morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-04-09
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Stop Pulling My LegWhat an interesting day. When I woke up and got out of my tent, I about fell on my face because my ankle wouldn't support me. There was no way I could hike, I could barely walk. Brother Mike helped me get packed up and we made it down to the road and walked about 0.1 miles to where there was a parking lot and we called for a shuttle to Franklin. Foghorn happened to be in town with his wife and they gave us a ride to the emergency room to get my ankle checked out. I was so afraid that it was something that would take me off the trail.The doctor told me that it was a sprain and that I needed to stay off of it for 4 to 6 weeks. He also put it on an air splint and gave me meds for the pain.After getting back to the hotel, we went for some pizza and beer. The pizza place offered a shuttle to and from our hotel so it worked out great for us.When we were ready to go back,we had to wait a few minutes because they were getting a pizza ready for delivery to the same hotel that we were staying at. I asked if the order was for room 119, Forghorn's room, and it turned out that it was, so we got them to let me write a message on the pizza box for them. (See attached picture). We got a great laugh out of seeing that get delivered to them.Anyway, since hours and days blur together out here on the trail, I have decided to pretend that the doctor told me to rest my ankle for 4 to 6 hours and I am going back out on the trail tomorrow and see how it goes. I am not giving up if I can help it.
Date: 2011-04-10
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: clear sky

Pain, Pain, Go AwayThis was definitely a tough day of hiking for me. My ankle hurt a lot for the first half of the day, especially on the downhill sections. It was going pretty slow for me. We stopped for lunch at Winding Stair Gap and I took some pain meds which helped a ton for the next couple of hours. By the time we got to our campsite though, I was hurting pretty bad again. It was very nice to stop for the day.There are about a dozen people at this shelter, but almost all of us are tent camping. We enjoyed a nice campfire and great socializing. I am hoping my ankle does not hurt too badly in the morning. I will take some pain meds first thing and hope they kick in quickly.Today's picture is of Brother Mike at an interesting sign on the trail.
Date: 2011-04-11
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiker Dance What a mess I was today. My ankle was completely killing me. I had no energy because of the pain meds, and we had a ton of uphills today. That being said, I made it anyway. 12.1 miles. Everyone at tonight's camp was amazed when I came walking up. Nobody thought I would make it here today. Brother Mike was an inspiration and helped keep me going. I am uploading a video of his antics at the first shelter. Just look under the video list. I have to do an 800-foot climb first thing in the morning and then the rest of the day is a downhill walk. Hopefully not too steep.Today's photo is a snake that slithered right across my boot while I was walking up the trail this afternoon.
Date: 2011-04-12
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Unknown Gap
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: clear sky

An Apple a DayWhen you hike less than 5 miles in a day, it is referred to as a nero day (near zero). That is what I ended up with today. After hiking over 12 miles yesterday and 3.5 miles today, my ankle could take no more. Today's hiking was mostly rough downhill in the rain which is the absolute worst for my ankle pain. I had to make a very tough decision and get off trail for a bit. My wife is driving in and taking me to Montgomery, AL for a week so that I can rest up and go see a sports medicine doctor. Brother Mike has continued on down the trail and I am sure that he will have a great time during his remaining few days of hiking.Don't worry, though. My trip is not complete by far. I will return to the trail in a week and hopefully fully healed up. When I get back out there, I plan to pick up speed because my body is feeling very strong.I will update this journal as soon as I have seen the doctor with my date of returning to the trail. Check back in a couple of days.Today's picture is of myself and Brother Mike as we part ways on the trail. Isn't that weather lovely?
Date: 2011-04-15
From: Unknown Gap

To: Montgomery, AL
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Achy Breaky HeartI went to the doctor yesterday and got x-rays and an MRI. Today I went back and got the results. Unfortunately, I have multiple hairline fractures and severe bruising of the bone in my ankle. The doctor says that I MUST stay off of my ankle for at least 6 weeks. This of course means that my adventure on the AT is over for this year. I am pretty bummed out about it, but you have not seen the last of me.I will heal up and try to replan this hike for another time. I will not give up.I am happy to report that this hike has raised almost $2,000 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research and awareness. Please consider a donation to this cause if you have not done so already.I want to thank everyone for their support and well wishes for this hike. A special thanks to Eric Swann and Audra Hershberger for their help with updating this journal and helping me with my drop boxes. Also, thanks to Brother Mike and White Water for coming out to hike with me. Foghorn Leghorn and Two Steps Back, I am looking forward to getting to hike with you again. To my wife Laura, all I can say is that you are the light of my life and this hike has been dedicated to you. You mean the world to me.Thanks to everyone for following along with my adventure. Look for me to do another journal as soon as I can get this hike started in the future.This is Hawkeye signing off for now.The attached picture is of me with my beard shaved off.
Date: 2011-10-01
To: Time to Start Planning Again
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

