morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-07-18
From: Graymoor Manor

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 27.0
Weather: haze

Day 140Start: Graymoor ManorDest.: Morgan Stewart ShelterMiles: 27.9Total: 1422.3Last night was very difficult to sleep in the pavilion. It was really buggy and the bench I was sleeping on wasn't that comfortable. I was on a bench because it was a lot softer than the concrete floor. After 30 minutes of tossing and swatting bugs I set up the hammock. I strung it from on of the pavilion supports to one of a few trees near by. I left the rainfly off and crawled it. Ahh, how nice to be in the hammock again. Nice and cool and no bugs!I was up at 5:30am and on the trail by 6:30am. Today New York was rather nice...hardly any big ups and downs. My legs didn't know what to do so they just kept walking. Next thing you know its 1pm and I am at the RPH Shelter 19 miles from where I started. The miles really seemed to go by fast.I took my boots off to rest the feet, changed into dry clothes and ate peanut butter and sunflower seeds on soft fajita shells for lunch. At about 2:30 I changed back into my sweaty clothes, packed everything up and headed for the next shelter. On the way I took a side trip to a store and pizza place to use the pay phone and call Wolfcookie. It was nice to talk to her again. Its been almost a week since we talked.After the phone call I should have left and started hiking again. But instead I ordered a small pepperoni pizza. The guy said it was only six slices. I guess I should have asked him how big the slices were first. When I got the "small" pizza it was about 20inches in diameter. One slice was the size of most larger pizzas back home. I did my best to eat it all but had to concede and leave one piece on the saucer.With my stomach full I started the 0.3miles trek back to the trail. I was about 100yards from the trail when some fans drove by. I say fans because all three people in this white Land Rover were waving and cheering out the windows and honking as they went by. They were the only car out of about 100 to do this. They were probably the only ones that know the AT crosses the road there.Anyway, back on the trail and a few short ups and miles later I made it to the shelter. Another night in the hammock and its starting to rain pretty good. At least I made it here with dry boots.Till tomorrow...~Dances with Wolf Cookie
Date: 2004-07-19
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Mt. Algo Lean-To
Miles today: 29.0

Day 141Start: Morgan Stewart ShelterDest.: Mt. Algo Lean-ToMiles: 29.0Total: 1451.3Two big days in a row...my feet and body are tired...zzzzzCT. said welcome to New England with a few big climbs and lots of small ups and downs.ouch!~Dances With Wolf Cookie
Date: 2003-01-22
To: Before I Forget 
Miles today: 0.0

Well, it's a little more than a year to my departure date of March 15, 2004. I know I'm starting this early, but I just got some gear so I thought I'd write it down now before I forget :-)1. Osprey Luna 75 backpack2. Osprey backpack raincover3. MSR Miniworks Water FilterI also ordered my tent today, an MSR Zoid 1.5. I went with the 1.5 because I was a little worried about space in the 1, but a little concerned about weight with the 2. My first overnight to prepare is hopefully going to be the first weekend in March with Bushwack and some others at Graysen Highlands. Can't wait! I hope the boss lets me off work.I'm also trying to figure out if I can raise money for some charity as I hike this. I read some of Windex's journal and am currently trying to get in touch with International Justice Mission, www.ijm.org, to see if I can raise money for them and if they can help getting me started.That's about it for now.
Date: 2003-01-24
To: The snow is gone...
Miles today: 0.0

So the drive to Raleigh at midnight should not be too bad. I'm staying with a good friend of mine tonight and we're going to REI tomorrow before he has to go to work :-) While at REI, I'm hoping to get(this list is more to help me remember than for your reading pleasure, but enjoy anyway :)Sleeping BagSleeping MatStoveCookwareI'm holding off on poles for now, but I will hopefully have them for the Graysen Highlands backpacking trip in march. And, even more hopefully, the trip will really happen so I get at least a tiny spring break. It would be my first one in five years of school! I need a spring break!Is it bad to have Springer Fever a year before you do the hike....?
Date: 2003-01-25
To: Thank God for REI
Miles today: 0.0

