morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-05-27
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: light rain

We were up by 5:00 and on the trail by 5:45 in hopes of making 501 by tonight. We are use to these miles but not sure that my buddy Dave can keep up. This can be a very rough area for someone just out for a few days. It was a little warm and humid but really didn't clear until around 10:00. There was not a lot of elevation change today but the amount of rocks on the trail changed constantly. Some areas were nice and others were just plain rock hopping. The streams were all still swollen from the recent rains and we spent a lot of time trying to get around a flooded area. We wound up walking back to the road and around Rt 72 to the trail. We finally reached Swatara Gap with the old iron bridge. After a short climb we reached a minor view at the abandoned powerline. It began to darken and the breeze increased. We moved quickly over the last 2.5 miles to the William Penn Shelter where we planned to get water, rest and decide if we were going on to 501 for the night. It looked like we might get wet as the clouds rolled by, but no one was detered with the thought of pizza for dinner lingering as our reward for getting to 501. Rested we moved on. It cleared in a while and we had an uneventful walk to 501. There were a few views that showed the PA farms below. We were one of the first to arrive at 501 and chose our bunks for the night. I checked out the solar shower and decided that I would brave the cold water for a clean body. Today was taking its toll on my senses. The warm weather was geting all my stink going and the shower was just what I needed. I rinsed out my clothes and hung them to dry. The shelter is actually an enclosed structure with a plexiglass window in the roof. There were many weekend hikers there as well as 7 thruhikers. We ordered pizza around 5:30 and the pizza guy was probably tired of delivering to the shelter by the time everyone arrived and ordered repeatedly. It was great to have real food for a change.
Date: 2011-05-28
From: 501 Shelter

To: Eagles Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: light rain

We were as usual one of the first people up. We carried our equipment outside in multiple trips as not to disturb those still sleeping. We began rolling around 5:45 and the trail was not too bad. We did have some rocky sections but overall it was ok. The rocks popped up occasionally but then disappeared for a few miles. Overall it was a nice day on the footpath but is really starting to get hot and humid which is a little early. The bugs are mutiplying almost as fast as the poison ivy. Thr trails are lined with a lush green leaves that causes much discomfort for many a hiker. I have walked through these trails knowing that only the birds can maneuver without touching it. Yet I have been poison free. Either I am so dirty that the oils roll off my skin or I have some immunity to it. Their is no way you can travel these trails without touching it. Lucky to this point. It drizzled a few times after getting to the shelter but never materialized into an all out storm. The tides are changing. We beat the rain again. Goose went on to Port Clinton today to meet his fiancee. We will meet him tomorrow and go from there. My buddy Dave will be leaving tomorrow and I have to finalize some decisions.
Date: 2011-05-30
From: Port Clinton PA

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I've been trying to write this for a few days now. Well here I am at home after all this time and effort because I was stupid. I believed that I was infallible and nothing could hurt me now. I thought I was better than many others out there. I was moving along and feeling great. Well I forgot one little thing and that was that I had an injury from before the hike started. I popped a hernia five weeks before leaving in February. I felt great and a little ache or pain is normal in the hiking world. I plowed through all kind of weather and terrain, never having anything more than a minor discomfort in my side. The first 900 miles were great. No blisters and no major problems other than ugly weather. However over the last 300 miles I started having a lot more pain from my side and the last week or two I was worried that I was causing much more damage. I kept thinking or hoping that it would go away while knowing it wouldn't. I tried to plan less miles and easier days to control swelling and pain. I actually argued with myself back and forth on what I could do to keep going. It has been one of the hardest decisions I think I have ever made. I know what I want to do but also know what I should do. This argument or effort at reasoning went went back and forth for the last few weeks but reason finally won. I can't continue to do something that could have such negative effects down the road or up the trail as the case may be. I have an appointment with a doctor on Tuesday but I don't anticipate he will give me any other options other than surgery. So I am off the trail for the moment and possibly the rest of the year. Even if the surgery were tomorrow, I probably wouldn't have enough time to recover and get back in time to summit Kathadin before it closes. I just can't believe how things can turn around so quickly. I didn't want to address this problem before the hike because it would have meant a delay or postponement of the hike. However, now in hindsight, that might have been better than going 1200 miles with high hopes and having the rug pulled out from under you. Shoulda, woulda, coulda. I guess I could go on forever doubting my decision but it is what it is and here I am. This is not how I envisioned the hike ending. I have pictures in my head of summiting. I am in shape now, probably the best shape of my life, so the second half is easier and I will have time for crusing until NH and Maine. I don't really know what to think. I am still holding out hope that there is something that will stave off surgery for another 1000 miles. Not sure how realistic that is but I will find out on Tuesday. Until then I will wait with clean equipment, clothes and food all ready to go on. I am spending my time catching up on chores but still want to hike. As much as it is nice to be clean and well fed at home I can't wait until Tuesday to know where I stand. For now I wait.
Date: 2011-06-09
From: Home

