morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-04-06
From: Wayhah Shelter

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

It was cold last night, but not the worst. None of the water bottles froze, that is a plus. I had to get up in the night and for the first time in two weeks the skies were clear. The stars were out and there were millions of the brightest stars I have seen in years. So many people never get to see this, I guess I am lucky. But then again who wants to climb to the top of a 4,000 ft mountain and sleep in the cold just to see stars??? My knee was killing me in the morning and I took another dose of Vitamin I that mabe it bearable to climb the 600 ft and one mile walk to the top to get a ride. The day is just beautiful and has the promise of a great day to hike. Providence has struck again. We met a very nice young man who was delivering Bibles to all the shelters from GA to Maine. A very lofty goal, I must say. A former thorugh hiker he gave us a free ride back to Franklin. Went to the hospital and now for the bad news. It seems that over the years or because I am old I had developed bone spurs on both leg bones in my knee. I guess walking about 120 miles up and down mountains with 45 lbs on my back agravated the knee where the bones rub together and caused significant inflamation and some swelling. The cure, ice, rest, drugs, and 4-5 weeks on crutches. It hurts to end this trek so early, but what will be will be. I expeienced something I never have before and maybe I will get to do it again. We will see what the Doc in York thinks, hope there is a cure. Thnaks to all for your encouragement and support. I am sorry I couldn't do more.
Date: 2011-04-07
From: Franklin, NC

To: York< PA
Miles today: 0.0

Had left over pizza for breakfast, been a long time since I did that. I have a shuttle to the airport and should arrive in Baltimore by 8.00 pm. Taded a 45lb pack for a 1 lb pack of essentials to get home.Sgt York, signing off for now - stay tuned - who knowsI just figured out my guest book. Thnaks for all the notes, really nice of you. Sorry there won't be any more entries for a while.
Date: 2011-06-17
To: Starting Agai
Miles today: 0.0

After a few months I think my kneee has healed and I am starting out again on the trail. Unfortunately I can not go back to where I got off so I am starting at Pen_mar and going north as long as this old body can take it or I get tired. I hope to make it to the big "K" by mid September. If any one was following me, You can start again. I plan on leaving Sunday 19 june, 2011.Please wish me luck, and thank to all who gave me encouragement on my first attempt. Signing off - Sgt. York
Date: 2011-03-21
To: Test
Miles today: 0.0

Well, just testing things out as I get my gear together. Made a rapid-fire switch decision last night to go with a tarp set-up instead of a tent, as I found a great deal online and considered the finer points of versatility and light-weight-ness-itude. Hoping to be hiking by 4/15. Still in Austin until the end of the month.
Date: 2011-03-31
To: Streamlined
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday was my last day with a vehicle for who knows how long. Selling my car was very bittersweet. It was a great little vehicle. We had some nice memories, saw some beautiful places, and although it was nice to have the burden of 'selling' off of my back, I do miss her a little bit.In the morning, I took all of my remaining unwanted clothes to the good will. I've found in the last few years or so, that most of my material possessions don't have too much hold on me, and I can easily let things go... except for t-shirts. Thankfully, I'm taking two of my all-time favorites with me on the trail, and two more I mailed back home to mom and dad.The other night I packed up all of the clothes I think I will be needing into a 14 liter waterproof compression bag. Feeling streamlined.
Date: 2011-04-04
To: Ready to Leave
Miles today: 0.0

My days in Ausin, TX are at an end. Hopefully i will be heading east today or tomorrow. The plan as it stands right now is to get to Orlando and see a friend for a bit, maybe experience the Disney World. After that I want to kick it near the ocean for a few days before i head up to Georgia.I booked my bunk at the Hiker's Hostel in Dahlonega, GA for 4/13, which means I will start hiking on the 14th, one day earlier than I had initially planned. Already ahead of schedule, which is fantastic. I spent the last few days walking around South Austin, gathering all of the little odds and ends I felt I needed before I left. Mostly basic first aid stuff and toiletries. I still need to pack my bag.... oh well. Since I'll be on the road for a few days yet, I'll have lots of time to get that whole side of things organized.I had been hoping to find myself a nice walking stick somewhere before I begin my hike, and while walking around yesterday I found a terrific stand of bamboo growing along the side of the road. I still need to do some sawing on the piece, but have the beginnings of a great staff. Bamboo is ideal, because it reminds me of my days in Hawaii, it's light-weight, sturdy, and oh so much cooler than having a trekking pole.cheers
Date: 2011-04-05
To: The Journey Begins
Miles today: 0.0

