morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-11-10
To: YAY!!!
Miles today: 0.0

Hey there everyone! I recieved my Clark Jungle Hammock today!!! It arrived late in the day tho, so I will have to wait until tommorow to get it outside to set it up properly. I did set it up in the garage, and I am VERY impressed by the design, materials and workmanship of the hammock. I should have no trouble sleeping in this wonderful hammock, for when I laid down in it, I am able to lay on my back very comfortable, or either side as well. Tommorow I will set it up complete with rain fly attached, there was no room in the garage with Gerry's van to do that tonight, and take a nice nap, rain or shine!! I just hope the alligators are not around the pond out back wondering what the new toy is! So far the hammock is everything I could have hoped for in a shelter, and at 3 lb, 4oz is just the right weight. I am now estimating my "Big 4" weight at 11 lbs. The rest will be the few clothing items needed for cold weather, and food and water. I should be recieving the stove I ordered within a few days, then I will be set for a gear test trip to Hillsborough State Park next week, maybe Tuesday or Wednesday. I am so ready for this! I just need a few more gear items (some clothing, water filter, etc...) and I'll be ready to start. I have considered starting a bit earlier than mid-march, but until I go to and return from N.Y. to help my mother with her house, I cannot set any date in stone. Once I can do that, I can sell my truck to get the rest of the gear, food, and travel expenses and replacement vehicle (read = old beater). I will post a few pics tommorow after going over the hammock. I really believe at this point I am set to go, even if I do not use any mail drops. After researching all I can to this point, I am confident I can resupply at towns along the way, about 8-10 days in between each stop. I will take 1 day out of 7 for R&R, depending on where I am. I still have alot of time left to decide that tho, and I am not going to decide until I can get a better idea of a milage estimate. Well, thats all for tonight folks, see ya next time, same bat time, same bat channel!!
Date: 2005-11-11
To: All set for a nap!
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I have the Hammock set up in the back yard, and am even more impressed now that I can set it up fully and get in it and see how my home for 6 months looks from the inside. All the stitches look great, and the only flaw was it was shy one tie down string for the rain fly. It's ok, I replaced it with 550 cord, and that works fine, for now I can easily tell front from rear in the dark by feel of the different ropes.Ok, the XL rain fly is perfect, it covers the hammock 100%, and I look foward to those drizzly mornings when I can make a pot of coffee under it. The only problem I see forthcoming, is when I need to change clothes, passers-by may get more than an eyefull. It is a little tight inside the hammock, and surely I will have to get out to dress. No problem there 8-).Everything about the hammock speaks of quality, from the Very lite-weight fly, to the storage pockets below. When you lay down in it for the first time, it seems like a little confining, and it is, but you get used to it very fast after you close your eyes and a nice breeze comes along. It feels like you are supported by air in this, and with the many positions of the bug net, weather shield, and rain fly, it is possible to stay warm, cool, and most important, Dry without having to sleep with the creepy crawlies on the ground.Entry is simple, and stable. You just sit on the edge, remove your boots and shove them in an underneath pocket, and rotate yourself until you are in. Not once did I feel like the hammock was going to tip, and one set up properly (not too tightly strung to the trees) I was able to lay down without touching the bug netting or without the closed in feeling I was sure I was going to have. A sleeping pad helps to spread out the bottom, but I will have to make sone "V" cuts in my pad as it tended to bunch up around my hips. From inside, both the bug netting, and the weather shield can be raised/lowered without any problem, as when properly set, none of your weight pulls on the zippers making it harder to operate. All in all, if you are interested in a hammock for any kind of camping, I would say this company has made the solution. I really look foward to using this hammock next week on a shakedown hike, (once my test stove arrives), and if all goes well on that hike, I can commit to the rest of my planning as my gear list is almost complete. Other pics of the hammock are posted, check them out! Until next we meet, be safe!http://www.junglehammock.com
Date: 2005-11-13
To: so near, yet so far...
Miles today: 0.0

