morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-05-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I did not get in any walking today, but rather spent time on preparation like putting food drops together and finalizing some financial stuff from when I¢m hiking.The big question is ¢Why am I hiking the Appalachian trail?¢ The best answer I can give is that is time for me to do it. I¢ve thought about it for many years. When I lost my job in March of 2009, I was cleaning out some old books and found a book on the AT. It was a gift to me when I earned my B.S. degree. So I suppose in some ways the seed that had been planted grew quickly after that. My wife and family have been supportive of me and it seems that fate has put this opportunity right smack dab in my lap. What are my concerns about the AT hike?1.InjuryThere is always a chance that you can suffer from some hike-ending injury. My best defense against that is to take my time and hike my own hike. I¢ll stop when I¢m tired and be cautious when climbing and descending. It¢s amazing of how I¢ve adapted to hiking poles. They have saved me from falling down or taking spills a number of times during my pre-trip hikes. 2.Hypothermia I will try to wait out storms and keep lots of energy foods with me to reduce any chances of this happening. The old saying goes ¢If you walk to Maine you¢ll walk in the rain¢ - so again I¢ll be cautious. I have rain gear but you are going to either get rained on or sweat a great deal when wearing rain gear. 3.Bears/snakes/varmintsMy smarty pants answer to the question of ¢what happens if you tangle with a bear¢ --is to say ¢I feel sorry for the bear¢. I am not a stealthy hiker so I hope the noise I make will keep me safe. I am more worried about mice and the hanta-virus that I am about most critters. Mice a a big problem due to their tendency to chew up food and nylon. 4.SleepingThere are primitive shelters all along the 2,175 miles of the AT. They are usually spaced about 12 to 15 miles apart. They provide a ¢sleeping rack¢ which gets you out of any bad weather so you can sleep with some overhead protection. I will also carry a lightweight 1 person tent in case the shelters are full or in case I just want to stop for the day.
Date: 2010-05-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

The article ran in the newspaper today! I think the writer; Alex did a super job capturing the ¢spirit¢ of what is behind my motivation to walk. My picture looks a little silly; I¢ve never been comfortable with pictures of myself. As the days now wind down before the trip begins, a slight tension is showing up on the part of my immediate family. My wife, my son and my daughter all sense that the time is short before I¢m out of their lives for awhile. I am of course anxious and don¢t look forward to the lonely times I might experience. So I will try to balance the loneliness with the satisfaction one draws from the spiritual enhancement of the solitude. My updates will be brief once I am on the trail. So keep following me! If you wish to follow my journey, the direct link is   http://www.trailjournals.com/solesearcher/Here is the info if you wish to sponsor my walk. The money will go to Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Dupity, Haiti. Pledges can be any amount, I am asking for 1 cent per mile or $21.75.Mail your Pledge information including:Donor Name___________________Street________________________City, ST, ZIP__________________Phone________________________Pledge is due in December 2010. Mail this info to: ATTN Mike SeibertSt Peter CelestineP O Box 1Celestine IN 47521-0001
Date: 2010-05-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We will drive from Jasper to Maryland tomorrow, Saturday, May 22. My starting point is Cascade, Maryland on Sunday, May 23. My wife and son will take me to the trail and I expect a very emotional goodbye. The emotions of a separation from my family and friends are weighing heavily on me today. I am asking you to keep my brother and sister in law in your prayers. We found out today that my sister in law has additional lumps after some chemotherapy for breast cancer. And her husband (my brother) has a CAT scan scheduled next after spots showed up in his lungs. He suffers from COBD. Today was spent packing and grabbing some last minute items. My pack weight is now at 26 pounds without water. I will carry a 2 liter water bladder and a 1 liter bottle as back up. Most of my food is freeze dried to save weight. I added some of the mail drop locations to my trail journal in case anyone wants to send letters or cards etc. Thank you!!!!!
Date: 2010-05-24
From: Tumbling Run

