morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-11-10
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Spent last night at Siler Bald shelter that was over a mile off the trail but there were no other shelter options. Shelter was in a nice spot with big trees - lots of mice - had a covered table and good water supply. The next morning I hiked the mile back up to the ridge where the shelter trail left the AT to only find out that I hiked the AT down to a spot below the shelter where I could have just hiked down a half mile from the shelter to get to. Hiking unnecessary miles in thru hiking is tried to be kept at a minimum - like hiking out to towns etc. Crossed the road that goes to Franklin but didn't need to resupply so kept going (in the book "A walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson this is where they stayed at the awful bunk house at a commercial campground a few miles down the road). Franklin is a nice trail town to stop at though - the Haven motel sounded good. This was a strenuous day going up and over Mt. Albert. Mt Albert is easier going southbound. When I arrived at Carter Gap Shelter Contact was there along with three twenty something weekend backpackers. They had flown down from Boston and rented a car for just a weekend backpack. One of them had never backpacked before and had just gone into an outfitter and just told them to pick out everything he would need. When they saw how scruffy Contact and I were they cleared out of the Shelter and stayed in a large four person dome tent.
Date: 2007-11-11
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Plumorchard Gap SHelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Less strenuous terrain today. Went by "Chunky Gal" trail that went to "Chunky Gal mountain" This was mentioned in Earl Shaffers book "Following Spring". One of the books that inspired me to hike the AT was "Walk across America". During the day I hiked across the border from North Carolina to Georgia. Crossing a state line really makes you feel you are making progress on your trip. Now there was only 71 miles left to get to Springer Mountain by the morning of Nov. 16th. I didn't mind changing my plans to finish earlier since if it did start to rain I wouldn't be hiking in the freezing rain for as long a period. I wasn't carrying sufficient winter gear either. North Carolina had the least amount of rain in recorded history this season. I only had about seven days of total rain on my trip and probably would have had about maybe 30 in a normal year. It was a fairly long walk off the AT to the Shelter again. Georgia has the best shelters along the AT. This one had three sleeping platforms and a covered table. It was well constructed with mortise and tenon beam construction. They used Army ranger helicopters to bring in the building materials. The Army Rangers use this area to conduct maneuvers ( no live ammo with all the hikers around though). Later that night at around 11pm two new Sobo Though hikers came in. Tengue and Hedgehog. They had done 64 miles in the last two days and would finish the trail a day earlier than Contact and I. This was on a section of trail that I read before hand that most people do ten miles a day on. Tengue wears a traditional tartan kilt unlike the khaki Mountain Hardware kilt that Contact wears. Maybe Mountain Hardware should make a matching Gortex trail ready purse and backpacker makeup...... I wear running shorts under Marmot Precip rain pants. This shelter had an older unfixed male cat that constantly tried to get you to feed him. Tengue gave him five foil packets of Tuna fish. We decided to leave the cat there since he would probably be put to sleep if we took him to a shelter. The four of us decided to hitch in to Hiawassee tomorrow to the Shoneys AYCE breakfast buffet.
Date: 2007-11-12
From: Plumorchard Gap SHelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The four of us took off in the morning to Dicks Gap to hitch a ride to Hiawasse. The rest of the group soon out distanced me going probably around 4 mph (the we're going to a AYCE buffet pace) so I just went my normal pace and would catch up later. When I got to Dicks Gap Contact had waited for me and Tengue and Hedgehog had got ride to town from a deer hunter. The two of us looked like quite the Motly Crew and no one stopped for quite a while and I don't blame them. finally two loggers who also did white water rafting guiding stopped in a double cab pickup and the four of all talked the eleven miles to Shoneys. One of them was from New Hampshire like Contact. They dropped us off at the front door of Shoneys and Tengue and Hedgehog had just gotten there since their ride dropped them off a mile before the restaurant and they had to hike the rest of the way. We each had about five plates of food at the AYCE breakfast buffet - it was like a dream come true for thru hikers. Contact and I waddled from Shoneys to the PO for Contact to pick up his resupply box. On the way we stopped at a Guns and Ammo store to see if they knew the upcoming water conditions on the trail (they didn't) on the rack behind the counter were automatic assault riffle looking guns and in addition there were some small pink twenty two riffles for little girls. The salesman said every little girl should have one.... I would be a little leery of disciplining a child as a parent if the youngster was armed. We went across the street to find the Post Office closed for veterans day. We walked to the nearby Ingles Market to resupply to Neels Gap. They filled my water bottles there and I bought the normal food items including apples and bananas. I would eat them within the first two hours of being on the trail due to their weight. I would normally buy fresh fruit to eat going out of a town and eat it as soon as possible. We got a ride in about two minutes in front of Ingles Marker from a member of the local AT Trail club called "UPS". He drove us all the way back to the trailhead at Dicks Gap and gave us water source info. Contact rode in the back of his pickup truck. Contact was tempted to buy a whole Pumpkin pie at the market but didn't since they weighed about three pounds. We got in another eleven miles to Tray Mountain Shelter. I heard a story about another thru hiker who left the trail earlier who was walking along when their foot got under a root and broke their leg in nine places by Daleville.
Date: 2007-11-13
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Neels Gap Hostel
Miles today: 25.2
Weather: overcast clouds

