morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-01-21
To: And now, a word from our sponsors!
Miles today: 0.0

I¢ve been thinking lately about how much this little walk in the woods is going to cost me. It¢s a lot!I¢m not talking about the cost of that growing pile of stuff in the corner, that we all know by now is not going to fit into my new, lightweight backpack. Or the cost of the Sherpa that I¢d like to take with me to CARRY the backpack. (¢She-who-knows-me-best¢ nixed that idea.) I¢m not even talking about the cost of supplies or the occasional restaurant meal or hostel stay while I¢m on the trail. No, the real cost has to do with the fact that I will not be getting up and going to work every day while I¢m out hiking the trail. I mean, hiking is work, actually its very hard work, and I¢ll be doing it for 6-8 hours a day, 7 days a week. It¢s just that no one is going to pay me to do that. For over 34 years, that wasn¢t a problem. I had a job that not only paid me a salary, but allowed me vacation days, sick days, holidays, and even one day a year for community service. Now that I¢m retired and working as a consultant, however, I¢ve discovered this really horrible situation: If I don¢t go to work, they don¢t pay me! (¢Wassup with THAT¢, as my oldest son would say.) I know, I know, it¢s not fair, but they say they have rules about such things, and you know how bureaucracies are about their little ¢RULES¢. So anyway, the real cost of this picnic in the woods is what the economists call its ¢opportunity cost¢ -- what it is you have to forgo in order to get something else that you want. How depressing. Is it any wonder they call economics the ¢dismal¢ science??But then I got to thinking. Maybe I COULD come up with a way to get paid for hiking the trail. How cool would THAT be! Then I thought ¢ WAIT. Don¢t those athletes get millions of dollars just for wearing some swish thing on their shirt? I could do that. And I wouldn¢t even need millions. Just a few thousand would do the trick. (What¢s that dear? I¢m no what? Oh, right.) Ok, keep thinking¢¦.No biggie sponsors, but what about a whole lot of smaller sponsors, people whose wares I could advertise as a part of my hike. You know, like those NASCAR race cars with all those little decals all over them. I could do that. Hmmmmmmmmm   (What¢s that dear? Try my chiropractor?) HA. HA. I¢m laughin¢ here. Very funny. Very ¢ hey, wait! That could be it! Dr. Phil¢s a pretty cool guy ¢ he might go for it. And then there¢s Dr. Madden, the guy who did the arthroscopic surgery on my knee ¢ that worked out well, and don¢t forget Dr. Rubinfeld who did the LASIK surgery on my eyes so that I wouldn¢t have to put up with my glasses fogging up when I hiked, and Dr. Kennedy whose been after me for years to lose weight and reduce my cholesterol, and then there¢s Dr. Hausfeld who¢s about to do that laser treatment and the little pillar thingees to cure my snoring problem.   Ya know, I think this just might work¢¦ where¢s the phone? Stay tuned!
Date: 2005-01-30
To: It's Not Fair, you know....
Miles today: 0.0

Me, at a local restaurant, after finishing my meal: ¢Check please.¢Young man, obviously new to his job, obviously trying to be helpful, brings the check. ¢Will there be anything else, Sir?¢ he asks.¢No, thanks, nothing more,¢ says I.¢Well,¢ adds the helpful young man, remembering some bit of training from his manager, ¢Don¢t forget to ask the Cashier for your Senior Citizen¢s Discount¢¦.¢ Me, looking over the tops of my bifocals with an inquiring arch to my brow¢¦¢¢¦if you¢re eligible¢¦¢ Me, frowning more noticeably now¢¦¢...and I¢m not saying you ARE... I¢m guessin¢ here now. And I¢m thinking you¢re probably not even eligible, isn¢t that right, Sir.¢Me: smiling now. He is, too ¢ relieved, back-peddling away. Tip salvaged. In my mind, I¢m no older than him. It¢s not fair, you know. This 18 year old mind trapped in this...this...48 year old body...Stay tuned,
Date: 2005-03-06
To: Too Many Journals
Miles today: 0.0

