morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-08-25
To: So here I go again
Miles today: 0.0

This will be the third year in a row that I am starting to prep for an AT thru hike. I was really looking forward to being part of the class of 2005, but like 2004, things did not pan out. I look back on the obstacles that were in front of me, keeping me from going, and I clearly see the best choice was not to go. Some situations were good and some were bad. As I look forward, I see that there is nothing stopping me in 2006. This is the first entry I have placed since my decision to scrape 2005. Kind of a mind breaking expression and renewal. I simply could not get myself to log-into the journals and blah-blah-blah about my situations. I have learned that the trail is simply something to do and experience - not just talk on-and-on about. This time is already different. I'm different, my situation is different - it is simply time to go. My body weight is down 15 pounds from before. I will begin my training September 15th and think I could drop 10-15 more pounds. I am thinking of starting in early to mid February so, once again, I am looking into bringing my cold weather gear which means extra weight. I figure if I get into half-way decent shape, I can do the extra 3-5 pounds. I still want my pack weight to be under 25lbs with cold weather gear and 3 days of food. I am under 20 with warm weather gear so I think I could reach it. The good news is that I already have all my gear. Nothing much is needed to be purchased. Mentally I am ready. Now I just need the calendar to keep ticking the days away.
Date: 2005-11-10
To: The days are flying by
Miles today: 0.0

I cannot believe that it is nearing the middle of November already. The job is winding up, funds are in place, and everything still seems to indicate that all systems will be a GO in February. Time is moving very quickly now. I completed what I considered my last main task, this week. It is really strange not having any more big things that need to be completed until I get back. Normally, I would have task, after task, after task ... all lined up for months on end. It has taken me three years to unwind and finish the loose ends of my life. I am now thinking of a middle to end of February as a start date. I know that no matter what happens, I must start before March 1. I feel that I will be slower the first couple of weeks and I don't want to feel pushed by all the younger hikers starting. There seems to be a big group that starts the first week of March so by starting only a week or so earlier, i think I could miss it. I am a big believer in ... hiking your own hike ... but I know myself and know that I would push for big miles too fast if I found a group that I would want to stay with. The masses would be cathing up to me as my strength would be increasing.My gear is ready, but my conditioning is not. Now it is time for me to get into shape. Too many excuses for me to miss my training periods. Nothing fancy is planned, just morning hikes and longer ones on the weekend. The Chicago area is flat, so the climbing part will have to wait until I get to the hills of the AT. My main goal is to get in good enough shape so I won't pull anything when I start out. I will not be in a rush, so I could take more time as I begin to build the strength that I will need to finish. The last question is actually one that could be worked out on the trail and that is mail drops and a bounce box. It is my plan to limit the number of mail drops only because I do not want to be forced on stopping in a town just to meet up with a box of supplies. The down side of this is, of course, more cost will be incurred since I will need to purchase items in the towns at whatever price they would be charging. The bounce box is something that I think I will use only because since my pack is so light, there are many items that I would want on occasion, but not enough to want to carry them all the time.The last gear decision is a camera. The movie cameras are becomming so light and fairly low in cost that I may change my still picture camera into a movie camera. I will try one out first to see if this is a realistic option. I already rambled on more then I am used to so bye for now.
Date: 2005-12-15
To: One Holiday Season Left
Miles today: 0.0

