morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-09-17
From: Andover

To: Andover
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Hello all, I am not off the trail (someone sent me an email inquiring if I was). I am in BEAUTIFUL Maine. The White Mountains in New Hampshire were terribly difficult for me and I am definitely glad they are over. At least the weather has been cooperating with us. it was almost 80 today. I am hiking with Contagious and The Squirrell Master. Breeze is behind us most likely catching up in a few days. Paddy-O turned up last night and took the 3 of us to Stratton to I could see my fellow Ewoks one last time (most likely) before they summit. They are almost 70 miles ahead of us. Blackfooot summitted almost 2 weeks ago and I heard that Dubs, aka Yellowbelly, has summitted as well. it is crazy that we have come this far and are looking forward to actually getting to Katahdin. I will post some pictures up tonight of the whites because they are great!!
Date: 2006-09-24
From: Caratunk, ME

To: Caratunk, ME
Miles today: 0.0

Hello everyone!!!We are in Caratunk, ME staying at a great lodge type place. There are about 20 hikers here so it was definitely a fun zero. I can't believe we are 2 days out of Monson, and about to enter the 100 mile wilderness and almost be done. It is crazy to think this journey is almost over and the Big K is only a few days away. The other day when we climbed Bigelow you could see a mountain that we are pretty sure was Katahdin. I am also very exctied that my parents will be making the pilgrimage to see me summit. It has been over 2 months since I have seen them, making it a new record. Contagious's parents came in to town two days ago and will be slack packing us to Monson and may camp out somewhere in the wilderness to set up some trail magic. They are great and today at their campsite Taylor, Contagious's dad, set up a 5 hole golf course for us to play throughout the campsites. He is a professional golfer so we were in his element. It was super fun but I realized how bad I suck at golf!I will try to post a message up before I enter the wilderness, so until then, take care.
Date: 2006-10-05
From: The Birches

To: Millinocket, ME
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Hell yeah baby, Summit Today!!! It was a beautiful day to go up the mountain. There were 13 hikers who summitted with me and we had a great time going up that granite beast. The hike starts out very decieving. The terrain is gradual going up for about 1.2 miles. Then it starts to really go up, and then it is vertical boulder climbing. It was so fun and challanging. Some of the most technical hiking I have done. When you get to the top of the verticle ascent you then enter the Table Top region. It is this flat part of the mountain that is about 1 mile long. Pretty amazing. From there I could see the summit and some of my friends up top and the adrenaline was pumping. At one point I started to run I was so excited. When I got to the sign I started to cry and so did Giggles who was right behind me. I have waited 6 months to be up there and I finally did it. We did that whole picture thing and chilled up top for about an hour and a half. I was sort of nervous for the decent but that part was equally as fun and the views were spectacular. Blue skies and beautiful clouds. On my way down when I was almost to the trailhead my mother and father jumped out of the woods to surprise me. I was really great to finally see them. After 6 months I am amazingly not sick of hiking and can't wait for my next adventure. To all of my friends on the trail, I love you and will miss you all until we meet again. Hopefully sooner than later. We made it!!!p.s. I was number 409 from Springer to Katahdin.p.p.s. Sometimes in a lifetime you make friends for months, and sometimes in months you make friends for a lifetime.
Date: 2006-10-25
To: Back to Life
Miles today: 0.0

So going back to NY was sort of a bust. It was the first time I had been out in the woods by myself and there was noone around me for, I would say, a week. I freaked out one morning and called my parents. I really didn't sleep well at all. Every little noise woke me up. My mom told me to get to NYC and get on a plane, so that is what I did. Technically that makes me a section hiker, but I feel like a thru-hiker. I am definitely going back to do the section next spring. Who knows if I will only stop there, I am already itching to be outside. I have been working my same job I had at Mozart's since I got home and today I just got a job at my local outfitter. At least there there are people who have hiked the trail that I can talk to. I sometimes feel like it was a dream and it never really happened. Other than that, I have been going to concerts with my friends. It seems I came home during a good week. I am going to see Ratdog tomorrow and I saw the Rhythm Devils this past weekend. I miss all my trail family, and am sooooo looking forward to Trail Days so we can meet up. And I am making up any excuse to go to parts of the country where you all live so I can come sleep on your couches!!!Until next time,Love, Trips
Date: 2007-02-11
From: Same old Same old

