morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-02-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today in class my professor (Dr. Klatsky) suggested to me that I should keep a journal of my hike. I have been debating whether I should keep a journal or not, but today I decided that this would be the best way to share my adventures with those who are interested.         So far my preparation has been going smoothly. I have bought all the gear I will need and have planned all the re-supplies and mail drops (Thanks to Greg). All that is left is to intensify my training, pass my classes, and when it gets closer to the start date, buy the food for the mail drops. I have saved more than enough money for both on the trail and post trail until grad school starts.        Once I¢m on the trail, I will do my best to update the journal entries and photos when I¢m in the towns .
Date: 2005-02-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

During my planning for this trip, I thought since I¢m hiking the trail anyway, that I should do it for charity. The Rose Resnik Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired were interested in my story. I gained a partnership with them and was able to use the hike to raise money for them. They suggested that I could contact outdoor equipment manufactures and let them know of my plan. They may be willing to donate gear. About a month later, Jansport sent me a nice internal frame backpack. Badger Co. sent me some foot and muscle rubs and Petzl sent me a handy head lamp. I was also surprised that Rose Resnik Lighthouse featured me in their News Letter announcing my adventure. If interested, you can check it out here: http://www.lighthouse-sf.org/publications/infocuswinter2004.htm
Date: 2005-02-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I just got a call from my friend Phil informing me that my professor for the two classes I have today is not on campus. Great news huh? So, I decide to add to my journal. This entry will be dedicated to answering questions I am asked all the time about the trail. Some of you might find this information redundant.Q: Are you going alone or with a group?A: I will be going alone but even with my late start in the hiking season I still will be meeting other Thru-hikers on the trail.Q: When do you plan to start and finish the trail?A: Most people take between 5-7 months to hike the trail. I will be leaving New York on May 13th, with my parents who will be driving me to Georgia. I will hit the trail on the 15th. I plan to reach Baxter State Park, Maine around October 15th where my pick me up.Q: Are you scared?A: I have a few fears, which I¢m sure I will overcome on the trail. I HATE SNAKES! Especially, the poisonous ones. I¢m also worried about ticks and lime disease. From what I understand this seems to be a big problem on the trail. I am sure I'll be just fine.Q: Are you going to carry a cell phone in case of an emergency?A: Nope. It most likely won't get a reception in the backwoods, and if I do then I am close to a town. The phone itself is extra weight and even with proper attention it can become damaged. Q: This question I love¢¦ How are you going to carry 5 months of food?A: I¢m not. I will be able to carry at the most two weeks of food. I will be coming across towns where I can re-supply in stores and have food sent to me from home. I will be able to take a few days off in hostels and hotels, make phone calls, do laundry, scrub the dirt off me, update pictures and journal entries, and eat big, fat, greasy cheese burgers followed by frosty beers once I make it to a town.   If you have any questions, email me and I'll post the question and answer.
Date: 2005-02-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today was my 25 birthday! I didn¢t have any plans today, except some homework and watching a lil¢bit of the game (mostly the commercials). To my surprise, my parents called and said they wanted to come up. They came and we had a great time. We went for a hike at the Fair Haven State Park. Afterwards, we came back home to my mother¢s home cooking and ice cream cake. It was a wonderful surprise to have them visit. Sadly, they couldn¢t stay long because of the long drive home and work in the morning.         While we were out, Phil and Matt called to see if I wanted to go watch the game at Matt¢s house. I declined though. I don¢t really get into the game like others do. Phil called me at half time and asked if I was hungry. I invited him over for some leftovers and watched the game a little. He wanted to get out of there too. He¢s no a huge football fan either.         It felt good to get a day hike in. I carried a 40 lb pack for training purposes. I carry this pack to school as well. It¢s part of my training for the trail. I can¢t wait to start. Whenever I have a free moment I am thinking of the trail. Well, I¢m off to bed to dream of the trail. Night!
Date: 2005-03-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I have had the whole week of school off. My plans were to get all my major papers and experiments done for this semester so it would have been smooth sailing until it was time to leave. What actually got done this week was very little school work and 3 days of buying and packaging food. All my mail drops are ready to be sent out. Wednesday night when the final shopping was done and all of the food was spread out in the living room I became overwhelmed. There was so much food and so much planning to be done! Can I eat oatmeal all week? How many rolls of TP will I need in that box? Did I remember to add batteries for the camera and headlamp? Will everything in this box fit into my pack? I would look in the box and say to my self ¢that doesn¢t look like 7 days of food¢, even though I carefully counted the meals and snacks. Well I¢m glad all of it is taken care of. I should get some school work done now. Senioritis is real bad, almost debilitating. P.s. I am looking for a transcriber for this journal while I am on the trail. I would mail you hand written entries and send a CD with the picture to be added to the journal. If interested please email me at manfire80@yahoo.com or sign my guest book. Thanks!
Date: 2005-03-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

