morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-09-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Phase 3 of the journey has begun: Recovery!The descent down Katahdin, itself, did a number on my knees, adding to the accumulation of damage to my body over the course of the journey. I walk like an elderly person! Stairs are particularly tough, but all movement is slow. Erik and I stopped at Acadia on the way home and he asked the ranger for a hike with "no elevation!". (I was somewhat embarrassed!) When we did get out, I walked a couple of feet to a rock, VERY slowly tried to sit down, and didn't want to walk anymore! Sitting is just fine with me for now! My knees are still extremely inflamed, my ankle has sustained a great deal of damage, I have a lot of nerve damage and my bones hurt (even my fingers!). I think I probably did break my elbow after all, as it hurts to the touch. (I wish I could know what it feels like to be a 20 year-old male!)But I am home, and happy! I didn't know if I would be overwhelmed with my possessions, but I slipped right back into my home contentedly. I like the things I have and I like where I live!Of course, there are a lot of things I'll miss about trail life, but right now I want to concentrate on enjoying the last few days of freedom that I have. And I have to get my diet back under control...Thank you all for your kind words of congratulations! I feel honored.
Date: 2009-09-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Six senses feeling five around a sense of selfFour seasons turn on, turn offI can see three corners from this cornerTwo's a perfect numberBut one, well...Everybody's happy, everybody's freeWe'll keep the big door open, everyone'll come aroundWhy are you different, why you that way?If you don't get in line we'll lock you away,Aow everybody's happy, everybody's freeWe'll keep the big door open, everyone'll come aroundWhy are you different, why are you that way?If you don't get in line we'll lock you awayIt all comes down to nothing It's a typical situation in these typical timesToo many choices, hey yaaIt's a typical situation in these typical timesToo many choicesWe can't do a thing about itToo many choices,It's a typical situation in these typical timesToo many choicesIt all comes down to nothingIt all comes down to nothing-Dave Matthews
Date: 2009-09-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

"... once the idea seemed to be a real possibility, once I thought I COULD do it, I HAD to do it- for I knew that if I didn't, I would be haunted by the omission forever. The hardest thing to bear in life, I am sure, is never to have lived your dream. Having lived and survived this adventure, I can now say, with some sadness, that the second hardest thing to bear in life is already to have lived one's dream."-George MeeganThe Longest Walk
Date: 2009-11-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Earth SongWhat about sunriseWhat about rainWhat about all the thingsThat you said we were to gain...What about killing fieldsIs there a timeWhat about all the thingsThat you said was yours and mine...Did you ever stop to noticeAll the blood we've shed beforeDid you ever stop to noticeThis crying Earth its weeping shores?What have we done to the world?Look what we've done.What about all the peace,That you pledge your only son?What about flowering fields?Is there a time?What about all the dreams,That you said was yours and mine?Did you ever stop to notice,All the children dead from war?Did you ever stop to notice,This crying Earth its weeping shores?I used to dreamI used to glance beyond the starsNow I don't know where we areAlthough I know we've drifted farHeywhat about yesterday(What about us)What about the seas(What about us)The heavens are falling down(What about us)I can't even breathe(What about us)What about everything(What about us)I given you(What about us)What about nature's worth(ooo, ooo)It's our planet's womb(What about us)What about animals(What about it)We've turned kingdoms to dust(What about us)What about elephants(What about us)Have we lost their trust(What about us)What about crying whales(What about us)We're ravaging the seas(What about us)What about forest trails(ooo, ooo)Burnt despite our pleas(What about us)What about the holy land(What about it)Torn apart by creed(What about us)What about the common man(What about us)Can't we set him free(What about us)What about children dying(What about us)Can't you hear them cry(What about us)Where did we go wrong(ooo, ooo)Someone tell me why(What about us)What about baby boy(What about it)What about the days(What about us)What about all their joy(What about us)What about the man(What about us)What about the crying man(What about us)What about Abraham(What was us)What about death again(ooo, ooo)Do we give a damn-Michael Jackson
Date: 2013-04-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello everyone!Thank you so much for reading!I wanted to let you know that I now have a new website if you are interested.http://movingtowardsfreedom.com/I have written about my thru-hikes of the Colorado Trail (2012): http://movingtowardsfreedom.com/2013/03/14/colorado-bound/and the Pacific Crest Trail (2013):http://movingtowardsfreedom.com/2013/04/15/pct/here.
Date: 2009-05-18
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