To: PCT
Miles today: 0.0

So here I am, about to go to bed, on a very, very, very cold night in Ohio. I decided to check out trailjournals.com and come to find out there are over 100 people planning to hike in 2007!!! Part of me feels very nostalgic, looking back at my past year, and being in the same position these people are. Over 2000 miles ahead of pure enjoyment are laid out ahead of them. They will be the thru-hikers of this year and it makes me happy to think of all the fun they will have and the accomplishment they will feel after they have made the distance. It also makes me sad to think that the class of 2006 is no longer the reigning class. We no longer have the stories or are the heroes of the day. We have been there and done that. I will forever have the memories that make me an AT hiker, but it is hard to let go of the feeling of fresh achievement. I felt like I was the only person in the world who had felt that sort of accomplishment the day I summitted. I am sure we all felt like that. We ruled. To all those embarking on their AT hike - go get em.   You can do it, and if you think you can't, think again. There is ALWAYS a laugh around the corner, a beer to share in town, and a friend to help you thru - even if you've only known them for an hour. Everyone who has been there is envious of you and would fill your shoes at any moment. You are truly an inspiration to all you know and an envy to all your peers.I wish you all the best of luck, and hope to bring you some trail magic in the coming months.NOBO, Class of 2006 -Trips
Date: 2005-10-23
To: One Day Closer
Miles today: 0.0

Well, another day closer... Had a long day, Hurricane Wilma is approaching Florida, but we should be ok. I spent all day researching gear, and feel like a child standing outside a toy store drooling over the goodies inside lol. I am Very anxious now that i have made up my mind, but will have to try to control myself. 2 months here in Fl., then January in New York to help out my mother rebuild her basement into a small apartment so she can rent it out. Hopefully while I am there i can take what gear i have on a 3 or 4 day shake-down, and maybe hit an outfitter or two to catch the new year sales. I am almost 100% sure I am going to get the Clark Jungle Hammock, North American version with XL tarp. I have researched alot of hammocks, the Hennessey i do not like for the bottom entry, and the majority of others look either too small, flimsy or prone to bad weather. The Clark seems to be the most rugged, warmest, driest, bug free Complete hammock made, and all I see myself needing would be a sleeping pad to use for an insulator in the cold. Big Agness makes sleeping bags that the pads fit into, so there is no worry of sliding off the pad in the middle of the night. As a back up, a waterproof bivy/outter bag and can either use the tarp from the hammock or get a silnylon tarp/shelter for when I am in a treeless area. I feel comfortable with that idea, as I have no worries of sleeping on the ground in a bivy in a pinch, but I want the hammock for the Most comfortable way to sleep. Going to start thinking about mail drops, food, recipes, how i am going to make my Coffee every morning lol, and more gear I have a decent pack, but could go lighter by 2 lbs if i wanted, and need to look into a 3 way parka... Gerry, (my brother), Danielle, (a great friend), and Sue (Mom) are willing to help out with mail drops if i go that way. I do want to plan to avoid going into towns on a regular basis, just for resupply. I don't want to spend a lot of time in hotels, tho hostels are not out of the question. Well,hopefully i can concentrate on the world around me for the next few months, but dernnit I am ready Now !!! lol...see ya soon, will add more if i find something to write about...Be safe, HYOH
Date: 2005-10-24
To: Another day...
Miles today: 0.0

