morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-12-02
To: Gear 
Miles today: 0.0

I have loaded up my gear list with data. While there is still a bit of editing to do and some decisions on what to add, drop or change, this is substantially complete. I made modifications from the past list of 05'. I will make modifications as I go north by dropping some of the winter clothing and replace some of the gear with stuff more suited to the warmer weather. Mountain Air Gear an outdoor sports store in Wenatchee has been helping me with modifications to my pack. This is my second Granite Gear Vapor and both have issues of seam failure. Since the pack fits and works so well, I have had some work done to shore up failure points. I have added a few photos to keep track of what has been done. Two reasons: in case I need another one, I can call Mountain Air from the AT and ask for another pack be sent to next mail drop and they can reference this site so they can repeat these modifications; and, if Granite Gear is monitoring this site, maybe they will make the effort to make modifications themselves and save me and others more grief. I really like this pack which is why Mountain Air and I figured out the modifications. I returned the first pack (purchased from REI) when it failed and they sent me this second pack which shows similar signs of future seam failure. Mountain Air was willing to send the pack back to Granite Gear, but I told them it was a waste of my time as all their packs have the same stitch design. Rather, I would like to keep the pack and strengthen the failure points. Additionally, Mountain Air added another outside pocket--see photo for details. This is not really complex and I suspect if you want a similar fix, Mountain Air could help you out. I have no financial interest in Mountain Air--my only interest is that they have been most helpful to me and their costs are reasonable compared to others in the business. Additionally, I have removed all the excess "stuff" from this pack to drop a bit of weight. I am still working on the stove. I have attempted a couple soda can alcohol stoves, but have not got the technique perfected. So, I may be making another purchase rather than waste my time on this. Maybe I'll meet someone on the trail that can do this and give me some lessons. It seems too simple for me to be having so much trouble. I need to get a watch (retiree's only need a watch to get to the doctor appointments on time and take meds). I take my meds with sun up so am ok unless we get an eclipse....the doctor appointments are challenging. I may send the watch home as well and just hike light to dark, or whatever.Also, I have not sorted out updating my journal. I have seen other posts about pocket mail and smart phones for the high tech end; and, snail mail with home support person doing the updates. I like the idea of smart phone, but I need to do a bit more research to see capabilities and costs before I leap off the deep end. If there is not too much coverage, seems like a huge waste of time and money.
Date: 2006-12-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday I posted my gear list and today I did a bit of modification. I have identified what I will wear (pretty much every day regardles of weather) and carry in my pockets by posting "wear" as part of the name of the item. I posted some information about what I am missing or plan to redo, but there are still a few missing items that I need to sort out. I suspect this will be a work in progress right up to the night I pack up to leave for plane ride to Atlanta.Thanks to the folks that have signed my journal. It increases the excitement of getting ready for this adventure. On my list of thru hikers (prep 1 post), I tried to keep track of +50 year old hikers and follow their journey from beginning to end. I determined ages based upon what was posted, sometimes an actual age (15 out of 63 actually admitted how old they were), but mostly from the posting. If someone posted they were a Viet vet, I assumed they were over 50 similarly if they said they were in high school in the 60's I similarly assumed they were of that age. In some cases fellow hikers provided ages of hiking companions. I did actually delete a couple from the list in July and August when they provided ages less then 50. Not very scientific, but I was interested in the folks about my age to see if they did anything special to prepare and make their journey. Of the 15 who actually posted their age, 8 (4 over 60 and 4 less than 60) did not thru hike this year. There were 7 who completed the thru hike of which 5 were less than 60 and 2 over 60. Additionally, the oldest hiker was a young 83- Cimarron. Based upon this very subjective data, it appears that posting your age increases the probability of completing a thru hike---but in small print the disclaimer that this may be hazardous and subject all sorts of government oversight.........I added a picture of one of the new snows along Peshastin Creek. Part of my training area and something to remind me of all the hours I have been spending hiking as I prepare for my hike--rain, sleet and snow will not keep me from the appointed rounds. I am more excited about this hike than the last one, don't know why but the days are going too slow. I can not wait to get back to hiking.
Date: 2006-12-20
To: Busy
Miles today: 0.0