We are at it again, Wes and Stacy on the Appalachian Trail 2009. With a failed attempt at a SOBO trip in 2008 due to rain, ankles, sickness, and money we came home with our tails between our legs.Getting chewed up and spit out at something that we thought we had in the bag wasnt easy to deal with in the real world. A year later,more planning,and a new outlook we are ready to get to the woods again.We re-did our gear from last year, fixed some small things with existing gear, and implementing proven new gear into our packs.We have put almost a full year into our new gear. Testing new methods along with others we already knew to take just what we needed for the trip.After training and shake down hikes with the new gear we are confident in our gear and our bodies, the only check mark left to go is the mind. I will post some gear reviews as well as lists later, and as things occur on the trail with the gear. Hopefully this will help myself and others when selecting these types of items for a hike.
Date: 2009-05-19
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I talked to my dad today and he said he would take us to GA whenever we want. This means we can start a few days earlier than planned and hopefully beat out the Holiday weekend crowds.We are waiting for Stacy's pack to arrive from Granite Gear, this is the only thing we are waiting for and then we are gone. We called Granite Gear and had them 2-day air the pack to us. Their customer support is excellent and they really stand behind the product they make. After almost 1200 miles on the PCT and AT they replaced Stacy's pack free of charge minus the faster shipping. The pack was blown apart thanks to a hungry squirrel, and the seams were blowing from to many miles. Any further on this pack and it would to have been replaced on the trail and would have been a nightmare.My gear is all ready and i have been doing shakedown hikes with my full pack and 5 days of food. Ive been cutting off odds and ends with all my gear while waiting. So far with tags, zippers, and extra crap ive cut out around 2.5 oz. Doesnt sounds like a lot of weight but when my total pack weight is 127 oz every once counts. Every ounce i can cut equals a lighter load on my feet and more food i can carry from town to town.
Date: 2009-05-20
To: Dads House
Miles today: 0.0

Stacy's pack came in today and we finished up the loose end with that. Everything fits great and the pack fits better than the old one. We finished up our Thru-Hiker guide with the elevation profiles and mailed them off to where they need to go.We are planning on leaving early thursday morning and driving to Springer Mt, GA. That night we are going to hike up to Springer Mt Shelter and stay the night with my dad. Early Friday morning we are going to summit springer, take some pictures and hike with my dad for a few miles and then take off on our 2,000 mile journey North.We are both excited and nervous to leave Tampa and start the journey. I cant wait to bust out the first day and get into the first shelter, its going to feel so good to be walking again.
Date: 2009-05-21
To: Springer Mt
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

We leave this morning (thurs) for Georgia. My dad is driving us up there, that night we are hiking to the top of Springer and staying in the Springer Mt. shelter at the summit. I think this will be the first time ive ever seen my dad sleep outside.We plan to get up early on friday morning at the shelter and get this puppy started.My dad plans to hike back down to the bottom with us and then a few miles before he turns around and goes home. From there we will continue to Gooch Mt. shelter 15 miles from springer.This is our last update from home. The next time you hear from us we will be on the trail and pounding out the milesI hope the rain holds off for a few days and we can start out with some sunshine. We have been in the pits here in Florida for a few days....or a week now. Nonstop rain all day and night,pile a hurt big toe and fighting off a cold, we are both ready to get to the mountains.We havent been able to skate for almost a week as well due to the rain, which just leaves biking and running in the rain.the bro bowl http://www.brobowldoc.com/
Date: 2009-05-22
From: Springer Mt