We did 19.3 miles to the turnoff to the side trail to Whitley Gap Shelter. This shelter is 1.2 miles off the AT and the Neels Gap Hostel was 6.4 miles away right on the AT. It was the end of the day but we decided to push on to Neels Gap and skip the extra non AT miles to the shelter. It took me about 3 hours in the dark with a lite rain to finally get there. I am not a fan of night hiking with so many rocks and roots on the trail to trip on but nothing happened. Also doing this mileage really set up the next several days hiking to shelters as they were spaced along the trail. I got to the hostel and took a shower and got a bunk for myself. I ate dinner from the hiker box - instant oatmeal, an apple, microwave popcorn, two pickles, and an imitation pork rib MRE (military ration). Highlife was there who I hadn't seen for a month. He took two zero days there doing work trade. He is really into watching movies and they had a good selection there for the hikers along with paperback books too. I finished reading "Banker" by Dick Francis and left it in the hiker loaner library. I didn't find it all that interesting of a book although Dick Francis is a very successful author. I then started reading Blood Diamonds which is an interesting thriller. I read lots of books along the AT many of them I found left in shelters. Contact said he probably read a hundred books during his thru hike. The outfitter store was open the next day ( I had gotten in well after closing the previous night around 8:30 pm). I bought food for the two remaining days of my trip. Tengue and Hedgehog showed up - they had stayed down the road at another place. The staff really liked having four long distance hikers there with three Sobo AT thru hikers. They gave us free ice cream bars. Alpine and Princes Bride were there two. Alpine gave me a bottle of beer to take to Springer Summit which I gave to H.P. since I didn't want to carry the weight. I had a hot dog there too. They carry a great variety of really good long distance backpacking gear. I have never seen any outfitter in the West Coast that specializes in Long Distance backpacking gear and I must of seen five of them along the AT. Since Standing Bear Hostel there have been fewer blazes - I found that this is the policy in National Parks and Wilderness areas.
Date: 2007-11-14
From: Neels Gap Hostel

To: Gooch Mountain SHelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: few clouds

Hung out with the other hikers till 10:30 am and did my laundry. Tengue has a great sense of humor and really cracked me up with his observations. From what I could tell Tengue was in the army for eight years doing intelligence. I also got some ramen and oatmeal from the hiker box which had about 50 ramens in it from a boy scout troop that had come through. Got into the Gooch Mountain shelter by 5 pm. A new hiker named J-Rock was already there and said he was hiking to New Jersey. Soon Highlife, Twix, Hot Pursuit, Tengue, Hedge Hog and Contact showed up. Tengue and Hedge Hog hung out for an hour then left into an oncoming rainstorm to get in nine more miles to the next shelter. Sure enough it started pouring rain at 7pm. Its great when it rains at night when you are in a shelter and is dry in the daytime when you are hiking. This shelter had a good spring for water, covered table and two sleeping platforms. The rain storm raged most of the night with lots of thunder but we were all quite dry.
Date: 2006-10-04
To: prep #1
Miles today: 0.0

