morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-12-09
To: history
Miles today: 0.0

I'm as happy as a welshmen in a sheepfold this morning. I was meant to meet a good friend who is back from university for the christmas period but he had to cancel due to a last minute doctors appointment...dam the national health service. So I thought, 'hey, I'll type a diary entry'. Hopefully by the end of this I would have formulated a plan for my day. Anyway, what I wanted to share with you all is a little research I'm doing. If their is anyone with some time on there hands, looking to enrich the A.T experience then listen up! I have been researching topics surrounding the trail and recently started to systematically research each trail town, only moving on when I find out an interesting fact, story or piece of history. It has been great fun.... I have found stories ranging from drunken war captains acts of destruction, to a town that hung an elephant for murder. So do some light research about the trail and when your actually on the trail you may find you are more excited about a place than you normally would be. Moreso than that you will feel a stronger bond to the trail. However, I have hit a internetal brick wall. So far I have found at least one thing about each town that interests me or makes me laugh. Suddenly I hit Pearisburg. Nothing! Its the most blandest town ever! But this explanation does not satisfy me so I will endevour to find one thing! Maybe Im looking in the wrong place but any help will be appreciated. The last straw will be to try and find something out when I actually get there next year!'Not knowing the history of behind the Appalachian Trail is like a leaf that doesnt realise its part of a tree'
Date: 2004-12-13
To: charity and all
Miles today: 0.0

One concept I have had about the A.T since the beginning is that I am doing it for enjoyment. However I thought it would be truely wonderful if while I'm living out a dream, someone could actually benefit. So a few months ago I came to contact Cancer Research UK to ask if they would help me fundraise for them. They have been very supportive and in february/March time, I Will start collecting sponserships and promoting the charity. The local fundraiser for the charity, Bev, has been in contact and she wants to get lots of publicity about what I'm doing, in order to promote the charity. I of course agreed to this and I'm sure it be fun to get in the paper and stuff thou I dont really thrive in attention like some people I know. Cancer Research UK is the biggest Cancer charity in the UK and funds medical research aswell as cancer awareness programmes. One in three people get cancer at some point in their life which scares the shit out of me and I am pleased to be supporting such a worthy cause.The other day I was checking my travel insurance policy out, which I aint paid for yet but I intend to soon! Its the most reassuring document I've ever read. I was so pleased and relieved to read that I will get £50 for every 24 hours my plane is hijacked. I mean who would in their right mind would get thru a hijacking without the thought of getting £50 for the inconvience. Also I raised an eyebrow at the Personal Accident section. I'll quote this bit for you " Up to £20,000 injury compensation cover for death, loss of limb(s) or eye(s)". No wonder my parents are so supportive, they win either way. If I comeback they have their favourite son home, and if I tragically fall to my death they get £20,000 put in their back pocket. Easy money. The insurance as you can guess is very solid and will mean if anything did go wrong I would have the all the entitlements to help and compensation. Though I would expect more cash for losing two limbs compared to if I loss one. As I say, If you take an umbrella, it wont rain.dandy
Date: 2004-12-27
To: Christmas time
Miles today: 0.0

