morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-17
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: light rain

A real knee-buster. I only hiked 19 miles, but the trail was very rocky and difficult. At one point, I went down real awkwardly, with my knee bent back Willis McGahee style. My thru-hike flashed before my eyes! Fortunately, I somehow avoided injury. Still, when I got to the shelter that night (shared it with the Mudboggers), I was pretty exhausted and my whole skeleton hurt!Next full entry 5/18/06 from Jenny Knob Shelter.
Date: 2006-05-18
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Ok, I knew that Game 6 of the Cavs / Pistons series was on Friday. Today was Thursday and I was 'bout 55 miles from the nearest cable tv in Pearisburg. This meant that I had to really start busting it to make the game. The 24 miler wasn't so hard, but the 30-miler I had to do the next day lurked in my mind. Nothing too special happened, 'cept I got lost taking the high water / blue-blaze trail north of Jenkins shelter. Ended up in a magical meadow with signs everywhere that said "owner will shoot you on sight." I eventually found my way back to an AT white blaze, which I promptly kissed (quite literally), drank an apple juice that the church had left in a cooler next to the trail, and hiked refreshed with the confidence that the white blazes would never fail me again. Got to Jenny Knob Shelter and, to my surprise, not a single soul was there. Thought I'd be lonely spending the night at the shelter all by my lonesome, but I loved it. And anyway, I was planning on getting up early to skiddaddle down to Pearisburg, so I didn't have to worry 'bout waking anyone up. Had a nightmare, tho, that night that a bunch of thru-hikers came frolicing up to the shelter, laughing like schoolgirls. Their faces looked real dirty, until I caught a good view of 'em and...oh my god, their faces were gone! Apparently they had been ripped off by a bear! Next full entry 5/19/06 from Pearisburg, VA.
Date: 2006-05-19
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 30.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Tossed and turned all night, 'cause I couldn't get comfortable on the new foam thermarest I bought in Damascus. Wish I had my blowup one back! Anyway, got up around 3am, got going at 3:30. Hiked 'bout 21 miles by noon! (new record for me). Overall, it was a pretty nice day. I was pretty fatigued, tho, all day, 'cause I didn't sleep very well the night before, and I had done 24 miles the day before. The final descent into Pearisburg was a killer, as my legs felt awfully brittle. But I made it in alive!It was nice to get into Pearisburg, as this town has great symbolic value for me. This was the place I stopped at 7 years ago to end my hike, at 'bout 620 miles from Springer Mountain, the beginning of the hike. I have since hiked 'bout another 100 miles north, up to Troutville, but still, when I leave Pearisburg, it will be something special for me. If nothing else, i remember coming into Pearisburg in '99 a beaten man, exhausted and sick with the trail. While I was fatigued yesterday coming into town, I feel exceptionally strong overall, in contrast to '99, and have no intention of leaving the trail until I have completed it, or at least "found my sword", to borrow a concept from Paulo Cuehlo's "Pilgramage". In fact, today (the 20th, the time of writing this), after a nice sleep in a soft bed, I'm refreshed and ready to go. I had thought I would have to take a couple zeroes here, but, actually, I'd rather hike.One final note - I finally lost my toenail! its been hanging around for awhile, ready to fall off, and it finally did. Now the question is: Should I pack it up and bring it to Maine with me, on the theory that every part of my body should make it? But what if I have an appendectomy? Would I have to carry my appendix too?Next full entry 5/20/06 from Rice Field Shelter.
Date: 2006-05-20
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: light rain

If ya'll didn't check the guest book, apparently I've been in more than one newspaper this thru-hiking season. When I was leaving Gatlinburg, a reporter from the Asheville Citizen-Times asked us a few questions. To make a long story short, I delivered the one-liner of the century: ¢We¢ve had some great weather, up until today,¢ Scanlon said. ¢But I guess the Smokies are just living up to their name.¢ Yay! The full link is here: http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060427/SPORTS03/60426062/1124. Honestly, I'm starting to wonder why I'm out here on the trail, when my true calling seems to be the movies. Ok, I'm gonna try something new. Looking over my trail journal, I don't think I'm giving y'all a very good sense of the AT experience, since I just give a short summary of the week's events, and not a particularly good summary at that. So I'm gonna start giving a day-by-day account of my adventure, in addition to the summary. In case you haven't learned yet, you can change the entry ur looking at by clicking on the dropdown bar in the upper lefthand corner.Next full entry 6/03/06 from Montebello, VA.
Date: 2006-06-03
From: Hog Camp Gap