Ok. Now. How do I begin, other than with the fact that I've never been to an REI(because I'm scared to go to big cities--long story) and today was my first experience. I think that Heaven might be like REI....or at least have an REI store close :-)I think I've got most of my major gear, now it's time to start testing and figuring out what works and what doesn't. Hopefully the trip in March will pan out so I have some incentive to play with my new toys rather than do homework, but we'll see ;-)I noticed that people looked at my journal, but I didn't notice any comments. Please, if you read this, leave me a comment :-) It makes me feel special and popular.
Date: 2003-01-30
To: It's off to work I go...
Miles today: 0.0

The longer I'm at my job at the TV station, the more I realize that news is not for me and I can't wait to get out of it. Now, a few problems are presented when the thought of me leaving my job comes up.1. I gave my "word of mouth" agreement that I would stay through Nov. 2003.2. If I quit, I would not be making as much money(or any for that matter).3. I have an SUV to pay off.So, solutions to above problems? Well, I'm working on them.1. Stay at said job and risk my personal wellbeing and sanity.2. Quit, move back home, and get a job at a book store or something.The fact that I would be 23 living at home does not bother me. I'm just scared that my parents and their new found sense of freedom would be compromised and they would end up resenting letting me move back home from June until next March when I leave on the trail.Another option I suppose would be to quit and get another job down here, but then I would have to worry about rent and bills, and I barely squeek by now as it is, how would I do that with less money?I'm leaning towards moving home so that way at least I can save some money...any ideas? I could just go on the trial this March :) but I have to graduate...I promised my parents they would see me walk across stage. Granted, I could make a detour and hike across with my gear on my back and then mosy back to the trail, but I think that's a little unrealistic...
Date: 2003-02-26
To: I keep looking at this picture....
Miles today: 0.0

...wishing I was back out there. Unfortunately....that's not where I am.I guess the Winter Blahs are hitting home for everyone. I read Bono's journal and am really hoping that he makes it through and that he keeps going, despite the desire to quit. This seems more of a personal journal than a trail journal. Oops. Well, I guess I'll turn it back to hiking a little bit.I'm gearing up for my hike this weekend, though it has set me at a bit of a financial impass. Hopefully tax returns and grad money will get me thru and get all my bills paid off so that I can save money again. I seem to be spending all the money I get. Whether it's on bills(that I've seemed to add up, though I kept trying not to), or on rent, or on hiking stuff, it just all seems to disappear. So, my goal is to now not buy ANYTHING again until after graduation, which is just 2 months away, I can survive 2 months without anything but the necessities(such as gas and food). It will not be hard, and then I can pay off ALL the bills and NOT NOT NOT use cards at all anymore.Anyway, I'm kind of nervous about the whole hiking trip this weekend. I did six miles on sunday and was totally in pain. Hopefully it won't be TOO cold and hopefully it won't be TOO hard. I think I can make it. I just need to get to the mountains and the heck out of this town. I think things would be better if it was sunny outside.
Date: 2003-07-28
To: Ok, hang on, here we go!
Miles today: 0.0

Alright, so this is really it. on August first it will be 7 months until I begin my thru-hike. Today I started working on my mileage, just a rough map of where I'll be and when. I know this is likely to change dramatically, but I feel like I need some kind of grasp on this whole trail thing. I'll post my mileage when I'm done working it up to see if you guys have any suggestions in the way of longer or shorter days. I'm trying to take it easy at first, but if I have a long day, I'm thinking I'll take a shorter day the next day. Days I get to a town for a mail drop, my miles won't be so much either.It looks like I've now got someone to at least start the trail with. Stu, the kilt wearing aussie, though I'm not sure I knew that Australians wore kilts...not that I'm complaining.My shoulder is finally better from my fall in June and I've started running again, so it looks like I'll be getting into shape soon. I quit smoking(again) but this time I plan to keep up with it because I can't imagine hiking some of these mountains on "clean" lungs much less lungs junked up with tobacco.My knee is giving me a little bit of a problem, but I'm hoping that it's just me getting back into the swing of things. Looks like I'll have to stretch a bit and pray for the best. I seem to be accident prone this summer.Now, all I need is money for my boots. I've decided to go with the Lowa Scout II Lady boots. I'm going to get two pair although the outfitter assures me that I'm only going to need one. Also, when he sized me for my boots, he sized me half a size smaller than I think I am. The boots felt fine, no rubbing against the front for my toes or anything, but I think I'll definately try them on again before I buy them, and wear them around the house to begin with, just to make sure.I'll get my rough mileage posted soon.Cheers.
Date: 2003-08-07
To: Let's see how much I've overpacked.
Miles today: 0.0

