morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-05-11
From: Minneapolis

To: Knoxville, TN
Miles today: 0.0

I flew out of MSP (Minneapolis/St Paul) on Delta to TYS (Knoxville, TN), fully aware that the Greyhound Bus I needed didn't leave until 06:25 on Thursday. The trip to TYS was uneventful (although I did get an upgrade to First Class so I had several glasses of a very nice Merlot en route that I had not expected). Far short of a buzz, I found a taxi to take me from the airport to the downtown bus station. As the taxi was pulling up to the bus station, we were illuminated by flashing lights and a policeman pulled us over. It turns out the driver had turned off a timer function that might potentially pad my bill for which he was ticketed. He also didn't have his driver's license or cab card... Bad night for driver!   As I got out of the cab, the policeman told me that I should not leave the bus station all night but that I would be safe inside as there was an armed Sheriff on duty all night. Yes, indeed that was comforting information... NOT!   It has been many years (even decades) since I even thought about traveling by scheduled Interstate Bus. I think the intervening 45 years had dimmed my recollection of what this subculture is really like; I was soon to get a reminder. I spent a virtually sleepless night in the crowded (and noisy) bus station trying to get comfortable on steel chairs. My eyes were constantly scanning the many people circulating around the station, wondering who these people were, what were their stories, what brought them here so late at night and carrying what might very well be all they owned... I finally dug my Thermarest pad out of my pack, partially inflated it and crouched on two chairs, covering myself with my rain jacket. Signs all over the station warned that sleeping on the floor was prohibited although several people resorted to it in one corner. All I could hope was the next day would find me in a social milieu more familiar: Damascus, VA with Trail Days activities in full swing.
Date: 2011-05-12
From: Knoxville, TN

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Though I thought it might never come, 06:25 arrived and I boarded the Greyhound bus. It was a smooth ride but there was no way I could sleep to try to make up for the previous - sleepless - night. The 125 mile drive to Bristol, TN was uneventful but left me many miles from my goal. I know had to make my way to Abingdon, VA, a town only 16 miles North on Interstate 81 that also sat on US Hwy 58 that leads South East to Damascus. The biggest problem is that hitchhiking on an Interstate Hwy is illegal, so I had to hitch on Lee Hwy (US Hwy 11) which is basically a local trunk highway, traveled by mostly local traffic.   Over a period of four hours, I got two rides (one of only .25mi!) and walked over 4 miles, still 12 miles short of Bristol. I had resorted to waving a $10 bill instead of my thumb to entice drivers to stop. Even the currency had not worked. The only thing I had not counted on was Trail Magic... But that is what came to my rescue. A car pulled over behind me and a head popped out yelling: "TIC TAC"... It was a fellow hiker I had met on the trail, also headed to Damascus with his fiance. I gratefully got in and we set off to find Trail Days. I would be remiss if I didn't mention how distressing it was to see the incredible damage done to residences and infrastructure by tornadoes as we drove East on Hwy 58. Many houses were damaged or destroyed and the number of trees that had been blown over or (more incredibly) had their tops simply sheared off, was staggering. It was hard to maintain the excitement I had felt about experiencing Trail Days when I saw the devastation that had visited so many peoples lives just days before.   I was dropped off at The Place, where I set up my tent, changed into "trail clothes" and headed off to do some exploring. I walked to "Tent City" where I found that not many of the larger groups had arrived yet. Consequently the new camping area was a mere shadow of what it would be in 24-36 hours. I walked back into town and made the obligatory visit to Mt Rogers Outfitters, then went to the Laurel Bldg (had to ask for directions at the Fire Dept?) to watch a film about Mt Katahdin called Wilderness and Spirit. Then I made the first of many trips to the First Baptist Church (the very real spiritual epicenter of Trail Days) for a free meal. I became a little emotional when talking to some of the FBC volunteers about the selfless spirit that seems to drive them and that surrounds the AT. These people (many from churches far from Damascus) gather every year to serve the needs of strangers; strangers with packs on their backs, boots on their feet, dirt under their fingernails and a wanderlust in their heart. They serve with love in their hearts and a broad smile on their face; truly wonderful people. It started to rain so I retired to my tent, read a while and finally nodded off.
Date: 2011-05-15
From: Trail Days