Hope you all had a good Christmas. Its been nice to have a couple of days off eating lots of food and playing games. I got a few A.T related gifts aswell, The first was my Jetboil. Isobutane/propane stove which is a all in one system. cooker,pan and stove. Its fantastically designed and cant wait to use it on the trail. THe flame is very efficient which means its fuel efficient and I could cook in the small bell of my tent safely. I know butane is harder to get hold of than white gas but least I avoid the problems of flame control and soot. I also got a book by Chris Townsend called the 'Advanced' backpacker. The title is a little over the top but its a great book filled with common sense solutions to all problems encountered. I reccommend it to anyone. I felt reassured by the book as most things mentioned I am implementing or thought about. I also got something else but its completely slipped my mind. However yesterday was a grave day! I failed to resist my drive of organisation. I decided I couldnt wait no longer. I wanted to find out what my basic pack weight was ( not including water,food or gas). I first went through everything writing down what I was missing and then weighed my bag. Once I had added on all the 'still to get' bits, it came to 20 lbs!!!! I was incrediably happy. In the summer months I intend to swap my sleeping bag for a lighter, thinner model which will give me more room and take that weight just under 20lbs. Anyway, i feel the urge to go and talk about all my plans for my gear but I will keep that lecture for nearer departure date which is 96 days away. I bought a 100 post-it notes and numbered them from hundred to one. Each day I rip one off. Its just all part of the build up. My dad said this will be our last Christmas before I go on the A.T. Yesterday he said this will be the last boxing day before I go on the A.T. Today is the last Monday 27th December before I go on the A.T. I think we are all thinking that despite how stupid it sounds! so have a Happy New Year, the last before you go on the A.T!!!!!!!!!dandy
Date: 2005-01-01
To: A new year has dawn
Miles today: 0.0

For me, New Year is all about reflection. I had too many people around to reflect on anything yet but Im sure I will get the chance soon as I start my training for the A.T. New year is a mixture of sadness and anticipation along with a dose of numness because its just another day, afterall time is just something we invented in order to establish the 9-5 regime so many people enjoy!!! The past year was a good one. Not the most eventful, certainly I suspect this coming year to be full of surprises and highly unpredictable. The first half of 2004 was spent studying hard to ensure I got the grades I wanted, And In August when I recieved my results I had achieved very good grades and most importantly beat my sister results. All she has to say on that subject is ' you clever git'. The second half has been spent working and pursuing a couple of hobbies. The running theme through the year of course, has been organising and planning the A.T. From booking flights to browsing trailplace and trailjournals, all the while anticipating and never really being sure I'll ever get out there. Because I been set on this trip for over 2 years, Its always been far off in the future but now im in the last 3 months of waiting and its actually real, and even though I know I will be on the trail in April, I cant imagine it at all. Only when Im actually on the trail will it all sink in. I did get some good trail miles in this year, around 290 miles in total which has helped me prepare alot. Anyway, I like to quickly wish everyone a prosperous new year, say good luck to the class of 2005 (some which are starting today believe it or not) and say thankyou to all the people who have contacted me and who bother to read this journal!!! Your support is very welcome. dandy
Date: 2005-01-10
To: training and support
Miles today: 0.0

hey there. I just finished my first of many step training workouts. I filled an old rucksack with books that I intend to give to the charity shop soon and anything that I could find lying around.I walked up our flight of stairs for 15 minutes solid never stopping. Its a great workout. It uses all the muscles that you will be using on the hike, improves fitness and stamina and hardens up the feet. Its half eleven now and I did finished at about 11:15pm. I dont know why i decided to do it so late but i just really wanted to, and since my parents had not been in bed too long I'm sure I didnt disturb them too greatly. I been painting alot over the last two days but I managed a phonecall to my two good friends in Canada, Terry and Joanne. Terry being the one who introduced me to this whole thing. It was good to run my plans by them and ask a few things. They are excited for me and I really appreciate the support, it gives me a warm feeling to know people are wishing me on. A friend who also works at the same place as me when he's back from university said he is looking forward to me going so he can follow my progress. I said to him I really appreciated his support and interest in my journey. He kinda just laughed and said I hope I see you before you go, as he went back to university on Sunday. Alot of people dont really understand what I'm doing, I attempt to explain but I dont feel there interested and thus I dont bother explaining what the A.T is about. When someone is engaging and asking questions I am very pleased and I run up the miles on the motor mouth clock. I read some journals and noticed some people had had negative thoughts troubling them. I have had a few uncmofortable notions of hurting myself or having my gear stolen etc but I have two things now I aim to do. I want to make sure I have prepared to my full ability, given a 100% to my training,planning and preparation and that only a serious problem or injury will put me off the trail. If you can honestly believe these things then you can just accept shit can happen but that you have nothing to regret. take care.dandy
Date: 2005-02-01
To: A thought provoking cold
Miles today: 0.0

