morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-04-23
From: Hampton, TN ( Kinkora Hostel )

To: Hampton, TN
Miles today: 0.0

Friday evening about 6:30 PM dad heard from Dwight. Seems he's still at Kinkorra Hostel taking in the best of what the trail can offer. He did slack the 23 miles from 19E back to Hampton one day and another 9 miles north from here on another, but other than that, he's been relaxing.Sundance had had enough so took off this morning but Dwight, QuietGuy and HeyBob ( or "Cranky Ole Bastard" as I heard him called) are taking another day here. Says they're joining a trail gang for trail work tomorrow - Saturday. I see it as just another convenient excuse for spending a weekend in some remote hill town where carding hasn't been done since prohibition! Dwight also retold some story of the "swimming hole" which sounds a little chilling given they were slugging through snow a little over a week ago.Seems Dwight also ran into GRACE ( oh dare I mention her name here - sure, it's worth a load of views by the mere mention of her name - GRACE, GRACE, GRACE! ). Seems she back section hiking "packless" with Cheers. Can't keep the trail out of your mind for long - maybe it's better now that the f*&&^%ng snow is gone.In a way to appease dad, Dwight's parting words were "I'll make up for lost time in Virginia and Pennsylvannia where it's all flat." Then he carried on further with, "oh yeah, I'll be spending less money cause there won't be so many trail towns." Does it say SUCKER on my back? Nice try son!!
Date: 2004-04-25
From: Hampton, TN

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: light rain

After spending Saturday doing volunteer trail work, Dwight and crew (HeyBob, MakeMyDay, TT, and another) hiked out of Hampton (finally!) north bound on 321 beyond Watuga Lake area to Iron Mountain Shelter.Monday alittle before noon Dwight called to say there were stranded at Iron Mountain Shelter trying to sit out a torential downpour that has been pounding against the roof of the shelter for better than 13 hours now. I could hear the pitter patter of rain throughtout the call; they're hoping it breaks so they can get on another 7 to 10 miles. Damacus, VA within 2 days leaving behind GA, NC, and TN. I think Dwight's forgetting that VA represents 500 miles, nearly 25% of the AT!
Date: 2004-04-26
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: moderate rain

"Riding the Storm Out" That's what Monday was all about - spent the whole day staying dry penned up at Iron Mountain Shelter. Rain just wouldn't let up and we couldn't see getting all wet and muddy - at least not to the degree that this down pour would likely leave us. Up at crack of dawn today (Tuesday) ready to tackle the trail after a day of laying about (napping). Trucking to Abingdon Gap which will leave us about 10 miles shy of Damacus - a full 300 miles from Fontana Dam and the start of those damn Smokies. We'll be taking in the "Damacus challenge" shortly after noon tomorrow. Damacus will be a short visit this time as we're coming back here for "Trail Days" which from what we've heard is more like "Trail Daze." Some pretty wild partying going on; one AT Lager after another!!Later on that same day: Dwight - this is dad talking; you're food drop including your lost-broken-found-returned-repaired glasses ($$$$)will be at Mt. Rogers Outfitters at 110 Laurel in Damascus WEDNESDAY via UPS NEXT DAY AIR!! Just another $44 on top of an already expensive "walk in the park."
Date: 2004-04-27
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

