morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-08-18
To: Prep #2 - Hind's Feet
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

From hannahscupboard.com:"The hind is a female red deer whose home is the mountains. The rear feet of the hind step in precisely the same spot where the front feet have just been. Every motion of the hind is followed through with single-focused consistency, making it the most sure-footed of all mountain animals.Now listen to how the Lord compares our spiritual walk with the hind..."The Lord God is my strength, and he has made my feet like hinds' feet, and makes me walk on my high places." (Habakkuk 3:19 and also found in Psalm 18:33)Do you know that the Lord has some high places for you? Places where the air is pure, the view pristine, distractions are far below, and there are paths just big enough for the two of you. It's true that the climb up to the high places is a bit more challenging than a level foot path in the valley. But not if you've got those hinds' feet; the hinds' feet equip you for the roughest terrain.Can't you just smell that mountain air? What are you waiting for?"I am asking the Lord to give me hind's feet in my preparation hikes and for the Appalachian Trail. I am eager to see the high places the Lord has for me !
Date: 2012-08-19
To: Prep #3 - Gourmet Trail Food ?
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We shared a Mountain House lasagne. It was ok but I expect it will be delicious after a full day of walking. Not sure though that I could eat the entire meal, but from reading journals it seems that at some point I will develop a ferocious appetite! Mixed up a cheesecake (from the pic) for dessert and I enjoyed it. Stone didn't care for it. It was a smaller serving than the dinner and there's no doubt I'll be able to devour it on the trail.
Date: 2012-08-24
To: Prep #4 - Appalachian Fitpacking Trip
Miles today: 0.0

Since I have no extended backpacking experience, I registered for the Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Georgia Primer in October of this year; I'm hoping it will be the right time to see the beautiful fall colors on the trees and I hope to learn a lot and gain a little confidence. Quoting from their website: "We will teach you everything you need to know to undertake a thru-hike of the AT." their link.
Date: 2012-08-30
To: Prep #5 - Nunc coepi
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Nunc Coepi ¢Now I Begin.¢Nunc coepi is a Latin phrase often heard in seminaries of old. It means, ¢Now I begin.¢ Novices were taught to say this every morning, signifying that what was is past, what will be is hidden in the future, and it is only now--this day, this moment--that counts.Not what I did yesterday, or what I may do tomorrow. Now I begin. Nunc coepi.Every day is another chance and a fresh start. It¢s important to remember that. Too many of us are hyperaware of all the yesterdays we wasted or phantom tomorrows that could bring us down. Yet we¢re hardly aware of the day that¢s right here in our hands, shimmering with possibilities. Why do we do that? Why do we so habitually discount and brush off the wonder of the present moment?One reason may be that we don¢t trust ourselves. Because of past mistakes, we¢re afraid to get very hopeful. In fear of failing again, we choose to downplay the possibilities and try to settle for what comes, rather than actively creating it. This bottom line may be that we really don¢t believe in second chances.But each day is new whether we believe in it or not. We can begin fresh each morning if we decide to live our lives that way. The miracle isn¢t that the chance is there; it always has been there. The miracle is what happens when we reach out to embrace it.As long as there is life, there is the chance to start over."This page was taken from the book, Believing In Myself, by Earnie Larsen & Carol Hegarty.I'm using the phrase Nunc coepi as part of my signature to remind me that each day on the AT "I begin once more with your help, O Lord."
Date: 2012-09-06
To: Prep #6 - Mt. LeConte Hike
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Had a great hike to Mt. LeConte Lodge in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park this past week. Loved my ULA Circuit pack and hiking in Teva Hurricane XLTs wearing Swiftwick wool socks (thanks Mickie aka Mouse 2012 AT thru-hiker for sharing your journal and what worked for you). Liked the water bottle cords on the pack shoulder strap and found a bottle that worked. Used a white trash compactor bag as a pack liner. Didn't try the SteriPen Adventurer Opti to filter water but I'll test that on my fitpacking trip in October. It rained for about 40 minutes on the hike up and the Sea to Summit ultra-sil tarp-poncho was easy to put on and take off. We had Cabin #9 (last cabin closest to woods) so I tested the Pocket Shower hanging it from a tree in the woods and used Dr. Bronner's liquid soap. It rained about 1/2 inch during the night so the hike down was very slippery. Only slipped once on the rocks with a slight sitting down on my right hip and elbow but no damage. Even in trail runners or hiking shoes I could have slipped (see the video of the terrain). Looking forward to October and 40 miles on the AT. Some of the pictures I took of Alum Cave trail and Mt. LeConte.
Date: 2012-09-23
To: Prep #7 - Doubts
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Struggling some lately with doubts. Ever since driving back from the Great Smoky Mountains, I keep thinking about sitting in the car and watching the mountains pass as we head down the road at 70 mph. Can I walk from Springer Mountain to the top of Clingman's Dome? On our trip a couple of weeks ago, I saw the trail marker on the paved path up to the tower where I will leave the trail if it's a clear day and go up the tower to take pictures. I finished "A Walk For Sunshine" by Jeff Ault today. He encountered a terrible snow storm near Clingman's Dome and then later in the Spring several weeks of unrelenting rain. How will I deal with rotten weather? Am I too old to go the distance? Will I suffer an injury that will take me off the trail? Do I have the mental fortitude? I found this quote by Frances Ridley Havergal, an English poet and hymn writer: "Doubt indulged soon becomes doubt realized." So I've decided whenever doubts try to thwart my adventure, I will not give into them or dwell on them.
Date: 2012-09-24
To: Prep #8 Fitpacking Trip
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

