morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-01-05
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Well its official starting today. In honor of my 35th birthday I put in my resignation letter. It is with mixed emotions of leaving my job, but I am leaving on a good note and maybe one day I will go back with a fresher mind. I have been thinking, pondering and dreaming about this for a while and now it is going to happen, unless something unexpected pops up. I had bought my plane ticket a month ago when it was cheap to get the motivation to make it happen and today was the biggest obstacle mentally. Physically will be the knees. Time to start working them out and building them up. Next month sometime I will thru the Lone Star Trail as a good shake down. I have been backpacking off an on for many years, mostly in my early twenties and again since 2009 when a friend and I hiked in the Smokey Mountains for 4 days. The bug hit me and now its time to scratch.
Date: 2010-01-06
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Need to do a gear list but havent had the time. Still a lot of stuff I want or need to get though. Still focusing on finishing out my last weeks of work and then I will probably get all my gear up. Standing outside today in the breeze with my eyes shut dreaming I was on a mountain with no where to go fast. I have to remember once on the trail that is the approach I have to take. Enjoy the time on the trail because in the end it really is only a short time.
Date: 2010-01-10
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

3rd entry but have already seen my journal show up in the list. My birthday has come and gone and only two more work weeks till work is over. My house is coming along nicely and the heater was running last night for the first time. (Installing a new Central Heat/AC unit in the house during my remodeling) I actually felt hot with it running. I think I am so used to the cold to a point that the heat was definitely something I had to adjust to. Got so much always running though my mind of what to prepare for but never seem to have the time with work and the house and Jiu Jitsu. Have to do little things just to keep moving along. Going to stop by post office tonight to pickup some Flat Rate boxes to prepare my mail drops. Wont have to many, maybe around 10 at most and plan on resupplying along the trail for the most part. Once I will be at home all day I can start preparing and dehydrating meals to put in my drop boxes. Always a lot of fun dehydrating (sarcasm..), but I definitely get better meals out of it then Mountain House type meals.Going to spend the next two weeks taking advantage of the hotels and walking up and down the tower staircases building he leg muscles. Will continue afterwards with possible going to the local stadium or something similar. Everything I have read my symptoms are all about lack of use. After a good season of backpacking I never have the problems so it all seems to fit and exercise prior is going to be key.
Date: 2010-01-26
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I managed to get out for a walk with a pack. Planned to walk 3 hours. 1.5 out and 1.5 back. 1 hour in and I was at a friends house 3.5 miles away. Stayed and visited for about 30 and headed home. Didnt know how far the walk was until I later drove it and realized it was 7 miles total. Walked a lot faster on streets than I ever do on the trail, will have to plan accordingly for future walks. During the drive to check mileage I took the dog with me to get them out for a bit. Abby decided car rides are not for her, my truck now smells pretty terrible. Detailing was already on my list of to do's for the truck but now it will be sooner than later Good news was I had no knee pains. Keep it up and I should be good to go by the time my hike gets here.Also been doing some dehydrating of some beans so far. Tomorrow I get to cook up some hamburger meat and get it dehydrating. Chili is definitely one of my favorite trail foods so will be a main staple for my maildrops I am sending. Also want to get something with a lot of vegetables in it but not sure what yet. Also really want to find a good soup to make.Getting the first signs of getting sick, burning drainage is the way it always starts for me. I took some Nyquil and starting to feel the first signs of a coma comming on. Hopefully it blows right over and I feel good tomorrow. Well time to get some rest, tomorrow I hit the remodeling hard and have to build and fabricate a new wall.
