morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-04-14
From: Saunders shelter 

To: Deep Gap campsite 
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: light rain

Started to rain last night. I knew it was going to so it wasn't a surprise. I was dry under my tarp, I'm still happy I got it. Woke up just before my alarm about 620 and started packing up. I changed my routine alittle and went down to the spring and washed my hands and face. Also had some coffee which I don't normally do. Got on the trail around 830. Almost everyone else had left already but 2 other guys were still in their tents. Made it over to lost mountain shelter before noon and took a break. There were 2 guys from the Saunders shelter and another guy I thought recognized. Turned out he was at erwin TN when I stopped in at uncle Johnnys. i stayed at lost mountain shelter too long, didn't set out until after 1. It was still raining off and on and I kept taking out my umbrella and putting it back to use my other pole. I had grown to love the umbrella, it was so much better than a rain coat. It allowed my skin to breathe and kept my dry. Even my shoes were mostly dry. I made it up and over white Mountain. It was indeed white and I was in a cloud most of the way up. It was a bit slow climbing with an umbrella cause the rain had started to pick up while I climbed. Eventually I got to the top and the rain stopped for the most part. I walked a few more hours until VA 600 road and parking area. I didn't stay long and moved on. I decided I would be staying near deep Gap tonight and then heading up to Mt Rogers in the morning. I made it up to a spot where I saw a blue blaze. I followed it hoping for a spring but found only a nice camping area. It was getting late so I moved alittle further and saw a sign for a spring. I left my pack by the trail and went down and got 2 liters of water. I came back and returned to the nice camping spot I had saw earlier. There was a sign that said no camping by deep Gap, they were trying to allow the area to rehabilitate. I got setup and had some dinner. I was glad I wasn't walking still because it started to rain hard around 745 and 815. I would've been just pulling into the next shelter probably. 17 miles was enough for today.
Date: 2015-04-15
From: Deep Gap campsite 

To: Massie Gap 
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: moderate rain

This is probably my last entry for my thru hike. I have developed some bad knee pains over 150 miles ago that didn't subside after a week off. After hiking 25 miles out of Damascus I could tell they were getting worse. Just wanted to get that out the way before my last entry:Woke up around 630 to a downpour so I rolled over and went back to sleep until 7. At 7 it was still pouring but I didn't want to sleep any more so I got up. I had determined that I liked to be on the trail by 8. I did manage to get my stuff packed and eat and be on the trail by 8. Somehow not making and drinking coffee saved me nearly 30 mins. The trail was saturated but the only thing getting wet was my shoes. At this point I was very capable of dealing with the rain. I got up to the Mt Rogers summit trail but decided not to take it because it was too foggy. I went down the trail another .2 to the Thomas Knob shelter and stopped in briefly. There was a guy I met back in the smokies there. His name was Houdini. I didn't know him well but it was interesting to still be seeing people even after I had taken off so much time. Thomas Knob had a nice view even with the fog. I took some pics and moved on. Walking on the trail was like walking through a creek, not beside the creek but right in it. I eventually entered Grayson Highlands state Park at one point and saw some of the first wild ponies. I think I heard one nay before I saw it. They were very friendly and somewhat curious ponies. It was fun to finally see some animals. On the whole hike so far I had only seen a few deer and some squirrels. I continued through Grayson Highlands and was surprised to see so many day hikers out in the bad weather. I didn't realize how popular this park was. Most of the day hikers were older folks and I'm not exaggerating when I say the trail was literally like a creek. I could have easily gathered water from the flow at any point. I made it down to Massie Gap and my ride showed up. Although it was nice to be in a dry warm car I knew I would miss being on the trail but my knees just couldn't take it anymore. The pain in them had become all I was focusing on so it was time to stop for awhile or at least until they fully heal. I loved my hike and have learned a great deal. I look forward to any time I can get in the future piecing sections of the trail together. This experience has been an incredible one!Thanks for all the support and messages of encouragement, I greatly appreciate it.
Date: 2015-04-28
From: Massie Gap 