After keeping up with all of the "06" thru hikers I'm finally starting my own journal. First, congrats. to all of the thru hikers that have summited Katahdin this year! I've been slowly preparing my gear and mind for the trail which I hope to start in late March (no exact date yet). This past weekend my wife (Carissa), Matthew (my three year old son) and Emelia (my twenty two month old daughter) took our annual trip to North Conway N.H. We didn't do much hiking (none at all), but it was great to see the White Mts. and think about the coming year. I also picked up some much needed gear, since most of my gear is prehistoric.
Date: 2006-10-04
To: prep # 2
Miles today: 0.0

Just trying to get my journal started. It's late and I should be catching some zzzz's, but instead my mind is racing. I like to let the thoughts find their way and eventually they settle down and let me sleep. Earleir today I had some free time so I spent a little of it wrestling through my old gear to see what was usable (some good, some bad and some scary)!
Date: 2006-10-05
To: prep # 3
Miles today: 0.0

One day closer! Twice a week, when Matthew and Emelia are in school for two and half hours, I drive over to Sleeping Gaint State Park and get some hiking in. There is a tremendous variety of loop trails from easy to very difficult. The trails aren't very long, but are perfect for my time limitations. I hope that I can get out for a few long hikes before I start the trail. We shall see.
Date: 2006-10-10
To: prep # 4
Miles today: 0.0

Picked up more gear this weekend. Still debating between the Baltoro and the Osprey Aether 70. I'm also working on a hydration system. There are many to choose from. I just want a simple, easy to use and maintain system. I've been out of the hiking loop for awhile, so I'm working through the pros and cons of the newest gear on the market. Much of what I've seen so far seems a bit overboard. I get the light weight concept, but I'm looking for a happy medium. In the meantime (as I'm sorting gear) my kids are in the sunroom drawing on the walls with magic markers! I guess I better run intference before my little artists trash the place!
Date: 2006-10-20
To: prep # 5
Miles today: 0.0

Received my tent and Osprey pack yesterday. I set the tent up in my living room and let my little equipment testers give it the "once over", (I should have known better). It took them about ten minutes of horseplaying before they bent one of the poles! They also managed to bite through the bite valve on my hydration system and this morning I caught Emelia stuffing my boots with her toys. Carissa and I have been trying to talk to our little ones about how "Papa" is going on a long hike and letting them get involved with the process by allowing them to rumage through the gear I've collected. By the amount of damage they've done so far, I think they're getting invovled exceptionally well! I did get a chance to use the Osprey pack to compare it to the Baltoro. Although the Baltoro is slightly heavier, it's more adjustable and form fitting than the Osprey Aether. The Baltoro is definitely made to carry heavier loads and has more individual pockets for gear. In my opinion, the Baltoro is a better pack. I also started using poles to hike with and they have saved my ankles a few times on the slick leaf covered trails of Sleeping Giant State Park.
Date: 2006-11-01
To: prep # 6
Miles today: 0.0

I finally have most of my gear set. Next will be transportation down to GA. and food drops. I'm still getting out twice a week which has been nice, especially this time of year. Most of the leaves are past peak and have fallen making the trails a little treacherous in places. I took a nice slide down a rock slab that was still wet from a previous rain, but managed to keep my legs by doing some contourtionist moves. Although I've been hiking the same trail for the past month, each time I'm on the trail I see something new or the trail itself changes its appearance. I've slowly watched the leaves change to fall colors and drop on rainy or windy days. As the days get shorter and temperture drops, I'm seeing more and more wildlife preparing for the Winter season. Yesterday, I saw a few birds that I rarley see; a Nuthatch, Wood Thrush and Common Wren (See Photos). I also saw a Vole tooling around. I had stopped to get a drink when I noticed the little fellow was just balancing on the end of a small branch checking things out. He gave me a look and for a quick second I thought Stewart Littles Hill Billy cousin was going to tell me something. He was probably thinking, "I wonder what's in that pack". I'm sure some of his mice buddies are going to try and find out. I'm really looking forward to getting out on the trail and hiking two thousand plus miles, but also walking through A little bit of Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall.
Date: 2006-11-03
To: Taming of the Shrew
Miles today: 0.0