This is my starting entry for the preparation of my 2012 AT Hike. I had to leave the trail this year due to a broken leg, but I am starting to plan my 2012 attempt now.It looks like Foghorn Leghorn may come and join me again when I get started.I will be starting at the same place that I left the trail.More to come as I get things ready. I am aiming for a start date of March 13, 2012. Wish me luck.
Date: 2013-04-07
To: Appalachian Trail
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Woooooweee! It's starting to feel REAL now that I've begun this journal. It has been a dream of mine to hike the AT since I was a teenager. I am turning 50 years this month...what a way to celebrate by fulfilling a lifelong dream! As a bonus my 4 kids have willingly and excitedly decided to join me. In addition, we will be joined by my husband(their dad),several relatives and friends for various parts of the hike. (thank you loving and supportive family and friends)We plan to head out in May, doing a leap frog/flip-flop by starting in Shenandoah NP, heading North. Hopefully we can get to Katadin by August as my two older kids need to return to their respective colleges (Hendrix and Appalachian State U). My 17 yr old and 12 yr old will travel back to Shenandoah and head south towards Springer Mt. I decided to hike this way so that the kids can start out in a relatively easy and absolutely gorgeous part of the trail...lull them in so to speak, haha! Though we are all physically fit we are not used to hauling our life's possessions on our back so starting slow and easy is a way to work into the harder parts. We've hiked most of GA, TN and NC and know how strenuous that are can be to hike. My husband and I started out our marriage backpacking for a year around the world. We hypothesized that it would be the way to know if we were going to make it forever or not. Turns out being around each other 24/7, in countries were we were the only people we could talk to and having to adjust to the ups and downs of travel was the recipe for a rock solid marriage. It was a good test and has bode us well over these past few stressful years. The main reason I am now committed to this hike is because of the recent years of stress and trauma our family has been through. We have suffered some serious hardships that make me feel compelled to get my family out into the wilderness to heal. I feel a desperate need to wander, to know what John Muir and Teddy Roosevelt found in Nature, to strip away the grime of our past sorrows and heal our souls. Gotta go...time to load the dehydrator! Happy Trails to us!¢Wilderness is a necessity ¢¦ They will see what I meant in time. There must be places for human beings to satisfy their souls. Food and drink is not all. There is the spiritual. In some it is only a germ, of course, but the germ will grow.¢- John Muir, conservationist and founder, The Sierra Club
Date: 2013-04-15
To: Walmart
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I love the idea of a walk about. I first heard of it when visiting the Aborigines in Australia. Extended walking adventures seem to be a part of many cultures. One of my favorite places to be is the annual Storytellers Festival in Jonesboro, TN every October. Storytellers from all over the globe come and tell their unique stories. I seek out the stories of journeys. I think I suffer from Wanderlust. I get excited when I think about the stories our family will add to our repertoire. Every great adventure story has at its heart a quest. I think about The Odyssey, The Hobbit or even Harry Potter and know that we each have our own individual quests. Diana's is to avoid a shower for as long as possible. Ruth wants to prove that she can set a goal and persevere to the end. She wants to know that she can do without technology which she admits having an unhealthy addiction to. Cody wants to keep us safe and probably feel like he's in a unit again though lame soldiers we would make. Brynne needs time to think and process the trauma she has been through. I want to bind my children together in another adventure, hoping this heals their pain and gives them insights that guide them through life. Today Ruth and I set up both of our tents. We got so overheated we had to jump in our convenient pool. Last night Ruth saw a roach and screamed for her dad. He laughed so hard and told her to kill it as practice. She declined. Should be some trip!
Date: 2013-04-16
To: World Record
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I need to add that my girls state their quest as achieving a world record. They read the AT Conservancy site and noticed that no Chinese born person has thru-hiked the AT. We haven't confirmed this record but we're hoping it's possible. Minimally I would think they have a chance at being the youngest Chinese thru-hikers. I am positive they will be the only Jewish, kosher abiding, Chinese thru-hikers. I think we can safely say they will definitely achieve some type of record here.
Date: 2013-04-22
To: AT
Miles today: 0.0