Now it is mid December. Only one holiday season left before the class of 2006 begins. Still looks as if it is a go for end of February. I have finally started my basic training which consists of three mile hikes in the morning on a local trail, four times a week. I know I will need to increase this, but with the recent snow and cold weather in the Chicago area, this will have to do for now. At least my ankles and knees are getting a good "trail-like" workout.I finally talked to the boss and let him know of my departure. He is ok with me being gone for two or three months but a bit hesitant over 6 months. My goal has remained the same ... finish. The rest will just have to work itself out. The cold weather has let me push and expand my comfort zone. I have been able to get comfortable with leaving my vest and gloves behind. I now hike in 15 degree temps with my wool socks on my hands and find that they work equally as well as my gloves ... so the gloves will stay behind. With the elimination of the vest and gloves, I get to my pack goal weight. With food, but without water, my pack should be about 20 pounds. I am currently training with a simple day pack with 18.5 pounds and don't even feel it. I can't wait to get away from all the day-to-day issues. I finally agree with some who feel that I may be running away from the crap I deal with everyday. I did not think this at first, but now I do, and that is just fine with me. I deserve a break from my reality. The crap will still be there when I get back. I need a period where the days events are entirely up to me. Really looking forward to all aspects of the hike. Eat when and where I want, stop when I want, hike when I want, and so-on and so-on. Recently there was a blurb on boycotting "The Place" I respect people with a cause but protests and causes are exactly what I want to get away from for a bit. I am responsible for the safe keeping of my pack and personal property. No one else. It is up to me to take the necessary precautions to safegaurd them at all times. Taking on the burden of any type of "boycott" or "protest" for that many hiking miles, especially to a place that is such an AT legend, seems a counter-productive cause or reason why I am going to be there. But still I respect those with the energy to lug that negativity for so many miles. Oh well, let it be what it is. For me, it is simply about the hike and the time away from such burdens and responsibilities. Hike your own hike. For me, politics will have to wait for me to get back. Trust me, I know it will all still be there waiting to club me over the head, without hesitation, as soon as I get back.
Date: 2005-12-27
To: Less then 60 days - 45 for work
Miles today: 0.0

As the holidays begin to be a thing of the past, I look at the calander and see that I am at the 60 day mark to be on the trail. As such, it was time to switch out my day pack this morning to begin my training hikes with a full back-pack. I loaded in 21.5 pounds. I am still feeling my three mile hikes in my feet. I know that I will need to increase the mileage. The snow and ice is finally clearing from my practice trails. This has helped my speed and therefore my endurance, but the uneven path was good for the gently twisting and rolling of my knees and ankles. I would like to be able to do about 7-9 miles with a full pack without feeling it by the time I hit the trail. The rest of my conditioning will have to be on the trail. Gear is ready. Clock is counting down. I can't wait. I have scheduled my final doctor, dentist and chiropractor appointments. If I could move up one appointment, my start date is set for Sunday, February 26. My fallback date is Sunday, March 5. My plan is to start the appoach trail on a Sunday so my first full week on the trail does not involve the big crowds associated with the weekend hikers. With the later start date I know this part of the trail will be crowded with thru hikers. I want to take my time in getting to meet some thru hikers and walking gradually with them.Although I go back-and-forth, I think I am starting to get a bit more anti-electronic. I was thinking of getting a pocket-mail but now I will probably just stay with the pen and paper and send it back to have it posted on the trail-journals by a family member. It will be a bit out dated but what does a couple of weeks really matter. No matter what my start date, my last day of work is now set for February 17. I plan to use the one week (possibly two) just to put the final touches on things to prepare for my extended absence. I have also begun to rehydrate my body. With all the coffee and booze I drank for so many years, I know my body is generally starved for water. The body will normally take about 30 days to work it into the cell structure, but I have given it the final 60 to make sure. I have already reduced my booze intake down to almost nothing but my coffee intake will be cold turkey on the trail. My weight is 10 pounds heavier then I want to start but to reduce this over 60 days should be easy enough. As I read the various journals, I can begin to tell those who are ready and those who may not be. This isn't anything personal to anyone, it is just that I have been there myself. Getting everything together to be absent from everyday life for 4 to 6 months, especially if you are older, is nothing short of a monumental task. I have worked at this for nearly four years and I only now, stand a chance of even starting. Finishing is something all together different. Starting is extreamly hard in-and-of itself. For those of you that are toiling over the details, keep working though them. Eventually, maybe not this year, maybe not even next year, but eventually it will come together, if you want it to.
Date: 2006-01-09
To: Approach trail on March 5
Miles today: 0.0

