morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-06-07
From: Kinsman Notch 

To: Interstate 93
Miles today: 16.3

AT Day 98 6/716.3 miles to Interstate 93We decided it best to take it easy and test out my little finger on a day by day basis. The GCHH team would pick us up again and takes us back to the motel in Lincoln, I¢ve decided to stop writing journal entries for the rest of my AT journey.  I will continue hiking with WOW until we both reach the summit of Katahdin.The reason why I¢m stopping my journal is because I¢m not enjoying the White Mountains.  The forests, streams, smells and cool winds are all wonderful but I find the trail itself to be horrendous. I don¢t want to spend each night whining about every aspect of the trail that I find appalling.  If you are wondering what WOW and I are up to you can visit his trail journal: Monarch and Wow.Thanks for following along on my journey.Post trail note: I was very stressed out due to little finger that WOW kept saying I needed to get x-rayed. I resented the trail for what I perceived as dangerous and blamed it for an injury that could end my hike. It wasn't the trails fault, I was trying to keep up with WOW who could bomb done the steep trail and it was my mistake to try and eat a Cliff Bar under these conditions. I kept trying to hike but it was very hard to scramble up boulders with one good hand. I tried using my left trekking pole with my first 3 fingers, this helped to scale the boulder fields but it wasn't ideal. Every time I bumped my little finger it would hurt.  I regret not keeping up with the journal now. Next time I will do better.  Happy trails Happy hiking, Silver Streak
Date: 2019-06-08
From: Interstate 93

To: Garfield Ridge Campsite
Miles today: 10.2

AT Day 99 6/810.2 miles to Garfield Ridge CampsitePOST trail entry: I decided to update this entry using information from WOWs journal and my recollections.  We decided to test my finger out with a multi day hike. We don't know it yet but I fractured it badly on 6/6 descending Mt MoosilaukeThe climb up to Franconia Ridge wasn't too bad. I instantly fell in love with Franconia Ridge as soon as I got up above treeline. It reminded me so much of my beloved Sierras. My hiker buddy Scarlet (Becky) told me that I was going to love this section.It was sunny and there was a cool wind blowing. I eventually had to put on my wind jacket. There were quite a few day hikers but it wasn't overly crowded and people were glad to share the trail. We found a spot out of the wind to have lunch and enjoy the views.The descent down from Lafayette was steep and technical. By the time we got to the Garfield Ridge Camping area we were both tired. We could have hiked another 3 hours to a different spot but we were ready to call it an early day. The camping area is run by the AMC and requires you to squeeze your tents together on wooden platforms. WOW and I pitched our tents on the same platform. Both having Duplexes we took up most of the room on one platform with our guylines. It was a good thing we stopped early because the area filled up quickly. Happy hiking, Silver Streak
Date: 2019-06-09
From: Garfield Ridge Campsite

