morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-02-28
To: I'm ready
Miles today: 0.0

Okay -- I'm ready!Today I packed my pack for the final time, and propped it by the door with my hiking boots. (I'm wearing my camp shoes on the train, imagine how embarrassing it would be to get to Georgia and realize I forgot my boots!) My full pack with food and water is coming in a little under 35 pounds.My coworkers had a party yesterday, and it was a FEAST! I stuffed myself. It was all so tasty, and I won't see food like that for some time! It was nice to see everyone once more before I leave -- they're a really fun group, I'm going to miss all of them.Yesterday I told my husband I wished we had more time together before I leave (we've both been so busy the last few weeks). He said, "Well, I was going to surprise you with this, but...I'm taking half a day off work on Friday so we have the afternoon together." How thoughtful of him!! I was so happy!I was feeling really anxious yesterday - it really hit me what I'm attempting to do. I kept looking at the map of the AT that we have hanging up on the wall of our apartment, wondering if I could actually do this.But today I realized: who cares? At least I'm trying.All the things in the past I had been nervous about doing, wasn't sure I could do -- those were all the 'rich' parts of my life. Even the situations that didn't work out, it was so worth it to rack up those 'losses' (for lack of a better word), since along with those came some attempts that played out really, really well. It's how you grow as a person.It's funny how little time can pass between not knowing if you can do something, and being like, "Was I actually concerned about that?" When I went to undergrad I decided to major in mechanical engineering - and spent four years in college wondering if I was smart enough to be in the engineering school, if I'd be able to make it through. (I did.) Now I look back and think, what was I so nervous about? And imagine how I would have limited myself if I let that self-doubt stop me from trying it. (Another thing I learned during that time was: it's more about persistence than natural ability. A lesson that has served me well in many other aspects of life!)When I was deciding to leave my PhD program I had a few rather intense conversations with my advisors. One of them said something along the lines of, this is probably the first time in your life you've ever failed at something. I had to stifle a laugh - I've "failed" more times than I can count, because I push myself. I try to do things that I honestly don't know if I can do. And then I find out. And difficult as it may be at the time, once it's all over and done with I've never regretted a single experience.I cannot wait to see how this adventure plays out.
Date: 2008-02-29
To: Local article
Miles today: 0.0

I was featured in a local newspaper yesterday, you can check it out online at http://guides.phillyburbs.com/outdoor. (If that url doesn't work, try http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/281-02282008-1495544.html)I admit I had hesitations about posting this article on my blog. The reporter did a really good job, he really captured the 'essence' of what led up to this trip. But it's still a little searing to read about your life in someone else's words! Now I know how Paris Hilton feels. I did decide to post it because I've already received feedback from readers that the story struck a chord with them...it's nice to know that people are finding hope in the (sometimes difficult) choices that Ground Control and I have made in our lives together.Speaking of Ground Control, tonight we're going out to a nice dinner, then coming home and maybe watching a movie. Tomorrow is the Big Goodbye! P.S. My husband just said, "Maybe when you're gone, I'll walk around with a note pinned to my shirt saying 'Feed Me'."
Date: 2008-03-01
To: I'm off!
Miles today: 0.0

