morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-07-30
From: Hurd Brook Lean-to

To: Birches Campsite
Miles today: 13.4

I was up at 5am after being woke up by B1 and B2. Decided to get up instead of laying there. I was too anxious anyway. I was on the trail by 6am. A very chilly morning. I walked with my long sleeve shirt on. I watched the forest wake up. As I peaked over a hill the sun popped outta nowhere and brightened the woods with a golden hue. I took my time all day just soaking in my last opportunity to enjoy this lovely scenary.    Hit Abol bridge, the northern terminus of the 100 mile wilderness at 7am and got to the store just as it opened. Pigged out on 4 donuts and a half gallon of milk. Bought a few supplies to get me to Katahdin. The whole crew was there by 830 and we played wiffle ball until the woman from the store kicked us out.    I entered Baxter park and signed up for the birches for tonight. The walk through the park was flat and beautiful. Team Iowa and I swam in the very cold Little Niagra Falls. The rest of the day was relaxing cruise. Before I knew it i was at Katahdin Stream campground.    I'm so nervous for tomorrow yet confident and excited. Savoring one last night in the woods with friends. Tomorrows the day i've been anticipating for 5 months.
Date: 2002-11-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

This is the second part of the first entry. I accidentally sent in that last entry before I was done. Still figuring this whole internet/technology thing out. As I was saying before, I haven't yet picked a major, and feel like this is the best time to take a break. I haven't been concentrated in one area in school yet, so I don't feel like I'll be interupting anything. A little about my hike..I'll be starting either on feb 22nd or March 1st, 2003. I'd like to start on 3/1 to have more company, but logistically it is easier for my parents to drive me down the week before. They have the week off for presidents week, and we are driving from NY. If we choose the later, we will be in a rush to get down there, and they'll have to jet back. I must be done by September 2nd, because that is the day I start school again. Ideally, I'd like to be done by the beginning of August. I want to be done in 5 months, with a few weeks to adapt back to normal life, before going off to school. This will call for 15 miles a day, something I think I can handle. I will start off reasonably slow at first, but once I get my legs I'll be moving. I'll have to assess how my pace is after a month or two. I've promised myself that I won't skip the sections I've already hiked, but I'm never opposed to slack-packing. Those of you who aren't familiar with the term, it's the act of hiking without a pack, getting assistance from a vehicle. For instance, I could be dropped off at a certain point along the Trail, hike all day without my pack and then be picked up 20miles up the Trail, by a hostel owner, family, friend etc..   Anyway, for now I'll be hiking alone. I know if I start march 1st there will be many others out there. I won't be going too fast, so there should be plenty of folks to hike with. I may have friends and family members meeting me along the way, and I'm sure I'll go home atleast when I come through the NJ/NY section. My brother is getting married on June 28th, so I know I must take off probably close to 5 days then.    So right now, I'm finishing up my last month of school for the semester. In mid december I come home, and will start working through jan and feb. I don't have the slightest idea where I'll work, but I need to make cash to support my trip. I really would like to fund this trip on my own, for the most part, because it will mean more to me. I have most of my gear, so that is a big financial burden I don't have to worry about. However I'm sure santa hiker will bring me some goodies. Next entry I'll discuss my gear. Peace, and please sign my guest book.
Date: 2002-11-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

