morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-03-21
From: none

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This is the third entry so friends and family can start reading this epic. It's not to far a reach to state that Plano and I have been prepping for this section of our hike for the past four years or so. We have traveled from Springer to Deleware Water Gap. During the down time we have trained by walking, running(mostly Plano) biking, lifting and hiking. We are in good shape to start the last leg of this adventure. We are both in our sixties and enjoy exercise, good company and good food Not necessarily in that order. Plano has done most of the planning for this year and things are looking good. Mail drops are set. Travel plans are made.I feel this hike of around 900 miles will come in three even parts The first takes use thru four States New Jersey, New York, Connecticutt, and Massachusetts. This will be around 300 miles and give our bodies a chance to get into trail condition. Then we hit Vermont and New Hampshire which will be about 330 miles and increase in altitude as we move toward the White mountains. That leaves the 271 miles or so in Maine with challenges of all kinds. Should be interesting. Our plan in to complete this section in around 74 days. We will see. The trail has its own way of changing schedulesTake care all and if you would care to comment it would be appreciated. THANKS ALLPLANO CHARLES AND COLONEL MUSTARD
Date: 2012-04-03
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Well we're are so close to being on the trail it feels like we could reach out and touch it! Three weeks and we will be hiking. Both Plano and I have been training for this hike on a very regular basis. Charles is doing up to 18 miles of walking a day plus weights. I know from experience he is in shape. In fact he is almost never out of shape. As for me I trained in a gym   daily since mid October. Generally doing 2hrs a day. Some of this is walking on an inclined treadmill and the rest of the times doing circuit training with weights in the gym. Since the nice weather hit Michigan I am out of The gym and on the trail. I do two or three longer hikes of 11 to 14 miles with my pack at trail weight. Other days I do exerbike or shorter hikes. So far so goodTo those reading this journal the entries will seldom be this long. I will be making most entries with my blackberry and I cannot type very fast with my thumbs! If any of you wish to write I will try and be good about responding. If you see Plano and I on the trail please say hello.COLONEL MUSTARD
Date: 2012-04-04
From: Home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Some of my friends have asked me how Greg and I get food while on the trail. We have prepared our food prior to leaving for the trail and will have it mailed to us at different towns along the trail. Every five to six days we come to a road near the trail that will lead to a nearby town. We either hike to the town or hitchhike. Our food has been pre-shipped to the post office in that town, in our name. While in the town we not only pick up the food for the next part of the trail but also get a chance to eat a regular meal, shower and wash our trail cloths. The following is a list of the towns we will be picking up our food in:Unionville, NYFt. Montgomery, NYPawling, NYSalisbury, CTAdams, MAManchester Center, VTWoodstock, VTWarren, NHBartlett, NHGorham, NHAndover, MESterling Inn B&D, Caratunk, MEMonson, MEIf anyone wishes to mail us something during the trail, you can mail it to our name, C/O the post office in the city listed. Also add to the label, "Please hold for through Hiker."
Date: 2012-04-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

People have inquired as to what I will eat while on the trail:Breakfast - 2 Pop TartsLunch - 2 Cliff BarsDinner - Freeze Dried dinner Desert - Pop TartThroughout the day - Beef Jerky and Trail Mix Today I will test out the new stove I got for Christmas. It has different jets so that I might burn almost any type of fuel sold. It is sometimes difficult to find certain stove fuels in the small towns we come to.Next few days will find me starting to pack and weigh my backpack in an attempt to get it to the least amount of weight possible. Would like to get backpack to weigh in the 30 pound range, minus water.Plano Charles
Date: 2012-04-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Last trip to REI today. Had to purchase the last few items. I could spend hours in that store.Mailed my first two food drops today. Will ship my gear next week. Do not trust the airlines with my gear. Too easy to steal out of the backpack or damage it.Still attempting to make the backpack weigh less. Still watching the weather to decide on what sleeping bag to take.I am super excited!Plano Charles
Date: 2012-04-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Worked all weekend on getting the backpack weight from the original weight of 36 pounds to the final weight today of 31 pounds. Believe me, a 5 pound decrease in weight makes a great difference when you are climbing mountains over 15 miles.Most of weight reduction came from a decrease in food content, smaller stove and the reduction of some cold weather gear.Will ship backpack in the AM.Plano Charles
Date: 2012-04-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Tomorrow is the big day. Greg and I will be meeting at the airport in Allentown, PA, and take a taxi to the Wingate hotel. I am sure we will have a great dinner and get to bed early.Wednesday morning we will be picked up by the outfitter out of Delaware Water Gap and transported to their place so we can purchase stove fuel. After getting stove fuel we are on the trail and climbing up into the mountains. Will be a long first day. Weather right now shows a rain day.Later,Plano Charles
Date: 2012-05-02
From: Detroit