Date: 2011-01-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I wrote this journal think my last one didnt take, i looked for it but never saw it until just now after posting this one. I wrote a journal entry the other night after taking some nyquil. Passed out during it and my session timed out. I havnt done much walking but got out for a 2 hour walk with my pack. Wked over to a friends house and back. Turns out it is a 3.5 mile walk, total of 7 miles with my 36 lb pack. Had no problems with my knees so definitely getting there.Been dehydrating my chili over the last couple of days, hoping to have 12 servings from it, also need to come up with a good vegetable meal to dehydrate.Today I am working with my dad helping build a fence at the farm. We are on our way out there now while I am typing this up. Hopefully I don't lose it or something after completing. This is also my first entry from my phone so hopefully it works. A couple weekends ago I went to the grapevine lake trail and will try uploading a picture from then.
Date: 2011-02-15
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Finally taking the time to work with my phone and learn how to upload and label pictures for my journal. Added a few pictures but most are sideways Today marks a short month before I leave for Atlanta, 28 days left. March 15 seems so close when I have so much left to do on my house, but things go pretty quick when you dont have a job to worry about. Still have to do some mail drop preparation and load my phone up with some music, other than that I am just working and waiting. Thank you everyone for the guest book entries, it is pretty amazing how I think we all get so involved in reading others journals in anticipation. Its my nightly ritual to read all the new post pretty much. See who is starting around the same time and who I get to meet. Cant wait to see everyone on the trail!
Date: 2011-02-25
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I hope someone starts at the same time as me with a dog! I know I will miss my dogs but it always helps to have a stand in. Mine will be staying with my mom while I am gone so I know they will be taken care of, just hope she can handle Abby's sleeping under the covers If you have a dog on the trail I am not stalking you, I am following the dog lol. I worry about finishing as probably everyone does I guess. Missing my dogs, getting injured, my body not being able to handle it (have already alluded to my knees which sometimes hurt, I blame Jiu Jitsu), missing Jiu Jitsu, missing family and friends, I guess the list goes on. But I know there are so many spots I want to see that I wont quite until I have visited them, topping on with Katahdin! For me this is the start of hopefully a new life style. After returning I will be trying out farming and living a much more simplified life without all of the modern hussle and bussle. Not to say my choice will be easy but I will be out of the city and in the woods hopefully where I always prefer to be. Maybe that is because I have always lived in the city and maybe not. Only time will tell. Working on my house and doing most of the remodeling and such my self has actually been quite fun for me. I have dreamed about living in a tent for many years just to get away and such. But reading about eco housing and my work on the house has really made me just want to build my own house. After the trail I will have to go back to Jiu Jitsu, I have stopped training so I wont get injured before my trip. In a physical sport that most dont get injured in to much I really had a knack for getting injured. Just after I stopped training my school (Peak Performance, little plug for them) started a instructor training program. I have wanted to become an instructor so I could continue training while not making much income farming. I also need to get my purple belt to really be qualified to be a trainer. I ran our local tournament last weekend and it really makes me miss the pain. Yes I might be a little sick in the head, but isnt that a given? I want to hike the Appalachian Trail.What has all this to do with the AT? Rambling, thinking of the future after my attempted thru hike, and what it is the beginning of I guess. I want to experience all it has to offer, rain, snow, mud, heat. Friends, solitude, physical exertion. Happy, sad, exciting and boring and everything else it has to offer. A little over two weeks away!
Date: 2011-03-14
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well I leave tomorrow for Atlanta. I think it finally hit me that I was leaving when the Hiker Hostel called today to confirm that I would be there in the morning. A little late maybe realizing I am leaving It a good think I have been so busy on the house or it might have driven me crazy. Didnt quite finish every thing on the house but came really close. Only a few minor things to finish like changing the front door out and finishing some small trim work and a little paint.Saturday I spent most of the day running a few last minute chores like picking up a shirt and a new nalgene bottle since my old one disappeared some where. We then had a going away get together with a few friends before heading home.Yesterday I put back together the house and organized all my belongings into one room mostly and packed it all up in containers. When then had another get together with family.Today I packed and prepared food for my mail drops, yes I know I was cutting it pretty close but as I said a I have been really busy with the house Wasnt to worried since I am only sending 5. They are now up on the maildrop page to view.I want to thank my mom and dad now for the help I have and/or will revceive. My mom is going to handle sending mail drops for me and my dad for all of the help he has provided me in getting the house ready in time. Thank you both!Now I just have to get up tomorrow and get on a plane and I will be off. I will also start updating my journal hopefully on a daily basis or at least when my phone gets a signal. If you need to contact me you can either leave a message here or email me and I will get back once I can check in.See you in 6 months unless you happen to stop by the trail and find me.
