morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-04-05
From: Hogpen Gap

To: Blue Mountain
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: few clouds

News of incoming winter weather made us high-tail it through the woods today. We've learned that dividing the day in half by eating hot food midday gives us energy and motivation to push on. My day started miserably today because of the gnats from hell. It was the first beautiful comfortable morning and I had to pack my stuff and race up the trail just to avoid the swarm. Last night I did get to sleep in the hammock without any tarp, netting,or weather shield. just me snoring under the half moon, stars, and hooting owls. We met a last night lady who was backpacking from Neels Gap to Fontana. She was an avid hiker and very nice and I wish I could remember her name. She camped at our site and she left early in the morning while we were still unconscious. I left so fast in the morning I didn't even refill my water bottle. Big mistake. never going to do that again. bug bites are better than dehydration. Sunny and hot today. Some breezes. It was a welcoming warmth IF the swarm would DIE. Made it to Low Gap Shelter around noon and FINALLY got water. Stopped and ate a BIG lunch. 250 calorie power bars to walk 4.5 miles in the morning do not suffice! BIG lunchfor me equals a hot meal; Half ofa rice pilaf thing, some oatmeal, and some beef jerky. After lunch we pushed on 6 more miles to a campground near Blue Mountain. The old railroad grade after Low Gap was nice. Steady uphill,no morethan a 10% grade made the afternoon heat manageble. Waterfalls,streams, and vistas were enjoyable. We laughed that the AT left the steady climbing RR grade to bring us up over the ridge for the 360 view. We were happy with the 180 view with normal breathing. Hiking on the RR grade gave me the notion to make steam engine noises today. The engine that could... huffing and puffing. Shovel in the food and watch go up a hill_slowly_. The day was changing. Less people on the trail late sunday evening. Felt kinda lonely out on the ridges with the clouds coming in and the wind blowing. Bugs still around, but fewer of them. Walked across some huge moss covered boulder fields. Ankles took a beating. We made it to campsite and chose a northern exposure since wind was from southwest. Just as we got set up the first downpour came. Winds howled all night again. Rained sporadically. Tarp stakes ripped out of the ground yet again. Woke up around 2am and tied one corner to a fairly heavy fallen branch, only for the branch to start flying around. We need to rethink this equipment.
Date: 2009-04-06
From: Blue Mountain

To: Helen, GA
Miles today: 3.1

Woke up to a 20mph north wind. Slept well and cozy as usual except for the short fight with the tarp in the middle of the night. Got on the trail this morning earlier than any other day: 8:45AM. That is a record for us. Helen in my mind was a valley paradise with creature comforts like thermostats and hot water for showering in. Sunrise was cold and windy. Snow spit on us occasionally. A hiker couple told us 6 inches of snow was in the forecast. Brrrh. I don't have snow shoes! The decent to Unicoi Gap was painful on my right knee. I had to make baby steps for most of the last mile downwards. The grade was steep and rocky. We made it to the road. We were temporarily baffled by the fact Helen was to the East, but in the gap was due north and south. Which way to we go? without maps of the town we put some pieces together and hitched a ride south to Helen were I am right now typing in a library on a contraption I thought I left behind temporarily in my previous life. =)
Date: 2009-04-07
From: Helen, GA

To: Helen, GA
Miles today: 0.0

Taking our second zero day. We don't like constant cold weather. Whats with this snow? It's pretty here in a Bavarian town with the feel of an alpine villa. Snow showers blowing pellets and flakes over the cherry blossoms and tulips. Glad to be resting. Knee and ankles are relieved. Complex food creations not seen in the wilderness taste good; like fajitas and melted cheese over nachos. Yes Mom, I have been eating fruits and vegetables and taking my vitamin too =) We are Hiawassee bound tomorrow and should get there by Friday(?)Gotta get off here now. one hour limit almost up.
Date: 2009-04-21
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Fontana
Miles today: 104.1
Weather: scattered clouds

We made it to the NOC today after a daring attempt to night hike off the mountain. We stopped around 10pm on the trail after our legs felt like rubber bands and we had a few close calls of falling of the trail into the ravine. Our new tiny tents make it easy to sleep just about anywhere. Last night we found a nice flat gravelly area next to the trail. The night before last we camped on a nice soft bed of leaves under some huge mountain laurel bushes. Two nights ago we camped on huge grassy bald, fully exposed to all of mother nature's perils (but the view was worth it!). I appreciated today's hike into the lower elevations. Yesterday we had sleet pelting us, cold rains, winds, the poor little spring flowers looked liked they wanted to shrink back into the ground, but today we have sun, warm drying wind, and omg - the trees have leaves! Spring has erupted in the valley and I can't wait to come back here after a day or two of rest.
Date: 2009-04-22
From: Fontana

