morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-05
From: Hot Springs

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Hot shower, clean clothes, real food and drink....can't help preferring these ammenities to the forecast for colder weather and possible precipitation in coming days. Hard to leave, but need to take care of some home issues...will rejoin Traildust in a few days....when weather warms and I can focus more on the trail and not so much on other issues....Enjoyed a hot stone and deep tissue massage at the Spa before helping Traildust re-organize/restock pack contents.
Date: 2007-08-12
To: Between Homes
Miles today: 0.0

Well,it's been weeks since hiking a full day has been part of my daily activities. For my 50th birthday, a visit to a favorite B&B, The Apple Valley Inn, in New Jersey, and a reminiscent walk along the raised board portion of the AT made me realize how much I miss hiking. In the busyness of every day life now, between two homes in two different states, it sobers me to consider how simple life on the trail could be. I can't say this is a conclusion to hiking the AT or any other trail, but it seems life and loved ones call me away from pursuits that take me to quieter places and more peaceful environs...to pay for college, cars, rooves overhead....and I can only hope and pray there will yet be a time when I can return to the hills and valleys without feeling the burden of these obligations.....like so many others in these days and times, I find myself still searching and yearning for a life away from the madness of metropolitan living for which I have little affinity.For those still on the trail, I pray for eyes to see the small as well as large displays of beauty around you; shelter from storms; and most of all the discovery of a new peace with yourself and the worlds we share.
Date: 2008-02-13
From: Springer Mountain

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Reunion hike from Springer to Woody Gap in cold weather with ice and snow on ground...not my "cup of hot chocolate". Shuttle from Hiker Hostel to terminus starting day hike in 32 degree weather with "chance of sleet" bouncing off our wind gear (over top of 2 other layers). First 8 miles tolerable, then we stopped at a shelter to eat lunch. I could see the breath from our mouths begin to "smoke" as we sat waiting for chemical hand warmers to activate. Muscles began tightening as I read trail journal entries to see who else had been crazed enough to be out here earlier or even today.Second part of day was the clencher...wind gusts in gaps howled and bit at our faces, as we attempted the steeper ups and downs, compared to our "ease into it" morning. Then the old proverbial knee tendonidis kicked in...and I was in extreme pain, especially on the down hills. Best part of whole trip was our stay at the Hiker Hostel with Josh and Leigh as our hosts....during a lull time for their business....set to pick back up in March with new thru hikers.
Date: 2008-03-08
To: Set to Go...Again
Miles today: 0.0

Four supply boxes packed and mailed off to their destinations by Monday.Traildust has manipulated me into going along once again on another thru hike attempt....his idea of a mission accomplished before settling down to real work. Ok, I'm an adult. In many ways I'd rather be in my cozy bungalow, enjoying 3 months of interior renovations, including the warmth of a cute pot belly stove near the computer....then start my seeds, watch them grow into seedlings, and in a few weeks transplant them into a neatly cultivated garden. Why? Aren't there other ways to lose winter weight and get "buff", de-stress, de-frag...or maybe ESCAPE the recession and all the economic craziness around us. Sure there is...so why am I going again....PICTURES...photo ops! So, I'm convincing myself it will pay off someday when I'm unable to walk...then I can edit pix and write my own chapters. Truth is I have more photos now from our past 2 attempts to make a book or two. Well, dreaming beats the wintery mix outside our door now. Just praying for the warmer temps to hold up through and past next week in GA at start.God forgive me if I'm wasting time....past experiences have shown me hiking the AT is no simple "Walk in the Woods". I keep reminding my more enthusiastic hiking partner that MY gifts and desires are geared more towards hospitality.
Date: 2007-03-13
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Well it's only 4 more days left till I leave Rhode Island and getting anxious and nervous at the same time. Way too much work to get ready to leave on yet another great adventure. I should be used to packing everything up and leaving from one place to another from being in the Air Force but it starts to get tiresome after doing it so much. I'll be starting the trail on Monday morning bright and early. I was going to do the approach trail but don't really seem like it's worth it. I can't wait to get out there and experience the ambience of the outdoors for 5 months. Can't wait to see you all out there!!!Alan
Date: 2007-03-18
From: Home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So I was supposed to have left already and start hiking tomorrow but that's not the case considering I haven't even left yet. My flight was cancelled and I had to wait in the airport for 6 hours till I got the last seat on a flight that leaves tomorrow morning. Thankfully I live in Rhode Island and was able to go somewhere other than a hotel. So I took the day off today and just got my mind right, went to the movies and relaxed. I leave tomorrow and will be getting to the Hiker Hostel in the afternoon. I'm thankful that I'm packed and I don't need anything because I think the other day that I wouldn't be ready for the trail. Well see you all out there, I should be starting on Tuesday even in there will be rain! I need to catch up on some lost time. Take it easy and I'll see you all out on the trail!Alan
Date: 2007-03-22
From: Springer Mountain

