morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-12-07
To: Reality and base layers
Miles today: 0.0

December 7th seems to be a good day to register with the ATC, and that is what I just did. So it is official, not that it was not official before.I am officially in pre-hike mode, which involves trying to square away as much as possible before April. I have a lot of projects up at my land to complete including an immediate salvage logging operation of a handful of acres that were roasted hard by the fire in October. I am busy to say the least. I was up at my land this weekend and enjoyed the last hour and a half of light in a deer stand Saturday evening in a spot that I have not hunted before. You know it is winter in Texas when it gets cold as soon as the sun dips. This fall has been very mild here and it was basically my first exposure to being cold this year. And it was not even that cold, but it went from mild to cold quickly and I started rethinking my hiking cold weather clothing. Originally I planned to use a pair of long johns from my pile I already own. I am rethinking this now. I tried on a pair of Smart Wool base layers on at REI the other night. These bad boys would definatley keep me warm, I just don't know if I can handle the wool touching my skin. Additionally, I am afraid they might be too warm in the day in April when hiking. Dry/cold temperatures when active are very tolerable.If anyone reading this entry has any thoughts, I would be happy to hear them. My intention is to be comfortable at say 35 degrees. Stepping out side on Saturday night when temps were in the low 40s I can not say what I have today is going to cut it. For cold weather I have a Patagonia Puff Hoodie and a Micro Fleece pullover that I bought years ago from LL Bean. The pullover has stood the test of time in deer hunting temps above say 45. Its the one piece of my hunting gear arsenal that will make the trip. Its camouflage and my wife is claiming that I will alienate the granolas by wearing it. That's not the intention, I like granolas. In addition to the Puff Hoodie and the fleece pullover I will have a Marmot Precip rain jacket and that's it other than the base layers, pants and shirt (other than gloves and beanie).I am strongly considering pulling the trigger on the Smart Wool and also carrying a lighter pair of base layer bottoms. Again, its not the daytime temperatures that scare me as much as the night-time and I don't want the only answer to the cold to be to climb into my sleeping bag. On the other hand, I definately don't want to hump unneeded warm clothing. These are they kinds of decisions that make this so exciting. I really don't know all the answers and the thrill of discovery is what fuels my desire.
Date: 2015-12-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

With "Winter" weather finally hitting Texas, I am able to experiment with my layers. I had many good conversations with people over the last week or so about clothing and weather for an early April start. I believe I am getting it all dialed in.Last Sunday was dreary and rainy in Houston, so I decided to try my new Merino Wool base layers out (fresh out of the REI box). By the time I got to the park to do a quick 3 miles, the rain stopped (it rained all night and parts of the trails were flooded (see my picture)).The temperature was 50 or so. It looked a lot colder than it was. Once I started walking it was clear that the base layers were to much for 50 degrees and active. Had I been in the woods or on a trail I would have ditched them, but since I was in eye-sight of downtown Houston, I left my pants on. The conclusion, at 50 degrees or maybe less, I would be in shorts. Despite being too warm, the Merino Wool top felt great. The legs were a bit itchy, but they were toasty! The last few days I have been at my farm. I am watching over the logging crew that is cutting some of my timber that burned in October. The last two days have been very cold in the morning. Finally I am stepping out in the 30's! It's 37 degrees now (I think that is the coldest this Fall!) I was out earlier testing the Merino Wool and fleece layers. I felt comfortable, but I was doing some moving around in the barn. The beanie is warm and at 37 degrees some type of gloves are required (I was wearing work gloves).Yesterday I wore my Kuhl convertible pants and broke them in after walking through the charred clear cut. So now I will look salty and like a veteran of 1,000 campfires!!! Tonight I was not wearing the Kuhl's. I was wearing my Filson wax cotton bibs. These pants are amazing. I am tempted to hike in them but my fragile ego could not handle the scoffs from the "Patagonia Cool Crowd". I am not really considering these, but damn are they good bibs!For early April night-time temperatures that I am expecting, my clothing is not overkill. I have no doubt some of my items will be sent home, but I am confident I won't freeze in April.All of this will be tested on my shakedown hike on the Lone Star Trail coming up very soon. Hopefully I will pick a series of days when it is cold like tonight.
Date: 2015-12-27
To: Xmas Update
Miles today: 0.0

