morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-07-04
From: Indiana

To: Indiana
Miles today: 0.0

July 4, 2006 Planned and unplanned delays are sometimes part of the Right Path We have had some valuable time off the trail. We attended our Church¢s annual convention (in our home town). We visited with family (children & grandchildren) and friends. We also attended two funerals. They weren¢t unexpected and their timing was so near our planned departure that we decided it was important to delay our departure by a week to July 7th.When I left the trail, I was very satisfied with my accomplishment and while I planned to continue hiking, I no longer felt the same drive I had when I headed toward Springer Mountain. However, I continued making plans and working out the trail details.Then about two or three days ago, I suddenly realized I was ready to go hiking again. It was more like a feeling deep down inside my soul feeling that I HAD to continue my hike. We will head for Becket, Massachusetts on July 7th. I will begin hiking on July 10th and plan to hike through Connecticut and Massachusetts. I will cover Massachusetts in just six days including three days of ¢slack¢ packing. This is where Ris« will drop me off at the trail head in the morning and pick me up that evening. We will be camping so close to the trail that slack packing will be an interesting variation. I will just carry food, water, raincoat and first aid kit and I plan to cover 16-20 miles each day. Then I will move on to Connecticut for three more days.   Brittany plans to join me for at least one day and maybe stay out overnight in a shelter or tent. After these two states, I will then develop a plan for where I will go next. I still plan to hike for the next two months. I am concerned about all the recent rain in New England, but I am ready to give it a try. I also have a backup plan to drop south to Virginia if New England is too wet. Once again I am excited about my upcoming adventure and I feel like I did just before I started at Springer Mountain. I am a somewhat ¢seasoned¢ hiker now and I feel really good. My new boots are broken in and are very comfortable. It will be a great day for a hike.
Date: 2006-07-06
From: Indiana

To: Indiana to Florida
Miles today: 0.0

July 6, 2006   Sometimes the right path is totally not what we expected or ¢The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry¢.Today, my father-in-law planned to have a routine procedure in Florida that would place two or three stents in his heart to open blockages. This did not work. The blockages were bad enough that it was necessary to abort the original plan and schedule a triple bypass. We are the primary care givers in the event of serious illness. This changes my Appalachian Trail plans completely. Therefore, I am canceling my hiking plans and we will head to Florida the first of next week. Sometimes, the reality of life doesn¢t always follow our best laid plans. I probably will not be back on the Trail this year. Hiking the Trail this year was so very important to me, BUT family is always more important.HOWEVER, I AM NOT THROUGH --- I WILL BE BACK. The Appalachian Trail will always be in my heart and deep in my soul. There is something about the experience that defies description. I really don¢t think anyone can truly understand it unless they have seriously hiked on the Trail. And, just as important, now that I have hiked a major section of this incredible Trail it has become close to a religious experience and I will never again be the same naive person that stood with wonder and excitement on Springer Mountain in Georgia just a few short weeks ago.
Date: 2006-07-07
From: Indiana

To: Indiana to Florida -- Thank You TEVA
Miles today: 0.0

July 9, 2006 A tip of the hat to the makers of Teva shoesToday, I checked my credit card account on the Internet. AND, there was a substantial credit from Teva for my old hiking shoes. I think it is wonderful that a business supports the thru-hiker community with more than just lip-service and promises. This is a company that puts their money where their mouth is and lives up to their promises. Today, they continue to make wonderful sandals and other shoes that I would still recommend. THANK YOU TEVA!!!
Date: 2005-01-28
To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Testing my thought of a thru-hike.My friend Cindy and I meet Dave aka Butch Casidy at Springer Mtn for the start of Dave's 2005 thru-hike. Cindy and I are going to Dicks Creek Gap.Dave is doing another thru this year with his son.
Date: 2006-08-04
To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Labor Day weekend I with my friend Cindy AKA I-Plod and 3 other women go for a 3 day hike in the rain. Last month my son of 25 years says to me "Mom I'm going to hike the AT" (He hiked the PCT in 2004). I say "OK now's my chance to hike it too". My husband will feel better about me going off for a 6 month adventure if I'm going with my son.From now on every hike is a shake down hike in preparation for thru-hiking the AT. I'm hooked.Little did I know while I'm on this hike my son who is at Burning Man has just fallen in love.
Date: 2006-12-26
To: New Hiking Partner
Miles today: 0.0