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hi Debbie! Here are pics from the NC/GA line. We made it there on Easter Sunday 4.12.09. It was one of the prettiest days on the trail. A half mile into NC the trail turned into a 60% inclined staircase for .7 miles. We huffed and puffed to the top. Springer could be seen clearly to the south along with many other mountains we had traversed. =) Thanks again for your help, support and friendship! *hugs*from a email from john
Date: 2009-06-23
From: Max Patch, NC

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It has been one month since we left the trail. I miss it so much. We decided to stop at Max Patch for several reasons. I was having trouble with my house sitter and my knees and ankles were in bad shape. I will never forget the wonderful experiences I had this year. I made it further than I ever thought I would. The Smokies were the crown jewel of my trip even if they did beat me up. The trail taught me - how little I actually need to live. - how important it is to stop and enjoy today for what it's worth and not      worry about tomorrow. - it's ok to step outside the box and put myself well beyond my comfort zone. - that even the biggest mountain can be conquered with positive thoughts and some advil.
Date: 2009-01-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

They say that things happen for a reason and I am beginning to believe it. Opportunities have a way of presenting themselves when you least expect it. I had been planning on doing another section or two this coming year. I have been mulling over exactly what I could fit in during my vacation(s). Maybe a piece of NH, maybe go down to Erwin and hike to Damascus. Didn't know.   But, now as it turns out I will be out of a job. I work for a large retailer who is going bankrupt. It is very bittersweet. I am very sad that the company (which has been in business for 86 years) will cease to exist, but totally estatic that I will be given an opportunity to do some major hiking. And, the best part is that my end date is pretty close to when I want to start hiking. Now, I could probably re-attempt a thru hike.   Not on your life. I am not one of these people who want to continue to re-hike the AT. Now, don't get me wrong. I love the trail, but I have absolutely no desire to re-hike any of the 790 miles that I have already hiked. The only miles that I will rehike are those miles here in the Berkshires.   Other than that - not happening.So, I will be heading down to Erwin to head north.   The plan at this point is to get to Delaware Gap. If I can do that then I will only have to finish NH & ME. Then I can decide if I can do those last two states this year or not.   Because realistically, I may have to find another job.   Not going to worry about that yet.And, on the same vain of opportunity - the best part of all of this is that my buddy Birdsong (who also left off at Erwin) will be restarting her hike at the same time.   So, we are planning on starting together.   This is so great.Now, I hiked all but about 100 miles of the 790 alone - so that is not an issue. It will just be really good to have someone to hike with.   And, we hiked most of Vermont together back in 2007 - so we already know we are very compatible hikers.   I just can't wait.
Date: 2009-01-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

It has been a while since I last updated.   Work has been wierd. While I still have a while to go before I get the boot, we have been losing people weekly for the past month.Departments in the company have been pretty much wiped out. Since I last wrote - six people who worked for me have either left or have been let go. 2 more in the next 2 weeks and not again until late Feb. Pretty sad.I've begun taking a spinning class twice per week.   I figured it was a good indoor way of getting a great cardio workout. Definitely a kick butt experience.I have been walking everyday - either outside or on the treadmill. Sometimes twice per day.   And, I have been weight training 2 - 3 days per week and going to curves 3 - 4 days per week. And, doing a lot of stretching. Somehow this fall, I think I pulled my hamstring. It is still hurting but the stretching is helping.I have been thinking about my gear. Two areas that I am looking for some different options.   My footwear and my pack. Pretty much I am happy with everything else.To Boot or not. I currently use two different brands of boots.   When I walk - I use a pair of low-cut merrills. Without my pack on they work pretty good. I don't seem to have the foot issue that I have when I have my pack on. When I hike I have a pair of Lowa hiking boots.   They have a really roomy toe box. I have hiked pretty much the 800 miles in that brand (different boots) and only got blisters once. But, I had the foot problems that made me get off the trail originally. I am not sure that the boot is the issue more than carrying the weight.But, I have done a lot of reading and see that a lot of people are using trailrunners. I have an appt with my foot doctor next week, so I will see what he says about the foot overall and will ask him his opinion. A lighter shoe may help, but I am not sure.My pack is another issue.   I love my pack as far as the fit. I have a Gregory Elentra. It does the trick.   The issue with it is that it is heavy and it is really tall. I think that the height of the pack and the shortness of me - tends to allow the pack to shift. A couple of times when I was hiking and had to throw myself over a chasm it felt like it shifted to much. The only issue with both of my issues is that living here in the berkshires there is really not a great supply of either. We have a few outdoor shops, but they really cater to what I hear refered to as the north face crowd. People who want to look good and look like they do outdoor activities, but really don't do too many. And, I don't want to order on-line initially. So, a road trip east might be in my future.The rest of my gear is good. I will look for a pot cozy, but I am in great shape as far as my other stuff.It's 1 o'clock and I gotta get back to work.
Date: 2009-03-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

