morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-17
From: Iron Mnt. Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

What a difference a day makes. Blue skies, little wind, and goodhiking. Much better day. I have been hiking lately with Jake. He thru hiked in 1987. Strong hiker who is doing a 459mi section this year. I also saw Medicine Man again. He was having some pack problems. Ice Man was at the shelter last night. I really think the deep freeze is starting to thaw. I'm 10mi from Damascus, Va. So I'll walk into this friendly trail town tomorrow. Happy Trails.Mississippi MuleTotal miles:449.5
Date: 2007-04-18
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Had a good hike into this friendly trail town. Started at 7:00 and walked in at 10:30. The hike was very gentle today. I can't believe I said that. Plan to relax some and take a day off tomorrow. Happy Trails.Mississippi MuleTotal miles:459.5
Date: 2007-04-19
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

You may remember early in my hike I mentioned that I would be getting off the trail for my son's graduation. I think this is a good place to do that. This is the plan: I will get a shuttle 40mi up the trail from Damascus and then hike south back to Damascus. On 3/23 I will pick up a rental car in Bristol, Tn. Then from Bristol I will drive the 700mi home. Not sure what my plans are after that. I would have met two of my short term goals. Those were hike to Va. and do at least 500mi. Maybe I've had my AT fix for this year. Maybe not. More later. Happy Trails.Mississippi Mule Total miles:459.5
Date: 2007-04-23
From: Damascus, VA

To: Long Beach, MS
Miles today: 0.0

Well guys, things can happen fast. A couple of days ago I was in Damascus getting ready to go back into the mountains. Today I'm in a hospital room back in Mississippi waiting on a blood transfusion. Let me back up a little bit. I have been feeling a little weak and have had some shortness of breath. This has been going on for about 10 days. I also had some stomach pain. I dismissed all of this. I thought I was just pushing hard trying to get through the bad weather. Well within the last five days I had some indication that I was losing blood. I was still in Damascus planning to start back hiking on 4/18. I got up that morning and saw clear indication that I was still losing blood. So instead of hiking I got a shuttle to the bus station and headed home. Got checked out by my Doc. He confirmed that I sprung a leak. I had ulcer problems 20yrs ago. I figure that's what's going on now. Will not know for sure until they are through poking and sticking. I was getting off they the trail anyway for my sons graduation, I just wasn't planning on getting off this early. Good chance I will not get back on this year. When I do get back on I will start back in Damascus. Although the weather was not very kind for about 14 straight days in April, I still enjoyed being back on the AT. I will be back. Happy Trails.Mississippi Mule
Date: 2007-04-26
From: Long Beach, MS

To: Long Beach, MS
Miles today: 0.0

I am out of the hospital and feeling pretty good. I do have an ulcer and it was the cause for the blood loss. That's really good news because it could have been something much more serious. Before the blood transfusion my blood count was 8.9. A full tank is 14 and 7 is when crazy things start happening. That would be like passing out. When I left the hospital it was 11. I think I was lucky to make it home before I got to that 7 number. I don't plan go back on the AT this year. It's always been hard for me to get back on after being home for awhile. I may have to rethink this whole thru-hiking thing. The desire is still strong, but the reality of actually doing it may be out of reach. In 03 I had a bout of food poisoning, 04 Lyme Disease, and 07 bleeding ulcers. In 05 I completed the hike I started in 04. I feel good about that. Maybe in the future I will do long section hikes. My wife says two weeks max. I'm thinking a month or six wks... There is room for compromise, but a special arbitrator might have to be called in to settle the matter. After saying all of that down deep I still want to thru-hike. The door is still open, but closing fast. Anyway thanks for reading my journal. Maybe, just maybe, we will get together again one day in early spring when hopes are high, and the mountain flowers are starting to bloom. Happy trails to all.Mississippi Mule
Date: 2006-12-31
To: Let the Games Begin
Miles today: 0.0