Here's your ticketPack your bagsTime for jumping overboardTransportation is here -Talking Heads "Burning Down the House"Today is the day! I woke up at 4 a.m. this morning and couldn't fall back asleep. So I just lay in my warm comfortable bed, next to my warm comfortable husband, listened to the rain outside, and thought - I can't wait to get out there! We're leaving in a few hours for the train station! The next time you hear from me I'll be on the TRAIL!Several people have asked me the best way to keep in touch. I'll have very limited e-mail access - maybe once every couple of weeks - but if you e-mail me I will get it (and cherish it) eventually. Ground Control may even be printing them out and mailing them to me, which seems rather quaint, to snail mail an e-mail.If you want to send a letter (remember those things we used to write before e-mail existed? I'm dating myself here.) I've got my mail drops listed, just click the "mail drops" link to your left. Contrary to what the instructions say on that page, anything you send me doesn't necessarily have to be mailed two full weeks before my estimated arrival date. Just make sure it will get there a couple days before me and that will be enough of a cushion.My cell phone will be off, but I'll check it every couple of days if you want to leave me a voicemail or a text. A couple friends suggested I update my greeting when I get to town with what mileage I'm at and that I'm a-ok, so people can call in and get a quick update. Maybe I will!Thanks to everyone who is following my journey!!!
Date: 2008-03-02
To: Hiker Hostel!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Well folks, here I am at the Hiker Hostel! It is a beautiful hostel, very well run. I met V8 and Auntie Mame, who I knew from their trailjournals, so that was a very pleasant surprise. My cousins picked me up from the train station this morning, fed me DELICIOUS food, then drove me up here this afternoon. It was great spending time with them. It's beautiful weather today - 70 degrees and sunny with a bit of a breeze - and it's supposed to be just as nice tomorrow.I am SO excited and SO nervous. This trip has been so long in the planning and the dreaming. Part of me is overwhelmed by what I'm about to undertake, wondering 'What am I doing?' Another part of me is certain that this is exactly where I'm meant to be. I think I'll listen to that second voice.I turned my cell phone on and got a text from a friend that they sent a package to my first maildrop, and a voicemail from another friend wishing me luck tomorrow and saying he called Ground Control and he's doing well. When I take those first steps tomorrow I know I'll have the support of a lot of people behind me. It's a solo hike but I'm certainly not alone.
Date: 2008-03-03
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Stover Creek Shelter, GA
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: broken clouds

"Dreams come true. Without that possibility, nature would not incite us to have them." -John UpdikeToday is the day! I popped out of bed at 6:45 when my alarm went off. Had an excellent breakfast at the Hiker Hostel, then they shuttled me to the Trail. I hiked to the summit of Springer - it was SO exciting to see that first white blaze! I got the biggest smile on my face. I met the ridgerunner Many Sleeps, who said 51 thru-hikers started on Saturday! Wow! I took some pictures, ate a snack, then started hiking again.I kept thinking "I'm on the Appalachian Trail! I'm actually hiking it!" I felt like dancing a jig! Though I have to admit that my mind was also trying to have some fun with me. It is an amazing experience to start a dream - any dream - but it's easy for the self-doubt to creep in. ("This pack is awfully heavy - can I REALLY carry it to Maine?!") So I decided: I'm going to hike today as if it is the last day in my life I'd ever be able to hike. It really helped me stay focused on the moment and just enjoy today's hike.Which actually ended up being a rather short one. I got to the Stover Creek Shelter at 1 pm and ate lunch. The next shelter was 5 miles away, but the weather report was for HEAVY rain and bad thunderstorms to start around sundown. ('Rough and tumble' was how it was described to me.) I couldn't predict my pace well enough to know if I could make it to the next shelter in time. I really didn't want to be pitching my tent and cooking my dinner in bad weather, especially on the first day, when I'm trying to remember what pocket everything is in! Cannibal (nice guy, scary trail name) decided to stay put, and along the lines of 'better safe than sorry' I did also.Some other thru-hikers came in, including one who said "Does anyone like Wasabi Peas? Because I found out I don't!" and offered the bag around. He doesn't have a trail name yet so we've been joking that it's now Wasabi.It's 9 pm now and pitch dark so we're all in our tents for the night. Hiker midnight! I'm hoping to get an early start tomorrow, and cover a few more miles than I did today. P.S. Earlier today, Cannibal asked me "So how did you convince your husband to let you go on this hike?" I replied "He's a saint!"P.P.S. My face got sunburned today. I have to remember to put the sunscreen ON tomorrow and not just carry it in my pack!
Date: 2008-03-04
From: Stover Creek Shelter, GA

