morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-11-03
To: Scheduling, scheduling
Miles today: 0.0

I've already chosen the first of March to begin my hike (ascending the Approach Trail on 29 February, so I can begin on Springer Mtn. on the first). Recently a couple of good friends of mine (literally a couple) asked me to be in their wedding, which is being planned for the first week of August, 2004. Sure! I said, hoping that I'd be near to or finished with the Trail by then. I know by reading journals for 2003 that A-Train and others finished by the end of July, so now I'll have something to shoot for. If I'm not finished, I'll leave the Trail for the wedding and return to finish, but I hope it won't come to that. Ahh, friends. =)Four months until 1 March, and most definitely counting.
Date: 2004-02-19
To: Final stretch
Miles today: 0.0

A week and change to go.Tomorrow is my last day at work, and they threw me a big bash to bid me farewell today. It was really quite touching ¢ gifts such as a roll of toilet paper with inspirational quotes written on it (which quotes take on an entirely new meaning when in the context of TP), Snickers bars with "Not For Bears" written on them, some inside jokes mostly poking fun at me, a homemade Mad Libs about me hiking and being kissed by a squirrel, a phone card and a prepaid debit card. Everyone in the office wore skirts to show solidarity in my kilt wearing. What a great group of people. And cake.
Date: 2004-03-21
From: Standing Bear Farms Hostel

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 33.4
Weather: scattered clouds

3/20/04 SaturdayThis morning MoonPie met her friend Katie to hike with her for two days into Hot Springs. Along with Katie came two boxes of Krispy Kreme donuts and a gallon of orange juice. Six donuts later, I finished typing up my last journal entry, and didn't get on the Trail until ten o'clock.The day started with a series of steep uphills, and the sun pounding down through the bare trees. I ran out of water halfway along, and had to go without for a few miles. Just before Max Patch I was saved by a stream, and I loaded up for the climb. The views from the top of Max Patch were incredible, and I would have stayed up there for the sunset, but bad clouds were rolling in so I hiked another five miles to the next shelter, getting in just before dark and just before the rain and lightning started up.3/21/04 SundayMorning nugget: "Pa Kettle, how can you wake up so early?" "Old Indian alarm clock - the more you drink before going to bed, the earlier you wake up."It was sunny and cold this morning, and I finished an easy, beautiful fifteen-mile hike by noon, and got into Hot Springs, NC, where I'll be taking my first zero day - a day and a half, really. This is a great tiny town, with a greasy spoon, a pub with good beers on tap. The hostel where I'm staying is run by Elmer Hall - since 1977 - and is a huge, gorgeous Victorian house complete with parlour, music room, an extensive library for anyone's use, and a resident ghost. Meals are gourmet vegetarian, and dinner was four courses and left me stuffed.In town I visited the outfitter for a while, purchased some necessary items, and spoke with Baltimore Jack for an hour or so. Jack has thru-hiked nine out of the lst ten years, and happens to be in Hot Springs for a while this year (he's not hiking). Later in the evening, after dinner, I ran into him again at the pub, and talked some more. I found him to be a humble and funny fellow.
Date: 2004-04-03
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

4/2/04 - FridayZero day in Damascus. No hiking at all, I spent the day bumming around town (the one-street town), and after eating breakfast at Cowboy's, the greasy spoon, and checking out the outfitters, and hanging out at the wonderful hiker-friendly Side Track Cafe, I'd pretty much exhausted all my options.The Side Track Cafe is great. It's totally laid-back, and they pull out a television to play movies while people are sitting around. They'll decide to cook something, just because the chefs want to, and then ask around if anyone wants some.So I was hanging out at the Side Track Cafe, drinking the fruits of their new liquor license, when Cairo and Valentyne came in. I've been following them for a while now, so it was nice to meet them. Cairo lives in Egypt (hence the name) and works at the International School there. She had a friend with her, who had just flown in from Egypt for eight days to hike with her for a while, and he had hiked the Trail in 1999. A few minutes went by, but something about her friend struck me as familiar.I approached him: "Is your name Pete?""Yes....""Did you work at Camp Hi-Rock?""Andrew?"Nine years ago, in 1995, we'd worked at the same summer camp, and at the end of the summer hiked the Connecticut section of the AT together! What are the random chances of meeting someone who lives in Egypt like that? I was just stunned, and couldn't get over the coincidence. Pete hiked the Long Trail a few years afterwards, and then thru-hiked the AT as Yahtzee in '99. I still can't get over it.Anyway, here I am in town again, waiting for the bad weather to blow over so I don't have to hike in the snow if I can help it. I may wait through Sunday (tomorrow).
Date: 2004-05-19
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

