morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-02-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So I still haven't packed. Everything is strewn around my room. Kind of ridiculous. Going to finish that right after this. I'm still flying out tomorrow, even though my flight was canceled (managed to grab another one not much later), and we'll start walking on Friday I think. I just found that one out today. James, our friend in Atlanta, has a Thursday class he can't miss, and our friend Erin from the great state of South Carolina won't be in until Thursday. I'm cool with a one day delayed departure date (please pause to admire my alliteration).   Didn't get nearly as many things done today as I should have. Oh well. That's what makes life interesting, isn't it? I'll hopefully post right before hitting the trail, and should have my long promised gear list up then. Hopefully.
Date: 2010-02-25
From: Decatur,GA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Kissed by a dog. I guess that's my farewell kiss for the trek. James, who's starting with Vish and I and going for the weekend, has a roommate with a new puppy, and the puppy gave me a nice sloppy kiss. What a way to begin.    Flew into Atlanta last night and met Vish. Went to this local coffeehouse and heard some sweet jams. Been running around town today. God called carpet baggers (in a joking manner) at the REI and had to have Vish tell me what that meant. Got our fuel, got our food, mailed home the large duffel I stuffed my bag into for the flight, and got some awesome Greek Pizza. We were going to take a tour of Emory pretending to be interested in transfering, but we ran into James who gave us a key to get back into his apartment.   Erin is getting in tonight. Tomorrow morning, bright and early, we set off. I'm hoping to update you all when I get to Neel's Gap, but I'm not sure if they have computer access. Oh well. Here goes everything
Date: 2010-03-05
From: Tray Gap Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 11.0

This time I found a dog, but avoided getting kissed by it. It showed up as we were heading up the approach trail to Springer Mountain. Collar but no tag. It stuck with us all that day and through the night. Fed it some tortillas and a can of campbell's soup someone ditched in that first shelter. Next day it ran off with the first guy walking the other direction. James came out the morning of day 3. He and Erin headed out at Cooper's gap, the eleven mile marker or so. Left Vish and I on our own. From Springer, we made it into Neel's Gap (hostel and store) within three days. Took a day off and enjoyed some pizza. That's when the shit hit the fan.   Storm blew in with six inches of fresh powder, convincing us to hole up for a day. When we finally left, we were plowing through six inches, and drifts up to two feet. Slipping and sliding. The last miles we did were some tough miles, but we got into Hiawasse, GA (67.something mile marker) today and are planning another day off. Don't want to burn out too early :P   I've discovered at the rate we're going, we'll be done by mid October. Luckily, this is only the warm up. 3% of the trail, completed!
Date: 2010-03-09
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 96.7
Weather: clear sky

So I can't figure out how to set trip miles manually. What it does is add them up from daily miles. So those aren't my real daily miles, but they bring me to my total so far. Also, still figuring out pictures with Vish.   Anyways, left Hiawassee Sunday morning and stormed into Franklin. We're still dealing with a ton of snow and ice on the trails, but today wasn't nearly as bad as the first seventy miles out of Neel's Gap. It's supposed to rain most of the next ten days, which will clear out the remnants of snow / dump more snow on us at the high elevations. Yesterday we did our first 19+ mile day and bagged our first two 5,000+ foot peaks. Really wore me out doing that through the snow. Planning on taking the next 56 miles slower and doing five days into Fontana Dam. Then we'll roll into the Smokies with what looks like lots of weather.   I ran into another group of people in town today that's starting their thru-hike tomorrow, and they're planning on filming the whole thing as well. I thought I'd at least be the only one for the season. They have much nicer equipment then I do, but we'll see how they do, just as we'll see how I do. At the very least, it's an adventure.   I might not have internet access again for two more weeks (Hot Springs, NC). There are three places between here and there where I might, but I'm not sure yet. So don't count on it. Suffice it to say, I'm having a blast, and things are going well! Even having the heaviest pack of any thru-hiker I know that hasn't dropped off isn't slowing me down. Hope to hear from ya'll soon!PS. I heard a rumor that my old Boy Scout troop is following this, so shout out to troop 706! Enjoy whatever hikes you do and know that on my first day hike, I thought my legs were going to fall off after about three miles, so don't feel bad if you're struggling. Just keep at it.
Date: 2010-03-13
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: View Entry
Miles today: 27.3