I ought to set my tent up in my kitchen since I am practically living there. It takes so much time to prep, dehydrate and vacuum seal the supplemental food that we will need. I've only got about a month left. Just a month to read up on ticks for the umpteenth time, to make bags out of Tyvek and finalize the supply purchases. It is so exciting to be so focused on this adventure, I feel like I've already partially checked out of my everyday life. Today my child's piano teacher told the group of students that our family doesn't care about the piano or education because we are taking this ridiculous trip. This adds to a long list of negative statements we've had to endure since announcing the trip. Most tell us how "crazy" we are or that we will never make it...quoting the rate of people who stop their hike for any number of reasons (about 85%!) My girls and I have decided it just makes us more determined to do it. My daughter's school supports us so much that they have decided to incorporate study of the AT into the curriculum. My daughter will Skype or blog from the trail to her class. They said is was the best example of project based, experiential learning. I am sure that a lot of the negativity is fear, especially when our family shows their concern. They are worried something bad will happen to us. After the horrors in Boston I think it is apparent danger can and will appear anywhere without our control. Our family has been affected by two incidents of violent crimes in which we were lucky to have survived. Every day my husband and I have lived and also my daughter beyond those heinous experiences I consider a bonus and feel very lucky to have lived it. It is also ignorance because they have not invested the time in research and in actual hiking like we have. I'm not claiming to be the most knowledgeable hiker but after 2000 miles I'm sure I'll be fairly proficient!My youngest daughter got very excited when she realized she would be free of her household chores, daily piano and oboe practice and nightly homework. Considering all this will be quite the motivator for her to keep on hiking! Can't wait to meet all of the people I am reading the journals of out there on the trail! Happy trails to all of you!¢So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a woman* than a secure future. The very basic core of a woman¢s* living spirit is her* passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.¢¢ Christopher McCandless
Date: 2013-04-23
To: AT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Ruth and I are on the way to the kosher butcher to get more meat. I'm so excited I can hardly sleep. The Universe works in crazy ways. Ruth has a cake business and I paint and sew tallit(prayer shawls). We both have had a rush of orders. Maybe it's to keep me from going nuts as I wait to start this adventure. The other day someone told me I looked exceptionally happy. I truly am and it's been a very long time since I could last say that. I feel like I'm taking my life back...instead of always responding to sad situations I'm taking my life, my one and only life, and really choosing how to live it. I received one of the most thoughtful, heartfelt gifts ever...Ruth created an AT newspaper. She got the whole family and friends to write articles. It was my Mother's Day gift. We will try to get it posted here. It is a very motivating. When we have those tough times I will pull it out and reread it. Thanks to everyone for contributing. Can't wait to meet all you trail walk about-ers!
Date: 2013-05-23
To: Atlanta, Ga
Miles today: 0.0

We departed only 5 hours behind schedule...a new family record! Maybe leaving for 6 months had something to do with it.   Many thanks go out to my mom who was brave enough to enter the chaos. We would have taken much more time if not for her helpful pitching in. I often come home from work and the kids say, "Look! Our rooms are clean!" That's when I knew the Mammaw fairy has visited. I have had the love and support of my mom no matter what crazy adventure I've been on. Many times I've even talked her into going with me. It is surreal to actually begin to live this life long dream. Our living room was covered in gear. It was like REI exploded in our house. ( we actually spread the love of purchasing between our favorite local place, Bill Jackson's, and online stores, Clymb, Campmor, Campsaver and Back Country). My son said it was like everyone got Red Ryder BB guns, there was so much incredulous joy. I dehydrated a bounty of food, Toby, my husband who is now known as Chief Petty Officer of Command Central, is dreading fulfilling his shipping duties. I'm a bit suspicious as he has just restarted the Adkins protein diet. He's really been eyeing our beef jerky. I am filled with so much anticipatory joy that no matter how this turns out it was worth it to be so engaged in daydreaming, planning and talking about this. I've spent a large time thinking about twopeople who were influential in my life, both of whom would be so happy to know that we are going on our walkabout. Terry Scott who was the one who instilled the love of the AT in my soul. LeeAnn Warren showed me how to live each day knowing it really could be your last. I will spend many miles thinking about and probably talking to you two.
Date: 2013-05-30
From: Loft Mountain Campground SNP, VA

To: Pinefield Hut, Va
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: broken clouds

