morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-07-27
To: 1000 Pieces and Avery Peak
Miles today: 0.0

Nothing says "idle" like a jigsaw puzzle now and then, particularly in the summer. THIS summer, I was in mind for some gorgeous woods-and-hills scenery on my puzzle, no surprise, so went looking. The only ones I could find like this were 1000-piece puzzles, which I haven't done before - partly because they take up so much space, but even more because they seem so daunting.Then I caught myself - You think THAT is daunting??!! Buy the puzzle, Jan! I laid it out - Whew! - it was ridiculously big and impossible looking. But in time, I found the corners, ferreted out the edges, and got going on it.Meantime, a friend was free to do some hiking last week, and, with my new perspective on what an adequate hike might be, we decided to do three longish day hikes in a row, so I could get my body acquainted with the effects of sequential days. So, day one was Avery Peak in the Bigelow Range, via the Safford Brook Trail. This is a little over 4 miles one way, with a lot of elevation gain concentrated in the last half. It was a beautiful day, and I was delighted to encounter the Iron Chefs, NOBO since March 10 (?), enjoying the incredible 360 degree view from the peak. I was feeling pretty good about my fitness until the last half hour when I saw that there was considerable room for improvement in the cardiovascular conditioning department.Normally I consider the Avery hike a fairly good workout, and wouldn't go out the next day, but under the new circumstances it seemed it would be a very good idea. We planned out an 8 mile circuit of the Kennebec Highlands trails (Belgrade, Maine area), using the Sanders Hill and Kidder Pond loop, and then "The Mountain" trail and all its loops. These do not involve a lot of elevation, but have suitably rocky and rooty footing and sufficient ups and downs to create some training effect if you move along smartly. A lot more fun than the stepper in the gym....Day three found us at the Georges Highland Trail system (Camden, Maine area) hiking Bald Mt. from the Barnestown Rd. lot, and then I got my friend to drop me off at Rt 17 and I hiked the trail back to my car on Barnestown Rd. This was about a 7 mile total for the day, with quite a lot of up and down and rugged footing. Hot, too. As we were eating lunch on the top of Bald, and I was secretly enjoying having motored up the trail with nary a pause, up came a young woman in running clothes who said "Hi!" and zipped over the summit and down the other side all within less than a minute. Hmmm.All this day hiking was helping me to get ready for backpacking Vermont next week. And each evening I'd sit down and do a few more bits of the puzzle in between figuring out the gear list for the 5 day trip coming up.This morning, I got the last piece in the puzzle, and the last items in the pack - the last baggie of nuts, the final socks - and the little bag of "car clothes" for the long ride home. The itinerary is AT in Vermont from Rt11/30 up to Sherburne Pass or so - stay tuned for a full report!
Date: 2007-08-05
To: Hermit Thrushes in Vermont
Miles today: 0.0

My friend Neffa (NOBO 06/07) kindly arranged to fill in a section in Vermont that I had not yet hiked and invited me along. I was apprehensive about keeping up with a long-distance hiker who has been on the trail since June, but also I was pleased to have the chance to put my money where my mouth is, so to speak. It's so easy to sit in the recliner, reading about the AT and fantasizing about hiking the whole thing. Here was an opportunity to hike with a "potential thru-hiker" point of view. We set out early on Sunday morning from VT Rt. 11/30 (Manchester) with five and a half days of food, thinking it could take that long to hike to VT Rt.4 (Rutland). It turned out to be more beautiful than I had imagined, with much smooth and fairly level trail to make the miles go by quickly, and with no rain to make things slippery and slow. The uphills I feared were often well-graded and switch-backed, although this was balanced by some ghastly pitches that were altogether unexpected. A little zing of relief was offered by the hermit thrushes that would start singing EVERY time I started suffering up a hill...that song is uncannily beautiful.The weather was hot but not too humid, so that the shade was actually considerably cooler than exposed spots. The "long green tunnel" effect which hikers complain of was most welcome in the heat. Water was fairly available, with little streams crossing the trail at regular intervals most of the time. Little spots of "Trail Magic" occurred where people had set out coolers of drinks or cartons of snacks - YES! We stopped for the nights at Peru Peak, Greenwall and Clarendon Shelters. Clarendon is a particularly pretty site (especially after the aforementioned unexpected ghastly pitch) with grassy lawn, tall pines, and clear babbling brook. We encountered many North (NOBO) and South-bound (SOBO) thru-hikers and long sectioners at lunch stops, at views and at shelters for the night. Hikers passing by would often stop briefly to exchange news or to take a short break. Thanks to M&M, Two Dogs, Fire Marshall, Tom-B, Life Traveler, Pi & K'ache, Grasshopper and Denali, in particular, for encouragement and good humor.All in all, the body held up well, with only a minor sore spot on one foot - the joints were fine, the food was appropriate and I did not "bonk" in the afternoons. There is still room for improvement, but I think this trip bodes well for the March plan. Thanks, Neffa, for accommodating me, and singing me up the steeps!
Date: 2007-08-16
To: Thunderstorms & Angel Work
Miles today: 0.0