In two weeks I'll begin my first backpacking trip and I'm excited. There are 2 guides for this week on the Appalachian Trail; 5 women and 1 man have registered to date. Registration is still open and they expect a few more people. It would be great if one or more of the people on this trip are planning a thru hike in 2013 and I'll have already met them.I think I have everything except a sleeping pad and maybe a compression sack which I plan to buy at REI this week. I love that store so I doubt I'll get out of there with just those two things. I'll have to focus on the fact that I want to keep my pack as light as possible. I hope it all fits. Right now all the possibilities are laying around a spare bedroom -- on the bed, on the floor, on the triple dresser. My husband is an avid weather watcher and he asked this morning if I wanted to know the long range forecast... I'm more of a take it as it comes person because the forecast will change between now and October 20th.
Date: 2012-10-31
To: A Valuable Lesson
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I learned a valuable lesson at this place;filled a 32 oz. Nalgene because the water looked so refreshing and was very cold. My Camelbak went dry about 20 minutes after leaving here. I never dreamed I had consumed 2 liters from the Camelbak by taking little frequent sips during the morning and early afternoon. We had about 2 miles or so to go before camp that night.
Date: 2012-11-06
To: Dance
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I'm not much of a Country music fan but I really like this song. It reminds me of my dad who loved to dance. We grew up hearing stories about him driving to Chicago (200 miles north of where he lived)to dance at the Trianon Ballroom in the bigband era and on occasion he and mom would dance in the living room. Dancing brought joy to his life. His last dance was at age 87 with Ann Garzia of Sarah Care, an adult day care, here in Georgia. They were playing big band music and Ann asked dad to dance. I have a picture of him dancing with her -- priceless! Dad was born at home July 23, 1918; he was part of the Greatest Generation. He grew up during the depression and fought in World War II. God gave me one of the desires of my heart. When my dad could not safely live alone, I moved in with him. He lived just a few blocks from my home. My dad was born into eternal life on January 1, 2006 as I sat by his bedside and held his hand. I'm sure he dances now in heaven. "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" 1 Cor. 2:9"I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance.Never settle for the path of least resistance.Livin' might mean takin' chances, but they're worth takin ...""Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along. Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder, where those years have gone?"Life is a lot like a dance. The words of this song speak to me. Yes, I still feel small when I stand beside the ocean. I haven't lost my sense of wonder. I don't take life for granted -- my maternal grandmother died at the age of 52 yrs. when my mom was pregnant with me; my mother died at the age of 47 and my sister died at the age of 49. I'm thankful for the gift of 63 years.When you get the choice to sit it out or dance ... dance ! I'm grateful to be able to choose this hike. I'm going to dance on the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2012-11-11
To: Veterans Day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Veterans Day Prayer:Father, we could never thank our military men and women enough for their courageous service and sacrifice to our country and its people. Yet today we lift up our voices to express gratefulness and honor to these militarytroops both from the past and present. Show us ways in our communities, churches, and families to thank and love them better. Keep and protect these heroes and their families, in the powerful name of Jesus. Amen.My dad served in WWII, my husband served two tours in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot and was career Army until he retired in 1985. Then he continued to serve by teaching in JROTC departments in various high schools for 20 yrs; he wore a uniform for over 40 yrs. Our youngest son is an Army combat photographer/videographer who served in Afghanistan and is presently stationed in Belgium. We have three nephews who have also served our country. As I walk the Appalachian Trail, I hope to raise funds to support Homes For Our Troops. I don't know how far I'll get but when I get discouraged, when my feet and legs hurt, when I'm soaking wet and perhaps cold, I will lift up in prayer our service men and women who have sacrificed so much -- their lives, their legs, their arms, their sight, hearing, the way they used to look and ask God to help keep me moving North. I'm hoping that people would consider contributing a penny a mile. Even if I don't make it all the way, the steps I've managed will help to build a home for a man or woman who was willing to give their all so that I could live in freedom. Would you consider helping ? See the link on the left - Homes For Our Troops.
Date: 2012-11-15
To: A Parable of Sauntering
Miles today: 0.0

