morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-12-27
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Too cold to write again. My hands get cold so easily. Cooking was a matter of taking gloves off to do something quickly then having to shove my hands in my armpits to warm them up, then being able to put my gloves back on, then I would have to do something with bare hands again and the process would repeat... I got myself a fancy Backpacker's Pantry dinner for my last night. It was spaghetti with sauce, and it was delicious. The noodles were spirals rather than spaghetti, but that's probably for the best since my spork would have been awkward for actual spaghetti.I thought it was warm enough to carry water today, but then the trail was mostly on the windy side of the mountain and I had to break through ice on the top of my nalgene any time I wanted a drink, and that's after having to thaw the lid enough to open it. Also, I couldn't get any drops out of part A of my aqua mira today, so I just decided to be picky about water sources. I didn't think aqua mira froze, and I thought I'd used it in colder temperatures than this, but maybe it got some water in it or something.The day hiker I ran into on Christmas Eve told me Rocky Top was her favorite view in the park and I was really looking forward to it, but just when I got up to the top of Thunderhead a hazy cloud came in around me and I couldn't see a thing. Oh well. More reasons to come back and do more hiking later!By the end of the day tomorrow, I will be a thru hiker. It hasn't hit me yet. Most of my mental energy is focused on figuring out how to arrange my belongings for optimal warmth. A ridgerest is not really sufficient for comfort in these temperatures, so my hiking clothes are under it, as is an emergency blanket, and I've got my puffy jacket wrapped around my waist. In this cold, I sleep with a lot of things and turning over or moving is complicated- move puffy without getting tangled, don't lie down on top of nalgene, phone, battery pack, headlamp, or gloves that I'm hoping with be less damp in the morning if I sleep with them. Only the tiniest hole is open at the top of the bag to breathe through, so I have to try to line my face up exactly. Staying warm is work.I don't want this to end, but it'll be nice to not have my nose running constantly.The moon is beautiful when it's visible tonight, but when I went out to hang up my food bag a cloud had come in again and ice crystals like snow were in the air. It wasn't snowing, and I don't think it was blowing off the ground. I think the cloud was just partly frozen. It's cold up here for real. Fontana tomorrow.
Date: 2017-12-28
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept in this morning and got a late start. The day was clear and sunny and probably slightly above freezing- perfect. The trail was easy and I had no trouble with the few small uphills early in the day. I took a lot of breaks, just looking around and taking it all in. I have to leave this now.Shuckstack fire tower was incredible. What a perfect final "summit."I ran into a backpacking group and their leader gave me a snickers. I have a ton of food still, (2000 miles and I never did figure out how to only get enough for a few days...) but I was out of snickers, so it was pretty great.I have thruhiked the Appalachian Trail.The vending machine at the visitor's center here broke my heart. I pushed the button for a coke and it gave me a diet coke. So it goes.I did it. I hiked all 2186.8 miles.The shower here is amazing and hot and has great water pressure. I didn't wash my hair because I don't want to deal with wet/frozen hair in my sleeping bag. I'll wash it tomorrow.There is a nice couple here who had a great fire going. All the stars are out and the moon is bright enough I don't need my headlamp to walk around.For this journal, I'll write a few more entries. I want to go back and look at my goals and see how I did with them. I'll post my gear, unorthodox and mismatched as it is. I'll finally get around to uploading pictures and attaching them to entries.For now, sleep. My last night in a shelter. Life is about to get a lot more complicated. For the last six months I have woken up in the morning and walked. I am going to miss this so much.
Date: 2018-01-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I've added a bunch of pictures and almost every entry should have a picture with it now! I mostly just uploaded one per day, but sometimes there are more if you check the photos page.Over the course of my hike, I grew an incredible amount as a person. I found strength I didn't know I had and overcame my worst demons of self-doubt.Now I just have to figure out how to apply that to non-trail life. How does the persistence toward a goal of postholing for miles in the snow translate to searching for a job that means something to me? How does my confidence at the summit of a mountain apply to my self-consciousness when trying to figure out what to wear out to dinner or to an interview that won't look terrible? (It doesn't help that none of my old clothes fit me well anymore.)It's hard out here in civilization. It's hard to hang onto the person I became on my hike. I know I can do it- I can learn the skills needed to overcome any situation- but the difficulty makes me miss the trail even more. I miss the simplicity of waking up and walking. I miss the earned views at the tops of mountains. I miss the sense of wonder at a river when I realize it's the most water in one place I've seen in days or weeks, and the joy of just watching the ripples as it moves. I miss seeing hemlocks in the fog and finding a new appreciation for them as the only things that aren't grey. I miss being physically and mentally exhausted and satisfied at the end of a long day. I miss the easy camraderie of trail life. I can make friends at a shelter, but I'm not sure yet how to do that in the real world when being the same place as a person doesn't necessarily mean you have all that much in common.I am so glad all these things are hard, because it means I had an amazing experience. Those are all things I took for granted before. I've always been self-conscious about my clothing, but now I know that that doesn't have to be a part of me because I wasn't when I was hiking. I've always had trouble finishing things I set out to do, but now I know that that doesn't have to be a part of me because I walked from Maine to Georgia.I wouldn't change anything.I'm going to apply for a permit to hike the PCT this year when they're available Wednesday- I think I can make it work financially, but whether I go depends on personal and family concerns, but I'd rather have a permit and then give it up later than miss out. If I go, I need to make sure it's rooted in my love of hiking and a desire to do that rather than just running away from the real world.
Date: 2016-11-19
To: Preparation Work and Purchases
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