Not going to lie, my knee is killing me. We caught a ride into Bryson City today, as staying at the NOC was getting excrutiatingly boring and expensive. Hanging out at the library now. When we left Franklin, we did the toughest three miles of my life, and I've done nearly 1000 miles of backpacking over the years, so that's saying something. We had a tough climb up Wayah Bald, right before about two miles of what looked like relatively easy ridge walking and another mile of down hill to the shelter. I'll paraphrase my daily journal as I didn't bring it into town.   "That was the toughest three miles of my life. I was feeling good after the long climb, but when we got to the north side of the mountain, we were walking on eighteen inches of compacted snow. Problem: it was 45 degrees out. The compacted snow sometimes held up to the two hundred pounds of me + gear, and sometimes it would just collapse randomly underneath me as it melted from the heat, postholing my leg all the way to the ground. On the down hill side of the trail, I sometimes slipped up to mid thigh. Even when the snow wasn't collapsing underneath me, it was tough going, slipping and sliding into the postholes formed by the people in front. It took me over three hours to do those miles. Everyone at the shelter agreed, it was some of the toughest hiking they'd ever done. I got through, and am in good spirits, since that's now behind me and I have a warm bag to crawl into."   By the end of the next day, my knee was done. Rolled into the NOC after 16 miles of snow, three thousand foot elevation loss and cold rain. I've been here since Thursday, and will be here indefinitely until my knee feels better. I'm hoping to be out tomorrow, but realistically, it might be another few days. I could just throw a brace on and roll out, but I'm hoping if I take these few days off, I can actually fix whatever's wrong with the knee and miss going through a bunch more snow. I'll wear the brace for the rest of the trip though, as a precaution.   Also, check it: Faces of the Appalachian Trail. It's the new working title for my documentary. I'm printing out a bunch of release forms here at the library, as I think carrying them is going to be the easiest way to cut through the legalese surrounding everything. Then I can get underway in interviewing people of all walks who have been touched by the trail. Not just thru-hikers, section hikers and day hikers, but trail maintainers, business owners and locals as well. All of their stories will contribute to telling the story of the whole trail. That's one thing good that did come out of my slow hobbling into the NOC: plenty of time to think of all this. It only took me two years to figure it out.   So as always, I have no idea when I'll be able to update this again, but when I can, I will. Love to all!
Date: 2010-03-20
From: Fontana Dam

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 28.7
Weather: broken clouds

So I woke up in Cody Gap yesterday with my knee in pain. By the time I walked the last nine miles or whatever into Fontana Dam, it felt just as bad as before I took five days off for it. So I called my neighbor, a sports medicine doctor (nicest dude in the world) and he helped me out. Told me to stretch a whole lot more and to double my ibuprofen intake. So Vish and I are taking today and tomorrow off (again!) and heading into the Smokies on Monday. It's forty miles to Gatlinburg, and I'll reassess there.   But! Since I spent a whole day thinking I was going to have to get off the trail, I've come up with a genius plan to continue to hike as much as possible and complete all the filming I need to do to make a quality film. I'm going to buy a car and spend five months going up and down the AT, doing day hikes and side hikes and (once the knee is better) section hikes, filming everything and still getting to live the trail life style to an extent. I'll have to buy a van, preferably with stow and go seating and throw a few foamies (very bendable mattresses) in the back, so I can sleep in the car and actually afford to do this. I love my plan. Getting to Katahdin is still far and away my hope and dream, but not at the cost of my knee, so we'll see how things go.   Your comments are all really helpful and keep me going each day, so thank you all for that. I would also love voicemails and texts for each time I turn on my phone :P   Sorry that my adventures have so far been slower and not as exhilarating as you might have imagined. I'm having a blast despite everything though, so I think it's worth it. Until Gatlinburg!
Date: 2010-03-25
From: Gatlinburg

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 41.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm getting off the trail, heading home for a few days, and buying a van. Plan B is going into affect. I'm totally stoked for this new twist to my adventure, even if it's at the expense of a thru-hike this year. I'll definitely be out there again for a thru attempt in the near future, but for the rest of this season, I'll stick to day hikes and section hikes. I still plan on doing large swaths of the trail, so do not fret, the adventures will continue.   As for the smokies, the first half that I did wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. The drifts were only 4-6 feet deep and most of the time we were able to travel along the compacted trail. I don't envy the people who first broke that trail. If we slipped off, we sunk to the waist, and many sections were already a minefield of post holes. Some areas were impossible to walk down, and I had to simply slide and try to keep my balance with a fifty odd pound pack. It was interesting to say the least. I think the next section I try, I'll check to make sure it's snow free before heading out.   Thank you all for the birthday wishes yesterday. I suspect my mom emailed all her contacts, but that's ok. I still really appreciate it. My birthday was a thrilling eleven mile walk through the snow followed by hot food and a warm bed. Life is good    Also, please don't feel sad about me leaving the trail. This is far from the end, and as mentioned before, is merely another twist in what is sure to be another five months of amazing adventures. If you want to hike at all with me, I now have a lot more flexibility in terms of time and location, so just let me know! Love to all!
Date: 2010-04-06
From: St. Mary's