Yes Alex came home from Burning Man in love with Katie. As he told it to me - "Good news is I found some one, bad news is I'm not hiking the AT."I was in shock, happy for my son, but became depressed over the apparent bursting of my bubble. This lasted for a few days and then decided I would not let this keep me from going through with my plans to hike the AT.Only thing is I do not want to hike alone even though I've been told over and over I will not be alone.I posted a request for a hiking partner. A month or so goes by and no response to my request. Maybe I should hve posted my age to be 25 instead of 55. Well finally the first of November I get a reply from Sarah who is my age. She says she will hike with me. Yes, Yes I know, we may not be compatible, if this is the case we will go our own ways, but at least I have someone to start out with. This has been such a help in my planning and motivation.
Date: 2007-01-15
To: Super Star and Five Leaf Clover at SoRuck
Miles today: 0.0

I try to learn as much as I can about an event or activity I'm about to embark apon. So I decided to attend the 2007 SoRuck at the NOC over MLK weekend. To my surprise my husband said he wanted to come to.We went not knowing a soul. I did know of others attending but only by name through the Womenhikers group. Yes I was nervous, I'm timid, but it did not take long before I felt like part of the hiker family. It was this event that caught my husbands attention. I'm sorry to say but my husband had very little interest in my bicycling trips. Since coming back from the SoRuck he has read two AT thru-hiking books, is helping me with my planning, he asks me questions about my gear and clothing and seems to be genuinely interested, even referring to himself as a 'Hiker'.
Date: 2007-02-12
To: It's all about the gear
Miles today: 0.0

You can't tell me gear is not important, especially the right gear. Once I have made my gear choice then I make sure it is tested tried and true in the field.My good friend Phyllis and I go out into extreme weather conditions either on our bikes or with backpack to see just how well our gear performs. These shake down trips have proven to be invaluable as well as a lot of fun.
Date: 2007-02-13
To: My Tent
Miles today: 0.0

When I bicycle tour I have used either a Sierra Designs Ultra Light Year or the REI Roadster, both now retired. For back packing I wanted something lighter in weight.Three years ago I bought the Virga Tarp Tent with floor and beak. I don't like the tent. When ever I used it it left me with an uncomfortable feeling. The netting between the floor and tarp was always sloppy no matter how I tried to set it up. And I was always being rained on by condensation. So I now have the BA Seedhouse SL1. I like this tent even though it is going to be tricking setting up in the rain and I wish the door was higher/taller.My sleeping bag is a Western Mountaineering 10 degree Veralite Super. I have a Thermarest Prolite3 short pad and I made myself a silk bag liner.
Date: 2007-02-14
To: My Stove
Miles today: 0.0

For many years I have used a Primus stove that screws into a canister. It works very well. For my cross country bike trip I bought a Brunton Optimus multi fuel stove. I have mixed results and feelings with this stove.Then again for back packing I wanted something lighter, simpler.My husband and I made several pepsi can alcohol stoves in varing designs including Tin Mans side burner design. The instructions for these stoves can be quite complex and so precise. My friend Phyllis has the Etowa stove which performs quite nicely. Simple that I am I got to thinking, there must be a way to simplify the design and construction process yet be light weight, efficient and sturdy.I wanted a side burner because this design eliminates the pot stand.I had a 4 oz spice tin just like the 2 oz tin used in the Etowa stove. Thanks to Zenstoves.com templates I didn't have to figure hole spacing. This is the design I came up with. I call it the KISS stove. The stove and primer pan weigh 1 3/8 oz. I can boil a pot of water with 1.5 oz alcohol in 7 to 8 mins. The fuel will continue to burn another 6 or so mins.
Date: 2007-02-16
To: My Clothing
Miles today: 0.0

