morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-08-27
From: East Branch Lean-to

To: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 29.6
Weather: clear sky

Today was a really good day! At seven in the morning, I saw a moose with a full rack wading in the pond when I stopped to get water. I could also make out another one on the far end of the pond. I saw the first one walk out of water, shake itself off and disappear into the woods when it heard me talking to the other hiker, who had camped by the pond. It would have been nice to get a video or a picture but at least I saw it. I really wanted to see a moose on the hike.Around ten-thirty, I crossed a dirt road where Santa's Helper was setting up trail magic. I had root beer, a banana, an apple, an oatmeal cookie, a fudge cookie, and a rice crispie treat. He let me take one more of each of the sugary snacks, a couple of chocolate peanut butter bars and two waters along with a rice and a pasta side from his resupply so I wouldn't have to stop at the Landing because he had to resupply again before he finished his AT hike. This was the best resupply I've ever had!Fueled by my sugar high and because the bad storm that was supposed to arrive this afternoon didn't, I rattled off almost thirty miles by six this evening. I took the last spot in the shelter because I don't want to get wet when the storm does arrive and because it will save me time in the morning. I also don't want to be bothered setting up and taking a tent with my sore knee.The light on my iPhone camera still won¢t go out but it isn¢t draining the battery. Thankfully, I still have access to all the pictures I¢ve taken. Hopefully, the function will return to normal tomorrow or I'll be looking for a disposal camera for the finish.
Date: 2012-08-28
From: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to

To: Abol Pines
Miles today: 23.1
Weather: light rain

I was glad to be in a shelter last night when the rain hit around midnight. It also helped me get out early and put five hours in before my lunch snack became a snack break when the rain returned around noon.It was a surreal feeling seeing Mount Katahdin, knowing it was only twenty-one miles away, atop Rainbow Ledges. It was finally sinking in that this trip is almost over and I am ALMOST there. Just twenty-one miles, I thought. I could be done tomorrow! I ran out of fuel at the last lean-to while cooking lunch, which made the decision to hike to Abol Bridge instead of stopping for the day easy. I may have continued anyway since it was only three and a cheeseburger and ice cream sounded better than whatever I could have made for dinner.I bought oatmeal, candy bars, a fuel canister, donuts and one liter bottle of root beer for next two days. And I had to go back to buy a disposable camera because of course I couldn't remember and didn't see one while food shopping. I paid nine dollars to tent at the Department of Conservation's campsite. I hiked the Hundred Mile Wilderness in under eighty-one hours. It is tempting to try and finish tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll be patient and have good weather on Thursday.
Date: 2012-08-30
From: Katahdin - AT Lodge in Millinocket

To: AT Lodge in Millinocket
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

COMIN' DOWN THE MOUNTAINNN!!!I didn't sleep a whole lot last night. I was still a little buzzed from the adrenaline rush. I lied in my bunk listening to my mp3 player which included the song from which the first line of this post is taken. I figured I finally crashed around three-thirty. I had a nicer meal, seafood, to celebrate the completion of my thru with Mange tonight as opposed to dinner at the pizzeria last night. I had a great time on this hike but I had been wanting it to be over for some time. I can¢t wait to get to Connecticut, New York and then home. Thanks to everyone who helped or supported me on this trip with either actions or words. I'm sure I forgot to mention everyone. And a big thank you to my mom for being my mail drop person, paying my bills from my account and watching my cats.
Date: 2012-09-15
From: Katahdin - AT Lodge in Millinocket

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The trip homeI took a bus to Medway and another to Boston on the thirty-first. I paid the extra few dollars for the bus to Boston after a guy at the station who rides them often told me I didn't want to see the type of people that ride the cheaper bus. I hung around Boston for the day and night with Mange until he had to head to the airport to sleep and me the train station. The following morning I took the trains to Stamford and Danbury, Connecticut, where I hung out with a friend while recovering before heading into Manahttan for a day and flying home to Atlanta from LaGuardia. I took a train and a bus to within ten miles of my house and 'hiked' the rest of the way home because it seemed fitting. I spend two days running errands and picking up my valuables, including the cats, from my mom.I can't say I've had any problems adjusting back to the real world. I knew I had a bunch of responsibilities waiting for me at home but I've enjoyed eating all the foods I missed while on the trail. The week I took getting home from the trail was a nice mini vacation from my vacation and I think that helped too.I don't plan on running or hiking in the immediate future. I'll see if the Colorado Trail or JMT is in my future. For now, I'm waiting for it to cool down so I can go play golf once or twice and maybe head out to Tybee to visit friends.
Date: 2012-01-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Welcome to my trail journal! I have never had a public blog or journal before, but since many of my friends and family will want to have some assurance that I haven't been eaten by a bear or fallen off a cliff, now is a great time to start! I'll be doing a few preparation entries before March 20th, so feel free to skip ahead if you get bored with my discussions of gear and logistics.
Date: 2012-01-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Less than two months to go...It's a strange feeling, to know I'm about to walk away from everything (my job, my house, my friends, my church) to pursue this crazy dream when I'm unsure of what the outcome will be. It's a frightening proposition when I realize that I've never before attempted something of this magnitude without being confident that I would be successful. I have a fear of failure, in general, and I'm trying to overcome that because I know that attempting this and failing is much more courageous than not trying at all. I hope with all my heart that I'll make it to Katahdin, but only God knows whether that will happen. I'm trying to let go and trust that he is in control.I've spent the last year and a half preparing myself - physically, mentally, financially, and spiritually. Am I ready? I won't know until I step on the trail. I can't wait for that day to get here, mostly so I can stop THINKING about it so much and just go do it. On a lighter note, I got my AT Guide in the mail this weekend, and was so excited to start poring over the pages. It's crazy to think that I will be walking past all those mountains, springs, roads, shelters, and overlooks on my journey.
Date: 2012-01-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

