morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-02-19
To: Introspect...
Miles today: 0.0

I am getting some really good impressions of the people I will be hiking with this year. Wish I had signed in immediately following the end of my hike this summer. But I still would not have been ready to make journal entries until I did, so... I am here now doing what I need to be doing ... just like I will be on the trail. I am truly impressed and entertained by the journals of the 2004 group. I hope I get to know a lot of you out there this spring, summer and fall. And traildays should be a blast this year. I am hoping we don't get the rain that the 2003 hikers had. And I am not too anxious to hike in extreme cold, but I know I can.    One thing I am picking up on that really suprises me is all of the "training" everyone seems to be doing for this hike. I know it seems important, and we should all be in fairly good health at all times, but I don't know of anything that gets you in shape for hiking the AT except hiking the AT. It's not like some kind of a race, or marathon. And walking 3-4 hours a day is not like hiking up and down mountains for 8-10 hrs a day every day for 6 months. I know I need to get out and stretch my legs a bit before I actually start the hike, but I don't expect to do more than I can do comfortably. I may push it once or twice in the first week, and then push myself more in the second week to get some kind of a pace going, but it is always unlike anything else. I know it will be tough the first few weeks no matter how much I train. And I may settle on the average 15 mile day that I stuck to in 1995. Throw in a few 18 - 20s and coast some long days on the flatter portions. This time I would actually like to walk out of my way a little more than I did back in '95. There are some spectacular sights to see just off the main trail. Hope I don't miss them this time.
Date: 2004-02-20
To: Wasting time?
Miles today: 0.0

Reading the journals of others is quickly becoming an addiction I cannot afford at this time. Come on guys and gals, stop being so damn interesting and fun!!! Well, I will try to spend the next 3 days with minimal time online. Anyone starting their hike, I wish you good hiking and a safe journey. Live the hike, don't try to define it.
Date: 2004-02-24
To: No new gear for me.
Miles today: 0.0

I would love to say I am getting some new gear for my hike or am stockpiling food for mail drops. Truth is I am just trying to sell off some things so that I can get my first food supply once I reach Georgia. And as much as I hate bus trips, that will be how I get from PA to GA, it is the cheapest. I just hope I don't have to borrow the money for it. I already owe my friends way too much for their help and support. I would really like to find out that the weather this year is much better than the weather last year. To all I wish a good hike.
Date: 2004-02-28
To: Decision
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I have finally come up with a start date. I will try to be on the AT on Sunday March 14, 2004. This way my friends/family in GA can be with me. I just hope it works into their plans.    I got to see my good friend Gene(who I hiked cross country with) on Thurs/Fri. He had a few concerns that I hadn't expected. But then I guess what is obvious to me isn't necessarily obvious. He knows that I will make it to Maine, doesn't have a doubt. He was more concerned about what I would do AFTER the hike. Some people(maybe most) know where they are going and what they will be doing after this adventure. The only thing I know is that I will not be where I am now and I will not be doing what I have done the past 5 months. Beyond that will be determined along the trip or afterward. I am pretty sure I will try to stay somewhere a little more mild in the winter than Pennsylvania. The past 2 winters have been WAY too cold and white for my taste. I can always visit. I like to travel anyway(in case you have not guessed). I would love to become/stay a member of the trail community in some way. So hopefully I will find a place along this trip that I would like to call home and make my way back after the hike. I really wouldn't mind the cold so much if I didn't have the transportation problems that have plagued me in the winter time. The best thing about living where you work is that you don't have to commute in bad weather. But unless and until I find a place North of the Mason Dixon line that will make me happy, I am still thinking SOUTH.(as I sit and shiver at my computer) As most of you understand, this last week or so just doesn't seem real. And yet, from past experience, I know that it will be here soon. Ready or not, I will be on the AT in about 2 weeks. I have seldom been ready for the first day of any of the adventures I have been blessed to participate in. Often because of overplanning. Or was it time constraints? Or maybe just procrastination! Nah! Couldn't be that!!! It helps to see some of the feelings written in the pages of trailjournals. I am excited at the thought of meeting this group of hikers. This site has really made a difference in the pre hike. And if/when I plan another adventure, I will surely take my first steps by visiting and signing into trailjournals.
Date: 2004-03-01
To: less than 2 weeks
Miles today: 0.0

