morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-02-23
To: Feet and eyes
Miles today: 0.0

Today I'm on the train back down to Portland to get this one problem with one of my eyes checked out. We are supposed to have a snow storm rolling in. Pretty unusual for Western Washington. We get rain not snow (and not real rain, not like the stuff in the mid-west and east coast). Because of the snow I pulled out my snowshoe boots to wear. I feel so disconnected from the ground when I wear rigid soled shoes. I wear Nike Free shoes to train in and walk around in. I can feel the ground through them and use that to help me see. The shoes Keen is going to send me are the Tryon (named after a park and a lake). They are more flexible than many others would want to use but they work great for me.I want to say thanks to Stylin' and Tony. I learned about Tuffoot from reading their journal. It is a liquid that you put on your feet and it is like a backward pedicure. The stuff turns your feet into callouses. I like it so far and can see a difference and know this is going to help at the start of the hike and on the hot sand in Hawaii (not with getting dates).I'm very happy with my pack weight at this point. I will be in the 22-30 pound range with food water and fuel. I will try to update my gear list on here soon. I think I will need to use a real computer and not my ipad to do that. I have started doing training hikes with 35 pounds in my pack. Train heavy and travel light. I think my pack is the most comfortable pack that I have ever owned. I love the ventilation on my back. i never got ventilation like that on an internal frame pack. Tomorrow's doctor appointment will be an interesting experience. I've tried to prepare myself for all the possible outcomes. I will let you all know as soon as I can see a screen again after they are done torturing me.
Date: 2011-02-24
To: Eye Update
Miles today: 0.0

I went to the eye doctor this morning. They looked in my eyes and after double checking my retinas with a Fluorescein injection (in my arm) they said everything is fine and I have there green light to take off on my trips. That is a relative "everything is fine."If you read my last post you would know that we were supposed to have a big snow storm. Well we didn't. The worst part of the lack of snow was that fluorescein comes out of your body in your urine. It turns your urine BRIGHT YELLOW (think of yellow highlighter colored urine). I would have been the write your name is the snow king today. How often could I ever have the opportunity to get that injection and have snow during my lifetime? Well I guess good news beats being able to pee with highlighter urine in snow, I guess I will head to Tacoma for a few days tomorrow then it is off to Maui. I can't wait to post up the picture of my Bat Boy action figure that will be hitting the trail with me. My mom sewed my Bat Boy patch on my pack, and it perfectly covered the Osprey patch on my pack.
Date: 2011-03-11
To: Maui pre-hike vacation
Miles today: 0.0

Hawaii was a great time. I loved the snorkeling on Maui. There is a "narrow" road called The Road to Hana  The road is very similar to a PNW coastal highway only with tropical plants instead of the PNW plants I am used to.I was going to do some altitude training but the morning we were going up to 10.000 feet it was very poor visibility and super  high winds. I did take a number of wonderful hikes and worked on my base tan so I don't get burned in GA. I have woken up the past two days with the same nightmare, that I have started the AT without bringing any food. Not sure what this dream means but I promise I will remember to bring food.  The trail is on my mind every day.  I can't believe that the past year and a half of planning have passed and now in 9 days I fly to Atlanta.It is strange waking up without Wieland at my feet but he is back with his mommy and being well cared for. I purchased a Trail Design Caldera Cone alcohol stove that I'm playing with. I still think I'm taking my MSR Pocket Rocket but I'm exploring my options. Seems like ease of use is beating lighter for this item. I really appreciate all the people signing my guest book it helps motivate me to do my best and update my journal as often as possible.
Date: 2011-03-19
From: on the way

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today it all got real! I was sick yesterday and was very worried that I would not be healthy enough to start as planned. I feel guilty that I left such a mess at my parents house. I was too sick to get things put away. I am nervous, scared, excited, etc..but I think I am ready!I have been away from my family before for longer periods of time, but somehow this feels different. I can not put my finger on why.I am starting the hike with an approximate pack weight of 23lbs. I know there are a few items I could remove to lighten it up, but I am well within the range that I was shooting for.On my flight to Milwaulkie (connecting on to Atlanta), a kid had a seizure. this made things tense for a bit, but it seemed that he was Ok and we flew on. On that flight, I met Matt and he was a very cool guy. I think he and I are birds of a feather. Next note will be from on the trail!!Bat
Date: 2011-03-21
From: DAY 1

