morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-03-18
To: Augusta, GA
Miles today: 0.0

So it's been about 6 months now since we abandoned our AT thru-hike attempt, and we're just now getting around to finally finishing this thing up. Even though more time has now passed than we spent on the trail, we still like to live vicariously through ourselves from 9 months ago. It only lasted about 3 months, but it left a very lasting impact on our lives.While we changed quite a bit on the trail, we had to come back to the everyday life of a job, bills, rush hour and various other stresses. I myself lost 25 pounds while hiking, and after returning to a very lazy lifestyle when I got back I have regained nearly all of it. We're also back in Augusta, GA and I'm doing the same boring desk job I did in the military. About 8 months ago the highlight of my day was standing at the top of a 5,000 ft mountain I'd just climbed and taking in a breath-taking vista with my wife; today things like getting a good parking spot or finding cheap gas are the highlight. It's a wild swing, and it makes our time on the trail very much seem like a quickly passing dream.We will be back out there though. The crazy thing is that as long and epic as the journey was to us, we still have well over half of the trail left to see. Beka is wanting to eventually finish what we have left by section-hiking. She's very excited to go through the Grayson Highlands of southern Virginia and see the wild horses that graze along the trail. I, however, have every intention of completing a 2180-mile thru-hike someday. Beka's father Walt is a big outdoors guy and wants to thru-hike northbound sometime in the next ten years, and I have standing orders from Beka and her mom both that I'm going with him. And then there's always the Pacific Crest Trail...An AT thru-hike is definitely not for everyone. It isn't the romantic, spiritual epiphany-filled journey it's often perceived to be. It's a challenge, and mixed in with all the good days are the rainy days, the hot days, the painful days and the why-would-anyone-ever-do-this days. But the trail is an amazing place to spend 1 day or 6 months to get away from the rat race and spend some time in the world the way God made it. We get very caught up in e-mails and smartphones and high-tech modern society (myself included), and it's desperately important to leave all that stuff at home and get out and realize how much good some fresh air and solitude can do for you. And just one night out there may be enough to give you the thru-hike fever.- 2-packs
Date: 2011-02-19
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Right from the start I'd like to apologize to regular journal readers. So many persons from my life who have never been on any substantial hike, to say nothing of encountering the Appalachian Trail, will be reading along. For their sake I need to approach this as AT Journal 101. As a result, a lot of what I blog will be extremely old hat for you. For the newbies joining this blog, welcome! I hope this is an inciteful introduction to a part of my life that I greatly enjoy (apart from the blisters, mosquitoes, rain, mud, heat, shortage of showers, black flies, stench of sweaty clothes, and monotonous trail meals, that is!)When I began my current job as senior pastor of a church in Sarnia ON, the agreement included a two-month sabbatical after each five years of service. This is now my third sabbatical. I cannot begin to express how blessed I am that a group of people like this would believe in the value of a sabbatical enough to permit me (and the others on the church staff) to take this time. Many of you are going to follow along with this journal, so I hope my sense of blessedness rings forth loud and clear.Somewhere along the road as a teenager I first heard about the AT and it began a slow burn in my spirit. As a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy, due to the proximity of the trail I had the opportunity on two long weekends my senior year to park at Thornton Gap in Shenandoah National Park and hike portions of the AT; once to the north and once to the south of that gap. That was my last opportunity to hike in any serious way until arriving here in Sarnia. Still the desire to master the AT remained in my spirit, so I began to work toward it. AT section hikes in 2003 and 2005 combined with thru hikes of the Superior Hiking Trail in 2007 and 2010 and some section hikes on the Bruce Trail in Ontario have given me an increasing level of experience. (There are trail journals for four of those hikes.) My bucket list, developed when I turned 50, included a thru hike of the AT which will have to wait until I retire from this job sometime after age 65. All this hiking is in preparation of that great goal "some day" -- God willing.So that's where we'll begin. The plan is to fly to Atlanta from Michigan on or about March 30 and head north from there.
Date: 2011-02-21
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Having to shovel the ten inches of snow that fell overnight got me into the mood to hike. Get me out of here! So I took advantage of my day off to cross the river to Port Huron MI and wrap up my gear shopping.The gear needs are minimal. But one thing I have to deal with is the potential of very cold weather, what with the March 31 start. Though the start is in Georgia, yet the trail goes through areas above 5,000' in altitude, certainly high enough to experience snow in April. (Two years ago there was a whopper of a storm on Easter weekend in April.) I just don't want to buy a lot of cold weather gear. So I'm going with a three-seasons sleeping bag and taking three full layers of clothes to wear inside it. I may be miserably cold a few nights, but at least I won't freeze to death. And with any kind of break, that should be more than enough for what I will encounter. We'll see...Every group of people have the dynamic of creating their own 'in' language. All kinds of acronyms and insider expressions which separate us from outsiders. Why do we do this? So we can feel included, a part of a group, belonging to something? So we can feel 'cool' with that unique vocabulary outsiders won't know? Or is it merely shorthand to help us communicate more quickly? Whichever, thru hikers have their own nomenclature. Because this nomenclature is sure to get introduced to my journal, I'm going to educate my non-hiking friends. If I remember, I'll include one new term with each journal entry.To begin with, hikers on the AT are either north bound or south bound. The expression for this then is we are either NOBOs or SOBOs. I will be a NOBO. Virtually all the thru hikers I encounter this trip will also be NOBOs like me. That's because it is very rare for SOBOs to start the hike before the end of May when the northern terminus of the trail at Katahdin in Maine opens up. The southern terminus in Georgia, however, is open year around, lending itself to hikers beginning in late winter or early spring which is the most popular beginning time. Most people don't want to hike in the mountains in winter. Gee, I wonder why... :-)
Date: 2011-02-22
To: Grateful
Miles today: 0.0