To: Route 32 (Crawford Notch)
Miles today: 17.5

Post trail note: The following entry was added on 18 Feb 2021. I decided to reread my 2019 journal to help me prepare for a redemption AT thru hike in 2021.AT Day 100 6/917.5 miles to Crawford NotchWe woke up with the first bird call and were out hiking before most of the other campers were out of their tents.The trail started off looking more like a stream or small waterfall. Luckily I was able to borrow a trekking pole from the GCHH team to use with my left hand. WOW showed me the proper way to use the hand straps which kept the pressure off my damaged finger. I still had shooting pain from my finger every time I bumped it on something or the trekking poles would skid across a rock and send vibrations up my finger. Otherwise I felt fine and was still convinced that I could continue my hike with extra care for my finger.We stopped at the Galehead Hut so WOW could get his coffee fix and I could get my sugar fix. A lot of hut clients were out for their day hikes. The trails around the huts are maintained better than the regular AT trail in the White Mountains. We stopped again at the Zealand Hut and scored some free Chicken Couscous from a former thru hiker who worked there. My experience with the crew that work at the huts and the AMC campsites was extremely positive.The trail down to Crawford Notch was a dream I was well graded dirt trail with planks for walking over the swampy areas. We were going to get to the trailhead early so I used my Inreach to notify the GCHH team member.  We had planned to just get a resupply and then head up the climb that would take us to Mt Washington inn the late afternoon. I checked AT Weather and discovered that the day we had scheduled for summiting Mt Washington was going to have 100 mph winds and sleet/ice. Yikes I thought this was June. So we started to plan for alternatives. Our first plan was to continue our hike up and have the GCHH team member drive up to Mt Washington and pick us up so that we could escape the following days weather. We were going with this option but the ex-Navy Diving Officer in me wanted to make sure that all of the checks were completed on my predive check list. Its a good thing that I checked because the road was going to be closed to all vehicles except motorcycles on the day we were supposed to be picked up. We might have been able to shelter from the storm in either the Lakes of the Cloud or the Madison Hut but that wasn't guaranteed. We decided to wait out the weather at our favorite motel in Lincoln.
Date: 2019-06-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I fractured my finger coming down Moosilauke 5 days ago. WOW recommended that I get an X-ray when it happened. But I wanted to keep hiking. It was rough trying to scramble up boulders with only one hand but I made it work for 3 more days. Today we had to take the day off due to crazy weather conditions coming to Mt Washington tonight. I took the town time to go to the doctor. As you can see in the X-ray I have a fracture just above my pinky finger¢s knuckle. WOW and I agree that it would be impossible to finish the upcoming section of the White Mountains without 2 good hands. I can still hike normal trails and anticipate section hiking part of the PCT with my wife in late June. This is dependent on what my Sports Medicine doctor advises. I will miss WOW he was a great hiking companion and gave me invaluable Words Of Wisdom (WOW) Happy trails Happy hiking, Silver Streak
Date: 2021-03-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

If not now, when?I¢m 67 and will turn 68 in July 2021. I¢m at the age where you are one bad fall away from having a broken hip. So I want to complete my AT thru hike before it¢s too late. Why not wait until next year after the COVID pandemic will hopefully be controlled? My wife Nancy and I plan to thru hike the PCT in 2022 and if all goes well the CDT in 2023. I¢d like to get my triple crown at 70. I retired from teaching in 2018 and was ready to experience the adventure of completing a thru hike of a long trail in 2019. I started the trail on 17 February 2019 and discovered that I am capable of surviving the rigors of hiking long days in snow, sleet and rain during the early months of my hike. I got off the trail in Harpers Ferry and went home for about 2 weeks during spring break to get evaluated for a swollen leg that I thought might have been infected due to a deep wound I sustained from a bad fall I had at the end of the Shenandoahs. Luckily, I didn¢t have any fractures or infection and after some rest my leg returned to normal and I returned to Harpers Ferry to continue hiking.  I completed 1846 AT miles but had to leave the trail due to severe fractures of my left pinky finger due to a fall I sustained while descending Mt Moosilauke. The fall was my fault because I was trying to unwrap a Cliff Bar instead of paying attention to the steep technical downhill.I was thinking about finishing the trail last year but the COVID-19 pandemic put an end to that. I was planning to start the AT this year on 7 March but changed my mind after a shakedown hike I did on the Foothills Trail (South Carolina) at the end of January 2021. I completed a 154.6 mile YoYo of the 72.3 mile Foothills Trail in 7 days. It was a cold hike with nightly temperatures in the low 20s which was great for testing out my cold weather gear. It rained one night which got me thinking about how tempting shelters would be during those multiple day AT rain spells. Being unvaccinated at the time I didn¢t think it would be a great idea for a 67 year old hiker to spend the night crammed into a shelter with strangers during the COVID pandemic. So I got home and cancelled my AT registration and Amicalola Lodge reservations.Then within a week I was able to schedule my first Moderna vaccination at CVS. This seemed like a good omen and my mind returned to thinking about another AT hike. It didn¢t take long to decide to start my hike on 21 March which would be almost 2 weeks after I got my 2nd Moderna shot.  Today is 17 March and I am almost done with my pre hike preparations. I am mailing the 2nd of my 19 resupplying boxes today. I will post a summary of my resupply strategy soon.Happy hiking, Silver Streak
Date: 2019-01-07
Miles today: 0.0

