morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-01-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After two weeks of research and agonizing over what tent to get, finally selected a Tarptent Stratospire 1. This tent is made here in the USA by a small shop in Nevada City, California and its the only place you can get it.When you look at the tent, its nothing special. But what I learned from my time researching sleeping systems, which can include hammocks or simply a tarp, is - as you would expect - each has advantages and disadvantages. What finally got me to make a decision was frustration at not making a decision. I've come to believe you learn what you really need after using your first purchase (be it skis, tennis rackets, or tents) for a while.So the Stratospire is a blend of relatively low weight, spacious interior, has good to great weather resistance, spacious vestibule space so my pack or shoes can remain outdoors if need be with good protection, fair price, and it is relatively easy to set up (albeit with practice). I have both a solid interior to start with, and a netting interior to use in warmer months.On the not so good side, this is a style of tent that can attract interior condensation, is not as large as other tents I was considering, and its a relatively new design from a small company (and so there are few reviews available).Should have it in a week's time and then the real fun begins; learning how to set it up, and spending some nights at Camp Backyard to test.Also decided on a sleeping bag, chosing the Hummingbird Nano 20, a really nice down filled bag, which should work well until the summer months when something lighter will be in order. Will likely add a liner to help during cold nights, probably a Sea to Summit Reactor Plus Compact Thermolite Mummy Liner.Trekking poles arrived today, the Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles. What made the decision for me is using the poles and upper body to help reduce the workload on knees and ankles, especially down hill, or when fording streams.
Date: 2014-01-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Figuring out what equipment to get is kind of a crapshoot, so when it arrives relief can set in as it is tested on local trails. We live next to a fairly large conservation area, Delaney, which has nice trails but not much in the way of elevation changes. This past week did four, five mile hikes through Delaney and around one of the associated ponds using new pants, trekking poles, and other bits.The weather here has been unseasonably warm for January, so it has been raining this week which provided an opportunity to march around in that. Today, it is snowing, which was great to trundle around in but I'm am beginning to wonder what my neighbors think. "There's that damn fool again, marching around in this weathah!"I will only appear weirder in the coming days and weeks when I decide on a backpack and begin using that. And camping in the backyard. Well, I need to prepare as best I can and unless plans change, I start the Appalachian Trail two months from today.____¢Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened.¢Terry Pratchett
Date: 2014-01-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Got the last major piece of equipment yesterday, the backpack.Went to REI thinking of getting the Osprey Aether 60, but the rep felt this was a better bag for someone with a "slimmer build". So tried an alternative, the Gregory Baltoro 75, which actually turned out to be more stable. Early in my reading on doing the AT, bloggers were saying to buy your backpack last, and to bring your equipment to the store to load up the pack to see how it felt. This turned out to be good advice. If you'd like more information on the Baltoro, watch this video (http://www.backcountryedge.com/video-gregory-baltoro-backpacks.aspx).While there also picked up a mid-layer fleece, the REI Rauk Jacket (on sale!), an outrageously bright orange (all the better to be seen in) which thankfully also comes with a hood to provide a third layer of protection between a wool skull cap and my winter shell's hood. Picked up some insoles for the boots as well.Other items keep coming in from Amazon, the most interesting perhaps is a power supply for my phone and IPad. Power is available every few days, in a trail town diner or a hostel, but wanted some way to charge devices while on the trail. After lots of reading, settled on the Newtrent Travelpak+. This is a little heavy as my equipment goes, coming in at 10 ounces. What it has going for it is the ability to re-charge an IPhone four times (not sure yet about the IPad, which likely takes more of a charge) plus offer two charging slots while its charging itself. Looked at solar as an alternative but was not getting a sense there's a reliable product yet for trail use.Picked up some food items this week, including "crystallized" eggs, dried milk, sample pouches of tuna and chicken, and a dehydrated rice and veggie meal. This is all going into a bigger goal of the next few weeks of figuring out which food might be best for the trail, and how much fuel to carry. People who are using alcohol stoves seem to carry a four ounce bottle, which sounds preposterously little.Not sleeping well, keep waking up around 4 AM and think about the trail. A lot to prepare for.Here's something you might like to see, a seven minute video of a thru hike from this past year (http://vimeo.com/84507293),
Date: 2014-01-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: snow

One of the fun aspects of doing an AT hike is you get to have a trail name, a whimsical tradition in an effort to more clearly define oneself from any other hiker. It also prevents one ¢Jeff¢ from being confused with any other ¢Jeff¢ if there¢s a problem on the trail.Trail names are frequently not chosen before starting on the Trail, with the belief the name will find you. Search Google for ¢trail names¢ and you can find some interesting stories about how people found their names.For example, there's:"10 by 10, a NOBO hiker who had mice get into his stuff early on. He retaliated by carrying mouse traps from then on. One night, he killed ten mice by 10 PM, thus the trail name."Although I initially was going to use a nickname I already have, I changed my mind. I will let my Trail Name find me; it seems to find everyone who stays on the Trail long enough.
