morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-08-07
To: Approach Trail Prep
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday I hiked the Approach Trail from Amicalola Falls to the Springer Mountain parking lot. It was a real test for me. Plus I thought if I did it now, I could skip it when I do the Appalachian Trail next year.We started at 8 am ish. The weather was beautiful and I started by playing some inspirational music. Pump It by the Black Eyed Peas. LOL. I was deathly afraid of the stairs. I've had stair issues. So one leg in front of the other. Count the steps. 1...2...3...9...10...ok start over. We reach the falls for some great photos. Then its more stairs. Up and up and THERE! 604 steps down! As soon as I reached the top I felt good. That was easy! I felt really proud. Then I realized that it was just a start.So there were two other girls in our group my age. Both in college. We rested like everyone else but decided to push on early. We left before everyone else and it felt so good to be away from soo many people. It's not like we were fast but because we pulled away, we spent most of the hike alone. I thought I would see more people but we only passed one couple hiking the other direction.We hit Mount Frosty and the real work began. About halfway up I decided I needed a granola bar break. So we stood in a campsite when one of the faster hikers of our group caught up with us. The four of us continued on to the top of Frosty. And as we took a small break, I hear it in the distance. RUMBLE! OH Crap! Just as we start down the mountain, it begins pouring. The trail became a river. The good part about it was that I got to use my new Poncho Groundsheet from Zpacks.com. It worked. At least the rain kept us cool. The rain slowed as we started up Springer. We stopped at a shelter for a bathroom break. Some more of our group caught up with us. We were going to summit the mountain as a team. Well just as we start up again, my stomach suddenly rebels. We hit what I believed to be some of the worst uphill that day. And my stomach was KILLING me! I couldn't even appreciate the summit of Springer because I just ate a little food and laid down to calm my swirling stomach. There wasn't much of view anyway. We stayed there until the final people in our group caught up. I got chilled and had to borrow someones jacket. An hour later we were heading down to the parking lot 0.9 miles after the summit. I couldn't even appreciate the end because my stomach was not behaving.SO what have we learned:1. Don't forget things. Bring a jacket just in case. Bring extra socks even on a day hike. Oh and don't forget to wear underwear that's not cotton. (I had traveled from Macon to my parents house and forgot a lot of things.)2. Don't drink old Gatorade. BAD idea.3. Stop pushing to be faster.4. Don't forget bug spray. I now have legs covered in bites. 5. Workout more. Don't get on the trail without being in better shape.
Date: 2011-09-28
To: Thoughts
Miles today: 0.0

As time passes, my impatience grows. The other day I ordered one of Zpacks new sleeping bags. I cannot wait to get it. I'll be doing a shakedown hike during Thanksgiving break to check out my gear. I'm more worried about how to regulate my heat than anything else. I get cold really easily. I want to make sure that I'm comfortable in colder temps.I also got one of Tinny's stoves. The elite. Another thing I'm waiting to arrive in the mail. I was wanting to reduce the weight in my cooking system. Hopefully this will work.I updated my gear list over at the side. Check it out.My next venture in preparation is going to be food and maildrops. I'm hungry just thinking about it!Remind me to keep focusing on work until the trail gets closer. I just want to be out there soooo bad that work is hard to focus on. Only 5 ish more months to go!
Date: 2011-10-11
To: Musings
Miles today: 0.0

Met someone in the hall today."You're hiking the entire thing? How long does that take? A few weeks?"Umm....a bit more than a few.Went into the woods at a public park the other day. I didn't realize how many back trails there were, and I almost got lost! And the sun was going down.BUT I saw a deer. REALLY close. Like close enough to reach with my trekking pole, if I had had it with me. We both froze and stared at each other for like a good 5 minutes. And just as I tried to slowly reach into my pocket for my phone to take a picture.....it bounded off.A friend: "You're going to be in the woods for five months?! You are going to stink sooo bad.""Well I will take showers every once in a while""Oh good. Praise the Lord!"Mom:"You know you're going to have to hike more than 3 miles per day, right?""Yep got it ma."While on a 1st date:"You're not going to make it that whole way. You're a chick all alone and not many people make it anyway."Well that was the last date.
Date: 2011-10-21
To: Purpose
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I've been reflecting on the amount of desire I have for this thru hike, and how I could convey it to others, mostly to my mother. All I can do when she asks me why I want to do this soo badly is stare at her with this stupid smile on my face and fumble around with my words. I tell her why not? That this is the time in my life when I can do something like this. The truth is that there is such an overwhealming feeling that radiates from my very gut and takes over like a wild fire. I need this experience. I need this like bread needs butter, like Cheech needs Chong, like Ghandi needs food. I get so much from one day out on the trail, what would 5 ish months do? Over the past year or so I have made so many changes to my life, and have accepted that as a fact. I walked away from a 5 1/2 year relationship, developed a 5 year plan to finally follow my dreams, and become whole inside for the first time in years. All of this following one small climb up Blood Mtn! Standing up there on my first hike was like realizing that there is a possibility for you to have everything. Settling now seems more impossible than following these dreams. It was such a high, I could literally do anything! And I plan to.I know all this seems really cheesy but this is the only place I feel like I can write these thoughts down and actually have someone understand and relate to them. Aside from that, I've been planning a week long backpacking trip over the Thanksgiving break. I want to try the Foothills Trail again and test out all the gear I have been accumulating. I'll let you know how that goes. I've updated the gear list but it is not complete. I plan to add pictures and weights soon. Plus I'll review them after the Foothills Trail for my first impressions. So a few song lyrics to end with:I am looking, I am searching, I have found Near the ground, my soul, myself, beneath this trailThere's no other place I'd rather beCan't you see me out here walkingIn the rain and hail
Date: 2011-10-24
To: A hiker profile
Miles today: 0.0

