morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-04-24
To: Tulsa,OK
Miles today: 0.0

April 24THE TRAILIn my mind I had envisioned a well beaten path meandering through valleys, with gentle ups and downs, rising to mountain summits by way of carefully constructed switchbacks, spectacular views, and navigable descents with evenly spaced steps in steep areas. I fully anticipated tougher conditions once I reached the dreaded White Mountains in NH, but knew by then I would be trail savvy and able to handle them.Surprise! Within the first hours I was carefully stepping in and around knarly tree roots exposed by thousands if not millions of hikers over the years. Rock beds, hundreds of yards long, required absolute concentration to avoid tripping, sliding and falling. Many of the rocks seemed to be placed such that their sharp corners were just asking for a tender knee to lurch close so that it could be ripped out.Afraid of heights? The AT would not be your thing! Walking on an 18 inch wide path with the mountain on one side and 100 foot ravine on the other requires total attention and no looking down. That 37# pack on your back seems to want to go wherever you look so the key is to be continuously looking two, three and four steps ahead with your body inclined slightly towards the mountain. If you trip and fall you hope you will land on the mountain side with a chance to grab a small sapling before you disappear in the abyss of the ravine. True story---while I was on the trail a woman, hiking by herself, fell down a ravine, broke her leg and wound up on a small ledge. She called 911 and after three days of searching she was located by a dog just before they called off the search. Albert Mountain ascent was the steepest I encountered and required climbing on all fours while patiently looking for possible hand and footholds. Even more taxing in the steady rain that fell that day.Going downhill could be even tougher. It was similar to a slalom course on a ski slope---expertly placing your trekking poles as you gingerly sidestepped slippery rocks and tree roots. No worry about form, just get me down! Then there were the steps---you'd think they would help but in fact some were 18 to 24 inches high and it would be necessary to put your poles way out in front of you to keep from going head over heels.Fallen trees across the path forced the decision to either climb over or get down on your belly and wiggle under---either way the difficulty was increased by a factor of 3 because of the dad gummed backpack.
Date: 2011-04-25
To: Tulsa, OK
Miles today: 0.0

April 25Stylin & TonyThese are "trail journal" friends I met on the Internet on Feb 4th. We have commiserated about getting gear, preparing for the trail, and the trials & tribulations of the AT. They started on March 19th, about two weeks before me and I was hoping to meet them somewhere along the way. Not to be, but now I am following along on their journal. They have been recipients of the worst of the weather---snow, sleet, rain, cold and hot days.Stylin says they too have been surprised at the challenges the trail coughs up. I'm going to steal some of their pictures so you can get a better idea the "walk in the woods" as Bill Bryson describes it. You do know he was a wimp and only did a couple of small sections?This picture is of Tony wading down the trail after some rain somewhere near the 200 mile point of the AT.
Date: 2011-04-26
To: Tulsa, OK
Miles today: 0.0

April 26Stylin---QuotesStylin writes in her journal "Parts of the trail are scary...like walking over land bridges. You can look on either side and know you could easily fall on both sides." this in the Smokies, somewhere near Clingman's Dome.Again, she writes about going down the far side of the trail in the picture "As we headed out of the mist downhill, my toes were really starting to hurt. Either my feet have gotten bigger or Tony shrunk my boots in the dryer."Then, came the boulder (did I tell you I'm not a fan of rocks?). At parts, I had to use my hands. At the point I thought the worst was over, I slipped and fell on a down slanted one. I landed on my left arm and hip. I wasn't sure if I was okay until Tony helped me up and I could walk. Seems it's just a bruise on the hip and scratches on the arm.
Date: 2011-04-27
To: Tulsa, OK
Miles today: 0.0