To: mohican outdoor center
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

Great stay at Wingate hotel in Allentown. Good place to start. Ride to trail from Chuck owner of outfitter in Deleware water Gap started out 930 but delayed buy rain and directional ubcertainty. Two major mistakes. I had forgotten water and Plano had a fuel leak. A lot of rain and a steep start. Also ROCKs like last year ouch. Met fast early thruhiker PEACH FUZZ going great he is #8 currently headed for Maine. In by 4 going slow and we are tired and sore. Two brief notes Storm cannot contact u lost email. Current email athiker48@gmail. Kim will txt direct hope u feel better. Also Spring peeper frogs VERY loud
Date: 2012-05-03
From: mohican outdoor center

To: brinks Rd. Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

On trail by 645 in light rain. Gradually cleared and had a good but difficult hike. The rocks were still With us. Met a few people that day but the legs and feet were hurting. Climbing is tough but made much harder by slick rocks. Finally goy in by four to the shelter. The rain came back with a bang as we had thunder storms to end the Day. Food and compant were great but no other hikers at the shelter. Tomorrow will be tougher
Date: 2012-05-04
From: brinks Rd. Shelter

To: Rutherford Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We were up early and walking by 6am. Light mist and heavy fog. Trying for a motel on US 23 near Highpoint State Park. could be doubtful! Long days and trail legs not ready for this type f day over 17 miles ouch! We were so slow. The first 2.5 miles took. Over 2 hours. The next 10 hard but ok, the last 2 or 3 were a nightmare. We were trashed legs were gone and we needed time to rehydrate so wE stopped short at Rutherford Shelter. All we did was drink water for the first 30 minutes. It was decided that tomorrow we would stay at a Motel near High point Srate Park and crash for the daym
Date: 2012-05-05
From: Rutherford Shelter

To: US 23 Motor inn
Miles today: 2.5

Up early and hiking eagerly toward some rest. Took about 90 minutes to walk out contacted motel they gave us a shuttle to the post office to pick up our food packages then back to the motel to sign in. After moving in and getting mail done we headed out with the owner for errands. A sleeping pad for Charles things for the hotel and SUBWAY for Charles and I. On the way back we were treated to the secrets of Turtle baiting by the Motel owners. Rest and relaxation were the order for the rest of the day!
Date: 2012-05-06
From: US 23 Motor inn

To: jim Murray Property
Miles today: 7.0

Up and out by 830. Dropped off by trailhead by Bob from the Motel. Thanks Bob. No rain forcast so of course we started in a steady rain. The trail steadily got better and the day nicer as we walked. We left the rocks behind today. YEAH! It only took 4 hours to do the 7 miles to the property. We met many nice people including a nice Korean man. Hand a nice discussion about my. Time in his country. Should explain. The property is 85 acres owned by Jim murry. He vuilt a nice enclosed and heated Shelter a great place to rest for the night. It also gas a great well and some great Donkeys. We met Jim wh is a great guy and a Thru hiker in his own right. He completed his hike back in 89. Looking forward to a great night and hoping the new pad helps Planos' back!
Date: 2012-05-07
From: jim Murray Property

To: Poxhuck Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: light rain

Up. A little later than usual around six. Left around 7 and the trail continues to be much gentler on the legs. Stopped in Unionvill around 8 for coffee and a sandwitch. I got a coke to go Charles got some Honey Buns. Got to shelter around noon. After a steep climb up Pochuck Mtn. We also got water from an unusual source, an abandonded house that the forest service owns. They leave the water on for hikers. PARKSIDE a thru hiker from Queens New York stopped by on his way to another 23 mile day. We are such pikers! In for the night and its raining again
Date: 2012-05-08
From: Poxhuck Mountain Shelter

