morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-12-14
To: Rain!!!
Miles today: 0.0

Rain is word more often followed by a frowny face than an exclamation mark, or 3, unless you live in the desert. Desert dwellers are fascinated by rain. We sit outside and watch it rain; some people even get up in the middle of the night to watch it. I think that when you live in an area that gets 8" to 12" of rain a year, you have a strong sense of the relationship between water and life. When we see rain, we see life. Rain makes the desert smell wonderful. Rain makes the desert turn green and break out in flowers. Toads that spend almost their entire life underground dig their way up to the surface and mate and then dig back to their normal almost lifeless form until another rain. Trees and shrubs that look dead most of the year break out in bright green leaves. Rain awakens the desert in almost a mystical way. It is impossible to not have a very primal sense of the relationship between rain and life. Today, however, I did not see life when I saw rain. Rain was not a mystical experience. What I saw was a rare opportunity to put up my tent and don my rain gear to see if they actually are waterproof. OK, I admit it, setting up your tent in front of a suburban house isn't exactly a shakedown, but it is striking when the iron is hot, or in this case, wet. When the rain started, I ran and got my tent and rain jacket and headed out into the front yard.In the Phoenix area, where we often talk about rainfall in the 1/100th of an inch increments, my OR Helium II rain jacket and my BA Fly Creek 2 are doing their job at the current rainfall total of 0.17". The weather on TV, which only a few hours ago was saying there was only a 25% chance of rain, is now calling for rain all morning. It isn't exactly the type of downpour that happens with thunderstorms in the summer along the AT or the days of unending rain that are typical in the spring, but it is rain!!!
Date: 2015-12-25
To: An AT Christmas 
Miles today: 0.0

Santa was very generous this year and clearly understands the needs of a soon to be thru hiker (62 days and counting). My Christmas haul includes a Jetboil MiniMo stove, Dirty Girl gaiters, Appalachian Trail Game, National Geographic AT DVD, AWOL on the Appalachian Trail, Edible Wild Foods game, Therm-A-Rest NeoAir XTherm sleeping pad, REI 1.3 oz backpacking towel, ZPacks Bear Bag Kit, and Sea to Summit Spork. Perry sweet Christmas, huh? Merry Christmas to everyone especially the 2016 thru hikers.
Date: 2016-01-11
To: It's all about the feet and being flexible.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It really is all about the feet. I have to think about this as I have worked to get my plantar fasciitis resolved. I am¢¢        Using orthotics¢¢        Taking Motrin (aka Vitamin I)¢¢        Going to physical therapy¢¢        Stretching and icing as directed.The good news is that my physical therapist, who I fully trust from being his patient once in the past, seems 100% confident that I will be starting on 2/25. He has me back walking and I am up to 4 miles a day. At the same time, the heel and foot pain has greatly decreased.This has been an interesting episode for me. Perhaps the most interesting part is finding ways to maintain my CV conditioning when I am on limited walking/hiking. Actually, the hardest part as been forcing myself to consider a change in my plans. I wasn¢t expecting plantar fasciitis. I¢ve had it twice before but it has been a while. It has given me time to consider that I am not married to a start date of 2/25. I really want to start then but, in reality, I can start on another day. My initial plans for this trip was to start in the middle of March as a flip-flop from just north of Mt. Rogers. That is one of several possibilities if the 25th does not work. For now, however, I am still aiming for the 25th.   I trust my PT and he says I will be more than ready to go by then.
Date: 2016-01-26
To: 30 Days ? and Counting
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

