morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-08-20
To: The Fast Hiker
Miles today: 0.0

Today I climbed down from Greybeard Mountain and up to Mt. Mitchell. I really did not know what kind of pace I had with a 40lb pack and a couple foot blisters. I learned that hiking uphill eats the back of your heals, while downhill gets your pads and toes on the front of your foot. Thank God for Moleskin. I hiked a utility trail for a couple hours to a paved road. The paved road lead to the enterence to Mt. Mitchell State Park. I was looking for Pinnacle Springs but found the trail to Camp Alice. Camp Alice was 3.8 miles. This was the first guaged distace that I actually had to time my pace. I hiked for and hour and a half to a nice little waterfall where I took a break. I then hiked for another 20 min to a clearing with nothing but gravel and rocks. I did not think this was Camp Alice so I followed the gravel. I soon realized that the gravel road was leading away from Mt. Mitchell. It was too far to turn back so I continued to the park office.All in all, from the rocky area to the park office was 2 miles and from the park office to Mt. Mitchell was 2 miles on the Old Mitchell Trail. The trail was very tough largely due to my fatigue and the man made obstacles that were supposed to make the trail a "trail".Near the top of Mt. Mitchell there was a sign and some arrows that directed the path to Camp Alice only .75 mi. I was mad. After seeing the views from the tower of the highest point east of the Mississippi River, I had to find camp. I followed the .75mil trail to Camp Alice which was "a bunch of rocks", saw no trees to hang my hammock tent, then went to the falls where I rested earlier that day. I was very tired and nausceous again. So I got sick......again then went to bed.
Date: 2004-09-25
To: wheels in motion
Miles today: 0.0

This past month has been eventful. My folks had to be out of their house by the end of this month so the new owners can occupy. Things actually seem to be progressing very well on our B&B house and my folks should be able to take posession by the end of this month. We have much work to do to get the new home up to speed for guests by spring. In the mean time, my house is being used as a temporary residence and storage until the new house is less of a construction site to move into.The new home is a dream come true for my mom. She has always wanted a peaceful place in the country to have guests and be able to let her creativity flourish. Once anyone sees this house they will know what a magical place it can actually be. To describe it plainly, it is a large block constructed home with fountains and a swimming pool, all of which is located out in the country and about a half hour from the beach of NC. The home is in need of massive finishing work which will be a full time job on my part to update. Room and board will be my compensation and as much as I eat that may not be fair for my parents. The family plans are to make it a 4 room B&B and health spa. I plan on getting the bulk of the difficult work done by March while working part time to save money for hiking.
Date: 2004-10-01
To: Rolling on
Miles today: 0.0

We got the house! The big dang "rock block" so named because except for the roof, everything is made out of concrete including the kitchen cabinets and countertops. We have to turn this "bomb shelter" into a zen paradise by spring which will be hard but fun work. It has been vacant for 3 years and now is a remodelers dream (realtor slang for OH MY GOSH!). I think the pool has fish in it too. I will try to get some photos here soon.Anyways what does this have to do with hiking? Oh yea saving money. As you know I left my job selling real estate because I learned everything I care to know about doing that job. Being that I am unemployed currently, some may consider it an obstacle to save money for hiking. And...............it is. However, to combat this quandary, I do have an interview with the Board of Education next Friday to be a substitute teacher. Poor kids, they do not know what they are in for. This will give me the flexablity to hold a temporary job and save money. My full time job will be working on the hacienda. I will find out next week if my plans will be rolling on.In the mean time, my phyisical status has deteriorated since leaving work and I must say that the 15 lbs that I so easy aquired, will now be considered winterization. I have also grown my first full mustache and chin-beard (beard without sideburns). Most call it a GO-TEE but since my genetic pattern does not allow the two to connect, I am left to being a handicap of facial fashion. My experiment has concluded that mustaches, go tees, fu manchus, and any other follicular visage is damn irritating. All in all, I feel that my pre-hike preperation will consist of winterizing and growing tolerant of THINGS CONSTANTLY STICKING TO MY FACE. Till next time....
Date: 2004-11-14
To: First winter hike?
Miles today: 0.0

