morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-02-03
To: Lynchburg
Miles today: 0.0

Stopped in Lynchburg on our tour of the southern archives. My (Jester's) Grampa has been ill in the hospital so we're spending time with my family here while this situation gets stablized. He's doing better so we spent the morning up in the Peaks of Otter. Fairly cold up there but a beautiful, crisp day. We hope to be on our way down to Johnson City, TN. by Monday or Tuesday.
Date: 2007-02-13
To: Visiting Warren Doyle and his archives
Miles today: 0.0

Sarah and I left Lynchburg on Sat. February 10th to head down to visit Warren Doyle in North Carolina. He had invited us to meet & stay with him and his family while we peruse his files on the Trail for Sarah's project. We met him Sat. night at a school nearby his hometown where he and his daughter were calling a contra dance. We joined in to dance a bit and enjoyed the exercise. Afterward, We talked with the Doyle family over some diner food before heading back to their house for a cozy night's sleep. The Doyles' generousity freely cascaded from their mountain home. Can't thank them enough!In the morning we chatted more specifically to clarify our purpose and Warren helped us navigate the mass of papers and books in his office. Spent a good long Sunday bent over stacks of paper, weeding through Warren's well-organized files for relevant documents. Monday we got in a more formal interview but had to cut the stay short on account of my grandfather's progressing illness. That leaves us back here in Lynchburg, joined by my mom and dad, taking shifts watching Grandpa in the hospital.We wait.
Date: 2007-02-19
To: Said our goodbyes and back to work
Miles today: 0.0

Grandpa exhaled for the last time Tuesday (2/13) as we all began to expect. I feel that he was ready. Wouldn't eat or drink but waited, it seemed, until we were all there to close his eyes for good. My mom, dad and Grandma Mabel were there with him. After staying up all night with him, Sarah and I were asleep . Grandpa's funeral was on Thursday and we said our goodbyes to Mabel Sunday morning. I already miss him greatly but keep my thoughts with Mabel as she bares another such transition. She's a strong southern gal though, and will always make the best. She knows she has us no matter how far away.Here in Atlanta, now, visiting the National archives, archives of the state of Georgia, and those of Georgia State University. Somewhat confusing just to spell out. Sarah and I will make the best use of the week to find useful information and then on to Baton Rouge: the last errand before stepping foot on the trail.Miss you all.
Date: 2007-02-23
To: Georgia State Archives
Miles today: 0.0

Being that this is a research trip. We felt it time to do some (more) research. All day, all week we've started our adventure in this building: The Georgia State Archives located in Morrow, GA. The friendly staff have guided us through some old & newer documents on Appalachian Trail history. Quickly we have discovered that there is too much to look at and we've had to prioitize which infomation will be useful for the research project. Recently, a staff member found Georgia's orginal state copy of the Declaration of Independence. It was tucked away in a book all this time and now one can view it in the exhibit room of this building. Georgia's european population then was less than 1% of what it is today and sticking the copy in a book was perhaps revolutionary (sorry) in terms of document preservation. When there are less than 5 people for every sq. mile as there were in the late 1700's, I'm sure there were many other things to tend to. For the real backstory check out the website.http://www.georgiaarchives.org/This particular day we had our lunch outside. Although it was breezy, the temperature must have neared 70 degrees. That made it hard to go back inside and sit at the desks for another few hours. Discipline got the better of us, and we buckled down 'til quitin' time. If you're going for a hike, it's best to be prepared. Next stop on this Appalachian Trail adventure(?) will be Baton Rouge, LA.There may even be some hiking soon.Have fun.
Date: 2007-02-24
From: Springer Mt. 

