morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-01-21
To: Cold & Rainy Make for a Good Day to Walk
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday marked the first day in awhile I didn't get out and walk -- just too much work that had to get done before the week finished.This morning, though, is cold, foggy, and rainy, which makes it a good day to get out there and test some of my clothes.Well, as soon as I finish my coffee. And the dog gets off my lap.
Date: 2012-01-26
To: North Face Cats Meow vs the Osprey Exos 46, Part 2
Miles today: 0.0

Thanks to all who offered via comments and PMs their comments, insight, and suggestions on my Cats Meow and issues with getting it stuffed into my Exos 46.I ended up getting a mont-bell :: U.L.SUPER SPIRAL DOWN HUGGER #5 LONG from Village Outfitters here in W-S. Yes, I realize that the #5 is a 40° bag and the Cats Meow is a 20° bag, but I'm hoping that the tent, tent pad, sleeping pad, decent layering, hot water in a Nalgene bottle, and a little something to eat before tucking in will make up the difference. If not, y'all are welcome to pick through my gear and take what you want, just don't disturb the body.Of course, being the dork that I am, I had to climb into the bag and try it out that night. The bag, indeed, is toasty warm (I went and tried it out on the front porch for about 15 minutes in 33 degree weather -- a far cry, I know, from sleeping eight hours in 20 degree temps, but what do you expect me to do? Go down to a local restaurant and ask if I can borrow their walk-in freezer for a few hours?) and allowed for all sorts of movement. I am typically a light sleeper (well, except when Jameson is involved, or a shot or two of Yadkin Valley's finest apple pie is involved), so I'm excited about being able to reposition while I sleep and not wake up because I feel constrained.Coming in at 1 pound, 2 ounces, the Super Spiral is a bit lighter than my Cat's Meow, so that's good, too. Most impressive, though, given my original problem, was that the sleeping bag stuffs down to a package about the size of a Nerf football. I could never get my 12 year old Cat's Meow to compress any smaller than a wad about 14 inches by 12 inches. I'm sure the newer ones go smaller, but the older ones sure don't.So, my Big Four are all settled on, weighed in, and trial packed. While I'm a little worried about the Super Spiral Down Hugger #5 only being rated down to 40 degrees, I suppose I can box up the Cat's Meow and have it mailed to me along the way if after a few nights I find the new bag inappropriate -- I can always figure out, if pressed, how to affix it to the outside of the Exos backpack, though I hope it doesn't come to that. I really like the idea of keeping my bag in my pack rather than outside, where it'd throw off the pack's balance.Alright, I've rattled on long enough -- time to take out the dog again.
Date: 2012-01-26
To: Tent Has Arrived!
Miles today: 0.0

So, about two this afternoon the dog wanted to go out. What do I find on the front porch but three packages:one from the ATC; one from Amazon.com; and, one from LightHeart Gear.More later about the first two items; let's get into the third. The tent had arrived and had arrived a day early.As requested, it was brick red with a black floor. I had really considered something obnoxious like a bright yellow floor -- not to stand out from the crowd or to annoy fellow hikers, but rather so I could find small but critical items in dim lighting. If a bear is rooting around your campsite at oh-dark-thirty, you do not want to be filching around for your glasses somewhere on the tent floor. (And for the record, for years I've usually stuck my glasses and other essentials into my shoe, but I can see where a mud-caked boot might not be the best thing to have inside your tent.)Anyway, the tent arrived as ordered -- brick red, black floor, seam sealed, right-hand zipper, et al. -- and with a nice handwritten Thank You on the packing slip, a free LightHeart Hear sticker (now affixed to my computer, amongst the "Krankies Coffee," "Chelsee's Coffee," "Transylvanie County [NC} Bites," "Expect Resistance," and "Humpty Dumpty Was Pushed" stickers), and red carabiner.The tent took all of 5 minutes to set up, and that time frame included looking for my trekking poles and pretending to read the instructions for all of 20 seconds.There's a handful of useful videos on YouTube about the tent, which I had watched a few days before:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZsbeJsibRo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PATi6wZujs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_d3g93itIwSo, I was pretty well acquainted with the process of setting up the tent. If you like printed instructions, you'll find those on the website (specifically, the Other Stuff page), plus a print out was included. Anyway, the tent went up pretty quickly and precisely as described in the videos and on the website.I thought I could snag some Tyvek from the new home construction down the road, but I waited too late and they've hauled off the leftovers and debris. Most likely, I will spend the $15 and buy a pre-measured, pre-cut footprint directly from LightHeart Gear and just be done with it (and at the same time support a small business).Over the weekend, we're supposed to get some cold weather, so I look forward to setting up the tent again and trying it (and my new Mont-Bell sleeping bag) in the sub-freezing temperatures.As always, the trip gets closer an closer.
Date: 2012-01-26
To: Tent Has Shipped
Miles today: 0.0

