morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-02-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

A month from today is when I leave for Georgia. I've been working to make sure my knee is as healthy as possible. I've completed physical therapy, now have custom orthotics to help the alignment between my hip and ankle, am taking strength training classes, and am working to increase my stretching. I meet with the sports physician again tomorrow and see what he says about my progress. He said I am able to overcome this so I hope I am on the right track. It's cautious optimism but I'm doing everything I was directed to do. I'll still work on my body but on to gear. I've been hiking and backpacking for a while now so my gear list has been pretty refined. I also have a few friends who thru-hiked and have been great resources to bounce questions off of. I still need to go through a few things but there are no major purchases I need to make. Odds and ends stuff: make a new tin-foil lid for my pot (20 ounce mug), buy a stuff sack, etc. With a sub-20 pound baseweight, I'm pretty happy with this.As the hike becomes nearer I am getting pretty excited. It was something I committed to over a year ago an it's literally a month away. I just wonder if the month is going to go by quickly or slowly. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.One thing I didn't expect were the numerous people supporting this hike. Yeah, a few haters too, but they just make this opportunity even sweeter. Really it's the people who I least expected were the most supportive. Kids at YMCA Camp Sloper, when they knew I was leaving to hike, gave some amazing gestures. One such kid, Johnny, gave me a headlamp to use when I get to Virginia. If I make it there, I will be sure to use it and remember the amazing 13 years I had to be part of Camp.A member of the Y, hiker and adventurer, Jim, is so interested in this hike too. I have co-workers who plan to follow this journal online. HI GUYS! People that want to meet along the way, friends who will pick me up, literally, anywhere along the trail.This undertaking brings out the best in people. I mean, my wife of only 3 months is supportive of this...granted we've been together forever. Not everyone would embrace the notion of being away for six months. Being from Connecticut, I look at is as I'm walking back to friends, families, familiar places and home. I'm truly lucky to have this opportunity.
Date: 2015-02-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: mist

Here's the quick update. I went for an MRI just to give me the piece of mind that there is nothing seriously wrong with my knee. Good news, no tears or cartilage damage. There is a bone contusion so I need to go easy, continue to strengthen and stretch.I decided to skip the approach trail. I did it in my section hike of 2012. Might as well just get this show on the road.My gear is pretty much set. I need to lay it out and go through it still but there are still three weeks to go.Let me just clarify a few things to family & friends that have questions about this trip: I am not going to be eating berries and living off the land. The trail goes through or near towns very frequent so I will be resupplying food regularly. There are three-sided shelters located along the trail. Some with a mile, some within 20 miles from each other. There are hostels and motels as well. I will be charging my phone at available times and plan to update this journal as soon as possible. You can always send a call, text, or email. Need my number? Leave a note in the "Guest Book" on the left side of this page. Want to mail me a package or send hate mail? I'll gladly give you my next stops of the location to send it to.That's it for the moment. I'll continue to update as the days lead to the trip.
Date: 2015-02-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

We're getting down to the wire. Only five days left until I leave. I still have to pack my food, add some photos and music to my phone, and a couple other minor things. I'll to go through my gear list and make sure I have everything.The weather down in Georgia has been unseasonably cold and brutal this year. The forecast for next week looks like rain. I guess I'll take it, considering the snow they have been receiving. I'll probably update this journal on Sunday, the night before I leave. When I'm on the trail I'm going to try to update it every couple of days or so. Bur really when it comes to putting down my thoughts, I actually prefer to put pen to paper. It's a great way to reflect on the day's hike as I relax in my tent, shelter, hostel, or whatever else comes my way. In my 2012 and 2013 section hikes I always made sure at the end of the day I wrote. Even when I was dead tired, I wrote. I'm glad I did.The thing about updating the trailjournal is that do need to conserve battery on the trail. I will be able to charge my phone every everyone few days or so. But it's going to be my camera too, so spending a lot of time journaling on it will just use up my battery. I'll update it as often as I can so just check back in and see my progress.That's pretty much it for the moment. Hope to see you back here Sunday night!
Date: 2015-03-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