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: broken clouds

We both didnt get much sleep last night due to the cold and the howling wind. My dad woke me up at 6:30 packed and ready to go and within an hour we had eaten and put a mile away. J.B. hiked with us for 4.3 miles then turned back. We will see him in a few weeks. We continued onto Hawk Mt. Shelter where we met a fellow flatlander (someone from Florida) Matt,who just got out of ROTC. We started up a nice run for the next few miles when on a nice downhill we spotted my dads truck again. What a site, my dad on the AT in flip flops. We used his truck to slackpack to the next gap. We covered 4.5 miles in around 40 min and met back up with my dad for some water and gaterade. After a nice rest we pushed onto our destination, meeting a couple from Orlando on the way,Bob and Dawn. They are doing a tribute hike for their fallen friend Jim. Bob is carrying all of Jims old hiking gear that he hiked on the AT with. We joined up with them and hiked with them into Woody Gap. In all it was a good first day,minus the mouse who raided my bag last night. He scored half a candy bar and some mesh from my bag. A hawk dropped a wood mouse onto the trail today, the mouse was sliced perfectly in half. Some things we miss already;eggs and toast for breakfast,the bro bowl, and of course our pillows
Date: 2009-05-23
From: Woody Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Our tarp held up nicely last night with the high winds. I had to fight off another mouse last night. He kept trying to get into my bag and I kept yelling at him trying to tell him there was nothing in my bag. He was just out of my reach looking at me and would move away when I would try and swat at him. He didnt get anything that night but a hiking pole. Today we left the Georgia clay and the trail became more rocky. For lunch we were headed to Neel's Gap to the outdoor center. As I was running down the backside of Blood Mountain all I could small was a grill. Then as I saw the road there it was, smoke, my mind wasnt playing tricks on me. As soon as I walked up they offered us free burgers. Who can turn that down after 10 miles. Stacy went inside to get some new insoles. She walked out of the store with a free pair of $50 insoles given to her by the owner of the shop. Double score in one day, things seemed to good to be true. Our luck ran out and it poured the last 4 miles of the day. Those 4 miles felt like 8 and I was happy to see the next shelter. It was packed tonight with everyone trying to escape the rain, should be warm at least. Tonight for dinner, Mexican Rice w/ Beef followed by 3 L of water. Both of us are feeling dehydrated but we are drinking enough water, the food seems to be the hard thing to put down at night.
Date: 2009-05-24
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Tray Mt. shelter
Miles today: 0.0

It rained all night last night and I didn't get much sleep. The first 8 miles today were this old road through the woods. We ran the first 8 miles in under 2 hours and then decided to go into Helen, GA to resupply instead of tomorrow. Helen is small and it took us almost an hour to get a hitch to the trail. That kind of killed our buzz for the day and killed our miles. On the plus side we only spent $30 on 5 days of food. We hope to cross the GA/NC state line tomorrow afternoon, and then to Franklin, NC. Where I will send my journals to Tutu. We had an easy but long uphill to the shelters. We met up with Matt and Dan from DC,who are going north as well. Matt had the same pack as Stacy but they sent him a women's waistbelt. Stacy needed a women's so they traded waistbelts. That saved us from dealing with that through the mail and they both benefited from the trade. I took a picture today and I have black bags under my eyes. I need to get some more sleep.
Date: 2009-05-25
From: Tray Mt. shelter

To: Standing Indian sheltr
Miles today: 27.6
Weather: light rain

We woke early and got a good start. I was running down Tray Mt. about 7 a.m. when I heard a loud roar. I heard it 2 more times then saw the huge mother bear with her cub in tow. The rest of the trail was easy that morning and we did 11 miles to Dick's Creek before 11 A.M.   Before we got lunch out -Cool Breeze pulled up to drop people off at the trail-head. We met him our second day at the Walasi-Yi outdoor center. He offered to take us down to Hiawasse for lunch. We stopped in at Hardee's for two Monster Thick Burgers. It was a tough hit back to the trail but we finally made it back. Our next stop was the Georgia, North Carolina border. We crossed into NC around 3P.M. After the state line a turkey hen used the trail in front of us for about a mile. It was fun chasing the turkey down the trail, those birds are fast. We came up to the next shelter where we ran into a rude group of boy scouts. They all had tents and told us we couldn't stay the night there. Troop 301 from Gulf Port, MS. If anyone wants to send then a "thank you" note on our behalf that would be nice. Because of that mishap, we decided to push on 5 more miles to the next shelter. We were going to shop early but decided to push on. Five minutes after we arrived at Standing Indian it started to pour, one of the hardest rains of the trip. In all it was a good day and we did our first marthon day of the trip. We're going to get some good sleep tonight.
Date: 2009-05-26
From: Standing Indian sheltr

