morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-08-12
From: Mass - VT state line

To: Cheshire, Mass
Miles today: 18.8

First up, recall that I was puking most of the day yesterday, and guess what, more of the same today. No fun there.After the sleeping on the open ground episode last night, we get up the next morning and hike 4 more miles (still NO water) to North Adams for breakfast. I eat half, go to the bathroom to throw up, pay and then pass out on a park bench.Somehow we summit Mt Greylock. I only had to stop to throw up once (must be getting better) and then we continue on to complete an easy 18 mile day to finish up in Cheshire, but, ¢¦ there's NO hotel and NO restaurant. UmmmNow, as things go on the trail, just when you're totally down on your luck, you come up with the best day yet. Peace Train calls up Tom Levardi in Dalton, and an hour later we're driven to a house to eat like kings, shower, and eventually sleep in a real bed. Before sleep though, we sat with a couple NOBOs, a couple SOBOs, Tom, Bacon, and The Traveler. If you don't know the Traveler, this is the year to meet him. He's a legend in his own right, and I've heard some stories which I've already decided to steal. Unfortunately (for me) the story of his hike this year is soooo good I can't begin to claim it as my own. OK maybe I'll spill it to girls just before I ask them out (if any ladies read this, you'll probably hear the story -- know it's all a line, but be so enamored you'll go out with me anyways. Haha, I win (private)).Thanks for reading.   ~ ObiePS: gotta get past this stomach problem to do 53 miles in one day, i.e., the CtC
Date: 2007-08-13
From: Cheshire, Mass

To: West Branch Rd
Miles today: 20.1

Slackin' rules!Today, courtesy of Tom Lavardi, we slacked right at 20 miles in just over 5 hours. This was great recovery time for me considering the ailments I have been experiencing the last few days.Along the way, we came across and hung out with some folks from an organic farming commune who are so liberal they made ME feel like a square. Let me tell ya (facial expression of amazement and wonder). These kind people appear to have taken a nosedive into hard drugs looooong ago.OK, snap back to the real world, ¢¦ I'm all prepped up to take on the Connecticut-in-a-day challenge (53 miles with backpack). Only 2 people I know of have accepted the challenge this year -- Bacon and Traveler. It is said that of ALL the AT hikers throughout all the years, only 17 people total have ever successfully completed the CtC. Don't have a clue where these statistics come from, but sounds good and bears repeating enough times to become fact. Seems reasonable that the number would be quite small (see my post on 8/09/07).I have a feeling I'll be coming away from New England with FAR more stories than I initially imagined.Thanks for reading.   ~ ObiePS: guess that would make me number 18
Date: 2007-08-14
From: West Branch Rd

To: Lee, Mass
Miles today: 7.5

Another banner day!Breakfast again at Lavardi's after a hilarious night with the hiker crowd -- Tom Lavardi, Tom, Traveler, Bacon, Cheeze, PeaceTrain, and a half dozen others. Oh, and of course, Jim Bean and Dr Pepper.I bounced ahead everything I don't NEED, cutting my weight to around 25 pounds, then an easy 8 or so miles to meet with Peace Train's family in Tyringham. They're a great group, and I'm super super super grateful that they took me in, fed me, washed me, and gave me a bed one more time.I swear, with a little effort I could probably slack the whole state of Mass! The plan for now is to do approx 30 tomorrow, 15 to the stateline Thursday, then 53 bad boys Friday. To make the challenge more epic, Traveler might be timing his hike the next few days so we do Connecticut together (fingers crossed, that would be AWESOME!).On the dark side, I'm still getting sick. I think my high metabolism might be causing heartburn from too much acidic-food breakdown. I'm buying some Tums and other antacid remedies tomorrow. Maybe that'll work.Also, like an idiot I left both my hiking poles at Tom Levardi's in Dalton. Still haven't figured out what I'm going to do to get them back. Whatever. I've been wanting to try hiking without sticks for a while anyways. As they say, poles are for strippers and skiiiers! HaThanks for reading.   ~ ObiePS: CtC
Date: 2007-08-15
From: Lee, Mass (friend's house)

