morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-02-26
To: Hotlanta!
Miles today: 0.0

Well, tomorrow I fly to Atlanta. Actually today. It's currently 4:18am. I'm finishing up updating my iPod. My pack's already to heavy to take the iPod now, but when I switch out for summer gear I'll get it sent to me. That's about how long I think I can really last without my music anyhow. I got about 10 new albums tonight, and I haven't listened to any of them yet. I should have some great new music to listen to in about two months!I never did find my old convertible pants/shorts, so tonight I had to run to REI 30 min before they closed to pick some new ones up. A fun conversation I had about twice was this:So are you going on a trip or something?Yea, I'm hiking the Appalachian Trail. Oh, wow! That's really awesome! When do you leave?Uh...tomorrow.Haha, I always put things off until the last minute. But I got it all together! My pack is ready and waiting downstairs. Final weight: way too much. Probably around 30 lbs or so, before food and water. But, hey, the heavier my pack is now, the lighter it'll seem when I send stuff home, right? Let's pretend.Tomorrow night I'll spend at Emory University (where I go to school when I'm not attempting a thru-hike). 3:15 Tuesday I meet Leigh from the Hiker Hostel at the North Springs marta station. It's no turning back from there! But, I think I'm ready. I hope.(Later that morning)I never did manage to fall asleep. I laid awake and almost asleep for around two hours. I think I slept for around five minutes, and then I woke with a start, for the first time completly overwhelmed with the enormity of the task I am about to undertake. There was no slow process of waking, and then realizing what was going on. It was instantaneous, I woke up with the speed of someone who has just had a glass of ice water poured over their face. I was almost in a panic, my heart quickened, and in stark clarity I saw and really understood what I am about to do. And the best part is that my reaction, my gut reaction to this comprehension, was to think "That's just ridiculous! That's not even a good idea! How am I supposed to walk from Georgia to Maine?!?!" It was as if my entire future flashed before my eyes.But honestly, I'm really amused by my panic this morning. The truth is I have understood for a while what I'm about to do. Perhaps I've never understood it with the clarity of a sleep-deprived early morning pseudo hallucination, but I also am prone to flipping out like that when I wake up in my sleeping bag at night, so I won't read too deeply into it. The sleeping bag issue is something I hope will pass quickly. But when I'm in my bag, all mummied up on a cold night, I will wake suddenly and just flip out, for no apparent reason other than there's stuff all around my head and I don't want it there anymore. Ahh, the joys of camping.50 minutes until I leave for the airport.
Date: 2007-02-27
To: Waiting...
Miles today: 0.0

I'm going to the hostel in 5 hours! Also, I bought the wrong pants! I tried to put them on last night, and they wouldn't fit. I already took the tag off and everything, but I'm going to beg the fine folks at REI to let me exchange them anyway. I need pants! I also realized I need a T-shirt already. I thought I had more time before I'd need that! But it's definitely t-shirt weather in Atlanta right now. I got my first bit of "trail magic" yesterday, even though I was nowhere near the trail. The guy sitting next to me on the airplane gave me a ride to Emory, so I didn't have to mess around with the Marta system on no sleep. It was very appreciated. Last night was fun, a low key night with Peter and some other people who live in his dorm. We went out for indian food, and played scrabble later on. I finally managed to get some sleep, but made myself get up after nine hours, so hopefully I'll be able to sleep tonight. Although, if I had so much trouble sleeping the night before I came to Atlanta, I don't know what it will be like trying to sleep the night before I start hiking!I can't believe this is actually happening.
Date: 2007-02-27
To: Tomorrow!
Miles today: 0.0

So here I am! Hiker hostel, just a few miles from the Appalachian trail. I got talked into buying a new sleeping bag today, which I think is a good thing. Now it's a +15 F down bag. And it's purple. So I just have to keep it dry. I can manage, I feel. I'm also ditching the fleece pants, and my drinking mug. I can share the food one. I plan on going to bed around 9. I hear were're getting up at 7, and I'm still not caught up on my lost sleep. I will sleep like a baby, I'm sure. Then one last meal, and I'm hitting the trail. I'm starting to be a little less scared. I think I can do this...
Date: 2007-02-28
From: Springer

