morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-03-29
From: Neel's Gap

To: ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂThe First Bullet DownrangeÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ
Miles today: 16.0

First I want to sincerely thank each and every one of you for your postings of encouragement and prayers in my guestbook. It was true the first couple of days were very difficult for me but each of you collectively made life a whole lot easier and so, from the bottom of my heart a heartfelt THANK YOU.Onto brighter things such as the meaning of this title. Once the first bullet is fired in a battle the plan immediately goes out the window. Regrettably, I didn¢t realize this at first. As I stepped off at Amicalola Falls on my left foot, of course, as the army always starts on the left foot, the plan went down the hopper. As we got to the top of the falls and marched on into the second day and the third day, Erin had it up to here with me. The plan had been reworked half a dozen times to no avail. I was walking one mile per hour and Erin was totally frustrated. Finally, cooler heads prevailed and Erin and I were able to pull together a decent plan. We decided to increase mileage day by day to the point where we have actually done 16 miles in each of the last two days! We¢ve seen creepy crawly wild life, snakes, centipedes, millipedes, and a salamander, or was it a gecko trying to sell insurance on the AT? No, it probably wasn¢t as the little fellow didn¢t have a backpack on.   We crossed the Georgia/North Carolina border and I cannot tell you the satisfaction at that moment. We spent that night in Bly Gap North Carolina, feeling pretty good about our progress. I am losing weight and stretch with Erin¢s help every morning before starting out and every evening before going to sleep. I have learned some valuable lessons. For instance if the straps are too tight on your backpack it can impede your breathing. Erin told me they were too tight but I chose not to listen. After three days of this Erin got exasperated with me and just refused to cinch them as tightly as I wanted. Lo and behold, the pack didn¢t shift on me, it was comfortable, and I wasn¢t huffing and puffing while going up the trail. Lesson learned: if your pack is cinched too tightly across your chest and waist, it impedes oxygenation. Hmmmm.We are putting together more specifics about the trip so far so watch the trail journal for more later this week. Until then, Happy Easter and thank you all again.
Date: 2015-04-11
From: ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂTrail Perspective and Good QuestionÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ

To: ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂTrail Perspective and Good QuestionÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ
Miles today: 13.0

To give you a perspective of the AT, take your right hand with your fingers and thumb in alignment as if you were going to render a salute. Then hold your right arm out in front of you and tilt your palm so that it is at a 45 degree angle with the thumb facing downward. The thumb side is 80 degrees down and the pinkie side is 80 degrees up. Then, at this angle, the trail is about 36 inches wide and so far it is usually raining and slippery. Plus, there are steep ups and downs. The other day I was going up and was so close to the ground it was incredible. It was almost a hands and knees operation. Erin has a trail name now. I thought it would be Firestarter. The reason for that was at Woody Gap, the other hikers were trying to start a fire and it just wouldn¢t stay lit. This had been going on for four hours. Erin said, ¢Ok if I take a shot at it?¢ They said yes but were skeptical. As I taught her many years ago, first she put fire starter stuff, dry moss and leaves down. Then she aligned sticks in a teepee fashion and blew on it. Of course the wood was wet but the oxygen got the leaves and moss burning which dried the sticks. As the sticks started to burn, she laid more sticks around the fire to dry them. Everyone in the camp was impressed with her ability to start fires. I said, ¢There¢s your trail name, Firestarter.¢   However, when signing in at Amicalola Falls under trail name, she wrote ¢Good Question¢. So, when people asked her trail name, she responds, ¢Good Question. Really, Good Question.¢
Date: 2015-02-18
To: Dr.s Office
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

Ok...so...Vicki had me go see Dr Fantes...he was all for it...gave me his blessing...said I weighed 280 which was bs...told me to carry Imodium...Tylenol...Advil...mucinex...and moleskin...ll get my teeth cleaned tmo by Hakan....Maria will tighten up our legal issues re our deeds and a health proxy...finish up with a couple of my customers and try to make the house a bit safer and sounder...then be gtg I hope...I'm packing and repacking every night
Date: 2015-02-19
To: Unknown 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

