morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-08-13
To: Louisiana
Miles today: 0.0

Following covers a the few days after the trail and my trip home:I grabbed breakfast then checked out at around 11am and walked to McDonald's for Lunch. I then called the Hostel to see if they had space and they did. It was about 1.5 miles to the hostel but I felt like walking and had plenty time. I got to the Hostel and settled in. I was going to stay there for the night then get a ride to the Bus Station to head out to Bangor to meet my mom at the airport. I had originally thought I would summit a little later and she would already be in town and possibly rent car and meet me at Baxter State Park, but now we had a little time to spend in Maine together.A little later in the afternoon Champa, Squid, and Crazy Legs rolled in, it was good to see them again. They had got a hitch from ABOL and were waiting on better weather to Summit. A little after that came Badger and Quickstart and then Jacob a SOBO I had met in the HMW that had to head back home for a death in the family, and Gentle Ben. Quickstart, Badger, and Gentle Ben summited that day and had pretty good weather. The ranger's advice to me ended up not being correct but oh well he was going off of the current weather reports and I still had an awesome experience. A couple of us went eat supper then grabbed more food on the walk back from the Grocery store, hiker hunger was still set in. It was great to see everybody again.The Next Day I made it over to Bangor and sat at the Airport bar killing Baxter IPAs and watching a rerun of the Saints vs Patriots pre season game.Mom Arrived and it was great to see her! We got to the hotel then went out to eat an amazing meal at McLaughlin Seafood. The next day I had lunch with my buddy from college, Jay who was currently in the area. Mom and I then took a bus to Boston and got to spend a few hours there then jumped on a train to D.C. and got to take some tours. After that we jumped on the Crescent train in a sleeper car to call all the way down to New Orleans. It was a pretty awesome way to head home and add to the adventure!Currently working on a blog. It will cover gear reviews, places I stayed out, places I ate at, as well as tell some stories in more depth then I did on here and cover whatever else I feel like putting in there. You can find it here: https://keeppushingon.wordpress.com/Currently I have not done much with it but plan to keep something posted and the layout finished in a day or two!
Date: 2015-01-06
To: So excited....
Miles today: 0.0

I wasn't sure when to start a journal, but I guess there's no better time than today!   I decided January 1, 2015 would be the day that I began preparing for my thru hike.   I spent much of the last 18 months researching what it takes and how I would accomplish this goal. Now it's time for action!
Date: 2015-01-06
To: 3 generations
Miles today: 0.0

I have 2 awesome boys that are my life.   My oldest, Kyle, will be taking on this adventure with me (Now that he's found out it's not all old people like me on the trail) My very cool dad will be starting with us in GA and will be met in Franklin, NC by my mom and sister (assuming he gets off the trail, but don't tell my mom that or she won't let him go haha)My dad and I have done a few backpacking trips and have more planned for this Spring. My son and sister will be joining us in May when we go to Max Patch.   We hiked that area last May but will be backpacking it this year.   3 generations on the trail. ..life is good!
Date: 2015-01-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

My oldest son started thinking about thru hiking after this trip to Hot Springs.   With views like this, how could you not want to spend 6 months living in the midst of it. It poured on us during that trip, but even that we turned into fun. I know we'll get sick of rain, bugs, heat and being to cold, but I think the amazing days in between will keep us moving forward.
Date: 2015-01-07
To: Mr. Awesome aka dad
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Now that I've gotten the journal up and running, I'll tell you a bit about us and our plans. This is my dad. I like to call him Mr. Awesome, but my sisters refer to him as T.O.M. (The Old Man), which is probably why I'm his favorite haha. My dad and I started doing some hiking together a couple of years ago and decided to add some backpacking into the mix. We've had a lot of fun learning, reading and just getting out there and trying...oh and of course shopping for gear! Even when it's raining we've enjoyed the time.My plan is to thru hike the AT starting April 1, 2016.   My dad will be starting at Springer with us and hiking up until Franklin, NC. My mom and sister, Cindy, will meet us there. At that point, Kyle and I will continue on North.
Date: 2015-01-07
To: Mrs. Awesome
Miles today: 0.0

