morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-03-04
From: Home

To: Big Meadows
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

03-04-2011Fraser FirYear Eight of my journey from Georgia to MaineI have debated seriously on not bringing a stove. However, the time of year should still warrant a nice warm meal every now and then.I do not drink coffee so no need to warm water.Boiling water to drink is not necessary because I have a water filter system.Bottom line: last year my filter system broke near Pearis Mountain and I drank unfiltered water for several days, hoping and praying that I would not get sick. Prayers certainly get answered.In the book, ¢On the Beaten Path¢ by Robert Rubin, he speaks of the long strip map of the A.T. put out by the national park service and how discouraging that map can be.The first time that the Rymin Worm observed that map was after going up and down the first five hundred miles of the A.T. from Springer Mountain to Damascus. Robert spoke of how discouraging it was to see how far he had gone but yet how far he still had to go.I understand that philosophy to some degree because I have been hiking this trail, in some capacity since 2004. However, I do take pride in the fact that I have covered the first seven hundred miles and God willing, I hope and pray to make it to Katahdin.I used to be all over the place. I would hike a section here in Georgia then bounce up to Roan Mountain then bounce down to Big Bald. Since heading north out of Elk Park, I have tried to stay consistent in moving in a northerly manner, picking up from where I last left off.Speaking of inconsistency, my first journal entries would speak of big dreams of thru hiking all three major trail systems. For the time, I have departed from that vision and stick solely to the Appalachian Trail. As much as I would love to take on all three trail systems, the reality is that if I make it to Katahdin, as a working father of three and husband of the most lovely woman in the world, that will indeed be my triple crown.In addition, I miss hiking with Winzer, my thirteen and a half year old puppy. Winzer walks with me in the early mornings and sometimes runs. I honestly believe that he could make it, at least some days I do.However, that is not a chance I am willing to take. There is too much at stake regarding Winzer¢s health.
Date: 2011-03-05
From: Home

To: Big Meadows
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

03-05-2011Fraser FirYear Eight of my journey from Georgia to MaineSome additional logistics to share for my 2011 journey:Ten days of hikingaverage miles per day: around twenty onetwo meals in town only (Daleville on day one and Troutville on day seven)The restaurants and way sides will not be open in Shenandoah when I go through.Hopefully, I will find a coke machine or two along the way!!!!I am still trying to figure out if I will send a food drop for day seven in Troutville to the post office or to someone¢s home. I anticipate getting into Troutville much later that the post office hours, so we will have to see.Here is what I plan to bring:Granola bars: 20        beef jerky: 9 packets        snicker bars: 17        oatmeal cream pie: 8 (big ones like Rowboat used!!)cheese sticks: 2 packets                chicken salad: one container for day onetortilla: 28        bac n bits: 3 packages of the real stuffpasta: 4 packages        mashed potatoes: 4 packagesbutter packets: 20        bagel: 8                pepperoni packets: 8g.o.r.p: three bags (one for each section)        Gatorade packets:60butterfinger:4so, what cha think??
Date: 2011-03-06
From: Home

To: Big Meadows
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

03-06-2011Fraser FirYear Eight of my journey from Georgia to MaineI want to thank Solace¢s brother for signing my trail journal. I do not have internet yet, so Solace, best wishes to you guys on your section this spring and I may run into you yet!!Walking in my neighborhood has been a real wake up call for my upcoming section.I have been walking with around thirty pounds in a day pack. Lately, I have been very consistent in my exercising. I can feel my leg muscles screaming for reprive.It is a necessary to cover the amount of miles that I want to do.Many are opposed to fast packing.However, the way I look at it is that I get up fairly early (most days) and take my time and hike until after 8:00 p.m. or so. I took over three hundred pictures of central Virginia last year, so I would say that I definitely stopped and ¢smelled the roses¢ just a little bit.I have been bouncing around with some names for baby little number three:(due October 13)Rutland, Kephart, Cammerer, Kennebec, Linden, Stratton for starters.If a gal: maybe, Laurel, Autumn, Aster, Thistle. These could be first or middle names. I have my Appalachian Trail names book. In addition, I have been studying my national geographic map of the Great Smoky Mountains. Stephanie just thinks I am studying maps for my section hike.What a great day to be alive!! April 25 will be here soon! Time to start calling some folks in Waynesboro about food drops.
Date: 2011-03-07
From: Home

