morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-08-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 21.1

We slack packed 21 miles today. Slackpacking is when you can arrange a ride to trail head at the road, and at the next road. This was our first oppurtunity. It allows you to do big miles on rough terrain by only having to carry water and snacks. There is a guy here at the trailer park named Bruce. He is retired, and spends his summers here before driving home to Lousiana. He spends his time here shuttling hikers around for free having been a hiker himself in younger years. He dropped us off in Pinkahm notch at 7 this morning and we set out for our first taste of the white mountains. It took us 13 hours and we are exhausted. Wolfman has a bad infection on his leg. An infected spider bite or pimple perhaps. I had to excise it with a razor blade as everyone took pictures of the river of green puss that followed. Back on the trail tomorrow if Wolfmans leg is ok. The great thing about slack packing is it allowed us to stay here longer. We hiked 2-3 days worth today so it's as if we never took a day off. I'm really tired and off to bed.Night nightChurchill
Date: 2010-08-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

"Carpe Diem"To seize the day before you, you must first lose sight of the one behind you, and wish not for the one in front of you. Now is the time. What is right about now? Enjoy it for what it is, if nothing more it is time. It's your time. Indeed, seize the day. But remember sometimes you get the tightest grip by letting go.Another day in Gorham NH. I insisted Wolfman go to the hospital this morning because his leg looked worse and I thought he might have a MRSA infection. The doctor agreed and put him on Bactrim and excised the abcess again. We actually did some surgery on it last night as sterile as I could to open the wound and relieve the pressure. Tater and Geo left out today, but we will catch them. I didn't want to move on ahead considering I have the medical knowledge in the group. He has to follow up at the hospital tomorrow. No worries, we'll be on our way shortly and make up the miles.Last week in the middle of our 8 day stretch between towns we stayed in a parking lot. There is a parking lot at the trail head that leads up this huge mountain that seemed to big to climb that evening. The parking lot was on a road, and when we are on a road we think of food. However, the nearest town was 18 miles away. Not happening. There was a group of kids from inner city Boston who are on an "outward bound" type of trip. Taking kids from the city and exposing them to the outdoors. We had been talking to their leader up on the mountain earlier that day. Turns out they too were planning on staying near the parking lot as their ride back to camp was in the morning. We joked with him about us thinking about hitching to town for a pizza. A half hour later he came and said if we payed the cost of the gas he would take us in the camps van. SWEET!! 34 miles!! It was like Christmas. We got pizza, snacks and soda. We threw Mike a 20 spot and bought him dinner. Trail magic at its finest. Tomorrow we head into the White Mountain national park. Actually the 21 miles yesterday was part of the park, but tomorrow we start climbing the huge ones. Mt. Madison, Mt. Washington and several more that are called the presedentials. The other day it was 32 degrees up there. In fact the highest windspeeds ever recorded on earth were on top of Mt Washington. Something like 260 mph. It should be awesome, but very challenging. After the Whites, the hiking will become much easier, and for quite some time. All we have been doing is climbing mountains for the last month, so anything would be easier.I'm not sure of my weight, but I'm probally down to about 200 or less. I started at 225 before the hike, and last march I was 260. I had to settle for a large sized knit top from Walmart to get me through the whites in case it gets cold. I was elated when I went home and tried it on to find it nice and loose. I havent worn a size large since the Army. Well my 30 minute time limit is up on the Library Computer so I will be on my way. Thank you all again for you birthday wishes and all the encouraging text messages. Also, I promise that there will be a multitude of pictures posted in the near future.Churchill
Date: 2010-08-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I am lying on the floor of a hut on Mt Washington. The huts are used by rich people who hike 4-5 miles a day in their designer northface gear and pay 100 dollars each for a bunk and two meals. We thru hikers wash dishes and do chores in exchange for left over food scraps and a spot on the dining room floor. I wouldn't stay here if I didn't have to, I would much rather be in the woods with my smelly buddies who don't smell like hairspray and dove soap. However, considering it is 15 degrees outside with wind gusts of 70 mph, a hut it is. Entertain yourself and google weather on Mt. Washington. Literally the worst in the world. I'm so ready to get out of these mountains and back down to summer. Been cold for weeks! I'm lying next to a window listening to the wind howl and a wind turbine blow on the roof. There are trillions of stars out the window and star dust from other galaxies. I see shooting stars galore. There is a saying that is something like this. "he is richest who's pleasures are poorest". Today I enjoyed a cup of hot cocoa on a freezing mountain held in numb fingers along with stoker. Tonight I enjoy a wood floor with a view I couldt have dreamed of. Life is good people.Churchill