If Prince can just up and change his musical stage name, then I could just up and change my trail name. So I changed my name to "The hiker formally known as NickelBag". Well, maybe not. Instead, I have changed my name to FOG - The "OG" is for "Old Guy" and the F will start out for Fat (Fat Old Guy) but will evolve to represent different moments on the trail. Reading everyones journals makes me realize that I will be amoung the older group of hikers. My only involvement with school these days is a son in high school and a daughter in college. I am not looking for a job, rather, taking a leave from a dream job. I will be slower than most, if not all, and will probably need help along the way from you younger hikers ... so, if you see a Fat Old Guy weeping like a baby along the trail some day, have some pitty. Although a February 26th start date seems doable, I made the final decision to start the approach trail on March 5th last night. Simply for an extra week of practice hikes. I was able to take the last 10 days off work and noticed a real improvement in my hiking over that period. Unfortunately, I will not be able to put in as much time as I have with my current work load, so the extra week will be great help. I moved up to 2 hour hikes, 2 1/2 to 3 MPH with a full pack (25 lbs). Felt my legs and mental attitude both getting stronger. I think there will be a big benefit if I use the extra week to really work to break-in my legs for 4-5 hours a day prior to the start. That puts me smack dab in the peak of the 2006 season for starting, but I am looking forward to meeting everyone that I do. I know the crowds will thin out fast, so after the Smokies, the overcrowding should be reduced, at least a bit. I know I will make it through West Virginia as a minimum I am also making small changes to my gear. I think that I am flipping the intent by starting ultra-light with the possibility of adding some items after I get my trail legs. I have decided to leave some items such as my water filter back at first and send it later after I gain some strength. With the increased mileage, I will be able to reduce the food I carry. Also, now with the March start date, I will leave one shirt behind that I have been on the fence about taking. The low temps are averaging in the lower 30's with highs in the upper 40's. I should have enough to get me through the mid teens, if needed.All-in-all, things are looking good. Now, I just have to get there. I think I will take a bus from Chicago and get the hiker service to pick me up in Atlanta on Saturday and start the approach late Sunday morning. Hope all is going well for everyone and look forward to crossing paths on the trail.
Date: 2006-01-25
To: It is only now really sinking in
Miles today: 0.0

The "to-do" list grows shorter. Only 17 days of work remaining, 33 calander days to the trail. It is really here. As various obstacles kept raising their ugly heads in tring to prevent me from leaving, I look up now and all seems to be opening up. A calming feeling is now entering my mind and body. I am becoming much less critical about things like pack weight, food and gear. I am where I need to be in all of my preparation except training. With some recent developments that have taken place at work, I feel that I will only now be able to begin the next phase of my training in ernest. I have been keeping a small conditioning base, but now I think I could devote more time to my training. I have to tell you, the people at work have become very supportive. I cried wolf for so many years at leaving for the trail, most people just nodded their head, smiled and moved on with the conversation. Now, after I am handing them my files, keys, responsibilities, etc., they are at first shocked and then supportive.For the first time, I have added items back to my gear list. I will be adding back a small water filter and I am going to add back my trowl. I am still at 20 pounds with three days of food so what the heck. This new calming feeling is a sense that things are going to be ok. I am not just letting my guard down, rather I feel that all of the time I have spent in getting the details together, now is the time to just let things fall as they may.I am going to start ... the adventure will be learning as I go.
Date: 2006-02-08
To: ONE MONTH
Miles today: 0.0

