morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-03-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Summer 2012I¢m beginning to see what a risk it is to tell a lot of people we are leaving for the trail. I¢ve read many journals where the hiker has dreamed and planned and told everyone they are going, and then there they are back home¢¦either it was too hard, their knees gave out, their feet were blistered or injured, or they got too lonesome. Some just hated it. Some last a few days, some a few weeks, and a very few go all the way. All of our family and friends know about our AT plans. I don¢t want to humiliate myself. I want to give myself the option to come home and say it was awful (and I know that in some ways that is sure to be true), and I would never do it again. I want PERMISSION to say that, but I hope and believe that the opposite will be true and it will be a great experience. *Quote: I'm 4 weeks from starting and I'm obsessed with thinking about the AT. Thoughts of the AT flood thru my head all the time. Here are some examples:Starbucks barista: What can I get started for you today?Me: Started!? Yes, I will get started on a thru-hike of the AT in 4 weeks.SB: OK... but do you want any coffee?Kroger cashier: Do you have your Kroger card?Me: Yes, today I have it but I won't be taking it on my AT thru-hike because it weighs too much.KC: Huh???
Date: 2015-03-26
To: First Steps
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light intensity drizzle

8/1/12We took a long weekend trip to The Creation Museum in Kentucky and to visit a brother in Tennessee. Before heading for home we made a special stop in Hot Springs, NC. I was so excited. My very first steps on the Appalachian Trail. We followed the trail down the Main Street and stopped in at the Bluff Mountain Outfitters and looked around. We would have liked to do some hiking in the immediate area, but I was recovering from a broken foot and we played it safe instead of stupid. You can see those black shoes...the only shoes I could wear all summer. They were definitely not hiking quality. But it was a highlight of my summer. I hope someday we can actually hike through Hot Springs as real hikers.*Quote:You might be a hiker if...you have eaten your weight in ramen. You might be a hiker if...you've gone 12 days without a shower and besides a slight itch on your head, you don't really feel all that dirty.You might be a hiker if...you've ever wondered how much the label in your underwear weighs. You might be a hiker if...you know how much the label in your underwear weighs! You might be a hiker if¢¦your friends can identify you by your stench.
Date: 2015-03-27
To: The Woods
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: fog

Written June12, 2014We get asked WHY would be do such a crazy thing as walk 2100+ miles! What on earth are we thinking?? I have asked myself that many times. It is recommended by those who have done it to know your goals and know your motives. Well, I haven¢t been able to figure it out myself why I am so obsessed with the idea of hiking the Appalachian Trail. It is a crazy idea. We are not really the outdoorsy types. We are not in shape physically to expect that we can even do it. We don¢t have any of the gear that it will take to do it. I like how I feel in the woods. I think I will like the challenge of it. But I don¢t really understand why I am nearly insisting that we try it. But I do know why Dave is doing it. For me. Period. It¢s not something he would have ever dreamed up on his own. He is learning a lot about it through my research and incessant talking about it, but I know it is not his desire to pick up and take off for weeks or months, or however long we stick it out. He is simply obliging my desires. And I love him for it. "The mountains and woods have always been a source of peace, solace, and renewal for me." This is a quote I have read, and this is what I think the AT will mean to me. The only problem is¢¦I¢ve never been in the mountains and woods, so what do I know?!
Date: 2015-03-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light intensity drizzle

There are options for bathrooms on the trail. There are some campgrounds along the way with a real life bathroom a hiker can use. There are hostels, where you might share a bathroom with several other hikers. There are hotels¢¦the expensive ones with nice tiled bathrooms and lovely toilet paper¢¦all you want to use. But more often you will find yourself in a ¢hiker hotel,¢ with bathrooms of lesser beauty, and cheaper toilet paper, the kind that tends to fall apart with use.And then there are privies, or outhouses, at most of the shelters along the trail. They are of all styles and types. Check out the photo section for today, 3/28, to see some of the more unique versions of outdoor toileting.And of course, there is the ¢go in the woods.¢ As one hiker said, sometimes this is the cleanest and most preferred option over all of the above. All I know is, if you really need it, a hole under a tree can be a wonderful thing!*Quote: "I chiseled my hole 6 inches deep and 4 inches in width! Oh, the pressure. I am considering changing my trail name from Loose Ends to ACE BOMBADIER!"
Date: 2015-03-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

