morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-04-13
From: Gainesville, Ga (home)

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

04-13-2011Fraser FirYear Eight of my journey from Georgia to MaineI ended up sending a mail drop to Front Royal. It was ten pounds, and definitely worth sending. What I did was separate food out for eleven days of hiking and then divided it up between the three sections of the hike that I will be doing.I must be slow or something because this took almost three hours to do!Another thing is that once I think that I have every single thing on my list; something else shows up that I need. Maybe not need, but desire at least!!!My food and Gatorade appears to be evenly spread out amongst all of the days.On day one, I will capitalize on Daleville and eat at Pizza Hut or something to avoid having to carry extra food weight.In addition, my food drop at the James River Foot Bridge is around ten or eleven pounds.There will not be any towns once I get out of Daleville so the food drop at the James Foot River Bridge will be critical.This will enable me to hike further at a faster pace. (not having to carry so much additional weight)I am still doing some soul searching on a thin book to accompany my small Gospel of John. I will be tired at night but I love to read more than you know.We got rid of television (only dvds) back in 2006 and I have spent so much time reading. I love listening to my mp3 at night as well. I especially enjoy some good jazz. I am a huge fan of Herbie Hancock. In addition, late at night I love to listen to David Crowder.This morning was a great morning to get out and walk with the pack that I will actually be using at the end of next week.The up and downs seem to be paying off. My legs are sore; for certain but it is good to develop and facilitate ¢muscle memory¢ for the upcoming hike.It should be interesting to do a northbound section that will be getting me closer to Katahdin; all the while I will walk south through Shenandoah National Park to meet Homer @ Rockfish Gap!!Virginia, here I come.Happy Hiking!!
Date: 2011-04-14
From: Home

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

April 14, 2011- Thursday.Let the countdown continue to commence!!Fraser FirSection HikerAppalachian TrailGeorgia to MaineYear Eight I suppose that being a section hiker has some perks that even a thru hiker may not have.For the past few years, I have had the opportunity to get ready physically and emotionally for a ¢thru-hike¢ of my own; be it that some of these sections have been limited to forty or fifty miles.Perhaps my longest section of around 180 miles last year gave me a better taste of what a thru hike would be like.When I discovered the Appalachian Trail; via my college roommate from the University of Georgia, I found this green tunnel that seemed to have so much mystery; so much intrigue; so much intimidation because as you look upon its distance from Maine to Georgia you see such a massive feat to go after.My roommate, Steve would probably be surprised that I ever took one step on the trail. We did a quick up and down somewhere in North Georgia and I was thinking that there must be better things to do with my time than walking up and down mountains.My family may not understand why in the world I would drive hours to get somewhere and hike for a very limited amount of time and ¢rush back to the bee hives of the city¢ as quoted by Benton MacKaye. Well, the trail is part of who I am. It does not define me in entirety but it is a part of me to the point that I get so excited when anyone and everyone wants to talk about it.I am just an average guy trying to hike to Maine- simply one step at a time.Bryson, I hope you are ready (my oldest son) because we all know that next year, I will revolve around the house on the Appalachian Trail but Pennsylvania will be hiked as a ¢duo¢Last night, I read the entire guidebook to Shenandoah National Park. Tonight, I will quickly read through the Thru hikers guide book from Wingfoot-thank you very much .I have checked out the Ga.-Me. and the Me. ¢Ga. version(s).I am so thankful; I am so blessed; I am so appreciative to have a chance to advance on the Appalachian Trail.I may have one more chance to write before I leave. May God Bless You; and thank you for reading my journal.
Date: 2011-04-16
From: Home