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

OK! So, I'm sitting in one of the computer labs at St. Mary's right now, waiting for a meeting with my adviser. We're going to go over some of the footage I've gathered already, and then immediately following that, I'm heading back down to the great state of North Carolina! I won't be hiking quite yet, rather I'll just be focused on the film. I hope to start hiking again on April 15, so we'll see how that goes.   My knee is doing well. I'm on a lot of ibuprofen, stretching, resting it, and I just bought a yoga mat, so hopefully I'll be dedicated enough to take up yoga soon. That would be exciting! On the car front, major thanks to my parents for helping me out. They're lending me their van, while we split the cost of a rental for them. Since they're over the age of 25, a rental is cheaper for them than for me. So, I have my van, I'm now broke, and I'm good to roll out! This is a truly exciting twist in my adventures, and while I wish I was still out there with Vish (talked to him yesterday, he's in Erwin!), I know I'll be back out there soon. Details of everything to come!   Also, if there's any particular aspect of the trip that you want to know about, just let me know via the guestbook. I just kind of write whatever pops into my head, and that's not always a lot :P
Date: 2010-04-08
From: Hot Springs

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I spent last night on Max Patch, an absolutely lovely mountain with a pain in the butt road to get to it. I'm going to be glad when I can just walk to all those great views. It was a short, steep climb, so while the knee didn't have to deal with distance, it did deal with elevation and it's feeling ok. I'm breaking in the boots and am on track to hike the Shenendoahs one week from today! So stoked.   It turns out that while I'm not the best film student, I'm not as bad as Dave and I thought I was. When we met the other morning, all the tapes I shot had no sound, but when I played them back on my camera, they did, which means I do have some footage, instead of having to start from scratch. I filmed a killer sunset on Max Patch last night, though in the middle of it a dog ran by a couple times and inconsiderate folks walked right in front of my camera, so I don't know how well I can use it. I could do the time lapse of a shorter time period, or I could cut those few frames and see if the jump between frames is too noticeable or not... I'll discover. Driving down from the mountain today, I ran across a wild turkey, that I got some footage of. My the time I got my tri-pod out though, and chased it through the woods, it got a way, so I only have a wobbly shot. There was an awesome waterfall that I got a little bit of through the trees, but to get a clear shot from along the stream, I need to climb down an 80 degree grassy slope, which looks just about impassable. I might try to get back there at some point. Not that there won't be amazing things everywhere.   Just got my official business cards in. They look absolutely amazing. This project is looking a lot better than it was a few days ago. As much as I wish I was still out there walking the whole thing, this is probably best for the film. I'll just be chilling around Hot Springs for the next few days, so I don't know when I'll post again. Also, please ignore the mail drop locations. Since I'm no longer walking, those are not valid. If you want to send me something, just contact me! Love to all
Date: 2010-04-12
From: Hampton, TN

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

In Hampton, TN right now. Chilling at the trail head looking for good things to film. The picture is from a while ago, but I told ya'll I'd get something up there. That's when Vish and I crossed the GA/NC border. I spent the night with Vish, Specks and K25, all guys I'd met while still on the trail. Hopefully I'll run into more today. Heading up to Harper's Ferry to start hiking a big section on Thursday. Crossing all my appendages that my knee holds out. Got to keep this short, because I'm being a creeper and sitting outside the closed internet cafe using some random wireless. It's not my fault though: the cafe is supposed to be open now. Alright, time to film some more.   Also, if you want to send me anything, send it to the Harper's Ferry Post office in enough time that it'll be there by the 23rd and I'll get it. Make sure to write hold for hiker on it. Love to all!
Date: 2010-04-14
From: Harpers Ferry

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I got a hotel room tonight. I was feeling really bad after dinner (the food was terrible) and all I could think of was having a nice bed, so I sucked up the cost and here I am. I think it's good though, because it gives me a chance to dry things, wash things and shower right before hitting the trail. Some snags with setting up a shuttle in the morning, but it all got worked out and I'm off tomorrow on the next leg of my trip: 150 miles through the Shenandoahs to Harpers Ferry! I'm bringing limited camera gear as I continue to rehab the knee, but it'll be enough to hopefully get some more quality footage. The lady at the outfitters here says three North Bounders have already passed through this season, so I shouldn't be alone by a long shot. Here's to hoping for good weather!
Date: 2010-04-20
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: clear sky