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Well I got out here 3 days ago and seeminly came down with some sort of chest cold. So I only hiked 5 miles today into Woody Gap and made it to the Hiker Hostel to sleep, re supply, take a shower and get some drugs for this cold. These people are really nice and the hostel is one of the best hostels I've yet to stay in!!! The hiking has been really good so far, not too hard, but I'm sure it will get harder. Just one foor in front of the other and keep thoughts going through my head. Well I'll talk to you all later.Alan
Date: 2007-04-01
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Maine
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Hello Everyone, Sorry I haven't posted in a couple of weeks but it's not like I can log into a tree or anything. The past few days have been tough, the group I'm hiking with is one guy and one girl. We pushed 40 miles in 3 days, doing a 12 mile to a 16 mile to another 12 mile day. It was very hard and strenuous and I happened to get new boots and new blisters at that. But I did make it to North Carolina, 1 state down and 13 more to go. No pictures as of yet, I wish I could but all the USB ports are taken up from either the mouse or the cable connection. But when I get to an actual computer that has USB ports I will put in some new pictures. I actually did update a few on my myspace account. It should be www.myspace.com/alansf82 I think. But I have taken pictures just waiting to put them up. So it's off to the Nantahala Outdoor Center which is 30 miles from here and then off to Fontana where I'll take a day off which is 55 miles from here. It should take a week or so to get there since these blisters hurt. Well I'm going to get going and go catch a movie or something. So I'll get back to you all later. Happy trails. ALAN AKA DUCT TAPE
Date: 2007-04-08
From: Fontana Dam, NC

To: View Entry
Miles today: 160.9

Hello everyone, Well another 3 days have passed and I've walked a total of 160.9 miles into Fontana Dam, North Carolina. A little facts about Fontana Dam is that it's the largest dam east of the Mississippi River. There is also a small resort that is here, that looks like it is used quite frequently during the summer, but they cater to hikers which is a good thing, so my group of hikers decided to take a day off here. We (Wrong Way, Bottle Cap, Krisco, Meghan, Serial, Hemlock, and some other guy) decided to stay here because the weather in the Smokey Mountains is about -15 degrees and no one wants to camp out in that kind of weather. The past few days have been nice hiking, we did run into some trail magic, where there were some people with campers set up that have thru hiked before and were feeding our hungry stomachs with hamburgers, candy, soda, and watermelon. It was a nice treat. Wrong Way, Bottle Cap and I went white water rafting about 4 days ago on the Nantahala River. It was a lot of fun nothing like I had in Idaho but still fun! The trip is going really good for 3 weeks, I don't really miss home probably because I was in the Air Force and travelled around so much. And plus every few days you come into a town and resupply on the ways of life, dealing with TV, Beer, and a warm bed to sleep in. But I'm starting to get used to the lifestyle. It's completely different out here, and would boggle anyone's mind that hasn't ever experienced living with all of your possessions attached to your back. It because uniform after a while. Well I'm going to put up some new pics from the past week or so. Hope you enjoy them and I love hearing from all of you. Take it easy.DUCT TAPE
Date: 2007-04-13
From: Cosby, TN

To: Maine
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light snow

Hey Everyone, Sorry no pictures at this time, this computer is only dial up so it would take me all day to upload them. But anyways, I'm out of the Smoky Mountains!!! Thankfully!!! It was very cold and windy almost every day up there. And we even got a nice ice storm on one day. I only hiked a short distance that day because it was so shitty outside and also because I wanted a great view from the top of Clingman's Dome which I was able to get after an early start of 730 in the am. Three days and I'll be in Hot Springs, NC and by May 1, I plan on being right near Damascus, VA. Everything is going well, and am having a blast meeting all of these new people. I'll put the pictures up when I get to Hot Springs. Talk to you all later and thanks for looking at my page.Alan aka Duct Tape
Date: 2007-04-19
From: Maine

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hey Hey everyone, Well I'm in Hot Springs and we just decided to take ANOTHER day off. Oh well, I'm having fun with it!!! Just wanted to tell you all that I haven't forgotten about the pictures but there isn't a way to hook them up maybe later today at some time. We'll see but I will be doing it!!! Take care everyone!Alan
Date: 2007-05-08
To: Harper's Ferry, WVA
Miles today: 0.0