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Fraser Fir04/16/2011Section HikerGeorgia to MaineHere is what I will carry for the next eleven days:*Griptonyte trail runners by Montrail (clearance at REI- blue with yellow shoe laces!!)*Ridgecrest sleeping pad *Katadyn water pump50¢* light twine and Swiss army knife*Sierra Design ¢Hurricane¢ fast pack rain jacket*Mountain Hardware waterproof pants*Northface lightweight fleece gloves*Colombia full weather hat *North Face Backpack (condensed) it is a long story- this is my ¢Sherpa¢ bag and I have compartmentalized a section so that I do not have all of this extra room.(in other words- I have cut a section out)* Blacklite/Msr Pot and Stove* Northface shell-fleece*North face hiking shorts* Northface winter slacks*Bridgedale, wigwam, smartwool socks* Northface Harrier Tent with half tarp. (cut the tarp in half to shed ounces)* North Face Ten degree bag with coolmax sleeping bag liner       * Outdoor research bags.* Patagonia short/long sleeve polyethylene shirts * One cotton t shirt for camp*First aid* (two mail drops- one at James River Bridge via Homer Witcher; number two via Sharon in Front Royal) *One trekking pole-(thank you Jeremy and Erin) Umbrella!! a must!!<*   Mp3 player* telephone for texting* Solar power pack to charge mp3 and my phone. (light-less than one oz.)*Message Translation Bible- Gospel of John only *Possibly a small book to read?-fiction?; maybe 1984 by Orwell?? here we go..
Date: 2011-04-17
From: Home

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Fraser Fir 04/17/2011¢rough itinerary¢ my eyes are most likely bigger than my hiking ¢appetite"This is a rough draft. Nothing etched in stone.miles per hour (mph) based on elevation profile for that given day (estimate)in addition, I hike long days and take lots of pictures. I am not "running" or in a rush. I relish every momemnt. ask my wife, I took around 500 pictures or so last spring on a 180 mile or so walk!!Day OneVa 311 to Fullhardt Knob 24.8 mi @ 2.5mph Day TwoFullhardt Knob to Bryant Ridge Shelter 26.8 mi. @ 2.5 mph(no water @ Bryant Ridge)Day ThreeBryant Ridge Shelter to U.S. 501 James River 24.9 mi. @ 2.10 mph(food drop from Homer Witcher)Day FourNear U.S. 501 to Cow Camp 25.8 mi. @ 2.0 mphDay Five Cow Camp Shelter to Chimney Rock (no h20 @ Chimney rock)26.2 mi. @ 2.75 mphDay Six Chimney Rock to Rockfish Gap25.0 mi. @ 2.50 mphshuttle pick up @ Rockfish Gap (2 hr car ride north- by Sharon to Front Royal)**everything from here on is based upon when I get to Rockfish Gap. Day Seven to Day elevenstarting point could be Snickers Gap or could be Front RoyalI may spend the night in Homer's front yard at the end of Day eleven.
Date: 2011-04-18
From: Amicalola Falls (today for day hike)

To: Front Royal (starting next Monday)
Miles today: 2.0
Weather: overcast clouds

04/18/2011Fraser FirSection HikerGeorgia to MaineA great day of fun at Amicalola Falls State Park!!Stephanie, Bryson, Siler and I went to Amicalola Falls State Park today and made a day of it!We renewed our Georgia State Park Pass; played on the playground and then hiked the approach trail.Stephanie is thirteen weeks pregnant so she opted to only go up about half way to the top of the waterfalls.Siler wanted mommy to come so he turned around and we escorted him to mom.Siler has made it to the top before; just not this time. He wanted to be with his mom.It is over six hundred stairs to the top and Bryson did it with ease. Bryson has hiked to the top of the six hundred plus stairs sans assistance twice now.It is amazing to see how much faster he was able to get to the top this time around even versus last fall when we did it last!!In addition, I thought it to be sooo cool to see my almost six year old son reading trail signs. Of course, I would give him a few hints, but it was awesome to see him transcribe the signs.Well, I will be leaving in a few days. I am so excited to begin another section of the Appalachian Trail.I would like to give a shout out to ¢Jerry¢ for signing my guest book. I want to thank all of my friends and family for their support. A huge thank you to Wingfoot, the Roanoke ATC; PATC; Natural Bridge ATC, The ATC in Harpers Ferry (yes, I owe my year end dues!! I know!!) and to David Miller for the reading, analyzing and profiling of maps, literature and notes.Stephanie, I know how hard it is for you to understand me and why I want to do this. It is all good though.Bryson and Siler, I love you both so much and you are going to make great big brothers to your brother/sister in late October.I can hardly wait until the three of us do some backpacking together when I get back. Actually, for Siler¢s sake we may stay at a camp ground. He is very concerned about bears and when we camped at Balsam last summer, there were wild hogs and he kinda has not gotten over that. At any rate, we are going to do some hiking and give mom a much deserved break!!Bryson wants to pick up with me in Pennsylvania. (two years out). So we will actually prep together for that.What a great day. Thank you for reading my journal!
Date: 2011-04-21
From: Gainesville, Georgia