My start date is March 2nd...also appropriately my fathers birth date...I think it was around 1932 that Marion Austin Kirby came into being...more about him later...hiking trips have always been about reliving certain aspects of my childhood...March 2nd is also Texas Independance Day...a day when Davy Crockett...Jim Bowie...and William Travis...and 186 Texans held off 6 million Spaniards...or Mexicans...cant remember which...for 18 months...or something like that...oh yea...but they all died...there is a revisionist telling of the story where the Texans...although far outnumbered...were hugely fortified and overly advantaged and basically desecrated Santa Ana and his troops...I dont really know since i wasnt there...and i shouldnt care or even digress this much since im trying to get this inaugural journal entry off the ground...also...my finish date should hope to be on July 13th...my sober anniversary date...well...28 years earlier i hope...i mean...if i make it...i cant wait to get going...it is a bucket list item for me...and it seems like a dream maybe come true...
Date: 2015-02-20
To: Dining Room
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Well...one week to wait left...Im a little anxious...trying to be patient...and it is going okay...there are certain things im obsessed about...i pack and repack every night...there are a few people i bug about the trek constantly (thanks for being patient with me)...AND I go over to EMS almost every couple of days...just to look at stuff mostly...their staff has been really friendly, attentive and often generous to me over these last few years...its not hard to get them to talk to me if they are not busy...they are mostly good about it...one of them in particular has shown interest in me...he recently graduated from the same college my son presently attends...and he likes hiking alot...so we got a bunch in common..his name is Andy...and i mention a few weeks ago about the possibility of doing my Thru...and he asks why...which we all know is a loaded question of course...i was kind of surprised of that question came from him of all people...but im a funny guy right?...so i answer a question with a question..."have you ever heard of teenage angst?...well i think i have middle age angst"...he says oh yer...how old are you?...i just turned 53...thanks for asking...then he says...Do you think you are going to live to 106?...wtf?...the last guy i killed is still dead...i killed him...brought him back to life (resuscitated him) and killed him again...im tough as a two dollar steak...have you ever picked up your teeth with broken fingers?...i have to sleep with one eye open because i am afraid im gonna kick my own ass...etc...etc....Damn Andy!!!
Date: 2015-02-21
To: Vicki
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

Its Monday....Im leaving Saturday...caint wait...doing my best though...patience aint my virtue...here is my favorite spanish hiking poem...by Juan Ramon Jimenez...Yo no soy yoSoy esteque va a mi lado sin yo verlo;que, a vesces, voy a ver,y que, a vesces, olvido.El que calla, sereno, cuando hablo,el que perdona, dulce, cuando odio,el que pasea por donde no estoy,el que quedara en pie cuando yo muera.I am not I.I am this onewalking beside me whom I do not see,whom at times I manage to visit, and whom at other times I manage to forget;who remains calm and silent while I talk,and forgives, gently, when I hate,who walks where I am not,who will remain standing when I die.
Date: 2015-02-22
To: Stairway to Heaven
Miles today: 0.0

 Another fun-in-the-sun action packed day...the fun meter was pegged on full...whom I kidding...total anxiety...scared to go...scared to stay...and yet I know...nothing matters but the weekend...find my focus...go to my happy place...do not get me wrong...I love hanging with the friends and the family but thats all so stinking bittersweet right now...what drama huh?...just this morning...there were tears...there was fighting...a food war broke out...insane laughter...crazy unsheathing gratuitous unbridled sex...there was a promise...and a matinee...the habbadoogaga...some of the old bow-chick-a-wow-wow...and that was when i was home alone... before i left for work...Vicki and the kids were gone...just me by myself...I gotta get going...or Im gonna go nutzzz...I know this is getting strange...perhaps disturbing...but...nevertheless...the squirrel serenade is beckoning...I must heed its call!!!!"One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind!....Good Luck, Mr. Gorsky!" Neil Armstrong
Date: 2015-03-02
From: Springer Mt

To: Justice Creek
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: scattered clouds

I got Georgia on my mind yall and under my.boots MPC and I left Ellijay this morn and twaddled up to Springer. The road wAs slick and icy. The mood somber, heavy with trepidation and a hint of middle aged anxiety. But there was no turning back. So a bit of Jamie T on the radio and some deft banter between me and my best hiking buddy and All Set to go. We hiked to the top and the sun came out. I signed the trail book. Mike bid adieu and I was on my on. Alone on the AT and off like a prom dress. The trail had lots of ice and very slimy. I will neither confirm nor deny that I actually fell like 5times. Made Justice Creek for the night. It was 50ish and no rain. I'm doing it!!!!
Date: 2015-03-03
From: Justice Creek