I've been reading too many journals lately. They're starting to make me crazy. I either want to be out there hiking with them, or something bad happens to them and it make me think "Oh, dang, that could happen to ME!" and then I get all worried. I've also revisited the idea of trail names, and whether or not it is best to give yourself one before you depart for Springer, or just wait for something to happen that will yield your "karma-type" name -- ala the young Indian boy's name in the joke that you may already know but if you don't I sure as heck can't repeat it on this family-oriented site....Ok, a couple of quick examples and then I've GOT to get back to my packing. First there is the chap from the mid-west, who shall remain nameless, but who had developed the most awesome web page for his hike that you could imagine. I mean, it had everything, befitting the fact that it's designer, the hiker, was an internet guru and that's how he made a living. Anyway, he had photos, and links, and stories about himself, and even music, and I don't know whatall. Among other things, he also had a gear list which raised some doubt in my mind about his readiness to hike the trail. When he added it all up, it came to 70 pounds. That's enough to kill an elephant. Which it did, in a way, as the intrepid hiker got exactly 13 miles from Springer before his knees gave out. Of course the fact that he hit a major snow storm, winds from hell, and temperatures in the teens probably didn't help. All I could think of was "there but for the grace of God, go I." Well, actually, but for the grace of the gear discussions on the AT-L email list I belong to and to Marsha and others who organized the Pennsylvania "Ruck" where Mara (aka "Stitches") tuckerized by pack, which helped me to get my pack weight down to about 26 pounds with five days food -- but not including water. Still, I do worry about my knees.Second, there was Nimblefoot. He is an experienced hiker, and an excellent journalist, but even he could not foresee the fact that the rock he had just put his foot onto was going to shift just as he put his weight on that foot, causing both a tumble and a serious ankle sprain. He is resting up at a nearby hostel and plans to get back on the trail as quickly as he can, but it just goes to show that none of us out there is really in charge of our destiny. (Godspeed, Nimblefoot! Hope to see you out there.) It also goes to show that a trail name, whether it's Nimblefoot or Longhaul, doesn't count for much as far as the trail is concerned.   Third, there was this very nice couple that started out from Springer, with the husband planning on going all the way to Katahdin, and the wife along for the first week or two of the hike. On about the third day, things apparently were not going well on the hike, from weather, to trails, to gear to plans going awry, etc., and at a certain point on the trail, she just lost it. Had what she herself referred to as a "major meltdown". Voilla -- she now has a trailname: She is now "Chernoble".Not that any of thise things could possibly happen to me....stay tuned,
Date: 2005-03-09
To: "Three, Two, One..."
Miles today: 0.0

It's Wednesday of my final week at home. Only three days are left before I leave for Springer Mountain. Today I'll complete a number of financial and legal transactions to ensure that at least those aspects of my life are covered while I'm away. There's no way to anticipate every contingency, of course, but that's life. "Ya pays yer money, and ya takes yer chances!"Fortunately, "She-who-knows-me-best-but-still-loves-me" is fully capable of handling just about anything that might come down the pike while I'm away, which leaves me in the luxurious position of having no one really to worry about except myself. I'll have my hands full with that, of course!As I anticipated in an earlier journal entry, I am basically going to have to hike myself into shape for the trail. I wish I'd had more time and opportunity to prepare better physically, but somehow I'm not all that disappointed. In some ways it may be a good thing - forcing me to take it easier in the early weeks, since I just won't have the stamina for long days. Providing I can deal successfully with the "mileage monster," I should be ok. In fact, the only thing that worries me at this point is how well my feet and my knees (especially my right one) will hold up.Even the recent spate of cold, winds, and snow doesn't trouble. Not only am I reasonably well prepared in terms of winter hiking gear, I much prefer it to be too cold than too hot. That way, I don't have to deal with the copious amounts of perspiration that accompany me on uphill slogs on a hot and humid day in July. I can wait for that, thank you very much.Other than injuries and the weather, I haven't had time to focus much on what I am about to experience. I've simply been too distracted by all of the busyness of my final preparations. What I do know to expect, and something I am very much looking forward to, is the solitude and the time for reflection that is an inevitable part of a long-distance hike. I really need to wash all of the busyness out of my mind, conscious and unconscious, to allow the fundamentals of my existence to come to the fore. I've always tended to live very much "in my mind", dreaming of future plans and the things I'm going to do "someday" - just as Mother Goose wrote in her journal yesterday. But I am also looking forward to some time to think about what I want to do next with my life. What a luxury it will be to have large blocks of uninterrupted time, day after day, for such reflections.In fact, what a luxury it is to be able to take this little walk in the woods. A lot of my friends have noted that fact, and very much wish that they could come with me. So, part of my hike will be dedicated to each of them. Come along with me, my friends, and I will do my best to share the adventure. Whatever the journey may hold, and for however many miles I may be able to accomplish, we shall travel the trail together. God willing, and the creek don't rise, I might even make it to Katahdin!Stay tuned
Date: 2005-03-09
To: "M Company" on the March
Miles today: 0.0

