morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-05-14
From: Daleville, VA. (Howard Johnson Inn)

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: overcast clouds

5-14 09 ThursdayI had a restless night last night. I had to get up and go to the bathroom about every hour. I don¢t know why. I went down to breakfast at 6:30 then back to the room and finished packing and took one last shower. I left the motel and walked the 0.2 mile back to the trail. It was 8:00. The trail was fairly easy today as it wound around hillsides and pastures for the first 3 miles. Then it went back into the forest but the foot bed was good and the climbs and descents were not steep. I got to Wilson Creek Shelter a little before 4:00. I thought about going on but I had had a good day and didn¢t want to ruin it. There are 11 people at the shelter but I don¢t know any of them. One of them is a full time volunteer for the ATC. Overall a good day. I¢m 1/3 done.
Date: 2009-05-15
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Stealth Camp (Jennings Creek)
Miles today: 16.8

5-15-09 FridayAbout 10 p.m. a thunder storm arrived. It lasted until 1 a.m. with heavy rain and lots of lightning and thunder. I stayed dry in my tent. I was on the trail a 7:30. There was a lot to see today. I saw 16 red spotted newts in the first 3 miles, rhododendrons in full bloom, lots of wildflowers, deer, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The trail ran beside the BRP for several miles, crossing it occasionally, and sometimes going through the overlooks. However, since I was in the clouds until afternoon I missed most of the views. Because of lack of water sources on the ridges I had to push on to Jennings Creek to spend the night.No Nails, a lady that was at the shelter last night, walked near me all day. When I got to Jennings Creek she was standing by the road wondering where to camp. I found a spot in the woods near the road. Normally we don¢t camp near roads but I was tired and needed to stop. There were two young guys in tents located farther back from the road than ours.One of them came over where we were and began talking to No Nails. I walked over and he introduced himself and promptly whipped out a big switchblade knife which he was obviously proud of to show me. He had one eye missing and looked like he had been in a lot of brawls. He also had a bottle of beer in his hand and was somewhat drunk. After he went back to his campsite No Nails said she was not going to stay there and packed up and left. After I had eaten I moved all my stuff to the other side of the creek for the night. While I was moving a U.S. Forest Ranger drove up and checked out their truck. At first he told me I couldn¢t camp on the other side of the river but finally gave in and agreed I could camp there if I didn¢t build a fire and was gone by 8 a.m. I¢m tired, but all in all another very interesting day.
Date: 2009-05-16
From: Stealth Camp (Jennings Creek)

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: overcast clouds

5-16-09 SaturdayI was up, had breakfast, and on the trail at 7:00. A short distance up the trail I found a cooler with apples, drinks, and Hershey¢s Miniatures in it. I took an apple and a couple of miniatures. I had a lot of climbing to do today and it seemed that¢s about all I did all day.I stopped for breaks at Bryant Ridge Shelter and Cornelius Creek Shelter and a few other spots. It was not an exciting day, just a day of hard work. I could hear cars on the BRP off and on all day but never saw them. I passed a huge FFA Rader Site on Apple Orchard Mtn. and walked under The Guillotine, a 3 foot boulder wedged between 2 other huge rocks. I crossed the BRP shortly before reaching Thunder Hill Shelter. I am in the shelter tonight and it started raining and lightning at dark. Boooom, that was a close one. I¢m glad I¢m in the shelter.
Date: 2009-05-17
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: overcast clouds