To: Still home
Miles today: 0.0

Well it went as expected or not. I got a great physical report which you would expect after hiking for three months. However, when I asked if there was anything I could do temporarily to finish the other 1000 miles the doctors response was only "surgery." I guess I expected a little back and forth dialog where I could plead my case. It was short and concise and I didn't have any real recourse. I have an appointment with a surgeon next Tuesday and can only hope to get the surgery asap. A lot rides on the when this happens and recovery time. However, my recovery time will be spent planning my next moves. My mind is whirling now thinking of the many options but don't want to get my hopes up too quickly. One step at a time but I am not out of the GaMe yet.
Date: 2011-06-15
From: Still home

To: Thru hike one of these days
Miles today: 0.0

The time has come to finally admit that this years hiking is done. I visited with the surgeon on Tuesday for his opinion. He is an avid runner who has done marathons and some hiking in Maine with his daughter through Outward Bound. He said that he felt like quiting the first day and knew what it took to hike. After examination he told me that I was in great shape. Then came the zinger. The hernia was large requiring conventional surgery which would require 6 weeks to mend. Naturally I question the timeframe but with a July 11 surgery date, it leaves little time to hike. He understood my desire to get back asap, but also understood the need to address the medical issues now. He advised that I forget about any plans to return so that I could heal properly after this surgery and get laproscopic surgery on the hernia on the left side. Nice! I didn't know I had one there. Now I have two surgeries to get and more down time. Not my ideal summer. I can't sit still for two minutes. Not sure how I will do with the recovery time. Anyway, I half have accepted it and am looking forward to next year. Not sure of my plans but nothing is outside the realm of possibilities. So I guess for now its sit around, eat , get fat and drink lots of wine.
Date: 2011-09-07
From: Thru hike one of these days

