morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-03-28
To: You guys are awesome!
Miles today: 0.0

Last night was an evening for festivities! My wife pulled together an awesome sendoff party and we were joined by tons of friends and family to enjoy BBQ, cocktails and a bit of Appalachian Trail trivia. I set out my fully loaded pack for anyone who wants to shrug into my Maine-ready ride, and later amaze folks with my magic act as I unload the contents and leave them scratching their heads in wonder that this yard sale cache of merchandise strewn about the porch somehow was moments before all tucked delicately into what is essentially a medium size duffle bag. Thanks to everyone who joined and a big thanks to Laura J. for bringing a surprise gift box of custom coozies emblazoned with my trail name, Avatar, and the year, 2010. These made awesome party gifts for the guests! The Trail trivia contest was fun and ended with a 3-way tie for first, each getting 6 of 10 answers correct.I now enter my last week of preparation, turning a final critical eye to my gear and the trail ahead. Inside of two weeks till departure and it feels really close, the thought occasionally triggering that butterfly feeling you get after the bar comes down on the the roller coaster but before the cars lurch forward. I've done everything I can to give my myself the greatest possible chance of success and now look forward to the journey ahead.
Date: 2010-04-01
To: Show and Tell
Miles today: 0.0

The school day starts similar to most others; up at 7:00ish, dress myself, dress the kids, quick breakfast and out the door with my son into the crisp morning air by 7:45 for the walk to school. The difference is that setting out today I'm garbed in full hiker regalia including loaded pack, shoes, gators, walking staff, and A.T. map. I've been asked to give a talk to my son's kindergarten class about my upcoming hike and today is the day I test my presentation skills before a group of 6 year olds -- and ok, yes, I'm a little excited. To share my hike experience with my children, to make it accessible and memorable, has always been one of my answers to the 'Why do you want hike the A.T.' question; sharing it with this larger group of kids is even more rewarding. At school I wait off to the side of the classroom as the kids filter in and survey this stranger in their environment, and as the morning bell rings I'm momentarily caught up in a swirl of nostalgia as the principal makes the morning announcements (in English and Spanish), the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. Connor's teacher makes a brief introduction and then invites the kids to sit on the floor in a semi-circle around me. I feel like the patriarch of the clan with all of these eager young faces positioned in a crescent around me. I engage them by asking how many have been on a hike before and am answered with a sea of little waving arms and hands. It's only 8:00am but clearly this is an enthusiastic bunch! Next I pull out my A.T. map and get down to business, having the students help me count the number of states through which the A.T. progresses. After counting off all 14 states the show-and-tell begins in earnest. I set my pack between legs and engage the kids with a question about each item before retrieving it from my pack, "It rains a lot on the trail so what do you think I need when it rains?" Shouts of "umbrella" go up before someone says "raincoat", at which time I pull out my raincoat and pants. We proceed in this manner with each item in my pack and the kids really seem to enjoy it, asking lots of questions. The biggest hit is the last compression sack I pull out of the bottom of my pack, and the kids marvel as I pull out my Marmont Pinnacle sleeping bag which quickly fluffs up to several times the size of its' comparatively small container. I complete my David Copperfield act by proceeding to make this huge bag disappear back into the small sack. After this my time is up but before I leave Connor's teacher snaps a photo with the class which I already hold as a cherished memory and recognize as a gift that the Trail has given me before I've even started on my journey.
Date: 2010-04-03
To: Last Things
Miles today: 0.0

At just under 1 week till departure I find myself swept up in a vortex of new emotions. For months I've been looking forward, planning and imagining myself on the trail, reading forums, gathering information on gear, resupply and any other number of minute details, eager for my upcoming walkabout over hill and dale. Occasionally moments of anxiety would penetrate into my psyche, usually coinciding with me resting comfortably in bed, hand on remote and one eye on the rain outside, but these were passing moments and soon mastered. Only in this last week have I begun to look back, entertaining intense feelings of melancholy and nostalgia for all manner of things around me. My chest and stomach feel like a wet towel twisted tight to wring out the last drops water and I'm aware of 'last' things all around me - a last meal at a favorite restaurant, a last walk with my son to school, a last soccer practice. Only in this final week has it become wrenchingly apparent of the things that I will be walking away from as I don my pack to walk forward on the trail. I will miss my family terribly. My sense is that these feelings will level out once I hit the trail and find myself fronting new experiences and the essentials of nature but this is little solace. I will call home at each phone opportunity, send postcards, and have plans to meet up with my wife and kids at least once during my hike and again at the finale, and my wife again at Harper¢s Ferry, but for the moment ideas of high adventure on the trail are reined in as my thoughts go to the last goodnight kisses I'll share with my wife and kids for the next 5 months.
Date: 2010-04-09
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: clear sky