Another day closer, but it seems like March is lightyears away. I have gone over my gear time and again, trying to shave weight off the overall total, but until I can get the other gear I need/want, I am at the lightest weight possible. As I am going to carry everything needed for cold/warm weather, I have raised my base weight to 15 lbs, and am close to that now with almost 20 more items needed...and I'm not talking anything like a t.v. or laptop either...I still need stuff like (lightweight) tent stakes, headlamp, rain-gear... And I thought I was done lol! Everything on my current "have" gear list seems to be clothing, but the kicker is, my current pack is 4 lbs 14 oz. The new hammock weighs in at 3 lbs 7 oz, which I can live with, as a decent tent would weight the same if not more. So. I have looked at every link I have bookmarked, and at a price per pound ratio the Gossamer Gear "Mariposa" pack, weighing in at 17.2 oz is the winner. It has the volume capacity I want, and the price is comparable to any other ultru-lite pack out there. Also I have found a 32 degree sleeping bag that weighs in at 1 lbs, 12 oz, but only costs $150.00! Moonstone.com, "Delta Cirrus". Most likely this will be the bag I get if the ones my mother have are in the 3 lbs range. Well, Thats it for today, hopefully I will be able to get some of the needed items locally and cheaply lol...until next time.
Date: 2005-11-14
To: Thanks for the tips
Miles today: 0.0

Another day down, and the anticipation is still there. A short entry today, I do not want to torture anyone reading these entries by lack of intrest 8-)I do want to thank the members of Whiteblaze.net , the site and it's members are providing very valuable information about the trail, and gear. I will be able to shave off another couple of pounds overall from suggestions, and that will make the difference I believe."T-T-T-Thats all folks!!!" Cya soon...
Date: 2005-11-21
To: Gear Update
Miles today: 0.0

Well Well Well, here we are again!!!Another few days down, and I have a few gear updates to post. I still have a few items missing from the list at this point, but for the most part, anything under $50.00 I have been able to buy either online or locally. I have yet to make it to the outfitter down in St. Pete, "Bill Jackson's". I will be buying boots, and a few items there. As for overall weight, everything in my pack, or what I will be wearing (whether I have ordered it online yet or not) has a total weight of 20lbs 1.7oz. Not bad at my first attempt at light weight hiking huh? lol...Well I justify 20lbs as I will be wearing some of that weight in clothes, hiking poles, etc...other items include a digital camera, notepad, and essentials. I will have all the gear posted in the gear section through the course of today, with weights, and cost, and where I purchased the item, to the best of my memory (don't rely on That to much lol).After having the hammock out in the nice Florida drizzles and downpours over the last two days and nights, I am still very impressed with the product Gary Clark has offered the camping community. Only a very few stitch holes on the fly allowed water to pass thru, and after two passes with seam sealer this morning, I have no doubt I will remain totally dry with the fly properly set up. I did find that even the XL Fly may be a bit small for long term camping, but for size/weight ratio, design, and overall ruggedness of the hammock and fly should get me thru my attempt without any major problems. I will have to buy the proper cord for the fly tho, as the 550 cord I used to replace the missing cord soaks up water, and that may be cause for concern in the long run. I will try to call Clark Outdoor Products today, and see if they can send me one or two extra ones, if not, I can get some easy enough from Campmor.   Cutting down my sleeping pad to 45 inches and rounding the corners has ended the bunching up around my hips, but still has the coverage needed for insulation. I really do not expect to get very cold in this hammock, what with the pockets underneath, the netting, weather shield, and fly provide More than enough insulation on a cool day, and I found I could not rest easy under even my poncho liner for all the sweating I did. Well, I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving (gobble gobble) and I hope it is a safe and enjoyable day for everyone! Also, Thanks to everyone that has signed the guest book so far, it is a nice little morale boost to get those unexpected notes of wisdom, kindness, and welcomes to the '06 class."Second star to the right, and on till morning." J.T. Kirk (lol)
Date: 2005-11-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I hope you all had a restful and quiet Thanksgiving. Not much went on here, tho I did make the full spread for Gerry and myself. We have enough turkey and fixins for days! Glad I went thru the time to make it, Gerry "is not picky" lol, but all he wants is left-overs, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so I must have gotten it right this time.I am down to just a few items needed, as I have been very lucky to find alot of things locally, or on E-bay. I LOVE E-bay! I have tried two kinds of water treatment chemicals over the last week, and may have to go with a filter because of the tastes. If I decide to go with the Zip stove, I will always have the option of boiling water once a day. I figure now on just $300-$500 is all I will need for the rest of my gear, then just food and travel expenses. It is all looking like I planned it right, I hope lol, and everything is starting to fall into place. With Christmas banging on the door, the trip to N.Y. coming right after that, March now seems like it is not so very far off. 3 1/2 months?!? Goodness, am I ready for this? Too much time to think about what I am getting into I think.I will be looking into either getting a Pocket-mail composer, or a PDA, something to make entries easily in towns on the trail. The Pocket-mail seems like the way to go, but has a fee for its use. We will see...Until next we meet, stay safe.
Date: 2005-12-04
To: Sorry...
Miles today: 0.0

