morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-01-24
To: PA Ruck
Miles today: 350.0

Started out bright and early this morning to drive to the Ruck. OK, so I slept late & then ate a big breakfast.. Give me a break, I'm writing this, not you....It was COLD & WINDY out!!! I threw straight windshield washer fluid on my windshield, and it froze as it hit, in a thick oblong blob.. Great....Took 10 minutes to melt the mush enough to scrape it. The rest of the trip went without incident, but with lots of coffee.. I arrived at the Ironmasters Hostel in the park at about 12:30 or so. Hung out with a bunch of friends in the parking lot till the place opened (they were cleaning). Hung out with POG, Felix "That's just Bull shit" (inside joke), Chase, Wood elf, John O and others... Then started unloading food as they opened up. Just getting there and meeting the first few people, was exciting... Lots more people to meet. It turned out to be a cold day, but with 70-100 hikers all in the building, it was a heart warming experience. A few of the people I met, I will be hiking the trail with in March. Others in the group, are the people that started me dreaming of such a trip. The rest have offered help and support in my trip preparations, or helped with shake down hikes, or just were there for advice or encouragement. Lots of catching up with old friends & making new ones.The night came to a close as I sat around a bonfire, dreaming...Just so you know, this was no ordinary bonfire.. It was jet fueled & air blasted into a furnace!!! OK, So they used alcohol & a gas leaf blower to get it fired up (I never said that long distance hikers were normal). And no one was injured... The burning boot was steel toed... :-)Bonfire attire.. Sarongs for the lovely ladies.... Well at least one of them.... Turns out the other person in the sarong was a guy.... Hmm.... But it's OK, he was the sarong designer, testing his gear.After the fire, it was back to the tent to Sleep (it off...). Of course since it was beer I was drinking, there was the mandatory 3AM trip to the trees (funny, since it was 2AM when I got in the tent...), and the following 7 AM trip... Hmmm.. I see a pattern here.
Date: 2003-01-25
To: Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Well another day spent with long distance hikers... Spending time with long distance hikers, is kind of like coffee in the morning, once you get used to it, you wouldn't have it any other way.All day was spent talking, singing, listening to impromptu musical performances, and enjoying everyones company. I learn a lot, every time I meet with this group... About hiking & life in general... The dinner hours were spent helping in the kitchen (dinner for 100), under the supervision of POG, and with the help of Gary, Amy, myself & and others that came & went. It was a resounding success, there was plenty of food & dessert for all. We even had some hikers drop in from their AT hike to stay the night, eat & talk with us. Did I mention they also just biked across Canada & kayaked the full length (N -> S) of the Missouri river? Intrepid travelrs...After many hours of socializing, it was again time for bed, but no campfire this time... Just snuggled in the warm bag, to dream the night away...
Date: 2003-01-26
To: NJ
Miles today: 200.0

Well, this morning was a sad one. After packing up camp, and helping clean the Hostel, it was time for goodbyes. I said goodbye to many good friends, knowing I wouldn't see them until October. There were lots of hugs this day, but they weren't enough. They were just place holders, until next time...Then we all went our different ways home in the snow.Looking forward to more tests with my ULA P2 pack this week.Life is good.
Date: 2003-01-28
To: Around the block
Miles today: 4.2

Well, another test for the ULA P2 pack today.If you remember, the last test wasn't very helpful. The pack didn't feel comfortable, and I had hip pain, with only 10 opounds on my back.Shows what a trip to the chiropractor will do. This time I walked a fast paced, hilly 4.2 miles carrying 16 pounds in the P2. It was great, comfortable & no pains anywhere. I had reshaped the aluminum pack stay, to fit my back better.. Seems to have helped.I think I have all of my gear figured out now, except my fleece jacket. Looking for a new Patagonia one. Having said that, my tent is still not here. It should be here already, so I wait for it every day. My new cell phone is coming too... A lighter newer one to try & use on my hike, to keep in touch with people better (We'll see how it works. I can always use a phone card).Other than that, I still need the Thruhikers Companion (book with lots of AT Town data). I already ordered it, but production problems may delay it beyond my AT start date... I'll cross my fingers... Life is good.
Date: 2003-02-04
To: Around the block
Miles today: 4.2