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: moderate rain

"I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by." -Douglas AdamsIt started POURING rain at 5 a.m. I had intended to try to make it 12 miles today, but the only way I was going to do that was to get an early start. And the only way to get an early start was to have it NOT pouring rain. So I immediately changed my plans to a more modest 5 miles, to Hawk Mountain Shelter. Having resolved this weighty matter, I then stayed in my sleeping bag for another hour and a half, getting up at 6:30.I realized my pack cover was sitting at home. I have a garbage bag lining the inside of my pack, but the pack itself would absorb water and get VERY heavy without any protection. Luckily Cannibal had an extra garbage bag he gave to me (thanks!!), so I had an ersatz cover that sure was better than nothing.I headed out of camp at 8:45. Still pouring rain, but I figured that's part of hiking the AT! I took the side trail to Long Creek Falls and it was worth it - an impressive waterfall.The trail started climbing, and the weather got INTENSE. The wind was howling, the rain kept coming (how could there be that much water in the sky?) and the fog rolled in. Wow! If I stopped or slowed down at all, I started getting cold, so I just kept trekking! Even though I was soaked, I was still happy to be out there. I knew I had dry clothes and a shelter to look forward to!I got to the shelter at 1 pm and immediately got into my dry clothes. I had my trailguide in the pocket of my raincoat, along with a bandanna. The bandanna wicked a lot of moisture into the pocket and the trailguide pages essentially dissolved. Whoops! Ground Control will send me new (undissolved) copies along with my pack cover. (When I talked to Ground Control today, I mentioned somewhat sheepishly that I've only gone 7.8 miles so far. He said, 'Oh honey, that's okay, it's only your second day!' So reassuring - and just what I needed to hear.)Tomorrow I can either go 8 miles to a shelter or 13 miles to a hostel. I'd LOVE to make it 13 miles (re: I'd LOVE to make it to a warm shower and a bed) but there's a steep climb in tomorrow's hike which will slow me down, so we'll see!I'd like to thank the students at Kent Place for the wonderful voicemail you all left me wishing me luck! I hope you enjoy following along!
Date: 2008-03-05
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: clear sky

It was SO COLD this morning I had a sheet of ice on my tent. I went to take a picture of it and my camera was frozen - it wouldn't turn on! So I learned a valuable lesson: keep your electronics inside your sleeping bag on cold nights! I packed up as quickly as I could and squished my feet into my frozen hiking boots. I could barely tie the laces they were so stiff. I couldn't wait to get moving just to warm up. ("See you on the trail, my foul weather friends!" I said to the other hikers at the shelter.)Luckily after an hour the sun came out, and the day slowly warmed up until it was a beautiful 60 degrees out. There were some climbs in today's hike so I took frequent breaks - it was nice to be able to take breaks and sit down on a nice rock or log and not get rained on or get too cold! The last 2 miles were tough today, but I knew at the shelter were Limestone & Carla, Driftwood, Chris, and Cannibal. We all camped together last night, so it was nice to see familiar and friendly faces. Chris built up a nice fire - it was fun to not have to go to bed at 7 pm!I'm going to do an easy 5-miler tomorrow then catch a shuttle to the Hiker Hostel. Woohoo - shower here I come!P.S. The Army Rangers do training all around this area, so all day I'd be hiking along, listening to the birds chirping, then out of nowhere there'd be all kinds of gunfire! Quite a dichotomy! I never saw a single Ranger, but I walked right by at least 2 of them. (They're required to escape detection, they're penalized if a hiker spots them - but there were at least 2 out there on the trail today. Another hiker who knew how to spot their foxholes saw 4 eyeballs watching him!)
Date: 2008-03-06
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