I'm typing this on the laptop, having got offline because of a huge thunderstorm crashing around, which is all the more vivid since I now imagine squatting on some mountainside for the duration, while the rain pours down and the lightning zigs down the sky, scaring me out of my wits. This particular storm system probably spent the afternoon in New Hampshire, alas, scaring the wits out of my thru-hiking friends. At night, hikers are more likely to be already settled - but afternoon will find many still up in the hills. Hope they're okay.Last weekend I travelled to NH with my sister to meet her husband (Uncle Tom NOBO 07) and several of his hiking buddies (MEGATEX) who were coming into Glencliff. We brought his mother to see him, got hotel rooms, and spent time feeding and shuttling folks around. This sort of thing is sometimes called being "Trail Angels" or, as Cannibal (NOBO 08) so aptly dubs it, "Angel Work". A classic example of this work was manifested by Bad Influence and Katie, who hosted and fed MEGATEX for the previous week, driving them to and from trailheads, delivering in the morning and picking up in the afternoons - putting many hundreds of miles on their vehicle, just to help these guys out. Incredible. When you think of it, since the AT hiker is constantly moving, assisting the hiker generally involves getting to the trailhead, at the very least, and possibly driving back to civilization and returning to the trailhead the next morning, sometimes multiple times, so that massive amounts of driving are often par for the course. And what is the payoff for all this driving around? Super-grateful hikers, for one thing, and the chance to meet or re-meet others who are lurking about the parking areas - it was funny to have several of the hikers I'd met on the trail in Vermont a couple of weeks ago come striding across the parking lot in Glencliff while we were collecting Tom's group. Definite small world factor at work here.As for being prepared, I learned to ALWAYS have cold water in a cooler in the car when you meet hikers at trailheads - hikers being met might be inclined to finish up their water early on, thinking they will drink up when they get to the car - lesson learned, and apologies to MEGATEX, Bad Influence and Katie. I hope to have the grace these hikers had when I find myself in similar circumstances next spring and summer.Well, the storm is over, as they all eventually are: will I remember that while squatting on the mountainside next year?
Date: 2007-09-21
To: There's a Trail for You and For Me...
Miles today: 0.0