The departure date is getting closer and the excitement is rising. I still have lots to do in the next couple months to get all the food and mail drops put together. Just received the 07' AT Data Book and am updating the 05' spreadsheet used to plan mail drops. The spread sheet is a lot lighter and smaller than the data book. AT Thru-Hiker¢s Companion is back ordered. The Companion is too much weight so I will put the pages needed for the next section in each mail drop.  It has been almost crazy around here the last couple weeks. I went to Spokane the end of November for a State Conservation District annual meeting. It was a good meeting with a lot of activity. One of the high lights was an evening of cowboy singing by Jim Reader and TJ Casey. Jim is from High River, Alberta and TJ from Montana. Both write their own material. Not often do I buy a tape from artists after a performance, but these guys were awesome and the CD¢s are even better-like wicked good!   On the way home from Spokane, I stopped in Moses Lake for a visit with our daughter and her husband who presented us with a new grandson. Everyone is healthy and doing well. He is a big guy, entering the world at 9lbs & 11oz. Mom is getting a break as he likes to sleep for several hours at a time. Grand daughter is undecided about new baby brother. Carla stayed on for a couple days to help with the transition from hospital to home and I came home to secure the home front.Then we were hammered with a series of snow and wind storms. The snow thrower has been working overtime as it is a long driveway from the house to the highway and the snow was wet and heavy. It seemed as though snow was coming down faster than I could get it off the road. And then the winds came and the power could not decide what to do, on or off. We lost one small tree and the neighbors lost a couple. Except for trees across fences and driveway, we were very fortunate as the damage was pretty minor-fixable with a chain saw and a few fence staples.On the 24th we go the Seahawks vs Chargers football game. The Seahawks need to pull their act together if they expect to play in the post season. I suspect this will be the deciding game and the Seahawks are not looking too good right now.After the game, we will visit with our daughter and her family in Olympia¢more grandkids¢ fun! You just can not get enough of the grandkids. Carla and I have been having fun buying presents for all the grand kids. It is amazing the toys that are out there.   On the 26th, we are heading to Chile via Peru. We plan to stop a couple days in Peru and go to Cusco and Machu Picchu before we head to Santiago. One of our nieces is getting married and we plan to add to the merriment. It is going to be a fun trip.After we return home, Carla goes back to work and I kick into high gear getting ready for the AT.   I am hopeful that my training will not suffer too much more in the next couple weeks, but it is going to be tough to do much hiking. I will have less than two months, but who is counting?We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.
Date: 2006-12-21
To: Gear Update
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday I made some adjustments in the gear. This is the second big check of stuff. I hope to have all the gear finalized the end of January and then do one last tweak as I pack for the trip to Atlanta. Most of what I have has been tested several times and I think it will stay in the mix. Once I get the final stuff pulled together, I will do a few shake down cruises and make sure it all functions well together. So in Feb., I will make a few changes and then be on the AT, going north. Lots to do after the holidays.
Date: 2007-01-11
To: Back home
Miles today: 0.0

The last month has been busy. It has been holiday celebrations, shoveling snow, repairing windstorm damage and traveling. We traveled to Chile for our nieces¢ wedding and along the way stopped over in Peru to visit Cusco and Machu Picchu. It was a great wedding and we had a great deal of fun visiting. You would think that wandering around Cusco at 10 or 11 thousand feet would have helped me to get in shape, but no such luck-too much eat and party time setback the training. Oh well, it was all great fun and I can mumble a few more words in Spanish. Those Inca¢s were pretty impressive builders and farmers. I have put together the menu and am getting the mail drop locations and food boxes started. Most of the gear is set and bottom line there is not much change from the 2005 trip. However, I continue the constant tweaking and obsessing over this or that item. The obsessing will probably last until I board the plane.I have been reading journals and it seems everyone is getting as excited as I am and I am looking forward to putting faces to the names and meeting everyone as we travel north. I also noted there are a few hardy souls already heading north¢I wish you the best and a safe journey.Now I really need to focus on getting into shape.
Date: 2007-01-13
To: March 5 & 7
Miles today: 0.0

The flight arrangements are to leave here on March 5, fly all night and arrive in Atlanta on March 6. I will stay at the Hiker Hostel the night of March 6th and start hiking on March 7. Time is flying--so much to do.The training continues as I have been making my rounds in snow shoes and back pack. The extra weight on the feet sure is telling-meaning I have lots more work to do. It is fun walking around and seeing lots of tracks in the snow, but mostly small criters like squirrels and mice. There is a racoon den along the creek and they are pretty active as well. The deer and elk pretty much stay up on the south slope above the valley bottom where I walk as the sun keeps the snow depth down so they can feed and move around. I see them once in awhile, but it has been far and few between this winter. The snow is crunchy so I make lots of noise so tracks is about as close as I can get.Best wishes to the current hikers...have fun and I hope you are not too cold or wet.
Date: 2007-01-26
To: Bad cold
Miles today: 0.0