While my Subaru sits in the shop with a leaking transmission, our preparation plans continue.  That current repair may dig into our gear purchasing fund, but we only have a couple of things to buy to make our kit complete.  Truth be told, we could hit the trail today with what we have and be OK, but these last purchases can cut more weight while making us a bit more comfortable.  All we really need besides a few consumables are some quilts (both top and under) and maybe some new hammocks.  These items will cost somewhere over $1000 for the both of us.  That's tranny fluid all under the truckSomething I had been thinking about was the best way to check our packs when we fly down to Atlanta.  I don't want to just throw the pack as is, with its hanging stuff onto the luggage rack at the counter.  I want to lessen the chance of losing things or having them messed with.  I found a nice duffle bag made specifically for that purpose at REI and purchased two of them.  They arrived yesterday and I threw all my gear into one to see if it fits.  Not only does it all fit (including trekking poles and crocks), but there is still room to spare.  Now, it looks pretty huge, so I don't want to fill it to the brim and risk being charged for oversized luggage, but these should work nicely.  One thing I really like about them is they collapse into their own zippered pocket that is pretty small.  We will mail them back home once we get to Georgia.  From this, to this.I also pre-ordered two copies of AWOL's A.T. Guide.  (one for us and one for home base).  They have a nice early bird deal going and having two copies will help with coordination with Brandi "Home Base".  I also plan on getting a pdf copy for my phone when they are available.  I have started to make some inquiries down in Georgia as I plan our arrival and transportation to the trail.  We plan to fly into Atlanta and take the MARTA train up to the northern terminus where we will be shuttled to either a Hostel, Amicalola Falls or Springer.  The planning continues. We will also need to pick up some fuel and any last items that we are missing before starting the hike as you can't pack canisters filled with a highly flammable gas.  We have some tentative plans to get some help from a friend down in Georgia, but those plans are still in their infancy and are still very nebulous.  When they firm up, I will talk about them.The preparations continues and will most likely do so until we head to the airport.  As of today we have 158 days until we hit the trail, but who's counting.  Peace,EarthTone and LoGear
Date: 2016-12-08
To: Black Friday Gear Deals
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Oh man, do I love buying gear. Being able to lighten my pack by about 3 pounds was a fun, if expensive endeavor. I have had quilts on my "to buy" list for awhile now and was seriously thinking of moving from the Hennessy Hammock to the Warbonnet Blackbird Hammock for some time. After receiving a Blackbird as a parting gift from the A.T. Museum, I was on my way to our last major upgrade of gear. Well, $1200 or so later, we now both have Blackbirds (I'm really loving this hammock), new Edge tarps and have top quilts and under quilts being made for us by Enlightened Equipment Elves as we speak. I can't wait to get this gear out on a couple training hikes and see how comfortable I will be in this new setup. I'm confident that I will be cozy and comfy. A lighter load with no loss in performance is always a plus.Our starting gear is just about set. We are both doing minor tweaks to the other gear like clothing and the other little things that go into a pack and add to its weight. Keeping meticulous track of what each item weighs really lets you know where to work on it. LighterPack.com is helping with that a lot. I'm trying to get my base pack weight around 20 lbs. (LoGear is already there), but I have about 2 more lbs to go. I have found that my clothes weigh a bit more than hers. The tweaks will continue all the way up to our jump off date and then will certainly continue after that. I will never be done tweaking my pack and what it carries. Yes. I really love getting new gear.The prep continues,EarthTone and LoGear
Date: 2016-12-20
To: Random Stuff
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

These are just a few things I have written as I try to kill time until it is time to hike.I want to be an outsiderTo watch the dawn break in the forestTo feel the mid day sun on my neck as I move NorthTo see a sunset each dayTo walk amongst the falling rain and feel a stiff breeze chill meTo be with the beasts of the forest and talk with the people who walk with meTo live life to its fullest each day that I hikeWhat is an Outsider? Here is the Outsider OathI am an OutsiderI live my life in NatureFour walls can't surround meThe forest canopy is my roofI take each day as givenA fire is my warmthThe wind cools my bodyAll I need, I carry on my backThe outside is my homeI am an OutsiderPeaceEarthTone and LoGear
Date: 2017-01-02
To: Quilts of Comfort
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