When I said I would be with many people, it turned out I was terribly, terribly wrong. So I got off after two days to head back to Harpers Ferry, where I could at least hang out with strangers. I'm chilling here getting footage (just got an interview with the Publicity Director at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and she pointed me in so many good directions) and accomplishing some work. I was going to take a photo of me doing my work in the library, but for the first time in my life, I actually was doing my work and forgot to do my planned procrastination. I think it's because they have no wireless and my only non-internet entertainment on the computer is chess. I did get one step closer to being a chess master yesterday when I didn't forget to procrastinate - I can now beat the computer on what equates to level 2 out of 10. But yes, this should be good news to the professors whom I owe work: it is getting done.   I'll be in town 'til Friday, and then I'm heading south to get back with the main pack of thru-hikers and see what I can find. I'll make some calls to all these leads the ATC Publicity Director gave me and maybe stop by some of those places on my way down. I've spent some time the last few days figuring out my budget, and the good news is, I can afford to buy food. No, I'm just kidding. I'm not that broke, which was actually surprising good news. All in all, while I really wish there were people I knew around (I'm getting to know all the annoying habits of my own personality even better), it's still going well. Seriously though, you should come out and join me. Whoever you are
Date: 2010-04-22
From: Harpers Ferry

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

This is my last night in Harpers Ferry. Tomorrow I'm heading back south to get with the thru-hiker crowd and find some people I know. It'll at least be for more entertaining than running solo up here. I've woken up the last two mornings at 5:30 to film the sunrise, only to have it be overcast and rainy yesterday morning and completely foggy this morning. So I went back to bed both times. I got up about an hour later and went out to read, you can see the lovely picture of me doing that. It was pretty cool, but wouldn't have made a good time lapse piece.   I met with the Chief Ranger of the Appalachian Trail National Park Service office, and we went over all the details for the film. He was incredibly helpful, much like the ATC Publicity Director had been. He also doesn't seem to feel that I'll need a permit, but for now, I'm not allowed to film on the third of the trail that his department directly governs, and I need to get permission from all the managing entities that I do film on. He helped me get the numbers and figure out who to talk to though, which was great. I'm going to start researching all the agencies I'll need permission from and contacting them, as well as contacting a lot of the volunteer organizations that work with the ATC. If anyone has any connections that they think might be interested in this, let me know.   Alright. Off to find somewhere to sleep tonight. Going to try for the sunrise again this morning. Hopefully it works this time
Date: 2010-04-26
From: Glasgow / Christiansburg

To: Pearisburg?
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

From left to right, we have Gandolf, so named because of his dog, Shadowfaux, then Bartless, Beans, Two Rings (Who, if you look closely, has one eye closed since a bug flew into it at the moment of truth), me and Ken. The first four I met while still on the trail and last saw them at the NOC. Thanks to Bartless' blog, I was able to figure out about where they would be, and when I started hiking the morning after arriving to see if I could find them, we ran into each other within a mile. Quite fortuitous. It was good seeing them all again, even if for such a brief morning. Ken was the shuttle dude they called to pick them up, since they had no idea I was showing up.   I spent the rest of that morning getting some stuff done, filming, the works. Climbed a lovely little waterfall and had an Eagle's perch overlooking the river. I think I might go to Pearisburg tomorrow, which is right on the trail, and see what I find while slowly making my way to Damascus.
Date: 2010-04-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I got woken up by the cops for the first time on this trip. Around 2:30 AM there was a knock on my window, accompanied by a flashlight and "Sheriff's Department" statement. They checked my I.D. to make sure I wasn't some wanted felon, and then told me to lock my doors (which they had been) and have a good night. I went to see them the next day to ask where I could park my car that night so that I wouldn't be woken up, and the officer I talked to said I could park in the same place: he would notify all the cops in the county not to bother me. Thus, I am now well known among law enforcement in Giles County, VA.   I also found out today that on June 5 (shout out to my brother 'cause he'll be turning 24), the Potomac Appalachian Trail club is opening up a museum in Pine Grove Furnace State Park (PA) to mark the halfway point of the trail. This is supposedly the first museum dedicated to hiking in the world. I am so there.   Fun Fact: Sunsets can be beautiful from anywhere, even the parking lot at Wal-Mart.
Date: 2010-05-02
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm sitting in Damascus, sweating like crazy. It is hot here, like it hasn't been since the beginning of April. I'm quite literally dripping. Anyways, I've parked myself by the side of the river and am prepping for hitting the trail tomorrow. I have a shuttle scheduled for 9:00 AM down to Erwin, and will have ten days to cover the 120 miles, which shouldn't be two bad at all. Push come to shove, I could even take longer, but it wouldn't be ideal.   I'm worried about losing my toe nail though. As you can see, it doesn't look normal, and someone told me this is how it looks before it falls off. Don't know if it's true, but I'm worried. Anyone know more about this than I?   Trail Days is supposed to be huge. What I thought was going to be a few thousand people is actually going to be 15-20 thousand people, pouring into a town only big enough to have one real grocery store. That's going to be crazy. I've looked over the schedule and it's full of a million different things, including, it seems, plenty of opportunity for free grub. Citizen Kane is even playing. If anyone is free May 13-15, you should come party with me. I have to leave early evening of the 15th to get back to DC, but seriously, come join me otherwise. Hope to see you all down here!!!