morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-06-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Just got out of the White Mountains. Feels good to have them done but they were beautiful indeed. So many miles above treeline in alpine vegetation. It looked a lot like what I imagine the Scottish Highlands to look like. A lot of shrubs and rocks and not much else. Mt. Washington is known to have the poorest weather in the world. It stands at 6288' and when I was there it was a little windy and very foggy. I was surprised to see huge buildings and vans driving around through the fog. Before ascending the mountain I got to see the train, which goes to the top, ascending as well. It's black smoke was in stark contrast to the backdrop of white clouds. Over the past few days I've stayed at three huts in the Whites. The huts are run by the AMC (appalachian mountain club). For non-members they cost $85 and for members of the AMC they get a whopping discount of $3 making their stay $82. Throughout the whites everything costs money. This has brought about the renaming (by hikeres) of the AMC to the Appalachian Money Club. The irony is that we're in New Hampshire, whose motto is "Live free or die." Once again hikers have their own version: "Camp free or die!"To stay at the huts I do a "work for stay" which is pretty much self explanatory. I sleep on the floor and eat with the crew for sweeping out the dining room or some such work. The hut crews were all very nice people and it was great spending time with them. Right now I am in Gorham, NM. I had to wait until today to get my mail from the P.O. I've been staying at "The Barn" which is a barn connected to a bed and breakfast called the "Libby House." The owner is a man we call Doc, I think this is because he's a doctor of something although I don't know what. He owns a Lamborghini though and he gave me a ride up and down Gorham main street in it. My first time in a Lamborghini and probably my last. Today I am about 16 miles form the NH-ME border, and about 297 miles from Katahdin. Only one state left and I've heard it's the most beautiful. It will be a great relief to be out of the dominion of the AMC as well. "CAMP FREE OR DIE!"
Date: 2004-07-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 7.7

This morning I arrived in Monson. The last town on the trail. A couple of days ago I officially passed the 2000 mile mark. Only 114 miles to go. The remainder of the trail is what is known as the "100 mile wilderness". There's nothing there but a resort right in the middle. When I emerge from the wilderness I will be face to face with Katahdin. The last few days have been good. I ran into Hustler and Clown after a couple weeks of not seeing any thru hikers. We stayed at the Pierce Pond shelter together and the next day Hustler and I took a nearo day at the Caratunk House. The weather has been rainy and chilly, not quite the weather I wanted to finish off with but hopefully there will be a turnaround. Today I am taking the day off. When I got into town I stopped at the general store and spoke with Clown who was having breakfast there. While we were speaking, up walks Steve and Lara. Steve and Lara are good friends of mine from NC. They just got married and are travelling New England on their honeymoon. Today they took me to breakfast and lunch and this evening I believe they are taking me to dinner. It's been great to see them after so long and they've been a wonderful support to me while I've been on the trail. Tomorrow morning I set off into the wilderness. My next entry will be post hike. If I survive the perils of the "wilderness of doom".
Date: 2004-07-16
From: The Birches

To: View Entry
Miles today: 5.2

At eight o'clock in the morning on the sixteenth day of July in the year of our Lord 2004 I stood at the base of a mountain. I stood looking upward into fog, knowing that beyond was Katahdin, the neplusultra of the northbound thru-hiker. I hiked the 5.2 miles up to the summit, took some pictures, visited with one of the park employees for a while, then descended the mountain. Katahdin is one of the most difficult climbs on the trail but being my last cliimb on this adventure it was actually the easiest. Carrying only a daypack and with the knowledge that I was about to complete my journey, I practically jogged up and down the mountain.    I hitched a ride into Millenocket and stayed at the AT Lodge. Hustler had finished the day before and was staying there 2 more nights. It was nice to spend some time with a fellow thru-hiker before leaving the trail behind. We played pool at the Blue Ox Saloon and ate the gargantuan doughnuts at the "coffee shop" down the street. Thank you Hustler for helping me to make the transition back into a non-trail world.   Right now I'm sitting at a computer in my hotel lobby. My parents came to pick me up, along with my brother and his wife. We're on a mini vacation exploring New England. I feel that the transition back into the real world hasn't been too difficult yet. I will gather my thoughts and write some conclusion entries later.
Date: 2004-02-04
To: You want answers??
Miles today: 0.0

