morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-04-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I did my last major training hike a couple of days ago. Fifteen miles in five hours, in the foothills near San Francisco (El Corte de Madera Creek). I felt really good, lots of up and down. However, my legs/shins are still sore, two days later. Well, time to taper off for the next week. Will try to keep my distance to no more than five miles/day - pretty necessary when living in San Francisco and walking everywhere.Last week I spent five days in Canyonlands, Arches, and Colorado National Monument. Averaged about 12 miles/day, a mix of backpacking and day-hiking. Beautiful areas, had not been there before. Canyonlands hiking was a bit different than I expected. I assumed that the trails would head up and down the canyons. Well, the trails also would go between canyons, which meant going up, over, and down. As long as I didn't look down, it was ok. Lots of slickrock and sand. The slickrock was dry, and grip with the trailrunners was great, so it was relatively easy to do the climbing.
Date: 2014-04-17
From: High Point State Park

To: Pochuck Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: broken clouds

The redeye flight from sfo to jfk was quiet, and I was able to sleep perhaps 4 hours. I took the Airtrain then the E subway to reach Penn Station. Penn Station is divided into different parts so had to go up to the street and get directions to the njtransit part. Found the ticket Office and had plenty of time to make the first train to Port Jervis. Transferred at Seacaucas, had time for breakfast. New Yorkers thought I was crazy to be wearing shorts but it was over 32 degrees so felt fine to me. Reached Port Jervis about 10:30 and was able to get a taxi to the park. Checked in at the office and then was on the way! A bit of a climb in the park to reach the high point but nothing serious. There was a good climb at the end of the hike, Pochuck Mtn I assume, but otherwise uneventful. Except that I was off trail several times. Not paying enough attention to the blazes. The shelter was excellent and I was warm enough in my summer bag even though temp reached 29 degrees. Note that the spigot at the base of Pochuck was not turned on yet. I had plenty of water but if hiking in April pay attention to this.
Date: 2014-04-18
From: Pochuck Mountain Shelter

To: Wawayanda Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Got started at 6:30. A bit of a hike up then downhill. Reached a long flat section with boardwalk over a lake/Marsh area. Beautiful suspension bridge over Pochuck Creek. Lots of water and mud on the trail. My trail runners kept my feet dry but certainly it slowed me down. Still reached Wawayanda Shelter very quickly, well faster than my normal 30 minute/miles. Thought about going for the next shelter but decided to kick back and read.
Date: 2014-04-19
From: Wawayanda Shelter

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Well I will have to declare my no-cook food experiment an unmitigated disaster. Some things were just not meant to be eaten cold. rehydrated mashed potatoes for example. And I was growing tired of my trail mix. Hoping to get some food on the trail today. Decided not to take the spur trail to Greenwood Lake village, instead hoping that the hot dog stand would be open. After all what can go wrong its Saturday. Not open! I guess it is still too early in the season. Back to trail mix.Rough hiking day today. The guide book mentioned lots of up and down and that was the truth. Very slow day maybe 40 minute miles. Glad to reach the shelter. Because it was Saturday there were nine other people but most were in tents.
Date: 2014-04-20
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: clear sky

On the trail again early. Normally starting between 6 and 630 each day, just in time to see the sunrise. Beautiful. Temps have warmed up so I am rapidly down to shorts and shirt. Trail magic today! Cooler full of food at one of the road crossings. Need to keep notes , I don't remember which one. Nevertheless most welcome and totally unexpected this early in season. This was a long tough day. Lots of climbs. Found out fron Juggles (AT 2012) that these are referred to as PUD's -pointless up and downs. Certainly would not want to go around the mountain when you can go up and over it!
Date: 2014-04-21
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: West Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: clear sky

Easy day today. 8.3 miles on the AT and then the side trail to the West Mountain Shelter As advertised the view of the Hudson was spectacular. The only problem was the wind blowing up the mountain but fortunately not too cold. Very minor foot problems so far. Picked up a cut on the bottom of my left foot but fortunately not too bad. Need to stop running around camp without shoes on!Also the tongue of the left shoe is rubbing the top of my foot causing lots of pain. Can't find a cause of the problem but tying the lace loosely helps.
Date: 2014-04-22
From: West Mountain Shelter