What a send off. My wife threw me a surprise going-away party last night. I was completely shocked and I had a great time. Many thanks to everyone that was there in person or in spirit.With the hike starting tomorrow, my pack is heavy. With the weather being so terrible, I had to pack micro-spikes (for my shoes), gators, extra baselayers, a heavier sleeping bag, extra socks, etc. This isn't ideal but it's not ideal conditions. I'll just have to go with it and not fight it.Leaving tomorrow it's bitter sweet. I am surely looking forward to this new adventure but it's going to be tough leaving everyone. The thought of being able to walk back to Connecticut is nice though. I also have a few mementos to take with me.Well, I'll update this as soon as I can. See you in a few days!
Date: 2015-03-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Currently sitting in the Baltimore airport. Southwest delayed my departure flight 3 hours. That leaves me with two options:1. Arrive in Atlanta at 4:30, get backpack at luggage terminal, be driven 2 hours to the trail, start hiking as it gets dark. 2. Stay the night in Atlanta, fresh start with fresh legs in the morning.I choose option two. That's alright I suppose. I guess this adventure starts with an adventure. I'm getting continental breakfast & I'll be picked up at 8:00am. I'll hit the trail tomorrow!
Date: 2015-03-03
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: clear sky

Woo hoo! Today started my attempt to hike the entire Appalachian Trail. It started with Ron picking me at my hotel today. Another hiker, Socrates, was in the car too so we started the trail together. We wished eachother the best at the summit as our journey commenced. We technically had to backtrack .9 miles to get to Springer to start. There were literally no views at all today. It was just rain, fog, muddy ground and dreary weather. I guess it will just just make the other views better. I'm staying the night at Hawk Mountain Shelter but am sleeping in my tent. It's warmer and drier right now. My clothes are wet and it looks like rain all week. Time to rest up for tomorrow. Slow and steady wins the race!
Date: 2015-03-04
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Today didn't have much of anything good about it. I woke up to my tent floor full of condensation. It made my sleeping bag and pad wet, and I put my wet clothes on from yesterday...no sense getting dry clothes wet again. I hiked by myself all day. Not sure what happened to Socrates. I didn't see him after I broke camp. The miles go by so much slower when you are on your own. Hope to meet some people tomoeeow. But hey, lots of people would trade what they are doing for this!
Date: 2015-03-05
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Lance Creek 
Miles today: 8.5

Last night was really long! The weather has not cooperated and I should have stayed in the shelter. Instead, I chose to tent. It poured all night and was really windy. At 10pm, in the middle of the pouring rain, a tent stake pulled out of the muddy ground causing my tent to partially collapse. I had to put on my rain jacket, put in my shoes, and hold that part of the tent up all at the same time. I restated it and prayed all night that it wouldn't come out in this weather. Thankfully, it held. I tried to find the humor in it but I couldn't find it at the time. Mine tomorrow!The weather today was brutal too. High winds and rain all day. We did see the outline of a mountain so that was a first! But shortly after I left camp a trail angle, Fresh Ground, was cooking up some breakfast at one of the road crossing. I surely took him up on a pancake and an apple. He was also making coffee, hot chocolate, omelets and more. I ran into Tugboat and Chickadee there too! I hosted them back in 2013 when they made it to Connecticut. It was nice to see them and exchange well-wishes. After leaving there I ended up hiking with Sycamore. We had a similar hiking pace and he's a pretty cool guy to hike with. It was nice to hike with someone and let the miles roll by too. I'm in my tent early and journaling. It's supposed to be below freezing, high winds, and freezing rain. Tomorrow is supposed to be better and I'm heading to Neels Gap. Sycamore- if you are reading this, sorry for dropping you food bag 25 feet.
Date: 2015-03-06
From: Lance Creek 