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

The day dawned cloudy, rainy and generally depressing. Even though there were Trail Days activities planned for the day, the reality is that most hikers were more concerned about putting the last couple of days of celebration and debauchery behind them and getting back on the Trail. The Place was a maelstrom of activity with people packing and making plans. to be continued...
Date: 2011-08-03
To: on the mend
Miles today: 0.0

Hi everyone!I had a full knee arthroplasty done on 13July. The surgeon declined to do a partial replacement on the right, much to my chagrin. She said as active as I am, I would just wear out the partial in a couple of years and need a full replacement anyway. She says there are other ways to deal with the osteoarthritis next year on the AT. I am progressing very (VERY) well so far. It is just 3 weeks today and I am walking without a limp and without a cane. On Monday, my PT measured left leg flexion at 121° which he said is unheard of at only 19 days. I have been bike riding but he told me to lay off the stepper for at least another week or two...I hope I will be fit enough to thru-hike the Superior Hiking Trail (231 miles) in October and definitely will be gearing up to TH the AT in 2012. I have decided I will start in GA again rather than picking up where I left off in GSMNP. Not that I am a purist, it's just that I want to KNOW that I really did do a thru-hike.Thanks to all of you who have followed me thru this saga. I promise you many more photos and engaging journal entries as I ramp up to next year. And greetings to all of my trail friends who are still on the Trail. I know most of you are in New England now and wish more than you could know that I was there with you. Good luck and on to Katahdin!
Date: 2011-08-24
To: Getting Stronger every day
Miles today: 0.0

I am now six (6) weeks from full knee replacement (TKA) surgery and getting stronger every day. I biked 24 miles last Saturday and 37 miles on Monday. My physical therapist essentially discharged me from PT on Monday. He originally said I would see him for three months but after three WEEKS he said I was already meeting the benchmarks for "pre-morbid" activity and there was little more he could do for me. Yesterday when I saw my surgeon, she watched me walk up and down the hall, read the physical therapist's report, then said "for three months I had made very good progress". Then I told her it was only six weeks... She was literally speechless and had to check her computer to verify the 13Jul surgery date...I am using my stepper daily, ready to get to the gym to really start to work out and planning on my October TH of the SHT. I am confident that I will be at Amicalola State Park on 01Mar12, perhaps in the best health of my life and ready to start AGAIN on my TH. Thanks to all of you who have read my journal, even while I have been off the Trail. Sometimes it's a little overwhelming (I really am not feigning humility!) to know that so many people have taken at least a little of their time to read about my experiences on the AT.   For those who don't understand fully how important (and all-encompassing)the "community" that surrounds the AT is, TrailJournals.com is a wonderful introduction to the thousands of wonderful hearts that that surround those of us that love the AT and all it means.
Date: 2011-09-27
To: healing in a big way
Miles today: 0.0

I hit a milestone in my recovery, I climbed 1,000 feet (on my stepper) in 35 minutes! My heartrate was hovering at +-140 most of the time and I wasn't sure if I could make it. I feel my recovery from knee replacement surgery is complete, and in less than 3 months.As an aside, on 11Sep11 (infamous for other reasons) I was "T-boned" by a car. Unfortunately I was on my bicycle. I suffered a concussion and multiple cuts and contusions all along my left side. I had my first ever ride in an ambulance! My bike was totalled and it has taken a couple of weeks to get over the road rash, but I am moving on and shopping for a new cyclocross bike. Not sure if I will do my hike on the SHT or take a solo trip into the BWCA in October (after the ALDHA Gathering of course). The Pagami Creek fire in the BWCA has burned over 200,000 acres and is still only 27% contained. The smoke is moving south and east and is affecting most of the SHT, not the best conditions to hike in...?As I read the "final" entries of those friends who have topped out on the big K, I feel such elation for them and such awe at their accomplishments. If any of you are following hikers that are near completing or have completed their thru-hike, please leave a congratulatory message on their guestbook; now that they will have time to read them!
Date: 2011-10-10
To: WoooHooo! the PCT
Miles today: 0.0