I'm taking a hike this weekend. Approx. 35 miles, from Loft Mountain to Big Meadows in SNP. I'm excited about this because I really really really need to get away and it'll be a good 2.5 day practice hike. Not overdoing it, but I think I've packed way too much stuff. I guess we'll see on sunday. My pack weighs 30 lbs...definately going to have to cut some of that down, but that's what practice hikes are for. What can/can't I live without???
Date: 2003-08-10
To: The Joys of Camping
Miles today: 0.0

Training Hike #1Pack Weight: 30 lbsProposed Route: Loft Mtn. Wayside-Hightop Hut-Bearfence Mtn Hut-Big MeadowsActual Route: Loft Mtn. Wayside-Pinefield Hut-Hightop Hut8 AugThe rain has just started--at first I thought my sense of hearing was attuned to the creak. Alas, no! It's rain. Glad I'm snuggled in my sleeping bag. Sticky from sweat, but not complaining! Today's progress was not what I thought it would be. I'm at pinefield hut. A little discouraged, but handling it. Made 6 miles today instead of the proposed 14. I'm really going to have to get some practicing in or my hike will end up like Bono's! Last to finish :-) Going to have to walk uphill every day until march with my pack on!Looks like Luke will be doing a small day with me tomorrow. We'll do 9 to Hightop Hut and call it a day. I'm already beginning to see how my mind will be my worst enemy. I can't think too much about mileage and uphills right now or I'll psyche myself out. Just have to get out there and train a little harder! I'm thinking of getting a different stove. Right now I have a Wisperlite. Also thinking about different purification system instead of the Miniworks. Maybe some iodine crystals?It's amazing how easy it is to talk to complete strangers. Talked to luke for about 3 hrs tonight. But how he smokes and hikes is beyond me!Going to read a bit before I go to sleep.9 AugWell, today was much better than yesterday. And I even went further after starting later! Go figure! I guess it pays to get some sleep. I won't be able to get off work at 6 am and then head out to hike 14 miles in a day!There are 3 people here other than uke and I but they're all tenting in the rain! There's plenty of room in the shelter, but whatever they want to do, I guess. I'm going to need at LEAST two more Nalgene bottles when I hike next time. Rationing one bottle for 9 miles is not nearly practical. We've run into 4 other people today--two older coulples both out from day hikes.The first couple we met was really nice. Each year they hike a mile for every year they've been alive. They do a new part of the trail each year. I've got some blisters I'll need to take care of tomorrow morning, then it's back to town, work, and the real world.10 AugWell, I'm sitting here at work after just hearing some bad news about my mentor and am now wishing I was back out on the trail for awhile longer! Getting bad news by e-mail sucks!Today's 2.5 miles went nice and easy and there was a BEAUTIFUL view from the top of High Top. Luke and I watched a storm sweep by below us while the sun was shining on us and then we headed down. We parted ways and I drove up to Big Meadows to shower and wait for my family to meet me for lunch at the Lodge. If anyone goes by this way, you HAVE to have the blackberry ice cream. It's amazing! I'm pumped about next year now. I have tons of little things to learn, but that comes with experience. I know I can do it. I just have to take the uphills one step at a time. I'm not racing to Katahdin, so if I have to adjust my miles and go a shorter distance one day, that's fine. As long as I make it! And I will!
Date: 2003-08-17
To: $200 and White Oak Canyon
Miles today: 0.0