After words of loving encouragement from my family on Xmas eve (most of what consisted of predictions of wear I would crap out), I thought a Xmas morning hike along the Bayou would clear my head. The temps were in the low 80's... Yes you read that right, the low 80's. I tried my Kuhl convertibles out and they worked well going from long pants to shirts pants. Later that day I gave a "what will be in my pack" demonstration to my family. Here again, predictions of the Peach State kicking my ass persisted. I would not expect anything less. To throw them all off kilter and possibly to impress them a bit, I set up my TarpTent with my hiking poles. Thankfully this is relatively easy and I pulled off the demonstration. They agreed that I might even make it to North Carolina. The subject of the AT permeated Xmas and it jolted me into reality. When I hiked Xmas morning I did so with a full pack of what I would be actually carrying. The old towels and weights used this summer have been scuttled... I need to start tweaking not what I will be carrying, but how I will be carrying it. I don't want to carry three pounds of stuff sacks, but at the same time I don't like loose stuff in my pack. Let's call this my latest challenge.My sister shared with me a picture of my mom. The description on the back of the picture says "Harper's Ferry 1997" and shows her at an AT sign in evidently Harper's Ferry. It's funny in that I do not recall when she went there and I doubt I would have mentioned to her my desire to do the AT way back then (who knows maybe I did?). Any how, I thought it was cool. My mom is not around to offer words of encouragement anymore so the picture (see picture) will have to serve as such.
Date: 2016-01-04
To: A very special shout out!
Miles today: 0.0

Happy New Years 2016!!! This will serve as my first post of 2016 and with just a few days more than three months from my start date.Over Christmas I had several family members read my entries, which created good conversations. In these conversations I realized I have not acknowledged the most critical piece to making my hike successful. I know you are thinking that I am about to yammer on about some light-weight piece of gear or my comfortable shoes, but you are incorrect.The one most critical element to my success or even my ability to take a shot at the AT is my wife Kelly. I am truly lucky to have an understanding wife who 100% supports my dream to do this and do it at this stage of my life (not waiting until "retirement"). She has been supportive throughout my preparation stages so far and even has tolerated what might seem like obsessive pontifications over Merino Wool versus Capilene, etc, etc.Publicly announcing one's intention to do the AT draws all kinds of side bets from family and friends. Most of these side bets usually have me falling out short of North Carolina and at least one predicted Georgia as my terminus. But not Kelly, she knows I can do this and is strong enough to keep the home fires burning while I am away. Plus she already has said, if I tell everyone I am doing this I am NOT quitting until I am done or in the hospital!Thank you Kelly for the support!!!
Date: 2016-01-16
To: AWOL Guide... in da house!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: mist

Alas!!! My 2016 AWOL's AT guide (north bound version) made it to my mail box this afternoon!! That in itself is a miracle with all the post offices in out hood getting sold to highest bidder, but that's another story. With my AWOL's guide in my hot hands, it seems like my hike is that much closer. I had pre-ordered mine a few weeks ago and even scored a discount by doing so. It's been a waiting game since then. There are other choices for AT guides, but David Miller's (AWOL) effort seemed to win hands down on the "Internet Opinion Pole. And let's face it, when people on chat forums all start agreeing on one particular choice, that's a sign that you too should make that choice.My decision was locked down last summer when I called the number on the web-site (theatguide.com) and David answered. That's another good sign, when the author, craftsman or brewmaster answer the call, you know you are into something good.For those that do not know, the guide is an informative "map" of the AT which serves as a hikers intelligence database. Want to know where to get a free shower in Troutville, VA? Well according to the AWOL guide that might be had at the Troutville Fire Station. Flipping through the book I made note of some interesting places that I should probabally steer clear of, but I know I won't. The Lazy Hiker Brewing Co. in Franklin, NC comes to mind.The guide is a paperback book and weighs in at 11.3 ounces (according to the website). I took the websites word for it and have not put it through the wright test yet.In regards of the weight, I plan to rip it into three sections. I can't see carrying s map that tells you Pat's Pizza in Andover, Maine is open 7 days a week if you don't make it past Jersey! I will have Kelly mail up the sections as I trek along. Hopefully she will be kind enough to drop some deer jerky in the box with the guide.I definately take my hat off to David Miller. Here is a dude that thru hiked back in 2003 or so and has carved out a living updating and producing guides for hikers since then. Thanks David, my hike will be better due to your attention to details and your production of an excellent product.
Date: 2016-01-20
To: Shaking down shakedown street.... or trail
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: mist