To: Fort Montgomery
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Only 7 miles today on the AT and then 1.6 miles into town. So took a nice easy pace. Good climb to the top of Bear Mountain. You know, we need to stop calling these things mountains. I mean, they are not hills, but what they have in the sierras are mountains. Open for suggestions. Climbed the Perkins Memorial tower. Loved looking at the pictures of the history of the park. Long downhill towards town. Reached the lake and the underpass on us 9 where a construction worker informed me that the tunnel was closed. But I'm hiking the AT! He then said Ok that it was open for at hikers but no one else. I thought that my pack and generally dishelved appearance made it obvious that I was a hiker. Need to roll in the dirt some more. Of course the trail museum and zoo were closed because of the construction and I had a hard time finding the bypass. Hint:just after you cross under the road go left and step over the chain blocking access to the trail. Easy walk into town. As suggested I toured the Fort, very interesting. Stopped at the country Deli for a good sandwich and then checked into the Holiday Inn. Later had dinner at Barnstormers BBQ -also very good.
Date: 2014-04-23
From: Fort Montgomery

To: Near Fahnstock SP
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: clear sky

All the leaves are brown and the sky is gray.....for me not a perfect day for hiking the trail but not a bad day.The fallen leaves from last fall now are all over the trail which is not necessarily a good thing I mean yes they're soft but they also cause problems first of all they hide the trail I mean we still have the blazes but it still makes it real hard to find the trail. Second, the leaves hide the rocks on the trails so you're walking along and ouch it was a rock and not leaves. Finally the leaves are slippery so going downhill you have to be very careful but heck it is what it is.Today started out with crossing the Hudson River on the Bear Mountain bridge and then uphill. I reached the Appalachian Deli and it was everything that it was advertised to be - great food selection. I got a sandwich and dessert and back on the trail headed for the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center. I thought that I would spend the night there but when I arrived I was really not excited about the place -the water was not turned on yet no outhouse cold windy just a little bit depressing.So back on the trail I knew that I wasn't going to reach the next shelter but I did the best I could it rained a little bit but nothing terrible. About 530 I found a great place for the night out of the wind Unfortunately not much cell coverage but it was very quiet and I was a happy camper.
Date: 2014-04-24
From: Near Fahnstock SP

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: few clouds

I was on the trail today at 6 a.m. The plan was to go about 17 miles however there was lots of cold weather and wind. The cold I could dress for but the wind was downright nasty and at one point a large tree limb fell on the trail right in front of me. Enough hiking for the day. My first stop was the Shenandoah tenting site and it was actually very nice large grassy area and outhouse and water. It was beautiful but I decided to keep going and check out the RPH shelter. I had heard mixed reviews on the shelter but the shelter is great - bunk beds, chairs and a writing table so decided to end the day here after eight miles as more walking just wasn't safe. The weather forecast shows the rest of today to be just as windy but tomorrow a much better day.
Date: 2014-04-25
From: RPH Shelter

To: Telephone Pioneers Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: broken clouds

Slip-sliding away!Well, the wind storm of Thursday gave way to a beautiful Friday. Almost felt like springtime, as the temperature rose and the sun made frequent appearances. The windstorm also spread a fresh layer of leaves on the trail, hence I was slip-sliding up and down the trail. Mostly fun.Great day to hike fast. Gentle up and downs (relatively speaking), no cliffs to climb. Stopped at the Morgan Stewart shelter for lunch, nice shelter. Reached the Telephone Pioneers Shelter at 2:00 PM, 8 hour hike. So just better than my normal pace of 30 minutes/mile. Even though it was Friday night, only two other hikers, Debbie and Kevin, joined me at the shelter for the evening. I think that the pending rain may have kept some weekend warriors off the trail.
Date: 2014-04-26
From: Telephone Pioneers Shelter