To: Still home
Miles today: 0.0

Well it's been a while since I did a journal. It was, to say the least, devastating to be off trail. I had my first hernia surgery on July 11 and it was something new since I have been lucky enough never to have had any previous surgery. It went great and in a few days I felt pretty good. I walked funny but within 2 weeks I was out cutting the lawns and taking care of the house. My side ached a little @ the 5" incision but nothing terrible. No meds the whole time. I was surprised at how advanced surgery had become. I got stitches out after a week and made appointment to have second hernia surgery done 3 weeks later. I wanted to get everything done asap, recover and get back somewhat to normal. I had the second surgery on August 1 and again I didn't even know I was in surgery. Unfortunately this one hurt 10 times worse than the first but still not terrible. Stitches out in a week and cutting lawn the next week. This one definitely hurt more and if I did something strenuous one day I paid for it the next. However, I am at the one month point past my second surgery and just got my butt back to the gym. Naturally I feel out of shape but no where near as bad as I thought. I am going daily with a vengeance. My muscles hurt continuously, sometimes to the point of not feeling I am able to pick up a glass, but it is a good kind of hurt. Muscles have to be there to hurt and if you work them enough they wont hurt. Unfortunately I have given up on the idea of jumping up to Kathadin and going south. I just am not ready mentally nor physically for that at this late stage of the game. Everything from first visiting the doctor to surgery to recovery has taken a lot longer than anticipated, Again it is a matter of the mind saying it only takes this long and reality dictating the real time. I am undecided for next year but the least I will do is meet Goose in either PA or Harpers Ferry and finish up from there to Katahdin. There is also the possibility that I may take a train south and migrate north with the seasons. That decision will not be made for a while yet. However, one thing is for sure, I will be on at least half of the trail next year. Thanks to all who followed and supported me and best wishes to those who are hiking the AT in the future. Check me out again next year. I will be there and I am alwaysfine.
Date: 2010-11-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I feel accomplished for how far I have prepared for my six month trip. I have four more months to prep. First my Parents seem much more at ease then they were first introduced the idea. Mostly my mother, going on about bears, bad men, cold, certain gear she says I need. One time three family member where on my case telling me I had to get hiking boots, when I wanted just trail runners. Second, I have read up a great deal, on books, trail journals, and gear, ect. I plan on being cheep, dirt bagging to be sure. I'll get my gear at places like Goodwill and salvation army, that I can't scrounge up around the house. I decided to hike this way after I was marking a couple of things in a gear magazine, and I added three items up shoes, coat, and sweater. The price was over $500. and that was just three things. The one thing I am struggling with is what to do with a shelter, its between an expensive bivy, or a light cheep cold tarp.I don't have a buddy to go with. There was one interested, but she choose instead to go to college. Hopefully that will be okay with my folks. Well this trip is what I dream about almost every day.
Date: 2010-11-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Perhaps I made a mistake in saying my mom, seems to be better. ugh, today she asked "So who's coming with you on the hike?" and I say "there'll be 2000 others." "oh but they wont be personably responsible for you." She says. Exactly "i take care of my self!" which i know will be hard enough, I don't need my mother bugging, me! I feel this is a big game of tug-a-war. and in the end she wont even help me. My brother was there and he asks when I was planning on leaving and I say; March 12. my mom adds "2020" I really want to go but I don't want to feel like I'm running away with out my parents permission. I need their support. This is a difficult undertake as it is. So, hopefully this will all clear up. And one day I will look back on this and laugh. Hopefully.
Date: 2010-11-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So I finally had a mature sit down conversation about the trail with my mother. She is the driving force, my dad seems to unite to her decisions. we have family devotions about every night, and when my Dad was asking for prayer requests I said pray that I will be safe on the AT, *they said we dont have faith right now to pray about that* I persisted then pray that you will have faith to pray for me. It started off about her saying we have too much beef and it doesnt fit in the freezer. I suggested I could make beef jerkey, instead of canning it, which is gross. I was intending on having it on the trail. So I asked if I could use it. So there we were, ready for an epic battle over if I am hiking or not, no more dumb comments, or cricket chirping when I mention something about the hike. like my hike was the big elephant standing in the room and if they didnt talk about it, I might just forget about it, or even better go to college. Sorry right now parents school is not for me, and your not even going to pay a cent. Grr so since my siblings go to college they get their insurance paid for, but no, I'm not in college. Anyhow I can't afford it, and I am NOT going in debt!!!!! So we were there sitting down, and mom was ready to talk, without blowing up. She says so who are you hiking with? "Everyone that's there mom." ( rolling of eyes)(she wants me to drag someone with me, to protect me) she goes into the dangers of hitch hiking, hiperthermia, and gear I HAVE to bring. But all in all it is one step closer. Since I got to explain somethings to her. And I told my Dad I'm not paying for insurance, since I'll be gone half a year anyway. PLus I didn't get my 50 hours, according to my mom, so I have 5 more hours I have to have a parent drive with me. I want to stop working, and start painting. I work with my Dad, so i'd feel guilt if I stopped, I will stop of course for my hike though. I might be able to make more money painting, but even if I don't it's something I at least enjoy. I wonder if I should bring a camera on the trail, and paint some of the pictures I take. Right now life is just hard, I guess that's what growing up is about. As my mom said : How can I support you if I don't think it's the best for you? The reason she's so up tight is she read the books I got about guys who went on the trail. So she brings up situations and says how are you going to survive from blah blah blah. Like If you get hiperthermia, and if your alone like you most likely will be, what if your brain goes crazy and you think your hot, and start ripping your clothes off. Which was a story out of the one book. with that off my chest I will try to enjoy a Taco dinner, with the youth group and our Latvian friends.
Date: 2010-11-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So, I did it I made my shelter in the rain! I feel proud. I had my mom take the picture. I was thinking sticks could work as stakes but, the tarp would slide off. I couldn't find stakes so i found something useful from my dads tools, I hope thats okay with him. So now that its up it's only right that I test it over night. Hopefully we don't have a thunderstorm.
Date: 2010-11-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