So I'm sorry to everyone for not getting on here in like 2 weeks, but it's been a little hard. Since being on last time, I was in Hot Springs, North Carolina a small town with only one street that could only serve and sell beer between the bridges. After Hot Springs we hiked for about 4 days into a town called Erwin, TN which was a little big bigger than Hot Springs. The group of 5, Dozer, Meghan, Wrong Way, Serial and I stayed there for about 3 days, doing nothing but hanging out, eating good food and drinking. The typical life of a hiker after spending a few strenuous days in the woods. The thoughts just race through hikers heads about what's on tap at the local pub and when the next cheeseburger will arrive to fill there palates. After Erwin, we hiked for a planned 5 days which turned into 6 for Wrong Way and me because we decided to take it a little easier than usual by doing only an 8 mile day with 2 cases of beer and then to up it just a little bit we did a 9 mile day finishing the beers and lounging in a nearby river and waterfall. But we were able to catch up with our group after leaving Hampton, TN 3 days later and having the enjoyment of hiking in torrential downpours and lightening storms. It was supposed to take 4 days to get from Hampton into Virginia, but after being tired of getting rained on for the past 3 days, I decided to attempt my first 20+ mile day, ok 26 to be exact over some terrain that wasn't that bad. But in the process of doing 26 miles my feet exploded into blister's and abrasions from having extremly wet feet and no other way of keeping them dry. So our group of just 4, (we left Wrong Way because he wasn't ready to attempt the 26 miler) hiked into Damascus, VA in under 11 hours at 8:15 pm on Saturday night. And we have yet to leave! Tomorrow actually, we just continued to stay here and enjoy the town and weather, because it's been 75 degrees and blue skies the entire time. But that's about it! We leave tomorrow and will be hiking about 120 miles and then hitching back to Damascus for Trail Days and then back out onto the trail heading for Pearisburg where I'll meet up with my buddy Brad and probably take a few days off. So all is well and more pictures will be posted from the past week. So thanks for looking and I'm happy to hear from everyone!Alan
Date: 2007-05-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

How is everyone? So let me start off by telling you all that I have yet to leave Damascus, VA but I did take some time to complete 44 miles with a lightweight pack on just so I wasn't doing nothing! But I really haven't been doing anything, I actually picked up a job at a cafe where I'm doing some kitchen work, preparing food/filling beer orders. So I'm really not just sitting around, ya know! But Trail Days is coming up and I decided on just sticking around instead of hiking out and then hitching back and then hitching back to where I got off. I thought this may be easier and I also will be able to put a few extra bucks into my pocket which is always nice! But the other day I hiked with 2 other folks a 20.2 mile day which was awesome! We hiked up and around Mt. Rogers and then through the Grayson Highlands where there were wild ponies which was absolutely amazing to see! Then it was a nice downhill for about 10 miles on some really rough terrain, consisting of rocks and roots. But I bought new shoes that weigh only a pound and they feel GREAT!!! No hot spots, nothing and are super comfortable. Although I do have to diminish my pack weight by about 20 pounds so that I can move a little lighter! But it shouldn't be that hard, I will have some help. Well I'm out of here! Thanks for checking in! I should be leaving on Sunday after Trail Days and hiking to Pearisburg by Friday, at where I'll spend the weekend with my boy Brad! So I'll check back in then! Love you all!Alan aka Duct Tape
Date: 2007-05-25
To: HOME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Hello Everyone, I've made it to Bland, VA. The past few days have had me thinking quite a bit and I've made the decision to get off of the trail. I've been hiking for 2 months now and it's just time for me to go. My main intentions were to hike the entire trail, and that changed to only going half way, but now I'm just not having fun anymore. I feel like I've taken a bit too much time off for the past 10 months and it's time to get a job and make some money before I go off to college in Vermont. Plus I decided that the trail isn't going to move anywhere and I'm still in a prime location to continue hiking in sections over the next few years. So over the next week, I'll be making my way to Pearisburg to meet up with a good friend of mine from the Air Force where I'll figure a way to get back to Rhode Island. That's all...thank you all for looking at my journals for the past 2 months, it's been a good journey, I've made many new friends, and accomplished something that I wouldn't have ever thought that I would have even started. Thanks again...DUCT TAPE SIGNING OUT.
Date: 2007-05-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Greetings to anyone with the time and concern to visit my little online journal. As you may or may not know at this point, I am currently preparing to hike the entire length of the Appalachian Trail. That's right people. From Maine to Georgia in its entirety. Now you may be asking "Sean, why in God's name are you embarking on such an outlandish adventure?" Believe me, I have been asking myself this very question. I would say that this hike has its genesis as far back as five years. For one, I have been fascinated, and continure to be fascinated by the prospect of such an ambitious journey on a piece of the American landscape that is quite foreign to me. For all my world travels over the years, I have neglected much of the beauty and grandeur of my own national backyard. Moreover, I have read about people feeling "called" to hike the trail. I would say that in some respects, this is true of me also. It has been something that has been in the back of my mind for many years now and it is only now, given the freedom of time and money (sort of), that I am finally answering that call. But I think one of things that most attracts me to this endeavor is a bizarre urge for self-discovery. Without sounding too crazy, I look forward to breaking life down to its simplest most rudimentary level in order to see if I can survive. I will walk. I will walk a great deal. I will eat. I will sleep. I will carry everything I need to survive on my shoulders and simply march forward day after day after day. Despite being a rather cliched and predictable selection, I think that words of Thoreau best sum up my feelings on the matter:"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."Perhaps a twinge of crazy has infected me, urging me to hike this hike. Regardless, I hope that you, my friends and loved ones, can use this site as means of participating. Cheer me on, question my sanity, wish me well or forget about it altogether and go on with your day or simply read on to see just how far the outdoors will push me to my breaking point. Whatever your fancy, I appreciate any and all feedback I get. Wish me luck! Love you all!Sean
Date: 2007-05-26
From: 6 days and counting

