morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-01-27
To: A Change in Philosophy
Miles today: 0.0

This one item has changed my life and the way I will hike the trail. It has caused me to reevaluate my entire gear collection. Forced me to rethink my philosophy. What is this item I speak of? A postal scale, of course.I have never been one who believed in carrying 40+ lb packs. Why carry what you don¢t need 2,000 miles? For fun? That¢s like doing extra credit in school. Something that never really appealed to me.Well since the postal scale arrived, I have been going through all my gear and weighing it. I had always thought that my gear was rather light. After weighing EVERYTHING I would be bringing with me, I realized that it was a lot heavier than what I had hoped. When it was all said and done with, I had a base pack weight of 25-30 lbs. This also raised a red flag because from time to time I get pains in my lower pack...like an 80 year old man. After strenuous calculations, I concluded the heavier my pack, the more likely it will be that I would suffer severe discomfort in my back region. After having my eyes opened, I aimed to shave 10-15 lbs off that weight. The first order of business was buying a new pack. The pack I chose was a Granite Gear Vapor Trail. It weighed half as much as my other pack. It also requires you carry under 30 lbs, including food, fuel, and H20, which usually takes up 10-12 lbs. Or for you math nerds: a days worth of food weighs ~1.25 lbs. Normally you carry 4-5 days on average at one time. That accounts for about 6 lbs. Then there is water which weighs 1.04 ounces per fluid ounce. It good to have 2L with you most of the time. That would mean H20 would weigh a little over 4 lbs. Therefore my base pack weight needed to be around 15 lbs in order for it to be sub-30 with 4-5 days worth of food and water.The next step was replacing most of my heavy expensive gear that I had already bought with more, slightly less expensive lighter gear. The way I figure it is, if I don¢t make it, at least I¢ll go out in style. So over the past couple weeks I¢ve changed quite a few things up.1. Replaced my MSR Hubba Tent (~3lbs) with a Sublite Sil Tarptent (~21oz)2. Replaced my MSR Whisperlite Int. (~21oz w/ fuel) for a Starlyte alcohol stove (0.6oz)In addition to these two exchanges, I¢ve sorted through my gear list and eliminated quite a few items that weren¢t necessary out on the trail. At the moment my base pack weight is below 15 lbs.
Date: 2009-02-03
To: Ankle
Miles today: 0.0

Just an update. I'm continuing to work and will do so up until I depart. Right now it looks as if I will be leaving between the 12th and 15th of March. INJURY UPDATE: Over the past weekend, while playing some pickup ball, I sprained my ankle. It bruised and swelled up a fair amount. I'm hoping it's not broken and that season ending ankle surgery won't be necessary. I am optimistic it will be back to full health by the time I leave though. If not, I could become the first person to hop the entire trail on one leg. I don't want to even imagine what the size of my right calf muscle would be. I'm thinking beach ball!
Date: 2009-02-07
To: My AT Training Program
Miles today: 0.0

It's now been a week since I sprained my ankle, and it still hasn't gotten any better. The swelling subsided only to have the bruising go up. I am really pulling for it to, well, pull through. Since I am unable to run now, which I wasn't really doing before the injury anyways, I have chosen a new method of training. I spent countless hours brainstorming ways for me to train without having to put extra stress on my ankles and I finally came up with a solution. Some would consider it manly, other may think of it as just extremely masculine. Me, I just take it for what it is, good old hard man labor. I never thought pilates could be this hard. Who comes up with this stuff? I have done pilates, briefly, at one other point in my life. Back then though, I would just lie on the floor with a pillow and watch. Nowadays, my body aches.
Date: 2009-02-17
To: Up, Up, and Away
Miles today: 0.0

LESS than one month until I leave. I bought my plane ticket today! I¢m flying down on the 14th of March and am leaving Springer Mt. the following day. I can¢t believe it is finally so close. Last January when I first began formulating my assault plan on the AT, it seemed like such a distant goal. Now it is right around the corner. I seem to find myself waking up most mornings imagining what it would be like if I was in my tent, preparing for a long day in the mountains. On another note, my ankle seems to finally be getting better. It¢s not quite pain free, but it feels so much better than it did a week ago. My doctor gave me some exercises and stretches to do to strengthen it up.
Date: 2009-02-23
To: FACTOIDS
Miles today: 0.0

