morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-10-08
To: Reactions and the Plan
Miles today: 0.0

I found out it takes 3 entries to activate a journal so I figured I would add another typical pre hike entry detailing peoples response to my plan and maybe a bit of the plan itself.Most people write about everyone is amazed by their plan to hike the Trail and can't understand why you would want to. So far I haven't gotten that reaction. My friends and family have been totally supportive and act like this is just the natural decision to be made, and I appreciate it. Hiking and the woods have become my life. I hike a lot, and work in the woods so it is completely natural. I see people in the future, those who I am less close to having the dumbfounded reaction.My plan is to start my hike in Georgia sometime during the second week in March. I am not sure how I am getting there but I may take a train down. I am staying in Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula at the house I rent in Houghton. Hopefully I can get some work between December when I graduate and March when I leave. I am storing some of my stuff in my Brothers attic and the rest at my parents house in lower Michigan. That's the plan so far, but I am flexible so we will see how it changes.
Date: 2007-10-15
To: High Rock Bay
Miles today: 0.0

I have been doing gear shakedowns the past couple of weekends and am finally getting my pack to where I want it. A long (38 mi) day in Porcupine Mountains State Park helped me make some decisions with cloths and gear and a freezing night last night camping at High Rock Bay showed me I need a new sleeping bag. But I knew that already and will eventually order a Western Mountaineering bag. I only 8 weeks from graduating and then my only concern is the Trail. It's tough to concentrate and I am too busy to do as much trail planning/dreaming as I would like but I am almost done.
Date: 2007-11-24
To: Happy Thanksgiving
Miles today: 0.0

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.I am definitely living for the trail these days. I have 3 more weeks of class until graduation and December 15th can't come fast enough. I am spending some time with my parents in lower Michigan for the holiday and they are incredibly supportive of my plans, which I am very appreciative of. After reading some forum posts and journals that talk about how their families don't support their dreams it makes me really thankful for the people around me.I am finally getting my gear totally situated. I am going pretty light (14 lbs base) and plan on moving pretty quickly as I don't have a lot of money. My parents decided to get me a new sleeping bag for Christmas, which is awsome. I am getting a Western Mountaineering Ultralite Super and I couldn't be happier. The gear situation is driving me nuts. I spend to much time thinking about equipment and it seems to be overshadowing the trail itself.It is finally getting cold in the UP, high teens to low 20's, so I can test out my cold weather system. Winter time is coming, which means spring can't be far behind.Twenty One Days until no more college (for now)Three months three weeks (approximately) until the AT
Date: 2007-12-17
To: Nothing in my way now
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I finally graduated college on Saturday. Now I just have to finish a paper and take an exam this afternoon and I am done with my undergrad education and have myself a degree in forestry. It's a bit surreal and scary to be done but I am definitely excited that the last major hurdle between me and the trail is cleared.Only a matter of months now. I found out one of the guys I graduated with from my department is also going to be hiking the trail so we are going to travel down together and see where it goes from there. It's nice to have someone else as stoked about it as I am to talk to.My folks are coming up this afternoon for a few days and then I am going home for a week or so before I make a trip out to Colorado to attempt a couple 14ers. I have been XC skiing a lot and plan on getting some serious snowshoeing in this week as we have gotten some snow recently.
Date: 2008-02-13
To: Waiting
Miles today: 0.0

It's about 5 weeks until I start my hike. I am getting pretty excited and would leave today if it was an option. I have been keeping super busy so as to not become overwhelmed with the excitement. After graduation I went out west for few weeks with some friends and attempted a few 14ers in Colorado and did some hiking/snowshoeing in some of the Western National Parks like Tetons and Badlands. I failed on all the 14ers, but not do to anything in my control, weather just got the better of us. Since getting back I have been working in Michigan Tech's Entomology lab and trying to stay outside as much as I can. I have been skiing quite a bit and started ice climbing.My friend Belinda has offered to take me to the trailhead, which is amazing and I can't express my gratitude enough. It's about 24 hours of driving from here so this is just phenomenal. Another forester who graduated with me will also be hiking this summer so he is going to ride down with us but we won't be hiking together. So it looks like my official start date will be around March 23rd.Between then and now I have quite a bit to do. I have to keep working, move out of my house, finish a few last minute gear details, and a bunch of other little things like taxes and what not. On top of all of this I have decided to apply to the Peace Corps so when I finish the trail I will have some kind of plan. I have an interview with them next Wednesday so hopefully I will be accepted and can leave on another adventure after the trail.5 weeks. It almost doesn't seem real.
Date: 2008-03-05
To: AT for MLD
Miles today: 0.0