5/18/04What a week!I went to Trail Days as a little "vacation" from hiking, and a good time was had. I don't have time to tell about everything I saw and did, but a few highlights were a 250-mile hitch, meeting vendors and the people behind the gear: Brian of LA, Tom Hennesey of Hennesey Hammocks, Big John of Moonbow, and others. I met Model T and saw a talk by him. I saw a mouse riding on the back of a cat which was riding on the back of a dog (picture to come). I saw hundreds of hikers dancing to the beat of a drum circle in the mud around a bonfire. I saw people I haven't seen in months - behind me and ahead of me on the Trail. I took part in a water fight between the hikers and the town of Damascus. Dozens of guys bought kilts from the Sport Kilt vendor.After Trail Days I joined 74 other people - hikers, former hikers, and other volunteers - to go to HardCore, a two-day trail maintenance project. We built a mile-long reroute of the AT, and I got to paint a white blaze to make it official. We were back in Tennessee, at Kincora Hostel, and it was packed, but we were fed huge dinners both nights. Today I got a ride all the way from Tennessee to Harpers Ferry, a loooong ride, so I got in after the post office closed. I'm hanging around in town tonight so I can go to the P.O. in the morning, because what's another day off the Trail?
Date: 2003-11-12
To: Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hello Everyone,   The time has finally came for me to hike the trail. Gear has been bought, dismissed for other gear, switched for something lighter, and then for something lighter yet. I'm sure that sounds familier to a lot of hikers.   I'll start this with a little about me. I'm a 41 year old long distance truck driver from Ohio. Married to a wonderful understanding wife. (Love you, Natalie.) I have very little hiking experence. Maybe 150 miles lifetime.   I first heard about the Appalachian Trail when I was in High School. I had read an article about the AT in National Geographic and it really captured my imagination. Whenever I was in one of the deep conversations with friends and the questions would come up about what we would do if we could do anything we wanted I would always say hike the AT. But that is about as far as it ever went.   A few years ago I was in a truck stop in Iowa looking for a book on tape to pass the time during a long run when I found "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson. After the first time I listened to it I was hooked. The second time I was thinking I could do this. By the third time I knew I HAD to do it.   I started planning. Read everything on the AT I could get my hands on. Started buying gear. Set a date to start and watched it go by time after time.   Well, This time is the time. I think my wife is finally to the point where she is tired of hearing me talk about it and would rather be with out me for 5 or six months than hear me go on any longer.   February 15th will be my last day at work. My wife and I are going to drive to Florida, take a cruise from the 21st (our 1 year anniversary) to the 28th so I can get nice and soft before I start the trail. I should be at Springer by the 3rd at the latest.   I am getting down to the nitty gritty now so I am getting very excited. If any one would like to contact me to give me any advice I would greatly apprieciate it. I'll post a few more entries before I head out.
Date: 2003-11-23
To: Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I have just about finallized all my plans for my hike. Just a few minor things to descide like to take my tent or my tarp, soda can stove or pocket rocket, and which rain gear to take.    I'm sure no matter which things I decide to take or not to take in the long run won't make or break my hike. It is the journey that matters not the things you take or what you choose to eat. It is the thing in your heart and not the things in your pack that get you to Maine.   Look at Grandma Gatewood. She just had a duffle bag to carry her blanket and the few other things she brought along. She didn't have advice from people on the internet. She just took the things she thought she needed. I haven't even heard about her having maps and I assume there wasn't any guide books back then. She just knew what she wanted to do and took that first step and the 5 million or so after that.   Many have made the trip with just gear off their local Sears or Montgomery Ward shelves. No Gortex, no fleece, nothing that would be considered hi-tech. Others have had all the gizmos imaginable from GPS to self-erecting tents and didn't make it out of Georgia.    So I will just fill my pack with my best choices and let my heart and my wife's support (and her ability to use the US mail to make gear replacements) to make my way from point "A" in Georga to point "B" in Maine. But hiking the trail is a bit of a leap of faith. And I have heard it said a leap of faith isn't from point "A" to point "B" it is just from point "A". So I will keep a level head and make the best decisions for me. That way if something goes wrong I can't say that it was because of gear or what someone else told me but because I made my own choice and stuck with it no matter what.
Date: 2003-11-30
To: Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Thanksgiving is over now. Only Christmas, New Year's Day, Ground Hog's Day, and Valentine's Day and a vacation with my wife before I hit the trail. Time is getting short now. I'm getting more excited every day.   My wife's brothers where here for Thanksgiving and had a lot of questions about the trail. I believe they think I'm a little crazy but in a way I think they would like to go too. I was showing them some of my gear and telling them why I chose certian gear and one of them said He would just take a humting knife and live off the land. Sounds funny but I really think he could do it if he wanted.    I think when I get to Amicalola I will still not be sure of what I am going to have in my pack but what ever it is it will be enough to get me to Maine.   Merry Christmas everyone. Hope you get all the hiking gear you asked Santa to bring you. See you on the trail
Date: 2003-12-25
To: Merry Christmas
Miles today: 0.0