Once the ball got rolling, things just fell into place. It has taken alot of effort to reach this point, but this does seem to be the year it will finally happen. It is hitting me in both good and bad ways that ... HEY, I REALLY WON'T HAVE A JOB IN SEVEN DAYS. My project is complete and there is nothing in the horizon.I am beginning to get a little paranoid on a few things, however, simple things, like driving. I was almost in an accident the other day and I stopped and thought, how would that effect my start date? What if someone got hurt? I would have to be around for the insuance questions and all that crap. Also, I have a court date on Tuesday for talking on a cell phone while driving. A moving violation in Chicago that REQUIRES a court date. What if I get a simple moving violation that requires a court date for say two months from now. Those are always weeks, often months in the future and I DON'T HAVE MONTHS OR EVEN WEEKS AT THIS POINT for something that stupid. UGGGGGear is ready, timing is good, wrapping up many details with a BIG week next week.   The only thing left is to continue my conditioning. Still slow but getting better. I won't be in top shape, but good enough to hike slowly without pulling something, I think. Still anticipating hiking the approach trail on March 6th. I'm just am not in a hurry at this point. A day is just a day. My hike will begin when the time is right. What is a day or two in six months.
Date: 2006-02-16
To: Two weeks
Miles today: 0.0

With my last day of work being tomorrow (more of a formality), this will be my last entry entered from work. I don't normally use work time for trailjournals but as my desk is actually being moved in a few minutes, the trail is all that seems to be on my mind right now. I only have a few final moments to occupy this office as MY office. My office is bare except my computer. It should feel strang but it is actually very exciting. WHAT A HUGE STEP. This week completed many of my final tasks. 1.) As mentioned above, my working life has ended, at least for the time being. 2.) My court date was completed with success, CASE DISMISSED, since I have a blue tooth ear piece and agreed not to talk on my phone while operating a car (really), 3.) My annual check-up was great and no reasons not to go.With all that was, or will be, completed this week, it is a solid GO for two weeks. It is kind of strange that I am not giddy with joy, just calm and confident about getting started.There is a knock at my door. The movers are here. Not kidding. Time to end, or rather, begin.... IT IS TIME TO GO HIKING...
Date: 2006-03-06
To: A final short delay
Miles today: 0.0

If all went as planned, I would have started my hike today. As it stands, I will begin the approach on Monday with the 1st AT day being on Tuesday. I don't see anything in my way. I took my first day off of training today in just over a week. My final gear selections have been made, the pack, loaded up but without water, should be right about 20 pounds. Not where I wanted to be, but for winter weight, it will do. I figure by Hot Springs I will have a change of gear that should shed 3-4 pounds off instantly.It is hard for me to read the other journals since I simply want to be there. This will be my last entry until the trail. Good luck to everyone. I truly look forward to meeting and hiking with as many of you when we cross or join paths.
Date: 2006-03-15
To: Left for Georgia
Miles today: 0.0

Arrived at Atlanta as scheduled. Picked up 30 minutes late but still made it to the Hiker Hostel safely. Recommend it for those who are still trying to figure out how to get to the trail, via Bus, Train or PLane. Met a few hikers, Conductor, Granny Franny, Wolf Paw and many others. 17 at all that night. Slept well, a bit of snoring.   Got a bit of stove fuel, ate some spag for dinner. All is good.
Date: 2006-03-16
To: Approach Trail Day
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up and ate at 7:30 with the second group. The first group was being shuttled back to Woody gap where they were picked up the day before. Got a ride to Amicalola Falls State Park. Weighed in at 26 pounds with water, food and fuel.Started Approach with Thomas, Wolf Paw and Sleepy, The Arab. Started trail at around 9:45. The trail was hard but certainly doable. Trail was crowded. Got to Springer and met Many Sleeps, the ATC Ranger. Signed in and talked with him a bit. He said there were only about 300 or so hikers so far this year beggining. He thought it was going to be a lite year with only about 1200 hikers or so starting as a thru hiker. Hiking temps were good, around 50 degrees or so, partly sunny.As the sun began to set, you could instantly tell how the nights were going to be. Without the sun, the darkness became cold. Over night, the temps dropped to around 35-37 degrees. Mice were all over the shelter as soon as the lights went out. Everyone was asleep by 9:00. The snoring begins, very loud. I heard a mouse crunching on something. In the morning, sure enough there was a hole in one of the hikers packs. He set his pack on the floor boards and left an energy bar in it. A lesson learned on night one. I hung and will hang my pack up everynight.
Date: 2006-03-17
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 7.6