Wow! Getting down to the wire. The excitement just growing! As many times as I have been in this position, the feelings never go away! I have enough money to get started now... and my income taxes still haven't made it into my account. So I will be able to make my projected start date. YAY! Not that I would have hesitated anyway. If I had to, I would have slept in shelters and/or on a tarp until the money came to get a tent. And I have hitchhiked cross country, so down to Georgia with a backpack would have been pretty easy (relatively). Anyway, if anyone wants to check out a really nice website, go to http://wonderofitall.com This site was forwarded to me from a very good friend of mine. It is basically a "slide show" done in flash. Very well done. So ... 13 days to finish my prep, and get to the trailhead. And I just remembered recently that I left my redwood hiking sticks in Boulder, CO. So I will have to make some more with sticks from the AT. So back to packing I go.          See you on the trail
Date: 2004-03-03
To: Trail Days
Miles today: 0.0

Hey everybody, I was just checking the date for traildays and found the new site for this years celebration.http://www.traildays.nstemp.com/I was there in 1995 and had a blast (rain and all). Should be a great time... of course it's just a bit early to be thinking about that, I need to walk about 450 miles first. Or further. Still looking at March 14th as my start date... just picked up a non refundable one way ticket.          See you on the trail.
Date: 2004-03-07
To: One Week and counting
Miles today: 0.0

Introspect: I am still living the life of an unreformed procrastinator. I do just about everything to keep from finishing my packing and preparation. I have done most of the important things, and I know that it would only take me about 3 hours of concentrated effort to finish. I need to stop putting it off! I just keep thinking about the things I wanted to do before I leave that I cannot do... see friends and family in PA and NJ. Get down to the friend who's been selling my stuff to pick up more cash. It's hard to be transportation deficient! I feel so isolated. Well, I will be walking in a week, so I just need to forget what I cannot do. I will take the time to see my family and friends when I make it up to this area. I am really looking forward to meeting many of the class of '04 that I have been reading about in these journals. And I am anxious to be living the trail life once again.
Date: 2004-03-09
From: Honesdale, PA

To: Springer Mountain, GA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

This will be my last prehike update. I think I will be keeping all updates to this journal as short as I can.    I am so ready for this hike! I am so ready to be meeting my fellow hikers. And I need to get away from all the trappings of being isolated in the Northern Pocono Region of Pennsylvania. No transportation, nothing around for me to do.          A hiking I will go!!!
Date: 2004-03-10
From: Still in Honesdale, PA

To: Springer Mountain, Georgia
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

What is this snow stuff???!!! I woke up after about 4 hours of sleep, couldn't get back to sleep. I know I will do plenty of that on the bus today / tonight / tomorrow. I hate long bus trips! Going to see a good friend, then family. Hope I can find the shortcut to Springer on Sunday. I did the Approach trail in 1995 and not anxious to do it again. I will not be able to check this site or my email until I get to a town with some kind of connection (after the 14th) in a library or something. And I may not be able to get my pics uploaded as I would like. But I DON'T CARE! I am HIKING!!! YAY!!!   I have waited 9 years to get back on the AT. WAY too long. Now the fun begins.
Date: 2004-03-14
From: Springer Mountain, Georgia

To: Springer Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 0.2
Weather: broken clouds