To: Hayesville, NC
Miles today: 106.0

After a 20-some-odd mile day yesterday (very uncommon) we strolled onto North Carolina route 64 and caught to Hayesville a ride with an extremely generous man on his way to work.We thought we'd peruse the courthouse files to find more information on local land history and the like. We didn't have too much success so we headed over to the tax office: same story. Deeds office: same again.Now we're at the library and searching through local histories and seeing what other documents might be lying about. Probably get a bite to eat and then head back out onto the trail.Hiked a little over 100 miles thus far and starting to get into the routine. This, of course, will be broken up with visits as this one to try and get a local perspective on the trail and how relations have gone over the years. The biggest challenge has been tracking down the local people involved with trail activities and land-use issues. There is a practical reason that histories offer lopsided lenses much of the time. Hard to find evidence (i.e. detailed documentation) if nothing is written down or those involved are no longer alive to tell their story. It's been fun though. Sarah and I read and write at night in our little tent and I've got my "walking stick" (guitar) up and running for some entertainment.We are both well though a bit exhausted from yesterday's jaunt. Got a chance to clean up in Haiwasee, GA and will stop in again in either Bryson City or Fontana Village for more rejuvenation. I believe we are now officially the SUVs of the human race as we consume far more than we should. All the fuel we ingest gets burned up in little time as we communte by foot from document source to document source.Hope all's well with family and friends. Miss you all very much and look forward to seeing you as soon as we can.
Date: 2007-02-26
To: Hike Inn 
Miles today: 0.0

Heading up into the Smokies after a night of eating up and drying out with Jeff & Nancy Hoch at the Hike Inn near Fontana Dam. We had a good chat with them and learned all about how they came to be there and perused their extensive and impressive collection of pre-colonial artifacts. The next omrning was cold as a good front had moved in. The first cold snap of the trip so far. The wind was wippin but the sun shown everything clear and crisp.
Date: 2007-03-02
To: Big Bald
Miles today: 0.0

Over looking the valley around Big Bald in Tennessee there has been a marked difference in the amount of second and retirement homes in the view. This whole area is the new hotspot for the rich and retirees that are finding Florida too hot or that the state will have less land available once global warming raises the sea level. There are some interesting conflicts of interest in this new development boom of the southern appalachians. What will this area look like in 50 years? Golf course across Big Bald?
Date: 2007-03-03
To: Big Bald
Miles today: 0.0

Here we came to a sign that has recently been scrawled on by a disgruntled passerby. It reads, "The rich destroy the most beautiful places". A blue blaze leads right (heading north) to some large homes off a mountain road and the white balzes indicate a change of direction to the left and up Big Bald. There has been much commentary by locals we've talked to along the southern portion of "Floridians" moving in and raising taxes, digging up the mountains and creating "the slides", and "loving the place to death". Certainly, this area was the most obvious example of new development as seen from the trail.
Date: 2007-03-04
To: Near Erwin, TN.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Up a steep grade through a holler in Tenn. there is a grave site and then a scattering of buildings once a homestead with a nice creek with falls. The old log structure is visible to the right and the trail running beside must have been tread many years by the residents. ATV tread now reveals todays use by the locals. Some families have been given right of way to do so in order to visit such old gravesites which are many around these hills.The ramps were up and made for a good hunk of greens on our sandwiches at lunchtime.
Date: 2007-03-05
From: Near Erwin, TN.

To: Near Erwin, TN.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

One shot of the Balds of East Tennessee. These are beauitiful peaks though the wind kept us from lingering to take it in as much as we'd liked. The lack of vegetation and the squeeze effect allowed for winds of approximately 75% hurricane force this day. Hike recipe: Take 2 steps to the side and a few steps forward. Tie down loose straps as not to get whipped. Repeat until thoroughly tired or down below treeline.We were both.
Date: 2007-03-06
To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

We had the good luck of spending Easter weekend at "Kincora Bob" & Pat Peoples' hostel near Hampton, TN. A bunch of us pitched in to offer up an Easter feast which served 23 hikers and Mr. & Mrs. Peoples including ham, taters, greenbean casserole, cakes, pies, Irish soda bread and more. A very excellent time was had by all and we'll remember that meal for quite a while.Here Otto, Backyard Boogie and myself admire the spread before digging in.
Date: 2007-03-07
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

This is Bob Peoples. One of the most outstanding individuals I've had the priviledge to meet along the AT. Chanlleneger and I stayed with him in '99 and LT and I draped ourselves in "The treehouse" for a couple cold nights. Bob and his wife have been running this hostel since '94 and have asked for little in return. They have developed a program called "Hard Core" that organizes hikers for trail maintenance. It has become quite a phenomenon haveing built the entire Mountaineer Falls shelter last year in 1 day!.These people are saints.
Date: 2007-03-08
To: Asheville, NC
Miles today: 0.0

