morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-07-17
From: Jerusalm Rd

To: Just past Cookie Lady
Miles today: 21.1

Alright a 1% day! Wet day all day. The cookie lady didn't disapoint and i recieved the standard three cookies. Their well water was sulfer water though, and they had gotten used to it, but I wasn' so happy with it. I thought most people who had sulfer wells just used the water for somthing else, oh well.
Date: 2009-07-22
From: First Shelter Zero

To: Bennington, VT
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Another state bites the dust. I have passed the 1,600 mile mark. Vermont is awsome! I made it into another free hostel ran by a retired, very hippy couple. Cool house, Art every where, and they winter in Key West. I might zero tomarrow.
Date: 2009-07-23
From: Bennington, VT

To: Stuck in Bennington
Miles today: 0.0

This is such a cool town, I don't want to leave. Half the crew that i was hiking with is on a deadline march, so they headed out early. The other half zeroed. Motivation has just been hard lately due to weather, neat towns, cool people, ... I need to get walking again, maybe tomarrow.
Date: 2009-07-26
From: William Douglas

To: Near Baker Peak
Miles today: 16.6

Around lunch i ran into Vegie Steve and Baltimour Andy hanging out with a bunch of hippies. Aparently Andy spent the night with the group and Steve was angling for some vegitarian food. Me and Andy went into town for lunch and some shoping (my big agnus padd was going flat two hours after filling it). Then we night hiked.
Date: 2009-07-28
From: Green Wall Shelter

To: VT103
Miles today: 7.8

Ended up at a roadside cafe for lunch and went swiming after, then back for dinner. I think I am actually gaining weight on the trail, especially at this pace. just before the road is a gorge with rope bridge and great camping. We ended up playing around for the second half of the day 20+ thru hikers.
Date: 2009-07-30
From: Long Trail Inn

To: stuck at the Inn
Miles today: 0.0

Went in to Rutland to resupply and handle some mail drops. I got back some of my cold weather gear and coffee press (i think i need the energy). nice town but the 12 aposels cult is all over the place and a little creepy. I keep running into ex-NYers looking for a simpler life in a comune. VT is to much fun, i hope NH is boring so i can get some hiking done. To be honest, we have less then 500 miles left and no one wants to end the hike.
Date: 2009-09-20
From: KSC

To: Katadin!!!
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: broken clouds

