morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-02-14
To: Bring on the snow!
Miles today: 0.0

It's hard to believe that in 17 days, I'll be standing once again at the top of Springer Mountain having my picture taken at that famous first blaze. March 3rd is a day I've been looking forward to for a long time. At this point, I'm ready to hit the trail. My apartment is cleaned out, final arrangements have been made at work for my resignation, and transportation to Springer has been arranged.   I am currently in Boone,NC spending Valentine's Day with my Fiance. As I look out through the window, I can see the snow coming down and hear the wind howling. Rather than dreading hiking in such weather, I welcome it! I look forward to snow! I love how quiet the woods are during a snow.   In preparing for the cold weather I'll experience in the first few weeks of hiking, I have made one change in the gear I'll be bringing along. Originaly, I had planned on taking a Montbell Alpine Down Hugger 32 degree down sleeping bag for use during the first month of my hike. This is a great bag, and I have no complaints about it, but I have discovered another down bag that is lighter, and I find keeps me warmer. Instead of the Montbell bag, I will be taking the Mountain Laurel Designs Devotion 38 sleeping bag. It weighs 15 ounces, uses 900 fill down, compresses to the size of a Nalgene bottle, and kept me comfortable while camping in 25 degree temps. (Using a liner and proper clothing.) This bag positions all of the down on top of the bag rather than putting half of the down underneath the sleeper. I can't say enough good things about Ron and his company, MLD. I'll be using MLD bags both for cold and warm weather during my hike, in addition to a bag liner from his company as well. Thanks to the help of great ideas and products from companies like Mountain Laurel Designs, GoLite, and Six Moon Designs, I'll have a cold weather base pack weight of 9 pounds, and a warm weather base pack weight of 6 pounds.   I am extremely happy with my pack weight. I know it could go lower, but there are a few luxury items that I won't skimp on. I could save a whole pound alone by taking aquamira drops or potable water tablets, but instead I'm taking my trusty MSR waterworks filter. If there's one thing that gives me the willies out in the woods, it's sketchy water. I would rather deal with mice, snakes, spiders, you name it, than drink brown water. I remember from my last trip, the number of water sources that were less than substantial, shared by cattle, or downright shady. When I'm drinking my water out in the woods, I don't enjoy sediment in the botom of my bottle, discoloration, funky smells or tastes. I have been using my MSR filter for awhile now, and have no complaints. It's heavy for a reason. It does it's job right. By carrying such a light pack, I can allow for such luxuries as my filter and few other misc. things.   Well, I think that's about it for now. I've been given a 'honey do' list, and if it's not finished before our dinner reserations tonight, I might not be going hiking after all! Thanks to everyone who has signed my guest book! I look forward to meeting everyone on the trail next month!
Date: 2007-03-03
From: Springer Mountain

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

After not being sure if I was going to be able to start today, I at long last made it to Springer Mountain with my parents and Nita. Due to a last minute court subponea I didn't think I was going to be able to leave until next weekend. After much pleading with the District Attorney, I did manage to get out of my court appearence. After signing the register at the ranger station and weighing the pack (19 pounds with water and enough food to get me to Fontana Dam, NC) we drove up the service road to the summit of Springer. Nita and my parents walked the mile from the parking lot to the summit with me. After posing for photos at the plaque and first blaze, we headed back to the car to say our goodbyes. The cloudy and windy weather was kind of gloomy, but much improved over the last time I was here when it was 40 degrees and raining. Saying goodbye was extremely tough, but I knew I would get to see Nita again in a few short weeks. Although the goodbyes were tough and a few tears were shed, it was a fantastic feeling to be on the AT once again.
Date: 2007-03-16
From: Standing Bear Farm Hotel, TN 