To: Wawaywanda
Miles today: 12.0

Up early And on the trail by 0630 Nasty climb up Pochuk Mtn. After that much better trail with few climbs. Fast run into Vernom NJ about 6 miles. Plano and I split at this point. I went into Vernon to meet old friend STORM! From my 09 hike. Had a bit of food and great conversation. Her life is full and soon will include a bike trip cross country. Then I find out that she knows the wheaton family that managed th Bears Den Hostle for a number of years. Also she hiked with STRETCH thru hiker from 2011. He now works at the outfitter where I shop. Back country Ooutfitter in Traverse City Michigan. Small world meanwhile Plano made it to the Shelter early Hard ckimb out of Vernon in the rain AGAIN. More later
Date: 2012-05-09
From: Wawaywanda

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Big day today. We are headed for New York! Started about 0630 on a damp cool Morning. Started with a series of up/downs. Also some walks down a series of swamps. Great! Then the roof fell in. Just prior to the NY border we hit the rocks.We were up and doen fock ridges, climbed rock walls and were told to go over rock pinicles for over 5 miles. We were down to less than 1 MPH for a long time. The worst problem that the rocks were damp and very slick. Charles fell 3 or 4 times he broke one of his hiking poles and tore up his arm rather badly. As he fell he quickly was able to grab a small tree. If he had missed it would have met a 20 foot fall to the rocks.We are now in Wildcat shelter trying to relax and hoping things look better for tomorrow. Anyway 8 states!
Date: 2012-05-12
From: motel. fort Montgomery

To: Graymoor Spiritual Center
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: clear sky

Not a bad day. It took a while in Ft. Montgomery while to get some equipment. Got a ride from the propriator of the motel back to the bridge that crosses the Hudson River. As expected the minute I hit that side we had a 30 minure very steep climb to the ridge. The rest of the trip was nice better trails and fewer rocks. I arrived at graymoor around 2 and found a great spiritual community. It is run by the Franciscan Order. They do many good works but the best is having a residential treatment facility for people in trouble For many reasons. Not only that but the music from the Carillon was beautiful during the evening. I got to talk with many peoe including BLUEGRASS a thru hiker takinf time off from teaching.   SPECIAL to LU. SMITH. Currently PLANO CHARLES has moved on ahead. He is currently hiking ahead od me. He is a bit stronger than I at this point and as the saying goes he is hiking his own hike.
Date: 2012-05-13
From: Graymoor Spiritual Center

To: Fahrnstock State Park
Miles today: 12.0

This day seemed longer than it should have. I left wit two other hikers but one was faster and the other a bit slower. The day was full of ups and downs and was longer than I had traveled for a while. It was one of those days when I just felt weak. It did not help that I had a 2 mile road walk to get there after the hike. To make matters worse I fell badly and have a swollen knee and was out for a minute or two. Nice Day!
Date: 2012-05-14
From: Fahrnstock State Park

To: Countryside Motel cold springs NY
Miles today: 0.0

Not much to say. Sore leg, sore head and a bad attitude. Got up and packed up about 730 Taxi came at 8. Was in bed with equipment drying by 930 or so. Later the motel owner a great guy originally from India gave me a ride to walmart. I needed Water Purification tablets. Rest of the day TV or sleep
Date: 2012-08-30
To: on my way toward commitment
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I'm 5 days into it now. 5 days of contemplating hiking the AT that is. Last Sunday, an event at church got me seriously thinking about it again after years of thinking about it again and again. Sort of like ground hog day all over again, but not. Something this time is different, the difference being I've done something more than just think about it. Over the last few days, I've talked so much about it and with such conviction, that those listening think I'm going. So here I am trying to convince my self I'm going too!! I would love to drift off the grid and just hike for 6 or seven months, but committments will keep me from that. Two weeks will be the extent of what I can offer myself. I hope to do a section hike from Springer Mt to Clingman's Dome leaving around October 25 and arriving November 8. A bit more that 200 miles in 13 days. I'm still looking for evidence that the goal is possible.
Date: 2012-09-08
To: Gear Needs
Miles today: 0.0