Well it's New Years Eve, 2006. Tommorrow will be the first day of 2007, the year of my AT Thru Hike. I can't believe I'm less than 3 months away from the start of the dream. I can't believe I've waited so long. I can't believe I didn't wait another year. I'm excited. I'm nervous. I'm still unsure of all of the exact logistics. I'm still very sure it's the right thing. For me, for now. I am real tired of just living to one day die. I am dying just to really live. For me, for ever.
Date: 2007-01-29
To: Utah
Miles today: 0.0

Here I am back in VA, just returned from a nice, long "vacation" to Utah... It was nice to spend some time in the Wasatch Mountains, especially during the Sundance Film Festival timetable and the peak of the skiing season time... With that said, I had a nice ski spill on Snowbird one day, and due to my bindings not releasing like I trusted my settings to allow, hurt my knee some....... I was very afraid of the possible implications the knee could pose on my hike, but am somewhat convinced that it is merely strained ligaments that will rehab fine and in time for my March 20th start in GA........... Actually I buy into the things happen for a reason stuff, and I caught two films later that week that I might not have seen otherwise, due to my almost daily ski schedule that I had planned......... The films were " The Devil Rides Horseback", a documentary about the atrocities in Darfur, and "Everything's Cool", a film about Global Warming............ Both were very moving films, superb content driven by bright directors, producers, and actors......... To anyone reading this journal, please read up on the subjects.......... and write letters to express sympathic viewpoints to anyone that will listen........ Both subject matters are at an important point in time, a point that could be a turning point for better or worse........... It's really up to us, the masses, the people, to make a difference......... Please help any way you can......... Go to SaveDarfur.org.......Go to StopGlobalWarming.org ........... I dedicate my hike to raising awareness for both........... !global warming !darfur
Date: 2007-01-30
To: A Little Mixed Up
Miles today: 0.0

Well the journal may appear to be somewhat out of order, but if you follow it for long you will probably find it will get worse. A little history--------- I was born and raised in VA, within short distance to the AT. Although I always throughly enjoyed the outdoors from the time I was a small child, my dream of thru hiking the AT really didn't set in until maybe 10 years ago. It has only gotten stronger with time, and I have section practiced countless times.. I am as ready as ever, ready for the terrible tired that I know will be there. Combined with the hunger, hurt, wet, long green tunnel that the AT is makes me still sometimes wonder........WHY???? ...... Because its there has been overused, I suppose, so maybe just .......... For the challenge, the adventure, the escape back to a time that our forefathers saw when life was, if not simpler, more with nature and the basic needs of life..... ( Had to take a break for a minute, because right here on TV was NBC Nightly News at 6:30.... Top Story....... Congressional Hearings on the Bush Administration global warming cover up. It shows Rick Piltz, who I had the pleasure of meeting in Utah just last week. Rick's job was to prepare scientific reports to congress on the latest research on climate change. Repressed and depressed by political censorship, Rick Piltz went from downtrodden public servant to front page news when he blew the lid off the White House's scandalous manipulation of global warming science. )With that mentioned, I will try to stay more on the hike once it starts... I have decided that on this forum it would be more prudent to do so... That isn't to say that I won't mention and even elaborate on global warming and Darfur issues, but I will try to keep it down to 20 percent or less... I just started a blog at blogger.com under KEVINSHIKE. There I will do the reverse, Darfur and Global Warming more, hike somewhat less......... Let me know any feedback you might have on the plans for the 2 separate venues......
Date: 2007-02-07
To: CountDown Continues
Miles today: 0.0

