morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 161.0

Currently in Fontana Dam...will tackle smokies in the morning. We've gone 161 miles so far (not including the 8 mile approach). Still trying to figure out our site, so if things looks a little funny, I apologize. Short day today, only 6 miles (from cable gap shelter into Fontana). There is no pharmacy in Fontana, no grocery store, nor library...but apparently the bar opens at 9am or something ridiculous like that. We haven't been able to find a proper computer for uploading our pictures, but I promise to get some up as soon as possible! Things have been going great...I(Audrey) have been adapting quite well considering my lack of hiking/camping experience (none). I'm remembering all kinds of crazy things from my childhood...thinking about the summers I spent with my cousins...getting donuts with my dad...taking crazy random road trip with my mom. I am no doubt having the time of my life...but don't think for a minute that this is a cake walk (pun totally intended)...7 mile up hills, 20 mile downhills, "cat holes", ALBERT! It's all worth it, though, it's all completely worth it. The mice are no longer a problem...they're part of the furniture now; that is if furniture could move, nibble, scratch and climb through your bag...other than that, they're not so bad. I officially have a trail name..."Pippy Long Hiking"...I was given this name by the amazing Ping, who's real name I'm not quite sure of...I hope all is well with everyone back home...much love and support to the family of Carlee Brown; you were always one of the sweetest.
Date: 2007-05-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 70.6

Well since our little stay in Gatilinburgh we have made it out of the smokies and met some new hiking friends. The doctor at the hospital told me that I just had a stress injury in my knee, so that is good news. We only did a 20 mile day today and made it to Standing Bear hiker hostel, a great place to shower and eat some real food. We are planning on being in Hotsprings TN on thursday morning for another rest and a stay at the Sunny Bank Inn. Everything is going just great and the weather has been wonderfull. All our gear is holding up and we are still keeping our packs under 20 pounds with food and water. Pippy and I realized we were not eating enough so we have started to carry more but without adding too much weight.Hope life is finding you well,Pittsbugh & Pippy
Date: 2007-05-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Traildays...what a wonderful time, indeed.More pictures coming soon...and a more detailed update...but for the moment, I'll say that traildays was great, Gatlinburg is not, Standing Bear is great, the smoky mountain time warp is not...sing-a-long songs are great, but Suzanne, she takes the cake.
Date: 2007-06-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 94.0

This is going to be the crappiest update ever...the library is closing soon, so i've got to make this quick.We made it to Damascus around 4pm yesterday; goodbye Tennessee, hello Virginia. I'm so...soooo happy to be out of Tennessee; no privies, cement shelters, killer cascades...box turtles. Tennessee is a beautiful place, it really, really is...I just don't want to step foot in it for another 10 years.Despite a bit of bad luck in TN (here's a bit of advice, while hiking, whatever you do, do not complain...you will surely be punished for having a negative attitude!)...anyway, despite a bit of bad luck, Andrew and I managed to get the greatest hitch ever from Watauga Lake to this BBQ pit; best...hitch...ever. That's all I'll say about that.We're taking a zero today...I don't think there's a better place to do it, either...I love Damascus...such a charming one horse town.We're officially at 460 miles, too...so don't mind the mile counter at the top, for the time being it's incorrect.That about does it for now...it looks as though my time has run out.Oh! And I want to say hello to Don't Wait while I'm here! Hello!Pictures soon...I promise...Take care, everyone.
Date: 2007-06-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 170.0