Dad journaling for Dwight ( oops - I mean Syracuse! ). He called from 1-street Damacus, as proprietor of Hiker Inn told me - "we're a NO LIGHT town" and I'm presuming that this means that there is no traffic light and not that electricity hasn't found its way there yet! Anywho, Dwight meandered into town about 11 AM and went straight to the Side Track Cafe to accept his "Damascus challenge"; a family-sized callazone that AT hikers are challenged to eat in a single seating. Dwight had no problem confronting the challenge and completing it! When asked about where he's spending the night, he calmly replied "wherever." He was sitting across the street from Mt. Rogers Outfitters awaiting the arrival of BROWN, the UPS overnight box containing food, snacks but more importantly his "trail magic" glasses!Lastly, he indicated that he's sending home his stove and fuel bottle having made an alchol one from soda cans. Seems TT has done this before and he's sharing his talents with Dwight. Carrying rubbing alcohol in plastic soda bottle easier than stove fuel. Dwight's also been whinning to mom about how he is sweating at night in his present sleeping bag, and that his shoes are too heavy and he'd be better off in "Trail Runners." Lastly, his final ploy was that he's got a 7# backpack for 20# of gear and he needs to cut back his pack weight so he can toss the boots in favor of the "Trail Runners." My only response was to tell him to keep the weight, stick with the boots and heavy pack and sleep on top of the bag in your $50 silk liner that you had to have! Damn, this trail excursion ( or is it extravaganza!! ) is costing us dearly. Who ever said that a year in college would be more than 6-months on the trail? They obviously don't know Dwight!
Date: 2004-04-29
From: Damascus, VA

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Dwight texted my phone to say his pack weight is way down; gave up his 7# alone pack in favor of Clint's lighter one - Clint being independently wealthy or at least having once upon a time earning a living - has money of his own and bought a new one. Dwight did take me (us) for a new pair of Trail Runners at Mt. Rogers Outfitters. I think he was a little miffed when I gave the woman behind the counter my credit card # but wouldn't give it to Dwight. You see, Dwight in an outfitters is like Tim from Tool Time in a Home Depot!He did have something nice to say; namely that our drop box was the best yet with assorted candy and power bars. He also appreciated the reunion with his glasses that he lost in the Smokies and miraculously reappeared 10 days later in a pub from some fellow hiker. That's a whole nother story, but this is the AT and it's full of stories.
Date: 2004-05-08
From: Bland, VA ( Big Walker Motel )

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: light rain

HeyBob, QuietGuy, and Dwight (aka Syracuse) continue northbound towards their Perisburg destination where Mrs. HeyBob is going to pick them up (on the 12th) for their return to Damacus for TrailDays (or is it Daze).Dwight's got his specific order list for us to get to Mrs. HeyBob - namely jeans and shirt that isn't trail wear. I don't get this - it's 30,000 trail folks in a town of 900 and Dwight doesn't want to be in trail garb!! What he has specially requested (besides continued financing) is a cooler full of spirits. I did pick them up some of Vermont's best micro when I was there on business Thursday - "Hit the Trail" Stout from Long Trail Brewery and some others.
Date: 2004-05-09
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Trent's Grocery Store
Miles today: 15.0

Dwight, QG, HeyBob and Monkey Man (along with their 4-legged friend who has now taken on the trail name HeyDog!) tented outside the store. Dwight, QG and the Monkey hiked out to Dismal Falls with a 12-pack of "Beast" (a.k.a. Milwaukee's Best) to take a dip. They did their dip, drank their beverage and returned to Trent's to feast on a cheeseburger.
Date: 2004-05-10
From: Trent's Grocery Store

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Dwight and company taking slow days - can't go beyond Perisburg since that's where HeyBob's wife, Nancy, will be picking them up on Wednesday. They also can't get there too quick or they'll have to pay for motel rooms! There's a formality in staying at Woods - you only get one night! Dwight reports that as they were coming over the ridge, hail the size of "marbles" or as he told his mother "ping pong balls" descended from above peening his arms and head. He said that they were especially sore on his ears and knuckles. Given another couple of days, the hail boulders will have grown to the size of "grapefruit!" Fisherman have their tall tales but AT hikers are not to be out done - long days on the trial with only granola to feed on leaves their mind vulnerable to turning fable into fact. Did I say "grapefruit" cause they were really like "watermelon."
Date: 2004-05-15
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Trail Days is nearing its end here in Damascus. It's been everything I expected and more... MUCH MORE! Thursday morning QG, Hey Bob, the two Brits Chappo and Reader, and I piled ourselves into Hey Bobs van to make the pilgrimage to Damascus for Trail Days. I was very excited to see that Hey Bob really was full of it when he said all my parents were sending down was a 36 pack of Mountain Dew. The amount of beer my parents sent down was more than enough for our group to enjoy several times over. Thank you! Thursday evening I hit up the Old Mill for some great live music, Yo Momma's Big Fat Booty Band was funky, real funky. They played some Herbie Hancock, some Zappa damn it was nice to hear some quality live music.Yesterday was spent drinking, yes all day. The drum circle was intense, the energy felt in that group last night was amazing... as a matter of fact, I'm going to head back to the campground now to catch tonights circle. From the Side Track Cafe... I'm out.~Cuse
Date: 2004-05-16
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: light rain