To: Quarry Gap
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: light rain

I didn't realize that yesterday's trail to Tumbling Run was all downhill until I started to climb back up today. Rain again until noon. At one point, climbing was hand over hand on slippery rocks. Cut my hand, but it's ok. Saw my first snake--rattlesnake (ok, maybe it was a baby rattlesnake...about 18 inches long and moving very slowly due to the cool temperatures.) Ready to call it a day. The shelter here at Quarry Gap is really nice. Very clean and it even has flowers hanging from the entrance.
Date: 2010-05-25
From: Quarry Gap

To: Pine Grove State Park
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Walked by myself most of the day. I planned to walk about 8 miles but I met up with some people who told me the trail was not as rocky as I had expected so I kept on going. It is a new experience walking on the rocky terrain. I saw lots of wild roses and blackberries blooming. Once I started, I just kept walking until I found a place to shower. I am slightly ahead of schedule, but tomorrow will probably be slow going. The temperature is supposed to be in the 90's. I did come across some adults with a group of youth campers, probably 13-15 years old. This was my first day without rain but it was cloudy and very humid. Thunderstorms are forecast for the weekend.
Date: 2010-05-26
From: Pine Grove State Park

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I walked 8.2 miles today to Boiling Springs. Had a couple packages waiting for me there. More food, trail mix, and zipper storage bags. I had lots of hand over hand climbing on rocks again today. I got my foot caught and had to take my boot off to get free. It is very slow going on the rocks. I have to watch every step. Took my pack off to rest several times. I need to plan better so I can lighten my pack. The last mile to Boiling Springs was out of the woods and across an open field and highway. It was hot! On one side of the field, there was freshly cut hay. The other field was planted with wheat. It was beautiful. I am discovering that there is some good in everything---at least when it is hot, the rocks aren't slippery. My thoughts were all over the place today. Caught myself laughing out loud about 4 different times. I can't remember what I laughed about now, but it felt good at the time. I also am learning to appreciate those moments when cell phone service is working.I am still ahead of schedule. I am heading to the Darlington Shelter tomorrow. The trail is supposed to be flat until about 2 miles from the end. We shall see...
Date: 2010-05-28
From: Darlinton

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: overcast clouds

14.4 miles across many sharp rocks. I often feel punch drunk as I try to find a path through the rocks. The day ended with a sharp descent into Duncannon, PA. I ate my first non-trail food at the Doyle Hotel, a hiker legend. My room is spartan, to say the least. Tomorrow I will stick around to see the local parade, then take an unplanned side trip to Harrisburg to replace some equipment. Most of the hikers I meet are young recent grads. Many of them have traveled together in groups. I feel like the odd man out.
Date: 2010-06-01
From: Duncannon

To: Harrisburg
Miles today: 0.0

On Saturday, I headed to Harrisburg to replace some equipment. I shuttled to an outfitter in Harrisburg thinking that I could easily get what I needed and get back on the trail by Monday at the latest. But I was shocked to find out that they did not have any of the items I needed. And it¢s as if the whole USA shuts down on a Holiday so getting any gear etc. was impossible over the long 3 day weekend. While in Harrisburg, I did walk some of the trail and then took in part of nearby Gettysburg. That was a nice side trip for Memorial Day. After careful thought, I ended up deciding to make a quick trip home and resupply myself and change out some equipment from there. I will hopefully be able to pick back up on the trail in a few days. Remember, this is hike is not a race!!!!I have had some problems so far, the biggest has been dehydration. I drink at least 4 liters of water per day but yet still feel the effects of dehydration. The rapid rise of heat and humidity has played a part in this. I spoke with some other hikers and most use a Gatorade type supplement in their water. So I will give that a try. I will switch out to a lighter sleeping bag too. I will add some additional protein to my diet to give me more energy. Maybe if I am lucky, I¢ll find a fountain of youth too!!!!
Date: 2010-06-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today, I finished all my equipment changes. In the morning we will head out for southern Virginia. In Pearisburg, VA I will pick up on the trail on Sunday.I will have "flip flopped" further south. I will walk north toward Harpers Ferry, WV. There really is no method to the change in my trail route other than a personal choice. I am anxious to get back to hiking and will keep making updates as I have time. I changed my mail drop locations as well, so please note the change.Thank you all for the great support!!!
Date: 2010-06-06
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: overcast clouds

