morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-01-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Got to the river last night and again this morning. I'm such a water junkie. Decided my second big fear about my thru is that I'll want to just sit in the beautiful spots and not move north. I guess it's b/c I don't expect the trail to be particularly beautiful a majority of the time. Not like Switzerland. There I just wanted to keep moving b/c it was all so perfectly incredible. Can't imagine a "green tunnel" having that kind of allure or pull factor. I anticipate instead that I will be so taken with the more rare spots of picturesque waterfalls or peaceful lakes or scenic high spots that I'll want to zero there for a couple of days just watching the sun rise, animals go about their day, light play across the scene, clouds move across the sky, the sun go down, stars come out, and then all over again but slightly different the next day just for comparison. Can't make it up there before closing time if I do that though. Being near the river for the weekend was really cool. Weird, since I live 10 minutes from a decent one. I guess I always avoid hikes along the towpath b/c of all the other people. But I really get fed by the water. Guess I'll have to just get out earlier than civilized so I can have the Cuyahoga to myself for a bit this weekend. Can't believe I pushed and drove the whole way home on 1 hour of sleep. Oddly enough, I felt great. The roads were dry up to WV and the tunes were positively blaring. My singing was horrid but I reworked the lyrics of Violent Femmes' "Add it Up" to make it a Tuckerizing song. Then I had to try to make every song a thru-related song. I think I'm addicted to the AT before I've even begun. I was batting about .500 for successful rewords. Good enough for the Baseball HOF but I don't think I'll try to make a living at it.
Date: 2007-01-15
To: not road kill
Miles today: 0.0

Did a teeny tiny itty bit of the AT outside of Bland, VA on my way home from SoRuck. After going too far on a gravel road for several miles I turned around, went back to the last junction, parked the car and got out. Right in front of me was a blaze. And another. I could see 3 just standing there. Got back in the car, drove slowly along the road following the blazes until I got to the junction of North Scenic Trail & Wyrick Trail. Parked and started walking. At first I thought I was smelling roadkill but I didn't see any smashed squirrels or anything. So I kept going but the smell didn't fade. It got worse. So odd. Then I spotted the first of many deer carcasses. Seems the hunters in this area find the forest service land a convenient dumping ground for the extra parts. I guess it's kinda good 'cause maybe the maggots on the carcasses can start to work on the obligatory avacado green fridge and 2 porcelain toilets that occupy this and all illegal dumping grounds. The beaver's orange teeth and mittened-looking back flippers were striking to me. Got to see some nice panoramas before heading back to the car for the drive home. Just before I got there I met a 2007 section hiker/2008 thru-hopeful and his brother just heading up the same trail. After he explained to me that he's got a schedule of 20 mile days all planned out I gave him the WB address and suggested he consider the PA Ruck. WB could save him so much agony. I know it's been great for me.
Date: 2007-01-21
To: 1/2 Pint
Miles today: 0.0

Got out for a flat 8 1/2 mile hike yesterday. Next time I might add one more 2-liter bottle to the pack but I estimate I was hauling about 21 to 23 pounds. Not too bad. Looking forward to next weekend's trip. Hope it's not prevented by severe weather or 1/2 Pint's health. His health dominated my thoughts for most of my hike. Then last night he peed in the house. Again. I know his vet said it's one of the side effects of the medicine, but watching him deteriorate in his awareness, mobility, and bladder control is not a good trade-off for lessened seizures. So I didn't give him his medicine today. And I continue to struggle with making the right call but even thinking about what to do feels disloyal. My snoring little buddy has seen me through so much. Thirteen years of togetherness. I think of all the hours he spent keeping me company while I studied or the times his mere presence comforted me because life sucked or the walks we used to take. At what point am I keeping him alive for me and not for him? And how can I leave him if his health isn't stable? Of course I can't. I know Mom will be great with him and he loves staying with her, but if he's at all questionable, I can't abandon them both and feel okay with that. This is the biggest emotional stress weighing on my life. I fear that he won't improve and I'll have say goodbye permanently. I like his vet. I trust his vet. Tomorrow I'll call and see what he says. If only my little guy could talk and let me know what he wants and how he feels.
Date: 2007-02-16
To: the greeting
Miles today: 0.0