Clothing choice has been a difficult process. I get cold very easily. I think I have narrowed it down to what I'm going to start this hike with. I have certain criteria my pieces have to meet.1. Light Weight2. Wicking3. Dries fast4. Warm for cold weather5. Or cool for warm weather6. Low bulk7. Sun pertective8. Highly functional for the purpose9. Most importantly venting for those frequent and anoying hot flashes. My winter clothing in total weights 3.5 lbs, including what I'm wearing but not including my rain gear or shoes.Most of my clothing came from REI or Sierra Trading Post.I have three pairs of tights. One to wear while hiking, one to wear at night and one to wear for extra warmth when needed.I have five tops. A short sleeve UA worn as a undershirt under a long sleeve zipneck worn while hiking. A long sleeve and wool camisole for night and a long sleeve zipneck to be worn for extra warmth as needed.Three pairs of socks, Two of them wool for hiking and one pair fleece for night.And then I have two pairs of undies.I have made myself a hiking skirt. This piece I really like. My rain gear consists of North Face W Diad Jacket weighing 6oz, Marmont full zip pant weighing 9.5 oz and a pair of rain mitts 2oz. I have a Montbell UR down jacket weighing 6.6 oz for camp only, a buff, MH hat, and REI fleece gloves. Oh yeah a 6 oz Patagonia wind vest and a OR brimed rain hat. This is a lot of stuff I know. When the weather warms most of it is going. Although I will replace some of it with a long sleeve button shirt and a 3 oz wind vest.
Date: 2007-02-17
To: Foot Wear Oh my gosh
Miles today: 0.0

This has been a very expensive and trying ordeal.My foot is high volume, narrow heel, wide forefoot, high arch. Most shoes I've tried are too tight in the forefoot and too loose in the heel. The ones I have bought have felt good in the store but once worn around some start hurting my foot mostly heel slipage and pinched toes. I did find a pair of LaSprotiva boots that felt good but started to come apart after 50 miles or so.And So I'm on my tenth pair of shoes/boots. Newest pair are REI's light hiker. I think they are going to work. I also have a pair of North Face boots and a pair of NF low hikers that will work. Although nothing has proven a perfect fit.I tried Super feet insoles but ended up getting custom orthotics. This created a whole new problem. Most shoes I have found will not accomodate the thickness of the orthotic at least not along with my high volume foot. The orthotics also bumped me up a half larger shoe size.I have been able to return three pairs of the boots. One pair of shoes are now my garden shoes, I've given a pair away. All the others I can wear around home on short walks.
Date: 2007-02-18
To: The rest of my gear
Miles today: 0.0

My pack is an Osprey Ariel 60, 3500 cubic inch, 3.4 lbs.I use a platapus but may go to drink bottles instead. I will use a Katadyn hiker pro water filter. I've got an old pair of Rebounds now called Crocks for camp shoes.A Petzel head lamp.Home made gaitors, silk pee rag, food sack with bear bag and teflon cord.I like having my fanny pack which holds my wet wipes, sun screen, ID, and such. Attached to my fanny pack is my Nikon coolpix L6 camera.All in all my base winter pack weight, excluding my fanny pack, weighs 17.9 oz.I'm hoping to not go over 30 lbs with 5 days food, fuel and daily water.
Date: 2007-02-19
To: Food for thought
Miles today: 0.0

Right now I am eating a pint of Ben and Jerry's 'Turtle Soup' ice cream. I can because I just hiked 20 miles with 25 lbs on my back. I've been wearing a heart rate monitor when I hike to get an idea of how many calories I'm buring. Knowing this will help in my meal preparation.I like to eat healthy but filling up on a salad doesn't give me enough calories so I have to supplement with well things like ice cream, Little Debbie fudge brownies and snickers bars.While on the trail my cooking will consist of boiling water and adding this to a freezer baggie of couscous and black beans or rice and lentals. I'll also be dinning on lipton rice sides, ramon noodles and any other type food that cooks merely by adding boiling water.It's going to be hard to carry enough calorie laden food to sustain me while I hike. Town stops will sure to be a feasting frenzy.While going cross country by bicycle we certainly found creative ways to keep our bellies full and energized.
Date: 2007-02-19
To: My Hydration System
Miles today: 0.0