Many long distance hikers have one or more persons for whom they are especially grateful. Perhaps it's someone who provides major support on the trail. Or someone who is particularly encouraging, especially when the temptation to quit is strong.I am especially grateful for Lyn. My lovely wife actually puts up with this craziness of mine called hiking. If we could have beautiful days every day and hike about five miles and end up in a B&B each night, she'd be all in. But in all the trail journals I've read, I have yet to read of a hiker who was able to arrange that set of circumstances. So all this means is that as I set off on another lengthy hike, she's cheering from a very long distance. In the past year I lost my mom at age 87. She was always quite the walker, so maybe I got some of this from her. Any rate, this hike is for you, Mom. Someone else I have appreciated, to be sure.Today's nomenclature: Trail Names. It is a custom for long distance hikers to have trail names assigned to them. Sometimes they give the names to themselves, but the hiking-purests insist the name be given to them by other hikers. Generally the name will define some personality quirk or a funny incident related to the hiker or something such. My name was given to me in 2005. You can read about how I got that name in the tab on this page 'about trail name'. Many (most?) of the hikers I will be mentioning in these pages will be identified by their trail names. In most cases, I won't have a clue what their real names are!
Date: 2011-02-26
From: Home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Last year's Superior Hiking Trail hike was plagued by blisters on the bottoms of both feet. This surprised me as it was an injury I'd never before experienced. One of the blisters still remains with me in a very minor and largely calloused form to this day six months after the hike. So one of my challenges in preparing to hike is to come up with a taping option that won't aggravate these blisters. Better yet, keep them for forming at all! Today's seven mile walk involved some taping which very thankfully kept me from having the least bit of problem with the one on my right foot. Huzzah! My starting date for the hike has been moved up a week. This also stretches out the distance I can potentially go, so I've got it in mind not to stop at Damascus but rather continue on to Bland. I've made contact with Leigh at Hiker's Hostel for a pickup at North Springs MARTA station which will get me within striking distance of the southern terminus on Springer. Today's nomenclature: Trail magic and angels. It's common to have persons do acts of kindness for hikers without expecting anything in return. This is one of the joys of the hiking community as we receive (and occasionally give) trail magic. Things such as food, rides or drinking water. Hikers starting in Georgia and headed north in late winter and early spring generally encounter the most trail magic as it is quite predictable that many hikers will pass through any particular spot along the trail. So in advance I want to thank all you trail angels out there! You're a blessing!
Date: 2011-03-21
From: Home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