Hurricane Wilma washed across the gulf last night, and made landfall south of here by quite a ways, so all we had was a nice downpour last night, feederbands moving across this a.m., and sunny skies now. Tampa dodged another bullet, but i feel bad for those in south Fl. they always seem to get the ones that start out headed this way.   Ok...Food. I have researched whether it would be wise for at home dehydration items, company bought dehydrated items, and regulay grocery store type items...looked online on forums, Whiteblaze.net, aone or two others. For my situation, at home dehydration would only work for my first one or two resupplies, as the process for properly prepared items is one I will not ask Gerry to do for me.    So...as it stands now, and is sure to change a few times, is to just make a list of all the foods that are light, have high protien and calorie content, then buy in bulk. I will be carrying at least the first 10 days of food to start, and will set up resupply stops in towns, and then mail drop once a month. This way I figure to maximize my time on the trail, minimize the cash needed for me to carry, and also to put as little burden on my small team as possible. I realize there is no way I can attempt this 100% solo, and I will need help in a lot of ways, but once I get on the trail, after the preparations are set, all i should need to do is call for times, destinations, and additions / subtractions to the pre-boxed maildrops. This should make it easy for Gerry, and will work fine I think. Other than that, I have just gone over a few more gear items, and have narrowed down my choices, at least until the sales after Christmas lol. I could pack up and go today if I wanted to, but in order to make the best of it, a few items have to be bought to make my load carried lighter. I still plan on 10 lbs pack, tent (hammock), sleeping bag and mat. That leaves me with alot of room for cooking gear, stove, and food.    I am going to get a Sierra Zip Stove because I like the fact it burns wood, and comes in a complete set form, with pan, pot, stove etc...The only down side is it is battery operated, and has a small electric motor on it, but a spare motor and a few extra batteries will only weigh a few ounces, so I can deal with that. Every review i saw about the Zip stove was a 4 or 5 star review, and only one negative review when someone had put the battery in backwards and burnt the motor up (fan blew backwards and melted motor lol) and did'nt have a spare. I have a website or two bookmarked on how to lighten and upgrade the stove (lighter, wider base, solar panel for battery charging) and I may make a modification or two when I get my stove.   Tommorow is Gerry's and my birthday, the big 35. I may sneak out and get him an ice cream cake later...for now, be safe, will add more soon.
Date: 2005-10-25
To: Happy B-day To Us
Miles today: 0.0

Happy Birthday Gerry !!! (and me lol) So far nothing planned today, more research, price checking gear, and menu's. I may have to do more mail drops than I would like,but it seems the safest way in a few spots, such as Fontana Dam and just before the 100 mile wilderness to name two. I am going to stay with Lipton Noodle packs as a mainstay, with other high protien items like jerkey, some dried fruits, and may smuggle a potato or two just for giggles. I went thru my gear list today (proposed items needed to buy) and came up with a total of $673.01 . Thats everything I'll need except a hiking poles, boots, sleeping bag and a water filter, and I am sure I can get that total down around $500.00 if I go with no name brand items. The two items I will not change will be the Clark Hammock @ $299.00, and the Sierra Zip Stove @ $79.00. But, you get what you pay for nowadays, and I am afraid if i go with a cheap brand, I may suffer for it. For boots, I am going to look for a mid-heavy pair that will last the whole trip, as I have no desire to buy 3-6 pairs of trail runners, or lightweight boots along the way at an outfitter. With the gear I have tagged to buy, my total weight without food will be around 17.5 lbs, 2.5 lbs less than the expected 20 lbs. that leaves me plenty of room to carry a very good range and supply of foods and daily water. I am going to do my recipes today, and figure what I am willing to eat lol, and what I cannot do without, such as coffee!!! It should be easy tho, as I have lived off of Ramen and Lipton type noodles before in Desert Storm. Hopefully tommorow I can post a sample meal, or weeks menu, and I am going to try to keep a wide selection of foods so I do not burn out on noodles the first week out. Well, thats it for today, it's 5am, have to get the day going. Be safe 8-)
Date: 2005-10-26
To: Gonna be tight...
Miles today: 0.0