To: Hawks mountain shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: few clouds

Spent the night at Amicolola Falls Lodge. Was truly amazed at the size of the falls and the mountains. Really much nicer than I expected. I hiked the 426 stairs to the bottom of the falls, then had a filling dinner and good night sleep. At the lodge, I met Sparky..we had already chatted on trailjournals, so it was nice to connect with him in person.. Still a little sick in the am, but nothing was going to stop me from starting today.it is getting better, although my voice is horrible.. It is a beautiful day. 70 degrees and sunny. Sherri and Lyla drove me to the Springer mountain trail and hiked the .9 miles with me to the "official" start. At the top, I signed the trail journal and met several cool guys who were also starting today. We hiked back down..I said goodbye to Sherri and Lyla, shared some of my mom's homemade rice crispy treats with my new travel companions..and off I went.I am glad that I did my homework and exercised. my pack is much lighter than most of the other hikers. My training and light pack had me flying down the trail. I also "went flying" twice. I think I will perfect my falling by the end of the hike. Today, I tried the "tuck and roll" method on both falls. It worked well, but I will try other methods for a complete and thorough analysis. My falls taught me that I have to slow down when my body is casting a forward shadow or if I am going downhill. It seems that I have more trouble seeing down and to the right. I also twisted both ankles a few times..further reminder to SLOW DOWN.Lots of cool people and great views today. I hiked quite a bit with Zack and John whom I met at the top of Springer @ the plaque. Cope and River are at the shelter. both hiked the AT last year. I followed Cope's walk of the Florida trail on Facebook. I am not going to deploy my tarp tonight. I am going to sleep in the hammock and look at stars all night. I am not sure how I will ever say thank you enough for all of the support people have given me.Bat
Date: 2011-03-22
From: hawks mountain shelter

To: woody gap
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: broken clouds

I started out hiking with Smoke Stack (he smokes a pipe). he is one of the GA AT trail maintainers. I left him at horse camp between Sassafrass and Justice Mountain. Coming up Justice, I caught up to Fable and River..hiked briefly with them and then passed them. River did an AT through hike last year but is only doing a few weeks this year. Cope caught up to me near the top of Justice Mountain. I said something about us getting close to the real summitt of Sassafrass and he laughed!! He said that we were near the top of Justice, sassafrass is supposed to "kick your ass"..and that is why it was funny. I had heard that Sass had a false summitt, so that is why I was confused. I had Tuna and wheat thins for lunch with Cope along a stream and then I headed out w/Hansel and Gretel( a very cool brother/sister hiking team). I hiked all the way to Woody Gap w/them. A cool hammock spot w/water trickling down a rock behind me...Bat
Date: 2011-03-23
From: woody gap

To: Neel's gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light rain

Today was a tough day. I was so execitd at the start of the day. I went up the trail for 5 minutes before remembering that the water was down a side trail.. So I hiked one part of the trail 3 times!!!I started off too fast again and twisted my ankle again. I made myself walk slow the rest of the day. It was a little windy and the clouds kept blowing through the trees in a semi spooky way. I hiked alone nearly all day. It was good for me to be alone, but tough too. I passed two hikers but they were going too slow for even my slowed 25 minute/mile pace. The bruising on my ankle makes me think that I should ZERO tomorrow (not hike any miles. the ankle does not hurt, but looks bad. I am in a cabin with hot water, electricity and ice. Staying here with Hansel and Gretel and Woot and Badger (formerly John and Zack). they are all headed out in the am, I feel strange dropping behind them but it is best that I listen to my body and take a day off..Bat
Date: 2011-03-24
From: Neel's gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I was worried about staying behind today but I knew it was the right thing to do. My ankle really feels fine, but still looks bad. My fears of staying behind disappeared by 10am when I walked into the store to buy an ankle brace and I ran into Cope and Ashley. They came and stayed in my cabin tonight, I felt much better to have familiar company.I can't be a thru hiker and not talk about the food. A church group cooks hamburgers for the hikers here. We hikers never turn down free food. For lunch, I ate 3 burgers, part of a pizza, some crackers and other random nibbles of food..that was just lunch! Dispite all that I consumed, I can see that I am already beginning to lose weight. I am going to try to hike 11 miles tomorrow, and I will see how the ankle does.Bat
Date: 2011-03-25
From: Neel's gap

