morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-01-27
To: Fire and Water
Miles today: 0.0

Today I've been meditating (not really, I have a hard time sitting still) about my stove system and water system. I bought a new stove and I am toying with the idea of changing my water system.FIRE!So to start with, I am a dunce when it comes to fire. I've already expressed my failure with building a normal fire. So imagine me trying to use an alcohol stove. I realized afterwards that I should have put more thought into what I was doing. Instead, I just poured the alcohol into my Minibulldesign Elite and lit it up. Now, I had it sitting on my desk near all of my backpacking food. Suddenly, the flames are coming up from the desk itself. OH CRAP! I am about to burn down my desk and set this huge apartment building on fire. So naturally I take the pot I had full of water and try to pour it onto the burning flames. FAIL.This is where I show that I have no common sense, but maintain a shred of book smarts.The water didn't work. It spread everything. Letting the alcohol pour out of the stove and move across the desk. There was a satisfying sizzle sound, but the fire was still going! Finally, I had an intelligent thought: in the absense of air, fire dies. So I pick up a wine glass, cover the stove, and the fire pops out. Whew!Now I'm telling you this story in the strictest of confidence. No need to go out yelling to the world how Stealth Fighter can't even use a stove properly. I just want to show how even intelligent people can do some stupid sh$t.So I decided to get an idiot proof stove. I've ordered the Minibulldesign MISO stove that Tinny has just invented. Much more controlable in my opinion. I like being able to feed it remotely. I realize now that I should have had some sort of pan for the Elite to sit in. I might toy around with it later but I really like the idea of not having to measure out my alcohol anyway.WATERRight now I have a Sawyer 3-way Inline filter attached to my 2 liter platypus water bladder. It's easy, simple, yet slightly weighty. I don't want to go to chemicals. I've been thinking about getting the Aquamira Frontier Pro and rigging it into a gravity system like in one of Jason Klass's videos. But I'm worried that the filter won't last a full thru-hike. I've also decided to add a small powerade or water bottle to the system for mixing drinks: I like the vitamin C packets that dissolve in the water. Plus I can put some extra "special" punch in there while in town for later.You'll be happy to know that I am now enjoying full days of no neck pain or stiffness. I have the full range of motion I had before! I have complete confidence that I'm completely recovered from that crazy experience.Only 36 days until that first step!
Date: 2012-01-30
To: Hammock Night!
Miles today: 0.0

It was time for my first night in the hammock in my parents backyard!!Now I was using my old sleeping pad and that didn't go so well. I got cold points on my butt and my shoulders. I was augmenting it with side wings made from a zlite pad, but I don't think it was working out. My feet were toasty though! And everything else was very comfy. Score 1 for the hammock. I'm just going to rethink my insulation underneath. 33 days until the trail!I just got my 2012 AT Guide and I'm finalizing my mail drop locations. I really need to get some more meals made quickly. But unfortunately I made another dumb move. I forgot to close out my tab at the club this last weekend and left my debit card there. They aren't open except Fridays and Saturdays so I can't get it back for another week or so. That means I'm stuck without cash to get food to make delicious backpacking meals. It's okay...I'll just have to go into overdrive next week.
Date: 2012-02-06
To: BBQ and Packs
Miles today: 0.0

I got my new backpack in the mail this past weekend. The Zpacks Blast 30 backpack. I was only able to spend enough time with it to snap a picture, but this next weekend as I move some things home, I'll be able to spend some more quality time with it..I made some BBQ spaghetti the other week and dehydrated it. YUM! It was majorly spicy though. I probably should've gone easy on the chili powder.... But it's great to have some more meals prepared. I'm afraid I'm running out of time to prepare more. I think I'll try a bean dish next.My mother keeps making comments hinting that I haven't really put any thought into what I'm getting myself into. I'm trying to not talk to her about some of the prep stages, and essentially keep the trail out of the conversation.I want to make a special thank you to all the encouraging posts I've been getting in my guestbook. It really does mean a lot to me to see those. And taking an example from one of those posts, I've decided to forgo my earlier giggles at my friends who would want to take nail polish on the trail, and I bought a small bottle to play with. Why not? I'm saving weight in my pack elsewhere, I might as well bring a fun element into it. Only 26 more days until I step on the trail!
Date: 2012-02-13
To: Last Prep Hike
Miles today: 0.0