So I am almost within two weeks of my departure for the trail (15 days 19 hours and 17 minutes to be exact, but who's counting). I will be on the trail the morning of the 24th of March. I am remaining calm but there is an ever present current of anticipation running through me. I am at about the same state of business I have been for the past two months so it isn't too overwhelming and I can prepare for my hike pretty leisurely.I was nominated as a Peace Corps volunteer last week and it appears that I will be doing forestry work in Africa starting this fall after my hike. I am really stoked about that. 2008 is shaping up to be an amazing year. I am just waiting on my medical evaluation to get a country assignment.I am also getting the opportunity to do something good with my thru-hike. My friend Dan's father developed a hereditary degenerative brain disease in the late nineties called Metachromatic Leukodystrophy. It is terrible affliction resulting in paralysis, blindness, seizures and eventualy death. Dan asked me if I would be willing to use my hike as means of spreading the word about the disease and fundraising for research. I jumped at the opportunity to take one of my dreams and use it benefit other people. We are setting up a website at www.AT4MLD.org so please swing by and check it out. There is some information on there and some contact info if you want to get involved.I have all my gear set and my pack down 15.6 pounds before food and water. I have purchased almost all my food for the first 6 days and have it repackaged. I am moving my stuff out of my house on the 16th. My last day of work is the 19th and I have my travel plans squared away. My dream is about to come true. I am doing what I said I would. I might get another entry in before I hit the trail, I might not. It doesn't matter. I am really excited to meet the other hikers whose journals I have been reading and the ones I haven't. This is gonna be great. See you on the trail. Feel free to sign my guest book, I like hearing from people.
Date: 2008-03-23
To: Georgia
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Made the trip down from Houghton via Pulaski, Tenn. and Muskegon, Mich. Picked up Tim in Muskegon and drove to Kim and Aubrey's in Pulaski. Saw Rolf and Candy Peterson on the way down which is kind of an odd coincidence as I am working for them when I finish the trail. We stayed in a renovated church in Pulaski. It was pretty cool. Kim and Aubrey's property is beautiful and it was great staying there, very surreal at the edge of this journey and I can't thank them enough. Stayed in Tennessee for Easter and feasted like mad. Amazing food and plenty of it. Leaving for Georgia tomorrow, I can barely contain myself.
Date: 2008-03-24
From: Springer Mountain

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: broken clouds

Left Pulaski about 8AM heading for GA. It is a pretty scenic drive but I slept a lot of it because I didn't sleep well last night due to the overwhelming excitement. Arrived at Amicalola Falls St. Park at about 12:45 and signed in. I am the 330th person to sign in. We said goodbye to B at the Arch that marks the beginning to the approach trail. It was tougher saying goodbye that I expected and I will be forever grateful for what she has done for me. Tim and I split almost immediately and I probably won't see him again on the trail. I made the 8.8 miles to Springer in just under 3 hrs. It was windy and cloudy so I took the obligatory starting out photos and headed off. I saw some snow on the way up but nothing too bad. Staying at Stover Creek Shelter with a few other thru hikers. It is 6:41PM and about 35 degrees. Ate Mac 'n Cheese for dinner and found a note B slipped in my pack. It made me sad to be leaving my friends but was very encouraging. The spring is dry at the shelter so I don't have much water which is a pain but I can make it through breakfast. It is weird sitting on the edge of such an epic journey.
Date: 2008-03-25
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Just North of Dan Gap
Miles today: 20.0

