morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-15
From: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter

To: VA 56
Miles today: 11.4

A good night with unusually quiet shelter mates. Rain throughout the night but none of the anticipated thunderstorms according to my companions. I slept soundly all night.      I collected my bear bag which I had hung from a tree near the shelter and ate my cold breakfast of Instant Breakfast with dried milk and 2 instant coffee packets, a packet of walnuts, cranberries and granola, and a bottle of water. Breakfast of champions! As I packed my backpack Sunshine was spreading the word that they got a weather report putting us in a tornado and thunderstorm watch area. Storms were to begin around 10. At that moment the fog was heavy and there was light rain. I had three hours to hike from the shelter and over Priest summit (7.1 miles to the summit). I'd see what the weather was like as I hiked. The pelting rain was never heavy but constant and the wind gusted at times pushing me off course. I began to feel a Devine Intervention and rather than risk a storm on Priest summit I would take the inclement weather alternate route around the summit and along side Crabtree Creek to the Crabtree Creek Falls Trail. I called Rescue#1 and let him know of my change in plans. I met up with Sunshine and Young Beard who also wanted to leave the trail. Together we took VA 826 .05 mile to the Crabtree Falls parking area and headed down the mountain. Crabtree Falls is a spectacular sight and although it took a Devine Intervention, I'm glad I saw it. The hike was much longer than the AWOL Guide led us to believe. We hiked several miles before the trail actually joined the Crabtree Trail which was 2 more miles to VA 56. where we finally met Rescue, a very welcome sight. I am so glad I had Sunshine and Young Beard with me on this unplanned side trip. Their young enthusiasm for the adventure kept me calm. I like to know exactly where I'm at at all times. We dropped them off at Crabtree Campgrounds where they rented a cabin for the night. They'll be back on the trail tomorrow on their way to Maine. I wish them luck as they continue their adventure. As we were putting our gear into the trunk the sky opened and the heavy rain started. The first thunderstorm started about the time I would have summited. My guardian angels are still watching. An unanticipated end to my hike but I've decided to head home. I'll return to fill in a few AT gaps but I've hiked a total of over 1000 miles and I'm satisfied for the moment.
Date: 2014-05-16
From: VA 56

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

This season's section of trail was my most challenging...Dragons Tooth, McAfee Knob, Tinkers Cliffs, the slanted rock face trail overlooking Craig Creek Valley, all forced me to move forward or go home. I continued, not boldly, no speed or distance records, but I continued. Would I have done it hiking alone...yes, but hiking with companions provided a comforting safeguard. I'll return to the AT to fill in 20 or so miles in gaps, then hike into Pennsylvania, but before I return new shoes are a must. I hiked this year in the same shoes I used last season. No blisters last year but blisters were a big problem this year. The shoes began to fail (literally fall apart) within the first 100 miles and my feet suffered. Lesson learned!
Date: 2013-03-05
To: Sara and Travel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I love travel and I've backpacked through over 50 different countries. I have a small budget and travel light with a small daypack. I've also spent some time living in Vietnam for an international development program.Some highlights include:Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, TanzaniaWrestling an anaconda in VenezuelaScuba Diving in BorneoBeing a Bollywood extra in IndiaI have many travel stories to share!
Date: 2013-04-13
To: One year countdown begins + Allegany, NY
Miles today: 0.0