To: Hawk Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: clear sky

I was the first person to arrive at Springer this morning! I got to meet Manysleeps, the caretaker who stays up there and keeps track of everyone passing through. The weather was absolutely beautiful all day. I have blisters all over my feet. And they're sore. And my legs hurt. But I didn't really expect any less. I'm alive! I am most definitely alive. And Mr. Panda is well, and excited. It's 6:30 now, and everyone is bunking down. I should do the same. Tomorrow, although shorter, will be a formidable day. I have a feeling. Fear is finally giving way to excitement as I'm embarking on my journey.
Date: 2007-03-01
From: Hawk Mtn Shelter

To: Gooch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: moderate rain

Holy crap am I glad I started yesterday! Today is cold (45) and rainy. And there are thunderstorms. We're under a tornado watch until 9 pm. Hurrah for hazardous weather while outside! It's true, what I heard. You can't stay dry in the rain. Rain gear is good because it keeps you warm, but it doesn't do much else. Today while hiking I was reminded of something I learned while skiing. When you'er trying to go uphill, it's much harder if you stare at your feet and lean forward. If you stand up straight and look about you, the going is much easier. It's a good metaphor for life, I think. Tomorrow I have a decision to make. Either I can hike 12.4 miles to the next shelter, or 7 to a gap. I'd rather go to the shelter, but I don't know that I can make it. Also, I've decided that I have an agreement between myslef and my body. I will not ask more of my body than it can handle. And, in return, my body will adapt to whatever I ask of it. However, it's a find line, and I know that if one side violates the agreement, it will be me, my conscious self. So, I don't want to push it too hard. Mr. Panda spent the day in a plastic bag, because of the rain. He wasn't happy aobut it, but it's the only place he would stay dry. And he did. Poor bear. So now I will sleep, early again, and rest my body so it can heal and serve me well.
Date: 2007-03-02
From: Gooch Gap Shelter

To: Dan Gap
Miles today: 7.3

Today I learned something interesting. The couple I've been hiking with are on their 4th and 5th thru hikes. I can't believe it. They're pretty quite about it, though. They don't want people's opinions of them to change. And they want people to discover things for themselves, as they experience their own first thru hikes. I think they have an amazing attitude. Today I had a decision to make. My feet aren't getting any better, and no one is having near the amount of problems that I am, and it's become apparent that I need new boots. These just aren't working. So I was left with some choices. Do I stop at Gooch Gap, get picked up and try to make it to Neels Gap? Or do I go 5 miles to Woody Gap, and try to make it to Neels from there? I definitely wasn't going 12.4 miles to the next shelter, but the thru hiker couple (names omitted for privacy) were only going 7 miles, and camping, so I could follow them. I decided the best option was to hike to Woody Gap, get a ride to the hostel, and try to go to Neels and get new boots. But, as I was hiking, I relized something. If I were on wilderness, I would not have the option of quitting early. And, even more, I WOULD make it. So I realized I can make it to Neels on foot. And I will. I should arrive tomorrow. It's only 8 miles. Blood mountina is in the way, but I've looked at Blood Mountain today, and decided I will conquer it. Without complaining, with pride. And once I summit Blood, it's only 2.5 miles to Neels. I'll make it.
Date: 2007-03-04
From: Mountain Crossings at Neels Gap

To: Zero day
Miles today: 0.0

The other day, I was on the top of Ramrock mountain, and saw something glinting on the horizon. I stood up to see what it was, and it was the skyline of Atlanta! It was so weird to be hiking on the trail and see Atlanta. I was born there...Today I was under strict orders not to go anywhere. I must heal my blisters, or they will put me off the trail. It was boring to not go anywhere. I'm here to hike! And that's what I want to do! I got new boots, though. Lower cut. With a wide toe box. They should serve me well, I hope. I also got some Leki poles, and a pack cover. I managed to add weight at Neels Gap, not lose! But it was only a few ounces. So I climbed Blood Mountain, and it wasn't much to get too excited about. Coming down, though, was a different story. I expected it, but that didn't make it hurt any less. It got better as I went down, though, cause I knew I was getting closer to Neels Gap, where I would get new boots! And end the torment!Tomorrow I will probably hike a mile, just to a nearby campsite.
Date: 2007-03-06
From: Whitley Gap Shelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: clear sky