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 236.0
Weather: light rain

Hello everyone! I am soooo sorry for not updating this journal in a more timely fashion. After 13 days on the trail I have covered almost 250 miles. Today I am taking my first zero day, a day spent lounging at the hostel and walking zero miles.   I am currently at the Standing Bear Farm hiker hostel near Davenport Gap in Tennessee. I made it through the Smokey Mtns. in one piece! The Smokey's were wet and muddy! I did 31 miles yesterday just to get here and get out of the Smokey's. In two days (3/18) I should be in Hot Springs, NC, and then two days after that I should be in Erwin, TN.   My pack weight has fluctuated between 12 and 18 pounds depending on how much food and water I'm carrying. This has allowed me to put in some big mile days. Moving so quickly, I've gotten to meet lots of hikers, but haven't had the time to get to know many of them very well.   The only set back I've had happened a few days ago. While eating some M&M's, one of the suppossedly permanent porcelain veneers on one of my front teeth came off. My awesome fiance was able to schedule a dentist appointment for me at my dentist back in Winston. I was planning on taking a few days off to spend time with her next week when I got to the Roan Mountain area, not far from Boone, so while staying with her I will be able to drive to Winston and at least have a temporary front placed on my tooth.   I have been very lucky with the weather until last night. The weather has been unseasonably warm and amazingly enough, has been rain free until this afternoon. The last time I tried hinking the AT, 2003, has become known as The Year of The Rain. On my first night on the trail, I stayed at Hawk Mtn. shelter 7 miles from Springer mountain and was treated to a lunar eclipse! What a way to start! I have been able to take a ton of great photos out here and will post some as soon as Nita can assist me. After hiking the next 100 miles to Erwin, TN, then spending time with Nita, it will only be about another 100 miles until I enter my fourth state, VA! It should be around 4/1/07 when I get to Damascus, VA.    I haven't had any interesting animal encounters yet, although I did get to hear a pack of coyotes holwing right outside a shelter I was staying at inside the Smokey's. I thought they were coming inside! One of the hikers I have met out here, Caterpilar, woke up one night to find a giant black bear's snout poking in under the side of his tent. He said that it sounded like a vacuum cleaner!   Thanks for following along with this journal. I will try to update it more often. The last two hostels I stopped in at were having problems with their computers. I look forward to getting to share more of my adventure and pictures with you all!-T Mac (which on the trail has come to be known as, short for tuna-mac-n-cheese)
Date: 2007-03-18
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 34.0
Weather: clear sky

Let me just tell you, there really isn't anything better in the world than a warm hostel with a tin roof when it's raining outside. After hiking 31 miles from Icewater Spring shelter in the Smokey Mountains to get to Standing Bear Farm hostel, it began raining and didn't let up for 36 hours. Needless to say, I took a zero day at the hostel. I had a great time hanging out with Caterpilar, Hike, Chaco, and Happy Hiker. Happy even got us a nice fire going inside the wood burning stove in the bunkhouse. It was a grewat recovery day spent with great folks. I hope I get to meet up with them all again down the trail. Chaco, we'll be looking for you next season buddy!   After staying at Standing Bear for an extra day, I got up early on Saturday the 17th (St. Pat's Day) and left the hostel before dawn, around 6:30 am. It was still snowing a bit when I left. I ended up hiking the 34 miles from the hostel to the town of Hot Springs, NC. Along the way, the temp got down so low that my water bottle froze solid while hiking! I hiked over Max Patch and was able to take some awesome pictures. Max Patch is a giant hill/mtn. devoid of anything but grass! Great 360 degree views. How the wind was blowing though! I had to snap my photos and run off the top of the mtn!    As I was approaching Hot Springs, I finally ran into Toesocks, a couple I had met on Trail Journals. It was great to finally meet them before scampering down into town. I ended up staying the night at Elmer's Sunnybank Inn. It's a hostel run out of an old Victorian style house. I enjoyed the comforts of a real bed and shower. In town I ate dinner and then breakfast this morning at a diner located just across the street from Elmer's.   The outfitter's in town has interent access, so I am able to update my trail journal one last time before hitting the trail again. My next destination is Erwin, TN. It is about 70 miles from Hot Springs. Nita has made me an appointment for my tooth next Friday, so I will meet her in Erwin on Thursday. As I have 4 days to hike to Erwin, I will be able to take my time and hike short days there. I will only hike 11 miles today from Hot Springs to the first shelter outside of town.   After getting to speak with friends and family on the phone here in Hot Springs, I am really looking forward to getting to Erwin and taking a few days off of the trail to catch up and recover. I miss my fiance like crazy and can't wait to see her in 5 days! Hopefully she will have a milkshake for me with her when she picks me up!   The next update will come from the cozy confines of Nita's place in Boone, NC! All for now, T Mac (Tuna Mac)
Date: 2007-03-23
From: Erwin, TN