Well here we are at the library in Pairisburgh Va. We just said good bye to Pippy's mom Beth. Beth came down here to suprise us. And what a suprise it was.    We all went to the Food Lion and then to the Pizza Hut. We had a great lunch and talked of things from back home.    Beth was a welcome angel in a time of need. The last few days we had been hit hard with rain. Practically all our gear was soaked. We fixed that problem with a wash and dry at the laundry mat, thanks again Beth.      We have been hiking very well the last few days. On tuesday we did our bigest day, 24 miles. The trail has been kind to us the last week and a half except for the rain. The rocks have been few and far between but when we hit them they tear our feet apart.    Speaking of feet we are doing ok. We have had some new blisters and some raw parts. The good thing is that they are not to swollen. Our legs just keep getting stronger and stronger. My knee has been just fine the last week or so. I have been elevating it at night and stretching it more in the mornings.   It's hard to know what people want to read here but it's even harder to know what to type. I am very tired today, so much excitement. I came out here to get away from these type of things but here I am, so I am going to say my good byes for now. People out there I will either be calling you tonight, tomorrow, or about 5 days from now. You all know who you are.      So now here are some shout outs! Thank you to Gram and Pap, to Kenny and MaryAnn, and to JoAnn. Thanks to Shades and Don't Wait, two of the best hikers out there. Shout Out to Hillel, we miss you man and the same for Dirt. Shout Out to my brother Nathan, I think of you everyday and I love you and miss you very much. Also to Christen, Bob, Lauren, Beans and Mark, Keep on rockin' in the free world...much love! In no particular order Nik, Jimmy, Justin, Talon, Chris, Steve, Rosie and Billhelm the Burnanator. I love and miss all of you. Every one I have mentioned here and to be mentioned is taking every step with me. I love you all.Peace out,Pittsburgh
Date: 2007-06-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 179.0

We don't have a lot of time...still have miles to make. We're currently in Montebello; resupplying, showering, sock washing...getting a FREE lunch from the dutch haus b&b, yes FREE! We hit the 800 mile mark yesterday, pulled a 25 miler, avoided an amazing thunder storm which we watched from the safety of the shelter.We've fallen a little behind schedule, so we're going to be in Front Royal, not PA, by the 3rd. We will be pulling some long days in the next week, nothing under 20. We're pushing hard for Waynesboro, word on the street (trail, rather) is that there is all you can eat chinese food! The excitement, you will never know.Missing Ping and the gang, hope to see you all soon. And Will, hopefully everything works out with Obie.To our friends and family, we love you all!
Date: 2007-07-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Oh man...We sold out, we sold out baaaaad.I am currently typing this from the comfort of my mother's basement in Zanesville Ohio, sitting in my beloved yellow moo moo, drinking steaming hot black coffee from my favorite ceramic cup. Oh man, did we sell out...My mom has been working in southern VA, in the blue ridge mountains, actually...I got a hold of her early Friday morning just as we were heading out of Waynesboro; she was on her way back to Ohio, we were feeling like we'd been hit with a ten ton sack of mouse crap (plus I had a vicious eye infection!)...yeah so, we weighed our options, rationalized things in a completely asinine way and decided that it was toootally logical to come home until the 5th.So here we are.I miss everyone so badly! My dear, dear Ping...and Brother T...and long spoon/bone/pole/bone thug/chug...Lazy Legs, Jolly, Lentil, Birch, Turtle, Will, Obi, Pitstop, Needles, Shadow, Shwa (best accent ever)...DIRT! Where are you??! I just miss everyone. Mad shout outs to all. I think we're going to start back up in Linden, so hopefully we'll see each other soon...On a completely non-hiking related note, I have the new Ryan Adams album and it is amazing.And Congratulations to Andrew's Cousin Lauren!It's passed hiker midnight, time to settle into my nice, cozy, queen sized bed...ahhh...
Date: 2007-07-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 300.0

Limited time...must make this quick...ability to type in complete sentences, negative.We're in PA!!!Since our break in Ohio, we've been kickin' butt and taking names! Our bodies needed that 6 days like you wouldn't believe.In the past week we have crossed through West Virginia and Maryland...So, so much history to experience...We hiked through a civil war battle field...simply indescribable the emotions we felt. And Harpers Ferry...I recommend visiting before it turns into a giant tourist trap, it's a wonderful town.Currently in Duncannon, PA, staying at the infamous, illustrious, luxurious Doyle Hotel (5 bucks to anyone who can pick up on written sarcasm...) This will be our first hot shower since leaving Ohio.We should be in Port Clinton by Friday afternoon/evening and into New York within the next 9 days.BACKTRACK! We're right behind you! "I don't slack pack with my nap sack, cause I'm backtrack..." We miss you, buddy!Don't Wait! You are a life saver! We thank you so much for the care package you sent us. Finding that denatured alcohol was like finding a brick of solid gold.Ping! We love you!!!!!!!!!!And just in case I don't make it to a phone/computer in time: Happy Birthday to Amanda May, Mom, Amber and Shannon...To our mothers: We'll call today, we promise!Love,
Date: 2007-08-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 200.0