April 27HOW I TOOK A HEADERThe picture shows part of the 100 yard long trail of football sized rocks I had been negotiating. As I neared the end of this gauntlet, and only a handful of steps away from the enticing view of a level trail, something happened! I have no memory of what caused my debilitating fall from grace. It could have been that a rock gave way underfoot, I might have slipped on a wet moss covered rock, or I just wasn't concentrating on where each step needed to be placed. Maybe Lone Duck and I were having an engrossing conversation?Regardless, it happened in a nano-second; no time to get my poles in front of me to break the fall. Fortunately I must have gotten my arms out a little bit as can be attested to by the cuts and bruises on both. I remember the impact of my forehead slamming into the rock and the rush of blood. Somehow I knew then that this year's hike was over.Amidst a few choice curses I rolled over on my side and tried to asses the extent of the damage. Lone Duck came alongside and helped me get out of my pack. I caught my breath and checked my limbs; grateful that none appeared to be protruding from my skin---"okay, none broken, that's a relief"!Retired paramedic, Lone Duck, knew what to do. He washed the wound with water, applied an antibiotic ointment, and tied my towel firmly around my head to apply pressure and contain the bleeding. At the same time he kept me engaged in chit-chat in order to keep me from going into shock.I was pretty skeered and asked "will you stay with me until we get to Fontana Dam?" This was a day and a half of hiking but that's how far I thought we would have to go before we would find help. About that time Wedge & Calgon showed up and a quick look-see at their map indicated the AT intersected with NC 143 in about 2 1/2 miles. I wasn't feeling too poorly, not even a headache, and decided I could hike out still lugging my 37# backpack. Lone Duck and I made it to the highway in a couple hours and were greeted by Trail Magic and other hikers enjoying lunch, it was now 12:30 noon. By 4:30 I had been taken to the Swain County Hospital, been stitched up, and was in the Gracy Manor motel with an ice pack on my head.What an experience!
Date: 2011-04-28
To: Tulsa, OK
Miles today: 0.0

April 28Tic TacI arrived at Sassafras Shelter around 5PM on the 16th after completing the 3,000 climb up to  Cheoah Bald. The morning spent at the NOC was draped in sunshine with temps in the 50's but with the increase in elevation and an overcast sky the thermometer had fallen into the 30's.The other hikers, about a half dozen, were well bundled in jackets and stocking caps as they made preparations for the evening. I introduced myself to Tic Tac who had settled into a spot in the shelter and asked if could share the space next to the wall. "no problem" Tic Tac replied so I laid out my stuff alongside.Tic Tac, I discovered, was from a small town South of Minneapolis and had done many section hikes over the last 35 years. Recovering from a mild stroke in 2010 Tic Tac decided to attempt a thru hike before age caught up. We must have talked for 30 minutes or so while I got organized and took a leak (the AT recommends you pee in the woods rather than the privy to keep the smell to a minimum) next to the shelter---a familiar act among us guys.As we were cooking dinner someone commented on Tic Tac's pink crocks. Tic Tac's black stocking cap came off revealing shoulder length hair and the comment "I'm a woman!" Surprised us all as she had a husky voice for a female. Sorry Laura, I slept side by side with the opposite sex that nite, didn't think it would be proper to move now.Turns out Tic Tac had spent her career managing outdoor/hiking stores and was a plethora of facts and figures about all kinds of gear. Nice gal---since arriving home I have been checking her journal and she is struggling with severe knee problems while in the Smokies. I hope she continues pushin North.
Date: 2011-04-29
To: Tulsa,OK
Miles today: 0.0

April 29CrocksEven as a novice hiker I knew that I should have a pair of camp shoes to wear when the day's hiking was over. Get those clodhoppers off and air out your tootsies. Your feet need to be cared for with the utmost respect! Without good feet you won't get far on the AT.I took my most comfortable pair of running shoes with some high dollar inserts to alleviate my problem with Morten's Neuroma. They worked fine but when my pack was being evaluated ar Neel's Gap a better solution was suggested---CROCKS.Crocks are amazing. The pair weighed in at a pound less than my Brooks running shoes and eliminating even an ounce from your pack requires serious consideration. It was an easy sell by the guy going thru my stuff; I didn't even ask the price (unusual for me).They are sooooo comfy and with no shoelaces they are a breeze to get on and off. I  am wearing them all the time at home now---to hell with what they look like!
Date: 2011-04-30
To: Tulsa, OK
Miles today: 0.0