Date: 2014-01-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Was kind of excited yesterday to do my first local practice hike with the new Gregory backpack, loaded with 15 pounds of gear. I expect my base weight at the beginning will be more, likely 18 to 20 pounds, but felt this was a good weight to try. I haven't used a backpack in a long time. Chose to try a new trail system this morning as well, driving across town to the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge, which is located in the Still River / Devens area of Harvard.The trail starts along the Nashoba River, and then curves inland to "Tank Road", formerly of the decommisioned Fort Devens. The temperature was in the mid-teens (F), sunny, with lots of snow on the ground.Decided I'd do six miles, three in and three back. Map here (Tank Road continues northeast).The path was icy and the snow crunchy, lots of resistance. Cross country skiers had been using, and in general the trail was uneven - lots of work for ankles and knees. One icy crossing over a partially flooded patch of trail.The way out wasn't too bad, but my water system's (Geigerrig Hydration Engine) hose started freezing up and I lost my water access. Luckily this didn't happen until half way but was surprising. Not sure whether it was the hose freezing (the drink-head certainly had ice crystals), or the water itself was freezing. Will have to spend more time on this next time.My trail mix (mixed nuts, dark chocolate, dried fruit, sunflower seeds) worked great. This was a combo of two Trader Joe's packages (Trail Mix being one, and unsalted sunflower seeds the other). Tasty, filling, easy to munch on. Will switch to salted sunflower seeds for the trail.Made it back in about two hours, covering the six miles with only modest elevations.Drove home and was just beat, tired and sore. I've been walking over two weeks now, frequently five miles, but with the pack and the uneven, icy trail, must have gotten my first taste of how arduous the AT might be.Not dissuaded, better educated.Try again on Thursday.Seven weeks to go.
Date: 2014-01-31
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning I was determined to try Oxbow again, and was out the door like a kindergardener on the first day of school. I soon realized I was acting more like an eighth grader, having left my wool hat, gloves, and coat at home.Rather than return, I figured this would be a good chance to try hiking with just a base and fleece, no coat, and using my base merino socks as mittens.The weather is somewhat warmer today, hit about 30 when starting, and once a half mile or so into the trail, was perfectly warm. The trail was just as much a pain in the buttocks. Hard, icy, pot holed by prior hikers and worn smooth by cross country skiers. But better prepared today and suffering no injury for a second time because of these conditions.Last time on this trail, I had noticed what appeared to be a pile of sticks and mud on the path. Stopping this time realized that it is in fact a beaver house, built right on the trail.The beaver was likely in there, setting down a cup of hot cocoa, thinking "there goes another dang clanking human."Again, completed six miles in just under two hours with was a slightly heavier pack. The hydration system worked like a champ this time. I drank about a liter of water on the trail and another liter before starting.Weather is supposed to creep into the 40's this weekend, so hoping the ground will be just warm enough to set up the tent for an overnight test.
Date: 2014-02-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Been a night, and a day of firsts. And let's not forget cadence.Yesterday, set up the tent outside and sealed all the seams with a blend of clear silicone and mineral spirits, per Tarptent's suggestion. Later in the afternoon put in sleeping pad, down sleeping bag, and thermal liner in the hopes of doing an overnight sleeping test.Being still like a kindergardener, headed out at 9 PM to go to sleep, and placed my water bottle in the bag. That was a mistake. Yes, putting it in was right so the water doesn't freeze, but it wiggled down below my feet and when I went to grab it to make it more accessible, the top came off and all the water gushed into the bag. Got up, went back inside while trying to avoid the land mines the dog has randomly left in the yard, and dried the interior of the bag. Water is the enemy of down, but luckily the bag has enough repellent to help pool the water making cleanup easy.Back outside, all zipped up, while pondering how to get warm. Had a wool cap and eventually figured out that it was best to zip the bag up and wear the top of the bag over my head. Wore a cotton shirt versus my base, which I think was a mistake. Best to wear a base and possibly a fleece. Used my fleece in a sack for a pillow, which worked out "okay". May just use my arms for a pillow as I did back in the old pup tent days.Never realized how much noise the nearly U.S. 495 made at night, and it took a long time to fall asleep. The strangeness of being in a tent, going to bed too early, the chill in the air, and the buzzing of trucks downshifting was just a bit too much "new" going on.Got up at 5:30 AM and headed inside. Will try again tonight since I got a good workout today that will hopefully make sleeping easier.Did a pack-free walk of 9.2 miles, the longest yet during this prep. Took just shy of 2:40. Beautiful weather and took the advice of thru-hiker "Animal" and walked cool. My last few hikes I've come off sweating pretty heavily, and worked today to walk cool by taking off and on my hat and gloves, and opening and closing my fleece, which made the walk more comfortable.My younger son's suggestion is that I adopt a cadence to walk to, something that he learned during USCG basic this past fall, and I've used during my year's of running long distance. Today it was Johnny Cash:I fell into the burnin' ring of fire,I went down down down, and the flames went higher,And it burns burns burns, the ring of fire, the ring of fire. Hut, hut, hut.