My expected start date is in 30 days. Seems impossible to be so close. I have all my gear, I've done shakeouts as well as is possible in Arizona, and I've been following all the directions from my PT to resolve my left foot plantar fasciitis. It seems to be about 75% better and rapidly improving. However, I am working on alternative start plans - either a later Springer start or a flip flop starting just north of Partnership Shelter / Mt. Rogers NRA office near Bland, VA. My guess is that I'll be starting in 30 days but, if not, I am ok with that. Flexibility is a must, right?I got some really nice messages from people who have had PF. I've had 3 prior episodes over a 15 year period and I've done relatively long distance backing packing without a problem. I'm not worried. The waiting seems long but 30 days is nothing.
Date: 2016-02-02
To: Groundhog Day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is Groundhog Day and Punxsutawney Phil predicts an early spring which seems like very good news for all us early starters in the Class of 2016. I know I am getting really excited about my start whenever that happens.I am rapidly on the mend from my plantar fasciitis and am now wondering if my start date can still be on 2/25 or if I will need to push it back 2 or 3 weeks. I am almost without pain for the past couple days and have been rapidly increasing my hiking distance and using trails with a lot more elevation change and challenging surfaces. Like Pennsylvania (appropriate to mention my home state on Groundhog Day!), there is no shortage of rocky trails to hike on in Central Arizona. In either case, my original start date or a mid-March date, I am only a handful of weeks away from heading out. Acclimatizing to the cold is still my biggest fear. Fortunately, we are in the middle of a "cold" snap here in Phoenix, so I will be sleeping outside in temps that are at least near freezing. In general, a beautiful winter is not a bad problem to have. However, transporting yourself from days in the 60s and 70s to the reality of winter in the Appalachians does present some adjustment problems. Like most other things in my life, the worrying is likely to be much worse than the reality, but it does help with the proper planning! Let's hope Phil is right.Happy Groundhog Day!
Date: 2016-02-15
To:  It's On - 10 Days
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: snow

After a lot of back and forth, I made a final decision to stick with my original start date, February 25th. My foot is a whole lot better, and I have been hiking with a full pack quite well up and down the hills and mountains near my house. My biggest fear is the weather at this point. Unlike the East, Arizona has been having an especially warm winter. Most of our days for the past week to 10 days have had highs in the mid-80s.So, I leave for Atlanta on the 23rd, Hiker Hostel on the 24th, and Springer on the 25th.It is hard to believe, but it is 10 days away!
Date: 2016-02-17
To: An Unlikely Thru Hiker
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Much of my recent posting has been about my foot which, thankfully, is on the mend. It could have been a deal breaker for this trip, but things have worked out well. However, that is not at all the reason why I am an unlikely thru hiker.About 8 years ago, I started to notice a very faint burning in my mid chest during the start of spin class. At first, I was not sure it was there or if I was imaging it. Over a couple of years, this pain increased and was present with less and less exertion. It got to the point where I had chest pain just walking up a flight of stairs. I had the million dollar work up ¢ two cardiac catheterizations, nuclear stress tests, 30-day heart monitors, upper and lower endoscopies with a pH monitor temporarily implanted in my esophagus. Eventually, my first cardiologist started treating me like I was crazy and handed me off to the nurse practitioner despite the fact that I had very significant EKG changes during stress tests (it looked like I was having a heart attack) and no diagnosis, so I changed cardiologists.My new cardiologist treated me very differently. He stated the obvious that, crazy or not, crazy does not cause EKG changes like the one I had during a stress test. He worked with me trying different medicines. Eventually he found the right combination and I have been chest pain free for several years now. I can hike, ride my bike, or do any aerobic exercise that I am able to do without chest pain.So with about a week until Springer, I want to thank my cardiologist, Allan, for sticking with me and fixing me. You are the best! I would never be doing this without your care.To finish the story, I was eventually evaluated at the National Institutes of Health by a physician who specializes in research on unusual chest pain syndromes. I underwent some very expensive testing that is not done in normal clinical practice. What it showed was that I did indeed have ischemia (inadequate oxygenation) in my heart muscle when exercising; it just isn¢t caused by a blockage of the major arteries which is what is normal for most people with chest pain.
Date: 2016-02-25
From: An Unlikely Thru Hiker

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 1 has been good. Started out with sleet and snow. The trees were covered with snow - beautiful. It got up to around 40 but is now back below freezing at 5:30. At least 15 to 20 people here tonight. 8 of us in the shelter and the rest in tents. A good day and a grear start for this trip. Lots of nice people. Can't upload a pic due weak cell service.My foot did well!. I'm tired.
Date: 2016-02-26
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter 

