morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-03-18
From: The NOC

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: clear sky

The hike out of the NOC was a long terrible uphill. It was hot, sweaty, uphill. I immediately wanted to go back and sleep in a bed again.But I plunged up that uphill. There was a great view of Nantahala Gorge from up there. We reached the first shelter at 6 some odd miles and I was ready to call it a day.Most of the group went on to conquer a 16 mile day. I spent the rest of the day resting and hanging out with Good Deeds and Mellow Yellow, who both decided to stay as well, probably more due to a St Pattys day hangover.The shelter wound up getting pretty packed. And I found out how Rolling Thunder got his name. His sleeping pad is soooo loud when he rolls over that it sounds like thunder rolling through. And I had the fortune of sleeping right next to him. There were also a group of people who didn't go to sleeping bag bed until 11:30 ish. Hiker bed time for most is between 7 and 9. When the sun goes down, I'm out. It was a very frustrating night. I also had to listen to a mouse running around near my head. Creeped me out.
Date: 2012-03-19
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: scattered clouds

I got up super early because of the lack of sleep the night before. I packed and set out before 7:30 am. My legs didn't want to warm up this day. I had to take some Advil before I finally started to feel like I could take on the day. When I finally got over the first uphill it was a nice trek for a while. I stayed with Deeds and Mellow for most of the day. I think they were going a bit slow though. We hit Stecoah Gap and had some soda trail magic. While I drank my coke (refusing the Pepsi products because I'm from the Atlanta area) I talked with the other two about some other hikers. The two of them seem to sometimes say some cutting things about people. So I got nervous and said I hope they don't say mean things about me. And Mellow Yellow told me my biggest problem:"Kat, the only one mean to you is yourself."How true. How sad but true. How many times do I take everything hard? How many times do I beat myself up because I'm not perfect? It's something I'm going to have to do a lot of reflecting on. I don't want to do that anymore.Well the next mile or so was ROUGH. Jacobs Ladder came next which was this super steep hill. Good Deeds decided to go the rest of the day barefoot, and I still fell far behind going up that monster.The rest of the day was nice but a bit hot. I got a lot of vitamin D since the trees have yet to get leaves and cover us up. We hiked all the way to Cable Gap shelter which was small and had an uneven floor. It was an uncomfortable night. Just after dark, Rolling Thunder shows up and asks if there is shelter space, which there wasn't. But he had to shine the light all over us as if we were lying. Then he parks his tent right in front of us. Correction: he had another hiker do it for him since he'd had such a bad and rough day. I'm sorry but I hiked that same mountain you did buddy. No need to be nasty about it when you come in.Well the night was warm and noisy.
Date: 2012-03-20
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: broken clouds