To: Sheffield, Mass (the Corn Crib)
Miles today: 29.1

Talking with and being around PeaceTrain's family has had two major effects on me. First, I really miss my family, and can't wait to talk and be with them. Second, I want to try and start writing down some of the things I believe I've learned so far. Oddly enough, the subject is now on the table, but it is difficult to nail down exactly what to say. What follows is a beginning, ¢¦99.9% of everything I normally worry about doesn't really matter. My priorities now are:1- friends and family, 2- good food, 3- a good bed, 4- showers and clean clothes. Throw in a beer every once in a while and you're living like a king. Everything else, and I DO mean everything, is just for fun.There are no right and wrong answers. Anyone who says there is only one way to do something is totally backwards.Negativity is a waste of time and energy, and there's no reason to stay unhappy. Most of the time, the stuff I'm unhappy about doesn't matter anyway, and as soon as I decide to stop being down and abandon this thing that makes me unhappy, I can overcome my situation.Helping people is more important than accumulating money.Goals are what you make them. Having a goal is great, and the sense of accomplishment at the end (once the goal is achieved) is often greater. However, the JOURNEY toward the goal is probably more important. To use Mt Washington as an example, the people who drove to the top aren't NEARLY as happy and satisfied as the people who worked to get to there. Every second of life should be as fun and exciting as the journey toward the goal!Thanks for reading.   ~ ObiePS: speaking of the glory of the journey, check today's pic. This little critter actually struck at me (but missed) as I was passing by in the 'zone' on my journey. Once I realized what was going on, I stopped, regrouped, and waited around to warn another set of hikers I had passed earlier.
Date: 2007-08-16
From: Sheffield, Mass (the Corn Crib)

To: Great Barriington (motel)
Miles today: 0.0

Officially, a zero mileage day. I started out this morning to hike, but the body said NOT GONNA HAPPEN SO FORGET IT, in clear, well defined ways. Soooo, decided to listen to my inner self and take a break. Need a little rest (body and spirit) before tackling the big one (CtC).Got to thinking about the journey again (NOT the Conn Challenge). This journey. The one from Maine to Georgia. btw, that's what most of the literature says, i.e., from Maine to Georgia (SOBOs take heart).   ¢¦ no, I'm talking about MY journey. My journey shared with so many good and interesting people. Our journey?July 4 (when I started) seems like a lifetime ago. Certainly much longer than 44 days. So much has happened, mostly good, ¢¦ no ALL of it was good, even Hell-day (see entry on 7/09/07). Anything that revitalizes your spirit and soul must be good for you.No one can EVER take the last 44 days away.Thanks for reading.   ~ ObiePS: posted some additional pics from the first few days. more later
Date: 2007-08-17
From: Great Barriington (motel)

To: Sages Ravine Brook Campsite
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: broken clouds

As I lay down for bed at 5:00 PM (so that I'll be up at midnight to start hiking CT), I can't help but think about this new phase (for me) of the AT. I always said that if I ever woke up and didn't want to hike, that I just wouldn't. Yesterday was one of those days.I was flat-out sick (threw up in the Great Barrington library), was hurting (horrible chafing), and was just plain tired. So I zeroed in Barrington. This made for an easy day today to stop north of the MA-CT border.Tomorrow will be a totally new experience. Up until now, I've had fun, the people are great, the views spectacular, and I love all that the outdoors has to offer. But starting at midnight tonight, it'll be all business to NY.A section hiker in a shelter today was thoroughly surprised that I would even WANT to do Connecticut in a day. For me though, the trail isn't just about enjoying the outdoors. Don't get me wrong, this is the commune-with-nature experience of a lifetime. But (and this is a big but) I'm also here to develop as a person, emotionally and physically. Tomorrow will be the biggest physical challenge of my life to date.I can hardly wait.Anyways, this new phase is also prompted by finding myself alone again. I have to say, hiking with Peace Train was awesome and I really hope to join back up with him at some point. The trail has a funny way of working things out if it's meant to be. I have noted that it is common with trail friends now to not say goodbye, since these are the types of connections such that even if it's years down the road, we will meet again at some point for sure. It's hard to forget anyone out here, especially those few that you get close to. Something about shared suffering and accomplishment make the ties so much stronger.Thanks for reading.   ~ ObiePS: tomorrow is THE day -- the Connecticut Challenge
Date: 2007-08-18
From: Sages Ravine Brook Campsite