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 23.5
Weather: overcast clouds

We had a great company at the lean to despite the rude boy scouts that were at the previous shelter. We talked most of the night to a Mr. Walker. He was leading the group of seniors on their final exam. Instead of exams they go caving, hike the AT for three days and then go rafting. I wish I had a teacher like Mr. Walker when I was in school. We also shared the shelter with Randy Johnson from no other than Connersville, IN. He hiked the AT in the 70's and now section hikes the AT on his vacations. He also handcrafts these nifty wooden bowls and vases. Stacy and I had no real plan for the day so we just went. The rain let up around noon so stopped for lunch. Loaded baked potato and chicken noodle soup. We then climbed our steepest mountain of the trip 800 ft. in less than 1/4 mile. The rain held off and we ran along a ridge for a few miles looking at the Smokie Mountains to our northeast all day. Take all your favorite ridge mountain pictures and tape them along your wall. Now walk past that for 2 miles and that is what we saw. We were feeling really good besides the sore feet so we decided to push into Franklin, NC. The last 4 miles were all flat and downhill and we were at the road in under an hour. The 3rd or 4th car picked us up and took us into Franklin. We forget the couples name but they had lived in Washington, IN. and Plant City, FL. This is a small but still vast world!
Date: 2009-05-27
From: Franklin, NC

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We decided to take a zero and give our feet a good break. We are a little behind but 107 miles in four and ahalf days is a good start. Stacy and I ate lots of protein in town, along with some fruits and real milk. Today was a lazy day, we didn't try and walk anywhere. This older gentleman drove us around in his van to get food and gave us a tour of Franklin. They filmed "Fried Green Tomatoes" here and we saw all the sites from the movie, along with sone rubies and gems from the area. Most of the day was spent watching the weather channel. It looks like more rain and flooded rivers. The plus side is they call for a good weekend and we should be at Fontana Dam, the start of the Smokie Mountains by Friday night. Wild life we have seen in our first 100 miles: a timber rattler, mice, two bears, about 10 grouse, two turkeys, a long-tailed salamander, newts. But the one thing we have not seen yet is a mosquito!
Date: 2009-05-28
From: Franklin, NC

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

We got a very late start today. Our ride had a doctor appointment in the a.m. so we didn't get to the trail till 10:30. It did feel good for the both of us to sleep in. I walked down to the gas station for breakfast, Krispy Kremes and chocolate milk. The first part of the morning was all uphill, finished off by a tough climb up Mt. Wayah (means warrior). Stacy dawned a feather we found on the trail to climb the mountain. We came around the bend and were hit by a massive thunderstorm with strong winds. At the top was an observation tower made of stone. At the top we met up with Matt from FL. He has been trying to catch up with us since Neels Gap. It rained 2 more times that day but we made it into the shelter before it started to pour. The trail was rooty and muddy today making it hard to run. The rain only lasted for about 15 minutes and then it was sunny again. We still managed to make good time minus the rain and the late start. At the shelter, we met up with Randy from Indiana again. Also, in the shelter is another group of scouts from Lafayette, GA. The same place we go climb in GA at Rocktown. They are all 16-18 and they want to race us to the NOC tomorrow. We will be there before they even get up.
Date: 2009-05-29
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Mile 160.0
Miles today: 0.0

I am very tired tonight and it's 10p.m. We hiked the first 6 miles to the NOC where we had breakfast, eggs, toast, hashbrowns, biscuits and gravy. We finished it all.   After breakfast, a 6 mile climb up a few thousand feet. We met back up with Matt and Don from D.C. and went to the next shelter for dinner. Our destination for the night was full so we hiked a few more miles closer to Fontan Dam and set up our tent. Biggest day so for, was mentally taxing on the both of us. I'm beat and going to bed, more tomorrow.
Date: 2009-05-30
From: Mile 160.0

