morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-08-09
From: Mizpah Spring Hut NH

To: The Perch shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: broken clouds

I woke up at 5:30, went and got my wet clothes from where they hanging in the library, changed into them, and got back into bed (so I would have warm wet clothes to hike in instead of cold wet clothes). The croo sang "Down to the River" from 'O Brother Where Art Thou' for the 6:30 wakeup. The breakfast skit was based on "Be Our Guest" from 'Beauty and the Beast' - some good singers in this crew.I left at 8 am after a breakfast of cream of wheat, pancakes, and bacon. During breakfast, we started seeing some blue sky. So as bad as things worked out yesterday, they worked out perfect for today. It was 51 degrees when I left but got warmer and the sun dried out my clothes quickly.I went to Lake of the Clouds hut for a rest and a peanut butter and honey tortilla. Also got sunscreen. Then it was up Mount Washington. I passed the sign that said: "The area ahead has the worst weather in America. Many have died of exposure here, even in summer. Turn back now if the weather is bad". Mount Washington has the record for the highest recorded land windspeed (231 mph). The average summertime day temp is 52, and the highest recorded temp ever was 74. That morning they had gusts up to 93 mph. The reason I mention this is that I had wierdly fantastic weather - clear (it's usually in clouds), 67 degrees, and only a slight breeze. It made for great views and the summit was packed (there is a road that makes the summit accessible by car). I was sure I had seen people with cheeseburgers from the snack bar when I was there with my family, but I settled for a chili dog and a coke, which was yummy. This biker couple sat down at my table. They said the auto road starts out wide and paved, but then changes to a narrow packed dirt road with no guard rails. Yikes!Then began the long downhill rock hop from Mount Washington - ow. At some point I realized I didn't have my map and guidebook pages but thought I might have stashed them somewhere wierd, so I wanted to look more later. I was near the cog railroad when 2 cars were stopped to pass each other but I was too chicken to moon it (also didn't want to get hit with coal). I decided to stay at the Perch shelter which is run by the Randolph Mountain club rather than going an extra 0.5 miles to Madison Hut because there were 2 NOBOs ahead of me, and also the huts are kind of noisy. I did have to go 0.9 miles off the trail down a ravine to get to it - drag. But I saw an amazing sunset and got to the shelter just after dark. Ate and went to bed.
Date: 2007-08-12
From: Point Judith, RI

To: Lexington, MA
Miles today: 0.0

Finished my book I bought at the Stop and Shop - The Ruins. It's about a group of Americans on vacation in Mexico who go to find a Mayan ruin and get killed by an evil possessed vine. I need to focus on urban crime mysteries so I am able to sleep at night in the woods.
Date: 2007-08-13
From: Lexington, MA

To: Lexington, MA
Miles today: 0.0

My brother-in-law pulled some strings so I got an appointment with an orthopedist today. X-rays were fine, ligaments fine, and I got shot up with cortisone in both knees. Takes 48 hours to really set in but I'm hopeful I can at least get through Maine.Leigh - every time I would step down on the trail and get a sharp pain I would moan 'oh it's that cottage in my knees' - (it's how she heard this guy from the south pronounce 'cartilage'). And it was the cartilage that was inflamed.Went to see 'Becoming Jane' with my sister - chicks flicks are awesome!
Date: 2007-08-14
From: Lexington, MA

To: Lexington, MA
Miles today: 0.0

I almost was able to walk down the stairs this morning so I'm really encouraged. Made a peach pie - it's nice to cook with a real oven instead of an alcohol stove. Thinking of getting on the trail by Monday but can't decide where. May skip a section of the Whites for logistical reasons.
Date: 2007-08-21
From: Gorham, NH