To: Fish Hatchery Road (Montebello, VA, Dutch Haus BB)
Miles today: 10.0

Alot has happened since last I updated the journal, way back in Pearisburg, VA. I'm now 'bout 809 miles into my journey, at a fantastic Bed & Breakfast in Montebello, VA (if ur a thru-hiker reading this, please do urself a favor and stop here - free lunch amongst other perks). I've slowed down quite a bit this last week and a half. I reached Daleville (mile 714), near the I-81 interchange, on the 24th of May. I hadn't intended on stopping there but for one night, but ended up zeroing twice. Then I had to take a zero again at the Wildwood Campground near Big Island, VA b/c I was having some symptoms of giardia (watery stool, fever, upset stomach). But I was able to get to a medical center (thx to Ken, the best trail angel ever), get some medication for giardia and e-coli (they didn't bother testing me) and I headed out the next day. I struggled a bit for a couple days out on the trail, but I feel great now. If it was giardia, it musta been a very minor case, or else by body is just very strong.After hiking the 260 miles from Damascus to Daleville in 13 days, I've gone a mere 95 in the last 10. However, even with the giardia, I've been having a blast out here. I'm hiking now with Feng Shui, a short Korean girl whose legs pump furiously yet seem not to get her anywhere very fast. To make matters worse, she has the uncanny ability to get herself lost on a trail that, for the most part, is pretty clearly marked. That having been said, she's alotta fun to hike with, and is very handy with thread, which is the sine qua non of any hiking partner. At some point soon, probably around Harper's Ferry, I need to go home for a few days and move outta my apartment. To be honest, I don't really wanna leave the trail, though I'll enjoy seeing my friends and having a drink or two at Annabelle's. Still, its gotta be hard getting back into a groove on the trail after you've been home for a spell.Next full entry 6/13/06 from Front Royal, VA.
Date: 2006-06-13
From: US 522, Chester Gap (Front Royal, VA)

To: US 522, Chester Gap (Front Royal, VA)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Don't have much time - just figured I'd give everyone a quick update. I'm in Front Royal, where Bethany Rollins' in-laws have graciously put me up for a couple nights. I feel so well-rested and relaxed! And I'm pretty sure not an hour has passed without me consuming food over the last two days. Anyway, Feng Shui and I finished the Shenandoahs on Monday and came here. Feng Shui returned to the trail the next day, so that she could meet up and spend a day hiking with her sister and nephews. I'm leaving Wednesday. My plan is to hike the 45 miles Wednesday and Thursday to a shelter exactly at mile 1000.0 (yay!), then on Friday I'll take on the 4-state challenge - approximately 50 miles to the Pennsylvania-Maryland border. By the end, I'll have hiked 'bout 100 miles in 3 days. From Pen-Mar Park, my parents will pick me up and take me back to Akron so that I can move outta my apartment and see some friends. I'm not sure when I'll be back to the trail - hopefully in just a few days. I'll enjoy the break, but I'm sure I'll be antsy to return to the friends I've made on the trail. Don't want to let Feng Shui get too far ahead of me anyhow. She's speeding up!Ok, gotta go. I'll try to download pictures when I'm home, and update some these journal entries. Later.Next full entry 6/20/06 from Akron, OH.
Date: 2006-06-20
From: Akron, OH