Today was amazing. After being out of work most of June with a bum shoulder, I was pretty concerned about money for the trail. Two things happened today that may help that.1. My grandfather took the family to Packsaddle Golf Course for lunch(though none of us golf). While there, our server told us they were hiring and that I should look into it. I'd get min. wage plus whatever tips I get. So I grabbed an application and will take it back Tuesday to a man named Dave. This would be job #2 for me right now plus volunteering at the theraputic riding center, but that's ok, I'm always one for too much to do.2. My grandfather gave me a $200 check that said "christmas gift" in the memo section. Amazingly, $200 is the amount that I'm going to be spending on my boots next weekend. Money that I really didn't have but need to get now in order to break them in. I'm so pumped. On another note--Saturday was a good day. Saturday I got to hike with my parents and Gwyn(my dog) 8 miles around White Oak Canyon. It was an AMAZING hike and I'll post some pictures as soon as my dad gets the computer problems straightened out. I helped my parents get some new hiking shoes a couple of days ago and as they had worn them in a bit on the treadmill, we decided to break them in properly so that they'd be all ready to come visit me out on the trail next year.Nothing major about the hike except we all made it :-) even Gwyn, who had to lay in a couple of creeks to keep cool, but hey, if I wouldn't have looked funny doing it, I would have jumped in with her!I'll post some pictures soon. I'm so proud of my mom and dad! :-) They're really getting into the hiking thing. Who knows, they just may tag along next year!Looks like that's all the hiking I'll be doing for a bit. I'm having some personal problems that are going to have me travelling to and from Greensboro once a week for the next few weeks. I can't wait to get into the fall and do some backpacking. It's almost September already! March is coming on fast! I can't wait!
Date: 2003-10-17
To: Strangely Accomplished
Miles today: 0.0

I feel strangely accomplished for not having worked on plans for my hike at all lately. I can't quite explain it. It could be that I'm busting my butt at work (52 hrs this week, 48 the next) all in hopes of getting those big paychecks that will go in the back to fund this little adventure.On another positive note, I've receieved my pocketmail in the mail. I'm so excited. It kind of brings a reality to the whole hike. It's ALMOST here. But even though it's so close, why are the last few months taking so long to happen. It's kind of frustrating.One more thing to add here, real quick, and then it's off to bed for me (working midnight to noon is not easy on the body). I am working with my high school to plan a trip to Grayson Highlands when I go through them next year. My high school, a private Christian high school, does something every other year called Mini-Term. The kids take a week and go somewhere outside of school to learn, study, and grow in their relationship with Christ. Some go to Europe, others to the Chesapeake Bay, some to inner-city DC. A few groups have even gone to Pikes Peak and done Boundary Waters. Anyway, the point is that I'm working with a teacher there to get a group of about six kids together to do the same loop that I did in February through the Highlands. Hopefully April will bring better weather! The only hang up is that the teacher wants to have a hand in picking the kids that come along, which I totally agree with because you don't want someone who's never backpacked before going on a trip like this. So, keep your fingers crossed that it works out. 130-some odd days left. I'm stoked. Stoked beyond belief. Come on March!
Date: 2003-10-31
To: A Halloween Hike
Miles today: 0.0