Dwight called Sunday after departing Damacus and "Trail Daze." He hitched a ride up to Pearisburg to start back on his conquest of the AT - perhaps now he'll start the serious portion of the trek! I had a meeting this morning with a customer who lives 1/2 mile from the AT outside Manchester Center, VT and he's already seen a thur-hiker that far north this year! Dwight sounded like he drowned his sorrows good and he'd better have cause he trekking solo for now with HeyBob jumping back on the trail Saturday and QuietGuy returning to Maryland to see his fiance graduate (guess that's important!!). They all plan on joining up again by May 30th in Waynesboro where they're disembarking on a 100-mile AQUA-BLAZE portion of the trail. Even Syracuse's Dad is looking to joining the them for the water portion!!
Date: 2004-05-23
From: Lost Spectacles Gap

To: Campbell Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

What a day! Started out beautiful; went thru Catawaba VA and upp McAfee's Knob (3197 ft). Threatening rain clouds ( heard of tornados in mid-West yesterday and throughout last week ) and high tailed it for shelter. Gear is dry and aim to keep it this way! HeyBob ahead, QG behind and Sundance with me!
Date: 2004-06-12
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Dahlgren Back Pack Campground
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: broken clouds

Yes, Syracuse is back on the TRAIL. I had a long, arduous trek north from Troutville. I've heard it termed it as "Virginia Blues" but I think it was more like 3-month AT blues; I needed a break and since my dad was down for the Aqua Blaze from Waynesboro to Berrysville, it made for a convenient excuse to take a week off. Dad had warned me that "waking up day after day to the same routine has to be boring" but a couple of days home and the boredom of the trail won out over life at home. Dad, sisters Amelia and Hannah, and Amelia's latest boy Jamie chased me over the Potomac and into Maryland for about a mile before doing an aboutface and returning to Harpers Ferry. When I last saw them, I was hell bent to make it to Pennsylvannia and the real 1/2 way point by Monday! Life back on the trail is GREAT!!Took in dinner this evening at the Old South Mountain Inn which has been here in business since 1732! Food was outstanding and ambiance was way too much wasted on this hiker!! Thankfully since this was my first day back on the trail in a week, I hadn't built up that offensive odor for which many of my previous hiker buds so noted me for.While I wasn't able to translate trail magic into some magic with the ladies at home during my week there, it didn't take long on back on the trail for it to reappear. See, during the day I bumped into Roman Noodle, a Georgia doctor and his wife, who I'd criss-crossed paths with several times during my months on the trail. It was their idea to give the Old South Inn a try, but they warned "it's a bit fancy!" Fancy in the South must be code word for expensive as the cheapest thing on the menu was $17! But a trail man's hunger knows not the depth or breadth of ones wallet so I caved in with escargot for an appitizer, fillet mignon, and shared a bottle of wine to wash it all down with. When we're all done, Noodle and his bride announce that it's their anniversary and my dinner is their treat!! MAGIC!!
Date: 2004-06-13
From: Dahlgren Back Pack Campground, MD