To: Appalachian Trail
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Over the past week and a half I have been resting alot but also exercising. I can feel my knees slowly regaining strength. I began rolling and stretching my knees last week and some physical therapy for my legs on Saturday. After doing some leg exercises yesterday I can really feel a difference. It's starting to look more like a strong possibility that I will be able to return to my hike very soon but not until I feel ready. I will test my strength in a few days with a weighted pack by going up and down some stairs. I predict I will be back on the trail within the next 2 weeks. I think about it everyday.
Date: 2015-05-03
From: Appalachian Trail

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Tomorrow I will return to the trail for a planned week of hiking. My knees are finally feeling capable again and I will take it alittle slower this time. I plan to hike for a few days and return for mother's day. If everything goes well I will return the monday after mother's day and continue my hike. I have managed to get my packweight down around 30 lbs with 6 days of food and water. Alot has changed and I feel more confident that I can continue my hike.
Date: 2014-01-16
To: The AT-info for my family and friends.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

For my family and friends who found me here:The Appalachian Trail is a 2189 mile footpath that starts in Georgia and ends in Maine. I will be attempting to hike this trail with everything I need in my backpack.These are some answers to the most commonly asked questions I have been getting:-No, I won't have a gun.-Yes, I will be doing this alone, but there are many folks who hike the trail so there will be plenty of support if needed.-No, I am not afraid. -No, I will not be hunting along the way.-Yes, I will miss my family terribly.-My staff will be running my shop.-And finally- YES! There will be internet access along the way! (although how great would it be to disconnect?)Here is the url to the official AT site: http://www.appalachiantrail.orgI joined this amazing organization and have benefited greatly from their information. There is an interactive map there, and lots of great info. On this page you are viewing right now, you can read my previous or later posts by clicking on previous or next (above), you can sign my guest book or view it by clicking on view or sign to the left. You can view my gear list, pictures, or mail drops etc by clicking on the links to the left. You can visit other hiker's journals-on many different trails- by clicking on those trails above/left.The hikers who post here use a quote that means something to them to sign all of their entries. I have given this a lot of thought, and finally decided on a quote from my cousin, the late great Mitch Hedberg. Mitch- I hope with my whole heart that you hooked up with your dreams!
Date: 2014-04-10
To: Why
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I wanted to hike the AT when I was 20, in great shape, but broke. I even put an ad in the paper looking for sponsors. It said "See the Appalachian Trail through the eyes of a lone unarmed woman and her dog." No bites on that. I actually didn't own a dog, or a gun for that matter,(so I don't know why I put that in the ad!) but planned to find a pooch companion if the hike actually came to fruition. Fast forward 31 years. I have never stopped thinking about it. Life happened, and now I have one child grown and gone, one starting college this fall, and one going in to the 8th grade. Still, I want to go now more than ever.I expressed this desire to my husband and he said- you have talked about that since we met. I think you should go for it. So, I am. I am struggling with leaving my youngest daughter for so long, but she will join me on the trail here and there. I feel selfish about the decision in some ways. I hope the rewards from the experience will be like a ripple, extending to everyone I love.I grew up overseas until my 20s, with a stint in the US from age 15-20. I lived in India, Greece, Pakistan,Philippines, Saudi Arabia, and Liberia. I have done a lot of traveling to other places during that time, exploring interesting countries and cultures. During my time in the US as a young teenager, I ran away from home immediately and regularly and hitch hiked all over the country. My nomadic upbringing was hard to shake, My poor parents.I am on the board and am the co-founder of an organization called Big Big World Project. (www.bigbigworld.org) Each year, we go to a tiny town on the South China Sea in Vietnam to visit the children in a small orphanage there. I met them while accompanying a friend on an adoption trip. Together we started this project and we are putting all of the kids through college if they can graduate from high school. I am really excited that since we began in 2008, 100% of our HS grads are in college or have graduated. . I love visiting them each year.To say I have a bad case of wanderlust does not even begin to describe my need to go. I was lucky to marry a guy who understands this. Hiking the AT has been a burning desire and I am excited to finally give it a go.In my real life, I am a former land surveyor turned retailer. I own an art and ice cream shop in Florida. I am a small business owner, so I know I am mentally tough. Getting back into the physical shape I need to be in will be the challenge.
Date: 2014-04-20
To: Florida hiking
Miles today: 0.0