Big day for day #2. I always wondered how people could quit so quickly, but found out last night. When I laid down for bed I was overwhelmed with a feeling of loneliness and the task ahead. I questioned my commitment and desire and kind of felt like leaving. I shouldered the burden and committed to staying, but it was an eye-opener. I get down when I stop but feel amazing when I am hiking so I think it will be fine. Got out of bed at 7 am and left the shelter by 8. Had a bagel for breakfast because there was no water to cook with. I hiked part of the day with a kid from WH. Nice Kid, about to start college. He was in Kenya volunteering right before it destabilized. Left him when he needed a long rest and I continued on to eat lunch at Gooch Mountain Shelter with some folks from MN. Hiked onward and talked to some hikers who were waiting for a shuttle to a hostel in town at Woody Gap.It was tempting to go but it is only night 2 and that doesn't seem like a trend I want to start. Finished at 20 miles for the day. Big miles for early on, but I feel good. Pitched my tarp and I am camping by myself after a mac and cheese dinner. Going into Neel's Gap tomorrow where I can socialize, as I am a bit lonely and call home. I am excited to talk to Mom and Dad and Hannah.
Date: 2008-03-26
From: Just North of Dan Gap

To: Red Clay Gap
Miles today: 24.2

Another big day! tented alone last night. Got up at 6:30 and on the trail by 7:20. Made the 8+ miles to Neel's Gap by 11. Over Blood Mt. great view and a cool shelter. Blood's descent was hard: steep and rocky. Walasi-Y at Neel's Gap is pretty cool. Nice little outfitter, bought some Newtons. Talked to Mom a while which was nice. Hiked out and ate lunch at Tesnatee Gap. Ate with some other hikers which was nice. I could use the conversation. I considered staying at a shelter for the company tonight but decided to continue on and make it to Hiawasee tomorrow and stay in town. It's only been a few days but I could use it. I am not making many friends, well, none, because I am hiking much faster than everyone else. Being by myself is still pretty lonely but I am getting better. The hiking is still good so things are fine. I am cowboy camping just off the trail and will hopefully wake up dry and early for the 20 mile to Hiawassee. Got my knife stuck in a tree when I used it as a weight for my bear line. Not the first time this has happened in my life and I had to climb up and get it. Bagels and peanut butter for dinner, as I am too lazy to cook anything. Hopefully a real meal tomorrow.
Date: 2008-03-27
From: Red Clay Gap

To: Cloud 9 Hostel, Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Got out early, had a big day. Hot and sunny - over 70 degrees. A few big climbs. Starting to get tired so I decided to head in and take some rest. Finished my miles at about 3 pm and caught the shuttle to a hostel. Paid 10 bucks for camping, but got a shower, laundry, and some company. Met Carol and Tree from TN. Talked to them most of the evening, really nice people. Ate a big dinner from the grocery store. Talked to my folks and Hannah and got my email. Found out Brian Beachy passed away this week which is really sad and a real loss. Got to bed about 10:30 and slept under the stars. Beautiful night.
Date: 2008-03-28
From: Cloud 9 Hostel, Hiawassee, GA

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 24.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Got out at 9 am after one of the other hikers made an awesome breakfast - pancakes, bacon, good stuff. Packed up and left everyone I had met behind. Crossed into NC before noon. One state down. Planned on going to Standing Indian shelter and got there at 3, seemed too early to stop so I pushed on and did an extra 6 miles or so to Carter Gap. Knee got sore a few miles before the end but I felt good otherwise. Rain and Mist all day but nothing too heavy. A dog followed me for 15 miles and is here at the shelter with me. He is friendly and I decided to call him Banjo. Some church group is at the shelter, but they're staying in tents. They are praying around the fire. Young and excitable, but seem like good people. Looks like more rain tomorrow, but oh well, can't fight the weather. Starting to settle in and feel good out here. Long way to go.
Date: 2008-03-29
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: light rain

