morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-01-06
To: 53 more days!
Miles today: 0.0

Fifty three days from now (February 28, 2006) I will be starting my hike. I hope the weather co-operates, I have everything I need, and I will be ready. In preparation I¢ve been walking and doing the steps at the bridge. I¢ve added a pack with weights wrapped in towels and noticed a difference right away. I¢m trying to push myself but over the years I¢ve become careful about working out (lazy) and do not want any injuries. The body tells you when to let up. Unfortunately I haven¢t been asking too much and now my body is constantly giving me feed back. After adding the weights I noticed a difference that night and the next day. I¢ve also been working out my hiking schedule. I¢ve gone through the guide book (many times) and the maps to determine where I can get groceries and other supplies. I want to keep my food mail drops to a minimum but don¢t want to have to hitch into towns too much. At the beginning of my hike I¢ll have to use the most mail drops especially one to get me through the Fontana and Smoky Mountain area. It's funny how from the start the one piece of equipment that I was sure I wanted has turned out to be the only piece of equipment I don¢t have. The backpack I ordered still has not arrived. *** (Skip this it¢s only details of my frustration¢¦ I ordered this backpack in the summer, but the owner of the company was going on an extended hike and couldn¢t fill orders until he returned. In the fall I called and asked him to process my order so I could do a shake down hike over the Thanksgiving holiday when I would be in Tennessee. My request was not possible because he was backed up but I was told he would try to get it to me in early December. Well early December came and went and I called again and was told he would process my order as soon as possible but was going on a holiday. He said he would try to get it to me before leaving. No backpack for Christmas. So it¢s now into the New Year and still no backpack) ***. I really wanted to have this work out but it looks like I better go to plan ¢B¢.All my other equipment orders have been processed and received within days. It¢s really amazing how the internet and great service from delivery companies has enabled me to choose, pay, and receive most of my gear from the comfort of my home. The USPS, UPS, FEDEX, and DHL have provided exceptional service even through the Holiday rush period. On my to-do list: I want to call the places where I hope to stay in towns and find out about flexible reservations and mail drops. My schedule has me finishing my hike in about five months (the end of July). February 28 is approaching faster as time winds down. I still have many important details to attend to around the house and better get back to work on my "honey do" list.
Date: 2006-01-09
To: New Year Resolutions.
Miles today: 0.0

2006 New Year Resolutions1. Spend more time outside.2. Get more exercise.3. Lose weight.4. Set an exciting personal goal.5. Make the most of everyday.6. Enjoy life.7. Get organized.8. Take a trip.9. Learn a new skill.10. Go to bed earlier.
Date: 2006-01-12
To: Seeking
Miles today: 0.0

These pre-hike journal entries are hopefully helping to prepare me for the all important real hike. I can¢t shake the feeling that I¢ve been holding back and I¢m playing around with the real issues. I¢m not exactly sure what the real issues are. I¢ve been trying to get a good plan together by reading other trail journals from this year and past years looking for hikers with goals and abilities similar to mine. I¢ve been reading and re-reading ¢The Thru-Hiker¢s Handbook¢. I¢ve developed a day- by- day schedule of the entire hike including daily stops and re-supply points. I have most of the equipment and have broken in two pair of boots. I should be ready to go put the boots to the trail and start heading north to Katahdin. Is something missing? I¢ve looked over all the maps of every section of the trail. What¢s missing?   I¢m starting to think it¢s not a material or tangible thing that¢s missing. Maybe it¢s a concern that this is such a long involved commitment.   Maybe I¢m concerned about having to go ¢off trail¢ before I summit and feeling like a failure. Maybe I¢m worried about leaving my wife and family for such a long time. Maybe I¢m concerned about my home during the coming hurricane season. Maybe I¢m concerned about my safety and health on the trail. Will I be lonely? Will I get along with other hikers? Will I be tolerant of different lifestyles and behavior on the trail? How will I handle being treated like a ¢homeless person¢? How will I fit in? Will I be able to protect myself if I run into a violent person while hiking?   I only know that right now I really want to do this hike. I know it¢s not something that everyone will understand. I¢m lucky that my wife and kids understand. They are the people that know me best and believe in me. I don¢t know why I¢m having these issues. I ask you all to keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I continue with this journey. I¢m starting to see this as not just a 2,174 mile hike from Georgia to Maine. It¢s a hike to a point where I will hopefully discover something very important. This discovery is maybe what intrigues me most about the hike... 47 more days to begin my quest.
Date: 2006-01-25
To: 34 more days
Miles today: 0.0

