morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-08-23
From: Salisbury

To: Moon in the Pond Organic Farm
Miles today: 0.0

Sketch and I woke early, but there wasn't much to do early on. We mostly just sat and listened to NPR in the barn while Leigh Ann and Rich milked the two dairy cows.Later, Leigh Ann took us out to the garden, where we spent most of the day. We started on the onions in the morning, weeding and harvesting. We had 2 bushels by breakfast. Breakfast consisted of Duck eggs with Italian bacon, homemade yogurt, and oatmeal. Back out in the garden, we worked until the early afternoon, harvesting tomatoes. There were lots of different varieties, including a few that I'd never seen before. Black cherry, green zebra? We picked almost 200 lbs, then switched to cucumbers. I was getting pretty hungry, but the horn for lunch sounded before my stomach could rebel. We ate lunch outside, next to several beehives. It was a magical afternoon, complete with breeze and spotted sunshine beneath the oak trees. We had roast chicken, duck, the sweetest zucchini ever tasted, and sliced tomatoes. Throughout mealtimes, I was getting to know the owner, Dominic, and the interns pretty well. I enjoyed our time together immensely. These people were working hard, physically laboring every day, yet they were happy because they seemed to know that their lives were extraordinary in a way that not everyone would understand. Leigh-Ann, an intern since February, has a Masters in Engineering from MIT, yet she seemed quite content to milk cows every morning and dig her hands into the earth. Rich, a '04 veteran of the AT (SOBO!) has been working at the farm since then and also enjoys bowhunting for the deer that constantly raid the garden. He seemed really solid and down to earth, but I could tell that he was passionate about his lifestlye. I could learn alot from these people.That evening, we finished up harvesting cucumbers, then packed our bags and went with Rich to spend the night at his pondside cabin on 300 acres of protected forestland, of which he is the caretaker. His duties there include: living there and hunting deer. Gee. This guy has it all worked out. I'm pretty jealous, but also thankful. He is letting us spend the night with him and in the morning, will give us a ride to the trailhead.We each drank a beer and conversed about cheating girlfriends, something we have all had in common. Sketch boiled eggs to take with him on the trail, I refilled my small bottle of olive oil. A loaf of bread, a small salame, a can of black beans emptied into a plastic bag, and 1lb. of museli from the organic co-op; this food will last me until I hit Kent, Ct... I hope
Date: 2007-08-24
From: Salisbury

To: Stewart Hollow Brook Lean To
Miles today: 26.0

Said goodbye to Rich as he dropped us off at the trailhead. He was good to us, but he says he's just paying forward the kindness that was shown to him when he thru-hiked in '04. I don't think I'll ever be able to repay all the good deeds so far.Today was overcast, but no rain. After a ridgeline, I came once again alongside the Housatonic river, near the town of Falls Village.I moved quickly throughout the day, not wanting to stop too long. I didn't see many other hikers until later in the day, a few couples out for the weekend. I was hiking fairly quitely though, so I did see quite a few whitetail deer. They are much larger up here than the ones I have seen in Texas.The last few miles of the day were flat, following the river. I passed by a cornfield, so I picked a few ears to add to my dinner. Sorry, but I grew up next to a cornfield, so its hard to feel guilty about pinching a few ears. I don't carry a stove anymore, so I ate them raw, but they were still delicious. I learned a few things about corn at the farm. One is that the corn loses sweetness every mintue after its picked, so I feel like I ate it as it should be, fresh.I pulled into Stewart Hollow shelter as the sun was setting. Two couples from NYC were up for the weekend, as well as one NOBO, named Misplaced. I shared the corn with him, and he agreed that it was fantastic. I made sure to floss my teetch afterward. Hope to do big miles and get to Pawling tommorow.
Date: 2007-08-25
From: Stewart Hollow Brook Lean To

To: Ten Mile River LT
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: broken clouds