Hiking in Florida is relatively easy. It is so flat, somewhat akin to mall walking. I have seen some great wildlife though; gators, snakes, deer, ospreys, cranes, and even a gigantic white bull that escaped from a ranch and plopped itself in the middle of the trail. It said- go around. I'm not moving.The whole trail name thing is absorbing too much of my time. It seems so...self indulgent. Since we hear from the time we are little not to brag or be self centered, thinking up cool names for yourself is such an egocentric treat. All the worlds a stage.
Date: 2014-08-05
To: Gator bait
Miles today: 0.0

Hiking has been interesting lately. I have been caught in a famous Florida lightning storm miles from my car, taken two impressive falls- one of them a face plant- both because I tripped on roots- been bitten by a black widow ( that was actually in a kayak in the middle of a lake) resulting in a nasty disgusting swollen grossness that is still a mess In spite of potent antibiotics - and stumbled on this baby gator lying right across the path of the trail at Alafia State Park. It wasn't nearly startled enough by me and I found myself wondering if this was a trap and mama gator was in the water waiting for the dumb human to stop and take a picture (which the dumb human clearly did). It would be an easy grab and in the drink. I truly love the wildlife in the parks here and I always see something amazing. Giant banana spiders, families of deer, wild boar, gators, Passion flowers, and lately some beautiful butterflies. I am looking forward to the trees, flowers, and wildlife of the AT. I am currently debating a one or two person tent. I like the weight of a one, but I think I will enjoy the space of a 2, plus have extra room if one of my daughters or my husband want to join me on the trail at some point. I welcome opinions on the tent subject. Time is passing quickly. March will be here before I know it.
Date: 2014-09-03
To: I stink.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Boy do I stink. Really stink. I didn't know I could smell this bad. I have been hiking at Alafia River state park today. It is brutally hot and humid and I have been alternating walking and jogging. I was just thinking about how awesome a shower is going to feel. Then I started thinking about what it would be like to put these same nasty stinky clothes on tomorrow- and the next day-and the next day. I will start researching clothes that don't smell as bad (wool I assume) and also hoping that everyone smells as bad as me so we cancel each other out. I see this guy all the time on the trail. He thinks I stink too.
Date: 2014-10-04
To: BonBon is the name
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I just returned from my annual trip to Vietnam. (Bonniewanderlust.blogspot.com)While I was gone, my tent arrived. It is the BA Copper spur UL2. It is really light-can't wait to set ip up.I will be doing a low key fundraiser for my non-profit during my hike. In Vietnam, I realized that the kids could not pronounce my trail name. The L is not a sound that was easy for them. I really like SheWOL,( I thought it was a bold choice!) but since the kids will be following me, and they have called me Bon Bon for the last 7 years, that's what I'll go by.
Date: 2015-02-14
To: There is no good time.
Miles today: 0.0