It's a 2,174 mile trail from Georgia to Maine.   Yes, Georgia.    That's right; to Maine.   Probably about 5 or 6 months.   Yes. Months.   No, I'm not kidding.      YES! MONTHS!!   No Dad, I'm not going to bring a gun.      Well, my good friend Ian was originally supposed to go with me, but was offered a job opportunity he didn't want to pass up.    That's right. All by myself.   No, Trevor. I am NOT going to bring a gun.   Yes. I have seen Deliverance.   Why. Ah yes. The inevitable "Why?" Probably the hardest question I'll receive about the trail. The easiest one being, "What are you gonna do when a bear bites off half of your head?" I figure my options are limited to "Slowly bleed to death" and "Die instantly." This one's a no-brainer.   So...why? Why thru-hike the Appalachian Trail? Why take about 6 months out of your life to strap a 50-pound pack onto your back and hike in the snow and rain and heat; and put the same dirty clothes on your unwashed body day after day; and eat lots of oatmeal, peanut butter, and macaroni & cheese; climbing mountains, fording rivers, and drinking water out of the same stream you just watched a moose crap in?   Want romanticism? I could say I'm not taking 6 months out of my life. I'm putting 6 months INTO my life.   Want idealism? I could say it's going to be so much fun and everyone I meet is going to be fabulous. Everyone is going to be bestest of friends and the weather is going to be perfect. There won't be any sore legs, weak knees, or blistered feet; no sunburns or poison ivy; no hunger or pain; and everyone starting on Springer Mountain on March 1st is GOING to make it to Katahdin.   Want reality? I don't.   This is going to be the hardest thing I've ever done in my life.
Date: 2004-02-08
To: What is.... "real?"
Miles today: 0.0

Everyone knows the odds are against them when they start.   Everyone knows that of the 2,000+ people starting at Springer Mountain in Georgia, only 15 to 20% will make it to Katahdin in Maine. (According to statistics at the Appalachian Trail Conference's website which can be accessed.....here: Appalachian Trail Conference )      So here's the reality...   Let's say I start the hike on March 1st with 59 other hopeful thru-hikers. And, last I heard, there's going to be even more than that starting on March 1st alone.   In the first 30 miles, 12 of those people who had been planning for weeks, saving for months, and possibly dreaming about it for years are going to decide, for one reason or another, to leave. 12 of those people are going to finish less than 1.5% of the trail. Too much pain. Homesickness. Not what they were expecting. Everyone has their own reasons. And I might as well be realistic about it. I could be one of them.   Before even entering Great Smoky Mountains National Park, about 160 miles from Springer Mountain summit, half will be gone. Injuries. Loneliness. Just plain misery. And who knows? I could be one of them.    And by the time 18 of those aspiring thru-hikers enter Pennsylvania, thereby completing about half of the trail, the other 42 will be back at home either wishing they were still out there or wondering what the hell they were thinking in the first place. Let's face it...I could be one of them.   Between 9 and 12 of the original 60 March 1st starters will hike all 2,174 miles from Springer to Katahdin. Considering this, the fact that I have practically no backpacking experience, and the fact that I have done practically no physical training for this ridiculous journey, the odds are most definitely against me.   Between 9 and 12 of the original 60.   But hey...I could be one of them
Date: 2004-02-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I got some good news and some bad news.   The bad news is this. I can't promise you how often this journal will be updated. I'd love to say that I'm going to have it updated once a day, but I can't. I'm sorry if you've come back a few times wondering when the hell I was going to update this damn thing.    Same thing goes for on the trail. I wish I could say, "Yes. Come back once a day and you'll find a new entry." That's not the case here. Once I get on the trail, I'll be keeping my journal on paper. Everytime I get to a town, I'll send the entries to my brother, Jeff. He will then type them in for me. So, you may see no entries for a week or so, and then suddenly see a dozen. Sorry.   And I wish I could be hardcore and say, "And if you don't like it, FINE!! This is MY journal anyway!! I don't give a sh*t whether you read it or NOT!!" But that would be lying. Truth is, I do hope people are reading my trail journal. Otherwise, why the hell am I writing one? And I do hope people are enjoying my trail journal. Otherwise, why the hell are they reading it?   And another promise I can't make. There are no guarantees that I'm going to be able to entertain you or ammuse you with every entry. In fact, after being on the trail for a few weeks, I might be just plain miserable. And it may be evident from my entries.    I think that's it. Just thought I should get that all out so there were no misunderstandings.    Oh yeah, the good news? Well, I updated my journal today. That is all.
Date: 2004-02-20
To: 10 Days 
Miles today: 0.0

