morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-06-13
From: gravel springs hut

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: scattered clouds

I made it into town today in a lot of pain. I had three milkshakes in the span of about an hour. I received a quick visit from my friends Karl and Adam on their way back from Bonnaroo in Tennessee along with Adam's bro and girlfriend. We ate lunch and had a few beers, it was great to see them and catch up on things. I got the lowdown on the music festival that they went to and that I missed. I said goodbye to them and relaxed the rest of the day. I decided that the only way for my foot to heal properly is to zero out for a day or two unfortunately.
Date: 2005-06-14
From: Front Royal

To: Manassas gap shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: scattered clouds

So much for zeroing out. I just couldn't get myself to do it. I decided to head out of town to get some miles in and keep costs down. I didn't leave town until 6:00 pm. I didn't get to my destination until around 10:30 pm. This was my first experience hiking into the night. I came accross a few worms/larvae that glowed in the dark. They were more than an inch long and were very interesting. I was taking a few pictures of them when out of nowhere I hear this wooshing sound off in the distance. The wooshing was getting louder and louder as it moved very fast towards me. I though it could be one of two things, wind or rain, or perhaps both. I quickly through my pack down and had just enough time to pull my pack cover out before I was hit with a very fast moving downpoor. I hiked in the rain at night for about an hour. It was difficult to see as raindrops in front of my face would be illuminated by my headlamp and sorta block my vision. Every few minutes lightning would crack in the sky and for a brief second the whole forest would light up nearly clear as day. I almost tried setting up my hammock where the trail crossed under a highway overpass, but it was too noisy and too soon to stop. It was a very interesting worthwhile experience; however, I don't think I will be hiking at night again anytime soon.
Date: 2005-06-15
From: Manassas gap shelter

To: bears den hostel
Miles today: 23.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Off to a later start than I wanted today, thats the one downfall to sleeping in a hammock. But I made it to the hostel by around 8:30 pm. My shin isn't doing to great, but not too bad niether. I was able to shower, do laundry, and sleep on a mattress with a pillow for $13 (dinner and breakfast included). The place is very nice; owned and run by the ATC I believe. Tommorow my friends for NJ Justin and Ben are driving down to meet me here, and we are going to hike to Harpers Ferry for the next couple days or so. I am super excited and have been for a while. It will be good to see my freinds and also be accompanied on the trail. I will also be able to slow down and let my feet and shin recover.
Date: 2005-04-02
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: broken clouds

Started in sideways snow. Kind of intimidating. Mountain Squid tried to get me to go back to town and try again when it wasn't snowing, which was well intentioned but insulting.It was a nice but cold, wet, and sweaty hike to Hawk Mountain Shelter. I was cold at first in the hammock but warmed up later. Used a bear cable for the first time.
Date: 2005-04-04
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Jarrard Gap
Miles today: 10.6

It was a beautiful, tough day. I stopped before my planned shelter at Jarrard Gap. Trail Angel Craig at Woody Gap gave me TP, Little Debbies, and a place to sit. Little Steps gave me some water.I got a sunburn despite wearing sunscreen.Foil shrimp taste like nothing.Some awesome kids from Marietta brought up soda, chips, and salsa to us on the trail. They tasted great! I Said I'd name my firstborn after them.I'm relearning how to go up and down hills. I'm not fast at either yet. I calculate my pace at about 1.2 mph, including breaks. I'm looking forward to Walasi Yi tomorrow. I need new chapstick. My lip balm exploded.
Date: 2005-04-05
From: Jarrard Gap

To: Neel Gap
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It was an easy day into Neel Gap. I was the first one out of camp! I took the Freeman Trail around Blood - never again. Very rocky and rooty with huge stepdowns.I got to Walasi Yi and right away had a soda, muffin, cheese nips, and apple pie. I tried to call Dad for his birthday, but no luck. Also no Tara, DeLee, Judy, or Kate. I got the petsitter though. All is well at home. That's a relief.I traded my stove out for an alcohol stove - the Hotrod is wobbling badly. Fortunately I'm very familiar with alcohol stoves. I found a new stove and stakes to support it in the hiker box! I only had to buy denatured alcohol and a soda bottle in which to store it. I went to dinner in Blairsville with other hikers. My third dinner of the day. I approached total strangers at the diner and asked if they were Ralph and Carol. From my seat they had really looked like them. No such luck though.I had lousy sleep at the hostel, with nightmares and an aching back. Dammit.
Date: 2005-04-06
From: Neel Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