This weekend I had the privilege of meeting Jennifer Pharr Davis and hearing her speak about the AT. For those of you who haven't heard of her, she has thru-hiked the trail 3 times, and during her most recent hike this past summer, she set the speed record for the trail (46 days!). That is the record for both men and women. She was a wonderful speaker and has such a passion for the trail and getting everyone involved with it, regardless of age or gender. On Friday night, she spoke about her experiences during her thru-hikes, and especially her record-setting hike. Then on Saturday, she gave a 3-hour clinic about "how to hike the AT". I didn't learn a lot of new information, but it was good to be in a room with a bunch of other people as crazy as I am and see their passion for the trail, as well as Jennifer's. She did give a lot of good tips on mental preparation and how to handle the bad days on the trail. That's the point where I'm at right now. I'm still trying to get in shape physically, but I have a good enough baseline fitness level that I should be OK. The mental, I think, is what people don't really prepare themselves for, and that's what ends up being the hardest part of the experience.
Date: 2012-02-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I've always loved motivational quotes. As a person of few words myself, I like to use the words of others to say things more eloquently than I could myself. So I thought I'd share with you a some of my favorite quotes that get me pumped up for the trail, and that I will carry with me to keep me motivated along the way. Enjoy!¢It¢s supposed to be hard. If it wasn¢t hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great.¢ ¢A League of Their Own¢I go forth to make new demands on life. I wish to begin this summer well; to do something in it worthy of it and me; to transcend my daily routine and that of my townsmen¢¦I pray that the life of this spring and summer may ever lie fair in my memory. May I dare as I have never done! May I persevere as I have never done!¢ ¢ Henry David Thoreau¢It is the mind that makes the body.¢ ¢ Sojourner Truth¢Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention...And remember: If God is for us, who can be against us?¢ ¢ Mark Batterson¢Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through the experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.¢ ¢ Helen Keller
Date: 2012-02-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

It's been unseasonably warm here in middle Tennessee, so I haven't had the opportunity to really test out my cold weather gear. The forecast for this weekend called for some cold temps, however. I was going to go backpacking by myself, but decided I didn't want to be cold and miserable with no one else to talk to, so I decided to sleep in the backyard instead. The low for last night was 15 degrees, and I'm pleased to say I was very warm. I recently got a midweight synthetic shirt and long johns, and with those on plus a silk bag liner inside my 15 degree Marmot Helium, I was nice and toasty. My face was a little cold, but I was able to cover it with the silk liner and still breathe OK. I didn't sleep great, because there were cars and trains going by all night, plus I live in the 'hood and was a little worried about drug deals going down in the alley behind my house. (That didn't actually happen, last night anyways.) But I managed to catch some sleep between 12:30 and 6:30 when I woke up having to go to the bathroom and decided to just stay in the house. I'm going on a group trip next weekend to the Smokies, which I am excited about, as I will be on the AT for the first time! It's supposed to be REALLY cold though, so I'm a little nervous about whether my gear will keep me warm when it really counts. I'll find out soon!
Date: 2012-03-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

