morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-03-22
From: Roan Mountain, TN

To: damascus, Va
Miles today: 46.2
Weather: few clouds

~Pacha here~   Hello my friends! I hope all is well and everyone is warm, because we haven't been the last few days. Last night, we stayed in an old barn just passed Roan Mountain (elevation 6285¢) and froze our butts off! They told us it was 17deg in Boone, so it was at least 0 on the top of the mountain. This morning we hiked down the mountain to Elk Park where Kenny Wehrmann picked us up. Kenny is also going to hike with us this weekend Fri-Sun so we will be looking forward to that. We saw our first sight of spring about 3 days ago; it was sunny and about 60-65 degrees, absolutely beautiful. But yesterday and today it has been snowing and freezing¢¦what can you do. Tonight (Monday) we will be at Kenny's house in Boone, NC and tomorrow morning we will be back on the trail. I believe that is all, love everyone and keep in touch.                                       ~Pacha~
Date: 2004-04-21
From: waynesboro

To: i never know anymore
Miles today: 457.0

Pacha here~Well hello my family and friends, I apologize I haven't written in a while. The last 2 libraries we have found have been either closed (on a Friday?) or renovating the computer room. However we have made it to Waynesboro Va. which is the beginning of the Shenandoah National Park, and is the easiest 107 miles of the trail, so we are looking forward to that. Since I wrote last we have done a few hundred miles, seen a lot of weather changes (spring is pretty much here), more trail magic, and have acquired the Virginia Blues (long and well.. long) but we are almost done with this state (wahoo). Tonight we are staying (camping) at the local YMCA. We have showered and eaten an all you can eat pancake lunch. And to say it bluntly, I won!! I ate more pancakes than Bacchus,7.5 Vs 11.8, and that means I am the more superior being. Moving along tomorrow morning but not before mailing our winter gear home. Hope everyone is doing well, and I thank everyone for their support. Love you guys~pacha~ Yo! This is the first time I have actually written anything so you better like it. First and foremost I would like to say hi to my Mom and Dad and I miss you very much and I love you and thanks for the words of encouragement. Happy Birthday to my mom (March 28) even though it's a little late. Don't worry, I sent a card that got there in time I just wanted everyone here to know and wish her a Happy Birthday. As we continue further and further north I actually find myself becoming slightly homesick (although nowhere near enough to even fathom getting off the trail cuz it rocks out here) I just miss things like Cheerwine and Peach Nehi, Apples of the Brushy Mtns., and the smell of springtime in the foothills. It's good to have a place to call home. And right now the trail is my home. The sky is my ceiling, the ground my floor, the trees and animals my friends and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. The people we have been meeting out here are amazing. The guys from P.A. (you know who you are) were very cool and we will definitely meet them again. Since completing 1/3 of the trail we have definitely hit a good "groove". The days are longer and warmer and we have taken to wading in rivers and swimming holes (even though the water is absolutely freezing) it's great. After the Shenandoah's is this thing called the 4 state challenge where we try to touch Virginia, W. Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania all in the same day. Personally I think Pacha made it up, but we might try it anyway. And the whole thing about him being superior to me, not true, I'm just not a glutton. Hello to all my friends and family who read this I hope you are all doing and feeling as well as I am and I will see ya later.Love,Bacchus
Date: 2004-04-22
To: Glenda Triplett
Miles today: 0.0

Hello Everyone:On Thursday, April 22, Franklin and Glenda met Michael and Carlos at the crossing of the Skyline Drive and AT at Blackrock Gap. They looked great and were as entertaining as always. Now, back info; we had called and left a message that when Michael and Carlos were near the Shenandoah, to give us a call and we would bring supplies and transport their packs for a day of slack packing. Michael and Carlos called on Wednesday, 21 and were in Waynesboro, headed for the trail head, Rockfish Gap on Thursday morning, April 22. They left their backpacks at the Information Center where you purchase your permit for the Shenandoah Backcountry. They wanted us to bring, if possible, Peach Nihi, Dr. Pepper, fried chicken and lots of potatoes. Not a problem. They had been to the grocery store in Waynesboro and had full packs. We made plans to meet at Loft Mountain or at a crossing before that point and each of us would leave a note on a tree at Riprap Gap Crossing to give the time of day and any change of plans. We picked up their backpacks at 3:00 and headed up the Skyline Drive. (this is a 4.5 hour drive from home) By mere chance, we met them as they had just crossed the Skyline Drive at Blackrock Gap! We had a wonderful meeting, with hugs and plenty of laughter! They had hiked 19.7 miles that day, it was 5:15 and we were all hungry.We sat on the rock wall that follows the Skyline Drive; it blends so naturally with the surroundings and had a picnic-with wonderful trail stories. The guys were rockhard muscle, slender, short hair, full beards, getting tanned and just a delight to be with. They ate 7 pieces of KFC, polished off two large sides of potatoes and gravy, one side of Mac-N-Cheese, ate slaw and 3 biscuits. Carlos downed 3 peach Nihis, and Michael consumed 3 Dr. Peppers. An older gentleman, a section hiker named Sweatpea, (I think) came along around 6:30. He was a trail friend that the guys had been telling us about, and he ate the remaining biscuit and piece of chicken. Sweatpea had 30 more days to go and then he was going home for a break. The guys and he have looked out for each other. We took them a couple gallons of water so that they wouldn't have to filter water that evening and finally, about 7:15 we said our farewells and watched them fade into the trail. They had a .5 mile to hike to the Blackrock Hut where they were camping for the night. The guys would love to hear from you, and anyone who can take a day or so to help them will receive more of a blessing than you can ever imagine. You may reach us at 336.973.3045 or use this email address. Please identify yourself in the subject area of the email, because we delete without opening emails we do not recognize. We are looking forward to hearing from you soon!Happy trails, Glenda and Franklin Triplett"Hi Hills" and "Trip"
Date: 2004-04-24
To: Troop 7 Charlottesville 
Miles today: 0.0