As I read journals, I have come to understand that wildlife is not abundant on the AT. Snakes, deer, some bears, a rabbit, a lizard, maybe a moose up north¢¦and the shelter mice¢¦not too exciting. Check out the pictures for 3/29 for a variety of animals hikers might see. The trail is not about the wildlife, but more about the people and the challenge.*Quote: "About two tenths of a mile from the shelter we saw a momma bear and her cubs. We stopped in our tracks as the cubs shot into the forest and the mother stood still as a statue watching us. When they were far enough away she took off after them. It was a wonderful start for the day."
Date: 2015-03-30
To: Let's Talk Bears
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light intensity drizzle

The story on the AT is that the bears are more afraid of you than you are of them.As one hiker put it: "That black bear that was going to leap out of the tree for the sole purpose of eating my face turned out to be incorrect. Black bears are big raccoons; they¢re on a mission from God only to dig through trash. They don¢t seem to realize, or at the very least care about, their strength. Watching a 300 lb black bear scamper up a tree because it sees a 130 lb female backpacker in the distance is one of life¢s great mysteries."But to be safe rather than sorry, there are some instructions should you encounter a bear on the trail. A threatened bear displays signs of distress such as pawing at the ground, making noises, or charging. If this occurs, back away slowly from the bear, never turning around or running. Never stare at a bear, but talk in a soft, comforting voice. Slowly change your course of direction. From a distance, yell, wave your arms, or throw sticks at the bear. Never climb a tree. Leave your pack on. Talking, singing, or whistling while hiking will be enough noise to warn a bear of your advance.*Quote: "The bear isn't after you - he/she is after your food. Bear logic says - as long as YOU have the food it's yours (unless the bear can scare you away from it), but if he/she has the food then it's THEIRS. And they're willing to fight for it. You don't REALLY want to wrestle a bear, do you? If you can scare him off while you still have the food - cool. But once he has the food, don't challenge him, just make plans to pack the trash into town. And get lots of good pictures."
Date: 2015-03-31
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I confess again, that I steal a lot of good writing from Trail Journals I have read. It's about 5 years of past reading that are showing up a lot in my posts.Today it's the mice issue. I don't get it. They are disease-spreading, dirty little creatures that I don't want to sleep with. Here are some mouse entries I made note of:"I was worried about the mice in the shelter...they are in every shelter due to all the food hikers leave out or behind...I am more afraid of the mice than I am the bears...I am always listening for them and never get a good sleep. Someone had written in the shelter log that they had been bitten by one of the mice/rats while sleeping and their finger was bleeding...how can anyone sleep after reading that? That is why I prefer my tent.""In the shelters, you hang your backpack from metal cables dangling down from the ceiling (food bags are hung outside and high in a tree). Each cable has an upside down tuna can midway down the cable so the mice can't go down any further and get into your pack without falling off directly on you and your sleeping bag down below. Great system, huh? It's not at all unusual, I am told, to find a mouse licking the salt from your face while you sleep. God knows that if you ate a cracker, or something, before you went to bed and dropped any crumbs - you are definitely going DOWN! Forget the bears, and they are definitely around, it's the mice that can be the most frustrating. Most shelters come with a broom to use to sweep out not only the dirt from your boots but more importantly, food crumbs." "By far, the most destructive creatures on the AT are small mammals, such as mice, raccoons, and porcupines. Mice are found in abundance in most shelters and cause a lot of havoc with hiker equipment and food supplies. When storing your pack in the shelter, leave it open so that rodents don¢t chew holes in it in an attempt to explore its contents. Also, don¢t sleep with your head close to the shelter wall as this area tends to be a mouse highway and they have no qualms about running over your face as you sleep." The reports are disconcerting: chewed up socks, holes in backpacks, a new litter of baby mice snuggled in your boots. Oh, my!I vote bring on the cats!!
Date: 2015-04-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We spent a few days in Branson, MO, in July of 2014. And...We passed the test! The last morning of our trip we hiked at Dogwood Canyon. The trail was listed as 6 miles long. It was a paved, level path through a manicured park. We walked a total of 7 miles, but the last 3 we left the paved trail and hiked through the woods on an unpaved path that was much more challenging. The first 12 mile was a steep climb and hard, but we made it. Afterward we were very proud of ourselves and we both claimed that we weren¢t even stiff or sore. But comically, after we stopped for lunch and sat there awhile, we both had trouble getting up and getting going again. The legs and hips were indeed a little beat up.*Quote: "If you are going to finish a 2000 mile trail, you darn well better enjoy HIKING!"
Date: 2015-04-03
To: The Feet Take a Beating!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