Date: 2011-03-15
To: Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today started out early, 4 am. Woke up to get to the airport for 6 am flight. Showed to be on time all the way till we boarded and left at around 7. Took the Marta train from south Atlanta to North Springs terminal on the opposite side of town. Had 2 hours to burn there at a terminal with nothing around. Had to make my first excursion into the woods because their restrooms where out of order. Leigh from the hiker hostel picked us up and everyone had to go so we stopped at a gas station. We then proceeded to wal mart to get supplies everyone needed where I had my first real of the day at subway. I got a footlong and two chips and ate half for lunch and half for dinner. We then went to the hostel which is huge and extremely nice. at the north springs station 4 of us hikers gathered. Gordy "trudger" apparently rode in on the same train as me. Then Mary "Moss" arrived shortly later and then Bill arrived. Richard "Morphine" was already in the shuttle when they got there. While at wa mart when we came back out we had another passenger, Uri. At the hostel we met PJ hyem. Stef "Megaphone" arrived later by car who is only going to the NOC. This group sat around talking most of the rest of the day. Others arrived later but went to other parts of the house. Uri and PJ are both from Germany, Moss is from Ireland and Morphine is from Britain. Bill from Kansas, Trudger from New York, and Megaphone from Virginia. Weather was rainy and foggy all day but is supposed to clear up tonight for the next 5 days. Not sure of the temperature but was pretty cool during the rain. Tomorrow breakfast is at 7:30 and then 8:30 we leave for the trail about an hour drive away. PJ, Megaphone, Morphine and I are doing the approach trail, the rest are starting at Springer. Good night!
Date: 2011-03-16
To: Black Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Dest black gap shelter start amicalola falls visitor center 7.3 miles on the approach trail today 1.5 to get to the summit and start of the AT. tomorrow will make my official start day. Woke up this morning after a great night of sleep, had eggs, chocolate chip pancakes with peanut butter and syrup and grits at the hiker hostel. During breakfast they asked for a volunteer to ride to the top of springer first before going to the approch trail. They had one to many to fit in the shuttle to the approach trail so I volunteered. So I arrived alone about 45 minutes behind the others. Another hiker arrived about the same time named Bill and we traded cameras and got the traditional arch pictures taken. Then we started up the trail. 600 steps up the stairs to the top of Amicalola Falls. Straight up 30 minutes later drenched in sweat I made it and meet Bob from last night who I didn't know. Also walked up the stairs with Will and Bill and I walked for a little while along the trail before I stopped and lost them. Arrived at the shelter and Bill was there eating lunch, decided to stay here and start the AT tomorrow. Another german guy arrived who was down at the water, I can't even begin to spell his name. A little while later Megaphone arrived, not sure how she was behind me since I didn't pass her. Bob showed up about an hour later. A bunch of others showed up later but set up tents and went to bed on arrival including bill right after he ate. So the german who had Metric suggested as a trail name but we will see if it sticks, Megaphone, and Bob sat around talking all night around a fire. Lots of goofing off and laughing going on. Lunch today was an assortment of dried fruit dipped in peanut butter tortilla with PB and honey and a oatmeal bar a guy gave me who was giving away his excessive food reserves, and chocolate covered coffee beans, thanks Jennifer. Dinner was a packet of chicken in some powdered chicken tortilla soup mix with some added dehydrated veggies and a tortilla. I'm hungry again...I should have brought dessert. Weather cleared out early and we had perfectly warm weather today, I would say around 60. It is getting cold now though and my finger tips are beginning to freeze. Got to review the guide and plan my day for tomorrow.