Sorry about the time between posts, but nothing really special has been going on lately. Just counting the days until the fat man drops into the fireplace (have to remember to get extra wood ). I have been busy going thru the forums on      Whiteblaze.net   , and have found a solution to my stove worries. A site member, Chris, had posted a few times about a wood burning stove that can be made from very simple items. It's called a Nomad stove, and after about $12.00, and 2 hours in the garage, I have a stove that will save me the cost of buying a stove that is heavier, runs on batteries and a motor. If anyone wants to see this type of stove, or other light weight alternatives,alcohol, wood, and other designs,       Zenstoves.net      is the website to check out. A little sheetmetal knowledge is helpful, but not needed, as the PDF file plans are Very friendly. I just printed them, cut them out, taped the plans to a sheet of 22GA stainless sheet metal from Home Depot, and went to work with a jig saw and drill. In the end, in fuel (if I had gone with an alcohol stove for full time use), batteries, and burning out a fan motor are items I will no longer need to worry about. I will prep a few film canisters with cotton balls and alcohol, for wet condition fire starting, and save roughly $100 over the titanium Zip stove. I will carry just the soda can stove for emergencies with maybe 6oz of alcohol. Total weight for both stoves and emergency fuel is about 13oz. Thanks Chris!!Also I have heard from a dear friend that has been traveling for her job. We have spent alot of time together online, gaming mostly, and I want to wish Kathy safe travels. Be bad hun!!!Well, I will have pics of the new stove on after I get it tested in the back yard. I hope everyone had a peaceful Thanksgiving, and will see you soon.
Date: 2005-12-06
To: Wow !?!
Miles today: 0.0

Hello again boys and girls! After falling off the ladder twice while hanging lights, I have tested my newly made Nomad stove, and it works like a charm. I have also been given a tip on how to adapt it to use as a windscreen for the sode-can alcohol stove I will have for emergencies. Thanks again Chris!Other than that news, I have recieved my ATC membership and map bundle by FedEx today, and WOW, what a map set it is. It has like 41 different maps, by section and state, and they have very detailed information. Good thing I have had the map reading skills from the Army, otherwise these maps would be very daunting in their appearance! But even so, the trail is clearly marked on the maps in color, with elevation charts, water sources and info on roads, towns, grocery stops. Even if I manage to get turned around, I will have little trouble in finding the trail again now.Thats it for now. I have packed and re-packed my gear at least 50 times trying to get the weight down, best pack position, and will probably do it another 50 times. March is creeping close, and tho the doubts are still there, I am more ready than ever. Things are falling into place almost like I knew what I was doing, and in no time at all, I will be looking for a way to get to Amicalola Falls. I may ask Gerry to give me a ride there, it's only about 5, maybe 6 hours away on I-75. Greyhound to Gainsville then a shuttle is another option. I will wait until Feburary to decide whats best when my start date has been set into stone.I hope you are all safe during the holiday rush, and good luck getting the things from Santa that you want!
Date: 2005-12-25
To: Merry Christmas...
Miles today: 0.0