Date: 2014-02-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I've been looking for a place to get some elevations, and "Bob" from "Southern NH" on TrailJournals suggested Mount Monadnock in Jaffrey, New Hampshire. My wife has been suggesting the same location so I checked it out (trail map here).Was thinking last night of trying the trails, which might offer ice as well as elevation, with just a slack (fanny) pack, but this morning woke up and figured why waste the opportunity. Loaded the Gregory up with most of my gear plus 2 liters of water and it weighed in at 20 pounds, about where I'm hoping it will be before food and my final gear (closer to 25 or as high as 28).Monadnock is about an hour away, and the weather forecast is for more snow this evening, so figured I'd get on the trail and see how things were before deciding how far to go. I knew the summit is basically rock with no shelter, and certainly didn't want to be up there with a weather front coming in.Get out of my car and two what looked like experienced hikers were putting their spikes on their boots, telling me the trail was icy about 60% of the way. I don't have spikes (such as this) but figured "how bad could it be?"Not finding much detail on what the trails were like, headed up the White Dot trail which would eventually make it to the summit. I split off this to take the White Cross trail until it reconvened with the White Dot. This will make more sense if you look at the map.The trail was basically 90%+ ice, and what wasn't covered by ice was exposed roots and lots and lots of rocks. One rock on the way up was too tall and had lousy approaches, so took off and tossed my bag up on it before climbing up. Had a similar experience twice on the way down, both times letting my bag roll down the trail aways followed my butt scootching down the ice and rock.It wasn't all difficult. The day was sunny and once I was away from the trail head it was warm enough to drop my wool hat and down coat. Even went without gloves for a while. The trekking poles helped a lot, especially on the way down.It was slow going, which is fine. More interested in safety than speed. Took about 40 minutes a mile for the 4.1 miles total miles or 2 hours 44 minutes.Stopped at where the two trails met for a breather, trail mix and water. From here you can see the top of Monadnock in all its rocky glory. While there thought I'll try the summit next time, but with the trail the way it is - can only do that with spikes and maybe an earlier start.
Date: 2014-02-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: snow

I haven't gone to sleep here, just haven't had much new to say.Starting to get some more family interest in joining on the trail some where. Three brother-in-laws offered and my oldest son is "committed" but we have to coordinate where to meet which might be a challenge. Would love to have company on the trail, but need to figure out how much is okay without slowing down too much. Need to be in Maine by mid-October.Starting to let friends know, since I have a scruffy pre-trail beard and need some explanation as to "why". Will be glad to have their support and my wife might use their help as well.Did two other hike/walks last week. Another run through OxBow with a 22 pound pack, but only went about four miles as the trail was pretty heavily snowed in, and a second walk between snowy conservation land and roads this past weekend of 9.1 miles without a pack. Both were comfortable, and am finding my recovery times are improving, especially if well hydrated before starting. Real life is limiting my practice time.Am using "MapMyHike" app, the cousin to the "MapMyRide" app used last summer to track bike rides. Sits on my Iphone, and you don't need to use your data plan to track yourself (just ignore their request to turn your data on before starting). Gives a pretty good summary of each hike although it can chew up your battery. Best for training and likely unusable for this reason on the trail.
Date: 2014-02-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

My wife made me a Valentine's Day snowman, complete with a sign urging on her "A-T Man". Quite imaginative and cute.On Wednesday, did another hike in Oxbow, and brought along my small, light video camera for a test. The video is in the video section, is in high definition, so best viewed full screen.The camera is here. It is REALLY light, the review says "flimsy", and there's a risk its too fragile for an extended hike. One advantage is its is chargeable through a USB cable, meaning three of the four electronic items (IPad, IPhone and camera) would be chargeable with one method. The only non-rechargeable item is an LED head lamp, which should last one to two weeks before needing new batteries.We have heavy snow coming in later today, and am hoping to make another try on Monadnock on Sunday, if the trail is passable.Items are still coming in but we're down to the short list at the moment. Decided to get a pair of base leggings given the weather variability in the south this year, and my stuff sacks came in as well. They may be too small.Got some micro crampons for the boots, at my wife's insistence, perhaps because while hiking Monadnock last time had told her about slipping on the icy trail. It also looks like they're a pretty popular item for NOBO'ers.A little more than four weeks to go. Watching the weather like all the rest of you planning your hike, and reading the blog's (go Hudson!) as some of you start. I feel ready.