To: Neel Gap
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Heard an owl when I woke around 530. Got my first taste of trail magic from Fresh Ground and his ThruHiker Cafe. He made pancakes, hot coffee, fresh fruit all under a pop up canopy. Very nice. The rest of the day was set and cold. I pushed in order to get to Neels Gap for the night which meant going over Blood Mt. At 4500 plus feet at the very end - Whew!!! Very tired so I got a hikers room with a shower So nice!!!
Date: 2015-03-04
From: Neel Gap

To: Poplar Stamp Gap
Miles today: 12.9

I didn't want to say this but I was in sad shape last night. Lol. I knew I wasn't going to quit but for a while it just didn't seem possible to do this thing. I'm all better now. Began hiking and I was going in the right direction left Neels about nine and hiked til five. Should have kept going. I camped with a bunch of people. Two sisters from Boston a minister and his daughter. 73 yr old dude. A man and his eleven yr old son. There was trail magic again this morn by Northstar from Illinois who did his guru in 2013. He had a ton of food and beer. All free. Just to show his appreciation for the nice things people did for him when he hiked. Wow!!! He gave me banana Apple and iced tea. Really great!
Date: 2015-03-05
From: Poplar Stamp Gap

To: Unicol Gap
Miles today: 8.3

Got up and set off in the dark About 550. Hiked in the dark for an hour. It was warm last night but it turned cold so I made it to Unicol and hitched a ride to Helen GA. Very nice tourist town. Gonna resupply and head out fresh tomorrow morning. Here is my latest rumination. Everything in my backpack represents fear. From my toothbrush to my tarp, clothes, food and cookset, everything!! It's all there just to assist in allaying trepidation. To help me prepare for my defense. Although it is all practical in the end it will not erase fear
Date: 2015-03-08
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Standing Indian Mt
Miles today: 18.4

Ha mmocked on Indian Mt. 5498' high   Snowed 1 1/2 inches. I would shiver 20 minutes to get my core temp up then sleep 40 minutes til I cooled down. All effing night. But that meant I slept 40 minutes of every hour for 8 or 9 hours. Thus plenty of sleep. Lol
Date: 2015-03-10
From: Rock gap shelter

To: franklin nc
Miles today: 15.9

Eased out of rock gap. Met a slack packer named bear bait. Hiked to top of Wayah Bald. Weather was so bad I asked for a ride to town. Bad mistake. I was .8 miles from a shelter. She the ride was near but it wasn't. We walked 6 miles on a gravel rode back down the Mountian. Turns out the road was closed til March 15 th. Shizznit!!! But I did call home for my tent for the Smokies. It's colder and wetter than I expected I guess. The Smokies seem daunting so maybe it's a good thing. NAH!!!!! Well maybe because at least I was able to text Torianna Happy 18th Birthday!
Date: 2015-03-11
From: franklin nc

To: cold spring shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Well...looks like I can't post everyday like I hoped...so I'll do my best when I can...this is day ten...I made it through one state...13 more to go...lol...it has rained eight out of the ten days so far...causing me to sleep in hostels more than I expected...in about four days I'll be in the Smokies...I'm changing some of my gear for that...expecting colder and wetter there...once I make it through them I'll start considering myself a real Thru-Hiker...doesn't mean I'll make it to Katadhin...just that I'll think I'm no longer just a poser...anyway...so far I've done over 120 miles...now my longest hike ever..surpassing Mike Caleys and my hike of the Hundred Mile Wilderness 6 months ago...I miss everybody...that's the hardest part...I'm one of those stupid "people who need people" people...but I have met tons of hikers...all very friendly too...more later
Date: 2015-03-12
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 11.9

A long 13 miles into NOC today. ..weather was beautiful this afternoon...not looking promising the next couple of days...that's ok...at the hostel tonight...then threes day until Fontana Dam for a hostel...resupply...change equipment that Z and Vicki mailed...the Smokies promise to be wetter and colder but more exciting ...so I'm sending my hammock and tarp ahead and swapping them for my tiny tent and ground pad...I love the hammock cause it is so comfy and dry...but damn it's cold when the temps drop...I'm a "hanger" apparently...that's what they call us anyway...really missing home right now...actually not...I'm not missing the boob tube or computer or random phone calls...but I am missing their faces...ZZ...Tori...Vicki...awfully...terribly...and...yes...very sadly!!!!!
Date: 2015-03-14
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 12.8