To: Akron, OH
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I did it. It took 20 hours, starting Friday 3am until 11pm that night, but I completed the grueling 4-state challenge. Hiked 50.4 miles, from the David Lesser Memorial Shelter (at mile 1000.0) on the Virginia - West Virginia border, through Harpers Ferry, WV, through the 40-some miles of Maryland, all the way to the Mason-Dixon line and Pennsylvania. I enjoyed the first 30 miles or so (very easy terrain), but by 'bout 5pm, I was dead on my feet, with still 15 miles and 6 hours to go. And then the terrain turned a bit ugly on me. It got very rocky. Case in point, near the end, after I had already hiked 47 miles, the trail took me down what can only be described as a rock slide. Tired, and in the dark, I was not particularly happy or optimistic 'bout the climb down. Still, I wasn't 'bout to give up so close to my goal. So long as I could see by my head lamp, I knew that I would be standing in Pen-Mar by midnight. The 4-state challenge, like the entire trail, is more mental than physical. The body gives what the mind demands.After reaching the Mason-Dixon line and planting one foot solidly in Pennsylvania (finally outta the South!), I looked for my parents up in the parking area. Strangely, they were there. My parents then drove me back home to Akron the next day, Saturday (after a one-night stay in Hagerstown, MD). On the heels of the 4-state challenge, I was forced to confront the greatest, most painful challenge of them all - moving outta my apartment. I hate moving!!!!! Gimme a well-blazed trail anyday before I ever willingly move again. Yes, I am now officially homeless (I don't just look like a bum anymore). Saturday I packed up, Sunday I moved (with the help of my dad and my friends Nick, Kevin, and Steve). Tomorrow I'll finish moving my crap out and try to actually clean the aparment. I'd say its nearly hopeless and, possibly, even morally questionable - the black spores in the tub have evolved, civilized, and, I believe, may have already invented the printing press. Applying bleach may constitute genocide.Well, I hope to get all the loose ends eradicated by tomorrow, and be back on the trail Wednesday or Thursday. I'm only 30-some miles from the midway point of the AT, and I'm eager to get started on the second half of my thru-hiking adventure. Before I forget, I wanna thank two section hikers I met at David Lesser Shelter - I believe their names were Steve and Grace, but I'm not sure (sorry!). They helped me out alot - gave me water and an extra dinner (both of which helped out a whole lot the next day), let me use their cell phone, and weren't completely annoyed when I woke up and packed up at 2:30am. Thx again!Check out the new pictures I posted. Some of 'em don't totally suckNext full entry 7/12/06 from Vernon, NJ.
Date: 2006-07-12
From: Lott Road (Unionville, NY)

To: NJ94 (Vernon, NJ)
Miles today: 11.8

I must apologize to my vast audience at the 3 week chasm between this and my last journal entry. Sorry mom. Anyways, to sum these last few weeks up in three words: rocks, rain, and bugs! To be frank, it is absolutely miserable out here. PA was bad enough, climbing on wet rocks for 2 weeks. But NJ / NY has brought the pain index up a level. The mosquitos are copious and vicious. For any northbounder reading this, as soon as you leave PA, buy 100% DEET and bath in it every morning; NJ is a swamp. The last two days, Feng Shui and I have hiked a mere 19 miles - but they've been the hardest 19 miles I've yet to experience on this trail. The terrain presents little challenge. But the humidity is just thru the roof (its like we're swimming out there), and the bugs are driving us to distraction. In fact, we're tired of being on the defensive; we've adopted an offensive posture. Today, we took a break in a shelter and spent 15 minutes just hunting down and killing 'squitos. We even took a prisoner, so that we could torture it. The bugs oughta know - we're through being victims! I have alot more to say (it hasn't been all terrible!), but I'd rather go to sleep right now. I itch. Next full entry 8/13/06 from Hanover, NH.
Date: 2006-08-13
From: Hanover, NH

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I can't believe its been over a month and almost 400 miles since my last update. Yes, I'm still on the trail, and doing quite well. Yesterday, Feng Shui and I arrived in Hanover, NH, a huge milestone on the way to Mt. Katahdin, the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. We only have two states remaining (NH and Maine), tho its, from what I've heard, the toughest terrain we've yet to encounter. But after 1700 miles and 4 months of this, I'm eager and excited to be in the final homestretch of this trail. Bring on the Whites!There is so much I'd like to say, but, unfortunately, whenever I sit in front of a computer, my brain freezes up and I just wanna check sports scores. The trail has been hard work thus far, but I'm still enjoying myself. Its a weird feeling - enjoying the experience, yet dying to get it done. I guess I've been thinking 'bout finishing the AT since I began it in '99 that the thought of summiting Mt. K is irresistable. I want it to happen as soon as posssible, but certainly wanna enjoy these last few weeks to the fullest. Feng Shui and I have discussed finishing around 9/15, but that's gonna be very difficult. I figure 9/22 is much more likely, given the challenges we have ahead of us.I just wanna give a shout-out to my man, Jim Tressel. Apparently he signed River Weasel's trail journal, who, as far as I can tell, has no especial love for my Buckeyes. Mr. Tressel, if you can hear me, I want you to know that wherever I am, I am going to find myself a TV by 8pm September 9th for the OSU - Texas game, even if I have to hike 50 miles that day to do it. GO BUCKEYES!!!! (and Go Browns too!)Next full entry 8/28/06 from Gorham, NH.
Date: 2006-08-28
From: US2 (Gorham, NH)