Morgan Sommerville is pictured here in the ATC Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee Regional Office located in Asheville, NC. LT and I spent a few days in Asheville sifting through the Carolina Mountain Club, one of the 30 trail maintaining orgainizations, files in the university archive there. LT also stopped in for an extensive interview with Mr. Somerville who has been involved with the southern AT for over 20 years. A very knowledgeable source for AT relations in the region.
Date: 2007-03-09
From: Asheville, NC

To: Watuga Lake
Miles today: 0.0

The A.T. circumnavigates the man-made Watuga Lake in East Tennessee. At a picnic area on the south shore of the lake we talked long with the disrict ranger about her experiences while on the job in the area. Long thought of as a hot spot for conflict between locals and hikers, This section of Tennessee has had a hardtime shaking such labels in the minds of trail users though the incidents that tarnished the area's reputation are up to 30 years old.
Date: 2007-04-14
To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Another new section of trail was blazed through the pastures of what was a farm run by the Osburne family. I believe they sold the property to the ATC several years ago and now the open fields make for great views down the valley to the town of Shady Valley, TN. It'll be interesting to see if this property will be managed as regrowth forest or maintained as open field and perhaps keeping pasturing practices: one of the newer methods of maintaining adopted by the Clubs to keep open space (such as bald retoration) along the trail. This negates the use of mowers (fossil fuels).
Date: 2007-04-25
To: Harriman S.P.
Miles today: 0.0

We stopped in Mahwah, NJ to the NY-NJ Trail Conference office to do some research in their archives there. We were hosted by Ed Goodell who took good care of us. Thanks to him we had a lovely stay with a friend of the trail, Gus Vasiliadas, and learned quite a bit about the very early days of the trail construction and formation of the ATC from the Palisades Interstate Park founders. Quite an exciting time in trail history.Xena roamed inquisitively through the office.Thanks again, Ed, Gus, Jules, Liz, and the the whole office crew!
Date: 2007-05-03
From: Damascus, VA

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

So, here we are at the ATC visitor's center in Harper's Ferry, WV. This is LT this morning sitting outside the center waiting to interview Bob Proudman, another ATCer that has long been involved with the Trail. We are in midst of doing archival research here as graciously hosted by Brian King. We'll then head up the trail from here tomorrow into Maryland and beyond.We took a week off to do some work cleaning up my families farm after walking into Damascus, VA. It was great to see the extended family together and we ended up getting a lot accomplished. By that, I mean we added many materials to the nearby landfill. It's sad but no one could find a good use for 10,000 old milk cartons. Again, we stayed with (imposed on?) our friend Kate Crosby and thank her once again for the overwhelming generousity she has extended to us. There are many favors to return.Afterward, my folks dropped us off at Rockfish Gap, skipping about 380 miles of trail. LT is now planning on completing that section of central and southern Virginia in the fall. I will hopefully be busy working and going to school at UVA by then. I'm now on the "Wait List" which means I wait until either an applicant with a similar acceptance equation as mine declines providing a space for me, or I get a "small evelope".In the meantime, our bodies and minds are holding up quite nicely. This is our honeymoon afterall. We eat too much sometimes and exert too much others. That's the kind of schedule a Human SUV must keep.I did just get a great link to some pictures that family and friends might be interested in. They are of The Honey Buckets (our band back in Madison, Wis.) during our last performance with The Wilders and The Foghorn String Band at the High Noon Saloon. That was the day before we left to start this trip.Check out this link: http://swbma.5u.com/slide_show.html?show=HoneyBuckets&picture=picture1.jpg&autopilot_running=We greatly miss our families & friends and wish them grace, growth, health and joy!
Date: 2007-05-08
From: Kent

To: Mystic Seaport, CT
Miles today: 0.0

Visiting the folks for a few days and then making our way up to the Maine State archives in Augusta. We made a side trip to historical Mystic Seaport to take in a different realm of history: maritime. I hadn't been there in many years and it was great to be on vacation from our honeymoon (life's rough, eh?). Coincidently, my folks spent part of their honeymoon in the seaport 40 years ago next month! Ate some fresh seafood, learned about whaling, dodged myriad school-kids, took a peek at some art, and enjoyed a lackadaisic weekend with family.
Date: 2007-05-09
From: Headin North

