morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-06-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

One of the common curiosities I have regarding the trail is distance. How far will I get? At times I want to go as far as possible, like the Mason-Dixon Line; other times I feel that distance is not very important. I know what I would like to see, and that includes all of the trail through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (TN & NC) and Shenandoah National Park (VA). With a start date of 9 March and the Nashville State Commencement Ceremony around 15 May, I have about 8 weeks. If the average hiker reaches the town of Damascus, Virginia one month after starting in Georgia (466 miles), then it seems reasonable that I should be able to reach the northern entrance to Shenandoah National Park, which is another 498 miles from Damascus. This is provided that I don¢t suffer any injury or delays. The trail in Virginia traverses a terrain better characterized as rolling hills, unlike the more steep and forbidding Smoky Mountains of TN/NC. Hikers have higher mileage days in Virginia. So if distance isn¢t important, as I suggested, then why embark on a timely hike along a trail of over 2,100 miles? There are plenty of other parks & trails that are closer to home and with easier terrain. The answer is in the community of the Appalachian Trail (AT) and the volunteers that maintain it. Data books are available for purchase that are packed with information about water sources, road crossings, distances from shelters to other notable locations on the trail, and so on. A second piece of literature is the AT Companion Book, packed with hiker services such as gas stations, grocery stores, libraries, post offices, taxi services, hostels & showering, and hotels. It¢s tough to get lost with such good resources, and it reduces the chance that you will have other troubles along the way. So is the AT safe? You bet. And hikers are seldom alone. Between March & May over 2,000 people start off at Springer Mountain in Georgia. So I would like to cover a lot of distance, for the sake of seeing a lot and doing something exceptional; but hiking the AT is exceptional anyway, and I suppose that is why I don¢t plan to ¢thru-hike¢ all the way to Maine in one go. Nine hundred miles a long way, and I think that by then I would have been given me what I asked for¢¦ Another thought on distance and the AT¢¦When Myron Avery and Benton MacKaye proposed the trail in the early 20th century, they certainly didn¢t envision a marathon-style race-to-the-finish-line type enterprise. Anxiety and hurry be damned, I¢ll be leaving all of that behind!
Date: 2013-10-14
To: Ever closer...
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

It has been over four months since my last entry, and I'm still simply waiting on the time to pass before the trek begins. March 9 is still the start date. I have 3 classes to wrap up at Nashville State, all of which end in December and will provide me with an A.S. Information Systems degree. That is my main focus for the time being, and it has brought some anxiety and a touch of fear, too. I've been going to Nashville State for 11 semesters in a row, and it's about to come to an end. Wow.I read over my two last entries made in June, and I haven't drifted far from them in terms of how I feel about the trip regarding distance and supplies. A concern I have is my boots. I have a pair of Asolo full-grain leather backpacking boots that are absolutely rock solid. But I haven't broken my feet into them well enough to convince myself that they will not rub blisters on my achilles. I just need to put them on and go for some hikes with a stretch of uphill trail so that I can better familiarize my feet to the boots. That's all for today.
Date: 2013-11-23
To: 3.5 Months
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

With 105 days until I present myself at Springer Mountain, and 19 days until I take my last final exam and earn my first degree, I'm pretty sure that's pressure I'm feeling. I went to a spiffy outfitters store in Nashville named Binks and picked up a Smartwool neck gaiter for $28. It's remarkably thin and will help a lot on those cold March & April days walking along high, gusty ridge lines. It always seems that when it's bitterly cold the wind is consistent, and there is nothing like having a slightly open collar for a blast of single-digit wind to swirl in a rage against your flesh all the way to your waist. I know I won't be able to eliminate the exposure to cold, but I am aiming to layer efficiently so that I need only make slight adjustments while on the move. It's easy if you know where to allow a breeze in if you feel like you may begin to sweat. I haven't decided on my mid layer yet. I have two that I can use: a) an Arc'Teryx Atom LT - synthetic fill medium weight insulated jacket or, b) my Mont Bell UL down fill jacket. I'm also considering a vest.
Date: 2013-12-09
To: 90 Days!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Every day is a little closer! My mind is still on school, though. I have finished 2 of my 3 classes - Econ and INFS - both with A's. The last class is Accounting II, of which my final exam is Thursday, Dec. 12. Depending on how well I do in that class (C or B), will determine what level of honors I'll graduate with. Once I finish my degree, I'll be able to focus on working full time and saving for the trek!Oh, I decided on my mid layer. I am going to use the MontBell UL Down jacket as primary and double up with the Arc'Teryx Atom LT on top if needed. This should work well for hanging around camp during low output activities. Also, the Arc'T will eliminate an all-down layering system. This is better just in case everything gets saturated - as it is likely to do at some point. -John
Date: 2013-12-12
To: Degree - DONE!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I took my last final exam this morning, and I have FINALLY earned a college degree! I'm excited to take the spring off and go hiking on the A.T. for a nice mental deflation before going to Middle Tennessee State University in the summer. So I finally get to focus on stuff more fun. I think I'll read, work more, and visit friends more. I'm looking forward to it. 87 Days left!John
Date: 2013-12-20
To: Little things.
Miles today: 0.0