I woke up this morning to find in my inbox that my LightHeart Gear Solo was shipped and has made its way overnight up I-40 from Asheville to Greensboro, meaning that my new home away from home is a mere one county away.Kudos to Judy Gross for taking the time to follow up on my order and clarify a few things.I guarantee the tent will be set up in front of the cabin before the UPS truck hits the end of the driveway.
Date: 2012-02-06
To: North Face Cats Meow vs the Osprey Exos 46, Part 3
Miles today: 0.0

I've been meaning to write this awhile, seeing as how I've resolved the sleeping bag vs. backpack issue.As I mentioned earlier, I ended up buying a MontBell U.L. Super Spiral Down Hugger #5. The sleeping bag comes in at 16 ounces and compresses down to the size of a Nerf football. I know it was a rash decision, but I said "I'll take it!" as soon as I saw it stuffed into a small stuff sack and cinched down. But, even as I was making the purchase, I figured there was numerous ways to compensate for the fact I was giving up my 20 degree bag for a 40 degree bag.I've slept out in it a few times already and am good with my decision. Though it's rated as a forty-degree bag, I've found it comfortable down to 30 and a little less, and that's with just the bag and a sleeping pad (no tent, for instance).In each case of sleeping out, I slept comfortably for eight hours and with few issues. With that said, I know there's still a few more tricks up my sleeve. For instance, filling a bottle with hot water and putting it in the sleeping bag with you as tuck in provides some warmth, as does eating a Snickers bar or similar item. Also, one can don a fleece jacket or other clothing, provided that the jacket or clothing doesn't completely fill the bag, compress the down, and squash any insulation properties the bag provides.I've paired the sleeping bag and sleeping pad with my tent (a LightHeart Gear Solo with Awning) and tent pad (piece of Tyvek cut to fit tent) and slept out in cold, misty & rainy weather, and had no issues, even down to freezing.Even though I know these conditions don't replicate those one might encounter on the trai ¢ say, outside all day long, several days in a row at freezing temperatures and a low of 20 or worse at night ¢ I hope the techniques listed above plus a few others can compensate. In a pinch, I have some expedition weight (!) long johns on the way (should arrive today) I can put on. I have also found that laying my jacket over the sleeping bag instead of wearing it inside the sleeping bag has been very effective.In any case, I'm pleased with my decision and now eagerly check the weather each day to see how cold it's supposed to get over night. Here's hoping to something in the twenties this week!
Date: 2012-02-06
To: Gear All Done
Miles today: 0.0

I have to say, that I think I am done with gear. Well, as done as one can be -- we all know we fidget with our choices, mostly likely even as we're unloading the car and getting organized in the parking lot. ("Hmmmmm. I thought I needed this, but on second thought... And -- hey -- what was I thinking?! I should've brought such-and-such after all; this pack doesn't seem that heavy after all, it wouldn't have added much.")In any case, the only thing I am truly lacking are new tent stakes. I have a mish mash of aluminum stakes I've used my my REI Half Dome tent. I used to have a nice collection, but I'm always losing one or two in the sand each trip to the beach, and I've augmented my collection with longer stakes for the beach, shorter ones for west Texas. But, really, who wants to carry 10 stakes of about 4 different sizes in their pack on the AT.So, I am lusting after some super light ones at Village Outfitters. I checked out another outfitter here in town and even trucked over to REI (yay, Super Bowl -- traffic was light to non-existent), but Village Outfitters has the best price by far and actually carries more than 3 or 4 at a time. (If one were to judge by the motley stock kept on hand at most outfitters, you'd think most tents can be set up with only 3 stakes, tops.)I think once I get those, I'm pretty much done with equipment.Now, on to food (which I've already started and -- holy cow -- 4 or 5 days' worth of food takes up a lot of space in one's pack).
Date: 2012-02-08
To: Food, food, food
Miles today: 0.0