I was able to get out of work with a few hours of sunshine left. After the lousy weather all week it was great to see the beautiful blue sky. Zipped home, changed clothes, grabbed my daypack, put Matty's collar & leash on her, and then hit the trail at the Preserve. Not another car in the lot. Snow was about 18" I guess. I tried to lead but Matty wanted to charge ahead, so I let her. I figured she'd get tired soon enough and settle behind me but she never did. Matty's a good trail partner. Regardless of the weather she always projects a simple happiness about getting to play outside. I feel the same way.Normally when I'm on a trail I exchange the obligatory little head bob, small smile, and brief "hello" with hikers coming from the other direction. This social etiquette always feels like an obnoxious intrusion upon my solo experience. I begrudge it. Oddly enough, when I'm hiking with a friend, I'm genuine in my greetings. Maybe because then the people from the other direction aren't changing the nature of my hike. That is, I'm already in an outward or social mode with my friend, so it's no big deal to extend it to others. But most of the time I'm out there solo and I jealously guard my solitude. On the high-traffic trails I've even gone so far as to wear my ipod (but without turning it on.) Just seeing the earbuds seems to work to keep people from trying to start up a conversation at a peaceful overlook or wherever. I'm sure they're all nice people and I'd enjoy chatting with them. But... I don't know, it's like after years of being concerned about what others want and need, I feel like this is ME time and I'm not willing to compromise what I need. I'll probably feel differently on my thru. I imagine I'll have a chance to get plenty of alone time and then I'll welcome the sight of another hiker. We'll see. For today, I reveled in the fact that I had the trail to myself and what better way to start a long weekend than with a little hike?
Date: 2007-02-17
To: not a good day
Miles today: 0.0

Had to take Half-Pint to the vet to be put to sleep. Hideous decision to have to make. Normally physical labor can make things better, but digging his grave in the backyard under knee-high snow did not help. Ricky offered to help dig, just like the vet offered to dispose of him. But I wanted, I needed to do this myself. I didn't want the end of his life to be sanitized away from me. I didn't want to wonder how they treated his body. Now he's nestled in the ground next to a cat that some driver hit and left in front of the house. They can keep each other company of sorts. Silly thought, I know. But he was always such a social doggie and I feel better knowing that he's near the treehouse where kids will play and I can visit occasionally. I'm not ready to call my friends and family to tell them. I did tell my roommates so they could say goodbye and I called Mom. I felt really bad for her. I know how much she was looking forward to having him for 6 months. They were so good together. But I haven't called Mom* or Dad or anyone else. Thankfully, I'd had a backpacking trip planned for the long weekend so they won't think it strange that my phone is off for several days. God, I'm going to miss my little guy. I'm just not sure what to do with myself without him. *I'm extremely lucky to have 2 wonderful women that I call Mom. One is here in Ohio and she's been like a mother to me here. She is very important in my life. The other is home in California and she's the mother who gave birth to me and raised me and is also very important to me. Like I said, I'm lucky. My Ohio mom has been Half-Pint's grandmother and primary dogsitter for like 6 years now. She's the one who'll mourn him as much as I do.
Date: 2007-02-24
To: short but good hike
Miles today: 0.0

The sun was out, inviting me to go for a hike. Of course, I accepted the invitation. It was good to get out, even just for a short hike. Parts of the trail were well traveled and icy where the sun had begun melting the tracks. I was glad to have my poles for additional stability. The loop going down to the river was pristine so I had good traction the whole way. I find leaving tracks in the snow both pleasurable and regretful. I feel bad for disturbing the perfect picture of untouched nature and I feel good for experiencing something the way nature put it together. Just me & the deer out romping around. ;-)I took my day pack at about 19 lbs or so. It's sooo easy compared to 27 lbs. Hardly noticed it. I definitely need to stay focused on getting physically ready for the trail. I could tell that the hills were easier this time than in the past and my pack was heavier than I've had on this loop before. So, those gym sessions are paying off even if I don't feel it or can't see it. Still trying to nail down my plans for my shakedown hike. It's funny, there are thrus already hitting the trail and here I am still in prep mode. Not that their plans have anything to do with me, it's just that it makes me impatient to be out there actually doing it instead of back here still planning and preparing for it. But I'm really not ready - logistically, physically or emotionally - to leave yet. April will come soon enough.
Date: 2007-03-09
To: Dancing a jig.
Miles today: 0.0