This past Saturday was the last prep hike I'm going to be able to do before I start the AT. My friend Alicia came out with me for her first hiking trip! It was a brilliant day. On the way there we experienced rain and then snow but when we got there it was beautifully clear and not too cold. The temperatures did drop throughout the day but thankfully we were in an area with hardly any wind gusts. Alicia did such a good job for her first time out. The trail was a bit crowded and I got an amazing surprise. I passed like 3 people I knew~! That never happens. But the Ultimate Hike crew was out prepping for another one and the trainers were people I knew. I did get a bit sore for a 7 mile moderate hike. But thankfully not too sore. I think the main reason I hurt right now is because yesterday I allowed my cats to sit awkwardly on my legs and knees. I love them too much to move them lol.As soon as my underquilt comes in I will have everything I need for my pack. I took everything I did have out with me on that prep hike and it felt like there was nothing on my back! I have definitely lowered the weight significantly.So the only preparation that I'm behind in is my food. I have this week to prepare the about 60 more meals. Then this weekend I'm moving out of my apartment. If I don't have to come back to work next week, then I will have all of next week to make meals as well. But if I do, then I'll have to crash at a friends place and I can't take over her poor kitchen. Then the week after that I'll be in Disney World for half of it. Oh it's a hard life. lol. It's officially 19 days until I'm on the trail! I wish this cold front hadn't come through but we'll hike through it anyway. The only really stressful issue I'm dealing with right now are my student loans. My mom doesn't want me to deferr them. I don't think we have any other option. It's this whole battle with my mother over it. I think she's finally seen the light though and we're going to consolidate and then worry about what can be deferred. I have to say the money issue is my biggest fear.
Date: 2012-02-25
To: Misfortunes
Miles today: 0.0

Today, a week before my journey, I had the misfortune to lose one of my very close friends. His name was Stefan and he died way too young. I met him in middle school. Dated him in high school. Became best friends with him in college. And lost touch in the last year. Just a week or so ago he sent me a message saying, Kit Kat - I miss you. He always thought we should've ended up together, and I'm sad that I didn't take him up on that.It just shows me that life is way too damn short not to live it. He went to bed with a stomach ache and never woke up. It can happen at any time. Don't delay your happiness because you never know when it will be taken completely from you.I love you Stefan and I'll be taking you with me on this thru hike because I know you wanted to do it with me.
Date: 2012-03-02
To: Last Day
Miles today: 0.0

Well this is it. My final prep entry. I leave for the trail tomorrow morning. And I'm already in panic mode. Mainly because I've lost my down jacket.....It has to be around here somewhere.So today is a day of mixed feelings. I'll be frantically searching for that jacket while getting my final prep work done. Then at 2 I have my friend's funeral to attend. Afterward, some friends are coming over for a night of good-byes. A quick look at my emotions goes something like this: excitement, panic, fear, relief, sadness, deep loss, dread. I guess everyone knows that there is a fear of not finishing. I want to accomplish something great to prove to myself that it is possible, and that there is more to life than 9 - 5 jobs.Weather report shows rain for tomorrow. Brilliant.Checklist for today:Get music on ipod squared awayFind down jacket - all hands will be on deck for this one.Gear CheckFinish mail drops - they need vitaminsTake 50 showers to prepare for time without showersLove the catsClean my nails and shaveBrief the parents on the mail dropsBreathe.I guess all I can say at this point is, See you on the trail!!!!!!!
Date: 2012-03-03
From: Springer Mountain