Well, after reviewing all my options, I have decided to sell my truck to finance the trip. Gerry cannot afford to help out, with his house financing problems, and mom probably won't be paying enough for helping her with her house(yes I am still going to help you mom, and no I am not trying to make you feel guilty). I have gone over all the lists for my gear, travel to and from trailheads, food supplies, and emergrncy cash. I figure $4000 plus the six or seven months of vehicle insurance (the only real bill I have at this point) I will need to pay, brings me up to almost $6500. So, I can take my truck to a local dealer, and downtrade, or sell outright, and get a cheap car, just a few years old so I have something before I leave and something when I get back. Maybe I can find another Jeep. We shall see. Now that I have made the descision, it has taken a weight off of me as I dreaded on how I was going to finance the trip, and I justify it as I won the truck in a raffle anyway, and I am not doing like some others i have read of doing and selling a house to take a hike lol (tho I probably would at this point). As for recipes, I found a Great website,   freezerbagcooking.com   which was found on Whiteblaze.net, posted by the recipe website author "Sarbar". They will be producing a cookbook relativly soon, and I plan to get one. The recipes seem like the perfect solution for mail drops as almost everything is prepared prior, and all you do in camp is add one or two ingredients, and boiled water, then eat. It may be the solution I have been seeking. If you like the recipes, I suggest a small donation to the website, it will help them get the cookbook out to us faster. Thats about it for today, not much else going on here, just counting the days, waiting on word for when I have to go to N.Y., and trying to get up the nerve to take my truck to the dealer. Once I do that, it is a point of no return. Well, be safe, cya l8r 8-)
Date: 2005-10-27
To: Ultralite or Lite?
Miles today: 0.0

After considering that selling my truck will enable me to go with top of the line gear, I am starting to consider more comfortable items in my gear list. Do I go with a tent or hammock? I still like the Hammock for overall comfort, but there are a few sections of the AT that may require a tent / shelter tarp. I have looked at ultralite tarp / bivy combos and for weight, that is the way to go. But on the other hand, a tent will shelter me better in inclimate weather and in the first part of the trip in late winter months, and in the fall, but ban be heavier with less room than a tarp. I do not plan on spending alot of nights at the shelters along the trail, I do not relish the idea of sleeping with mice, rats, skunks, and porcupines that frequent the shelters. Hanging a tent on a mountain top or a tent on a bald appeals to me more. If I go with the Hammock, and carry a tent / tarp-bivy as back up, it will still put me below the 10 lb. mark even with the rest of my gear, clothes. The tent I have now, which is 10 years old, and weight 7.2 lbs, is unacceptable for me to lug around. I believe I am going to get the Big Agnes sleeping bag, one in their Shield series, and a pad from them as well. So with the Hammock, tent, sleeping bag, pad, and a lightweight pack, will put me right at 11 lbs, where as now with my current gear, I am at 22 lbs !!! Also, I think after further review, the way to go with mail drops is to pack 10 days at a time, mail drop to locations that have a long stretch until the next town (i.e. the 100 mile wilderness, Fontana Dam) and resupply at towns. From what I am seeing, most towns have at least one grocery store, with only a few relying on a smaller convience type store. Well, thats all for today, see ya soon with more of my rollercoaster ride...Also check out the pic of the Clark Jungle Hammock (courtesy of Clark's Homepage, www.junglehammock.com)
Date: 2005-10-28
To: Short one today...
Miles today: 0.0

Just a fast entry today, I have my daughter for the weekend. I almost sold my truck today, but do not have a cheap, reliable vehicle lined up for replacement. The good news is, the selling price of my truck will cover the replacement vehicle, all my gear, food, and travel for the entire trip. I have to have something here to go grocery shopping, or in case of emergency with Gerry. I have made three lists for gear, a cheap, must have, and an all out gear list. Time will tell what I will go with, as I will have to wait until February to purchase most of the gear. I plan on ordering the Clark hammock this month before Thanksgiving, so I will be able to post an entry of it's shakedown test. Thats really it for now, just a waiting game at this point. I may skip a day here and there on the journal, but thats ok, you would'nt want to read about my slow days anyway lol. Until next we meet, be safe, and Happy Halloween!!
Date: 2005-11-03
To: Hello there...
Miles today: 0.0