If I could dance even a tiny bit as well as that banana (the obnoxious one that gets plastered on email as often as the overused phrase "LOL") then I'd be dancing a jig right now, baby!! I can NOT believe how great my hike is going to be. And it is. I know this because I haven't even started and already trail life is pretty awesome. Two very cool and fun people I met at SoRuck are going to hang with me for the first 36 hours or so. I truly can't think of a better way to start my hike. Dancing... dancing.... ow - better stop before I hurt someone... nope, can't stop... dancing.... dancing... okay, dancing with a big, stupid grin...
Date: 2007-03-14
To: preparing for shake down trip
Miles today: 0.0

Got my new alcohol stove in the mail Friday. Of course, I could have tried to make one as that's half the cool factor of using an alcohol stove, but I don't really have the tools or the time to figure my way through 5 or 10 roughdrafts to get one working stove. So I bought one from a WhiteBlaze member who's into tinkering. But Friday I only had rubbing alcohol in the house, so I only fired it up twice. Finally picked up the SLX denatured alcohol from WalMart's paint department so tonight I was able to try the stove with both the Heineken pot and a grease pot. I like the results with the Heineken better but I like the stability of the grease pot better. Getting the fuel into the chamber is a pain. I'm using a 3 cc injector to ensure that it goes into the insulation in the wedding favor tin instead of pouring over the sides. I'll need to get a better system together if this stove is going to be my trail stove. I made my hotel reservations, scheduled my shuttle, and sent off my 1 resupply box to the hotel. So, basically, I'm all set for my 10 day shake down trip. I finally settled on doing a section of the actual AT (instead of the River to River trail that I'd strongly considered). The SNP made the most sense for several reasons (1) it's closer, so less driving time, more hiking time, (2) if during my thru, I'm feeling concerned about getting done in time for the Gathering, I could count my hike of SNP as already done and leap frog that section, giving myself a week's cushion, (3) I just can't wait to be ON the actual AT, so why not?Since I'm going pre-season, there was only 1 choice for resupply. I've decided to go NoBo from The Inn at Afton, resupply at Elkon (at about 44 miles), and get shuttled back to my car from Compton Gap (about 60 miles later). The shuttle dude has agreed to pick me up south of Compton Gap if I'm not able to hike as many miles as planned. But, really, I've allowed 10 hiking days for something that most thrus do in 5 to 7. So I don't think I'm being optimistic to think that I'll be able to do the whole 105 miles in 10 days. In fact, I think it'll be a relaxed and enjoyable hike.
Date: 2007-03-19
To: Shake Down - the aftermath
Miles today: 0.0

The muscle behind my knee that bothered me all yesterday is slightly swollen and painful. I hobbled around the hotel room last night. Well, I tried to stay off it, but when I did have to move around, it was difficult. I would have loved the use of a walker, that's how much it hurt. I didn't ice it but I did take ibuprofen and put the topical pain reliever on it overnight. That might have helped some. My range of motion is extremely limited with that knee still today. It's not a problem I've had before. I know I shouldn't have done 20 miles with a full pack on a paved surface, but I really didn't want to sit in a tent for 15 hours. And it would have been at least that long. Since the wind was still doing it's thing it was too cold to be out just sitting and I walked at a good clip because that was the easiest way to stay warm. I got to my car around 2:30pm. So, if I'd cut the miles in half, I would have had to make camp around noon and sit tight til sunrise. No thank you.   Well, I've got a couple of weeks to rest it up and let it recover. This healing period will just be a good reminder that when I'm actually on my thru I need to take it slow and easy for the first several weeks. Another good lesson. Although, I actually planned that already.
Date: 2007-03-28
To: morning wildlife
Miles today: 0.0