This past week has been somewhat relaxing. Wednesday I planned on doing some hiking on the AT around Elk Park. My mom was teaching a class in Hickory and I had hoped to be dropped off near the trail and stay in a shelter for a couple of days while getting in some good trail time. Needless to say that the first big cold of the year hit and the cold weather clothes I had brought are old and their dependability is questionable. On top of that, we had been driving all day and the sun was already dimming. Of course I still wanted to chance it, however the nearest shelter was a good hike from where I was to be dropped off. I may be a half-hazard thrill seeker most of the time, but that tiny voice we all have said "bad idea" so I did listen...........this time. I did some urban hiking in Hickory the next day. I watched Shrek 2, finish my OSC book, and stopped by an outfitters to get some maps to help prepare for Springer. The last day I went to Barnes and Noble and read everything I could find about the AT. I learned from one book that you can get hypothermia in the summer without coming in contact with water. Just sweat from you skin on drenched clothes, a constant wind, combined with a quick temp drop when the sun goes down. The temp does not have to even get near anything resembling freezing.Also, I have been thinking about getting sponsored and donating to a charity. I am going to do some research but I think cerebral palsy and the ATC would be great. I admire the hikers that do it.
Date: 2004-12-16
To: too fat!
Miles today: 0.0

Oops!Ever since I left real estate and started working on the house, I have been gaining weight.......I mean winterizing. I weighed 185lbs in August and now I am at 210lbs. So my strategy when I start at Springer in the spring is to not carry any food and just eat what nature provides. If a deer can eat it so can I or if it is slow enough to catch, its slow enough to fry. However, I am a realist so for every pound that I lose, I will carry one pound of food.Also, I really do not have that much money. I got a little part-time job since I left real estate and have been able to put enough money away to finance my hike from Springer all the way up to Hawk Mountain or maybe even Gooch Gap (if the weather holds) so I am staying optimistic.Speaking of being optimistic, I hear there are many many attractive and fun women on the trail that virtually every guy that hikes has 3:1 odds that he will find the love of his life. Man if I had know about the trail when I was 12, I would not have gone out with whats-her-name that stalked me for 6 months.Can you smell the BS on this entry?
Date: 2005-02-20
To: The baloon pops before it goes up!
Miles today: 0.0

Well, the decision is final. I cannot attempt a thru-hike this year. Many reasons are involved and when I realistically think about making it the entire way, there are too many circumstances bouncing back I cannot dismiss. My family is going through a major transition opening our bed and breakfast and all hands are needed on deck to get this bird off the ground. The hold up has been obtaining financing for renovations. I made a promise to my folks back in August 04 that I will see the project through, and I intend to keep that promise. I admit I was very bummed when I came to the realization. The facts are my funds are lower than I desired. I can imagine being stressed about every cent spent if I were to go now. Now I imagine another year saving up and hiking the way I want to hike, and that thought pleases me much more than starting something I knew I probably would have had to stop for reasons out of my control. After all, my hike is about testing my spirit not the elasticity of my bank account. I decided to focus on the new options that are available to me. The cool thing is I have saved enough money to go hiking whenever I want. I will be out there on my birthday, March 13th. Also, I am applying for camp counselor positions for the summer. Something I have always wanted to do but missed out on in college because I was chasing the almighty dollar (maybe it should have been the Euro, I hear it is a little more mightier now). Anyways, the biggest positive of my decision is: I will be able to hike for a charitable organization. I can imagine what kind of impact that would have on my spirit to say that every mile I go and every step that I take on the AT will benefit someone else. It energizes me to think that way. I have been joking about the way I have been gaining weight since I decided to start hiking. I have started losing it again. I have lost 10 of the 30 lbs. and its continuing to melt. All of it should be gone by the end of the summer. Man! eating alot is fun! I will also try my hand at being a trail angel. I am just eager to meet some of the people whose journals I have been following this past year. So Tyger, Cuppa Joe, Break-a-leg, and Nunyet (to name a VERY few) take lots of pics this year and if anyone may be near Hotsprings, NC this March 13th-20th let me know. I wish everyone the best of luck or break a leg, Break-a-leg   (but not Cuppa Joe, don't break a leg...............again). Also if anyone asks if they have seen Nunyet, I quess no matter what they say it could be the truth. Well, unless they respond "nun what?" Man! I am going to have a long pre-hike journal. Time to read up on the 06ers. Shucks! I even had a dorky class of 05 high five.
Date: 2005-03-15
To: Birthday Retreat
Miles today: 0.0

