morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-10-21
To: Loving the Adirondacks
Miles today: 0.0

Between now and March, when I start my hike, a high priority for me continues to be training. Whenever September rolls around this becomes a challenge... the weather turns colder, days are shorter, and I'm back at school working full-time. This year, however, I'm determined to maintain and (hopefully) improve my fitness level during the winter. Let's be honest, the thought of a thruhike is daunting and more than a bit intimidating. The Green Mountains have always been in my backyard, but in the past few years I've discovered the Adirondacks, which are just a little beyond my backyard. What fun those high peaks are! My friend Cecilia is serious in her quest to summit all 46 of the "46'ers", the official list of Adirondack High Peaks over 4,000 feet, and she's invited me along for the ride. Last Saturday we summited both Dial and Nippletop, which makes 28 and 29 high peaks for her and 12 and 13 for me. Experienced the first snow of the season on top and we were glad we brought our microspikes along.
Date: 2012-11-11
To: So Many Decisions!
Miles today: 0.0

It's amazing how much thought and planning goes into a thru hike. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fairly organized person, but in this case there's a lot to think about. Backpack, check. Sleeping bag(s), check. Stove, check. Boots, check. Tent, check. The problem for me isn't making decisions about the big items; I have them, have tried them out, and am comfortable with my choices. It's the little things that add up both weight and space-wise. What do I take in my first aid kit? How many pairs of socks do I need? What kind of hat and gloves? And the list goes on...One of the many things I've been pondering (and to all my school colleagues, I don't ponder about these things during the school day!) is whether to bring my microspikes. I'm a Vermont gal and these things have saved my "bacon" on numerous occasions. If you don't know what they are, google microspikes for a picture. I've followed a recent thread on WhiteBlaze.net concerning whether these are necessary to bring, and the most recent consensus was that there's a 75% chance that one won't need them. Of course I then ask, "what about the 25% chance that they'll come in handy?". I'm not thrilled about the weight (haven't weighed them, but they're around 12 ounces), but I'm also not thrilled about slipping on an icy trail.I'm happy to report that I won't be pondering the microspike dilemma any longer. Today I hiked up Camel's Hump (on the Long Trail) with my friend Cecilia and my faithful canine companion, Zorro, and was glad to have the added traction. The last third of the hike was a slushy/icy/snowy mix and without the spikes I would have slipped. A lot. I mentioned my dilemma to Cecilia and she decisively told me that I need to bring them to Georgia. Now on to bounce boxes... and maildrops...
Date: 2012-11-12
To: November Sunshine
Miles today: 0.0

I'll put it right out there... November is probably/definitely my least favorite month of the year. In Vermont we enjoy the fall colors, fondly known as "Foliage Season", and then we move into November, which is less fondly known as "Stick Season". November to me means darkness, gray weather, hunting season, and colder temperatures. I leave for school in the dark, and it's dark when I return home at the end of the day. Each year I enter this season with determination and a pep talk with myself, knowing that the light will start to return by the first of the year. I've often thought that without the November and December holidays to distract us, most Vermonters would lapse into a state of depression and maybe even consider hibernating along with the black bears.Well, this November has been a pleasant surprise. We've had multiple days of beautiful sunshine, blue skies, and warmer temperatures. Not good conditions for the hunters, but lovely weather for the rest of us who like to be outside. I've actually had the chance to enjoy two great hikes in the past week. My daughter's home for the week, in between a trimester at College of the Atlantic and a several month adventure to many points south of here (which would require its own blog, believe me) and I took a personal day last Friday to spend time with her. We hiked on the Abbey Pond Trail, not part of the Long Trail but a trail I've passed countless times over the years and never hiked. Great day, lovely trail... 4.5 miles roundtrip, 1200 feet gain in elevation, with the end destination of Abbey Pond and a view of Robert Frost Mountain as the backdrop. I've posted a picture along with my photos, just in case any of you are headed to VT and looking for a pleasant trail to hike. Hannah and I followed our hike up with a trip to a local food coop, a visit to a re-sale shop, and finally a wine tasting at a local vineyard. Not a bad way to spend a personal day!Then last Sunday, Hannah and her friends decided to hike up Mt. Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak, and kindly invited me along. Another spectacular day! Icy on the summit but blue sky, little wind, and magnificent views. For any of you who've hiked the AT through southern Vermont, consider hiking the northern section of the Long Trail - the terrain and views are really special.Still sunny here today, but more typical weather forecast for the next few days. Hannah has four College of the Atlantic friends visiting and staying with us, and it's so nice to have them all here. Yesterday we all enjoyed a wonderful feast with relatives. Well, off to hike my 5-mile loop here... no Black Friday shopping for me.
Date: 2012-12-08
To: Why Hike the AT?
Miles today: 0.0