To: Gooch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: clear sky

Today started out pretty cold but got up into the 50s around noon. Beautiful day with bright blue skies. Meeting people from all over the US and quite a few international hikers - Canadians, Germans, Dutch, and Swiss. Got a nice tent space by the shelter and am looking forward to sleeping. Enjoying a nice warm cut of lemongrass tea.Another great day on the AT.
Date: 2016-02-27
From: Gooch Gap Shelter

To: Neels Gap (Mountain Crossing)
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

Started a night hike with the Dudeman and Sturgis at 2 AM this morning. It was a beautiful night - clear sky and lots of stars, temperature a little above freezing. It was perfect for a night hike. The pic is of the sunrise from the top of Blood Mountain. Got to Mountain Crossing about 7:15 this morning and just chilling out. People still here from the Thru Hiker Kickoff from last night. Note mileage is for 2 days of equal lenght, more or less. It is a beautiful day in the Appalachian Mountains in Georgia.
Date: 2016-03-01
From: Low Gap Sheltet

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Easy trail from Low Gap to Unicoi Gap. Was up early and out of camp about an hour before sunrise. Was able to enjoy breakfast sitting on a logre and watching the sin come up. It was the perfect way to start the day. Taking a zero in Hiawassee with a bunch of friends - Buzz, BRad, Dudeman, Sturgis, Waldorf, Statler, Pinky Toe, Bowler, Heather, Mudpuppy l, and Zatarains. Staying at the Budget Inn - basic but really friendly people. Maybe the AYCE or Mexican tonight. Currently doing laundry. Good to be clean and to have clean clothes.
Date: 2016-03-03
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Tray Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: overcast clouds

It started snowing about 1 PM just as I got to Tray Mountain Shelter.   I decided that I'd tent there rather to continue. I put my tent behind the shelter which blocked some of the wind. There were only about 6 other people. A few if the guys built a fire which helped us forget that it was in the low 20s and windy. The good news is that I was very warm in my tent and sleeping bag. I actually slept about 11 hours.
Date: 2016-03-04
From: Tray Mountain Shelter 

To: Dick's Creek Gap ( Top of Georgia Hostel )
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Started the day on snowy trails and trees covered with ice and snow. It was really beautiful. As it warmed uo, the snow turned to slush. It actually got a lot more slippery with the combination of slush over mud. My hiking poles saved me from busting my butt several times. Spending the night at the Top of Georgia Hostel. It really is very well run. Foot a bit sore tonight but stretching helps a lot. NOTE: My mileage got screwed up. My total mileage is 69.6
Date: 2016-03-08
From: Long Branch Shelter

To: Rock Gap
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: clear sky

Downhill walk from the shelter to Rock Gao. Macon County is very welcoming to hikers. There are County vans at several gaps that take you to Franklin.   While waiting for the van, Ron Haven, owner of several hiker-oriented hotels, came and offered a ride. I neroed in Franklin. It is a very friendly town that works to welcome hikers.
Date: 2016-03-10
From: Siler's Bald Shelter

To: Tellico Gap
Miles today: 28.1
Weather: broken clouds

Hiked with Black Toes most of the day. We happened upon some fantastic Trail Magic supplied by Kicho. Got my first glimpse of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on this trip. Spending the night at Nantahala Mountain Lodge which is run by Steve and Maggie. It is, by far, the nicest hostel I've been to. If you can, stay there for a night. It feels like a resort - really a first class place at the same rates you pay to sleep in pretty crappy conditions at some hostels. Heading to the NOC tomorrow. ***real daily mileage for today is 15.2. Total mileage for the trip is 129.2. I'm not sure how I keep messing this up.
Date: 2016-03-11
From: Tellico Gap

