morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-01-31
To: The Tower at Erieview
Miles today: 0.0

OK, so finally I can update my journal entry, I have been trying for weeks to no avail. I kept getting error messages. I was getting concerned as there are not too many days left before I leave...37 to be exact.I just have to finalize and pack up my mail drops. I am getting excited. Thinking about it alot, and working seven days a week to get enough cash together not only for the trip but also for my family while I am gone. They have been so supportive. Rachel will be hiking with me for two weeks in May, so I am making arrangements to borrow gear from Gus, a previous hiker who made it from GA to MA. So his help is very appreciated...Thanks Gus!Just like the other hikers, I am full of anticipation. Can't wait to get out on the trail. I know I am going to be cold and wet or hot and stinky, but I am gearing up for whatever the AT can throw at me. And its sounds like she can throw a pretty mean punch at times. Its all mental from this point out. I will know where I am mentally after I run the stair race in Cleveland this Saturday. 37 flights, and I am hoping to break 8 minutes. But I have to see what messages will be running around my brain while I do this. It will be a good test to see what I need to tweak before I head out on the trail.I am sooo grateful I have this opportunity to hike this hike. Things have fallen in place, and the timing is perfect, and my husband is sooo supportive as well. Couldn't do it without him. Thanks Bob...you are the BEST!OK, that's all for now, I will log in Saturday and post how I did in the stairway race. Wish me luck!
Date: 2007-02-03
To: The top of the stairs!
Miles today: 0.0

Oh yeah baby...I feel good! I ran the stairwell in 7:18 unofficial time! I passed several people ahead of me...including a teenage boy! But he passed me back up near the top. He had a 10 second lead, so we will be close in time. I was running out of air, as far as my legs go...they were fine. I could have kept going but I just couldn't catch my wind. Not bad though, I am very happy with my time. I was hoping for under 8 minutes, so the fact that I was closer to 7 makes me happy. Yea, I guess I am a bit competitive, I like to challenge myselfMentally, I wanted to stop and walk, or stop and catch my breath, but I didn't. So, I hope that gives me a little insight on how I will be out on the trail. And obviously, I will not push the intensity as 7 minutes versus 6 months, HUGE difference.I love the responses people give me when I say I am hiking the trail. People want me to carry everything from a gun, machetti, GPS, cell phone and God knows what else. Easy for them to say...they aren't carrying it! I appreciate their concern, and I am listening to what they have to say. But in the end, I will be hiking my own hike. And doing what works best for me. Perhaps that sounds a bit selfish, but this trip is definately "my time". After raising two kids and working and getting ready to assist my 85 year old Mom, this six month hiatis will go by fast. Am I going to relish it? You bet I am.Well, I have to go to work soon. I am going to begin packing up my mail drops, this week so they will be ready to go. Then it will be minor tweaks from this point out.
Date: 2007-02-12
To: 25 days and counting!
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I have a couple more days of work left. I have to say I am glad about this decision as it will free me up to finish up some details around the house before I leave. Taxes, FAFSA, bills and other paperwork will be finalized. Gear is complete. Hiking plans are somewhat guesstimated, as I know they may change. Family is taken care of as much as possible...Bob will take over from here. Brian will start college in March. Mom is situated as much as I can provide (thanks Bob, Rachel, Brian, Barb, Dave and Kathy for your help). Just fininshing up my mail drops and graduation plans for June. All is right with my world.The reality of leaving my loved ones behind is creeping in. I am truly going to miss them while I am out on the trail. But, I know they will be supporting me from home and I know they will be in my thoughts and prayers as I make my journey north. I LOVE YOU GUYS!I am really looking forward to this time in the woods. I am trying not to have any expectations. I want to stay relaxed and flexible and just take it all in...whatever "it" will be. I look forward to getting away from the "rat race" of everyday living and get a break...in whatever form that will be. I know its not going to be "comfortable". I know I will have aches and pains. I know I will be cold and at times wet, or hot and uncomfortable. Oh well, thats part of the trail. Bears, mice, snakes, it doesn't matter...all part of the experience. Bring it. GA-ME ON! Woo-Hoo!
Date: 2007-03-01
To: Ready...
Miles today: 0.0