Date: 2010-08-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

It's too late. You must committ to it. You've got to own it, it must be accepted as inevitable. The FALL. It is a part of every serious hikers life, and life in general really. Just an inherant risk that comes with hiking, or living. The question is how to deal with it. It is hard to explain the feeling you have when a fall crosses from probable to inevitable. There are different types you see. There is the every day fall; hiking along I clumsily trip on dirt and get back up hoping the trees don't have eyes. There is the day dreaming fall; you get so caught up in a thought or a distant landscape that you take your eyes off the trail. The minute you take your eyes off the trail it's gonna get you. But these falls are less interesting. The fall that really gets you is the one your already trying to prevent. When your already in defcon 4 prevent fall mode. When you slowly descend a rock scramble or a slippery rock face completely aware of the lurking danger. When choosing the right place to put your foot becomes Russian Roulet. You wanna know what sucks......you can't see slippery.....you can't see a loose rock. But you know when it's coming...when its happening. It comes in the form of "oh shit". The moment all hope of recovery is gone and you know your-a-goin. Down. Hard. Fast.   You've got to be one with the fall. You've got a split second to decide how your gonna take it....the FALL that isMy last fall was on the ridgeline of Mt. Madison. I was coming off the side of a boulder about 6 feet hight when I lost my footing. Initially I thought I had recovered, I was wrong. The "oh shit" was upon me. "This is gonna suck" I thought. In a split second my mind processed all the information below me and told me what to do. I turned around and took the fall like a scuba diver entering the water backwards off the side of a boat. I let my pack be my scuba tank and cushion the blow. My poor gear, my lucky skull. After the initial impact I realized I had more "oh shits" to deal with. This fall became a roll. One...two....three. I think of every movie or show I've ever seen when a fall or push ends with a head hitting a rock as the person falls into unconciousness, blood trickling down. One roll...still here, two still here, three still here, oh shit oh shit oh shit.......fourth roll sudden stop. I let out another. "oh shit" as I realize my trekking pole has ended up wedged behind my shoulder blades, now probaly bent. I let my head rest back in relief; two inches under it....a rock. I look up and thank God. I don't think my trekking pole left it's place strapped to my hand and placed itself strategically behind my shoulders because "IT" loves me. I am reminded of the "foot prints in the sand" poem. Look it up if you never read it. I have never walked alone. Ever. Neither have you. The most important thing about my fall? About any fall? I got back up. You've just gotta get back up. Every time..Churchill
Date: 2010-08-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 80.0

"Its impossible says reason,Its Reckless says experienceIts painful says prideTRY says dream"I'm in Glenncliff NH, having been only two days since the last hostel. Kind of a nice treat to have hostels so close. In Lincoln NH we stayed at a place called "Chet's One Step at a Time". Chet is an avid outdoors man who was severly burned a few years back when a camping stove blew up. He was in the hospital for 8 months having endured dozens of skin grafts all over his body. He is in a wheelchair but hopes to walk again one day. He has opened half his home as a hostel. He doesn't charge, but only asks for a small donation of cash or work. There were several hikers there and we spent some time chilling on the porch while some of the hikers played the guitars and carried a sing along. There was one girl who was very annoying. Nobody is exactly sure what she is doing there. She is not a hiker, but a wandering hippie of something. She seemed to be a parasite, constantly asking everyone for cigarettes, beers and if they had weed. It was evident that she overstayed her welcome and Chet is tired of her, but i'm sure he does not have the heart to kick her out. Today was awesome. I did 17.5 miles over a huge mountain to get here and still feel great! Trail legs baby! I was also thrilled to catch Tater Chip and Geo here. We will be heading out in the morning for a 20 miler. The terrain gets so much easier from here, having climbed the last huge mountain today.I'm happy to be out of the White Mountains and down to lower elevation. It was stunning, but it was COLD and windy. Its very uncomfortable to get so sweaty climbing a mountain just to get blasted with cold wind when you get there. We were on the top of MT Lafayette the other day when the weather went bad. We saw Armageddon in the form of thunderstorm clouds coming right at us. Lightening and thunder galore, with a visible downpour......mountain+storm=BAD. We took my tarp and fashioned an emergency shelter in a rock crevice. We held on for dear life as the storm passed with high winds and sideways rain. At that elevation, you are IN the storm clouds. Craziness. I can't imagine what it will be like to look at my pictures in years to come. I look at them a week after I take them and stare in awe at where I was and what I did. The journey continues. Churchill