The grocery store (and even the convenience stores and gas stations) look a lot different now that I have my Hiker Goggles on.Where I used to scan the shelves and look for best price or a favorite brand, I now find myself picking an item from the shelf and weighing it in my hand and deciding if it's worth the weight and volume it'll occupy in my pack. Never mind that I'm not actually shopping at that moment for food for my hike, the mindset has already taken residence and established its habits.I used to get a lot of pleasure from finding odd or uncommon ingredients and knowing that there was one special recipe in which I could use that item. Now I look at ingredients and ask, "How many different ways can I use that and how long will it keep?" And, even more important, I ask myself "Will I get sick of it after a week or three?"And, what I used to skip over -- either because I thought it was nasty (I'm looking at you, Spam) or, to the contrary, because I considered it a guilty pleasure -- I'm now pausing at and rethinking its place in my diet. Spam, you don't look like a questionable pink meat-like substance of dubious and most likely slaughterhouse floor origin; you're now protein presented to me in a convenient single serve pack. And, those fancy hot chocolate packets that ounce for ounce are in line with the cost of certain entry level caviars? Well, one or two of those now seem like the perfect thing to stash away for particularly nasty days when the rain and cold won't quit and I need a little perk to keep up my spirits.And, don't get me started on those little bottles of adult spirits and what have you. Yes, they're overpriced, especially when you consider that for a tiny six-pack of those airplane bottles (as we call them) you could buy an entire full size bottle of Jameson or Captain Morgan or whatever your favorite poison may be. But, take one of those 50ml bottles of Gray Goose or Absolut and pair it with one 5-1/2 ounce can of Mr & Mrs T's Spicy Bloody Mary Mix and you have a diminutive brunch beverage in the making for one lazy Sunday morning on the trail.Now, if I could only figure out how to get a celery stick and an olive to stay fresh until then...
Date: 2012-02-11
To: Got my hands on a TNF 15ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ° Synthetic Sleeping Bag
Miles today: 0.0

What? There's been a like-new fifteen degree bag in a closet upstairs and I'm just now finding this out? Well -- hecks yeah -- I'm grabbing that puppy and using it through to Damascus.I like my new MontBell and all -- I even tested it down to the upper 20s -- but why not opt for the added comfort of a warmer bag? It [the fifteen degree bag] doesn't compress down into the small package the MontBell does, and I'm sure it weighs more, however I'll gladly debate the merits of one bag over the other from the toasty comfort of my newly found bag while on the trail.The only thing that remains is to convince myself I really ought to skip seeing live music at The Garage (dang it, and it's The Real Nasty followed by Meghan Marquette, a must-see line-up) and instead test out the bag while we have 21 degree weather tonight. Decisions, decisions...
Date: 2012-02-17
To: I Can Boil Water!
Miles today: 0.0

Normally, this proclamation would either elicit a response of "Well, I would hope so; people have been doing it for years" or "Uh oh -- what have you been up to?"In this case, it's simply a matter of my surprise that my Super Cat Alcohol Stove actually works. I know, I know -- hundreds of hikers if not more have punched holes in cat food cans, poured in some alcohol, and fixed themselves coffee, tea, or a hot meal without fanfare. But, we're talking about me here. We're talking about Me + Open Flame + 190 proof Everclear, not to mention poking holes in a can and whatnot all without setting my sweater on fire or piercing a major artery (well, technically, I suppose they're all major).And, let's not forget the most important thing: Without over-thinking the whole endeavor. There were no attempts to optimize hole punch size, exactly calibrate the distance between holes, build some sort of multi-part ancillary pot stand, or otherwise muck with the sublime simplicity of the stove's design.It just works.How awesome is that? Such a simple design and it does what it's supposed to. Indeed, what I like most about such designs -- particularly the Super Cat Alcohol Stove and its brethren -- is that you're actually making something by starting with something else and removing stuff from it. That is, you take the can and you completely change the nature and purpose of the object -- nay, make it an even more interesting object -- by punching holes in it (removing bits of the metal).Eh, forget the philosophy; I can now practically guarantee myself hot coffee every morning. Now we're talking.On a more serious note, it was a fun project because I pulled Dad into it and we had a grand time torturing a handful of cans, dinking with makeshift windscreens, timing the boil and complete burn time, and figuring out the optimum amount of alcohol to use. There was probably a laundry list of things we should've been doing (for me, billable client hours and wrapping up my trail planning; for Dad, whatever was on his Honey Do list from Mom, maybe checking in on work at the office, and so on), but playing with that simple little stove was a good way to spend the afternoon. I'd say the Appalachian Trail is already paying off.
Date: 2012-02-18
To: Stopped by Amicalola SP and Lodge Today
Miles today: 0.0

I'm taking my own sweet time driving back from Houston to North Carolina and made some time to drive up to Amicalola State Park and Lodge. If my impending hike wasn't real enough before today, it definitely is now. There's nothing like seeing a sign with "Hiker Check-in" to let you know this is where the fun begins.I have reservations at the Lodge for the night before I start the Approach Trail, thinking that I would like to explore the park before hitting the trail. The Lodge is gorgeous, though I didn't arrive until after the sun set and thus probably missed the full impact of the views before it. It looks like there' lots to see and do in the park, so I should be plenty occuppied the day before I start my trek to Maine.Currently, I'm holed up in a motel in Dahlonega, GA, not far from the park. It seems to be a happening little town and, despite the steady drizzle, the streets downtown wre paked with cars and people were walking to and from a variety of shops, restaurants, and some music venues. I would suggest if you have some time before your own hike that you check out this town and see what you find.Only 11 days to go!
Date: 2012-02-20
To: Boots Got Sole
Miles today: 0.0