Rained all day...lots of slimy hiking...worked hard...felt tired...mainly cause of long hike yesterday...however mad it to Fontana Dam about 2 pm...and its a real NICE dam...the Fontana Hilton is a shelter..a real nice shelter...it has a shower!!!...and it's right above the lake...beauty...plus we had a party!!!
Date: 2015-03-15
From: Fontane Hilton

To: Hike Inn
Miles today: 0.4
Weather: clear sky

Going into the Smokies tomorrow. Changed my gear to a more cold weather stuff. Sent my hammock ahead to Hot Springs NC. Had a really cool trail magic last night at the Fontana Hilton. Stick Chick brought 5 pizzas...soda...Klondike bars...we had music...real fun....loads of thru hikers handing out...some from previous years too...everyone telling stories...it was nice after hiking for 28 miles in hard cold rain for two days and nights...sun came out today tho...and looks good for the next few days too...all good...stayed wall day at Hikers Inn...took a "zero" day cuz I had to wait to get my stuff from home for the Smokies...had Mexican with Dow...Rambling...and Ozzy...got to watch the Bruins lose to the Caps...Oh well...good to see them play
Date: 2015-03-16
From: Hike Inn

To: Spence Feild Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: clear sky

Entered the Smokies!!!!....started about 745...lovely day too...first seven miles was all up...ugh...lots of college kids on break...these shelters are cool...large with fireplaces...but I disdain shelters...too communal and mice....hanta virus heaven...but sometimes you gotta do it...
Date: 2015-03-18
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Ice Water Spring Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: few clouds

Woke 430...hit the trail 530...made Clingsmans Dome Tower 710 to catch sunrise...spectular...and o de in a lifetime event for me...the rest of the hike was awesome too...fine weather in the Smoky Mountians...Pak Mule Paul drove me and Dow to Gatlinsburg for a shower...lunch...I had fried bologna sandwich...and supplies...2 1/2 hours later we were back on the AT...
Date: 2015-03-19
From: Ice Water Spring Shelter

To: Tricorner Knobs Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: snow

Rain...cold hard all day rain...some kids at the shelter were from Dallas...I reminisced with them for hours...woke to rough weather...some ice on the trail too ...we left @ 9 and didn't stop til 230...didn't even drop our packs one time...the shelter tonight is cold...very cold and high in the Mountians ...5911'..not much is drying out...I have some dry clothes left...but not much...hope to get to town with Pak Mule Paul tomorrow
Date: 2015-03-20
From: Tricorner Knobs Shelter

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 15.7

Today...not so bad...weather was not so bad...still cold and wet but NOTHING like yesterday...yesterday made a man out if me and Dow...who has run 75 full mArathons by the way...so...we left the shelter and FINISHED the Smokies...All Done!!!...woohaaaa!!!...we met Mule and stayed at the Cub Hotel in Cosby Tn...
Date: 2015-03-21
From: Davenport gap

To: Lemon gap
Miles today: 22.4
Weather: clear sky

Long miles. I slack packed with Dow. Pak Mule Paul drove our gear for us, making the trek so much easier. Woohaa. Nice weather at last...we made Max Patch kid afternoon...was wonderful...tons of locals hiking...flying kites...etc..the pushed to Lemon gap for awesome three tent camp with fire...all to ourselves
Date: 2015-03-22
From: lemon gap

To: Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Made the hostel in Hot Springs. It's right on the AT. One of just a few places where you actually walk through a town. Cool. Resupply. Have din din then back to the trail tmo. Today was warn enough and I listened to music on my phone all afternoon. Was good!!!
Date: 2015-03-23
From: Hot Springs NC

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

Slacked backwards from 14.7 miles up the AT back to Hot Springs...very fun...saw tons of thru hikers that we have been meeting lately...Mule somehow found me and Dow at lunchtime near a road on the trail...he had salad...chicken...and sodas for us...all unexpected...awesome
Date: 2015-03-24
From: Allen Gap