A tough hike today. I swear some of the mountains weren't on the map. Also, I'm definitely allergic to the soap at Walasi Yi - I have rashy feet under my socks.  My feet hurt a lot. My bruise feels worse but looks the same. I pierced a couple of little blisters. They aren't getting any bigger, so maybe they'll dry out.  I'm waiting for predicted thunderstorms. If they're really bad, I might go in to Helen tomorrow night.
Date: 2005-04-08
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Helen
Miles today: 2.4

It was an easy hike down the mountain to Unicoi Gap. I rode with Pittsburgh to Helen. Phoenix and I got a room at the Helendorf - an awesome little place. Crutch showed up soon after and shared our room.Bettys' grocery was nifty - lots of European foods, Cheerwine soda, and Nehi soda. They had great sandwiches, too. I did laundry and showered twice.We ate dinner down at the Troll. I spent the evening trying to convince Phoenix not to leave the trail. It didn't work.
Date: 2005-04-09
From: Helen

To: Sassafrass Gap
Miles today: 10.4

We rode back to Unicoi gap with Pittsburg. It was a really nice day. I skipped Tray Mountain shelter, staying instead at Sassafrass Gap. I decided on a trailname of "Joy". Walking up from Indian Grave Gap, I was suddenly struck with the rightness of where I was right then. I felt elated. Taz, walking up behind me, saw the look on my face and asked what was up. I told her I'd found my joy. She thought it would make on a good trailname.
Date: 2005-04-10
From: Sassafrass Gap

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: clear sky

Kelly Knob about killed me. My feet hurt so bad that I decided to stay in Hiawassee for two days. I hitched a ride in with Taz and Baloo. I used the hot tub down on the main floor of the Holiday Inn Express. It was heavenly.
Date: 2005-04-11
From: Hiawassee

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

No maildrop waiting for me at the post office! I got a map and some aquamira from Dotty, and extra food from Ingles. Phoenix came back! She's staying with me at the hotel.I might stay another day in town if there's really bad weather tomorrow.Carol came and got me from the motel. I had dinner with her and Ralph and their puppy Dotsie. It was a good time.
Date: 2005-04-12
From: Hiawassee

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Stayed in town with Phoenix and Phoenix. No hot tub! It's being worked on. I went down there all happy about a hot soak and felt tragic when I found the empty tub.I had lunch at the Georgia Mountain Diner (a meat and three), then Chinese food for dinner. The three of us worked on a jigsaw puzzle all day. It finally stormed badly at night, totally vindication my decision to stay.  My maildrop showed up! I checked the post office again and it was there. It took 17 days to ship from Maryland to Georgia. Crazy. I had to redo my food since I now had extra.
Date: 2005-04-13
From: Hiawassee

To: Plumorchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: light rain

I got a ride with Pittsburgh back to Dick's Creek Gap. I walked a whole four miles to Plumorchard Gap Shelter. I'm staying here to stay dry. It's supposed to rain through midnight. I talked a lot to Mickey One Sock and Low Gear.
Date: 2005-04-14
From: Plumorchard Gap Shelter

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: clear sky

Today was a beautiful hike over Sharp Top and Courthouse Bald. I stayed at Muskrat Creek Shelter despite low miles. My calves were cramping.Phoenix showed up! Nice to see her but she still hates it. She's going out on the Chunky Gal trail tomorrow. I'll miss her.The camping is crowded here but I found a nice spot for my hammock behind the shelter.
Date: 2005-04-15
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelters
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Longer day today - 12.5 miles. I felt like shit all day. I was tired, weak, headachey, and nauseated. Excedrin didn't help. Paul recommended prilosec. I'll try it.  I'm staying at the new Carter Gap Shelter tonight. It's very nice. So far it's very warm. I may have to lose some layers.My scalp is nasty and crusty in back. Ew! Too much sweat, not enough shower. I'll be flakey in town or must wear a bandana. I tried hydrocortisone cream on my scalp and my sore butt. Sore butt and gross head are very yicky. Acid reflux ain't good either.Hiking was surprisingly easy compared to yesterday's shorter miles. The big up just after the Georgia line yesterday took the wind out of my sails.I'm considering "cheating" and blue blazing around Albert.
Date: 2005-04-16
From: Carter Gap Shelters