On the trail again.Hiked 7 miles but thought it was only 5 miles so that's an awesome discovery. Trail angel, Holiday Inn Hiker, generously hiked up insulated, cold top of the line beers! What a surprise and a huge treat. There was Guinness, Dos Equis, Killian... We couldnt believe it. Met a bunch of new hikers. Heard funny stories and belly laughed all evening. Ate the chicken soup I had dehydrated. It was so yummy and a true taste of home.My knee is increasing in its pain and burning sensation. Not sure what is going on but it is annoying and not fun to try to sleep with. Hoping for the best. I will try elevating it by sleeping in a hammock tonight.It was 90 degrees today which made all those ascents and descents so much more fun. I was never a sweat dripper but I sure am now. My pack straps are coated in white and stiff in the morning. Taking a dip in the water whenever I can. I am turning into a salt pillar like the Bible story...hopefully not so statuesque. Didn't have enough water today. Thought we'd find a spring but we never did. Felt panicky. Generously the girls shared theirs with me. They aren't huge guzzlers like their mama. Whoops! and I saw a deer so close to us we could have touched her. She was on the trail and made no effort to move. Whoops!said not to make eye contact and it worked. She just stood there and let us walk slowly by her. Later 2 deer ran in front of us. It just makes you stop and pause and stand in wonder. What a privilege it is to be out hereMet a Florida young man. He was depressed with his life so he came out on the trail to figure things out. Love these open, honest impromptu conversations. There is nothing in the real world like these instant connections. Whoops! came up with Ruth's trail name. I didnt even know what it meant. She called her "Badonkadonk" which she told me means the end of the line. When we call her that we get odd smiles from the younger hikers so I don't think I'm getting the full meaning. Beast is running ahead and setting up camp and still having time left over for a nap! Badonk is heading out earlier, before us to make up for her slow walking. Its a good strategy and seems to have given her more drive. I think she's starting to figure out that I'm not giving in on this. Cody sprained his ankle today but can keep walking. He goes so fast his momentum throws him forward. Badonk has the opposite problem and goes so slow her ankles wobble and roll. I didn't thinks she'd be the one with ankle problems since she was a toe point ballerina for most of her life. Tried a new sock combo that did not work. 2 blisters with one being partially under my big toe, yuck. I duct taped them and the rubbing pain immediately stopped. Will dump more gear off on our friends when they leave tomorrow. So sad to see them go.
Date: 2013-06-01
From: Hightop Hut, SNP

To: Lewis Mountain Campground
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

Wahoo! We finally made it! We have been on the trail for 6 days. It is harder than I thought in many ways. I'm excited that our bodies are holding up and everybody is doing really well. We have seven blisters between the five of us, though Beast and Beast Cub don't have any blisters. Yes, we now go by the trail names we have earned and we will never tell how we got them. I am now Commando, Cody is Beast, Brynne is WhoopsThereItIs, Diana is Beast Cub, Ruth is Ba-dunk-a-dunk, Jeremy is LordOfTheFlame, and Sarah is Really, EagleEyes, and yet a third name that cannot be written. We just said goodbye to our good friends today. We thank them for starting us out in such a positive way. What a great week we have shared with them. We had fun last night going over all of our adventures. Our favorite is the bear story. We have talked to people that have been on the trail for months and haven't seen a bear. On our third night on the trail, we were sitting off to the side of the trail eating. All of us had food. We were cooking. And his huge bear just steps right past us and walks down the Appalachian Trail. The bear didn't even look at us at all. We were all TERRIFIED and then the next second - when he went passed - we were thrilled that we got a bear experience. But then that night after we got in our tents, either he came back or another bear came back because for hours we heard a huge bear just going around the tents, my girls fell asleep ¢ all three it was astounding. But Beast, LordOfTheFlame, Really!, and I had so much adrenalin going and our heartbeats were so fast. Thankfully the bear didn't do anything. We did have our food all hung in trees across the path, but I guess he was just curious.We have seen a lot of deer. Today we saw a little baby newborn fawn - probably just born today. He could hardly stand up; his little legs could barely support him. Apparently the Mother deer put their fawns in clearings and then go into the woods to forage. The little deer just stared off into the woods. He wouldn't even look at people or anything, just looking for his mama. It was really the most amazing thing to see; he was smaller than a little puppy. It's just incredible how little he was with little spots. We have not had problems with ticks, yeah, we have only seen two. All is good. I painted my shoes on the long ride up from Florida with Aboriginal dream time painting. Honestly I feel like this is my dream time. I have all four of my kids. Everyone is just funny and happy and getting along. Morale is high. We have the talent show at the empty Loft Mountain amphitheater to remember and joke about. We've seen some gorgeous sunsets. I just go to bed every night with a huge smile. I mean, it is the most fabulous thing to live your dreams¢¦
Date: 2013-06-02
From: Lewis Mountain Campground SNP, Va

To: Rock Spring Hut SNP
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: light rain

Shout out to Trip and JD who have been kind and generous with info and advice. They are a retired couple. Spent our first night in a shelter. The Norovirus is ramping up on the trail so it's a real risk, but the rain poured down and hauling a wet tent was not appealing to me. Due to the mice situation Cub and Ba-dunk-a-dunk decided they preferred the tent. Happy to say the stayed dry. We did to and had the benefit of furry creepers on us. They particularly seemed to enjoy checking out the boots at the top of my head. Sinner and Johnny Walker kept us laughing so hard I thought we'd never fall asleep. They are nearing their 1000 mile mark and have seen and done it all. They weathered the deep snows and sleeting cold rains. Also met Blissful, the ATC hiker who hikes the park all season, checking on the hikers. She said she loved watching us do this as a family and we made her cry to see the love. Made me glad we started late and will flip flop home to our friends and family. I know we are in the honeymoon phase but I cannot begin to tell y'all how much fun we are having. The terrain is gorgeous, the hikers inspiring and funny and the local trail angels and people kind and helpful. I am blissfully happy!