This weekend has been full of disappointments. Nothing earth shattering, but disappointing none the less.First off, my hiking partner is not going to be able to start with me. Some stuff has come up at home and she may/may not be able to start until mid June. I can't wait until then to start, so I will start alone again. Not a big deal. But, I was truly looking forward to hiking with her. Hopefully, she will be able to start and hopefully, she will be able to join me. Now, that I know that she won't be joining me I can make my plans on when to get down to GA. I will look at the calendar and begin trying to find a flight down. I am thinking of starting the same week which was going to be the week of April 27th, but it may have to be later during that week.   The southern support team has an prior committment. So, it may have to be later that week.   Which is ok. It will work out.   My hope is to head down the week before - early in that week so that I can visit. Spend time with my new nephew. Can't wait.   The rest of the family also, but especially him.The other disappointment was that I went on another wild boot goose chase. We drove down to Connecticut to try to find some boots.   I was specifically going to test out a pair of New Balance hiking boots. From the research I have done they have wide toe boxes - but they didn't have any. It was a NB store, and they didn't really have anything other than 1 pair of low-cuts that just didn't fit right.   The store was actually in this nice outdoor outlet mall type shopping center that actually had an LL Bean store.   I did find a boot that would have been good for just walking. They had it in wide, but not in my size.   I could have ordered my size, but I hate to not try something on. Because it never works out and I end up having to send it back.I will head out again today over to the next county (northhampton) and check out a few outfitters there. My feeling is that I will not find anything and will probably end up going with Lowa again.   Which are actually on sale at REI - so that would be ok.   Before I head out of town, I am going to stop by work and pack up a few boxes to start moving my stuff out. Might as well get started. I lucked out because when I took my leave back in 07 I brought most of my stuff home (we were consolidating down into one building - it was a cost saving measure) - save money, but not enough to keep us in business. So, I really don't have too much stuff left to pack. Not really personal stuff, mostly computer manuals and project stuff that I want to keep. Cause, you never know I might end up having to go back to coding if I can't figure out what I want to do when I grow up.
Date: 2009-03-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, the rest of the weekend turned out to be a bust.Went to a couple of different outfitters - nothing. No boots that fit, no water bladders, no hiking pants. Pretty depressing.So, I think I will just order the boots on-line. Found a couple of different sites that sell the boot that I use. Lowa now sells the boot in a low-cut. I may go with that instead of the high cut. My orthotic is almost working perfectly. The left one is good to go, but the right one is still giving me a hotspot. Hopefully, one more trip to the doc will fix the issue.Exactly 3 weeks left to work. It is still kicking my butt. At this point, there is no more sadness - I'm just like let's get it over with. Feels odd saying that, but I feel like I have been mourning the loss for way too long here. Maybe if I had been let go right away it would have been different, but at this point - I've had enough.Gotta get back to cleaning.
Date: 2009-04-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I am still looking for a few pieces of gear.   As far as the boots go, I am going to stick with my normal pair. I got the low-cut version and I think they would work, but I don't have enough time to break them in enough to hike with.   What is wierd is that the high-cut versions I was able to just start hiking in. Don't know why they are different, but they are.I've been looking for a new outer layer. When I started in 07 I used a LL bean jacket that was pretty warm and wind proof. I think it might be a little too much for when I am starting. Last summer I used what the SQ and I call the chinous jacket.   We found it the year before at Macy's for like 5 bucks. It was perfect, but the sleeves were too long.   So, I brought it to a tailor and it came back with sleeves for a midget.   Everytime I put it on - the SQ laughs. We call it chinous because the tailor is chinese. They can do pants, not sleeves.   It is really dorky with the sleeves short, plus it has no pockets.   The search was on for a better jacket.A local outfitter was having a big sale this weekend, so I thought I would check it out. As usual the women's clothing was more for show. They had absolutely nothing that would be durable.   I did find a guys mountain hardware fleece - marked down an incredible amount.   The sleeves are too long, but they have an really cool inside cuff that makes it usable. Not perfect, but should be warm enough without being too heavy or bulky.Got a few chores done today, and will be heading out to spinning class soon.
Date: 2009-04-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I have been amongst the unemployed for about a week now. Sorta strange. Feels more like I am on vacation versus having no job. Probably will feel more permanent the longer I am not working.Did lots of stuff this past week. Went to a job fair - no jobs available except for in the human service fields. And, without having a degree in social work - not much available except for direct care type of positions. I finally sat down and finished my schedule. Now, I know most people think it is stupid to have a plan. But, being that I was a project manager for 15 years it is hard not to plan and put it down on paper.   I promised myself though that it would just be a guideline and not a "gotta stick to it or else" type of thing. Mainly so that I could figure out my drop schedule and so that the SQ and the southern support staff would have an idea of where I was supposed to be.   I decided on 7 drops. Mainly to drop my maps and stuff like that. I will only do 3 or 4 food drops and the rest of the time I will buy in town. I am trying to be a little more healthy instead of the sodium filled lipton dinners.   We will see how that works out.My trip this year will be about 839 miles. About 39 miles more than I have already done. Again, I am trying to go with the take it easy attitude and just do what I can do. But, this is the plan as of right now.I have all my stuff ready to go. I was all ready to pack my new pack yesterday and I pulled it out and I couldn't believe it, but part of the hip belt was broken. I don't know how I missed it when I bought the pack, but the plastic was snapped in two places. I hopped in my car this morning and drove down to Hartford to the REI store and swapped it. No hassle at all. Plus, I had ordered two items last summer that didn't fit. They still had the tags on them, so I figured I would bring them back. They gave me credit without any issue. Pretty cool.   Got the new pack and came home.I will pack it tonight and see how it packs compared to my old pack. Then I will pack in and ship it down to GA. Figured I better get it in the mail by Thursday.
Date: 2009-04-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