I flew to Seattle on Saturday with my son. We fly free (flight benefits for airline employees is of inestimable value!). We rented a car and headed East for the mountains. We hiked about eight miles (almost unrelieved climbing...!) Northbound on the PCT, then drove close to a couple of alpine lakes for some trout fishing. The weather was cloudy and rainy on the coast but clearer and cool (high 40's) in the mountains. I was able to climb fairly well and mark it as another milepost on my recovery from TKA. If anyone knows Kathleen (2011 Northbound hiker from Portland? Maine) drop me a line. I would really like to see how she is (and where she is). Thanks!
Date: 2011-10-25
To: What a sad loss...
Miles today: 0.0

I am devastated to find just today that a wonderful fellow hiker Buffalo Bobby (Robert Yerike, NJ) died so close to completing his third thru-hike. He was only 20 miles short of reaching Mt Katahdin when he apparently suffered a fatal stroke. In an AP story, his daughter, Julie Cardoso said: "There's no other place that this man would rather be than on the trail."   I have run into Buffalo Bobby on three different occasions on the Trail, each time I was so impressed with his vigor, his enthusiasm, and his conviction that he was right where he should be, doing exactly what he should be doing. He will be missed by many in the AT community. You've earned your rest Bob.   As I consider my return to the AT next March, it is with sure knowledge that I, having had two strokes in the past, could share this end with the now departed - and sorely missed - Buffalo Bobby. I too know in my heart that I will be where I should be, doing what I should be doing.
Date: 2012-01-15
To: Bad news
Miles today: 0.0

I got bad news on Friday. The nerve pain that cut my 2010 hike short by a month has been getting worse, and has spread to both legs. I had a consultation with a Neurosurgeon and he says I have Grade 4 (scale 1>4 with 4 being the worst...) spinal stenosis at L4-5 and L2-3. It can be resolved with endoscopic laminectomy surgery but involves 60 +- day recovery. This of course rules out a NoBo thru-hike for 2012 (without considerable flip flopping). Assuming I make a speedy recovery, I may be able to do a SoBo in 2012, or perhaps section-hike a couple of months and plan on thru-hike in 2013...Obviously, I am upset (the reality that my body is simply deteriorating faster than my expectations can adapt?) but I will work with this and make something work. For all of my dedicated readers, it may be more realistic to take a break from the Journal for a while, and say more after the surgery has been completed...
Date: 2012-09-29
From: I need some help

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I am writing this entry in the hope that some hikers from the Class of 2011 will see it and be able to help me. On 29Mar11, I spent a night at the Hiker Hostel in Dahlonega, GA. It stormed terribly that night and it justified my decision to get off the trail and be under a dry roof for the night. That evening I was in a bunk in the basement next to a woman from Maine, Portland ME I believe. My contemporary journal named her Kathryn, but her name may have been Kathleen. She was grossly unprepared to start on the AT, and I spent hours with her, doing a major shakedown for her and dumping literally pounds of unnecessary junk. That evening, I also met Box Elder, Milkman, and Chopstick.Well, as anyone who has read my journal knows, I left the Trail after 230 miles because of intractable pain in one knee. I flew home and arranged for a full knee replacement to resolve the problem. I did however, travel back to Damascus for Trail Days. There I met Kathryn/Kathleen again. She had made it as far as the Kincora Hostel in Hampton VA, and planned on continuing NOBO on the Trail after Trail Days and the Monday work trip. I was still concerned with the level of her equipment, so I offered to loan her my tent, a few Platys and some clothing items. I gave her my contact info and took hers. Bottom line is that I have over the last year, exhausted all ideas I had to contact her. I would really like to get my tent back, and I would love to know if she made it to Katahdin. I believe she lives in Portland, Maine; she may own some sort of lodge or small resort; and she was hiking the AT to collect pledges for a local charity.If anyone from the Class of 2011 knows her, remembers her, has any ideas at all how I might contact her, I would really, really appreciate you help. I have included a photo of her from 29Mar11, but it really doesn't show her face. My contact information is on my profile here, so please feel free to contact me - or contact her and ask her to contact me.
Date: 2012-11-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