...2171 to go. And so my adventure begins. I get a late start on the day setting out around 10:00a from Amicalola with Rox and the kids who will deliver me to Springer Mtn. It rained ferociously yesterday at which point I joke to Rox that day 1 would have been a zero if I had to set out in such a mess, but today is clear albeit noticeably cooler and windier. The plan is for the family to accompany me on the first mile to the Springer terminus but this is quickly scuttled with the temps and wind as they are. Neither Rox or the kids have the proper attire and it would be foolish to force the issue so we say our goodbyes in the parking lot. Saying goodbye is difficult and I clutch each one for long moments, holding on for a period of time that still doesn't seem long enough. We exchange I Love Yous and my wife tells me to have fun on my adventure. Leaving them voluntarily for this length of time is one of the hardest things about the Trail, which I technically haven't even started yet. I set off, facing a cold, windy footpath and am startled and caught off guard when Connor's voice peels through the air from the car driving off, "I love you Daddy!", followed quickly by Iowa loudly chirping the same sentiment. My voice cracks and I tear up as I echo it back to each of my children. Despite the weather I quickly warm up as I climb to the terminus with my 33lb pack. A.T. caretaker 'Many Sleeps' is there to greet me, officially sign me in and snap off a couple photos. I pause momentarily to pick up 4 small pebbles, 1 for each member of my family, that I intend to deliver to Mt. Katahdin before setting out northward. The walk is pleasant, heading gradually downhill the first 4 miles before climbing the remaining 4 to Hawk Mtn. Shelter where I camp for the night. Other hikers straggle in throughout the day and by nightfall all ideas of a solitary first night are put aside as I count at least 20 tents plus more in the shelter. I've opted to stay in my tent so I can get comfortable with the process of setting and breaking camp. Not sure how far I'll go tomorrow but I feel good today.
Date: 2010-04-10
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I have a fitful sleep last night as I acclimate to the new sounds, environment and sleeping outdoors -- wind in the trees, branches rubbing, occasionally snapping, echoes of distant campers in the area. Two noises in particular snap into my consciousness, the first a pair of owls (which I think at first are turkeys since they opted for less traditional owl sounds) chatting loudly and animatedly and the second is an army helicopter apparently on night maneuvers. It's well known that the Army Rangers use the area for training and the consensus is that this must have been the case.I awake at a normal-ish time, 7:15a, and rise slowly to begin breaking camp. My technique clearly needs perfection as I pack and re-pack bags only to realize that I have still left some things out. I would call my progress 'methodical' as opposed to simply slow but regardless it's 9:15 when I turn my back to Hawk Mtn shelter and set out on the trail.The day is perfect, temps around 50, clear, sunny sky and the gentlest breeze. There will absolutely be rainy days ahead but this is the kind of day you picture in your mind when you first entertain the thought of hiking the A.T. I start in pants and sleeves but shed them within the first hour. The trail starts out downhill for about 2 miles before entering the first climb and subsequently descending to the first gap. A word about gaps -- although this is only day 2, 'gap' is a word that I approach leerily and with caution. In my grand 2 days of experience it's not the mountains that pose the greatest challenge but rather the climb out from the bottom of a gap, as a gap is essentially a mountain in reverse. I now count gaps as well as mountains when looking at the next day's terrain. Today there are 2 gaps, both steep with numerous switchbacks up. I take short halting up these traverses, careful not to overdo and telling myself that Maine is the goal so don't blow up on day 2. At the top of the first gap I'm treated to a spectacular postcard panorama of low hills in the foreground and mountains in the distance. I stop here on a rocky outcropping to snack and take in the view.The second gap is Cooper Gap, also steep but rewarded with a perfect gradual downhill slope for the next couple miles. The terrain also quickly changes from mostly brown and leafless to verdant green with leaves overhead. Usually this is a sign that abundant water is near and sure enough I cross a full swelling stream shortly after. The shelter is a little over a mile further from the stream and I make the time quickly. I'm more fatigued today and I think a bit dehydrated as well. I rest, eat, drink water and try to recover in the afternoon before turning in to a calm still night under the stars.
Date: 2010-04-11
From: Gooch Mountain