Huzzah!One year until I begin my hike on the Appalachian Trail!I went south to Allegany State Park, NY over Easter weekend and had my first experience sleeping in a shelter. I hiked along the North Country Trail.The trail was covered with deep snow and I really wished I had snowshoes. It didn't start out deep until I climbed up into the hills. It was tiring and slow going. While I was hiking out I encountered a hiker and she thanked me for the footprint holes. The shelter registers did not have any entries from January onwards! I was thankful I didn't need to bother to set up my tent and was quite comfy. I rigged up a tarp I found nearby to block the wind. I heard some strange loud repetitive wood knocking noises at about 9pm on Good Friday. It was NOT a woodpecker. Google tells me the noise were caused by Bigfoot. Lolz... I wish. If anyone knows what it could be, please tell me. Overall, the trip was successful and I got to test out some of my newest gear. Winter does not want to end in Southern Ontario. There was an ice storm on Thursday/Friday. I was going to camping but the miserable weather kept me inside. Some people near my city have been without power for three days. C'mon spring, you can do it!
Date: 2013-04-15
To: Eyes and Maildrops
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I have severe myopia and have been wearing glasses since I was a child. I've been wearing contact lenses since high school. I only wear contacts now for special occasions, travelling and hiking. Here is a sunglasses photo since I don't have any recent ones with my glasses on.I can't stand hiking with glasses. They fog up and sweat drips down on them. I also have no peripheral vision with them on.I carried 300 daily contact lenses with me for my eight month round-the-world trip. I had to ration them out and did not wear them every day. The space and weight it took in my backpack was ridiculous.So, what am I going to do for my thru-hike? Option #1 - Get LASIK eye correctionOption #2 - Carry all my contacts againOption #3 - Use maildrops for contactsI investigated Option #1 today at a local LASIK clinic. My prescription is too high for a successful surgery. There is a possibility that implanted contact lenses will work. It costs $8000, I would have to drive 90 mins away for each appointment and the entire process of laser treatment/surgeries would take six months. Ummmmm no. Option #2 - Carrying all the lenses? That is not ultralight!Looks like Option #3 is the best one even though I didn't want to bother with maildrops. To carry 30 days worth of 1-Day Acuvue Moist it adds a weight of 156g/5.5oz but if I cut off the extra plastic bits I reduce it to 108g/3.8oz. My next step is to convince my support person to drive over the border to post the boxes.It would be nice to add extra supplies that normally come in multiples for the maildrops. For sure I will have batteries, guide book pages, hot sauce packets, Advils and razors joining in the box with my contact lenses.
Date: 2013-04-18
To: Thoughts on Gear
Miles today: 0.0

Here is a photo of me on top of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. I was in the middle of my round-the-world trip and did not have appropriate gear. I rented boots and clothing from a porter agency.The boots were worn down and did not fit. The clothing was bulky and heavy and most looked like ski gear from the 1980s. I was so envious of my fellow climbers with moisture-wicking, high tech fabrics.The point is, I know I can accomplish my goals without the "best" of the best gear. One think I won't budge on is being warm at night. I had a flimsy sleeping bag with a thin sleeping pad. I had trouble sleeping on the Mount Kili hike since I was so cold - for six nights! I currently have a 20 degree Rev Enlightened Equipment quilt that will be paired with a Neoair XTherm mattress. Check out my Gear List for what I'm planning at the moment. I'm sure things will get switched out and changed many times.
Date: 2013-04-28
To: Charity Weekend
Miles today: 0.0

This weekend I took part in two charity events.This Saturday I raised $380 in support of the World Wildlife Fund. I climbed all 1776 steps of the CN Tower in Toronto. The CN Tower is the highest free-standing structure in the Western hemisphere. My plan was to go slow and easy. I walked up continuously without getting short of breath. I saw other people in pain, crying and vomiting. Yikes.   I think it is important to know your physical limitations. When hike up a mountain I slow down and regulate my breathing. I'm not a speedy hiker but I have fantastic endurance. Today, I took part in a 6km walk for the Canadian Cancer Society. I was team captain for my workplace and we raised $1520! I was worried that I'd have sore legs but it was no problem. This weekend was a huge success. I'm looking forward to heading into the wilderness next weekend. The plan is to hang out with some moose in Algonquin Provincial Park.
Date: 2013-05-06
To: Sara in Allegheny, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I spent the weekend in Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania with my brother Adam and his wife Aneesa. We hiked on the North Country Tail and a couple side trails.My brother and his wife are not ultralight. They are the opposite of ultralight. My brother carried a 75 litre pack for a weekend trip. Yikes! Hike your own hike I suppose. They also wanted to burn their plastic garbage in the fire but I practice LNT and I packed it out for them.I actually shouldn't poke fun of them since they are faster hikers than me even with the extra weight. At least I didn't complain about sore shoulders though!I hadn't seen as many snakes on a trail in one day since trekking in Venezuela. Snake Shindig! At least five different species were sighted. It was neat to watch a black swimming snake (not sure what species) near the shore of the Allegheny Reservoir. The closest call we had to getting bit was when my brother noticed that a Northern Water Snake was poised to strike us. It was on a rock at a small creek crossing. At first glance I thought it was a Copperhead but the head shape was wrong.We came across three abandoned packs. One was tucked under a tree with soup cans and large rocks all around it. Hmmm strange. Later in the day we also came across two full backpacks lying in a clearing near a creek. We stopped there to filter water. There was no trace of the pack owners. Did Bigfoot get them? I don't know!I had a funny mishap while using my MicroRocket stove. I was sitting on a big rock and cooking with my stove beside me. A gust of wind blew my bandana into the stove's flame and it caught on fire. My brother yelled at me when he saw it ignite. I threw it on the ground and stomped on it. The purchase of new bandana is required. Also, there will be a large radius of flammable objects cleared around my stove from now on.OMG itchy black fly bites on the soles and sides of my feet. How did this happen? This is the worst kind of souvenir from a hiking trip.
Date: 2013-05-13
To: Sara's New Eyeglass Case
Miles today: 0.0