I was sitting at my computer on New Year's Eve eve. Constantly refreshing the Track Package page on the Post Office's site. Our purchase of four quilts (two top, two under) were in the area and "out for delivery". When I received the email a few days ago of the shipment of our order, it noted that the 31st was the expected ETA. Luckily, the postman was still busy this Holiday season and they came a day early. The box hadn't even cooled from where the delivery person had carried it and placed it on my stoop before I was picking it up and bringing it inside. This was an $876 investment that has saved us a lot of weight and will greatly add to our comfort. The top quilts are 20 degree and the under quilts 30. We should be nice and toasty on the trail and in our hammocks. This purchase is our last (major) one until we head out. It is also what I will be calling my luxury item as they will be the most expensive things in our packs. I have done a quick setup with them and slept with the top quilt once. I can't wait to get them out in the woods for a night or two. I have been building (and rebuilding) my pack contents for six years now. It will never be finished or perfect, but for now, we are happy with our gear. Time on the trail will put that to the test. Peace,EarthTone and LoGear
Date: 2017-01-09
To: Flight is Purchased
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday, I went on the magical puter and purchased two one-way tickets from Baltimore to Atlanta for April 25th, 2017. We will use our miles from our VentureOne to pay for this part of the trek. We will get into Atlanta some time after Noon and will start making our way North towards the trail.Shit is getting real.Peace,EarthTone and LoGear
Date: 2017-01-16
To: 100 Days
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We have 100 days until we start our Quest. The preparations continue. I replaced my O2 rain jacket with Frog Toggs from Walmart. The O2 is just too flimsy (and bright yellow). The zipper started ripping out when I was testing all of my cold weather gear in 18 degree temps. I'm reconsidering my footwear once again. The New Balance I have may be too small and not too good with the cold, so I might start with the Merrills, which I'll have to replace as they have over 300 miles on them.Tomorrow we will be in the two digit category as we continue to march through time.
Date: 2017-01-19
To: Sub 100 Days Update
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

My little countdown app on phone has just decreased to double digits. Just a little over 3 months and we will be on the trail. Our preparations continue, but they have calmed down some. Our major gear purchases are complete. We will be field testing all of our new gear to verify it works for us and to become familiar with setup and usage. This Friday we go out. I have stopped worrying about cutting weight. The small items I'm now deciding on won't make a lot of difference for now. I'm just done sweating the small stuff. When I passed on the A.T. Museum manager job duties to the new manager, Nate, I also passed on the postage scale I was using to weigh every piece of gear I had. I'm kinda glad I no longer have that scale. I may contemplate a thing's weight, but I no longer fret over it.My kit is pretty much set. I still need to figure out my starting shoe, but that will be done in due time.Our plane tickets are bought (with our VentureOne miles. What's in your wallet?) And we have some awesome trail magic like assistance set up for when we arrive in GA in April. I will write all about it after it comes to pass, but I'm so happy to start our adventure this way, with some special "people of the trail". My A.T. Guide will be in the mailbox in a day or so and I will play with that for awhile. Now, it's just time to let time pass. My To Do list still has items on them, but none are pressing at this time.Soon, we will be hiking.Peace,EarthTone and LoGear
Date: 2017-02-25
To: Training with New Shoes
Miles today: 0.0

60 Days until we head out.LoGear and I went to REI to try to complete our gear list with a purchase of two pairs of Altra trail runners. After trying on a few different styles and sizes, we both picked the Lone Peak 3.0s. ($120) They are a zero drop shoe (toe and heal are at the same level in the shoe) and we have seen a lot of hikers using them. LoGear always has a lot of trouble getting the right shoe, so hopefully this will work for her. We went out yesterday for our weekly pack-on hike in nearby Patapsco State Park, which is pretty much the only park around here that has substantial elevation change. The loop is about 4.6 miles with some decent ups and downs. We worked our way around in the summer, uh, spring, uh, late winter 70 plus degrees, taking breaks a few times, mostly for Mama Bear (Ginger) who still has a bum knee and had recently had some minor surgery to remove some fatty cysts. It was a good hike.We were both somewhat sore after the hike. I'm thinking that our bodies need to get used to the shoe. I'm personally considering returning my pair as my past issues with plantar fasciitis might be compounded with this type of shoe. We both had a weird soreness in our backs. This is different from my usual back pain, (which is chronic for me, but not too bad) and we were hobbling around a bit. My feet are still a little sore this morning, but they pretty much always are after a decent hike. I'm not sure if I'm imagining more pain and relating it to the shoe, or if it is actually making things worse.Regardless, I will give the shoes at least 50 miles before I decide to return them and revert back to my cheap New Balance shoes, which have always served me well.   We sit and read others heading out on their Adventure and can't wait until it is our turn. It is nice to see how those already out there who post videos or journals are doing. We are taking notes in our Guide as they point out certain things like shelter conditions, etc. After watching another installment from the ToeSalad family hike, I purchased a few items for foot care. Some Deep Blue, a really nice smelling, but somewhat expensive doTERRA product that will rejuvenate our feet after a long day and some more friction reducing cream. I'm being extra careful with foot care on this hike. I used to never get blisters, but that has changed as I have hiked more and I'm hoping to minimize that as much as possible at the beginning of this hike. LoGear always has issues with blisters. So, my first aid kit is mostly foot care products. We continue to count down the days, fiddle with our gear here and there and keep preparing for our Quest. It can't come fast enough. Peace,EarthTone and LoGear
Date: 2017-03-09
To: Practice Hike - Full Packs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