All right folks, I need your help. I have been thinking of getting a GPS, but I don¢t really know what a GPS can do exactly. The one I have been looking at, found on www.rei.com is called the Garmin eTrex Legend C. I don¢t understand all the GPS jargon and was hoping you could help. How helpful would this device actually be? Thanks!Manfire80@yahoo.com
Date: 2005-03-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Reality check. I am no longer that hard charger paratrooper that can run 10 miles under an hour, work all day, then jump from a plane at 2am, ruck 12 miles back from the drop zone,catch a few hours of sleep, and then make it to PT at 6:30 in the morning. Four years of college has made me into a lazy slob. Drinking all hours of the night, ordering pizza, sitting in class, and in front of my computer has done me no good. I have been training for the trail by walking to and from school with a 40lb pack. The school is about 3 miles away. This I have no problem with. I have also been walking with the pack at night and sometimes in the early morning before school. This isn¢t enough though. I have recently added stair climbing to my training. I have a 2hour break between classes, so I spend one hour climbing up and down the four flights of stairs. Climbing those stairs made me realize that I was out of shape. It¢s not hopeless though. One thing I learned in the Army is how to push myself. I will be back in no time.
Date: 2005-03-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Thursday I came home from class and checked the mail to find a surprise. It was an envelope from the Army Human Recourses Command. Now- I have been out of the Army for 4 years and couldn¢t imagine what it could be. Inside the envelope were a travel voucher, direct deposit form, and two sets of orders to report to Ft. Jackson, SC. I was to report on Monday for mobilization processing for Operation Iraqi Freedom. I thought to myself that it must be a mistake. How can I get orders at all? I have a visual impairment now, what good would I be over there? How can I get orders on a Thursday and be expected to report the following Monday for war? I have to finish my last semester of school and hike the trail! This can¢t be right. I tried calling the Army Human Resources Command in St. Louis, MO and talked to a Sergeant over there. He said that I needed to do was apply for an exemption because of my vision and he would extend my report date 30 days, so I can have time to complete the exemption process. He then told me to call tomorrow at a new number for the exemption process. So, I did. I called and the Sergeant there said that my orders never got extended and that unless I complete and fax the forms for an exemption and supporting documentation to them by Monday than I would be considered AWOL. Needless to say, I spent the day filling forms out, preparing documentation, and faxed the forms to them (which I hope they received). I hope that takes care of it.
Date: 2005-04-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

