morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-01-24
To: New Adventures
Miles today: 0.0

January 25, 2018To my Beloved Hiking Partner, John,Today is the tenth anniversary of summiting Springer Mtn together. On January 25, 2007, we chose to go on together. We've been walking together since then. You kept my heart alive while my husband rejected me. You walked by me on the PCT. You encouraged me to apply for the Ridgerunner job. You enticed me to join you for three months in the shadow of Mt. Katahdin. You kept me warm so I could complete my winter walk of the Benton MacKaye Trail. You opened the door to my fulfilling job at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. You planned logistics and co-created two summers of walks so we could both complete our second traverses of the Appalachian Trail. You celebrated my grandkids and joined me for my family's beach weeks. You stayed put in Ohio so I could support my mom for a couple of weeks, and jumped into her lawn seeding project with excellence! You planned exciting and challenging walks to high peaks and deep canyons in the desert, getting me to explore where I would not have gone on my own. You have been a generous, tolerant, and gentle companion for more than ten years!And now, you choose to walk separately, saying we are not good partners for each other. I accept that. I accept that my calling to expand my business vision and my dramatic way of relating and creating is incompatible with your way of planning your life. I will cry to miss your affection, your constancy in saying "I love you" even as I cowered in self-doubt, your passion for going "just to that next bend" that pulls me just a little further.Thanks for ten years of walking together, Hiker John. We're off to different trails now, so go forth with blessings for your journey. This journey is complete!
Date: 2019-01-25
From: Home at ABDSP

To: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California
Miles today: 0.0

Eleven years later, I am still connected with trails. I have often said that I walked the AT to get hiking out of my system but discovered - or acknowledged really - that hiking IS my system! Since completion day, I've walked over 8,000 more long-distance trail miles, including all of the AT miles for a second time.But, stats don't come close to accounting for the life changes that my AT journey initiated. I have now been divorced from my husband for 5 1/2 years. We've exchanged just a couple of brief emails. His last was actually a bit tender, but he maintains his promise of relating as if he never knew me. I learn about him from our kids, who do see him. But, this is about ME.Hiker John and I are still together and both working at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, which we learned about on our walk of the Pacific Crest Trail in 2008. We came out to California just three months after completing the AT. I say that walking the AT taught me how to be a thru-hiker. On the PCT I became and athlete! You can read my PCT journal here in trailjournals.At Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, I have my most fulfilling job - a "real job" as my dad would chide me. I create programs at the Visitor Center, which I love doing! I have an uncommon style with my experiential programs which evoke comments like "this was the best park program I've ever had" or "I really needed this today!" Pretty heady stuff for a nature walk! I entice people to look closely at Nature and reflect inside at the same time. Makes an impression.I enjoy being the one at the front desk who can talk with visitors about the PCT. In the five seasons John and I have worked here we've revisited the trail between Campo and Pines to Palms Highway. I feel a closeness to the long distance trails by living and working here! Walking IS my system!Happy 11th Anniversary to me and Hiker John!
Date: 2006-07-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hi everybody. I have decided to hike the entire AT; however, due to the fact that I am now a junior at LSU, I don't have the ability to break off of school in mid-March to start the trail in time. I however am able to start in Harper's Ferry for one leg and go to Maine, and the next summer pick up the trail in GA. And the second idea is to wait until I graduate, start in May in Maine, and work my way SOBO to GA.   I have several trails here in the South Louisiana area to get my legs ready, but due the past hurricanes (Katrina and Rita), several of the national forests and state parks are closed for repairs. Therefore, to strength train for the trek, I use the indoor walking track, and weigh down my pack with 30 pounds to get used to the weight and to break in the boots. (I would do it outside, but the 100% humidity and 100+ tempatures will kill me. I went on a 15 mile hike last week and sweated out 7 pounds of weight and nearly succumed to heat exhaustion.) I am trying to try at least 5 miles at a time, several days a week.    When the tempature drops, I will be hiking in Southern Alabama and the Azalea Trail in mid-Louisiana. I hope these hikes will shake out any problems with my gear compatability, water filtration systems, and get the food portions right. And this journal is the key to helping me work on my goal of walking 2186 miles, and I hope you will help.-Mudbug
Date: 2006-07-10
From: home