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I got in by bus last night and stayed at the Colonial Comfort Inn. I had breakfast at the Inn but Bruno, the owner, wasn't sure when he could shuttle me back to the trail since his cook didn't show.I went to the P.O., expecting to get my mail drop and a care package from Yellow (Leigh). The P.O. clerk gave me Leigh's package and said that's all there was. I was a little taken aback and went back to the hotel to get my phone. At first I was trying to think how I would replace all the items in my mail drop - the food wasn't so bad, but then there were things like maps that would be harder. Then I was thinking that it HAD to be there.So I got details of the package from my mom. I went to the P.O. and got the same clerk. We went through this long interchange - I said it was a flat rate Priority mail box, dress shirt size, sent 2 weeks ago, with my name on every side, and she looked in a couple places. She asked if it had delivery confirmation (it didn't). Then I said "It has ABC stickers on it" and she remembered it and got it right away. So my advice to hikers - put stickers on your boxes, and be persistent.My care package from Leigh was awesome. So my advice for the folks at home is to send your hikers this exact care package. There was a card, a $5 bill with a note to buy myself a beer, a toothbrush (Leigh said she remembered how ratty hers got - so true), a Kauai Kiss lip balm, a newspaper article about out canoe club, and all kinds of macadmaia snacks. Nothing heavy, but things to remind you of home and lift your morale. Thanks so much Leigh!By the time this was all sorted out, I decided it was late to start hiking and chilled for the rest of the day.
Date: 2007-08-22
From: Gorham, NH

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I got up and got myself ready to go back on the trail. At 7:20 I ran across the bus schedule and there was a bus to Boston at 7:50, and I decided to get it.Although it was kind of spur of the moment, there were a number of things I had been worried about. First of all, my knees bothered me a lot when I had the pack on and especially doing the stairs at South Station. Also I was entering an area with difficult terrain without good bail-out points, and wasn't sure if I would have cell phone reception. I was thinking of hiking one day, then hiking back if it wasn't working out, but that morning I just decided to hang up my gaiters for the year.I got the bus with a couple other people. I was eavesdropping on these 2 guys - one had hiked from Newfoundland to Katahdin, and the other was going some kind of canoe trip with really long portages (both had previously thru-hiked the AT). Total nuts - makes hiking the AT seem so tame by comparison.So I ended up back in Lexington. Looking forward to doing more on the AT, but some other time.
Date: 2007-02-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

well i leave march 22nd to begin hiking on the 24th. Have all my gear except for the fact every time i read someone elses journal i am reminded of more "sh_t" i dont have but might need. Should tell you i am a strappingly good looking fifty year old with absolutely no woodsy skills. i am a diabetic who had a heart attack at the ripe ole age of 48 and, oh yea, i have allergies. Most of my employees think i will quit in the first few weeks. hopefully keeping this journal will inspire me to stick with it. i am not going to bore you with a list of my gear or what my pack wieghs or what i am going to eat. You can write to me direct if you want that info. My address is gatoroz@sweetberries.com. My trail name is gatorgump in honor of the magnificent 2006 florida gators (my school) and in honor of my equally magnificent employees who have been calling me "forrest gump" since i have been walking every where lately with a forty pound pack on my back looking like a douchebag. more later on my training (as if you care).
Date: 2007-02-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

some of you might want to know if i am training for this event. yes, but it is hard because as my wife put it..."dear you cant take two months off to train so you can take six months off". We own some small businesses and bless her i am leaving it all in her capable hands while i go on my "walkabout", as the aussies would say. so i do what i can, i live in florida so i walk on the beach with a 40 pound pack, i camp in my back yard, and i walk up an 8 story garage but mostly i am eating more than usual in order to gain that excess stomach fat i will need to live off of. good plan huh? i am going to write one more entry just because the rules say they wont post until you have three and i want to see if i am doing this journal correctly, photos and all. so signing off gatorgump.
Date: 2007-02-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