I have spent the last couple weeks fighting a cold. It kept me in bed for a few days and that is like a slow death for me. I have too much energy to lay around and trying to keep in bed to get rid of a cold is tough to do. My real problem was every time I went out side to the cold weather and tried to walk, I would start this terrible coughing and could not do anything. This has created havoc with my training. Yesterday was really my first day back and it was short and very obvious that the damage has been done. I need to be in better shape and the time is marching on. Sooo much to do.I have been reading the journals of the hikers that have already started and that just makes being here that much harder--spring fever has sprung. No, looking outside at all the snow and ice does not change the feeling.Went to the doctor on Tuesday and he confirmed all I have is a cold, and my lungs sounded good. I wondered if he was listening to his lungs cause mine were hurting. Anyhow, he proclaimed I am in pretty good shape for my age. He thinks it is amazing I would be hiking the AT. He once told me that the bulk of the people (my age)who visit him would have trouble on even an easy day hike. Anyhow, he is very supportive of my hiking and was most helpful when I was getting my plantar faciittis issues resolved. I did get my prescription for the next five months to keep the meds on track. Next couple weeks I will be drying food and packing boxes for mail drops. Plus all the last minute projects around here that need to be completed. The good news for me is that we are not moving as I noted several folks have posted in their TJ. I remember moving many years ago after finishing school, it all fit in the back of a car, then it all fit in the back of a pick up, then it all fit in the back of a small u-haul, then it all fit in a larger u-haul, then...we gotta have a house sale to get rid of good stuff to keep the great stuff......the next move will be a huge downsizing project. If we can hold out until the grand kids are getting out of school, we will have a built in good will place to take good stuff. But for the folks that are moving out of apartments and houses and everything is going into storage, it has to be really a hassle and I hope it goes well.Slow time, waiting to start hiking and fast time, everything yet to be done before March 5. Good luck to hikers already living the dream.
Date: 2007-02-15
To: Still in Prep mode
Miles today: 0.0

Just could not resist this picture from 05' hike. It appears this critter is either looking to make sure it has not gotten off the trail or is waiting for the mouse migration going from shelter to shelter with thru hikers. Either way, a very good location to check the views. You just gotta love em' snakes cause a few more would help with the mouse population. I am still in the planning mode and seems like everything is way over due, like starting.Have reservations for Hiker Hostel and will start on the trail March 7.Reading journals of folks who have already started makes the waiting harder, but glad I am missing some of the nasty weather. Hopefully it will warm up a bit in the next couple weeks. But if is does not, so be it. The trail calls.
Date: 2007-03-05
To: Travel Day
Miles today: 0.0

Today is the last of the preparation and it is off to the airport. Carla is going to take me to town and I will make a short stop at Mom and Dad's while waiting for the plane. And then an all night flight into Atlanta. Leigh from Hiker Hostel will provide transportation and a place to stay on Tuesday night.Carla is going to keep up my journal while I hike so between town stops and mailings, I think this will all work. It has been a very busy couple weeks trying to get all the last minute things finished up and there are still many items on the list. Guess they will be waiting for me when I get back home.While I am high on anticipation, it is going to be a long time without seeing family and friends and that is the more difficult part of leaving. Wishing the 07' Thru Hikers the best of luck and a safe trip. Let the fun begin.
Date: 2007-03-06
To: Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After an all night flight, I am now at the Hiker Hostel. Tomorrow I will begin the journey north. While it is still early, there are two other hikers here who plan to get on the trail tomorrow. It was a full plane. The person sitting next to me was returning to Atlanta from a fishing trip on the Hoh River. He had a great time so it was an interesting conversation. Mostly we tried to sleep.I loaded up my pack and put it on the scale. With 4 days of food, fuel and water, it tops out at 33 lbs. Then, adding my boots, what I wear and things I stuff in my pockets, the total weight for skin out is 40 lbs. I was wishing it would be a bit less. Looks like I will have plenty of time to work on the details the next few weeks. It will need to be much lower before I get to Fontana Dam where I really will need to load up on the food. This is also dry weight, it will gain a bit of weight as the rains come..........It is sunny and warm and the prediction is for more of the same for a few days. I have the sun screen, bring on the sun.Best wishes to everyone.
Date: 2007-03-07
From: Hiker Hostel

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: broken clouds

Today was a great day. Up at 6:30 am for breakfast and then a ride from the Hiker Hostel to Springer Mountain trailhead (Forest Service Road 42) with Paul. Started hiking from the trail head about 9 am and headed south to Springer Mountain (3,730'). Signed the log book, took a few pictures and then headed north about 10 am. Not a real early start, but it was great to be on the trail and to start once again on the trek to Maine. I was hiking with Jason who I met at the Hiker Hostel and we traveled pretty much together to Hawk Mountain shelter. No wildlife to report, except for some crows making all sorts of noise around Springer.The trail is in great shape, many thanks to the volunteers who make and keep the AT the crown jewel that it is.I ate lunch at Three Forks (2,530') and then arrived at Hawk Mountain shelter about 2:30 pm. There were not too many people on the trail (10 hikers before lunch), and there are about a dozen people at the shelter. About half the people are in tents and about half in the shelter. I do not remember all the names and there are a mixture of thru's and weekend hikers. Dana and Gordo and Donna Logan are thru hikers, Jason and several others are long distance, but not thru hiking.The weather was great all day. Lots of sun and just a light wind to keep it at an ideal hiking temperature. Much more of the same forecasted for the next several days.Hawk Mountain Shelter was just as I remembered it, but it has a new privy--totally upscale. Water source has not moved, still down the blue blaze trail behind the shelter and its a bit down the hill.Ate dinner about 5 pm then we sat around a fire and shared stories. I went to bed about 7:30 pm.
Date: 2007-03-08
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: clear sky