This morning I realized that it was a good 27 miles to Pawling and while that is certainly within my daily range, I would arrive after the PO closed, and tommorow also happens to be Sunday, so I decided that I would hang out and Kent, CT and shorten my day today, take another short day (12 miles) tommorow, and hit up the PO early Monday morning. This is good timing. I was feeling vaugely frustrated this morning. 1/3 of my trip is complete and I finally feel like I have got the hiking part down. My gear is optimized, my routine is down, and I feel like I have solved most of the problems that have popped up. The trail is a very interesting place, yet I sometimes find myself feeling bored, or despondent. More often than not, this is because of some nutritional deficiency, or a lack of sleep. Still, it is useless to ignore the fact that depression can occur exactly when I should be having the time of my life. It is possible to get burned out, as many have told me, and no doubt many more have experienced, resulting in their quitting, or getting careless to the point of injury, causing them to drop off. I am beginning to realize the mental discipline that this adventure is requiring. In respect to the mental challenge, the physical challenge seems quite simple and easy. Alot of it boils down to human contact, and companionship. I prefer hiking solo, because of the freedom and performance that I can expect from myself. Still, after a while, I find that I really enjoy company, even if its just idle chatter. I haven't spent a single night alone on the trail yet, but I don't think that will last much longer, now that the majority of NOBO's are past me. My trail experience seems to be corresponding with the changing seasons. Things are in a transition, always, but they are slowing down and becoming more reflective. Soon, it will be fall, then winter. I wonder what the trail experience will be like then.I have come to realize the significance of this trailjournal and keeping in contact with my friends and family. I would be very lonely if not for you all.I have long dreamed about sailing around the world; a solo circum-navigation. It is the ultimate adventure, test, and journey for me. Now I am coming to understand and respect how difficult a challenge it must be to be utterly alone for such a long time. Still therein lies the challenge. The test. Of my own personal motivation, perseverance, and will. As much encouragement as can be offered cannot whisk me to Georgia and all the best wishes in the world are no substitute for my own fortitude.But they really help ps. Mark sent me a message. He was sick for a few days, but is now feeling good and hanging out in Rutland at an Irish Music Fest. I think he's hiking with a small group too, though I haven't met them. Anyway, we're still hoping to meet up in DC. 1445 Miles to go WHOO!
Date: 2007-08-26
From: Ten Mile Shelter

To: Pawling, NY
Miles today: 12.0

I arrived late in the night to find Cat and Timber awake at the shelter. I went for a swim/bath and returned to find them asleep. I turned in soon after.In the morning, we set off toward Pawling together, where they were planning to meet the rest of their hiking companions. It was 12 miles over relatively easy terrain, through picturesque pastures and fields and we arrived quite early in the afternoon. Before heading into town, the trail passed the largest tree on the AT: the Dover Oak. It looked healthy (and huge). http://wikimapia.org/1671676/As we flew into town in the back of a small Toyota (pretty scary), we saw our friends sitting in the grass in front of the grocery store and yelled to the driver (Rusty) to stop, but it was some time before he heard us. Soon enough, we were turned around and reunited with our friends.After grocery shopping and a trip to Mama's Pizza, everyone except Sketch packed up to head out of town. I had to stay and wait for my mail at the PO the next morning, so Sketch and I began walking around town, sightseeing and enjoying the afternoon breeze. Sometime during our walk though, he managed to lose his wallet, complete with identification, bank card, and cash. We carefully retraced our steps, but to no avail. It was a tough blow, certainly a difficult one to recover from. We sat on a bench downtown and discussed different options, but they all seemed to point to him having to go home for some time at least, if not for good. We sat for some time, morose and disappointed by such a foul turn of luck. Just as it was getting dark, we struck up a conversation with the local postmaster, who suggested that someone might have found Sketch's wallet and turned it over to the Police or the Post Office. We were skeptical, but eager to grasp at any hope of finding it. Later, when the Sheriff was making his rounds, Sketch asked about his wallet, and lo! it had been found, complete with all of its original contents. And there was much rejoicing.Sketch was so happy, in fact, that he treated me to a few beers at a nearby pub, where we listened to local musicians jam and even joined in for a few tunes.Things only got better later on when a young man entered the bar, recognized us a thru-hikers, and invited us back to his home to spend the night.It turns out that Bryan had hiked the AT Southbound in '04. He had also made it exactly as far as we had, to Pawling, where the trail practically runs through his backyard. We had a good time swapping stories for a while, then we went back to his house for showers, laundry, and STEAK! We stayed up late, talking, Sketch and Bryan drinking. I was content to soak up the night sans alcohol, which turned out to be a good idea. They drank alot of beer that night and I don't envy the headache they had the next morning.Still, they managed to wake up in the morning (as opposed to the afternoon) and we headed back to town to the post office, where I received new maps and the best brownies my sweet sister ever baked. Thanks Meg! We said goodbye to Bryan and were soon back on the trail.
Date: 2007-08-27
From: Pawling, NY