Date: 2011-03-17
From: Black Gap Shelter

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: clear sky

It was a hot one today stripped down to shorts and tshirt only within 30 minutes on the trail. Not sure exact temperature but consensus was it approached close to 80.   Had to put on sunscreen since there are no leaves on the trees.So today started around 7:00 when I woke up and read for about 30 minutes till the sun started showing, pack my gear up and headed to the shelter to cook breakfast. That consisted of dehydrated hashbrowns, powdered eggs a tortilla and cheese. Finally got on the trail at 9:00. I first had to do the 1.5 miles to the AT. Went by fairly quickly and arrived about 10. Took a bunch of pictures then others started showing who where dropped off this morning. Bill arrived just before I left and I got pictures for him. I sat around till 11 and headed off. After a mile or two in I began walking through the rhododendron tunnels the trail is famous for. Really cool hiking till I got to Stover creek shelter where I took a lunch. Had the same as yesterday. About the time I was leaving Megaphone and Irmin(tenting next to me tonight and I got the spelling of his name, sounds like ellmeen to me.) showed up and we all went to the water source and treated water. I am using Aquamira which is a mixture of chemicals used to treat the water. Have to wait 5 minutes after mixing then add to water and wait another 30 to drink. After getting water I headed out and the trail got even better. It followed along Stover creek near all the rhododendron and you could hear the creek running. Eventually it ran into 3 Forks creek and crossed a bridge,sat on the bridge and rested contemplating taking off the shoes and walking in but didn't. Leafrogged with Megaphone through out the second part of the trail before arriving around 4:30. Shelter was pretty empty but there are tents everywhere. No one wants to deal with the rats or snoring. Didn't really get anyones names but the Bob Bill, Irmin, and Megaphone are all here again. One interesting person is Mary who lives in Lake Worth is here, so I have meet the first person from Texas and is very close by. Dinner was my own chili I made with a tortilla. Update on my knee. First day it was tender near the end of the day, today it started good got worse on the downhill after Springer but finished out good. Tomorrow is a shorter day before a longer day the next into or just before Neels gap and resupply at Mountain Crossings outfitter. I need more food, I might have skimped a little to much and could eat a lot more than I have. I forgot to bring my hot chocolate and not many snacks and I get hungry again around bed time. Reports from section/day hikers says the weather is now supposed to be clear for the next 5-6 days. That might get me into Helen or Hiawassa and can possibly take my first zero and sit out the storm.Till tomorrow.P.S. don't get a signal every night so sometimes multiple entrys will finally post when I do get a signal.
Date: 2011-03-18
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Big Cedar Mountain
Miles today: 13.7

Today was supposed to be short miles but those miles where done by noon and after an hour and a half break I decided to push on some more. Ended up just past Woody Gap on Big Cedar mountain. Big miles today means I will make Neels gap in 4 days instead of 5. I had two dinners tonight Mashed potatoes cheese and bacon bits and red pepper, then a mountain house lasagna. I was able to upload my journals from the last two days but probably won't get this one up till tomorrow night. Today we climbed Sassafras which is straight up in the beginning then makes a sloping ridge to the top, felt kind of like a red carpet welcoming you to the top. A bunch of gaps later and i am here at Big cedar with Bill and Bill. Bill from the hiker hostel started at Springer so had about 9 miles on me, he was dragging today so stopped short, right where we where told to check out by some hikers who act as sort of shelter cleaners in the area. Older couple who make rounds around a bunch of shelters and pack out the trash. Bill and I headed here after going over the options at Woody gap. Setup tent, cooked, and journaled quickly as I am getting tired fairly fast tonight. Weather was another scorcher, but as the the couple cleaning said while they had lunch with me in the first shelter Gooch mountain. Never stop hiking early on a good weather day. It wasn't raining so on I hiked. Wore two bandanas all day one tied around fore head and other tucked in it hanging over my neck and ears. Wore lots of sunscreen and I am still feeling the sun from today. My t shirt has salt stains in a line where my pack rests. Will need to get some laundry done tomorrow for sure, and get to take a shower. I think I will also drink a 12 pack of DrPepper as well. Drinking over a gallon a day easy right now and it doesn't always taste so good. Till tomorrow, my first semi town day.