My mom is the best! I know she misses my dad when we're gone yet she smiles and cheers us on anyway. We have a few trips planned for this Spring already.   To say "thank you", my dad and I are taking mom to Asheville for vacation this Spring.   We promise not to take any hikes while we're there. Wish us luck!!
Date: 2015-01-10
To: K-man
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

My oldest son, Kyle, affectionately known as K-man to grandpa, will be thru hiking with me. Kyle will be 21 by the time we leave and is trying to figure out what he wants to do in the future.   Oh to be young and have your whole life ahead of you.   I hope whatever he decides, he lives the life he wants and lives it to the fullest!
Date: 2015-01-10
To: Zach Attack
Miles today: 0.0

Ahhh my bashful little Z'er. Trying to find a picture of him is not that easy.   Z, aka Zach, is my baby.   He hasn't hiked with us yet but plans on it this Spring.   His brother told him how much fun he had with grandpa and me so now he wants to try. But if you see us out on the trail this year you'll know which one is Zach. He'll be the 6'1 boy trying to hide behind his very short mom!
Date: 2015-01-10
To: Upcoming plans
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

We've got a few trips for this Spring planned so far. Dad and I will be heading to Croatan National Forest before the bugs and snakes start coming out.   I'm excited about that trip because 1) it's coming up soon! 2) It'll be something different from previous trips.   I love exploring new parks and trails.Our second trip will be with Kyle and my sister, Cindy, up around Max Patch.   We hiked that area last year, but will be backpacking it this year.   I'm ecstatic about that!! Our third trip we have planned will be dad, Kyle, Zach and me.   I think I'm most excited about this.   To be out on the trail with the 3 most important guys in my life will be awesome!!!! This trip will be up to the Grayson Highlands.   I'm really hoping to see the wild ponies. And of course we have the trip to Asheville with mom.   That's going to be a different kind of fun! Dad and I keep telling ourselves we won't go hiking while we're there. This trip is all about mom! And dad may have said something about the cost of alimony....
Date: 2015-03-09
To: New pack
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Dad and I got some miles in this week.   I'm so glad Spring is here and the time has changed!   I got to try my new pack. So far, so good. And before anyone says anything about my poor posture, he snapped the pic while I was adjusting the straps.   Kyle had to work a lot this week and was not happy that he missed 2 days of hiking with us. Hopefully next week our schedules will work out better.   Really I should say his schedule.   Dad is retired and my full time job only requires me to work 7-8 days a month. Dad and I are headed to Croatan this week for 2 days and 20 miles.   It's supposed to rain, but at this point I don't think either of us care....just happy to be getting out there!
Date: 2015-03-29
To: And so the countdown begins....
Miles today: 0.0

I can't believe we'll be leaving for Georgia one year from today.   My dad and I went to Croatan National Forest a couple of weeks ago. It was a good trip overall, but we underestimated the trail. With all the mud and water it made the 22 miles more difficult than I thought it would be.   Also, only 1 of the 3 wells were functional and I may have gotten us off trail and extended our road walk by a mile or so. I still had a great time though. Kyle and I are busy buying gear and preparing.   Mom is learning how to dehydrate now that she learned she actually has a dehydrate function on her ovens. Dad's learning the importance of drinking enough fluids.Overall, everyone is staying busy.
Date: 2015-05-07
To: Prep hike
Miles today: 0.0