I Summited Katadin!!Got up Molly and Dad at 4:00am, we started the trail at 6:45. Dad, who is 73, was having a tough time about 3.5 miles at 11:45am he started heading back. Me and Molly Summited at around 1:15 after lunch. We made it back to the car at 5:11pm. I was number 359 for the year, I think my springer number was 240ish, so i am slow. This trip, adventure, long route commute was a blast! I would definately do it agian. Thanks for all the patience and support that I have recieved from so many people!(I will fix up the wholes in the blog later, reading the blogs of others helped me).
Date: 2009-09-21
From: Home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Its been a month since i finished the hike. So i though a few points for re-adjusting could be interesting.==Health==Doctor did blood tests (hep A, Lime, ...) nothing is wrong. I used mostly bleach drops for the water and deet all over, no health problems. He did give me a script for super stringht vitamin I. I also got 3 sessions of physical therapy for my knees and sholders. My left sholder has some nerve attachment issues, apreantly the pack shoved the facia into the nerve till it attached. Knees would hurt when I went running, so the PT guy told me to not run for a week, that worked. ==Physical Conditioning==Off the trail, you have awsome strong legs and very high indurance, but thats it. Upper body is shot and the diaphram is weak, cant really run. After a couple of weeks of exercise, legs are balancing out and upper body is responding. I am sure my VO2 has droped but my diaphram is alot stronger (i can run all day).==General Stuff==Yea, OK, farting on the trail is different then in Target. On a different note, people are happier on the trail and less reserved, i cant help but to think there is a link between the two. Driving sucks, I didn't realize how much of a waste of time it is. Same thing goes for the TV and AC really isnt that great. Their has to be a better way to integrate a house with nature, the weather, the sun and fresh air. It seems like a house fights the natural rithums rather then just giving some shelter.==Gear==My Greagory Baltore 70 broke the attachment to the belt at some point on my trip. I knew the pack wasnt that comfortable and I think it caused the sholder pain. After contacting Greagory, it was supposed to be recalled but I didnt get the note. My Big Agnes Fly Creek one did great! Whole trip and no problems.Vasque will not stand behind either pair of faulty shoes that I bought from them. One pair fell apart in a week and the others had an awful fit, no matter what you did to adjust them. I will not buy Vasque or any of the other Red Wing brands again. Nike tenise shoes were my favorite. For late spiring, summer, and early fall all that matters is not getting blisters, i.e. running shoes. My Big Agnes sleeping pad is in the shop and my poles are in the shop for repairs also. I did most of the trail without a stove, it made my life easier and my pack lighter.
Date: 2008-04-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I have recently decided to start a thru hike in March 09, providing I have someone to start it up with. Two years ago I had a few friends thru hike, and I thought they were nuts. Well, here I am 2 years later with the same dream they had. Soon I'll be starting some weekend backpacking trips on the AT to ready myself, as I have only spent a few nights out on the trail with my friends. I do hike most weekends on the AT though. After I returned home from that weekend with those crazies, and they continued on their journey to Maine, thats when I knew I wanted to be a part of this adventure. So, onward! Thank you Kurly and Swansons, for introducing me to my first ever backpacking experience. .
Date: 2008-04-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I dropped the bomb on my mother, and told her I want to do a thru hike. I knew she would not be happy, but she handled it some what ok. By telling her makes this actually real to me, and having her acceptance means so much. I can go with a clear head, and that is all I needed. I was out on the AT today climbing some boulders and thought to myself, "yeah, I could do this for a while" So now the next 10 months will be filled with planning and buying, I can't wait!
Date: 2008-04-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I have been doing some window shopping for different foods I would want to eat on the trail. I constantly look at food on the shelf and think about the weight of it, and how I'd pair it up with other things to create a decent meal. I also plan to buy in bulk dehydrated veggies and fruit, and send them in mail drops. I will probably rely on resupplies a lot, but also want to have lots of exciting goodies when I'm sick of eating ramen or Lipton for a straight week, or 2! On another note, I can't seem to focus while I'm working. I'm just too damn excited for next March, and all I think about is gear, weight, food, and of course the trip in itself. I find myself daydreaming all the time. I so badly want to tell people at work because I'm so excited, but I can't, not yet. My boss and I are very close, and I think she will be upset and emotional when I tell her I'm leaving, and why. Hell, I'LL be emotional leaving, but another job will be out there when I return, I hope. I still have not told all of my friends and family yet about my crazy adventure ahead, but so far the people I have told are being so supportive, so thank you.
Date: 2008-09-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Ok so I'd also like to post some things I will miss the most and least, and also what I look forward to about the trail. I haven't been asked this a whole lot, but as time gets closer, I'm sure I will. Plus, this is the first time I'm actually listing it out, so it's fun for you and me too! Things I will not miss:my commute to work, gas prices and filling my tank twice a week, loud heavy angry NJ traffic, sitting at a desk day in and day out, putting on make-up, having to figure out what to wear to work and is it clean and wrinkle-free, bad drivers (notice any patterns here?), people who don't say hello (I hope nobody takes this as my complaint section, it's not at all, just things I can deal without for a while)Things I will miss: first and foremost, my family, friends, and dog, the daily luxuries we take for granted such as quick transportation, running water, toilets, showers, a house with 4 walls a roof and regulated temperature, my computer, my music, fresh fruit and vegetables, a grill, a refrigerator and