One of the big problems, healthwise, on the trail, especially at the beginning, is blisters on the feet. Sometimes BAD blisters. Most people come prepared, with boots or shoes they¢ve broken in, and with moleskin or blister bandaids to treat any blisters that do show up. Some hikers wear liner socks under their thicker socks. Let¢s just say, blisters are something to deal with on the trail.I broke my foot a couple of years ago. It still sometimes gives me pain. When I bought new hiking boots, I got a blister the very first day I went out for a walk in them. So I was a little worried about my feet on our practice hike last month. I ended up wearing my good pair of walking shoes that I know fit and do not hurt my feet. They were brand new so had good tread on them. People warned me that it is essential to have footwear specifically designed for hiking¢¦boots, or trailrunners. But, here¢s the thing, I had zero trouble with my feet. No pain at all and no blisters. No turned ankles or fumbling on the rocks and roots. So what do I do? I think I will start out with the shoes I know I like and if they break down, or let me down in any other way, I will get something better at one of the town stops. Warning: if you are in any way squeamish, you might not want to look at the photos posted under 4/3/15. If these feet belong to any of you readers, I hope and trust that you are well healed by now!*Fact: It is not uncommon for a hiker to lose all his/her toenails over the course of a thru-hike.
Date: 2015-04-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

And what goes with sore feet?Worn out boots!As I said yesterday, everyone has advice on their favorite style and brand of hiking boot/shoe. The fact is, what works for one doesn¢t always work for someone else. It just depends on the foot the shoe is going on!At Neel's Gap, where many hikers leave the trail after about 30 miles in, there is a tree full of boots, abandoned by disillusioned hikers, or replaced by determined ones.My notes say this:Your #1 MOST important piece of gear ¢ your SHOES! Footwear should provide ankle support, arch support, and good cushioning. Soles should have good, deep tread. The toe box should have adequate room without allowing too much movement for the toes. There should be a sewn-in tongue or collar to keep out debris and dirt. The general rule of thumb is to change out shoes at least every 500 miles and heavier boots every 1000 miles.*Quote: "Today was the kind of day that had me thinking that this should be a punishment. "Eat your peas or I'll make you hike the Appalachian Trail!" "If you're late for work one more time, you have to hike the Appalachian Trail!" "Shut up and give me fifty miles!"
Date: 2015-04-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