I got up with the day light, about 6:45 am. Along with cooking breakfast and packing up, I watched the sun rise. What a beautiful day. Last night, listened to Army helicopters in the middle of the night. Also heard an owl after the helicopters left. The moon was full all night and a person could have hiked it was so bright.I hiked down to HighTower Gap and then up Sassafrass Mountain, down the next gap and then up Justis Mountain (3,224'). Ate lunch at the stream just before Gooch Gap shelter. At lunch, I peeled off my gaiters and applied the sun screen. I hiked in shorts and short sleeve shirt. It is unusually warm as I hiked the rest of the way to Woody Gap. I did not see to many people until I got to Woody Gap (3,150')where I was passed by 4 thru hikers and met members of a hiking club from Virginia Tech on a week long outing.Talked to "Tony" at Woody Gap. Tony has been sending notes to "Just Jim" who is becoming a trail legend. Hopefully I will meet him some where north of here. Tonight I am staying at the Hiker Hostel. Washed up my clothes which I have been wearing since Monday plane ride, cooked dinner in the hiker kitchen and will be back at Woody Gap in the morning. Hiker Hostel is a great place.
Date: 2007-03-09
From: Woody Gap

To: Wolf Laurel Top
Miles today: 14.0

Ate breakfast at the Hiker Hostel (HH) and got a shuttle ride to Woody Gap with Jamie. Jamie and Paul will be the new owners of the AT Hiker Hostel in Millinocket starting in April. I look forward to staying with them when I get to Maine. In talking with Jamie on the way to Woody Gap, she remembers my hiking partner of 2005, Three Feathers who lives in Rangeley. Small hiker world.The hike to Neels Gap was a great trip--all sun so I hiked in shorts, t-shirt and sun screen. There were a lot of people on Blood Mountain (4,461) including a group of Americorp folks who are taking a break from work. This is a great organization that does a lot of really good work, but they have a problem getting funding from Congress to do much more.I picked up my mail drop box at Neels Gap (3,125')from Moman who is working there while he heals up. Moman is thinking he will start hiking tomorrow or so. I also met Dana and Gordo at Neels Gap as they had stopped to wash clothes and eat pizza.At Neels Gap, I signed the guest book. I am thru hiker number 158 which is a much lower number than my 2005' attempt. I also picked up a Pepsi and candy bar to hold me while I repacked my pack. The pack weight was at 42 lbs after the reload-ugh.I hiked up out of Neels Gap remembering the pouring rain storm in 2005--it was really sunny and warm. I hiked to Wolf Laurel and camped with Gordo and Dana. There is another group of weekend campers here.
Date: 2007-03-10
From: Wolf Laurel Top

To: Blue Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was a long day. I got up at 6:30 am and was hiking by 7:15 am. It was windy last night and I got up in the middle of the night because I set up the tent with the open end into the wind. After a 180 degree turn, I went back to bed. At least I did not become a sail into the forest.It was cool and foggy with a light mist/rain at the start of the hike but soon warmed up and I switched into my usual shorts, t-shirt and sun screen.The drop into Tesnatee Gap (3,138')was rocky and steep, but I did see 4 grouse along the way. The climb up Wild Cat Mountain seemed tougher than I remembered. There was a group of college aged folks camped at the summit.I stopped at Low Gap shelter (2,990') at 11:30 am and met up with Boy Scout Troop 146 from Birmingwood, GA. Well mannered group as they stepped off the trail so I could pass. Low Gap Shelter is the location where a 2000 hiker reported waking up in the shelter with a bear standing over the top of him--now that could qualify as a scary!I ate lunch at noon and talked to Carla. I was playing leap frog with a group of college kids, but I sensed they could pass me with a cloud of dust if they stopped taking lots of breaks.I spent the afternoon in a sweat getting up to Blue Mountain shelter (3,900') where I met Beach Bum and 357 Magnum. Gordo was also there, but has been renamed Conquistador by the Boy Scouts who think he is going to Spain--funny story. White Crow arrived shortly after I did to retrieve a jacket he left hanging in the shelter. We ate dinner and then spent the evening around White Crow's custom built fire--thanks White Crow. Blue Mountain Shelter, famous for the cold north winds.It was another great day on the trail, but I am definitely out of shape and the climb to Blue Mountain made it show.