I got that feeling in my fingers that it was time to write a journal entry. At the moment I am ill. I have a cold and sore throat which really sucks but I think I'm over the worse of it. I hate being ill, it means I can't get things done. My training has been interrupted, I was about to start training with 30 lbs after using 25lbs the previous week. Also I wanted to work out how many times I walk up and down the steps in one session so I could work out my overall ascent and descent a week. My estimation would be that I climb up and come back down the equivalent of a 4000ft to 5000ft mountain every two weeks. Obviously it would take me many years to walk the A.T at that speed but I think the training is helping. I am walking for at least 30 to 60 minutes a day aswell, so it¢s all good. I bought some gloves and a food bag this week, I cannot remember what¢s left to get but I¢m not far off a full pack of cards. I had a little thought the other day about my home, family and friends. Six months without seeing the faces and places that I spend everyday seeing should have some enormity attached to it but I don¢t feel particularly daunted by the prospect. I think the apprehension on embarking on the trail will be electrifying as I wait to find out what my emotions express. I don¢t think I will feel any different when on the trail as I know everyone will be behind me, I will see them on my return and I think a large part of me thinks nothing will be different when I get back. It will be like time freezes here while I am gone and I will slip back into it when I come back. I will leave as Mum calls me down for some dinner and be back in time to eat the chicken soup. Who knows!!! The problem with not being able to sleep at night because your nose is blocked up is that you have too much time to think in. 2 months to go now. It¢s all real. February is a short month, and once in March there is no stopping me, right! I like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to Rob, Leon and Grace and the many others, who have been encouraging and relentless in offering help to me, just remember I am a poor Englishmen with nothing of value to offer in return!!!Dandylion, take care
Date: 2005-02-14
To: which one will I be?
Miles today: 0.0

Just done my training and had a shower which I had to jump out of rather quickly. A knock on the door came as I was putting the shampoo in my hair. It was my wardrobe being delivered and I couldn¢t ignore them so I mumbled some swear words and jumped out the shower, put on some trousers and went downstairs soaking wet and half fragranced. The last two weeks have been messy, I missed the first week of training due to my cold which I am fully recovered from now and last week my Great uncle George died. I went up to Leeds to help out my Granddad as he was alone looking after the house and dogs. My aunt and Grandma were stuck in Spain due to heavy snowfall. It was good to see my grandparents and help out with the formalities of clearing George's flat etc. In that week I felt I lost direction and was lacking in enthusiasm for the trail. However soon as I filled my pack up to 38lbs and started training again It all fell back into place. I also got my Wingfoot trail guide and I started collecting sponsorships for my charity. One mate pledge £10.00! I inquired 'you sure?' and he replied 'Yeah, I really respect what your doing'. I really appreciate words of support like that. I been reading journals for a while now, I find some people get to Harpers Ferry and quit as they don't find it fun anymore. On the other hand some people are loving it and want more. I think I will be one of the later but I don¢t know for sure! This walk is far far beyond anything else I have done and when I get past the 300 mile mark I am truly in uncharted territory....sounds fun to me. The uncertainty is part of the excitement of the adventure. If the trail didn¢t test you and push you then would anyone walk it? Going back to my training with the new weight of 38lbs, all I want to say is I feel sorry for people carrying that weight on the trail. I don¢t expect my pack to break the 30lb mark even when I have just re-supplied. However I only weigh 8'6 and thus I am not designed to carry heavy weight. This is a better training weight for me thou as it makes me break sweat more.Happy trail thoughts, dandy
Date: 2005-03-09
To: tick on the list
Miles today: 0.0