Okay, class, it's less than six months from departure time, and things are getting serious! Here follows various exhortations to all of us '08 hikers, and you fence-sitters who are still waffling. While you waffle, start conditioning yourself - even if you don't hit the trail in March, you'll be all fit and trim. Just imagine! The end of August saw me racing up and down the previously-mentioned Safford Brook Trail/AT to Avery Peak in record time. I actually passed some hikers on the way up AND on the way down, what a thrill! No, unheard of is more like it. I am never fast, but there's been some progress so that I can move along steadily with fewer and shorter stops on the steeps. More people know about the AT plan, and talk to me about it. For a long while, it was fairly private - I could think about it when I wanted to - but now, people approach me about it and ask questions frequently, so I am thinking about it much more often. Half the time it's exciting and thrilling, the other half it's sobering or scary. REALLY thrilling, and REALLY scary. As for the deep existential meaning of it all, it occurs to me that there is an Appalachian Trail experience ahead for each of us, whether or not we head for Georgia in the spring. Life being what it is, we each face a long, basically unknown track, filled with incredible ups and downs interspersed with quiet, even boring sections, with various delights and perils along the way, some predictable and some totally out of the blue. My money's on a light pack and a good attitude, in either case.The weekend of Sept. 14-15 saw us converging on Baxter State Park to witness the arrival of Uncle Tom and MEGATEX (the band of brothers so aptly documented in UT's own journal). What a poignant scene. In this case, the guys climbed Katahdin Friday because the weather was better, and actually finished the Abol Bridge to Katahdin Stream section on Saturday - sensible choice. They came loping in to the campsite on Friday afternoon, hungry, and sort of stunned, and amazed. Big campfire (thanks, LT) and continuous overlapping reminiscences seasoned with photos and videos captured on each of their cameras which were passed around from person to person with lively commentary and much laughter. Best wishes to each of them for a peaceful transition into the next adventures.
Date: 2007-09-24
To: Footwear
Miles today: 0.0

What to wear, what to wear?...I've been favoring very lightweight boots, like the now-obsolete LLBean ridge runner, which has a fairly stiff cuff and yet is light like a trail running shoe. I observe that more cushioning in the sole would be good. So, I've been trying out Montrail Stratos - have sent one back and await a larger size which should arrive later today. My most recent "big boot" was the Lowa Renegade, which I liked because it is much lighter than many brands of similarly rugged boots. Good padding around the ankle, and fairly cushy sole. But it is not cut well for my feet, and after several days I notice abrading in the forefoot area. (That is, it was fine for dayhikes and 2 or 3 day backpacks, but stuff happens with multiple continuous days on your feet that you don't realize in shorter hikes). I wish more boot manufacturers would take a page from Keen and produce wide, round-toed ones with narrow heels. Eastland makes a great woman's sandal-shoe with that cut, how about some hiking boots? I don't know if the Keen boot is up to very long distance hiking - I've heard comments that cause me to hesitate.
Date: 2007-11-09
To: Edge of Winter
Miles today: 0.0

November in northern New England has come in very cool this year, after so many seductively and uncharacteristically mild autumn days. Actually, I'm loving the edge to the air - I like everything about winter except driving in it. All the brilliant colors of the maple trees are pretty much gone now, and russet, copper, and sand colors prevail. At first this seems sort of gloomy and subdued, but soon your eye adapts somehow and appreciates subtle contrasts that you miss when the woods are blazing. Dry grass takes on a golden radiance, tree barks are many different shades of gray - steel blue, deep chestnut, granite gray - and the mosses glow as the only vivid green left. Snow just knocks me out - how it looks, feels, sounds, smells. When I was a kid I'd go out in any snowstorm, just laughing and singing through streets.In fact, the woods are starting to look like like they'll look on the mountains in Georgia in March...(whew!!)...and here come the same meterological conditions - plenty of frost, slush, freezing fog and bracing cold is on its way, to match anything Georgia can come up with. Lucky me! - no excuse, plenty warning! (What AM I thinking!!?! This is totally ridiculous!!! No one goes CAMPING in November up here!!! In fact, most people don't even LIVE here - they go to Florida!!!! I've lost my MIND!!!!)Oops, lost focus a second there - okay, so there are ample opportunities to experience conditions and to test out gear and systems for dealing with them before actually launching.This is good!! Most people don't have this good a set-up! Be glad!!This brings me to one thing I'm particularly grateful for - my body type is well-designed for cold weather, with a really even distribution of insulation. Even when at my leanest, I keep a layer of fat which has kept me happy on cold weather adventures when others were chilled to the bone. Think draft horse, you get the idea.
Date: 2007-11-16
To: Thanks!
Miles today: 0.0