Even though I have used a bladder system for years I'm feeling uncomfortable about some of it's drawbacks. I have had my water freeze in the tubing coming from the bladder. I bought the cameback tube insulator and bite valve cover thinking this would prevent freezing. I haven't been in conditions cold enough to see if it works but I do know I don't like it. It's heavy and stiff. With the bladder system it's hard to keep up with the fluid level especially if the bladder is inside the pack. And then what if it leaks inside the pack.I started carring a small bottle of water as backup. When my bladder empties I know I still have 8 oz of water and it's time to be thinking about my next water source.Recently I saw someone with water bottles attached to his packs shoulder straps at chest level. I thouhgt now that's the way to go. Except you have to detach the bottle from the strap for every sip you take. So this is what I came up with as you can see in the picture. I bought a pack of 'Cargoloc" 12 inch magic ties. They are velcro self gripping straps. I had some tubing left from a filter modification and a spare bite valve to make the no-hands drink system. I'm using two 20 oz drink bottles. The cap is the same diameter as the cap used on my water filter. A 5/16 in. drill bit makes the perfect size hole in the bottle cap for the tubing. I have eliminated 2 lb, 12 oz from my back by moving the water to my chest. So far the sound of water sloshing is it's only drawback. To prevent water freezing in the tubing I can pinch the bite valve to drain the water. I think this hydration system is the way to go.
Date: 2007-03-14
To: My enV phone
Miles today: 0.0

It's not a pocket PC but it will do what I want while on the trail.I can send and recieve email, check the weather by zip code, get dopplar radar and news updates if I so please. I don't care about the music and video application.I have used the pocket mail composer. It's nice and works great but since I sold it instead of buying another one I decided to get a new phone the LG enV through Verison. I will let you know how it performed service wise and ease of use.
Date: 2007-03-14
To: Last minute to do's
Miles today: 0.0

This last week has had a few bumps. I was summond to jury duty for the week of March 12th. I worried for a month over this but come Monday I went dutifully to the court house to serve. Thank goodness I was out by noon and did not have to return. Almost 2 months ago I started the prcedure to recieve a crown on a tooth. It should only have been a two visit two week ordeal but there were some complications and 6 visits later on Monday I finially had the crown placed.And then, and this is not so bad other than taking time from my preparations, I have been working some unexpected days and long hours for McCorkle Nurserys stocking shrubs and trees at local area Home Depots. This is very hard work for those of you who may not know.So finally this last Sunday with help of my good friend Phyllis I got all my resupply boxes finished and labeled. Now I'm working on my house plants. I have gathered then all into the breakfast room to cut back, fertilize and label with watering instructions for whom ever it is that takes on this responsibility. The end of April they can all go out side to be cared for by mother nature and a sprinkler when needed.I cut back rose bushes and all my other shrubbery and fertilized.Now all that's left is, and the question is, should I clean the house?
Date: 2007-03-16
To: Barbara's Appalachian Trail thru-hike update
Miles today: 0.0

To all, With months of preparation now behind me it is time to hit the trail. Sunday morning March 18th my husband Jim is driving me up to the hikers hostel in Dahlonega to meet with Dr John Davis of Alma College for my pretesting for the Appalachian Trail Research project. This is a study being preformed on long distance hikers to examine the physiological and nutritional aspects of thru-hiking. I'm a volunteer. Here is where I will meet Sarah my hiking partner for the first time and yes I am just a wee bit nervous about our compatibility. We'll have lunch before being driven up the narrow, bumpy, winding forest service road to the Springer Mtn parking lot. Our spouses will walk the 1 + miles to Springer Mtn plaque the Southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail where we will imbrace one another and say our good byes. Sarah and I plan to spend the night in the tenting area of Springer Mtn shelter. The next morning we begin our hike along with countless other aspiring thru-hikers. All hoping to reach Mt Katahdin in Maine 2174.9 miles or an average of 6 months later. If your interested in following my hike you can read my journal entries at www.trailjournals.com/BarbaraCorley Hike On.Barbara Corley
Date: 2007-03-18
To: Springer Mountain
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Jim and I arrived at the hiker hostel in dahlonega at 10am to meet Dr. John for pretesting for the research project. I was tested for muscle strength, lung capacity, max heart rate , he took body measurement, urine and blood as well, when the testing was complete I was pronounced to be very fit. Sarah my hiking partner arrived around 2 and we met for the first time. She also went through all the testing. After a brief lunch we all road together up to the Springer Mtn. parking lot. Our spouses walked with us up to the mountain and then on to the shelter where we said our good byes. Sarah and pitched our tents and settled in for the night.
Date: 2007-03-19
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