Merry Christmas everyone,   I hope Santa brought everybody all the hiking gear they asked for. My Christmas was great! Just being at home with my wife was the best present of all. I ordered my maps for the trail on the 23rd from the ATC and had them shipped standard shipping. Got home last night from some Christmas Eve visiting and had a package on the porch. It was the maps and guide books. It was the fastest standard delievery I had ever had.   Only about 68 or so more days till I start my through hike. I guess I have all the gear I need and if I don't I will make do with what I have until I can get anything else I may need. Just have to buy some food now and I'll be ready.   Every body have a great New Year and I'll write more soon.
Date: 2003-12-26
To: Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

I am offically ready to hit the trail. Today I packed my pack with all my gear and 4 days worth of food. Pack weight: 20 lbs. I guess the sweating about weight has paid off. I'm sure there are a few things I didn't put in there like my camera and aspirin but, I don't think those will be over 2 lbs.   Also, besides my rain gear and a couple pair of socks I don't have any clothes in my pack. I figure I will be wearing most of it in the first part of the hike and what I take off as I go can be placed in the pack.   I guess I have sweated the small stuff which has paid off in some ways but the best thing I have on my side is a wonderful wife. She has put up with all my talk for so long I'm sure she is as ready for me to get started as I am.I will miss her greatly while I have gone but we have planned meetings so I'm sure that will mean a great deal. She is definately the love of my life and I think she understands that when the trail is over for me we have the rest of our lives together. Love you Nat.   I heard from Wench from AT03 today. We talked a lot before her hike. We were planning on starting at the same time but things happen. But this year is my year. So, Good luck to every one who is is starting this year. Hope to see you on the trail.
Date: 2004-01-17
To: Grand Canyon
Miles today: 0.0

Hey everyone,   Had a great end to last week. I'm a truck driver and I had to deliver a load in Phoenix on the 12th. I got there on the 9th so I had to wait the whole weekend. My wife decided to fly out to be with me. Got a great deal on a flight and was there Saturday night. So, Sunday we took the rental car to the Grand Canyon. It was AWESOME. She had been there before but I hadn't. Pictures definately do not do it justice. When you look over the edge you can't even tell how deep it really is.    We saw a guy there that looked like Santa Claus. He was wearing a red fleece and a red hat and had a white beard down to his belly button. He was really playing the part. We even saw a couple backpackers. We had a fantastic time.   My wife went ahead and rode back in the truck with me. She hadn't done that in a long time. It was good to be able to spend some time with her. Since I am gone so much of the time and will be on the trail so many months this year it was great to be together for a little while.   Today I went to the local outfitter and bought me some long underwear. Also went to another sporting good store and got some convertable pants and another pair of shorts. When I came home I made a pot cozy to use with my alcohol stove.   Not too much longer now. Be writing more later.
Date: 2004-02-12
To: Quit Job
Miles today: 0.0