24 days to go before I say goodbye to my family and friends and board my plane for several hours of pretzel eating fun. Then I will have to face the dread of immigration, the dread of American immigration. Last time I faced them they made me feel guilty about carrying a dangerous looking picture frame! I can't say I'm rushing around like a headless chicken because I'm not. I have a weakness for making lists and doing things well in advance, its strength also but when I'm on the A.T I can finally throw down my lists and enjoy the walking. I have really felt that its time to stop talking and start walking. The prospect of the trail is mouth watering but I am itching to start burning off those miles....those many, many miles. On the gear front I have had an enormous amount of fun. I love selecting gear, ticking it off the list, organising my pack and then weighing it. My pack without fuel, water or gas is about 18 lbs. In the summer I will change to a thinner sleeping bag and should save about 2lbs. I bought 10 days food this week aswell. That comes in at about 10lb which is alot! However I want to give my self a bit of room to manoeuvre early on as I will be in a foreign country and may need some time to figure things out. I hear alot has changed in America since it was a British colony. I hope on the trail I won¢t need to carry more than 4-5 days food normally. So my pack weight should be very manageable. I am sure the trail will teach me. It¢s strange to think in a few weeks I will be out there, breathing in the trees, finding deep comfort and peace as I look at the panoramic views and no doubt cursing my existence at the inevitable testing times. Find it hard to think that I won't see some of my best friends and family for 6 months, it¢s a long time. As I said early, I have pondered as much as one can about the trail and really just want to live the experience now. Good luck to the March hikers; I am following some of them and cheering them (you) on.An Anxious dandy
Date: 2005-03-29
To: final prep
Miles today: 0.0

Soon I will be able to write trail entries, opposed to preparation entries! This last week has been strange with finishing work and with leaving so soon I have felt very content and chilled out. My mind is saying ¢eh, be stressed out and emotional¢ but I feel on the level. I am looking forward to going, not so much to saying goodbye to everyone. When you¢re leaving to go on such an epic adventure for such a long time you realise how many people care about you, it¢s a fulfilling feeling. I took the family out for a meal and my sister gave me a necklace with Saint Christopher on it, Saint of travellers, I am really pleased with it and will wear it on my thru hike. I was getting frustrated with my backpack the other night. Me and Dad went through it and sorted out what I was not happy about. We shredded about 2 pounds of it. I reduced my food to 10 days snacks and 7 days meals, saving a pound and replaced my heavy duty food bag with a nylon bag lined with a carrier bag and saved nearly a pound on that, I am now happy with my pack again. I saw my Uncle Dave and his wife Viv briefly today; they got in from New Zealand today but didn¢t stay as they were taking my grandparents back to Leeds for us. They will stay up there a couple of weeks to surprise everyone. As for this journal I will do my best to update it, I will be restricted in the amounts I can write but I¢ll do my best. I will have a pen and paper journal en route, that I want to keep up in depth. I¢ll probably pick out bits from it to put on here. I¢ll figure something out. Getting back to the A.T, I leave on the 2nd of April. My parents will take me down to Gatwick airport and I will catch my flight at 12:20. The flight is about 8 hours I think and will land at 15:15 in Atlanta. Hopefully I won¢t be held up at customs or passport control for too long. Then a kind trail maintainer who works on the section near Springer has agreed to pick me up and take me to the start of my hike. I am looking forward to asking him about the work he does on the trail. I do intend to walk the Approach Trail but probably won¢t do any mileage till the Sunday, so I can start fresh. If you have any questions about my gear or schedule then just email me, thanks to everyone for help and advice in my journey so far. Take careDandy
Date: 2005-04-03
To: Stover Creek
Miles today: 2.5
Weather: clear sky