Had the shelter to myself until the rain started at about 11. Then the teens from the church group moved in because the tents leaked. Nice kids though - tried to be really quiet and were super respectful. One of them had a freak out when a mouse ran across their face. Pretty funny. Rain all day, hail in the morning. Hard climb up Albert Mt. Steep and slippery, really cool. Beautiful view. Another long day out felt good. The dog stayed with the church group. In the shelter again tonight. Good company: Thinker, Lotus, Hair Bear, and another (I forgot his name). Lipton dinner and I lost my spork. Bummer, but I will get another at the NOC. Looks like more rain ahead. Feeling pretty good.
Date: 2008-03-30
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center Bunkhouse
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Another rainy day. Nothing terribly exciting hiking wise. Fog all day so no good views. Picked up a trail name from Lotus. From here on out I am calling myself Marathon, which seems fitting. Was going to stay at a shelter, but felt energetic so I booked it to the hostel. Ate a huge (1 lb.) burger and some onion rings. Paid 17 bucks for a spot in the bunkhouse. Sharing a room with Columbus. Nice guy from NYC. Got a shower and called a few people. Good to talk to the guys back at the mansion. Talked to the rents and Hannah. Feels good to have a real bed.
Date: 2008-03-31
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center Bunkhouse

To: Cable Gap shelter
Miles today: 22.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Quick resupply at the NOC. Got a little food and some fuel. NOC is a weird paddling outpost and seems pretty yuppie and really expensive. Long miles again. Knee is still sore but getting better. Feet hurt and shoulders aren't great but I figure that's bound to happen. I camped with about 8 folks at the shelter, hopefully I can get a spot inside. Great people. Guy named Mouth is a riot. He bought a radio in Franklin, huge thing, and is packing it around without batteries so it's pointless. He talks all the time but it's funny. Into the Smokies tomorrow after I get Hannah's package at the post office.
Date: 2008-04-01
From: Cable Gap shelter

To: Russel Field Shelter
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: clear sky

Rained all night last night, but they squeezed me in on the edge of the sleeping platform in the shelter. Rained all the way into Fontana but cleared up when I got there. Tried hitch hiking the 2 miles to the post office but the only person to stop drove the shuttle into town. She gave me a ride to the P.O. and then, as I was getting out told me the shuttle was 2 dollars. I was a bit mad as I just would have kept hitchin if I had known it cost. Got my package from Hannah. It was fantastic. Cookies, Pierson's salted nut rolls, some news, which was great, and my little knife to replace the big one that I had to bring because I had lost the little one. There were also some photos from Houghton, which made me miss my friends. I got some food (resupply) and an older man bought me a powerade just as a gift, nice surprise. Tried using the internet, but the building was closed for the day. Fontana is a big tourist resort but it's the off season so it was weird and rubbed me the wrong way. Hitched back to the trail after not being able to make the phone calls I planned because there was no reception. Got a ride from the ridge runner who told me that the dam was closed to hikers and I had to take a 2.5 mile detour around. The detour was all steep climbs and covered in trees they just cut and left in the trail - it sucked. By the time I got into the Smokies I was feeling pretty tired and depressed. The climbs were long, I was exhausted. I went an extra 3.3 miles beyond my plan and am feeling a little better. Quiet shelter - big change from last night. Over Clingmans Dome tomorrow.
Date: 2008-04-02
From: Russel Field Shelter