It turns out that I am going to be able to leave earlier than the 15th. I talked with my professors and they are allowing me to take the finals early. I should be on the road, heading south on Friday, May 6th. I can¢t believe it is only two weeks away before I start the trail. I have been planning this trip for close to 2 years and now the time has come to actually start. As I am typing, National Geographic is on the TV. They are having a special on snakes. Have I mentioned that I hate snakes? When I talk to people about the trail they always show concern for bears or drunken hillbillies in the woods. These I could care less about. Snakes especially the poisonous ones are my concern. After watching TV specials, talking to other hikers, and reading about snakes there still has been no confirmation to the most important question about my hike. If I get bit deep in the woods, no one around, and no way out¢¦.will I die? Or is it just a painful experience that will pass as the body takes care of it? If you know the answer to this please email me. When I do ask that question the replies I get are ¢just watch your step¢ ¢they are more afraid of you than you are of them¢ or ¢try to make it to help¢. This worried me because they never answered my question. I bought another toy for the trail. It¢s a GPS unit. I was skeptical about the actual need for one, but I think it¢s going to be helpful. The rationale behind the purchase is that if it is 6pm and I am about to quite for the day and the GPS unit shows that it is only 2 miles to the road where I can get to a town I could push on. It can also keep an accurate track of my miles, pace, and objective point. Overall, it will be able to save me time and disappointment. A few weeks ago I was my parents came up and we went to the Sterling Nature Center. We did a few miles out there and snapped a few pictures. As we were walking the trails I was thinking to myself, this is all I am going to be doing and seeing for 5 months and I liked that idea.
Date: 2005-04-28
To: Sam the Transcriber
Miles today: 0.0

I just wanted to make a quick post to introduce myself to the readers of Manfire's Trail Journal. My name is Sam Conder and I'll be transcribing Manfire's 2005 NOBO AT thru-hike.I am from Midway, KY. I hike as much as I can anywhere I can. In the area I hike in the Red River Gorge and in the Big South Fork National Recreation Area. I have just begun section hiking the AT and have only completed a small section, from Neels Gap to Hogpen Gap. I often sit at work and daydream of one day thru-hiking the AT but I suppose I will have to continue to experience the trail vicariously through the Trail Journals of others.I am excited to have the opportunity to transcribe for Manfire, it has been something I have been anxious to do for a while. I will do my best to take Manfire's written notes and narratives and reproduce them here in his journal.Good luck Manfire and I hope to meet you on the trail one day!!
Date: 2005-04-28
To: Thank You
Miles today: 0.0

Hiking the Appalachian Trail has been a dream of mine for a long time. Now the dream is finally becoming a reality. I wouldn¢t have been able to make this a reality without the help and support of others. Family, friends, professors, and even those who I don¢t even know have supported me in many various ways. Each different way is just as important as the other in making this dream become a reality. Their support is very much appreciated and I would like to recognize them for there generosity in helping me make this once in a life time dream come true. Argenna, Sue & Chuck - My first donators to the causeCerneskie, Tony & Teri - Donating towards my airfareConder, Sam ¢ The tremendous generosity in transcribing Goodman, Phil ¢ My battle buddy throughout collegeIzzett, Richard ¢ My advisor who went the extra mile Klatsky, Gary - gave me the idea of keeping a journalLewkowicz. John & Cheryl ¢ Offering a GPS & moving me out of OswegoMike & Ariana ¢ thanks for the topographic maps for the GPSSargent, David ¢ we need more people in the world like youThomas, Lois (favorite J ) Always supporting meTrainforums.com and everyone¢s advice Wurst, Stephen ¢ Thanks for working ¢out side¢ the box with meSpecial thanks to Mom, who has helped me with food preparation and distribution, financial affairs, dog watching, and being an inspiration. Last, but not least a very special thanks to Dad who helped me with the logistics, including mail drops schedule, GPS programming, mapping, transportation, as well as moving me out and never complaining about all my phone calls.
Date: 2005-05-07
From: Southern Terminus - Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: few clouds

