morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-07-02
To: Conditioning Hike, Again
Miles today: 0.0

There I was -- sitting on a large rock along Hazel Run, feeding crumbled peanuts from my Trail Mix to the sunfish -- when all of a sudden my attention was drawn along the opposite bank near some small trees and bushes.A very upset Meadowlark was diving repeatedly at an average-size Black Racer Snake, who was trying to save face and to get away from the claws and beak of this frantic bird. No doubt, the bird was protecting either eggs or young in the nest (Black Racers climb trees and bushes to find these foods).Two Blue Jays were on branches, above the action, but they didn't join-in. The action paused when the snake tried to hide amongst some exposed roots along the bank, but the Meadowlark simply took its time and searched for it (I was amazed at how camouflaged the snake was when it wasn't moving and if I hadn't seen it go in there, he would have looked like one of the other roots to me).Soon, however, the Meadowlark struck close enough to the snake's head to cause it to move, and the bird continued to chase it along the bank and even across a downed log, and onto the opposite bank (the one I was sitting on but a few feet into the underbrush)...I took it as a sign that as soon as possible, I should return to the Trail... Of course, if I had noticed a sunfish eating crumbled peanuts from my hand today, that might have also been interpreted as the same sort of sign...
Date: 2008-07-24
From: Home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

If all goes well, I'll be Flip-Flopping up to Maine to continue this year's trek of the Appalachian Trail! More details to follow as they develop...As soon as some of the water drains from the trail...!!!Watch out! There are three Tropical Storms -- one right after the other -- lining up to hit the East Coast...
Date: 2008-11-24
From: Next Year's Trekking Season...

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

THIS IS A FOLLOW-UP ENTRY TO THE 2008 TREKKING SEASON:In case you're planning to try a thru-hike without medical insurance -- Don't!You can read about the couple of times I had to seek medical attention -- especially the time I was evacuated from Clingmon's Dome in the Smokies.Keep in mind that nobody performs medical support for free and if I hadn't been covered by both TRICARE and MEDICARE, the ambulance ride to Seviereville, TN would have cost me almost $1,000. (yes, you're reading the number correctly). There was a set fee for the run and then a mileage charge.The Emergency Room bill was around $600. {and covered by my insurance as well). Keep in mind that medical personnel along the trail will do their best to help you, but your emergency will probably take place in the middle of the night and there will generally be no access to your primary care physician or your medical records.Please don't misinterpret this to mean that I don't appreciate the care. I do. They did what they had to do for me -- but don't expect this support for free...This is simply one of many factors to consider as you plan and execute your hike. Take my advice and bring along some medical insurance.Having said all of this, I'd be remiss if I didn't tell you of two examples from my 2008 trek where I did receive (or could have) some medical support without direct cost:The first was in Marion, Virginia, where my knees were inflamed and a ranger at the Mount Rogers Headquarters told me there was a doctor in Marion who is very supportive of thru-hikers and who might see me for free. I called his number; a Trail Angel gave me a ride to his office; and he saw me as a walk-in on his lunch hour the same day! I don't believe he wants this information available to the General Public, but if you need to be seen when you get to Mount Rogers HQ, ask about him. To be honest, he offered the free visit, but I told him that I had insurance and didn't mind to let them pay... His prescription was rest, ice, and Vitamin-M (Motrin)...The other medical support we trekkers can count on is found, every Trail Days in Damascus, Virginia. The Southern Baptist Convention considers us a 'Mission,' and they deploy a team of doctors and lab technicians [along with the shower trailer crew] to provide examinations; medical advice; foot and other hiker-ailment checks; blood work; and even foot-washing (probably so the Ortho Doc can stand to examine your feet) and body fat indexing. All of this is performed at no-charge to the trekker.They're a SBC Disaster Medical Team, and usually come from Alabama, so they're normally not licensed to practice medicine in Virginia so can't prescribe medicine for you -- which requires a follow-on trip to the Emergency Room 20 miles away because the Damascus Clinic refuses to open during Trail Days... They also have a Vet to check Trail Dogs, too, but I don't trek with a dog and so really don't know how that process works. ...and yes, they'll also tell you how to get to heaven if you ask them. *grin*Thanks for reading and good luck! Glen
Date: 2007-11-22
To: Here I come
Miles today: 0.0