Well I went more than 1 mile yesterday! The new boots are working great. Far fewer blisters. Today I went 3.5 miles farther than I ever have before! On this trip! It was good anyway. I've been hiking with a guy I met at Neels Gap named Chris. He's 25, bu a great reminder of the fact that the older I get, the less the age gap seems to matter. It's been nice to have someone to hike with, and talk with, for a change. Last night I had my first campfire. Tonight I had my second. They're very nice, but I definitley notice they make me stay up longer. In the shelters I was going to bed at 7. Now, I'm going to bed at 10, or later. I hope to get back to an earlier schedule soon. After Hiawassee and Cloud 9, at least. I kind of enjoyed it...
Date: 2007-03-07
From: Campsite

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: broken clouds

Today was a hard day. It was physical fatigue mixed with pain with a dash of homesickness. We were planning on trying to make it to Addis Gap, but I realized that I couldn't make it. I staggered into the shelter, and proclaimed that I could not go any farther. My feet hurt so incredibly much. It was a bit of a let down, really, after having gone so far yesterday. But it's not so much of a surprise, I can't expect to be so stoic. I'm not an athletic person. Determined, yes, but not naturally gifted with the ability to walk 16 miles every day. At least not yet. I need to remember to treat myself well here. I don't want this to end up like college. Stay up late, get going later than I ought too, too much partying. I need to learn self-control and learn to stay healthy. I want to try to act like the 50 year olds on the trail. They're low-key, but I think they appreciate it more (it being anything worth appreciating on the trail), and they have the highest success rate. I hope I learn to be disciplined.
Date: 2007-03-09
To: Zero day
Miles today: 0.0

 I did a work for stay today, and cleaned a camper out pretty well. I also picked up some sticks. And I got to listen to This American Life while I did it. I went fishing in the trout pond, and caught a trout, and didn't even have to pay for it because I beat Fran (the owner) at a game of cribbage. Hurray!I got a trailname. It's Rutabaga. I came up with a little symbol for the registers, too. The story behind it isn't too exciting. I was in the hot tub, after a wonderful (and free) trout dinner, and I burped, and said "that tasted like rutabaga." Wonder (awesome girl, works at Cloud 9) then said, "That's it. Your trail name will be Rutabaga." She immediately ran inside and told everyone about it. And that's how it went.
Date: 2007-03-12
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

Today I've been feeling restless while hiking, so I decided to switch things up a bit and take a long mid day break. Not even mid day, really. I've gone just over four miles so far. But I'm starting to get some decent signals on NPR stations, so hopefully when I'm hiking later I'll be able to catch most of All Things Considered. That would be nice. [note: later that day, I did manage to catch all of All Things Considered, as well as Fresh Air. Hurray!]So, the most interesting story of late comes from the Cloud 9 hostel. Golden Boy got his trailname. Here is how. Earlier that night, he drank a pitcher of beer. Then he drank 2 bottles of wine. Then he drank some B 52s. Then this happened. Dan woke up in the middle of the night, and someone is between him and the wall. It's Chris. Chris then starts to unzip his sleeping bag. Dan hits Chris. Chris starts explaining that he's a hiker and just came from Neels Gap, and was getting water. Evidently, he thought he was being beat up by a trucker. No one knows. Dan kindly explains that that bed over there (Chris's bed) looks really comfortable, and it's empty, and that Chris should go get in it. Chris eventually leaves. The next morning, the boys are getting up. One says, "Uh, why is my pack wet?" Then some recall that they heard someone peeing what must have been right outside, because it was so loud. They put it all together, and figured out that Chris peed in Brett's pack. I will never get over how funny it all was. Logically, Chris's trailname is now Golden Boy.
Date: 2007-03-15
From: Franklin, NC

To: Campsite
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: broken clouds