I started thinking of all the stuff I'd need to go on a 2 week hiking trip. Thanks to !cbiscuit for a pretty detailed list to get me started. Wow, talk about weight if I took everything I thought I'd need. Started off thinking probably the most obvious need would be a pair of hiking boots. Found a nice outfitter in Terre Haute called the Element. Much better than Gander Mountain as far as hiking goes. They were having a sale on apparel and shoes: 50% off!! So, I bought a pair of Vasque boots, a pair of socks, base liner pants and shirt, and a Mountain Gear 1 man tent. Just a few things to get me going.
Date: 2012-09-10
To: Depauw Nature Park
Miles today: 0.0

This week I started hiking. Not really, acutally 2 weeks ago as it's 9/22 as I write this. I've been busy and now I'm trying to catch up with updates to this journal. Ok, actually most of you would call it walking. I live about 7 miles from Greencastle, In where Depauw University is located. They have a nice Nature Park that I've been to before. The park is an old abandon quarry (early 1900 - 1977) near Big Walnut Creek with a few nice trails. I though it would be a nice place to begin getting into shape. At least a place to stretch my legs. I've found that in the early morning, between 8am and 11am, the park is usually pretty quiet with very few visitors. I was off work the last 2 weeks so getting there early wasn't a problem. The park itself consists of a quarry section and wooded section. The quarry is pretty large with trails thru the base and up around the rim. Inside the quarry it's amazing that so much plant and animal life is thriving despite what still looks like all rock and gravel. Plenty of trees and shrubs sprouting everywhere. I've noticed many Depauw students, probably Bio majors, out and about doing studies. My first hike there was a bit ominous in that I was surprised by all the buzzards roosting on the cliff tops. There must have been 100 awaiting me that morning. The wooded sections are full of squirrels and deer. Today (9/21) I was able to watch 3 deer probably 100 feet from me off in the woods. They were aware of me but not overly troubled by my presence. The trees are definitely not "old growth" but many have been growing even before the quarry shut down. Overall a very nice place to get out and stretch my legs and imagine being on the 'trail'
Date: 2012-09-22
To: Indiana's Nature Preserves
Miles today: 0.0

So, I've been 'hiking' now for two weeks. I continue to utilize Depauw's Nature Park for my main mileage getter. But, I've been trying to explore a few other areas as well. I've had a book listing Indiana's Nature Perserves for some time and decided to try and visit a few. Luckily 3 are located very near my home. Hall Woods, Big Walnut and Fern Cliff. Actually, the first two are within 3 miles of my home and I've never been to either. My wife and I visited Hall Woods one day and explored the small trail down to Big Walnut Creek. Hall Woods consists of nearly 150 acres. There is still an old one room cabin that was built in the 1830's there. It's in great shape. Story is that a boy who was raised there grew up to be the Indiana State Biologist or Geologist. I can't remember which. Big Walnut is located north about 1 mile and it is bigger, nearly 3000 acres according the the book. Old growth forest still survives here. I was disappointed in that it looked like much of the area was shut off to hikers due to 'servere preservation efforts'. Overall, I was impressed by the shear height of the trees. They appeared to be stretched to the sky. Even though the width of many of the trunks were very large, they appear thin in comparison to their height. Unlike other wooded areas I've been in, the visibility of this wooded area was vast. No small trees or shrubs to block your veiw. The enormity of the forest canopy must prevent much of the plant life from grasping a hold on surviving.Fern Cliff is located west of Greencastle about 10 miles from my home. I visited there this past week during a somewhat rainy day. This is a more primitive site in that it isn't as well maintained and/or visited as the other two. The approach to the cliffs takes you by an pine tree grove that I found very impressive. On the way out I walked over into it a bit to stand under the large trees. I've always like large pine trees. Probably because as a kid they were so easy to climb. Reaching the cliff area was very surprising. Even though the name of the place implies the visitor is going to encounter cliffs, I didn't expect to find them so large and many. It reminded me of the Turkey Run State Park area. I hiked the trail down a few of the cliffs and found myself thinking that this would be more of what I might find on my trip to the AT.
Date: 2012-10-02
To: Trying to stay focused on my trip (3 weeks)
Miles today: 0.0