To: Devils Fork Gap
Miles today: 20.8

Slacked with Dow and with Mule one last time today. Thank you Mule for all the assistance. You really made the trip nice this past week. You are the greatest Trail Hero I've ever met. Too bad you can't get the punchline to any of my jokes. Lol today was very senic...very rocky...and very high...awesome!!!....totally reminded me of the White Mountians...that was REAL hiking...we hiked our asses off too...very long miles...now we are sharing a Motel 8 in Erwin TN for the night...had great BBQ at Hawg and Dawg!!!!...Mule...parting words from K2...I want you to be old enough to appreciate your freedom...and young enough to enjoy it...I know you will!!!!
Date: 2015-03-25
From: Devils Fork Gap

To: Whistling Gap campsite
Miles today: 19.6

We left our PAK Mule sadly at 7am and hiked with the full pack til 5pm. Kinda windy and a touch chilly. A lot of these mountains have grassy summits. Awesome. There are not so many hikers out here. I think I am well out in front of the masses. Tmo Erwin TN again!!
Date: 2015-03-26
From: Whistling Gap campsite

To: Erwin TN
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: light rain

Got out early from camp. Rain during the night which caused concern but for no reason cause today was fine weather wise...hiked real hard...had nice views of Erwin and the Nolichucky river...made it to Uncle Johnny's Hiker Hostel by 1 pm...so it's like a rest day almost...supposed to rain tonight an then get cold for a few days...down to 20???...that's what they say anyway...I listened to sounds on the iPhone all day...I got all the songs from Alexander's iTunes right before I left...great tunes...and it makes me feel close to my son...so I'm really grateful for that...sniff
Date: 2015-03-27
From: Erwin TN

To: Iron Mt. Gap -- Orchard
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was cold...in the low twenties at 8pm...I'm camping alone after 21.5 miles of solo hiking. At 4000 feet...yesterday was in the seventies...left Dow at the hostel...he had mailing to do today...
Date: 2015-03-28
From: Iron Mt. Gap -- Orchard

To: Overmountian Shelter
Miles today: 20.2

Woke up buried by 4inches of snow...brutal but spectacular ...the trail was untrodden for ten miles today...just me...and the Bears...lots of their tracks all around...I didnt beleive it til now...dozens of them...other than that I was alone all damn day...in snow drifts that were above my knees...and that lasted for hundreds of yards at a time...exhausting...I fell a half dozen times...no damages...very strenuous..so I'm amazed I did a 20 miler...went over Roan Mt @ 6194' high...amazing views...I took a ton of pictures today...most likely because I couldn't believe my luck that it snowed that stinking much...at 8 I made it to a converted barn that is now a shelter...I am tenting inside its loft with a bunch of other hikers doing the same thing...cause it's gonna be cold
Date: 2015-03-29
From: Overmountian Shelter

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

Got cold last night...14 degrees...I was in a barn...in a tent...in a sleeping bag...wearing all my clothes except my rain coat...and I still had to shiver myself to sleep every hour or so...but I did sleep...woke late and made a 10 am departure...first 4 miles up Mt Hump was snow covered and brutal...but sunny...got great pictures...the snow was variously melting and freezing...icy along with the 2' deep drifts...so I fell a lot ...and had a headache...but no real damage to me...about three I had a coffee and made a full recovery...woohaa...I just passed 400 miles in exactly 4 weeks...
Date: 2015-03-30
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Got off to a good start after rain all night...hiked with Hakuna Mutata...less than 7 hours...did 16 miles...Kincora is AT legendary...donation oriented...I really needed a shower too...after 4 days in cold...snow...Mountians...I never even changed clothes...even slept in them...ugh...fell better now though
Date: 2015-03-31
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Iron Mt Shelter
Miles today: 24.5
Weather: clear sky

Today was nice weather...mostly sunny and warm...I left Kincora at 8am...last night was a trip...I slept in the back bunk room on the first floor by myself...it had an old storm door to outside..about midnight something opened it...I freaked...wide awake...didn't know what it was...couldn't get back to sleep...had to read a chapter of WILD...then fell asleep and it happened again...wtf???...this time I sat and watched...finall I saw one of the hostels many cats crawl in through the door...so that's how they get In and out...man it freaked me out...so today I hiked my longest miles yet...and I didn't really feel all that well...got to the shelter with Goodnight...all to ourselves...3/4 moon...cloudless and warm...well 45ish anyway