Well, now that I've hit the three month mark for the start of this grand adventure, I decided it might be time to try and articulate my reasons for hiking the AT. Zach Davis, in his book "Appalachian Trials", suggests that having a list of reasons for hiking is something that's particularly helpful to refer to when the going gets tough. So here goes my list (in no special order)...** It's an adventure! It's scary, daunting, and exciting, and something that I feel I need to do. When I finished the Long Trail in 2007 I realized that I wanted to set my sights on a longer hiking challenge, and this is it. ** For the physical challenge. I want to see if my body can successfully take on the challenge of hiking many miles for many days. ** Life is short. We've had a tough week at my high school coping with the tragic death of one of our beloved social studies teachers who was killed in an accident on his way to school. The reality is that life is precious and we simply don't know how much time we all have, so it's important to live each day to the fullest and pursue our dreams.** To experience a different part of the U.S. and meet new people. I've never hiked in the south, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it compares with northeast hiking. Also, I love the trail community and all its wonderful characters!** For once in my life, to live more in the moment. I'm constantly looking ahead and thinking about what needs to be done, whether at school or at home, and I'm looking forward to life being simpler. Carrying all of your belongings on your back really simplifies life.** To eat what I want. This reason sounds mighty trite after my more lofty reasons, but I'm truly excited about the opportunity to avoid calorie counting for a few months!So that's my list. I'm guessing it will morph and change over time, but it's a start. Happy December, everyone!
Date: 2013-01-01
To: New Year's Ramblings
Miles today: 0.0