After surfing around on the net for a good picture of the Vole I saw the other day I realized that I had actually seen a Shrew. I'll try to find a good picture to attach. While I was hiking today I remembered that I wanted to thank all my friends and family that have sent me words of encouragement along with others who have read my entries. Many of our friends are a little shocked that Carissa agreed to let me take off for five months to hike the trail. We have had many many heart to hearts about my hiking and we both feel that this is something that I need to do. Some may call it a midlife crisis, some might say I'm just plum crazy and others may say that I'm being selfish. I think there is a little truth in all of those statements and I often struggle with leaving my family for so long. Our game plan is to travel to Georgia together and spend sometime with our friends (Mandy, Brian and their son Ian). Towards the end of our visit we will all drive up to Amicalola for a proper send off. Carissa and the kids will fly back to CT and finish up the school year while I'm hiking the lower half of the trail. By mid June, Carissa, Matthew and Emelia will be done with school for the Summer. We will all meet up at my brothers house in Maryland before I start the second half of the trail. My hopes are that once I reach the New England region Carissa will be able to do some one or two day sections of the trail with me. We also hope to meet periodically as a family and spend time together in some of our favorite New England towns!   What a plan!!!
Date: 2006-11-07
To: Sippy Cups!
Miles today: 0.0

I got home this morning, fed the kids breakfast, got them dressed for pre-school, changed Emelia's present (dirty diaper) she made for me, filled my water bag, grabbed a cup of coffee and we were off! After delivering my munchkins to school, I headed out to get a little hike in. When I arrived at the park I took my pack out and began to reconnect the drinking tube to the water bag. Water immediately began to leak out of the connection. I had somehow pulled off the rubber gasket that seals the connection. Mental note: pack a few extra gaskets just in case. Because of the missing gasket, I couldn't use the water bag. I rumaged through the car, but couldn't find anything else to use except my sons sippy cup. It didn't hold much, but it worked! Using the sippy cup got me thinking. We have tons of baby bottles that we no longer use. They are light wieght, form a great seal and can hold adequate amounts of liquids or dry goods. I think I'm subconsciously trying to get my family to hike with me.
Date: 2006-11-14
To: Ramble rambling
Miles today: 0.0

As I ramble, my mind is rambling! As soon as my feet hit the trail, my mind begins to wander. I catch myself and have to laugh at how quickly my thoughts are racing. I must be easy to spot on the trail (smoke pouring out of my ears)! Just imagine a long car ride (catch my drift-yes, pun intended). What am I thinking about? Everything! Something usually catches my eye while I'm hiking and I'm off. Today, I noticed that the trail had changed on me once again. Because all the leaves have all fallen, I could see the road a lot easier. I then started to think, Fall is almost over. The woods are all set for the first snow and soon I'll be hiking on packed trails beneath snow laden branches. Then I remembered, all the "06" hikers and the pictures in their journals of Springer in late Winter. The landscape was pretty much the same, all the leaves were off the trees allowing for distant views of the Smokies. I wondered, does the newness of the trail distract everyone from noticing that the trees are barren? And by the time the newness wears off Spring has already Sprung! Many thru hikers mention the green tunnel which I imagine seems to sneak up on them. Have they made it to Harpers Ferry yet? Or, are they just entering the Blue Ridge Mountains and the prospect of eating all the burgers and ice cream they want keeps them going? This is when I catch myself and start to laugh. Slow down Mike. I know that the trail will be nothing like I imagine, but it's fun to ramble.
Date: 2006-11-14
To: Camp Stove!
Miles today: 0.0