Well, not much new going on.I'm still buying snacks, film, and assorted other junk to send myself along the trail. I have my first 8 "Mail Drop" boxes lined up and half full (That will get me to Harpers Ferry WV).My walks around the neighborhood continue to help me settle into my new pack.The ULA P2 pack feels better with every mile I carry it. I am now carrying 22 pounds on my walks around my hilly neighborhood(I walk between 4-5 miles, 5 days a week). Next week I will try carrying 30 pounds, that is the weight I hope to carry on the trail (give or take a couple pounds). I am still waiting for my tent to arrive. It was finished the end of last week & should get here soon. Once it arrives, I will have to set it up & seal the seams so it is dry & ready to go in 3 weeks (and will keep me dry). Three weeks? Dang.... The time is flying by... But I think I'm ready. If I don't finish all my prep work before I start... No big deal, I'll just wing it.Hit the trail & start walking North... Wahoo!!!!Life is really good today.
Date: 2003-02-08
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Here is the news you have all been waiting for...My new tent got delivered today!! Yahoo!!!I immediately set it up & proceeded to do some seam sealing.I got it 95% sealed & it's drying nicely. I'll finish it up tomorrow.This means that I now have all of my major thru hiking gear. The only thing I am still looking for is a new Fleece jacket. I may not be taking quite enough cold weather gear with me on this trip, but I can always buy more after 4 days when I get to Neels Gap (nice to have an outfitter right on the trail). I think I have enough.... Just....OK, I'm still walking my 4-5 miles around the neighborhood, wearing my pack (it weighs about 24 pounds for these walks, I will probably bump the weight up to 30 pounds next week and se how it feels).I think it's amazing, that I can sit here typing on my computer and be cold (well it IS 67 degrees in here), when I am planning to hike & sleep outdoors in the cold winter air (and am not worried about being cold)... Just doesn't make sense... But, I never have been know to have the sense God have a rock.. ;-)Now I have to concentrate on getting my maildrops set up & ready to mail. I have to clean out the garage & organize things, so tools and "stuff" can be found in my absense. I have to get all my summer hiking gear in order & label it so it can be shipped to me later. I guess I will keep busy these last 2-3 weeks.... Man, the time is going by fast.Life is good
Date: 2003-02-18
To: More gear
Miles today: 0.0

OK, I finally bought my last piece of gear (for now).I added another top layer to my clothes.I bought a Marmot DryClime Arrow Jacket. DryClime Moisture Management Technology is a family of bi-component knits engineered to "mechanically" draw moisture away from your skin to keep you dry, warm and comfortable.Well, I will sure give this a good field test over the next few months.I talked to a woman that thru hiked the AT a couple years ago, she recommended this piece of gear above all others. 3 other people I talked to today loved it too.So here I am... I have all my gear, and just need to stuff it all in my pack & see how much it weighs..... Too much I bet. I am shooting for a max weight of 35 pounds. I will keep you posted.I'm still hiking around the neighborhood with my pack on 5 days a week, talking to other hikers 29 hours a day, going over my gear & mail drop contents... Only 10.5 days left till I start walking north... wow....Life is good.
Date: 2003-02-25
To: Last words before I leave
Miles today: 0.0

This entry is a hard one to write, I don't know where to start. My enthusiasm for my hike has had a blockade thrown in it's path. This past weekend I lost a friend, and fellow member of the AT Class of 2003. Ted Anderson, member of Pack 3/1 (our group departing from Springer the first of March), passed away suddenly Saturday night. I am no longer as excited to begin my hike, since it will now be without Ted (Soleman). We were going to help each other up the trail, slowly but surely, telling bad jokes all the way. I figured we would have lots of time to find out more about each other, toast the class of 2003 & pack 31 at every bar, take lots of pictures of us with the American flag he was going to carry, carry on with our hiking friends Wench & Liteshoe along the way. But it is not to be. Ted will still hike the trail this year, but it will be in the hearts of every Thru hiker that hits the trail. He will complete the trail many times over...So now I sit here, trying to get ready for my hike, but with a heavy heart. Meeting all my friends on Springer will now be a somber occasion. The night of the 28th, we will be toasting Ted on Springer. This is what he would want us to do. Carry on, hike a good hike, and celebrate his life along the trail.Ted old buddy. We miss you. You will always be a thruhiker & pack 31 member.See you when it's my time to hike the high trail...Your friend,Russ Teds journal is at (His wife Roxanne would love to hear from people that knew Ted, in his guest book): www.trailjournals.com/soleman
Date: 2003-02-28
From: Route 42