To: home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Another day of training. I did 6 miles with a 20 pound pack. My feet hurt bad as I started, but after 10 minutes, my feet felt great!!!! I did have a sick experience last night. I finally ate some of dehydrated meals that i made for my trip to the Black Creek Trail. The mac and cheese was AWFUL, and it was quick grits, not instant, so that was pretty bad. I have yet to try the chicken or tuna or beenie weenies. I hope to find something that is good to eat that is inexpensive that can be seasoned properly before I take off for the eastern seaboard...
Date: 2006-07-12
From: home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I finally got the Trip Mate program installed and I have started with the planning. I hope to start on my 5 year wedding anniversary (I have been divorced a while now) and hopefully stop at Harper's ferry in early August to fly home for my senior year in college. I decided to do the trail in 2 sections while I am in college and maybe maybe maybe hopefully do the whole thing after graduation. This way I would have done it twice in two years. Well, homework waits for noone, so off to finish statics....Did another 5.25 with the heaver pack (25#). I only went for 1.5 hours because I had to do homework. One weekend, I will try to put in 20 miles in one day, just need a free day after summer school to do it. And I am praying for rain so I can do some rain hiking...
Date: 2007-01-27
From: Evangaline Primitive Campground

To: Evangaline Primitive Campground
Miles today: 0.0

Last night I camped out on the Evangaline Primitive Campground on the Wild Azelea Trail. I got to finally integrate camping with backpacking. We broke camp at 7ish in the rain (it was clear and sunny the night before) and was on the trail by 9. I only got 4 miles in but they were in the rain with a 40 pound pack. It really didn't bother me much with the weight and the hills, so it was a really good experience. I also got to try out my filter and drink filtered stream water so I am thankful to have that under my belt!!Plane and train tickets are bought and I am working on my maildrops while I dehydrate all my food slowly. I am really going to do this and I am sooooo excited!!!
Date: 2007-02-11
From: Clear Springs Recreation Center

To: Richardson Creek Trail
Miles today: 0.0

This weekend I learned a new word each day. Friday nights word is condensation. My little Eureka Solitare tent condensated on me and I was cold and wet and miserable, but managed to live through it. I tightened the rain fly and prevented that from happening again.We had a fun 8 mile hike, although I had trouble keeping up with the dayhikers who carried maybe 10 lbs, while I trudged with 30 lbs. But with hiking with them, I learned to push myself and where the pain lives. I am learning that my hiking pace is to hike in the morning for a while, stopping for lunch and maybe a quick nap, then onward until i am exhausted. This is better than the hike 4 miles, stop for 10 minutes, then 4 more that make my body cry so badly.Saturday night I was much more prepared, new socks and all. I even used a trick i gleaned from a forum on keeping warm. I filled my Nalgene bottle with boiling water and put it in a sock to use to keep me warm... Man was it hot!!! I should have slept the whole night warm and dry. However, as a newbie and a greenhorn, I forgot tonight to shut off the water valve on my hydration system on my pack. I rolled over in the middle of the night and low an behold, I managed to drain a liter of water onto my down sleeping bag from my waist to my toes. Never in my life did I have to sleep in such frigid conditions, but I survived the night. I put my rain gear on over my damp clothes and the water went somewhere else. When I packed up my tent, there was still water in my tent, so I wont have to worry about water leaking into my tent from below.It was a great weekend, I loved my dehydrated camp food and the pain and fun of hiking. May seems so far away and yet so close!!!
Date: 2007-02-18
From: Evangaline Primitive Campground

To: Valentine Lake Campground
Miles today: 0.0

This is my real first solo hike. It was about 10 miles long and I know how this will sound, but it was all yellow blazes. No, they painted all the trees with yellow blazes. It was an easy hike, but that pack gets heavy after a while, but I had to push forward to get there in time to set up. The park I eventually ended up at was abandoned, but the other side of the lake had the new campground. But my Jetboil proved to be a nice addition to my pack.
Date: 2007-04-07
From: Valentine Lake Campground