And today marked the official beginning of my journey. I got up around 730 this morning, made sure I had everything I needed and left the house. It took me about 90 minutes to walk to my rideshare partners' house. I met James and Rachel there, and they seem like a lovely couple. Their recently acquired VW Vanagon has a few miles under her belt, but runs well enough. James adeptly installed a new clutch hydraulic master cylinder, but she still seems to leak hydraulic flud from.... somewhere. So far, a few hours into the trip, this has proved to be a mild, and more frustrating than harmful, problem. We are traveling with another rideshare member, whose name is also Ben, who is going as far as pensacola. I have a good feeling we will make it to florida. Eventually. One way or another.Cheers
Date: 2011-04-07
To: N'awlins!
Miles today: 0.0

Really quick, before I start today's entry, I would like to give a quick shout-out to Troy, Alan, Becky, my cousin Shannon and my mom and dad, for writing in my guestbook. Your little messages bring me much happiness.Yesterday I was writing while on a bus to New Orleans with my newly acquired travel buddy, Ben. We arrived in town a little after 8 p.m. and made our way to the french quarter/bourbon street to meet up with friend and our soon-to-be hostess, Natalie. With our backpacks on, and me with my bamboo walking stick, we drew a few odd glances and comments walking the streets. New Orleans is a city like no other I have been to in that it exudes personality. The layout, architecture, colorful people, bright lights, the river and its wonderful ferries and boats, and the music oozing from every hole in the wall all make it a lively, sensory friendly place to walkabout in.After a brief tour of the overly-hyped bourbon street, we made a quick detour to the frenchmn area, which felt a little more sincere and local, what with the 4 piece blues ensemble playing on the street corner andthe general lack of tourists.We caught the last ferry cross the mississippi river at 12:15 and walked to Naty's house, a large two story southern-style abode with 15+ foot ceilings and our very own 'hippie room' to sleep in near the front door.I slept in until 11 or so, and on awaking found a rideshare that will take me on a new journey over the next few days through cleveland, mississippi and to atlanta, where I hope to couchsurf or stay in the international hostel or some combination thereof until the 12th or so. We might even make a brief visit to six flags.The bulk of today involved finding the best Po'Boy sandwich that N'awlins had to offer, so we made our way to the Parkway Bakery and Tavern where I. Had an amazingly massive concoction with fried shrimp, roast beef and gravy. My stomach, not having had any large meals in the last few days, grudgingly assented to take on this beast of a task, and is now asking me kindly to rest before I meet up with my new compadres this evening.Cheers
Date: 2011-04-09
To: Three States
Miles today: 0.0

Today was a driving day, which is a good excuse to pause and refelct on things past, present and future.It was never my intention to end up visiting any of the places I have stopped in since I left Austin on Tuesday, but the way things have been unfolding so far, I couldn't have asked for things to go any better. The people I've met, the places I've seen, the food eaten... all of it has all been incredible. And in this brief time I feel like I've been able to grasp just a bit of what the south is about. A little. And I like it. Growing up on the west coast, things are new, and grand, but the south just seems to ooze history and culture.Last night, my two rideshare mates, our couch surfing hosts and our lovely civil rights activist drove up to Clarksdale, where two of the premier delta blues clubs exist. Red's is the smaller of the two by far, with a $5 cover paid to watch T-Model Ford play dem blues with his (step?)grand-daughter playing the drum and a wiley haired white gentleman backing him up on a shiny blue fender jaguar. It was Ford's 90th birthday, and he sat slumped in his chair, cradling his guitar, effortlessly slinging out song after song, stopping occasionally to take a sip of whiskey.I liked Red's, with it's 900 or so square feet, dim lights and sweaty cave-like atmosphere, much more than the other option in town, Ground Zero, a more boisterous/happening bar which is, coincidentally, co-owned by Morgan Freeman.We woke up this morning to a wonderful blueberry pancake breakfast provided by our hosts, and began the 8 hour journey east to Atlanta. Although we only stopped for gas, food and an emergency 10 mile detour to get blizzards from DQ in Birmingham, Alabama seemed like a gloriously beautiful state. Wildlands with rolling hills, plenty of greenery, both coniferous and deciduous, surrounded the highway for the vast majority of our speed way through the state. Andthen right smack in the midde, BAM, there stands the Talladega Superspeedway with 8 enormous flags fronting the interstate. Got myself a nice pulled pork sandwich at a small bbq diner, where we sat next to a cute couple decked out in confederate flagged garb. Alabama everybody.Tonight finds me writing from inside another colonial style mansion at my new couch surf host, William's place. First, totally uninformed, impressions of Atlanta make it seem like a very nice city with several good times waiting to be had. I will be here until Tuesday or Wednesday morning, when I make my way farther north and closer to the Hiker's Hostel in Dahlonega and the AT trailhead.In the meantime, I hear that the famed 'Bodies' exhibit is in town and for tomorrow, a visit to a little place called SIX FLAGS.Cheers
Date: 2011-04-10
To: Georgia On My Mind
Miles today: 0.0