July 28, 2014We woke up on that Monday morning and neither of us had anything on our schedule for the day. We made a sudden decision to go to Oak Brook Terrace where there is a large REI store. I had my list and we took off for the day. We arrived at the store about 10:30 AM. Our first venture was into the shoe/boot department. The salesman told us to try out the boots on the rocks around the corner. I took a peek around the corner, saw the ¢rocks,¢ and immediately welled up with tears. Why? It just filled me with joy. Such a sap!We moved on to the tents, sleeping bags, mats, water bladders, headlights, and landed finally at the backpacks. Salesman Ron was helping us. He was an experienced backpacker and taught us a lot¢¦and also upsold us on every item he possibly could. He was having a great sales day! By this time it was 1:00, we were all hungry and overwhelmed, and even Ron was ready to see us move on, I think! I wasn¢t convinced in his backpack choices and fitting and it was time to go! We stopped at a Subway for a sandwich and then drove further north to Schaumburg where there was another REI store. We met a delightful young salesgirl, also experienced, and she taught us even more. We exchanged our sleeping mats, and bought sleeping bags and backpacks. The gal was unaware that the mummy sleeping bags were able to be zipped together into a large double bag, and we had fun trying it out and seeing her complete surprise and excitement when it was successful. She was very helpful on choosing a backpack that fit us and was much more reasonable than Ron¢s options.We got home around 7:30 PM and laid everything out on the dining room table. Oh my. It was a little scary. You can check out the picture under the photo section 4/6/15.From my notes: How much does it cost? It takes a fair amount of money¢from $2000 to $9000¢to undertake a 2,000 mile, five- to seven-month hike, not counting $1,000 to $3,000 or more for gear. It depends a lot on where you eat and where you sleep. Spending a lot of time in hiker towns can add up the dollars. Many dollars are spent in vain, along with planning time and effort, when someone learns too late that a thru-hike is not for him or her.
Date: 2015-04-07
To: Really??
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

*Quote...and something to think about!Do you really WANT to thru-hike?¢¢Do you really want to spend 4 to 6 months being hot, sweaty, dirty, tired, smelly, wet, lonely, sore, muddy, cold, hungry and thirsty - sometimes all at same time? ¢¢Do you really want sore feet and shoulders, chafed hips and shoulders (among other body parts), blisters, heat rash, poison ivy, sunburn, strained muscles and tendons, possible stress fractures, blown knees, shin splints and/or guaranteed muscle pain and aching feet? ¢¢Do you really want to walk for 8 or 10 hours a day (or more) - every day - in rain, snow, heat, bugs, humidity or whatever else, uphill and down, for month after month? ¢¢Do you really want to eat the same boring food for 6 months? ¢¢Or put on that "toxic" T-shirt every morning? (The "toxic" T-shirt is the one you have to hold your breath to get over your head - because if you smell it too closely you'll lose your breakfast.) Do you REALLY want to thru-hike?¢¢Do you really want to give up your job, family, lifestyle, retirement - supposedly for 4 to 6 months? ¢¢Are you willing to accept the possibility that you might have to find a new job or even a new career when you finish? ¢¢Are you really willing to accept the reality that if you finish (and maybe if you don't finish) you WILL change? ¢¢Do you understand that there's a real possibility that you might change so much that you might not be able to go back to the life you knew before?And my answer is "Yes!" Someday I really want to try a thru-hike! If only we had the time...this would be the year!
Date: 2015-04-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I could relate to this story:My hiking partner is overwhelmed and completely annoyed with the realization that I have not yet really thought this whole AT thru-hike over. Without waiting for an answer, and without breaking direct eye contact with me, she leans in and solemnly whispers, ¢We could die.¢ Raising her voice from a whisper to a confident and informed tone she claims, ¢There are a whole lotta things out there that could kill us.¢ ¢Like what?¢ I inquire. ¢Bears, for starters. Falling off the mountain, hypothermia, lightning, murderers, crazy people...we COULD die, you know.¢   ¢Yeah but...¢   ¢And I think you know that you should think about these things before we do this. I think it shows sound preparation to think about all the things that could kill you rather than all the spiritual, self-discovery, nature, lovey-dovey stuff. We could die and we need to think about that.¢ ¢Well, it¢s true--we COULD die, but I doubt we will.... and if some unfortunate incident like me falling off a cliff in an attempt to rescue a wayward pop tart should occur, you can read this journal at my funeral for whimsical irony. But anyways---there are lots of crazy things that could happen, but---I think we will be OK.¢ ¢Really?¢ ¢I'm more worried about my knees, getting blisters, losing my motivation or¢¦¢ ¢And food,¢ C interjects, ¢We need to make sure we bring the RIGHT kind of food. We can't survive off of gas station garbage the whole time. We need to send ourselves good food and we need to carry a lot.¢ ¢Well, I was thinking of just taking it as it comes. And I don't want to carry a lot of weight. Mail drops from Canada are kinda expensive and I'm sure we'll make do. You can bring some tortillas and tuna with you and some greens last a while ---we can make it work.¢ She looks at me sideways, quizzically, not sure if I'm stupid or just na ve---or both. Her eyes narrow. She says, ¢I think we should bring our own stoves.¢ I say, ¢I agree.¢ Then I send her the link to the Traveling Sasquatch AT web magazine with a recent feature called ¢How Not to Die on the AT.¢ http://travelingsasquatch.com/
Date: 2015-04-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