The best thing that I like about my part-time job is the ability to take time off when I see fit. A few weeks ago I asked to have a week off for my B-day and I got it, no questions asked or unteathered strings to tie. I pulled in to Hotsprings, NC late Monday afternoon and stayed at the Alpine Motel. This morning I went to the outfitters, purchased a silk cocoon liner and a pair of sock liners to try out. By the time I got to Deer Park Mountain Shelter going sobo from town, it was too late in the day to continue the 11+ miles to Walnut Mtn Sh. I had the rest of the day to kill. I learned there is another definition for fire retardant, me! I spent the better part of an hour starting a fire with dry materials. I found the ordeal rather embarrasing. My wilderness skills need tweeking. The silk cocoon is proving its usefulness tonight in the cold, wet conditions. I would rather find some way to make my hammock more winterproof. In my opinion, the sleep is more comfortable in a hammock than in shelters or on the ground. I am considering Henessy's supershelter. If I do not have to stay in a shelter at all I would be happy. I am as comfortable with the mice as most people are with snakes. It seems that trees without limbs are abundant around shelters for hanging bear bags. Bear conspiracy? I wonder if bears hate heights. I felt like Payton Manning tossing my hook over the high a$$ limbs. Now my bag looks like a blue UFO hovering between two trees. I guess if a bear was truly determind nothing would discourage it from reaching your food. Anyways, JuiceKey got in from a 20+ mile day and is crashing here tonight. Cool guy, I got some good info from him about hiking. He recommends carrying a pair of socks for every day of the week. It makes sense how you need to take care of your feet to continue 5 million steps. I will see what works for me.
Date: 2005-03-18
To: Good Trip
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday, I hiked the 14 miles from Roaring Fork/Mountain Mama's Shelter to Hotsprings. It snowed overnight and I got to make fresh tracks that morning. All in all, over the past few days I had a great time and took several pictures (I hope they come out okay so I can post them). I made it to Hotsprings for some beer at the pub on St. Patricks and a warm comfortable stay at Elmer's to rest up for the drive today. I am going to reevaluate my gear. The sock liners worked very well, still no blisters even with my feet wet from the rain and snow. I guess there is no best way to keep your feet dry while hiking through the elements. Also, I wore shorts the entire time and felt great. However, I know the snow I went through was not nearly as deep as what JuiceKey had gone through in the Smokeys. I will look into my options like gaiters, rain pants that zip into shorts, better shoes, etc. I am definately getting a zero degree bag and better clothing layers including an outershell. I am adding more weight to my pack than I am cutting, yikes! These are the things that have worked well: Katadyne waterfilter, popcan alcohol stove, tin mess kit, silk liner, osprey pack with cover, princeton headlamp, bodyglide, and thermal long johns. I also found a pen at the dollar store that doubles as an FM radio. It proved to be very useful for updating shelter journals and getting weather forecasts. I even dropped it in the stream while getting water, and it still works. If anyone reading this can recommend a good zero degree bad, weather able/warm/breathable outershell, and way to keep feet dry, please let me know. Also, if you know where I can get a good deal on this stuff please drop me a line. I am constantly researching gear but experience has been my best research. Unfortunalty, it can be a little expensive. This trip has been very uplifting and I am even more exited for next year. Thanks alot JuiceKey, Bid Daddy D, Elmer, John, Sam, and Matt. I hope to see yall down the line.
Date: 2005-06-29
To: ToKa Tahdin
Miles today: 0.0