I am getting fired up for my short one night shakedown hike this Friday and into Saturday morning. I am heading to the Lone Star Trail, a 96 mile trail carved out of the East Texas woods not far from Houston. I spend ALOT of time up at our farm in East Texas so the scenery is not going to be new, but that's cool. The best part about it is the lows will be around 30° Yes I typed that correctly....it's going to be freezing in South Texas!   It is January after all and this cold weather crap is here to stay for at least a few more weeks. But pulling this shakedown hike off in cold weather was part of the scheme the entire time. I know I can survive in milder temperatures so a 45° low would have done me no good. The jury is still out on my lightweight cold weather kit, but hey if I'm going to freeze to death at 30° it might as well be in East Texas woods and not on some mountain in Georgia.I am going to be joined by Texas Bob, a dude that's taking his second crack at the AT this Spring. Hitting a shakedown with someone that has actually hiked a portion of the AT might have some benefits. His first attempt ended somewheres in North Carolina and he's going to be starting at that point right about the time I start on Springer. I have all my stuff laid out and it's pretty impressive to finally have everything all together.   Because we are doing a short hike I'm not going to be caring the full weight that I would normally be caring for food. Plus there's a few odds and ends that won't make the shakedown jaunt. I want my pack to be right at 30 pounds so I might have to add a few ballast weights. Right now I am thinking beer cans filled with beer! And maybe even a few ounces of whiskey. A few ounces of crown will serve as a perfect toast to my friend Texas Bob at the end of the evening and before I become fully encapsulated in my REI Igneo Long mummy bag.
Date: 2016-01-30
To: Darn Tough Sox!
Miles today: 0.0

Like a moth to an open flame, I was sucked into the world of YouTube AT videos this week. There are a lot of them and many are very informative. Within the last few weeks, several "my 2016 thru-hiking gear overview" videos have popped up like mushrooms after a spring rainstorm. That's not saying either of the two are bad, not at all. In fact, the gear overviews for whatever reason are very helpful and captivating, despite my kit being already lined out. I'm sure I am not the only 2016 hiker that is second guessing certain choices, and its perhaps a search for reassurances and a few tweaks that sucked me in. The reassurances come when you see some of the exact same items in your kit that were also chosen by the producer. I mean, if someone else is toting the Snow Peak 700ml titanium pot then the choice has got to be right for me as well. Right? Or the warm and cozy feeling you get when you bask in the glory of avoiding the journey-ending mistake made by the reviewer. Hey man, there is no way that trekker is going to make it, he is carrying a one pound iPhone charger. Good luck brother. Then there are the tweaks....oh those tweaks. After pouring through several of these videos, I have concluded that everyone on the AT in 2016 will be wearing Darn Tough Sox. Everyone. The epiphany occurred this week during my YouTube binge. Admiringly, I fought this hypothesis all summer long dismissing unabashed claims of superior foot wear on both White Blazes and within several journals I followed here. The stiff resistance was fortified by the fact that I already had invested in several pairs of REI's own answer to the Vermonter's stockings. And the reality is, the REI sox worked. But still. I secretly found myself hoping to hear someone say something shitty about Darn Tough. Anything. Please, somebody dislike these things, just a tad. Tell me the lifetime guarantee has some strings attached or the wool is harvested from endangered sheep. I have come too far to make such a major adjustment with just over two months left to launch time! But I am weak. I watched as review after review drifted into the footwear segment of their production. Oh please, don't say Darn Tough! But no, and it was almost like an after thought, like as if there was no other choice. And it seemed to be even the young kids were ready to shell out $20 bucks a pair for these hand forged stockings of steel. And for the youngsters, that's hard won money earned slaving over a fryolator or bilking it out of mom and dad, either way. And so I caved in. Off to REI I went. Friday, at lunch. As I schlupped past the backpack section heading for the check out with three pairs of Darn Toughs clutched securely in my mitts I thought.....I may be one of the only hiker on the AT without an Osprey Atmos this year, but when the evening shelter chatter turns to sox choice, mine will be Darn Tough.
Date: 2016-02-05
To: Two months and counting....
Miles today: 0.0