April 30Operating Stuff---Scissors, Tweezers, etc.I didn't know, bet you didn't either? When Doc Frank sewed me up he asked "Would you like to have these as souvenirs?""What do you mean?" I asked."It costs more to clean and have these instruments re-certified than it does to just use new ones. Hard to believe, but what with the possibility of expensive litigation over our heads if there is a problem, it's cheaper." Damn attorneys!
Date: 2011-05-17
To: Tulsa, OK
Miles today: 0.0

May 17Trail MatesIt's been a month since the trail did me in but I'm still living with the memories and thinking about all those I met along the way with trail names.Axel Rose, Bear Knife, Bear Snack, Blue Butterfly, Brave Heart, Broadway, Calgon, Caped Crusader, Chicken Wing, Crazy Girl, De De, Diesel, Early Bird, El Flaco, Fate, Fish Hook, Food Stamp, GPS, Hawk Run, Hollywood, Hopeful, Kong, Lone Duck, Mark Trail, Miss Janet, Mountain Slug, Mud Butt, Naptick, No Hurry, Not Natasha, Oaf, Oaf's Keeper, Pig Pen, Porcupine Fred, Pyro, Rusty Bumper, Sack Daddy, Sage, SetemUp, Slick, Slow Poke, Slow Snail, Slvrhiker, Soul Slosher, Spark Plug, Spot, Strawberry, Stoker, Stylin, Tea, Tic Tac, Tiernan, Tony, Truck, Wedge, and Wild Child.And there were those that supplied shelter, help for an injured hiker, or a friendly  conversation.Keith Bailey @ Goose Creek, Ron Haven in Franklin, David & Peggy Gracey at Gracey Manor in Bryson City, Doug & Candice Spaur, Doc Frank, Dave & Robin at Hiawassee, and Bill & Pat Woerner in Flat Rock.I had a year's worth of memories in 17 days and now I follow those still on the trail via their trail journals.
Date: 2011-07-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Some things are meant to be and leaving the trail after my faceplant and stitches was probably a good thing. As I read the journals of the hikers that started with me I now realize completing a thru-hike just wasn't in the cards for me. Heat, bugs, snakes and those damn rock beds and climbs are a little out of reach for this 70 year old bod.The good news is I've been able to get my "forever in the making" book listed on Amazon. There were a couple of hikers that expressed some interest (probably just humoring me)so if they need some evening reading material to put them to sleep they can go to Amazon and type in Where's Wilson? by Tom Wilson Those of you still out there, keep heading North, I'm with you in spirit
Date: 2011-05-12
From: Harpers Ferry, WV - Potomac River

To: Day 0
Miles today: 3.3

I can't believe I'm actually here. I've been planning this adventure for so many years. I've spent so much time, money, and energy getting ready in recent months that things like graduating from college and my relationship with my girlfriend have seemed to take a back burner. Still, in the back of my head, I always had this lingering suspicion that I wouldn't actually make it here. That the AT would always live on in my fantasies and my imagination. Well, for once, everything seems to be going according to plan. And this is making me feel alarmed and uncomfortable. I've invested so much trying to get here, under the assumption that I wouldn't actually make it. Now that I'm here, I'm realizing that I can't just take this experience for granted; I've got to fully utilize the short time that I have out here. But why? To what ends? And why here? I feel like I've been running on auto-pilot for much of my college career because the AT seemed like the natural, logical next step. A given. A no-brainer. But now that I'm out here I'm beginning to realize that life-changing spiritual and personal insights don't just fall in to your lap, it is going to take a lot of focus and energy on my part. I feel like I could easily just let the time slip away without getting anything accomplished. What did I get myself into?   A lot of walking apparently. Today was just a little warm-up hike. Pop dropped us off in a little parking lot right by the train station in Harper's Ferry. Then he joined Omar, Kyle, and me as we crossed the Potomac River on a little foot bridge and followed our very first white blazes on the Appalachian Trail as it hugged the river for several miles. After several pictures and a few goodbyes, Pop turned back and left us to our own devices in the the wilderness. The journey begins. We walked for a few more miles until we encountered our first climb. We finally left the river and climbed up to this little rocky outcropping called Weaverton Cliffs. We had fully intended to hike 5 miles up to the Ed Garvey Shelter, but the view of the Potomac from the cliffs was breathtaking and we were, admittedly, pretty winded from our little climb so we decided to just camp there. We didn't leave Harper's Ferry until after 6:00 anyway. Tomorrow will be our first full day on the AT! Goodnight mountains11:02 PM
Date: 2011-05-13
From: Weaverton Cliffs