To: NOC
Miles today: 7.9

Got up this morning at the Nantahala Mountain Lodge and was shortly greeted by Maggie who brought me coffee followed by a great breakfast.   Steve drove me back to Tellico Gap. It is such a nice place, outstanding accommodations, and warm and friendly service.   Don't miss it; it is the best hostel so far.Today's walk was short, 7.9 miles. I don't know when 8 miles started feeling like a nero to me, but it basically does.I'm glad it did, because my right knee is hurting a little after yesterday's 15 miles.   I got to the NOC and immediately ran into The Swiss (Bowler and Pinky Toe).   I had dinner with them and Mudpuppy. Forrest Gump and Handles are also here. The accommodations here are more typical of a hostel - 24 and plywood bunkbeds, plastic mattresses with no sheets, 17 people in 2 rooms of 8 and a single. The good news is that there are only two of us in this room which can hold 8.Leaving tomorrow after breakfast for Fontana and then GSMNP.
Date: 2016-03-12
From: NOC

To: Locust Cove Gap
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

After a big breakfast at the NOC, I headed over to the outfitters to replace my Brooks Cascadias which did not hold up nearly as well as what would be normally expected. Other hikers seem to be having the same experience. I opted for a pair of Merrell Moab Ventilators. I've had these before and they hold up really well, even in the rocky Arizona conditions.I finally left the NOC around 9:30, well feed and wearing new shoes. The NOC sits at 1732' and I knew the day was going to be a hard climb up to Cheoah Bald (5062') and then down to Locust Cove Gap (3642'). My expectations were inaccurate as the climb was harder than I expected but I did get to Locust Cove with plenty of time to spare.I camped with the Swiss (Bowler and Pinky Toe) and Mudpuppy. It was a nice spot. We had a small fire and ate dinner together and then I went to bed. It was a nice day.
Date: 2016-03-13
From: Locust Cove Gap

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Rainy day. The discussion at dinner last night was that it was going to be an easy day. As it turned out, it included one of the hardest, if not the hardest, climb so far - Jacob's Ladder. This climb is about a half mile but is almost 1000' of elevation gain. I think I stopped about 5 or 6 times.The shelter was more full than what I had seen for some time. I camped with Bowler, Pinky Toe, Mudpuppy, and Quick Sand. Again, we had a fire, dinner, and in the tent by 7:30.A cup of hot chocolate after a rainy day is about as good as life gets.
Date: 2016-03-14
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana 28 AT Crossing
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I got up late knowing that this was going to be a short day of 5.9 miles. It was almost all down but there were some significantly slick muddy areas and very slippery blocks of granite to cross. Today, like every day so far, my hiking poles have saved me from multiple falls. I am glad I invested in a good pair. They are invaluable. As we were eating breakfast, I heard someone yell, "Wazo! and looked up the hill to the trail above us to see Dudeman. It was great to see him as we had not seen each other since Franklin. He was one of the two guys I did the night hike over Blood Mountain with. This is one of the events of this trip that I will never forget. When I arrived at Fontana, I took the shuttle to the hotel. When I got there, I saw Stattler, Waldorf (collectively know as the Yinzers or, as I call them, the Snarky Burghers), Zatarains, and Tarp. These are some of my favorite hikers, so far. At lunch, I saw Handles, a very nice guy from Bluefield, WV. Statler sat and drank a beer while I ate dinner. They took off today and will meet up with Dudeman, Mudpuppy, The Swiss to cross the Smoky Mountains. I am sad to not be going with them. I am slower than they are, the oldest of the group being 33, but I feel that, at some point, I will cross paths again with them on this trip. I hope I do. They made the first 2.5 weeks really fun for me.My phone died the day I left the NOC. Verizon is sending a replacement by FedEx to Fontana. I had already planned to zero here, a much needed Zero. My last true zero was in Hiawassee. I need the physical, emotional, and mental rest. I am tired.
Date: 2016-03-15
From: Fontana 28 AT Crossing

