morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-01-12
To: Saying to Hell with It!
Miles today: 0.0

Don't know why it is, but as of late I'm hating my conventional lifestyle. My wife is too, and I think we would both get away in a heartbeat except for the mortgage and our debt that we have to pay off. That leads me to thinking more and more of the trail. It has nothing to do with magical things the trail does for me, because there's nothing magical that the trail does. Rather it's that I associate the trail with a slower pace of life. A life where you don't have to rush, and you can take each day for what it is. Shitty day? End the day early! Great day, stop and smell the flowers, take your time. Life is however you want it to be, and it isn't dictated by other people and their own particular motivations or desires. That is what the trail means to me. It's a way of life, that most don't get to experience today, and that's sad for most. I think that's what angers me about my life at times. I've discovered this other way I'd like to live but before I discovered it, I saddled myself with all kinds of debt, and now I'm stuck! My wife and I both lament it, but what's to be done about it? So we tell ourselves one day, and we move on to the next day.
Date: 2009-01-13
To: Gear Junkie
Miles today: 0.0

Gear, gear, and more gear. I admit a strange fascination for new gear. It's the guy in me, it's the geek in me. Doesn't matter if I have a great tent, or awesome sleeping bags, I'm always looking for the next best thing.(OK shoot me for using the word AWESOME!) Anyways, the point is that I am denying the gear geek in me this year. That's right! I'm not buying anything super pricey this season. I have my gear set, and that's how I'm gonna roll! Other than meals, and maybe some small ticket items, I'm gonna stay away from spending oodles of money this year. I got $200 worth of gift cards from REI this season, and so I will spend that on a few things that are new, but as for my big four...they will stay the same as last year. The system worked perfect for me, so why change it up. My giftcards will be used for some small things. I'm gonna splurge and buy the Mountain House freezedried packs. They're light in weight, filling, and pretty darned good, but not cheap. I already bought a little lantern. It packs small, and is well under 1 pound. It's better than burning out my headlamp like I usually do. Picked up some on sale clothes, and other than that, I don't know what else I'm gonna get.I did toy with the idea of getting a new tent or backpack, but I don't need it, and so I'm ignoring my inner child on this one. Anyways, I'm done for now. I just needed three posts, and I've finished this one. Next one will be after the SORUCK. Take carea all!!
Date: 2009-03-28
To: First Hike of the Year!
Miles today: 626.4

A week from today, I will be back on the AT, and I can't wait. Unfortunately, life has kept me away since last June, and it's time I got back to hiking. My buddy, Gene, will be joining me on this hike, and he flies in from Chicago on Friday. Alas, my other friend, Randy, who inspired this hike will not be able to join us due to tendinitis in his knee, but there is always the future, and I'm sure he'll get out there with me one of these days. The plan is to hike from Devil's Fork Gap to Erwin for a 32 mile hike, and in breaking with my usual hiking style, I will be taking 3.5 days to do this hike, focusing on enjoying my time out with an old friend. I'm just getting over a sinus infection, so the lungs we'll still be pretty messed up when I step on the trail, but, hey, I'm all about punishing myself on the first day of a hike, and we're only doing six miles on the first day, so no big deal, right?In other news, as can be seen by the photo, I have a new member of the family. Sampson is an Aussie Shepherd pup, about 18 weeks old, and we picked him up from a rescue shelter two weeks ago. I'm in the process of getting the little guy healthy right now, but I intend to take the next year to get him ready to go out on his first multi-day hike with me. He's incredibly bright, and pretty calm. I've already got him trained to walk on the leash, and to come when called, but sometimes his puppy curiosity gets in the way. I know some people hate dogs on the trail, and I can see their point of view. That is why he won't be out on overnights with me until he is big enough to carry a pack, and until he learns his commands. Anways, I don't have much else to say right now, I might post a quick note before I leave, and if not, then I'll be back with my trip report in a couple of weeks!
Date: 2009-04-04
From: Devil's Fork Gap