To: south of Hoyt Rd, NY
Miles today: 52.2

The Connecticut Story.Friday was supposed to be a nice, easy day (which it was) that in turn would make Saturday easier (not quite). If you recall, yesterday I had bedded down early (5:00 PM and under the stars since I carry no tent) to be prepped for a midnight sneak attack on Conn. Unfortunately (for me), the weather gods had different plans ¢¦About 10:00 PM rain starts to pour, wind rages, and the temperature drops fast. I scramble to throw everything in the pack, but it all gets wet, down sleeping bag included. Wet plus cold plus dark minus shelter is not the equation for success.After only about a half a mile of night-storm hiking, I simply can't keep going. I take shelter under a rock with a 2 foot ledge. Since everything is soaking wet, I could really be in trouble. I wrap up in my sleeping pad and tarp, and shiver away the night.Miserable, contemplating hypothermia, I waited until 5:00 AM when I could just barely see, then packed up and hit the trail. I was so tired I had long abandoned the thought of finishing Connecticut in a day, but at least I'd get a good portion of this state behind me, and I desperately needed to warm up.Now, as things usually go, once I got started I felt ok ¢¦ in fact, I felt pretty good ¢¦ and the miles started to tick away. I counted in my head what I'd need to do to finish a hundred times throughout the day, because I knew it would be very close to dark at the end, and big miles in the dark are considerably harder, especially after a 50 mile day.Soon enough, it's 7:00 PM and I have 8.3 miles to go. I've been pushing 3-4 miles an hour all day and am exhausted, but I turn on the afterburners and do 4.6 miles by 8:15 PM. I'll be damned if it's not going to get done now!So, in the dark, with a LOT of getting lost, not enough water or energy (but enough swearing to make up for it) I reach New York in a grand total of 16.5 hours start to finish.Although the last couple miles might be questioned by some cause I was on and off the trail so much (hard to see the blazes sometimes in the dark). Whatever. I hunkered down (collapsed) somewhere in the woods south of Hoyt Rd around 9:30 PM. By 9:32 I was stone cold dead asleep. When I woke up the next morning, there within sight of my campsite was a 2 x 6 inch white blaze.Don't care what the people may say ¢¦ I did it!Thanks for reading.   ~ ObiePS: Mark it 3 successful challengers for 2007: Traveler, Bacon, and yours truly.
Date: 2007-08-19
From: south of Hoyt Rd, NY

To: Branford, on the coast of Conn
Miles today: 0.0

The Connecticut Story, epilogue.Part two of this story began after the finish line. Kristen and Marcus (my sister and her husband) drove across the whole state of Connecticut to come and fetch me. After meeting some fun Wingdale, NY folks, we headed to Kristen's and Marcus's new house. This is their very first house, and all things considered, it's very nice and I'm really really happy for them. For some reason (?) she made me take TWO showers. Ummmm, something about that 10 day hiker funk I guess.Another valuable lesson learned from the trail is that I recognize much more quickly these days that what's important is not the barking dogs or awful screen door, but rather that both of them have a place together where they can start making career moves and start a new life happily. I'm sooooo glad to see family (my family), especially after being around Peace Train's family last week. You guys (Kristen and Marcus) will probably never fully understand just how much I appreciated seeing you for a few days. It was your company that made all the difference.Can't wait to see my parents. They are headed to Vermont in September to hike sections of the AT, and the current plan is to hook up with them on the way up, and then again on the way back. Chances are I will be somewhere in Penn by then.Physically, I'm the most SORE that I've been since day one, so it's great not to be hiking.Mentally, I'm somewhat surprised at how quickly I have adapted to being off the trail. Being with people you love and care for makes going back into the woods alone a very questionable decision. I suppose other hikers either don't have this dichotomy to deal with, OR find ways to keep the internal struggle hidden. Anyways, another day of rest and I'll try to make a comeback.Thanks for reading.   ~ ObiePS: Kristen and Marcus, hope I can return the favor when called upon
Date: 2007-08-20
From: Branford, Conn