I love weighing things on my digital scale. Sometimes I am surprised. That happened today when I found out my glasses case weighed 127 grams (4.48 ounces). My glasses are very expensive so I never questioned taking my hard case to protect them. I needed to figure out something the right size, strong and lightweight that would work.I wandered around the house picking up random objects and weighing them on my scale. I stuck gold in the medicine cabinet with an old pill bottle. The bottle is study with a secure cap. My glasses fit but slightly jostle in them. I cut two circular pieces of foam for the ends to stop the movement. PERFECTION!Weight on my scale? 27 grams (0.95 ounces)? DOUBLE PERFECTION!
Date: 2013-05-28
To: Rim to Rim Success!
Miles today: 0.0

I spent last week in Arizona. The highlight was tackling the Grand Canyon.Daryl and I first spent one night camping on the South Rim. I was upset at the dumb tourists feeding the squirrels near the Bright Angel Lodge. I hoped they would get their fingers bit off.We took the loooooong Trans-Canyon Shuttle to the North Rim. It was windy and cold (2 degrees Celsius) up there and the camp store ran out of firewood. The ranger was apologetic since it was so miserable outside but of course it wasn't his fault. It was probably for the best since we had a big day ahead!I enjoyed my Poptarts with sunrise on the North Rim before starting the long slog down the canyon. I was overwhelmed by the non-stop gorgeous views. We were feeling good and took the side-trip to see Ribbon Falls. I was beginning to get quite hot and tired while travelling through "The Box". Luckily, our campsite backed onto the creek. Soaking my sore feet in the cool water was a great treat. I enjoyed the Phantom Ranch lemonade and listening to the Ranger talks (Geology and Historical Colorado River Explorers).The next morning I felt stiff but loosed up nicely during the first mile of the Bright Angel Trail. The first half was a breeze... then the switchbacks started. The heat was miserable. It thought it was ironic I was carrying a puffy down jacket and booties! Eventually I climbed out of the canyon. It was tough and took much longer than I expected due to frequent rest stops in the shade. BUT I DID IT! WITH A SMILE!On this trip we also:- spent the night in a Wild West Theme hotel room in Williams- camped at Lockett Meadows in the San Fran Peaks near Flagstaff- spent a few nights at a restored historic cabin in Coconino Forest I'll be travelling to Yukon/Alaska to hike the Chilkoot Trail at the end of June with my brother David. I'm going try to keep my legs conditioned for the trail to prevent doing "The Kaibab Shuffle" on that trip!
Date: 2013-06-19
To: Edible Plant Hike
Miles today: 0.0