Not AT related, but I just couldn't resist putting this cool pic in my journal. Got a late start heading to work this morning and I'm glad I did, otherwise I wouldn't have seen this beautiful coyote in the backyard. Best guess is she (he?) was hoping to snack on the cat before the cat could get her butt back into the house. It was great to see the coyote but she did not seem one bit bothered by my presence and stood for several minutes while I was in her full sight taking pictures out the open back door. It's the second time she's shown up. Last time the dogs were raising a ruckus and barking like crazy but that didn't bother her either. Beautiful animal. Great way to start a day. Can't wait to be on the trail!
Date: 2007-04-07
To: Approach Trail
Miles today: 0.0

ALHikerGal & SuzyQhoo picked me up at the Atlanta airport yesterday. The crazy nuts had painted the windows with "1Pint AT NOBO" and such. Think I got some good pictures of it. It was such a fun thing for them to do. I loved it. Stayed the night at the lodge and slept great. This morning SuzyQ drove up the forest service road while we hiked with just light packs up the approach. Met a section hiker also from Ohio and he hiked with us the whole time. Good company. ALHiker set a steady and comfortable pace and we had good conversation. A nice first day.
Date: 2007-04-08
From: Springer Mtn 

To: Hawk Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: clear sky

Walked south back to Springer Mtn (and the plaques) from the tenting area atop Springer Mtn. Tagged the plaques and spoke with Many Sleeps ('98 SoBo) again. Took more pictures and then headed NORTH TO MAINE. SuzyQhoo and ALHiker gave me a wonderful send-off. It was great having them near for the approach and the coooold night (19*) on Springer. But, I'm ready to start my solo journey. I thought I'd be crying the whole way up the trail the first day, but nothing so far. Just enjoying being out on the trail.
Date: 2007-04-09
From: Hawk Mtn Shelter

To: Gooch Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

It feels silly to stop hiking after only 4 hours but someone made a fire and the next shelter is farther than I'd like to go. Plus, I don't want to start off too strong and have an injury slow me down. So, this is as far as I'm going tonight. Lots of good company at the shelter tonight. Tater from ME, Ian from Ohio, Red's Man & son Nimrod from AL, Jake, Hoshaiah from RI, and Diesel/Lane with his dog Juice. Light snow flurries, but that's better than 33 and cold rain, so I'm happy. Great shelter, good fire, good conversation.
Date: 2007-04-10
From: Gooch Mtn Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: light rain

Enjoying the way I can hike by myself but also with others on and off throughout the day. A nice balance so I get the best of both. On Blood Mtn a hiker decided he just had to call home and chat while the rest of us enjoyed the view. Ugh. Otherwise, a good hike today. Got to do laundry at the hostel and ate pizza with a cherry coke. Yum. It was only a medium thin-crust pizza, but I couldn't even come close to finishing it, so I shared with the others in the hostel. Give me a couple more months and I'm sure I'll be able to polish it off by myself.
Date: 2007-04-11
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light rain

Fantastic, magical-feeling mist as we hiked out of Neels Gap. I know the area is supposed to be great for 360 views, but the fog/mist prevented that. I understand why some people do more than one thru. The trail would be different next year. Brady and I hiked together on and off today. We feel the same about the mist. It's a wonderful hiking day. Got into Low Gap Shelter as it was getting pretty cold. I cheered when he called out that he could finally spot it. We were a little loud walking that last bit of trail but it was a great sight after the cold had started to set in. We managed to get some of the last spots in the shelter. We made room for another hiker to sleep at our feet. There was definitely room for one more but there was a couple hogging space with their packs and unwilling to more their packs for a wet, cold hiker. I was ticked. Another hiker was in there. He said he'd taken a zero that day due to the weather. He'd sent home his tent and his sleeping bag at Neels Gap because he thought he could get to Cloud9 without them. ?!?! He claimed to have spent 3 years of his life doing things outdoors and had lots of experience. ?! Then he wanted to leave a pot of 1/2 eaten mac & cheese on the picnic table all night "to soak". Another thru politely asked him to hang it on the bear cables.
Date: 2007-04-12
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Tray Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: clear sky