To: Hoyt Rd, NY
Miles today: 0.0

Another zero day at my sister's house, then they drove me back to NY (Monday night) where I had gotten off the trail Sunday morning. This they did AFTER they both returned from working all day. Geeze, I hope I'm up to the task when the day comes that I should return the favors they have done for me. It's been such a great emotional uplift to be with her and Marcus. No doubt my body got a well deserved rest. But it's also amazing how strong the urge is to get off the trail for good, or at least for now, especially when there are so many other things I want to do.The time off gave me an opportunity to catch up on my journal notes, and contact a few friends, including Peace Train. It appears that he might be done for good, at least for this year. It's easy to want to quit just as soon as you see family. In fact, I really need to get back to the trail soon before I start getting too used to normal life.On the trail, you can get sucked into the illusion that EVERYONE is on a big life-altering adventure right now, and the shock of everyday life can be enough to snap you out of this false (or real) perception.However, it would be stupid to get negative at this juncture. Thursday night I'll be in NYC hanging out with Peace Train and Blaze once again. After that anticipated blowout (lookout NYC) the march begins through Pennsylvania and Maryland to Harpers Ferry.As the saying goes, better get going while the getting' goin's goin good. If that's NOT a saying, I'm claiming it as my own.Thanks for reading.   ~ ObiePS: long live Kristen and Marcus
Date: 2007-08-21
From: Hoyt Rd, NY

To: Pawling, NY
Miles today: 8.7

Well, quite frankly, this is by far the lowest I've been since day one, and (as is typical for me) I already decided not to hold anything back.After hanging out with Kristen and Marcus (a great time, by the by) I hiked an easy (but absolutely miserable) 9 miles to Pawling (RT 20) in the cold unrelenting rain with enough wind at times to have me leaning forward. Understand that I was down because of the contrast of being with family one moment, then the shock of slugging it out in miserable weather. Oh and the forecast for the next few days is more of the same crummy weather.Warm bed - real food - good company, ¢¦ or this. UmmmmNow I am by nature a very positive, social person, but (as you can probably gather from previous entries) this solo hiking thing is taking its toll on me in ways I never anticipated. I suppose I envy some of the other 'groups' of hikers who manage to stick it out together for the long haul. The forces which can pull a group apart are great and my hat's off to the survivors who make it. No doubt they reinforce one another on days like today which allows the group to continue to press on. Soooo, I decided to go to the last known location of my 'group' a few days earlier than yesterday's plan and try and beat this mood I've allowed myself to get in.Yep ¢¦ I caught an afternoon train into Manhattan. Thanks for reading.   ~ ObiePS: I'll let you know how this works out.
Date: 2007-08-22
From: Pawling, NY

To: NYC
Miles today: 0.0

Made it to Manhattan, and ended up staying with Peace Train, his sister and her fianc© in Brooklyn for two nights. This whole NYC thing was a good move. Quite possibly one of the best trips of my life. First off, the culture shock of spending 7 weeks in the mountains to Grand Central Station was unreal. The transition from sweaty - woodsy - quiet - foliage - bird chirps toooo people - noises - upscale concrete - people - big yellow metal objects in fast motion - people (did I say that already?) is so abrupt it's kinda like being caught up in a startrek transporter thingy and being instantaneously dumped onto an alien planet.Fortunately, we adjust, and move on.After a relaxing first night, on Wednesday PT and I met up with Blaze of Glory, and proceeded to tear up the lower east side of Manhattan like rock stars. Sadly, I don't have any proof (no pictures) and consider it to be a minor miracle any of us made it back to Brooklyn alive last night. So God only knows what would've become of my camera had I taken it with me. I'm confident that the lower east side will never be quite the same. Rumor has it that the upper west side breathed a collective sigh of relief knowing that their women and children were spared.Thanks for reading.   ~ ObiePS: just another great zero on the AT
Date: 2007-08-24
From: Pawling, NY