I can't put this off any longer - sharing with you the gratitude I'm feeling for the kind comments, interest in the hike and offers of various types of support that come my way nearly every day now.First, of course, the continued support of my family and my colleagues at work who have remained warmly interested in this project, even though they'll all be faced with considerable extra work and assorted hassles during/because of my absence. Then there are the folks who have signed the guest book - this is so neat! Some of you I know, others are new to me -either way it's such a treat to read of people's interest in the journal and in the hike. There are friends at work who ask me about it, having heard from someone else that I'm planning this hike. And students who I've needed to tell since it affects our work next semester. The questions people ask are very interesting, and the amount of kindly supportive remarks is touching and amazing.Actually, it reminds me of when I got a dog, years ago - suddenly, everyone talks to you on the street! Somehow, a puppy on a leash gives everyone permission to approach and chat about the experience. It's really fun, and so different from one's usual low-key, private walks. And so the analogy goes - I'm a fairly private, low-key kind of person, but the subject of this AT hike engages people and brings a lot of interest and response and opportunities to interact much more than I usually do, or than I expected. Also, keeping a journal on-line is an unprecedented level of self-disclosure - but it seems like the benefits to me and to others far outweigh the drawbacks. And, it's just FUN!So, thank you!! In return I will try to keep a journal good for vicarious thrills, as well as useful for planning your own hike someday - sufficient detail and description for all purposes.Now, I see that the chilly rain is turning into snow - must be time to get out there and see how the Montrails do in the slush....
Date: 2007-11-30
To: Henry Purcell is My Friend
Miles today: 0.0

I strode into the 21st century a few weeks ago by getting an mp3 player, and now my odd moments are taken up with scrolling through the available tunes for downloading. This project resonates with all kinds of feelings - by the time you're in middle age, there's 40 or more years of music that's meant something to you at one point or another. My tastes run all over the place from 1980's techno & dance to Henry Purcell (1680) and Josquin DesPrez (1480), classic gospel, Bob Dylan, Prince, Tina Turner, etc. etc. - music that is intense, energetic and not too sweet, I guess. (Some enterprising person could probably set up a the "MP3 Multiphasic Personality Inventory", mining the revealing gold in the exceedingly personal music choices on people's iPods.)The mp3 technology allows one to easily set up groups of tunes for mood or purpose, like we used to do in the cassette tape era, only sparing the tedium of recording each song in real time onto the new tape. I missed being able to do that in the cd era - it would have been possible, but cd recorders were harder to come by than tape recorders were, and I never got around to it.So, I go to the websites and find ancient albums that I once loved, and can even choose the few favorite songs to download, and don't have to buy the whole thing. AMAZING. And each "find" launches a cascade of memories and connections to other albums, artists and tunes, and so on and so forth. Good thing there's a lot of room on that tiny machine!***NEWS FLASH: Auntie Mame got her 6 month leave, and can go with me on the trail!!!! Now for some team training!
Date: 2007-12-24
To: Snowshoeing!
Miles today: 0.0