To: US2 (Gorham, NH)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: fog

We just completed the Whites! We're in Gorham, NH, just 15 miles from the Maine border, 300 miles from Mt. Katahdin and the end of this adventure.The Whites have been, in the words of Dickens, the best of times and the worst of times. It is unbelievably gorgeous up here above the treeline. At the same time, you have to work ur butt off to earn the wonderful panoramic views. I think the worst climb we had before NH was 'bout 2500 feet. In the Whites, we've climbed as much as 4000 feet if not more in the course of just a few miles. And, believe me, the terrain can be downright treacherous. Last week I took a real ugly spill on the rocks, sliding down a huge boulder till I hit the ground four or five feet below. My knee got bent back in a very awkward position. For a few moments I was too terrified to get up and try to put weight on the knee, fearing that I had done serious damage. Fortunately, my knee just got banged up a little - bruised and cut. But it just reminds me that my next step out here can be my last, at least for this thru-hike. Serious injury is an ever present risk out here, especially when the rocks get wet and slick.After 1876 miles, we're finally on the threshold of our final state, Maine. From the beginning of this trip, when day hikers would ask me where I was heading to, I'd always say "heading to Maine." Its very exciting to know that, come Wednesday, I'll actually be in Maine. We still have a long way to go, but to reach Maine all the way from GA is itself an exciting accomplishment.   Now, being in Maine, when people ask me where I'm heading, what should I tell 'em? I think I'm still gonna tell 'em that I'm heading to Maine. It'll be fun seeing their confused looks.Next full entry 9/05/06 from Rangeley, ME.
Date: 2006-09-05
From: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-To

To: ME4 (Rangeley, ME)
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Almost 90% done with the trip! Feng Shui and I have set our Katahdin-summit date at September 23rd. This may change, but its a realistic goal. We're just hoping that Too Much and Enuf can catch up and summit with us. They were the first thru-hikers Feng Shui met on the trail way back in GA, March 15th. It would be real cool if she could see 'em on her final day as well. Unfortunately, the first thru-hiker I ever met on the trail (Montreal, aka Foreigner), is at least a week ahead, and will probably summit well before me. Good luck Montreal, and be sure to send me ur summit picture! You too Jellybean!Southern Maine has been grueling, but it looks like the worst is over. Last week we hiked through Mahoosuc Notch, aka "the hardest mile on the AT." It was everything other hikers hyped it up to be. The 1.1 mile stretch is so difficult b/c its just a boulder field. You are not really hiking in the Notch, so much as climbing up, around, and sometimes (my last favorite part) under huge rocks. For some perspective: Feng Shui and I usually complete a mile in 25 or 30 minutes, depending on the terrain. This mile took us [gulp] 2 1/2 hours! I don't believe any other mile on the AT has taken me as much as an hour to complete before Mahoosuc. We have exactly 220 miles remaining. Like alotta people out here, I'm eager to finish. Yet, I'm still having lots of fun. There are so many cool things ahead, fun towns, cool hostels, great trail, and best of all: summiting Katahdin.   Mt. K has been a goal of mine since I first stepped foot outta Amicalola Falls and onto the approach trail in '99. Now its but a couple weeks away. Why would I wanna hurry this? The poem below by Emily Dickinson has been going thru my head these last few days. I've been thinking 'bout how much sweeter a succesful thru-hike will be in light of my earlier, aborted attempts. I just gotta hope that I don't break anything from here to the end...or at least nothing terribly important.Success is counted sweetestBy those who ne'er succeed.To comprehend a nectarRequires sorest need.Not one of all the purple HostWho took the Flag todayCan tell the definitionSo clear of VictoryAs he defeated - dying - On whose forbidden earThe distant strains of triumphBurst agonized and clear!Next full entry 9/24/06 from Mt. Katahdin.
Date: 2006-09-24
To: Mount Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: moderate rain