OK, So I have the food drops planned out for the first half of my trip, I am sad to find out Rachel will no longer be able to hike for two weeks with me So I will plan out my food until I come off the trail for her graduation, and while I am home I will put together my mail drops for the second half of my journey.   I hope to carry about 7 days of food at a time, so far that has weighed out to be anywhere from 10 to 13 pounds of food. Its amazing to see all of it together and realize how much we eat just to keep alive. All of this is dried with exception of some of the meat. I tried to limit packaged meat due to the high sodium content, and I am using a dried soy powder that taste good and will give me my protein as well. I have my meals based around a 50% carb, 30% protein and 20% fat ratio. I have been eating well to gain some additional weight to burn in those first weeks on the trail.I am hoping to have a better grasp on my mileage and food intake as well as my food preferences. Who knows, I may pick up a few good trail recipes. I have already tried the cous cous and dried blueberries...mmmm good (thanks magnet!)   Speaking of which, I received my Bod-i-Bag in the mail today! I am wearing it right now...really warm and cozy, I cannot wait to try it out on the trail. It is very soft and fits well. I want to wear it around the house and walk around in it, just to get the feel and see if it pulls or anything...so far so good. Thanks again to Magnet 2004 for helping me out with this! (See gear page)I will let you know how it works out on the trail.   Aside from waiting to get started, I feel like I have a million things to do yet before I leave...yea I am anxious. One week from now we will be driving down to Georgia.It will be bittersweet. I hope to post one or two more prep entries before leaving for the terminus in Georgia."Get busy living, or get busy dying" - Shawshank Redemption
Date: 2007-03-05
To: Set...
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

OK, so the mail drops are final up to the point that I get home. I have a tentative schedule figured out for the second leg when I return after graduation, but it may need to be adjusted, so I will take care of that in June prior to returning. I estimate I will come off the trail somewhere in PA if all goes well.   Today I have gone over my gear, and the real test is going to be when I pack it up and go weigh it at the Post Office. I want to get a close idea of what the pack weighs with and without food. Water will also be included. Then I will need to decide what to pull out to lighten my load. I have a close idea of what it will be, and I know I kept adding nonessential items, so when I see that number on the scale and actually get that weight on my back, I know I will be leaving much of it behind. But, thats what its gotta take for me to lighten it up I guess...a numbers game...psych!   I am hoping to keep my pack under 30 pounds with 7 days of food and 48 oz of water. That means I will need to keep my gear weight around 17 pounds. Doesn't sound like much, but I have had it down that low with the bare essentials. I keep getting tempted to put things in there. Its kind of like packing for a vacation, you keep adding things to your suitcase and then when you get to your destination, you don't use or wear half of them, but you "had it just in case". Boy, its hard to fight that urge because you have to carry it. All this talk about pack weight, I am curious to find out...off to the Post Office I go...
Date: 2007-03-08
From: GO!

To: Springer Mountain 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

THIS IS IT! Bob and I are on our way to Georgia. By Friday morning I will begin my journey north. Hiking with spring and watching all the changes that will be happening in nature. I am like a child waiting for Christmas day. Full of anticipation, restless, dreamy, it feels so surreal, I can't believe it will finally happen.    I am not sure how often I will be able to mail home my journals for Rachel to transcribe, or how often I will be able to access the internet in town, but it will get updated as often as possible. She said she will type them exactly as I write it, so thanks Ray for your help.   With that said, thank-you to everyone who has given me your support, thoughts and prayers for my journey. Thanks to everyone who signed my guestbook as well, you will be with me in my heart as I walk everyone of the 5,000,000 steps to Maine.    Off I go...
Date: 2007-03-09
From: Springer Mountain 

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: broken clouds

Made it in around 4 P.M. Pinch me, I cannot believe I am out here! I hiked the first three miles with a smile plastered on my face. It was sunny and warm, a beautiful day for the trail.As I got closer to the shelter, I could feel I was getting tired, but dinner helped and Tattoo was there. He registered at Amiocola Falls when I signed in.I camped out in my tent at Hawk Shelter, slept pretty good and I was toasty warm. The body bag worked great! In the morning, I was the last to leave the shelter. I don't like being the last one out, I feel like I have to hurry and catch up to everyone. When I did leave, I was hiking along thinking to myself that I may have underestimated just how hard this really is. I have been carrying 40 pounds on my back and going up and down hills (BIG HILLS) for 8 hours a day. The Trail begins in Georgia at Springer Mountain and follows a rugged, often rocky terrain, reaching a height of more than 4,461 feet and never dipping below 2,500 feet. It passes through five major gaps and more than 25 smaller ones. Georgia doesn't believe in having switchbacks on the mountains. I'll tell ya, it is tough even with the training I did. I have learned first, not to carry seven days worth of food on your back unless you have too. Two, Start out slow and let your body aclimate to what you are doing. Give it time, it can take up to three weeks. Three, Your feet ARE critical....no feet no hike. Make them a priority and inspect them everyday. I actually have been soaking my feet in a cool creek when I take a break...it is actually quite refreshing, and my feet feel great when I put my boots back on. So far thats it. Just the beginning of a long list I'm sure.
Date: 2007-03-10
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: broken clouds