Well here it is the first Journal entry of my 2008 Thru hike on the AT. One of my few regrets of my previous Thru in 2004 was not keeping a written historical record. I have many fond memories and have told many stories about the trail to my family, friends and colleagues over the last Three years since my return so this time I will spare you my rambling on and you can all read about the adventure as it unfolds for yourselves.Keep Your Powder Dry The General
Date: 2007-11-24
To: One day closer
Miles today: 0.0

Sitting in my office in Baghdad, just over five weeks until I go home again for the last time before my 2008 Thru. Winter is here now and the tempreture has dropped over the last few weeks and it is cool in the mornings now. Many things going through my mind as the day to leave gets closer. Thoughts of home,family,hiking,old friends past,new friends yet to come over the horizon. Many thoughts and emotions.Stay safe wherever you are.
Date: 2007-11-28
To: Springer - 124 days
Miles today: 0.0

My journal is now truly up and running with the first entries in my guestbook, dont be shy people climb onboard it's going to be an amazing ride. I intend to keep my journal updated periodicaly throughout my preperation as well as on the trail as it will be good practice if nothing else.There are many decisions ahead, to hang or not to hang to tent or shelter dwell, to buy on route or mail drop why not both or a bounce box?? as I have Hiked the AT before I have a good understanding of what lay's ahead so am not daunted by the prospect of up to six months in the wood's and all the challenges that it presents,I relish the adventure ahead. If I am blessed with the hospitality and company of the trail community as I was in 2004 then I will be most thankful.   Of course there is a price to pay for this short period of freedom to roam, seperation from home and loved ones, a lack of income for a short period, beer you can see through most of the time, even worse having to negotiate that horror of all horrors DRY COUNTIES!!!!! what is all that about??? Still each to his own and all part of the rich tapestry of Thru Hiking the Appalachian Trail. I look forward to it and thank you one and all those people who make it possible for those who venture into the woods. Stay safe out there.
Date: 2007-11-30
To: Those and Those like us
Miles today: 0.0

Today I tendered my resignation and for the next 30 days another chapter in my life will draw slowly to a close. Well it will not close completely rather will be a lull in the battle. Over the last Three plus years here in Baghdad life has been a roller coaster of various emotions.I have been a soldier in one shape or form for most of my adult life, over 30 years in or around fighting men, during peacetime and times of conflict I understand them and am at ease in their company, feel their pain anger and frustration share their mentality and grief at times of loss.You can't explain with any great effect these feelings to those who have not pulled on a uniform and travelled to some distant field in the name of freedom more often than not because the polititions failed us.Conflict is not pleasent it is harsh and often brutal, it makes men and breaks them,rob's youth of it's innocence and causes suffering to the weak. I am ever mindfull of the proud and costly heritage that is the true price of freedom. I Hike with this in mind for those who give us the freedom to do so and yet often do not have the freedom to do so themselves,also in memory of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice that we may be free.Their name liveth for evermore
Date: 2007-12-01
To: Rain
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

