morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2002-12-30
To: Update
Miles today: 0.0

So Christmas has passed now, and it was my last landmark before things really got serious. I have no excuse to put off gear purchases any longer. It's a short month and a half until crunch time: in the last two weeks of February I will run my marathon, quit my job, move out of my apartment and then head for Georgia. My long runs are up to eighteen miles now, and in two weeks I will start tapering. For those of you wondering, Yes, I know that a marathon, while training my lungs and heart, will not necessarily do much for the ligaments and joints put to the test on the trail. But I'm running for a good cause (raising money for a organization that helped me while my mother was ill), and heck, at least it's getting me out of the house. I have to run in the rain and snow and sleet of these Ohio winters just like I'll have to keep walking, rain or shine, north to Katahdin. Most of the doubts and questions that remain, I am realizing, are ones that don't necessarily have an one answer or resolution. You reach a certain point, after having read so much and researched so much, looking for the best options, whether it be gear choices, mail drops, or other, when you realize that in fact, there are many good choices. It's all a matter of personal taste. It's all a matter of making the hike yours. That's what I'm trying to focus on right now. I've read so many journals and stories. The infinite range of possibilities is boggling. But at the end of this hike, when I reach that last mile, I'll have only walked one walk, and I'll be the only one who will know what it was like. Much luck and well wishes to the rest of the class of 2003 as our departure dates near us. And special thanks to my family: Dad, Ben, and Matt, as well as the Rochester and Massachusetts crews, who have supported me through the planning for this endeavor. Thank you for believing me when I say I can do it.
Date: 2004-01-20
From: Two months later

To: Five months later
Miles today: 0.0

The other day I revisited this site for the first time in a long while, and was struck by how melancholy I sounded in that last entry. It is not so bad out of the woods, and I am readjusting.Since my last entry, I have continued doing more of the same: working at the outfitter, cleaning house, and having lots and lots of quiet time. I am realizing that my anti-social-ness is not, in fact, because I have trouble communicating with non-hiking types, as I seem to have inferred in the last entry. I am just lazy. And selfish. I love to be at home, writing and reading and petting my dog and sleeping. It's funny, my thought patterns-- on a friday night, I could go out, have a few drinks, see a show, or I could... sleep, ah, yes... sleeeeepppp...In December, Goldberry had her Lord of the Rings party/hiking reunion. Snail and Sally came over from Virginia, LT and Orb from Delaware, and even Bean showed from North Carolina. It was incredible to see all of them, tell stories and laugh. I hadn't heard from any of them, excepting GB, since New Hampshire, and Snail and Sally I last saw in Pennsylvania. It was incredibly good times, and it was terribly sad that it was so short a visit. Plan on making it down to see GB again, though. The drive to KY is a hop and a skip from Dayton.My knees finally stopped hurting some time last month, and I am relieved. That seems to be have been the last trace of my hiking body, as the rest of me has since turned to soft mush. I am anticipating moving back to Columbus in April, for a whole bag full of reasons, and hopefully then I will be working a job that doesn't take all of my daylight hours. I can't wait to get back to volunteer work and running and cooking well. Until April, though, I hibernate.I still carry trail thoughts and memories around with me, and I am sure I will be out with my pack on trails before too long, but I don't feel like an outsider anymore. Perhaps it's because I am surrounded by extraordinarily supportive friends and family. Perhaps I am reacclimating. At any rate, I am happy and well, and speculating on my coming adventures. Among them? Driving to Alaska, by way of back roads and side-trips, and hiking Denali. Kayaking a long river. Backpacking Argentina. I want to learn to snowshoe, and cross-country ski. And the adventures go on...Love and luck to all, and well wishes to the thru-hikers of 2004!Time's getting close! Have you caught Springer fever?
Date: 2003-03-01
To: Getting ready
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday I gave a month's notice to give up my apartment. So, I may have just passed the point-of-no-return. But the way I figure it, even if my trip ends up to be a bust, I'll be glad to get out of this apartment anyway. I can't imagine spending another summer living next to that loud swimming pool. I'd go nuts.I have started telling people about my trip. Most are supportive. Although most don't understand the scope of this adventure. Heck, I know I am underestimating it, and I have read every book on the subject! But I have been intrigued by the AT for so long, and this year everything seems to be falling into place for me to go for it. It just feels right, so I have to trust it. My biggest concern is still finding a good home for Kitty. I don't know what I'll do if April rolls around and I still haven't found anyone to take her.I went shopping today! I bought my pocketmail device! How cool! It's a little portable email device that you can hold up to any telephone to send and receive email. That way I can keep in touch, and possibly still find a job while I am on the trail. My email address is: tankhiker@pocketmail.com. I also bought some really cool pants that zip into shorts, a stuff sack, a Whisperlite stove, and a PUR waterfilter. I got an Olympus Stylus Zoom, which was my favorite camera when I was selling them in college. I wish I could take my Nikon 6006, but I just can't carry it. And I got a really cool carabiner clock that is also part altimeter, barometer, compass, alarm, and thermometer. And yes, it even tells time.I still have a hard time believing that a month from now I'll be out hiking the AT. I guess it hasn't really sunk in yet. But I have a lot to do. I don't know if I am more scared or excited. Hiking the AT just seems like something someone else would do, not me. This could be the greatest adventure of my life, or it could be the stupidest idea of my life. I guess I'll know in about a month.
Date: 2003-03-04
To: So much to do...
Miles today: 0.0