10 Days.   That's all. Just 10 days til my first white blaze. Just 10 days til I set foot on the Appalachian trail. 10 days.   How am I feeling about it?   ARRRRRRRAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!   (sigh)   AH HA HA!!! WOO HOO!! ZIP-A-DEE-DOO-DA!!   Oh my God. 10 days.
Date: 2004-02-22
To: 8 Days Left
Miles today: 0.0

My original intention was to sleep outside tonight. See just how warm my tent and sleeping bag would keep me. Instead, I'm going to enjoy one last night in my bed. After tonight, I won't be sleeping in my bed for over 6 months. That's the plan anyway.   Besides, it's supposed to be much colder tomorrow and tuesday night than it is tonight.    Justify, justify, justify.   I have a lot to do in the next couple of days. I don't know if I made it clear enough in yesterday's entry when I said that I was scared of the fact that there were only 9 days left. The reason that fact is so scary is because it seems like I have so much to do. And really...I only have 212 days to do it all. After that, I leave my house.   8 more days until my first white blaze. 7 more days until the Approach Trail. 6 more days until I arrive at Amicalola State Park. 5 more days until I arrive in Atlanta. 4 more days until I hop on the bus. 3 more days until I leave my house and say goodbye to my family. 2 more days left to do everything I NEED to get done.    And 1 more day spent drinking beer and playing cards and volleyball when I could have been getting some of that stuff done.   Jesus.   You would think that I would've learned by now.
Date: 2004-02-26
To: Leaving on a Greyhound
Miles today: 0.0

Grandpa is still losing sleep over this; The reality of me leaving is killing my girlfriend; And I swear my mother has anxiety panic disorder.   I don't remember ever having a real problem with "Goodbye." I've left home before, working for Walt Disney World for 5 months and a summer camp in Maryland for 3. I've said "Goodbye" to loved ones in the past. This one shouldn't be any different.   But it was.   The "Goodbye" to my brother was easy. I don't think he's very worried. He knows I'll be fine.    Good. One down.   With my father it wasn't bad either. Sure, I think he was a little upset and I'm sure he's a bit worried, but he'll be okay. Besides, someone has to stay strong for my mother.   Now this one was hard. Mom really had a hard time with me leaving. Turned on the waterworks. (I'm just glad her Josh Groban CD wasn't playing. Seriously.) But I saw how upset she was, and that made me upset. I actually had to hold back a tear or two. It was hard.   I stayed with my girlfriend last night at Framingham State College; she brought me to the bus today. This one was the hardest. I waited until the last moment to get on the bus and it still didn't seem like enough time. When I finally did, I gave one last wave, and wanted to break down. I fought a good fight.   I never realized just how hard saying "Goodbye" to a person could be.   50 minutes away from Framingham, Massachusetts.   Another 3.5 hours to New York City.   45 minute layover at Port Authority, and then one bus all the way to Atlanta.    I can't believe how close it is.
Date: 2004-02-27
To: Round and Round......and Round.....
Miles today: 0.0