To: Zero Day at Fontana
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I got up this moring to the sound of the fire alarm, not alarming but just "chirping" like there is a bad batter. I called the front desk. It seems that someone had disabled the fire alarm in their room.When I went to get breakfast, Zatarains, Statler, Woldorf, and Tarp were waiting for the shuttle back to the trail. While eatign breakfast, 10 Degrees and his two sons came in for breakfast. They are also zeroing here. I met an new couple, people close to my age, who are thru hiking - Santa and Wonder.I've come to realize that part of this trip is kind of a kaleidoscope of friendships. YOu meet people and then don't see them for days until they appear in your life. At the same time you meet new people. The community aspect of the AT is almost impossible to describe. There are all types here, and I mean all types. With that said, I had met many wonderful people and know that i will continue to do so as long as I am hiking the AT.Now, for today, I am doing nothing. This is going to be a restful zero at least until the new cell phone arrives.On to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park tomorrow!
Date: 2016-03-16
From: Zero Day at Fontana

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: few clouds

Had a great breakfast, bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit, at Fontana and then took the shuttle back to the AT. Stopped by the Fontana Hilton - a shelter with a shower. I hiked for a while with Large, a man from Princeton, who is hiking with his daughter. Although the day was mostly climbing from Fontana, it was a fairly easy climb. Crossing the dam was spectacular. It is the largest dam in the East. At some point during the day, I run into Handles who had given me some liquid soap at the Fontana Lodge to help avoid the rumored norovirus in the GSMNP. There actually was a kid who had been very sick for a few days at Fontana. At camp that night were the Vagabonds (10 Degrees, Badger, Powder), Casey Jones ( who told me his grandfather had been a Deadhead), Baby Chicken, Optimistic Dreamer, and Nutella, I think. There were also a bunch of Spring Break students. Beautiful day. As we entered the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there was a posted warning at the box where thru hikers drop their shelter permits. The warning was about possible GI/diarrhea illness. It said that water must be chemically treated or boiled. Of course, almost all thru hikers use Sawyer or similar filters. What I saw was most people getting water far from shelters and filtering. Most, not all, are avoiding water sources near shelters. I saw nobody boil water except me and then only if I got water near a shelter. Most hikers seem to have no concept of how dangerous severe diarrhea can be or have considered fully the idea of 3 days of severe diarrhea and vomiting while stuck in a tent in a wilderness area without even a privy. To be honest, the lack of privies at many shelters in GSMNP is likely leading to this problem. Honestly, the sanitation at shelters in the park is a disgrace. The blame is shared by the Park Service for not providing adequate facilities and lazy hikers who do no dig proper cat holes. The designated "toilet" areas near shelters is a mine field of poop and used toilet paper. The Park Service seems to just ignore these unsanitary conditions that have been a reality in the GSMNP for decades.
Date: 2016-03-17
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

The trip today was harder than you would guess looking at the AWOL guide. The sawtooth pattern at the end took its toll.Journeyman was in camp with a friend, Pete from Ashville. Handles was there also but left around 6:30 with Greyhound (from Mass) and Spaceman for the next shelter. Handles later told me that they got in after 9:30. Apple Jack was also there and the Vagabonds plus Spring Breakers. Went over Rocky Top (pictured) today! Talked with some really nice Spring breakerst from MN.
Date: 2016-03-18
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I was stopped during the day by a Ridge runner, Chloe, who was gathering information about diarrhea.   Thankfully, I've had none but have avoided direct contact with other hikers, not even the obligatory fist bump. Then, when I was setting up my tent behind the shelter, a Park Ranger came to check permits. Met some great people - two brothers from Knoxville named Sonic and Goose. Sonic just graduated from high school and Goose from UT. They are hiking with a 19 year old who came to the US from Germany just to hike the AT. He is called Das Machine although he does not like the name. Also with that group is Spidey who is from Alabama. Casey Jones was there also. The shelter was filled with female college students from the University of Maryland. They were really nice and we're happy to learn that I went to Maryland. The highlights of the day:1. Clingmans Dome, highest point on the AT @ 6667 feet.2. Passing the 200 mile mark.Both knees, both hips, and my right ankle were all sore at bedtime.