My test for my tarp shelter: I went out when it was dark. My tarp wasn't connected to the tent pegs anymore. I tried to find them, but it was a fail. So I used sticks. I also had to get a new under tarp since it blew away. I had to go inside for it, and I was teased "is it to cold for you". Once I got situated, there were lots of noises, cars, rain, leaves falling on my tent, and howling wind. I have to admit my tent pegs failed, I got up once since the end of my sleeping bag was sticking out. In the beggining I had a trash bag on the end of my sleeping bag but it fell off.( should have ducktaped it on) Then later in the night that same end came out and also a side.But the worst thing, that I will count as a learning experiance, was that I was on a slope. It just happened that way, since I needed a tree to tie my tarp to. Then I figured the wind was comming from the downhill side. So never again. It was like a sliding board and every one in a while I would crawl back up. If I didnt the end of my sleeping dag would get wet. I was fed up, by 11:00 and grabbed eveything but the tarps, and ran to the porch. The door was locked, but lucky my sister was still up and talking to her boyfreind. She comes to the door and says, "were you outside? what where you doing?" I told her the story but she was half listening. And she'd go "yeah my sister got wet in the rain." In the morning my mom asked if I heard the thunder storm.(I missed it) And my dad teased me "So when your on the trail, and get wet, are you going to run to your bed?" Well I happy I tried. and I'll try again.Thank you all for the encuragement, it's very uplifting. Don't forget it's national hike day!
Date: 2010-11-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I was wondering If I could find all my gear at home. I bet I could. I'd have to barrow somethings from parents and siblings. And I was thinking, when I finish the trail, I'm gonna buy a red dress. Since I'll be like two sizes smaller or more. How exciting! And of course, I want to go sky diving, as a *yay I did it* thing. Maybe I'll get some other thu hikers to join me.
Date: 2010-11-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I packed somethings I collected around the house. Including a first aid, toiletries and I had a task of putting toothpaste in a empty travel size toothpaste tube. And dish soap in another toothpaste tube, And labeled it. d: I'm so tired from work, which is labor intensive, but compared to hiking? I feel like a wimp. My work does have a lot of bending over though. i was about to buy a plane ticket to Atlanta, but didn't. My mom was like you should wait until later. My older brother said he would drive me. Even though at first he said he would drive my if I started in maine. I don't know why he thinks Maine is so much better to start from. It looks like Caleb my older brother and Daniel, my second youngest brother will drive me, over the weekend. They both have school. My sister is not into me hiking. She was telling me everyone she talked to about my trip thinks its a bad idea. She asks hard questions, like why are you doing this, and how do you know it's the right thing, and saying how dangerous it is. sigh. I'm feeling discouraged.I read the journals on this site and feel better. even though there's this quote:"I do know the odds of me making it to Mt. Katahdin. Half of those starting this trek will leave the trail by Neel¢s Gap ¢ just 30 miles from the start. Half of those remaining will leave the trail by Damascus, VA -- 400 miles from the start and half after that will not make it to Mt. Katahdin." -Big RedI also know that some people only dream about what I'm about to embark. My cousin in law was really supported about me going, and wanted to go to, but has too many responsibilities back home. He said this is the best time of my life to do this. He also said I could barrow some gear of his, since hiking is his hobby. Something Beautiful
Date: 2010-11-24
To: Food I can't eat
Miles today: 0.0