Today I did my first night hike!We woke up at 3:00 am. Well we were pretty much already awake from the inability to sleep in that crappy shelter. Four of us set out at 3:30 am with our head lamps to hike 6 some odd miles in the dark to get to Fontana Dam. My head lamp sucks for night hiking, so I tore up my ankles and feet because I couldn't see the rocks and roots. I took one hard fall that hit my arm hard. So for me night hiking = pain. I probably should've had some pain killers before we left too. But we made it in around 6 and surprised the rest of the group as they were getting up at the Fontana Hilton Shelter. Surprise!!! Then we watched the sunrise from the dam. Now I've caved in and bought myself a room at the Fontana Lodge. I've had a refreshing shower (which I needed after the shelter 2 nights ago. It was so dirty!) and I've had two meals at the dining room. I'll finally be able to get 1 night of good sleep. I have a feeling Rolling Thunder will be going to he big shelter and no one will get as good a sleep as I will. I'm anticipating amazingness tonight.Tomorrow I head into the Smokies and won't get service for 5 - 6 days. It's going to be quite a climb out and I'm excited but nervous about the entire thing.
Date: 2012-03-27
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Ok now I need to explain some things.At first I thought about section hiking and stopping at Fontana Dam. I called my mother and got off the trail after three nights at the Fontana Village Resort. I came home thinking this was an awesome idea. Every year would be new. I was in such a good place mentally and thought this was what I wanted.But after a day and a half of being home, I wanted to be back out there. The mountains were calling. Honestly, there were many issues stemming from my mother.First thing she says when I decide to get off is "Maybe next time you'll listen to your mother."Then she starts talking about me working for her for a week. All this before I'm even home yet. I tell her I don't want to work for her and I hurt her feelings because she is such a giving person and I'm not. (Her words.)So I start feeling this pressure. All the lessons I had learned and experiences I had on the trail were melting away. They felt trivialized by her. But the truth was SHE HAD NO IDEA what I'd already been through.So next I mention that I'm thinking about returning to the trail. The look on her face could cook a chicken for Thanksgiving. After a day of thinking about it, she comes to me and says that I'm running away from responsibility and I'm taking her for granted. I do not appreciate her and if I decide to go back to the trail there will be no ride nor mail drop help.My first reaction is that I want to be completely independent. But it would kind of give her exactly what she wants, which is me with a job. But I am only responsible for myself. This is my life. And I will go back to the trail that has provided me with the best personal victories of my entire life. I've been working today to come up with a plan. I've condensed mail boxes to 6, and will divide them up between my best friend and my uncle. Tomorrow I will be contacting shuttle services or something to get me from the Atlanta area to Hot Springs by Sunday. All my trail friends will be there at that time and I'll be able to join them. When I'm done, I'll return and do the Smokies. It's a haphazard situation. I apologize for not being conventional and going through all the way, but I'm hiking my own hike. And considering my difficulties, I'm just glad I can find a way back.So I'll get back to you when I start back on the trail.
Date: 2012-03-31
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Sadly this course has come to its end. But I'm going to give you an explanation because I want to be honest. A week or so ago, when I decided to get off I felt great. I wanted to share my experience with everyone. I wanted to bring these amazing lessons I had learned home to my friends and family. I wanted to show people how exhilarated I felt, how excited I was for the future, and how amazing I felt about myself. For the first time in 5 years, when I looked in the mirror, I didn't see disappointment. I saw victory. And I wanted to share.But when I got home, all I received was pressure. I needed time to associate these feelings with the civilized world, and I couldn't get that time. You can tell from my previous entry the drama I received. But all of this gave me another perspective. NO ONE IS EVER GOING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU OR I HAVE JUST BEEN THROUGH. Until they've climbed 6 miles up the side of a mountain, only to see another mile straight up, they won't get it. Until they've reached the top of that mountain and felt that timely breeze blow your hair back, they will not get it. Until they've spent the night exhausted in every bone, they will not get it. Until they've felt the total exhilaration of conquering 100 miles, they will not get it. They may appreciate some aspect of it, knowing that for you it was amazing. I felt like my trip was trivialized. Now that I had that "out of my system," I will now be able to do what normal Americans do. So thinking about it some more I came up with the next observations.Going back year after year for a section is a good idea. I will be able to experience those joys and feelings at least once every year and know that life is not doomed. Sometimes in life you might get those feelings, but they are so small and minute. For instance, I sometimes feel it for a millisecond when I'm driving and the perfect song comes on the radio. And suddenly, the clouds part and the sun beams in an elegant manner. It brings that smile to my face and I realize "YES! This is what true joy feels like." But it is gone the next instant as the car horns blare at your inaccurate driving. Rarely do you experience those joys, so I want to make sure I have that at least once a year. I don't want to finish this entire thing and come back to these same realizations. No one is going to get it. I'm still going to have to come back and try to get a job, only this time with 6 months unemployment to explain and far less money to get back on my feet. I'll receive the same pressure and same trivial feelings from everyone else. I've changed but they haven't. There is also a money issue associated with this whole idea. The cost of getting back on the trail was higher than I originally planned. And right now I need this money to live off of while I search for a job. Sad but true.It's been awesome. And I look forward to future adventures.
Date: 2012-02-13
To: Mt. Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