To: Day 1
Miles today: 13.7

Today went pretty well. It rained literally all day but it was nice: not too hard, off-and-on, and it kept the sun at bay and the temperature down. It also gave me an opportunity to test out all of my rain gear, which held up exceptionally well. I actually managed to boil water with my alcohol stove and successfully re-hydrate one of my ground beef meals. Thank God. It would have sucked if months worth of cooking, de-hydrating, vac-sealing, and mailing food ended up backfiring on me. I'm thankful that my food still seems to be edible, albeit a little bit weird in texture. I kind of feel like I should have tested out my gear a bit more before embarking on this hike now, especially my little alcohol stove. Oh well, this was intended to be a learning experience after all.   The site we are at is badass-as-fuck by the way: the Dahlgren Campground. It's got trash cans, running water, and hot fucking showers, all for free. Amazing. We only hikes 13 miles today but I feel like we got off to a good start. Omar, after 17 long miles, finally decided to start wearing shoes. I think it had something to do with the fact that his feet were black and blue from walking through mud puddles all day. Luckily, Kyle packed a pair of Crocs for camp shoes and was happy to lend them to Omar. We also met a pair of early-bird northbounders named Patches and Super Dave. I smoked a bowl with Patches and chatted with Super Dave a bit before they sped on passed me. I probably won't ever see them again... After about 1,200 miles of hiking, those dudes are slightly more conditioned than I am right now. Life is really really good at the moment, except for the group of boyscout weekend-warriors that I'm sharing the campground with and the fact that I miss Belle a whole hell of a lot...
Date: 2011-05-14
From: Dahlgren Campground 

To: Day 2
Miles today: 13.9

I can already tell that it's going to be really hard to keep up with this journal because I'm just so damn tired after I set up camp at night. We did 14 miles today. The going has been tough and slow through Maryland: wet and slippery, lots of rocks, puddles and mud. I'm not complaining though. Nature has her good days and her bad days, just like anyone else. I'm really glad that I have Kyle and Omar here to help me set my pace. I would undoubtedly go a lot slower if I didn't have to push myself to either keep up with them or stay in front of them. HA!   I'm kind embarrassed to admit this because we literally just got to the woods, but we totally ordered 3 large pizzas to a place where the AT crossed MD 17 tonight. It was awesome : ) Then we skipped a quick .2 miles up to the Ensign Cowall Shelter and gorged ourselves on pizza to the point that some day-hikers who were at the shelter questioned whether we were actually long-distance hikers or not. To prove it, we set up camp outside and let them have the shelter all to themselves. Then we went to bed, very full and very content.
Date: 2011-05-15
From: Ensign Cowall Shelter

To: Day 3
Miles today: 10.5

We got kind of a late start today. I think the pizza coma we were in last night might have had something to do with it. The hike today wasn't so bad though. It was still pretty wet but I'm getting used to avoiding big puddles by now. My waterproof boots turn out to be not-so waterproof when they're submerged. Poor Omar is slipping and sliding all over the place in his Crocs though. He asked for it. We took a nice long lunch at the Raven Rock Shelter, a brand-new 16-person two-story edifice of a shelter. Then we hiked a few more miles until we crossed the Mason-Dixon Line, officially entering Pennsylvania. One state down, thirteen to go! After a few more miles we stopped and set up camp next to Falls Creek. I'm currently swinging in my hammock, glad to be off my feet, eating leftover pizza. I could get used to this lifestyle. We're shooting for another 14 miles tomorrow.See ya then10:44 PM
Date: 2011-05-16
From: Falls Creek