To: Telephone Pioneers Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Rain Drops Keep Falling on my Head ....The rain arrived just after midnight, and I had managed to find the one spot in the shelter with a leak. Fortunately I was able to move and find a dry spot. Better than being outside in the rain.I had been planning to dayhike to the Connecticut border and back, but with more rain forecast for Saturday, and the wet, slippery leaves, I decided that a zero for my last full day on the trail was just fine.A troop of Boy Scouts came by for lunch, and a few other hikers wandered by. Still, nice and quiet day for reading.Only one other hiker, Scott, stayed for the night. More rain Saturday night, but I managed to stay dry.
Date: 2014-04-27
To: Pawling, NY
Miles today: 3.8

Last day. On the trail at 6:00 AM, reached the road and headed into Pawling. Found a deli that was open, really a taqueria disguised as a deli. Run by a couple from Guatemala. My kind of place. Scrambled eggs, beans, and tortillas. Add a little hot sauce - great breakfast.Found the train station (not hard to do in Pawling) and caught the 8:50 AM train into NYC.Looking back on the hike, most everything went well. I loved the hiking, certainly very different from the Sierras. I arrived too early for springtime, but it did save me from having to deal with the flying insects.The transportation with MetroNorth Railroad worked well, trains were on schedule and easy to find, pay for tickets, and so on.I did well with the mileage, and could have been more aggressive in my planning, but things worked out ok.My gear was good, which it should be, as it has been well-tested in California and Utah. Only the food did not work, but I survived it and only lost about 8 lbs. Close to my 1 lb/day. For short hikes that works, but obviously would not be sustainable for longer hikes. Well, I have a new food plan in my mind and will see how that works out next time
Date: 2014-01-25
To: Maine
Miles today: 0.0