Made it to the parking lot .9 miles from the Springer summit at about 1:50pm and started walking to the Terminus. I arrived about 2:15 taking my time to say hello to the people who were also hiking up and down the trail. I wrote down the trail names I could remember as I know that my short term memory gets overwhelmed at the beginning of all of my adventures. Too much input I believe... that's what I keep telling myself. Many hikers started without trail names. Some people I met were Bluebell, Mr. Adventure, Rachel (later known as Scholar), Grey Matter and Ladybug (2003 hikers. He was out gathering info for his Doctorate) Papa Bear and "Chilly Bear?" (not sure the name he would keep), Joanne (later known as Sampler), Spirit, Pegasus, Phil Mill (later known as Mad Scientist), Mark and Nathan. Most stayed at Springer Shelter or camped at the sites there. I also Met Pucca, Subaru, and Zach (their dog) from that campsite. I stopped early because I had never set up my brand new tent just bought from REI on Saturday night (3/13) and wanted to set it up at least once in daylight. I made it to the shelter about 4:20pm and cooked dinner at my campsite. Then I went back to the summit to write in the journal and find 2 hiking sticks.
Date: 2004-03-15
From: Springer Mountain Shelter

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, I finally did some hiking. Felt great at the start of the day. My legs quickly turned to rubber as I found out just how badly I had let myself get out of shape. Some nice hiking though. And I did fairly well on the level and slight downhill grades. My pack was pretty heavy (over 50 lbs.) and some of the mountains were pretty steep at times. Luckily they were not long steep inclines. I made it a point to check out the blue blazed points of interest on this hike and was pleasantly suprised to find that the Long Creek Falls was only .2 miles off the AT. A very serene and beautiful spot. Hawk Mountain Shelter turned out to be pretty packed. I arrived there around 3pm (still early) but was hungry and my legs wanted some rest. I was also having fun chatting with the people who were already there. I met Lil Bit and Moonstone. I also met Dutch (who is from New Jersey), Yola, and Paddler. And many of the people I had met yesterday stayed here tonight. Including Bluebell, Mr. Adventure, Pegasus, Spirit, Phil Mill (later named Mad Scientist), Papa Bear, Eagle Eye, Pucca and Subaru and Zach(the dog). The weather was not as nice as yesterday. But rain was minimal. I took my boots off about 5 times during the day. I found that if I let air get to my feet regularly, I can halt all signs of blistering and much of the pain. I got to use my new water filter today. I like it. Very light and easy to use. Though it seems to take a lot of pumping to get my nalgene bottle full. Much better than treated water. No floaties or nasty taste. Bluebell did a lot of firewood gathering and the fire was awesome. My Kelty pack is falling apart already. Is that supposed to happen in the first few miles??? I didn't think so.
Date: 2004-03-16
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Justus Creek
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: light rain

I will take it easy again today. Very sore in the morning. And lots of rain early in the morning. It also seems cooler today. Got a very late start (11:30am) because I didn't look forward to packing up in the rain so early in the hike. It got pretty nice in the afternoon and the sun came out before I was ready to leave the shelter. I really should have done some training before getting on the AT. And should have dropped most of the extra weight. These first few days would have been more pleasant to hike. But it's too late to think of such things. Just need to keep walking the miles. My pack is worse today. I will try to keep from making it worse. I may have to hike with it awhile. Today I hiked with Gaia, John(later named Missleman), and Phil Mill(later named Mad Scientist). I also met John(later named Yoda) and his dog(Lucy-later named Loose Lucy), Krispy Kritter, Brian(later named Boo Boo), Jim(later named Jimmy 2 pack) and Michelle(later named True Bliss) and their dog(Porkchop), and Nathan(later named Turbo Dog).
Date: 2004-03-17
From: Justus Creek

To: Stream @ mile 22.9
Miles today: 9.3

Well, I got an earlier start and pushed forward a bit today. I finished late because of my long breaks today. The stream was a nice place to camp. Lots of running water by my tentsite. I spent much of the day hiking with Gaia, John(MissleMan) and Phil Mill(Mad Scientist). But also saw Nathan(Turbo Dog), Jim(Jimmy 2 packs), Michelle(True Bliss) and Porkchop(dog), and John(Yoda) and Lucy(dog). We all made it to the same streamside campsites. There were a couple others here as well. I met Boo Boo and Crispy Critter at Justus Creek yesterday, and they seem to have moved on today. Lots of people doing 10+ mile days early in the hike. I was pretty tired after the 9. I will feel better and do more once I drop some pack weight and fat weight. I saw some hawks flying around Big Cedar Mountain. Some very nice views today.
Date: 2004-03-18
From: Stream @ mile 22.9