To: Lakeshore Trail
Miles today: 0.0

almost 6 pm. i hiked from evagaline campground to three miles shy of the east dock. it started to look like rain so i pitched camp, ate, changed into jammies, then got into bed. there is grasses making noises tat are going to drive mr nuts tonight, but ill live. good nite!
Date: 2007-05-17
From: Amilacola Falls

To: Spinger Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: few clouds

First day. Stayed at the Hiker Hostel the night before. I highly recommend everyone hiking the trail to stay there at least once. The gang there was very nice and I felt at home. However, I did weigh myself before I left and weighted 216 pounds, which is about 14 pounds less than I weighed in March. I hope this won't make my hike harder, with less to lose as I march forward.    The mountains are beautiful here, but people drive like nuts up the mountains. I would look down and see forever all the way to the bottom. The ride over to the falls where I started was a nice drive, upsetting me that this may be my last car ride for a long time. When we arrive to the dropoff place, signed the book, and weighed my pack. It weighed 38 pounds with 4 days worth of food and my packsafe that I forgot that I put in my pack.    After getting the pictures that I needed to get of the start of the trail, I started walking. Noone said that this thing would go straight up at such an angle. I would climb about ten or twenty steps and would have to stop for a few minutes to rest. I thought I would never make it up to the road on the top. Then I had to climb the road that was almost vertical. It was almost a hand over hand, crawling up the hill to get to the next level.   A Coke machine!!!! It was right after what I assumed to be two jump off points for those who couldnt take the hike any longer. I kept trudging on, making many stops, but finally getting to the first shelter by springer by 4. No water needed, but saw Springer starting to loom overhead. I did switchback after switchback to finally get to the top. It was a good view, but I had to kill myself to get there before the sun began to set. The last 2/10ths of a mile was the easiest of the trail, and made it to the two story shelter before the sun died on me.   I met Tank there. He is an engineering student from North Dakota, but is editor of his school paper. I said uggh, to which he replied that I must be in student government. I had to laugh at that because everyone in papers must hate SG. LOL!!! We got ready to sleep, but the first mouse climbed near me. We both set up our tents in the shelter, me having the second floor to set up hammock. It's scary to think that I will have to do this another 90 days this summer....~Mudbug
Date: 2007-05-22
From: Neel's Gap

To: Whitley Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Starting at Neel's Gap, ending at Whitley GapStupid Pocketmail didn't upload at Neel's Gap, then reset itself, so I lost the first 5 or 6 entries. But I will try to retype them as I go along. It was steady going, but Whitley Gap is 1.2 miles off the trail, making it 2.4 miles of non-AT trekking. But it did have water, so that is a plus. The next 6 miles is water-free, so water is getting to be an issue. The weather is climbing up into the 80's in the afternoon, making it a hot hike, but at least it is warmer at night.Afraid that us three amigos will be breaking up tomorrow. Tank is taking it slow, going into another town, while Roscoe is going to the next shelter. I am deviating from my schedule, but am hoping to get to the Cloud 9 hostel at noon. That way, I can get in a good shower if it is full and be able to find a good camping spot out of town, all on Friday. Getting sleeping, so will crash.Having fun,Mudbug
Date: 2007-05-23
From: Whitley Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: light rain

Started Whitley Gap Shelter, ended Blue Mountain ShelterSooo tired today. First 1.2 miles didn't even count,as shelter was off the trail. The next 4.4 flew by because it was so level, but after Low Gap, I walked on the remnats of the Logan TurnpikeLost dad and rescueCrazy thru-hikers George and the Sam's pack of hot dogs. George comes rolling in at 8ish as the rain begins. Tall and lanky, twitchy and singing "King Tut", he whips out a pack of hot dogs and poses for pictures. All this after 18 miles of streneous hiking, starting at Neel's Gap. By the way, we have no refridgeration or way to keep them cool.
Date: 2007-05-24
From: Blue Mountain Shelter 

To: Sassafras Gap
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: broken clouds