Day 1 ~I can¢t believe I¢m almost to Maine. (ha, ha!) Dad and I left Amicalola Falls SP and drove to Springer Mountain via USFS 42. We parked the car and walked 1 mile south to the start of the trail. We snapped a few pictures and talked with three guys who were out for the weekend. Dad and I then walked back to the car where we said our goodbyes.I headed north at 10:15 am and hiked 7.6 miles to Hawk Mountain. I was too excited to stop or eat lunch and rushed there. It was 2:00 pm when I reached the Hawk Mountain shelter. There I met ¢12 Strings¢ who was out for the weekend. He attempted a thru-hike in ¢99 but only made it to the Virginia border. There was also a retired couple, trail names ¢Ding 1 & 2¢. They said after today that they were unsure if they wanted to continue.Three guys from Georgia, Mark, Ben, and Neil were also there. They are only out for a month. I will probably hike with these guys for a while. Everyone tented except for me and 12 Strings who stayed in the shelter. I was about to experience my first night in a shelter with the mice which I heard so much about. As soon as it was dark the mice came out. You could hear them running across the wood. I took two pictures of one mouse. The first picture was the mouse on top of my backpack trying to get in. The second picture is the mouse son the ground with a trekking pole through it. I figured the best way to handle them is to go to sleep.
Date: 2005-05-08
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: clear sky

Day 2 ~Today¢s hiking was very difficult. I hiked 8.9 miles to Gooch Gap. By the 4th or 5th mountain I ran out of water. My mouth developed this white film. I was slightly light headed and my steps were starting to be staggered. When I ran into the first person I saw all day heading south I asked him if there was a water source up trail. He told me over the next mountain, about a 30 minute hike there was Justus Creek. I stumbled my way there and filtered water and downed 2 Nalgene bottles and filled them back up and headed down the trail.I reached Gooch Mountain shelter around 3:00 pm where the three Georgia boys were. We decided that tomorrow we will try to make it to Neels Gap, about 16 miles away. We looked over the maps and it looked like it was going to be a rough day. We would have to hike 12 miles to the base of Blood Mountain (the 2nd highest peak in Georgia) then about 4 miles over the mountain and into Neels Gap. We¢ll see how it goes.
Date: 2005-05-09
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Neels Gap / Blairsville, GA
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

Day 3 ~We made it to Neels Gap! It was rough though. Blood Mountain is no joke. At the top of Blood Mountain there is a stone building which is supposedly haunted. The story is there was a fight between two Indian tribes on the mountain and that after the fight the mountain was covered in blood and hence the name. Other hikers that stay up there claim that at night that can hear the fight or see the ghosts of the Indians. I took a picture of the building and then headed down to Neels Gap.I arrived there right at 6:00 pm just as the small hiker outfitter closed. The Georgia boys and I hitched a ride into Blairsville. We chowed on some Mexican food and split a hotel room. This town is very small so I don¢t think I will be able to get my pictures put onto a CD until Hiawassee, GA. I should be there in 4 to 5 days. I¢m off for some R and R.
Date: 2005-05-10
From: Neels Gap / Blairsville, GA

To: Neels Gap / Hostel at Walasi-Yi
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Day 4 ~Today I took care of all my chores. I picked up my mail drop, bought another water bottle, sent my journal entries in the mail, made my phone calls, and did my laundry. Me and some other hikers watched Wayne¢s World at he the hiker hostel connected to the Walasi-Yi center at Neels Gap.The stay at the hostel is free if you want to throw your bag on the floor, which I did. The people who work here say that 25% of the people who attempt to thru hike drop out at Neels Gap. I¢m not going to quit. Yeah, it¢s hard, but I think to myself ¢I¢ve been through worse¢. I¢ll be alright.
Date: 2005-05-11
From: Neels Gap / Hostel at Walasi-Yi

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 10.6

Day 5 ~I covered 11 miles today. My tent is setup at Low Gap. Today I stopped for lunch at Hogpen Gap where a road crosses the trail. There is a parking area where locals can jump on the trail for a hike. Well, I guess that is what one man did. As I was climbing up a mountain, I heard a man¢s voice say ¢How are you today?¢ I looked up while huffing and puffing to find a man about 10 feet away on the trail wearing nothing but sneakers and a fanny pack. I suddenly had the energy to make it over the mountain.Once again my mail drop was over packed. Neels Gap¢s drop had 5 days of food and it looks like I will be hiking more miles than I expected and will be at the next drop in 2-3 days. I thought I would be averaging 8 miles a day when I first started but I¢m doing well over that.Well, that¢s all for now, I have to get ready for nightfall, filter the water and hang the bear bag. Night y¢all¢¦
Date: 2005-05-12
From: Low Gap