45 minute layover my ass.   So I get to Port Authority in New York City last night, head downstairs to the Long-Distance buses, approach the lady behind the information desk, and ask, Which gate for the 9:30 bus to Atlanta?   "We don't have any buses going to Atlanta."   What?   "There are no buses to Atlanta tonight."   I don't understand. I'm LOOKING right at my intinerary which clearly lays out a plan to get me to Atlanta on a bus leaving TONIGHT. But this oh-so-helpful woman is telling me that that isn't the case.   "You need to go talk to somebody else."   Die.   Longer story shorter, the bus to Atlanta was canceled. Some big snowstorm in North Carolina. I can check back later to see if the 1:45 AM is going to be running and if not, then maybe at 3:45.   Not leaving at 9:30. Only maybe leaving at 1:45. At least 4 extra hours.   Great.   I get in touch with my friend Dawn who lives in the city and she just happens to be going to see a movie right by Port Authority that gets out at 12:45.   "Do you need a place to crash tonight?"   No thanks. Hopefully I'll be leaving in just a few hours.   (By the way, the movie was "Monster." And while Charlize Theron was amazing, the movie itself was F'ed up. Fair warning.)   "No buses running south sir. We'll get an update at 8:00 AM. After that, the first bus to Atlanta would be at 12:30 PM."   Hey Dawn, about that place to crash?   So thank you Dawn for putting a roof over my head last night. The idea of tenting in Central Park really didn't thrill me.   A bus trip that should have been a total of 23 hours and 50 minutes has so far taken 26 hours, 40 minutes. And I haven't even reached Richmond, Virginia yet.   I don't get to party in Atlanta with my friends.   I might not even get to see one of them.   I'm not even on the trail yet, and I'm already miserable.
Date: 2004-02-28
To: Welcome......to Amicalola Falls State Park.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Total trip time: 39 hours, 10 minutes.   Now I know why planes were invented.   Perhaps this was some kind of pre-trail lesson. Things don't always go the way you want them to, so you might as well get used to it while you're warm, dry, and not starving in the woods.   Cara & Maryann met me at the bus station, and Georgia even came down to see me for 15 minutes before the rest of us had to head up to Amicalola. So it wasn't all too bad. I'm just glad I got some time with them.   When I entered the lobby of the lodge at Amicalola, I got excited. There was a four-story window facing the mountains to the west. I just pulled up a chair and starred for a long time. I know I'll never get used to these views. It was beautiful.   After a while, hikers arrived. First met Wildcat. Then I met Andy.   Then I met Burn.   You know how you can sometimes tell that someone is a good person the second you see them? That's how I felt about Burn when he got out of his car.   The cool thing about meeting Burn was that I had already started to get to know him through talking online. Same for Joy, who joined us for coffee later on with her family and Bloody Cactus (an Australian, mate). A few other people I had been talking to online are Grace, Ross, and Brother Nature, but they don't start until a few days after us.   It is 1:00 AM and I'm planning on getting up at 6:30. I'm still not satisfied with my packing, but I'm too damn tired to care.   Goodnight.
Date: 2004-02-29
To: Day Zero
Miles today: 0.0

That's right. Day Zero.   On this day, you hike the 8.8 mile Approach Trail. It's not part of the AT; It just gets you there. At the end of the day, I was sore, my feet hurt, and my knee is starting to bother me.   And the mileage doesn't even count.   I started out with Burn at the Visitor's Center where the Approach Trail begins. Outside of the building was a scale to weigh your pack. I weighed in at 33 lbs. Not bad. A couple that was down there, Rob and Robin ("tweet, tweettle-lee deet....Rob and Robin"....okay, i swear I'll never do that again) weighed in at about 55 and 60 lbs. Damn.   Just about the time Burn and I were ready to cross the threshold of Approach, my trekking pole broke. For those who don't know anything about trekking poles, picture a pair of ski poles that you can adjust the length of. Mine wouldn't stay extended. (sigh...i just know there's really bad joke here.)   Anyway, you have no idea how important trekking poles are for a long-distance hike. Probably going to be my most valued equipment. And I wasn't going to be able to use them.    Up steps Burn, and seriously saves the day...and possibly my hike. Told you he was a good guy.   Not even 5 minutes into the Approach Trail hike, Burn directs my attention to the left. 4 or 5 white-tailed deer. One of them senses our presence, and breaks until a trot about 40 feet away from us. I'm already glad to be out here.   The Approach Trail wasn't as bad as people make it out to be. My knee starts to hurt a little, and I know that I should slow down. It's so easy to say that you shouldn't adjust your pace to keep up with anyone, but it's easier said than done. I'm just glad I have my trekking poles. They are helping ALOT!   I've met quite a few hikers by this point. Some I'll probably see along the whole way; Others I may never see again.   I'm in my sleeping bag, in my tent, and it's cold. I already hiked .2 mile the actual Appalachian Trail just to get to this campsite. 9 whole miles, and only .2 of it actually counts.    Tomorrow is my first day hiking all day on the Appalachian Trail. Day One. Just me and my trusty trekking poles.
Date: 2004-03-01
From: Springer Summit