To: Fahnestock State Park
Miles today: 24.3

The Trail Name Story.I had a supernatural experience today. Not an earth-shattering supernatural experience, but certainly more than just a natural realization, so it must have been super-something. It started with this funk mood I'm in. I haven't been this kind of down since the 100-mile wilderness, and had there been rain this morning, ANY rain, (ten or twelve drops would have been sufficient) I don't know what I would've done. Buttt, it was clear enough weather-wise.I got to the trailhead around 10:00 AM and just sat for maybe 15 minutes. Could NOT make myself move. Finally, out of the back of my head a voice says to me, "ok dude, you can be miserable, but at least hike while you're doing it".So I was, and I did ¢¦ and after an hour or so the supernatural experience occurred: although I didn't feel better, all my weakness and sadness and lonely frustration started getting projected from me onto the trail. It was a feeling similar to the day I did Connecticut, that even in this emotional crisis or whatever this is, no matter what, get outta my way 'cause I'm pounding these miles out. I'm in the zone. I'm Zenning. Dammit.It was as if I'm developing a split personality such that I can focus on hiking like a monster and leave all the whiny, crybaby emotional baggage back in town. Which brings me to my latest development ¢¦To this point I have fought the idea of acquiring a trail name with a fervor. I'm Obie today, Obie tomorrow, Obie in Georgia, yeah even in NYC, go figure ¢¦ so why change my name while on the trail?Just as I was trying to come to grips with the name game, I came to understand that the normal "me" gets taken over sometimes and the TRAIL gives me a new personality. Whoa.Sooooo, I asked dad tonight to research and see if anyone already has this particular moniker, and if not, then as of the NJ/Penn line I'll be hiking as Dr Jekyll ¢¦ and on the days when my goals are 35, 40, 50 miles a day, I'll become ¢¦ Mr. Hiker. HA!!! That came out of no where. I was going to write Mr. Hyde, but put Hiker instead. Geeze, that's spooky. A Freudian slip if there ever was one, but it fits. We'll see.Thanks for reading.   ~ ObiePS: does anyone out there know of another thru-hiker using Dr Jekyll?
Date: 2007-08-27
From: NY 17

To: Wawayanda Shelter NJ
Miles today: 21.9
Weather: scattered clouds

It's been a great couple of days. Today, though still not totally back to normal, I was hiking well and most certainly enjoying the AT in New York. Dad was right, some parts of NY can be tricky; it looks flat on the profile map, but it's up 20 ft, down 20 ft, and repeat 1000 times. But today's trip, once I entered NJ, was a pushover (18 miles in 5 hours).A few miles before the shelter, I met a really cool and upbeat alumni (Time to Fly, '97 GAME). We talked for a few minutes, and he gave me some of the best trail magic I've EVER been privy to. Dude, if you read this, you have NO idea how spectacularly helpful that was!!It goes without saying (which usually means it needs to be said -- and out loud) that a trip of this magnitude always depends on the help of others. Whether it be a ride when needed, encouraging words at the right time, food, drink, whatever. Anyone out here who does not appreciate the support they are getting has missed one of the greater lessons the AT has to offer.This trip is a blessing. It certainly restores one's faith in humanity. There are an awful lot of good people in the world, at least this part of the world.Thanks for reading.   ~ Obie (Dr Jekyll)PS: Time to Fly -- way to go : ^))
Date: 2007-08-28
From: Wawayanda Shelter NJ

To: Unionville NY
Miles today: 17.1

Remarkably enough, I got my appetite back and scarfed down most of the remaining food in my pack. Then pretty much slackpacked (nothing left but my sleeping bag, clothes, a little gear, and water) 18 FLAT miles into Unionville.*** ATTENTION SOBOS BEHIND ME ***If anybody reads this, stop at the Mayor's house in Unionville, his phone number's listed on the front of the Post Office. Extremely great hospitality, and they keep a photo-scrapbook of all the hikers who stayed there this year. It was really cool to see a lot of faces I recognized from meeting previously north of here, plus put a face to a lot of SOBO's I'm chasing.Can't over emphasize the fact that I'm really enjoying the vibe in Unionville. If other trail towns are like this along the way it should be a pleasant, easy trip down to Maryland (and beyond). Treat the people of this town like gold, 'cause it's super-hiker friendly!Anyways, heading into Pennsylvania I'll be trying my new hiking style: no zero days, approximately 20 miles per day, but hike fast and stop in town every other night. Penn lends itself to this scheme really well, and I'm hoping it'll be as if hiking is only 34 of my life instead of every second.Thanks for reading.   ~ Obie (Dr Jekyll)PS: Thanks Unionville