Less than 20 days until I leave!!! NOTE: I am really excited about the 40lbs of fat I¢ve been able to put on in the past 3 weeks. They should really help me get off to a fast start.Alright, so for those of you who are interested and take the time to read my journal, I thought I¢d provide you with few factoids about the AT.DISCLAIMER: I stole these facts from another hiker¢s journal, who in turn had stole them from someone else¢s journal so I don¢t feel so bad about exploiting his hard work and research. But I will take credit for the beard statistic. I searched long and hard to find such a precise and important factoid.Approximately:5,000,000 footsteps300,000 2x6 inch white blazes2,175 miles180 days~25lbs on my back14 states8 national forests6 national parks5-6 monthsand1 MASSIVE BEARD
Date: 2009-03-09
To: Thy Time Draws Near
Miles today: 0.0

5 DAYS until I leave for Georgia. This week is my last week at work. I handed in my resignation letter already. The company I worked at the past couple months proved to be an interesting experience. It dealt with the department of human and health services. It was very frustrating at times, especially all of the paperwork that was required. Overall though, I really enjoyed my co-workers and anticipate that taking this job will somehow benefit me in the future. As for my training, I decided to start pumping a little last minute iron. The plan that I am on at the moment calls for 2 reps of 10 with a 5 lb dumbbell once a week. It's very exhausting. I¢m finding it to be extremely effective though.At the moment I am house sitting for some family friends. It¢s been nice to be able to spread out all my gear and go through it. I only have a short list of things left to do.(1) sell my road bike (2) seam seal my tent tarp (3) plan out my map mail drops (4) enjoy the feel of a mattress for the last time. Once all of this is completed, I will be ready to hit the trail. My plane arrives on Saturday the 14th in the late afternoon at Atlanta airport. I still need to figure out how to get from the airport to the cabin that my 3 fellow hikers and I will be staying at. Then on the 15th of March, my journey will officially begin.
Date: 2009-03-12
To: On The Eve of War
Miles today: 0.0

This will be my last entry before I leave. Everything is all set, I hope. While I am hiking, the journal will not be updated every day. I will have a paper notebook with me which I am going to try to write in every day. When I pass through towns to resupply and do laundry, I will mail the pages home where my sister has kindly agreed to type them up and post them on this site. You can expect it to be updated about every 5-10 days.First off, I would like to thank all my friends and family for all the support and encouragement they have provided me with while I¢ve prepared for my hike. It has really meant a lot to me to know there are people who care about and support my ambitions, no matter how extreme they may be.On the left you can sign my guest book. For those of you who have, I really appreciate it. It is nice hearing from fellow hikers, family, and friends. And I¢m sure once I¢m out on the trail, it will provide me with motivation for those times when it is wet and cold outside and I don¢t feel like hiking.For those of you who need to contact me, email or facebook is probably your best option. When I pass through towns, I will have access to public computers. I won¢t have a phone on me while I hike. I plan on having my phone in a bounce box though. A bounce box is basically a box that I will send ahead to the next town I plan to pass through. Then before I leave the town, I will forward it ahead to my next stop and so on. I will have my phone, shampoo, camera battery charger and a few other items in it.One thing that I haven¢t mentioned that many people, including me, initially overlook in the beginning is the mental demand the trail imposes on you. Everyone talks about how physically demanding the trail is, but your mental stamina can be even more vital to your success. Once the newness of the trail wears off, once all the views look the same, once you¢ve hiked 400 miles and are still in Tennessee, over 1500 miles away from Katahdin, it is really important you remember why you are out here. I think you have to look at every situation you encounter out there with a positive attitude. You can¢t forget about the alternative, being in society with all the restrictions it places upon you.Next time you hear from me I¢ll be on trail. No responsibilities, no technology, no job, no screwed up economy, NO WORRIES! I¢ll be enjoying the simple life, just me against the wild.
Date: 2009-03-15
From: Springer Mtn.