While I was writing my first entry...I thought I accidently sent it in, but I'm not sure if I did. I'm writing more entries so that I can see if I did or not. The journal does not pop up until you complete three entries. So if the first entry was never sent, the second, which is really the first, won't make sense. Does any of that make sense? Didn't think so.    Anyway, my stepmom Robin will be my transcriber. I will send home my journals through the mail, and she'll put them on the internet. I'm aware that they invented those handheld electronic devices that send the messages through the phone line, but I will do things the old-fashioned way. And no I won't be bringing a cell phone. I'm not a big fan of technology. Sometimes it's convenient, but we managed for thousands of years without cdroms, and two way pagers and all this other stuff.    Technology can be good though. I'll be able to keep in touch with people via email while im on the Trail. Most Trail towns have libraries with internet access. Some hostels also have internet access. I'm going with a mix of maildrops and buying food along the way. I will maildrop to some towns (Fontana Dam, Harpers Ferry, DWG) and probably some more, where I've heard there is either no grocery store, or the prices are astronomical. I will try to mostly shop at supermarkets where prices are more reasonable. Although you could probably purchase all of your food from groceries along the way, it might cost and arm and a leg. Also, some of these stores either have poor selections, or are down to the bare minimum, due to all the hiker demands. Especially in the south, there will be a lot of people hiking i'm sure. I will probably use mail drops to send maps, guidebook pages, film, journal entries etc. I'm a bit hesistant about doing food maildrops all the way, because I know my food desires will change. It's hard to predict what I'll wanna eat half a year before. Also, I will probably send out maildrops only to about Damascus Virginia to start. I will be in contact with Robin, who will send them out when needed. I just think it would be a shame to send boxes all the way to Maine, and have me get hurt or quit, although I'm not planning on it.
Date: 2002-11-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Why am I doing this?   Ever since learning about the AT, 4 1/2 years ago I've wanted to thru-hike it. I met Baltimore Jack and another guy on top of Mount Lafyette in the white mountains of New Hampshire one August day and have never looked back. I hiked with Jack for the day, as my parents were somewhere miles back. Jack, between cigarettes told me great stories from the Trail, and described life as a thru-hiker. Since I was little I've always been passionate about geography, and the concept of walking from Georgia to Maine was really captivating. I loved the idea of being able to camp and stop wherever I wanted to. I had only known hiking and backpacking that had limits and itineraries. It sounded so exciting to show up every week in new towns and to meet the many interesting and wonderful people the Trail has to offer. I'm ready for a real adventure. I really look forward to the people out there. The other hikers, hostel and motel owners, the Trail Angels, and towns people. Most every thru-hiker has said the people were the best part of their trip. I'd also like to become more in tuned with nature, and to feel more comfortable out there. I'd also like to become a better problem solver, to rely on myself to figure out problems, without turning to others for assistance. I knew that this would be the last opportunity I'd have before graduating to do this. I knew I couldn't wait another three years. I realized the AT was starting to take over all of my thoughts, and detered me from focusing in school. Since I've decided to hike the AT, i've been able to refocus more, knowing that I have this adventure waiting, after I finish off the semester. I'm both excited and overwhelmed with the amount of planning I have to do. That will all happen once I'm back home, and done with school. I expect to be working atleast 6 days a week, especially since my friends will be back in school.    I've been getting planning help and motivation from Moose, who is planning to thru-hike in 2003. He has a journal from his 2001 hike, and lives near where I attend school. Also been talking to my friend Rick, a guy who works with my dad. He and his wife hiked the Trail in 99' after they finished college. They had the Trail names Cook and Clean. They started on feb 27th, so they are familiar with the types of weather I'll be facing to start with. Rick and I will probably go on an overnight hike or two in Harriman state park on the NY section of the AT, to test my gear, and to get used to winter backpacking, something I've never done. He is also gonna help me with my gear. In another entry I'll list what gear I have, and what I need to still get. I was looking to go light, but have changed my mind.
Date: 2002-11-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