I don't have much time. Just wanted everyone to know that on Sunday, the 24th, I reached the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, climbing to the summit of Mount Katahdin. In all, I hiked 2174.6 miles. I hiked for 5 months and 15 days. I'm done. Hopefully I'll be able to upload some pictures later.
Date: 2006-10-10
To: Akron, OH
Miles today: 0.0

I'm sitting here in a coffee shop in Akron, figuring I should finally upload some pictures on to my site and write one last journal entry. I can't really get too emotional 'bout the AT. I've been home for two weeks, and I still have not a single feeling of nostalgia. I'm sure that will change over time, but, for now, I'm just relieved that the whole episode is over. This is not to say that I didn't enjoy the experience. I did, more than I could have imagined. But, in the end, thru-hiking draws on and on, until it seems to never end. Who woulda thought hiking 2174.6 miles could be so difficult?Unlike many of my peers, I did not come to thru-hike to have fun. My previous attempts at completing the AT had taught me that the experience, while potentially fulfilling, is very demanding and painful. I came to the AT because, at that point in my life, I needed to succeed at something difficult. Indeed, I came to the trail because I knew it would be demanding. Since '99, the AT had developed into a metaphor for all my failures, real and perceived. The Appalachian Trail meant something more to me than a hiking path - it was the place where my weaknesses first fully manifested themselves. In '99, 2000, and '02, I didn't leave the trail for any other reason than this: I was not mentally tough enough. Until I completed the AT, until I overcame and proved my mental toughness to myself, these past failed attempts would forever be a part of my own self-perception. This was an unbearable thought. Before I arrived in Georgia in April, I had hit rock-bottom, or as close to it as I hope to ever approach. While I didn't expect that a successful thru-hike would solve all my problems, I believed that it could provide the foundation for a new beginning in my life. So did I get out of the experience as much as I sought? More, I believe, 'cause I also found a very important person (whose name will remain anonymous, though I'll give a hint: she's a short asian girl, whose short legs often pump furiously). So what now? Well, I've decided to dedicate myself fully to my legal career. I've begun the job search, which promises to be almost as painful as the AT. I've alse decided, barring a job opportunity presenting itself elsewhere, to move to Chicago to be closer to the aforementioned short asian girl. I went to law school in Chicago, and loved the city, so its a good fit.Ok, well thats it for me. I'm gonna upload some more pictures in the next few days, so stay tuned. Thx to everyone for reading my journal, and / or being a part of my adventure. I have met so many people who have helped me along the way, if for no other reason than making me smile once in a while. I have grown to value so many people since I began on Springer in April. Don't ever hesitate to drop me a line (garyscan@gmail.com). From now on, I answer to the name "Gary" (or, for one person who knows who he is, "Jeffrey"). Happy trails!
Date: 2006-11-14
To: Chicago, IL
Miles today: 0.0

This is my last entry. I have moved to Chicago, and live near my old neighborhood. I am still looking for employment, preferably as an attorney, but right now, I'll take almost anything! Anyway, here's my contact info:E-mail: garyscan@gmail.comHome Phone: (773)697-7761Cell Phone: (330)328-0257Address: 641 W. Patterson Ave.         Apt. 1S         Chicago, IL 60613Good luck everyone!
Date: 2008-01-24
To: Chicago, IL
Miles today: 0.0

I thought I'd give an update in my life since the trail...I married Feng Shui (the "short Korean girl whose legs pump furiously yet seem not to get her anywhere very fast" - 06/03/06 entry) in front of friends, family, and one thru-hiker (Montreal) in Las Vegas on April 7th, 2007. We still live in Chicago.I'm currently attending Northwestern Law in the LLM Taxation program. I will be done with the program this May, which means that I'm on the hunt for one of them "job" thingies I've heard so much about. Seriously, I love tax law and expect to enjoy practicing it. Not a day goes by that I don't think of the AT and what a positive experience its had on my life! It really was an experience of a lifetime; its provided the foundation for everything I'm doing now. The AT gave me a wife and a life!