To: Horse Gap
Miles today: 10.6

Day one started bright and beautiful after the terrible night of storms we'd had in the area. We got to Springer Mountain parking lot a bit behind schedule, so ky best friends Kristen and Jake shot up to the top of the mountain with me while my uncle waited in the lot. After a few good bye moments we were off.The bad news began before I even started though. I forgot to bring my hat. Smart Kat, real smart. And then my trekking pole crapped out on me. So I was stuck with only one pole. But optimism kept me going!We rocked the trail for most of the day. Although my butt chaffing experience started. Note to self - bring body glide. I started feeling my low in the last mile when we pulled into Horse Gap. Uncle wanted to try to get to Justus Creek but I didn't want to push it. So we set up camp and my PMS kicked in. Oh hey Kat do you really think you can do this? You are a fool with your outdoor gear. Oh the depressing state that is my mind. But my uncle talked me through it so I didn't have a complete meltdown.The night was permeated by the sound of this tree rubbing against another. It sounded like a door creaking open and closed.
Date: 2012-03-04
From: Horse Gap

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light rain

Oh what a morning. The wind ripped up out of nowhere and blew my tarp every which way. It was a cutting cold wind. So we quickly packed up and started out to get warm.But the first mountain was Sassafras. It was intense. We finally got to the other side and got out of the wind. The mountains were a bit brutal today and the wind was just awful.Now, the night before my uncle made the discovery that he brought the wrong pole set for his tent. So he had to set up a 1 man tent with a 2 man tent pole set. So my suggestion was that we get off at woody gap in a shuttle to the Hikers Hostel. So with that in mind, I remained super happy all day. During the day we met 2 guys who we leap frogged throughout the day. Jaws and Red Rob told us that the temps tonight will get down to the low 20s. That decided us, we're definitely going to the hostel now.So now I'm cozy in the Hikers Hostel. Ive noticed a welt on my hip, a few scratches on my legs from a trek into briars for a pee break, and some bad butt chaffing. Hopefully the shower I had will help with the chaffing. Apparently I have a big butt and small shorts. Lol. Tomorrow we head fir Neels Gap where my uncle will leave and I'll be trekking off on my own from then on. Here we go!
Date: 2012-03-05
From: Woody Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: clear sky

Today we got a ride from the hostel (which was excellent by the way) to Woody Gap to start our rough uphill day. The first couple of miles included a steep uphill battle with a mountain straight out of the gap. It was pretty brutal. Then we battled the wind for the rest of the day. These gusts would cut through everything and freeze you. You couldn't stop otherwise you'd start to shiver. We knew we were going to have to climb Blood Mountain today so we were prepared for the massive climb ahead. But it still kicked my butt.We rolled into Neels Gap at around 2:45 pm and I got a bunk at the hostel there. So here I'll stay tonight and tomorrow I start off without the uncle. I will say that being alone now scares the shit out of me. I hope I'm ready for this. Unfortunately most of people I've met here will probably blaze on ahead of me. But I'll give this a super go. Because I will not give up on this dream.
Date: 2012-03-06
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

It was my first day on my own. I started out a bit apprehensive. Tears came for a minute. But then everything just kept getting better. The weather was gorgeous. At Testnatee Gap I came upon trail magic with a great man named King Tut. He is a minister and prayed with me before I went on. Then there was a steep uphill permeated by groups of trail maintainers. These people were working hard. When I got to the top of the mountain I stopped to eat some chips I had picked up at the trail magic. Lays potato chips have never tasted so good. Passed by Jaws and Red Rob. Jaws was having blister issues. Then my stomach started hurting. Looking back, I believe I needed more food but I still didn't have my appetite yet. I found it later that night though. And for the first time I ate my entire dinner. I rolled into the Low Gap Shelter around 2:10 after 11.5 miles. Jaws and Red Rob had decided to push on. But that night we wound up with around 14 ish people, most were actually women. It was a great night with jokes about Machete Mitch, a guy who is apparently a real character.Took the night in my hammock. Had a few issues getting warm at first. But I got to sleep eventually.
Date: 2012-03-07
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was an easy 7.8 miles. I rolled into Blue Mountain Shelter at 11:30 and I'm going to take it easy for the rest of the day. Most of the people are here from the past night so I know it will be a good time. We did some rock hopping today toward the end. It was different. Im glad to be taking it easy today because tomorrow is going to be rough getting to Tray Mountain.
Date: 2012-03-08
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I decided, perhaps stupidly, to go a full day to the second shelter at 15.5 miles away. I wanted to get into town early the next morning and spend all day there. So I set off from the shelter on Blue Mountain at 8 am. This was the day where I first started cursing the mountains. They were soo difficult. Up and down, up and down. Tray mountain was a beast. But I got to the first shelter at like noon. So I felt good continuing on. But the rest of the day seemed to go downhill, and I don't mean literally. I was so frustrated by the last mountain that when I finally got to the top, I burst out into tears for a bit. I was exhausted by the time I got to the shelter and I got my first blisters. On a side note - the night before I finally met with the elusive Machete Mitch. Haha too funny. He gets to the shelter and says he's going to sleep in the leaves and rocks. What a character. It was a lot of walking. But I did it all. And by 3:30 no less. I'm a bit of a hiking machine.
Date: 2012-03-10
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