To: Conn.
Miles today: 0.0

This is the second time LT has traversed this portion of the Hudson River under her own power, though last time she was assisted by her pa, Bill. They were in a canoe and en route from Duluth, MN. to NYC! The passing barges must have taken on a different level of threat from inside such a light-weight craft.Needless to say, the wake had no bearing on our foot journey 155 ft. above the river's surface.
Date: 2007-05-10
To: Harriman S.P.
Miles today: 18.6

We stopped in Mahwah, NJ to the NY-NJ Trail Conference office to do some research in their archives there. We were hosted by Ed Goodell who took good care of us. Thanks to him we had a lovely stay with a friend of the trail, Gus Vasiliadas, and learned quite a bit about the very early days of the trail construction and formation of the ATC from the Palisades Interstate Park founders. Quite an exciting time in trail history.Xena roamed inquisitively through the office.Thanks again, Ed, Gus, Jules, Liz, and the the whole office crew!
Date: 2007-05-11
From: Harriman S.P.

To: Kent
Miles today: 0.0

Plenty of rain along our route through Connecticut. A tropical storm (2nd of the season/year) came through and soaked us for a couple days. We stopped in Kent at the "Country Mart" for a little resupply and cold drink. Big cumulonimbi were rolling though. One opened up on us before we set out again, crossing the bridge here and heading back north up the ridge. LT and I stopped to take a look at the falls from the bridge and the worn rocks of the river there.
Date: 2007-08-20
From: Kent

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

A beautiful, sunny day for our summit hike up Katahdin. WingPants and 5-String played a few farewell tunes and we all enjoyed a brief scramble across the Knife's Edge and down the Helon Taylor Trail. We would definetly recommend that more thru-hikers try this traverse when the weather is cooperating. It was amazing!
From: Grand Prix hotel

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

holy crap. took two days off to miss the storm, the road was closed for one day meaning noone could get back up the mountain. then I got SICK SICK SICK and had to take 2 more days off. spent two days in bed and in the bathroom with some kind of bad food trying to escape me. miserable. nothing to talk about other than my being sick. Gatlinburg is a pit, the people in the stores and rest. ranged from nice to surly. don't ever need to go back there.
Date: 2007-03-09
From: georgia

To: maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

ok, i decided a few weeks ago to go for a hike. a long hike. The whole trail. Georgia to maine. the Appalachian Trail. the AT. Now, before you all start to think that I am crazy, heading off in yet another direction, let me tell you that this is something that I have ALWAYS wanted to do. since i was 16 years old. ever since i first heard about the AT. So, while trout fishing the Davidson River in Brevard NC ( one of the top 100 trout fisheries in the country)( and yes, i caught many brookies) I saw some dudes hiking and started thinking of the trail, which passes near there. So i started some research and found out that my timing was right on for a change. The time to start is March-april so that you can finish in Maine at Katahdin before it closes on Oct. 15th. And I happen to have the time and the money. The stars seem to be lined up. I found a few great websites that made my quick planning super easy, bought some books and started figuring it all out.Everyone who hikes the trail gets a nickname, called a trailname. You can pick your own or let other hikers give you one. Since I don't have one yet, I decided to use my poker name for my trail name. I might changed it later but for now it is........ Jett James.
Date: 2007-03-10
From: NC

To: Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

So, I soon found out that there were a thousand things I need to do. I need to make sure my gear is good (it wasn't), need to figure out the re-supply, make sure i knew how to cook in the field, take some practice hikes, make a list of what i need to bring, get maps, read books, make plans, then forget all the plans and just hike.The food part turned out to be easy. just use dehydrated foods, soup mixes, lipton/knorr side dishes, canned or foil pouched chicken. I am using a method called FBC or freezer bag cooking. You can make up your own dinners or just use the pre packaged lipton stuffs or mix it up. all you do is boil the water and pour it into the freezer bag with your mix, then put the bag into a cozy ( basically an oven mitt that acts like an insulator. mine keeps the water warm for over an hour) It cooks the dinner in like 15-20 minutes. and there is all the other food stuff that works, trail mix, dried fruit, pepperoni, peanut butter, chocolate, snickers, etc.my pack turned out to be too small, so i got a new pack, my stove was just fine as is my sleeping bag. But, after a few nites of testing I decided I didn't like my tent/sleeping pad set up and decided to switch to a hammock set up. It is immensely more comfortable, sets up in a snap and opens up many more site to camp at. I decided to go with a pea pod system made by a fellow named ed speer. it is a down quilt that wraps around the whole hammock and me and secures with velcro. it is really warm. here are a few photos of the hammock set up.more pix of gear to come.
Date: 2007-03-11
From: nc