What better way to spend a holiday (one that I'm not too crazy about to begin with) than hiking?So, bright and early at 6:00am (well, it's bright and early if you normally work from midnight to 6...) I woke up and made my way two hours South to McAfee's Knob. I've been trying to get to this place ever since I saw Grizzly Adam's picture standing on top of it. It's taken me about nine months, but FINALLY, I'm here. I'm going to hike it. I'm going to take my picture on the rock and I'm going to have fun.I'm also out here to sample some food my mom dehydrated for me. Shepard's Pie type stuff with mashed potatos. She's getting ready for my hike next year, too.After getting lost(great start) I finally find my parking lot and my hiking parter for the day, Adam (but not the aforementioned Grizzly Adam). Now, I must admit that I sort of have this problem with going uphill. I'm trying to work through it, but it's hard. I have a mental block, for some reason, so when I'm struggling, thinking I can't get up to the top of this hill, or the next one for that matter (since McAfee's Knob has a WHOLE lot of false summits--stupid things, those false summits) I try to picture my Corporals, specifically Corporal Simmons, from military school. They're beside me, walking up with me, yelling and pointing and telling me to get my lazy butt up to the top of the mountain. Usually, just imagining his voice angers me enough that I can make it to the top of the hill. If his voice isn't enough. I imagine hitting him. I know that's not a nice thing, but it gets me up hills.Once at the top, Adam and I sit for about an hour, eating my mom's WONDERFUL dehydrated food (I'd most likely eat it at home even if I wasn't hiking) and taking in the view. If he hadn't had to get back to take a test we probably would have camped out up there...even though we didn't have anything to camp with. McAfee's Knob is one of those places that sucks you in. I want to go back. I want to sit up on the top of that rock and read, write, and talk to God. I want to be there when the sun comes up and when it goes down. I want to be there when it snows and when it rains. I would love to pitch a tent and live up there. If you've ever seen an Imax movie, you know what I'm talking about. I felt like I was sitting in a nice cooshy seat in a theatre watching that big screen move around in front of me, kind of dizzy in a good way.In short, go hike it. It's incredible. Pretty tough hike, but well worth it.I can't wait to be on the trail.I can't wait to be hiking.Just four months left...
Date: 2003-12-29
To: 60 days...not that I'm counting...
Miles today: 0.0

60 days. That's all that seperates me from a dream that has turned into an obsession. Eager, yes. Nervous, extremely. But, it's the same sort of feeling that comes along with any big event in my life. Nervous anticipation with a hint of fear. Fear that I may fail. Fear that my adventure may not turn out to be what I want it to be. I am ready, nonetheless. I'm sure there will be a few things that come up between now and then that I will have to get, but I think I have almost everything in order and now it's just a matter of working my butt off to save up some money and try not to get too jittery before the big day. Sheesh. I hope it warms up.I am getting things ready, organizing an e-mail update list for my friends, getting all my addresses and contacts that I've gotten so far in one list so that it's easily accessible while I'm hiking. Writing directions for my parents on how to update my journal and upload pictures and send e-mails for me. I'm getting my bills organized and all that jazz. I have also decided that, when I finish the trail, I will not take anymore jobs that have me working overnight hours. I never get enough sleep because I feel like I'm sleeping the day away, so I always feel slightly sluggish and ill. Not to mention the constant headache that comes from either a)a lack of sleep or b)too much sleep.On another note...I need to share a poem with you all because when I heard it it struck a cord which I think many of you will understand. It is, by far, one of the most beautiful poems I have ever read (and that's saying something, since I'm an English major!) It speaks volumes about the voyage I am about to undertake. I would say more about it, but it's 3:40 am...no deep poetry thoughts at 3:40 am... Enjoy."Voyage"You would have liked, you said,to live by the sea.I think you had caught sight, long ago, of the glass towerin the midst of the sea,and men on the towerwho did not answer your calling.It was not really a house by the seayou wanted, but embarkation.Now at last you are committed to the voyage. Rain-dark and spumehide your dwindling ship.In a shaft of storm-lightsomething gleams glassily to westward.Let me think only of landfall for you, and discountthe hundred stories of doom bedevilling our ventures.I see a hill rise out of the dark sea,and you climbing to the tower.I know your heart and know it set at lasttowards the possibility of welcome.--Ruth Bidgood
Date: 2002-10-07
To: Two Years into Dreaming and Planning
Miles today: 0.0

Well--two years into dreaming and planning, my hiking partner has dropped a bomb on me. She wants to wait another year to hike the trail. I don't know if I can wait another year. It seems too far away as it is. Hopefully through this site, or through word of mouth I will find a new hiking partner. I put up a note at the GOPS(Great Outdoor Provision Store) and hopefully someone will be interested. My parents definately don't want me going alone...or they didn't. I think maybe they're changing their mind. Thank goodness someone we know just hiked the Trail, is alive(although with lime disease) and made tons of good friends. Without that, I don't think they'd even think of letting me go alone...It's a little more than a year away...but early planning never hurts, right?