We were on the trail by 7:45. The temp was 39 degrees. We passed several hikers camped along the trail as we made our way to Hawk Mtn shelter it seemed everyone was taking there time getting started for the day. We saw no others as we walked along and wandered where was everyone. We arrived at camp at 12:15. As the afternoon progressed more and more hikers arrived. By evening there must have been over 30 people. Tina from the womens hiker yahoo group was one of them. We had exchanged emails in the past weeks. What we have noticed about many of the others is that they are carrying large heavy packs along with carrying a lot of extra body weight. I learned today that I am carrying way to much food. I gave some of the extra away even still I have to much. My starting pack weight was 28 lbs. Sarah's was 24 lbs. All day we talked about how we could lessen our pack weight.
Date: 2007-03-20
From: Hawk Mountain

To: Gooch Mountain
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Sarah and I have meshed together really well. We were up and on the trail by 7:15 just light enough to see where we are walking. We don't eat breakfast before leaving instead we snack along the way. I have packed high energy cookies for breakfast. We took a wrong turn coming off Justis creek bridge and walked nearly a mile down an old trail before realizing it. And that was only because the trail started to deteriorate. So we turned around and started looking for a white blaze. I realized then that I had not seen any holes made by hiking sticks. There were also logs placed across the trail in places; another indication. We arrived at Gooch Mtn shelter at 1:15 an 8.7 mile day. There have been several hiker comment about how hard it has been so far. Much harder then they ever imagined and are not sure they can continue. Sassafrass and Justis Mtn are a pretty tough climb. The weather has been obsoletely beautiful. Reaching 82 degrees today.
Date: 2007-03-21
From: Gooch Mountain

To: Jarrard Gap
Miles today: 12.4

Once again we were up and on the trail by 7:15. The early start is working out for both of us. About a mile out we came across the spill over from Gooch gap shelter. Gooch gap shelter and tent sites filled up early so the rest had to walk on to a large camping area just off usfs42. There must have been 20 tents or so. As we progressed down the trail we ere met by 30 or so army rangers out on a 25 mile run. Although they were not all running. We had our first trail angel today. Just as we reached Jarrard gap we were met by Dr john. He had come up to see if he might catch some of us that are in his study to see how we were doing. He was loaded down with drinks and candy bars and a big hug. We planned to stay at woods hole shelter but the spring on the way to the shelter was nearly dry so we continued on to slaughter creek. Our mileage for today was 12.4. Sarah and I are getting along real well. We even experience hot flashes together. Tomorrow we have about 2.5 miles to Neels gap for a shower and laundry.
Date: 2007-03-22
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

10.6 miles today. On trail at 7:15. Arrived at shelter by 2. Wild cat mtn brought the sweat to our brows. Sarah and i are doing very well as hiking partners. We have a long day tomorrow entries will be short while on the trail. I will edit once i get to a computer. all is well.
Date: 2007-03-24
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: overcast clouds

7am ¢ 5:40pm52 low-84 highSarah and I seem to be the first to always be the first ones up and on the trail. Since it¢s one step at a time we hit the trail just as we are able to see several feet in front of us. As we hike along there are hikers camped just off the trail some still sleeping and other eating their breakfast out of cook pots.The first few miles are fairly flat easy terrain, a good warm up for what lay a head. I guess they are called rock scrambles, large boulders and broken rock lay out the trail on a steep incline and decent.We arrive at Blue Mtn shelter at 10:45 for a 45 min lunch break. Then continue with more strenuous ups and some downs until we the summit of Tray Mtn with a magnificent 360 degree view of the Appalachians surrounding us. Sarah said she had only a ounce of energy to enjoy the view. We arrive at Tray Mtn shelter at 5:40 to a packed house. A boy scout troop of 12 took up most of the tenting space leaving us with a sloping patch of dirt behind the shelter. The only other face we recognized was Scholar whom we had met back at the Hiker Hostel in Dahlonega.To bed early.