To: Springer Mountian
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Drove to Amicalola from the hotel this morning, Shari (My wife), Teresa (Wench) and I (Hotdog). Met Subman, Pringles, and Mickey-one-sock there. After many pictures were taken by the approach trail sign (with a million different cameras). Subman, Pringles, and Wench hit the trail and Mickey and his family drove to Springer. Shari and I went to the lodge for another breakfast, then hit the road en route to the Springer Mountain access lot on route 42. We hiked up to Springer for another photo session with a Bandana that had Ted¢s picture on it, and took other pictures by the Springer plaque, and vista. Beautiful day, must be almost 60 degrees and sunny. I hoped to see Bearkat here, but he left yesterday, he wanted some alone time. We rested at the nice viewpoint, took more pictures of the old ¢Hotdog¢ and went back down to the car for Shari to leave for home. After I hiked back to Springer and took my shoes off, I heard Wench, Subman and Pringles coming up the trail. Felt good just sitting there, relaxing, knowing my hike had started. Later as we all sat around the Springer shelter and cooked dinner (with the usual whisper light flare up), we talked about what was ahead (a cookout a Neels Gap on Tuesday!!). Note to self: take sunglasses off when it gets dark or you will think your headlight batteries are running low (duh !!).The rest of the crew rolled in after dark and we enjoyed a lot of talk and pictures (Jan had her new digital toy). After 2 hours Happy and I finally got a good fire going and then we went back to our tents to updates our journals. Coosa went back home, Jan, Bumpkin and Cricket sacked out in the shelter. A long day, but it feels good to be on the trail at last.I have to start getting used to a tent again. I can¢t wait ¢til tomorrow, pack 31 will be rolling north. Teresa¢s Mom made the cloth with Ted¢s picture on it, Good Job!! Ted is all over this mountain tonight. We all miss him, but know he will be watching over us as we hike north, Good Night All. Note: Ted¢s American flag did the approach trail carried by Wench and Subman. Hotdog
Date: 2003-03-01
From: Springer Mountian

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, last night was very interesting. The wind changed direction and blew into the ¢not as weather-proof¢ side of the tent. Did I mention that it was raining ? So my sleeping bag got kind of wet, but I stayed pretty warm until 7 AM. I was wiping water off things most of the night. Temp. probably was in the upper 30¢s. Went up to Springer again this morning for fog pictures, then hit the trail north. We are officially Pack 31 now (3/1/03). Ate lunch after long falls at the Hickory Flatts pavilion. Laid my gear out to dry, but forget it. Hiked a little farther to Hawk Mountain Shelter (at 3:30PM) and set up shop in the loft, all my gear hanging out to dry again. Hiked with Liteshoe, Wench, Happy, Bumpkin, and Kevin. Feels good to sit back and relax for a while. Everything aches a little, nothing too bad.Got really cold up in the shelter loft, started shivering, wrapped in my space blanket, put on layers. Got dressed and started dinner at the picnic back in the rain. Only off by a little on my alcohol, drank some scotch, relit the stove. Freeze dried spaghetti is ok, with hot sauce, parmesan, salt and pepper (and more scotch), with coffee. I¢ve eaten a ton today, feels good, had a hiker playing cool banjo and tell stories ( I took his picture so people would believe me), Bone Dancer. Sleeping bag is mostly dry, but I¢m warm now, it will be ok. I¢ll let you know about bears and mice tomorrow.Update: Mouse activity last night, found turds in and on my coffee cup. (Best cup I¢ve had so far).
Date: 2003-03-02
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Gap 
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Started out easy, hard to hump a pack first thing on tired legs and a full stomach. Today was a good hiking day, cool and some wind (but still over heat on hills). The bear for the day was Sassafras Mountain, we all went into trudge mode and slowly went up (I think I can, I think I can¢¦). Somewhere on the summit I had my first shit in the woods in years!! It was a prize winner! I caught up with Wench and Liteshoe and we had a nice easy hike for a while ( I felt pretty good today, no pains, no pack adjusting, my back is ok). En route to Gooch Gap we lunched at Cooper Gap and relaxed later by a stream (met a great group of people, Emily (Speck) and her sister Slick Rock with Frigid Air, Diesel and another whos trail name I forgot (this happens a lot), Oop Poop, maybe ? Later we stopped at the new Gooch Gap Mountian shelter for a break (this is a brand new shelter, it is so coo). When I tried to get up to hike my knees said no! But I convinced them they had 2 more miles and on we went.
Date: 2003-03-03
From: Gooch Gap 