To: maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Ok so there is a plan in place. I hope to start hiking next thursday morning. the 15th. but that date might be pushed back to the weekend or to the next week. but either way I will be hiking by the 21st. I am pretty excited and nervous. My brain is in a fog while I go over and over and over the packing list and the resupply notes, which I know will all be tossed once I get on the trail. The trail dictates your schedule. got all the gear other than the lighter rain pants. the food is all packed up and the mail drops are set. I am stressing about how much the cameras weigh. the pack is at 40 lbs with 5-6 days of food, but with out the camera. Actually I am stressing about everything. I know that once I step on that trail all the prep stress will be gone and replaced with a whole new set of things to stress about, Was that a bear? how cold will it get tonite? how many miles till the next shelter, etc, etc. but I can't wait for them. for my friends and family that are reading these posts. You can get more info and answer many of your questions at a website called http://whiteblaze.net/   it has been the source of most of my info while i plan this trip.Also my normal email will still be working and i should be able to check it once a week or so.
Date: 2007-03-12
To: maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Thanks everyone for all your good thoughts and good wishes. Looks like I am heading out Friday to start the hike on Saturday. I am more than bit nervous and antsy and very excited. I just need to get going and let everything fall into place. there are plenty of opportunities along the trail to fix/change gear. but for now, I just unpacked everything once more and unpacked all the bags. Here is the listPack - Osprey Aehter 70ENO hammockMaccat deluxe tarp w/ 4 stakes( super lightweight stakes )Ed Speer pea podREI 35 degree synthetic bagJRB pack cover/gear hammockmarmot shell, not precip a bit heavierREI Alpine Lakes full zip rain pantsJetboil stoveextra canisterplastic sport thingpot holder cozy2 oz olive oil1 oz granulated garlickatadyn Vario water filterfood/snacks for 5 daysextra zip lock freezer bagsgarbage bagscamelback hydration bladdercollapsible nalgene canteens in 1 liter and 3 liter sizeheadlampmini maglitemulti tool3 inch knife3 straps with buckles4 small caribieners50-75 feet cordpack towelpack of wipes/thingsone glow stickfirst aid stuff with ibu, duct tape, moleskin, neosporin, band aides, anti bacterial wipes, needle/thread, safety pins, imodiumbody glidetooth brushmini tube tooth pasteflosscharminmini deodorantprescription meds ( not psychological )foot powderfoot cream1 oz liquid soap2 slices hard soaplip balmq-tips old pair of glassessun glassesclothes2 bandannas2 pairs sox1 boxers shortsfleece/wool hatfleece gloveshiking shortsunder armour tightssmartwool heavier tightssmartwool long sleevesmartwool short sleeveIce breaker wool mid layer sweater ( light/smaller than a fleece)clothes i will be wearing to startsynthetic boxersconvertable pants lightunder armour t shirtsmartwool light weight long sleevethurlo socksVasque wasatch bootsextras ( now I know this is a bit, but I won't be getting rid of any of this. I am a photographer and need the camera and ipod)crocs clipped on out side ( 6 dollar ones from the dollar general)journal / pensharpiematchesmini lighteripod and battery boost thingychargercell phone / chargercamera3 lensesCF cards3 batteriesbattery chargerwithout cameras, but with food and 2 liters water it is about 40 lbs.but holy crap that is a lot of stuff. I have not written it out before and am amazed it all fits in the pack ( more or less). everything is in it's own stuff sack, some sil-nylon water proof bags ( the food bag is a dry bag for hanging)