To: Neels Gap (Mountain Crossings)
Miles today: 7.4

Today was the best day on the trail so far! We had great weather and I hiked with Sycamore and Peter all day. We made great time and summited Blood Mountain together. It's the highest mountain on the AT in Georgia. The weather was absolutely the worst last night! I have never been in my tent in such strong, gusty winds. It had to be blowing 40 miles an hour. I had rocks on each of my tent stakes and I wasn't 100% sure they'd stay in the ground. Add to this that it was below freezing. It was a long night. We made it to Neels Gap today. It's a great hostel, outfitter, and resupply. This is the second time here and the bbq rib sandwich was excellent, once again. And only a mere 580 calories! Anyway, it was nice to do laundry and have a hot shower. Oh a warm and dry bunk is nice too! I resupplied until I get to Hiawassee, approximate 40 miles away. Nikki and my parents are sending me my trail shoes. In hind-site, I should have just worn those to begin with.Jack, the hostel care taker tonight, hooked us up. We had some pasta, chili and bread. Score! But we had a ton of laughs at the hostel tonight. Just me, Sycamore, Jason and Peter telling stories and trying to come up with trail names. It was the highlight of the night. Peter-if you are reading this, go to life-skills class to learn hot to pop popcorn. I swear it's easy!I made phone calls to Nikki and my parents and brother. It was great to talk to them and hear their support. It's great to hear the support they are passing along from others as well. That's it for now. The forecast looks good for the weekend. I'll be back to write in a couple days.
Date: 2015-03-07
From: Neels Gap (Mountain Crossings)

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: clear sky

Today was amazing. The views, the weather, the rest at Neels last night. It was all great.I hit the trail by 7:00am. Sycamore and Hermit left about 10-15 minutes ahead. Tree Ninja and I hike together the entire day. It really made the miles fly by. We snapped some pictures and took in the sunshine and some views along the way. We made really good time. It was only around noon and we already put down 11.5 miles. That brought us to Low Gap Shelter where we refilled water ate lunch, and rested our tired feet and ankles. Lunch was a very satisfying 4oz summer sausage and a 4oz block of cheddar.Despite the tiredness, we chose to press on another 7.3 miles. We didn't see Sycamore or Hermit so they had to have gone past Low Gap also. We met lots of day hikers and weekenders on the way. On a random spot on the trail, a former thru-hiker, Hermes, was giving out trail magic. I took a piece of fruit and few Jolly Ranchers for the trail. Overall the weather was perfect and the climbs were tough. The toughest were the last few of the 18.8 miles. When I made it to camp, Sycamore and Hermit were already set up. I can't believe we didn't catch them but we did end up eating dinner together. The sky is crystal clear. The stars are amazing. I wish everyone could experience this too.
Date: 2015-03-08
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Four month anniversary! Woo hoo! Time flies when you are having fun!It was a great day on the trail today. I had shorts and sunglasses on! It was, I dare to say, warm out even. Hermit and I left Blue Mountain Shelter at about 8:30. Sycamore and Tree Ninja were about 15 minutes ahead of us. We hiked the first couple miles together and he has a really cool dream of driving his van down to the tip of Argentina after the trail. Neat story. We made it to Unicoi Gap and met a section hiker and trail angel, Sherpa (Leonard). He was giving out coffee, water, and fruit. I grabbed an orange. I need to eat healthy options when I can. Anyway, after Unicoi we stopped at a stream to fill up and I left just before Hermit. I didn't see him at all until camp. I hiked pretty much most of the day alone, with brief periods with the Rhode Island Express. Mostly I was in my own. Less than 3 miles after Unicoi, another trail angel, Slow Ride, was offering up some sweet trail magic! I took him up on the chips, hot dog, and Mountain Dew. Score! Then a couple miles later a Boy Scout troop had apples for hikers. It was a good day for trail magic. We had some really tough climbs today. Kelly Knob was the worst! Plus my feet and ankles hurt all day and made the day feel even longer. Tomorrow we head into Hiawassee. It will be good to relax a bit since we did 34 miles in two days. The four of us are spending the night tenting at Deep Gap Shelter. I get sleep with a stream nearby. Overall, the hikers are heading north and it's great camping with them. Hiawassee tomorrow!
Date: 2015-03-09
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 3.6