This weekend I was in Stratton, Vermont. My brother and his fiance Kim had a cabin for the weekend. We were gonna hike on the AT, which is close by, but it snowed A LOT. We decided to snow shoe on Stratton Mt. The AT crosses over the top of the mountain, but we couldn't reach the top. It was getting dark and the snow and wind was fierce. It was cool because we actually walked right up the slopes of the mountain. It's too early for ski season, so we had it to ourselves.    I was able to spend a little time in Manchester Center. This is a frequent stop for thru-hikers and somewhere I plan to stop in June. I stopped in at the Mountain Goat Outfitter and checked out some gear. I recommend this place to anyone coming thru. I talked to a guy around my age who wants to southbound in a couple years. He talked to me about stoves and headlamps mainly. I love all these new light headlamps. You can also adjust them to fit around ur wrist so you can still hike in the dark. I have a princeton tech regular one, but I'm definately gonna put this on my christmas list.   Stoves. I saw the esbit in the store. I don't think I'm gonna go for that one. He didn't seem to big on it, and the thought of buying 5 months worth of fuel tabs is a bit depressing.      The guy was very high on the snow peak stove. I loved this one. It starts automatically with the flip of a switch, and its only like a few ounces. It has a little fuel canister that lasts about 5 days. It works on white gas. Anyone that reads this and has experience with these stoves, I'd love to hear from you. I think its between this one and the alcohol stove, pepsi can style. The lady in the store said all the hikers last summer were using alcohol stoves, not using white gas anymore.    Only 3 1/2 more months, a little less actually. Still not sure between the feb 22nd or march 1st date. I'm really leaning towards the 3/1 date. I'd also love to hear from anyone leaving on 2/28-3/2 area. Get an idea of who will be out there. Can't wait to be sleeping out in the cold! Hopefully I'll be nice and snug in my zero bag and tent. Thats all for now.
Date: 2002-12-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Just made my reservation for the Amicalola Lodge for the night before! So excited! My parents and I will leave New York on thursday the 27th of February in the afternoon. We'll drive to somewhere in Virgina thurs night, and continue driving friday morning. We'll hopefully arrive late afternoon on friday, stay over at the lodge. Saturday the 1st, my parents and I will drive up to Springer. The three of us will hike to Springer, take the pictures, sign the register and walk back to the parking lot. I'll take off from there.....      WOW
Date: 2002-12-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Looking for a partner:         Someone who is willing to start on the morning of March 1st. I already have booked my reservation for the night before, so this start date is no longer negotiable. Someone that would like to start slow (8-12 miles) for the first few weeks. Someone who will be my partner for the beginning of the trip, not neccessarily for the whole trip. Don't have to hike together all day, just plan to be at camp together, maybe also walking. Someone who is willing to have fun and enjoy the Trail for everything it offers. Someone who doesn't mind being social and being in groups, like myself. Someone who wants to make it to Maine.    If you think YOU fit this description, send me a line at arigney@zoo.uvm.edu
Date: 2002-12-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well christmas has come and gone, and I'm a very happy guy. I got a new sleeping bag-a mountain hardware bag-3rd dimension. It's 2 lbs 12 ounces loft weight, which means its about a pound heavier than that. It's a zero degree bag, and 6 and a half feet long, cause I'm a tall guy. One feature I love on it, is it zips open to another 5 inches or so in width. I need this since I move around a lot, and have broad shoulders. I know the bag is heavy...but I believe its most important for me to stay warm at night. I can always ditch the bag later for my 20 degree marmot, which is light. I know I will be off the Trail in a matter of days if I cannot stay warm at night and sleep. Seems I'll be on the heavy side of gear in most areas....will have to practice with what I've got, make adjustments, and see what I can cut after visiting neals gap and learning from others.   I've been walking around a bit with a 38 lb pack. I started with 25 lbs and have been adding a few lbs every time out. I know I wasn't climbing over mountains, but 38 lbs on tha ole' back didn't feel to bad. I know that may not mean anything, but its better then finding out it killed my back.   I also got a sony mini disc player. This thing kicks behind. Its so light and I can mail drop myself mini discs and batteries along the way. It runs on 1 AA battery which is much better than the Mac iPod which calls for a recharger. Music is very important to me, and its gonna be key when the days get longer.   I got OR long gaiters. I have the ankle height ones, but I figured these would be good for wearing with shorts in cold weather. They will help a lot when the snow and mud and slush covers the trail. Also, they should help protect my hairy legs from ticks once the weather warms up. I heard of way too many hikers who got lyme disease last year, so I'm gonna be especially cautious when the weather gets warm. I also recieved a leatherman juice. My brother got it for me, and it does pretty much everything besides walk the dog. It's a little under 7 ounces, which is kinda a lot for a knife. This is a very lightweight knife for the amount of features it has, the problem is that I don't need most of them. I will use the knife primarily to spread peaunut butter, cut cheese etc.. Decisions, decisions...so hard to figure out what is too heavy and what is not..   I'm in a good place right now. Very excited, but definately a little nervous. I found a whole group of people leaving march 1st, like myself, so it's been nice to meet a few people ahead of time. I'm trying to make as much money as i can in the next 2 months, work out a lot, and begin to plan mail drops and itinerary. March 1st seems so close yet so far.
Date: 2003-03-08
To: Final Prep
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I've been home from Cambodia for only a couple days and I¢m just running around trying to figure out my life for the next 6 months. About 10PM Last night, Boland + Chris (friends from my alma mater, Providence College) show upon the doorstep and ask "So, are you ready to go. "TO GO?" I started getting low-scale epileptic fit in an effort to assess that question, as last I'd heard they were hiking the trail for Spring Break, but would be leaving yesterday, before I was ready. After realizing that I would need at least two weeks to do everything I was supposed to, I said I could be ready in a day. Cranked out financial aid applications for Med. school until I literally fell asleep at the keyboard. Ted, my most reliable brother, made a clutch run to EMS for last minute stuff. The only reason he was able to get in was because he is such a smooth cat. The rest of the night was spent running through checklists again and again and throwing out a last-minute volley of e-mails. I'll be carrying a digital camera and mailing home the memory chips. Also, there's a good chance that within 3 weeks I'll have a portable email unit called ¢pocketmail,¢ so that the web page will have more regular updates. To everyone I didn't have time to see (which is pretty much everyone), feel free to contact me to meet up at some point on the trail. I should have my mail drop itinerary up in about 2 weeks when I have a better idea of my trail speed.
Date: 2003-03-11
From: Gooch Mtn. Shelter