We made it into New Hampshire today. I guess tonight we're staying at this guy's empty apartment 6 or 7 miles outside of hanover...word on the trail is you can get a shower and wash your clothes there. This is most definitely the worst I have ever smelled in my entire life. I haven't had a shower in 10 days. My socks have actually started to develop this almost sludge-like texture...everything they touch becomes tainted with the scent of dirty, filthy,rotten hiker.Last night we slept in a barn. I kid you not, a huge three story barn. It's by far one of the coolest places I've stayed so far. It was filled with all kinds of stuff that the owner had been collecting for what has to be at least half a century...mattresses, lamps, books, knick knacks, old vcrs...junk pilled upon more and more junk. It was so cool just to walk around and investigate everything...plus it's been extraordinarily cold as of late, so a nice warm barn made my day. A cold front hit Vermont last Tuesday, we've been experiencing temperatures low as 35 degrees at night, 50 in the day...luckily after this weekend it will go back to feeling more like summer...but then again, we start The Whites in a few days...snow is known to fall on top of Mountain Washington all year round. All in all, though, I think we'll be fine. After we hit North Woodstock it's only a hop, skip and a few Mountain tops to PING'S!!!!!! Wait, I want to type that again...PING'S!!!!!!And speaking of Ping...Hey Ping, I found a post card with all of New Hampshire's "Greatest Privies" and I'm saving it just for you!While I'm here, I'd like to say thank you, thank you, thank you to Andrew's parents for sending us the goodie boxes! I wish we would have had someone take a picture of the two of us digging into them like crazed, starving hyenas...never come between a thru-hiker and a pack of oreos!Overall, things have been going okay...I didn't realize how ridiculously expensive things would be up here...yesterday I paid $1.20 for a can, A CAN of diet coke...and why diet, you might ask? I simply cannot say...it's a paradox I tell you! On the trail I can and will eat 6 slices of pizza,2 pints of ice cream, a large order of fries and still, STILL order a diet coke...According to Redwood there was also a Lentil sighting...by chance if you ever find your way here, I'm glad to know you're still on the trail! And Jolly Green, we heard you flew to Canada...? And Dirt, keep on truckin!And just to clear up any discrepancies, The Doyle Hotel in Duncannon, PA is the greatest place on earth. We love you Pat and Vicki!Congratulations again to Lauren and Beans!Bill Paxton rules!Hmm...I think that about does it for now.Take care everyone.Love,
Date: 2007-09-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 100.0

Hey all, it's been a while since I have put an entry up here, but this is the first chance I have had. First off, Congratulations to Beans and Lauren! I miss yins and I hope you are doing well back home with the new addition to your life.Lately the trail has been extremely hard on me. The fatigue of 1800 miles and the extremely hard terrain is just whipping me. But it's nothing I can't push through. It's making me look forward to the end of the trail, but at the same time I don't want it to ever end.I don't know what else to say so I will just say I love you all and thanks for your support. I will tell all the stories when I get home and go through my real journals.Love Pittsburgh
Date: 2007-09-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 130.0

This is a picture of the start of Mahoosuc Notch, "the hardest mile on the Appalachian Trail"; it most certainly lives up to it's name. It took approximately 2 hours to complete. I didn't think it possible for a heart to beat so fast...As a warning, the library closes in 15 minutes, so if this update isn't quite up to par, I apologize.We've been taking it easy since Gorham. We spent 2 days and 3 nights there with our Auntie Ping...oh, did she spoil us. We made it into Stratton this morning after spending the night on top of Sugarloaf Mountain; we slept inside of an abandoned ski hut, complete with wood burner, hot plate and RADIO! Total luxury. On a clear day you can not only see Mt. Washington, but Katahdin as well. Although we didn't see the sunrise nor the sunset, we experienced the creation of a storm...at 4000 feet with the wind blowing at 50 mph, some crazy things can happen. Due to the rain and cold, we've decided to spend the rest of the day here, indoors. Every article of clothing I own with the exception of a sundress I've been carrying since Pearisburg, is completely soaked. Oh! I want to mention that I got stuck in a bog the other day! I thought I was stepping on muddy, but solid land...little did I know that what lied beneath me was 2 feet of sludge...it wasn't bad though, kind of cool actually...reminded me of the days when Amber, Amanda and I would walk around the farm with our shoes off, right after a summer rain...I wish I could write more, but my time is up. We should be in Monson (start of the 100 mile wilderness) by next saturday, hopefully we'll be able to update again before our final stretch.Take care, everybody. We love and miss you all.
Date: 2007-09-24
To: THE BIG K
Miles today: 70.0