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Yup, I cheated.I'm really tired after another 12 miles. I'm going in to Franklin tomorrow.Despite my feeling of fatigue, I slept great at Carter last night. There was absolute silence.  At one point to tail the trail was in a stream I just missed Albert Mountain Trail Magic - last day of it was yesterday. They gave me a soda and said hi, though. I was disappointed to have missed it. Fishin' Fred puts on a pretty big deal, cooking over a sawblade hung from a tripod over a fire.  I'm camped at Rock Gap Shelter with Baby Blue, Chopstick, and Bob. I stayed in the shelter because the trees at Rock Gap are too far apart for my hammock.
Date: 2005-04-18
From: Franklin

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: clear sky

I walked a whole 4.5 miles up to Siler Bald Shelter and stayed the night because it was so nice there. I met of bunch of folks - The Canadians, Ten Bears, Pork Chop, McRib, BP, 3 Blind Mice (Jen, Erin, & Moss). We played yahtzee in the shelter, then sat around a fire we built in the field nearby.
Date: 2005-04-19
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

I slept poorly. My hammock was set up not quite level and I kept sliding out of it. Not sure if that was the whole reason for the bad sleep though.It was a hard day because I felt so tired. It was over 12 miles including the trail from Siler Bald Shelter back to the trail. Wayah Bald was *awesome* but the rest of the day stank. I cried but kept hiking.I stopped at Cold Spring Shelter. I set up camp and was in bed, asleep, by 7.
Date: 2005-04-20
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

I managed twelve solid hours of sleep. I felt good when I awoke but my muscles were still sore.I hiked with Charlie Brown and Lucy (his dog) in the morning. I love Lucy. She's a great dog. Charlie Brown's pace was perfect because he has shin splints, poor guy. So he's slow like me. It was nice to walk with someone for a while. I've been lonely, hiking alone for weeks.We got to Wesser Bald before noon. The views from the tower were incredible. The rest of the day was incredibly painful, especially coming down from the Jumpoff. I cursed the trail designers. I wanted to shoot them in the kneecaps. It made me want to stop hiking.A day off for sore feet should help my attitude.. and my feet. I still plan to go on to Fontana but I want to do shorter days. The weather's supposed to stink, though. Rain Friday and Saturday, snow on Sunday! In some ways it would be better to hike out today, but my feet still hurt. I might change my mind and beg an Atlanta friend for a ride if I decide not to hike on. I'm not sure what I would do about my maildrop.It sure is beautiful today, though.If I hike out tomorrow, I plan to stay at 3 shelters. I may actually stay inside the shelter rather than hammock in the poor weather. May not send my gloves or shirt home, either.Charlie Brown's getting off the trail because of his shin splints. Bummer.
Date: 2005-04-21
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I don't remember why, but I didn't journal the last days of this hike. The rest is from memory.I spent a super boring morning in my room at the NOC. It was private, with a shared bath in the hall. There's no tv or phone in the room, just a bed and a bible. I read the bible some, but it didn't hold my interest. I hobbled down to the little store to find something to do, and ended up with a magazine or newspaper. I did intensely enjoy being able to eat real food.In the afternoon, the Paddler's Pub opened up. I joined Baby Blue and Chopstick there for some tasty vittles and company. It was nice to just relax and laugh with other hikers.
Date: 2005-04-22
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Sassafrass Gap
Miles today: 6.7

After a good breakfast at River's End Restaurant, I got moving. On the long hill back out of the river valley, a fast moving thunderstorm caught me. Another hiker pulled out a tarp and I hurried to help him set it up, then we dove under. I was freezing in sodden clothing, so I stripped and put on warmer stuff. Embarrassing for both of us - I didn't know him from Adam. As soon as the storm passed, we put the tarp away and hiked on.I was wiped by the time I got to the shelter. I claimed a sleeping spot inside. I passed some of the afternoon reading aloud trivia questions for the other occupants to answer.
Date: 2005-04-23
From: Sassafrass Gap