To: Slaughter Mtn.
Miles today: 12.7

Slept well except when wind picked up at 4AM and cut through my tent and sleeping bag with surprising efficiency. Chris's tent blew down several times. The low profile of my tent may have saved me from the same thing. I crawled out of my tent to find a penny on the ground. Good luck? It'll be coming to Maine with me. Seven AM made for an early start. I was very pumped, and hoped for a first day of 16 miles. The forest was lined with rhododendrons. Near our goal heard machine gun and grenades from Army Rangers, one whom we met later. His trail name was "Alpine" and he gave us great advice. 16.1 miles are down with a few more to go. Making my first dinner I realized I forgot how to use my new stove. More accurately, I had never learned how in the first place. After nearly burning down the shelter several times and singeing my hair, I decided to let someone else show me on the stove. Turned out I was missing a part. Alpine dubbed me "After burner¢ Beautiful weather cool and sunny. Perfect hiking conditions. I've taken a strategy of hanging at the back of the pack to go slowly as possible since I don't want to get injured early. All day we've been leapfrogging with Alpine and rock hound. We tented up at Slaughter Gap. Camp looked like an outdoor Expo with the colorful and stylish tent designs. We had some excellent squeeze macaroni and cheese. Boland and Chris climbed trees to hang the bear bags.
Date: 2003-03-13
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Helen, GA
Miles today: 9.4

Started late at about 8:30am and only hiked about 9miles today. Great weather, but cloudy. I hung back with Catrina and speculated on the Union situation among hedgehogs. Conversation continued to run the gamut, beginning with Madonna and quickly moving to gnomes, lawn ornamentation, and fictitious mountain creatures. I got a bit down knowing the split with the PC crew was soon. Been having a great time here. We all drove 10 miles to the turn of Helen, GA. Helen was a little bit of everything: Wendy¢s, Disneyland, Germany, Deep South, River tubing, you name it. We decided Wendy¢s offered the chance for the most Southern Hospitality. Boland, tired, went in wearing only long johns. A severely impatient man came up to the table, flashed his badge and warned that if he ever saw him ¢publicly indecent¢ he would write a ticket. The guy was getting pretty heated, and just about everyone had to look down to keep a straight face. It continued in the parking lot when older gentlemen told Boland ¢Don¢t Even think about it!¢ Don¢t even think about what? Sheesh.As the next shelter was 6 miles away, we required alternative lodgings and a night in the German-themed Helendorf Hotel was required at the tune of $28 an night. We were sure to close the windows to avoid indecency citations. Grocery¢s at Betty¢s General store, and drank 2 liters of AandW root beer. TV says they found a kidnapped girl and that we are going to war. Between the Wendy¢s and the Root beer, I slept well.
Date: 2003-03-28
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Geat Smoky Mountians National Park
Miles today: 0.0