We made it into Monson Saturday afternoon. Do to some complications with Greyhound, we still find ourselves in Monson this morning...all is well, though.We have exactly 117 miles to go, then this will all be over. I feel like past 5 months haven't even happened, that this could quite possibly be the longest dream of my existence. We'll be entering the 100 mile wilderness today and with luck, summit in exactly one week.
Date: 2007-01-24
From: River Park North

To: River Park North
Miles today: 3.0

Hiked 3 miles before work with pack slightly heavier than yesterday. The water is rising at River Park North so I wasn't able to get back to the campsites where I usually turn and head back. So, I hiked along two other trails to get the distance.For this trip I've made a lot of gear changes. Here are a few:¢¢Got rid of the Miniworks water filter in favor of a Steripen, saving some weight.¢¢Purchased a Kelty Tarp tent (to use instead of a Seira Designs tent)¢¢Purchased a lighter pack (REI Cruise II).¢¢Purchased a Black Diamond Icon headlamp that will help with the night hiking. Also, I heard a podcast today that suggested strapping the headlamp to your waist. Evidently, the seeing is much better, especially if it's snowing. I plan to test this out.¢¢Replaced the self-inflating Thermarest with a lighter Thermarest (not self-inflating).
Date: 2007-01-28
From: Goose Creek State Park

To: Goose Creek State park
Miles today: 12.0

Hiked Goose Creek State Park with full pack except for food and sleeping bag (I added 15 lbs of telescope weights to make up for that). Hiked the park twice for a total of 12 miles. Time: 4 hours 30 mins.Gave up the Wigwams with liners for 2 pairs of Smartwools and suddenly my feet situation got better. Feet were warm, dry and not a bit clammy. No hot spots.Stopped long enough to fire up the stove and have a cup of coffee.
Date: 2007-01-29
To: gear shopping
Miles today: 0.0

No Hiking today. River Park North is closed on Mondays and Goose Creek State Park is too far to get to after work before they also close.I purchased some Superfeet insoles today and I'll try them out while hiking tomorrow. Another purchase was a Sea to Summit compression sack for my sleeping bag. The thing's not going to fit in the pack, though, so I'm coming up with a creative way to attach it to the outside.Packed everything, including maps, data book and Thru-hiker guide into the pack and I think I'll have enough room left over in there for food. If not, I'll have to live on berries or something because I can't see taking less stuff. I put about 15 lbs of weights in the bag to make up for not having any food packed. I'm hoping I won't be carrying that much food weight, though.
Date: 2007-01-30
From: River Park North

To: River Park North
Miles today: 7.0

The pack is probably slightly heavier than I'll be carrying while on the trail but I don't have any idea how much that is because I don't have a scale. I know for sure that it's much lighter than any other backpacking trip. Seven miles today at River Park North. 2 hours 45 minutes total time.
Date: 2007-02-02
From: Goose Creek State park