5-17-09 SundayIt rained all night but it was down to just sprinkles by sunrise. I fixed breakfast in the shelter, packed up and was on the trail at 7:30. I was the first one through the trail this morning so I thought I might see a bear or at least some deer. I didn¢t even see a squirrel. I walked 6 miles before anyone past me but saw no animals. The trail was very good for the most part with a few rocky spots and a few steep descents. A man was parked at Petites Gap and got out of his car when I approached it. We talked for a while about hiking and he gave me a donut. A little way up the trail I stopped for a break and No Nails, Rawhide, Skittles, and 2 others came by and said he had given them huge cinnamon rolls. They gave me one of those. It must have weighed a pound so I don¢t blame them for wanting to get rid of one of them. I promptly ate it and it was wonderful. It probably had 1000 calories in it. Later I was walking down a stretch of relatively flat trail and I looked ahead and a deer was standing in the trail. I took a picture of it then it moved 20 feet off the trail and just stood there while I passed. I took another picture of it as I walked past it. A few minutes later I saw a Pileated Woodpecker. I finally made it to Mattes Creek Shelter but decided to go on to John Hollow Shelter some 4 miles farther. It was a hard decision because my leg was killing me. But I wanted to get across the James River today. You cross it on the longest footbridge on the A.T. On the north side of the river were many rescue people, fireman, ambulances, and even a helicopter. I saw a canoe floating upside down and another one smashed up against the bridge piling. It seems some boy scouts overturned up river and had to be rescued. I reached Johns Hollow Shelter at 6:00. There is a large group of Boy Scouts here and 3 thru hikers. I set up my tent and cooked supper. I have to make a hard decision. It is one of the hardest decisions I have ever made. My leg is hurting real bad and is swelling and getting numb on the outside of my thigh. I have been hiking on a lot of Aleve for days and that is not good. I¢m afraid the time has come. I¢ve took all the pain I can take. I called Diana about 8:00 and told her she was going to have to come and get me. She said she would call me back at 10:00 after she made some arrangements to pick me up. She didn¢t call so I called her about 10:20. She said she was getting ready to leave. She was going to drive all night. I told her I would hike back out to the road in the morning and get a hitch into Glasgow and would meet her there.
Date: 2009-05-18
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

5-18-09 MondayI woke up at sunrise and cooked my breakfast while lying in my tent. It was cold this morning. After eating I packed up my gear and started hiking the 1.7 miles back out to the road, U.S. 501. I had taken my usual 4 Aleve tablets after I had eaten and my leg did not hurt too badly. About halfway to the road I met No Nails, Rawhide, and Skittles. They had stayed at a nearby campground last night. We said our goodbyes and I continued on to the road. I sat down on the guardrail and would get up when I saw a car or pick-up coming my way. After about a 12 hour a lady stopped and picked me up. When she saw that I was limping badly, as I always did after I had sat for a while, she got out of her car and helped me get my pack in the car. She took me to Glasgow where we met Diana going the other direction. I waved at her and she pulled off the street and we turned around and went back to met her. Again the lady I was with got my pack out for me and put in the Highlander. I thanked her for her kindness and she went on her way. I called Dr. Rang¢s office and made an appointment at 10:00 tomorrow morning to get my leg looked at. Since we were not far from the Dutch Haus B&B at Montebello, VA we decided to drive there to pick up a couple of boxes that were waiting for me to arrive. We retrieved the two boxes, one was still at the P.O., then decided that since it was only 27 miles via the Blue Ridge Parkway to Waynesboro, VA we would go ahead and drive there to pick up my bounce box that was waiting for me at the P.O. That done we headed for home arriving shortly after midnight.
Date: 2009-05-19
To: The Doctors Words
Miles today: 0.0

5-19-09 TuesdayI went to my appointment with Dr Rang this morning. It seems I have a serious stress fracture in my right tibia just below the knee. The x-ray also showed that I had a stress fracture in my left tibia at the same location. That was the one that I suffered through for 190 miles out of Hot Springs. Somehow it had healed enough with me walking on it that it had quit hurting although it still shows on the x-ray. I am in a leg brace with orders not to put any weight on my right leg. Dr. Rang said my A.T. hiking days are over for this year. He said I should be able to hike up to LeConte Lodge in September for our annual stay up there.
Date: 2009-06-01
To: Thanks To All
Miles today: 0.0