      It's fairly amazing, the twists and turns of fate. I got caught up in the whole wilderness adventure through the good graces of a woman. And I owe a short thank you to Beth for getting my head out of my rear and putting it back where it belongs, in amongst the natural beauty of this land. I lost myself for a while. In my youth, I was an avid hunter, fisher, boater, hiker, and biker; anything outdoors was my forte. Somehow, through the mysteries of fate, I was forever meeting partners whose idea of roughing it meant staying at a Days Inn rather than a Hampton Inn. Then, I met Beth, who's idea of a date was kayaking 15 miles upstream to fish the downstream flow. (She always outfished me and she taught me how to fly fish.)      It was actually her idea to hike the Appalachian Trail. We had taken a trip to the casino in West Virginia, which if you haven't been there is right next to Harper's Ferry and so we spent most of the afternoon hiking the Trail around Harper's Ferry. The next week after that trip, she said, "You know, we aught to hike the whole AT." Well, that started me thinking. A few days later, we met up, and I asked, "Were you serious about the whole AT trip." "Why yes, I've always wanted to through hike the whole trail," she replied. Next date - "Beth, this is a good time for me, but can you afford to take off the time to do this come spring." "I can afford to take off for the next ten years if I really wanted to," came the reply. So, off to REI I go, my equipment is old and ratty and heavy. New Kelty pack, Big Agnes Sleeper, Komperdell poles, and Zamberlan Boots and a few other accessories (basically everything) Okay now I've got the bug - big time. I'm reading, researching, working out. "Okay Honey, when did you want to leave." "I can't go, I have responsiblities, I just can't take off for six months and disappear," came the unforeseen reply. "Uh, could you send out the girl I was talking to last week." (That line didn't go over too well. Can't imagine why.) Oh well, another relationship bites the dust, but at least I don't have to write or call anyone everyday while I'm out there.
Date: 2012-02-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I got my official forms from work for my leave of absence starting March 6, my flight to Atlanta leaves Richmond on March 7th. And months ago I made my reservation with the hiker hostel, to be picked up and spend the night before starting the trail on the 8th. Time is winding down, but seems to be moving too fast and too slow at the same time. And for whoever asked if Beth was available, that I can't say for sure. But she hangs out kayaking the James River between Scottsville and Goochland. Sure hope you can fish better than me and you're up for a few erratic mood swings. The good news - she is a real rabbit's foot. Take her to a casino and bet the farm, I won $700 playing quarter slots waiting for her in AC and more at Hollywood Casino playing roulette. About the only thing worth noting is that I have made arraignments with my son to mail me some things along the way. I really did not want to have any food sent to me, more of an exchange program. You send me the 2 pound hammock and I'll send you the 5 lb tent. Here a list of post offices along the trail, I'll let you know about when I'm a week from where-ever. Of course, his darling wife said "I make these wonderful snacks that are like cookies, but they're loaded with protein and would be great for keeping you going, do you want me to send some." Well, as long as you throw in some deer jerky I guess I'll let you. Sometimes deprivation can be so difficult.
Date: 2012-03-03
To: Time's getting short, 
Miles today: 0.0