Well the knee seems to be healing well, and I still expect to start on schedule.The first week of March I head back to Florida on my bike to go to Bike Week, see friends ( I moved from FL after 14 years in September), go to the Pro Cup Hooters Cup race at my FL home track in Lakeland, and attempt to pass my scheduled CompTia A+ exam....... After that I go back to VA/ TN for a few wrap up days, and head to Springer Mtn........ I still haven't decided 100 percent about the approach trail, as I said in a previous post, I've done it and could care less to do it again........... However, at the least I will sign in and meet and greet at Ami Falls State Park........Had oral surgery today on an old car accident wound, who would of thought 17 years later it would come back to plague me........ Oh well, some pain but should follow the knee and heal well......... My equipment is pretty well ready, but my mail drop stuff isn't....... With that said, the only mail drops I really plan on using is for equipment change outs......... I decide a while ago to abandon the food drops and shop from exclusively from stores. Better on my mind and no worse on my purse strings really, the cost of postal fees in recent years have closed up any bulk buy savings gap I believe........... Getting pumped, hoping the recent turn of cold weather lets up some........ Did I mention I HATE cold weather hiking, always did..........
Date: 2007-02-17
To: Starting Date Change
Miles today: 0.0

Well everything is healing it seems....... The knee is stronger, not quite 100 percent but I'm not worried in the least... The surgery on the outdated wound from the car accident seems to be ok, but my doc needs to check it once more before I head out..... The only day he will be in to do that with my schedule and his is, wouldn't ya know it, March 20th, my start date...... No big thing, my good buddy Tim will run me to the GA state park on Sunday the 25th, and I'll hit the trail on Monday the 26th. It works better for him and probably me... Maybe get a couple of days work in on Wed and Thursday, good for a couple hundred more bucks for the trip to Maine........Getting closer.......
Date: 2007-03-26
To: Less than a Week
Miles today: 0.0

Just another boring Prep hike entry, letting anyone that gives a rats butt that I am not starting today as previously stated. I am going to Springer this Sunday, the 1st and will start late that day or Monday morning the 2nd...The knee is somewhat better, not 100 percent but with a slow start hopefully will return to full function on the hike.I can't wait to post my first "real" entry on this site, straight from Neels or, who knows, maybe Suches if I go in. Not many do but would lessen the initial load by a pound or two out from Springer. Still excited, still pretty pumped, still nervous..........Good lord willing and the creek don't rise.
Date: 2007-04-02
To: Less than a Week (AGAIN ! ! )
Miles today: 0.0

Straight to the point. I'm still grounded, on the tarmac, haven't made it to GA as planned yesterday... Woke up 3:30 am Saturday somewhat sick........ Back up at 7 am SICK AS A DOG, haven't thrown up like that since I was a friging kid....... No known cause, stayed in bed until noon Sunday, got a blasting headache later on Saturday but no more porcelain bus.... God knows I would of HATED to have been on the trail in the shape I was in...... Made me write a mental note to try to NEVER run short of water if possible and NEVER camp too far from a water source.... I don't think I could of hiked a mile to get to water to fight the dehydration in that shape.... Really bummed me out, could of taken off today but thought it would be better to wait 1 more week, AGAIN !! Scheduled departure now estimated MONDAY, will arrive late late EASTER SUNDAY or early Monday........ I will post right before I takeoff to GA..... Until then we remain on standby....... Murphy's Law is Mixin's Constitution..........
Date: 2007-04-07
To: Let the Games Begin !!
Miles today: 0.0

The time is nearing, the day is almost here. Unless some screwed up fate comes crashing through the homestead, I will finally make the dream my reality in less than 36 hours... Nothing more to really say except......... ITS GOING TO BE COLD!!!!!! and my Marmot jacket did not arrive even after being Priority Mailed from Colorado Tuesday, so I will have to take the down vest and hope it doesn't rain and make it through my Frogg Toggs, or Raindropper which is the 2 layer version of the Togg, which is the 3......... Otherwise??????? Will have to have jacket drop shipped to Hiawassee is the avenue I'm thinking.. We'll see.......... Still have lots to do, may not post again before the start. If not I hope to be writing soon from a library, because I am not paying to access the internet, I am not paying to access the internet,I am not paying to access the internet,I am not paying to access the internet..... if I can at all help it.. ( Trying to convince self among other convinces to self. Mind over matter) LETS DO IT!!!!!!
Date: 2007-04-11
To: Let the Games Begin !!
Miles today: 9.0