Sben a good while since I last updated   No good hiking or vistas of latelyThis site a porthole I stay connected   A breath of fresh air occasionallyThough these journals are all more of the sameTheir reading a labor no ones to blameI do say lets mix it up tis no shameAll you thru-hikers from GA>ME.Tween now and springing off Springer next Spring,   my updates shall be much more sparsely spaced.I'm not totally sure I'll be going.   Still working and remodeling this place.I left that little job that was part-time.Got a real one with benefits full-time.I need to be saving in the mean time.To be springing off Springer by Spring time.   So my trail dreams are on the horizon.      Like a mirage I can just about taste.Thirsty for an adventure to go on   Another year more I ready and wait.A sun does not rise or tide at all fall,without some part of me walking the trail.Here I am but my spirit the path calls.ToKa Tahdin! It breaths. Journey for all.
Date: 2006-02-05
To: What did I tell work?
Miles today: 0.0

¢I am going to hike the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine.¢This is the reason I put on the ¢proper form¢ for my request to leave work for 6 months (03/10/2006 to 09/10/2006). Is there anything else that needs to be said? Viewed from the perspective of my employers I believe they are puzzled. Viewed from our perspective¢¦¢¦¢¦yeah¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦you know it!I love to read TJ everyday. It is great to follow the journals of people that you will be meeting soon, and getting to know them before you know them. It has a seasoning quality that adds to an experience you know will be enriching. I do not believe that the mystical a lour of the AT is just an introspective journey over, around, and through the most rugged of terrain this country can offer a set of boots. What I see through this site; my porthole; is that the people are the AT, or rather the AT community has created what the AT is now. I have read many journals and have found the best ones to be about people and those around, and not so much the amount of miles they did, the spots they camped, or where they were at that point in time with the weather forecast. I understand that miles, food, and weather status is a daily/hourly situation that bares its own necessity for attention. However, when I read this journal in years to come, will I be as interested in knowing these facts?On a different tangent¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦Lasik eye surgery is cool. I could not read the ¢E¢ on the chart at all with both eyes squinting but now I can read the copyright info. Is it Voodoo? Is it Snake oil? No but for the price of a small used car with high mileage you too can see like a hawk. Is it worth it yer dang skippy it is! Now that I can see I can tell everyone a little secret about the nearsighted impaired. If you hide their glasses when they are asleep they can¢t go anywhere. It¢s like invisible handcuffs or a cell without bars. Try it some time you will have loads of laughs like my friends did with me.Skew another tangent¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦The house is nearing completion. Two rooms are left to be tiled and some trim to be painted and we are ready to close. The house will be an on going project for years to come. At this time last year I was huddled up on a couch with a blanket and pillow across from a small TV on a coffee table in a 5 sided concrete abode. Not a completely uncomfortable life but I went from that to having my own suite/apartment and the added knowledge of what one can accomplish with his family. When the carpet in my room was installed I slept on it with my sleeping bag for a solid week then I got a couch for Xmas and now enjoy crashing out on it occasionally.No more tangents for now¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦.
Date: 2006-03-13
To: Amicalola Falls Georgia
Miles today: 0.0

I can't sleep. I leave for Georgia tomorrow. I am excited, scared, nervous, relieved, and anxious. This is it! The pack is packed, the bills are paid, the calls are made, and other past tense verbs that rhyme: laid, prayed, shaved, and spayed (YIKES!). I start the Approach Trail Tuesday. Kick Ass! All my planning and preparing is finally going to be put to use. Farmer Bob will be transcribing for me during the hike. I told him that if he could not read something I wrote he is allowed to make sh*t up and fill in the blanks. My journal is giong to be like a "Madd Lib" Magazine. Though, I do have to warn those that I am hiking around to NOT read this journal until they are completely off the trail. This journal may suck at times because my plot organization is lacking and I have difficulty keeping any one train of thought while writing. But really, I do not want to affect another's hiking experience by posting something that pisses he or she off and have it get back to me while on the trail. How considerate of me? However, please realize that Farmer Bob will have to put up with my bad poetry, dull anecdotes, pointless observations, and complete randomness for the next several months. He does not know this yet but my first letter will be written as absolutly freakin small as I possibly can make it. Updates may be at unpredicable intervals due to the learning curve Farmer Bob will have decoding my letters.   The goal is keep Farmer Bob guessing. Always on his toes for what I am going to throw at him next. Let us pray for Farmer Bob.Thanks Bob
Date: 2006-03-13
From: Farmer Bob

