morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-01-29
To: Plus one, carry the four...
Miles today: 0.0

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." - Helen KellerTalk about confusing. I sat down with Mum the last few days to sort out my mail-drop schedule. What a headache!Firstly, it didn't occur to me in the beginning to time the mail drops to coincide with the end of each set of maps. Up steps my voice of reason to the rescue - take a bow Mum.Then, we sat down to sort out mileage and dates that things need to be completed by (like the hike, allowing me time to get to NY airport before the 25th of August). Turns out that my maths isn't so good. No really big surprise there. So many numbers floating around in my head. So confusing. Mum saying "Can you understand what I am trying to do?" As she is pointing at several column of dates and numbers, me nodding 'yes' but the look on my face says 'no'. It's a wonder she hasn't given up on me by now.So, after all the headaches and dancing numbers, I think we (Mum) have it figured out. The major obstacle is the fact that I only have a vague idea about the sort of mileage I will be doing in the different areas.Now would be a good time for me to thank Mum for her contribution to this whole hike thing. Apart from her unending support (for which I am eternally greatful) she has agreed to be my transciber for the hike. None of you knew it but Mum had her debut in my last journal. Not bad eh?Mum has the unenviable task of deciphering my ramblings into some sort of coherent form that I will be e-mailing her from my Pocketmail, so you will be able to keep up with what is happening with me. I am beginning to think I have inherited dyslexic fingers from her after reading back through the emails I have sent from this thing.27 days until I fly out from Australia (via what seems like 14 stops along the way to Atlanta). 30 until I start hiking. 31 until I hit the Trail!So much to do and so little time.
Date: 2004-02-11
To: T minus 14 days until Lift Off!
Miles today: 0.0

"Both the rattlesnake and scorpion present a cautionary tail." - J.D.BoatwoodIt's funny really, how different people view things differently.At the moment, all my gear is laid out on the lounge room floor (thanks Mum!). Separated into little piles and categories. Mum walked in the other day and said "It's not much really is it?" Here is me saying "How on earth am I going to fit all of this in and carry it???"I got phone calls backs from the manufacturers I had been ringing lately, to find out some info on my gear. I bought my pack and sleeping bag quite a few years ago before I went backpacking overseas (temperature-wise, hostels in Europe do not equate to camping in Georgia in the winter). Of course I didn't save the documentation that went with them, notifying me of the capacity or temperature rating etc., that would be too logical. They also predated the printing the temperature rating on the sleeping bag. So, I rang up Snowgum to find out what temperature my bag was rated at - I needed to know if I was going to wake up an icicle on my first morning out on the trail. Turns out that my bag is rated at -6 degrees Celsius, not bad and a lot better than I had thought it was going to be. I guess the sleeping bag was a bit of overkill for Europe.As for the backpack - I keep looking at it and thinking "It's not going to be big enough." Of course, if I get a bigger bag, I know I am going to fill it. More in the backpack means more weight for me to carry. No thanks. So, I rang Kathmandu, same thing, they no longer manufacture that bag will have to ask someone who does know etc...etc...etc. Then I get the phone call a few days later and I find out my bag has a 70L capacity. Again, not bad at all. Now I just need to do a dummy run at packing it. I need to work out what the best layout is going to be for placement (shoving) of gear for maximum comfort and accessibility.Mum found a White Tailed spider on the wall of the lounge-room floor the other day. That would be the same lounge-room floor that all my gear is laid out on. She got the tissue, went to dispose of said spider, took her eyes off it...when she looked back, it had disappeared. These spiders are known for their like of clothing that is lying around on the floor. They are also known for their bites, which cause ulceration of the skin surrounding the bitten area. There is going to be some serious shaking and checking of clothes and gear before it goes anywhere, let me tell you!It's hard to believe that this time in a fortnight I am going to be heading up to the airport to fly to the US. So much to do in so little time!!!Wish me luck.
Date: 2004-02-18
To: Time flies when you are having fun
Miles today: 0.0