(from a post card)Hello from the middle of America's most visited National Park! Yesterday I hiked the tallest mountain on the AT- Cling man3 Dome. I also saw two deer at the summit. I'm resupplying in town with Rabbit, Alaska, Beef Stick and Slow Ride. People along the trail have been really nice with giving out foood and rides freely. Bye for now!
Date: 2003-04-06
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Apple House Shelter
Miles today: 21.0

It was a blustery day. Windiest day I've ever hiked in, except perhaps for that one time after exams on Mt. Washington with Matt O & Tim Morris. The killer was walking the 2 miles or so, completely exposed on Little Hump and Hump Mtns- which are of course balds and over 5000 ft. Hiking, I was walking at about a 45 degree angle, and I stumbled when the wind slackened. Then I lost my plastic ground cloth (which I keep rolled up in my sleeping pad on the outside of my pack). It shot out of my sleeping pad like a rocket then opened up and sailed off into the blue yonder. I was happy to get under cover before a lightning storm rolled in; the gang was close behind and had to summit the balds in the middle of the storm.
Date: 2003-04-08
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 14.7

Into another hostel- Bill & Pat are really nice. Kincora is maybe my favorite so far- everything you need and a lot of hiker atmosphere. Somehow Mama Lipton and Flatlander again arrived before us even though we passed them the second day out. Rocket packs. We went to the AYCE (All You Can Eat) Chinese buffet then Rock Hound supervised home made burritos for dinner. Met Chaos who has been here a few days because she got the trail bug that's been going around.
Date: 2003-04-10
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Low Gap, US421
Miles today: 18.1

It started with freezing rain which shortly turned into a slush and hail storm; by 11 o'clock we were walking in 3 inches of slush and more coming down fast. The trail that isn't mud has turned into a stream. Maybe 34 degrees Farenheit. Hypothermia weather- all our hands were white and stopping for 2 minutes resulted in full body shivers. We all had winter bags so there was no real danger (although we later heard someone was so numb he couldn't unzip his bag or take off his boots without help). So the gang decided to hitch in at a road crossing- but we lost Beef Stick; tried to wait but had to get moving. 17 year old kid in a pickup gave us a ride to Damascus where we couldn't find lodging because of the weather. A former thru-hiker named Lone Wolf trucked us around looking for a place, and we ended up going to the Alpine motel in the town over (Abingdon). I got a room with Rock Hound and Thin Mint & 3 Sock got a room. We watched bad 80's movies and ate ice cream as our soaked gear turned the room into a steam bath.
Date: 2003-04-18
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: VA606
Miles today: 16.3

Hypothermia rain again. The Death Squad was getting a late start (later found out they didn't leave until 5 PM) but I left relatively early considering the late walk yesterday. Met Egg Man and Shifty in a shelter, who crawled into their bags to keep warm while breaking. A-Train & Grunt came by slackpacking and offered a ride to a motel. Yeah, I was pretty much all about that. From somewhere I found the energy to burn tail to the road. Egg Man & Shifty and I went in on a room at the Big Walker Motel and ordered pizza from the same place I ordered from at Partnership. A-Train was a godsend to offer us a ride like that (and his dad, of course, who was doing the driving). Then I got another break, more trail magic, when A-Train offered a slackpack into Pearisburg for tomorrow. High on trail life again. As Johnny Walking would say, "Praise be to the Easter Bunny."
Date: 2003-04-24
From: Niday Shelter

To: 4 Pines Hostel, VA311
Miles today: 21.8

We're staying at the hostel. The dream is over. Nice setup in a 3 car garage with soda and beer in the fridge. Nickle & Dime and I slackpacked the last 6 miles to the Homeplace where there is a homestyle AYCE a few days a week- definately all the hype. Did I mention that back in Pearisburg at the Super Wal Mart Nickle bought a $5 machete? Well, he did. That makes 2 deer skulls, one machete, one mohawk, and one jolly roger hat in the Simian Death Squad. Yeah, we're bad. And he carried the machete on the slackpack to the Homeplace. Met Ben & Wit and A-Train & Grunt and Shifty & Egg Man and Subman and Mama Lipton & Flatlander (vroom!) at the Homeplace. Put a heavy hurting on it but we all went away feeling the pain.