Tons of snow in Maine right now, and we've been able to get out snowshoeing several times in the last few weeks. The modern, metal and neoprene type with claws on the bottom work great for climbing ordinary hiking trails, and they give you a good workout as well. Mile for mile, you probably burn 1/3 more calories than plain walking - at least until the path is well-trodden, then you might actually burn fewer calories. Enough snow and it smooths over the roots, rocks and other uneven areas and makes for fast travel.Tried tall gaiters for the first time today, having gotten the bottom of my pant legs and backs of my calves all snowy and soaked last time - but as with every piece of gear, there's good and bad. Good, they kept the snow off my ankles. Bad, they trap sweat and you end up with wet ankles anyway. Maybe the right thing is just untreated nylon material that would shed snow that gets kicked up, but still breathe out the water vapor from sweating. Gore-Tex is a little too water resistant for this, I think. How are the Montrail Stratos boots holding up? Pretty well, so far. Good fit. No blisters anywhere, under any conditions, yet. They're a funny "soft shell" fabric, quite light, but relatively impermeable to wet. No significant sweating, so they must be "breathing" as advertised. **************Feeling grateful for friends who hike and snowshoe. Having a partner who doesn't distance hike means rustling up company for the longer slogs over hill and dale, and it's been fun to share these slogs with cheerful companions. It's been particularly neat to do some of these with Auntie Mame, since we haven't been first on each other's list for outdoor activities since we were kids! As I approach the two-month-from-take-off date, I'm feeling nervous about conditioning. Less nervous about gear, figuring I have most of it and anything is easily obtained, jury-rigged or replaced. But if I haven't got the conditioning right, that's less easy to compensate for en route. Of course, you build conditioning en route anyway, but I have embarked on major adventures 4 or 5 times over the past 10 years, thinking I was in "pretty good" shape, and found out that I was way at the back of the pack, so to speak. I haven't been able to assess my own condition accurately, and this caused me to have some really hard times, mentally and physically, on otherwise wonderful trips. But then there is the Hike-Your-Own-Hike aspect: I can only be ready the way I can be ready, if you know what I mean. And not being tied into a group means that Auntie Mame and I can adjust the pace and distance to accommodate our own levels of fitness. Which brings me to wondering how many other sisters have done the AT? I have read some on Trail Journals, and imagine there are others. Would love to hear from any who have tried this! There are all the concerns that any couple has who plans to hike together, particularly about negotiating decisions that have to be made jointly. Guess we have plenty to talk about the next two months!
Date: 2008-01-18
To: 40 Days to a New You!!
Miles today: 0.0

Over the last week my sense of this hike has changed from it's comfortably-in-the-future/imponderably far away to it's right-in-front-of-me. Actually, I can even see how this will all be over by Fall, and sitting eternally in the past - a whole different perspective! The To-Do lists have been scattered all over the place, scrawled on whatever handy bit of paper I could reach when the light-bulb went on with yet another useful item, recipe, strategy or thing-to-remember-to-do. Now these bits are consolidated and actually fit on one sheet (although with small print and several columns!). At some point you just have to STOP, and realize there's no end to the great ideas and theoretical preparations for this thing. Am trying to pour the anxious energy into training activities - using a small but heavily weighted pack while walking the dog, adding sand weights to the walk-to-work pack, loading in some tv serials from Netflix for those exceedingly boring sessions on the exercise bike, upping the reps with the hand weights, meeting with a nutrition/fitness consultant (& DOING what she says!), and so forth. It's hard to not eat a lot right now, with increased exercise, cold weather and NERVES screaming out for consolation....but there is this vivid image of struggling up a long hill in the sleety rain when it's too cold to stop for more than a minute or so and several hours before the shelter site which clarifies the benefit that leanness can offer. Well, sometimes it clarifies -sometimes it just alarms! (popcorn, anyone??)We're settling on travel plans that allow for a 2/28 start from Springer - not the approach trail - and will be a little ahead of the weekend crowds. All dates are flexible when it comes to this hike, with weather, health and various other unpredictable influences at work - but it feels great to have a plan to work with, at least. Let's see, gear situation - got a Pocketmail and set it up and it seems to work well. If it fails at some point, there's always pen and paper! Need to hem the hiking pants, which were a find at the 2nd hand store - soft nylon cargo pants with bellowed pockets - this was so great because the recent styles are making pockets flat for a streamlined look, I guess, but it's hard to put stuff in them without crowding. Enjoying music recommendations from friends, and putting them on the mp3 - a totally weightless wonder!
Date: 2008-01-31
To: Posting!
Miles today: 0.0

Finally, a trial run on the PocketMail, sent to my transcriber to test out how to post it on the Trailjournal website. Looks like there's going to be a learning curve on all fronts! This keyboard allows all-finger typing, in a condensed kind of way, with a few idiosyncratic maneuvers needed for certain punctuation. Something to do in those long nights in the tent,I guess. I think it beats thumbs-only, but I know some folks - Stumpknocker & Sgt. Rock- are sending in nice journals from tiny smartphone keyboards.Enough for now - we'll get this posted and check off one more prep activity!