I'm tired. I only hiked about 4 miles but my body is happy to relax. We broke camp at 7:30am and needed to make it to Dicks Creek Gap for a 9:00am shuttle to the Holiday Inn. Tree Ninja and I split a room, Sycamore and Hermit split another. We dried out gear, did laundry,!hit the shower and went to Hardee's. Mmmm! We resupplied and kept it low key for the most part.Hermit, Sycamore, and I hit the hot tub and pool for a bit. Tree Ninja wasn't feeling it but he was feeling a second Hardee's milkshake later. I went with him and grabbed some chicken tenders too. It's great to home with or camp with the same people. We may have different paces but it's good to be a group that meshes well together. Each person brings their own unique traits and it's really nice. I was able to FaceTime with Nikki tonight. It's pretty tough in both of us and it's only been a short time. I hope it gets easier. The forecast for tomorrow through Saturday is rain. Lovely. Maybe I'll use a shelter instead of a tent at some point this week. I do know that my rain gear is bear and I have lots of duct tape on it. I just ordered up a new set and Nikki will send it to me when it arrives. Speaking of shipping, my shoes were supposed to arrive today...but they didn't. I hope they are in tomorrow before we head out to the trail. 10 more miles and I'll have the first of 13 states complete.
Date: 2015-03-10
From: Hiawassee, GA

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I had a good nights sleep at the Holiday Inn. I went down for breakfast then to the post office to see if my shoes arrived. Again, they had not. We needed to leave so I had them bounce them to the next town Franklin, NC. After our shuttle driver dropped us off, Hermit and I hiked the day together. We had great conversation and the day was much better. There were a few pine trees today which is a nice change. Mainly we are hiking in tunnels of rhododendron or with interestingly shaped trees. Overall the woods have seen much damage due to storms this winter, and you can see from years past. There are lots of branches and logs littering the footpath. You can see the devistation off the trail as well. We had some really tough claims and my heels and ankles are really hurting. They are hurting even at the beginning of the day. I hope they get stronger soon. Heir and I crossed into North Carolina at exactly 1:00pm. One state down, thirteen to go! The climb from Bly Gap (right after you cross into NC) was Lon and difficult. We skirted rain almost the entire day. The forecast is still showing rain through Saturday. It wasn't until about 3:30 when I out my rain jacket on and it was just for a short time anyway. We stopped for a short break at Muskrat Creek Shelter and took a side trip to see Raven Cliffs and the site of a Cessna plain wreck. From there we proceeded to have a very long, rocky, slow trail until we reached our destination. Since we arrived at 6:00pm, there were many people here already. Where I'm tenting the ground is very uneven and full of roots. Dinner was good: rice and red beans in wraps. We were missing Sycamore who looks like he kept on hiking. I hope to meet up with him again. As I write this, the rain is just starting to come down. It's a bit windy but nothing will compare to Lance Creek!Tomorrow may be a shorter day. Our bodies are feeling it and need to recover. We have about 25 miles to go until Franklin, NC. Lots of hikers will be heading there too. Let's hope my feet feel better or these long days will be even longer...still having fun though!
Date: 2015-03-11
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Betty Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.3