Started at Blue Mt Shelter, ended at Sasafrass GapAnother day, another 12ish miles. Spend all day trying to outrun Curious George and his keeper, The Man in the Yellow Hat. Caught up with us at Tray Mt. There was a vender at Unicoi Gap that was selling food after we passed and Curious George got more hot dogs. Funny.Hills are starting to kick my ass, but I am trying to kick back. It won't get easier, but I can get stronger. Hoping my hiker hunger kicks in soon, I am starting to feel worn down in the mornings before lunch. Tonight's entertainment consisted of the Grizwalds (the families that I am hikin with) getting attacked by barking spiders as they ate chili mac instant meals, followed by them attempting to hang a bear bag. I sat on the side, laughing at the whole affair. Tomorrow, I will be checking into a hotel with one of their dads, cause he isn't doing well,and I am a half day ahead of the game. Either way, I am gaining 7 day's worth of food. Ugg, that's heavy, but I, of course, wll manage. Saw my first snake today, too.Getting ready to start snoring, so good night...~Mudbug
Date: 2007-05-29
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: McDuff Shelter
Miles today: 15.7

Started Rock Gap Shelter (camping), ended new shelter (1 mile North of Wayah Bald)Happy Birthday Tim!!Woke up to the scouts making fire, made it hard to wake up and move. Kept Crocs in hammock, made it easier to walk around at night when I needed to... One of the scouts called me Mr. Bug (my trail name is Mudbug) and I thought it was cute. Made me think, though (after all, what else am I going to do as I walk?). I think after the hike I will embrace being called Mr. Wright after all. I think it is finally time. The walk right after new US 64 was sooo nice, especially with a huge stream that I was tempted to bathe in. Got nice pics of it though. Uphill and more uphill. Spent most of day above 1 mile elevation. No altitude sickness!Made Siler Bald and shelter by 12:30. Ran into group of 2 moms from Mandeville, LA, and their sons at LSU (even if one is a Mass Com major...) Had lunch with then, took a nap, then parted ways. (Mom, the Mass Com guy remembers my football signs, and can't wait to tell his girlfriend that he saw me on the AT)Ran into Small Steps climbing Wayah Bald. Gave me skittles. mmmmmm, I forgot how good they tasted, and how they powered me up for 15 minutes. Finally made it to Wayah Bald lookout, an old stone observation tower. Contemplated crashing there for the night, but the cold wind changed our minds. Instead, hiked another mile to a 3 week old shelter, and am hammocking here tonight. Called Grandparents on bald to let them know I was still alive, and will stop in the NOC on thursday for beer, food, a spoon and something to wash my sleeping bag.I scratched the side of my leglast night and a big hunk of skin is missing from the side of my foot. Will have to nurse it in the morning...Still on my feet,~Mudbug
Date: 2007-05-30
From: McDuff Shelter (new)

To: NOC
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

Started at new shelter (McDuff), ended at NOC (Natahala Outdoor Center) 16 milesGood and bad day. Noticed that I have begun to sweat in bag, soaking the toe box at night. Really, my body is damp in the morning and it's not good.First trail magic. Grape and Orange sodas in a cooler. Never hd a better tasting drink! Licklog Gap Rules!Sadly, though, I developed another problem. Something I ate or something I drank has made me ill. Adding this to the profuse sweating that I constantly do, I am easily looking at dehydration, not to mention that the trots is nothing to laugh at on the trail. I am goingto wait it out at the NOC, because I am a day ahead, and see. If it is waterborne, I have medicne for it, but if not, I may hike to Fontana Friday. Giardia will make me leave the trail, I fear...~Mudbug (not Mudbutt)
Date: 2007-05-31
From: NOC

To: NOC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Zero day at NOCMy body needed this. I rested so well. Feel recharged, stomach problems gome. Went whitewater rafting and got wet! Actually asked the question "So when do they turn the river on today?" Most of the flow of the river is released from a lake and converted to hydroelectric power, but they start at 10, and takes two and a half hours to reach the NOC, so at 12:30, I watched the river rise 3 or so feet. Cool! Saw Frank and Small Steps as they passed through. Got into a heated debate with Hanna and her man (hiking to Roan Mt.) over global warming. They have good hearts, but were unbudging in their convictions. Oh, well, HYOH, I guess. Besides, I should know better than to discuss politics anywhere anymore.Staying one more night after this in order to make the hump to Fontana for Monday morning. Yesterday I was considering leaving the trail, but after the rest I had today, I fear not the trail. I know that I am strong enough, willing enough, and crazy enough to tackle it, my body just needed the break to catch up with the spirit.~Mudbug
Date: 2007-06-01
From: NOC