Food is an important part of a balanced diet. ~Fran LebowitzI am sick. and it stinks, the stomach bug just wont leave. But I did work today the first and only day this week since after next sleep is ThanksGiving. So my work celebrated by going to an AYCE indian place for luch. The food is top notch. Sickly me was full on the first plate, which wasnt even piled high. more like a dip of this and a dip of that. I had to get a second serving, cuz I felt bad plus the one indian guy was staring me down. BUt I totally paid for it. ugh. I couldnt even eat supper, I felt sick smelling the food. I think I offended my mother. I dont know how I'll get through thanksgiving meal.It'll be weird to be able to eat, and eat and eat on the AT. I am looking forward.I eat merely to put food out of my mind. ~N.F. Simpson
Date: 2010-11-29
To: Good news
Miles today: 0.0

Oh yeah, life is good. my cousin called me and said she heard I was hiking the AT and she is going to join me!!!!I was jumpping up and down when she called. Life is good! Now I know for a fact I can go. It is so relieving. Now my parents can feel at ease. Now my freinds won't tell me it's a bad idea, cuz its dangerous. Now I have a hiking buddy! And she's fun. her name is Lindsey, now I can be thankfull.
Date: 2010-12-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

"A house divided against it's self can not stand"-Mark 3:25 My house is now back to tranquility. Now that I'm over that outright obtrusive obstacle of finding a partner, who is 95% sure, I am sick of the preperation period. Even so I know it is crucial in order to thrive. I have to remember this is not a vacation, it's a lifestyle. Only 99 days left.
Date: 2010-12-04
To: Shopping
Miles today: 0.0

Went shopping. I got overwhelmed at the mall. But found a down coat for 60% off. I know it'll keep me warm and it's light. I already had a down coat but it was too short, and would ride up. The worst was when I went snowboarding, snow down the pants! So this one is nice and long, and black.I also went to bJ's with my mommy. So I could stock up on stuff for my mail drops. I got Nuts, dried fruit, four sticks of pepperoni, chocolate, cheese, wasabi peas ect. I didn't spend as much as I thought. I was happy with my choices. Variety is key.So are contacts better or glasses. I am leaning towards contacts but I was wondering if they froze during winter.
Date: 2010-12-11
To: Slowly but Surely
Miles today: 0.0

people ask me weird questions, here are two, 'are you bringing traps, so you can catch food if you get lost?'/ 'are you bringing a gun?' (lot of people ask this) Most people are curious and half excited when discussing my future adventure, so its fun, and much better then before where people told me its too dangerous. I am so tired, I hope I'm not getting sick. I worked a full week. Dragging branches for my dad's tree company. Yesterday it snowed on us. Its good practice, for dressing warmly. I haven't heard form Lindsey, people tell me they can picture me completeing the trail, but arn't sure about her. I hope she proves them wrong. even though I agree with them. Lindsey was inspired to do somthing adventurous after she saw and read the book 'Into the wild' about a kid who has family problems, and wonders around hitch hiking and working, never staying at a place more then a month. His final destinatoin is Alaska. Where he starves to death. I recomend this book. The kid remindes me of myself, which scares me. I got the movie trek. I didn't watch it yet, but I did see some clips on youtube. I think it will give my friends and family an easy way to understand what the trails like.
Date: 2010-12-15
To: Man the wind blows
Miles today: 0.0

So it's cold outside. It's not the cold that bothers it's the 40 mile per hour wind! I should start training with a heavy backpack full of kitty litter or water. But I'm too tired after work. Hmm Is work a good enough workout? I watched TREK it made me sad. Cuz I'm not on the trail. boo hoo And it was funny, And it was inspiring for the people watching it with me. So it seems i'll have to get a 20 below sleeping bag. My mom's been persuading me, half nagging. Hopefully I'll get it for Christmas. Merry Christmas, Everyone.