Date: 2010-08-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

It was the hardest 5 miles on the trail, although the terrain was the easiest. I left out of John Trapper shelter this morning with Tater Chip feeling rather chipper. We are seeing much easier terrain, the miles are getting easier, and the hops between towns for resupply shorter. Today started with anticipation of stop in Hanover, a small college town home to Dartmouth University. We stopped in a Shelter after about 5 miles to escape the rain. I turned my cell phone on, and for the first time in my life I was upset to have a signal. A text message from my father said"John I hate to have to tell you this but Mom Mom died last night, I can pick you up if you want"I was in shock. I started putting my pack back on and got ready to head out in a downpour as Tater and Geo looked at me curiously. I told them the news, and they both showered me with condolences. I know they prayed for me. Especially Geo, he always prays for us. I got on the trail and made a run for Hanover 5 miles away. It was the hardest 5 miles on the easiest trail I've seen. Hiking sucks when Mom Mom is dead. Everything sucks. I'm sure you all know that feeling of losing a part of yourself when someone in your family dies. I was close to my Mom Mom and Pop Pop before he died in 2006. I even spent a couple of years living with them between college and Army deployments.I am a Nurse, I deal we these things all the time. I dealt with it....I hiked. I have a built in wall that keeps me from getting emotional when I need to function. Its a wall steeled from my years in the Army and Nursing. As I hiked along all the thoughts started to enter my mind. The memories, the sadness, the feeling of a chapter closing. A chapter you never wanted to end. I stopped on a log overwhelmed with sadness....weakness.....I was reeling. The clouds opened and warm sun caressed my face as a breeze blew. I felt peace. Mom Mom will never have to worry again. She was always worried about everyone in the family, especially me and the Army. She was a regular on the Pink Nun prayer request line, and I think all the nuns knew everyone in our family by name.The last time I saw her was the day before I left for Katahdin. Aubrey and I went to visit and taker her for lunch. She said "well this will probally be the last time I see you", I hushed her and said "you always say that". In my heart I knew it may be true. As a ICU nurse I just have a sixth sense about these things. I can see it coming. I am so glad I went to see her. When I was leaving, I kept going back to give her another hug and kiss. Probally three times. She held my chin and said "I love you". Her smile was unforgettable that day. In my smile she will always live on. I am going home tomorrow on a train. I imagine in a week or less I'll be right back here on the trail.Churchill
Date: 2010-08-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Based on talking to friends and family I thought I should let you all know a few things you may not have realized. The journal entry that opens is the last one I wrote, but since I often can only update from town, if you hit the previous button there may be others I wrote earleir that day or the day before.There are pics!! Click on photos!For any future thru hikers please feel free to leave questions on my guestbook about the trail, gear or whatever and I will go out of my way to answer them. At some point I will do a legnthy entry about gear and supplies. I read your guestbook entries every time I have service. Please leave lots of them! I think I'll start responding to messages by leaving messages in my guestbook.I am on the train growing more excited as the scenery becomes more rural!! I was hoping to get on the trail tonight but it may be too late since my train was delayed 2 hrs. I'm getting antsy. I'm very depressed about the prospect of hiking alone for several weeks but have made it my mission to catch those guys. When I set my mind on something you better watch out. I intend on doing crazy miles. 21 tomorrow, than a long line of 20-25 in a row. I may try to throw in a 30, who knows?Marker.....I wish I was going to be down there, but I think I'll only be in PA. I'm hoping to make harpers ferry by oct 1st. We will have to plan something for the future, I'd love to hike with ya again! Yes, Geo and I are hiking machines!