I thought I'd give everyone a profile of myself in case we meet on the trail. This way you know who I am. Plus, some pieces of personality are best learned this way.Name: KatTrail name: Stealth Fighter Description of Trail name: Drunken nights on the beach. See my Trail name link to the side for full details.Birthday: Dec 3, 1987; so age = 23, I'll be 24 on the trailHeight: 5'3" Weight: hah like I'd divulge this tidbit of info.Tattoos/piercings?: ears pierced, and one tattoo on the shoulder of a black catPets: Two cats. Renegade and Ally Favorite Color: OrangeFavorite Food: My great grandmother's baked chicken and red potatoesFavorite Movie: Cutthroat IslandFavorite TV show: Dr. WhoFavorite Book: impossible to choose....just know that I read a lot. Maybe it would be better to say favorite genre: fantasyFavorite Animal: CheetahFavorite Song of the moment: Party Rock AnthemHobbies: Reading, Hiking, SingingBig dreams: Hike the triple crown, move to London for a bit, travel, get another degree, maybe marry if the right man comes along, and never settle Pet peeves: smacking while eating, arrogance, and flatulenceEducation: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Masters of AccountancyGuilty pleasures: Reality shows, diamonds, coca-cola, coats, and friday nights outGreatest fear: can I say death before experience?Favorite piece of backpacking gear I have so far: My zpacks hexamid solo tentFavorite season: summerBest hiking so far: Nothing can top Blood Mtn yet.Hiking speed: casualLongest backpacking trip so far: 4 days. This will change soon.Family: Well there's my mom and dad. Only child. My grandfather. My uncle will be joining me the first few days on the trail. So there's a bit to think about. If we have something in common, give me a shout if you see me!
Date: 2011-11-14
To: Prep Hike
Miles today: 0.0

I'll be starting a prep hike this Saturday on the Foothills Trail, and will be on trail for a full week to test out all of my gear. You can read the other journal I created specifically for this hike to keep up with me.In other news, I'm holding a yard sale soon to sell off all of my apartment furniture and stuff that I'm not even using right now. I had downsized to a studio when I moved so all of the stuff that's in storage has got to go. All proceeds will help fund my thru hike. My mom is getting really proactive about this, posting up flyers and such. She hates yard sales. We'll see how this goes. I can just imagine the bloodshed.Also, my birthday is coming up December 3rd. Feel free to send me pretty things. My parents are getting me the new iPhone 4s which I plan to use as a camera for my hike. But then my mom told me today she wants me to try to call her EVERY DAY that I'm on the trail. Really ma? You do know I'll be out of range about 90% of the time? She also has me signed up to do the Disney Princess Half-marathon with her. She says it makes her feel better knowing I'm training for the half-marathon. In her words - if you can do that then I know you can do the Appalachian Trail. So now I have to prove I can run 13 ish miles in 3 hours just to go on the trail? Gah. If it sounds like I need to get away, you might be right.
Date: 2011-11-28
To: Foothills Trail Update
Miles today: 0.0

So I did my prep hike on the Foothills Trail. But instead of hiking for an entire week, I only hiked 2 days. While this seemed aweful at first, I realized quite a few things about myself. I hate being completely alone. I like being in a campsite with more people. I like companionship at the end of the day. I do have some major issues with my insecurity. I learned tons of good stuff. And while it is maddening that I didn't finish, at least I actually got out there. I didn't quit before I went. I'm also glad that I got off and was able to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with my family. You can read the trail journal to the right to get more details. But honestly I feel better for having done it. I realized my mental limit and got off to think more on them. I got really lucky at the end finding a ride, so someone was looking out for me. I'd like to do more overnighters. I need to learn how to build a fire better.I need to calm my mind better. I know it's all mental so I am now more aware of how hard this really will be for me. But the important thing is that I haven't given up the dream of the AT. I'm still going to try for it. I had my parents asking me if I needed to reconsider. I don't think so. The least I can do is try. I am more aware of the difficulties now. I might be a bit more apprehensive now, but that could be a good thing. I have made the decision to look more optimistically at it from now on. It's not about start to finish anymore. It's about learning on the journey, or the journey itself. Those two days were a short journey but they told me a lot about myself. And I'll try to see the AT as a journey within as well as without.I hope that made sense.
Date: 2011-12-13
To: Update
Miles today: 0.0