To: Front Royal (starting north on Monday)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Fraser FirSection HikerGeorgia to MaineLast night, I stayed up late reviewing and re-reviewing elevation profiles and Wingfoots guide to get a sense of each day.Of course, each day will be what it is...with an umbrella mind you!!Tonight, Thursday night, I will sleep under the stars with my two boys, Bryson and Siler. We will read books by flashlight and have all kinds of fun! You know it!We are going to sleep in the boys playhouse in the back yard.Everything is pretty much in order for this section hike From Catawba, Virginia northward.In the event that you have not read much of my journal (or maybe you have found me bouncing all over the place)..I wanted to clarify that I am hiking from Catawba to Rockfish Gap.From Rockfish Gap, I will take a shuttle northward to Front Royal.Depending on how my hike goes, I will turn south and head back to Rockfish Gap or I will get an additional shuttle to Snickers Gap and hike southward to Rockfish Gap.Either way, I will be hiking some distance southbound.That is just fine with me.Just a couple more cds to upload on the mp3.I will write again after I return to Georgia.Thank you for reading my journal.Have a great day!!God Bless you.
Date: 2011-04-25
From: Catawba Hwy 311

To: Hwy 220 Troutville
Miles today: 19.8

Monday, April 25, 2011Fraser FirSection HikerGeorgia to MaineEntry one of threeI left Gainesville, Georgia around 3:00 am this morning and made it to Homer Witcher¢s house around 10:00 am in Daleville.The ride up was absolutely beautiful along the I-81 corridor from Galax to Roanoke.After getting some final stuff from   Wal-mart in Dublin, a subway sandwich and mailing off some post cards, Homer dropped me off at Hwy 311 just north of Catawba.It was around one year ago when I finished up my 2010 section at this very place.It is hot today- probably going to end around 90 degrees down in the valley and maybe 85 or so up here.The early spring or the treeless spring is one of the hottest times of the year to hike because you have no canopy to insulate you from direct sun light.Many August hikes around Standing Indian or in the upper elevations of the Great Smokys have been much cooler than my departure at 2000 feet near Mc Afee Knob.Speaking of Mc Afee Knob, I mailed the boys a post card with an awesome picture of the knob on it.Homer and Therese know that knob very well. They were married on top of it and were instrumental in getting it on the Appalachian Trail.Well, it is time to start hiking. A big shout out to my brother Neil, he came out from Austin to visit for Easter with his girl friend, Stephanie.We went to Lake Lanier and of course Siler went swimming (even in the cold water) Hah!Have a great day.David.
Date: 2011-04-25
From: Hwy 311

To: Hwy 220 (entry two)
Miles today: 19.8

04/25/2011Fraser Fir Entry Two on the day The weather is unseasonably warm right out of the gates. It has to be atleast 85 degrees.I met Larry from the Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club and he gave me some super trail magic. Thanks Larry!A nice fresh apple as I scrambled up toward MacAfee Knob. Fifteen minutes into my climb and over the Eagle Scout Bridges, I find a spring and drink right out of it.There are many Virginia Tech Students out day hiking today as there were a year ago when I finished my 2010 hike in this very place.I made it to MacAfee Knob without incident. A couple of girls volunteered to take my picture on the outcrop but I was too "chicken" to sit down and stick my feet out over the edge.I took their picture as well.Next, I hiked to Hog Camp and found and filtered water.The hardwoods are in full bloom at the 2500 ' elevation range.I borrowed Jeremy's pack again this year. However, with the additional weight of food and gatorade mix, I am feeling the pressure of all of that added weight with this bag.I decide to call Homer and ask him to bring my bigger back pack when we meet this evening.Section hiking has its perks if you have a shuttle driver on your side. My car is at Homer's house; I am able to re-supply through him for a nominal fee and I will hike right by his house tonight and trade out my pack and get my trekking pole.Section hiking has some "disadvantages" that I will allude to later. I push very hard when I get on the trail. Not to the point of missing the roses.However, if I had only stopped and smelled them just a little bit longer.With the aggressive itenerary that I have put on myself, I do not allow myself to engage with others on a real level. It never really gets past the superficial layer-if you will.In the end, I have to hike my hike the way that I want to hike it. A friend of mine does not understand why I would not want to do the GA to ME thing with a buddy; I explain that I do not know anyone who would hike the Appalachian Trail the way that I hike the trail.As sad as that sounds, I am more than o.k. with it.In addition, when my boys start to join me "tolerance" will weave in with my own selfish agenda. Siler may want to climb to the top of Pearis Mountain. Bryson may want to stay in a shelter and hang out with other North bounders.In the end, as I head north and get closer to Maine, I will be getting further away from my own personal agenda and make it more about how my boys may want to share this experience with me.
Date: 2011-04-26
From: US Hwy 222