The time has drawn near. One more time through the gear to be sure I haven't missed anything. Repacking the pack to make best use of the space. Sending a box to Ron Haven's hotel in Franklin NC for re-supply. Then tomorrow it's off for the flight to Atlanta and eventually at night a hikers' hostel. The long wait is nearly over.So welcome along to everyone for my hike through the southern Appalachians. I hope my journal reveals a bit of the experience.Today's trail nomenclature: AYCE (pronounced "ace"). This is one of a hiker's best friends: All You Can Eat buffets. I'll only have perhaps 2,000 calories per day in my pack, but it will be easy to burn 4,000-6,000 calories depending on the length of the day's walking. The best way to make up for this calorie deficit is... AYCE! The first one will likely be in Franklin around day 10. Can't wait!
Date: 2011-03-22
From: Hiker Hostel

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

The trip from home to Atlanta by air went quite smoothly. Many thanks to Lyn for driving me (and having to get up at 4:45 a.m. to do it!) At the airport, it was train time... catching the MARTA train to go from the airport in the far south of Atlanta to North Springs station in the far north. On the train I met thru-hiker-hopeful Tom. Leigh from Hiker Hostel picked us up along with Matt from Seattle, Errow and Haalo and their dog Honey Bunny, and Bismarck. Now we're spending the night here at the hostel prior to the hike launch tomorrow.Before taking off to the hostel, we stopped for lunch. I enjoyed a Starbucks coffee, a treat that may not be repeated in quite some time. With sheets on the bed, a shower, and hot food, they're spoiling us here. Tomorrow reality will settle in. At least the weather forecast is very positive. Whereas there's a winter storm warning back home for tonight, it's 70 degrees and sunny here. Wahoo!It'll be about four days before I can update again. Stay tuned...
Date: 2011-03-23
From: Hiker Hostel

To: Springer Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I hiked for my Lord Jesus Christ. I have been so blessed to have him call the shots in my life.After an excellent breakfast of pancakes, scrambled eggs and oatmal washed down with orange juice, four of us were shuttled to Amicalola Falls State Park to begin tghe approach. Our driver was Nature Boy who has done threethrus, and is planning a record-breaking 57-day unsupported AT thru beginning about May 3.Tom, Bismarck, Andrew and I from Hiker Hostel all signed is with the ranger and took off one-at-a-time. We soon came to the 475 steps going up alongside the falls. A beautiful sight! The rest of the day was mostly upfrom 1600' to 3800' on exceptionally easy trail bed.I got to this very nice shelter located just past the AT southern terminus on Springer Mountain by 2:30. My legs are quite tired, so this is plenty far. A nice streamlet is near the shelter making it easy to prepare water.It was a treat to stand on Springer. The view is phenomenal. All the times I"ve imagined seeing it, and here I was! Ridgerunner John was there and showed upu again here at the shelter.A cool front with rain is to pass thru tonight, probably taking us elow freezing, so an excellent early test of my gear set up. Myt weight was 34 pounds without water ut with four days of food. Was it worth it?Staying in the shelter are Andrew (now Fiber One because of the benefit of his bar after arriving), Tom, Nathan (now Cotton because of his clothese -- age 18 and a Mennonite), Stick and Rudder (dog), and ? with Fiber One in the loft. Bismarck and several others are tented around.So how about a contest? Who can guess my weight upon returnto Sarnia mid-May? I began at 182 pounds. Make your guess by signing in to the Guest Book located to the left of this blog.
Date: 2011-03-24
From: Springer Mountain Shelter

