeheadlamp1L Nalgene W/ 1L waterNot Included in Weight:to be added to pack:Food (duh)Food BagBearbag/ aux. Line1 bandanalightercameraextra batterieswhisperlite tooljournalwaldies camp shoesto be worn:Convertable pantsLW capaline top1 pair underwear1 pair smartwoolbandanabootsgaitersLeki Super Malaku poles
Date: 2005-02-12
To: The Boots The Boots!
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I spent a good hour and a half yesterday at Bob's Wilderness House in Boston. Holly Cow, this I think was the first time that I've ever talked to someone about boots who really knows what he's talking about. Reid, the boot guy, was awesome. Ok, so I haven't bought any yet, but I think tomorrow I'll be going back to buy some. Nothing the previous three times I've tried on boots has seemed to be good, but yesterday we made progress. There is hope yet that I'll have something on my feet when I leave for GA. Thank goodness. So from now on, REI is done - when you've experienced the real deal, why would you go anywhere eles. Bob Smith's Wilderness House. Check it out. It's like heaven.
Date: 2005-02-15
To: The Boots! And a nice hike.
Miles today: 0.0

This weekend I did indeed get boots, after much anticipation. Reid helped me pick out this pair of LOWA Vertex, and although they look completely goofy, I think they are going to be great. They were a tad pricy, but if they hold up a while it'll be all worth it. Kind of light, very comfy, and awesome ankle support. Got a pair of cork footbeds in them, with added arch support, and a slight heel lift to give me more volume in the boot. These boots have been officially "pimped out".Today I got to test them out, though not exactly under AT conditions. I took a nice, though a little short, hike from Crawford Notch, NH, up to the top of Mt. Pierce (4310'). I took my pack with me with a bunch of stuff, but it was by no means fully loaded. In AMC's parking lot I met a family who was out to do the same thing I was. We had a great time, though i was breaking trail myself most of the way in fresh snow between 3 and 6 inches, with some pretty good sized drifts up the top. So, I'm not counting snowshoeing a good test of the new boots, but that will come soon enough.Anyway, after a great hike they took me out for pizza in Conway. Thanks Sue! A fantastic day.
Date: 2005-02-22
To: The Nitty-Gritty of Preparation
Miles today: 0.0

Today begins the bout of final preparations. I'm getting my bounce box all set to go - which I will ship to myself, and will forward to myself up the trail. This box will have all my maps, repair kits, bulk bottle of Dr. Bronners, sections of the Thru-Hiker's Companion, and I don't know what else.I've posted the first two places where I will be stopping to get mail. If you want to send a note you can always do it electronically, or for real paper go to the "mail drops" section to the left of this page and you'll see a list of where I'll be and when. I'll be updating the list and adding to it as I go, so it should stay current.Although there's a layer of snow outside, I'm going to hopefully have a hiker evening tonight and cook and sleep in the out-of-doors. Temps look like they'll be a bit below thirty, which hopefully will be a good test run of clothing sleeping and cooking gear. I know that I've been cold in my sleeping bag before, even though it's rated for 0°. I think that that was becauase I didn't have enough food in my belly, and therfor didn't have enough calories to burn, so I'm going to fix that problem this time. My clothing, I think, is going to be plenty warm. 2.5 insulating layers for the torso, and a shell, and nylon pants and long underwear for the bottoms. We'll see!
Date: 2005-03-01
To: Why am I hiking the Trail?
Miles today: 0.0

Why am I hiking the Appalachian Trail? Lots of people have asked that question in the past few months. First, for those who do not know what the AT is exactly, I would recommend checking out the Appalachian Trai l Conference website. The ATC is the federally designated overseer of the entire trail.But back to the question at hand. Why? I have given many answers, and I'd like to just touch on a few of them before I leave. First a couple of the more obvi ous reasons and then the more philosophical.1) Solitude 2) Community 3) Hard Work (spreadin' freedom) 4) Natural Beauty 5) Challenge and Reward.6) A test of will. The rest of my life I plan on devoting to, as I say somewhat sarcastically, saving th e world. Can I do that? Can I hold steady and determined in a sea of American consumerism and rat racing? Can I get up every morning, stick feet into cold wet socks, into cold wet boots, and go wade through the mud? Can I motivate myself to do all the little things necessary to achieve a big goal? (2,174 miles in 5 months.. holy cow)7) A lesson in simplicity. I strive to make my inner life as well as my external material life as simple as possible. Living out of a backpack for 5 months I hope w ill teach me lessons about how simply I can live which will carry over into the rest of my life when I return from the trail. It could be that I become totally disillusioned with trail life and keeping things simple, but I don't think it'll happen. I believe that happiness derives from putting in hard work to achieve something or build something, not from material comfort. I hope that this hike will reinforce that 100 fold.8) A study in positive social interaction. What draws me into politics i s a believe that given better institutions and systems of social interraction people will be better. I think that the trail is a place where peace love and harmony are going to be more the norm than in every day "civilization". I'm interested to see how that works out, and what it is that makes it possible.Alright, well those are enough ramblings for now. Only 10 days until I hit the trail. Peace and Love to All,
Date: 2005-03-10
To: Today is the Day
Miles today: 0.0

It is time to add the last entry about my preperation. Everything is prepared. Today I leave on a 10:15am train leaving Providence, RI. And yes, just so we're clear, I will arrive in Gainesville, GA at 7:35am tomorrow morning, making this indeed a midnight train to Georgia.My bag is packed. My bump box is ready to be shipped to Hiawassee, GA. I am pretty calm, even excited. My mother is worried. I got a good night's sleep last night. The future is wide open. My only worry or sadness comes in departing from friends, especially Liana, but I will carry her and everyone else who has lent an encouraging word with me on the walk north.So stay tuned for the next entry (who knows when that will be?) for new exciting journal features like daily milage, shelters stayed at, pack weight, and who knows what else. At some point I'll be able to add a bunch of photos. Payton has volunteered to let me mail him the cards from my digital camera, and burn them to CD and put them on the web.So, I guess technically it's all in the bag. Thank you so much to all who have helped me along in this process, and who have encouraged me or simply said "that's cool". The reaffirmation of my decision to go, which started out very tentatively at first, has got me to the point where I am deeply committed to this hike, and look very much forward to this. If anyone else is going to be out there this year, let me know!Much Love,
Date: 2005-03-11
From: Today is the Day

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: scattered clouds

First Day!Made it up the Approach trail from Amacalola Falls State Park in easy style. Had some flurries on the way up, and stayed at Stover Creek Shelter with some cool folks, had a nice fire, and Life was good! Ran into Mack and his Sunshine, who should be on Trail Journals somewhere. Look them up - they'll have pictures.My batteries in my camera died after Amacalola, and so haven't taken any yet. Ah well. You won't get to see them for a while anyway, and I need to fill up a card and send it to Payton to put on the web, but some day the pictures will come.That's all for now!