Well, 2013 is finally here, which means the start of my hike is looming ever closer on the not-too-distant horizon! When I picked this year to hike it all seemed very vague and abstract, but now here we are...I'm still plodding away with my preparations. I'm feeling pretty secure about my gear and only have a few last pieces to consider. I just ordered some lightweight waterproof over-mitts that I'm hoping will be useful on the cold rainy days that I'm bound to experience. For Christmas I received both a battery charger and a "Lifeproof" case for my phone. The Lifeproof case is supposedly "water proof, dirt proof, snow proof, and shock proof", so hopefully it will withstand the AT! Food prep continues to be my biggest challenge, but I've come to the conclusion that I'll take this as it comes. Detailed food planning and maildrops are not going to be part of my preparation process; guess I'm simply not that organized.We just hired a school counselor to fill in for me during my leave, which means that between now and February 15, when my leave starts, I have to get my office and files in order. Wow, not much time left and much to accomplish, both at work and at home... I'm frequently asked what I'm doing to physically prepare for the trek. My motto has been just to keep moving everyday. A gym in the Burlington area uses the slogan "a body in motion stays in motion", and that's my thinking! I joined the local gym this year and am really enjoying my new gym community of friends. Ann, Devon, Jamie, Beth, Ilana, and Deirdre (among others) - you all are a constant source of inspiration and encouragement. Thank you! Along with the gym (which includes various Zumba, yoga, strength training, and other classes), I supplement my workouts with hikes out my backdoor. With our recent heavy snowfall, I'm having to change things up again, since part of my 5 mile favorite hike includes a lot of walking on woods paths. So instead of walking, I've been cross country skiing during the holiday break, which has been truly beautiful. I'm also hoping to do some downhill skiing soon, which is another favorite winter activity of mine.I'm feeling strong, positive, and grateful. Here's to a spectacular 2013 filled with great adventures ahead. Happy New Year to all!
Date: 2013-02-03
To: January Challenges
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I fully intended to post a few more journal entries in January, but the month got away from me.  Perhaps it was karmic payback for my good feelings at the start of 2013, but the month provided  its share of challenges.Back to school on January 2 only to learn that our school is facing some major budgetary issues that will impact our department significantly in the 2013-14 school year.  Needless to say, not the easiest of times at work, enough said.On January 15 life took another twist when my husband John slipped off his motorcycle on the way to work.  As a bit of background, to put the whole "motorcycle riding in VT in January" in context, John has had a love affair with motorcycles since he was a teenager.  He owns 3 bikes: a large BMW,  a Yamaha on/off road dirt bike, and a Yamaha scooter (that's the one I ride).  To further understand my dear spouse (and John, I mean that sincerely) you need to know that he's an engineer at an alternative energy company (shout out to AllEarth Renewables),  and he's deeply committed to doing his piece to help save the planet everyday.  Anyway, the thought of riding his Yamaha dirt bike (with studded snow tires I might add) that gets close to 100mpg to work on a warm and sunny January day was too good to pass up.  He rode to work on the 14th with no incident, but on the 15th caught his wheel in a muddy, semi-frozen rut a quarter mile from home and down he went.  Off to the ER we went, where we learned he'd fractured his tibia (shinbone).  We followed this up with a visit to the orthopedic surgeon on the 17th, surgery on the 22nd, and back to the surgeon's on the 30th to have the cast removed.  He's now the proud owner of a snappy stainless steel plate and a bunch of screws in his right leg.  He's healing well and working from home quite a bit until he's more mobile.  John's spirits are great and he's determined that his accident won't delay my AT start.  In the whole scheme of life we're both feeling grateful, enough said.With the craziness of school and John's leg, there hasn't been a lot of time for me to ponder my upcoming AT adventure.  Probably just as well, since I'm prone to over thinking things when given the time!A line from a Sheryl Crow song ran through my head during much of January:  "life is what happens while you're making plans".  I couldn't remember the name of the song so I looked it up this morning online.  It's from her song entitled "Diamond Road" and I love the chorus so will close with the lyrics (and hope that Sheryl won't mind me sharing them...):"Don't miss the diamonds along the way, every road has led us here today.  Life is what happens while you're making plans, all that you need is right here in your hands."Even in January there were plenty of diamonds -now on to February.
Date: 2013-02-16
To: A Month of Lasts
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

I've decided that February is a month of "lasts". Last rehearsal with the wonderful women's barbershop/a cappella group I sing with, Maiden Vermont. Last Tari Shattuck Education Foundation board meeting. And all of the "lasts" at school. Last day with my 10th grade advisory (Ashley, Tanika,Nick, Keith, Austin, Gabby, Jacob, Will, Alyssa, Haley, Mike, and Peter you always make me smile), last work emails (well, hopefully), last meetings, etc. And finally, yesterday, the last day at school. These are all actually only temporary "lasts", since I 'll be returning in the fall, but it's still very surreal.I continue to get lots of questions about my hike. The most frequently asked question is whether or not I'm hiking solo. Usually this question is phrased as more of a statement such as "don't tell me you 're doing this by yourself "! My answer to this is "yes and no". The reality is that the AT is a very social experience, so even if you set out by yourself chances are that you won't spend a lot of time alone (unless you really are seeking the solitude). But anyway, I'm meeting a group of women at the Hiker Hostel and we're starting our hike together, so we'll see what happens. In January of last year I read a post in the female hiking forum on WhiteBlaze.net wondering if there were any other likeminded women in their 50's planning to hike the AT in 2013. This posting (thanks to Inch by Inch) has led to a group of over 30 of us who have been communicating via our own Facebook group for months. We're starting at various times throughout March and April, but 10 of us will be starting our hike on March 8th. We range in age from our 40's to 60's , and we'll be arriving at the Hiker Hostel the night before from many different locations... Hawaii, Kansas, Michigan, Illinois, and Oklahoma among others. Our group has dubbed itself the "Summit Sisters" and we're feeling ready (as well as nervous and excited) for this adventure!Along with the "lasts" are the "firsts" that will be coming my way soon. It will be the first time in 15 years that I won't be returning to school after this week's February vacation. 20 days and counting until I'm off!
Date: 2013-03-06
To: This is it!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