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

As predicted, the cold front passed thru with about five hours of rain including downpours and a high wind. Around 6 am the temperature started dropping a lot. I crawled out at 8 am and was gone in 40 minutes.Today I hiked for Lyn. After putting up with my strange ways for 37 years, what's another 7 weeks out hiking? She's my best friend and a good match for me.The trail today was as easy as the AT gives us. It was downhill the first half, and some moderate up and down the second. There were few rocks and roots, leaving a most generous treadway. With sunny skies and a fresh breeze, it was most comfortable as I peeled off the layers of clothes with the rising temperatures and my rising sweat.I arrived here around 12:30. Cotton was here, and he left to go further on shortly after. Fiber One, Tom and Rudder and Stick soon showed up to spend the night too. Others have come and gone -- young guys able to do more miles than me. But where are the women hikers? There were five at hiker hostel... but I have yet to see any since starting yesterday.It promises to be a COLD night once the wind dies down. Hope my shivering doesn't keep everyone awake! Three of us in the shelter with about fifteen tenting around.
Date: 2011-03-25
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: clear sky

With all my clothing on, I handled the cold night nicely. The feet never warmed up despite four pairs of socks, but they weren't cold enough to keep me awake. During the night a couple of owls put up a racket, and we had a noisy rodent in the shelter loft who sounded like it was chewing the beam through.Today I hiked for the memory of Mom. My memories of her growing up center around how hard she worked for her family -- a true daughter of the depression. Rules were important to her and were meant to be kept.The hike today was very pleasant in the chilly air and bright sun. It was constantly either up or down. Some of the trail appeared brand new which was a delight.So far at this shelter are N T Squared (formerly Tom), Bismarck, Rudder and Stick, and two old guys from Arkansas named Hillbilly and Poppy. Their goal is Maine, but judging by their packs and their struggle down the trail, that seems an unlikely destination.Here at this site tonight are men aged 73, 69, 68, and 64. All are planning to hike to Maine. See? I'm not so old! :-)
Date: 2011-03-26
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Around 7am I heard thunder in the distance. So I got up and quickly packed and left by 7:30. Soon after starting it began to rain and continued with lightning and thunder until late afternoon. Of course I got soaked despite rain gear, but everything in the pack stayed dry.Despite the rain it was an easy hike. The rain kept me quite cool (cold at times), and the miles flew by. I passed everyone and no one passed me, a sign of how much my legs are improving. And no hint of blisters! It's the complete opposite of last summer in Minnesota despite wearing the same shoes, socks, and inserts. Go figure!I arrived here around 1 pm with the mission of getting out of my wet clothes/shoes/socks as quickly as possible and into dry clothes AND the sleeping bag to stay warm and ward off hypothermia. Here tonight are Rudder and Stick, Luke, four weekend hikers, and four thrus in tents.Today I hiked in honor of Dad. I appreciate the many things he taught me (and still teaches me), some of which holds me in good stead hiking.
Date: 2011-03-27
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Neels Gap Mountain Crossing Hostel
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Off and on through the night it rained, sometimes with thunder and lightning. I was sleeping next to Stick, and his dog Rudder showed that she's quite afraid of lightning. So Stick brought Rudder into the shelter and she laid\down at his feet. But each time the lightning cracked, she would jump off the floor, sometimes landing on my legs. Made for a rather long night!None of us was in a hurry to get out of our bags because it was foggy (we're in the clouds here at 3,500 feet) and cold. Finally I got out and got going.Today I hiked for the memory of Meredith Emerson, a young woman murdered not far from here a few years ago. She was on a day hike on a trail near the AT when kidnapped and then murdered. Apparently she faced the situation with a great deal of courage. Thinking of you, Meredith!Most of the short day of hiking involved going up and over Blood Mountain in the fog. This is the highest peak for us in Georgia at 4,300 feet. Upon arrival at Neels Gap, a group of women were performing trail magic, so I enjoyed hot dogs and fruit. Outstanding!I got a shower, and had all my clothes washed and dried. Tonight I'll be in a bunk in a room with 16 of them. Should be an experience on community. :-) A box I mailed to myself was here to resupply me. Thanks to the U.S. Postal Service.
Date: 2011-03-28
From: Neels Gap Mountain Crossing Hostel