Ah, so much to do. I am done with work now, so I guess I could leave any time I want. Although, I am still shooting for the end of the month. I have way too much to do to just pick up and leave. There are a lot of loose ends to tie up. My biggest priorities right now are cleaning out the apartment, finding a home for Kitty, and completing my inventory of stuff I still need (mostly food).It's funny how things are working out just as they have when I read about them in other people's accounts of hiking the AT. I have hit that point where I have told enough people about my trip that it would be embarrassing to drop out before I get too far. So, I guess I am locked into it now. I am even feeling a little of that celebrity status that so many thru-hikers talk about. People are so proud of me, and I haven't taken one step yet. That is a little scary. Although, on the other end of the spectrum, one person (not mentioning any names) is hoping I get pneumonia and drop out because the trail too dangerous for me. Hmmmm.I have been wondering what kind of shoes to wear. I am thinking I might start with my Reebok sneakers, and see how they work out. I have done three 14ers and Katahdin with them, and had no problems. Yet I have never had a pair of hiking boots that I could hike more than a mile without them hurting my feet. So, I think it's worth a try. Perhaps I'll buy a pair of hiking boots on the trail, but for now sneakers will do.I have already had my first bit of trial magic, and I'm not even on the trail yet. How cool! A couple days ago I was hanging out with Tom and Leiza, and out of the blue, they announced they had something for me. Then they gave me 3 boxes of granola bars for my trip! That was really nice of them. It also gave me a personal sense of my trip. My story is already being written. My adventure has started. How exciting!
Date: 2003-03-10
To: A taste of spring...
Miles today: 0.0

Well, it is springtime here in Denver, CO. I have to admit, preparing for a thru-hike seemed a little surreal in the freezing and snowy weather we've had for the last 2 weeks. But according to the thru-hiker's workbook, today's weather is comparable (slightly colder) than the average in Blairsville, GA in April. So, this is probably pretty similar to what I can expect when I start out. I am hoping if the weather stays like this, I can get a few training hikes in before I leave.I took Kitty to a friend's house last night to see how she'd fare while I am gone. She hid in the corner and hissed at the other cats most of the time. So, that wasn't encouraging. It would be nice if I could find a better home for her.I have most of my gear in place. My pack weight is up to 27 pounds, which feels light compared to all the books I was carrying around to get a feel for pack weight. I still need a few pieces of clothing and a little more food. I am hoping to be under 35 pounds. Am I just dreaming? I have an appointment tomorrow to try to get some of those contact lenses that you can keep in for a month or so. I don't want to be sticking my dirty hands in my eyes every day, and wondering if my contacts will freeze over at night. It's funny that I spend so much money on gear and things to reduce size and weight. Then when I bring all my goods home and spread them out, they take up a little corner on my table. It somehow seems weird to spend so much money on so little.I am a little saddened by my trail name. I don't want it to be any kind of reminder of what is going on with Iraq right now. Part of the reason I want to go hiking is to get away from hearing about war, drought, and economy. I think the trail is going to be crowded this year with people like me who want to get away from it all. There are also a lot of unemployed people like me who are looking for some purpose. So, I guess you can never escape all the bad news.As the time gets closer for me to leave, I get more apprehensive. Although, I guess what is more stressful is tying up all the loose ends here. I have never been so completely clueless about what the future may bring. It is both scary and exciting.Thanks again to everyone who has been supportive of my adventure. One more thing - if you are reading this and haven't signed the guestbook yet, what are you waiting for???
Date: 2003-03-14
To: Training hikes...
Miles today: 0.0