I decided to sign up for an Edible Plant hike since knowledge is power. The course took place at Guelph Arboretum on a lovely Sunday in June. The instructor was David Arama, He's the founder of WSC Survival School and his expertise had lead to numerous television appearances.I took careful notes and photos of the the 50+ species he identified during the walk. The instructor purposely rubbed Stinging Nettle all over his arm. An angry red rash with hives soon developed. He crushed a Jewelweed and rubbed it his arm. After 30 mins, the rash had dissipated. I did not want to try that experiment!My favourite plant IDed was Pineapple Weed (pictured) since it can be made into a yummy tea for gastro issues, used in a salad or externally as insect repellant. Also, it is easy to identify by sight and smell.I'm going to make sure I have a good Wild Edible app for my thruhike. It would be awesome to supplement my trail diet with some fresh items plucked from nature.
Date: 2013-06-25
To: Laura Secord Hike - Niagara Bruce Trail
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I'm the co-coordinator of a hiking group made up of friends called "No Drama, Only Hiking". Fourteen of us recently tackled the 200th year anniversary Laura Secord hike. Laura Secord was a Canadian heroine of the War of 1812.   The hike was a recreation of her 20 miles (32km) walk out of American-occupied territory in 1813 to warn British forces of an impending American attack. Our hike was along the Bruce Trail in the Niagara Section.Laura's contribution to the war was little known during her lifetime, but since her death she has been frequently honoured in Canada. A famous Canadian chocolate company is named after her. My three younger brothers also hiked it along with my mother. She was hurting during the last 1/3 but stuck it out to the end to finish. I had warned her that the hike was going to be challenging but she is stubborn like me and wanted to participate. No one dropped out of the hike and I was proud of everyone. It was the longest distance hike for everyone except for Daryl and I. The highlight was walking through the "Screaming Tunnel". A local legend recounts that the tunnel is haunted by the ghost of a young girl, who after escaping a nearby burning farm building with her clothing ablaze, died within its walls. The tunnel was used as a set during the filming of David Cronenberg's 1983 film adaptation of Stephen King's horror novel The Dead Zone. The tunnel was partially flooded and very creepy.At the conclusion of the hike we received our commemorative badges and ate a delicious lunch prepared by volunteers. Daryl and I hit up Silversmith Brewery on the way home for a pint of the most delicious beer in Ontario.
Date: 2013-09-14
To: Chilkoot Trail
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Hello everyone!In July I went with my brother David to Alaska/Yukon to hike the Chilkoot Trail. We spent five nights including staying at Dyea campground near the Trailhead. The Skagway park ranger was super nice and hitched a ride with her after she finished her shift to Dyea.We were quite speedy compared to the other hikers and could have easily completed the trail in fewer days. Many people I came across were not prepared with overloaded packs and had little backpacking experience. A lady with a 50 lbs bag offered to swap me for my 14 lbs. No thanks! The biggest benefit from the heavy pack people was that they were more than happy to overload their extra food. The trail was not as busy as usual since Parks Canada had been issuing late condition / avalanche warnings up until a few days before we left. I suspect many people had cancelled their trips due to safety concerns. Most people had super heavy hiking boots on and suffered wet feet. Water was unavoidable. I was happy with my Salomon Synapse shoes paired with MicroSpikes for the snowy/icy sections. The Alpine areas were gorgeous!Some camps had canvas tents or shelters with wood stoves inside for warming and food prep. We preferred staying at the basic camps to avoid the groups although that meant eating a couple meals in the rain. My brother and I saw a black bear sitting on the trail and we scared him away by shouting "Go home buddy!". Since the camps were equipped with bear boxes it was nice not having to worry about hanging all the food.At Bennett Lake we had the famous hiker beef stew lunch before leaving on the train towards Carcross. Delicious! It was just my brother and I alone in the dining room. Ten other hikers were supposed be there but they must have fallen behind and missed the lunch and train. It was a shame that all that food went to waste. After hiking the Chilkoot we took a flight from Whitehorse to Dawson City. Dawson City is full of crazy fun people and tons of historic attractions. I panned for gold at the free claim - and found a minuscule amount. I also drank the famous sour toe cocktail and gave the dead toe a kiss!Thanks to Air Canada for gifting me with a free Toronto-Whitehorse flight ticket from the "Win the World" Contest.I'm leaving at the end of September on my next big hiking trip - Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal!
Date: 2013-09-26
To: Sara on the Game Show
Miles today: 0.0