Today was a big day for me.  I notified my boss of my future retirement.  I registered with the AT Conservancy #T5714.  I booked my hotel room at Amicalola Falls lodge. I arranged to have two of my friends assist my wife in arranging my retirement party.  I got good news, a trail friend I met in the Smokies in 2016 is coming out to do the first week with me.Things are moving really fast.
Date: 2019-01-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So, as I get closer more and more acquaintances are hearing of my hike. I get many questions after they tell me I am crazy. A cousin is being deployed to Kuwait in the Army and told me to be careful! I get questions like:What are you going to eat? Food, and alot of it!Are you going to carry a gun? No, absolutely not!Are you going to carry Bear Spray? No, not as of now.Are you doing it alone? Yes, I know there will be much "alone time" but there are thousands of people on the trail.How far is it? about 2200 miles.Where are you starting? Georgia, Springer Mountain. Where are you ending? Maine, Katahdin.Funny story, I surprised my wife last night telling her that I have fully assumed she was going to summit Katahdin with me. She was completely surprised.
Date: 2019-01-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I am getting closer. I received my AWOL Trail Guide for 2019. I am in the process of transferring my notes from the 2018 AWOL Trail Guide. Planning is going well. I found an Excel spreadsheet with most of the locations noted in the AWOL Trail Guide. I have been planning stops along the trail and approximate miles for the days. I then remembered I occasionally have to re-supply. Then I remembered I may occasionally want to take a shower, do laundry and sleep in a bed. I made it through the complete AWOL Trail Guide and I am now fine tuning a plan.
Date: 2019-02-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

On February 28, I handed in my letter for intent to retire. I had told my boss it was coming, and he would have it, in hand, by the end of the month. After writing and re-writing I finally submitted it at 4:10 pm on Thursday February 28. I am both excited and nervous for the future. I am looking forward to my hike and sharing my journey. I am nervous because I have been going to, and working at, the same place for the past 24 years, or almost half of my life.I have been hitting the gym more regularly since October 2018. Treadmill, Elliptical, squats, lunges, weights, and core. I am down 12 pounds since the 1st of the year. I'd like to retire at the same weight I started at 24 years ago. 14 more lbs!!!!
Date: 2019-03-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

27 days until my last day of work. 26 days until my retirement party. 25 days until my flight to Atlanta. 24 days until I start at Amicalola Falls. There's a running bet I will not make the 0944 flight on Sunday, but I'm pretty sure I can control myself the night before.I met with HR this week and got all of my retirement paperwork, a lot more paperwork than I may have thought. I also set the date for my retirement lunch ; ).  I am still working on conditioning and cutting a few pounds before the trip. I am planning on doing a few pack hikes over the next three weekends.
Date: 2019-03-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So today marked 22 days until I set foot on the Trail.  20 days until I am retired ; )Yesterday was a tough day at work.  I was sitting in my office at 4:30 and everyone else had gone for the week and it got really quiet.  I cleaned out my emails as I had missed two days or work due to illness this week.  I shut down the computer and reveled in the quiet for a while.  I got sad for a while as I sad and it really hit me 21! more days until I am retired!!!This morning I got my pack and equipment out and paced my pack for my first Pack Hike of the season.  I met my buddy Rick and his tow dogs with my dog and we got over four miles in until I had to leave for my haircut (one more before I leave).  It was nice to have the Pack on and it felt good.  I think I was almost at trail weight.
Date: 2019-03-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