To: View Entry
Miles today: 60.0

Well I made it! I made it in to Erwin, TN yesterday afternoon. I made my way to Uncle Johnny's Hostel and picked up my mail drops. Thanks to Nita and Mom for the goodie boxes! Nita arrived around 6 pm to pick me up and brought a pizza with her! How awesome.   The trip from Hot Springs, NC to Ewin, TN was an eventful one. The day after leaving Hot Springs, I ran into the greatest "trail magic", or the finding of an unexpected windfall of kindness, usually in the form of food. Two past AT hikers were feeding hikers everything you could imagine! They open up their home, located right off the trail, and invite current hikers to share in all kinds of food. I ended up staying about 5 hours at their home just eating! I had waffles, BBQ, and even a brownie sundae! It was amazing! After eating, I was able to enjoy one of the best conversations I've had in awhile. They were really great people and I look forward to talking to them again soon. Then, later that night, once I reached the shelter, I had the opportunity to meet a couple of great guys named Steve and Daniel. I had an awesome time hanging out with them around a campfire and talking.    I have my dentist appointment later this afternoon. Hopefully I can get my tooth looking presentable again, and then enjoy the next few days with Nita in Boone. I'm loaded down with some excellent reading material given to me by a couple of "trail angels", or those that give trail magic. I'm looking forward to having some time to get some good reading accomplished.   I am looking foward to getting back on the trail in a few days. Hopefully between now and then, I will have a chance to give a more detailed update and tell you all about some of the great people I've met out here.   Off to the dentist's!
Date: 2007-03-27
From: Erwin, TN

To: Uncle Johnny's Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

After five days off of the trail, I am ready to continue the journey North! My appointment at the dentist went well. I have a temporary cap on my tooth where the veneer came off. I will have to return to the dentist on April 9th to have the permanent cap put on. Luckily for me, I will still be within a reasonable distance from Nita where she will be able to pick me up again.    My plan is to spend tonight (3/27) at Uncle Johnny's Hostel in Erwin, TN, then cover 170 miles in the next nine days. I will hike to Troutdale, VA where Nita will pick me up again on 4/5. I will then spend that weekend with Nita in Boone, NC, go to my final (hopefully) dentist appointment, then return to the trail on or about 4/10.   I will update this journal when I can during the next 10 days. I will get to see some pretty cool things between now and then. I will climb Roan Mountain and stay at the Overmountain barn Shelter, walk into Damascus, (a fun trail town) and get to feed the wild ponies that roam through the Grayson Highlands park in VA!   During this last break from the trail, I had to deal with a flurry of activity regarding my upcoming employment. My parents had to fax me paperwork that I eventually hand delivered in Charlotte. The timing of my break couldn't have worked out better. I got a phone call asking if I would be interested in beginning employment in April or June. With the wedding/honeymoon taking up several weeks in August, I had to turn the job down. My training would not have been completed by the time of the wedding. It was a risky decision, but it is my hope that things will fall into place once I am available full time come September.   Well, this is enough of an update for one page. I will continue more on the next entry!
Date: 2007-04-10
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After a wonderful five zero days with Nita in Boone, I'm getting ready to head back to the trail. She will drop me off at the Barn Restaurant near I-81, and I will hike 2.7 miles to the next sheler up the trail. Right now, I am thinking of getting off at Rockfish Gap on 4/22. My parents will pick me up and take me home for a few days. At home I'll have to take care of a couple of work interviews/meetings/etc. and then head back to the trail on 4/26. After that it will be on to Harper's Ferry. I believe I will arrive in Harper's Ferry on 5/2, a day later than planned, but I hadn't planned on getting off at Rockfish, so it's okay. Hopefully the rain will be merciful as I steam toward WV in the next 3 weeks. I'm looking forward to spending some time at home with my family! See you all soon!
Date: 2007-04-19
From: Daleville