If this entry works, I will have Mr. Wyatt Mcguire to thank for it all. He not only created this "live action" map, he was able to explain to ME -- of all people -- how to get it up on this page. Another miracle!The names at the bottom are members of "M Company" -- that hardy (or fool hardy depending on your perspective!) band of hikers who are planning to leave Springer Mountain in mid-March and head north for Katahdin. Each of us has a color coded circle, and you'll be able to track us as we move up the trail. How cool is THAT! Stay tuned,
Date: 2005-03-11
To: Can you hear them???
Miles today: 0.0

Can you hear the car doors slamming shut? Gear safely stowed in the trunk, passengers piling in, doors slamming shut as the main body of "M Company" prepares to move out. Some of the more intrepid members, like Moosie, are already on the trail, but this weekend will see the largest contingent showing up at Springer Mountain. Some of the cars are going all the way to Georgia, some just to the nearest bus station, train station, or airport. Hugs, kisses, tearful farewells. Then they're gone - this army of hope, on the move. The waiting is finally over. The action is about to start.As planned, I had a most enjoyable evening with our Cub Scout Pack. We've got the most fabulous Cub Master (Hey there, John), and he really goes all out to make sure the boys have a good time. He also took note of the fact that I was departing tomorrow to hike the AT, and I was moved by the number of people who wished me well.One of the most common questions was: Are you going alone? To which I always answer, "well, yes -- and no." There is no one going with me who will be my hiking partner, but there will be a large number of people hitting the trail at about the same time, so I will not likely be lonely -- at least not in the first part of the trail. In reality, I have just revisited our "M Company" website ("M Company" was the name that about 20 of us leaving in mid-March decided to call ourselves. The list is now up to 30 people. And just for the record -- and for future reference, I'm going to list them here. You can see how many I run into as I hike, as I will be naming names as I go -- although, in most cases, it will be only a short acquaintance as they quickly outdistance me up some hill...There's Amanda, James, Mack (and his Sunshine), Scholar, Scribe, SusanN, Vapor, Vitaman, Wyatt (he's the guy who did that great "live action" map for us!), traction (who set up the M Company Web Site), Armchairadv (our newest recruit), ATAnnie, Becky, Breakaleg, Cuppa Joe, Daniel, Swanp Fox, Draggin, Hikerbiker, Humpty Dumpty, Jonisacooldude, Kseals, Moosie, MotherGoose, Noworries, Redhat, Tomatoehead, Tribes, Just Playin Jane, and Grey Beard. There are some really wonderful folks, only two of whom I've actually met in person, so I am really looking forward to bumping into them on the trail. That's why I say, no -- I'm really not going alone. I'll be in very good company. M Company. On the move.Stay tuned,
Date: 2005-03-12
To: Lo! The Bird is on the Wing...
Miles today: 0.0