"If it weren't for the last minute, nothing would get done." - AnonymousWell, it is now only a week until I fly away from this sunburnt country to the US to begin my hike.A week. That's all.I have a strange feeling there is something extremely important that I should have done, but I cannot for the life of my think what it is. I know I have all the majors covered - airfare, travel insurance, equipment/clothing...don't need vaccinations as mine are all up to date...anyone??? Can you think of what I have forgotten? No doubt I will remember eventually, usually when it is too late to do anything about it.I did the dummy run of packing my backpack the other day. Without food and water, my pack weighed in at about 11 kilos (which is around 25lb by my calculations). Now, that's not bad in my book, considering I am a first time backpacker. Especially as when I left to go to Europe 3 years ago my pack weighed 23 kilos (about 50lb)...and I didn't have to carry something to sleep in or on or carry water or a stove or, well, you get the picture..Of course, I have got the feeling I have left out some vital (and probably heavy) item from my pack. Again, I cannot think what it is. I have the basics, so really that should be all I need. Why do I get so vague when I am going on holiday??? Don't know what I would do without my Mum. She is possibly the most organised person I know. Thank goodness! I have adopted her habit of using lists wherever I go (has been a bit of a lifesaver of late). Now she tells me she thinks I need some kind of mnemonic to remember all of my stuff when I am packing up. OK, this may have something to do with the fact that when we were in Sydney the other weekend, I did walk out of the chemist and leave the camera sitting on the counter. This did not instill confidence in my mother. This would be the same camera that I am taking away with me this year. Thankfully, we got it back, no problems. I need to be a little bit more vigilant and aware. And here was me thinking that I wouldn't have a care in the world for 6 months. Now she wants me to remember stuff??? Sheesh.So much to do and so little time. Now, where did I put that list...
Date: 2004-02-24
To: The girl from Oz
Miles today: 0.0

"Chaos, panic, pandemonium - my work here is done."Well, today was the last packing day. The final test. Would it all fit in? The answer is yes. Only problem is that there is not a great deal of room to spare for food. Hmmm. I am hoping that room will just magically appear during the flight to the US.I may have been a bit premature with my boastings about pack weight. I did a bit more shopping in the last couple of days and the weight has crept up to 14 kilos (about 31lb). I will also have to add the weight of the food (if it fits in!) and water. Water is going to be the killer I think. I had lunch with the girls from work yesterday - a farewell for three of us who are leaving to start new adventures away from our little haven. I just want to take this opportunity to thank the girls for their gift to me and to thank them for their friendship over the years. I know they are going to be supporting me every step of the way, as will a lot of friends and family. I appreciate every little bit from everyone.My biggest supporter is of course, my Mum. I have been running around like a chook with it's head cut off today. I was getting extremely stressed this afternoon when I was packing my pack and there was no room left in it. I ended up throwing stuff out onto the floor in disgust. Mum was there - words of wisdom and words of encouragement. Like oil over troubled waters. I really don't know how to thank Mum for everything she has done for me. Not just for this whole hike thing, but in life in general. She's awesome.We posted my first mail drop today which has the first set of maps that I will need from Fontana Dam. It's official - no backing out now. The ball is rolling.Well, I guess it's time to sign off for now. Last journal from Australia. I need to go to bed as I have a bit of international travel to do tomorrow.
Date: 2004-02-25
To: Atlanta
Miles today: 0.0