I just got back from the shoe cobbler and my favorite pair of boots is now resoled and ready for action. Sure, I could've bought another pair or gotten trail runners but, when push came to shove, I decided to go with what was comfortable and I've trusted before.This particular pair of boots has seen me through all types of weather, all types of terrain, and all types of troubles. So, who am I to tell them they have to stay home this go 'round?Here they sit, then, all cleaned up with new soles (and treads I haven't seen since a monster truck rally commercial on TV) and ready to go. Sure, they're not light and snazzy like the latest trail runners, but they're my boots and they're going to go.[And, yes, I'm well aware that the likelihood of one pair of boots making it through the entire hike are remote, which is why I'll probably break down and get something else before I head out, breaking them in before I go. But, again, these boots hold a special place in my heart and should get their chance to go.]
Date: 2012-02-21
To: Ugh. Sick
Miles today: 0.0

Seven days before I make the 5-1/2 hour drive to Amicalola State Park and eight days before I start marching up the Approach Trail to the top of Springer Mountain, I have a non-trivial cold.Dang it. I maybe get a cold once a year and it's usually not a big deal. But this particular cold is moving in slow motion and seems like it wants to hang around longer than the usual 2 or 3 days. So, there's the risk I won't be at one hundred percent when I start. On top of that, I have last minute things to wrap up with clients and I need all my hours between now and departure to get them settled.I have chosen to give up my daily 6AM six mile walks with my full pack, but I'm not willing to give up much more. I've got to finish my billable hours, box up a few mail drops (luckily, only about 3 to 5), and so on.No doubt, I will start as planned, but here's hoping that I'm 100% at that time.
Date: 2012-02-23
To: Getting Better, Getting Close
Miles today: 0.0

Still recovering from hellacious cold but feeling better, bit by bit.By this time this coming week, I will have spent my first night on the trail, just past Springer Mountain (I'm doing the approach trail, so thus the uber low official AT miles for Day One).In any case, I feel my cold has done its worst and now it's a matter of getting back to 100% as quick as possible.Onward and forward.
Date: 2012-02-26
To: There's Never a Good Time to...
Miles today: 0.0

take a vacation. That much I've learned over the years. Even the simplest and tried-and-true road trips (like my runs between NC and TX) always present a few last minute hurdles that test one's patience and ability to roll with the punches.But, here I sit with only 2 days before I leave and I still have trail maps, guide books, and so on spread out before me as I put the finishing touches on my plans. I've never seen my plan and the resulting spreadsheet of daily mileage and resupply stops as written in stone -- there's just too many variables and unknowns -- but more as a framework. More importantly, such planning has encouraged me to read the trail guides thoroughly and view each map inch by inch. Thus, the real value of my planning has been to familiarize myself with sights and interesting stops along the way and to provide context to place names as I read other hikers' trail journals. For instance, when someone refers to Guyot Shelter I have a pretty good idea where that is and know that's it's within the longest stretch of the AT uninterrupted by road access.And, while any plan may be pretty much out the window within a week or so of starting out (since armchair planning is most likely more optimistic than realistic), having such a plan assures those around me that I have indeed put some thought into this, improved my chance of completing the thru-hike, and thereby justifying the disruption this endeavor causes for everyone.I've no doubt that before I leave the coffee shop this morning I will have everything squared away. After all, I've only got the last 300 miles to plan or so. But weighing on my mind is a cold that has outstayed its welcome. Actually, this is the second of two colds, as I was getting better a few days ago and then got worse again, but with slightly different symptoms. The cold has had two unfortunate affects. First, it's taken me off my physical preparations, which included daily walks with my full pack. Second, it's sapped my ability to crank out 10 hours or more of work on behalf of my clients, so that they are well positioned when I up and leave.It's really tempting today to push my start date from February 29th to March 2. But, I feel that if I make allowances and excuses before I even start, that speaks negatively of my ability to finish a thru-hike. That is, if here I sit in a toasty warm coffee shop with all the comforts of civilization in front of me and I fudge on my plans, then what will my decision be when I am three days soaked to the bone and tired and sore?On the other hand, starting my hike congested & tired and risking bronchitis or walking pneumonia sounds like a bad idea and a sure-fire way to end the trip within weeks.Maybe the thing to do is finish my spreadsheet (probably only another 45 minutes left to that task), double-check the addresses on my maildrop boxes, check my email and knock out a few more billable hours before tonight, and trust things look better in the morning. No doubt they will.As they say, you never step in the same stream twice. If today is unpleasant, that's no promise that tomorrow will follow suit.