To: Middle Creek (Entry two of three)
Miles today: 23.5

04/26/2011Tuesday Year eight of my long distance voyage from Georgia to Maine via the Appalachian TrailTotal miles hiked 23.50US Hwy 220 to Cove Mountain (wanted to make it to Middle Creek)Entry two on the dayI give Sharon a telephone call in Front Royal to confirm my shuttle at the end of the week.My original plan is to meet her in Waynesboro on Saturday.She has to drive down to Waynesboro on Friday and wants to know if I could make it a day early.She offers a half price shuttle if I can make it happen.I think about it and call her back.There is no physical way to make it to Waynesboro by Friday morning with any sanity so I ask her to meet me somewhere along the Blue Ridge Parkway and she agrees.I will cancel my food drop with Homer at the James River and meet her on Friday morning.I have enough food to make it to Friday, no doubt about it.Speaking of food, I am trying tortillas and cheese spread with pepperoni this year! So far-so, so good!!At Wilson Creek Shelter, I meet Scavenger.Scavenger has a heart of gold. He gives me all of his water and I feel like totally guilty.I was going to make the run down hill to the water source but he offered what he had.We had a great conversation and I snacked as we chatted.Scavenger is one of those guys that everyone likes.He took an expensive tarp and is making it into gaiters. Who would have thought??The cloudy weather breaks and I make it to Black Horse Gap.Black Horse Gap is the borderline for the RATC and the Natural Bridge Appalachian Club.Both clubs do an outstanding job.I am excited. I finally made it to the Blue Ridge Parkway on the Appalachian Trail.Most of my experience with the Blue Ridge Parkway is in the high elevations of North Carolina. I have a deep attachment to the Parkway and what it has meant in camping experiences for both me and my family.The trail clubs have done an outstanding job in keeping the parkway secluded from the Appalachian Trail experience. The Blue Ridge Parkway facilitates the experience and definitely does not impede to the hiking experience along this fine ridge in both Bedford and Bottetourt counties.I shelter hop for water from one shelter to another and soak in the incredible views from the overlooks.I call my brother Christopher and see how school is going at the University of Texas before I drop down to a full house at Bobblets Gap Shelter and thirteen hikers both thru and section.This will not be my landing place for the night for sure. I filter water and drink and then push on past Bearwallow Gap.to be continued on entry 3 of 3 for 04/26/2011.What a wonderful day! Thank you for reading my journal entries! Keep laughing and smiling!
Date: 2011-04-26
From: Hwy 211

To: Cove Mountain (entry three of the day)
Miles today: 22.5

04-26-2011Entry three of the day-second day on this section in Central Virginia north of RoanokeMy eighth year of section hiking the Appalachian Trail starting from Amicalola Falls State Park and continuing to Mt. Kathadin in Baxter State ParkAfter passing Bobblets Gap Shelter and the thirteen hikers, most whom were Thru- I had an itching to break the rules.I got up the Blue Ridge Parkway and tried to find somewhere to stealth camp.Forget Middle Creek Campground.Although downhill, it is several hours away.The cool breeze slaps against my face as I am up on the Parkway.If I yellow blazed, Peaks of Otter is less than six miles from here.No need for that; I have worked to hard to get off the trail up to this point.Not that there is anything wrong with yellow blazing. You have to do what you have to do.If I ever ran into someone who was a 2,000 miler and told me that they yellow blazed, I would not judge them. The green grass up on the Blue Ridge Parkway is so inviting. I wait to see deer this close to sunset.After some deliberations with myself, I decide to push on to the top of Cove Mountain. Here comes the rain again.I pull out my umbrella and get my backpack cover on.My telephone which has a touch screen is all but destroyed. I have been keeping personal notes on it for my journal instead of using a note pad and they are gone.I have to use my famous green felt pen to locate numbers zero through nine on my phone so that I may call out. It is just a big mess-kind of like me.I get up to Cove Mountain and call Stephanie through a process of trial and error.It is going on ten o¢clock p.m. and she warns me of upcoming storms in the South East tomorrow. I appreciate the advice and look at the elevation profile for tomorrow.Many miles above 3,000 feet so I better get up early and boogie.No such luck.I establish where I believe that I will camp tonight but it is still not 100% concealed from oncoming traffic.After I speak to Stephanie, I am too tired to hang a bear bag, so I will take a chance in keeping my food in the tent and quickly go to sleep listening to my mp 3 player.Hey, that is a good idea; I will start verbally recording my journal tomorrow!!(with my mp3 of course!!)Good night sleep tight don¢t let the beef jerky bugs bite!! Hahh! Silly time for sure!!
Date: 2011-04-27
From: Cove Mountain