Small crowd at the shelter tonight. Ewker & Creek Dancer left a note in the register for me. That was sooo way cool. I even took a picture. I don't expect to catch them since they've been ahead of me for a bit but it'll be nice to get back on WB and tell them I saw it and appreciate it. Brady, Jake, Hoshaiah and I went back south to the top of Tray Mtn to watch the sunset. I like these guys. Seems like we're hiking similar mileage and they are willing to do "extras" that some thrus aren't willing to do. Could be fun hiking buddies.
Date: 2007-04-13
From: Tray Mtn Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Staying at Cloud9 hostel. Met up with Ewker & Creek Dancer on the hike today. It was great walking with them. I really miss WB and I'd been bummed that I hadn't seen them yet. I neglected to get a picture of the 3 of us though. Duh. I think I was too busy introducing them to my trail buddies and just exicted about going in to the hostel, etc that I overlooked it. Made tentative plans with Creek Dancer to call her when I get closer to her section of the trail so she and a friend can come hike and we can do a hiking weekend together. That should be fun. An awesome trail angel named Tater/Ken (thru in 2000) was waiting at the Dicks Creek Gap to shuttle us in his truck to the hostel. He took a truckload in, came back and took us in. And gave us cold pop! Then he came back to the hostel a couple hours later to take us to the restaurant in town! He offered to come get us when we were done grocery shopping but a store employee gave us a lift back, so that was covered.
Date: 2007-04-16
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Swinging Lick Gap Campsite
Miles today: 16.8

Crossed the road to go into Franklin and kept on going. All 5 of us are camping under Jake's huge palace of a tarp (a Ray Jardine design that Jake made with a kit). 2weeks & 3days is tenting nearby. Decent weather means it should be a good night.
Date: 2007-04-18
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

I was in such a great mood all day today. The NOC is where SoRuck was held so today was filled with memories from just a few months ago. I need to send an email to the jokefest participants. I kept thinking about all of them and how I can't wait to see them at TD and the Gathering. We had such a good time that weekend but especially that night. Cooked a spaghetti dinner for my hiking buddies and a couple of others. Bought way too much food. We're not in the thru-hiker hunger mode yet, so they didn't eat as much as I'd thought. Shared the leftovers with the crew taking certification classes to be river guides. They enjoyed what we couldn't eat. I love being at the NOC. The water, the friends, the showers.... it's all wonderful.
Date: 2007-04-20
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam "Hilton"
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: few clouds

Walked 1/2 mile each way for a hot shower even though I had one yesterday morning before leaving the NOC. I love showers! It's so nice of the TVA to make those available to us. Did a resupply in Fontana Dam Village store. Should have just gone to the outfitter. Their prices were better and the food wasn't expired as so much of the store's food was. (instant grits expired in April of 2006!) The postal clerk/postmaster was very friendly and helpful. And the ice cream store had just opened for the season about 1/2 hour before we arrived! Perfect timing! Had fun playing at the water's edge. Jake and Blaze/Daniel swam for a couple of seconds, but I just soaked my feet. It's always cool being near the water.
Date: 2007-04-23
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Got a hitch into Gatlinburg from a very nice couple who'd just finished an overnight hiking trip and weren't horribly offended by my trail smell. Had to go to the PO to pick up all my forwarded mail, cell phone & charger, camera charger, etc. Had a yummy margarita with my Mexican meal near the trolly stop and then wandered over to the library only to find Jake & Brady already there. We went grocery shopping and then decided to split a room for the night. It feels good to just relax. Skipped dinner since I was still fueled from lunch and the healthy snacks (fruit, carrots, juice, milk) I'd picked up at the store.
Date: 2007-04-26
To: broken ankle = slight change in plans
Miles today: 0.0

Okay, so I broke both of the bones in my right ankle. Bummer. Ended up with some new hardware (a plate and 9 screws) in the ankle and will now have to get off the trail. Major bummer. The AT experience was pretty much what I'd expected and it's where I belong. I'll be working hard on my rehab over the next several months and I look forward to being part of the class of 2008.