Well, this is my last night at home. Tomorrow the adventure begins with a 6 a.m. flight out of Burlington bound for NYC and ultimately Atlanta. I've been packing and re-packing... my final pack weight is 33 pounds with food and water, which is a bit heavier than I'd hoped. This will be the first time I've had to use my winter sleeping bag and down jacket, and although both of them are light, they're bulky and take up a lot of space in my pack. Once I start hiking I'll have plenty of time to think about what might come out of that pack! The weather reports in Georgia have been snowy and cold, but it looks as though the weather will hopefully be making a turn for the better in the next couple of days. My emotions have been all over the place... a mixture of anxiety, excitement, sadness at the thought of leaving home, family, and friends for such a long time, and disbelief that this is all really happening. Above all else, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to undertake this journey and follow my dream. The overwhelming support and love from my friends and family has been so appreciated. It is such a gift to have this "window" of time to step out of my everyday life in Vermont and experience something new and different. Thanks to friends and family for the send-off gatherings, cards, phone calls, emails, and general good wishes. And lastly, special thanks and love to John, who has been my main cheerleader in this AT adventure. I am not only leaving him for several months, but I'm leaving him on crutches, still driving with his left foot!
Date: 2013-03-08
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: clear sky

Arrived later last night than intended to the Hiker Hostel after a day that included a cancelled 6 a.m. flight out of Burlington, a rescheduled 2 p.m. flight that ended up being delayed, a run through LaGuardia Airport to catch the second flight, rail travel on Atlanta's light rail system, and finally an 8 p.m. pickup by Leigh from the Hiker Hostel and a one hour drive to the hostel. That long sentence summed up my long day, but I was so glad to finally arrive at the Hiker Hostel at 9 p.m. The hostel is lovely, with all the details well thought out. This morning after a wonderful breakfast and the opportunity to meet some of the "summit sisters" we all loaded into the van for an hour long (and very exciting)ride to the trailhead to Springer Mountain. So wild to finally be at the start of this long awaited adventure!After reaching the summit (a short .9 miles later) we backtracked down the trail and headed north. A gorgeously blue sky day - couldn't ask for a better first day. The eight of us (YPO, Infinity, Can Do, Inch by Inch, Loon, One Step, Fortune Cookie, and me) quickly split up, but I had a great day hiking with Infinity (another Deb, from Michigan). We walked through rhododendron thickets, mountain laurel, and holly "trees" and I quickly realized I wasn't in Vermont anymore!We stopped for lunch at Long Falls and arrived at Hawk Mountain Shelter by 2:20 p.m. Nice to arrive so early on a sunny, dry day so we had plenty of time to pick out good tent sites. By now, at 4:15, there are about 25 hikers scattered around between tents, hammocks, and the shelter. All in all, a great first day.Today's highlight: just being here - the adventure begins!
Date: 2013-03-09
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: clear sky