Mike and Carlos via Base Camp,         Sighting -- Mike and Carlos happened upon our boy scout troop campsite last Saturday evening (4/24). We were camping at mile post 59 on the Shenandoah Nat'l Parkway near Big Meadows. We shared some stew, some conversation about hiking and Dave Matthews. We were repaid with Pachas' guitar and singing. Bacchus sang backup on a few songs. The weather was great (65 degrees, the view was fine) but the visit was too short but night was falling just before 8:00pm and they needed two miles more for a camp ground. Many of scouts noted that they were definitely the highlight of our camping trip.         Mike said he was in a bit of a mental funk. I hope he is looking up more by now. The weather this week was good and the trail in Va should have been ok. Maybe that gave him the pause he needed.         Please pass along our thanks and our best wishes. I will try and get Dave Matthew's autograph. If I do, I'll let you know.         Their friends from Troop 7 Charlottesville -- the stew crew,Gary Banks
Date: 2004-05-03
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: my lovely house
Miles today: 163.0

Pacha here~Well well well... I don't know how else to say it, my enjoyment level wasn't up to par. To tell the truth I wasn't enjoying my days at all. So Pacha is calling it quits. For the past week, if not more, I have found very little reward in the life I was leading. When I started this journey I thought it would be, uplifting, challenging, hard times, good times, and a sense of accomplishment when finishing. Living the journey for about 80 days and over 1000 miles has taught me different. Living on the trail is an easy task, hiking everyday is an easy task, but my enjoyment for life on the trail has diminished making life unenjoyable, unrewarding, and left me feeling empty and bored throughout the entire day. Hiking the AT should be an amazing adventure in which you look forward to every passing day, as it was for me at the start. Since I don't feel that passion anymore, having an unenjoyable life while hiking to Maine does out weigh the final feeling of self accomplishment in the end. I felt I should act on that, so I can look back and say I have enjoyed myself. Bacchus is still going strong, which makes me extremely happy knowing he is loving it out there. I feel, without a doubt, he will make it to Maine. Thank you to everyone who supported us, met us, wrote to us and cheered us on throughout these 2.5 months. Knowing that all of you are behind us is the most rewarding feeling, and that alone made the hike possible and gave a cheer to my days.Bacchus will still keep hiking and writing¢¦keeping us up to date on his progress, which I am eager to start reading about. Thank-you everyone again. 1017 miles later, and I feel pretty good.~ Enjoy every passing day, because if you¢re not, you will be pissed when you are dead~ Pacha~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Waahooo!
Date: 2004-05-06
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

"Pacha, I said, as I boarded a Greyhound in Pittsburgh, the A.T. seems like a dream to me now".....A Great dream and a Great Adventure. Although, he didn't catch it in Pittsburgh exactly (apologies to Simon and Garfunkel), it was Pennsylvania and Bacchus is now home safely. So with hearts both heavy at the end of the journey and lightened by their return home we wish Carlos and Michael the very best in every journey they will face and embrace throughout life.
Date: 2005-06-01
To: Base Camp
Miles today: 0.0

Pacha (aka Mike Smith) Returns to the trail -Pacha has returned to the trail today to take-up where he left off last spring. Today, in Harpers Ferry, WV, Courtney, Alissa, Sushi and I said our good lucks and sent him on his way with a lot of love. We will miss him over the next few months as he walks on to Maine to complete his dream of walking the A.T.Mike's 2005 2nd half can be followed on the 2005 section called !pacha (Mike Smith) continues on to the end! Follow the Link http://www.trailjournals.com/Pacha/More to follow......Go Pacha
Date: 2004-04-05
To: The Die is Cast
Miles today: 0.0