Well I am officially underway.. My great friend Tim C. took me to the State Park early Monday morning, waited on the Ranger to open the doors and signed in. Then some pics with his great Nikon 70 w/ super zoom lens, on to the lodge for an AYCE breakfast where I decided to pig out.. From there up to Springer via FS 77, where the map provided at the State Park was WAY off, totally screwed up, but we used logic and directed ourselves to the trailhead........ Went to Springer, signed in with Many Sleeps, chatted it up some, kissed the plaque, picked up a small stone, and back to the trailhead...... At approximately 3 pm I headed to Long Creek Falls to camp...... Up early and to Gooch Gap Shelter I went, stayed up in the loft with the final slot, everything including the tent sites were full..... Great new shelter built in 2001....... It started raining hard not long after dark, so glad I was with the snoring hikers for a change..........Still misting and raining today, heavy fog was present all the way to my destination here......... This is a FANTASTIC hostel located just outside of Dalonega, called the Hiker Hostel......... You literally have to see it to believe it....... Built 4 years ago it is a log lodge with 3 stories and a loft, the last rental slot available here, that, guess who, got lucky for the 2nd night and seized.........Bed, breakfast, shower, laundry, AND a shuttle at 9 back to the trail. All for the low, low price of $15...... All kidding aside, it is truly amazing, but I do not kid myself. I bet there isn't many like this along the way........ Gotta go, Neels Gap is 10 miles up hard Blood Mountain tommorrow........... PS Did I mention that Georgia did not know the meaning of switchbacks???
Date: 2007-04-16
To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 45.0
Weather: clear sky

Well here I am in Hiawassee, GA, 67 miles into the, um, pain and glory.... I only have 12 minutes left at the library here after doing neccessary internet stuff, so bear with me as I will attempt to edit at a later date... Yesterday I left Blue Mtn. Shelter and was slammed with the incoming storm within a couple of miles shy of Tray Mtn.. The weather turned VERY nasty, mid to high 20s I think, ice and snow. But the worse was the unforgiveable winds that blew consistent estimated 35 to 45 MPH, gusts on top of Tray ( a big time climb )had to be in excess of 45. It was BRUTAL !! I dropped down to the east side of the mountain after hanging at the frigid shelter with some people. The shelter was terrible because of the wind. I crashed in my tent at Blue Ridge Shag some 3 miles down the north side, still terrible and snow but not as bad as I was able to tent behind a pine to block some wind....... 10 miles today in still crappy wind weather but at least it got a lot warmer........ My average is 9 miles a day right now, not fantastic but right with a pace that many recommend..... GA is hard, it is all HARD, HARD, don't let anyone tell you different........... Gotta go, dang timer is kicking me off and they are closing at 5 anyway, 20 minutes from now.......... Until next time, PLEASANT DREAMS!!!!!
Date: 2007-04-21
To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 100.0
Weather: clear sky

It is Saturday, April 21st at 8 am. I am typing this up quickly at the Hiker Motel called Budget Inn owned by Trail Angel Ron Haven. The town here is a real town, complete with Wally World ( but not a Super one), internet cafe, grocery stores, Post Office the like. I only mention this because it seems so normal, even now. The trail weather has improved from last Monday, but it only had room to improve really. That weather was once again terribly nasty if I hadn't mentioned it before. The mornings are still cold but the hiking days have been close to perfect weather, not too cool but not hot. That will change soon. The hiking average has stayed the same, mainly because of logistics concerning shelters and such. I continue to somewhat run with a small bunch, or at least for a couple of nights here and then a couple down the week. It is the way it works out there, you gain and lose touch with people during the hike because of hiking mileage, town layovers, and the such. It is strange actually, but rewarding in the same. I came into town to resupply but have decided to split the room with Dylan for tonight also, giving me my first true zero day as we call it. It already feels great to take a zero and its just started.
Date: 2007-04-27
To: Fontana Dam, NC
Miles today: 60.0
Weather: broken clouds