Thirty four more days until I start hiking. Time is ¢¦ going very fast. I¢ve been packing my backpack and it seems very full. I ask myself, is it time to start weeding out some unnecessary items? Do I need three pair of wool socks? Do I need a ground cloth? Do I need camp shoes (CROCS)? Do I need¢¦.I tell myself, don¢t do this, just fit it in and it will be alright, you can always send it home if you don¢t use it everyday. I received my order of freeze-dried food for my start and for the mail drops. It looks so appetizing. A crinkled up foil packet weighing, 4.06 OZ, advertising it contains a complete nutritious meal. They didn¢t even try to make it look good. There¢s no picture of a re-hydrated meal that looks delicious with a ¢serving suggestion¢ showing it on a beautiful titanium bowl or pot being eaten with a Spork. Oh well¢¦ Looks easy to cook and easy to clean up Now I just have to divide them up and add breakfast and lunches and decide where to mail them. The more I go over my schedule the more changes I make and the fewer mail drops I plan to make. It seems like the start is the hardest hurdle to get over. I¢ve looked at my start and have decided to slow down. I will really try to hold back at the start no matter how good the weather is and no matter how good I feel. I¢m hoping to stay conservative (not politically) at least through Georgia and North Carolina. After I make it to Virginia I might ramp it up a little. I will have to constantly remind myself, ¢It¢s not a race¢. I was just looking for new updates and noticed Postcard started a new journal and has announced his book has been published. I ordered it this morning and hope it gets delivered before I leave for the hike. He has an excellent journal from 2004 and has an even better one started this year. Check it out and buy his book.It¢s a perfect day and I better get outside and enjoy it.
Date: 2006-02-08
To: 20 "Best days of my life", to go.
Miles today: 0.0

I will start my hike in twenty days. I have mixed feelings about the chores and details which need to be worked out. I¢m running out of time and I want time to slow down so I can finish up all the details at home and with my plans... When I¢m enjoying precious time with my love and thinking about how much I will miss these moments I want time to stop. When I think about the hike and all the exciting new experiences I want to be there now. I am living in a very strange emotional zone. There¢s still so much to do, mixed with a desire to get this hike started. I¢m still ordering equipment. I know that I might not need this equipment but for some reason I feel like I want it. I know this is not good because I should only take what I need and forgo things I want. I keep hearing this tune in my head, ¢You can¢t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might find, you get what you need¢¦¢    I¢m looking forward to meeting some of you on the trail in about three weeks. And I¢m also looking forward to some real trail experiences to write about.         Planning for and thinking about this hike has caused me to do some soul searching. Before I set out on this thru-hike, I want to make sure I do everything possible to help ensure my success. I have looked at my schedule and now plan to start off slower, more cautious. I promise that I will be as flexible as necessary and will not try to control everything. I am leaving early in the season and might have to be real flexible when weather conditions become extreme. I have a long time to enjoy this hike and no reason why I can¢t extend my schedule. Katahdin is a long hike away but I will try to take each day one at a time and enjoy each day like it¢s the best day of my life. Shouldn¢t we do that every day of our life?I have the full set of maps and plan on mailing then to the following locations:Trail town, Maps:HIAWASSEE, GA- NC- MAPFONTANA, NC- GSMNPHOT SPRINGS, NC- TN-NCDAMASCUS- VA MAP 1- MAP2PEARISBURG-VA- MAP-3DALEVILLE, VA- MAP-4- MAP5ROCKFISH GAP, VA- (MAYBE WAYNESVILLE VA- MAP-11-10-9-8-7HARPERS FERRY WV- MAP 5&6 MD- MAP4-SECTION 14 PA- MAP-1-SEC-9, 10, 11DUNCANNON, PA- SECTION-7&8- SECTION 1-6 TO DEL WATER GAPDELAWARE WATER GAP- (I WILL PICK UP MAPS FROM LYNNE AS WE MEET HERE)- NJ-NY- MAPS 6,5,4,3,2,1- MAP5, MA&CT-MAP4SALISBURY, CT- MAP-3, 2, 1-MAP-8, 7, 6KILLINGTON VT- MAP5, 4, NH, VT   GLENNCLIFF NH- MAP3, 2, 1GORHAM, NH- MAP-1, 2, MAP7, MEANDOVER ME- MAP-6STRATTON, ME- MAP-5, MECARATUNK-ME- MAP-4MONSON, ME- MAPS-3, 2, 1
Date: 2006-02-18
To: Getting ready
Miles today: 0.0