Went 0.2 miles back to the first white blaze, start of the trail. I walked back to the first blaze so my official start date is today. Took some more pictures, started down the trail. The first few miles were steep and down hill. Wind was picking up so I put on another layer. Within 1/2 a mile, as I approched a lower altitude, the wind stopped, I began overheating so I stopped again and took off the layer just put on. Although the trail was mostly down hill at first the ups and downs began. The day was mostly sunny with temps again around 50. Left the State Park and entered the National Forest. As soon as I hit the hills, I was reminded how out of shape I am. Booked in 7.6 miles and that felt plenty for the day. The trails themselves are in good shape. I hope this holds out for the rest of the hike. First trail magic. Greyhound came up with a six pack. All shared. He and Krispy Kritter will be doing a section hike to Unicol Gap. Both work together at an outfitters, so they are very informed of gear and hiking. Both have previously hiked the AT and Greyhound has also completed the PCT. Night talk around the fire was, of course, about gear and food. Again, a colder night around 34-35. Again, you need to be preparded with your night before the sun starts to set. It quickly becomes cold and if you are not done with your evening chores, such as eating, you will be doing them with cold hands. Glad to have my 15 degree bag, again, kept me nice and warm. Sleepy, The Arab, Thomas, Wolf Paw, Krispy Kritter, Greyhound and many others stayed the night. There were seven in the shelter and 16-20 tents spread out. Most hikers indicate that they expect to tent out as much as they could. This is fine with me since I plan to shelter as often as there is a space. I did not hear any mice but others said they did. ALL IS GOOD.
Date: 2006-03-18
From: Hawk Mt. Shelter

To: Gooch Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 7.3

Great hiking day... very different from last night. Last night was colder, around 33-35. Took all day to warm up, still around 45-50 for a high. Went up several mountains, including Sassafrass. Last night had a nice time with Krispy Kritter, Wolf Paw, "Sleepy, The Arab", Grey Hound, and many more. Thomas got his trailname yesterday, Dr. Tator. The group decided and that was that. Expecting rain tomorrow and cold again tonight. 11 miles planned, first double didget day. Greyhound spend some time with me. Great advice, nice guy.
Date: 2006-03-19
From: Gooch Mt. Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: broken clouds

Wow, what a day. Where do I begin? Last night 6 of us stayed at Gooch Mountain Shelter: Johnny T., Grounder, Pat, Damgon, and a new girl I call Flash, since she did 14.9 in one day. There were a couple of tents but not nearly as many as the prior night. It appears that most of them moved on past Gooch Gap Shelter onto the actual Gooch Gap. Lots of snoring, no mice, cold, 35 degrees. Woke up at fist light, on trail by 6:50. Reached Gooch Gap around 7:40 am (1.4 miles) where rest of group stayed. We were both treated to trail magic, but where we got beer and cheese, they got the works, hot dogs, keg of beer, chips, etc. I decided last night to leave early to pick up with Sleepy, The Arab, Dr. Tator, Wolf Paw, Krispy Kritter, and Greyhound. Passed most of the group, got some great trail advice from Kritter and Greyhound. Tried it, and made my first double diget day by putting in 15.6 with it ending with Blood Mountain, both up and down. Arrived in Neels Gap just before 3:00. No room at the Inn. People were already taking zero days because of the cold weather. Keith opened up one of his cabins for us, Kritter, Greyhound, and I, for 65 plus tax. He could not get the heater working in the rustic wood cabin so he moved us into a 2 story, 2 bed, 2 bath vacation house for the same price as the cain. Sweet, fit for a king. Also was driven to a local eatery where we ate well. Showered and did laundry. The next morning, we headed out to do 10.6 in the rain and cold. Want to hit Hiawassi in 3 days.