My first day on the trail. Ox, a great guy who picked me up from the airport took me down to Amicalola visitor center. We camped off a service road the night before and it was like sleeping under a railway bridge, the winds were blowing real hard and i heard a branch come down nearby. Suddenly I became worried about the possibility of a tree falling on me....this was something I had not considered when setting out on this adventure. I figured if a tree fell i would curl up to minimise the chance of it hitting me, I didnt sleep to good. At the center I was getting some nerves. I took ages to tie up my boots and was very anxious. My lace snapped but i managed to get by. Ox took my picture and my bag weighed in at 34lbs, loads of food in there. As i progressed upwards I was starting to become comfortable with the whole thing and really paced towards springer. I saw a sign saying the trail was strenuous, I also have heard all the horror stories about this 8.8 miles. I loved it and was always anticipating the hard part, it never came. I passed a guy carrying 60lbs, i guess he would have a different take on the approach trail!The views from Springer were stunning and I sat by the plaque as happy as could be. I talked to a few groups of people and descended off the top with Jim, Jill, Pam and David. jim and pam were heading for home, new hampshire and there daughter and son in law were helping them get started. Stablises to a bike. I tagged along with them and stopped at Stover Creek. They were great company and helped me out alot by filtering water for me. The night was spent around a campfire, another group of teachers and a father and son joined us for friendly chatting and photo shoots. A guy came in later with a bad limp. He wasnt too chatty and I wonder what he's been up to getting injured 2.5 miles into the A.T!??!! The trail has been everything I had hoped for and I had high expectations.dandy
Date: 2005-04-04
From: Stover Creek

To: Justis Creek
Miles today: 11.1

Up early but away slowly. Beautiful day again. Jill was telling me about some of the flauna around....I can't remember the names unfortunately. Ox said to me '6 out of 7 hikers have maps and I was the 7th hiker'. I've adopted that, everyone has one and are more than happy to show you whats up ahead. The guy with the limp apparently lost his glasses and fuel on the first day at springer. All his stuff was spread out across the top and he started without a rucksack. He did his ankle in at 2.00am running to the shelter in the snow blizzard, no wonder he wasnt too talkative.Pam started to struggle after lunch at Hawk shelter where i met some more people. Jim was concerned he was slowing me down too much and I didnt want to drag them along at a pace they were not happy with so we split. Despite only knowing them for 27 hours, it was sad to move on. Sassafras was a good climb, toughest yet but with such good weather you cant complain. So many trees out here, valley after valley is wooded. At home we have few wooded valleys, nothing on this scale. The trees dont have any leaves on so they dont block out the views too much but also dont shade me from the sun. I walked into justis creek and knew i wanted to camp here, very pretty with the little stream running thru it. Met a lady who said she tried to hang her bear bag by chucking over her food first, then her stopped her and told her she just need to tie a rock on. She's a nice lady and learning everyday. Jetboil is awesome, and im considering cooking at lunch all the time. hung my food on a low branch, but couldnt find anything else. Jim and co made it here aswell which was cool but they were so tired they ate and went straight to bed.dandy
Date: 2005-04-05
From: Justis Creek

To: Jarrod Gap
Miles today: 12.1

Away at 8am. These dry mornings make breaking camp a dream. I make good time and have the woods to myself. I met Obi and cheesecake, breifly talked to them on springer before. I walked alot with Tal today, hes about 23 and came over from Israel to walk the A.T. He talked about his military service and why he was out here. I'd hate to be in a combat unit. He hiked similar pace to me so we walked alot together today. At woody gap I made some pasta and talked with people passing by. Vocal came over and explained to me the difference between town hot chicks and trail hot chicks. He talks alot but is a funny guy. He's hiking with Norway and keeps trying to change my trail name. The climb up big cedar was hard in the heat but the long break refreshed me. At the top I was awarded with a great view off a rock platfrom, spied a hawk gliding about. Walked last miles with Obi and cheesecake. We talked some politics and about the trail and we all stopped at jarrod gap. Neels gap en route tomorrow. It be nice to phone home like E.T. Having great time out here but the last laugh was on me today as everyone looked on at me trying to hang my food. i couldnt throw the rock over the right branch. Flash hand cmae in later, a deaf thru hiker going to Maine, you got to admire his courage. The sun has taken it out of me today, night. dandy