Last Wednesday was the last day of work for me. Feels a little unsual not having a job. I have been without a job before I just haven't been without one and not been looking for another one. I guess I will get over that feeling.   I have packed up my pack, made up some drop boxes to leave along the trail before the start. Pack is right at 28 lbs with 4 days of food and no water. I think I will whittle that down a little when I get on the trail and see what I don't need.   Today I went to Maize Elementary School here in Columbus, OH and talked to about 50 third graders about the trail. I took all my gear to show them. My wife and I had a great time. The kids asked lots of questions. Mostly about what I would do if a bear attacked me and where I will use the bathroom. They all got a good laugh when I pulled my roll of toilet paper out of my pack. I guess when your 10 anything to do with going to the bathroom or your butt is funny. Oh the good old days.   My wife and I are leaving home on Tuesday and heading to Florida for a together time vacation before I start the trail. I am so excited. I'm sure I will make lots of new friends on the trail.    I now have a pocketmail address. It is Ichabod@pocketmail.com. Hope to hear from anyone reading my journal. I'm sure it will give me motivation when it is needed.
Date: 2004-02-18
To: On way to Florida
Miles today: 0.0

My wife and I hit the road on Monday heading to Florida for a little vacation before I start my hike. We went on a lot of back roads yesterday while dropping off my food packages. First drop was at Fontana Dam. No one was there. Fontana village isn't due to open until the first of March. Ended up having to mail a package to myself to Fontana Dam from Fontana Dam. The Post Office lady was very nice. She joked about it being the shortest distance a mail package was ever mailed. It only had to go about 8 feet.    We then headed to the new Mountain Crossing at Rainbow Springs Campground. I was a little suprised when the guys were still framing the building. They were very helpful and let me leave my package there in a little shed and told me they would move it to the new building when it was finished.   Next stop was Blueberry Patch. Gary was there. They had just opened Sunday. He was more than happy to let me leave a package there. He said he had only had two hikers through so far.    Last stop was Neel's Gap at Walasi-Yi. Once again they were very friendly. Let me drop my package and told me not to worry about a thing. It would be there when I got there.   It was such an amazing day. Seeing all the places I had read about. I haven't been in that area in a long time. I was a little bit suprised at the size of some of the mountains. I'm sure it is going to be an intresting trip.   That is all for now have to get on the road and head on down to Florida.
Date: 2004-02-29
To: Tomorrow is the day
Miles today: 0.0

It is finally here. Tomorrow I start the approach trail. Got in to Dahlonega late last night. Today I went to Amicalola Falls to the approach trail. Met Joy and her family and just missed Bloody Cactus. It was good to meet someone that I had read their trail journal. Joy's family is really supportive of her. I hope she has a great hike. Hope to meet up with her in a few days. She is starting at Springer in the Morning.   After the Falls we drove up to the Springer parking lot. Saw a couple hikers starting off. Saw a few wives crying. Met the Springer Mountain caretaker, he gave me a run down on "Leave No Trace". Didn't get to stay as long as I wanted. Wife had to tinkle and there wasn't a toilet anywhere. As you might guess, she isn't a hiker.    Headed back to Dahlonega and went to a new outfitter and got fuel. Went to dinner and then to Kroger to get some last minute items. Then back to the hotel to do a final pack. Then a repack. Then one more repack. I know I'm forgetting something but I don't know what it is. Hopefully it isn't something I really need.    From now on my wife will be making my journal entries. I'm sure she will do a great job. I love her very much.   Well, wish me luck. Tomorrow I am off on the adventure of a life time.
Date: 2004-03-01
From: Amicalola Falls

To: Springer Mt Shelter
Miles today: 0.2

The approach trail was definitely tough. I thought I would never get to the top of Frost Mt. My feet and knees were really sore. I think I'm the slowest person hiking the AT. I know it's not a race but I would like to be able to hike with other hikers.   There are 6 people in the shelter, Bob from Wichita, Sugar Daddy, Willow, Laura, and Paul from South Carolina. That is it for tonight. More tomorrow. Total miles today 9; trail miles .2.
Date: 2004-03-02
From: Springer Mt Shelter