We spent a few days in the mountains this week and hiked from Max Patch Rd to Hot Springs. Met a lot of very nice people and learned a lot about gear we still want to buy. We both decided we want 20° underquilts! We packed way to much food even though it was only 2000-2500 calories.   I think we'll start with a little less for the first week or so and then add more.All in all it was a great trip out with my dad and sister along to help us out. Kyle and I both decided on our trail names. His is from a movie and mine is my new mantra to get me up the mountains. "Suck it up Buttercup and get your a$$ up that hill!"Next we are off to Virginia for a 40 mile hike with my youngest son.   I can't wait!
Date: 2016-01-05
To: Getting closer!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Getting so close I can almost smell the mountain air! Dude and I have moved in with my parents (poor mom with all of this gear in the house!) I have 17 shifts left at work, not that I'm counting 67 days or 408 hours of work left *coughcough* It may be 384. Dude and I went to South Mountain State Park for an overnighter to test out some gear. It was rainy which made the waterfall all the more beautiful! The Frogg Toggs worked well. We both stayed toasty warm. Now if we can just figure out these tarps and having better coverage. It's definitely operator error on that. We'll figure it out soon. We will be heading out again soon to test the quilts during cold weather. We're hoping to use a layering system to keep our baseweight down.
Date: 2016-04-02
From: Wolfpen hostel

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 96.5
Weather: clear sky

I ended up sick with the flu and headed home to recover. The Dude continued on North until we met again at Wayah Bald. I brought my hiking partners with me for the hike.I'm trying to get the journal back in track so please ignore the discrepancies in mileage etc on previous entries.
Date: 2016-04-14
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: Cold Springs Shelter
Miles today: 4.8

We had a really nice day hiking. I'm not sure if Cindy is regretting her decision to join us. Dad and I were happy to be on the trail again! The Dude just powers thru these days but is very gracious in knowing that he's got a lot more miles than I do. We've met a lot of really great people out here and are having a blast.
Date: 2016-04-16
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 5.9

We made it! Food!!! The Dude made it down first, of course, and found the cold beer. The descent into the NOC was a little rough but fun. The stay in a cabin and a hearty meal made it all worth it. Our hiking partner and sherpa will leave us tomorrow after breakfast....mmmm pancakes.
Date: 2015-10-15
To: You think we should WHAT?
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I don't really remember how exactly the idea came to be. One minute we're a family who hikes, and the next minute we're a family who is going to hike the Appalachian Trail. How did that even happen? My dad started it all. One day he was talking about it, and the next day my mom and my dad decided they were going together. Then my sister, Anna, was talking about it, and now, somehow, we're all going.It took me a while to warm up to the idea. Georgia to Maine. You want me to hike from Georgia...to Maine...GEORGIA TO MAINE!?!What is wrong with you people?!That's like over 2,000 miles!That's like months and months of hiking!That's like half a year!That sounds so hard!That sounds so fun...That sounds life changing...That sounds...amazing!I WANT TO HIKE FROM GEORGIA TO MAINE!
Date: 2015-12-05
To: But what about...Life?
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I am a student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst studying Hospitality and Tourism Management in the Isenberg School of Management. I worked hard in high school; I work hard in college; I work hard at my job; I work and work and work in order to prepare for my future. I make sure my resume is up to snuff; I make plans for networking opportunities and possible internships, and I make plans for a myriad of different futures that all have a degree of flexibility...that I have also planned for.Enter CURVEBALL.I'm going to hike the Appalachian Trail. Well, that came out of nowhere. Yes, I've hiked all my life and keep an active lifestyle; however, I don't think I've gone on a camping trip for more than like...three days at a time? I don't know HOW I'm going to do this, but I'm GOING to do this.But what about School?I didn't plan for this-how does this fit into my plans?I will take the spring 2016 semester off, hike all spring and all summer, averaging 15 miles a day, and finish in time for the fall semester.But what if after the trail I don't want to be a Hospitality Major at Umass anymore?It is a possibility that after such a drastic, life-changing experience I won't want to go back...however, I am not going to throw away all the hard work I've done (and all the gazillions of dollars in loans that I've taken out and have been paying for since Day 1). So, I will go back even if it's not what I want to do anymore because I'll only have one year left and maybe I could still use my degree to do what I want and just gear it towards an outdoor lifestyle. Who knows.But what about Money?I'm a college student. Ergo--thousands and thousands of dollars in loans. Ergo--working my ass off to pay them. Ergo--BROKE. Gear is expensive; food is expensive; living is expensive...I don't really have an answer to this category, which actually, really sucks. Since I'm taking a semester off college my "Grace Period" for loans will be up in 6 months, so while I'm on the trail even though I'll already be bleeding money, They're just going to take one of those tools embalmers used to pull the person's brains through their noses and do that to me...multiple times...while I'm hiking 20 miles a day. THANKS. THANK YOU.Yeah, yeah, I know, my choice and all. Whatever, it still blows.Really, I've had months to think about this (and my planning mind has already thought of alternatives and alternatives to the alternatives), so my current mindset is that this is what I want to do. This is what will most benefit me and my life. But what about--nothing. I'm doing this.
Date: 2016-01-30
To: Oh man Oh man Oh man
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