When picking up the AT in Pearisburg, I met a hiker named Food Network. He is a young man full of energy and dedicates many hours each day to preparing his meals. He also stops from time to time at hostels etc. and takes over the cooking duties. The weather was overcast and cloudy but I did make it to the shelter before the rain started. Once at the shelter, I had to walk about 1/2 mile to the closest water source. While retrieving water, the sky opened and I got soaked by rain...By 6.00 pm, there were 24 people and 2 dogs at a shelter designed for 6. So I tented out for the night.
Date: 2010-06-07
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Pine Swamp Branch
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: scattered clouds

The weather was darn near perfect today. The clouds and mist slowly lifted as I began my hike at 6.30. AM. I walked across some open fields at first and the views were really nice. By noon, the temp was about 70 degrees (Per my Wal-Mart watch) with blue skies and an occasional white puffy cloud. Food Network passed me as did a family from Georgia. The husband (Moses) had through hiked in 2002 and was now taking his wife and 11 year old son on sections hikes. They were headed to Front Royal. Unbeknownst to me, this day would be the 1st of 4 days with no cell phone service. I still seem to feel dehydrated at times and water sources are few and far between.
Date: 2010-06-08
From: Pine Swamp Branch

To: War Spur
Miles today: 12.7

We had another day of great day of weather. About noon, as I hiked, I came to a parking lot near Wind Rock. There was a couple who was just getting out of their car as I came out of the woods. We chatted for a bit then they took off for an overview which was about 12 mile away. I ate some snacks and tried my cell phone w/o any luck. As I headed out, I met the couple on their way back to their car. I mentioned that I could not get cell service, so they offered me their phone. But that didn¢t work either. So they offered to call home for me once they got to the Town of Mountain Lake and let Linda know I was ok. I continued on to War Spur Shelter. The shelter was great and there was a nice swift running stream just 25 yards from the shelter. At the Shelter I met a young man named Buck. He was part of a thru hiker band which included 2 guitars, a mandolin and a homemade bongo drum. Buck was 2 or 3 days ahead of his band members so there was no bedtime music for me¢¦
Date: 2010-06-09
From: War Spur

To: Niday
Miles today: 18.0

Today, I would end up taking a longer hike than scheduled due to the scarcity of water. As I reached the top of a mountain near a power line, I finally was able to get brief cell coverage and called home. The temperature started warming up and the humidity was higher too. I passed the Audie Murphy Memorial (WW II War Hero) Mr. Murphy was killed in a plane crash near here. I did get a bit of a laugh though. One young man seemed to have confused Audie with the actor Eddie. He was saddened by the fact that the guy in the Nutty Professor movies had been killed. I didn¢t bother to correct him and resigned myself to the fact that this was another example of the generational difference on the trail. I was completely exhausted when I arrived at the shelter around 7.30 PM.
Date: 2010-06-10
From: Niday

To: Pickle Branch
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: broken clouds

It was a shorter walk today and fatigue is setting in. Water is scarce and when arriving at the shelter, I find that the water source is located about 1,000 ft down a rocky steep hill. The shelter is full and I met my first homeless person by the name of Duane. He is a person who lives on the trail and exists by getting handouts.
Date: 2010-06-11
From: Pickle Branch

To: Catawba
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

I was excited to know that today I would make it to Catawba to get some supplies and maybe some real cooked food. I began by walking up via a lot of switchbacks. In my path is the infamous Dragon Tooth mountain. I make it up to the ridgeline and climb up to get a great view from Dragon Tooth. As I begin my descent, I begin to slip and cannot seem to stop. I use my hiking pole to try to stop and it slows me enough to stop my slide, but the pole snaps off and breaks. I pick myself up and rest for a bit and continue on toward Catawba. As I walk, I begin to feel a pain on the side of my right foot. I have to limp along, but I make it to the store in Catawba. Once I assess my ankle, I decide to share a ride to get to Daleville where I had planned to get a hotel room anyway. The hotel is ok and I will rest and see if my ankle feels better by staying off it for a day or so.
Date: 2010-06-14
From: Catawba