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Well another year on the trail has begun and we have some serious miles to do with some terrible weather moving in on us. Only six miles today, and done by 1pm. Tomorrow will be at least 10 miles, perhaps more. It all depends on how fast Gene can go. I always forget how rough it is when you come out for your first day on the trail. Today's hiking was nice, and tomorrow should prove nice hiking as well. Any hoo, I'm tired and it's time for bed. Through hikers are still out hanging at the inferno Gene and I built. It's after ten, amazing!Met Tagless, Tagalong, Jaybird, High Top, Boomer, Mudflap, etc. today.
Date: 2009-04-05
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Spivey Gap
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

Wow! 16 miles and seven peaks today. We finally made it to Spivey Gap by around 6:30pm. I saw Tagless and Tagalong waiting for a ride into town. Tagless is having a leg problem. I was surprised at how well I hiked today. Gene was dragging at the end of the day, and I feel bad hiking so far ahead of him, but I wait at summits, I just have to hike at my own pace. It was too bad Randy couldn't have come along to hike with him. I guess Chicago legs need more time to warm up in the mountains. Anyways, weather's supposed to turn bad tonight, and that leaves us 11 miles to hike in shitty weather tomorrow. Big Bald was gorgeous, but the climb up almost killed me. Weather was in the 60s and 70s today, supposed to drop down to the 40s and 50s tomorrow, with rain. Tenting tonight, I hope we don't have to pack up our tents in the rain. Ugh, I hate packing up in the rain. Time for lights out!
Date: 2009-04-06
From: Spivey Gap

To: Erwin, Uncle Johnny's Hostel
Miles today: 11.3

Today I flew. 12 miles by 12:30, and I didn't start till after 8am. Averaged 3 miles an hour on my third day. Made it to the last shelter,and tried to wait for Gene, but the temp dropped ten degrees in 45 minutes down to 38 degrees, I was in shorts, so I had to get moving. Decided to blue blaze off the mountain, so I had to walk an extra mile down the road, but that's ok, gotta do a blue blaze on every hike. Met a local who was dumping railroad plates because no one would buy them. It's always interesting who you meet out there on the trail. I lucked out, made it in by 12:30, and went to get my shower. It wasn't until in the shower that the skies opened up. Gene finally came down around 2:15pm. Felt bad for him, but he was in his usual good spirits. Wants to hike again with me next year, but somewhere with less elevation changes. All in all I felt pretty good with my pack set up, put in good miles, I should be all set for Virginia this summer. I managed to keep up with the thrus near me, something I doubt I'll be able to do come northern Va in June, but we'll see.
Date: 2009-02-04
To: Back on the Trail
Miles today: 0.0

This year I will set off on my third thru-hike attempt. They say the third time is the charm or is it bad things come in threes. I don't consider my first two hikes bad things so it must be the third time is the charm.In keeping with the theme of threes I have three different scenarios for starting my hike. My favorite and currently most likely scenario is to start around May 11 and do a traditional northbound hike. That is late to start but research has shown me that it isn't too late to start. Would prefer starting earlier but I graduate May 9 so I can't go anywhere until after that. This is my favorite option because I just want to hike in one direction and I prefer that direction be north.The second scenario would be to wait until June and do a head start hike at Waynesboro or Harper's Ferry. I don't like this option as much because I would have to deal with getting back to my starting point after reaching Katahdin. I have hike the trail from Springer to Waynesboro so this option would let me start with all new to me trail. Also if I had to cut my hike short I would have more of the AT completed by choosing this option. This option is my second choice.The third scenario would be starting southbound in July. This would again have the benefit of heading in just one direction. A drawback would be that the trail in Maine would make for a more difficult start than the other scenarios. Another drawback is that I would be twiddling my thumbs from May to July waiting to start. And the last drawback is that it would be Winter by the time I finished. I actually prefer hiking in the cold to the heat but I'd like to have this hike finished earlier in the year so I can start my after hike plans.My next entry will cover what I have learned from my previous hikes.
Date: 2009-02-10
To: What I'll do differently
Miles today: 0.0