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: light rain

It was very cold today. I briefly stopped to glance at Cheoah Bald, but mostly I kept walking. I had to bushwhack at Stecoah Gap to find a vaguely described water source down the highway and well into the woods. I felt like Daniel Boone when I actually found the damn thing.Jacob's Ladder felt like climbing an actual ladder, but more so. Rungs would have been easier to climb than the steep, gravelly trail. I was very happy to get to the shelter after that. I set up in the shelter. I used my underquilt as an additional top quilt, with my tarp under me to block wind. I think I was probably warmer than anybody else in the shelter. The wind whistled right up through the floor, so if you didn't block it, it would steal your heat away.
Date: 2005-04-24
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Holy moly it was cold last night. I had to keep adjusting my sleeping bags, which wanted to slide off of each other. But I think I slept warmer than the men. In the morning I made coffee. I set my titanium cup down with a few drops still in it, and when I picked it up to slurp out the last little bit, they had frozen solid.  The morning passed all right, but in the afternoon my knees were killing me on the way down to Fontana. I checked in to the Lodge, then contacted my friend Waterfall. She arranged to have her husband pick me up the following day. They wanted to come get me that day, but I was so stinky and dirty and tired, I just wanted to crash.
Date: 2005-04-25
From: Fontana

To: Maggie Valley
Miles today: 0.0

In the morning, Dan came and got me. He dropped me back at their house to do laundry and pet cats. I napped. The sound of the laundry was very soothing.When Nina got in, we figured out how to get me home. She'd drive me to the rental car agency at the airport and I'd drive the rest of the way. And that's what I did.
Date: 2005-04-26
From: Maggie Valley

To: home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

This year's hike has a coda. I had felt bad at various points along the hike. I had a rash. I had muscle aches, fatigue, nausea, and insomnia. After I got home, the fatigue didn't let up. After a couple of weeks of napping, I visited my doctor and got antibiotics for Lyme disease. Unfortunately, the standard of care for treatment in 2005 was two weeks of antibiotics. They did not cure me. The doctor assumed it wasn't Lyme after all and started sending me to specialist after specialist to try to find my problem.I eventually switched to a different doctor, had the more sensitive tests for Lyme disease, and finally started on antibiotics again. IN SEPTEMBER. I was so sick by then, with so many coinfections, that it took a very, very long time to recover. In addition to third stage Lyme with neurological symptoms, I had chronic relapsing mononucleosis as well as mycoplasm pneumonia. My life was radically different for the next year, as I was too weak to walk my dog, attend social events, etc. I worked as much as I was able but used most of my leave going home early. I had to sit halfway up my stairs to rest when I went up to bed. I gathered my strength before any action like washing dishes or grocery shopping, knowing that I would be drained for days afterward. Conversation was difficult because my short term memory grew so bad that I couldn't remember what had just been said.After six total months of antibiotics, the infection was deemed cured, but I had lasting deficits. It took years to regain my strength, endurance, and short term memory. It was horrendous. I've been treated for new Lyme infections three times since then. Once I knew the symptoms, I got to a doctor to get treated before things got really bad. Now that permethrin is available to treat clothing, I've stopped catching Lyme disease. I included all this to strongly, strongly suggest to future hikers that they treat their clothing and be vigilant about checking for ticks. Don't be like me. Don't get Lyme disease.
Date: 2005-04-22
To: The Woodlands, TX
Miles today: 0.0