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

After assessing my painful ankle, I have opted to return home for a complete review of my right ankle which means getting x-rays etc. I rent a car and drive to Louisville, then get a ride home. This is getting to be a habit!I get in to see my doctor and get at least some good news. There is no fracture. However, I have a severe pulled muscle in my foot. I get a soft cast and must stay off the ankle for 7 days. So it¢s more rest and then back to the trail. If all goes well, I will pick up the trail next midweek near the Shenandoah National Park. I got the trail in my system!!!!
Date: 2010-06-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday I went for a re-check on my foot. I got the soft cast off and my doc gave me the green light to walk again. He suggested that I be very cautious and limit my miles for awhile. Given the current heat wave, that seems like a easy suggestion to take hold of. Today, I drove to the Hoosier National Forest and hiked about 5 miles with a full pack. My foot is still very tender but I was able to walk. The heat wasn't too bad early in the AM but it sure did feel good to get home and shower. I received a replacement shaft for my broken hiking pole and I got that fixed. I bought a new set as I want to have a back up in case I have this happen again. I saved the broken shaft as a momento....As it stands now I will try to get back on the trail by the weekend.
Date: 2010-06-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today, I worked on getting all packed up for the trail. I hope to start at Rockfish Gap on Saturday. This is the start of the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. My foot seems a bit better each day.I was glad to be home for a few events including Father's day & my son's 18th birthday. His birthday was Monday. (He was born on Father's day in 1992.) And of course being with my whole family was great. Plus I got a visit from a former coworker who suffers from a foot injury too. I was so happy to see my friend! This week I did some reading - finishing the books "Horse Soldiers" (Afghanistan War) and "Last Stand" about the battle at the Little Big Horn on June 25, 1876. I visited the battlefield at the Little Bighorn in Montanna last year and made a promise to myself to read more about it. Both books were great.I read about Haiti as well. I thought that the gear and food in my backpack is more than most Haitians will have at any given time. The country is so very poor. Please consider helping all those people who need it in whatever way you can.
Date: 2010-07-15
From: Daicey Pond

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm at a standstill. Though I did make it up Katahdin, The heat index is high and I got the first symptoms of dehydration again. I did see my first Black Bear and a Red Fox. No Moose yet. We will take a side trip to Acadia to sort things out about the AT. Prez Obama is supposed to be there on Friday, so we should be in and out before his arrival. Hikers are surly. Many hikers have flip-flopped to Maine to avoid the heat wave all along the east coast. So we may head further south to see if I can find a place on the AT that isn¢t wall to wall people. I guess it¢s hot all over.
Date: 2010-07-20
From: Abol Bridge

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I am back home again, my wife Linda has to have surgery on her right shoulder on Monday. The surgery is to repair a bone spur, but there is also a chance she has a torn rotator cuff. We won't know for sure until the doc gets the scope inside the shoulder. Either way, Linda is off her feet for awhile.I won't miss the heat on the trail, but in retrospect, I wish I had started earlier in the year. I will wait two weeks for sure and to make sure Linda is ok and hopefully the heat will dissipate some before I go backI toyed with the idea of making a quick trip to Glacier National Park in Montana if this heat wave doesn't break in two weeks. From what I have read the glaciers have but a few years left and I want to see them before they are gone.
Date: 2010-08-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Plans are in the works to get back on the AT. Hopefully I will be able to get started in Harpers Ferry, WV on Monday. I will walk south to Waynesboro, VA, and then take a break for Labor Day. The hike should take about 2 weeks and I will hike the scenic and wild Shenandoah National Park. My wife is recovering nicely from shoulder surgery and the weather is beginning to cool ever so slightly. So I am anxious to get some miles in! Thanks again to all who have offered their support. Please keep in your prayers all those who are still suffering from the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Also consider financial aid to the Haitians.
Date: 2010-08-16
From: Front Royal