I have learned a little from my two previous hikes. I'm not going to make major changes in gear. I have had that figured out pretty well from the start and my gear hasn't caused me any problems. My changes will be to me.The first thing I need to do is drink more water. I got dehydrated both of the previous times I hiked and it made for some miserable hiking. I didn't even realize I was dehydrated at the time, I just thought I was sick. I didn't think I was dehydrated before because I wasn't thirsty and when I did drink water I had a hard time keeping it down. After coming back from a section hike later I realized I was dehydrated when I stepped in the shower and my hands and feet immediately pruned up which is a sign of dehydration. My plan for this hike is to keep water easily available in a Camelbak or similar container. I didn't drink much water while hiking because I would need to stop,take off my pack, and then get my water out to get a drink. I also need to drink even when I'm not thirsty. My thirst mechanism usually doesn't kick in until it is too late, if it kicks in at all. I'll probably take some Gatorade or other electrolyte type mix as well.The other big change is that I will have plenty of money to hike and still have money left when I get back home. Worrying about money did affect my enjoyment of my hikes before and was a big factor in my deciding to cut the hikes short. I don't plan to spend much money on this hike but it will be a big comfort mentally to know that I have the money available if I need it.
Date: 2009-02-18
To: My $1000 Thru-Hike Budget
Miles today: 0.0

My plan is to hike the trail on a budget of $1000. I hope to hike the trail in 5 months which would give me a $200 a month budget. I figure $100 will be for food and $100 for hostels,laundry,etc. I have hiked over a 1000 miles on the AT and based on my past experience I think this is a realistic budget although I probably spent more than that on my previous hikes. It will take some discipline and planning to keep within this budget.I will keep track of all my expenses so you can see where my money is going. If after hiking for a while it appears that hiking on this budget isn't possible or will take all the fun out of hiking I am prepared to adjust my budget. I have several thousand available for the hike but I want to challenge myself to do it on $1000. This is part of my overall plan to have my total living expenses be under $10k for the year.I'll add more details later but I've got to get off the computer now.
Date: 2009-03-19
To: Update
Miles today: 0.0

The plane tickets have been bought and we'll be arriving in Atlanta on May 11. I'll start hiking on May 12 with my GF who will be hiking the first couple days with me. We plan to stay at the Hiker Hostel and shuttle back to the hostel at the end of the day. After that I'll be on my own. It looks like there are a few other thru-hikers starting around that time so I won't be the only thru-hiker out there.A little more on my $1000 hiking budget. This only includes money I spend on the trail such as food,hostels,replacement gear,laundry,etc. It doesn't include transportation to and from the trail head or my initial gear. My GF will meet me along the trail a few times during my hike and I'm not counting as part of my hiking budget either. Meeting the $1000 budget will still be difficult.Part of my plan to keep costs down is to have very few zeros and opt for nearos instead. Sticking to that plan when I'm on the trail might be difficult when the comforts of town are tempting me. I also hope to occasionally just to go into a town and resupply, do laundry, take a shower and head back out. If I can do that it will certainly keep my costs down. Also I plan to tent more rather than restricting my daily mileage to stay at a shelter. That was my plan last hike too but I still stayed in a shelter the vast majority of the time so we'll see what happens this time. These things should save me time as well as money. Hopefully I will be able to implement them fairly often.
Date: 2009-05-08
To: Hike Delayed
Miles today: 0.0

My thru-hike will be delayed. I have an opportunity to make good money for the next couple of months and don't feel like I should pass it up. I'll get on the trail at the beginning of August. I will either do a southbound thru-hike or complete the trail I haven't yet hiked. That would be from Waynesboro to Katahdin. I'll make up my mind on that as the hiking date draws nearer.
Date: 2009-08-03
From: Palmerton

To: Bake Oven Knob Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: few clouds

Got a late start and got into this shelter about 7:30pm. Was surprised to find it full of thru-hikers and section hikers. Had only 1 hiker (southbounder-Castle) with me at Leroy Smith. Most of them tented and I took a space in the shelter.
Date: 2009-08-05
From: Allentown Shelter

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Arrived here at 12:30. Much too early to stop for the day but I stopped anyway. This shelter no longer has sodas and ice cream available like it used to. It does still have a shower and flush toilet though both of which I used. They were nice little luxuries to have on the trail. Decided I would go into Hamburg tomorrow and get off the trail.
Date: 2009-08-06
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Hamburg
Miles today: 10.0