50 days until we fly to Georgia. 50 days!I am so excited-scared-anxious-antsy-nervous-eager. It's so close.I want to just GO!I am also enjoying the warm comfort of my home while I have it though...and showers. I'm enjoying my showers.Oh, so my parents are going ten days ahead of my sister and me. They are starting March 10th, and I think they're doing the approach trail. Anna and I are starting March 21st (3-2-1-GO!), and we're starting at Springer Mountain (so we're back tracking the 0.8 mi to the top). They think we're going to catch up with them eventually. We just might.I can't believe it's so close. I'm still so unprepared! Anna has such a relaxed view of everything...and I love that it balances my...eager(?) nature; we're getting there though, and I'm being patient. While still trying to be proactive.
Date: 2016-02-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Went out to dinner with my sister, my parents, and two thru-hikers the other night!My parents found out there was a woman right down the street from us who had thru-hiked the trail in 2015 while her husband acted as her trail angel along the way. Neon is spunky and fantastic and had lots of trail wisdom for us!Giuseppe is a Yo-Yoer! My parents met him while they were doing a section of the trail in Maine this summer. I think during the second half of his second Yo-Yo he hurt his knee and had to retire from the trail for a bit. Luckily we got to meet him, and he told us a ton about gear and which hostels and shelters he liked best. I'm so grateful I got to meet with both of them. It made the trail seem that much closer and that much more real. Can't wait for a second meeting where I can have more specific questions prepared so that I can learn as much as possible from them!
Date: 2016-02-19
To: LESS THAN A MONTH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

What's going through my head these days:LESSTHANAMONTHLESSTHANAMONTHLESSTHANAMONTHLESSTHANAMONTHLESSTHANAMONTHLESSTHANAMONTHLESSTHANAMONTHLESSTHANAMONTHLESSTHANAMONTHLESSTHANAMONTHLESSTHANAMONTHLESSTHANAMONTHLESSTHANAMONTHLESSTHANAMONTHLESSTHANAMONTHLESSTHANAMONTHLESSTHANAMONTHLESSTHANAMONTHLESSTHANAMONTHLESSTHANAMONTHLESSTHANAMONTHLESSTHANAMONTHLESSTHANAMONTHLESSTHANAMONTHLESSTHANAMONTHLESSTHANAMONTHLESSTHANAMONTHLESS. THAN. A. MONTH.LESS THAN A MONTH???!!!???!??!?!????!???!LESS THAN A MONTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HolyOhMyJiminyCricketMotherOfUnpreparednessFudgingFiddlesticksofFIREI'm NOT READY!!but...I'm SO Ready.(but for real though--still need more gear, still need to dehydrate more dinners, still need to plan drop-box particulars, still need to figure out loan/money situation, and I'm sure there's GOBS more I'm forgetting right now but AGUHSUHJKFDSHJKAHSJFDSLESSTHANAMONTH!!!)
Date: 2016-02-23
To: It's a MAD HOUSE
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