some of you have asked why am i doing this? well there are several reasons. i need a new challenge. i need to replenish my spirit, something primal this way calls. i have bad feet due to diabetes and i want to make the pain permanent. i had a heart attack at 48 and i want to test the new stints. i was fishing around in my old t-shirt drawer and came across these old maps and trail guides. (i am using "wingfoot"s 2000 edition, hope things havent changed much). So, in summary, i have bad feet,heart disease, allergies,hate sleeping on a hard surface,and i snore like a frieght train; anyone want to hike with me? It should be fun. i will probably put up one more entry before i leave with a picture of my bald head just so you know the sacrifice (i have great hair) i am willing to make for the success of this adventure. nothing less than katadin (for my employees, that is a mountain in maine, which is a cold as hell state far far from florida) will be considered success. so until later this is gatorgump signing off.
Date: 2007-02-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well it is less than one month before i leave and i seem to have everything i will need, of course who really knows until one is out there. i am posting this rather studly picture of myself so that i can compare six months later what the trail has done to me. I have decided to keep track of meaningful "firsts" along the way. To be a "first" the event has to be significant, for example seeing a rattle snake, no big deal, getting bit by one would be a first. I am also going to use this journal to impart useful lessons on to other first time hikers who may be coming after me.So I have my gear, have plotted my course, plotted my resupplies, worked on my fitness, now i just have one question, WHO IS GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THESE GUNS WHILE I AM GONE??????
Date: 2007-03-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well future thru-hikers, today i pulled a Brittney Spears! No i didnt flash my panty-less crotch at the paparazzi...silly readers. I shaved my head. This is an AT FIRST FIRST for me. I have never been bald. On the trail there are famous treeless mountains called "balds". Places like Siler Bald, Wesser Bald,Wayah Bald and now there is Gator Bald.LESSON ONE for future thru hikers is you may start out pretty but you wont end up that way. In the entire history of the AT there has never been a pretty person to Summitt Mt. Katahdin but dont take my word for it, look all the past photos. The trail is no place for pretty so if you are not ugly now then get that way. I did.
Date: 2007-03-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Lots of questions from people now that they know i am really leaving tomorrow. Here is how this journey breakes down;5,000,000 steps2175 miles250 shelters180 days40 lb pack14 states8 national forrests6 national parks5.5 months1 roll of toilet paperSo there you have it. Keep in mind i can only update my journal when in a town for resupply. Hitchhiking will be an adventure in itself so i ordered a special bandana. i will keep a daily written journal. if you jump ahead to the last entry then you will most likely miss the previous six or seven entries. I must also record a significant SECOND FIRST and THIRD FIRST associated with this adventure. i know it must be a slow news week but our local paper put my story on the front page and then channel 10 news called and i made the nightly television. This is my Andy Warhol moment. The pressure is on.
Date: 2007-03-21
To: LESSON TWO
Miles today: 0.0

Hello future thru-hikers, this is LESSON TWO!! On your way be sure to visit your moms and beg for cookies. On the trail cookies are like cigarettes in prison. Money in the bank. You can buy anything with them; beer, gear, and yes, even sex. So get your cookies!!!On another note, it seems i may already have an intial hiking partner. His name is Dan and i havent met him yet but from phone conversations he sounds like a character ( i love characters) He is very prepared, no correction, He is EXTREMELY prepared. Just to find the right one he has purchased five packs, four stoves and, this is the best part, he bought four 2007 guide books. One he has torn into sections to save wieght, one he gave to his wife (as a backup), the third he gave to his best friend (in case his wife leaves him while he is away for so long) and the fourth he put in what we hikers call a mail drop bounce box (in case his wife leaves him for his best friend).I think i shall call him "Redundant Dan",(RD for short) but to get the right effect you have to say it as Forrest Gump said "Lieutenant Dan", three times in a row with great enthusiasm. I hope he has a sense of humor.One last note, I am still stoked about being on the cover of our local paper and on TV!! To view both or either go to www.bradenton.com and go to the "as mentioned" section. Article was titled "A heart, a brain and courage". Thier web site has a search field. To view the entire TV news segement go to www.tampabays10.com and they also have a search field. That segment was titled "heart attack survivor goes the distance to change life" Both very dramatic i know but hey i didnt write them. Both are tracking the journal and have links to this site.
Date: 2007-03-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

well we are here at the "Hiker Hostel" in Dahlonega, Ga. Puported home of Americas first Gold Rush. Here in the land of the three P,s (pecans,peaches,and peanuts), saw some confusing highway billboards on the way into georgia. One said "Adcock Pecans Sold Here". Why would anyone do that? Pecans taste great all by themselves. Oh well this is the deep south and they do things different here, get used to it.Wife and daughter are sleeping in a bunk area with 17 other anxious soon-to-start thru-hikers. This place is a popular launching pad for the AT. I was in a hurry to get here so got a speeding ticket, 79 in a 55, trip is already costing me more than my initial budget. We will be getting familiar with the local roads tomorrow as the inital plan is for cindy to pick me up where the trail crosses a road and shuttle me back and forth from cabins to trail. Start hiking on saturday. i would love to do the whole trail that way but we figured it would cost $127,000 by the time i got to Maine so she will be getting our daughter back to high school next friday (the 30th?)
Date: 2007-03-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