To: Day 4
Miles today: 14.2

14 miles today. Pretty easy terrain though. We've managed to pick up our pace quite a bit now that those pizza calories are in our bellies and not on our backs. My feet don't hurt quite as much today and my blisters are less swollen and irritated. When we stopped at the Old Antietam Shelter for brunch the sun actually came out for the first time in days. We only got an hour of sunshine but it was sorely needed to dry our our gear and raise our spirits. We must've been a sight to see: 3 hikers exploding their packs to take up every available square inch of sunshine, then basking in the grass in our boxers like sunbathing sealions, then frantically packing everything up as soon as the the fist raindrops started to fall again.    I started working on meditative breathing techniques today too. But I learned that I might need to wait for my cardio improve a bit because I kept on gasping for air after just a few minutes of regulated breathing. So, instead, I'm considering reciting some mantras tomorrow. My reasoning is that I can recite mantras in my head no matter how out-of-breath my body is. We'll see what happens. Either way, I'm definitely going to have to start with the basics and steadily work my way up from there if I'm really going to achieve any sort of significant breakthrough methinks.   We're sleeping in our first shelter tonight due to the nonstop rain. The Rocky Mountain Shelter is small but nice. It's clean and well built and has a piped spring and a good privy. Luxury living in the woods. Trying to do 19 miles tomorrow so I'm zipping up my sleeping bag.Cheers9:00 PM
Date: 2011-05-17
From: Rocky Mountain Shelter

To: Day 5
Miles today: 13.0

13 miles today. The miles are going by faster and faster. 3 miles today feels like what 1 mile felt like a few days ago. I'm hiking faster and losing my breath less often. This kicks ass. I'm still smoking about 1.5 delicious unfiltered American Spirit roll-your-owns and a bowl or two of high grade full-melt bubble hash, but my lungs still seem to be performing better and my lung capacity has noticeably increased. I realize that I'll eventually have to give up all of my substance addictions before I can really start to get high but, for now, my worldly habits are a vital ans welcomed luxury. The ability to rapidly and substantially alter one's neurochemistry is a powerful tool indeed...   I can't wait to see the sun again, one hour of sunlight in 5 days is just not enough. More rain and wind all day. We ran across this amazing Quarry Gap Shelter, it was by far the nicest shelter I've seen so far. Separated sleeping quarters, open breezeway with a picnic table and board games, hanging plants and artwork, very nice privy with air fresheners and casual literature, a bear BOX, ice cold spring literally 10ft in front of the shelter, etc... Beautiful. Thanks PATC, you guys rock. Unfortunately, we couldn't stay there because the day was still young, so we hiked another 7.4 miles to the Birch Run Shelter. Now I'm exhausted and I'm trying to do a 20-mile-day tomorrow so I can eat at Sheetz... off to bed!8:46 PM ~ 70 miles deepPS: This was scribbled on the side of my bunk in the shelter"Jah Love and blessings.From the North unto the South.From the East unto the West.Let jah spread Love and Kindness.Everywhere we go, let the positive vibes flow.So that the children all know, that is the way life goes."
Date: 2011-05-18
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: Day 6
Miles today: 17.1

I can't even tell whether I'm wet or dry anymore. I don't even remember what the sun feels like... Just kidding it's not that bad, but it's getting pretty close. We trudged on through a gnarly rainstorm for most of the morning and early afternoon. We passed the midpoint of the AT in the morning which was pretty cool, too wet and windy to stop for pictures though. We took refuge under the awning of a little general store in the Pine Grove Furnace State Park. The general store and the AT museum were closed today unfortunately. So we didn't get get to take the infamous ice cream "gallon challenge" that I've been hearing so much about. It's alright though, we still took a nice 2 hour break there and cooked lunch and filled up on water. We also literally destroyed one of the public bathrooms there at the state park. It was bad. Three dirty hikers who have been soaking wet for almost a week huddled underneath a pair of hand dryers desperately trying to dry our filthy socks and boots. I'm sorry Pine Grove Furnace State Park... Next time I'll be sure to stay at the epic mansion hostel that's right next to the museum. $25 for an AYCE spaghetti dinner, a shower, a bunk, laundry, and breakfast in the morning is too good to be true!   But alas, we decided to press on through the rain. We hiked a full 17.1 miles today to the Tagg Run Shelter, which is our longest day yet. If all goes well, I'll be in Boiling Springs tomorrow and I'll have more time to write. Right now, I'm wet and exhausted. And I hear another storm rolling in...11:11 PM