Date: 2010-08-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

His cheeks  were suctioned against the train window as he began falling awake.  Through the trees he saw a solitary mountain standing against a fiery sky.  He felt warm on the inside as a joyful smile lit his face.  As if he were in middle school waking up to the thought of his crush.  My God, I hope Im climbing that he thought.  How far he is from that Jersey rush hour.  Those people rushing places.  Places he doesn't care about.  Suckers  So anyway, woke up peering at a mountain in the distance and I'm very happy to be getting on the trail again.
Date: 2010-08-25
From: Etna

To: Thistle hill shelter
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm in Thistle hill shelter having done 21 miles over relatively easy terrain. I felt the softness of having been off trail for a week. I was a little winded and annoyed at hills that I wouldn't have considered hills a week ago......I miss Aubrey all over again......I miss my trail buddies. They are in Manchester about 90 miles north. I asked everyone I saw today when they had seen them. It's best to ask about tater...you can't forget tater. I imagine what it would be like if they were here. Tater would be asleep, and we would be laughing at his restless leg syndrome. Geo, when kicked by taters restless leg he sits up and sleep talks about something random like John deer tractors. When we all laugh at him he wakes up, and tells us to shut up proclaiming he is not sleep talking. Stoker writes long letters to his girfriend Ann (aka Ann with the can can). Wolfman reads and dresses all his wounds. There are two Nobo's here. They are perfectly nice but they are no Tater.   Anyway off to bed....go Phillies!
Date: 2010-08-31
From: Thistle hill shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Quick one here. I'm in Dalton Massachusettes with Geo, Wolfman and stoker. Tater is still a say or two ahead. There are a few other hikers we are with that I'll introduce when I get to a computer. I am staying at a place called the bird cage hostel. It's an older fella Rob who takes in hikers. He accepts no money and is so nice. When he picked us up from the trail head he came with a cold soda for each of us. He did our wash for us and drove us to a buffet for dinner. Right now I'm listening to Rob and a couple other fellas playing guitars and singing along in the kitchen. So happy to be on the trail again and with my buddies. 20 miles tomorrow with a guaranteed swim and rope swing at the lake we are camping at. Life is good.
Date: 2010-09-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So I'm at the silver spring campsite just shy of the NY border. We stopped after only 19 moles today because there is a water pump here that has ice cold water, which is hard to come by in these mid Atlantic states. I'm sorry I haven't written, I just haven't been to a computer. Heck it's been a week since I've been to a shower! We are knocking off miles at quite a clip, 20 plus every day! I have soooo many stories to tell, and I can't wait to get on to a computer. Hard to believe I'll be in jersey next week, and today we broke 700 miles! I'm hiking with a great group that I haven't introduced you too yet. One of the guys reset (Addison) is attempting the conneticut challenge. 57 miles in 24 hours. I told him he was crazy and probally would die of renal failure. That is if the creepy ghosts in the woods don't get him. Woods at night=scary. There are random grave yards and old homesteads from the 1600s. Tater chip is a day ahead still and I should catch him soon. All these boys are going into NYC for a couple days but I might keep going to get tater. I'll slow him down by tempting him with town food till these guys catch up. I even thought about taking tater to Nj for a night. He would love it! Ok I owe you all stories about Bennington Vt wedding crashing, reuniting with radar after 600 miles, rope swing in Massachusettes, the bird cage, Salisbury conneticut rich snobby people and.........my encounter with a big black bear. Stay tuned. The dream continues!