04:30 am and I am awoken from my deep slumber by a ear splitting crash. Dazed in sleep I throw back my covers and jump naked to the floor reaching out in the darkness for my gear, my heart is pounding and my mind racing S*** that was close, where the **** are my Teva's? The guys outside!! are they hit or are they ok? S***, S***,S*** Where the hell are my pants????Then I hear it,a long rubbling thunder rising in cresndo until it breaks with an almighty crack above my head. Strobe like flashes of light light up the room through the ragged curtains. My mind says "relax you muppet thats not in coming Rockets or Mortors no body is outside broken and bleeding, its only thunder and lightning and the winter the rain has finaly come.I kick of my Teva's and slip once again back into my warm cacoon and smile to myself thinking your losing it son!! time to go home, time to go back to the woods. Oh yes bring it on I am ready.Rain, Rain, Rain. Yep we have got it in Baghdad sorry I cannot export it to those in need of water as they enter the Southern Appalachian's I hope you get yours soon as I hate to think of the possibility of people who have travelled all the way from Maine to have to come off the trail due to lack of water.I ordered a quilt set from Jacks R Better yesterday, hopefully it will be waiting for me when I get home. I bought a Hennesy Hammock last year but it has just been hidden away in a drawer as I wrestle with my inner self whether to betray my ground dwelling brothers and hang in 2008. I will try them out this winter at home in the UK, maybe just maybe if all go's well I will be in the trees this year.Sorry about the qaulity of the photo, It was early, I was half asleep and half naked in the RAIN.Stay Safe out there.
Date: 2007-12-09
To: One week less
Miles today: 0.0

Another day crossed off the calender means another day closer to home and the Trail. Over one week since my last entry though plenty going on to keep me occupied. I have come to the decision to start from Amicalola Falls State Park on April 1st. This of course means doing the 8.8 mile approach trail to Springer to the official start point but what the hell,it's just another day on the Trail so I look at it as a bonus than an additional hardship. So Springer 2nd of April will now be my official start date.Now that I have a firm start date I can now start to finalise my Schedule for the remainder of my Hike working out daily mileage and re-supply points. My previous Thru in 2004 showed me that although I had a detailed schedule I rarely kept rigidly to it though the start and finnish date were the same the days in between were a little fluid with some day's having more fluid than others.I have also made another decision. During my military service I served in one of Britains oldest and finest Regiments "The Grenadier Guards". For centuries young men from England have swelled it's ranks and fought in a variety of campaigns across the globe. In more recent times the war on terror has seen a massive increase in commitment of military forces from around the globe in the struggle against international terrorism. Freedom comes at a price. On it's recent operational tour of Afghanistan The Grenadier Guards lost 5 of it's finest young men with over 40 others injured,some who have life changing injuries and with others who will carry deeper pyscological injuries that may take years to materialise. To that end and with great forsight my former Regiment have decided to raise funding to enable it to offer support to these soldiers and their familys as they face the challenges ahead and to those like them who inevitably will need similiar support in the future. I will use my hike to help in raising funds for this most worthy cause. I will publish more details in the New Year. Meanwhile here in Baghdad life goes on. Thanksgiving has now past and the festive season is just around the corner this will be my 7th Christmas in a row away from home,though if all goes well I will be at home in my local pub for New Years Eve, not long now and then final planning and preperation for April can begin in earnest. You will see from the attached photo that it's sandstorm time here which inevitably means delays and cancellations to flights these can be very frustrating especialy if it is you that is sat at the airport.Well thats it for now stay safe wherever you are.
Date: 2007-12-25
To: MERRY CHRISTMAS
Miles today: 0.0