To: Hawk Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 7.8

Amazing. That is the only word I can think of to describe today. It surpassed even my highest expectations. Obviously it had some low points like climbing up the first mountain in the rain. Overall though, is was just amazing. After getting to the cabin last night around 830, I had dinner with Jared and his parents then went to sleep.This morning I got off to a late start and didn't summit Springer mountain until around 1200. It was raining a little, but cleared up by the time I got to Hawk Mt. Shelter. I had originally planned to go the other 7.3 miles to Gooch Gap, but met up with Becca and Abe, ate, and decided to call it a day. When it began to get dark, some hikers made a campfire and we roasted marshmellows...what a tough life!
Date: 2009-03-16
From: Hawk Mt. Shelter

To: Gooch Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 7.3

Absolutly incredible. I know the newness of the trail will wear off eventually, but I'm loving life right now. I like the now 2 days of rain I've had, the fog, the culture of the trail, and the people. Everyone out here is real. I think because they aren't burdened with the stresses of society, they can enjoy life more fully.Today I had another easy day. Only 7.3 miles to Gooch Mt. Shelter. I left Hawk around 930 and got to Gooch about noonish. I decided to call it a day because of the rain and I didn't want to burn myself out before I really got started. The plan tomorrow is to hike the 15 miles to Neels Gap in time for a St. Patricks Day party.There is another hiker out here, Longhaul, who thru-hiked 2 years ago. This year he is being followed by a producer who is filming the first 30 or so miles then having Longhaul film the rest. From what I understand, it will be a six-part series aired on comcast sports.I am still loving life out here.
Date: 2009-03-17
From: Gooch Mtn. Shelter

To: Neels Gap (Walasi-Y Hostel)
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: clear sky

Woke up at 730, cooked breakfast, and hit the trail about 830ish. I had a nice hike up Big Cedar Mt. where I stopped for lunch. Ended up hiking with Chuckles, Knuckles, Halfstep, and Terminator for most of the day. At Jarrard Gap we called ahead to make sure the hostel had some extra beds. They had about 10 open bunks left so we booked it over Blood Mt., which is the highest point on the AT in Georgia. I arrived at Neels Gap around 430. It is a very cool place. For $15, I got a bed, shower, laundry, dinner, and breakfast. It was well worth it. When I arrived I had my pack shook down, but didn't end up replacing any of my gear. After getting settled in, DeDe showed up, who had stayed with us at Hawk Mt. Shelter the night before. I think we may have permantly left behind the 35 or so hikers we began with.For dinner we had an amazing spagetti dish with garlic bread and salad cooked by Pirate. Ended up watching "Back To The Future 3" and met two new hikers from New England, Unplugged and Jam.Overall my body feels good. My knees and feet are a little sore but nothing unbearable.Tomorrow Halfstep, Chuckles, Knuckles, Teminator, and I are looking to hike around 11 miles to Low Gap.
Date: 2009-03-18
From: Neels Gap (Walasi-Y Hostel)

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: clear sky

In the hostel last night someones snoring woke me up around 1. Ended up having to sleep on the couch untli Pirate's delicious smelling cooking woke me up around 530. For breakfast I had Pirate's banana pancakes with a bagel, poptart, strawberries, and 3 cups of tea. After packing up, Halfstep and I decided to wait while Chuckles and Knuckles got there packs got shook down. Since Spirnger they had been carrying over 50 lbs. I resupplied my food and as we were preparing to leave, a man from a local church showed up and cooked all the hikers burgers. It was my first case of trail magic. We ended up not leaving until 1230. The 10.8 miles hike to Low Gap wasn't so bad. A few steep climbs with endless switchbacks, but nothing unbearable. It did end up going over every peak possible. I have concluded Georgia is determined to take hikers over every peak, no matter how big and how insignificant it may be. About 4 miles out from Low Gap some hikers told us of hot dogs and beer left over from the St. Patricks Day party the night before. I arrived at the gap around 5 and pitched my tent for the first time. After dinner and attempting to call home, Halfstep taught me how to play backgammon. Not sure what tomorrow will look like mileage wise, but I'll deal with that when the time comes.
Date: 2009-03-19
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Tray Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 15.0