In Minnesota, we are still waiting for Winter to arrive... It is 45°F outside and I am still watering my perennial beds to make sure they have sufficient moisture when the ground does freeze.   I am getting more serious about physical conditioning for my 2013 TH. Spending more time on the stepper and bicycling more to increase aerobic conditioning. I am thinking of replacing my PreCip jacket with FrogTogs, and my PreCip pants with a home made silnylon kilt. I have made a pair of silnylon gaiters to replace my REI trail running gaiters, but still may try one more iteration of the design. I was able to purchase a new 1.5L MSR Reactor pot that may supplant my Evernew Ti pot for use with my alcohol stove. It is heavier but decreases boil time by almost 2 minutes, so will save time and fuel...   I am pretty sure I will be aiming for a 20Mar13 start date, so I will be updating my journal more often as that gets closer. Thanks to all of the folks that have been following me since Fall of 2010. I am looking forward to getting back on the Trail so much, and I hope you all will continue checking in on my progress!
Date: 2014-10-24
To: New Goals
Miles today: 0.0

It is now late October, the leaves are changing, but I am already thinking of Spring. I am heading to India again in just four days, more sightseeing and also finishing dental surgery that will free me of these damned partial dentures. Not having to hassle with dentures will be so freeing when on the Trail!After two abortive attempts to get back on the Trail in 2012 & 2013 for a thru-hike, I am now actively shooting for a 2015 SoBo thru-hike of the AT. The reasoning that went into deciding to do a SoBo this time basically is to miss the mass start that is so characteristic of a NoBo hike. Crowded shelters,persistent cold rainy weather, extreme weather in GSMNP, all are features of the classic NoBo experience, and experiences I would like to avoid.I will be 68 ( I still have real problems understanding how that happened??) when I start my hike in late June, 2015, but I think I'm better prepared and better conditioned than I have been in years. I seem to have resolved the thrombotic issues in my left leg, I am very comfortable with the new knee in that leg as well. I have further modified my diet and have found a comfortable weight and work out on a regular basis. I walk 3-4 miles (avg pace 3.5mph), at least 4 times a week and feel very strong. My base weight hovers around 18 pounds (I'm no ultralight gram weenie for sure) and I have finally found a pack that fits my extremely short torso (14.5") in the REI XT70. I am excited to finally get this done! I will start a new 2015 Journal this Winter, but for the time being I will just post on this one.I am investigating participating in the ALDHACare program in Spring 2015, so if any of you knows of a hostel that could use some help either preparing for, or dealing with, the NoBo surge, please let me know. I have skills in plumbing, electrical, carpentry (rough and finish), and love being around hikers.
Date: 2011-02-16
From: Springer Mountain, Southern Terminus of AT

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: few clouds

Welcome, old friends and new, to Tom and Brenda's AT Adventure! A great big "thank you" goes to Ron Brown of Amicalola State Park for shuttling us to the parking lot at Big Stamp Gap. It was already dark when we arrived at the parking lot so the only pictures we attempted was one of Ron Brown. Ron works in the park office and does shuttling anytime day or night. We recommend him strongly.We put on our headlamps and hiked to Stover Creek Shelter in the semi-darkness as there was an almost full moon to help light the way. We did short mileage on this first day of our hike. We invite you to join us on our latest adventure.War Eagle!
Date: 2011-02-17
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Horse Gap, Georgia
Miles today: 7.4

A beautiful day -- sunny and warm. We left Stover Creek Shelter on the AT which follows Stover Creek for some distance through a magnificent stand of virgin hemlocks in an area too remote and rugged for the trees to be harvested by loggers years ago. We passed an area called Three Forks which is where three mountain streams - Chester, Long, and Stover - converge to create Noontootla Creek. We took a side blue-bl;azed trail to Long Creek Falls to photograph the cascading waterfalls, a 25 foot drop.We stopped at Hawk Mountain Shelter to have lunch and just as we were leaving, a thru-hiker named Wood Rat arrived. He thru-hiked the AT in 1995 and this year he is going at least to Damascus and maybe further depending on how he feels.Our legs were tired and weary so when we got to Horse Gap we pitched our tent. It was another beautiful, moonlit night.
Date: 2011-02-18
From: Horse Gap, Georgia

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter, Georgia
Miles today: 4.9
Weather: broken clouds