Was selected in Dec 2013 by Warrior Hike to take part in a hike called "Walk Off The War." Honored and very humbled at being selected for this journey of a lifetime. Excited about hooking up with other vets that have some of the same issues I have and have been going through since coming home from Iraq in 2005. Hoping that time on the trail will help me find what I am hoping to find and maybe find that piece of my heart and soul I left in Iraq. As I get ready to do this hike I think about so many things and people that have made such impacts on me. I have decided to dedicate this hike in honor of all my brothers and sisters that have paid the ultimate price. If it weren't for them I wouldn't be making this hike. That's about it for this entry. Another chapter in my life is about to open. March 14th it shall begin.Onward, upward, and forward.   SGM
Date: 2014-01-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Household 6, aka:The Mrs. SGM, is busy in the kitchen getting food ready to dehydrate. She is trying different things to send to me along the way. She is on her fourth style of Hormel chile. My hiking partners might not be to pleased with it but what the hell, as long as I be warm in the bag at night. She takes the dried food and puts it in a seal a meal bag. This is awesome. She is becoming a bigger part of my hike every day. At times I slip a cog or two and don't see it right away, but I eventually see it and get it. So when I eat the meals she has made for me, I will think of her. And every time I ......never mind. :-) Onward, upward, and forward.   SGM
Date: 2014-01-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Just made flight reservations to fly from Conn to Georgia. Hate flying but will make it work. Just another thing done in order to get there. The Mrs. SGM has more food all set to seal up for my journey. Thousands of things go through my mind as I get ready for this adventure. I know once boots on the ground things will smooth out and we will make it happen. Till then let the confusion and mayham begin...lolOnward, upward, and forward.SGM
Date: 2014-01-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Things starting to fall into place. E mailed a fellow hiker who I have never met and took him up on his offer to pick fellow hikers at the airport in Atlanta and give us a ride out to the lodge where we will start our hike from. Thing is thi is just another strenght and proof that the brotherhood of warriors is real and is strong.For myself this is another piece of the journey in place. I know what the final goal is, but I need to break it down into pieces and one day at a time. And each time I achieve one detail of many for that day, I consider it a victory. And when I have done them all and at the end of the day, its a victory for me. This way I don't get overwhelmed with it all.That's all for this entry. The starting date is getting closer and I be looking towards it very much.Onward, upward, and forward.....SGM
Date: 2014-02-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Received a listing of my gear and clothing that Warrior Hike is providing for me for my upcoming adventure. All I can say is Wow and thanks. Unbelievable what the sponsors have donated to this program. The excitement is growing everyday now. 41 days to go and it will begin. Looking forward to meeting my brothers and getting to know them. Best part is getting to know each other and try to help each other with their problems and face their demons as well my own. I know I am not gonna let the demon win. Not ever!!Onward, upward, and forward,SGM
Date: 2014-02-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Great morning of training for the up coming adventure. Was able to get out and put on the snow shoes. Was 10 degrees out when I hit the trail with 10 inches of fresh powder. After 4 miles of breaking trail and completeing the loop I picked out my legs and thighs have decided to file for divorce..... Lol. All good though. Going back out tomorrow and have at it again. Snow don't last long here in MA this winter.Checked e mail tonight and the awesome support for all of us doing the Warrior Hike just continues to grow. There was messages from Cindy Ross and Thomas Gathman. Both are advid hikers and have done the AT. They offered to be available to help answer any questions any of us have. I find this so moving for myself in the fact that I am not alone on this journey and have all these things running through my little mind. I know I am not alone in my travels and in my life. Just at times I am blinded by hatred and other emotional feelings. Some good and some bad, but they are there. I have chatted on face book with some of my brothers that I will be meeting and hiking with. There is already a bond of trust building.As one of my friends at college always say, "Once more dear friends unto the breech, once more." That's where I am riding my emotinal roller coaster of life, once again. But hopefully this time it will all end on a much better note...:-) Onward, upward, and forward,SGM
Date: 2014-02-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well here I am, weighing and setting up my food bag for 6 days of hiking. Trying to make sure there be enough but yet not to much cause I don't wanna carry more than I need. 3 of oatmeal, 2 of peanut butter, 1 jelly, oops. What a pain trying to do this for the first time. Once its done I will be okay but just need a base line to start with. I made the remark the other day it was easier to pack to head off to war. All ya did was read the list, put this in the A bag, that in the B bag, throw that in your ruck and the rest goes in your footlocker.God it was so simple back then. Never had to plan food or anything like that. Somebody else did that for ya. And if all else failed ya grabbed a MRE. And "NO," I didn't pack a MRE or even give it a second thought. Its okay though, I be having fun doing it and its amazing how light the dehydrated food is that the Mrs. SGM has set up for me.Gonna close for now, just wanted to keep ya updated as the date gets closer. 16 days and its "boots on the trail." Can't come fast enough.Onward, upward, and forward,SGM
Date: 2014-03-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, lots is going on here and my roller coaster of life is just rolling along now going up and down and hitting bumps everywhere. SO much has happened in the past week that I know begin to find myself getting emotional. The more I think about this journey and that I am really gonna hike the AT is finally hitting home with me as the days grow shorter towards March 17th.Rolling Thunder Vermont Chapter 1 had a pancake breakfast last month. It kinda turned into a send off party for me at the same time. My hiking family for North Quabbin Trails Association were on hand for this as well as Rolling Thunder MA Chapter 1, Patriot Riders, Iron Order, and Eagles. There was a roasting and a toasting of yours truly going on. My own children and grandchildren had their piece of the act too. Many other friends came from far away to be part of this special day. My good friends Heather and Aaron Suddaby and family came from Conn to say hi and wish me luck.When it was all said and done I was asked to speak a few words. Most of the folks that were there were Vets and family members of vets. I explained to them what "Warrior Hike" is about and why a group of 14 vets were gonna take a little stroll together. I explained to them that its been a struggle since coming home for myself and my wife. Having PTSD just changes the way I act and think and at times there is just nothing there or nothing left to give. And I know I have pushed her to the breaking point at times, but she always forgives me and for that I am grateful. I also told them that I while on this journey that I was going to be looking for a part of my soul that I left when I left Iraq in 2004 and 2005. When this was all said and done I was moved to tears by their next act of respect. They gave me a standing ovation.So as my preparations for my journey go forward I will keep posting here because as one person wrote on a card to me, its not about the hike, its about the journey.Till next time,Onward, upward, and forward,SGM
Date: 2014-03-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