To: Woods Hole
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: clear sky

Sleep continues to be a challenge, coming in fits and starts, and I awake feeling groggy and not as rested as I had hoped. Unlike the previous evening last night was absolutely still, no wind, no branches rubbing or leaves rustling, just silent and chill. I realize it will take some time to adjust to sleeping outdoors but this is little consolation when my body is acclimating to the miles and fatigue and good rest is what it really needs to help recover. It's a big adjustment going from a climate controlled environment and comfy king size bed to sleeping in the confines of a mummy bag in the cold that at times still finds ways to penetrate my 15 degree rated bag and send a slight shiver through my body. The learning curve is steep in all of this but like each hill I climb I ascend this one patiently and doggedly as well.I get an earlier start and am encouraged by my 8:40a departure from the shelter. Setting out it seems that the trail is determined to spoil me with idyllic conditions, a crisp sun breaks over a crisp morning sky in a crisp 50 degrees. With every step I walk with spring and new growth and life beckons all around me. Tiny plants shoot up through the brown leafy covering and the trees are tinged with the first fingertips of new life uncurling from brown gnarled branches; all of this green bears the waxy radiant newness that pops in to welcome the warming sun and young season.Two hours into my hike I stop to pump water, pause, rest my legs and have a snack. This is my version of the pull over drive thru rest stop, with a babbling stream emanating from the ground below the rock on which I sit, the sun shining brightly, insects flitting in the air and a magnificent smoky blue tinged view of the tree filled valley below and mountains beyond. I sit thinking this is one of those moments you want to hold on to.The day heats up and by afternoon the gentle warming has turned into a hot sun eliciting pearls of sweat from my brow. I'm more conscious of my food and fluids today and tell myself to drink at least 4 liters of water before reaching the shelter. My destination for the night is Woods Hole Shelter, a beautiful little stop with 2 unfortunate drawbacks of 1) being located a half mile off the trail, and 2) a water source that is a good 5 minute walk away. These might sound like small inconveniences and in the grand scheme that's true but after hiking 12 miles these little extras add up. I'm the first to arrive at the shelter but 5 others join me at the site before nightfall, Firefox, Hotfoot, BC, Jester, and Deja Thru. I'm exhausted from pulling a long day and finally get some decent rest although I still don't make it through the night. It's a good thing I already have a trail name though since apparently my deep sleep resonated in the night.
Date: 2010-04-12
From: Woods Hole

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: clear sky

Today is a 'Nero' (near zero) at just under 4 miles and I'm glad for it. I check into the Walasiyi Hostel where $15 gets a bunk, shower and access to laundry. I also resupply my stores and mail a few items home that had already revealed themselves as dead weight. The day is light, easy and relaxing with ample time to take care of 'chores'. This place is geared for the hiker community so if you forgot it or it ain't working then they got what you need. The shower is particularly enjoyable after my days on the trail and later Miss Janet, the proprietor, fixes a de-lish spaghetti and meat sauce dinner, garlic toast, and banana pudding for dessert, all on a donation basis. My accomodations are spartan at best consisting of a simple bunk, in a room containing 18 bunks, but I look forward to a night under a roof. The adventure continues in earnest tomorrow after this brief respite.
Date: 2010-04-14
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Tray Mountain
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

My morning commute begins at 8:00. The sun casts its morning radiance over my right shoulder as I make my way along a gently undulating ridgeline. In the distance to my right rises a majestic mountain range shrouded in smoky blue haze. The Bloodroot and Toadshade Trillium alongside the trail open their petals in cheerful morning greeting. My body moves down the trail with the steady rhythmic motion of a metronome, feet and ankles gently crunching the ground, adjusting subconsciously to rock, branch, root and twig. A large black ant skitters across my path in its own helter skelter commute; a small lavender butterfly flits about; silken strands of spider web glisten, charged by the light of the morning sun; birds chirp their morning melody from the branches. The trail is carpeted with the brown detritus of a billion leaf bits, churned and pulped by the hikers who've preceded me, mostly oak with a sprinkling of pine. I don't walk alone but am accompanied exactly stride for stride and measure by measure by my silent companion, cast long on the ground to my left. I cross a small babbling stream at one point, and later a rock effacement covered with a gentle cascading flow of water and the green moss that thrives in the presence of this wet, rocky medium. I walk through a cathedral; hallowed ground, pure and unspoiled, standing and evolving as it has for hundreds of millions years to a time when these mountains were young, just beginning to stretch and distinguish themselves from the land around them. This is my morning commute.
Date: 2010-04-15
From: Tray Mountain

