morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-03-21
To: Long Overdue Update
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

So... It's been a while. It's been AGES since I've updated, and there are a number of reasons for that. The main reason is that everything has kind of been up in the air for a while. I never planned to not do the trail in 2016, but I lost a lot of the finalized plans I had made... A lot has changed in my planning since my last update. One of the big changes is obvious, since I am not writing this post from the trail... I had to scrape my 3/7/16 start date.On September 1st, while playing rugby, I blew out my left knee. Tore my ACL, MCL, and meniscus. On October 1st I had surgery to reconstruct the ACL and repair the meniscus, followed by six weeks on crutches, fully non-weight bearing. I will be medically cleared to hike the trail in July.I'm not waiting until July! I can't do anything with a July start date! I don't want to start my thru hike off with the 100 Mile Wilderness, and a SOBO hike would be about my only option starting in July (and that would still be a late start I think). Much to my surgeon's chagrin, I am planning to start my flip flop in mid May. I haven't really hammered out the deets yet. Perhaps I'll end up going for a Cool Breeze. Starting in Harper's Ferry NOBO doesn't give me a whole lot of time on the trail before I hit the infamous rock scrambles of PA. I'd like to have a little more trail experience and be a bit closer to my medical clear date before I find myself there, but we'll see what happens!I am getting rid of all of my stuff, today I gave my property manager my notice to vacate at the end of April, and I'll give my two weeks notice at work next Friday. I am giving my notice at work on April Fool's day, but this is no joke!I'm not nearly as ready as I had hoped to be. I'm not nearly as ready as I was this time last year. Damn knees. Well, at least I have a matching set now! I'm nervous, scared, and out of my mind excited!! I can't wait to ditch my material life and set out on this adventure. I refuse to let a good, comfortable job and a good, comfortable life get between me and my dreams!
Date: 2016-03-28
To: Making It ATC Official
Miles today: 0.0

Alright! I registered my thru hike with the ATC this morning! I have set a start date of 5/16 from Harper's Ferry. I'm still not certain how all of that is going to shake out, but it seemed like a good option. Trail Days is 5/13-5/15, so I figure if I decide to go, I should be able to find a hitch up to HF fairly easily!
Date: 2016-04-18
To: Unemployed But Oh So Busy!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Well, this is day three of unemployment, and I think it suits me nicely! Everyone has been assuming that I am just going to be hanging out for a month before I start my hike, and how I wish that was true! I have to be out of my house by the end of next week, and I have put off everything until I could work full time on it. Now I am facing a looming deadline with the house and trying to work out how I am going to get it all done! I am meant to be heading to Louisiana on Thursday for the weekend, but I don't know if I am going to get enough done to be able to do that. But enough about that...I was in ATL Saturday for the Columbia Bombshells vs. Atlanta Harlequins Rugby match, and I found out one of the Atlanta players is starting her SOBO (Southbound) thru hike in June! I spent a little time talking with her about it, and I look forward to passing her on the trail. The world just keeps getting smaller and smaller!It hits me sometimes that I will be living out of my pack on the trail a month from now, and I get completely giddy!
Date: 2016-05-24
To: Delayed No More!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Whelp, some folks have informed me that they have noticed my lack of diligence with updating my journal, and for anyone still expecting a May 16th start that might have been a little disappointing. But, rest assured, I have not abandoned this journal! Some things came up, and I am really glad that I had this flexibility available in my schedule to be able to take care of things the way I wanted to.So, new start date, May 27th! Just a couple of days away! We will be heading up to Harper's Ferry on Thursday, and I plan to hit the trail Friday! Yes!!I am super apprehensive about my knee, but I am going to get out there with plans to take things nice and easy, and I mean really take my time, for the first several weeks. I'll do what I can for as long as I can. I am not afraid of taking a little risk with this (obviously), but if I get to a point where I feel like the risks is too great, I will reassess.I have been living with limited material resources for the last few week, and it's been going great. I am looking forward to letting go of even more of that! My pack is loaded. I met up with my sister, Sarah, yesterday at Walmart to shop for the first few days on the trail and discuss/explore menu options as she will be my primary source of mail drops. I have taken the obligatory gear pics and food pics. I'm not really sure right now what my pack weighs, though I will find out before I hit the trail. It's around 30 lbs though, far from light, but not a terrible weight. I expect that to drop a bit as I get my routine figured out, send home things I won't be using, and learn to be more efficient with my food choices and mileage planning. Check out the pictures link to the left for more gear/food pics.
Date: 2016-05-25
To: Last Night in Columbia
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Anticipation is building! We leave in the morning for West Virginia, I hit the trail the next day.Today was pretty chill. Went through my pack again, and I have been trying to workout my desired distribution for guide book pages. I'm thinking I will get my next installment of pages at Delaware Water Gap. These stops that I select will be my first real commitment to any type of mail drop, so naturally I am selecting them by finding the towns in which the trail goes by the post office!Was able to get in some quality time with some good folks, as well as squeeze in quick visits with equally amazing people! Spent some time working on lingering logistics, and I have a couple of things to work through tomorrow.Looking forward to a beautiful drive!
Date: 2016-05-27
To: Road Trip to Harpers Ferry!
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I have found a most excellent road trip partner in Piper. Somehow our 7.5 hour trip turned into a 12.5 hour epic journey! Too much ADHD in the car might have contributed.We had some initial struggles with the rental car, but we got that worked out easily enough and we have very much enjoyed The Silver Bullet. We aren't really sure what happened or where the time went. But, our side trip through Shenendoah National Park and our late night stop off at Dinosaurland were totally with it! We could have done without the traffic though. We are settled into a motel in Charles Town, WV, very near Harpers Ferry. Tomorrow we will hit the post office, stop by the ATC, then the journey begins. Pips will hike out with me a little ways then leave me on my own. Several times throughout the day I've looked over at Piper with a goofy grin exclaiming "Holy shit! I can't believe I'm actually doing this!" It is sure to an amazing adventure, whatever happens!
Date: 2016-05-27
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Ed Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: scattered clouds