My expression appeared calm when I entered the lobby of the post office last December. Nobody could have sensed the anxiety behind my demeanor. In my hands was a box full of envelopes. Within the envelopes were Christmas letters addressed to friends, relations, and clients. These letters announced my decision to attempt a ¢thru¢ hike of the Appalachian Trail. I realized that once these letters were dropped into the bin situated behind the wall, there would be no turning back on my plan.I walked toward the spot where envelopes are deposited. An inner voice nagged at my consciousness, "Are you sure about this?"Truth be told, I was not certain about the wisdom of this decision. Rather than succumbing to this voice and hesitating, I pulled back the handle of the container in the wall and began stuffing the envelopes inside of it. Then I pushed the handle forward and envelopes dropped into the bin with a thud. At that moment, the die had been cast.I suspect that other people experience moments of doubt when they commit to a thru hike of The Appalachian Trail. I am 47 years old, single, and self employed. Logically, it would make sense to wait until I retire before taking on such a challenge. Why step away, albeit temporarily, from my career?The answer can be found in a single word, ¢adventure.¢I have sometimes wondered why my current lifestyle is rarely enriched by adventures. Back in my twenties and early thirties, I enjoyed several adventures; some of them occurred in wilderness settings, others happened along highways and rural roads with my thumb extended forward in solicitation of long distance rides. Lately, my treks into mountains, forests, and other natural settings have become infrequent. As a consequence, a boredom has been creeping into my life. Am I turning into another Walter Mitty, the ultimate dreamer who never took a risk? It has been said that as people grow older, they place a greater priority on comfort. The problem is this: There is no adventure without discomfort.I must shed this cocoon of comfort. The time has come to enrich my life with a fresh adventure. I will shoulder a backpack on Springer Mountain in Georgia, face northward, and begin hiking toward Mount Katahdin in Maine.
Date: 2004-04-06
To: Breaking Old Habits
Miles today: 0.0

Getting into shape for this hike, I have been playing basketball several evenings per week. During a game last week, some players in their twenties¢they were watching from the sidelines¢shouted in my direction some good natured remarks about ¢old school¢ basketball.I am also a graduate of the old school of backpacking. This means carrying a large, external frame backpack and cramming lots of items inside of it. While planning for this trip, it became apparent that this method would have to change. A heavy load would become an impediment on a mountainous trail which extends 2,147 miles in length.To lighten my burden, I decided to outfit myself based on a minimalist approach described as ultra light backpacking. Accordingly, I compiled an assortment of essential items and ordered a small, internal frame backpack to carry them in. The expectation of hiking with a radically lighter backpack was empowering.But my expectations were dashed when the pack arrived; it proved way too small for the amount of gear I intend to store. Some of my essentials are better described as luxuries, or more to the point, ¢essential luxuries.¢ At the risk of embarrassing myself, I will admit to packing a small umbrella. And there¢s a pair of sandals for the evening, a camera and film to document the journey, and a few other such items.Still, I will be traveling with much less gear than I am accustomed to. My backpack, although not ultra light, will be smaller than the monstrosity I used to lug around.Planning for this trip has required several months of painstaking research and attitude adjustments regarding gear. Chances are, the reality of the trail will require me to further tinker with my gear. Over time, it might even require me to tinker with my attitudes toward life.
Date: 2004-04-22
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Heading For Hiawassee 
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: scattered clouds

This entry covers the last two days. It will be brief because I need to get some sleep.Another lousy sleep on Tray Mountain. The high winds caused some flapping of my tarp. During the middle of the night, I got up and stepped outside to take a leak. I heard a crashing sound and whirled around. My tee-pee tarp had fallen to the ground. I had accidentally brushed too hard against an essential guy line or against a part of the tarp which is supported by that guy line. I righted the tarp.For sun protection, I carried the umbrella for much of the day. The AT heads north, so during the morning, I aimed it to the right because the sun rises in the east. At midday, I held it upright because the sun was overhead. Later, the umbrella was held in my left hand and angled toward my left side, to protect against the sunbeams coming in from the west.   I spent much of the day hiking ten miles to a road crossing at Dick's Creek Gap. Along the way, I felt a pain on my left heel¢a blister. Oh no!At the road crossing, a hiker in his sixties emerged from the trail on the other side of the road. His trail name is Zip Off. He walked up to a parked truck. Get this; he and a 78 year old man are thru hiking with the support of a truck and a car. They have figured out a system to leap frog the vehicles to selected road crossings along the way. They use the vehicles for easy transportation to trail towns. They study official AT trail maps to determine the mean elevations of specific sections of the trail. If it's easier to hike southbound over a section, they will do so, then hop into one of their vehicles and drive north the next trail crossing.Zipp Off drove me into Hiawassee, Georgia. Before departing, he gave me some fuel for my stove¢a nice guy.I went to the hotel in town, where my ATM card was supposed to have been mailed. It was not there. I called the folks back at Neels Gap. They apologized for a mix up at their end. They assured me that the card would be mailed to a campground several days up the trail.I ate dinner with at a buffet dinner with hikers Jim and Mickey, middle aged men from Indiana, with Olivia, and with a woman whose trail name in Nitro. Last night, I slept somewhat better in the bed at the hotel. Today, I went to the market to buy provisions for the next three days of hiking, and as a food drop for when I arrive at the campground at Rainbow springs. At the hardware store, I purchased some painters drop plastic for use as a ground cloth. I visited a barber shop where the growth on my face was trimmed back. At the library, I e-mailed to relatives and friends a direct link to this journal.Throughout the day, my heel has been feeling pain from the blister. I hope this does not become a big problem.
Date: 2004-05-21
From: Campsite near Spivey Gap, TN