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hey Hey!First off I want to say how great it has been to hear such amazingly positive feedback from people. You have no idea how big a role that is playing in preparing me mentally for the journey ahead. It is so personally settling to hear such kind words of encouragement from everyone. Right now that has been the best part about this trip: the positive messages. I am spending the next few days before I depart trying to tie up a boatload of loose ends in addition to seeing as many people as possible. It is no small task. I feel as though when I cross off one thing, four more pop up. Whether it's sorting out a bill or thinking of something new that simply cannot live without as I hike. But obviously, I can only prepare so much and come to the realization that there will be things I hadn't considered, and cross that bridge as I come to it. Such is life. For the most part, however, I am ready and raring to go. Alas, it is all coming together.Thanks again for all the wellwishing! Means the world!Best,Sean
Date: 2007-07-02
From: Gorham, NH

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 51.0
Weather: fog

Greetings once again. I have to make this entry brief because the internet at the library in Gorham,NH is off the charts expensive. That's right, I made it to New Hampshire. I can hardly believe it myself. So the good news is I can check Maine off my things to do this month. The bad news, however, is that I now have to go through New Hampshire and the Whites. Basically, whatever large peaks Maine neglected to include in its roster reside in New Hampshire. But the views are supposed to be spectacular, so I can't wait. I made it past the Maine border without anymore major incidents. Thank goodness. My foot is healing nicely as well. The wound has slowly become cocooned by my calloused (sp?) foot. I wish you could all see my feet, honestly. There are mean walking machines at this point. I think when it's all said and done I will easily be able to walk across hot coals and shards of glass with no difficulty. I am staying at this place in Gorham called the Barn---and it literally is a barn with beds in the upper tier. I'd love to write more and I think will tomorrow if I have the time, but for now it's off to gorge some greasy town food. Peace Out!!!Slowly getting sick of ramen,Sean
Date: 2007-07-17
From: Hanover, NH

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 74.0
Weather: few clouds

Greetings once again!I have arrived safely in Hanover, NH near the Vermont border. Which means, that I can now click one more state off on my to do list for the trip. Honestly, you all have no idea how good it feels to have the Whites in my rearview mirror. All told I would say that New Hampshire definetely gave me a solid beating. I did about ten miles today to get in to town and headed straight for the convenience store to pound some Dr. Pepper. I swear I have the strangest cravings on the trail and that was one I've been jonezing for for days. My hike since my last entry has been good. I managed to slam my knee down pretty hard on a rock, but apart from that things are well. The change in terrain has been amazing. I'm so used to hiking over rocks, mud and roots that to now see long alleys paved with pine needles makes my heart-a-flutter. I finally got an amazing view as well going over Mt. Mousilake, my first real view in NH. I am going to stealth camp somewhere on the outskirts of Hanover tonight b/c it seems the frat houses are not very receptive to squatters in their lawns. Can hardly blame them I suppose. I ran across the Invisible man a few days back and he should be in Gorham shortly if not already. So I hope his wife, wherever she may be is reading. I will try to write a bit more next time with more detail. But for now I just wanted to check in and let everyone know that I am safe and well and still hiking. Thanks for all the comments once again. You have no idea how much it keeps me going. Peace out!Sean....Dutch