A little update as we head into the Holiday season!My birthday was excellent. I've been contemplating the change from a ground setup to a hammock setup for my camp. I should have everything by the first of the year and I'll let you know the gist of it then.As the trail keeps getting closer, I find myself answering a lot of repeat questions recently. People are astonished that I've set a date, and that I'm actually doing this. What, did they think I was lying before? A recent conversation with my friend:"So you're actually going to do the Appalachian Trail? When?""March 3rd""So it's for real now?" With a bemused expression."Yep," with a classic head bob. Again, didn't I already say I was going to be doing this?"Alone?""Technically in your terms of 'alone', yes" .....Prepare for the onslaught."I don't like that. I think you should go with someone. I don't think you should do it if you don't have someone with you. It's dangerous...Blah blah blah"Just nod and offer occasional "hmmm's". I swear this is literally the 5th time I've had this conversation in the past 2 weeks. And all from people who already know about it, and with whom I have talked about it before. It's finally becoming real for them I guess. It's been real for me since I first came up with the idea. I'm just tired of defending myself. Maybe I'll just not tell people anymore until after it's done. "Oh look what I did!" "Oh that's so amazing, you are so cool! Why can't I be more like you, Kat?! You did it alone? How brave." It's only stupid BEFORE I go.On another sad note: My job will not be waiting when I get back. I will now be unemployed after the trail. So if anyone is in need of an accountant, look me up. I'm willing to travel and don't necessarily have to stay with accounting. I'll be trying to setup another day hike soon. I need some more cold weather experience. Problem: Georgia isn't cold yet. :/
Date: 2011-12-19
To: Funny Story
Miles today: 0.0

So I have an entertaining story about a conversation I had the other day with some friends of mine. We're sitting around at a posh Christmas party. You know, the kind where there are different style cups/mugs/wine glasses for each drink arranged perfectly next to the specific drink complete with candy cane stir-ers (there was apple cider, eggnog, dessert wines, and even the water was flavored with lemon and strawberry slices). The munchies are known as hors d'oeuvres. The furniture is arranged for optimal conversation atmosphere. The candles are lit. Everyone is dressed in their 'this season' finest, no tacky sweaters here.So my friends do the classic "Oh your nails look SO pretty! Festive Christmas colors and sparkles!" The reply from the girl in question: "Oh they aren't, they are sooo gross. Look there's a chip in this one and I don't know what to do with myself! I'm such a slob!"Then I look at my nails. No polish. Cut down to the nubs. Dry, cracked skin around them (yes I tend to bite the skin...there may or may not have been some bleeding...). My excuse is that I'm preparing my nails for my thru-hike, where I won't be wearing polish and need to keep them trimmed and minimal.So the funny part:"Oh dang. If I was on the trail, I'd always be wearing polish." My face must have been a sight when I looked at my friend, because another girl replied, "Oh definitely, me too. It hides the dirt that you get under the nail."It took all my effort to control my face. "So you would carry a whole bottle of nail polish with you on a thru-hike?" I ask.Collectively and enthusiastically they say "Oh yeah!" One girl even adds, "I might even switch out colors along the way."Hold the face....Don't laugh at them....Control the urge.....Reply with a noncommittal, "Ok I might have to try that." Walk off. Go outside to the porch. Finally, commence to a loud guffaw which turns into a ROFL (Roll on the floor laughing).Bless them for amusing me so much. I hope they amused you too. If they come visit me on the trail, I'll be sure to borrow their nail polish, saying that a bear stole mine because it needed to hide the dirt under its claws.
Date: 2012-01-04
To: Doubts
Miles today: 0.0