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter, MD
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Ultra light pack is way to go! Traded in my 7.5# / 5,000 cubic inch North Face pack for Quiet Guy's lighter construction 4,500 cubic inch when he purchased his new ultra-light pack. It avoided him sending it home and cut some weight from mine. The extra cubic inches were a waste since I sent my winter gear home weeks ago. While home I bought a new Granite Gear Vapor pack - 3,800 cube and just over 2 pounds and the comfort of weight over my hips and back is worthy of writing home about - thanks Dad!! It's no wonder that an estimate of 40% of AT through-hikers are using this pack.Tomorrow I cross into PA; nearing the actual 1/2 way point and it feels great. I'm reinvigorated to see this thing thru!!
Date: 2004-06-14
From: Ensign Cowall Shelter , MD

To: Deer Lick Shelters, PA
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: light rain

Crossed from Maryland into Pennsylvannia today. Shelters are only 4.7 miles into PA but still feels like an accomplishment. Georgia seems like a thousand miles ago ( it was!! ). At least there is no threat of snow!About 10 PM tonight, from out of the pitch black in walks TRUNK. He'd done a 28-mile day and was all excited about his 2-day milage in 1-days time.
Date: 2004-06-15
From: Deer Lick Shelters, PA

To: Quarry Gap Shelters, PA
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Trunk and I were a little bit slow getting out today. With all his exuberance from his marathon yesterday, neither one of us got to sleep real fast last night which made for a late start. A couple of miles short of Quarry Gap we had to take a break at Caledonia State Park whose pool beckoned our wretched bodies. It felt great and well worth the $2 entry fee. I feel sorry for the campers that followed us in the pool; there must have been some sort of slick from us hikers!
Date: 2004-06-16
From: Quarry Gap Shelters

To: Pine Grove Frunace State Park
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Ouch; my feets hurt. After 2 weeks off my feet, 1 at home and another in the seat of a canoe paddling the Shenandoah, I guess my conditioned feet aren't so conditioned any more! I was able to joint the 1/2 Gallon Club downing 1/2 gallon of Moosetracks Ice Cream is a cool 1 hour 13 minutes.
Date: 2004-06-18
From: Pine Grove Frunace State Park

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: broken clouds

I'm getting the engine revved back up and starting to catch my breath again. The feet feel good; they looked like the Jolly Green Giant's feet yesterday when I got up - the zero day was medicinly mandatory! Dad confirmed to me that I've got a drop box awaiting me in Duncannon, PA so no need to push on any further today. Nineteen by 1:30 in the afternoon - awesome!! Dad shared with me that Bloody is departing the trail; even the die hards are exiting - I'm amazed that 10% make it through. Good Friday to all those out there sharing my "Walk in the Woods"; I'm up for a it - GET 'ER DONE!!!
Date: 2004-06-19
From: Boiling Springs

To: Scot Farm
Miles today: 10.3

The trail is weird (another word for "magic" but this was more weird than magic!). I'm hiking with White Lighting and some "trail angel" offers to put us up at his house. He takes us for a tour of the big city, Harrisburg, then to the dirt car races, and then to some random bar where were asked upon entry "are you here for the bachelor party?" I always say that honesty gets you father than lies so I reply "no." When he asks why we're there and we tell him of our AT hiker story, he says "you're in!" Indeed weird....
Date: 2004-06-20
From: Scott Farm

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Wow, the trail just keeps getting better! The Doyle is a dump but part of the experience. My room looked right out of Big when Tom Hanks goes to the city and spends the night crying... in his disgusting room.... yeah that's where I'm staying tonight. Southern Man, Professor Pete, Scrubs and I went to Sorrento's for a few pitchers and to just shoot the shit. It's off about 11 miles tomorrow depending on how I'm feeling and how nasty those two big climbs are going to be. Till next time... Life is good.~Syracuse
Date: 2003-05-01
To: in the beginning
Miles today: 0.0