6-01-09 MondaySo ends the greatest adventure of my life. It was also the hardest adventure of my life physically. The last two weeks have been so hard emotionally for me, leaving the trail and all the people I had come to know, even if for just a brief time. It is truly a different way of life on the A.T. It is a community of its own. I did not accomplish my dream of thru hiking the A.T. but I did learn how it is done. I hiked 777.0 miles of some of the roughest parts of it. I was just getting into some of the gentler parts of the trail, at least until you reach Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. I don¢t know if I will return to the trail to try to finish it some time or not. Time will tell.I want to think all the people who helped in any way while I was on the trail.Your kindness will not be forgotten. And a special thanks to Mudflap for sticking with me and all the words of encouragement.
Date: 2009-11-18
To: 6 Months Later
Miles today: 0.0

It has been 6 months today since I left the trail at Johns Hollow Shelter with a stress fracture to my upper Tibia that my doctor describes as an 11 on a scale of 1 to 10. I visited my doctor today and he finally released me, sort of anyway. He still wants to see me in another 6 months and advised me not to do any extended hiking until next year. I have gained back the 43 lb. I lost on the trail and am now going to start watching my eating. I still miss being on the trail very much and daily check Trail Journals for any updates from the hikers I met while on the trail. My long range plan is to continue my hike in 2011 from where I stopped. I am going to obtain some lighter gear and hope to cut at least 5 lb. from what I was carrying this year. To all that completed the trail this year I say "Job Well Done'. To all that hiked this year I am proud to say "I'm Glad To Have Been One Of You."
Date: 2009-12-09
To: Last Thoughts
Miles today: 0.0

Last Thursday I loaded up my pack with all my gear and enough food for a couple of days and headed to the Hoosier National Forest for a little hike.I decided to hike the Two Lakes Loop Trail. It is a short trail, just 12 miles. It does share the path with the Southern split of the American Discovery Trail for a few miles. I needed to learn a couple of things just for myself. After being fairly inactive over the summer months to let my injuries heal I wanted to see how I could handle a 30 lb. pack. I also wanted to see if the desire to hike was still there as it was last Feb. when I left Springer Mtn. I left my car at 12:20 p.m. intending to hike 6 or 7 miles and set up my tent for the night and hike out the next day. When I reached the area where I was going to camp I had a lot of daylight left and just kept hiking. Then I got to thinking about how long 14 hours was going to be laying in a tent with nothing to do so I just hiked the rest of the way to the car arriving at 5:03.Not bad for 12 miles with a full pack and not being in shape. Oh I paid for it the next 3 days with sore muscles but I had answered my questions. I still love to hike. My leg held up o.k. But while I was hiking I also learned something else. It took the solitude of the forest, knowing I was not going to see another person out there for the 12 miles. The people I met on the A.T. were as much if not more of the hiking experience than the trail itself. Although I hiked by myself for 2/3 of the miles I was able to complete before my injury, it was the people that I came in contact with every day that made it the great experience that it was. Therefore, I want to thank each hiker that I met while on the trail, each trail angel, and each business person for making my hike a memorable event. I intend to return to the A.T. and try to complete it in a couple of years. It is still calling my name. I hope to meet some of you out there again.
Date: 2010-12-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today I started my training period for returning for another attempt to hike the entire trail. But I will be starting at the point where I was forced to leave May 18, 2009. So I will officially be a section hiker for the duration of this trip. Hopefully I will be starting near the middle of April, 2011 from the James River and retrace my steps to the Johns Hollow Shelter where I decided I could not continue due to an injury to my leg. From there I will continue my journey north. I am opening a 2011 journal today to record my attempt.
Date: 2008-07-03
To: I'm actually going!
Miles today: 0.0

I just got the word that my employers are going to let me take a sabatical next year. About 3 1/2 weeks ago, I approached one of my bosses about taking a journey and explained to him my desire to thru hike the Appalachian Trail. He was very receptive but told me he would have to talk to some other people first. Today I got the 100% go!I have bought all of my gear, except for some minor clothing, etc. Ordered my food dehydrator and my maps as soon as I got home tonight. Now it is time to plan and work on getting in shape. The plan is that my last day of work will be March 31, 2009 and leave for Springer Mountain April 3rd. Can't wait to get started!
Date: 2008-11-15
To: 5 Million Footsteps
Miles today: 0.0