microwave, electricity, my bed, a paycheck, picking on my mom for fun (hey, she loves it!), good home cooked meals, summer at the beach and tiki bar (the list really is endless, these are just a few to name)What I look forward to: meeting new people every day, making new friends, trail life, the smell of the forrest every day, waking up knowing my only job is to walk, eating what ever I want, experiencing the hospitality all thru hikers talk about, the mayors house in Unionville NY, walking to my home state, crossing state lines, being above tree line, having hiker-visitors from home, seeing some beautiful views, sunrises and sunsets on top of mountains, seeing cool wildlife, stopping in trail towns, my birthday on the trail, the half gallon challenge, trail magic (and I'm sure many more things could be added along the way)So there you have it. Signing out, until next time...I'd also like to mention that today, September 1 is exactly 6 months away until I hop on a plane to Georgia, and tomorrow, September 2 is 6 months until I start the approach trail! YIKES!
Date: 2008-10-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So I had my first taste above treeline this past weekend in the Whites. AMAZING! I met up with Angela and Karen, and we headed up to Mt Moosilauke for a 2 day shake down trip. I know I know, 2 days was really not a big shake down, however, it did give me a good idea of how to keep comfortable in cold weather. Fall was in full swing up north, most of the trees were scattered with pretty red, yellow, and orange leaves. Down here in NJ, the intense fall colors are just starting to peek through, so it was nice to have an early preview of what's to come. The climb up Moosilauke was a bit tough since it was mostly all up up up, but it was so beautiful that you tend to forget any discomfort you are feeling at the time. The day started out around 45 degrees and comfortable, then gradually dropped to about 33 degrees as we approached the summit. As we got closer to the sign and I could see it from a distance, I almost wanted to run to it and hug it because I was so excited to reach the top of my first 4,000 footer. I can only imagine the feeling when I see the Katahdin sign, I'm sure I WILL run and hug it like an old friend I hadn't seen in years and years. That good 'ol wooden sign graced by so many hands and hugs. Anyway, once we got up to the summit, the wind was whipping faster than I had ever experienced. We only stayed up there long enough to enjoy the 360 degree view for a few minutes, then have our picture taken with the summit sign. Thankfully Karen's camera still had a bit of juice left in it's batteries, the cold had sucked the heart beat right out of mine! We hiked down a bit further to the Beaver Brook shelter for the night, hung out with some cool folks who had built a fire, and chatted a bit. A fun day ending with a fun night! Day 2 was about an 8 mile hike back down to our cars. We had taken the AT up, and a few connecting trails down. All very pretty trails crossing over some streams and waterfalls. Nothing too noteworthy from the second day, other than a few good falls taken by Angela and myself. Karen lucked out, almost bit it a few times but managed to recover nicely. Good job! On another note, I think we gave Angela a trail name. Although I don't remember if Karen or I said it first, but Moss is very suiting for Angela. She has a very healthy obsession with Moss and was disappointed to not have her camera to photograph every bit of it's green lushness. So, as long as she does not reject it (and I think she likes it!) then Moss it is! We'll see what unfolds in the coming months.Stay tuned! Next month Liz, Angela, Karen, and myself are taking a trip to Acadia National Park to have some hiker fun and eat blueberry ice cream. Car camping in Maine in November, brrrrr! ...Less than 5 months now...
Date: 2008-11-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello journal readers.Well, I have been busy the last month or so with my AT planning, doing day hikes, and an overnight trip or two. About a month ago, Will, his friend Beth and I did an overnight hike, about 25 miles in 2 days. We had a blast. The weather was pretty nice, cool and crisp, and not a drop of rain. The bright fall colors were still sprinkled all over trees, so all was right in the world. Nothing better than a fall hike, entertained by bold colors. It was really nice meeting and hiking with Beth, and of course Will as always. Next up: the Acadia trip. Wow, so many laughs and good fun. Liz, Angela, Karen, and myself spent a night camping in the park. The weather was kind of a downer, rainy and pretty foggy, but that didn't inhibit the hiking and good fun. Hiking up Cadillac Mountain was relatively easy, but littered with exposed tree roots and some rocks at the start of the trail, so slightly treacherous at first. Lots of pink granite and unknown terds to pick apart too. Yes that's right, we stopped to inspect animal terds, and had a great debate over what animal it could have come from! Ahhh the things that entertain us. That night it rained so hard, it felt like baseballs were dropping all around us. Fun to lay there and listen to while telling ridiculous stories, not fun to wake up realizing the tent had turned into a small child's swimming pool! Thankfully, it was not very cold out, so getting pretty wet wasn't such a problem. So since we woke up to a heavy downpour, we decided to pack up and haul buns out of there, and head to breakfast and do some outlet shopping. All in all, a fantastic fun trip. We did nothing but laugh, and that's all I need in my life to make me happy, laughter. I've been doing more mail drop planning, which was something I have been dreading for a while now. Turns out, it's not so bad. My big concern was figuring out how much food will need to be in each box, but thanks to the help of Karen, whiteblaze, and the online companion, it's much easier to figure out than anticipated. I am planning on about 10 mail drops so far, and hope to keep it at that.Well, it's almost Thanksgiving, which means Christmas will be here before ya know it. After the holidays pass, March will be here in the snap of a finger. So for now, I'll just continue my planning phase of the hike, and dreaming about setting foot on Springer Mountain. Stay tuned, us girls are planning an overnight snow shoeing trip in January, and Liz and I will be doing a 4-5 day shake down some time in January as well.Just a little over 3 months to go.
Date: 2008-12-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