"You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try" Beverly SillsWell, here I am sitting in the departure lounge at Melbourne airport, waiting for the boarding call. I got a window seat in the exit which I am pretty happy about - a tad more leg room...I can see again, now that the tears have cleared up somewhat. It doesnt matter how many times I leave the country, I still burst into tears.Looking out the window here, I can see what looks like a scrub fire at the end of the runway area. hope its nothing significant. But I digress...I got "wanded" after coming through Immigration. My carry-on luggage and I were searched with a wand which has a bit of felt on the end. Apparently, they analyse this felt for any traces/residues from explosives etc. Flying has become so CSi! OK, officially, by the airline scales, my pack weighs 15.1 kilos. It just keeps creeping up. I am a bit disappointed really. I'm not sure what else I can remove to lighten the load. At this stage of my hike (which is still a fair way off in the distance), I think that I need everything in my pack. Of course, this may change as the days go on.My brother Nick came around for dinner last night and we went through my pack (unpacked again!). He is of the opinion that I don't need a 3 litre water container as well as my 1 litre Nalgene bottle. He thinks I could get away with 2 litres total. We compromised at 3 litres. Nick used to be in the scouts so he knows how to read a map (something I am a little rusty on). He had a look at the first day's hike, which doesn't even get me to the Appalachian Trail itself,and just let out a long whistle. I asked him about it and he said "You're going to be doing it tough on the first day." He then pointed out the lines on the map which are really close together and indicate a fairly rapid change in elevation. Yay. They do say that some people who begin a thru-hike don't even get to see the AT as they give up when on the Approach Trail because it is so hard.I don't want to be one of those people.
Date: 2004-02-26
To: USA at last!
Miles today: 0.0

"Don't try so hard, the best things come when you least expect them to"I am here. Josh picked me up at the Atlanta airport last night, then we had a 1.5 hour drive back to the Hiker Hostel (sorry about that Josh).All went swimmingly until I realised that I had left my small hip bag in Josh's car. Panic stations from me for the first few minutes - this bag had my camera, Pocketmail, passport and several other vital items. Then I realised that there was not a lot I could at 2am, so went to bed. It would have been a different story if it had been left elsewhere and not with someone I knew. Someone was asleep on the couch when I arrived who it turns out was Joe (Eats). Others that I met this morning at breakfast were - Mickey-One-Sock, Cairo, Ty, Bulldog, Frank and Marit and Andy arrived later in the day.When I met Bob(Bulldog) this morning I introduced myself as Megan and he said "Yes, you're Nuffy. I have read your journal." While I have been calling myself Nuffy for a while, it took me a little time to get used to other people calling me that!We saw off Cairo, Ty and Eats today who are heading out to the cold (it was snowing when I got up today). We then headed to Neels Gap, an outfitter which is about 30 miles into the trail from the start. Extremely helpful and knowlegable people whose brains I will be picking in a few days when I get there. I bought a new top and a better thermal top which will get rid of about 3 of the layers I had before, yet still keeping the warmth.Food shopping for the first 5 days of the hike was made a lot easier with the help of Mickey-One-Sock, who started the Trail last year but left through injury 71 miles into his hike. He has hiked a lot in Georgia and further north on the Trail and is very knowledgable. Thanks Mickey!Leigh was kind enough to go through my backpack and use her experience to let me know what wasn't necessarily needed in my pack. She also helped me re-arrange things so it all fits now, with a bit (not too much) room to spare. Thanks Leigh!Leigh also suggested a few ideas for how to tackle the Approach Trail (regarded by some as one of the hardest parts of the Trail). We have worked out that I will do the Approach Trail using a small daypack and Leigh and Josh will drive my pack up to the top of Springer Mountain and I will meet them and my pack at the top (known as slack-packing) on Saturday evening. This will make my first day easier as I won't have to have the main pack to deal with first off. A blessing if ever there was one.We ordered 'take-out' Italian for dinner tonight and then it was an early night for all, as Mickey-One-Sock, Marit, Bulldog and Andy are hiking tomorrow. Bulldog is slackpacking at this stage, staying at the Hiker Hostel at night.
Date: 2004-02-27
To: Last minute decisions
Miles today: 0.0