So... Day 1!As with most backpacking trips I spent a fair part of the day trying to remember why this is supposed to be fun. But, as always happens, the struggles are quickly wiped from my memory! After checking out of the hotel Piper and I made the planned stops at the Post Office in Harpers Ferry and the ATC. I bought my AT Passport, and as a registered hiker with a passport, I got a free Flip-Flopper pin! Check it out in my photos.We then set off for the trail down a .2 mile blue blaze (side trail) from the ATC. The first .3 miles was fairly rocky with uneven, steep steps here and there, and I was a little shaky on my knees, but that settled down pretty quickly. Piper hiked with me for a few miles alone a (flat) section of the Patomic River. She then promptly ditched my to drive back to Columbia just in time to miss the climb! That climb was quite the struggle! 1000 feet in two miles with some very steep sections. But I took my sweet time and made it through. Then the trail continued to undulate for s couple more miles to the shelter. I haven't taken any pics in camp, but I'm at the Ed Garvey shelter tonight, though I decided to set up the hammock. Do a google image search for the Ed Garvey shelter, it's one of the nicer ones on the trail. Fairly crowded here with it being Memorial Day weekend. The shelter is bit full but there are a good number of tents and a couple of hammocks.The spring here isn't my favorite thing in the world. It's just a trickle spring, and it's a half mile hike down a very steep slope with several switch backs. I probably drank a liter hiking back up!! But I was nearly out, and that was after a day hiker gave me about 15 oz. I brought four liters initially, but it was a hot day, and I drink a lot of water, especially trekking uphill! Used a liter for dinner and to drink through the night, I should have at least another three liters. It's hard to estimate with the camelback reservoir without digging that our of my pack. I'll hit a campground three or four miles in and will top off, the water source at the next shelter is unreliable.It's supposed to rain tonight. Hopefully all of my gear is sufficiently protected under my rain fly!Bedtime.
Date: 2016-05-28
From: Ed Garvey Shelter

To: Crampton Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.2
Weather: scattered clouds