I woke up today in a wet sleeping bag. Things didn't start off well. I thought I had lost my tent sack and spilt the water I had just boiled for my oatmeal. Also, a hiker who goes by Chainsaw, named because of his snoring, kept me up all night. I ended up eating instant oatmeal with cold water, which was disgusting. After looking for my tent bag forever, I got a late start on the trail. A few hours in I caught up to Halfstep and met up with Chuckles, Knuckles, and Nathan at Unicoi Gap. Had a tough climb up Rocky Mt. At Tray Mt. road there was a couple of guys cooking burgers with Mountain Dew, and chocolate. The trail magic really helped boost my moral, which was very low at that point. Made it up to Tray Mt. Shelter after a 15 mile day. Met a southbounder, Graham, at the shelter, who started September 15th. He said he hiked through waist-deep snow at times and went weeks without seeing anyone.A bunch of us are planning on hiking tomorrow into Hiawassee and splitting a room at the Holiday Inn Express.I'm tired, exhausted, sore, and sun-burnt but I don't know if I've ever been happier. I know I will have some very low points and some very high points, but right now, I'm loving life.
Date: 2009-03-20
From: Tray Mt. Shelter

To: Hiawassee, GA. (Holiday Inn)
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

There was no snoring last night, but I still wasn't able to sleep well. Since the shelter is located at the top of a mountain, it was quite chilly last night. When we got up, it was still cold, but eventually warmed up.I had a tough hike up Kelly Knob and Powell Mt. but arrived at Dick's Creek around 2. Halfstep, Early Bear, Unplugged, Jam, and I had a tough hitch into town. We ended up getting a ride from a couple planning on doing an overnight. We got dropped off at the Holiday Inn Express. We split a double room 5 ways and it ended up costing about the same as the hostel. After getting checked in, we went out to an all you can eat steakhouse and put them out of business. The average age at the restaurant was about 70, but we were having a tougher time moving around than they were.After dinner we resupplied at a local supermarket and went hot tubbing back at the hotel. This did wonders for our sore bodies. What a tough life we're living right now!Tomorrow we plan on getting a shuttle back to the trail and hiking the 12 miles to Muskrat Creek Shelter. Tomorrow will also mark the day we officially say goodbye to Georgia and its endless switchbacks.
Date: 2009-03-21
From: Hiawassee, GA

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Carolina On My Mind!Had a tough night last night. I had a horrible cough and was unable to sleep. I ended up drinking 5 cups of black tea and not going to bed until 330. Woke up with a solid 3 hours of sleep in my body. Besides feeling the effects of the sleep deprivation, the morning went well. Had an amazing breakfast, courtesy of the Holiday Inn and got hiking around 9. Went a tough 16.6 miles. Said goodbye to Georgia and hello to North Carolina.At the shelter I met up with Old Gear, Halfstep, Jam, Unplugged, Angry Beaver, Prairie Dog, and about 30 boyscouts. This should make for a fun night.
Date: 2009-03-22
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: clear sky

What a day!Today, the group I've been hiking with, went over the 100 mile mark, had our longest day mileage wise, and climbed our highest mountain yet. It was a tough but very rewarding day. It feels good knowing I can do almost 20 miles and not die.I hiked most of the day with Halfstep, Jam, and Unplugged. Went past some great views along the way. North Carolina, in it's first 30 miles has already surpassed anything Georgia offered us in the spectacular views department.At the top of Albert Mt. there was a watchtower which had a breathtaking view of North Carolina. At the shelter we met up with Chuckles, Knuckles, and Nathan. Also staying at the shelter was two other very nice thru-hikers, Old Goat and Check 6.On a related note, I can definitly feel my hiker appetite beginning to arrive. Today I had 4 packets of oatmeal for breakfast, 3 granola bars for 2nd breakfast, 2 lunches, dinner, and a snack right before bed. Food should start costing me a fortune!
Date: 2009-03-23
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Wayah Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: scattered clouds