3 MONTHS! (90 days)The scene: In my kitchen at the table doing work on my lap top, my mom at the stove cooking.The cast: My mom and I Ok, so this is how a conversation went earlier this evening:Me: (head phones in, music on full blast, singing, but not hearing how awful I sound)Mom: I'm ignoring youMe: (pulling out my head phones) What did you say?Mom: I said I'm ignoring you, pretending you are not there, you're a mirageMe: (me laughing) What? Why? Mom: (continuing to cook) I'm practicingMe: Practicing for what?Mom: Practicing for when you won't be around for 6 months!Me: (laughing) Ok, than if you don't mind, I'm going back to practicing for American Idol (sticks ear phones back in, continues singing making an atrocious sound)Ahhh my mom, she's a real hoot sometimes! Anyway, I've made about half of my food purchases for mail drops, and I'm very excited to say I have found limited edition Candy Cane Oreo's that are out for the holiday season. They will be such a nice treat to look forward to since I know I will not find them along the trail. I have purchased a few things that I know I would never find, snacks that will cheer me up on a potentially challenging day. I have no idea when Girl Scout cookies come out, but hopefully soon so I can buy some for mail drops. If anyone purchases Girl Scout cookies, my favorite is Samoa's, aka Caramel de-Lites. Ok people, did you take note of that? Good! The trail is less than 100 days away now. My one-way plane ticket has been purchased, and my reservation at the hostel has been made. It's officially official, such an empowering feeling. I'd like to go outside and do a rain dance to profess my excitement, but for now I'll just sit here quietly typing with a smile on.Alright mister journal, that's all I have to share with you tonight. Until next time...
Date: 2008-12-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Can't sleep, so I decided to write...As a child, I can remember a lot of things. I remember jumping off the diving board at the pool, building forts with blankets and chairs, making a snow man, sledding, shooting hoops with my brother, riding my bike, playing softball, jumping in and over waves in the ocean, making huge leaf piles and crashing into them, and running around the streets until the street lights came on in the summer. What do all of these things have in common? They are outdoor activities, most of which would make me dirty. Dirty was always a good thing as a child, that meant I played hard and had a blast doing it. So really what I'm saying is, I plan to get pretty dirty (unavoidable on a hike anyway!). In years to come when I look back at my memory box of photos and see my dirty face, I'll know I enjoyed every step of my journey. I am ready to turn the page to the next chapter in my life, but will do it with such nostalgia. I have no idea what's around the next corner, or on the next page, but I'm looking forward to what surprises lie ahead. It is now a few days shy of Christmas. Readers, I hope you all have a safe and warm Christmas and a very Happy New Year. Cheers!70 days and counting!
Date: 2009-01-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today was a big day for me, I did something I have been stressing over and dreading for a long time. I gave my resignation at work, the last big pre-trail hurdle. I was actually a bit sad confirming the end of my 3 year run. My time spent at my job has been nothing short of a blast. I have learned so much and have only my wonderful coworkers, bosses and friends to thank. Thanks Altum, you have been amazing! Next up: a little education for all my non-hiker readers (aka friends and family)There will be words or acronyms I will reference, and I just wanted to explain those here so you don't think I've totally lost my mind when reading. NOBO -- North-boundSOBO -- South-boundFLIP-FLOP -- Someone who hikes in one direction, then somewhere in between will find a way many miles up the trail and hike back in the other direction.YO-YO -- Someone who hikes the entire length of the trail, then turns back and completes it in the other direction TRAIL MAGIC -- Any free service provided to a hiker out of the goodness of ones heart, may it be food, drink, shelter, a ride, etc.TRAIL ANGEL -- the provider of the aboveZERO -- A non-hiking dayNERO -- A minimal amount of miles hiked in a day SLACK-PACK -- To hike with minimal gear, usually with assistance of someone, or an Angel WHITE BLAZE -- The Appalachian TrailBLUE BLAZE -- Side trails of the AT YELLOW BLAZE -- The roadI often get asked how I know the path of the trail and how to follow it. Well, the trail is marked by white blazes, or 2"x6" white paint marks, on trees or rocks. Sometimes in the absence of blazes, rock cairns lead the way. So don't worry, I won't get lost! I will also be carrying the Thru-Hiker's Handbook to help guide me. It gives all sorts of helpful information, such as water sources, shelter location, lodging, restaurants, grocery stores, and any other town information. Fortunately, someone took the guess work out of it and updates this information annually.And one last order of business before my entries go back to talking about my life and adventures: A long-time tradition of long distance hikers is to adopt a "trail name." Usually it happens on trail by a silly incident or perhaps by a trait that stands out. I do not have a trail name yet, but eventually will, and that is what I will go by.I hope this educational session has been helpful to you all, you may return to your normally scheduled program.
Date: 2009-01-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