A nice, easy, short day today. I took my time getting out of camp this morning. The hike was really nice. I would have pushed on to the next shelter if I had more flexibility, but in Maryland you can only camp at designated spots. I didn't want to push things too early and be pressured by having to get to a shelter.Blisters are definitely a thing. They were a thing yesterday too. But, they are very tolorable. Though lancing the one that was under a callous on the back of my heel hurt like a bitch! I've already figured out which toenail will be the first to go, but again, it's tolorable. I am not yet able to eat all of the food I prep for dinner (e.g., pack of Lipton noodles or rice at mashed potatoes), not to I particularly want to. Unfortunately whatever I don't eat must be buried or packed out. I think I'll start just making half tomorrow.Spent about a hour and a half at Gapland park (where I was pleased to find running water and trash cans!) and arrived at Crampton Gap around 2. Had a leisurely afternoon of reading as the various available campsites and other semi flat areas filled up with hikers. Being Memorial Day weekend we get not only the usual weekenders, but the holidayers as well. One young (early 20s) guy, Bashful, who is camping very near me with his wife and friends is here for a bit of adventure before starting chemo next Wednesday. Bashful and his crew started a campfire tonight that drew in several people. Met Butter Foot who is here hiking with his mom, Addie, and will be starting his southbound thru in July, so I will run into him again up the trail.
Date: 2016-05-29
From: Crampton Gap Shelter

To: Dahlgren Backpacking Campground
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: clear sky

Good day today. I spent some time in camp this morning hanging out with the crew from last night. Hiked with them for a show ways, but they were pushing a long day to get to Pibe Knob shelter tonight, and when I felt myself going faster than I should over the rocks I backed off and let them go. Parts of the trail were very rocky today, and my feet are definitely sore, but all in all it was a good hike. I ran into a family of five that have been doing day hikes on the trail for a while. They will finish the Maryland section tomorrow. It's great to see how many families are getting their kids out here. They gave me an awesome sandwich with cucumbers and I'm pretty sure I will continue to crave cucumbers throughout this trip. The various food thoughts and cravings kicked in today. The hunger hasn't set in yet, but the limited menu certainly has!I'm hanging in the Dahlgren backpacking campsite. It's closer to the road than I would generally be comfortable with, but there are nine people here that I have gotten to know, plus a couple others, so I feel pretty safe. It's a great campground with tent pads, a bear pole, and bathroom facilities with soap and hot showers!!I ran into a brother-sister duo the last couple of miles who are finishing up a few days on the trail tomorrow. Turns out they had a dinner reservation at the South Mountain Inn just about a quarter mile up the trail. So naturally, I crashed the party! Actually they were happy for the company, and a couple of older gentlemen hiking together (who I have been at every campsite with but had not spoken to until today) honed us as well. We were slightly concerned about our attire, as this was quite the fancy place, but they are used to hikers. For a little over $50 I got an amazing duck something or another with all the fixings, lobster bisque that was to die for, a refreshing Moscow mule, and a coke. We had a good time relaxing for a couple of hours, sampling each other's meals, and enjoying pleasant company.It's weird, I keep thinks by "I'll need to remember this for when I do my thru hike". Then I remember that I am doing it RIGHT NOW! So surreal. I am going to bed with aching feet and sore muscles, but I'm relatively clean, my clothes (freshly washed in the shower) are drying on the ridgeline above my head, I'm thoroughly stuffed, and the pitter patter of raindrops on my fly is a beautiful sound to fall asleep to.
Date: 2016-05-30
From: Dahlgren Backpacking Campground

To: Annapolis Rocks Campground
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Good day. Some tough climbs, but all is well and the view this evening was totally worth it. We saw the Washington Monument, and that was pretty damn cool. It was a good day of hiking. Ran into Ed and Lyle (the two gentlemen that joined us for dinner last night) a lot today. So far I have been at every campsite with them, but yesterday was the first time we spoke. We all went out onto the rocks together, then had dinner, then went back out to the rocks for sunset. We spent some time hanging out with Robin, the caretaker/ridge runner stationed here, trail name Miss America. Blisters still exist, but I'm still mostly ignoring them. Ibuprofen is a Godsend! New thing today though... Both of my big toe tips are numb... Probs not good. The textbook answer is probably that my boots are too small, but I bought the largest size I could comfortably walk in. We'll see what the next couple of days bring.Lounging in my hang for the night, not far from falling asleep. I think I'll go back out to the rocks in a couple hours to view the stars and the distant city lights, if it's clear enough anyway. I think the idea of a thru hike is finally starting to sink in. This is amazing!I've got nowhere to be and all day to get there.
Date: 2016-06-01
From: Ensign Cowell Shelter