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Well today I took a short day. I made decent time to the shelter (a half mile from the AT) and had a nice lunch. Just after arriving at the shelter, the skys opened up with some cold rain. It stayed pretty cold for a few hours as people continued to pour into the shelter. Then warmed up a bit just before sunset. We have a pretty full shelter considering there are not many tentsites here and only room for 6 in the shelter. Met some new people, though I didn't write down (so I don't remember) many trail names or real names. Cantuck Huck made a great fire and kept it going most of the evening (and after I went to bed). Pete (son) and Joe (father), Brendan, Big John and Bo(dog) and Old Fogies Ltd stayed the night and we had some good discussions. Having a great time! On to Neels Gap tomorrow. Call the Bank and Kelty and get this POS Backpack taken care of.
Date: 2004-03-19
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: clear sky

Okay, Kelty SUCKS! They gave me 2 unacceptable options to take care of my pack problem. I didn't expect miracles, but I thought they would at least work with an outfitter to do something to solve my problem without too much financial strain. The good news is that my income tax made it to my credit union. Bad news there is that my atm/mastercard expires this month. I need to set up a maildrop... probably in Hotsprings, N.C. to recieve the new card. Getting off the trail for a few days to take care of my pack and other situations. Got to see most of my friends in Neels Gap today, and met some new ones. Went to AYCE dinner in Blairsville (All You Can Eat for those non-hikers) and then hiked about 2/3 mile into the woods to camp. Meeting Mom in the AM to get a ride off trail. Hope to be back ASAP. Hope I get to post while I am off trail too. Beautiful Sunny and mostly warm afternoon. Out of shelter about 8:30AM and into Neels Gap by 12:30PM after pics on Blood mountain. I like the new trail up to Blood mountain. Lots of steps (hard ups) but much shorter and nice tentsites along the way.
Date: 2004-03-23
From: Neels Gap

To: off trail
Miles today: 0.0

Spent Saturday with my mom and did some errands, got some money and a bit of supplemental food resupply. Hurt my back this morning grabbing my pack (did a one hand grab/carry) Even though I finally got my pack weight down to 50 lbs., I think I did a bit of damage to the spine... though temporary. Sore all day Sunday, didn't do much. Went to Walmart in the afternoon and just watched a lot of TV. Monday was a bit better. Went to REI and bought a great adjustable Lowes Pack for $150 and got a waterproof food bag so I can start to hang my food at night. After REI I went to my sister's house. Got to put my pics on her computer so my camera is free for new pics. So far this makes 4 ZERO mile days! That's frustrating. But my back feels better and I got some more internet stuff done today (Obviously!) I need to finish renaming pics and posting them to this site. Hope to be back on the AT by Thursday at the latest. Had to send back the waterproof food bag ! My food didn't fit in it.
Date: 2004-03-25
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: scattered clouds

11:00am I am back after 5 Zero mile days. I miss the friends I made. Will surely have to catch up with some of them. Going to kick out some miles today. Just met Tom. He started 3/19 and took 1 day off. Little Chicken should be behind me. 6:30PM Little Chicken is ahead of me by almost 2 days. I just read her entry in the Low Gap Shelter log book. I have developed a couple of problems with this 10 mile day, will need to slow back down for a bit. I don't think I have a chance to catch most of the people I started hiking with as they are 3 to 8 days ahead of me and I am still planning on doing some low mile days (under 10 a day). It isn't a race, but I would still like to see some of them again. Met Red Hank, Walkedalot, Crash Bang, Moo Juice, and Beagle at the shelter today.
Date: 2004-03-26
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: broken clouds