My starting wieght is 201lbs. I couldnt sleep a wink last night. I am like a youngster anticipating his first day of school. Will the other hikers like me? Will they make fun and throw rocks at me? Am i going to die? It is all so unmanly.I met Redundant Dan today and we reviewed tomorrows plan to hike at least ten miles. I also issued him a challenge, if either of us does not make it to the base of Mt Katahdin then the other will owe $500 to the winner. Regardless of injury,lime disease, doesnt matter. If he dies his wife owes me $500.
Date: 2007-03-24
From: springer mountain

To: Sassafras mtn.
Miles today: 14.5

I begin my journey today in honor of my grandmother and mother, both of whom cried when i left. The Appalachian Trail begins atop Springer Mountain. Here, there is a time honored tradition which I keep. It is customary, in order to test the weather conditions, that each long distance hiker bare-ass the metal, rock embedded plaque which marks the southern terminus. If you pull away cleanly then it is warm enough for you to continue.The plaque is littered with tiny bits of hiker hiney left there by thru hikers who attempted to start when the weather was just too damn cold.I pull away cleanly. Time to Get-R-Done.The day started gloriously, very hot, over 80 degrees but cool in the AM. Saw deer scamper over the mountain, ruffed grouse by the trailside, and had lunch by a beautiful waterfall while watching some shrewy looking animal jump from rock to rock. Then in tha afternoon things got a little dicey. We passed right by hawk mountain shelter which was to be a critical water stop. I had plenty but RD ran out so i gave him half of mine. We then had five miles and two rough mountains to cross before water. If you dont think that is dangerous then look at the photo of the hiker right in front of us who had to be carried off MT Sassafras and taken to the hospital. HIs thru-hike is over after the first day.I would have been fine but RD drinks alot. (I think i will change his name to Dependent Dan) Anyway we would have been in trouble ourselves if we hadnt of come across the very same red cross workers who carted off the other hiker and they gave us each 2 liters of water and saved our asses. My first trail magic!!!But here i am now gram and mom, strong and fit so dont worry about me. We ended up doing 14.5 miles today and i am exhausted but happy. I will sleep soundly surrounded by the scent of pine, next to a babbling brook, in cool, dry, 50 degree weather. In a word- Perfect.LESSON THREE FUTURE THRU HIKERS- It is not about the gear it is about the brains you bring with that gear.
Date: 2007-03-25
To: Suches area
Miles today: 6.0

Easy day today as we did more than our goal yesterday. Another hot and sunny day and we ended near a town called Suches (pronounced Such(s))Interesting story about how this town got its name. Seems that back in the day the local country boys were so enamored with the rotund buns of the local females that they used to constantly remark the phrase "hmmmmmm...such ass". the term was used so often, and this being the deep south, they decided to name the town "Such Ass". Then when education arrived, about twenty years ago, they shortened the name to what it is today.Huh, how about that?I should also tell you all that Dan does not want to be called Redundant dan or Dependent dan. He has chosen the name Barking Spider. The spider moniker comes from the funny looking black leggings he wears and the barking part is because he both burps and farts....alot.He picked the name, not me, personally i would have gone with the RD or DD names i gave him.
Date: 2007-03-26
From: Suches area