Two months. Two months from tonight I will be camping somewhere near Hawk Mountain in Georgia having completed my first day on the AT. I am very fired up to say the least. This week was as close to a zero in terms of preparations as one could possibly get for getting ready for the hike. I was lucky enough to spend the most of the week in Puerto Rico with my wife Kelly at her company¢s annual meeting. Yup, I was the spouse, which means while she was trapped in meeting all day with her counterparts, I hung-out and attempted to keep up with work emails and what not. But in reality, I found myself screwing off and eventually found myself at the spa for one afternoon where I partook in a one hour rum-oil massage. Man, I was thinking something like this would be nice along the AT. After the massage I found myself at the beach resting my soon to be tired AT bones. Yes, life was tough. Everything is progressing nicely on my preparations. Save for a few minor adjustments subsequent to my big sox switch (See last entry) I am basically done agonizing over ounces. Work is busy and I am behind after my Puerto Rico boondoggle, but I will get caught up this coming week.   With only two months to go time, I am going to be hustling pretty hard from here on out. In Puerto Rico several of Kelly¢s associates expressed interest in my quest. I shared with many my link and I welcome those that have checked in to see my journal. Tomorrow night is the Houston Chapter of the National Wild Turley Federation¢s dinner here in Houston. It is always great to attend the ¢Houston Dinner¢. This year is especially exciting as the good folks of the Houston Chapter have welcomed me to solicit additional pledges for my cause. As part of my AT attempt, I will be accepting pledges per the total miles I walk¢¦ and it damn well better be 2,180, but one never knows. The money that I raise will be matched by Texas Parks and Wildlife at a rate of $4 to $1 and all those dollars will be earmarked to support to Eastern Wild Turkey Restoration efforts here in East Texas. East Texas was once awash with Eastern Wild Turkeys and their populations were decimated when the land was cut-over one hundred years or so ago. Today, Eastern Turkeys are slowly returning to East Texas and I hope that the money I raise does some good for these magnificent birds.
Date: 2016-02-15
To: Turkey talk
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I just arrived home from Nashville, TN tonight. The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) held its 40th Annual National Convention and Sports Show at the Gaylord Opryland Convention Center during the last few days. I attended the event to promote my fundraiser as well as to meet NWTF employees and volunteers from the 14 states I will be hiking through. I met a ton of great people and was surprised at how many people were sincerely interested and even knowledgable about thru-hiking the AT. Many people knew someone that had completed a thru-hike or hiked large sections. Several people I met actually live near the AT and so far I have NWTF contacts in North Carolina, Tennessse, Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. I look forward to meeting as many people along the way that support the National Wild Turkey Federation and the organization's goals of habitat conservation and the preservation of our hunting heritage. I am especially thrilled about making a contact with Regional Director Shawn Jenkins of Franklin, NC! He mentioned joining me for some miles of hiking and wrapping up the day at the new brewery in town; The Lazy Hiker Brewing Co. I had previously noticed the brewery in AWOL's AT guide book and, in the interest of not falling into the rabbit hole, planned to steer clear of the place. But I am committed now and I should probabally plan a late start coming out of Franklin the next day as Shawn's beer reviews were positive. I also was introduced to Scott Hill, the New State Jersey State President of the NWTF. Scott graciously offered me his support when I make it into New Jersey. This is definately exciting being that I am a native of the Garden State.I met so many other good people. People who live in states that host the AT and some on the opposite end of the country including Utah, California and Oregon. This coming week is going to be busy. I have a million things to do before leaving for Atlanta on April 4th in terms of making sure I have all the projects I am working on done and all my personal affairs in order. At this point my kit is a lined out with exception to a few tweaks. I am also gathering the food I will be packing when I start in Springer. I plan on starting with four days of food and hopefully make it into Neels Gap to resupply within this first four days.
Date: 2016-02-22
To: Inflating things
Miles today: 0.0