A Parable of Saunteringby Albert W. Palmer, Excerpted from The Mountain Trail and Its Message (1911) "There are always some people in the mountains who are known as "hikers." They rush over the trail at high speed and take great delight in being the first to reach camp and in covering the greatest number of miles in the least possible time.They measure the trail in terms of speed and distance. One day as I was resting in the shade, Mr. Muir overtook me on the trail and began to chat in that friendly way in which he delights to talk with everyone he meets. I said to him: "Mr. Muir, someone told me you did not approve of the word 'hike.' Is that so?" His blue eyes flashed, and with his Scotch accent he replied: "I don't like either the word or the thing. People ought to saunter in the mountains - not hike! "Do you know the origin of that word 'saunter?' It's a beautiful word. Away back in the Middle Ages people used to go on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and when people in the villages through which they passed asked where they were going, they would reply, "A la sainte terre,' 'To the Holy Land.' And so they became known as sainte-terre-ers or saunterers. Now these mountains are our Holy Land, and we ought to saunter through them reverently, not 'hike' through them." John Muir lived up to his doctrine. He was usually the last man to reach camp. He never hurried. He stopped to get acquainted with individual trees along the way. He would hail people passing by and make them get down on hands and knees if necessary to see the beauty of some little bed of almost microscopic flowers. Usually he appeared at camp with some new flowers in his hat and a little piece of fir bough in his buttonhole. Now, whether the derivation of saunter Muir gave me is scientific or fanciful, is there not in it another parable? There are people who "hike" through life. They measure life in terms of money and amusement; they rush along the trail of life feverishly seeking to make a dollar or gratify an appetite. How much better to "saunter" along this trail of life, to measure it in terms of beauty and love and friendship! How much finer to take time to know and understand the men and women along the way, to stop a while and let the beauty of the sunset possess the soul, to listen to what the trees are saying and the songs of the birds, and to gather the fragrant little flowers that bloom all along the trail of life for those who have eyes to see! You can't do these things if you rush through life in a big red automobile at high speed; you can't know these things if you "hike" along the trail in a speed competition. These are the peculiar rewards of the man who has learned the secret of the saunterer! "I hope I can take this message to heart and be a saunterer on the Appalachian Trail. I would not have seen the Indian Pipes or Ghost Flowers if I had been moving quickly down the trail ...
Date: 2012-11-22
To: Thanksgiving
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Thanksgiving Prayer:For beauty in nature, Your glory we see For joy and health, friends and family, For daily provision, Your mercy and care These are the blessings You graciously share. So today we offer this response of praise With a promise to follow You all of our days.--Mary FairchildWe walk every day from 6-10 miles. Since my prep hike, I've been walking with backpack donned several times a week. Once or twice a week I will walk up and down a really good hill repeatedly (like 10 times)-- I know it's not a mountain but I'm hopeful that will help me be more prepared for the real thing.Happy Thanksgiving everyone. We are missing our youngest son who is stationed in Belgium. A BIG THANK YOU to all our service men and women.
Date: 2012-11-24
To: A Cold Night in Georgia
Miles today: 0.0