To: top of Blue Mountain
Miles today: 18.7

there were bear issues at the 11 mile shelter, so I kept on going to the next one. ankle is doing fine.. Today I hiked with Bear bait, Pocahontas (sp?), Green Light, and Brian. We were doing what they call "ridge running". I LOVE ridge running. Very little up and down. the downhill is the hardest for me because the ground is further from my eyes. Got to camp just as the party started. Cope was surprised to see all of us roll in. "Beer run" was there and I finally got to thank her for all of the local Maui tips she had emailed me prior to my Hawaii trip earlier this month. Someone had a car parked 2 miles downhill so Tex and Beer run had hiked down the mountain and then back up with "provisions". The rum and Hawaiian Punch mix became known as "the blue mountain recipe". The very heavy rain started at 2am. Slept in my hammock. I had my tarp a little high, but everything stayed dry. Bat
Date: 2011-03-26
From: Blue Mountain

To: Trey Mountain
Miles today: 7.2

It rained all day. Broke camp in the rain, walked in the rain and then set up camp in the rain. I pitched my rain fly low and set up camp behind the shelter so the shelter would act as a wind blocker. The forecast was for lots of rain with high wind and hail. I had hiked with Bear Bait all day. He got that name because a bear stole his food one night. this has happened to about 10 people that I have met so far. Not me...yet!Bear Bait had his tent next to me and we were both in our respective shelters by 4pm until 7am. I do not think that it hailed, but the rain was hitting so hard, I can't not be sure that it was not hailing as well.
Date: 2011-03-27
From: Trey Mountain

To: Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It was not raining when I woke up today I packed up camp quickly. I have discovered that I do not like to cook breakfast on the trail. I like to get moving as quickly as possible. That means I will need to change a few menu items in my packages yet to be sent. I walked with Bear Bait again today. He and I go about the same speed. It was very foggy. He said he could see about 15 feet, I could not see that far at all! It was foggy just looking at my feet. My brain played tricks on me all day. It looked like things used to look before I got my new corneas. The strangest part is that my brain kept switching my dominant eye to the eye that was dominant before the transplants. Ever since the transplants, that is my weaker eye so that made finding the trail even harder. Bear Bait has something on his pack that makes the same jingling noise as a Tango Belay pyramid. My climbing buddies will know the sound I am talking about. I would follow that sound and the green on the side of the trail...The trekking poles aerate the sides of the trail and this bright green grass grows there. Today was the first day I saw any of the grass and I sure needed it to find my way. I noticed I was walking past the trees with blazes (2 inch by 6 inch white paint on trees and immoveable rocks marking the path. I am so thankful for those trees, I even touched one to show my thanks. After 11 miles with lots of ups and downs called PUDS (pointless ups and downs), we got to the road and there was TRAIL MAGIC (gifts for hikers left along the trail by amazing people). This magic was moon pies, apples, bananas and sodas. We ate and caught a shuttle up to town. Once we got there, we caught up with lots of hikers who were a day ahead of us. The hot tub was broken at the hotel, but that is fine. Going to stay in town tomorrow and ZERO (day without any hiking miles)to let the feet, knees and ankles rest. Only 10 miles to North Carolina.
Date: 2011-03-28
From: Hiawassee, GA

To: Hiawassee Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

At 9:00 am, with a beer in his had, Cope says "if you aren't drunk by noon, you aren't doing a zero right". hung out with a bunch of hikers all day. Lots of ice on knees and ankles. Lots of fun stories and laughter. we sat on chairs in a circle in the hotel parking lot. The hotel is funny. it is completely full, but the only cars in the parking lot belong to the employees. We are allowed to drink beer in the parking lot, but you can't bring it in the office because "that is not professional". Lunch was a glutenous all you can eat (AYCE) enducing food comas for everyone.I am slackpacking 15 miles tomorrow w/ Polo, Bear Bait and Green Light. It lifted my spirits knowing that I am going to hit my next state and that I get to hike w/o my pack. I am trying to get the ankle back to 100%. Bruising is going away and the swelling is reducing. Now I need to get a couple of blisters healed.. When I hike I feel very connected with and aware of my body.The most common saying is "Hike your own hike" (HYOH). I feel like I am doing just that.Note from Sherri..Sorry everyone, I can not figure out how to get the photos straight... I am working on it.
Date: 2011-03-29
From: dick's creek gap GA