With a little more than a month to go before I start, I am all but done with what I will be carrying when I kick-off on Springer April 5th. My kit is weighing in a little heavier than I my 20 pound goal, but I figure spending time walking with a loaded pack will pay greater dividends versus agonizing over how to cut an ounce or two. I am sure I will come back around to the ounce pontifications, but for now I am done. Today I stopped by the hardware store and invested $1.39 in a foot of braided vinyl tube. I am going to use the tubing to help me inflate my Sea to Summit air mattress and pillow when I hit camp.The tube is 3/4 diameter and fits snugly into to inflation hole of the Sea to Summit mattress and pillow. I cut one piece about an inch and a half long. This piece will be used to enable me to huff breath into the mattress and pillow with greater ease.I also cut a piece about a half inch long. This piece will be used in conjunction with a garbage bag enabling me to inflate the mattress without exhaling a million breaths. The last thing I wanted to do was lug a piece of tubing around with me, but by doing so it should keep me from getting dizzy or passing out from lack of oxygen every night. It will probabally save me from smashing my oxygen starved brain on a jagged rock. I practiced my technique with the garbage bag. Using the garbage bag enables me to get the mattress fairly well inflated, but a few deep huffs are still required to finish it off. As I fine tune my kit and prepare for my hike, I am enjoying reading the journals of few folks that are already on the AT. I have been following Slipknot and just started following Aleve and the team Subman and Subs. My hats off to these hikers and anyone else tough enough to brave the winter elements.
Date: 2016-02-26
To: More AWOLs
Miles today: 0.0

I went to Staples today and had AWOLs AT Guide split into two separate "chapters" and spiral bound both. I split the chapters right where Pennsylvania started... Right near the halfway point of the AT. I figured there was no sense in carrying maps north of Maryland for the first half of my journey. Kelly, my home support team, will mail chapter 2 to me somewheres near Harper' Ferry. I also spoke to AWOLs David Miller earlier this week. We discussed the PDF version of his AT Guide and when he explained that phone calls can be made by simply tapping on the telephone numbers in the PDF version, I instantly decided to purchase that as well! I just downloaded the PDF version tonight and I am very glad I did. I still will carry the hard copy, but when I am in town I can now make phone calls by utilizing the PDF version. Pretty slick.Also I just have to through this and David "AWOL" Miller is a damn good guy. I hope to meet many more good people like him on my hike!
Date: 2016-03-15
To: Green everywhere and its not even St. Patrick's 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

My start date is getting close (I am holding steady on April 5th). I'm so glad I have my kit in order because the list of personal things to do before I go is never ending. It would be a mind twister if I still was gathering gear and what not.I am not going to second-guess anything at this point that I will be carrying out of Springer. Despite what appears to be a very mild end to a less than harsh winter. I was up at our farm today there was a high of 88°! Spring has sprung here in full force. Hell, it almost feels like summer, well maybe not. Stuff is turning very green...fast! I am excited about getting to watch green up two times in one year!
Date: 2016-03-28
To: Down with disease
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I will be in Georgia a week from today. This weekend Kelly and I finished locking down our place in Barnum. I caught several bass out of our pond. In addition, I managed to catch a nasty bug and it completely knocked me on my ass today. This thing rivaled the most ferocious virus that lurks on the bottom of a communal bag of trail GORP. The good news is the worst is behind me and with a week left it will be totally out of my system.