So, as the time draws near to retirement and the trail I am struck by the kindness of people. I was greeted today by one of my long time co-workers and friends. He brought me a gift which is a framed handkerchief and a second handkerchief for the trail. Both handkerchiefs are embroidered with my trail journals tag line. "Then something Tookish woke up inside him, and he wished to go see the great mountains....." On the handkerchief is also the two badge numbers I had throughout my career and my radio call sign. ; ) I was floored with his generosity.I then went to lunch at a local hot dog stand in town "The Dogfather". The owner Tony said he had heard some sad news, that I was retiring and I confirmed the news. He would not let me pay for my lunch. Great guy and great restaurant. If you are ever traveling through Bartlett, IL stop and enjoy a beef or hot dog at the Dogfather. ; )I am 18 days from the trail, and and getting more and more excited.
Date: 2019-03-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I got a quick 2.29 miles in today.  I broke in a new pair of Merrill¢s and a new LLBean jacket.  My back was not doing so good today.  I strained a muscle earlier in the week but I have been seeing the Chiropractor, and have another appointment this Tuesday. UGHHHH.  It is getting better.
Date: 2019-04-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So, in Saturday's post I mentioned my back was hurting, which it was. I figured out on Sunday that the pain may have been exacerbated by my pack being broken. I was conducting a pack shake down and weighing all of my equipment. I was attempting to weigh my empty pack and I noticed it was a little flimsy. Come to find out the internal frame had snapped. I guess it's better to have discovered that prior to heading onto the trail. I have two weeks to departure, and plenty of time to purchase a new pack.I also spoke to my friend Allen on Sunday we finalized our plans for meeting in Atlanta on the 14th. He will be packing the first week with me. I met Allen on the trail in the Smokies back in June of 2016, and we've stayed in touch since. I am looking forward to catching up with him and hearing of his recent hike into Grand Canyon.10 more working day ; )
Date: 2019-04-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

On Saturday my buddy Rick and I got 3.52 miles in with the packs and the dogs.  The new pack felt good and was almost at full weight. The weather was is the 40¢s and overcast.On Saturday night Seaneen and I went downtown Chicago for our 18th anniversary.  We stayed at Virgin Hotel, ate at TWO, and night capped at Trump Hotel¢s Terrace 16.  Many of Bourbon Old Fashioneds were enjoyed.  This was our last weekend before I leave for the Trail.This next week is going to be busy.  I have 5 days to shut everything down at work or hand it off.  Monday I will do the bulk of work I have to complete. Tuesday I may take off to meet my younger brother and Mom. Wednesday will be dinner at Dad in Laws. Thursday Nephew Sam arrives. Friday is a partial day with my retirement Luncheon. Saturday is the Friends and Family retirement party 4-11. Sunday is a 944 flight so to the airport at 730!!!!!
Date: 2019-04-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

On Friday April 12, my last day of work.  I went in super early, 0515 and finished my luncheon PowerPoint speech.  The day was excellent and my smile grew as the day drew on.  I got to see many of excellent co-workers and some of my loving family.  I received many gifts, hugs and kind words from loved ones I have worked with for 24 years.Thank you all who attended and shared in the moment.  Stay safe and be kind to each other,Today, Saturday, I have my friends and family retirement party starting at 400.  I am so excited to see everyone and share the moment.I upgraded my morning flight to FIRST CLASS, It will be my first time in first class ; )
Date: 2019-04-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well the retirement party was a success ??? I am so grateful to gave so many wonderful friends and a great loving and supportive family.I was up at 600 to be at the airport by 730, flight was at 945. Its 10:41 and we¢re still on the ground. We have to de ice?It was 70 on Monday.I am looking forward to seeing Alan, he is picking me up at the airport in Atlanta, and then no more of this ¢per-hike¢ stuff!Time to get some real pack miles in, like 2200 over the next 7 months???
Date: 2019-04-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

We made it to the Lodge at Amicalola Falls. We made it to the welcome center at 505, they close at 500. Nick kindly let me register and gave me the pre hike talk, which was much appreciated. He taught me the PCT method for hanging my food bag.We checked in to our room, awesome view. we decided to walk the 600 steps down the falls and got caught in a downpour.  Then you have to walk 600 stairs back up the falls.Tomorrow the plan is to go to the welcome center and weigh our packs, hopefully Yogi a ride to the top of the falls and start the 8.8 miles to the Southern terminus.Good night, sleeping in a bed tonight ?
Date: 2019-04-15
From: The Lodge at Amicalola Falls

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

4-15-19 MondayAmiacola falls lodge to Stover Creek Shelter, stated in shelter, 2nd floor looking down of course.Beautiful day on the trail blue sky¢s all day, a little cool but times with the coat off. a-lot of uphill today. We made good time with some pain. quite a few dogs out here.  nice people so far.good most of the day, i wanted to scream ¢hell yeah this is awesome ¢ on the way to get water.  then i got emotional and wanted to cry because, I¢m doing this!!!!stover creek shelter, i slept up top of course ?passed a family today, Big Pappy, Mother Nature, twins- Tomahawk Rocky 8 years old and Jack rabbit 6, they were doing two weeks with their dog also?
Date: 2019-04-16
To: Gooch Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 12.9