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 200.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hello all! Well, I survived the rain, snow, and wind! I am currently in Daleville, VA. To this point I have finished about 720 miles! I am planning on meeting my parents somewhere along the trail this weekend. It will be nice to be home for a few days and visit with the family. I have not seen them since leaving Springer!   Who said Virginia was flat? Virginia has been a tough state so far. There may not be many big name mountains to climb here, but there are PLENTY of climbs to be found. The best parts of VA so far have been McAfee Knob and the Tinker Cliffs. I will post photos from these spots the next time I see Nita.   After leaving Pearisburg in the pouring rain, I made it to Rice Field Shelter. That was the last place I made it to on the trail in 2003. It was nice to be able to move past that point and begin seeing all new things.   The night I left Pearisburg, the rain turned to snow. It snowed about 3 inches over night. After the skies cleared, the winds came. The winds nearly blew me off the mountain at several points.   I am currently enjoying my long awaited Pizza Hut pizza in Daleville. I have been craving Pizza Hut and soda while hiking! I am not sure where I will meet my parents yet. I will have to wait and see what the weather is going to do. Currently the rain is coming down here in town.   Looking forward to a warm bed and a night indoors! Talk to you all soon!
Date: 2007-04-24
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Well, it's back to the trail. I will leave tomorrow morning and head back to Buena Vista, VA with my Dad. From there, I'll be in Waynesboro, VA and the Shenendoah National Park in a couple of days, and then on to Harper's Ferry, WV around May 4th. My family will pick me up on the fourth and we'll all take the trip back down to NC to watch Nita's graduation from grad school. I'll leave Harper's Ferry for points North around May 10th.   I had a great two zero days at home. I got to see my best bud from growing up along with his wife and daughter. It was neat to be able to drive my car around a bit after walking everywhere I went for the last few weeks. The weather forecast is calling for rain the next few days, but that should also mean cooler temps which are much easier to hike in than the 80 and 90 degree temps we've been having the last week.    800 miles down, 1400 or so to go! T Mac, aka Tuna Mac, aka The Southern Gentleman (thanks Sean O) is off to bed to dream of escalators in the woods.
Date: 2007-05-01
From: Harper's Ferry

To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 160.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hello all! It's good to be writing from the comforts of a hotel! After my Dad dropped me off back near Buena Vista, VA, I put in some big mile days and caught back up with a couple of guys I had been previously hiking with. I hiked into Waynesboro, VA with Ansel (Adams). I attempted a run at the pancake eating record at Weasie's Restaurant in Waynesboro. The record is 24 set by a thru hiker in 2005 I believe. I could only manage 4 1/2, but in my defense, they were monster pancakes! Ansel put me to shame with 6!    After leaving Waynesboro, I entered the Shenandoah National Park. The terrain through the park allowed for some high mileage hiking. A did a couple of 30 miler days to catch up with Hatchet Jack. It was nice to catch up to HJ and hike with him again. While hiking in the park I was able to enjoy a mountain blackberry milkshake at a park restaurant. It was perhaps the best thing I've ever tasted. It's official, I'VE HAD MY FIRST BEAR SIGHTING! Through the park I had seen owls, salamanders, rabbits, and deer... but no bear. You just about had to push the deer out of your way in the park. They were like the ponies of the Grayson Highlands. Hiking at dusk one evening with Hatchet Jack, something large and black stood up out of the brush next to the trail and boundedinto the woods a few feet. The bear stopped about 30 feet into the woods off of the trail and posed for a picture before ambling deeper into the trees. I was thrilled to finally have seen one of these guys. I look forward to sharing the photo of him next week when I see Nita.   I made it through the 100 mile long park this afternoon. After leaving the park, I hitched a ride into the near by town of Front Royal where I'm sharing a room with Hatchet Jack. The hotel is 50 yards away from a dunkin doughnuts/Baskin Robins, so thing are pretty good right now.    I have completed about 960 miles to date and am about 50 miles from Harper's Ferry. Depending on the weather, I should make it to Harper's Ferry on Thursday or Friday. Once in West Virginia, my parents will pick me up and we'll all drive down to NC to watch Nita walk in her graduation ceremony. It will be nice to take a few zero days off to spend time with Nita and our families.   Thanks for reading! I'll post again after reaching Harper's Ferry, West Virginia!
Date: 2007-05-10
From: Pine Grove Furnace State Park