Date: 2014-02-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

We had our third snow storm yesterday of the last 10 days, each dropping 6"+. Our yard is just about hip deep. But I don't regret it at all, living in a place with four unique and beautiful seasons is part of what makes living here great.Today did two 2.5 mile circuits through Delaney, but as with a hike last week in Stow, the trails were pretty heavily covered. Made an intentional effort to focus on breaking through lightly or unused paths to get practice in about 8" - 16" of snow of varying denseness. This is my first pass through this section following what may be dog tracks or perhaps a coyote.Still looking at a March 17th departure to Georgia. Going to take Amtrak down, in part because I find trains relaxing but also to provide better control over my backpack; which contains my house, bed, cookware, clothing, and entertainment for the following (hopefully!) six months. Last thing I need is for it to get damaged or go missing in transit.Its snowing again now...
Date: 2014-02-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Hard to believe its been a week since posting anything. Been busy. Will be on trail three weeks from today.Great to read the updates of people on trail, and sad to see those leaving early on their journeys. This picture is from the top of Mount Monadnock in Jaffrey, NH on Sunday.Have spent time trying to get my final pack list together, and then how to organize it for the backpack, or to wear. Need to figure out how quickly I might need each item, then where it should be."Accessibility" is pretty simple, that being able to find something:within a minutewithin 5 minuteswithin 15 minutes, orwhenever Within a minute items include my tent, or trail guide; whenever includes trash bags or spare mylar water bottles."Position" is more complicated:Pack Top, ExteriorPack Top, InteriorRight side, mesh pocketLeft side, mesh pocketInterior, water bladder panelInterior, main panelInterior, sleeping bag panelBack, center panelHip belt, rightHip belt, leftExteriorOn polesWearingCurrently tracking 73 items, and still expect my base (before consumables) weight to be 22-23 pounds and trail weight (with consumables) to be around 30 - 32. Trying very hard to avoid adding more items at this point, but its difficult. A little heavier than I'd hoped, but at 200 pounds myself, a couple pounds early on will hopefully work themselves out on the Trail.Realize when I stop walking I need something OTHER than boots to sink into, and after resisting this decision to save weight, chose the trail's default option - Crocs. Relatively light, comfortable (hopefully), and can leave them outside pack while walking, or tent when sleeping, saving valuable interior space. Also got one more dry sack, and am struggling to figure out whether to get gaiters or not. May just make that call on the Trail.Continue to practice, and so, there's a new video in Video section...or just click here to go to YouTube. Its in High Def, so watch full screen.
Date: 2014-03-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Have to admit that like others prepping to do this year's AT as a thru hike (plenty of people have blogs at Trail Journals), its getting to the point where the scope of this trip is sinking in. Probably most concerning on these blogs are the number of people who get on the trail, and within a day or three, stop. Its more than they thought, the climbs harder, its hard to sleep, the pain in joints and muscles long ignored or under trained. Gulp! Can I survive where they can't?I am literally spending four to eight hours a day trying to get ready. Yesterday was spent weighing each and every item that will end up in the backpack, or on my back, and logging it in to a spreadsheet to help reduce any weight possible. Bring a whole roll of toilet paper when a fraction of that will last days? Done. Bringing soap (while others don't) means a 1/5th of a pound when reducing to half that much should last for several weeks. Done. Two Snickers bars versus four? Done.For physical practice, returned to Mount Monadnock today for another run to the summit. With 1,800' of elevation in about two miles, this hike is - at least on paper - easier than the approach trail to Springer Mountain in Georgia, which rises 2,200' in eight miles (although half of that rise is in the first mile and a half). Hopefully the local training will pay off.At Monadnock's summit it was a bit chilly, and a guy with a horse head showed up. A group of hikers I'd been following took turns getting their picture taken with him.Have a song you like that makes your feet move a big faster? Make you think of the Trail or long journeys? Something you'd like to share? Leave a comment in the guest book!
Date: 2014-03-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

10 days to go before boarding that Amtrak train to Georgia.Its going to be nice to walk in a straight line, with somewhere to go.The Avett Brothers - Jordan is a Hard RoadRain forty nights, gonna rain forty days,Gonna rain on the Allegheny mountains;Gonna rain forty horses and dominicker mules,Gonna take us on the other side of Jordan.