Date: 2011-03-19
From: Big Cedar Mountain

To: Bull Gap
Miles today: 10.2

Today was more hectic than it should have been. Started off with a nice night hike, woke up at 5:30 and got on the trail just after 6. Hiked in the dark for about an hour before the sun started showing. Around noon I made it to Blood Mountain, which is pretty good climb but the terrain is really cool with basically a bunch of rock faces you walk on. I believe it is the same kind of formation similiar to Enchanted Rock. Had lunch there and made some coffee which I drank from my pot since my water bottle had to much in it to use. Headed down to Mountain Crossings, when I arrived a church group was cooking all you can eat hamburgers, I only had one. There where shuttles being offered to TrailFest and I thought they where coming back at 9 in the morning so I hoped a ride at 1. An hour into town where I setup my tent then walked a half mile to the festival to sign up for the shuttle in the morning. That is when I found out it was at 3, so I wouldn't be on the trail till around 4. So I did my shopping in town and jumped the ride at 4. Back at Mountain Crossing I sent home my paper journal I haven't been using and two stuff sacks. My food today felt like a milion pounds though. Headed out on the trail to a site a mile out. Here with Bill again and a bunch of others, only three I remember are phil and aj who I talked too for a bit before heading to the tent. They where in the peace core together in somalia and tiara. Also another guy here with his dog daisy. Tiara is using a hammock and there are two others here with hammocks, first I have seen on the trail so far. So know for the talk of the day here, Bears.. a ccouple who where a day ahead and stayed about 4 miles further up the trail had there food bag snagged from the tree and destroyed, they could here it all happening. Also someone else had an oil jar taken and opened and drank by a bear near here. Needless to say everyone is taking extra precautions tonight with their food. I have to say some of the bags don't look to secure but we will see.Bill and I have planned to get to the Blueberry Patch hostel in Hiawassa in 3 days for their pancakes. Need to make reservations tomorrow if we can. So today makes it official eating trail foods. Knorr sides of broccoli /rice or similiar with packages of tuna or salmon pop tarts instant mashed potatoes, snickers tortillas dried fruit cheese sticks. I also bought one apple and an avocado.
Date: 2011-03-20
From: Bull Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I survived the bears, although we had no issues with them. A mother and daughter team near the same area as the group before did though and had their food stolen. Tonight I am at low gap shelter with a bunch of the group from last night plus Moss and Morphine and another couple from hiker hostel.Hadn't mentioned trail magic but I have received two so far. First was from the trail maintainers I mentioned on the third day, they asked if a group of us needed gas. I happened to have a small canister instead of the normal one and was worried of running out so they gave me it. The second was passing through Woody Gap a father and his kids gave me an apple, and I already mentioned the hamburger at Neels.I have only one small blister on my pinky toe which is always normal for me, but a girl here tonight named Bumblebee who has a massive blisterI am hoping to be in Hiawaassa on the 23rd for a zero or nero. Going to try and stay at the blueberry patch hostel for the famous blueberry pancakes. AJ Phil, Morphine, Justin,who is the guy with dog named Daisy and another girl who I can't remember her name are here in the shelter, we have been lying around since dinner talking mostly about the TV show Top Gear and other things. Today started off fairly early and I did my miles quickly to get a spot in the shelter to avoid the threatening rain and to avoid a wet tent, also allow for a quicker start on a 15 mile day. If I don't get the 15 in I can pull up short of Hiawassa and get a nero and save money. Coming up and over one mountain today the wind was just howling and bone chilling. I had to put on my rain jacket to block the wind and my outer gloves. Never did rain and it looks like i am avoiding it again as it is supposed to clear out tomorrow and be in the 80's the next.