To: Mollie's Ridge shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

It is like fine wine or microbrew beer. We have been only drinking the best mountain water on the trail. We stopped getting water from the main sources and seek out the best springs on the trail. The best water comes from the top of the mountain where you can taste the minerals in the water. Aquafina didn't put that there or its not some lake where everyone gets their water. This is the stuff that makes you younger. We cruised into Fontana to resupply folr the next four days . Twenty-three dollars for a 4 day isn't to bad in the resort. We hit up the buffet there whereI put down 4 buiscuts with gray, a whole plate of eggs, and a whole plate of hashbrowns and meat. Stacy came in a close second with 2 trips followed by a huge bowl of cereal. We caught a shuttle and then walked across Fontana Dam, the one Harrison Ford jumps off in Fugitive. The rest of the day consisted of hiking up to the Smokie Mountains, now that we are up the next few days should be good. I hurt my foot so we decided to take it easy and rest up. We shardthe shelter with 4 people. Two younger guys are from Jasper, IN.down here for the week hiking. For dinner: beef stew and spoonfuls of peanut butter.
Date: 2009-05-31
From: Mollie's Ridge shelter

To: Clingmens Dome
Miles today: 21.4

Last night Matt caught up with us at the shelter and saw 3 bears on the way in. We are in the Smokies now but the bears don't seem to be such a big problem. The weather was perfect for a day of peak bagging and ridge traversing. We ran along the ridge all day seeing views from both sides. A few of the mountains were bald with massive grass pastures on top. Water was scarce today and we all got a little dehydrated. About halfway through the day Stacy and I saw a bear along the trail, which scared Stacy. My ankle started bothering me again today but I pushed on to Clingmans Dome so we could make it into Gatlinburg, TN. We caught a ride into town from a couple from Knoxville, TN and their 4 kids. We piled into the car stinky after 21 miles and ready for a shower and some food. I think we are going to take a day off to let my leg rest. I hope it heals quickly and isn't to serious. Gatlinburg should be fun tomorow.
Date: 2009-06-01
From: Clingmens Dome

To: Icewater Springs Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Waking up in bed felt really good this morning. We all walked to breakfast and my leg felt lots better. 4 buiscuts, 3 eggs, 2 sausage patties, 2 pieces of toast, and 3 pancakes. We all picked up supplies and hung out at the Happy Hiker for a bit. There was a dog there, Zummy, who wouldn't leave me alone. She was just wanting me to play and play and it made me miss having a dog. After the Happy Hikers we caught 3 hitches up to New Found Gap where we ran into all the day hikers and tourists. We took some pictures by the state line and sign for Katahdin, stating 1,942 miles. Today was very easy and the trail was like a sidewalk and filled with hikers. Tonight we are at Icewater Springs, its said to be the best shelter. The front faces due east with a view of mountains. The sun rises above a straight ridgeline. It should be a good site. Its nice to do an easy day and have time at the shelter, its definite better than being in redneck Las Vegas for another night.
Date: 2009-06-02
From: Icewater Springs Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: few clouds

I woke up at 5:30 a.m. and the ridgeline was already glowing yellow and oranges. Stacy woke up at 5:55 and we ate breakfast as we watched the sun peek over the mountain. It was probably the best sunrise I've ever seen in my life. We got an early start and took a nice break at Charlie's Bunion with Matt and Dan. The views all day were perfect and we walked along thin ridges. We met up with an old thru-hiker, Pipline, who enjoyed talking to us and told us that we were crazy young bucks. Then the day got bad.. We were trying to out run a thunderstorm. It started to sprinkle but not rain to hard. I was up on a bald ridge when BAM. Lightening struck a few feet from me and hit a tree. I took a few steps and jumped under a tree when I looked up I couldn't see for about 10 seconds because of the bright light. I looked down at my arm when I saw my hair was standing straight up. Stacy come up a few seconds later, freaked out because she saw the strike.   A few feet from that spot was the plane crash of a military jet in the 80's that hit the ridge doing 400 mph and killed both people. After a few minutes, we moved on and finished the day out with a 7 mile downhill. My knees hurt so bad but my ankle felt a lot better today. The groups favorite cereal: mine, corn pops; Luck Charms; Dan, Kix: and Matt, Captain Crush.