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Sketch and I left Pawling in the early afternoon. He soon stopped at Wiley shelter, where his friend, Sugar, was holed up trying to recover from a bad case of shin splints. I kept going, and didn't see him until he arrived at RPH shelter that night.Otherwise, it was an uneventful day. I passed by Nuclear lake, dubbed thus because of the Plutonium processing plant that once graced its shore, though it has been cleaned up since. A nice hike, though quite humid and sweaty.RPH shelter is the nicest shelter on the AT, complete with telephone which you can use to order pizza. It felt great to sleep on (clean) carpet for a change.I had caught up with Jack, Cat, and T&T again. Sketch came in late. A full house for the night.
Date: 2007-10-09
To: St. Michaels, MD
Miles today: 0.0

I've been off the trail for more than a week now, since I reached Harper's Ferry last Saturday. I spent most of it in College Park, Md (DC North) with one of my old friends from college in Dallas who is now working on his PhD in Physics. He (and his swell roommates, all physicists) hosted me while I spent five days working at a hip college bar/restaurant near the University of Maryland. It's really cool to be able to work for a week and then take 3 months of vacation Many thanks to you Brandon Anderson, for your friendship over the years and for a great time this past week.Yesterday, I found my way over to Annapolis, where I met my Great-Grandfather who, at his age, is sharper than I am and an amazing individual. We went out on the town and indulged ourselves with a dark beer and a large Mexican-food platter apiece, which I think reminded both of us of Texas. I passed out early and slept for more than 12 hours, a feat which I have not come close to in years (no exaggeration).This morning I awoke feeling refreshed and joined Granddad in his room for a late breakfast. We then spent the rest of the morning together in his apartment, watching a lecture on Roman history, swapping stories (his were better than mine), and burning DVD's of old home-movie footage. At noon, my Grandmother arrived and we had a sunny lunch in a small cafe near Granddad's apartment. Grandmom and I said goodbye and went into Annapolis for a few hours, the highlight of which was a trip to Ben and Jerry's and a walk around the harbor. Then, we headed over the Chesapeake Bay bridge to her home in St. Michaels. One big Chinese Take-Out dinner later, we went through some pictures of her recent trip to Ireland with my parents, my Uncle Ken, and her husband John. Even after three months of some of the most gorgeous terrain in the USA, I am jealous. Ireland is definitely going on my list.So, I will stay here in St. Michaels for a few more days, visit my Great-Grandmother, have a beer with the awesome, trail-running, boat building Michaels of St. Michael's (see previous entry, July 31), fatten up a bit more, then head off to Virginia for five hundred miles of falling leaves, black bears, and Shenandoah National Park. See you on the trail!
Date: 2007-10-13
From: Loudoun Heights