7:00am Really sore overnight. Slept until almost 7. Off and on. Woke @ 4:00am, but way too sore and tired to get up. Guess I get to continue hiking my own hike. I had thought I would get to hike some with Little Chicken, wanted to discuss her AT movie plans with her. A bit of a disappointment that she's gone, but as many miles as she is doing daily, it's a relief that I don't have to keep up with her... and I won't be slowing her down. Should make it past Blue Mt. shelter today. 4:00PM Well, I just went to the shelter. Took a short day to keep from making my chafed skin any worse. I remember this shelter from '95. I nearly froze that April night. And here it is ... beautiful weather in March. And still haven't slept in a shelter this year. Lots of room in my HEAVY tent. And if I don't use it every night, I just may be tempted to ship it ahead. Lots of bugs already. The past 2 days they have been swarming whenever I stop. Was a pleasant day. Though I kept thinking about the people I would like to see again. Just going to try to reach Hot Springs, NC by April 16th or 17th. There is a gathering there that I would like to catch. And maybe a few of the people I know will be there. Met and stayed with Red Hank and Walkedalot from Low Gap Shelter. Also met Zuma, the trail maintainer.
Date: 2004-03-27
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: clear sky

I am still chafing some... even on low mile days. The weather has been pretty warm. I got a good picture going up Tray. I met Flatlander and Pantless early just before Unicoi Gap. Flatlander is from Brynmawr, PA, and knows a family of Mosers from that area, I wonder if it is an inlaw of Edie's. Anyway, she says she will be near Monson, ME around the time we should be finishing the AT. Some more possible trail magic! Unfortunately Flatlander was having some cashflow and knee problems and had to get off the AT early. I hope she gets the opportunity to try a future thru-hike as I have. Also met Will and Jessica, Mike (later known as Jabberwocky) and Julia, Jeff and Becky and Deb (day hikers that I got to hike a couple of miles with) from Athens, GA, Carrie (later known as Half Full) and Roadster, Red Hank and Walkedalot also were at the shelter when I got here. And a few more hikers came in later. Had a good chat with Carrie and Roadster (a very good artist who has spent time traveling the world) and a couple of weekenders heading South. It is nice to make new friends all along the trail. Lots of bad knees and blisters out here this year. Luckily my knees are holding up well, and I have only found one blister (after it was almost healed). Then I am enjoying myself and not pushing too hard too early. I have plenty of time to start putting in the miles.
Date: 2004-03-28
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: broken clouds

7:45am Slept well, but still tired. Have been getting more than 8hrs of sleep each night. 10:50 Every day I feel better about taking my time. I sit here now listening to birds at my first stop of the day. Made good time to this campsite. Wanted a water break and to brush my teeth. I had forgotten in camp. Had a late start. Bugs still really bad. I am really enjoying the trail community this year. Everyone is great! I miss some names and continue to stay behind everyone, but I am doing well. My legs are getting stronger and I am dropping some body weight. Still putting in the low mile days. Decided to head to the Blueberry Patch after all. Even though I really don't have the money to stay at many places, I have such fond memories of that hostel from '95. I left late today and took my time knowing I would stop at this next shelter. And today was the best day for me so far. I have been in such great spirits the entire day! I am so very happy that I was not able to find a job and that I came up with the decision to hike this year instead of next. Life just seems to fall into place sometimes. I don't know why we have such a tendency to fight it or try to do things our own way. I am just happy at this moment that I let things take their own course. I have made some short term and long term decisions today that I am very happy with. Things that would not have entered my mind even yesterday. Some have been on the back of my mind and some have never entered my conscious thought. That is the greatest thing about meandering in the woods for days. At the shelter tonight are Red Hank, Indy (a real trail Angel - that is her real name), Zippy and Pokey, Mark (may use the trailname Monkey Man), Ben (Zippy has been calling him Boony), Taiwan John. I got a good group picture at the shelter, and also a picture of the sock trees in bloom. At Sassafras Gap today I got some great pictures of the Water Tree.