In 2013 I read a trail journal about a couple heading out for a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. Here's their bio:Codger and TrashbagI thought I would write some history about us. Codger is 66 years old and I am 65 years old. We have been athletic most of our lives - running numerous marathons, triathlons, 1/2 ironmen, ultra-marathons,and backpacking. We each have a Harley motorcycle and have ridden to all 48 states from Germantown, TN (no trailers allowed). At present time we are hiking as much as possible with our packs weighing 25 lbs. in parks with trails near our house. Now...Let's compare that to Dave and I:Dave is 66 and I am 62. We have never backpacked, nor done any heavy exercise or athletic activities. We have spent our lives working, and when we are not working, we are watching TV or playing on our computers. We don't know if we will like living outdoors, but we are going to give it a try. We are talking about trying to get in shape, but sort of think you have to just get out there and do it. Who do you think has the best chance of making it??? (They made it 10 days when, unfortunately, she fell and broke her arm. They went home. But they did return weeks later and hiked another couple hundred miles. In 2014, they hiked another few weeks until he began to have foot pain.)The trail is tough. There are all types of people out there, young and old, fit and out of shape, but everyone hoping for the best experience of their life. Even with injuries, fatigue, separation from family and friends, and whatever else the trail dishes out, hikers seem to be magically drawn back to the Appalachian Trail. *Quote:"We were nerve-wracked, tired, bruised and banged up, but it was great!"
Date: 2015-04-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: fog

Well, I guess I am shutting off the frequent posts until we get closer to our departure. Hopefully we will be going in mid to late June. Today some field work might start. It is definitely not a time to hound my husband about when we can go...he has a big job ahead of him in getting the crops in the ground and growing. I still have tons of notes and quotes...but will save them for future use. Direct quote from my husband, ¢As much as you¢ve talked about this hike, you¢re going to go out there and WALK!¢Yep. That's just what I want to do.See you later!
Date: 2015-06-13
To: We're Back!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

We're going! Finally! I am so excited I can hardly stand it! And Dave...well, let's just say...he can hardly stand it. The Spring has been long for farmers in central Illinois. Lots of rain and the crops are soaked. Many fields are full of ponds and many beans, especially, are flooded out. I was afraid this was going to delay our departure, but we are packed and ready, and my farmer is ready to get away. (He's suggesting the beach.) The big question we get is how long will we be gone. We have no idea. We are starting at Hot Springs, NC and will hike north and see how far we get. I'm looking at these factors:1. The physical challenge.2. The weather conditions.3. Will we be happy there?4. Will we be happy together there? I will journal as often as I can, and entries will post whenever we have a signal. *Quote: "If you don't love to walk - day after day after day - you will not be able to stand the trail. If you don't like camping, or getting dirty, or are afraid of strange noises in the night, or strange companions sleeping next to you, you probably won't like the trail!"Well, we will soon find out!!
Date: 2015-06-14
To: Driving Day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

We've been driving all day...well riding, actually. Our grandson Chris and a buddy are driving us and we are sitting in the back like old people do. It's been a pleasure. I had thought it would be fun to get to Laughing Heart Hostel and sleep in the bunkhouse to treat the boys to a real hiker's experience. But when I mentioned it, all three car-mates gave me a "look" and an inner voice said, "Don't push it!" So we are stopping at a motel for the night and will drive 30 minutes in the morning to get on the trail at Hot Springs, NC. Maybe we'll enjoy a pizza tonight in the motel. Sounds good to me!*Quote: "The thermometer says 93 degrees. Hope it's cooler in the mountains!"Uh-Oh. That's hot!