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: few clouds

I head out of Tray Mountain shelter around 8:00a. Today's destination is Hiawasse, GA and the comfort of bed, roof, and shower. This is ample motivation. The only significant climb comes at 5.5 miles into the day starting at Kelly Gap, elevation 3200ft, climbing to the top of Kelly Knob, elevation 4500ft, a gain of about 1300ft in just over 1 mile. I eat a Clif Bar in advance and get the iPod out for this climb, and on the climb sweat pours down my brow and off the brim of my hat. The climb is a beast but I push up at my steady pace. I don't like to stop on the climbs as I find it harder to stop and start than to just keep churning.Mostly downhill to our destination at Dick's Creek Gap, but the truth about downhills is that I find them harder than the ups, jarring the knees and smashing the feet around in the shoes. I run out of water 2 miles before Dick's Creek but am so focused on getting there that I don't stop to refill. Firefox, Hotfoot and I decide to share a room in Hiawassee and reach the Gap together. I'm hot, tired and delirious and at the Gap a guy that looks like Cooter's cousin from the Dukes of Hazard, driving a red pickup with wooden fence rails rigged to the sides, offers rides to hikers at $5 a pop. Hot and tired we don't hesitate in accepting the ride and pile into the back of this red rattletrap. We find out later at the Inn that they would have picked us up for free.We stay at the Hiawassee Inn and split the room 3 ways, $18 a head not bad. The room is large enough that I can spread out both my tent and sleeping pad to apply silicone that hopefully will help with my slippery tent. I do what is becoming routine town stuff; shower, laundry, resupply, tend to any gear needs, and talk with family back home. At night we eat at Smokes BBQ before settling in.
Date: 2010-04-16
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: few clouds

Awoke this morning at the Hiawassee Inn around 6:45a after a good and much needed nights sleep. A note about the Hiawassee Inn, if you walked into this place from anywhere but off the trail you'd turn around, get your money back and move on, however as hikers, as long as the sheets are clean and the shower has hot water then you tend to be pretty tickled . They kindly shuttle us back to the trail in the morning and I'm back on the trail by 9:20.I notice that my pack belt always seems to feel a little bit tighter after a visit to town, most likely courtesy of the Dairy Queen Flamethrower Supersize Combo and Blizzard for lunch and BBQ brisket sandwich and fried okra for dinner. The morning hike is nice, ascending gradually over the first few miles. My routine has been to hike without my iPod until 12:30ish when the heat begins to ratchet up and the first signs of fatigue begin to set in. The thrill of the day comes around 1:30p when I come across an otherwise inconspicuous tree with a small wooden sign pegged that says simply 'N.C./G.A.', and with that I've bagged my first state, moving on now to #2, North Carolina. City Squirrel is with me and we snap pics for each other, spending a few minutes savoring the passage across our first state line. My friend, Firefox, walks up shortly after and I cheerfully state, 'Let me be the first person to welcome you to North Carolina'. It's feels odd to think that I've actually now walked to N.C., a state I've driven to so many time before. Shortly after the sign we pass the iconic tree that serves as another NC indicator.The trail in NC immediately out of GA is a new trail entirely and not in a good way. It ascends straight up a mountain without any significant switchbacks to lessen the slope, as steep as anything I've climbed in the first week. There are blowdowns and brush near the trail as well. I pass Coop on this climb who turned 74 yesterday. He has white hair and a well kept white beard and the kind of khaki shorts and shirts attire you see on the guides in the African bush. This is his second thru, completing his first attempt when he was 65, and has many stories. I remind him that the oldest thru-hiker is 81 years old so he's got him in sights. He just laughs and acknowledges that this is probably his last thru, though certainly not his last hike. Shelter arrival is around 3:00, fairly early allowing plenty of time for chores, eating, and relaxing where for the latter we sit on a rocky outcropping watching the sun set over the valley below.
Date: 2010-04-17
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: broken clouds

Welcome to the A.T. Hike-Thru Cafe. The menu for Saturday, April 17 is as follows:7:50a - Promax Bar (Cookies @ Cream). I don't love these but the Ingles had already been raided by hikers ahead of me so I give these a try. They sit a little heavy in my stomach but are packed with protein.9:20a Fiber One Bar. Not bad, I think of this as my second course for breakfast.10:20a - Granola to Go packet (wild blueberry walnut, with flax seed). I discovered these at the Hiawassee Ingles as I'm looking for a granola-type snack and absolutely LOVE them. Tastes like the crumbly stuff they put on the top of a blueberry muffin. Yumm!10:50a - Clif Bar (Chocolate Chip). This is a pseudo early lunch today. I like the Clif bars but can already tell I'll have to be careful to not overdo and spoil my appetite with them. My lunch preference for the moment is the Big Sur Bar packed with 600 calories but these are somewhat of a specialty item I've only seen once at an outfitter.1:40p - Cheese Whiz (sharp cheddar) and Ritz Crackers. I arrive at the shelter early today and this snack hits the spot. Too soon to tell but this could be a trail staple for a while.2:20p - Blueberry Pop Tarts. Still hungry after the Ritz and Cheese so decide to toss back a pack of this wholesome goodness.5:30p - Packet of Idahoan Four Cheese Mashed Potatoes (with salt, pepper, and dash of creole seasoning lent to me by Dennis (no trail name yet)), drink mix. The potatoes are a first and actually pretty tasty.