To: North of Thunder Ridge (entry two of the day)
Miles today: 22.5
Weather: light rain

Fraser FirAppalachian TrailGeorgia to MaineEntry number two of two on the day-Wednesday 04/27/201104/27/2011 Cove Mountain to North of Thunder RidgeThe green grass and emerging wildflowers are like a gigantic yard of the month. Central Virginia is so beautiful. The trail is so much different here than where I live in North East Georgia. Not to take away from the trail in Georgia whatsoever-it is just completely different.8:17 pm- taking a breather at the tower of Thunder Ridge. As it is getting dark, it is time to start looking for somewhere to sleep. Beautiful-Douglas fir; huge rocks everywhere.!!What a beautiful place. Thank you volunteer crew for all that you do!!My camera battery went from full to half full to full again. Tomorrow will be my last day heading north bound on this section. I will hook up with Sharon and take a car ride to Front Royal and head back this way in a southerly direction.We will meet Friday morning somewhere near Hwy 60 and the wayside.A thirty mile day may be in order tomorrow. I am just a little suspicious if I have worked up to that though.I find somewhere to sleep- it is on a rock outcropping. Maybe I should have slept at the official Thunder Ridge Tower Overlook; not like there is some idiot like me out hiking after dark with blowing winds and impeding rain.The winds are so strong that it really takes all of an hour to get my tent set up. I use as much rope as possible with my tent stakes to prevent my tent from blowing off the mountain, which is probably around a one thousand food drop.Reminds me of the hiker I met last year who lost his sleeping bag on top of Balden-Powell on the PCT. It blew right off of the mountain.Typically, I bring an extra tarp; not this trip, I forgot it at home. As the heavy rain comes after midnight, I feel the pain of leaving my tarp at home.I was trying to trim ounces and it back fired.I am all but washed out by the time that I wake up on Thursday morning, the 28th of April.So much for bringing ¢the Shack¢ to read- the rain destroyed my book. It is like a wet brick! Hahh!!The rain is pounding as I crawl into my sleeping bag.   Oh well, what can you do but learn from the experience¢¦.Remember what I said,?? The trail is a class room. We as hikers are the students..always learning and growing from our experiences.Thank you so much for reading my journal.I am off to bed now.God Bless you.
Date: 2011-04-28
From: North of Thunder Ridge (entry one)

To: punch bowl 
Miles today: 23.0

04/28/2011Entry one-day four; year eight of my quest of hiking from Northeast Georgia to Maine.There was possibly one to three inches of rain last night. I pulled out my rain gear and used it to attempt to buffer the down pour last night. Wow, did that ever back fire.Regardless, I have my set of ¢sacrifice¢ clothing that I wear. In other words, regardless of the situation, I keep one pair of ¢protected¢ clothing dry and warm. The ¢sacrifice¢ clothes are to be worn during the rain and may never get completely dry. To say that it is painful to put on cold wet clothing is a dramatic understatement.I truly believe that putting on frozen, wet clothing can make a grown man cry!I met Smurf yesterday near the Parkway; actually Smurf, we ate lunch together at Middle Creek Campground.I mentioned my book got nailed by the rain- at least I still have my Gospel of John.The views from Petites Gap are beautiful as I head up and over Highcock Knob. Originally, Highcock is where I wanted to sleep last night.Highcock was a little more than I bargained for. It feels great to descend. The temperatures are increasing as I am shedding clothes and the sun is coming out.Refilled water and drank four Gatorade packets. Absolutely beautiful. Maybe fifty five degrees to sixty.Half lunch at ten thirty a.m.