To: Hawk Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 7.6

My trekking poles are gone.   Appalachian Trail Lesson #1: Do NOT lean your Leki's on somebody's van. They may mistake them as their own equipment and pack them up before driving away.   I had them for less than a mile today. The rest of the day was spent using two rough, heavy, awkward pieces of wood. They do not even come CLOSE to comparing to my trekking poles.   I hate them. I want my Leki's back.   The trail wasn't too bad. I just wish I had my Leki's. I did catch up with Sara though. Her parents are the owner's of the previously mentioned van. I got their number from her, and will give them a call the first chance i get. Hopefully then can overnight them to Neel's Gap. This of course means i'll still have to deal with pieces of wood for the next 3 days. This of course includes the hike up and down Blood Mountain, the highest point the AT reaches in Georgia.    My knee hurts. Thank you Bloody Cactus for the sports cream. Thank you Sara for applying it. Thank you Mailar for the Ace Bandage.    I want my Leki's back.
Date: 2004-03-02
From: Hawk Mt. Shelter

To: Gooch Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 7.1

Rain, rain, rain, fog, rain, mud.   Hiking in the rain isn't so bad. Setting up camp in the rain sucks.   Hence, the shelter was full when we got there.    There's a nice little idea about there always being room for one more in a shelter when it's raining. It's a nice idea anyway.   Bill and I didn't want to set up our tents. So...we slept under the shelter. Probably not the best idea later on in the season once the snakes and mice are at their peak, but for now we decided it would be safe.    The hike itself was nice. Burn and I stopped for lunch at a beautiful view-point. To think of the places most of the world was having lunch today compared to this, I almost felt guilty. (Almost.)   I also met a trail maintainer today while hiking with Sara, Jon, and Bloody Cactus. She offered for me to use her phone to call about my Leki's, but it was over a mile down a side trail.    Extra walking. Hmmm...I think I'll just wait.   Anyway, when we finally got to camp, I learned Appalachian Trail Lesson #2: There IS always room for one more at a shelter when it's raining...as long as you're a cute little blonde girl.
Date: 2004-03-04
From: Woody Gap, Ga 60

To: Neels Gap, U.S. 19/129
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Thank you Darlene for bringing me to and from Woody Gap and introducing me to some amazing college students.   Thank you Frank and Larry for trusting me to be around them.   Thank you Eric, Dan, AJ, Chris, and Matt.   And Jen, Jesslyn, Linda, Allison, and Laura.   And Katie, and Emily, and Tiffany, and Hillary, and Stephanie.   Thank you all for making me feel welcome and for feeding me. And thanks to Tiffany for the Bible, and AJ for the "Kung-Fu" juice for my knee, and Linda for the SlimFast bar. I really hope I'm not forgetting anyone.   I met Nuffy for the first time at Woody Gap today. Came from Australia to hike the AT because of Bill Bryson, though she's never hiked a day in her life.   Half of the day I hiked alone, and at one point i came across a bible on a log in the middle of the trail. AT lesson #4: It's nice to pack out stuff that other people leave on the trail. But don't pick up a bible. Especially when you're already carrying one. Thru-hiking with one bible is personal choice. Thru-hiking with two is the stupidest idea ever. And, what are you gonna do with the new one? Throw it out? Isn't that blasphemy?? Besides, then people start calling you yet ANOTHER trail name..."Bible Boy." Mudskipper just loved that one.   So, i also hike with Mudskipper and Nuffy. The view atop Blood Mountain was practically 360 degrees, and we almost died on the way down. The trail turned, and we didn't. Instead we hiked down a rather steep rock face. So, after thinking "Wow, they're right about the backside of this mountain. It's a beast!" I realized that this "beast" wasn't baring any white blazes. Whoops.   We turned around and eventually we made it to Neel's Gap. My pack was ripped apart, and I was given lots of advice about what I should buy and what I should send home by a guy who thru-hiked last year named "Skittles." Good thing I didn't go with that name; It was already taken.   I'm staying at Hiker Hostel tonight. (yes, it actually DOES exist) Think I'll do a zero tomorrow to get my knee back in good condition, and I'll take it easy even after that. It didn't hurt me today, but you can't be too safe.   OH. AND I GOT MY LEKI'S BACK!!! Mr. Myers felt very badly about it. Turns out he has an identical pair. Also, attached to the package i picked up at Neel's was a ziplock bag with a Snickers and a black pad of some sort. The note inside said: "C-Giddy AKA Leki-Less. Put this knee band just below your knee. Hope to meet you soon. Sugar Daddy."   I have never met Sugar Daddy. Word on this trail travels fast.    Also, i've heard about how the trail community sticks together to help each other out, but to experience it is still surprising.    "No one makes it to Katahdin alone." --Burn