To: Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

May 10th, time to get back to the trail and start haulin' toward Maine. I had a great time with Nita and our families. Graduation was fun and we got Nita moved up to Virginia.    I appologize for not being able to download more than four photos, but things were very busy this last week. More photos are on the way.   As I head back to Harper's Ferry, WV today, I will stop in at the ATC headquarters and then walk into Maryland. My friend Hatchet Jack is only a few days ahead of me, so I will do my best to catch up with him. It's SO tough to leave home after getting settled in again and seeing everyone, but Katahdin calls and it's now or never! Onward to Maine!
Date: 2007-05-25
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: North!
Miles today: 250.0
Weather: clear sky

Hello all! I appologize for the long wait between journal entries. Internet access the last 250 miles has been few and far between. Thaks for hanging in there and being patient, and for all of the well wishes! Currently I am writing from the Church of The Mountain Hostel in Delaware Water Gap, PA. It sits on the border between PA and New Jersey! Tomorrow I cross into my eighth state! The last 250 miles since Harper's Ferry have been fun. I have been hinking with a guy named Turbo. He is an Appalachian State University graduate from Raleigh, NC. I don't have much time left on my timed internet access here, so I will just hit the highlights of the last two weeks and will try my best not to leave anything out. After leaving WV, Maryland flew by really quick. I saw A few snakes, another owl, and even saw a groundhog climb a tree. Yes, A groundhog in a tree, and I have the photo to prove it! The first half of Pennsylvania was great. Lots of towns and parks with restrooms and water fountains! I made it to the official halfway point of the trail in Pine Grove Furnace State Park. I participated in the Half Gallon Challenge and successfully put away an entire half gallon of ice cream (Moose Tracks flavor) in about 30 minutes. The second half of PA was filled with lots of rocks and lots of ticks, neither of which were terribly enjoyable. In Port Clinton, PA, Turbo and I, along with Ansel hitched a ride to Pottsville, PA and took a tour of the Yeungling Brewery, the oldest brewery in America! It was definatley a good trip. Getting into Delaware Water Gap was another big milestone as the rocks of PA are finally behind me. They weren't as bad I had been lead to believe, but they definately slowed my progress some, and put a hutin' on my poor tennis shoes. Pair number three is not far away. From here, it will take me about two days to get through New Jersey, and then another seven days od so to get through New York. Mass. and Conn. are also smaller states that will go by quickly, leaving me with only the big three, Vermont, New Hampshire, and finally, Maine! I'm excited to make my way into New England! Thanks to everyone for all the well wishes and support! I appologize for not having the ability to upload new pictures right now, but stay tuned as they will come eventually. My friend Hatchet Jack is still about 3 days ahead of me and I will try to catch up with him over the coming weeks. It would be great to summit Mt. Katahdin with him and the others I've been hiking with along the way. Thanks for reading, I will update again when I can!
Date: 2007-05-27
From: Vernon, NJ

To: Vermont
Miles today: 50.0

Hello again! Tonight I am writing from St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Vernon, NJ. The hostel is a really great place run by some very welcoming people. Vernon is located near the border of NJ and NY. As I leave the hostel tomorrow, I will be leaving NJ behind for good and spending the next six days or so in NY.    I apologize for the previous entry not showing up. It seems I forgot to place a date on the entry so it wouldn't show up in the journal. I fixed that problem, so make sure you read the previous entry as well.   Well, at my current pace, I am about 11 days from walking into Vermont. NY, MA, and CT are all smaller states and will go by pretty quickly.   The last two days have been some of my hardest on the entire AT so far. In NJ the mosquitos have been REALLY bad. In addition to the bugs, the temps have been in the high 80's and the water is getting scarce. I am still hiking with Ansel and Turbo and am having a blast with them. Hatchet jack remains three days ahead.   Well, it's time for me to cook some dinner! I'll write again when I can!