The gear saga continues.Yesterday, I loaded up the new pack with the base stuff (no food or water). Just to see how it feels. I actually like it a lot. Feels a lot different than my original pack. Did about 4 miles and it felt good.Last night, I go to pull all the gear out to repack and find a little gromet lying on the floor. Not a good sign. So, I start to go over the entire pack and I find where it came from. It was part of the waist belt - holds the belt onto the pack and helps it swivel. Broken. OK - now 2 for 2. Not a good sign. If I were one to believe in signs - I would take this to mean that someone is telling me something.   Of course, I won't listen. But, sure seems like someone is telling me something.   So, I sat there trying to put it back together swearing the entire time.   Now, this pack is about the same price as my other pack. I have not had one problem with the original pack.   I hate the thought of having to drive another 160 mile to swap again.   Makes me think that this was a bad batch or they were damaged in shipping to the store from the DC. Either way, I am not a happy camper.I put the pack aside, and finished packing up my drop boxes. My swearing was disturbing the SQ.   All the boxes are ready to go except the last one. I will let the SQ do the food for that box. Let her creative side come out.   This morning I went to talk to an admissions person for one of the local colleges. Just exploring my options.I decided to go up to the local EMS store to see if they had the pack. Sure enough they did. I explained everything to them and we went over the pack. Seems like there is no problem. But, you never know.   The best part is that they are having their big 20% off sale for clubs this weekend and they gave me the deal today. Sweet. Maybe that was the sign.   Return the pack to REI and get it for a whole lot cheaper.   Maybe that is what was supposed to happen.Road tripped back down to Hartford and told them my story. They apologized and took the pack back.   I think I will email their HQ and complain.   I know that stuff happens, but I drove almost 600 miles for nothing.   Packed the new pack up. It is tight, but I got everything in it. Feels pretty good. I will do a test drive in the AM.   Then I have to unpack it and pack everything up to get it in the mail.   Pushing the envelope, but what are you gonna do.While I was doing my test run yesterday, I stopped at the local track and did a couple of laps. I ran into a woman who stopped me and asked me if I was getting ready to go hike the AT. Wierd that she would ask that.   So, we started talking. A friend of hers is out on the AT now. She is from here - so I have to see if we meet. Small world.   Even smaller - because at spinning class the woman walks in. She has been there before, but is not a regular so I didn't recognize her.   We talked some more about her friend. Her trail name is "B".   So, gotta keep my eyes open for "B".