To: Goose Creek State park
Miles today: 18.1

Got to Goose Creek about 2:15 p.m. and set up my new tarp, a Kelty Noah's Tarp, for the first time. It took several tries to get it the way I wanted, which probably isn't the way I'll wind up using it. I'm going to have to study up on the various ways to pitch a tarp. It's very roomy with a lot of extra space left over inside. I can bring my pack, hiking shoes, basically all my stuff, inside. Fixed some coffee while waiting on the park ranger to check me in. Once they got to the site and checked me out I was ready to hike. I still had about an hour and a half daylight for a hike.Hiked the park in this order: Camp site #10 to Ivy Gut trail entrance. .5 mile Ivy Gut Trail. 2 miles Half the Palmetto Boardwalk. .7 mileIvy Gut Trail. 2 miles Ivy Gut trail entrance to campsite #10. .5 mile Then, the following trails I hiked at night. I used my new Black Diamond Icon headlamp. It worked very well. At points along the way I didn't need it due to the full Moon. I walked several miles this way. Hiking at night is something everyone should try. It's very much like dreaming.Goose Creek Trail. 2 miles Live Oak Trail. 1 mile Goose Creek Trail. 2 miles Flatty Creek Trail. 1 mile Campsite #10 to Ivy Gut Trail. .5 mile Ivy Gut Trail. 2 miles Palmetto Boardwalk (twice) 1.4 mileIvy Gut Trail. 2 miles Ivy Gut trail entrance to Campsite #10. .5 mile Total miles - 18.1Met a opossum digging around the trash cans near the camp site. I walked right up to it and it froze, just like you would expect. There were hundreds of spiders along the trails that I could pick out because of the reflections in their eyes from my headlamp. They were mostly hanging out on the sides of the trail, as opposed to in the middle of the trail, for some reason. No other critters were out because of the cold.Back at camp I got out the sleeping bag and hit the sack. The new Thermarest works very well and is plenty long. The tarp, being so open, didn't bother me at all. I used my extra clothes stuff sack as a pillow. Didn't sleep very soundly and got up at first light and had some coffee. I need to do some stove maintenence. The fuel is not flowing very well and the gas line needs cleaning. Flame is huge and bright yellow when I first start it up. I could have fixed it on the spot because I carry the maintenence kit with me. I had to do this once in Dolly Sodds in West Virginia.
Date: 2007-02-03
From: Goose Creek State park

To: Goose Creek State park
Miles today: 8.0

Got up a little after dawn and broke up camp. Had some coffee and packed everything in the pack. No condensation on sleeping bag. Cold. I probably need to rethink using a poncho as a ground cover. Started hiking at 8 a.m. ¢¢Goose Creek Trail (twice) 4 miles. ¢¢Mallard Creek Trail (hiked half of the trail. The other half is closed do to flooding and restoration efforts, etc.) It doesn't look to me like they will re-open this part of the trail again. 1 mile ¢¢Goose Creek is building a new trail that will go from the Mallard Creek Trail/parking lot area to the visitors center near the entrance to the park. I found this trail and hiked along it for about a half mile. There are a couple of boardwalks already completed and lots of work in progress. 1 mile. ¢¢Live Oak Trail (twice). 1 mile ¢¢Camp site 10 to Ivy Gut trail entrance (twice) . 1 mile ¢¢Total - 8 miles
Date: 2007-02-09
From: Goose Creek State park

To: Goose Creek State park
Miles today: 19.0

Hiked 19 miles at Goose Creek State Park. Camped with tarp. Mid 20o temps. Saw 1 deer on the Palmetto Boardwalk. Night-hiked a trail that is being constructed. Got turned around once but quickly got back on track.
Date: 2007-03-03
From: Goose Creek State park

To: Goose Creek State park
Miles today: 5.0

Got up late and hiked 5 miles on Goose Creek and Flatty Creek trails at Goose Creek State Park. I'm having a stove issue that doesn't seem to want to go away. Stove is very clean but fuel is spitting out sporadically and I'm getting a large, yellow flame that won't calm down. Sounds like it might be a jet issue (Possible the jet opening is too large. The stove is about seven-years-old now). I'm debating getting a new stove for the trip. I've got the Whsperlite International and want something along the same lines. Any suggestions? I've set my tarp up four differents ways now and I think I could probably get creative enough to set it up different every time; one for each night on the trail. I think I'm going to stick with this last method, though. 26 more days (as of Monday)
Date: 2007-03-24
From: Goose Creek State park

To: Goose Creek State park
Miles today: 12.0

Hiked 12 miles at Goose Creek State Park. This is the last prep-hike before the trip. I'll be hiking rougly 470 miles on the AT starting at Grayson Highlands State Park and endng at the Northern Boundary of Shenandoah National Park. Seven days to go!
Date: 2006-12-19
To: Mt. Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I'm hiking the Appalachian Trail. There, I've said it. After years of casually thinking about it, and months of intense soul searching, sleepless nights, conversations with friends who think I'm crazy, and others who are intrigued and jealous, I've made my decision. On April 5, 2007, the trek begins. I'll do my best to keep this journal up-to-date prior to the hike, and while I'm on the trail. There will be ups and downs (figuratively and literally), challenges, excitement, comedy, discomfort, pain, perhaps some flashes of insight or wisdom (don't get your hopes up), and plenty of neurotic ramblings. To friends, family, co-workers and anyone else who happens upon these pages, it's sure to be a wild ride.