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 9.4

Day 6 ~Well, it stormed all day and all night so my journal entries were smeared and illegible. I will do my best to remember what happened on what day. It seems like it has been one big day for the past five days.OK, so after leaving Low Gap I hiked to Unicoi Gap where the trail crosses a road leading into Hiawassee. I was planning on going to Hiawassee from Dick¢s Creek Gap, but it would have been the weekend when I arrived to Dicks Creek and the post office in Hiawassee may have been closed. This is why I decided to go in from Unicoi Gap.In Hiawassee I picked up my unneeded mail drop and stayed in a hotel with the Georgia Boys. We took care of our chores and ate at a Mexican Place called ¢Monte Alban¢. After the meal we drank some beers and Mark, one of the Georgia boys picked up a guitar and started playing. We were in the back room singing and drinking and having a good time. Other hikers and customers came and joined us. They were calling out requests and the workers at the Monte Alban gave us a discount on the bill. After that we went back to the hotel and slept it off.
Date: 2005-05-13
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 7 ~I arrived back to the trailhead fairly late (12:30) but still put in about 11 miles to Tray Mountain. It was beautiful up there.I arrived to Tray Mountain in good time, about three hours before the Georgia Boys did. I wanted to push on for a few more miles though. I figured I would get a snack, filter some water and relax for a bit and see if the Georgia Boys show up. While I was waiting, another hiker arrived and suggested that I hike with him. I thought about it as I did my chores and talked with him. When I finished with the chores, there was about another hour of daylight left so I declined. Another reason I declined was because of the weird vibe I got from talking with him. I wanted to play it safe so I didn¢t push on with him.The Georgia Boys finally arrived and we decided to lay our pads and bags out on the rock that overlooks the mountains. We were hoping that the rain would hold off but it didn¢t. We scrambled to the shelter 30 minutes later. At about 1:30am I woke up and saw a headlamp coming towards me. It was that guy that I was going to hike with earlier. He said that his campsite got overran by wild boar so he hiked back. Now, if I was him I don¢t think I would have hiked back, it would have been a waste of energy. If I had to leave camp I would be heading north not south. Live and let live I guess.
Date: 2005-05-14
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

Day 8 ~Since I¢m rewriting this because of the storm, I¢m not sure how many miles I did today. My guess would be around 12.I woke up early and planned to hike to Plum Orchard Gap, 14 miles from Tray Mountain. There was a thick fog over the mountain that gave it an eerie look. Heading down the trail this morning I could the trail and the surround ground was tore up by the wild boar digging for food. It was very interesting to look at and slowed down my pace. I eventually arrived at Dicks Creek Gap in the rain and set up my tent. My tent and everything in my pack was soaked. There was thunder and lightening all night.As I was setting up my tent, another hiker passed by heading south to the road. It was ¢Shoe¢ and he didn¢t have his pack. I met him back at Neels Gap a few days ago. He said he hid his pack and was going to Hiawassee Hospital. One of his feet was about twice as big as the other, some how it got infected. He will probably be off the trail for a couple of weeks.
Date: 2005-05-15
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: light rain

Day 9 ~I woke up in the rain today. Everything more soaked than the night before. I ended up hiking to Muskrat Creek and crossed into North Carolina. It was great to be done with Georgia. I stopped at the border and took a picture and rested.From there it was only 2.7 miles to Muskrat Creek. I figured I had plenty of time and I would knock that out in about an hour. I was wrong. North Carolina was not very welcoming. It was straight uphill, no switchbacks. Every step I took my calves and thighs burned and twitched. It ended up taking me 2 12 hours to do the 2.7 miles. I got to the site, ate, and went to sleep.