Wow, as soon as I left and started downhill, my knees ached. I went slow and put on my knee brace. It helped a little. It was long and slow getting in, I left at 9:30 AM and arrived at 3:30, taking many breaks along the way. I got my first blister on my baby toe, even though I kept stopping and taking off my shoes and socks. Tatoo gave me some "Second Skin" man that stuff is awesome... I gotta get some more. I was staying in a shelter with a couple of day hikers, Rachel and Anne and another friend of theirs. They plan on hiking next year. I think they will make it as they were way ahead of me each day. They said they would mail me some letters or something at one of my maildrops...Cool, thanks in advance you guys if you are reading this.I did find out that Mountain Mama's is closed. So I will be staying elsewhere when I get to Erwin.Well, tomorrow is a long day, 11.9 miles. I better leave early as I need to go slow.
Date: 2007-03-11
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: few clouds

Walked 11.9 miles to the shelter today. It was sunny and beautiful. Slept warm and saw a fantastic sunset! A great horned owl visited the camp last night. I saw a beautiful sunset over the mountains. Its amazing to look at the vistas and look south at where you traveled from. Pretty cool.As I was walking into the shelter, I found a can of bear spray in the trail. My mind started to wander as to what happend? Did someone drop it? While encountering a bear? It was getting dark and I could feel myself starting to get nervous as I was hiking by myself. What would I do if I came across a bear? When I came into the shelter, four guys were there and it turned out to be theirs. They had just dropped it. Amazing lesson: my mind was making mountains out of molehills. But still, I need to know how to react if I do encounter a bear. Something to look into.Tomorrow I am heading to Neels Gap to get a pack shake down, shower, and do laundry. Tattoo, Mangus Khan, Tin Tin, Pathagorus, and Joesph Stalin came in to camp and are tenting. We are all heading out together to Blood Mountain for lunch, and then I am going in into Neels Gap at the Walasi-Yi Inn.
Date: 2007-03-12
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Walasi-Yi, Neels Gap
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: broken clouds

Had lunch on top of Blood Mountain today with Tin Tin, Pathagorus and Joeseph Stalin. Phenomenal view! It was so funny. These guys are hysterical. As people came up on top of Blood Mountain, they asked which mountain was "Springer". So Tin Tin would point out some random mountain, they would take a photo and we would discuss how cool it was to come that far. Then off they would go. It was good for a laugh!According to tales of the Creek and Cherokee, a battle between the two nations on the slopes of the mountain left so many dead and wounded that the ground ran red with blood, which inspired the name. Blood Mountain is the most-visited spot on the A.T. south of Clingmans Dome, and the impact of more than 40,000 visitors a year has taken its toll. As you can tell when you look at the shelter. It used to have shutters on the windows, but some hikers keep burning them for firewood.I am glad for the short day. I came into Walasi- Yi and had a pack shake down and got my pack to 26 lbs. with food and water. Except, then I noticed alot of things were still left on the table, so I think its more around 30 lbs. Also, they adjusted it to fit me better. What a difference. So I am sending home all unnecessary stuff. The comfort level of what you can live without really determines your pack weight. I am going to get a shower, do laundry and stay in the hostel tonight. Man it going to be like sleeping in a cave with everyone snoring so loud you can hardly sleep. But I am exhausted so it won't matter. I am going to call home and tell Bob to "thin out" my food.My feet have blisters and I may have them look at my boots as I bought them here a couple of years ago. Another guy has the same boots and is having the same foot problems I am. He said the relaced his boots differently and added a pad where it was rubbing on his ankle and it made a huge difference. So, I think I will have them take a look at my boots too. We'll see in the morning.
Date: 2007-03-13
From: Walasi-Yi, Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I mailed home my journal entries, but I have access to internet so I am going to try to update it from memory. Rachel, if I have forgotten anything you can edit it in for me.   At Tesnatee Gap, Zoobie and I were coming down the hill and we ran into Trail Angels. They gave us soda, fruit, cookies and water. It tasted great! This was my first trail magic. The couple said they do it every year just for a couple of days. So sweet.   I made it into Low Gap Shelter and it was a very long day - 10.6 miles. I felt pretty good but before I left, I traded in my "broken-in Montrails" for another pair of boots. My gut said this wasn't a good idea, but I figured these guys know feet and the AT so they shouldn't steer me wrong...right? Well, as I was hiking I started feeling hot spots on my heels so I put duct tape on them. When I pulled into the shelter, they looked good.   For some reason today I was exhausted. I went to the creek and soaked my feet...ahhh it felt great. I washed up, ate dinner, and I was tired and it was a long day.      Willing and Abal were there, Pooch and Tom Dooley (Trail Dogs), Dog's Life and a southbound thru-hiker was just finishing up named Lil Engine. He spoke to us about the trail and why he preferred hiking in the winter. It was interesting to hear about his hike and his perspective on the trail. No poision ivy, stinging nettles, bugs, etc. and yet it was also cooler (as he preferred) but lonlier. I don't prefer hiking mainly in cold weather, so I don't think I would hike in the winter. I am a freeze baby, and the heat doesn't bother me. I also enjoy the company of others when you come into a shelter in the evening, so I would miss the socialization. This is a very social trail...if you are out here for solitude, then a winter hike may be suited better for you.   I retired early today as I was exhausted and wanted to be fresh tomorrow.
Date: 2007-03-14
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap/Neels Gap
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I woke up and started hiking, but every 1/4 mile or so I had to stop and retape my feet. I've torn through my moleskin and duct tape. Dog's Life and Abal was hiking with me and let me use some of theirs. I finally got sick and tired of stopping to tape my feet and blisters were forming on my heels so I chucked the boots on my pack and put my Crocs on and hiked the last six miles to Unicoi Gap. It felt so good to get out of those boots! Dog's Life was surprised as to how I could immediately hike at a normal pace. I wouldn't see him again for quite awhile.   Yukon had been hiking but was way ahead. He had thru-hiked before and was just day hiking and had his truck at Unicoi Gap. He said he would give me a ride to the Blueberry Hostel. I wanted to go back to Neels Gap and get a different pair of shoes, so that's where he took me. When I shlepped into the outfitters in my Crocs they were surprised. They told me to shower and grab a bed and they would help me out in the morning. I couldn't wait to clean off my feet.      I had a blister on each heel the size of a nickel. Darn it! It was frustrating as I thought I had taken measures to prevent this from happening. Unless you are going barefoot alot before your hike (something that is hard to do in winter in Ohio) and can toughen up your feet, you will have some type of blisters it seems. And there are different schools of thought as to whether or not to "pop" the blister. For me, I popped them, because I could soak them in Epsom salts and make sure they did not get infected. I think it is an individual decision based on your body and your circumstances.
Date: 2007-03-15
From: Unicoi Gap/Neels Gap