I know that this is a depressing topic but I want a record of the doubts that I have before this thing starts. So if you don't want to cry or curse at me for being stupid....then please disregard.My fitness level is low. I'm not fat. But I'm out of shape. And here's the rub: I have no self-discipline to do any physical prep. So if I don't have the ability to stick to an exercise plan, how will I ever hike the entire AT?! I went on a 10 mile run/walk with my family this past Saturday morning and it was great. Tiring but exhilerating. But now that I'm back to this city I don't want to be in, I'm having the most difficult time finding the motivation to exercise. Could it just be spacial depression? Food has become comfort too. I know that physical prep will cause less discomfort in the beginning, but honestly, it's not high on my list of priorities. I want to cook backpacking meals, read, and clear my thoughts more than step on a treadmill. I was thinking of just making a committment to do a hike/big exercise feat every weekend. Somewhere outside of where I live. It wouldn't be much but it would be something. Plus like maybe small workouts during the week at my tiny apartment. (Disclaimer: There is no place I would feel comfortable hiking/walking in or around this city. I cannot go someplace after work besides the gym.)It also doesn't help that everytime I get slightly scared of this whole idea, my mother chimes in with her brilliant "oh, well are you reconsidering?" in the tone that implies that I should. She's not very subtle, that one.I can tell I'm depressed here. I have a hard time waking up in the morning. I haven't showered in about 2 days (I just tell myself I'm preparing for the hike). I have stomach anxieties about work on a daily basis. I get home and crash because of the emotional stress I've gone through during the day. And the sad part is that this isn't some high profile job. I'm an assistant/staff accountant. Sure I'm doing the work of 4 people but it's not like I'm some top executive running a business. I just want to not care anymore. So there are times when I don't, knowing that my inaction will simply fuel the anxieties later. It's an endless cycle. But because of my actions, or in these cases lack-there-of, I can't help but wonder if the habits will continue onto the trail. Am I destined to fail due to my inability to stick it out? There is this large part of me that wants to scream at myself for even thinking these things. Don't jinx yourself! But there's that small whisper that keeps rearing it's ugly head. Do you really think you can do this? Don't forget the money. My mother daily reminds me that I will be relying on them to support me financially. What happens if she says enough is enough and requires me to come home because they cannot afford to let me keep hiking?Either way, no matter if I have not exercised in weeks or still have anxieties, I will be there March 3rd on the top of Springer Mountain. I still have to give myself the chance.
Date: 2012-01-13
To: 50 day countdown!
Miles today: 0.0

It's 50 days until I step on the trail! Get excited!So to get away from the depressing previous entry, let's talk food.I'm working on a few different ideas for dinners right now. I've created taco chili (OMG amazingly spicy), a 4 bean dinner, a chicken teriyaki asian flavor meal, a cheesburger mac, and some plain ramen meals. So the other day I thought I'd try out my cheeseburger mac. This was another epic failure on my part. First of all, I tried to start it up using my alcohol stove and almost started a fire. Obviously I'm pretty dumb when it comes to this stove. But now I know that I need something for it to sit on. So after that I filled a pot and used my hot plate to heat up the water. Then I poured a bit into the ziplock and used the cozy like I was on the trail. 20 minutes later I began to realize that I had used WAY too much water. Hello cheesy water. The sad part too was that the meat was still not rehydrated enough. I couldn't eat more than a few bites.So...Lesson 1 - Have something under the stove to not start a fire.Lesson 2 - Less water is more. You can always add. It's harder to take away.Lesson 3 - Meat takes FOREVER to rehydrate.Lesson 4 - Need a better noodle. The spiral noodles don't rehydrate well either. Or maybe I didn't get the water boiling enough....
Date: 2012-01-24
To: Devil Neck and Magic Money
Miles today: 0.0

So many things have happened in the last week or so.I'll start with the worst. I woke up one morning and tried to get out of bed. As I strained my neck to prop myself up, I felt a pop in my head. Suddenly I couldn't move my neck or head and felt intense pain. My neck was stuck at a tilt to the right side.I panicked.I thought at first that I was paralyzed. Tears started to flow. Then I checked my fingers and toes, and sure enough, I could feel them so I wasn't paralyzed. Whew. After that I called my mom and worked a plan to get in to see the family chiropractor.Apparently, I popped my skull out. Who knew you could do that?! I mean, one second I'm doing well and then the next, POP!Well it is now popped back into place and my neck is now just working on getting over the trauma. I have no pain now after about a week later, but I am experiencing some stiffness and muscle pain if I strain for too long. But I'm optimistic that it will all go away in the next few weeks and I'll still be able to start on March 3rd for the AT.Then, today I look at my bank account. Magically there is $200 in there! My college paid me back the housing deposits from WAY back when. Crazy! So, naturally, I decided to spend it on a new backpack. I'm now waiting for my Zpacks Blast 30 backpack! Exciting, I know.It is officially 39 days until I'm on the trail!My uncle and I have worked out a few logistics for getting to the trail. I will be having a party coming with me to see my off~! My mom and dad of course. My uncle will be hiking for the first 4 days with me and his fiance is coming to see us both off. Then behind us my best friend Kristen and her boyfriend Jake will be following us up to Springer! There might be a few more people coming in that car depending on their availability - Ashley and Whitney. So with all these people, I plan to have Springer taken over! Look out world! Stealth Fighter's possy is going to take over!See you out there soon!