To: Sam Moore Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Yeehaw! I'm back on the trail, with a vengence, folks. Today was a superb day of hiking and I'm already excited about tomorrow, if you can believe it.Many thanks to my Grandparents, Laura, and Mark for helping me get back on the trail so effortlessly. After Laura and Mark dropped me off in Harper's Ferry yesterday, I headed out of town and made it 4 miles before it got dark. Spent a cold, clear night camped out under the stars (well, under the trees too). I woke several times during the night to noises made by some sort of quadruped, though even my wild imagination could not come up with an animal that made noises like that. I slept late though I was out of bed long before the sun rose to warm West Virginia.Cool, yet sunny, and also a weekend; there were quite a lot of people out for a hike today. Got talking with quite a few, and two groups of day-hikers loaded me down with fruits, veggies, and granola bars. I guess I won't have to stop into town for a few days now. I ended up hiking down to VA Hwy 7 (Snicker's Gap) with Joe and Jennifer, and I enjoyed listening to their stories of trips to Japan and Ireland. I was lucky to have so much good company today.As I climbed up out of Snicker's Gap, at the end of my day, I came to Bear Rocks, an amazing overlook of the Shenandoah River Valley. Several religious people had congregated to play a traditional ram's horn and shout the name of the lord to the heavens, earth, and everything in between.A short walk from Bear Rocks is the Bear's Den Hostel, a lodge run by the PATC, which is where I happen to be typing this journal from. $25 gives you a bunk, shower, laundry, a Tombstone Pizza, a soda, and a pint of Ben & Jerry's. It sounds like a sweet deal, but the internet is free, and the next shelter is but 3 miles further, so I will keep moving tonight, until I get to the shelter, or until it gets dark, whichever comes first.I've been watching the trail registers for news of my friends, and some of them are not too far ahead of me. I'm excited that I may see them soon. I've been thinking about Mark aka Red-beard aka Ditch too, and I hope he'll catch up one of these days.Well, that's enough for now. Miles to go before I sleep and all that. Tune in next week, my friends.
Date: 2007-04-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Currently still in Saint John,My bags are packed and I'm ready to go.On the home front, I have had to lay down new vinyl floor in our kitchen, bathroom and hardwood floor in the living room before my wife would let me go!But now I'm ready to go!Wrapping up loose ends at work - Point Lepreau GS.There are soo_oo many loose ends.But you just got to leave them.My fellow colleagues are understanding.Just like the station Point Lepreau needing refurbishment to continue operation for another 25 years, this body needs revitalization to continue another 25 years?? A thousand miles over 90 days will bring me back to Harpers Ferry where I started out in 2005. I'm soo_oo ready to go!!!
Date: 2007-04-10
From: Saint John

To: Georgia
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

My bags are packed, I'm ready to go.My backpack has been packed for over a week.It currently weighs 33 lbs without water. I keep adding at least a pound each day.Good thing I leave in two days - April 10th.1000 miles in 90 days, Springer Mtn to Harpers Ferry. To get ready for this third stint on the AT, I have had to install vinyl flooring in the kitchen, bathroom and hardwood flooring in the living room and hallway.Income tax is all done, at least the forms are with our CA.Reminder, still got to renew the licence on the trailer and SUV!Reminder, important, order flowers for May 8th!! Work is still bedlam. I have to go in twice this long weekend to progress an operating manual on a new controls system for vapour recovery. There is so much work to do before Point Lepreau's big refurbishment next year! Where is my replacement? Although this will be my longest stint on the AT, I believe I am well prepared. The challenges are still physical, mental, and spirtual.   The minister at our church has given me the writings of CS Lewis to read. I plan on reading the daily passages from this book. I have actually copied, shrunk and cut up the 90 pages for my trip. That handles the spiritual challenge. For the first week, my schedule has only 10 mile days, then 12 mile days and then only a few 15 mile days. 1000 miles in 90 days is just over 11 miles a day. Again, it will take time to regain my trail legs. The schedule is only my own mental schedule. If I don't make it to Harpers Ferry by July 7th, then maybe I'll be there a week later. The penalty is only $40 for changing my return flight! That looks after the physical and mental challenge. At our church service today:Go into the world: dance, laugh, sing and create.Go into the world: risk, explore, discover and love.Go into the world: believe, hope, struggle and remember.We go with the assurance of God's love. This describes the AT! Ray Quan aka Xenon |
Date: 2007-04-11
From: Hiker Hostel - Dahlonega

To: Hawk Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: light rain

Day 1So this is the start.Rain, fog and US Rangers.Woke up to Josh's great breakfast at the Hiker Hostel in Dahlonega.Highly recommend this spot for anyone starting off on the AT.There were seven of us dropped off at 09:30 at the AT intersection on US 42. About an hour drive over some dirt roads. We then had to hike a mile south to the AT southern terminus on Springer Mtn. Many_Sleeps - an ATC caretaker - was there to register us in.Then back north to Stover Shelter by 11:00.we then continued onto the Hawk Mtn Shelter by 14:00.Along the way we encounter about a hundred US Rangers in training. They looked and sounded cold, wet and miserable. And we are doing this for the fun!!! This is the start.
Date: 2007-04-12
From: Hawk Mtn Shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