Took a blue blaze from Eckville to Hamburg which cut off a lot of miles. I'm not sure how many miles it cut off but I was checking in to the Hamburg Microtel Inn at 12:30 despite taking a roundabout route to the motel once I reached Hamburg. I'm a slow hiker, I average about 1.5-1.75 miles an hour which should give you an idea of how many miles I saved by blue blazing.
Date: 2009-08-07
From: Hamburg

To: Home
Miles today: 1100.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I left the Microtel in the morning and caught the public bus to Reading from Cabelas. From the Reading bus station I took another bust to the Reading airport and rented a car one-way to Kansas City. The rate was only $89 a day which is pretty good for a one-way rental. I had a long day of driving to make it to KC in 24 hours but it was much better than the bus.Even though I cut this trip short I still plan to go hiking again with a couple of changes. I won't start in the heat of summer. I also plan to buy a new tent. A dependable tent would have allowed me to hike a little farther some days and avoid hotels other days. It will be well worth the money. See you next year. I hope.
Date: 2009-07-19
From: CT

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

So its not really july 19th- i can't go back in time, but I'm gonna try and give this trailjournals business a go. Don't have much faith in me, I will probably only halfway do this before I give up completely. Oh and I have to throw up the last two months of trail life in order to make any sense of it. But for the now, my intentions are good!
Date: 2009-07-20
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked Katahdin today with my pops, we both survived, though he didn't make it all the way to the summit. Still very proud of him, it was a damn tough climb for me, and well, much tougher for him! Some tricky scrambles and vertical boulder walls, but fun to tackle nonetheless. Beautiful class I day, great views from the summit and perfect weather for a nice long day of climbing. Broke in my new salomons the only way I know how, beating them up on a rough climb! Perfect way to start my trip...onward south!
Date: 2009-07-21
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Hurd Brook Lean-To
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: overcast clouds

So sore! Katahdin is a slow-releasing *itch! Said adios to mi papa, then off to the trail. Two lovely river crossings in which I did the newbie move of taking off my shoes and socks and crossing in crocs. Oh how naive I was then. The rest of Maine taught me my lesson, don't you worry! Spent the night with Yak, Sugargrits, Unplugged and Big Boots. Nice night, good convo, and lots of "research" for the rest of my trip. I guess thats what happens when youre the only green one in the crowd. (two NOBOs, one flipflop and one second attempt-er)Working on learning the ways of the trail, where the best magic is, and all the other tricks along the way. Oh, and trying to decode the thru-hiker language- "stealthing" "yogi-ing" "slackpacking" "zeros and neros"...felt like a total idiot since I had no idea what they were talking about, but I wasn't about to ask, since they clearly all knew! (Of course, now I drop those terms like prom dresses, but I try and make an effort to explain what they mean when I get a response of blank faces!)Oh and lots of moose tracks along the way, which left me slightly baffled. Now the trail is rather skinny, and the trees are rather dense, so if I run into a moose on trail, what on earth do I do!? I mean clearly it has right of way based on size, yet I have larger brain capacity...thankfully this scenario never played out!quote of the night - (in regards to Sugargrits concern over which hostel in Monson was closer to the post office) "The only difference is whether you need a super soaker 2000 or 4000 to hit it." -Unplugged
Date: 2009-07-22
From: Hurd Brook Lean-To

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-To
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Slow slog through the mud, knee deep mud, and mystery rocks that are really just holes with more mud. Very pretty shelter right along the river, but a ridiculously whiny, ragtag-looking crowd there that night...ah well, I guess the pretty people are further south!
Date: 2009-07-23
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-To

To: Nahmakanta Lake
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Up and out early ("early," for me, is relative, were talking like 8am) easy hiking day along some lakes and hills, viewed a cloudy Katahdin in the distance. Ran into Yak for lunch at Wadleigh shelter, then jumped in the lake for a nice afternoon swim and sunbathing on the "beach." Nearly had an awkward naked encounter with a NOBO'r but managed to avoid it by near seconds...oops! stealth-ish camped along the lake with Yak and Postman, though it wasn't really a stealth since there were picnic tables and his and hers privies...oh I created a delicious dinner of mashed potatoes, summer sausage, cheese and craisins. Okay, well I was happy.
Date: 2009-07-24
From: Nahmakanta Lake