To: Walasi-Yi Inn/Neels Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

So, here I am back at the hostel. I asked them if I could work for stay but they said no. I guess they have a high volume of hikers requesting work for stay, so... Anyway, I picked up a pair of Garmot Nasty's..they are a trail running shoe and it turns out Backpacker Magazine rating them their number one pick this year.These shoes are amazing! I noticed when I hiked with my Crocs that I was flitting around from rock to rock and it was rather nice. But, because there is still a chance of snow, I would rather have boots at least until I reach Damascus anyway, by then my feet should be tough enough so wearing these shoes won't be an issue.   I decided to have Bob forward my good ole standby Columbia boots to the Blueberry Hostel. But for now I can't hike. These blisters are too bad. So I have to sit tight here for a couple of days until they heal. I guess it's for the best...even though it stinks (sorry for the pun). The good news is I guess a cold front is coming in so at least I will be warm and dry. Trying to stay positive. I am meeting a lot of hikers that I would have been ahead of, so it is kind of cool. There are a lot of great people out here, all hiking for a variety of reasons. It is fun to see all of their gear selections, level of experience, fun personalitites, and talk to them about what they hope to get out of hiking this trail. I guess things work out for a reason.
Date: 2007-03-17
From: Walasi-Yi Inn/Neels Gap

To: Tray Mountain
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: clear sky

I keep trying to get a hitch or a ride back to Unicoi Gap, where I left the trail, but it is proving harder than I anticipated. I tried arranging for a slack pack...but that fell thru. An employee was going to give me a ride, but he was called into work. I could get a ride for an additional $36 and that could get me to Hiawassee...which isn't that far...so it's not worth it. So I tried asking an employee if he knew anyone who could get me to Hiawassee and he called a friend who could take me later, but he's sleeping right now, but he can do it later for $20. I feel like hiking and I am getting impatient as the day is wasting away.   So it's after noon, and I am still here. I feel like I am losing time. I guess I shouldn't be so impatient, after all, what is my hurry? I guess I have planned this for so long, and I have just had to take a few zero days, I just want to hike! I started to ask some day hikers if they were heading into Hiawassee, but no one was going that way. So I ended up paying an employee $20 to take me to Hiawassee...oh well.   Anyway, I finally make it to the Blueberry Hostel. What a wonderful place. Gary suggests I hike Tray Mountain with a light pack and 2 days food, in case I have trouble with my feet and can't make the 17 miles. I take his advise.   So I am heading out to Tray mountain to hike. Finally I am walking...without pain too! The temperatures are cold today and it is supposed to be colder tonight, somewhere in the twenties. But it is sunny out right now and very beautiful. I have brought my tent fly along to use around my sleeping bag for the extra warmth. As I hike along, I see tiny icicles coming out of the holes left behind from the hikers poles. I heard it is called "horror's ice", but I'm not sure why.