Trail Journal Entry: Friday, April 22, 2005 - 9:05AMGreetings everyone! My name is Ned Hamara and I hail from The Woodlands, Texas which is approximately 30 miles north of Houston. In 2001, I retired from The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) after 22 years of service. Since then, I've been living the good life! Playing golf, traveling, working on small projects around the house (there's always something that breaks and needs fixing) and just plain chilling out. Life is good I suppose but perhaps too good as I've somehow managed to gain about 25-30 pounds since retirement four years ago. Ouch!!!!I went to college at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia. Boy, I don't know about you, but college was a blast. Frat parties, purple passion, and girls coming in the front door while others were going out the back. What not to love! We even went to a few classes.My old college roommate of four years was a guy named Curtis Hall (Trail name-Phoenix). He was big into gymnastics while I was lucky enough to get some scholarship money for playing on the ODU baseball team. Curtis was always a risk taker and someone who always kinda threw gasoline on the fire to stir things up. However, as life progressed one of Curtis' dream was to someday hike the Appalachian Trail (AT) from Georgia to Maine.Last summer Curtis called me and said he hoped to finally hike the AT after putting his dream on hold for 25 years. He was going to put his working and personal life on hold for 6-7 months and "do the trail." I said great!!!As weeks went by I wondered how does one go about hiking the AT? Where does one start and what kind of preparation is involved? How much does it cost, when do you start, and where on earth does one take care of business?We'll, I soon learned from Phoenix, that knowledge of the AT and preparation is no small matter!!! Phoenix was happy to provide me with about 20 books from his library of scores of people who had hiked the AT and written books about their trek. I think my favorite was "Walking on the Happy Side of Misery" by Model-T. Could not put the book down.It was now almost Christmas and Phoenix now decided on the starting the AT on Springer Mountain, Georgia and heading north on March 5th, 2005. Time was moving fast for Phoenix and he still had much to do before starting out on the AT.I went to Arizona to visit Phoenix and see his "gear." I learned that an AT's thru-hiker goal was to "go light." Meaning that the thru-hiker "attempts" at reducing their pack weight to the lowest possible in pounds and ounces. A task I will later learn is much more difficult than one can imagine!Phoenix's enthusiasm for the AT was no less than contagious!!!! I got the fever.....I had to hike at least part of the AT! Phoenix was generous enough to say, "come on, walk with me awhile and share in part of my dream."I said fantastic!! Then it hit me......WHERE AND HOW DO I START TO PREPARE????Ned@NedHamara.com
Date: 2005-04-24
To: The Woodlands, TX
Miles today: 0.0

Trail Journal Entry: Sunday, April 24, 2005 - 6:10PMOK, now I've decided to join my old college roommate on the AT (at some point) and hike for a while. How long, how far, and when? We'll, I'm not fond of cold weather so I opted to wait until Phoenix traveled well enough north out of the cold and snow equators of Georgia, Tenn, and N. Carolina. I still wonder how I managed to live and work in Chicago for 13 winters. Chicago remains my favorite town of all towns except not during the winter.Phoenix's original plan was for me to join him in PA where he purports the AT is nothing less than a trail of rocks. He claims the PA trail clubs spend their weekends on the trail sharping the rocks! Rocks or no rocks I was in!!Phoenix was in his final preparations for the AT. He had many conversations with his AT mentor Mickey-One-Sock. While visiting Phoenix before Xmas I was witness to one of their phone conversations. Even though Mickey-One-Sock had not ever completed the entire AT, he was a wealth of AT information. The conference call Phoenix had that day with Mickey was amazing! The attention to detail was incredible. He explained how to pack a backpack in ways Phoenix and I never imagined. What an insight!It was approaching March and I had a contract job in Seattle for 5 weeks. Same gig I had done the year before. Working for a U.S. Secret Service buddy of mine. Executive protection was the title. I figured it would be a great training location with the mountains and all. I bought a weighted training vest and took it to Seattle with me. There, for 5 weeks, I would spend weekends hiking the mountains of Seattle getting my back and feet used to carrying 30 or more pounds. It was a good awakening and foundation on what carrying that much stuff on your back and how it effects your body. New experience!!!!This brings me to Phoenix and his physical preparation for the AT. Here's a guy whose a workaholic. Spent his last two months before the trail mostly in Hawaii conducting seminars and making big bucks. His training included extra cocktails at happy hour. So now you got a guy with all the ambition in the world for the AT, but he's 50 pounds over weight and never trained a day for his adventure. Needless to say I was not going to buy several thousand dollars of gear until he managed to hike at least several hundred miles on the trail to show me he was in for the Longhaul.So, I'm in Seattle working and Phoenix takes to the AT on March 5th as scheduled with the help of Mickey-One-Sock. Of course the weather was horrible but, nothing was going to damper the shear determination of Phoenix's goal of starting the AT. So off he goes amongst a mixed bag of interesting hiking companions. The race was on sort of! Ned@NedHamara.com