To: Whitley Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: overcast clouds

People kept dragging in until 9 pm, so the hostel ended up full with others camped around or in some of the cabins down the gap. Sixteen of us bunked in one room including three women and one dog. The hostel caretaker is a colorful guy named Pirate: around 70, grizzled appearance with long beard and ponytail. At 10pm sharp he turned off the light and at 7am turned it back on. After a robust breakfast, I was gone by 8:15, second one out of the hostel.Today I dedicated my hike to Mark. He's a joy because he's always encouraging me to move outside my comfort zone. Mark's also my favorite hiking companion. Well, okay, he's the only one I've had, so I guess we shouldn't make too much of that.There was more rain with thunder overnight, and all day today was a hike in cold, clammy fog. Probably some grand overlooks, but I'll never know. Also a day for curious names: Levelland Mountain, Rock Spring Top, Swain Gap, and Wolf Laurel Top.I arrived at this shelter which is a 1.2 mile (25 minute) walk off the AT. Quickly into camp clothes and sleeping bag to stay warm (after getting water from a spring), and now a pleasant afternoon of reading and thinking. So far only Bob has shown up. The forecast was for some sun this afternoon, but no hint of it so far. It's 42 degrees at 1:30 pm. And this is Georgia in the Spring?
Date: 2011-03-29
From: Whitley Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

It rained all night as the temperature dropped from 42 to 38. Everything was fogged in still, and all our gear was damp. It made for a miserable start to the day, but off I went around 8am just before sun-up.Today the hike was dedicated to daughter-in-law Jenny. She's the mother of the world's three best grandkids, so that alone puts her at the top of my list. I appreciate the ways she loves Mark, and they make a good match.The fog was constant until 1 pm, but the trail had some variation. For about 3 miles up out of Low Gap the trail followed an old woods road which made for a beautiful, easy ascent of 500'. Later in the day was a stretch of nothing but small and medium sized rocks. Around 1pm the fog finally lifted after 3 days. Wahoo! We even had some sun, though it didn't warm things much -- only about 48 degrees at the warmest. The day ended up being 13 miles, the longest yet.I passed two older ladies who are hiking 6-8 miles a day: Rose and SOHO. Three other thru-hikers have come and gone from this shelter, all going into town. Will I be here alone?
Date: 2011-03-30
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: moderate rain

It was pleasant to be the only one in the shelter overnight. A strong series of thunderstorms with downpours roared through starting around midnight. The rush of wind came pouring through the floorboards and made things cold. Before the rain I awoke and heard some sort of animal making noises around the bear cables where my food bag was hanging. Raccoon perhaps? It went on a long time, and I was half way expecting to find all my food on the ground and ruined this morning. But it was fine.The hike today was dedicated to daughter Laura. I'm looking forward to a four-day weekend with her at the conclusion of the hike once she's able to drive up from Fayetteville which is her home and meet me in Virginia. Laura is always lots of fun.It was the longest day of hiking yet, all of it done in fog for the fifth straight day. There were three very demanding climbs so my feet and legs feel exhausted. I only saw one hiker all day, a 20-something woman trail-named Moxie. We leap-frogged several times as she was faster up hills and I faster down. (Of course, Mark will tell you I'm slower than everyone going up hill, but don't listen to him.)Here at the shelter tonight are (so far) eight in the shelter and 4-5 tenting. I've caught up with a cluster of hikers who are going half the daily distance I am. So tomorrow I expect to see the last of them. They have a nice fire going and the wind is minimal, so it isn't all that chilly for once.