I hit a major low point today.I woke up and had a nice big breakfast. Got going around 9 and took a nice side trail to see to 2nd largest poplar tree in the US. The tree is now dead but is 27 feet in circumference, 8.6 feet in diameter, and 125.5 feet tall.About 4 miles into the hike, I finally caught up to Jam, Unplugged, and Halfstep. Right before lunch I began feeling sharp pain in my right lower shin. At the top of our first bald, we stopped for about an hour for lunch. I tried stretching it out, but the pain only got worse. The group I was with determined that I had shin splints. After lunch the others headed out for the next shelter and I continued stretching it out, which did nothing. I decided to hike the 8 miles to the shelter in pain and ended up arriving over 2 hours later than I had planned.I know a lot of people drop out for psychological reasons. They get tired up hiking, tired of eating the same food every day. Right now I love every aspect of the trail and would hate to be forced off because of shin splints. Tomorrow is another day, so all I can do is rest them up and take it easy.The plans for tomorrow are hiking the 16 miles into the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC). If the pain is still prevalent, I will be taking a zero day to rest up.
Date: 2009-03-24
From: Wayah Shelter

To: Bryson City, NC
Miles today: 16.3

Tomorrow really is another day. Although sore, my shins felt so much better today. I hiked at a slower pace and stopped to stretch every 30 minutes. I experienced none of the sharp pain I had the previous day. The hike was a tough downhill into the NOC. It was over 70 degrees outside and very humid. When I finally arrived after an exhausting hike, I rewarded myself with Gatorade and chocolate bars. Halfstep, Unplugged, Jam, and I were able to rent a huge cabin that only cost a little more than the hostel. After getting settled in, we all went out to eat. Ate a couple of large pizzas and sandwiches.Tomorrow I believe we plan on getting a late start and hiking the 7 miles of uphill to Sassafras Gap Shelter.Good news: The forecast predicts 5 days of rain. BRING IT ON!
Date: 2009-03-25
From: Bryson City, NC

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: light rain

Had an amazing nights sleep. Woke up around 830, had a cup of coffee, and watched ESPN. We checked out of the cabin around 10. Went to the NOC's general store and resupplied from there limited selection. I will look forward to eating snickers and butterfingers for the next few days.Before we headed out, Jam and I went and had lunch at the restaurant. Began hiking later than expected. Jam, Unplugged, and I hit the trail about 1145. Blazed the 7 miles of uphill and arrived at the shelter about 230. Made a group decision to push on the additional 9.1 to Brown Fork Gap Shelter. A couple of miles after the first shelter I got a bloody nose so Jam and Unplugged went on ahead.I ended up doing some creepy hiking because it was rainy, foggy, and I was by myself. The hike proved tougher than I originally thought. I didn't end up getting to the shelter until after 7. I'm in with a very interesting crew tonight. There is an odd couple with a weird dynamic between them. The husband treats his wife like she's 12. There's also another guy who is section hiking until the smokies. His name is Pecan and he is going Grandma Gatewood style. He is hiking with all homemade equipment i.e. a wool blanket and a stove the burns wood and wax. It just goes to show that the gear doesn't make the hiker, the hiker makes the gear.Hoping to push an easy 11-12 miles into Fontana tomorrow.
Date: 2009-03-26
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: heavy intensity rain

I experienced almost no sleep last night. Between the snoring and sleeping 9 people in a shelter that is only supposed to sleep 6, there wasn't much comfort to be had. Adding to these already bad conditions were two people i like to call "the psycho couple". At around 3 or 4 in the morning a kind lady politely tapped the male half of the psycho couple on the shoulder and requested he roll over so he wouldn't be snoring in her ear. He basically decided "hell, if I can't sleep, no one in this shelter will". At this point, I'm thinking how his situation could get quite interesting. The couple turn on their headlamps and begin talking like the shelter is empty. They make sure to shine their lights in everyone's eyes. After breakfast ends for them around 430, he begins stomping on the shelter floor and pounding the mud off his boots, right over the kind lady who just asked him to roll over. As it all ends up, the couple talks and makes as much noise as possible until 8 when they finally decide to leave. I sure will miss them.Unplugged, Jam, and I had a nice hike into Fontana. We were able to get a shuttle into the village where we ate, resupplied, and did laundry. At around 5, we ran into some trail magic. Grilled italian sausages, chips, soda, cheese, and crackers. What a treat!The 3 of us plan on staying at the Fontana Hilton tonight. It is a shelter that sleeps 24 with flush toilets and hot showers. Ahh, the life of luxury!