Today was another great day in the life. Last night my host William took me out with some friends to the Virginia Highlands district of town, a decently happening hangout spot frequented mainly by the students of Emery University. We lingered just long enough for some good people watching and company. I met two fellows who had just returned from a weekend of camping in the Smokies, and they spoke of the ragged bunches of AT thru-hikers they encountered there. While they stayed up late cooking sausage on the fire they found it odd the habits of thru-hikers, what with their early bed-times and sharp awakenings, and meager looking meals.In general, Atlanta seem very agreeable. It is a very liveable city, or so my host tells me, and it sees to have a high conentration of outward bound people, with plenty of rivers and hiking trails within striking distance.The evening hit a climax when we were coaxed down a flight of stairs where there featured a new pheomenon for me: rock 'n roll karaoke with live band accompaniement.And then my rideshare girls picked me up around 10:30 his morning for a day at the theme park. Six Flags in Atlanta is a decent enough park, but bothing too spectacular. Their largest wooden rollercoaster was cosed for the day, the only diappointment in a day of no-so-cheap thrills and clif bars.The best news of the day is that the big toe on my right foot, after having some minor nail issues and leaking a bit of puss for the last week, feels and looks great. Just in time. I called the Dahlonega Hiker Hostel and arranged to be picked up in Atlanta at 2:30 pm Wednesday. Woot.No plans for tonight. Tomorrow I plan to gather my last minute supplies, purge some gear and send it home, and generally take it easy.Cheers
Date: 2011-04-11
To: 3 Days To Go
Miles today: 0.0

And the world keeps finding me in great stead. I feel that I accomplished everything I had set out to do today, and got some nice surprises along the way.Last night I did have a bit of trouble falling asleep. Partially due to the extensive late afternoon nap I had once I returned from Six Flags, and partially because my mind is over-actively trying to figure everything out as my "d-day" approaches and I set out on the trail.So yea, I slept in until about 11:30. Shaved my face for the first time in a week. I will be taking a razor with me on the trail, but still haven't decided how often I will be wanting to use it.And then I set on a nice walkabout to get supplies. Picked up a nice bandana at Walgreens and a few other odds and ends. Got all of the food that I think I will need to last me the first 4-5 days of hiking at a super market called Publix.Then I went to the post office and mailed a 4 pound box of stuff back home to the rents. I had re-assessed my total gear selection ealier in the morning, and found a fair amount of stuff that I figured I could do without. Still have yet to weigh my pack, but things are feeling light. Which is nice.And then I had a superb lunch of garlic green beans and sun-dried tomato pasta at whole foods, which was the only place I could find the Spike seasoning I was deliberately seeking at my earlier stops (although they only had the "no salt" variety).The only thing I needed to complete my little errand list was a camp towel, which I found at a nice local outdoor store called Half-Moon Outfitters. And while I was there, my rideshare mates called me up and told me they were going to catch a movie at The Plaza Theater, which I had passed 1/2 mile earlier. So I hoofed it back up there and we all caught "The Adjustment Bureau." The Plaza is a classic theater. The kind they can't make anymore. Big screens, comfy seats, roomy aisles, 80's carpeting, clasic movie posters adorning the walls. A gem really.And then after I found myself a stylish and smaller new wallet. A funny moment happened as I walked down the street and found the nearest trash can and began the awesomely cleansing process of getting rid of 5 years of accumulated wallet trash. The thing is that I was doing this right outside of a large cafe window and got a few odd looks, rifling through and dumping a wallet into the garbage... but if anyone cared none tried to stop my "pilfering." Good times.Just had some spectacular Gelatto. And then a freshie off of the conveyor belt at Krispie Kreme. And for tomorrow... who knows? But it will happen regardless.Cheers blog directory
Date: 2011-04-13
To: 2 Days To Go
Miles today: 0.0

I'm sensing a theme with my journal titles here of late. Hmmm.....Today was exactly what it needed to be. I slept in until the graceful hour of 11:30, and then pretty much lazed around for a few hours, reorganizing my gear and doing a bit of mental prep work for the trail. Feeling good about the ground work I have laid so far, both mentally and physically.Around 4, my legs started getting an antsy feeling, so I went on a walkabout up to Piedmont park. Urban parks are one of my favorite things about mainland USA, and this one was exceptional. Fantastic grass. All sorts of walking and biking paths interlaced. A small lake sits as the center piece with a few docks and bridges and creeks stemming from it. I saw two fellas throwing a frisbee in a manne that suggested they were ultimate players, so I tossed some plastic with them for a few minutes and then carried on my way past the major park facilities: an off the leash dog park with separate big and little dog areas, a half dozen or so tennis courts, two soccer fields surrounded by a gravel track, sand volleyball courts, a nice sized modernized playground, two boccee ball pits. Yeah. Great park.Had a nice dinner at a cuba restaurant just up the block. And then returned home to call some friends and family. Tomorrow will be a great day of transition, staying at a hostel with other hikers, comparing bacpacks and whatnot. And then the trail looms.Cheersblog directory
Date: 2011-04-14
From: Springer Mountain