Just a fast Ho Ho Ho and Merry Christmas to the Class of '06 !I have not forgotten, or am I ignoring my journal, just have been very busy in getting ready to go to New York the first or second week of January. Cleaning, re-arranging the kitchen a bit so Gerry can reach pots and pans, and food in the pantry. I will be gone for at least 2 weeks, then return for final preps for my thru attempt.I wish you all a safe and joy filled holiday season, and will update when I can. Merry Merry!!!!!
Date: 2006-01-09
To: Almost there now...
Miles today: 0.0

Hello again. Just a quick post, as I am getting ready to go to New York to help my mother with some work on her house. I expect to return within 3 weeks at the latest, and that may allow me to move my start date to the first of march. All depends on the electrician and plumber tho, so only time will tell.To any of the class of '06 that are starting before I do, I wish you all a SAFE hike, and I hope it all works out for all you guys and gals!I am not sure of my next post, as my mother has dial-up connection to the internet (EEK), and I will be busy anyway lol.Until next we meet, be safe.Eugene
Date: 2006-02-17
To: I'm Ready !!!
Miles today: 0.0

Hello all you faithful readers, I hope you have all been well. I am ready to go !!!      I am leaving New York for Florida on the 25th of February, and expect to get there on the 27th. I have a buyer set up for my truck, a friend that needs a reliable vehicle, so this will help us both out.   I have made another trip to Campmor in Paramus, and filled out the last of my needed gear. I have changed a few things, and after re-researching (I've spent WAY too much time online, and on the phone researching stuff, but it was worth it) some items, have decided to go with the following.1) Katadyn Mini Micro-filter. After trying a few different types of chemical water treatments, and going on price of replenishing my supplies, I decided to go with a filter system that can filter as much as 7000 liters of water before replacing the main cartridge. I'll just have to remember not to let the unit freeze.2) Under Armor Cold Gear. After buying and comparing the heavier fleece pants and jacket, the mid layer Under Armor shirt and pants are lighter, and by using clothes I am going to carry anyway, will keep me just as warm as the fleece when I layer them. I will mostly use the many layered approach at night time, when the temps drop lower than the day, and when I am hiking, I will use the silk weight base layer, shorts or nylon pants with gaiters, and mid-layer t-shirt or long sleeve.3) Thunderlight Side Zip Rain Pants. I know that I will most likely get soaking wet more often than not on this trip, but I am going to try to stay dry as long as possible. Also, these will act as my outer layer pants on colder nights, almost as a vapor barrier.4) Snow Peak Titanium 900 Cookset. Using this to boil water in, and a plastic bowl/plate (somewhat insulated), I am able to make 2 Ramen noodles with additions.With these additions, and removal of their corresponding items from my pack, I now have a carry weight of about 22 pounds before food and water. If I could get to Florida tommorow, I would sell my truck, and hop the First greyhound to Gainnesville Ga. I could find. But, because of other things, My start date will be finalized in about 10 days, after the truck sells, and I can take care of a few things about my credit card. I am still going to shoot for a date of the 20th as a start date, so that means a bus ride starting on the 18th to get me to the approach on time.Well, thats all for tonight, I'll be back when I have a start date set in stone. Be safe, stay warm 8-)
Date: 2006-02-28
To: 18 days and counting...
Miles today: 0.0