It's a mad house.Three dehydrators going at once, boxes of food strewn throughout the hallway and stacked up in bedrooms, and if we aren't working, we're training or planning.It's so busy--and so exciting!If I get a day off work, I'm outside for most of the day and planning or dehydrating the rest of the day. Being outside feels so great.Verge and I went exploring in the woods with packs on yesterday. It was lovely. I fell through the ice into a three foot deep puddle and landed flat on my face with my 30lb pack holding me down in the half frozen, muddy, wet, sludge, soaking the entire front of my body (mind you it was 34 degrees out), and we couldn't stop laughing! It was awesome.
Date: 2016-02-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

It's all about mindset. I read something that said that if a week into the trail you're thinking that it was easier than you thought, then you're going to make it to Maine.I've been mentally preparing myself however I can. Some people have said that because the weather has been so wacky and warmer than usual here (New England), then it must be warmer down South! Well...not true. New England is just weird. But also, I'm just going to prepare myself for the worst.Is it possible that it will be 40-50 and sunny and light flurries once in a while and not much snow on the ground and the spring will come sooner than usual? Yes!Am I telling myself that that is how it will be? ABSOLUTELY FRICKEN NOT!I am sincerely imagining myself trudging through a foot or two of snow, with wet feet, through 40mph winds, with sleet pelting my face, which then turns to rain, while I can't feel my hands, and my shoulders are screaming at me, and my butt is numb, and my hamstring is tight, and my soggy feet are causing limp-worthy blisters, and my stove won't light due to low temperatures and wind (and even if it did my hands wouldn't be able to work anyway) and I go to sleep freezing and soggy and in pain and wake up the next day not to a beautiful sunny day that melts away the terrors of the day before but yet another day of exactly the same thing.Obviously there are things you can't prepare for on the trail. I could be wrong about the weather; maybe it will be perfect hiking weather (40, sunny, beautiful). It could be a completely different issue that I hadn't even thought to be preparing myself for. What if it's food? What if Verge and I are grossly underestimating how much we're going to eat? What if my shoes are the worst possible choice I could have made and two days into the trail I want to chop my feet off? Maybe it will be an emotional thing? Maybe Verge will be way more in shape than me and I can't keep up and I get disheartened? WHO KNOWS!But I'm trying as hard as I can to imagine the worst trip possible. The best part about it is that I'm still excited to go.
Date: 2016-03-20
To: Travel Day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Verge and I stayed up until 12am rushing to get everything done.-Did we pack the fuel?-Did we pack the charger?-Did we find that hat?-Did we print the tickets?-Are all the dishes, laundry, trash, and recycling done?-Wanna just do a quick vacuum?-Are our alarms set for 2:50am?That's right--We had to leave for the airport at 3:15am. 3:15!! Ew. Barely 3 hours of sleep.We got to the airport just in time to board our flight to Atlanta (I'm always surprised by how crowded the airport can be at 4am), and we arrived at 9am. Biggest airport ever. Easily found the MARTA (the train) and rode it to the last stop: North Springs, where we were to get picked up by Duffy from the Hiker Hostel. We met a wonderful lady outside the MARTA station named Jeanie who saw we were hikers and said she lived near the trail and would be more than happy to offer us a roof over our heads if we needed it later on in the trail--talk about southern hospitality! Then we met two very nice guys from Hamberg, Germany (Chris and Kay) who were also waiting to get picked up by Duffy. It turns out Kay is a chef and he made us the best "last meal" we could ask for (amazing pasta and veggies--he was very sweetly considerate of the fact that I don't eat meat). We decided we'd repay them by supplying the dessert: strawberries and melted chocolate--mmmmmm. Like I said, best last meal ever.So we've met great people and had great food, oh and according to snapchat (a reliable source of course) today was the international day of happiness, which I found quite fitting for the start to our grand adventure, but we are beyond exhausted. From the time we arrived at the hostel (2pm) until dinner time (6pm), we were battling the fatigue. We distracted ourselves by playing Rummy, Crazy Eights, and Bullshit with our new friends. After dinner, we showered (probably for the last time for a while...and now we are long overdue for our beauty sleep (also probably last time sleeping in a bed for a while...)Goodnight world! Springer Mountain--here we come!!