Ten more days to get ready to go. I've spent the last week shopping for and packing my food for the mail-drops. I didn't think it would take so much time and thought. I've packed the food into boxes and labeled the boxes with mailing dates. Most of the boxes are for locations early in the hike. I also divided the maps and put them in envelopes with return envelopes inside so I can return the used maps. I also entered my mail-drops onto my journal. There are twenty, which seems like a lot, but nine are for maps and eleven are for food. I've packed my backpack and it's a little heavy, so I'm going to consider every piece of equipment and purge a few items. Food is going to be my heaviest item. I'm still on schedule for departure on February 28, 2006.For now I'm adding weight to my body and enjoying clean clothes, beautiful weather, clean sheets, the Olympics, my couch, you get the picture, I'm going to miss all the comforts of home.I haven't said much lately because the hike is approaching so fast I haven't had a chance to sit down and journal. Hope all you "Class of 2006 Hikers" are moving along toward your goals and you are almost ready to go. That's all I've got for now. Peace.
Date: 2006-02-20
To: Ella's Birthday
Miles today: 0.0

Today February 20, 2006, Ella was born. Ella is our first Granddaughter. My daughter, Amy, is doing fine. We are happy to welcome Ella to our family and hope she is ready to play with her brothers John and Adam, and her cousins, Eli, Bentley, and Zane. This picture is of Ella on the warming table directly after she was cleaned up after her birth. She has just opened her eyes for the first time. What a beautiful moment. I got time to bond and will have a few more days before I leave for the trail. When I get back she will be waiting for her Grandfather to tell her all about the hike. Ahhh...
Date: 2006-02-22
To: Six more days
Miles today: 0.0

Friday we drive up to Amicalola Falls. After we settle in we plan on driving some food drops to Hiawassee and NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center in Wesser). I want to stop at Neels gap to talk to the experts about the contents of my pack. Then it will be time to get this party started. LETS GET READY TO THRU-HIKE!
Date: 2006-02-23
To: Packing the car
Miles today: 0.0

The time has come to pack the car and drive up to the trail. Today I tried to finalize everything. The backpack is packed with everything including food, fuel and water and it looks like it weighs about 30 pounds. All the mail drops are finalized and the boxes have been double checked and sealed. I spent last night saying goodbye to my older daughters family and tonight I said goodbye to my younger daughter's family. The grand kids all gave me a hug and kiss and said their goodbyes. It was all pretty low key but very special to me. I didn't want a big send off it's not my style. This pre-hike time is so surreal. I wonder about the reality of my decision. I was so sure this is right but there's so much I will miss I hope I made the right decision. Amy, Ronnie, John, Adam, Ella, Beth, Arturo, Eli, Bentley, Zane, and my beloved wife, Lynne, I will miss you all very much, but you will all be in my heart and soul, I will hike with my love for you all as the fuel that will keep me going to the end. Thank you all for believing in me and supporting my dream. I will be back soon and our reunion will be sweet.
Date: 2006-02-28
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: clear sky