Joseph and I joined a new gym and I've been 3 times now. It's nice to be physically active again, and I've discovered a stair machine that is good for building the calves and thighs. I might even wear my boots on it - I don't think anyone will care. I'll be lifting weights to build my core to improve balance. Already impressed with results. Very impressed. I'm pretty sure dad has picked up a tent for me to take on the trek - a Christmas gift, which will be great since it weighs so little. My other 1-man tent is a bivy-style and the pole design is asking for trouble should I have any snow during the night. With 77 days left, I have time to work and save as much money as I can - which is going to be tough - and rip-up at the gym. I'm also reading some books. Also, Joseph ordered a really cool wrist band that has my name, blood type, moms & dads phone numbers, and a fitted quote by Lao Tzu. A good idea that will hopefully prove too heavy, useless, and unneeded. :-)I'm ready for 2014. John
Date: 2014-02-15
To: DWR
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I have been concerned about financing my trip, and this has been the reason for my lapse in journal entries lately. I've been neglecting my journal out of fear for funds. But things changed after I did my taxes - evidently the government will cut you some slack if you pay cash for college for 3 semesters. My tax liability was dramatically reduced and I'm going to be okay.This week I am making my last preparations. I stocked up on tech wash and DWR treatment spray. Tomorrow I will spend a couple hours at a laundry mat carefully following instructions to clean and apply treatments per manufacturer instructions. Later I will gather all the gear I intend to bring, and place each item on the floor for inspection & cleaning, if needed. I may list some items for readers, but I don't understand the whole 'gear list' section of this website; I don't have the time list every item and I don't want to anyway.I have been anxious as hell lately. Not being in school and working only part-time for 5 weeks has left me floundering in a mindless world of seemingly nothing. No deadlines. No real structure. And a job that keeps me up all night Fridays & Saturdays, of which I'm growing tired of FAST. The job doesn't challenge me in any respect and seems to irritate me when I notice the laziness of some coworkers. At least I'm not at Walgreens anymore - although I'm confident I would have been fired by now.. So if I'm so bored and irritable then why don't I just do something? Sure, I can just go do something - but what?? I know I'll be quickly bored with whatever I go do (I've tried), and then what? Here is some of the things I have been doing to keep my mind going: reading books about hiking, learning to program my ti-84, watching Khan Academy videos (on algebra, python programming, geometry, calculus, and taking notes on all subjects), reading and studying Buddhism, watching university lectures on academicearth.org, going to the gym... And applying for scholarship money.. Trail anticipation is getting to me and I'm absolutely ready. I did have success appealing a final grade of 'C' that I was awarded from Nashville State for my last semester. It is now a 'B', although I wanted an 'A'. Who the heck makes a 'C' in anything??
Date: 2014-02-25
To: I'm still going
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I've been feeling some resistance from sources that are suddenly non-supportive. I guess this is normal, but I don't need it. If you won't be supportive then just leave me alone. I guess I will start at Newfound Gap off of US 441. It is a common road-stop for Gatlinburg / Pigeon Forge people that never leave their cars and seek out only the views that their car or obnoxious motorcycles can provide them. Anyone there will notice that every car that pulls up spills garbage onto the ground when the first car door opens, followed by usually obese people falling out of their seats and landing on nike shoes. Cotton t-shirts & hats with "WWF", "NASCAR", or anything related to loafing in front of a television are omnipresent. More and more indicative of what it means to be American. Pitiful.Anyway, Newfound Gap is where I will start, despite my company. Besides, after 150 yards I'll escape the range given those by congestive heart failure. The trail from that point continues about 30 miles along the eastern continental divide (TN & NC state line) until it leaves the Great Smoky Mountains Nat'l Park (GSMNP). I have never hiked this area. The trail leaves GSMNP at Davenport Gap and shortly after passes underneath I-40. I'll be finishing up my packing as soon as I get my mind back on track. Those who know do not talkThose who talk do not know-Tao Te Ching
Date: 2014-03-01
To: Happy March
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Yesterday was a full day of running errands and seeing people. I took Joseph to the airport at 9 or so and then went to do laundry. After that it was CVS to grab some moleskin and a 1-liter Aquafina bottled water. Then I had a burrito. Following, I stopped by Walgreens where I used to work to say hello and goodbye to Tom, Julie, & everyone. They have known about my trip probably longer than most people, or maybe it seems that way because they always ask me how planning is going and if I will be letting people know where I am (Julie) and to stay away from the genetically-challenged mountain folk (Tom). Tom and I were going to do an AT trip last year with a friend of his but it didn't pan out. Tom and Julie will be keeping close watch on my journal so keep an eye out for their posts Anyway, after Walgreens I went to pick up some windproof mittens which I found on sale which was great! I also grabbed a pair of Smartwool socks - the 'mountaineering' grade.. I was a little hesitant because they were $25 and not on sale..   But when I put them on at home and walked around a bit, it became clear that I would have paid twice that for those bad boys. WOW, so soft and padded! Very nice socks. Then I went home for a nap.On the way to work around 10:00pm I noticed the car behind me flashing it's high beams. After a glance into my passenger-side mirror I noticed sparks and flying hot embers coming from my car. I stopped quickly on the side of Briley Parkway, exited the car, and came to the realization that my passenger-side rear brake was on fire! Remember that 1-liter Aquafina water bottle? I quickly grabbed it and doused the flame which extinguished most of the threat...But the whole rotor and caliper was cherry-red with heat! If I didn't do more - and fast - the flame would reignite and I would surely have lost the whole thing if the tire caught fire...   I just wonder what passing motorists thought when they saw me urinating on my car...
Date: 2014-03-02
To: The next few days
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