¢Come, fill the Cup, and in the Fire of SpringThe Winter Garment of Repentance fling:The Bird of Time has but a little wayto fly ¢ and Lo! the Bird is on the Wing.¢Omar Khayyam¢s ¢Rubiaiyat again, and NO, Breakaleg, you do NOT get another 20 points if you guess it right a second time. My plane leaves for Atlanta at noon, so I¢ll be leaving very shortly for Dulles Airport. Before I go, I want to just record my deep appreciation to my wife, my kids, my whole family, my old friends, and all of those new friends I¢ve already made as a result of just talking about this little walk in the woods. I have no idea how far I will make it along the trail, just that I am going to make a start and will give it my best shot. After that, it¢s not really up to me. But I know that I go with the blessings of a lot of people, and your thoughts and prayers will mean a lot to me throughout this journey ¢ whatever it may hold in store for me. My oldest son, who lives in Atlanta, will be picking me up at the airport and shepparding me up to the Lodge at Amicalola Falls State Park where I will spend the night. Then, tomorrow morning, bright and early (?) I will set out for Katahdin. One step at a time, heading north (reminder to self: check the durn compass before that first step!).And so, the journey is about to begin. Where it will end, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, I have no idea, but I'm excited by the prospect of finding out, and overwhelmed by the support I have had from everyone I've met, from family and friends to ardent TJ lurkers who have sent me good wishes for a safe trip. Note: in addition to following me up the trail through this journal, you can leave messages for me in my Guest Book (see left colum, click on "sign" to leave a message), and those messages will be sent automatically to my email account on Pocketmail.com, which I will then be able to read whenever I have a chance to get a phone connection. Trust me on this, I will very much welcome any and all such messages, and if you leave an email address where I can reach you, I will also reply as soon as I can (hiker time, of course). For the moment, I am planning only three firm mail drops, the first at the Walisi Yi Center at Neels Gap, the second at Fontana Dam, and the third at Hot Springs. The respective addresses are on my "Mail Drop" section on the left column. I will be staying in touch with my wife, however, on other possible drops, and she will update the Mail Drop section as and when we decide to do others, so stay tuned. And speaking of "She-who-knows-me-best-but-still-loves-me", I want her and everyone else to know that I am dedicating this little walk in the woods to her, my soulmate, my love, my life. Thanks, babe. You make it all not just possible, but the best there is. See you in Hot Springs!Well, that about does it from here. I will try to do another entry before I depart from the Lodge, but after that anything I post here should come to you directly from the trail via my partner in crime and official transcriber, Tennacious Tenasee. For Lo! The Bird is on the Wing. Stay tuned,
Date: 2005-03-18
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke this morning to an ice covered tent, but was once again warm and toasty inside my sleeping bag. After last night¢s adventures with my stove, I was pretty much just happy to be waking up!Today was absolutely gorgeous - blue skies and sunshine all the way. It was nice to stay dry, as well, not just because I was more careful with the bite valve on my sipping tube, but because it wasn't either raining or snowing.There were a couple of good mountains to get over, but the hike was a relatively short 7.2 miles. Still, the trail was wet and sloppy due to all the rain we've had, so you really have to watch your footing, especially going down hill. They say there are about 5 million steps between Springer and Katahdin, and I can assure you that a misstep on any single one of them can end your hike. To me, it's just one more indication that I am not the one in charge out here. One might argue about who is; all I know for sure is it's definitely not me! This experience has continued to fill me with wonder and awe, humility and gratitude. It just feels so right to be out here that I know that here is where I am meant to be for today. Tomorrow may turn out different, but for today, all is right with my world, and I am at peace.Got into camp about 1:30, got chores done and then discovered I could get a phone signal! I called home to let people know I waw still alive, and then rang the store in Neels gap to chat with them about that little alcohol stove they'd sold me - the one with the wrong pieces They were apologetic, and promised to get the right ones to me at my next town stop - Hiawassee. I then let the half dozen or so fellow hikers use my phone to call home also. It was the first time all week it worked, so I figured I should get some use from my having carried it so long. They all were appreciative, as were their parents, wives, or girl friends, so I felt good about that.The shelter here is at the top of Blue Mountain, and it's supposed to be a good place for sun rises and sun sets. I'm going to try to get up in time to capture my first sunrise in film. We'll see. This hiking thing sure takes a lot out of you! Time now for me to get to bed.Today' hike is dedicated to my son Mathew, who has just completed the requirements for his first class rank as a boy scout. Way to go, Mathew!Stay tuned, Longhaul
Date: 2005-03-19
From: Blue Gap Mountain Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Another fabulous day on the trail! The sunrise was beautiful - sure hope my photos turn out. It was sunny but frigid, as every morning so far. Fortunately, if the sun is out, it tends to warm up as soon as I have completed my morning chores. I was delighted to run into MotherGoose, Red Hat, and Vision Quest who had overnighted in a nearby town. Glad to see MG back on the trail, as she had been having kind of a hard time. It was Pittsburgh who had provided their shuttle, so I got to meet him in person. A really nice guy, I thought - especially since he gave me one of his wife¢s home-made brownies, which was really good!We also ran into the Turners at Unicoi Gap who were out dispensing trail magic. I got an orange and a Little Debbie cup cake, which really hit the spot.It was only a 7.7 mile day, so I got into camp relatively early. Got chores done, and got a phone signal again, so I was able to call home and send some journal entries.It was my turn to do the fire, and between me and Red Hat, a 30 year Girl Scout leader, we had a roaring fire in no time. (John and Kirk - you'd have been proud!)I got my stove working well, so dinner was uneventful, which was fine. Altogether, it was another great day on the trail. Today's hike is dedicated to my youngest son, Adam, who knows more about rescue gear and how to use it than I do, and is my heir already. Stay tuned, Longhaul(Editor¢s Note)Pittsia and his wife, Barb, are really great folks. Just don¢t ever stand between him and the TV if the Steelers are playin¢! You might lose body parts! I bet that fire Longhaul helped start last night was really HUGE! I mean¢¦if he can turn a little Etowah stove into a towering inferno, just imagine what he can do with real wood! LOL***Note to self¢remember to pack the fire extinguisher in pack when going to do trail magic for Longhaul.Tenacious Tanasi (Shelly Hale)
Date: 2005-03-26
From: Wayah Bald