To: Deep Gap NC
Miles today: 18.9

We had a great day slackpacking. Slackpacking is when you hike w/o all of the stuff in your backpack. our shuttle driver, Gene is great! We were walking through clouds until we hit the N.C. Border when the trail went up and took us above the clouds. I had the usual problems seeing in the heavy fog, but good news is that I have not twisted my ankle in a few days. I have laced my boots tighter to help w/ankle support but that has caused my heels to blister. I went over to the hospital to get the blisters checked out. the doctor suggested I take a week off. I told him that my plan was to hike 13-15 miles each day. Eventually, he saw the logic of my idea and he super-glued my heels. Seems to have worked for now.I am tired but we sure had a fun day. it is about the smiles, not the miles, but today, we did a lot of both!
Date: 2011-03-30
From: Deep Gap NC

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: moderate rain

It was a super fun day hiking with Bear Bat and Green Light. We added Spider Legs to our hiking group mid-day. We were also near the "blue mountain recipe" group until lunch. We did really quick hiking until the last 4 miles. Then it got muddy and rocky. We were trying to go quickly so we could be on time to meet up with our shuttle driver, Gene. We got to the meet-up location at what we thought was on-time, only to double check and realize that we got there an hour early.We went to the shelter after getting our gear and a case of beer from Gene. Our shelter mates were surprised by the beer "trail magic". the shelter is just over a big mountain. we left the extra beer hidden and left notes of how to find the beer for the "blue mountain recipe' group. I almost slept in the shelter but instead slept in my hammock again and I am glad that I did. It is so quiet and comfortable....
Date: 2011-03-31
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: winding stair gap
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: light rain

We heard that it is supposed to snow tonight. We hiked the first five miles very quickly. The terrain was easy going. We crossed over the 100 mile line today. The spot was a river, disguised as the trail. As we were coming out to the parking lot, there were 9 police cars and about 30-40 cops im camo. It turns out they were police cadets doing search and rescue training. It was kind of freaky to see all of them as our welcoming party!! Ron drove us to the Sapphire Inn and regaled us w/funny stories the whole time. I was laughing really hard when Ron started talking about a woman's "fart box". He was very complementary of her, but I had never heard that term before. We have also been laughing all day about our predicted "snowmagedeon". Tomorrow the hiker bash starts here in Franklin, NC. Tonight, we ate at the Chinese AYCE around 5 pm and now at 9:30pm each of us just ordered a pizza. I love towns for the food (and the laughs!)
Date: 2011-04-01
From: Franklin

To: Saphire inn
Miles today: 0.0

The hiker bash kicked off today. the town of Franklin has been very hiker friendly. Everyone gives you rides and talks to you like a human. I ate one of Mother nature's homemade peppermint patties, it was HEAVENLY!! Mother Nature is Smoke Stack's wife. I also met trail legend, Ms. Janet and Sargent Rock. Later in the evening, it was dark so I was using my white cane. I was walking up a set of stairs behind Sgt. Rock. Rock was telling a story and had 10-12 people looking at him. He said "even a blind guy can walk the trail". I appeared rigth behind him as he said that and everyone had a big laugh. The comedic timimg was too perfect and best of all it was completely unplanned.
Date: 2011-04-02
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Wayah Bald Stone Tower
Miles today: 10.4