To: NOC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Last zero day until Hot Springs!Best day ever! Went rafting alone, and did well. Ran into the LSU guys and gals, the Boy Scout troop, One Step, and Rock Man. Everyone on the trail either knew me, or heard a story about me. I forgot who said it, but someone said I am one of the well known hikers in the area. That puts a smile on my face. I can't wait to get on the trail tomorrow, though. My trail legs are just starting to get started on the uphills. But I will miss this place, but eager to see Harper's Ferry, Smoky's,and that long train ride home. But I am getting ahead of myself.Did upgrade my sleeping bag. The down one was getting damp at night, clumping, then not keeping me warm at all, so I had to get a synthetic one. But other than a new replacement synthetic shirt, no real new changes in my pack.Got a pizza in my pack for lunch tomorrow, so time for bed after the news tells me where the storm in the Gulf is headed..On the trail again.~Mudbug
Date: 2007-06-02
From: NOC

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Started at NOC @ 1pm, ended Sassafras Gap Shelter @ 6pmStarted late with Rock Guy and One Step. Said goodbye to the LA. Boys and Girls and the NOC, and started climbing up again. The sweating began as usual, but I am just going to have to accept the rainfall on my face that is the sweat. Leaving the NOC was bittersweet, for I was starting to feel like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, knowing all the staff at the cafe, exactly when the water is going to rise, and when the train is about to pull in. It was also good to leave because I was starting to set up roots there.Cold tonight, but this Kelty bag should keep me warm.Discussing options, looks like 15 tomorrow, 6 into Fontana around noon, stay at Fontana Hilton (Shelter), and shave a day off of the Smokys. Nice.Making miles again,~Mudbug
Date: 2007-06-03
From: Sassifras Gap Shelter

To: Brown Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: broken clouds

It's 7:30 and still in bed. Wind and rain are pelting the tin roof, making it hard to take off this morning. At least we have new plans. 15 miles today, and Fontana Dam for noon Monday. Spend night at Hilton, then Smokys. Will give us morning shot for Clingman's Dome.7:30 pm made it 9 miles before the thunder set in. Got 4 Mobile college student, a Swiss, and another older guy. Full house. But I am excited to be hiking,even if I am slower. It will take a few to get the trail legs going, but it is off to Hot Springsuntil my next break. Oh, we lost One Step, he took up the miles to Fontana, but still have Rock Guy here to keep me moving.Mail drop tomorrow from Mom&Bob, ice cream, new filter, and insoles. Tomorrow will be nice.Don't know if wind and rain is tropical storm Barry or not, but I would like to think I have hiked in a TS now...12 miles, starting early...~Mudbug
Date: 2007-06-04
From: Brown Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Inn
Miles today: 12.7

Not a bad day, left the SOBOs and took off. Caught up with the Swiss guy on the way, but leapfrogged "Gimley" a couple of times before finally passing him on the descent into the dam. Cought the shuttle into a quaint little town. Cathy, the shuttle driver that reminded me of Mrs. Landingham, said the shelter (Hilton) had 5 already, so I checked into the inn. Getting a room is one thing, but not sharing is bad kharma, so I sent word to Rock Guy that he could have 1/2.Had internet in outfitters, but had 2 wait for 2 hikers to finish. Meanwhile, some teen came over and told us that she needed to email an ex because she was... blah, blah, teen drama. The computer was for the hikers, but I let her skip when the mom became... pushy about how there should be a time limit and how important it was for her daughter. After, we gave a free lesson on thru-hikers (they didn't realize we hiked 160+ miles).One Step came over so we could all go eat, but saw that Enterage came on HBO at 2:55 am, so he set the alarm and slept on the floor. We all had steak, and I had a jager shot and a Jack and Coke. Mmmmm.Watched Deadliest Catch, Dirty Jobs, then [adult swim] until we fell asleep. Good day!~Mudbug