It's been nearly two weeks since I last posted. I've been making regular trips to the nature park hiking 2 hours a day. I can already feel the progress I've made. Granted, I've not carried a pack or hiked killer hills, but I'm feeling better. I can feel the power returning to my legs as I hike the hills. I hiked in the rain this morning. It was an enjoyable cool 50 degree drizzle at 0800am. I can't help but fear I'll be hiking in lots of rain on my trip. I definitely know I need rain gear, but it's so bulky and heavy, I've putting it off. Not only do I need rain gear, but I need a pack, water filter, hiking pants/shorts, camera, poles, tent footprint, sleeping pad and food prepared. Wow, that's a lot. I probably best make a list. I made some beef jerky for the first time. Turned out good, I just didn't make enought. I plan on making 10 - 20 lbs in the next week. Not that I'll take all that with me, but why not. I've decided to take lots of jerky, rice, oatmeal, flour, and anything else that I can add water to. Watched lots and lots of youtube videos of hiking, camping and general outdoor stuff on how to survive outdoors on your own. Made reservations with Hike-Inn at Fontana Dam to shuttle me to the approach trail and hike back to at least Fontana Dam. I still have hopes of reaching Clingman's Dome. So that's done. Planning on doing a bit of extended hiking and camping over the next two weeks to test out the legs loaded down and the gear out in the wild!!oh, the photo is life getting in the way of all this. I bale hay as a hobby. It's starting to turn into work...
Date: 2012-10-24
From: Amicalola Falls State Park

To:  Springer Mountain
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: clear sky

AT day 1 AFSP to SpringerArrived late due to a wrong turn which put me in cinci instead of Lexington. Met two hikers looking for hike inn. Ones name, a thru hiker headed south, named Slipps. Arrived a Amicalola Falls State park at 11:30, signed in, met lots of nice folk while I rearranged my pack, started out at 12:20. Lots of stairs, innocently thought top of falls was end of approach trail. WRONG, see photo of 7.5 miles of strenuous climbing. Understatement! Saw my first bear today about 4 miles up the trail I saw a small cub running away. Made me edgy thinking about where its momma was. Arrived at springer at 6:30. Beat tired. Thought I was alone , but discovered a nice couple Steve and Dana, from Iowa? Didn't talk much too tired. Filtered water, hung my bags and crashed. After 40 hours no sleep.
Date: 2012-10-25
From:  Springer Mountain

To: Cooper's Gap
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: scattered clouds

AT day 2 Springer to Coopers GapSlept well in the tent, too nice out to stay in the shelters this week, the pad I bought is great. Not cold. A bit fogging and misty. Woke up at 8:15, made oatmeal and coffee. Lightened my pack by removing a few items I didn't need, left my first trail magic in the shelter. Packed up and hit the trail at 10:00. Yesterday it was a bear that I surprised. Today it was an older female day hiker separated from her group. Actually her group was still in the parking lot below Springer and she and another lady where releaving themselves. I got mooned! I had to halt my descent until she was decent. She wasn't happy, mad at the failure of her friend to keep a watch out. Ok, the trail today was a bit better, with a slightly lighter pack and more time on the trail, I made 11.5 miles today. I made it to Cooper's Gap. Stover Creek Shelter area was bueatiful, very wooly with tall pines and large rodadendrems. Met a man and his Jack Russel there. He was day hiking while his buddy was trout fishing below. The shelter sits about a mile uphill from Three Forks, which is the first large stream I've seen. Met a father setting up a tent. He was waiting for his son, Diode, trail name, who started in Maine 4 months ago. After getting his sons description, I offered to keep my eye out for him. About 500 ft up the trail, while I ws enjoying a pouch of mustard sardines, I spot Diode. I said hello and told him his father was just 500 ft up ahead. Met two more groups of two men, first was from Delongaga, Ga. They had started out .8 of a mile from Gooch Shelter, the other I'm not sure. Both were headed to Springer Mt. Saw no one else and decided to make camp at Coopers Gap, the last mountain I climbed, Sassafras, did me in. Good thing I stopped, I just finished getting camp set when it turned dark. The tricky part of setting camp was hanging my pack and food bag, first timer! I ate a mountain man stew in the dark and then turned in. I think I'm north of Delongaga. I can see light of a town down below. Being here in the gap, the winds were howling most of the night. Trees and high winds are quite loud. Disrupted my sleep. It's 05:49, the 26th as I finish this. The winds have stopped and I'm waiting for sunrise at 07:52, sunset tonight 18:48. Less than 12 hours of daylight! Wow. Hope to hike further again today.