Forecast is for a low of 24 degrees so I get to test my gear on a chilly night. My quilt is rated for 30 degrees, Exped Synmat 7 sleeping pad has an R value of 4.9 (whatever that means...)and I have a Sea to Summit Thermolite Reactor liner which is supposed to give me an added 15 degrees of warmth (not sure about that) but it would be nice. I'll soon find out.Just about to finish another good book "A Wildly Successful 200 Mile Hike" by Rick Allnutt, M.D. From his book:"Thirty Percent Solution? There is a saying in the hiking community that hiking is thirty percent physical and seventy percent mental. Simply stated, all that preceded in this booklet about blisters, chafing and knee pain, plus all the other equipment issues combined are just a small part of what it takes to walk in the woods.It takes dedication, a dream, and a good attitude to successfully walk a long way. It helps to consider that there will be rough times, but there will be enough fun to keep going. This helps me to meditate on how I will act when I am discouraged."
Date: 2012-12-15
To: No Words
Miles today: 0.0

Before they call I will answer;while they are still speaking I will hear. Isaiah 65:24"Only with You, only in You, only from You, can we meet the morning¢s dawn. Only with You, only in You, and only from You can we find certain hope and unbounded faith. We did not choose this moment, Father. But we did choose You, our Lord and our God. And in that choice, God Eternal Ever-present, let the challenge of this moment be met. Let the morning come. Let the world pass away. We remain in the palms of Your hands. Amen."Dr. Tom Lawson - Kentucky Christian CollegeGrieving with and praying for the families of Sandy Hook, Connecticut
Date: 2013-01-02
To: Gratitude
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Let us cultivate the gift of gratitude during 2013 whether we are walking the Appalachian Trail or going about our normal daily routines. I'm grateful today for the gift of the Eucharist which I received at mass this morning. I'm also grateful for good health and for my legs and feet that supported me and my 20 lb. pack during an 8 mile walk this afternoon.Let us remember that our smiles can bring blessings.Happy New Year to the Class of 2013 !
Date: 2013-01-04
To: Go The Distance
Miles today: 0.0