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: clear sky

I woke up a bit later than usual this morning, as I was really worn out by yesterday's hike. We all packed up, had breakfast, and set off down the trail. Before we left camp, Creakie Bones, as Susan is now known, repeated how glad she was to have run into us, and I told her how glad I was to finally get a chance to meet her. She said she'd be going slowly, as she had had problems with her Achilles tendon, so we might not see her again. We hugged and then set out up the trail.Today's hike was a bit longer than yesterday's, but not nearly as tiresome. We hit two more Balds, but the rest was pretty much just the usual ups and downs.We reached Wesser Bald shelter about 5 pm, before the predicted arrival of a rain storm, and I was able to get my tent set up just in time.BfM is staying in the shelter, along with a new through-hiker we just met today - Marion, an older, retired gentleman from Georgia - and Vision Quest, an M Company member who hiked 16 miles today and finally caught up with us just after we got to the shelter. She is some hiker!Tomorrow we will hike the last six miles into the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) - a complex of hostel, motel, restaurants and sports outfitters on the Nantahala River. They cater to both hikers and white water rafters.Today was the day when injuries began to catch up with us, so both BfM and I are thinking about taking a zero day at the NOC. In my case it's my right knee, and I can only hope that a day or two's rest is all it needs. In BfM's case, it was a leg muscle strain, along with assorted blisters and areas where some part of her gear has rubbed the skin off. This hiking stuff is no walk in the woods, ya know. Oh. Well, actually it is, but I mean it really does put a strain on your body than the body just isn't used to.Tomorrow is Easter Sunday, so we're all especially looking forward to getting cleaned up and eating in a restaurant for a change. In honor of the occasion, I will be wearing the bunny ears my daughter provided me for my hike. I can't wait!!Today's hike is dedicated to all the members of M Company - many of whom I hope to be seeing again over the next two days if I zero in the NOC.Stay tuned, Longhaul