So- I am in the 39 day range of leaving.. I am a last minute kind of person and also very busy with my LIFE so I still don't have all of the gear I need or even the first mail drop planned. Nor have I set up my tent. (shame) But- I have figured out that dehydrating food is a big pain in the neck and I have hiked many miles and I am working out to get strong. I have my three major systems- Pack, sleep, shelter- ready, but I am not 100% with the sleeping bag. I have a bag that was given to my by my sis in law, It is a Kelty synthetic, but I can't figure out the temp and it packs out pretty big. The picture of me here with my pack shows the pack with only my tent, the bag, and my mini-mo in it. I am thinking I will need a bag that packs down smaller. The weight of the bag is about 3lbs. Anyone know how to tell how warm a bag is by the manufacturers tag that does not say? I am not completely caught up on weight, but the gear I have been slowly accumulating is on the lighter side. I would love to use this bag and save money but I don't want to be surprised by it being a warmer weather bag.As far as the hike itself- every conceivable roadblock has been thrown up in front of me. My work, my husband's work, kids, dogs, all of it. Since I wanted to do this many times over the last 30 years and there was always something in the way-what I realize is that there is NO good time to hike the AT or do any other adventure that you yearn for. You just have to pick a time and do it. Life is going to hurl itself at you full force no matter what- and I would not have it any other way. All of those "distractions" AKA "LIFE" are the good stuff.We put a lot on the people at home when we decide to do this, and I am very aware of the sacrifice my family is making for me. Even though not every one gets it, and some think I am bailing at a bad time, my husband gets it. My kids get it. My staff gets it. So I am good to go. Countdown begins soon. My reckoning will be on the trail, and I if I come back a bigger asshole than when I left- I will consider it an epic fail. I am looking forward to layers of stress and fatigue of the daily grind falling away from me and the big reveal of my inner self. Who will I be? Maybe the same exact person but with more leg hair. I am ready to go!
Date: 2015-03-07
To: Irrelevant
Miles today: 0.0