I went to the free breakfast at the church this am. I happened to sit down next to StormCrow. he is the guy who made my super comfortable and warm underquilt for my hammock. he is a great guy. I also had the opportunity to sit next to him in the van on our way up to Wayah Bald. We slack packed from there back to Winding Stair. The trail was mostly downhill and the start was tough for me. There were lots of 'ankle twisting" sized rocks and 'toe grabbing" roots for the first 3 miles. It was also hard to find the trail in spots. I doubled back a couple of timesto be sure I did not miss a turn in the trail. I never had missed anything, but better safe than sorry. I hiked alone all day except for the walk up the bald. It was very windy on the bald. I walked up with Greenlight and Spiderlegs. It was the first bald I had come to and it seemed strange. I am not sure why there are not trees on it, but I will try to find out. After the bald (remember, I am going south today), the trail became mch easier to walk on and I made better time. The trail had a nice waterfall right before Winding Stair gap. Came back to town and met Stylin and Tony (fellow trailjournal.com people). Now we are packing up and planning our next stops
Date: 2011-04-03
From: Wayah Bald Stone Tower

To: Wesser Bald
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: clear sky

The day started out really funky. We thought we secured our ride to where we had slackpacked from the previous day. it turns out the ride was not arranged & it was not free. Once we finally got hiking @noon, the hiking was pretty good. it started out steep downhill for a mile, then easy for a while & ended with a good climb up to a firetower. Camped on top of Wesser Bald w/ Bear bait, Spider legs, Greenlight, Sgt. Rock and Kaufman. It was very windy. I would guess 30-50 mph gusts. I did not put my rain fly down because it wasn't going to rain. the high winds made my hammock cold, so I put my pad in my hammock for insulation and that fixed the problem.. I was toasty warm!
Date: 2011-04-04
From: Wesser Bald

To: NOC
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: clear sky

The descent to the NOC (nantahala outdoor center)was rough but not as bad as the rumors would have made me believe. Got to the NOC @ lunchtime and had a burger. Then we learned there was a 100% chance of thundershowers tonight. So instead of hiking 6 more miles, we got a room in the bunkhouse. Cope has been @ the NOC for a few days and he joined us for the night, as did "20 point". I plan to hike with the "blue mountain recipe crew' tomorrow.
Date: 2011-04-05
From: NOC

To: Locust cove gap
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: scattered clouds

day started cold. We had a tough 6 mile uphill climb to warm up on. It was pretty steep. My thermometer said it was 38. without the windchill. the hike was tough enough that I still hiked in shorts and a tshirt. It snowed and sleeted with wind and sun!! Lots of varried terrain. Sometimes we were walking through Rhododendron tunnels, other times, walking on hillsides or hopping through fields. It is supposed to be 29 tonight. Hard to believe that I got a sunburn 2 days ago hiking in near 80 degree weather. I think alot about how fast the time is going. Tonight, I am not going to deploy my tarp so I can star gaze.
Date: 2011-04-06
From: Locust cove gap

To: fontana dam
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: clear sky

today was a long day! I kept thinking about my friends with cancer today (unfortunately, there are more than one . when I thought about them and what they are going through,it made taking one more step seem like "no big deal". I know that each of my friends with cancer would tell me to follow my dreams and that is what I am doing one white blaze a time. -a white blaze is the 2"wide by 6" tall marker on trees and rocks to mark the trail)-blue blazes mark side trails to water and shelters. The shelters are 3 sided buildings w/ a sleep platform in them. - yellow blazing is for when you get a ride down the road. -Finally, pink blazing is slowing down or speeding up to try to make a love connection with another hiker.the hiking started with another tough climb today. Then I felt like I was having a hikers version of the movie "groundhog day". I felt like I kept walking the same left hand bend around a valley, and then a right hand bend around a corner, followed by the same left bend around a valley...Today, the green grass on the sides of the trail reappeared and made finding the trail much easier.   About 17 miles into the day, I felt the "runners high" as I turned a corner and it felt like I was hallucinating. it was like being in Alice in Wonderland. The terrain up to this point has been browm leaves. brown dirt, brown rocks. The area I walked into was lush and green and then a butterfly flew toward my face. the lack of colors for 2 weeks made these colors seem supersaturated. Fontana Dam became visible just after the color oasis. I could see the lake and the dam for over an hour as the trail meandered down the hill. At the marina, 1.1 miles from the shelter, I met Hatchet. he is a German thru-hiker hiking with his mom's ashes. Greenlight is hiking because he had planned to do the hike with his dad, and, unfortunately, his dad passed away. I think that losing a parent while I am out here is my greatest fear.I have been thinking about work some over the past few days. I wonder if I will be going back in the fall??