It's early March 2, and I am wrapping up my last day at Corporate Flight Management before my trek. I have enjoyed working here, even though 3rd shift has been hard on me. I'll take it over dealing with the public any day. I am trying to keep a list of things I need to do and people I need to see before I go. Today I pick up Joseph from the airport. I need to get to JJ's house to hang out & maybe Adam will be there too - I work with Adam. Monday Joseph and I will attempt to fly to Atlanta and be there in time for dinner at dad's. Louise is cooking so we have to be timely. But every time I try to fly somewhere on standby something happens - a mouse sneezes somewhere in Tibet - and everything goes to crap and I can't get on a flight. If that happens we will leave Nashville early enough to arrive timely...if my car doesn't catch on fire. We will return to Nashville on Wednesday. Wednesday and/or Thursday I will visit mom, Laura, and Bennie. Friday, March 7 we drive to Townsend, Tennessee and will stay at a Best Western before doing a 20 mile loop hike over the following 3 days. March 12 Joseph will leave me at Newfound Gap. I feel pretty good, but my list of to-do has my mind cranking, as to-do lists always do... It's tough sometimes to be excited when the only anticipation is contemplating the next chore. The trail eliminates all of the sludge that comes with life. I won't see any advertisements. It is a cleansing that can only come when you drop absolutely everything, ad infinitum, and forget that anything has to be done. All you have to do is walk, eat, and sleep. When did we ever do only what was necessary to stay alive?
Date: 2014-03-05
To: T minus 3...
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Tomorrow is Thursday, March 6 - the day before leaving for the mountains. After driving from Atlanta to Nashville early Thursday, Joseph will be running his errands and I will gather backpacking gear for the departure. I will also swing by JJ's house in the early afternoon - as I have been trying to do for two weeks - and hang out with him for a bit. Then I will go visit mom, Laura, and Bennie. When back home, I'll finalize my gear packing/gathering and put the big stuff in the car. Friday we will leave early in the afternoon after Joseph takes an exam at Nashville State. Friday night we will rest at a Best Western in Townsend, TN. The forecast for the low country is excellent! the days Joseph will be with me it will be in the middle to high 60's. Then when he leaves it will go to shit. It is forecasted to rain the moment I am dropped off. This is normal, and I expected it. Rain the 12th, 13th, and 14th - in other words, the entire time I am solo in the Great Smoky Mountains Nat'l Park. But it will likely fall as snow where I am, which definitely has its benefits! (stuff doesn't get wet)Tonight dad, Louise, Joseph, and I had Mexican food at a place in Smyrna, GA. There was a group of Mexican singers with a trumpet & a gigantic guitar of some kind... Anyway, they came to our table and sang to me - a song that was secretly requested from unknown persons - "Rocky Top" by Osborne Brothers. After that we went home and dad surprised me with some trail money to help keep me going! Very nice, and a big hug..
Date: 2014-03-09
From: Cades Cove, Gregory Ridge Trail

To: Backcountry campsite #12
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: clear sky

Today was our first day of three for Joseph and I. The plan is to do an 18 mile loop beginning and ending at Cades Cove. The first day was short - only 3 miles to backcountry campsite #12 on the Gregory Ridge Trail. I had passed that site several years ago but it was closed for bear activity. The site was small. Four other campers were already set up and we had to use a spot pretty close to two other guys. They did have a nice fire going, and as the sun went below the ridge line they offered us seats to stay warm. After 30 minutes of chat we went to bed. We both slept MUCH better than we would the following night.
Date: 2014-03-11
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Backcountry campsite 
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: scattered clouds