      Well, yesterday I finally got around to stuffing everything in my pack and showed my manhood by hoisting it to my back. By showing my manhood, I mean I dropped my testicles to the floor trying to put that sucker on. It was time for an equipment rethink, I was way past the 50 lb. mark. It's amazing how all the wonderful things you bought to make your walk easier suddenly weigh more than you thought. But I had some easy choices to make. Hmmm - tent, gone. Mattress pad - gone. One of the things I had purchased for warmer weather was a Hennessey Hammock. Wow 1.5 pounds versus the 8+ lbs for the tent and pad. Found a few other items that were either duplicates or non-essential and got rid of those too. Now I scotch taped my testicles back in place and lifted my pack up and the tape held. I think I'm good to go now.       Been wearing my boots for the past 3 months now at work, 12 hr shifts and feet feel pretty good. Feel really good 14 hrs later when I finally get to take them off, but I'm a barefoot kinda guy. As for the boots, I read a lot of reviews before settling on a pair of Zamberlan's. They fit me well, and seemed comfortable from the first day and as an extra bonus they actually seem to propel you forward. Walking is very natural and they actually feel great when your moving, stopped they start to get hot. Well, I cleaned them and put on a new coat of Sno-seal slathered on thick and kinda baked in with a hair dryer. One thing I will mention - Brand new out of the box, you can slide across a wet floor in these boots, as they wear they do stick better.
Date: 2012-03-04
To: countdown has begun 
Miles today: 0.0

When you finally get down to where you're counting hours instead of days, you begin to alternate between excitement and fear. Little doubts start to creep in, can I make it, will my gear hold up, and how far can I fall before I break something important. Then you remember - no pain, no rain, no Maine. Today the folks at work threw me a small going away party. Just a nice lunch of ribs and brisket, something to miss while I'm away eating oatmeal and rice dishes. Everyone has been wishing me luck on my last days of work. I have to work Monday, Tuesday is finalizing everything, Wednesday is the airport and a trip to Atlanta. And finally Thursday is the start of a very long walk and a very big dream.
Date: 2012-03-05
To: Melancholy
Miles today: 0.0

It's kind of interesting, now that I'm hours away from starting instead of days, the weird melancholy view the world takes on when you're about to step off for six months. I woke up for my last day of work to a quiet house, came down the steps and promptly started reflecting that I wouldn't be doing that for much longer. Wouldn't be driving my truck or giving the dogs a treat for a while. I think it got worse when my ex-wife called to ask if she could friend me on Facebook so she could follow my adventures or misadventures as they may be. I did remind her that she was no longer my beneficiary, so wouldn't inherit anything in case I get attacked by killer squirrels in the woods. And today I'm just wandering around the hospital where I work, saying my goodbyes and getting best wishes on my trip from most folks and a few offers for psychiatric examination by a few others. You just can't explain some things to some people. "You mean you're going to camp out all that time? How are you going to bathe and go to the bathroom? The looks people give you when you tell them you're hoping for a bath once every week or two and if I have to go potty I'll just dig a hole are incredible. I probably have half the people who will read this thinking he'll be homesick in a week, but in reality I've never suffered from that. Just reflecting on the things that are part of me now and how I might see them a little differently on my return. But the clock is still ticking off the minutes and I only have 44 hours til my flight and about 70 hours until I start walking. It is truly difficult to put down all the things you feel when you get this close. Melancholy, nervous, edgy, peaceful,excited,disappointed, you name it.
Date: 2012-03-07
To: Dahlonga, GA 
Miles today: 0.0

      Well I landed in Atlanta without incident. Took alittle while to get picked up by the hiker hostel.So I ended up spending hours walking around REI which is kind of like putting a junkie in a crack house. Tried to control my spending impulses. Going to be a short session tonight, very tired. Shipping a few items back home already, its just too warm for some of the clothes I brought. Met quite a few hikers at the hostel and we just made a run to town for dinner. Now as I try to lay down to sleep to the sounds of two snoring hikers, I try to remind myself that I will undoubtedly snore louder then them. Tonight I lay here debating whether or not I want to do the approach trail to Springer Mtn. in the morning. Most of the people here have tried this trip before and have done the approach trail in the past, which leaves me in the uncomfortable position of starting at the top of Springer Mtn. which is the true start of the AT or do I want to actually climb Springer, slogging up a moderately steep hill which will add another 9 miles to the length of this walk. I'm pig headed and stupid enough to slog up the hill just to say I did it, even though it will put me miles behind everyone I met tonight.
Date: 2012-03-08
From: Amicolola GA