The day started out perfectly. We hit up the cafe a block over for an excellent breakfast. The biscuits were divine. I talked to the outfitter man about the problem in the arch of my left foot. He suggested some Dr. Schols heel insert. Sure enough I put them in the shoes and had no more pain.We took the 11 o'clock shuttle to the trailhead and everything started out beautifully. The weather was gorgeous. I was finally able to hike in just my tank top and rolled up my leggings. It was also the first day I used my iPod. Music galore!But then things started going wrong. I got cranky from lack of food. We hit the Georgia/North Carolina border and that was great. But I scarfed down something quick.Then we went up that massive and heartbreaking mountain. I wanted to kill someone. Too bad they were all ahead of me.By the time I got to Muskrat Shelter, I barely had enough time to set up my hammock before the sun went down. And for some reason I couldn't eat. My stomach just could not stand food. So I went to bed with stomach aches and tired bones.
Date: 2012-03-11
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: broken clouds

Today the time sprung forward for an hour. I got up early and headed out before anyone else. It was relatively an easy day. No major climbs. I did get 2 new blisters. I made it to Carter Gap Shelter and realized that I am now a whole day ahead of myself! I'm just flying by!
Date: 2012-03-12
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I got up early and chilly. I was the first one out of the shelter. It was a relatively easy day except for Albert Mountain. You finally reach 100 miles and the trail says, " oh you think you're so tough for coming 100 miles? Let's test that." so for .3 of a mile you go straight up on rocks. I used a tree to prop up to get up the trail. Lol. But once you get to the top, there's a fire tower rising even higher. I didn't go up because it was a foggy cloudy day so there was no view. After Albert Mountain, I hit an amazing high. I felt so bad ass. I hit 100 miles and climbed a bitch of a mountain without issues! So I flew down the trail singing, "All I do is win win win no matter what!" It was brilliant.So I made the executive decision to get off and celebrate. At Rock Gap I called the Budget Inn and got a room with Good Deeds. A shower later and the world is right.Ron, the guy who owns the motel, picked us up, and let me tell you, he is a character. The southern sayings are priceless. If you do something nice that's "mighty white of you." lol
Date: 2012-03-13
From: Rock Gap