To: Big Meadows
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Fraser FirYear EightSection Hiker from Georgia to Maine03-09-2011Forty seven days until I begin my section hike from Catawba to Big Meadows.No walking or running this morning. My lower back was hurting, which is very rare, but nonetheless, I wanted to take a morning of rest.Listening to music while I walk is always awesome. I try to listen to something new but sometimes I will just fall into a groove of a particular artist and just run with it.I will be back out at it again tomorrow very early in the a.m.Tomorrow will bring on an additional five pounds to my day pack that I walk with for preparation.In addition, I am walking up and down some of the same steep hills in repetition instead of walking over a great distance. In other words, I am really focusing on the ¢ups¢ with the weight on my back.There is this awesome little country store that is about five minutes north of Vogel State Park. (near Neels Gap for those of you possibly not familiar with Vogel).. I love this place because they sell these awesome fried apple pies and Bryson and Siler just love to get candy there.When you get ready to leave, you can look up and see where Jeff Foxworthy has signed his name on the wall. kinda cool¢¦Well, today, I run into this guy and we start talking and he seems really like a nice guy. Laid back, no pretentions, just a real kinda fellow.As we start to talk even further, I ask him, ¢Have you ever been to Vogel State Park?¢¢Yeah, he says.¢¢Hey, have you ever been to that little convenience store, you know, the one just north of the Park¢¢¢¦ummm, maybe, yeah, think so...¢¢well¢, I say, ¢they sell the best fried apple pies and after I have been hiking, I love to go in there and get something to drink and get an apple pie¢¦ and you know, every time I go in there, I look up on the wall and I see your autograph¢¦¢He just smiles at me and we talk a little bit more. I get Jeff to autograph a picture of Winzer on top of Blood Mountain. It was really the only thing that I had that he could sign.How crazy, and I got him to personalize it to my boys.I would never guess that I would have a very distant "connection" with someone that is famous through a convenience store in the North Georgia Mountains. How cool is that??You know these mountains, they just get into your blood ¢¦it becomes part of your life. I am just paraphrasing my friend, Mr. Hazel..
Date: 2011-03-17
From: Home

To: Front Royal?? or Big Meadows??
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

03-17-2011Fraser FirYear Eight of my journey from Georgia to MaineThings can change so fast. In life ¢when all seems lost, get torn and tossed,¢ (as David Crowder says- in one of his best songs that he has written.)Here we are about thirty six days out to departure. I had a very emotional day the other day.In the very same day: I realized that financially, this section hike is not reality. Later, my mom offered to cover the expenses so that I can go.Wow, I do not know what to say except gratefulness and appreciation to my mom and to God for making it continue to happen.Stephanie is O.K. with me going to Virginia now that the financial part is taken care of. We got hammered with medical bills, home improvement, and automobile repair. I cannot complain it is part of life.Pressures at work are like tidal waves abound. It is like holding on for the ride. I just want to get to April 25. The demands never go away and like the financial hurdles, the work demands make the trip seem questionable at times.Next year will be out for a section north in Virginia. No doubt about that. I have already asked Bryson if he would like to start with his younger brother at Springer Mountain and hike to ¢the gift shop¢ at Neels Gap. He was all smiles. So, as far as this year goes, I am looking into adding one to two days to my hike and pushing hard for Front Royal.---------------to be continued-------------------
Date: 2011-03-18
From: Home

To: Front Royal?? or Big Meadows??
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

03-18-2011Fraser FirYear Eight of my journey from Georgia to MaineIt hit like a dagger in the heart.My wife questioned my possible intention of ever making it to Katahdin. ¢David, at some point, you will be too far away to drive to continue your section hike¢ ¢You would have to fly, and we do not have the money for that..¢Please, do not look at my wife as the bad guy and do not look at me as the bad guy either. With medical, car, home improvement bills and a new born (yeahhh!!!!!!) on the way, she is the realistic one in the relationship.I in turn try to do my part and help wherever possible when I am home from work and spend time with the boys and give her time to herself. Of course, we do stuff all together as a family but I know how important that time alone must be.The best thing that I can do is just focus on my hike this year. My section hike begins in thirty five days.I believe that I may just push to Front Royal but I have not committed yet. I continue to train each morning and would have to add two days to my hiking section and probably average two to three extra miles per day.As the ¢Little Engine that could¢ said¢¦..¢ I think I can, I think I can..¢Thank you Stephanie for allowing to live out my dream. Thank you mom for your generosity (paying for my entire section this year..)and thank you boys and Winzer. I love you all. God Bless You, David.
Date: 2011-03-19
From: Home