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

A beautiful day! The sun was shining as I packed up. Today's plan was to hike 5 miles to Woody Gap, where 5 of us would get a shuttle to the Hiker Hostel. I headed out of camp before the others as I'm the slowest hiker of the 5 (slow but steady!), so I wanted to get a bit of a head start on them.The trail was an easy walk through the woods that climbed to some spectacular views. At one point Cannibal, Limestone & Carla, and Chris were all sitting on a rock admiring the mountains behind us. Cannibal said, "Just think - you climbed all those, Bananas." I said, "I climbed all those bananas?!" He replied, "Careful! It's a slippery slope!" Oh, hiker humor.Up until today I haven't been very hungry, I've just been forcing the food down because I know I need it. This afternoon it's like a switch flipped -- I'm SO HUNGRY! As soon as I got to the Hiker Hostel I ordered a large Domino's pizza and ate the ENTIRE thing. My goodness!It will feel good to sleep in a bed tonight!
Date: 2008-03-07
From: Woody Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: moderate rain

I'm going to be like Andy Reid of the Eagles and start with an injury report: 3 bad blisters and one purple toenail. I'm going to the outfitter at Neels Gap and have them look at my boots tomorrow to see if I need to make a change. As it is I'm about to lose my big toenail, and I haven't even made it out of Georgia yet!I 'slackpacked' today - hiked without my backpack. The majority of AT thru-hikers do some slack packing at some point. It's a chance to give your knees a break, and to do more miles than you could do with a pack. Even without my 35-pound pack on today, it was some tough navigating. I went up and over Blood Mountain - no views because of the fog. It was raining and windy, and got colder as I climbed higher, but I was able to adjust my layers to keep from either freezing or sweating. (This seemed to involve putting my hat on and taking it off every other minute!)After summiting, it was a couple of miles to Neels Gap. There were 3 other hikers (Limeston & Carla, and Chris - now 'Turtle') who were doing the same hike I was, and a shuttle was going to pick us all up at Neels Gap when we were done. I was trying to hike quickly so I wouldn't keep them waiting - but there was no rushing on this part of the trail. There were a lot of rock faces to walk over, and they were very slick with the rain - and you can't plant your poles on rock to get more traction! I kept hiking and hiking, going down and down - and I began to feel like I'd never get off the mountain! I kept hearing a road, but couldn't see it - it was so foggy, and it had been so long since I'd seen another hiker, I was starting to feel a bit claustrophobic. (A strange feeling to have in the woods!) I just wanted to part the clouds like a curtain and see more than 20 feet in front of me!I finally got spit out onto the road, and across the street the other hikers were waiting and cheered me on! I went into the outfitters and picked up some mail (THANK YOU Nina, Big, and Boris and Natasha!). I bought some much-needed poles (I've been hiking without them, the ones I had today were borrowed). Turtle had an extra slice of pizza he gave me that I promptly inhaled.Tomorrow I'm taking a zero day (no hiking). I'll have a chance to do laundry, shower, and resupply for the next week.I was excited to learn that Auntie Mame, V-8, and Puppy are all backpacking out of Neels Gap the day after tomorrow - so I'll be heading out with them! It's always reassuring to know the people around you on the trail.So 15% of thru-hikers drop out at this point (Neels Gap). But I'm ready to keep going!!
Date: 2008-03-08
From: Neels Gap

To: Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is a 'zero day', where I do no hiking. I've already dried out my tent (wet from all that rain), and am waiting to start some laundry. Later I'll go into town and get groceries for the next week.I went to put my flip flops on this morning and they wouldn't quite fit. That's how much my feet have swollen! Also (and this is not a complaint, just a statement of fact): I wake up every morning feeling like I ran into a brick wall. I am SORE. Some hikers say this gets better as you get in shape, some say it doesn't because once you get in better shape you hike more miles, and so you still end up sore. In any case, that's what Ibuprofen is for. Time to go put my laundry in! Hope everyone at home is doing well!
Date: 2008-03-09
From: Neels Gap