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Took a zero day today to celebrate the 100 miles and rest up my feet. So here are some updates.Gear update:I switched to real crocs. Necessary. I got some sunglasses too. My base tank top had too much cotton in it so I switched to a different base layer for hiking. The first day, my $30 Walmart poles broke so at Neels Gap I bought a new set of Leki trekking poles. They still collapse because I didn't get the locking ones, but I think it may just be because of the way I use them. My pack is excellent and everything has been working out well. I'll do a more detailed list later on in the hike.People update:Charlie "Good Deeds" is a good ole southern boy from Forsyth, GA. This kid is a character. Funny fireball of a guy. His mouth opens and everyone laughs. He's a bit of a party person but he's just having fun.Erin "Mellow Yellow" is a girl with short black hair and a vibrant personality. When she met Good Deeds though, she was cranky and told him "I just need a snack" in a funny cranky way. Since then it has been a joke around us that we just all need a snack when we're cranky. LolJasmine "Bean" and Bryan are a couple hiking the trail together. They are so sweet and carefree. I like their laid back attitude and nice vibes. I hope to stay near them most of the way.Erin "Yellow Tail" is near my age and got her name from the wine I bought her and her blonde hair. She is limber and eats vegetarian stuff. She makes me think of how I want to be. Ryan "Sunroof" got his name from his sunglasses riding on the top of his head. He's just graduated from high school and is using this as a precursor to college.Vincent the fireman! He made our fires for a few nights. We left him in Hiawassee, but he might come up from Louisiana in April to bring us some cajun food. So he got his new name Ragin' Cajun. Stephanos was the first one to really meet Machete Mitch. Mitch came up to his tent one night, knocked on it with his machete and asked, "Where the people at?" haha poor Stephanos. He flew ahead of us so I might not see him again.That's all I can think of right now.
Date: 2012-03-14
From: Rock Gap

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

We did a short slack pack from Rock Gap to Winding Stair Gap. It was almost 4 miles in 1 hour. But my emotions started to hit hard and I was crying almost all day. The climb out of Winding Stair Gap was a bit tough. I spent most of the day groaning. Here's some more up. The trail going up Wayah Bald was not very well maintained. It hurt. Lots of downed trees and rough trail. The view was amazing though. Then is was a rough downhill to the shelter. It was a 14 mile day that hit me hard. I was able to squeeze in the shelter but I don't think people were too happy about it. Owell. It was supposed to fit like 2 more anyway.I have a story about these two old guys we named Mutt and Jeff. It's a bit of a long story though so it might be difficult to write all this with my phone. We first met them at the North Carolina border. They pretty much ruined the excitement of getting there. We pull up an they are awkwardly chilling out by the sign. Mutt was on the cell phone with his wife. So we try our best to get off the trail and set our stuff down to wait and take pictures. Mellow Yellow starts making her way to a rock to get off the trail and Mutt suddenly starts saying, "you're not going to sit on my rock are you? That's my rock, when you get to my age then you can claim rocks." Mellow was like whoa sorry and had to plop down on the trail. And here's the kicker, he NEVER sat back on that rock. They milled about making us wait to take pictures. It was uncomfortable. So now for the last few days we've flipped around them a couple of times. Every time we try to be nice and talk they say some rude things and make us all uncomfortable. Thankfully they are getting off at Fontana.
Date: 2012-03-15
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: Rufus Morgan Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: clear sky

Today I prepared myself for a short 10 mile day. But I got peer pressured into a 15.5 mile day. But I'm getting ahead of myself.The day was beautiful. Nice downhill to start with. Then as I started up this one hill, an airplane flew straight over my head. It was cool. No one else seemed to enjoy the plane though. Going up Wesser Bald, I started to hear thunder and freaked out. But when I got to the top and got up to the fire tower up there, I noticed it was still a ways off. The view was stunning.At the Wesser Bald Shelter I wanted to stop. But the bugs were killing me. I wound up with 20 mosquito bites. The others finally convinced me to go the the next shelter. It was all downhill they said. Bull. A few more ups and downs and then a rough down, I finally made it to that next shelter. A tired yet optimistic 15.5 mile day. I felt better than the day before which was strange. Then while we were all cozy in the shelter the thunder storm hit. It was a wonderful display of weather. Lol
Date: 2012-03-17
From: The NOC

To: The NOC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Zero day. I'm healing my blisters. They finally look normal. My bites are annoying the crap out of me. I got some bug stuff and some soap to wash my hair. The NOC had the best breakfast too. And watching the river while you eat is therapeutic. I should be at Fontana on Monday and will be getting a mail drop at the Lodge. Then I'll be going into the Smokeys and won't be getting a drop until the Standing Bear Hostel, I believe about 5 days later. Then I'll head to Hot Springs and get a drop at the post office.