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

03-19-11Fraser FirYear Eight of my journey from Georgia to MaineLet us toss around this hiking agenda for a minute¢¦¢¦..Monday April 25-leave around 3:00 a.m.Drive to Mr. Witcher¢s house: Day one-696.9 Catawba to 718.8 VA rte. 652                21.9Day two 718.8 to 741.6 Cove Mountain Shelter                22.8Day three 741.6 to 764.7 High Cock Knob                23.1Day four   764.7 (resupply James River) to 790.8 Pedlar Dam        26.1Day five           790.8 to 816.1 The Priest Shelter 25.8Day six           816.1 to 839.0 Humpback Mtn.        22.9Day Seven 839.0 to 850.5 Rockfish Gap           11.5Shuttle pick up, laundry, food re-supply, drop in Front RoyalDay Seven 956.2 (NOW SOUTHBOUND) to 945.5        Day Eight 945.5 to 920.8 Stony Man Summit   24.7Day nine   920.8 to 895.3 near Swift Run Gap 25.5Day ten   895.3 to 871.1 Blackrock        24.1Day eleven 871.1 to 850.5 Rock Fish Gap 20.6I may just add a day twelve or thirteen. My living off the seat of my pants wants to push on to Snickers Gap.
Date: 2011-03-20
From: Home

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

03-20-2011Fraser FirYear Eight of my journey from Georgia to MaineSpoke to Sharon Johnson from Front Royal, Virginia.She will pick me up in Waynesboro on either Sunday, May 01 or Monday, May 02.We will go north to Front Royal.I will shower, was clothes, re-supply and walk south to Rockfish Gap.Who would have known??God does for certain.Either way, I can hardly wait.And Bryson and Siler, I hope you are ready.We are starting at Springer Mountain next Spring and headed north. I will pick back up in Virginia after my kids grow up a little more and other good stuff.God willing, I will make it to Maine.Thanks Sharon!!!!!
Date: 2011-03-23
From: Home

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Fraser FirYear Eight (Started in 2004) of my section hike to Maine03-23-2011March 23rd is always such a special day for me because it is my brother¢s birthday.Happy Birthday Neil!!No training today. I took a day off.It has been a good week of walking though. I added a box of nails to an already pretty heavy backpack.My pants fit better than ever. In fact, they are starting to maybe fall off a little bit!!I have been walking up and down; up and down; down and up; up and down the hills of my neighborhood. The hills in my neighborhood could be compared to hiking south-bound up Blood Mountain.So, I have been doing this little project late at night.I have been drawing an elevation profile from Catawba (696.9) to Snickers Gap (991.6) just to give me an idea of what I may be getting my good old self into!!As I have mentioned in a previous entry, earlier last week:my precious wife, who is expecting our third child on October 23rd, wants to know how long I plan on doing this. She is the realist and the analyst and understands that at some point, the party may just be over.There is always this underlying tension between me, my hike and what needs to get done around the house and our finances. Rubin¢s book really does a great job of exemplifying this, if you have not read it yet.I point out to dear Stephanie that if I did it right (after this walk) I could finish in about eight weeks or less. Either way, a new section will start all over with the boys. That will be a whole new adventure in and of itself!! No doubt about it!!I am like a little kid all over because I always want to play and no one seems to understand.I listen to some pretty intense music like project 86; Skillet; Red and P.O.D.I love to read controversial books that others will not touch¢¦and listen and love others.A big shout out to my friend: Christopher Wisener, who signed my trail journal the other day.Virginia: ready or not here I come, God willing.
Date: 2011-03-30
From: Home

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

03/30/2011Fraser FirThis is the eighth year of my journey to get me closer to Katahdin.Less than thirty days away from my next section of the Appalachian Trail.I have enjoyed getting ready for this trip.What I did last week was take a poster board and cut it into two sections.Next, I drew a rough elevation profile from Catawba 696.9 to Snickers Gap 900 and something or another.Using a ruler, I spaced out the mileage across the Valley of Virginia, Jefferson and Washington National Forests and Shenandoah National Park.It is though I am in my own world-sometimes- like going to sleep on Christmas Eve; you know, the anticipation. I love to share that excitement with folks and reflect on the blessings that I have had at hiking one step at a time closer to Maine.I look forward to setting up camp and listening to the woods come to life at night.I look forward to a captivating sun set or sun rise.I look forward to entering a town such as Waynesboro and having ice cream and a coke.I look forward to having time alone from the rat race of life.There is no doubt that I will miss my beloved wife and my two boys so much. They see me get up early in the morning and put on that pack and must wonder what in the world I am thinking??I projected how fast I could hike over particular terrain based on the elevations and access to water and have built my menu around that.Reality is that I hike around 2.25 miles per hour with breaks to filter water, eat, take pictures and talk to folks that I may meet.Homer Fletcher will have a food drop for me at the James River.I will shuttle to Front Royal for my second drop.Hiking south, for the conclusion of my trip, I will carry four days worth of food and supplies.Walking in the morning has been consistent.Yesterday, I took a break from the backpack and walked sans pack.Today, I took a day off because I have worked nine days in a row and I just felt like sleeping in for once.My mom, who is helping me go on this trip is sick, so I place a prayer for her this evening that she may feel better and that we can get together soon.Bryson (with other kids) sang twice at church last week in front of hundreds of people in two different genres of worship service. Stephanie goes back to the doctor in a week or so to check on Baby Little number three!Well, back to prep work. Time to inventory my gear and make sure I have all of my food purchased and gear bought.Thanks for reading my journal. I hope that you have enjoyed it so far.take care and keep smilin!
Date: 2011-04-01
From: Anderson, South Carolina