"We get one story, you and I, and one story alone. God has established the elements, the setting and the climax and the resolution. It would be a crime not to venture out, wouldn't it? It might be time for you to go. It might be time to change, to shine out. I want to repeat one word for you: LEAVE. Roll the word around on your tongue for a bit. It is a beautiful word, isn't it? So strong and forceful, the way you have always wanted to be. And you will not be alone. You have never been alone. Don't worry. Everything will still be here when you get back. It is you who will have changed."-Donald Miller, "Through Painted Deserts: Light, God and Beauty on the Open Road"
Date: 2012-03-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Taking care of the last few things here at home...can't believe I'll be on the trail in 4 days! Aaaahhhh!!Got my maildrops all ready - I'm only doing 3 (at Fontana NC, Harpers Ferry WV, and Andover ME) in places where it's hard to find a good grocery store. I hope I packed enough food. And I my food bag is FULL with food for the first few days. Hope I can fit it in my pack! Last night I read the book "Appalachian Trials" by Zach Davis, on the recommendation of one of my hiking buddies. It was an excellent read - all about the mental and emotional prep for the trail. I highly recommend it to all you future thru-hikers out there.I get on the Greyhound at 1:30 AM on Sunday, and will arrive in Gainesville, GA at 11 AM on Monday. It's going to be a long, miserable trip, but logistically and financially it makes the most sense.That's all for now! My next update will most likely be on the trail!
Date: 2012-03-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Finally made it to Amicalola Falls State Park, after the bus trip fromhell. Watching a guy get kicked off the bus was pretty funny, though. Now I'm hanging out at the cottage with Gina (one of my hiking partners) and her parents, waiting for Sam (one of my other hiking buddies) to get here. I can't wait to meet Kerry and Rita tomorrow. When I was sitting outside the visitor's center after the taxi dropped me off, I saw 2 thru-hikers who introduced themselves to me. Excitement is in the air!Gina and I walked around the falls and the lodge for a bit today, but neither of us felt like doing much exploring. She has a sinus infection and I'm exhausted from 2 nights of no sleep on the bus. I will definitely go to bed early tonight and will hopefully feel great tomorrow! Trying to get in the habit of writing a little bit in my journal each night and reading my Bible.
Date: 2012-03-20
From: amicalola falls state park

To: springer mountain shelter
Miles today: 0.2
Weather: broken clouds

Today was a great first day! Springer Mtn was beautiful and I don't think I would have appreciated it as much had I noted hiked almost 9 miles to get there! (The approach trail is 8.8 mi, but it's not part of the "official" AT, so that's why the "daily miles" above only says 0.2.) Met up with Rita and Kerry for like 5 minutes at the beginning of the day but they took off soon after. Kerry's mom went with her and apparently had some problems along the way, so they didn't make it here tonight but everyone else did. Met some great people at the shelter tonight. Papa Bear (a long-time section hiker who got water for us), John & Virginia (ridge runners who help maintain the trail and shelters), Sonja and Eva (from Germany). It was really hot for March and bugs were bad in some spots. Some tough climbs today. Going to bed now - 8:49 PM!Oh, and my pack weighed 37 lbs at the visitor's center - I was not happy about that!
Date: 2012-03-21
From: springer mountain shelter

To: hawk mtn. shelter
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Just made it to Hawk Mtn. Shelter. It was pretty easy hiking today; could have kept going, but the next shelter is 7 miles away and that was a little too far. One small blister today on my little toe, but that's all for now. Leapfrogged with Sam and the 2 teachers from NY throughout the day. Several times today I looked up at the sky and said, "I can't believe I get to do this!"Thank you God for the great weather so far and the awesome people I've met. Kerry got here a little before me, so it will be great to catch up with her.
Date: 2012-03-22
From: hawk mtn. shelter

To: gooch mtn. shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: overcast clouds

It started out beautiful and foggy today, then it started raining. I was still in a good mood today, singing Old Crow Medicine Show songs to myself. I left Hawk Mtn. a little before 9 this morning, walked the wrong way for a couple tenths of a mile, then turned around. Arlon and I started around the same time, and got to Gooch around 1 PM. 7.7 miles in under 4 hours, not bad! We beat everyone from Hawk Mtn. except Flash. I've been hiking up the mtns. really fast and passing people, but taking it slow on the flat sections and downhills. I just want to get the hills over with, and take my time and enjoy the rest. Lots of people here tonight - it's going to be crowded!
Date: 2012-03-23
From: gooch mtn. shelter

To: lance creek campsite
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The shelter was so crowded last night! There were about 12 people inside (me included) and about 20 other people in tents and hammocks around it. We did have a visit from a very attractive forest ranger which was kind of the highlight of my day. I slept with earplugs in, which were amazing and I didn't hear a thing, including the older guy who apparently snored really loud.Tody we had one semi-challenging mountain. Arlon, Flash & I saw 3 deer near the top. (And earlier in the day, Kerry, Sam & I saw a bright orange salamander. Sadly, it was deceased.) Then we got to Woody Gap. I have never been so excited to see trash bins and a public restroom (with toilet paper!) in all my life. There was a major road to cross and it was so foggy we could barely see from one side to the other, and I almost got hit by a bicyclist! After Woody Gap, I got out my iPod and listened to Mumford & Sons and Old Crow Medicine Show for a while. That made me really happy. There is nothing like walking through the woods while listening to bluegrass. It made the last few miles go much more quickly. As of today, we've done 1% of the trail! Or, as Arlon putit, we've done 1/3 of Georgia. That sounds much better. Today also marks the longest I've been out in the woods and the most miles I've done in one trip. Hurray for me! Also the most # of days w/o a shower. I don't think I ever did more than 4 days without a shower in the summer of '05 (when I was a field manager at Mountain T.O.P.) but it's possible.
Date: 2012-03-24
From: lance creek campsite