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: few clouds

Woke up to 19 degrees and windy. I packed up quick, I ate a frozen Luna bar on the trail (I hate frozen bars !!). My fingers are all dirty and cracking, I¢ve been wearing the same clothes for 3 days. I may finally get to wear my dry sleeping clothes tonight. (Side note: It's now 3/4/07, and I'm rereading my journal, I can't believe I left out the cause of most of my on trail and post trail knee pain! I tripped over Liteshoes tent line comeing back from my morning trip into the woods to pee. I landed hard on both knees, but zinged the left one the most. I guess I didn't realize how hard I hit it yet. Now it's 2 surgeries later, and it seems so obvious.... LOL!) but back to the trail. Today started out great, we hiked a quick 3.6 miles to Woody Gap and were greeted by friends of ours (Swallow tail and Mud Butt (Anna)). They had a table of trail magic (candy bars, moonpies, bottled water, etc.) what a great treat!! Then we humped it up a few mountains and saw some great overlooks. I took some group pics on Parson¢s Rock. Today was a long tiring day, the 1st half ok, but the 2nd half, was really tough, I hurt all over: my ankles, hips, knees, were overtired and the muscles didn¢t want to work any more. Lite Shoe and I took a few extra breaks and finally staggered up to the shelter. After dinner and lots of talk, we finally went to bed at 8:00 (this is hard to get used to). Tomorrow only 4 miles to Neel¢s Gap and a half day rest, burgers at 6pm! Yee ha! Ted¢s American flag had done about 35 miles so far; the approach trail and up to Wood¢s Hole Shelter. So far Wench, Subman, Bumpkin, and Liteshoe have carried it. This American flag is what Ted would have carried, it was flown over enemy territory, by our troops, (there is a certificate with it). We will see it gets from Springer to Katahdin. Well, another fitful night sleep, I expect it¢s hard to sleep when everything hurts. Good Night!P.S. Took my shoes off and socks off tonight, and it looked like I had 6 toes on my left foot. I never saw a blister bubble that big before ( I never even felt it). So I cleaned it up and walked around in my slippers (this was a true dork picture).
Date: 2003-03-04
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Neels Gap Hostel
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Not a bad night, I took Advil and slept better. Of course everyone else was amazed at how I snore! Got up put a brace on my bad knee and off we went. The knee was weak, but did ok. Got up Blood Mountain. On top of Blood Mountain we stopped and took lots of pictures, it was a clean, crisp, beautiful day, with great views in all directions. We unfurled Ted¢s American flag and took pictures on a big rock on Blood Mountain. Subman, Wench, Liteshoe and I holding the flag, with mountains in the background. It felt right; Ted was there with us, supplying the sunshine and making us feel good.On the way down off the rock I miss-stepped and tumbled head over heels down, but the flag was saved, it never touched the ground! As I lay there everyone got our there cameras for a picture. No harm, no foul, I hiked on. Great day at Neels Gap, went to town with Mr. And Mrs. Wench for a nice lunch. Then came back and got some free burgers at the out-fitter cookout. Had a shower, laundry and laughs. A great bunch of people. Caught up with Bearkat finally, we will be hiking together tomorrow. Jan is off trail taking care of business and will be back in five days. Her birthday is 3/12, we will write to her in the registers that day ( Happy Birthday!). Today is also Red¢s birthday, she got sung to 3 or 4 times. I finally carried the flag today from the shelter to Neels Gap. It felt good, like I was part of something important. Off to bed now, Life is Good.
Date: 2003-03-05
From: Neels Gap Hostel