To: Gooch Gap
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 1 on the Trail!The first day of hiking was everything it should have been. Long, strenuous, exhilirating, good weather, and a learning experience.I had a bit of a restless nights sleep, what with the excitement of the coming day, but I probably dozed off some time around 1 or so. The house was buzzing at 7. I took my time getting things organized, took a stroll around outside and saw Dane, a fit fella who had done part of the PCT, and asked him if he wanted to be hiking buddies. Such a cute moment really. He agreed. So I ran down to get my bag packed before breakfast. I was one of the last ones to the table, but there was still plenty of chocolate chip pancakes, scrambled eggs, and grits to sate my appetite.And then I weighed my pack: 36 pounds... without water. Heavier than I had wanted, but lighter than I am accustomed to.The van left a little after 8:30 for the hour long drive up the mountain, half of it on an unpaved road. After a quick stretch, me and Walkabout (my hiking buddy's trail name) started to .9 mile to springer mountain, where the trail officially ends/begins. There is a smallish plaque at springer dsignating the southern terminus of the AT. Small of the kind which prompted several "that's it?" comments from those in our group. But, it is what it is. We had a quick photo session, signed our trailnames in the register, Walkabout and I jetted out in front of the pack. He is a fast hiker, which is nice. In all, the first day started off somewhat easily, with some minor ups and downs, until about the ten mile point or so where there are a few longer climbs, mounts Sassafras and Justus. Walkabout and I were plenty thirsty by the time we hit Justus Creek, and took a nice long break to refill.We had hoped to get past the Gooch Mt. Shelter before we found a place to settle down for the evening, and decided to stop at Gootch Gap, another 1.5 down the road from the shelter, where we set up camp, arriving a little before 6. To be frank, I was popped, done, exhausted, by the time we got there. We set up camp, washed up, made dinner and were in bed by 8. Walkabout proved to be an excellent hiking companion, and was the first person to call me 'Shaka,' which was cool, but will still take some getting used to.All in all, a good day. And there's nothing like some ibuprofen and A&D cream just before bed.Cheersblog directory
Date: 2011-04-15
From: Gooch Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 2 on the Trail! (Click the 'previous' button above to see Day 1, as I posted both entries today)Woke up this morning after a decent night's sleep. Tossed and turned some last night, as it turned out my sleeping bag was far to hot for the early evening temperatures. When we left the hostel yesterday, the weather channel was calling for thunderstorms to begin sometime today, and with the wind blowing a good 10-20 and the clouds creeping in, my first impressions of the day weren't too optimistic.But there was a 'carrot' to dangle in front of my nose, the hostel at Neels Gap: my proverbial shelter from the storm. Yesterday, Walkabout set the pace for almost the whole day, which was close to a 2.5 mph. Rather quick for day one.I took the lead immediately after we filled water, and we made it over two decent cimbs to Woody Gap: 3.5 miles in 70 minutes. In all, the day proved to be a great one. It constantly seemed on th verge of downpour, but never let loose. Fog came in and out in waves, and I found myself mesmerized at times looking up at 100 foot tall tress swaying through the mist. While it was chilly, especially at the tops of ridges and mounts, it never really got too unbearabl cold, which was nice as I hiked in board shorts and a longsleeve.With the inclement weather everywhere, we had our first real stop of the day around the 10 mile mark. It proved to be a nice bit of rejuvenation, as we made it up and over the longest climb yet encountered on the trail, and into Neels Gap before 2 p.m. The only way the weather hampered us was by obscuring all of the potential viewpoints we passed along the way. Although the stone shelter on top of Blood Mountain cutting into the mist was a the visual highlight of the day.I immediately went into the store to secure a bunk in the hostel, and when I got in I was happy to see Trek (the 7 time AT veteran) had chosen to stay the night as well. He didn't want to suffer through the potential thunderstorm overnight either.Walkabout decided to continue on, and I was a little remiss to see him go, but it is what it is.Me, I'm contenting myself with some cheez-its, a soda and a longer day of rest and a night in a dry bed. The weather should clear tomorrow.Cheersblog directory