One organization that was left out fro my last posting that I stole from my wife's listing was the Vet Center in Springfield, MA. I have been getting help from them since 2006. I have been blessed to have had two excellent counslers. They have help me to get my head turned in the right direction and have been there for me when I have needed them. I owe them so much and they are both a part of my journey. So to Andrew and Ruth all I can say is thank you for your words of encouragement and the many hours of listening to me.....:-) Till next time,Onward, upward, and forward,SGM
Date: 2014-03-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today I had the honor of having my trail name bestowed upon me. My good friend Bobby Curly, AT trail name: Man in Motion 85, sobo, dubbed me: Quabbin Trekker. Or the short version of: QT 14. Was honored to be on the trail with our Tuesday morning hiking group and for them to share in another part of my journey.Onward, upward, and forward,QT 14
Date: 2014-03-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Made it to GA yesterday. Both flights went off without a hitch. Flights were full and was a little tight. Was able to sit in the last row and corner seats both flights.The crew is awesome and everyone is excited to go. Monday can't come fast enough.Seems strange here,no snow, sunshine, temps in 60's and daffodils are up. Will close for now.Onward, upward, and forward,QT 14
Date: 2014-03-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

Morning all, sitting the lodge at Neel Gap on a zro day. Have been hiking for the last three days in the rain. Only complaint is foggy and not one view. Oh well. I've holding up great and feel fine. Our group a shrunk by two due to injury. Its already been incredible, meeting the members of the group and hikers on the trai. Life is good and after do 15 mile days back to back, this old fart feels awesome.Will close for now and get some resupply done. Shower was great last night....lolWARRIOR HIKE......HOOAH
Date: 2014-03-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 62.6

In Hiawassi for dinner with the Marine Corp league. Sitting in a hotel showered and clean. Good couple days again on the trail. Trail magic and trail angels are such awesome folks. Have met several since being on the trail. It restores ones faith in humanity. More than once I had tears in my eyes and my mind was just wild with emotions as I hike away from them.Three days with nothing but sun and the views have awesome. In the high 60's today. Gonna get cold and some snow on Mon or Tues. Oh well, bring it on.A forgot to post when I did my first. My pack fully loaded weighs 32 lbs. The equipment is awesome. Gonna be cleaning out a lot of my old stuff when I get home.The woods and trail are truely amazing. In the space and time of being alone I have had so much going through my mind. Its unreal. I been told in time and miles I will process through it. I hope so. After all it's my truck and I'm driving.Will go for now,WARRIOR HIKE 2014......HOOAH
Date: 2014-03-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Been great week of hiking on the trail. Sunny and warm one day and snow and cold the next. Woke up Tuesday morning at a warm 10 degrees. Was great till opened the bag. We lost one of our brothers on the trail the other day. His knee gave out and we had to get him evaded out. One call to 911 and a team came up and got him off the mountain. Kinda restored my hope for humanity.Trail angel and magic are awesome. The folks that take time to help feed you and put a smile on your face are just wonderful. Saw one man take out his hiking poles and hand them to a young hiker and told him to make them and go. This and other acts of kindness that I have seen on the trail have moved me to tears more than once. The fact that a total stranger takes time to hand me food or drink just moves me to tears as I head down the trail.Have had time to think bout lots of things as I hike and have figured a few thinks out as far as what stresses me out. Have decided to make changes in my life when I come home and they will be for the better.My brother Soaring Eagle and I hiked 16 miles yesterday and 12 miles today. We are the two oldest in the group.Will close for now. Having dinner tomorrow night with local VFW and breakfast at the legion on Sat then back on the trail.Warrior Hike 2014.....HOOAH