"Laughter can transform tears into hope"Good-byes this morning to Marit and Mickey-One-Sock, who were hiking to Neels Gap today. Marit was very helpful yesterday when I had a bit of an emotional meltdown. I think it was a bit of a combination of the travelling and nerves about the hike that did it. I greatly appreciate the support I received from everyone.I am feeling just that little bit more confident about things today. Pack and food are sorted, now I just have to deal with the Approach Trail tomorrow. I am skipping the first mile tomorrow, which I have no qualms about. Nasty from what I hear. That still leaves me 7.8 miles to the top of Springer Mt, then I go down a mile to collect my pack, and then back up to the top for the night. While it ruins my plans of not stepping on the Appalachian Trail until the 29th (Leap Year Day), I feel better about the whole situation than I did the other day.I had a morning to myself today as Leigh took the others to their various starting points for the day and picked up Pete (Dharma) from Atlanta.The weather seems to be clearing up nicely for tomorrow. They are predicting about 10C or so which, I am told, is good hiking weather. Most of the snow has melted now so things are looking up for my first few days........Give it a couple of hours and I change my mind again. I have now decided not to slackpack tomorrow. Several reasons: if I take my pack with me, I can still stop at Black Gap Shelter and will not have to go to the top of Springer, then go down a mile to get my pack and back up that same mile to the shelter. This will leave me with a new revised daily milage of about 6.3 miles, as opposed to 9.8, plus, I still get to save the whole AT thing until the 29th. I realise this may sound a little anal but it has been my plan all along.The sun is out now and we are about to head off to Wal-Mart as most of us need to get some things. I need a smaller container to put some of my butter in, plus a marker pen/packing tape/pad of paper to keep in my bounce box, ready to re-label and send on each time.Dinner tonight was at a little local diner "Big Daves Roadside Grill". A really nice meal.The plan for tonight was an early night in preparation for tomorrow. I only wish someone had told my brain about this plan. I was still up at nearly 11pm, pacing. Finally the yawns kicked in and that is where I am headed now.
Date: 2004-02-29
From: Black Gap Shelter

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

"Lost years are worse than lost dollars"Happy Leap Year Day! I survived the first night. Very cold. I only got about 4 hours sleep due to a number of factors; the cold; restless sleepers and the main culprit - the mice. They are atrocious! the little blighters even ran over my head twice! I learnt a lesson though. I had eaten a bagel with peanut butter during the day yesterday for lunch and had put the mucky wrapper in my day pack - that was what they were after. I also had the remainder of my GORP left in the bag which I had intended to eat before bed. I threw that away fom me in the hope they would leave me alone. They ate the M&Ms but left the wrapped Snickers bar. I was quite ok with this until I went to pack up and found that they had pee'd and pooped all over the wrapper so that went in the rubbish bag. Of course, this is the rubbish bag I have to carry until I get into town.Today was a good day. Not quite as hard as yesterday but still by no means easy. I left the shelter about 0815 to make my way up to the summit of Springer. I think it was possibly the hardest 1.5 miles I have done. It was worth it though. I reached the summit at about 0940, signed in, took photos then made my way to the shelter to filter some water.From Springer it was pretty much down hill, which is a lot better! Stopped in at Stover Creek shelter for a bit of a break, then it was on my merry way towards Hawk Mountain Shelter.I was met at a road crossing by some people who give slide shows abut the AT. They wanted to take my picture which was nice. Maybe I will help inspire someone else to start a thru-hke of their own one day.Weather-wise, today has been beautiful. Sun shining most of the day. A bit of wind around but generally ok.I reached that shelter around 3 and bagged a spot. There were 7 of us in the shelter tonight - 4 up top and 3 down the botom. I was on the bottom. Makes for easy access to get to the loo, sorry, 'privvy'. and speaking of privvies, this one had a magnificent view. It is a three-sided box, which is open to a view over the mountains that is fantastic. I wish I had taken my camera there with me. I hear it apparently has one of the best privvy views on the trail.Well, it is just about bedtime. A fire has been built and the light is fading - makes for difficult typing! Here's hoping there aren't too many mice tonight!
Date: 2004-03-01
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: scattered clouds

"Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it"No mice! Slept a bit better tonight. Of course there was a snorer (and no,it wasn't me).Near the Hawk Mountain Shelter is an Army Ranger training ground. Apparently they are sent out into the wilderness averaging 4 hours sleep a night and only one meal, and are pushed to their mental and physical limits. Early in the night (well, early for normal people-9pm) they decided to fly their helicopters over the top of the shelter. Combat manouveurs or something.They encounter an 'enemy' while out in the woods and have to deal with them. Apparently, we are lucky they weren't shooting. Josh told me on the way up that it is rare that hikers see the Rangers, but that if we do, don't touch them, don't pat them and don't feed them!I have decided that a mile is a damned sight longer than a kilometre, especially when you are walking it! For some reason I have been counting my steps as I go along (hell, there's not a lot else to do!) and I have worked out that about 3000 steps equals a mile, give or take a bit.I pulled up around 1330 today, halfway up a mountain, where I found a nice big flat rock that had my name on it for the next 20 minutes. Pulled out my sleeping mat and had a bit of a kip. Just what the doctor ordered.When I made it to the shelter, there were already 9 people there. I claimed a spot and had a sit down for a while. I got to talking with everyone there and it was just nice, to have people to talk to, especially after talking to myself all day!Soon after, another guy showed up, which made things a bit squishy, but the hiker motto is - 'there is always room for one more'. We did a bit of a shuffle around and everything worked out ok.I haven't been especially hungry these past few days. I have decided that I don't like the pasta meals I had bought, so have been having 2 bagels for dinner instead - one with vegemite and the other with peanut butter. No doubt the appetite will kick in soon enough!As it is nearing dark, I am going to sign off. This little black duck is ready for some shut eye.
Date: 2004-03-03
From: Hiker Hostel

To: Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

"A little bit of pain never hurt anyone"Lazy day for me today. I had decided to take a day off to heal the chafing. No point going out and making it worse. It was a lot better this morning but not completely right.I went with Leigh for a drive today as she had to pick someone up in Atlanta. It gave me a chance to see everything I had missed the other night when Josh picked me up and it was dark.It also gave me a chance to pick up some Body Glide, recommended to me for chafing. Man, I hope this isn't a regular thing!I am planning to Slackpack from where I left the Trail at Woody Gap yesterday and hiking through to Neels Gap, finishing up at the outfitter. Leigh has kindly offered to drop my pack off there during the day so that when I get there, someone with experience and know-how can go through it and lighten my load. Hopefully they can make the pack feel comfortable on me too, otherwise I could be looking at buying a new one. I don't fancy walking another 2154.1 miles with a pack that hurts.Speaking of packs, Pa Kettle, arrived in Atlanta yesterday by bus, sans pack. Now, non-hikers probably won't understand how vital this piece of equipment is. It holds our lives for the best part of 6 months. Pa Kettle's was lost in transit on his way yesterday. Umpteen phone calls were made back and forth trying to locate the pack, with no result.We had been discussing options and were coming to the 'ship other gear from home and buy what else was needed' decision when the phone rang tonight. It was Leigh's mother. Pa had given the bus company her number and the pack has been located and picked up by Josh's mum. Talk about elation! And relief. Excellent outcome from what looked like a doomed situation.
Date: 2004-03-04
From: Hiker Hostel

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

"Dollars go further when accompanied by sense"Slackpacking today. I have 10.7 miles to go from Woody Gap to Neels Gap (although the signs say 11.6 miles! Possibly due to relocation of the Trail for rejuvenation.)I am sitting at the Wood's Hole shelter, just past my half way mark for today. This morning was fairly good - 5.9 in 3 hours. Not pushing it, just gentle pace.I met up with C-Giddy and Mudskipper today. They were at the Blood Mountain shelter when I arrived (via a very scarcely marked Trail - I thought I was lost on several occasions!).The guys and I walked down Blood Mountain together, with some rather dodgy navigating from Mudskipper - he nearly sent us off a cliff! The views from Blood Mountain were magnificent - mountains as far as the eye can see.We arrived at Neel's Gap at nearly 5pm, ready for me to meet my pack and have it gone through by one of the extremely helpful and knowledgeable staff. This was where I wanted to cut the weight of my pack. I also had it in my mind to replace my pack, as the one I have is so uncomfortable. So, after spending a few hours there, my pack is lighter, my credit card is heavier and I am happier. The pack now weighs in at around 30lbs instead of the 45lbs I started with. Also, this pack is made for hiking, not travelling like the other one. Now I have the added expense of sending it all home!Weary tonight after a great dinner at our 'local' restaurant. Probably going to slackpack again, get my trail legs in. Only about 7 miles to do tomorrow, then it is back to the Hostel to organise the pack into working order.