Date: 2010-09-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 57.0

On the scale of trail happiness, with 1 being the least happy, 10 being the most happy, I'm at least a 9.8. I just ate pizza and Pasta. And I am in NY so Italian food actually tastes Italian. If I had a shower I would be a ten. It's been two states since my last shower ( Massachusettes). We are sleeping in a field at a Monestary called Greymoor Spiritual life center. There was a pizza place menu here, and cell phone service. Thank you God!! Today was my hungriest day on trail. By about the 15th mile I started wondering what my fingers would taste like if seasoned a little bit. Anyway, we ordered two pizzas between four of us, and I ordered vodka penne. I ate my half of the pizza, all the pasta, a roll and two liters of sprite. I am only pleasantly full. Life is good!I'm sitting at a table with Reset listening to some music and thinking about how to memorialize 9/11 tomorrow. We are each living a dream, we are happy and free and not afraid. Terrorist 0, Us 1. A big shout out to all my friends currently deployed making that happen. We are all pretty fatigued and tired. We have been doing 20+ miles without a break in weeks. New York has alot of annoying ups and downs but we shall soon be in the best state ever (New Jersey). A few of the boys are heading into NY from Vernon NJ next week, but I think Dread and I are going to get a hotel and watch College football. It would be fun to go into NY, but I only live an hour away, and would prefer to lounge in a hotel room with a convenience store across the street.I was told I had very sexy calves today. We spend alot of time admiring eachothers legs. They are specimens.....very muscly, vascular, and defined. Dread happened to mention how nice mine are on an uphill today. It is amazing what our trail legs can do. We negotiate rocks, mud, roots and every thing else with super human speed. Day hikers watch in awe as we fly by. You would just have to see it to believe it. It's as though I can scan 20 feet ahead of me and know exactly where my feet are going for those 20 steps while I scan the next 20 feet. Basically, I'm now an excellent walker.Marker, yep met back up with Radar for the first time since Monson the other day in Salisbury. He had Giardia and had to take a few days off allowing us to catch him. He did in fact switch to a hammock and got rid of his 4 pound Coleman stove. Geo is a day or so behind waiting on mail. Gangsta, hi there! Thanks for signing my guest book. It was ironic to meet Luna, who started talking about you and Wags.....I was like "I read their journals!!". If anyone wants to read two very entertaining journals type "wags" and "gangsta" into the search box. But you still have to read mine too. You start reading theirs you might just forget about old Churchill here. You were both an inspiration and I hope you enjoy reading about my adventures.Well it's late (8:18). I'm gonna drink three more cups of Sprite, consider brushing my teeth (Momma) and go to bed. Tomorow I hike South....again. I'm so happy.
Date: 2010-09-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Trail happiness level=10. After .6 miles today we hit a road with a covenience store. After a couple of breakfast sandwiches I convinced everyone we ought to get a hotel and watch football. Not a hard task as I heard 3 "oks" simultaneously. We took a cab to this really crappy hotel that we are currently loving. It's the the type of place you see in a movie scene with the Neon sign making noise and switching off and on. We finally showered after purchasing some Irish spring from a market. We got some beer and ate pizza. Unfortunately, the two teams I care most about (phillies and notre dame) both lost. Nevertheless it feels so great to lay in a bed. We will get out early tomorrow and do our miles but this was a much needed break. Right now we are watching a show on Discovery about people seeing monsters in the woods. Food for thought as I gingerly hike along by myself all day. I'll add discovery channel monsters to my list of new things to watch out for. Alright, serpents and monsters on list. You always hear how to deal with a bear, but Ive never seen a pamphlet telling you what to do if you encounter Sasquatch?