To: Neels gap
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Easy ten miles today. Crossed over Blood Mountain. Locals say that is was so named due to an old bloody indian battle but i have come to the conclusion it is because your nose bleeds when you try to cross this highest peak in Georgia on just your third day of hiking. (Barking Spider's nose really did start to bleed)We are now here at the Walasi Yi Center. The only building that the AT actually goes right thur the center of. At this outfitters store they weigh your pack, always tell you it is too heavy, then get you to send stuff home and buy some of their lightweight but very expensive gear. Pretty sharp marketing huh Charis?My pack comes in at a respectable 50 lbs!! Hey any ten year old girl can carry 26 lbs over these mountains. It takes a real man to hump 50 lbs over these mountains.LESSON 4 future thru hikers- dont fall for that lighten your pack stuff. Remember the more you carry, the more you have....to carry.Besides you never know when that smoothie blender will come in handy.
Date: 2007-03-27
From: Neels gap

To: hogpen gap
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well I have hiked about 40 miles in 4 days, a respectable distance for a first time heart attack victim. My conditioning has paid off, I usually leave Barking Spider miles behind me so I am by myself each and all day.But I am not alone, the birds and the flowers have discovered that it is spring time, fascinating insects appear each day and all the trees are begining to awaken.I must admit I am having a love affair with mother nature. It is a little embarassing as she is much older than i. Please do not tell my wife.
Date: 2007-03-28
From: hogpen gap

To: Unicoi gap
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: broken clouds

i am writing this on tuesday but tomorrow we plan to hike 13.6 miles to stay on schedule with our 10 miles per day plan. Some people have asked me how do we get water and do i treat my water?Some hikers use chlorine tablets, iodine, aqua mira, all chemicals to treat thier water. some use ceramic filters, but real men just drink straight from the stream bottom, sediment and all. Let that bacteria build up in your gut, sure you might get a little sick but think how prepared in the long run you will be for that trip to Mexico.LESSON FIVE- for you future thru hikers- normally i would say that getting sick is just mind over matter, except when it is fecal matter.DONT TREAT YOUR WATER!!!
Date: 2007-03-29
From: Unicoi gap

To: Tray Mountain shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Todays hike is dedicated to my partner, my best friend, my father. I miss you.We hiked up to tray mtn shelter, this is my FOURTH A.T. FIRST! I have never slept in a shelter before. It should be noted that the shelters,while being a haven in stormy weather, have one serious drawback. They are all infested with mice. Mice are a far greater threat to hikers than are bears. They will eat through any gear; tent,pack,foodbag. Many of the bear hanging wires have special "mice guards" built at each end. They seem to have no fear of man and will scamper across your face as you sleep. It is not uncommon for an unwary thru hiker to leave a shelter with mice in his pack only to find all his food contaminated by the time he reaches his next stop.It is for this reason many hikers will bring along mouse traps and kill 10 to 20 mice before bedtime. Do not feel sorry for these vermin as their supply is endless.One game hikers like to play is the "toss the mouse" game. Set a small amount of food on your sleeping bag (yes with you in it) and at just the right time slap your hands against the inside of the bag. I think the record is twenty feet.I have invented my own mouse game. I call it the "put food inside and all around Barking Spiders sleeping bag while he is asleep" game.
Date: 2007-03-30
From: Tray Mountain shelter

To: dicks creek gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

we are now in Hiawassee, Ga. Cindy picked us up for the last time. Tomorrow the easy life ends. Todays hike was dedicated to my great manager Brooke, because it is her birthday.The temp. took a nose dive this am, it was very hard to get out of our warm bags. A heavy fog rolled in all night,it was wet,cold,windy and raw.Now on a more serious note. Some of you future thru- hikers have asked me if the shelters have restrooms and running water?Well LESSON 6 should answer that stupid question. It is important that you master the "shallow crapping hole technique". However DO NOT attempt the "one handed cheek separation" while performing the "shallow hole crapping technique". You are much too inexperienced for this as yet. In the beginning just grease the monkey and go. Since you wont be bathing much you can probably get away with greasing the monkey only once every two weeks.Many a thru hiker have fallen backwards during post-fecal discharge only to have to spend hours and all of their remaining toilet paper cleaning up. Even then no one will want to walk behind you.Another interesting bit of trail history I picked up here in town is that this town was named after the indian hero in that famous Longfellow poem "The song of Hiawassee." Huh, how bout that!!!