To: Icewater Springs Shelter
Miles today: 30.2
Weather: clear sky

Huge Day! 30 miles over the highest point on the trail. Got started at 7:20 and barely stopped the whole way. Beautiful weather, sunny, probably 70 degrees. Got a pretty good sunburn on my arms. Climbed Rocky Top and sang the song the whole way up. Went over Thunderhead Mt and couldn't help thinking about hiking this part of the trail with Pete over a year ago. Just before Clingmans Dome there is a spot that brought to memory my first big backpacking trip with my brother and Ryan. It was the spot we had decided to bail because we were in over our heads. That was a 10 mile day, maybe. I just did 30 over the same terrain. I've come a long way in 5 years. Clingmans dome was a zoo with tons of gawking tourists who can't believe it's possible to walk to Maine. I spread the word about at4mld.org and hopefully we can get a donation or two out of it. It was a long 7 miles to Newfound Gap from Clingmans. At the Gap I ate and tried calling Hannah, but I couldn't find a plug so we only talked for like 3 minutes. Hiked the last 3 miles to the shelter, stretched, the got right in my bag. I am beat. Talking to a guy who hiked the trail in '92. Feeling better than last night. Sore but good. I like big days.
Date: 2008-04-03
From: Icewater Springs Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 27.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Long day. I felt pretty beat up after yesterday and was pretty sore hiking all day. Made good time over big miles despite feeling pretty poorly. Rained most of the day and thick fog, so not many good views. It was a cool hike along a high ridge that I am sure is really cool in good weather. Wind was really blowing all day. Blew hard enough to make me nervous crossing some high exposed areas. I am in the shelter with two other guys, both have been out over a month. They entered the Smokies the day I climbed Springer. Ate Lipton Chicken Noodles for dinner. I had sworn that stuff off, but it was alright tonight. I wish I would have made 2 packages as I had another and I am still hungry. My appetite is hopefully coming back after being down the past week or so. Hopefully I develop the "hiker hunger" I keep hearing about. I need to be able to eat more. Looking forward to Hot Springs the day after tomorrow. I need a shower and to wash my clothes and some section hikers I met will be hanging out there. Shorter day tomorrow and out of the Smokies. Short day (much needed and deserved) the day after. Feeling pretty good about being out here.
Date: 2008-04-04
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Walnut Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 23.6

Another day of rain, fog and wind. Ate my first hot breakfast of the trip. Knees felt bad for a few miles but were better when I got warmed up. Nice to cover some ground and not do such big miles. Went over Max Patch today. It's supposed to be really pretty. It's a large grassy field on top of a mountain. It was too foggy to see anything, kind of the story of the trip. Not much for views yet. Can't believe it has rained 10 of the 12 days so far. But no complaints as I have stayed dry and warm. Small Shelter. Full. One other thru-hiker, Tangent, and 3 section hikers. They lost their friend today and he never showed up at the shelter, good for me because there was room inside, but kind of scary. Mice to talk to these guys, really friendly. Looks like rain all night and mice in the shelter. Feeling good, less sore and lonely. I am getting used to this lifestyle. Into Hot Springs tomorrow.
Date: 2008-04-05
From: Walnut Mt. Shelter

To: Elmer's Hostel, Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: light rain

Woke up early after a restless night. Between being excited to get to town and the mice, plus being sore from too many big days I didn't sleep well. A group of four came up to the shelter from the road at about 11 pm. The shelter was full, it was raining and they had no tent so they just turned around and walked back out. Kind of weird. Short day into town. Staying at Elmer's. It's an awesome place. Cool house, nice people, great food. Makes it hard to leave tomorrow. Spent the day doing chores, laundry, email, resupply, and hanging out at the pub with Sharkey, Hungry, Shadow Cast, Tangent, and a few others. Nice to relax with good company. Got to talk to my folks and Hannah for quite a while, which was great. All rested for a big push to Damascus. Breakfast at the hostel in the morning then back on the trail. It was a really good day and made me happy to be here. This is a pretty cool town.
Date: 2008-04-06
From: Elmer's Hostel, Hot Springs, NC

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 26.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Got a late start after an awesome breakfast at Elmer's. Fresh fruit and all. Got out at about 9:30. Was hoping to catch the internet before I left town, but no luck. Fairly easy day. Some nice views along a knife edge ridge. A little rain in the morning after a hard night of rain. Fog the early part of the day then it cleared up and got nice and warm. Legs felt good after the rest day, but I didn't eat enough and got pretty tired. I ate instant mashed potatoes with some cheese and olive oil added. I figured it was like 800 calories but not enough and I am still hungry. I might need some more food before Damascus. It was kind of tough leaving this morning. After hanging out and having such a relaxing day with the other thru-hikers and then talking to friends and family back home for a while it was tough walking out and leaving that for more solo miles. Plus the bed and food at Elmer's was amazing, most comfortable bed I've ever slept in. I considered taking a zero day but once I was on the trail I felt better about moving on. Pack was heavy with 8 days of food. Feeling good now, legs and feet feel surprisingly good after 26 miles and there are good folks at the shelter.