While Mama Bear was in surgery at the Vets to get her knee repaired, LoGear and I headed to Patapsco State Park to do an approx 7 mile loop with about 400 feet of elevation gain. The day was perfect and the bikers and hikers were scattered throughout the day. The temps were in the high 60s and a warm breeze was flowing through the forest. We parked at our normal place and headed down the trail. It was weird not having a leash in my hands and we constantly reflected how strange it is to come here without Mama Bear.We worked our around our normal loop, with a few changes, but instead of heading back at the connector trail, we continued down to the Cascade trail to make it a bigger loop.We took a couple breaks along the way. These are always short, but refreshing nonetheless. We finished back where we started and had the strong feeling that this is near our starting limit of distance, for now.Luckily, we plan on starting off slow in Georgia with plenty of days at this length until we firm up our bodies a bit and gain some trail legs.When we got home, both of us were a little sore. Now, we just need to figure out how to take our hot tub along with us as a nice soak after the hike was very restorative. I tested out putting our new doTERRA Deep Blue cream on my feet and I must say it really makes them feel special after a day of pounding on the trail under load.Here is what we learned:Both of us will need to build our mileage up slowly again. It isn't what it used to be, but I feel confident we can build it up again rather quickly. As long as we don't go too far too soon. This hike was about three hours. If this is going to be our "day", we will need to take longer breaks or start later. Sitting in camp for too long isn't our thing, but naps are nice any time of day. We get antsy sitting around.I need to take pictures, even on practice hikes. I didn't take any on this hike, but should have. After a decent night's sleep, I feel refreshed. I could do it again today, if I needed to. 47 days and counting.Peace,EarthTone and LoGear
Date: 2017-03-31
To: Final Test Hike
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

We loaded up our packs and headed North to the AT Museum area. We took the movable Halfway Sign up to Dead Womans Hollow Rd and erected it for the season.  Jen and Tom 2017 Halfway Point - Dead Womans Hollow Rd.After that chore was complete, we went back to Shippensburg Rd and started hiking North. It had rained all the way up from home, but had stopped by the time we arrived in the area. It was a chilly day with temps on the upper 30s and everything was drippy.A misty, drippy dayWe made our way down to Toms Run shelter, where we would set up our new hammocks and spend the night. The hike in had been good at an easy 4.8 miles, but we still felt that soreness you get when you first start carrying weight along uneven terrain. I took a time lapse video of our antics as we worked to figure out our new gear which was amusing. I'm glad we did this trip as it was enlightening to say the least. We are still climbing up the learning curve.Our hammocks await usWe ate dinner and gathered some wood for a fire, but everything was pretty wet and we were tired enough to not want to fiddle with it much, so we didn't waste the effort. As the light faded from the misty forest, we both headed to our hammocks to read, then sleep.My night seemed restless, but I wasn't cold at all. LoGear didn't fare as well as she said she was shivering all night. She is ready to go back to her warm, but heavier bag.Eventually, a Pileated Woodpecker announced the new day. I opened my eyes and saw dawn had arrived. We slowly got up, made some breakfast and packed up. LoGear headed out first as I was puttering around, in no hurry.She was motivated by the hot tub and warm bed back waiting at home as we headed back the way we had come the day before.We quickly got back to the truck and started for home. Both of us sore and tired. This was a good dose of what we will have to face on our hike and even though we didn't get actively rained on, we were able to experience some less than ideal weather.  We will now make our final decisions on gear, finish up our food bags and Fontana resupply and be ready for the start of our Quest.As always, we will stay flexible and make any needed changes to gear and technique as we start the Adventure. 25 more days until the Quest for Pamola starts.Peace,EarthTone and LoGear