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

Last night I was bombarded by women¢s gear in my bed. The girl in the bunk above me was tossing and turning, her pillow, sock, bag liner and thermarest pad went off the sides as she tossed, and some fell on me. Her trail name is Slick Rock, I am trying to change it to fidget! She is with a 5-person group. They are all young, and some of the nicest people I¢ve met on the trail (Speck, Upoo, Slick Rock, Diesel and Frigid Air). I woke up and had a banana, a chicken & cheese sandwich, and coffee for breakfast. Sleeping next to an outfitter right on the trail has it¢s benefits. We did 10.6 miles today, up some really steep mountains, but I ate a lot of little meals through-out the day and better food then the meals I had last week. Now I eat cheese, Slim Jims, cheese-its, fruit and I fell much better hiking longer days. I did 30 miles in 4 days last week, then had 12 of a day off. This week I¢ll do around 36 miles in 4 days, then get some down time in Hiawassee (If my knee holds up ¢ so far, so good). I think I will spend time sleeping and soaking in the tub, then do laundry.I still don¢t feel like completely like I fit in with all these people in the woods, but it¢s getting closer. You make so many friends out here, people you have nothing in common with, but the woods, you have everything in common.Tonight, we will be looking out for bears, there have been 4 sittings here in the last week. Smallest person gets thrown out to the bears. It¢s cool sitting around a picnic table in the dark, wearing headlamps, writing in journals, a nice night, and a great day. More later¢¦ Life is Good.
Date: 2003-03-06
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

You don¢t really get the full measure of how cold it is until you pee in the woods. Anyway, last night was a wild one. The Low Gap Shelter got rocked by a huge lightning storm. It poured and thundered, blasted lightning, and the wind blew like there was no tomorrow. Every lightning flash we all expected to see a bear sniffing around, but none showed up. In the morning we did a quick 7.2 miles to Blue Mountain Shelter, had lunch and showed everyone the hiking pole I broke on the way (fell on my ass, in the mud, and snapped the pole in two). I¢ll get it fixed or replaced in Hiawassee. This was really a great hiking day, the rain stopped before we started (Wench, Bearkat and I). We had a nice cool day. Later we hooked up with Denmark and Early Riser and went to Unicoi Gap. As we rested, Frigid Air, Upoo and Slick Rock came in (Slick Rock is having knee troubles and needs a brace). I called around and managed to get them a shuttle to Hiawassee, so they could get fixed up and hike another day. We were going to get a ride into Helen and splurge on a hotel and meal but instead we did a big climb out of Unicoi Gap and camped at the top (Bearkat, Wench, Denmark and Early Riser). We ate, sat around the fire, and then went to bed around 8pm. (It¢s hard to get used to going to bed so early).We are all noticing how much earlier it is climbing the tough ups. We are doing more, harder climbs with less effort. It feels good. This was a great tiring day. More to come.Note: my ass print got left in a lot of mud today. That rain last night gave us lots of good water sources and fun mud to play in. Life is Good.
Date: 2003-03-07
From: Rocky Mountian

To: Sassafras Gap
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: few clouds

We hiked as a group today, from Rocky Mountain to Sassafras Gap. It was a day of hard climbs, but we were rewarded with a great rocky top on Tray Mountain. 360-degree views of mountain ridges, sun and a cool breeze. This was the most beautiful day yet! Unfortunately, this was the worse day for my left knee, it hurts more everyday. The swelling is down a bit, but the aching has increased. Maybe I will have it checked at a doctor or hospital in Hiawassee. Still I have put 45 miles on it since I hurt it. I spent the whole day today struggling behind everyone else (except Denmark). Denmark and I both have knee problems and just take our time (especially downhill). We joked that if we were in Africa, the predators would pick us off , since we are the sickly lame ones. Survival of the fittest! After dinner the campfire got started, then a psychologist came by with surveys for us to fill out, to see how thru hikers change, between GA and the 100 mile wilderness in Maine. He will see us in Maine and check our survey answers again. Lots of laughs around the fire, then off to bed, to medicate our pains. My calves, knees and ankles are really tired, I need a day off. My fingers are dry, cracked and black. I¢ve never worked this hard or enjoyed anything more. Life is Good.