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: moderate rain

Crap. Woke up to rain. Bummer dude. Well it got my butt up and moving out of my tent faster than the norm. Rained pretty much all day. I was attempting to keep my feet dry, but then I fell into a river stupidly and stopped caring about my feet. Though it was probably for the best. Got into the shelter around 4 after a mean Mainer fisherman taunted me with beer, then didn't give me one. Jerkface. Said farewell to Miles, the 16-yr old section hiker that was getting off for an injury (though he came back on later!) but then met two very nice couples hiking the wilderness NOBO. You win some, and you loose some. Ah, the privy at the shelter was very nice, FYI.
Date: 2009-07-25
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to

To: Logan Brook Lean-To
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: clear sky

Everyone in the shelter decided to sleep in late to my delight! As the sun came out, so did all the wet gear and it looked like an outdoorsman's dream tag sale. Managed to shed a few ounces of water weight, then packed and made for the slow and steady climb up the side of White Cap. Grumbled my way up there to find both a massive trail crew and summer camp with there respective tarp cities everywhere. Boo. But atleast the shelter was empty for my dozing pleasure. Managed to give myself a brain freeze while washing my hair in the stream, then singed my fingers on my heat shield in front of the kiddie group. Somehow I didn't spew profanities out my ears, but I sure wanted to! Only blisters I've gotten so far, knock on wood, and they were on my fingers. Gr.
Date: 2009-07-26
From: Logan Brook Lean-To

To: East Chairback Pond
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: light rain

Well no irony or anything, but White Cap was completely socked in. Ah well, no skin off my teeth, only my knuckles. Unable to stealth where planned due to a friendly ridgerunner visit, so pushed on to the pond to stealth there. Another ford today, so wet feet, and semi-wet gear, and very tired, but stoked with the progess of the day. Milestone of the day: Took my first official poo in the woods of my AT thru hike. And I mean "in the wood." No privy or whatnot, but trowel, cathole, you know the drill. I'll spare the details, but it was awesome.
Date: 2009-07-27
From: East Chairback Pond

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-To
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: light rain

Chairback was a nasty climb. I don't want to even think of it right now. The sun finally popped out, and with it cell phone signal! Wahoo! Called my daddy and emily, and got some encouraging words, then scrambled down Barren Mtn while being pelted with hail. Large, hard, painful hail. But it stopped. Just as I got the shelter. Gr. Met up with SOBO's- Steve, Kevin, and crazy pyscho dog Morgan.
Date: 2009-07-28
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-To

To: Leeman Brook Lean-To
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: scattered clouds

I believe the Chinese call this date "The Day of the Flying Dog." A few more fords with Yak, Kevin and Morgan. Managed to clip Morgan by the harness onto the cables spanning the ravines. A ridiculous sight, but for a ridiculous dog, it seemed fitting. Beautiful sunshine, dried out gear and took my darn sweet time strolling into Leeman. Managed to barter two water runs for an Inertia cheesecake dessert. I'm good. Also recieved a temporary trail name though it didn't stick: The nun. Clearly based on my purity and simple, innocent values. And a conversation that ran along the lines of "Only bad girls go to bed after midnight!" "Well I go to bed at 8, so what does that make me?" "A Nun!"
Date: 2009-07-29
From: Leeman Brook Lean-To

To: Monson - Lakeshore House
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: broken clouds

Took off from Leeman with Oddjob, another flipflopper. Made it to the trailhead in about an hour, then got lucky and caught a ride with Pancho, Isabel, and dog Sallie. Got into the Lakeshore house, got laundry hooked up, then went straight the the water trampoline and phallic add-on. The beers began flowing and the resupply was a miserable drunken mess, but who doesn't love poptarts for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?! Too many beers equals confusing nights, but there was some shawshank redemption, blueberry beer, teabagging, and passing out.