To: Wolf Laurel Top
Miles today: 3.4

I spent some time today at the outfitter at Neels Gap and BOY was it worth it! I dumped out my pack and they went through everything (a pack 'shakedown'). They didn't have me get rid of too much, but they showed me how to pack everything so it's better organized and sits better on my back. (I was having some lower back pain that totally cleared up once I went with this new system.)Then I headed over to the boot department. I showed my toenail to the guy working there, who fled in horror and came back with the Boot Guru. He fit me with a new pair of boots a size and a half larger than I normally wear! I don't mind my feet getting fatter during this hike as long as the rest of me doesn't. They feel great, some boots take some breaking in but these fit like a dream right from the get-go.The weather today was a treat - chilly but sunny. I did as easy 3 miles due to spending the morning at the outfitters. Auntie Mame and V8 caught me, and we set up camp at Wolf Laurel Top. Puppy, Leslie, and Cannibal joined us. (That made it 5 women and 1 guy at our campsite - so much for the thinking that it's mostly men on the trail!) It was a really nice campsite. We overlooked the rolling hills of Georgia, and when night came we could see all the residential lights. So pretty!With the time change we get an extra hour of daylight, but it's still too chilly to stay out - it's 9 pm and we're all shut in our tents, bundled in our sleeping bags. Time for some sleep!
Date: 2008-03-10
From: Wolf Laurel Top

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: clear sky

A beautiful day! I was able to pack up in a much more organized fashion after my tutorial at Mountain Crossings (the outfitter at Neels Gap). I headed out of camp and soon Auntie Mame and V8 caught me and I hiked with them most of the day.When we got to Hog Pen Gap we found some Trail Angels! Trapper and Myrtle had a canopy up, and a spread of apples, cookies, water, soda, and...BANANAS!! I was so excited to not only be able to eat a banana, but to NOT have to carry the peel.We rolled in to Low Gap Shelter around 4:30. I was happy to see a spring running right by the shelter, since we didn't have much water today except from the generous Trail Angels. (Note: this is the first day we weren't walking by a water source every few miles! We've been lucky with the water sources this year.)I have to say, the past few days have gone really well. I can admit now that my first week out here was rough. It's not that I wanted to quit, but I wanted to be warm and dry and have most of my toenails, and that seemed to involve leaving the Trail! But I kept telling myself the weather would get better, I'd get to know the other hikers, I'd get my trail legs -- and I'm glad because now I'm really hitting a rhythm out here.I'm camping out tonight with Auntie Mame, V8, Burro, Cav, and Viewfinder (was Leslie). There are also quite a few people at the shelter!
Date: 2008-03-11
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Unicoi Cap, GA
Miles today: 9.2

Late last night and early this morning, while I lay in my tent, I heard owls calling to one another! Amazing. Such a robust and intricate call, not the 'hoot hoot' you hear in the cartoons!The terrain was quite easy at the start of the hike, so the morning flew by. I expected to go to Blue Mountain Shelter (7.2 miles), but I actually exceeded my expectations - I got to the shelter around 2 and didn't feel like stopping! I headed down the mountain with Auntie Mame and V8, and we got to Unicoi at 4 pm. We called the Hiawassee Inn, and Sam came and picked us up. When I checked in they gave me a laundry basket and told me to leave my laundry by the front door and they'd do a load for me! What service!Auntie Mame, V8 and I went to Dairy Queen for dinner. I was wearing my rainpants (my hiking pants are in the wash), fleece socks and sandals, and down jacket - Auntie Mame and V8 were dressed in a similar fashion. After DQ we stopped at a convenience store and the clerk asked if we were thru-hiking. Gee, what gave it away? Maybe we always walk around dressed like this!It was in the upper 20s/low 30s last night, and I am just not warm enough in my 20 degree bag. Even with a liner and ample clothing, I'm still cold. And my camera froze again, even though I had it in the sleeping back with me! V8 showed me a nice quilt that's under 1 pound but adds a LOT of warmth (and can double as a summer sleeping bag), so I bought it and am having it shipped to my next maildrop. Ground Control called the place (Jacks R Better) to order it for me and ask if it would get to the maildrop (the Hiawassee post office) in time. Not only did he say it would, but then told Ground Control to give me a heads up that post office in Hiawassee closes at noon on Saturday. How helpful - I hadn't realized that! So hopefully after my next maildrop I'll be toasty warm and have a functioning camera.It's 8:56 and time for sleep!