4-16-18 TuesdayToday was tough, alot of ups, and straight ups, water became scarce in the middle.  I need to figure out lunches. I¢m doing 2 oatmeal packs for breakfast and a hiker meal for dinner. lunch now consist of protein bars and jerky. i may have to switch to PB&J on tortillas or tuna packs. I'm out of snacks, two days until the prospect of a town. I¢m starting to stink. Oh well it is what it is?.I received a cell phone battery charger, i am going to need it, Seaneen is going to send it, Garmin mini is also burning more juice than expected.
Date: 2019-04-17
From: Gooch Mtn Shelter

To: Jarrard Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Wednesday 4-17-19today was supposed to be easier and less miles than yesterday, and it was.  i slept ok last night. fell asleep, unplanned early, and woke up before dark. then back to sleep at dark. The shelter and camping area very busy with 36+ hikers.I was up before dawn, heard an owl and i¢m sure it was full moon last night. had coffee and oatmeal as the sun came up. on the trail an hour earlier today than yesterday. seeing alot of familiar faces, met a couple from Woodstock IL met a couple  Janet and Joe who offered to take me to town at the NOC, if are there. good views today. met a trail maintainer, he walks a section with a backpack of tools and maintains, he cuts trees if they fall over the trail, hand saws only-(rules?!?) pulled up early today. Attack Blood mtn tomorrow, also bear canisters required next 10 miles and i don¢t have one. i did hang a bear line tonight so i can hang my food.Also i got my first blister today, right small toe on the outside and bottom, the i checked other toes and found one on left middle but that one doesn¢t hurt
Date: 2019-04-18
From: Jarrard Gap

To: Neel Gap Mountain Crossings
Miles today: 5.0

worst night of sleep so far, i thought it was going to be good stayed up later. up at 130 until almost 430 then on and off for two hours, going to catch up with me if i¢m shooting fo 13 miles a day on 4+\- hours of sleep.  i think i need some decongestant for sleeping.i forgot to mention yesterday, it seemed as though the birds were much more singy?So Blood Mtn. wasn¢t near as bad as projected. there was trail magic in the shelter, rice crispy treats, mini snicker, mini kit kat was my choosing. There was a privy there too??Mountain Crossings is my first Hostel experience 7 bunk beds, 14 beds with one showers and toilet. they are a very well equipped outfitters. So about 5 miles today, and i¢m calling it a day due to bad storms coming through. So i don¢t think this qualifies as a zero day.  They have a vcr, so i¢m going to grab a movie and a bean bag chair and relax when Alan says good bye.So i perused the dvd & book collection grabbed a bean bag chair and settled in. Then some of the other hikers started carrying in crock pots!!!?????  they said there was an old couple bringing us dinner. They were from a church 30 miles away and they do this once a month. I almost cried, salad, mac and cheese, green beans, cookies, brownies, & sweet tea.BTW the movie is Sister Act & the book is Patterson, Unlucky 13supposed to rain tomorrow too, but i¢m going to hike, cold on Saturday, but Seaneen booked me a room at Top of Georgia on Sunday, they do your laundry.
Date: 2019-04-19
From: Neel Gap Mountain Crossings

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: overcast clouds

so, i can¢t even rank bad nights of sleep anymore.Up not  awake, i¢ve been awake for hours, at 0530, to use the restroom for the 2nd time, and i think dehydrated?!? I will chug 2 bottles before heading out,So out today is an 8-10 hour hike in the rain, potentially.  Then maybe a place in the shelter, if no room the tent goes up in the rain. I¢ll try Benadryl tonight for the congestion and to maybe sleep.Well i pushed and did 21.2, made it to Unicoi Gap, It POURED on me 10 of the 12 hours I hiked today.The trail was quiet, i crossed paths with only one other hiker.Today was a day of waterfalls. With all of the rain everything was flowing.I headed out before coffee and breakfast. when it¢s going to rain all day it doesn¢t matter when you start.  It was rough bit I did it. I hiked in the rain and cold and made it.Im in a Hotel in Helen GA tonight, shorter but colder day tomorrow.