It's my first night in my tent in the rain. I'm nervous about my bag getting wet. It's gonna be so cold tomorrow night! But I must be brave. I finally took my down bag out, and I'll do my best to keep it 100% dry. Oh, down. Today I left Franklin after zeroing. It may have been only getting 6 hours of sleep, but I was feeling down. I think I'm seeing a pattern... I tend to enjoy myself much more when I'm fully rested. I should remember this for the school year. I was just missing people and moving slow and not singing. I had to say goodbye to the group I've been hiking with. They're going 56 miles to Fontana Dam in 4 days. Average of 14 miles a day. Today was 16. I know I could keep up with them if I wanted. But it's not worth it. I wouldn't be happy. I'd have to push way too hard. I'm going in 5 days. That's an average of 11.5 a day. That, I can handle. But those guys, Chris, Chicago, Dre (and Sammy) the Garrets, Dan Brett and Ryan have all moved on. It felt like the last day of summer camp. But I may see them again. I just may.
Date: 2007-03-16
From: Campsite

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.4
Weather: broken clouds

So it rained last night. It poured, all night long. I woke up a few times, and it sounded like machine guns going off (rain hitting the tent, and all). So this morning, when I woke up at the crack of 8:00 am, and it was still raining, I went back to sleep. Then, at 9:30, I hear a voice. It's Crutch. He's come to see if anyone wants to go back into town. My stuff is damp, and it's going to be in the low 20s tonight, so I got lazy, and I'm back in town! I ran around with Crutch all day, doing hiker shuttle things. When we were at Deep Gap, we walked down to see a magnificent but dead Poplar tree. In its day, it was the 2nd largest in the world. But, alas, its day has ended, as the pounding of thousands of feet around its base compacted the soil and effectively suffocated it. People loved that tree to death. I didn't have my camera, but that's ok. I remember Dr. Lorey in high school, telling us about people so concerned with preserving the present moment for the future that they forget to actually live in that moment, and appreciate it. I love taking pictures, and I love looking at them later, but I never want to forget to live whatever moment I'm in.
Date: 2007-03-19
From: NOC

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I'm going backwards! Two nights ago I was in Hiawassee for the St. Patrick's Day party. Now I'm in Neels Gap! I need a new pack. That's why I'm here. My back hurt badly enough to prevent me from hiking today, and I decided it's time to fess up to the fact that my pack weighs 6lb 11oz, and that's too much. I'm not big enough to carry around a huge pack. So, tomorrow I will invest in a new pack. Hopefully something lightweight. Not too expensive. I got a massage tonight. Then someone cracked my back. I stocked up on Advil. I have 29.4 miles left until Fontana Dam. My iPod is waiting there for me. And I will make it! I will hike tomorrow. I have to keep my spirits up. The quasi-monotony of what I'm doing is slowly settling in. It's not going to be easy to keep myself excited about my daily routine throughout the whole trip. It is a lot of the same thing. Over and over. I don't know just yet how I'm going to deal with it. Hopefully my iPod will help. But this is my life now. ONe foot in front of the other. Over and over. Mr. Panda would be so dissapointed if I quit, though. Lil' buddy.
Date: 2007-03-21
From: Cloud 9

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: broken clouds

I got a pack! And I like it. It's much lighter. A nimbus meridian by Granite Gear. So I stayed at Cloud 9 last night. It would have been at least 4 before I could have gotten to the NOC, so I just stayed, and got a ride this morning.Today I was happy to hike. I am a hiker! Once again. I'm glad. When I'm tired out here, I should just remeber that I will be sitting in class someday soon, wishing I were out here.Harmony and Song showed up today, finally! It's been over three weeks since I last saw them. They were the first people who I met on this trip, so it feels like something has just come full circle out here. Things are moving along.
Date: 2007-03-22
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cody Gap
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: scattered clouds

There was a place on the trail today where it looked like a bird had exploded. Poof!I had some perfect moments of solitude today. I was the first out of camp at 7:30, so I didn't see anyone for most of the day. I was just Panda and me, and we were ok to be alone. I stopped three miles ago, and was there for three hours, bear bag hung and all. Then Harmony and Song showed up, and I decided to push on with them. On a whim. I suppose I was feeling restless. Now I'm here.
Date: 2007-03-24
From: Fontana Dam