To: Gravel Spring Hut
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: scattered clouds

On Sunday, I drove to Waynesboro, VA to get some miles in on the AT. I parked near Rockfish Gap at the south end of the Shenandoah National Park. On Monday, I arranged for a shuttle to take me to Front Royal with the intent to hike back to my car. Sharon who has a shuttle service picked me up. She is a charming and vibrant 69 year old woman who has a PHD in Civil War history. She and her husband have the shuttle service and also work part time at some other jobs. Sharon made the miles pass quickly as she talked about herself and told some great stories. She dropped me off and I began my hike back. About 4 hours into my walk, the thunder and lightning started. I was able to get to a shelter before a downpour started at about 5.00 PM. As I waited out the storm, two hikers stopped in. They were from Ohio and we talked about Indiana and Ohio State athletics; especially Bob Knight, Branch McCracken, Woody Hayes and Fred Taylor. They moved on and I opted to stay at the shelter because the trail is no fun when wet and slippery. I decided to walk to the spring about 500 yards away for some water. The trail was straight down and of course a steep climb back up. On the AT, many times, the water supply is far away from a shelter which proves to be inconvenient. When I was growing up on a small farm our drinking water came from a well. When it rained, water from the roof of our house would feed the well. In the summer the well would dry up so we would have to augment our drinking water from a spring. We had a 250 gallon tank placed on a wagon and we would park the wagon and let the tank fill up over night. My dad had devised a system of plastic pipe that fed spring water into the tank. So In a way the walks to the water on the AT are somewhat nostalgic. But it is still tough walking up a steep hill after getting water at the end of a long day of walking.
Date: 2010-08-17
From: Gravel Spring Hut

To: Throntons Gap
Miles today: 10.4

Tuesday morning brings thick fog and high humidity. I am at the north entrance of the SNP. An early morning hiker stops in at the shelter and tells me there is no cell phone coverage as you get further in the Shenandoah Park. I debate about hiking on and come to the conclusion that I have an intriguing option. I can call Sharon and get my car and then day hike in the park. I walk covering about 10 plus miles and arrive at a crossing of Skyline Drive. Sharon picks me up. Sharon tells me its more rain and high heat for the next few days which makes my decision seem like a good one. I spend the night in Waynesboro and it rains all night.
Date: 2010-08-18
From: Throntons Gap

To: Bearfence Mountain
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: moderate rain

On Wednesday morning I drive to the south entrance of the SNP at Rockfish Gap. The courteous Park Ranger tells me to be very careful due to the fog and misty rain. I have set my course for the trail to Hawksbill overlook, the highest point in the SNP. The fog is so thick that the visibility is about 20 to 30 feet. The speed limit in the park is 35 MPH and I drive about 20 MPH. I arrive at the trailhead put on my rain jacket and take only a daypack and some water. The hike is a solitary one as I meet no people. About 2 miles in, I see a mama black bear and one cub. They cross the trail in front of me but the fog makes it seem very eerie. I see them stop and look both ways before crossing the trail as if mama bear is teaching the cub to ¢look both ways¢ before crossing. I fumble for my cell phone to try to get a picture but I¢m way to slow and the mist and fog don¢t make things any easier. I hike on to the top of Hawksbill and there is a stone structure obviously built by the CCC. Plus there is a nice stone overlook too, another built by the CCC most likely in the 1930¢s. The fog and mist prevent a view of any significance. Three couples arrive and plan to have lunch, we chat briefly and I depart. I pick up the AT and pass by Bearfence Mountain and on back to my car. I then drive to another trail called Lewis Falls. The trail to the falls is rocky and steep and I meet a few people again. I startle a couple as I come out of the misty fog to where they are sitting taking a break. The fog and mist seems almost magical as if we are in an enchanted forest. The rain begins to fall harder and I try to make it back to the parking lot where I thought my car was. As I come out of the woods, I look around for my car just as a downpour starts. After walking back and forth a few times, I finally spot my car. After a family conference call, I will head back home and allow the weather to cool some before getting back to the trail.