A little history:The Appalachian Trail goes from Springer Mountain in North Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine, roughly 2,175 miles. It passes through 14 states and more than 60 federal, state, and local parks/forests, and typically takes between five and seven months to complete. Someone attempting to hike the trail in its entirety in a single season is known as a thru-hiker. Roughly 2,000 people attempt to make it each year, and only approximately 25% succeed. The youngest thru-hiker to finish was 6, and the oldest was 81. More than 9,000 people have reported hiking the length of the trail.The lowest elevation on the trail is 124 feet. The highest is 6,625 feet. There are 165,000 white painted blazes along the length of the Trail.
Date: 2009-01-01
To: It's Official
Miles today: 0.0

Happy New Year! It is officially the first day of 2009 - time to begin counting down to April 2 - 3 months to go! The plan is to drive to Georgia April 1st and spend the night. Then Mom and Dad will take me and Sharon (my hiking partner for the 1st week) to the top of Springer Mountain and walk to the top with us for the official start of this exciting journey. It is so close!I had a busy week off between Christmas and New Years (my last vacation time until I leave). Mom and I have been putting together meals from all the dehydrated foods we put up this summer. Got a lot done - still have quite a bit to do - but it feels good to know where we stand. I have been pulling stuff out and weighing all my gear and essentials. The goal is to keep the pack weight to under 35 pounds (hopefully closer to 30). One of my trail friends, Boo Boo (2007), has been helping me with this process. It is a hard process to whittle things down. Some things I am just going to have to deal with the weight of because of their importance, but others will be cut until warmer weather, etc.I cannot begin to thank my bosses for letting me take this sabatical. It really means a lot to me and will be a once in a lifetime experience that I won't soon forget. Mark, Tom, Brady, Mike, Jay and Phillip - thanks so much. I am also so thankful to be part of a wonderful church family who are excited, and apprehensive, about this trip. They have already told me that my name will be on the prayer list every week. Thank you Crosspoint and WGSSC!See you on the trail!
Date: 2009-02-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Six weeks to go. Mom and I have been dehydrating food like crazy - almost done with that part. Now we just have to make up a menu plan for her to pack and ship while I'm on the trail. I have been doing stairs with my pack and poles twice a week since the first of January and can feel myself getting stronger each time. Pack weight is everything - I have been revisiting each item to get a picture of the weight I will be carrying. Since getting caught in freezing rain, sleet and snow last year and not being prepared for it, warmth at the beginning is a big concern. I want to make sure I have enough clothes to layer up without feeling like I am carrying my whole wardrobe. I am sure I will be tweaking the list until I walk out the door.My friend who was going to go with me the first week has had to back out due to family obligations, so I will be solo sooner than planned. That's ok. I know I can do this and am very excited to get started!
Date: 2009-03-19
To: 2 weeks to go!
Miles today: 0.0

Two weeks from today I will begin my journey on the AT. Can't believe it is almost here - I've just been talking about and planning this for a year!- Dehydrated dinners almost completely done - 1 recipe left to put together;- Need to seem seal my tent;- Need to put Permethrin on my clothes;- Training continues;- Need to practice packing my backpack.The lady who is going to replace me during this sabatical at work starts next Wednesday and will work with me for 5 days. April 1 - Mom, Dad and I will drive to Georgia to spend the night and have some family time with my brother and his family. April 2 - Mom and Dad will take me to the parking lot at the top of Springer Mountain and we will all hike to the beginning of the trail, take the requisite pictures, I will sign the log book, we will head back to the truck for our good-byes and I will begin this incredibly exciting adventure. Can't wait!
Date: 2009-04-01
To: Happy Trails
Miles today: 0.0