I am Mrs. Bushwhacker and now writing for Bill as he is out on the trail hiking. Bushwhacker left Springer on Tuesday, February 28 a little later than planned. We woke up to a flat tire on my car and after the ranger gave us some air, we rode into Dawsonville to get a new (used) tire for $21. We then met Cookie at the ranger station for the weigh-in (29 pounds thanks to a shakedown at Neel Gap by Winton) and the obligatory photos. The weather was perfect Tuesday! With the deep blue sky and bold, broad views through the leafless trees on top of Springer Mountain, it was a beautiful send off (and a Happy Mardi Gras to our Louisiana friends.) We said our goodbyes and Bushwhacker is off to chase his dreams.At noon today, March 2, the first trail report is in. "This is hard work, it will be up to me to make this happen!" The young people just breeze by while us old geezers plod on. The first night was spent at Hawk Mountain, and second night at Gooch Mountain. The goal today was Wood's Hole with Blood Mountain as Friday's climbing challenge.
Date: 2006-03-01
From: Hawk Mountain

To: Gooch
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

9:00 starts a good day. Winter woods, big uphills. Walking with Cookie, Happy Trails, Curley. It's a warm day, worked up a sweat. A dry section - had to carry 2 litres of water. Arrived at Gooch Mountain shelter around 4:30 pm. Decided to stay in the shelter since it was so nice and only four of us. Filled up on water at a good spring. Came back and met Stumpknocker, who has hiked the trail 5 times. He showed me a digital picture of my wife, who he said he had dinner with at the Amicoloa Falls Lodge, along with his friend, Amoeba. Shortly after, Swiss Miss and Happy Feet arrived and Thomas - all through hikers at shelter tonight including Sidewinder, his Dad Sourdough, Cookie, Curley, Happy Trails and Thomas. Bluebelle and Happy set up their tents. Another nice night - perfect!
Date: 2006-03-02
From: Gooch

To: Wood's Hole
Miles today: 11.9

Overcast morning, Sidewinder gets up at 4AM and leaves in the dark. We enjoy breakfast and start a little past 8AM. This shelter is a really nice double decker with no mice, snoring galore. Today we started in fog and the day turned out to be wet and cold, like we were walking in the clouds. The hike was from Gooch Mountain shelter to Woods Hole shelter which is about a 12 mile hike. The shelter was a long .4 miles from the AT, then we had to walk .2 miles back to get water. I developed a few blisters today and the hike was a challenge to complete. When we arrived at the shelter we were welcomed with a nice hot fire and the tribe - Happy Trails, Curley, D Rock, Wilhem (who is now known as Cayenne because he puts it on all his food), Bluebelle and Sidewinder. A new hiker, Norwood, stayed in his tent after giving up his spot in the shelter to make way for the tribe. We ate in record time and sat by the fire to keep warm and to commune. The sunset and the stars and a crescent moon were beautiful.
Date: 2006-03-03
From: Wood's Hole

To: Walasiyi
Miles today: 3.7

Today we woke to 30 degrees with high winds. Very cold, especially when I had to change into my hiking clothes. Had to start with my rain gear and a wool cap. Still cold! Hiked over Blood Mountain, called Lynne about sending my old backpack for Curley and Happy Trails. Walked with Cookie. Views from Blood Mountain were spectacular. We could look in all directions and see where we are going. Spectacular also as it gave us a good idea of the challenges to come. This hike is much harder than I thought it would be - it's one big challenge. Today we only hiked about 4 miles but we needed an easy day to rest, do our chores, and resupply. When I talked to Lynne I had to choke back the tears - I got very emotional. Only a few days and I am homesick. We are at Walasiyi Inn with a full house. We ordered pizza as a group. D Rock, Cayenne, Sidewinder and Sourdough went on, saying they'd see us at Trail Days.
Date: 2006-03-04
From: Walasiyi

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Started at Neel's gap at 8:30 am with Cookie and Bluebelle. Walked over several mountains and had great views from Low Rock Mountain. The weather is perfect - 30's, blue sky and a windy day. We hiked to Low Gap shelter arriving at 4:30 pm. Along the way we ran into Stumpknocker who was just out for a walk before starting back on his thru-hike. There's a big party at Neel's Gap for Wynton that everyone is going to - free food and drinks!! At Low Gap we set up our tents because the shelter was full. Compass, Homebrew, Superman, Bear, Norwoodie, Jolly Green Giant, Snake (Bit) (dropping the bit because people can't say Snakebit in one word.) At 7:00 Cookie and Bluebelle go to bed. There's a cozy campfire. This shelter area isn't as nice as others - no privvies and many do not practice good ethics. Oh well... I did. It's cold!
Date: 2006-03-05
From: Low Gap