Two weeks from today I leave my comfortable home and loving family to head out for 6 months in the woods.While I am gone, our house will sell and my husband and daughter will choose another without me. My shop will survive and prosper without my small business owner charisma. Friends will meet for happy hour, politicians will keep fighting, the world will keep turning, nothing will falter without me.In two weeks I will climb mountains and sleep in a tent and eat crappy dehydrated food and poop in a hole in the woods. I will watch the sun rise over snowy mountain peaks and watch it set as I massage my blistered feet. I choose this. Whether this is a fantasy or what will be real-I choose to see how irrelevant I am at the very same time I discover my strength. Good luck to my 2015 class members.
Date: 2015-03-11
To: Last bit of gear
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I went to a terrific gear store in Orlando today-Travel country. I really only wanted to replace my sleeping bag but I ended up getting a new pair of boots too. Salomons. They were incredibly comfortable. Turns out my right foot is a full size smaller than my left foot, and quite a bit narrower. Good to know PAST SHOE SALES PEOPLE WHO NEVER CAUGHT THAT! I am a little worried about the boot part around my ankle. Not used to that feeling. My feet feel like they are in prison, but I like how I can't turn my ankle easily.So- I will be committing the cardinal sin of hiking in new boots. I hope my feet don't go to hiking foot hell for my sin- I have seen the blister pictures. I came home, bought my ticket to Atlanta and booked a bunk at Hiker Hostel. Katwalk and her husband are giving me a lift from the Atlanta airport.Leaving Sunday, March 22 and I'll be hiking on Monday, March 23.
Date: 2015-03-17
To: Waiting for the last minute to arrive
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I keep repacking my pack, as though packing it differently will make it lighter. I know it won't. My base weight is 20 pounds, about 5 more than I wanted. It will decrease when I send home my cold weather gear.I still need a sleep pad and my fuel for my mini-mo. And thats it! I am stressing out severely about stuff I need to do here at home, with the shop, the house, the family. As usual, when I stress out I stop moving. I am in a state of paralysis until the last moment arrives. Then Ill get everything done with super efficiency, I am leaving on Sunday morning, so I expect the last minute to arrive on Friday night or Saturday morning.Happy to say I finally practiced setting up the tent. It is really easy and Im happy with it. I can get it set up in less than 2 minutes. That will be a long time when its raining, but Im sure I'll learn some tricks to get it set up faster. This is me and one of my dogs in the tent. Yes, he has a diaper on. Cant wait to start!
Date: 2015-03-22
To: Cabin in the woods
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today is the day I left my family to go hiking. It was very difficult to say goodbye to my daughter and husband. I choked back the tears at the airport, but was quickly distracted by incredibly long lines to check bags. I ended up carrying on both bags to avoid missing my plane. I was so worried about having my hiking poles taken away that I forgot about my sweet little lock blade. A last minute gift from my husband. I no longer own it, but I did manage to avoid a cavity search.I am hiking with Katwalk for the first couple of weeks, and she and her very wonderful husband Jim picked me up at the airport. We drove to Amicalola to check in and get the obligatory picture under the arch. I am hiker #675. At the cabin, I fell asleep looking at the very black night illuminated only by those ambitious few stars that were able to peek through the clouds. I had no internet, no phone. It made me twitch a little. I realize that this hike is going to be a major withdrawal from so many things- technology- noise- wine-(gasp!) and sensory overloads we have all become so accustomed to. Hike starts in the morning!
Date: 2015-03-23
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hightower Gap
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Today is my wedding anniversary. 19 years. So I decided to start on this day because it is a lucky day for me. Katwalk and I got dropped off at Springer mountain by the very colorful Sam Duke. He entertained us with stories and sent us off with good advice and well wishes. So glad he is the one who sent us up the mountain. If authenticity is something I seek, and I think it is, we saw that in Sam. It was a great surprise to run in to the very lovely Compass Rose in the parking lot. She is section hiking with her husband. The walk up to springer is 0.9 miles- all uphill. I struggled a little at first and thought -holy cow- already tired? But I soon recovered and settled in to the cadence of a sustained climb. Everyone who came down was happy and friendly, we are all at the same point in our journey and enthusiasm is the adrenaline that drives us. At the top of the mountain we signed the register and took a few pictures. I gazed at the beautiful view and sent some good thoughts to my loved ones living at sea level in Florida. Once we started down the mountain, retracing the mile we just walked up, the hike officially started. On the way down, the sun broke through the trees and revealed a trail awash in a silvery glitter. It was breathtaking. Gonna google that later but Katwalk says it is mica. When it comes to bling, Beyonc© ain't got nothing on Mother Nature! We walked all day , the first half easy the second half a few miles of uphill. I'm not gonna say it was a piece of cheese because honestly, the mountain handed me my ass today. But is was beautiful, it was sunny, we got to walk through mud and over steams. It is everything I have been dreaming off these past 30 plus years and more. I am feeling very grateful to be one of the lucky ones who get to have this experience. Tonight we are hanging out with No Spring Chicken. Happy 19 Mark! Wish you were here!
Date: 2015-03-24
From: Hightower Gap

To: Gooch Gap
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: broken clouds

Good news. I finally smell like a hiker. Bad news , I finally smell like hiker. Today's climb took us up and over Sassafras and Justis mountains. Long, steep sustained climbs. Thank goodness for switchbacks! I felt so much better today, even though the hike was much tougher than yesterday. At one of the gaps, we met Survivor Dave. He was refilling water for people because of long climb ahead with no water sources. He helped a dehydrated hiker carrying about an 80 pound pack get to town. Very nice guy. Also there was a guy who gave me great advice: take baby steps and stop often. I did that- thank you hiker guy! Today's hike included some incredible views at the tops of the mountains and many meetings with wonderful hiker folk. I was alone for most of the day and hiked with no music. Getting in to your own head can be a scary thing- so used to so many distractions- but once I got there I felt right at home. Flowers were starting to bloom and push their way out of the earth, the sounds of birds and smells of trees and earth made for a perfect day. When I finally reached Gooch Gap, I was rewarded with the sight of some famous trail folk- Pirate, Lone Wolf, Miss Janet, and Willy. They are a wonderful bunch of people and it was fun listening to them. They were so impressed with Katwalks colorful hiking clothes that they had to get their cameras for a picture with her. I'm missing my family a lot, but having an incredible time. Again- so grateful.