Check this stove out!!! It's a little heavy, but it can make a whole lot of ramen noddles!   Actually, Carissa and I went on a balloon ride for her birthday. We had a wonderful time! If you every get the opportunity, don't think twice. I posted a photo of us "above tree-line" in my picture files.
Date: 2006-12-13
To: And miles to go before I sleep 
Miles today: 0.0

Today I signed the official paperwork for my retirement. After twenty years of working as a Youth Service Officer for the State of CT. I'm finally eligible for retirement. It's hard to describe how I feel. It's really going to take awhile for it to sink in. There were days of total chaos that I thought would never end, but at the same time the years seemed to just slip by. I'm proud of myself for sticking it out, but at times felt as though I may have missed opportunities that wouldn't come my way again.   Ten years ago I lost my father to cancer. I spent many weekends driving home to take him to his medical appointments and when he finally knew he was dying I drove him to the hospital. That night, I sat with my mother as my father slowly passed. My father had worked two and sometimes three jobs all my life to make sure we (seven kids) were taken care of. He was proud that we had all graduated from college and he was looking forward to his own retirement. My father loved the outdoors and was an avid fly fisherman. He dreamed of being a guide during the summer months in New England and then spending time down south in the winters.   Unfortunately, he died two years before he could retire. My father never had the chance to meet my wife or my children which has been very difficult for me. In many ways I feel like my retirement is parallelling his own hopes and dreams. He inspired me to live this life, to take these chances. I think maybe I'm doing this trail for both of us.
Date: 2007-01-08
To: Twenty years and a wake up!
Miles today: 0.0

Well, it's offical, I retired Jan.1st! This past weekend, friends from work had a brunch for me which was very nice, Thank you Lisa! It was great having people that I think about often, but see so infrequently, all together. My kids really enjoyed the holidays which of course was wonderful for Carissa and I. I've resorted to wearing shoes in the house in order to protect my feet. After stepping, bare foot, on a sharp spined, plastic dinosaur more than once, I opted for the foot protection! I'm starting to get the jitters about the trail. Everyone, is getting so pumped up that it's contagious. I received a few really nice items that will be very useful on the trail. From the folks that I work with (thank you Keilani and Sarah) I was given an engraved, very light and dangerously sharp Spyderco, Victorinox knife. I was also given a pocket composer with a three month subscription from two of my work partners (thank you Lisa and Manny), a set of binoculars and packable wine kit (the corkscrew and bottle opener may be useful). A little wine tasting on the trail couldn't hurt! Thank you Ken, Mala and Lisa and anyone else I missed. Carissa was kind enough to give me a new digital camera and other items I hadn't picked up. I better make it to Maine with all the smack I've been talking!
Date: 2007-01-24
To: Let it Snow!
Miles today: 0.0

Snow! We finally have some snow and cold weather! Most people in CT are happy with the warm weather, but I find it slightly alarming. Due to low temps. Spring bulbs were starting to pop up and deer ticks were at an all time high. Although we only had a dusting, it was great to see some of the white stuff. Last week I bought our plane tickets to Georgia. We are flying out of New York, which I¢m not psyched about, but I couldn¢t beat the price. The flights were also non stop which is very important when flying with little ones. Layovers can be a real drag! I still haven¢t finalized my food drops, but after reading a bunch of different opinions on the matter and consulting with Jay (Silent Bob), I¢ve decided I¢m going to have a few drops, but mostly re-supply in towns. Carissa is going to keep up my journal. Hopefully she won¢t edit me too much. I have also decided to hike for the American Cancer Society in memory of my father. I was a little hesitant to take on the task of fund-raising and hiking the trail. Admittedly, I¢m concerned about getting knocked off the trail due to some unforeseen circumstance. I know I need to just go as far as I can go and enjoy and rejuvenate myself, but that is easier said than done. I also was having difficulty finding an organization that would allow me to create a web site that would allow others to become involved without going directly through me. Fortunately, the A.C.S. allows people to tailor donation sites that are specific to individual events. So, if people are interested in learning more or donating they can go directly to my A.C.S. event site. http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=1870845&pg=personal&fr_id=2460