It rained last night but I was dry in my tent. The bottom of my sleeping bag got a bit damp from touching the side walls of my tent but overall I slept pretty well. I was the last of the trio to break camp this morning. I need to come up with a new organizational system to pack up quicker and be on the trail earlier. I do find it interesting that we have a 6 month journey ahead of us, yet there is an implied time to wake up, pack up, and be walking. If it's after 8:00am, you're late...or it seems to be. Tree Ninja and I hiked all day together with Hermit being close but just out of sight ahead of us. As we hiked we hit dog but no rain until later bright from camp we hiked up Standing Indian Mountain. We took the side trail to the actual summit but it was all fog. Around 11:40am we stopped for lunch at Carter Gap Shelter. We normally just snack as we walk continuously, hour after hour. This was a nice change. I at nearly a pound of food. Lunch consisted of 6oz salami, two wraps totally 4oz's, 2oz Snickers, 2oz trail mix and something else j can't think of. I may just have my trail appetite!After lunch we only had a couple miles left to get to Betty Creek Gap where we were camping for the night. We were lucky enough that it didn't rain earlier in the day. But by the time we arrived it was pouring. I set up my tent in the rain...and tore the sleeve off my rain jacket at the same time. It was cheap but I'll need to buy a new one in town since the one I already ordered won't be in soon enough. Tent is set up, I'm soaked, I'm hungry. As the rain turned to mist I had dinner. The rain ended up holding off and I sat by the fire ring with a couple other hikers: Pliskin from LA, Shruggs & Axion from Quebec. We had some good conversation and then retired to our tents. Tomorrow we are heading into Franklin to resupply and let our bodies rest.
Date: 2015-03-12
From: Betty Creek Gap

To: Sapphire Inn
Miles today: 12.2

No rain last night at Betty Creek Gap. It's always better when the rain holds out. I didn't sleep that well but Tree Ninja and I were up and on the trail at 7:30am. We only had one real, challenging climb today. It was a 45 degree climb up slick rocks to the summit of Albert Mountain. The climb was tough but it was very short. The summit has an old fire tower with a great vantage point. Unfortunate the fog was so thick I couldn't see anything. It did mean I completed the first 100 miles. There was supposed to be rain but not a drop was shed. The fog eventually lifted and the day turned out pretty decent. It wasn't exactly sunny but it wasn't rain. Sounds like a win in my book!The birds are out. I see them during the day and hear them at night. Rhododendron are showing buds. Looks like spring is on the way. We made it to Rock Gap and I moved ahead of Tree Ninja. Our game plan was to make it to Winding Stair Gap about four miles later. Around 12:45 I made it to the parking lot where Pliskin was standing. Trail angel, Rodney, was giving out coffee, fruit, and nine made peanut butter cookies. I took him up on a apple and a couple cookies!Shortly after I arrived, a few other hikers hit the parking lot. I called the Sapphire Inn to secure a shuttle into town. Tree Ninja and I dried out sleeping bags, tents, food bags, etc. We met up with Sycamore and went to the outfitter, Outdoor 76. After an extended stop there we went for dinner at Mi Casa. The five enchiladas were fantastic!After a FaceTime with Nikki it was just time to relax and rest the body. We are taking tomorrow of to return to the outfitter, resupply and stop at the Post Office. My feet and ankles hurt a bit, but not as much as yesterday. I'm hoping time off helps. Until tomorrow...
Date: 2015-03-13
From: Sapphire Inn

To: Sapphire Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Took a day off. It was a busy and productive day actually. First thing I did was check with the Post Office to see if my shoes had arrived...they hadn't. I was fed up at this point and just had them ship them back to Connecticut. I grabbed some breakfast in a little place downtown. I had some excellent down-home biscuits and gravy, a bagel, and a couple chocolate milks. I was happy. With breakfast complete, across the street to the outfitter I go. I had an extensive foot analysis and ended up buying a new set of shoes since mine never came in on time. I also bought a rain jacket since the other one was now sleeveless. I had to resupply for the next few days, at least until Fontana about 55 miles away. Ron Haven, the owner of the Inn shuttled us to Walmart. I resupplied food and a couple other odds and end things I needed. Don't let hiking fool you...it's not cheap!All resupplied, food organized, now dinner time. Tree Ninja and I went to Vito's Pizza and sat with another hiker, Long Stride (from Nova Scotia). The owner of the restaurant hooked us up with complementary cheesey garlic bread and a ride back to the motel. If you are a hiker, call them and they'll give you a ride over!Laundry, phone calls, update Trailjournals. That's it before the trail tomorrow. Let's hope for good weather and I'll post again in a few days.