Well, the day is getting closer. The good news is that I have lost 3 pounds since last time I checked. But the bad news is that my pack has gained 3 pounds. So I guess I broke even.I am shooting for March 25th as a departure date from Colorado. With any luck, I'll be on the trail on the 26th. I figure that'll be after the first-day-of-spring crowd, and before the April-fools crowd. Plus, in mid-week it should be a little less crowded. I am a little bummed, though, as I will be hitting Hot Springs too late for Trail Fest, and Damascus too early for Trail Days. I might try to find a ride back into Damascus, as Trail Days is a thru-hiker experience that I don't want to miss.As I have been cleaning out my apartment, I found a pair of hiking boots in my closet! I vaguely remember buying them somewhere because they were very cheap and very comfortable. But I had tried to break them in on a 12 mile stretch of the Colorado Trail (while wearing cheap socks), got enough blisters so I couldn't walk, and reverted back to sneakers ever since. So I tried them on, and they are still very comfortable. I am hoping that by breaking them in a little slower this time, my feet will toughen. As far as just walking around, they are the most comfortable shoes I own. So I think I will stick with them.I have done a few training hikes with my full 30-pound pack. On Wednesday I did 4.5 miles around Loveland Lake. It was mostly flat sidewalks, but I was pretty happy with myself. I came home with a few blisters and a face full of freckles, which reminded me to get better socks and some sunblock. Today was a little more humbling. I took a trip to Red Rocks Amphitheater, and did laps up and down the stairs with my full pack on. It reminded me that hiking up and down is a lot harder than hiking on flat ground. I exhausted myself rather quickly. It was a hot one today also, which reminded me to stay hydrated. There were a few curious tourists asking about my pack. One maintenance man jokingly told me that camping wasn't allowed on stage.Yusuke called me yesterday, saying he wanted to help with my trip somehow. I asked if I could use his Costco membership to buy food. So, the 2 of us went shopping tonight (Thanks, Yusko!). I ended up with about $200 worth of Snickers bars, Ramen noodles, and oatmeal. So, even I drop out early, I'll be eating Snickers and Ramen for a long time. Once again, thanks to everyone for all your support. It really means a lot to me. Thanks for the farewell pizza, Eric. And a big thanks to Tom and Leiza for the offer to take my cat. I really hope that works out. I am honored that there are some people checking my journal every day for updates. You guys rock! And I am excited about all the fellow hikers whose journals I am reading, and who I have been emailing with. I look forward to meeting you on the trail. And thanks again to everyone who has signed the guestbook. I am going to print that out and take it with me when I go, for a little extra support.
Date: 2003-03-23
To: Digging out...
Miles today: 0.0

It's hard to finish up preparations for a thru-hike when the city is shut down. Denver is still digging its way out of 3 feet of snow. The mail service is all screwy, which is probably the biggest problem. But things are finally getting back to normal. I had to delay my start date, but I finally committed and have my plane ticket. I am flying into Atlanta a week from today - Sunday, March 30th. How exciting! I am not yet sure what my plans are once I reach Atlanta, but I guess that'll come in time.With all the snow, it doesn't look like I'll get many more training hikes in. I improvised yesterday when I had to return some movies. I walked about 5 miles, with my full pack on, around the thawing sidewalks of Longmont. Again, this was mostly flat hiking, but it felt good. The blisters were minimal, and hopefully won't be too much of a problem on the trail. I wish I could get in one more training session with elevation changes, such as climbing stairs. But with light snow forecasted early next week, and another potential big storm at the end of next week, it doesn't look like that's gonna happen. In fact, if that big storm does come through, I'll be lucky to depart next Sunday.If I end up dropping out of the trail early, it won't be because I didn't spend enough money on equipment. Whew, it adds up fast! But I think I made my final trip to REI last week. I love all my camping clothes. They are so comfortable! I just have a few very minor last minute things to pick up, and I am ready to go! I am very anxious to finally get going. I still need to prepare my mail drop boxes. I am moving all my furniture into storage on Wednesday, which means spending the rest of the week sleeping on my thermarest on the floor. I guess that counts as training, right?The kindness continues to pour in from well-wishers. Amie sent me an awesome guardian angel (all the way from Canada!) that I already have pinned on my pack. And my sister is doing a lot for me - updating my journal after I leave, storing my stuff, mailing my food drops, and basically takin' care of business. I appreciate that. And of course thanks to all the friends and random strangers who stumble across my journal, and leave me wonderful notes. It is an honor to see my guestbook filling up. Thank you all!
Date: 2003-03-28
To: All systems go!
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I think the time has actually come. Years of dreaming, researching, imagining, reading, and fantasizing about quitting it all to go hike the Appalachian Trail is about to manifest itself. I think the first time I ever heard about the AT was from my dad. He thought it was very cool that there was a footpath not too far from our house in Maine that went all the way down to Georgia. So I know that if he was still with us, he would be very excited about my hike.I have a few last minute preparations still to do. I have to finish cleaning a few things here. Tomorrow I will drop Kitty off at her new home, load up my car with the few things I still have to move (including this computer), then head on down to my sister's house. Tomorrow evening I have to make sure my mail drops are done, show my sister how to update my trail journal, and have a birthday party for my niece. Then Sunday morning I fly out of Denver, arriving in Atlanta at about 1:00pm. I will be spending the night at my aunt's house. My mom is driving all the way up from south Florida to see me off, and I'll be having dinner with my cousin and his family too. That's quite a send-off party! Then on Monday morning, they will give me a ride up to Amicalola Falls, take a few pictures, and I'll be on my way. Wow! Forecast for Atlanta on Monday: 56 degrees, mostly cloudy.Now that I finally have all my stuff together, I did an unofficial weighing of my pack... 38 pounds. Woo-hoo! My goal was 35 pounds, but I am happy with anything under 40. That includes a 5 day supply of food, but no water. My half-assembled food drop boxes are such a mess! I bought way too much food, and a lot of the wrong stuff. I know that once I get on the trail, I'll realize that I'm still way off. But I'll have plenty of time to adjust.So, this will be my last entry from home. For anyone emailing me, my "normal" email won't work any more. Please send email to: tankhiker@pocketmail.com. Also, all guestbook entries will be forwarded to my pocketmail, so I'll be able to read them on the trail (HINT! HINT!). And if anyone wants a postcard, just email me your mailing address, and you've got it! Thanks again to everyone for all the support: to all my friends, family, the Loonies, the Rlyeh crew, the Cheesecake/Panera crew, the RWS crew, and everyone else who has taken an interesting in my adventure. I will miss you all!
Date: 2003-03-31
From: All systems go!