I will hold this picture in my mind as I walk the Appalachian Trail. This man and his family have gone the distance and they continue to go the distance every day. I will hold in my heart Homes For Our Troops as I walk the trail; I hope to raise awareness for their mission to build specially adapted homes for our severely injured veterans MORTGAGE FREE! These veterans served our country after September 11 and were injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. See Homes For Our Troops link in the sidebar.During my first ever week long hike in October, we stopped for the night at Gooch Gap shelter. I searched the log for signatures from hikers I had followed on trailjournals.com. I noticed an entry from March of 2012 because of the beautiful penmanship. It was signed by Warren Doyle, a 34,000 miler, as of 2011. I should have taken a picture of the entry to record his exact words but I didn't think about it. The gist of the entry was that he had seen approximately 50 NOBO's on the trail that day who were tired, not prepared and would not make it out of Georgia. That was sobering. Afterwards, I kept thinking about his comments and did a little research.Mr. Doyle runs a program called The Appalachian Trail Institute to prepare people to go the distance. He has written Walking The Entire Appalachian Trail: Fulfilling a Dream by Completing the Task. Check it out it's informative.I can't be sure, but I don't think it was accidental for me to find Warren Doyle's entry in the Gooch Gap log. I expect his thirteen statements of wisdom will be helpful to me as I head north and hopefully go the distance. Last January on my 63rd birthday my husband and I completed our first half marathon. It was really cold and windy that morning at Callaway Gardens. We didn't set any records, we didn't place in our age groups, but we went the distance. That's my hope for the Appalachian Trail. The finish line for the half marathon is in the background (pic posted if you want to see my big smile and little medal). If I can go the distance in 2013, I'll have a picture of myself at the Katahdin sign instead of a medal.At the moment on the trail when I first see the Katahdin sign, which from pictures I have seen is a little ways before I actually get there, I expect to kneel down right there, give thanks to God for walking with me and allowing me to go the distance, and then walk just a little further to the sign and complete the pilgrimage. I'll have a Homes For Our Troops bandana with me which has been on my backpack from the beginning (see my pack picture for this post). I hope someone will take a picture of me holding it at the sign. I hope that people will have been generous in their support to Homes For Our Troops and will have helped me meet my fund raising goal to build homes for our brave men and women.
Date: 2013-02-02
To: Thank You Trail Journals Class of 2012
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I¢ve mentioned that my desire to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail has not been a life-long dream. It was only in February of 2012 that I learned about Trail Journals but once I began reading, my interest started to grow by leaps and bounds. By mid-summer of last year I was watching for sales and buying gear.In 2012 I followed many as they headed North and a few coming South ¢ solo men, one family, many couples, two father and daughter pairs, and solo women. Each journal was unique and informative. I want to say thank you to those I followed for allowing me to ¢arm chair¢ hike, for sharing their dreams and experiences, for inspiring me and giving me hope that it might just be possible for me. I followed many more journals than I will list below; injuries, illness, personal matters, etc. thwarted their dreams. Some are coming back this year and I hope they realize their dream in 2013.So here¢s a big THANK YOU to those who walked the trail last year and shared the journey! You have been my teachers and I am so very grateful.Couples: The Charon¢s, Gung-Ho and Tagalong, Long Stride & SilverGirl, Myakka Mules, sharing the insanity, Sprite & Snag, the TrovertsFamily: Valerie (Member of the A Team)Father and Daughter: Balls and Sunshine; Gumpy and PeeperSolo Men: Achilles, Badger, Bomber, Daddy-O, Diesel, DirtyGirl, Late 4 Dinner, Lime Green, Seeks It, TrogSolo Women: Dos, DreamTime, Five Pair, Lyn ¢Wildflower¢, Mamaw B, Mouse (Mickie Amundson)-two were named Mouse and so I listed her real name; ToriiI emailed Dos inquiring about updating her journal from the trail and the procedure she used. I could always count on her prompt posting which helped me to worry a little less. She responded the same day. I hope I can follow her example so my family, friends and people I don¢t know won¢t worry about me.I emailed DreamTime when I was uncertain about the best way to handle food (mail drops, no mail drops, some mail drops or just buy in town). She replied promptly and in such detail that I no longer worried about what I should do in regards to food. She gave me ideas that had not crossed my mind.Jim O'Brien, husband and Ground Control for Five Pair, for answering questions via email about her blog.Not everyone lists their gear on Trail Journals but I found that when people took the time to do so, it helped me (a complete novice) to begin researching and making decisions about the gear that I would need to buy. So, thanks, to those who took the time last year to list your gear.
Date: 2013-02-13
From: Springer Mt.

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 31.7
Weather: broken clouds

In an effort to keep my miles correct as I log them for my thru-hike, I have added this entry. In October of 2012 I hiked from Springer Mt. to Neels Gap. You can read about those days on Prep #12.On February 14th, I began hiking at Neels Gap for 2013. If I am successful and summit Katahdin in the fall of 2013, I will return to Neels Gap and hike South to Springer to complete the trail in one calendar year.As I try to keep my journal current from the trail, it has been difficult to record the mileage so I hope this correction will help me.
Date: 2013-02-14
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

Nunc Coepi ... now I begin ! THE day has finally arrived.Please check out my blog for a complete description (probably too wordy) and pictures of my first day on the Appalachian Trail. What a start and nothing like I thought it would be!PrayerWalker on the Appalachian Trail