Well, another few days closer. Mom has sent me a few links, as has another past thru-hiker. I really apprecieate the links, and advice on the trail. Thank you, as even at this stage, a note such as those are a great boost to morale. Also at this time, I want to thank Trailjournals.com for having this greatwebsite for us to post on.I plan on ordering the hammock tommorow, and should be able to post a review of it within a week. I am also going to post links today on web pages that have helped me in my research so far. These are not meant as endorsements or denouncements, just as a helpful guide to those that may be looking for websites to research their own hikes. In no way does any of the websites posted here reflect the opinion of the Trailjournal.com website, these are just references for others to gain their own insite on gear, resources, and interests on the A.T. and other trails.appalachiantrail.org   A.T.C. homepagejunglehammock.com      clark jungle hammocksbigagnes.com            sleeping bag systemswhiteblaze.net         a great forum based info site.trailplace.com         another forum info sitebigskyproducts.com      ultralite gearmountainsports.com      solo and lite gearula-equipment.com      ultralite gearluxurylite.com         ultralite gear, (neat cot here for tenting)nemoequipment.com      air filled frame tents...very innovative ideazzstove.com            sierra zip stovesrei.com                  online/store based outfittersixmoonsdesigns.com      ultralite sheltersspeerhammocks.com      lite weight hammocks, homemade options.(I can't sew)hennessyhammock.com      hammocks and accessoriesorgear.com               gear manufacturercampmor.com            online/store based outfitter for many outdoor sportsfroggtoggs.com         high end rain geartarptent.com            ultralight tarp tent designsarmoredoutdoorgear.com   ingenious varmit-proof food bags-lite weightthepacka.com            rain jacket/pack cover in one!backcountry.com         online outfitteralpineaire.com         pre-packaged foodsfreezerbagcooking.com   incredible food ideas for backpacking. cookbook soon!mountainhouse.com      freeze dried foodspeaktopeak.net         researching resourcesbackpacking.net         researching resources / reviewsbackpackgeartest.org   nothing but gear reviews...priceless!!!lnt.org                  Leave No Trace !!!I hope these links help out, they are the best ones I found for the types of gear I am looking for. Some of the info on these sites may help you to plan a safe, comfortable hike.Thats it for today, until we meet again...
Date: 2005-11-05
To: Another day down 8-)
Miles today: 0.0

Hello there all you nice folks that are keeping track of this roller-coaster ride! I called Clark Hammocks yesterday and ordered my hammock!! YaY!! I cannot wait until it gets here for me to set up and try it out. I am almost ready, as I have been able to get alot of the small items, such as water bottles, sports clothing and such locally, even tho there is no real outfitter near where I live. There is one in St. Pete, but I am going to wait until I have the cash to go there...don't want to go there, drool on all the wild gear, then not be able to get any lol.Going to my daughters B-day party today, so I must run...Until next we meet my friends, be safe...
Date: 2005-11-08
To: Hey there...
Miles today: 0.0

Hello again, not much new here to report. I have added a link today for a video clip, taken from the Cirque Productions webpage. It is a teaser trailer for one of their films, and if you have any interest in the A.T., this is a film to check out. I plan on ordering the film "Trek". Check out the teaser, you may get a kick out of it. I am hoping the Clark Hammock will be here today or tommorow, and thats about it for the next few days. Y'all be safe, see ya soon...http://www.cirquevideo.com/Trekpage.html
Date: 2005-11-09
To: Stoves...
Miles today: 0.0

Hello there...On the advice of a couple of hikers about stoves (thanks Hoss and Stede) I have ordered an alcohol stove to test. It is just a hair over 4oz. plus fuel, and is way lighter than the Zip stove I am considering. YAY, my hammock has left Chattanooga Tn. on it's way here from Utah, and I cannot wait for it to get here so I can take a nap lol. I thought it was going to get here a day earlier, but there was some kind of delay...maybe by this afternoon? Well, thats it for today, (bored yet? lol) will update once I test the hammock out...I promise!! Also check out the A.T.C. webpage "Ultimate Store" for the Thru-Hikers Planner for $8.95 and the 2005 A.T. Data Book for $2.00 on sale. A must have, tho I will also be getting the 2006 Data Book when available. http://www.appalachiantrail.org