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Oh. My. God. I'm taking another zero. And so soon! I woke up this morning, and just didn't feel ready to push through the smokies. It's 6 days! In a row! I don't know that I've actually hiked 6 days in a row yet. But it's not worth pushing myself if I'm not going to have fun. That's just not why I'm out here. Two nights ago, at Cody Gap, I watched a sunset like it was a tv show. It was partially blocked by a mountain, and through lots of trees, but it was still wonderful to watch the clouds fade from their bright pinks and purples to their grey nighttime shade. I haven't payed so much attention to a sunset in a while. I've decided the mile of trail between the marina and Fontana Dam is one of the most worthless on the trail I've walked so far. Granted, some of my frustration may have been due to the fact that I was out of water and really, really hot, but still. You get to the marina and you're basically there, but then the trail goes back into some woods surrounded by roads and goes over some useless mini-mountains. Pointless. But now that I've gotten that out, I've decided I'm going to try to be a mental pacifist while I'm hiking. Sophomore year, I was always frustrated by how many mountains and trees there were. But this year, I'm trying to appreciate all the trees, and never wish the trail to go in any direction other than the one it is currently going in. I think it's a better outlook on how things are going. And how they are about to go. My food bag is way too heavy. I know it's 6 days worth of food, but I have way too much. I need to eat a lot of it today. THen give more away. I can't hike with such a heavy pack! It's just not worth it. Or even remotely necessary. Pff. Some boy scouts came into the shelter last night at 9:15 and made a huge racket. They're hiking through the smokies, but not even carry tents! Also, they're planning on doing 17 miles today. Poor kids. I think their scoutmaster needs to be slapped in the face.I showered. I feel so clean!
Date: 2007-03-25
From: Fontana Dam

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: clear sky

We're in a cage...or at least the shelter is. It's 3 walls and a chain link fence across the front. I think the bears think this is a people zoo. Momma bear's all like, "Shh, look kids, they're sleeping!" Oh, bears.Dang, there are some bold mice here! My sandal is sitting not 2 feet from me, and a little mouse just ran over and started chewing on some crud stuck to the bottom of it. He was completely unphased when I looked at him with my headlamp on, and unimpressed when I poked at him with my pencil. In fact, I hadn't seen a mouse this trip. Heard some, but this shelter's mice are very visible. Now I hear one runing around on the bunk above me. I've unzipped all my pockets so they won't chew a hole through anything. So today was my longest day with a pack on. I didn't even get into camp until shortly after 7:15, or so. Another long day tomorrow, too. Let's see, I think I'm shooting for 14.7. Wow. I hope to make it though the smokies in 5 days. 73 miles (to Standing Bear Farms). Then I'll zero. HardSo I listened to my iPod, finally. As I was walking across the dam. I debated for a long time what the first sons I would listen to would be. In the end, it was an obvious choice. Left and Leaving, by The Weakerthans. It has pretty much been my trip anthem. After a while though, I put the music away, and listened to the woods for the rest of the day. I like listening to the woods. Oooo, there are some eensy spiders crawling around. Lil' buggers.I climbed the tower ar Shuckstack Mtn. today. It's a short side trail to the top, but it is uphill. And it's right at the end of a huge 4 mile climb up from the dam. But still, I can't believe how many people didn't bother to go see the view. It was really magnificent, and I could see FOntana Lake, and I really loved it. It's such a shame so many people are in too much of a hurry to go see it, even out here. Oh well. I saw it. That counts.
Date: 2007-03-26
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: overcast clouds

It took me a long time to get out of the shelter this morning. I really just wasn't feeling it. But I listened to some music, and got to feeling a little better, and packed up and left. I'm so glad I had that music, I don't know how else I would have gotten out of camp. Today was hard! The trail got rough! But coming up the approach to Rocky Top was beautiful. It was the best moment of my day, by far. I didn't even mind the climb, it was so breathtaking.