Well Christmas day is finaly here in Baghdad. My fourth Christmas in a row here in Iraq and what's more only 5 days until I fly home to start my preperations for my 2008 Tru of the AT. Things have moved on a little since my last entry Jack's r Better have dispatched my quilt set to my home in England and I am looking forward to putting it through field trials when I get home, my schedule is finalised and at least I now have a fixed departure date and return which I need to satisfy the U.S. Embassy in London for my Visa Application, experience tells me that everything else in between will depend on which way the wind is blowing at the time.Thoughts today go out to my family who will be still snuggled up in bed as I write this but not for long I suspect the younger ones will soon be awake to see what Santa has brought in the night. Thoughts to for the families of those serving here in Iraq and other parts of the world may the Lord watch over the on this holiest of days and keep them safe until they can be home again.I traded some candy with a U.S. serviceman as I passed through a checkpoint this morning along with the greetings of the season I smiled to myself as I walked away thinking he got the better end of the trade as I looked in my hand at the blue and white wrapper that contained a blueberry Pop-Tart. I ate so many on my 2004 thru that I still cannot face them. The Pop-Tart was passed on to a small wide eyed Iraqi boy who took eagerly. Peace and Godwill to all.Well I hope you all enjoy your day. Seasons Greetings to you all enjoy.
Date: 2008-01-31
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Well Happy New Year to you all. It's been a while since my last entry and more than a few drops of water have flowed under the bridge. I am back home in North Yorkshire England doing my final preperations to cross the pond.I came home on New Years Eve and have been relaxing with my family, well when I say relaxing I mean that I am not in gainful employment but am far from idle. My first challenge was to get my Visa to travel to the U.S.A. no easy task this is I can asure you!!! at first it was a struggle to get an appointment however I managed to get a cancellation and so I travelled to London for my interogation oops I mean interview, I also used the opportunity to speak to The Project officer for The Colonels Fund which is raising funds towards the welfare of soldiers from my former Regiment who were injured on their recent tour of Afganistan.So my Visa is now secured my plans have moved on in so much as I will now start on 2 Mar 08 rather than 1 Apr as previously planned. Final gear trials are under way and I am making some headway into the list of domestic chores that my wife insists I do before I depart for America as she is threatening to confiscate my passport there is an incentive to make good progress in this area.Great to see some old friends already on the Trail and excited for those others who are also in their final preperations.Well enough for now the wife is giving me the critical eye and the paintbrush awaits my attention.more to followstay safe
Date: 2008-02-01
To: Day Hiking
Miles today: 0.0

We are experiencing some serious weather here in the North of England at present with some high winds and snow expected within a few days, so I jumped at the chance to get out into the hills today as this weekend looks like it is going to be busy for me.Anyway I got out and away from my chores, I drove out into Swaledale in The Yorkshire Dales National Park I parked up my vehicle and hiked up to one of my favourite veiws over the dale.The weather though cold and windy was dry and clear but you could see the weather building towards the West, I climbed from the village of Fremington towards the top of the ridgeline known as Fremington Edge from here you can see over the Dale and the market town of Reeth some 1000 feet below. Once on the top the wind was almost blowing me off my feet and everywhere was frozen over. I headed over the grouse moor towards an old mining settlement, various minerals have been mined in this area over the centuries including lead, Iron ore and coal the Romans mined lead here during the occupation of Britain evidence of mining activity is scattered all around though of course the Romans have all gone it must have been pretty cold for them in a skirt and sandels.The weather was closing in fast as I reached the top of the edge again and I quickly decended into the lower areas as the wind started to drive the snow across the Dale. My new Paramo Jacket was awsome despite the wind and only wearing a thin light shirt underneath I was warm enough though I was not hanging around much to get cold anyway. Once in the bottom of the Dale I followed the river back to my Land Rover and drove home.Great to be outside and hiking
Date: 2008-02-07
To: Nearly there
Miles today: 0.0

Preperations are now almost complete, I have all my gear laid out and have made a few final modifications of one or two items. I will do some packing trials this weekend and make the final cut on what items I am going to discard.I will be putting things in place so as to ensure that my family has all it requires whilst I am away but for me that is not a great deal as after as we have been married over 25 years most of which I was in the Military and most of the remainder within the Private Security Sector, so my wife and family are well used to my extended absence.I am still not totaly convinced about my choice of shelter as I have both a Tarptent and Hammock I may just take both as the extra weight is not great and it will give me a chance to spend more than one or two nights in the Hammock, it may grow on me. I know it's extra weight but not enough to worry about.I have made some weight savings in other areas so will be starting lighter than I did in 2004 that's for sure, when I weighed in in 2004 my packed weighed 78lbs with food and water this time I aim to be under 40lbs, lighter than that and your "Slack Packing" I owe it to my old bones to go lighter.Ok that's it for today Stay Safe
Date: 2008-02-15
To: 13 day's to go
Miles today: 0.0