To: Hikers are Hurting
Miles today: 11.2

Last night in the hammock, I heard a nearby owl hooting. Somewhere off in the distance, a second owl replied. Their audible exchanges continued; each time this happened, the second owl's reply grew louder as it flew closer by. The final stretch of hiking along this five day crucible was relatively easy thanks to a long descent to a road which leads to Erwin, Tennessee. I made the descent with Whoa and Moxie.Hikers are hurting. Whoa is limping from what appears to be a case of shin splints. He said he will require a full day of rest. Samurai thumbed into town at a road crossing two days ago. His foot was swollen from a reaction to an insect bite. Inchworm's body is covered with itchy bumps which she assumes is a reaction to eating peanuts. I am dealing with a couple of blisters.I encountered another hurting hiker when I checked into a hostel called Uncle Johnny's located near the trail. There, I ran into Pope. We exchanged greetings and I sensed in his reply that something was bothering him. He then told me that he was thinking of leaving the trail and returning home.He pointed to his legs. They were covered with infected welts, a reaction to an insect bite, possibly from a spider. Shortly thereafter, I was shaking his hand as he boarded a van which was taking him to the bus station for the long journey back to California. I felt bad for him. He had been hiking well but encountered a freak accident, something I suspect that most hikers dread.I tried hitching into Erwin center but it was tough getting a lift. After walking a long ways, a man named Mike pulled over in van. He drove me to the post ofice and then let me off at a laundromat. When my clothes were dry, I shopped for food, grabbed a bite, and got a ride back to the hostel.I am occupying a small, single room with a bunk bed. My hiking gear is strewn across the upper bunk. Earlier, when I stood upon the lower bunk to access my gear, my head suddenly battered about. By accident, I had stuck it into a whirling ceiling fan; it did not injure me. Tomorrow, the hike resumes. I will be hiking with a greater confidence having made it through this five day crucible.
Date: 2004-05-27
From: None

To: Day of Rest
Miles today: 0.0

I have lost too much weight. Back in Hot Springs, North Carolina, at a hostel, I had looked into a mirror. My body appeared trim like it was when I was in high school. It was nice to have shed the pounds. But I was somewhat trim at the start of the hike, with only so much excess weight available to lose. Now I am thin, too thin.I think my lack of energy is somewhat attributable to a lack of calories. I need to carry more food, which means more weight. I also need to sleep better.Today, the wife of the hostel owner drove me and some other hikers into Hampton, Tennessee to resupply. There were trees down beside the road, a result of yesterday's thunderstorm which I had contended with up on the ridge. I glanced at a newspaper rack. The headline was about the bad weather.In addition to buying food, I purchased a closed cell sleeping pad, my latest attempt to find a replacement for the Thermarest pad.I also stopped by a fast food joint and ordered a big meal.Back at the hostel, I took some time to reconfigure the way I load my backpack with the new sleeping pad. I took some time to organize my food. I fixed a problem with my shoes. All of these chores took time. In the end, I decided to remain here at the hostel to rest and revive. I have been hiking for ten straight days.I ate lots of food today, highlighted by a salmon dinner prepared by JP and Knuckles. Tomorrow, I will hike a shorter distance during a three or four day stretch to Damascus, Virginia, the next resupply town.Imagine that, I am getting close to Virginia!There are lots of hikers here that I am friendly with. The atmosphere here is friendly and upbeat. Samurai has made a bet with a hiker named Kev Dog. They disagree on whether or not the album "Ten" was the first one produced by the band, Pearl Jam. The loser will have to carry 20 pounds of extra weight in his pack for a day.I found out that I was not the only hiker who got hammered by that thunderstorm. Stick, Bluebird, and Silkie got soaked.I am hoping that when I resume hiking tomorrow, my strength will be restored. I will be carrying more food, which will hopefully mean greater energy. I will add a sports drink powder to some of my water. I will be sleeping with a new insulation pad, a possible solution to my sleep problems.