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Fraser FirSection HikerYear Eight04/01/2011Preparation countdown-twenty five daysI am off of work for six days and we are at my mother-in-laws house.Spring is definitely upon us here in the piedmont.The dogwoods are in bloom and the poplars are coming to life.Today, I have driven to basically an unknown location; parked my car and started running along a rural road.I went out for about five miles or so over the rolling hills in the farm land of North South Carolina.The temperatures are pretty cool today; I find it refreshing as I run though.As I continue to look at the logistics of this trip in the evenings, I am finishing off (for the second time): ¢The Beaten Path¢ by Robert Rubin. My spirits are definitely upbeat as my hike approaches.Stephanie and I are going to Wal- mart this evening to ¢price¢ food for my walk. It should be an eye opener. I am staying away from freeze dried meals this year. Since I am pushing hard this year, I will try to have as little cooking as possible so that I can spend more time hiking and taking pictures.Stephanie has reminded me that I took over six hundred pictures last year on my section.Hahh!!
Date: 2011-04-03
From: Fayetteville, North Carolina

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Fraser FirSection HikerYear Eight04/03/2011Countdown to my next section: around twenty two days or so.We are visiting my mom in Fayetteville, North Carolina. We have not been here since Bryson was like twenty months old.It has been a great trip and I have gotten some great runs in out here in the coastal plains.The high tomorrow should be in the mid eighties and I plan on running again.A huge shout out to my mom and Mr. Dick for funding my section this year.Without them; this hike would not be possible.I have been blessed with so many friends and family that have supported me in this endeavor.That is why I would never want it to become a ¢grind¢ or a means to an end.Virginia has been the largest state that I have ever hiked in and I have loved every minute of it and look forward to the ensuing days; the ensuing miles; the ensuing evenings reading after a great day of walking.Huge thanks to Homer Witcher and Sharon in Front Royal for ¢going with the flow¢ with shuttles, food drops, etc¢¦¢¦and for Sharon putting my section in perspective. Not too many people out on the trail with the economic downturn.To say that I am fortunate and blessed is an understatement. Let the optimism continue!!!A big thanks to Chris Wisener and Judy Massey. Chris is going to loan me a good ole fashioned book from one of my favorite emergent authors: Brian McClaren and Judy is helping me out with a small solar battery charger for my mp3 and cell phone.To my father in law, my mother in law (who have worked tirelessly to assist us in additions to our home); for adding a classroom for Stephanie to home school Bryson and for financial advice on some unexpected situations. I know you guys do not understand why I want to do this and I respect you for it.To my bros. Little in Austin, Texas: I love you guys.Last but not least: to Siler Le Conte, Bryson Rhett, Baby Little numero three, and my precious bride of almost thirteen years: I Love You!!I am going to push hard to get my food drop out and climb up and down the hills of my neighborhood every single day until it is time to go.Fayetteville has been fun. Thanks Mom and Dick!!
Date: 2011-04-12
From: Gainesville, Ga

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

04-12-2011Fraser FirGeorgia to Mainethis is my eighth year of pursuing my dream of walking to the top of Katahdin. one step at a time.A big shout out to my friend Judy: who bought me a solar battery charger that will charge my cell phone and my mp3. It is awesome. I have been trying it out to see how much of a charge that it will hold from a direct charge off of my hard drive. In addition, I have been experimenting to see how long it will charge a device strictly off of solar power.I want to say hey to my brother Neil. He is coming into town a couple of days before I head out to Virginia. We are going to (maybe) go to Sautee to a ¢Contra¢ style dance. It was started by one of the guys from the rock band ¢Widespread Panic¢. You bring a can of food for a donation and have a good ole time square dancing and meeting other people from the community.It is awesome. If that does not work out, we will go up to Woody Gap for a picnic for dinner and watch the sun set.For now, at least, it appears that the Federal Government will not be shutting down so I should breeze through the Shenandoah. If for some reason that the park did close, I would by pass Shenandoah and shoot for Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. The only real problem with that would be that I have no elevation profiles or guide books for that area.Speaking of guidebooks and maps: I have really studied up on the Pedlar Ranger District. In addition, I have taken time to draw and analyze all of my maps of the Valley of Virginia. I have not fared so well in my preparation of the Shenandoah. I shall start quickly on that this evening. The Shenandoah does not have as difficult ups/downs as Pedlar, so although I have it all mapped out, I have not spent a lot of time reading about Shenandoah. Most of it will be self-discovery. much of my life has been that way; I would not have it any other way!!