Well here I am with under two weeks to go until I fly, I am just about ready with my equipment and am just tying up a few loose ends. I have my first on-line donation to The Colonels Fund (thanks Tysson) and plans are almost complete.Someone who's need was obviously greater than mine decided to steal my Land Rover last week, which is more of an inconvenience than anything so I will have to sort another vehicle before I depart for the U.S. It looks as if the insurance are going to pay up without much hassle which is a plus.Without my vehicle I have been restricted to hiking a little closer to home which has pleased my dog and the wife as it means I have more time for "Jobs" around the house. My dog is not much interested in the planning stages though he is pretty keen on the food sampling although he is not good at giving feedback but judging from the way he slobbers all over the place things must be good.I was contacted by a former Grenadier who now lives in Canada who may now join me in the summer and do a small section in New Hampshire it will be good to have him along for a spell.I heard from my old buddie Frank Masters (Sunset) and an old army mate both who offer there support should I require it whilst across the pond. I am looking forward now to meeting the class of 2008 as well as some old faces from 2004. These next few days will soon pass and I need to complete my domestic chores before departure otherwise she who must be obeyed will be kicking my butt as much as the Georgia Mountains.Stay safe all
Date: 2008-02-29
From: Hiker Hostel Dahlonega Ga

To: Hiker Hostel Dahlonega Ga
Miles today: 0.0

I departed home 02/28/08 at midnight with my wife who kindly stayed up to drive me to York station to catch the trans pennine Express to Manchester Airport where I caught my flight to Atlanta via London Gatwick. I arrived in Atlanta on time and once I followed the instructions given by Leigh the owner of the Hiker Hostel in Dahlonega I got to the RV in North Springs to meet the sghuttle to the hostel where I will spend a couple of nights to get myself sorted to start hiking North on Saturday.We called at Subway where I bought dinner proir to getting to the Hostel where another 16 hikers were staying eventualy getting to bed at 23:30. Very difficult to describe the feeling of being amongst hikers again those of you who have spent any time amongst Thru Hikers will know what I am talking about those who have not will know if you continue to follow this journal over the next six months.I awoke this morning at 03:30 and got out of bed taking care not to wake others who were still asleep and wnet into the living space and read for a while. my insomnia likely caused by the 5 hour time difference between Georgia and the UK.As dawn broke through the trees I sat in the rocker on the porch, for over three years I have longed for this moment to be back in the woods and starting another Thru Hike, thoughts of home and my family who have given me the understanding and support. thoughts of my coleagues over the last few years especialy those who are no longer with us and thoughts of those soldiers in my former Regiment   who have been injured on recent operations and who I aim to support through The Colonels Fund.Stay safe all wherever you are.
Date: 2008-03-01
From: Amicalola State Falls Park Ga

To: Black Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Early rise at the Hostel followed by a breakfast of Pancakes and grits (don't ask) before Josh ran those of us hiking today to the various drop off points.I am starting from Amicalola State Falls Park, which means doing the approach trail towards Springer Mountain which is the official start point.I signed in at the visitors centre as number 79 of those North bound this year my pack weight was 40lbs which is just as I wanted it to be. The trail has been re-routed this year and now takes in the Falls from which the park gets its name, there is even a purpose built staircase that winds itself up the side of the falls all 600 + steps. those first steps certainly opened the pores and bore the soul I was blowing like an old mule by the time I got to the top.The hiking was great though with the sun shining through the trees which for the most part are devoid of any foliage this early in the year. I hiked into black gap shelter, which for those who are not so familiar with the trail is for want of better description a three sided structure with a roof where Hikers can sleep on the wooden floor out of the elements but amongst the ever present Mice.Sat in the sun for the afternoon relaxing and chatting to some other Hikers who are hoping to Thru Hike this year. I will hike the remaining 1.5 miles to the summit of Springer Mountain in the morning but now to bed at 19:00 most hikers hit the sack as soon as or just after dark.A great first day