Coming down to the wire. I am back in Florida, and have gathered enough gear to outfit a small army. I will only be making one or two more Preparation entries, then Trail entries about once a week (when I can access the internet, and fill in the gaps when I finish). On Friday, my truck will be sold, and then there will be no turning back. I definatly have reservations about all this...But...I am still getting notes of encouragement from people, and that helps out Alot! I know the law of averages of finishing the whole trail are against me, so I try not to think about that. I am not "obsessed" as some other hikers are to finish, but I do have a feeling for a need to at least try. And in that I find comfort. If I had never made the descision to at least try, I would feel regret for a lost opportunity of a basic kind of freedom and pleasure that we enjoy in this country. This week has been rough for me, as it was the anniversary of Desert Storm ground war. I miss the men with who I served, and those that were wounded and those we lost in action in Iraq 15 years ago to the day on the 26th. I cannot say I am dedicating my hike to those men, but there is a strong feeling none the less and they will not be forgotten. I bought a new Tilley hat today, and will proudly wear the crossed sabers of the 7th Cavalry on my hike. Today I honor two brave men that made the ultimate sacrafice for their country.The two soldiers of Alpha Troop, 4th Squadron, 7th Cavalry who died on the night of 26 February 1991.Staff Sergeant Kenneth GentrySergeant Edwin Kutz"GARRY OWEN""7th FIRST"The following web link is an account of what happened during our 5 day push into Iraq.http://www.us7thcavalry.com/7-cav-4h-gw.htmPlease visit the site if you care to learn more about the 7th Cavalry and some of the soldiers that have served with pride. Also, please support our troops, where ever they may serve.
Date: 2006-03-02
To: Food items
Miles today: 0.0

Hey there....just got done with a grocery trip, and packing of my food bag. Dammit, why did'nt anyone tell me noodles and oatmeal weighed so much?!? Lol...I have enough food for 6 days packed, total is 12 pounds including bear bag and line to hang it,and after removing most of the store's boxes/bags and re-packing things in zip-lock bags (less trash, LNT you know...).What follows is what I decided will probably be what I look for when I go off trail to re-supply in towns.Breakfast12- packs Oatmeal (2 per meal)6- .5oz Raisins (add to meal)1- 2oz Dried Blueberries (add to meal)1- box Sugar (packets)1- 12oz Creamer1- 8oz jar of Folgers Instant Coffee (hated to go with instant, but lighter than ground)Lunch12- packs Granola Bars/Cheese and Crackers (different flavors)10- packs Beef Jerky (5 strips each bag, 1oz each bag, also for dinners)1- 12oz bag Assorted Snickers/Reeses Minis20- packs Crystal Light "On The Go" Drink Mix (2 packs per liter of water, each @ 4grams)Dinner12 packs Ramen noodles (2 per meal beef/chicken)5 packs Foil Packed Chicken (add to noodles)4 packs Gravy (add to noodles)1- 2.5oz jar Mrs. DashI know that does not look like much in list form, but believe me...add it to a pack, you'll feel the difference. It also is awkward to get it in, and takes up 1/4 of the room in the pack. I will just have to wait until the cold weather warms a bit so I can mail home some winter gear before I lighten my pack some. Food-wise, I am at the minimum now I believe without going into starvation, and most likely wil be carring more once my metabolism kicks into hiker mode.It's midnight now, and I've repacked my bag at Least 2 times a day since I got back from N.Y. trying to find weight to leave out...Not much else to drop unless I want to start the trip a frozen, shivering mess. Total weight, now with the food is hovering around 41 pounds. Heavy, but acceptable. I will only have to focus on water filtering more often than intended so as not to be carrying 4 or 5 liters of water at a time. 3 liters carried is about all I am willing to go with and that should get my pack to just about 48-50 pounds. That is my max, and if I go above that, anyone following me on the trail will find somegreat gear at shelters along the way lol.Well, I'll sign off for tonight. Be safe, stay warm!!!