To: Blue Mountain
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: clear sky

Started at Low Gap Shelter at 8:30 am. Cold start with clear skies and nice breeze. Hike is becoming challenging today. I developed a blister on the ball of my left foot and on the heel of my right foot. That was the least of my problems. My knees are sore and I was in serious pain all day. When we got to Blue Mountain shelter we decided to call it a day and try to get to Tray Mountain tomorrow. This shelter at Blue Mountain has a reputation for being breezy so we hope we don't freeze. And, I hope my knees hold out. I had planned for 3 days food when I left Neel's Gap and with this added day I wouldn't have enough food. Thanks to Bear who was carrying a 58 pound pack and he had extra food. I was able to get another's days food. Thank you Bear and good luck on your hike. There are some good people out here. Bear and Snake were two ver nice young men who really seem to have a great attitude.
Date: 2006-03-06
From: Blue Mountain

To: Sassafrass
Miles today: 11.8

Left Blue Mountain Shelter with Cookie and Bluebelle. We were the only ones in the shelter. We had a nice, small fire for a few minutes last night and the wind was pretty noisy. The shelter was good, with a privvy and water source close by. I like staying in the shelters. We left and ran into four weekend hikers from FSU. Nice young men having a great time. I hiked with one guy named Ollie who was from Columbia and another guy who was a resident student doctor who gave me some advice about my knees. They got off the trail at Tray Mountain Road. We had originally planned on stopping at Tray Mountain shelter for the night. When we arrived there at around 2 pm we found HomeBrew there. He had cleaned the shelter as he had found it a mess. There were many references to bears in the shelter register. HomeBrew decided to walk on with us for awhile since it was early. We made it to an area called Sassafrass Gap, mile 60.1, and set up our tents. Cookie, Bluebelle. HomeBRew and I at the Gap. The wind was howling and the temperature dropping rapidly. I felt bad. I lost my appetite and my knees and feet were killing me. We all got into our tents at 6:30 pm as it was so cold. I treid to eat dinner but felt so bad I couldn't eat, so I gave my dinner to HomeBrew. During the night it became windy and it rained. In the morning our tents had ice crystals both inside and out. It was tough to get started.
Date: 2006-03-07
From: Sassafrass

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: clear sky

Our goal is Dick's Creek Gap. It was another very challenging day with many ups and downs. My feet were torn up and my knees swollen. My spirits sunk to a low point. I was in a bad place emotionally. I knew I had to just keep going to get out and to a place I could escape to heal. I really wasn't sure I could make it. I felt like HomeBrew held back to make sure I was ok. Things like that are hard to explain but are so meaningful. We all made it to Dick's Creek. I stopped to talk to a nice young couple up for a few days. They were staying in a cabin and looking for a trout stream. They came back to their car and offered us a a ride to Hiawassee. Bluebelle put her pack in the trunk and I put mine on my lap. The couple rolled down their windows for a little fresh air. We all almost froze but that was better than our smell. They dropped us off at the Hiawassee Inn. Pirate and Mickie One Sock were there. The owner, Ron, was very nice and gave good advice and counselling. Bluebelle and I got single rooms and immediately cleaned up, then did our laundry. Ron gave us Epsom salts for our feet. I went to Subway and devoured a footlong steak sandwich and 5 cokes. At 6:00 I got a call from Bear and he said they were in town and going to eat at Dave's. Ron drove us to the grocery and then to Dave's. Snake, Bear, Compass, Torture, Pirate, One sock, Pebbles, HomeBrew and Cookie were there, along with me and Bluebelle. I was ready to quit today and had several emotional times when I was completely defeated. I called home and talked to Lynne, and decided to try to heal before I got OFF TRAIL. After dinner and some vitamins I began to feel better. I went to bed and channel surfed for awhile.