Another beautiful day for a hike!   We left Horse Gap around 8:30 and traversed Sassafras Mountain, a precipitous climb. As all the hikers say, "Sassafras will kick your a_ _!" and this is a true statement. As we marched up the mountain, as well as two old people can march, our boots beat out a rhythm in the carpet of last year's dried leaves.   At Cooper's Gap we met a Lieutenant in the Civil Air Patrol scouting out a location for a fake airplane crash so they could have a mock search and rescue operation in this rugged area. As a courtesy to us he radioed in to receive the weather forecast for the next few days.   We we arrived at Justus Creek, there were three thru-hikers from Defiance, Ohio, taking a bath in the creek. They are certainly more intrepid than us to brave that cold mountain stream.    When we arrived at Gooch Mountain Shelter we met Pastor John, an interesting character, who pastors a large Methodist Church in Georgia and he is also an avid hiker, even with two knee replacements. He has section-hiked the AT over a period of years.   The three Ohio-ians, Rhino, China Girl, and Pops, joined us at the shelter along with two young ladies and their four dogs. The two girls were from Columbus, Georgia and they are thru-hiking also.   It was a musical night in the shelter; the popping of corn, the barking of dogs, the playing of classic rock music from an Atlanta radio station, and the echoing, occasionally, of muffled louies.    It was a great day to be on the trail.
Date: 2011-02-19
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter, Georgia

To: Woody Gap, Georgia
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: clear sky

Unbelievably, another beautiful spring-like day with moderate temperatures, little wind, and no rain! It was such a beautiful morning that there were several day hikers out enjoying the fresh air and sunshine.   We left Gooch Mountain Shelter looking forward to a good night's stay at the Hiker Hostel, which hastened our pace, even for two old folks.    We met two hikers from Waycross, Georgia, Kerry and Matt, out with their beautiful, show-quality Bassett Hounds, Lolly and Murphy, as we were coming down Ramrock Mountain.    When we and the three Ohio-ians got to Woody Gap, we got our first trail magic. A hiker named Reaper, from Temple, Georgia, gave us potato wedges, chicken and drinks for all five of us weary, hungry hikers. Thank you! Thank you!    We relaxed, showered, and ordered Pizza at the beautiful, spacious Hiker Hostel.    What a great day to be on the AT!
Date: 2011-02-20
From: Woody Gap, Georgia

To: Neel's Gap, Georgia
Miles today: 10.6

After a good Hiker Hostel breakfast, Josh dropped us off at Woody Gap and we started hiking on this beautiful morning.   The highlight of today's hike was Blood Mountain, a mountain which never fails to deliver awesome views of the surrounding Georgia mountains.   We were passed by thru-hiker, Zack ("Face Jacket") from Carthage, Mississippi.   We spent the night at the hostel at the Walasi-Yi Center, welcomed by Pirate, the jovial host and excellent chef at the hostel. We enjoyed 15 bean soup for supper. We can tell Pirate was in the Navy, in fact, he is a retired Navy Seal, because he rolls the towels instead of folding them.
Date: 2011-02-21
From: Neel's Gap, Georgia

To: Sapling Gap, Georgia
Miles today: 8.0

Happy President's Day. Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States said, "The sovereign invigorator of the body is exercise and of all the exercises, walking is best."    It was another unbelievably warm day for February -- a great day for hiking. The climb out of Neel's Gap seemed especially steep to us today, perhaps because our packs were heavy from re-supplying our food.   We are privileged to have freeze-dried foods, water filtration equipment, bags and clothes made from space-age fibers which are water and tear resistant, waterproof boots and socks, the latest in technology, all of which gives us the confidence to face the trials of the forest. We marvel at how the native American Indians and early pioneers like David Crockett survived, and even thrived, in the wilderness without all these modern amenities.
Date: 2011-02-22
From: Sapling Gap, Georgia

To: Red Clay Gap, Georgia
Miles today: 8.4

How fortunate we have been to have unbelievably beautiful weather thus far! The groundhog predicted an early spring but we are hesitant to put much faith in one small furry animal. We are prepared for colder weather. However, we were indeed surprised to see and photograph a small snake basking in the sun and stretched across the trail today.   A second thru-hiker, Delaware Dave, from Delaware, passed us today. We continue to play tag with Sandy and Kerry and their four dogs.   Our legs were weary so we pitched our tent at Red Clay Gap for the night.   What a great day for hiking!