To: Hawk Mt Shelter
Miles today: 7.4

It has rained all day on and off but I have kept pretty dry. Last night some of my food got a little wet but most of it was okay. Started off from Springer shelter about 8:45 and got here to Hawk Mt. shelter at 2:00. The shelter is pretty full. About 12 people here. I guess it is true about there always being room during rain. Had a little soreness in my knee today but it went away. Feet are doing fine. Plan to get to Gooch Mt. shelter tomorrow.
Date: 2004-03-03
From: Hawk Mt Shelter

To: Gooch Gap
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: light rain

start time:0800stop time:about 1400Not too bad of a day. Sassafras Mt. was pretty tough, but I made it. Ran into a few army rangers doing war games. They didn't seem to mind us much. Had a good fall today when I slipped on a muddy spot and went for a good roll. Ended up with no physical problems but I bent one of my hiking poles. People have started spreading out some now. There were 16 people in (and under) the shelter last night. Tonight there are 5 in the shelter and 5 tenting near by. Have a long day tomorrow. It will be my longest day - 11.9 miles. Today is Katie's birthday. She is hiking with her dad and dog. Her dad brought Little Debbie cup cakes and put a candle in one and we all sang Happy birthday.
Date: 2004-03-04
From: Gooch Gap

To: Woods Hole
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: overcast clouds

start time:0830end time:1700Long day today, the longest of the trip so far. But all in all it was a good day. I made the goal I had set for myself.   Got to talk to my wife today. She said she got home okay and everything at home is going fine. I really miss her and almost cried when I talked to her. She asked me if I was ready to come home.   Told her was doing fine and could keep on going. She told me even if I was ready I couldn't come home. She wants me to get to Maine as much as I do. Well that¢s all for tonight. Heading to Neels Gap tomorrow.
Date: 2004-03-06
To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

start time:10:45stop:17:10Great day today. Great miles. Great views. Great companions. I finally caught up with Joy (whose trail name is now Xena) and got to meet Bloody Cactus. They were great to hike with. They stopped at Whitley Gap and Paul (from SC) and I went on to Low Gap Shelter. Had my first trail angel today. There were three girls who were giving hikers sodas. chips and Little Debbie¢s. The Mountain Dew really hit the spot. I'm sorry I don't remember their names but I know Xena wrote them down and I will get them from her when I see her. The lady¢s husband, who I met later, said he checked trailjournal.com so I gave him my name. Maybe he will sign my guest book. I met Geek at the shelter. He is the guy who hiked the AT in 1990 with a cat named Ziggy. He had a lot of great advice. He was the first trail legend I have met. But any way it was a great day. Will write more tomorrow.
Date: 2004-03-07
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Tray Mt Shelter
Miles today: 14.9

start time: 07:30stop time: 15:30Long day today but I made it. I was the last one to the shelter and got the last spot. Met some more trail angels today at Unicoi Gap. Hot dogs were never more welcome. I even got an extra Sprite to take to the shelter. I had some great views today but the new batteries I put in my camera this morning were already dead. It was very cold at the shelter tonight. When I got in I pulled out my sleeping bag, crawled in, ate a pop tart and went to sleep. Great sunset. A great end to a very long day.
Date: 2004-03-08
From: Tray Mt Shelter

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

start time: 07:45stop: 15:00Today was a hard day, especially after the long day yesterday. My feet were really sore. The tip of my big toe on my left foot has lost the feeling but it is coming back now that I have rested. Paul, who we are now calling Mr. Clean, Willow, and I got a ride into Hiawassee from Stumpknocker, a guy who hiked southbound last year. We piled into the back of his pick-up among our gear, his gear and his friend¢s gear. It was quite packed but we laughed all the way to town. We got a room with K-less, Shinobi, and Sweet Cheeks. Went to the all-you-can-eat buffet at Daniel's. Well worth the 8 bucks. Came back to the hotel for hot showers, laundry, and a dip in the hot tub. It¢s time for bed now and back on the trail tomorrow.