This is the start of a dream....ever since reading about long-distance hiking in Ray Jardine's book, "Beyond Backpacking" the desire to hike the AT has been upon my heart. I hope to start next year sometime...late February or early March 2004. I love hiking and I love the mountains, truly there is no other place I would rather be. I feel dead, lifeless in the city but in the mountains I feel alive, I know that God is near. I want to get up each day and walk...maybe 5 miles, maybe 20, maybe for 4 months, maybe for 7. I want to fall asleep to the sound of the rain on my tarp and be amazed when I wake up and there's 6 inches of snow on the ground. I love adventure and I cannot picture living a life without it...so I think this will be the next adventure I start.Why I want to hike over 2000 miles in a single year all goes back to the goal I set for myself when I graduated from college: it was to not get a real job for at least 5 years. I graduated from Rocky Mountain College in Calgary, Canada in April 2002 with a Bachelor or Arts in Religious Studies and since then I've worked at a kid's camp for the summer and now I am living in South Korea working as an English teacher. I've been in Korea for about 6 months and have about 6 more to go...I should be home (at the parent's house) in Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada late November (if the 'rents are kind enough to take me in!)I never want to live a life where I'm like a zombie...slaving away at the office for things like TV's, cars, stereo's, a nice house. I want to be truly alive. So maybe I am rambling on a bit...but I really am truly excited about the possibility of hiking the AT...I'm reading the other journals and want to be out on the trail right now!So that's it for now...if there are any other AT 2004 people out there (I know there is), drop me an email or sign my guestbook (please, please, please!), I'd love to know a few names before I hit the trail. Jackie
Date: 2003-05-21
To: training
Miles today: 0.0

Hey there everyone...I've been reading some of the other 2004 AT journals and it seems that a few are engaging in hard-core training...I am very impressed and maybe even a little bit inspired by you! I like not to think of myself as a lazy person, but I think when I am truly honest I really am a little bit lazy. I love hiking and I love the challenge of it...but the thought of going to the gym and engaging in grueling workouts really isn't my style.I'm living in South korea right now and they have a crazy amount of mountains to climb! According to the Lonely Planet Guide Book 70% of this country is mountainous, which is perfect for me. I've been going hiking pretty much every weekend...no overnights, just day trips. I don't really have all the gear I need for an overnight with me in Korea. There is literally about 50 national and provincial parks within about a 2 hour bus ride from my house...I love it!There's also a little mountain about 3 minutes from my house and I've been climbing that 2 or 3 times during the week. It took me about 1 hour when I first got here, but now on good days I can do it in about 40 minutes or so.Hiking Korea style...is very different from what I had previously experienced in the Canadian Rockies...in Canada you could go on an overnight trip and often not even see another person. It was rare to see more than 2 or 3 other people in a single day of hiking (the exception being the tourist traps in Banff and Jasper!) Korea is a very crowded country so the mountains are quite crowded as well...on Saturdays there are hundreds of people doing the same 5 or 6 km. trail. They have little icecream and drink shacks all the way up the mountain, often run by the Buddhist monks...it's quite delightful on hot days! At the base of every moutain there is a Buddhist temple...I've got some amazing pictures. But I guess the thing that defines Korean hiking most for me is the rocks...serious rocks...like need rope and harness rocks in Canada! Most of the hikes are little stairways built from the rocks and then over the really steep sections they make metal staircases that are often rickety. They don't believe in switchbacks...just straight up! Some sections were probably too hard to build a staircase on so you just have to climb and hope for the best. The craziest thing is that Koreans often go drinking before the hike and then come inadequately prepared. Last January...I got stuck in a blizzard but I had all the gear so it was okay. Some Koreans I saw had t-shirts light coats, jeans and high heel shoes...disturbing! Surprisingly I only saw one person getting airlifted out of there.So that's my training update! What a great place to be if you love hiking (which I do!) I could talk about Korea forever...but I'll stop...now!See ya, Jackie