Day 2 My Time is My OwnI have been given these writings of CS Lewis to read and reflect on during the days hike. When we reached the Gooch Gap Shelter at 13:00, I pulled it out and we started a discussion group."Men are not angered by mere misfortune but by misfortune conceived as injury."We were debating whether this applies to just men or both men and women. One hiker piped in that it applied to men as women do not get angered by misfortune, they get even. He just came off a relationship.After spending a long night ( over 18 hrs ) at Hawk Mtn, 13:00 was too early to stop for the day. The Hiker Hostel picks up hikers at Woody Gap another 5 miles down the AT. 5 miles in 4 hours. Although the day was really nice, the last mile was hard. Made the pickup with only 5 minutes to spare! The effort was worth the reward. A meal at a Mexican restaurant, clean laundry, and a comfortable bed for the night. Tomorrow, we are to be shuttled back to Woody Gap and then onward to Neels Gap,
Date: 2007-04-13
From: Woody Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 3 - Uninspected AssumptionsScrewtape instructs Wormwood on muddled thinking.Sometimes we are asked to accept ideas that are so absurd, that if once it is questioned, even we cannot find a shred of argument in its defence. We need a questioning attitude.After a good breakfast at the Hiker Hostel, we were dropped off at Woody Gap at 07:45. It was so cold and windy, that we had to don our rain suits to break the wind. My hands kept cramping up making adjustments to my pack. It was a dreadfull 15 minutes just getting started. The cold wind just blows in from the west. You just wonder, why hikers put up with all this misery. Questioning attitude. Later in the day it did warm up! Climbed to Blood Mtn the high pt (4461') on the AT for Georgia. It was quite scenic. Descended to Neels Gap by 15:30. The AT passes through a breeze way in a building catering to thru-hikers. They offer to examine your pack and on average reduce about 12.5 lbs off each pack. I did not take them up on their offer!At Neels Gap - Water and Wave - showed up. They remember me from the church hostel in Vernon, New York in 2005! Small world. Stayed the night in Neels Gap at the Walasi Hostel, and saw two videos - City Hall -crappy and Dragonfly which was good.
Date: 2007-04-14
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 4 - Nuances of OwnershipScrewtape encourages confusion and pride.Ownership is questionable. Men believe they "own" their bodies - those beings that made the world, and in which they find themselves without their consent and from which God can call us at any time. My boots, my pack, my country, my God, these are all different versions of ownership.This is my hike. But I realize that there are many factors that can curtail my hike. I am grateful to be able to do this hike.On the trail by 08:45. Trying to beat the rain. It is 10.6 miles to Low Gap Shelter, and we made it by 15:30. The rain started at 18:00. And it poured.Grateful to be inside a shelter. My shelter for the night!
Date: 2007-04-15
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: light rain

Day 5 - Mine, Mine, MineScrewtape acknowledges the truth about ownership.The joke is that the word "Mine" cannot be uttered by man in its fully possessive sense about anything. In the long run, only God will say "Mine" of each thing that exists and especially of each man.Although we hung our food on the bear cables, the squirrels were at several of the food bags. Are squirrels really God's creatures!On the trail by 08:30. It was rainy and cold. There were no good places to stop along the way, so all we could do was push on to the Blue Mtn shelter.Reached it by 12:00. That was enough for today. It was so cold and windy.Snow was blowing through the eaves in the shelter. Jeff and I rigged his 8 X 10 tarp into a lean-to within the lean-to. That kept much of the snow off the sleeping bags. My bag is rated to - 7 deg C or 20 deg F. This is my sleeping bag. With long johns and fleece, I was wondering why, I had not brought along my sleeping bag liner as well! It was a struggle to stay warm. The temperature did drop to about 25 deg F, but the wind kept up at about 50 kph. I am so glad, I brought along my goose down sleeping bag!