Cold night last night but clear. Woke up to another beautiful day although chilly. Packed up, ate some breakfast and on the trail by 8 a.m. The trail was beautifully maintained with ups and downs over the ridges. There are too many gaps to keep track of in Georgia, since it seemed as though everytime we crossed a dirt road it was another named gap. Climbed Sassafras and Justus mountains with other ups and downs in between. We started out hiking individually but I connected with Infinity for a lunch break and the final leg of the hike to Gooch Mountain Shelter. We got here by 1 p.m. but decided to stay. We grabbed space on the top loft and now, at 4, there are about 12 people here with more to come. Lean and Pound Puppy are here, along with a number of section hikers. We're in for another cold night.Today's highlight: hiking through the beautiful terrain, with tunnels of mountain laurel, rhododendron thickets, chestnut trees, and holly.
Date: 2013-03-10
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Stealth camp at Henry Gap
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Slept really well for the first time in several days. Daylight savings clicked in today so it was dark when we all started moving at 7 a. m. Packed up and headed down the trail as a group of 7 to reach Gooch Gap by 9:30 a.m. YPO arrived at the shelter last night very under the weather and decided to arrange for a pick-up from the Hiker Hostel. Can Do, Inch by Inch, Fortune Cookie, and One Step also decided to take a night off from the trail, so after a last group photo Infinity and I said our goodbyes at Gooch Gap and headed down the trail.You will get tired of me saying this, but once again the trail was beautiful. Filled with ups and downs, but a well maintained trail with lovely vistas. I had no idea that the northern Georgia mountains were so pretty, and looking out at the layers of ridge lines and seeing no development whatsoever was truly breathtaking.We eventually hiked through Woody Gap, which turned out to be a major gap, instead of a more minor one. By major, I mean this gap offered the two universal treats that hikers enjoy - a real live park service privy and a garbage can. I tell you, only my third day on the trail and this is what it's come to! My wants and needs are already becoming very simple.We hiked on through more beautiful woods (sorry, there's the "b" word again) eventually reaching Lance Creek tent site. It was early enough to move on, so we headed another mile or so up the trail and decided to stealth camp near Henry Gap (really a minor one). I always love the term "stealth camp" because it sounds so sneaky. The reality here is that there's a house within 100 yards of our tents and the owner stopped by to say hi and offer us the use of her water spigot... maybe not the sneakiest of spots but very nice.So here it is, 7:15 p.m., and we've eaten, hung our bear bags (thanks to Infinity for her bear bagging expertise) and I'm typing this from inside my cozy tent. Our plan is to pack up early and head up and over Blood Mountain for Walasi-Yi at Neel's Gap, where hot showers, good food, laundry, and bunks await us!Today's highlight: Stealth camping - this is cool.
Date: 2013-03-11
From: Stealth camp at Henry Gap

To: Walasi-Yi Hostel at Neel's Gap
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up at 5 a.m. and packed up quickly to try and beat the incoming rain. We were on the trail by 5:35 and within 15 minutes the rain started. We walked with our headlamps on through dark, wet, and foggy weather. A nice and gradual ascent, with switchbacks and some level spots. The trail became steeper and rockier as we made our way up Blood Mountain. Before I even saw it coming we were at the summit. Blood Mountain Shelter looked particularly spooky in the foggy weather. This shelter is the oldest one on the AT, and also most likely one of the draftiest.On down the mountain we hiked, spurred on by the thought of getting a bunk and hot shower at the hostel. We reached Neel's Gap and were the first ones to grab one of the $15 bunks. This is a fun place... 16 bunks in the basement, a dinner cooked by Pirate, and Mountain Crossings Outfitter's upstairs with lots of stuff to check out. So here Infinity and I sit, waiting for the 7 p.m. spaghetti dinner that Pirate's cooking. Free wifi, a resident cat, the legendary Baltimore Jack working upstairs, and an old Raquel Welch movie playing on an old TV set. We're clean and out of the rain - what more could we ask for?Today's highlight: being here at the hostel - really great.