To: Amicalola Falls
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Amicalola Falls. 0 miles.Everything is set, and I am on my way. Kitty is (reluctantly) in her new home. Food boxes are ready to be mailed. We went out for a nice dinner at Chilis in Colorado before I left. Then an early morning flight got me to Atlanta right on schedule.I spent the night at my Aunt Susie's house. We had an excellent send-off dinner with a crowd of about 11 friends and family. We couldn't find any camp fuel last night, so we have to wait until this morning. There is a Galyans not too far away, but it doesn't open until 10:00. That makes me think we may not get to Amicaloa Falls until afternoon, possibly too late to start up the approach trail. I may spend tonight camping at the shelter next to the visitors center. There was a hard freeze here in Atlanta last night, but the temps are warming up nicely. We should be in the mid 70s by mid week.I am anxious to get to the Amicalola Falls State Park visitor center. There I will do my official pack weighing, sign the fist register, and maybe get one last taste of real food. From there it is an 8 mile hike on the approach trail to the official trailhead. That's a day of hiking before I even touch an inch of the AT! The first mile is a steep one up the falls, but here is a paved road to that point. Maybe I can catch a ride that far. I will start the official trail tomorrow - april fools day!Thanks again for all the support that keeps rolling in. Next stop, Neels Gap!
Date: 2003-04-30
From: Erwin, TN

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Hey, this is TankHiker here, writing from the Erwin Public Library. I'm taking a zero day here. It's very hot out, and with the town so spread out, it should take a full day to get all my chores done. The movie theater is closed today (bummer), but I still have to do laundry, mail some stuff from the post office, go to the supermarket, and of course make another trip to Erwin Burrito.I just wanted to say thanks to my sister for all she is doing for me. It is awesome to have her support. She even put a few pictures up on this web site. Hopefully more will be coming soon.I also wanted to say a BIG thanks to my mom and step-dad for the package. Eddie carved a hiking stick for me. It has the official AT symbol on it, as well as the names of some of my fellow hikers carved on the side. It is really something else. So, thank you so much for that. I am so impressed and blown away by it!And of course, once again, thanks to everyone for all the support that keeps coming in. I love getting to a phone and reading my email. It always keeps me smiling during those hard climbs out of town (I'll have one of those tomorrow). I am spending the night at Miss Janet's Hostel tonight. She is an amazing lady. She spends all day shuttling hikers around and helping in any way she can. I don't know how she makes any money, but she does it all from her heart.Well, there are chores to do, and burritos to eat. Thanks again to everyone. There is a lot of time to think while I am out hiking, and I am constantly thinking about all my friends and family. I hope you all are well. Thanks so much for reading along with my journal, and being a part of my adventure. You really don't know how much it means to me.