30 days! Now the REAL countdown begins Last weekend was the last time I will get to see my hiker friends before I see them in the Atlanta airport, what a crazy thought. Karen, Liz, Angela and I went snow shoeing at Bash Bish Falls in MA and spent the night in a very cozy country house in upstate NY. The falls were gorgeous, half frozen over, but still with rushing water underneath. We had a blast in the snow, and ended the night with some Mexican food, a few AT flicks, and some birthday cake for Angela. Upon leaving, we all exchanged tight hugs and whooped a little, since we knew our next stop will be the AT! I have all my gear and clothing set. The last big thing I need to finish is packing up my mail drops, and I'm already half way done with that. I handed over all the necessary paperwork to have my taxes done while I'm gone, have totally cleaned out and trashed a lot of "stuff" in my closet, and checked almost all "to do" items off my list. It feels great to have shed a lot of unnecessary junk out of my life. Some things held an emotional connection, but I realized it's time to get rid of it all and return to a clean slate. The memories are there, that's all that matters. I'm ready to turn over a new leaf and become a new me. Had I not decided to hike the trail, I may not be making these transformations, so I'm thankful to have the AT in my future. I have no idea what's in store for me post-hike. I don't know if I'll go back to my job, or if life will lead me in the complete opposite direction. I'm ok not knowing, it's kind of fun having it all be such a mystery. Time will tell.Well, I'm guessing this might be my last entry until I'm on the trail, so if it is, see you all in March! Best of luck to all the other 09 hikers, I can't wait to meet you all and share the trail with everyone!-Storm
Date: 2009-02-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I wasn't going to do any more journal updates until actually on the trail, but this is just to test my PocketMail one last time with Jonathan. Since I'm here I might as well tell you how I'm about to become a local legend. Yesterday I saw my good friend Brooke at a super bowl party. Which by the way, didn't watch too much of the game, I don't really like or understand football. Anyway, back to my story. Brooke is an elementary school teacher for children with learning disabilities. Since they need to learn their states, Brooke has chosen my AT journey as a vehicle to deliver some US geography to their curious little minds! I am honored and excited to be included in my friends lesson plans, how badass is that! I hope they feel inspired, thanks Brooklyn!So there you have it, your average badass among 8 year olds! Thats all folks, see ya in March.