Back in April I filmed a Canadian game show called "Spin Off". It finally broadcast last week. I am happy to announce that I won $7200. "From Executive Producer Mark Burnett ¢ the talent who brought us Survivor, The Voice, Shark Tank, Celebrity Apprentice and Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader ? ¢ comes a 30-minute game of trivia and chance where contestants have a shot at winning thousands of dollars in cash and prizes testing their knowledge and their luck - Win big or lose it all ¢ It¢s all up to THE WHEEL!"The funds went toward my Everest Base Camp trip (I leave on Saturday!) and for my 2014 AT thru-hike attempt.I love trivia so feel free quiz me on the trail.
Date: 2013-11-01
To: Sara and Beer
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

I really enjoy drinking a fantastic craft beer. Unfortunately, I have been spending too much time in pubs. It isn't good for my health or my pocket book! Bowling = beersBoard Game Pub Night = beersNerd Night = beersSocializing with Friends = beersWatching the Game = beersHallowe'en events are over and I've had my fill of pumpkin ale so it is time to make a change.I have approx. five months until the start of my hiking and I'd like to make a healthy resolution each month. This month I'm going to limit my alcohol intake to one day per week. I've already selected the four dates ahead of time!It is going to be difficult to convince my friends to do alternative non-boozy activities. I'm going to organize some board gaming at a coffee shop, plan an outing with my hiking group and attend some local events in my city (eg. G33K art show).
Date: 2014-01-06
To: Sara in Trinidad
Miles today: 0.0

I won a contest in November from a winery to have a ¢thrilling experience of my choice¢. The budget for the experience was $1000 and it had to be completed within four weeks.The weather in Ontario is unpredictable so snow activities like snowshoeing and dog sledding weren¢t options. Many ¢adventure¢ type tour companies like white-water rafting had also closed for the season. I also could not take extra time off work since I had recently returned from Nepal. So what did I choose?I spend a weekend hiking in Trinidad! I flew down for a very quick two-night trip. I prefer to support communities when I travel instead of impersonal tour agencies. I stayed with a local family with home-cooked meals and had hiking guide who was extremely knowledgeable about the flora and fauna of the area.I stayed in the Northern Mountains in a tiny village named Brasso Seco Paria. It is truly a magical place with gorgeous waterfalls, pristine old growth forest and stunning flowers. Many biologists come to the area to study the unique plants, butterflies and birds.On the first day I hiked 7 miles round trip through forest, cocoa and coffee estates to a pretty 89-foot tall waterfall. I love being able to drink cool, clear water straight from the steam.On the second day I hiked 16 miles to the ocean and back. There were many downed trees and my guide used his machete to help clear the path but still had to do some scrambling. It was fantastic to have lunch on a lovely sandy secluded beach.I¢d love to return to Trinidad to explore the other areas of the island. The community of Brasso Seco Paria is trying to grow their eco-tourism economy to help protect the forests. The locals in the community volunteer to maintain the trails. I was detained at immigration in Trinidad because the officer had not heard of the place! They had to look up the website and verify my story before they admitted me to the country. Sorry, I'm not the typical lie-on-the-beach-with-a-cocktail-all-day tourist!
Date: 2014-01-07
To: Sara's 2013 Highlights
Miles today: 0.0

I had a great 2013 and here are the highlights:January: Florida Everglades hiking tripFebruary: Andes Mountain hiking trip (Colombia)March: New York State hiking tripApril: Ontario day hikes with my hiking groupMay: Grand Canyon Rim-To-Rim and Arizona hiking tripJune: Pennsylvania hiking tripJuly: Chilkoot Trail in Alaska and BC/YukonAugust: 5 night Quebec City Gourmet Getaway (I won a free trip)September: Dragon*Con scifi convention in AtlantaOctober: Everest Base Camp Trek in NepalNovember: Doctor Who convention in TorontoDecember: Trinidad hiking tripI¢ve won a few more contests:-        Weekend in New York City for Coors Light outdoor NHL game (NY vs NJ)-        Weekend in Chicago for Coors Light outdoor NHL game (CHI vs PIT)-        Private sword fighting lesson at Medieval Times and 4 dinner ticketsI¢ll be starting the AT on Saturday April 6th. Time flies!My next post will be an update on my current preparations.