To: Raven Rock Shelter
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: clear sky

Another short day today to avoid doing a 10 miler just yet. But, I am getting ready to start picking up my mileage. I feel like I am starting to get my trail legs. I'm enjoying the daily hikes and I don't dread the steep climbs or descents. I just take my time and break when I need to which is less and less. Had a real doosey of a climb today, but it was good. Took a blue blaze out to Raven Rock which was an amazing view. Even had to FaceTime with my bro to rub it in a little! ??I think we have about ten or so people here at the shelter tonight with three sleeping in the shelter itself. This sure is a nice, pretty one. Check out the pic. Okay, I can't stay awake any longer. Town tomorrow. ??
Date: 2016-06-03
From: Days Inn - Waynesboro, PA

To: Days Inn - Waynesboro, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

So a lot of things came into play this morning that interfered with my plans to hit the trail this afternoon... Nothing big, just a bunch of little things...Last night Ed and Lyle decided to spend another night in town. Last night I also lost a toenail and realized that one of my blisters was trying really hard to get infected. I woke up this morning and started packing my gear. But I was so clean. And the bed was so soft. And the weather was supposed to be crummy. And I wanted my toe to heal a little. And Ed and Lyle were staying. I decided to pack up, have some breakfast, and see how I felt. After breakfast I went to the hotel office and extended my stay another night. So there you have it, my first zero day (a zero mileage day, usually taken in town, but also an option at a shelter). It's really too early for a zero, but I'm okay with it. And I'm pleased to say that I'm ready to get back on the trail!Not much was accomplished today, though I did find a new shirt on sale at a little shop down the way. I don't know what I was thinking when I threw a WHITE shirt into my pack for a thru hike! I've been cleaning and organizing my gear, reading, and walking about town. We have a shuttle picking us up at 830 tomorrow morning to take us back to Pen Mar where the adventures will continue! I'll have to take special care to keep my feet clean and my wee injuries infection free. Will need to find an Outfitter soon I guess for a new pair of shoes. On top of the missing toenail, both of my big toes are still numb after a day of rest. Nothing too painful, but I want to head off any future problems and make my feet as happy as I can. I'm asking an awful lot of them after all!
Date: 2016-06-04
From: Pen Mar State Park - Waynesboro, PA

To: Tumbling Run Shelters
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning after breakfast at the hotel we caught our prearranged shuttle back to Pen Mar to continue our hike. It started off with a nice climb, and I gotta say, my knee felt a little shaky. But, as with Day 1, after a mile or two it was back to feeling strong. It was a nice hike today. I laced my boots a little differently and all my toes are feeling good! We ran into some trail maintainers this morning and they warned us about the approaching squall line that is meant to hit tomorrow afternoon. I has read an article about the expectations of this "dangerous, long-lived" storm over breakfast. Apparently we took our zero day too soon! The folks we ran into suggested we find a shelter this evening and hunker down tomorrow to wait it out. If we are going to be stuck in a shelter all day, we want it to be a nice one, so we made good time getting to Tumbling Run, passing two other shelters in the way. This place is pretty nice. There's a snoring shelter and a non-snoring shelter. Picnic tables, fire pits, clothes lines, and a pavilion! Pretty awesome as far a shelters go! And the privy is fabulous. It's stocked with TP and hand sanitizer, and has a doorbell and a light switch (both non-functioning).We got here about three, and while I did put my hammock up for a while by the creek to lounge, with the potential for bad weather, I decided to spend my first night in a shelter. The evening has been spent hanging out. Ed tried the hammock and fell in love with it. I introduced Ed to the wonders of SnapChat. He got his first smart phone a month or so ago so ice been helping him get acquainted with it. Lyle and I played a few rounds of Rummy with a coupe of thru hikers staying here, Sway and Mr. Wizard. And now everyone is settled in for the night. Well as settled as can be given that Sway and I just shared an unexplainable giggle fit in the middle of the shelter while she was blowing up her sleeping pad. I'm not sure what was happening, but whatever it was it was hilarious apparently.The weather that was supposed to show up this afternoon never hit, and I will play it by ear tomorrow as to whether to stay here or move on. But, unless the weather turns some hiking is probably in the cards!It's pretty beautiful as I lie here looking out of the shelter. You sleep with your feet to the back of the shelter, your head by the entrance. This decreases the risk of mice running over your face as you sleep. Better they run over your feet! There's a nice flow coming from the sky outlining the trees. Actually I can't see it right this moment as my head and my phone are buried beneath my fleece so as not to disturb anyone with the light from my screen. I am ready to enjoy the night, hoping to get some rain to appreciate from the dry shelter as I snooze!Nowhere to go, all day to get there.
Date: 2016-06-05
From: Tumbling Run Shelters