After leaving Mollies Ridge Shelter (mollies fridge, we called it), we walked a short 5 miles to a tent campsite where we arrived early in the day. After setting up the tent and hanging food and other stuff, four other rookie backpackers joined us. They had questions about hanging food in the bear cables, and we shared ideas for reducing weight (they hand-carried 5 gallons of water @ 6.7lbs*5gal). After I calmed their nerves regarding black bears and the (un)likelihood that they would see any bears at all on the trip, Joseph recited the story of a mother and cub that strolled through our tent site on our last visit to the park. Nice. I'm sure they all had 'bear mares' that night. No bears came into the site. In the morning we breakfasted on bars and coffee, then packed up and walked 4 miles to Cades Cove where we paid for ice cream and hotdogs. Then I volunteered to road hike 7 miles to pick up the car. I was back in 3 hours. My original start date was going to be March 12, but heavy snow in higher elevations has caused rangers to advise hikers to hold off one day. I have decided that AT shelters are disgusting and that I will be changing my plans in the Smokys and avoiding every one of them. This means, of course, that I will not be able to hike the AT until the AT leaves Great Smoky Mountians Nat'l Park (GSMNP), and that is perfectly fine. The Smokys are full of trails, and I have found one that will take me to the same place in the park that the AT leaves the park (once the AT exits the park, I will not be obligated to sleep in shelters) - and it will do so in the same 3 nights that I would have spent on the AT anyway. So I am not loosing/gaining anything - except 14 filthy, snoring hikers sleeping within hopscotch. I will be hiking a trail named "Old Settlers Trail" which is a historic area of the park, naturally. I will be taking pictures and posting them. I spoke with a ranger and she had just come from several days in that area; she indicated that not many hikers make the area a part of their itinerary. I'll try to post over the next 3 days if my phone works.A quote in my next journal by Ralph Waldo Emerson will be the word that I have officially begun my journey.
Date: 2014-03-12
From: Backcountry campsite

To: John's car
Miles today: 11.0

In the morning we breakfasted on bars and coffee, then packed up and walked 4 miles to Cades Cove where we paid for ice cream and hotdogs. Then I volunteered to road hike 7 miles to pick up the car. I was back in 3 hours.My original start date was going to be March 12, but heavy snow in higher elevations has caused rangers to advise hikers to hold off one day.I have decided that AT shelters are disgusting and that I will be changing my plans in the Smokys and avoiding every one of them. This means, of course, that I will not be able to hike the AT until the AT leaves Great Smoky Mountians Nat'l Park (GSMNP), and that is perfectly fine. The Smokys are full of trails, and I have found one that will take me to the same place in the park that the AT leaves the park (once the AT exits the park, I will not be obligated to sleep in shelters) - and it will do so in the same 3 nights that I would have spent on the AT anyway. So I am not loosing/gaining anything - except 14 filthy, snoring hikers sleeping within hopscotch. I will be hiking a trail named "Old Settlers Trail" which is a historic area of the park, naturally. I will be taking pictures and posting them. I spoke with a ranger and she had just come from several days in that area; she indicated that not many hikers make the area a part of their itinerary.I'll try to post over the next 3 days if my phone works.A quote in my next journal by Ralph Waldo Emerson will be the word that I have officially begun my journey.
Date: 2014-03-13
To: On my way
Miles today: 0.0

Breakfast is done and we are headed to the trailhead at Greenbriar. I'm nervous and even a little scared, but I know it will be a life-defining adventure. I think most of yesterday's snow has melted..¢At the gates of the forest, the surprised man of the world is forced to leave his city estimates of great and small, wise and foolish. The knapsack of custom falls off his back with the first step he makes into these precincts. Here is sanctity which shames our religions, and reality which discredits our heroes. Here we find Nature to be the circumstance which dwarfs every other circumstance, and judges like a god all men that come to her.¢Excerpt From: Ralph Waldo Emerson. ¢Self-Reliance.¢ iBooks. This material may be protected by copyright.Check out this book on the iBooks Store: https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewBook?id=533156303
Date: 2014-03-13
From: Greenbrier-Old Settler's Trailhead

To: Backcountry campsite #33 GSMNP
Miles today: 6.7

Day 1 is done and I am so exhausted. Emotionally. Exhausted. I didn't think leaving Joseph at the trailhead was going to be so tough. It was f'in hard. Then I had to do everything all myself when I got to the site-no Joseph. I tried making coffee and effed it up because Joseph always makes it. I drank it anyway. I didn't see anyone today and I am alone at the campsite. Food is out of reach of the bears. The sun is getting low and the temperature is falling. The trail today was mostly flat. Mostly old growth, and a few strangely dry places not characteristic of the smokys. At some places the trail was a tunnel under rhododendron. Then snow on the ground at every ridge section facing north. A nice hike for an emotional hiker.