To: mountain crossings hostel
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I am at the hostel at Mountain Crossings (Neel's Gap). So tired, can't think of anything to write...Climbed Blood Mtn today (highest mtn. on Georgia section of the AT). Going up it wasn't bad, and there was a beautiful view at the top. But going down was miserable. At one point, I felt a sharp pain in my left knee and I just about fell over. It didn't hurt after that, but now it's pretty swollen. I was in a pretty bad mood after that, even as we walked into Neels Gap. I was so overwhelmed by all the food and stuff.I took a shower and did laundry. Before dinner I had one of the employees at the outfitter go thru my pack and he said I did a great job! So that made me happy. I am sending home the fleece, since I have the down jacket. And I got a waterproof sack for my Marmot, one for my food, and longer rope.
Date: 2012-03-25
From: mountain crossings hostel

To: Low Gap shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Such a long day today - biggest miles yet! Knee felt a lot better today, but it's still a little swollen. Got a slow start leaving Neels today - left a little before 10. Hiked part of the day with Jersey, Brian & Bea, and Sam. They kept me laughing the whole time. And we found trail magic - a case of Rolling Rock at Testanee Gap. Sam & I shared a bottle. And Sam got her trail name today - Bunny. (b/c the sweat stain on her back was in the shape of a bunny). Brian has most likely adopted the name Mr. Incredible (b/c he looks like the guy from the movie The Incredibles). And Bea, his girlfriend, is Elastagirl.
Date: 2012-03-26
From: Low Gap shelter

To: Blue Mtn. shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: clear sky

Got to the shelter a little after 12 and didn't feel like going any further. Trying to take it easy on the knee. When Brian got here, he gave me a hard time about it, but I don't care. It's only day 7 people!! I love the group I've been hiking with, but I have to take care of myself and hike my own hike. So I have a nice lazy afternoon ahead of me. Maybe I'll feel so good tomorrow that I'll catch up to them, but I doubt it. They seem intent on doing 11-13 miles per day to get to Hiawassee. I'll get there when I get there. I'm not that desperate to get into town; feeling pretty at peace out here.I have amazing cell phone service here so I called REI and a new hip belt for my pack is on its way. It should hopefully get to Nantahala Outdoor Center about the same time that I do.
Date: 2012-03-27
From: Blue Mtn. shelter

To: Addis Gap campsite
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: clear sky

Biggest day yet! Kinda thought my legs would fall off toward the end there, but I survived. Saw Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl @ Tray Mtn Shelter when I stopped for lunch, and they assured me that Button (Kerry) and maybe Bunny would only be going as far as the Sassafrass campsite tonight. That's where I had been planning to stop. But when I got there, the people said she had already gone by. So I thought SURELY she would be at Addis Gap (another mile down the trail) and I came here half a mile down the blue blaze to the campsite. No Button, or anyone else for that matter. I'm all alone. Some people who are camped near the trail have come down here to get water, but I doubt anyone else will set up their tents here tonight. I kind of like the quiet.I set my alarm for 6 so I could hopefully catch the others before they head into Hiawassee. They're in a shelter a couple miles up the trail, but I didn't have the energy to make it up that last hill today.
Date: 2012-03-29
From: Addis Gap campsite

To: Muskrat Creek shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Super long day today. I started hiking around 9 and didn't get to the shelter until after 5. But I did take an hour lunch break. We crossed into North Carolina today - yay! And I got my trail name today. It's Peach - b/c I'm bruised all over my legs (I bruise like a peach!). I think I keep hitting myself accidentally with my trekking poles while I'm walking. I gave myself the name, but I think it's a good one. I then spent the rest of the day thinking about peach cobbler, peaches 'n cream ice cream, peach pie...I forgot to write yesterday b/c it was so busy. I caught up with the others at the shelter before they left, and we did a short day into Hiawassee and got rooms at the Budget Inn. Me, Ultraviolet, Naked Ninja, Travis (now Nitrous), and Jay shared a room (I slept on the floor). We went to an AYCE (all you can eat) Chinese place, where I ate 2 huge plates of food. Then we went to the grocery store which was totally overwhelming. So many options!! I must have spent an hour in there, and we pretty much bought them out of tuna (the main source of protein for hikers). Then I ate dinner at DQ, and then a few of us took a taxi to the movie theater, and saw The Hunger Games. It was awesome. I kinda wanted Katniss for my trail name, but that would have been a little pretentious for my to choose that for myself. I like Peach.