To: Tumbling Run Shelters
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

We decided to heed the advice given us yesterday and took a zero at the shelter. We waited all day for the rain to show, and when it finally did, several hours late, the storm was underwhelming.So it's been a day of hanging around and reading. I had the hammock up until the rain hit, so that was nice. I'm inclined to say that we are better of being in a "we should have hiked" situation than a "we shouldn't have hiked" situation, but I'm also not one to sit around and wait out storms. I don't know that I would make this call again unless the storm is a bit more imminent.On a brighter note, I think I might be setting a record! For the slowest start on a thru hike! Ah well, as I keep saying we aren't out here to get to Maine (or wherever); if that were the case it would be easier to drive! We are here to be on the trail! No where to be and all day to get there!
Date: 2016-06-09
From: Ironmasters Mansion - Pine Grove Furnace 

To: Campsite in PA
Miles today: 11.3

The first thing I thought as I zipped into my sleeping bag tonight was "God, I love my hammock!" This is my first night in the hammock in a week! After two nights in Waynesboro, two at Tumbling Run inside the shelter, Ateo are Trail of Hope Hostel, and one at the Ironmasters Mansion, I'm happy to be back in my hang!!Breakfast this morning at the mansion was waffles and bagels. I woke up pretty hungry at about 530 having skipped dinner last night in favor of the half gallon challenge. After food, packing, and saying my goodbyes to the innkeepers, I headed over to the general store to meet Dan and Jessie (grad school friends), who were coming out to hike with me a bit. When they arrived, I reluctantly shouldered Peri --- the last two days slack packing sure spoilt me! But I love my pack and it wasn't long until we were one with each other again. The trail started out with an easy, paved stroll, then climbed up to Pole Steeple where we took the blue blaze to check out the view for a while. After returning to the trail, Dan and Jessie headed back down the mountain and I pressed on. It was awesome having them out! Guys, your support means the world!The hiking today was pretty great! A couple of short climbs, but it all felt pretty good. I think I'm starting to get my trail legs. And this was my first double digit day with the full pack! As usual, my feet start aching a few miles in, but everything else feels amazing!I'm set up in an "unofficial" campsite next to a stream. Ed and Lyle had set up just across the trail. I joined them for dinner, and as we were cooking, Kritter and Hiyoka showed up and joined us. We (Kritter, and maybe the guys) got a fire going. We hung out for a while enjoying everyone's company, and about 815 a guy rolled in to camp. He, Jelly Dog) was just waiting to meet up with a couple of friends before continuing their 24 mile hike in the dark. Eventually all three guys made it to the camp and were sitting around the fire tearing into their food bags. They stayed around for about an hour, and I just watched them set off from the comfort of my hammock.It was a truly beautiful day, punctuated with a Scarlet Tananger sighting that made me happy!I have named my trekking poles, because I tend to name things. They are Thelma and Louise.