To: Farmer Bob
Miles today: 0.0

Hello. My name is Farmer Bob and I live in Maine. I will be transcribing Joseph Gilmore's AT thru hike on Trail Journals. I am an avid hiker and I hike up in the White Mountains of New Hampshire whenever I can.I dream of thru hiking the AT someday and I think that transcribing for someone else is the next best thing.With Joe's last post, it looks like I will have my hands full. I'm also thinking that I can give him a trail name from his letters and from the comforts of home.I wish him the best of luck and I will try and hike a section or two of the AT with him when he's in New Hampshire or Maine.Bob Farrell "Farmer Bob"http://www.rocksontop.com/phpbb2/rot_pbshow.php?pMem=Farmer+Bob&pList=NEHH
Date: 2006-03-14
To: Approach Trail
Miles today: 8.8

Today was a very pleasant hike. The horror stories about the approach are just not true. I met up with Chris (from Texas) and Elizabeth. I did several miles with them just chatting. They were very smart and decided to pace themselves for the next week or so. I feel strong and excided about what is to come.Several other thru hikers popped by as well as many Spring breakers. "T" stopped in and "Icarus" (from PA). Most everyone is tenting out on Springer. I think it is way too windy for my setup. Shelter Time! I weighed my pack fully loaded with 5 days food and it equalled about 20 lb.I hope this is a good thing and I know what I am doing. We shall see. All in all, I am extremely grateful to be here.
Date: 2006-03-15
From: Springer Mtn. Shelter

To: Gooch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

What the hell got into me?I had an early start and got to Hawk Mtn. shelter at 11:15am. I felt great! If the first 7.5 miles were this good, why not go on? I chilled for a couple of hours with "Brad" and "Kelly. These guys were funny. Kelly had a 5 lb. tub of GNC protein shake mix and bars. That was it for food! I wish I got them on film. Anyway, "T" came by and motivated me to go on. We left Hawk at 1:15pm and got to Gooch Shelter at 5:25pm.I have no blisters or major joint pain (that I know of). We are going for Neels Gap manana. Note: If you have never before or are a novice hiker like me in anyway, do not do this! But I feel good!So I have to move. What the hell am I thinking.There were close to 20 people tonight at Gooch Shelter. Everyone is tenting. I am too lazy to even attempt tenting right now. The strenuous activity killed my apetite. It took an hour to eat Mac and Cheese. Mmmmmmmm cold macaroni.
Date: 2006-03-16
From: Gooch Gap Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Up and over Blood Mountain, what a day!My legs are very strong. I have learned a great tip for going downhill. If you move fast with your weight supported by your Quads and Hamstring muscle areas, you take the pain out of your knees. Going slow on a downhill requires a break in momentum every time you step. This is a shock absorbed by the knees (for me anyway). If I move my feet fast like the gravel is hot, I get a great leg workout. I am going to be freakin' ripped when I get to Maine?At Neels Gap, Alpine and Molla did a shakedown on my pack and had a few very good suggestions for me. I did not have to lighten my pack weight but they did help me organize so I could go smoother and safer in harsher conditions. Right now I am camped out behind Mountain Crossings. There is a rumor of a party at Low Gap tomorrow night! After 3 days and about 39 miles, I need to re-supply. I feel a hitch coming on tomorrow.
Date: 2006-03-17
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

St. Patty's Day!Geek and Boudin threw a great St. Patty's Celebration @ Low Gap tonight, which most of us won't remember tomorrow morning. It was great!Good people and good food, hot dogs. Elizabeth was named "Teddy Ruxpin" and nothing offical yet though. The best name given out is "Rad McBadass".The "Gov" tried to torch himself by the fire but ended the evening with a drink. He stayed about 250yds up the road.The party was thrown by Boudine(Sp?) and Geek. GREAT TRAIL MAGIC GUYS! Though the fesivities ware all the more appreciated in a dry county. Some one asked if there were drycounties up north. Of course not. A dry county up north on St. Patty's Day would be like coming down South and shooting a porno in church on Comunion Sunday.I am so glad that I have been making the time along the trail to get to these opportunistic events. My miles have been high and the terrain had been challenging. I love it out here.