To: Springer Mountain
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: overcast clouds

As i said earlier I'm just stupid enough to do the approach trail, with happensto be marked with blue blazes. If you ever wondered where the expression, what in the blue blazes was that - it came from the approach trail. Thought I would have to call 911 a few times there. There were points where I would walk ten feet rest for 5 minutes then move another 20 feet. The approach trail is known for its 608 steps that you have to climb and then it gets tough. Finally made it to the top and then there comes a bunch of teens who came up the side trail and irritated everybody who just finished the long hike. But it doesn't end there. It's another half mile til you can camp. I decided to try out my new Hennessy hammock the first night. It handles torrential rain and gale force winds surprisingly well.
Date: 2012-03-10
From: Hawk Mountain shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: clear sky

      Well the trip from Hawk Mtn. to Woody Gap was long but relatively uneventful. At Hawk Mtn I met an interesting charactor named Captain Guts. He's a 60ish ex-marine who continually rolled his own cigarettes. Captain at one point was rolling one, smoking one, and had one burning behind him. Hey Captain, how many of those you gonna smoke.
Date: 2012-03-11
From: Woody Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: scattered clouds

This little trek of 10.5 miles had the unfortunate minor obstacle called Blood Mountain in the way. It's a 1100 foot elevation change over about a three mile distance. Which if you know much about hiking translates into pain. Really bad pain. Calves hurt, thighs burn, and my butt muscles were doing their own thing. The nice thing is there are some spectacular views off the top off the mountain. Providing of course, one is not too exhausted to enjoy them. I was close. Then there was the race off the mountain. Heading down hill, on a solid plate of slippery shale, where if you lose your footing its a 4000 ft. tumble to the bottom. Made it to the bottom and the hostel was booked so I shared a cabin with Missplaced Moose. It was also at Neel's Gap that I received my trail name. I'm Chipmonk or Chip for short. This was given to me by Georganna from Mountain Crossing outfitters.
Date: 2012-03-12
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

WET... It was raining when I woke up and it didn't change much all day. I don't think I have a single dry spot anywhere. I need a new trail book. This one is ruined. Every time I pulled it out it got wetter and wetter. Have you ever soaked a book and tried to peal apart the pages. Thats my trail book.
Date: 2012-03-14
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Swag of the Blue Ridge
Miles today: 9.3

Today I had a little problem following directions. Unfortunately, the little trail guides you get don't include all the little sites along the way. So I looked at my trail guide an it said marked water source at Sassafrass Gap, I came across a marked water source and assummed I was at Sassafrass. Wrong!!! The next gap was where I wanted to bed down, according to the guide, 0.8 miles away. After walking for about 3 miles I finally hit the Swag of the Blue Ridge, threw down my pack and set up my hammock for the night. Sassafras was still 1.2 miles away I later learned. Oh well, live and learn. At the Swag I met Paul and have been running into him off and on ever since.
Date: 2012-03-15
From: Swag of the Blue Ridge

To: Dick's Creek
Miles today: 7.4

Came down out off the hills to Dick's Creek Gap, had to stop there due to the new regulations regarding bear canisters. Apparently, someone from the Georgia Department of Parks and Recreation thought it would be fun to make hikers carry a 6 lb. container through five miles of trail. Actually I learned that because 1 bear apparently learned that swatting at all the trees in the area where it smelled food would bring Manna from heaven, created the need for bear barrels. Hiker's are required to hang their food from a tree limb at least 12 ft. up and about 5-6 ft. from the tree trunk. So you get a rock, tie on some cord, heave it up 15-20 ft, tie your food bag and toiletries bag (anything that smells edible)and hual it up and tie it on to another nearby tree. The bear would swat at all the nearby trees when it scented food and sure enough down would come some tasty treats. It was at Dick's Creek that I met Preacherman. Fairly likable old country boy, he offered me a beer which was the first alcohol I'd had in a while, slept really well that night.