My law firm gave me a Hit The Trail party on Monday! They have been so supportive of this adventure. Thanks, WJRB!Mom, Dad and I are getting ready to leave to drive to Atlanta, GA. Everything is packed (gosh this backpack is heavy!). We will be spending the night in Cumming, GA and will meet my brother Russell, his wife Betsy and one of their kids Tate for dinner. My other nephew is on a school trip - I'll miss seeing you Keb but hope you had a great time on your trip.From Trail Journals it looks like there are 49 hikers starting the trail today and 4 (including me) starting tomorrow. The weather in Suches, GA appears to be a 30% chance of rain tomorrow and then sunny and in the 60s until Sunday when there is another chance for some rain. Ahhh, Spring!Mom and Dad are going to drive me up the mountain and hike to Springer Mountain with me, then we will go back to the truck and I will put on my pack and head down the trail. It will be hard to say goodbye, but I know I can call them whenever I want to along the trail - whew!Only a few more last minute things: Feed the dogs and take them to the vet to board, finish loading the truck, pay some last minute bills and then we are on our way!
Date: 2009-04-02
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: light rain

Well, my first day is behind me. Mom, Dad and I got up early, ate breakfast and hit the road to Springer Mountain. They hiked with me to the beginning of the trail where I was labeled hiker 603 for the year and hiker 10 for the day. After getting the relevant pictures we headed back to the parking lot so I could load up and begin the journey.It was very hard to leave them at the truck and walk away from them. I was leaving my best friends behind, not to see them for a long time. Thank goodness there was another hiker who was having similar problems - Randy from Kentucky was very apprehensive about leaving as well. We teamed up and walked together all day and camped side by side that night. It was nice to have someone to talk to and commisserate with. It rained most of the late afternoon and we were drenched by the time we made it to the shelter. Of course, the shelter was full so we had to set up camp in the rain - everything I had was wet. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day - both weather wise and emotionally.
Date: 2009-04-03
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Justus Creek
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The rain lasted all night and the wind was howling when we got up. We were planning to get to Gooch Gap Shelter - another 7 mile day. Things didn't work out the way we planned. Yesterday's rain as well as the hiking put a silver dollar-sized blister on the back of Randy's heel. Very painful. We set out from Hawk Mountain and got as far as Hightower Gap, less than a mile away, and he had to stop. He decided to catch a ride to Suches and seek medical treatment - knew he could not make it up Sassafras Mountain the way he was hurting. So I set out alone. It wasn't long before I came across some section hikers. They were Mike and Vicky (husband and wife) and Karen from Columbus, GA. I hiked with them the rest of the day and had a very good time. They were such friendly folks. They were pushing on to Justus Creek campground so I stayed with them. Found a pretty place to camp that night and Mike built a fire which we all enjoyed. Took several pictures which I will upload when I get a chance. They were all impressed that I was thru-hiking and I gave them my journal address.Not a cloud in the sky all day - YEA!
Date: 2009-04-04
From: Justus Creek

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept really good for the first night. Got up early and was the first one out of the camp site this morning. I did not see the others for the rest of the day. Mike's knee had been really bothering him so they were probably taking it very easy today. They were heading for Woody Gap today and I had decided I would try for there too as I needed to get into a town and get a new watch battery. Mine died some time last night. Can't go without my watch!So anyway, I hiked completely by myself for the first time. It was great! Took breaks whenever I wanted them and didn't have to push or be pushed. I got out my MP3 player and listened to the radio for a while and then switched to my praise albums. Down at Gooch Gap I came across a picnic and was invited to sit in. It was a large family, some of whom had hiked parts or all of the AT before so had a nice time visiting with them. I wasn't hungrey but did get a cup of juice which hit the spot. Made it to Woody Gap and found 2 other hikers - Seattle Sailor and Eric. They had called for a ride to a hotel and I joined them. The local hostel was full but they offered to take us to Wal-Mart and to the hotel. Was able to get my watch battery replaced and get some stuff I needed at the pharmacy. Got a room at the Super 8 Motel in Dahlonega - McDonald's across the parking lot! Got a burger and fries. Also called home to talk with Mom and Dad. That was great. After reorganizing my pack I called it a day. Our ride said she would pick us up at 8 to go back to the trail - what nice folks at the Hiker Hostel!