The drop into Natahala Outdoor Center (NOC to hikers)was brutal, but the place rocks with whitewater and ammenities. I hiked on and if the drop into the 1700 foot elevation NOC was bad, the climb out to over 5400' was equally as hard........ Up and down, statistics say that someone who completes a thru hike has gained and lost over 88 miles in elevation, which is equal to more than 16 trips from sea level to Mount Everest and back........ PS Sorry for the spelling but am on a time limit here to............. Love to all.........
Date: 2007-05-04
To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 70.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Just another quick, quick update.... I am at Hot Springs, NC library at 2 pm, May 4, 2007. I am 270.7 miles into the journey. Sorry for the miles counter, needless to say it is not correct and I don't have time to figure it out. Can't find a reasonable place to stay mainly because of a River Fest going on. Took a shower at a campground compliments of a great young girl who obviously felt sorry for me. I still have laundry to do and most important the post office. This is like a hard job, no time for anything if your going to make it to Maine by October 15th. Section hiking allows much more leisure time. Getting stronger physically by the day, hiked my FIRST 20 miler on Tuesday in the Smokies, followed it with a 17.5 and then a 18 miler........ Lots of blisters now, sore feet, knees, ankles. Tired, hungry, and a lot of uncomfort...... Still keep pushing. Hard to explain, and no time now..... Gotta go so I can get everything done and out of town a few more miles. Until next time.....
Date: 2007-05-09
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 50.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Well I'm now 338 miles into this thing called a long distance hike. I have completed my second 20+ mile day on Monday, May 7th, covering 21 miles actually. I completed 17.1 miles in under 7 hours to get my first slice of TRAIL MAGIC. The TN Eastman Hiking Club had set up their annual food "picnic" for thru hikers at Sam's Gap under the I26 bridge on Hwy 23/19. I made it just as they had packed up and were ready to pull out. They refired the grill and treated me to hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans, apples, oranges, bananas, homemade cookies, watermelon, doughnuts, coca-colas, water, and more. All for free. I am staying at Uncle Johnny's tonight, right on the Nolichucky River as the AT crosses. Tommorrow I plan on shooting out early and making Dennis Cove (70 miles) by Sunday night or first thing Monday morning... Then the 50 mile stretch into good ol' Damascus, just in time for Trail Days and Mom and Dad's........
Date: 2007-05-17
From: Erwin, TN

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 30.0
Weather: clear sky

Well I am home here just outside of Damascus, prepping for the next 3 days of Trail Days. For mileage purposes, Damascus is just a tad over the 459 mile marker for a Northbounder. I believe it to be considered, psychologically speaking, the quarter way (25%) point in the "walk". Just as Harper's Ferry, WV isn't technically halfway, but is considered to be by us thru-hikers. The Dennis Cove to Damascus 50 mile stretch turned out to be not as advertised in my notes. Although from north of Watagua Lake on in it does turn to the easiest section so far, the climb out of Dennis Cove from the beautiful Laurel Falls is FAR from easy. It might not be the Roan Mountain climb, but it was tough tough, thought I would die again for the millionith time. On the Watagua Lake Shelter subject, I stayed there on Monday, May 14th, arriving to the shelter some 18 miles from my previous night. It was maybe 6:15 pm or so, and I didn't have the extra 6+miles to Vanderbilt (?) Shelter in me. Although the shelter had a number of people already there, I wasn't prepared for what was to follow. The shelter holds 6 people, with maybe 2 or 3 decent tent sites around. As darkness approached, it became apparent there was a problem. Hikers pushed in and were pitching tents in what made modern subdivisions lots look spacious. The no privy in TN thing really concerned me more than the people stepping on me, as it was a mine field down the woods below. Careful not to wear camp shoes to dig that cathole buddy, and if your shy on TP you can find some scattered about if you need. It really is an issue that needs to be addressed as TN is the worse of the worse, they need to hire TrailRunners and figure out a way to improve the trailhead trash and the poor shelter situation, IMHO....