morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-06-24
From: The couch

To: Coffee Maker
Miles today: 0.0

After two years of reacclimating myself to the outdoors it's almost vacation time. As someone told me the other day..."Vacation, two weeks sleeping in the woods is not a vacation, that's a first class ticket to the nuthouse!"So, it's almost off to the nuthouse. The bag is packed...not too bad. 40lbs with 7 days of food with one more pass through to lighten before I go. Much lighter than my heavy winter bag (50+) with all the extra gear hanging off. That should get me from the starting point in Hanover to Crawford Notch. There it's a bag drop and company over the Presidentials. I was torn between a fully self-sustaining trek (getting new food along the way) but with only 2 weeks to cover the 162 miles I had to rely on food drops.So, I'm glad I've upgraded the few gizmos (bag, raingear, cookware) I hadn't through the last two years. The maps have been checked and noted, food kits packed and repacked. So the final question is why?I've found as you get older, the kids are on their own (almost) and you start getting the same aches and pains you teased your Dad about (and I still do!) and the crack memory you used to have is now relegated to having to think more and more about what you did the previous afternoon (and the neurologist says is normal???) you find your mortality starts becoming a real thing. Mom dying young, grandparents dying horribly, all from things that invariably work their way down the family tree. Add in seeing friends in the obituaries weekly and the little thing goes off in the head. For years I've missed the simplicity of walking in the woods with my two grandfathers; Pepere Labrie and Gramps Seaman. One a Canadian farmer who moved here way back and brought with him the hunting and fishing that was part of his Canadian heritage. The other was a local who used the hunt as a social tool which I also found wonderfully refreshing. As an old boss told me, you can talk anything on the golf course, it just never leaves the course. Same goes on the hunting trips. Enough regressing....It's becomes time to do the things "you always wanted to do" before you can't. After a few well placed broken bones, a few surgeries, god only knows how many concussions, and more than one doctor telling me I'm in for a painful old age (I thought they meant 70, not 45!). So I want to spend more time doing what I like. One of my favorites...hit the trails!So, a few more days of relaxing, checking gear for the 12'th time, and it's off to section hike the AT, this year, New Hampshire. More to come.
Date: 2008-06-28
From: Firetower Shelter

To: Ore Hill Shelter
Miles today: 15.0

So day three was solo. After a night of 30mph+ gusts and rain on my perch atop a cliff face on Smart Mountain I was glad for a little bit of sanity. My 3 amigos were no where to be seen after leaving after breakfast Did the better part of 15 easy miles and ended up at Ore Hill shelter. Did the first meaningful climb of the week; Cone Mountain. All went well. I waited at the shelter until 9pm and with no sign of the amigos nor the arrival of any thru-hikers, I decided then to set up the tent inside the shelter. Normally a no-no when there are others there, I just didn¢t feel like dealing with the mice all night. As it was one of them woke me up gnawing on the plastic buckle on my bag. I shooed him off and hung the bag on the wall. Best part of the night though was getting a 2pm wake up call by a pair of coyotes a little bit off howling at the moon. Boring day, very cool night!Note to all¢¦this was the most disgusting privy I¢ve ever seen. Come on DOC, get it together!
Date: 2008-07-08
From: Epilog

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

This vacation was my version of a second childhood in a way. I remember how I used to spend many days, nights, and weekends with my Pepere Labrie and Grampa Seaman in the woods learning to hunt and fish. I didn¢t really understand much more than ready, aim, FIRE! Years later I learned more during the hunting seasons up north with Moose, Moe, and the brothers Hemingway, the meaning of camaraderie and friendship, and a little bit more about nature and her offerings. Finally, my reaquaintance to the forest a few years back when life took a sudden U-turn. This U-turn made me ask of myself what I wanted out of life, what there was in this life for me, and what I needed to do to get it. Well, there are always bumps along the way, as there are hills and valleys in the mountains. Hiking is like life; hard days when you never seem to reach your goal, difficult and painful, excruciating maybe, whether it is the top of a mountain or a particular task at work, or a child with problems. Easy days when every trail is smooth going and comfortable, like a day working around the house when you don¢t have to make 13 trips to the ¢Depot¢ or one of your kids picks up the tab for dinner (someday!). Finally, there are the days that are so fantastic you can do nothing but stop, spin in a circle with your arms wide and realize just how great life can be. You stand there in awe, wondering how long it can stay this good. Above all, this trip made me realize how short life truly is. My friend Doug is suffering from cancer. It will kill him soon. He has a wife, kids, a house¢¦everything a man could want out of life. He also has this stinking horrible disease that will take him away from all this. I thought about Doug every single day when I was on the trail. I thought about what I would be doing if it happened to me. I can¢t describe the range of emotions when you take the time to actually imagine it happening to you, to your family, to your loved ones, just how awful it is. Yes, I cried for Doug¢¦a few times. Sitting in the tent thinking of him, sitting on the top of a mountain surrendering to the peace and quiet of the alone-ness. I hope like the others that passed of this horrible thing called cancer he will look down on us and keep us safe. It happened to my grandparents, my mother and step-mother, and my step-father and sooner than later, it will happen to Doug. The thing I learned is that life is too short. Life can be so good, it can be so bad. Some days you want to smile until your face breaks, others you want to put the barrel in your mouth and pull the trigger. But most of all, it¢s something you need to find a way to enjoy because it¢s such a fleeting thing¢¦life.So, that¢s it.-Poof
Date: 2007-10-01
To: Gear
Miles today: 0.0

I could never bring myself to study for more then 20 minutes at a time when I was in school....but hours fly by when I am studying over all the gear choices there are these days.I think I have made some good choices and will list them in the gear section - and write the review part afterwards. Some gear I already have, and some of will need to be upgraded mainly to decrease weight.I have decided to make some purchases,and since I have had time I have been watching for sales... so far I have saved over $85.00 !   (well yes, I have spent $500.00, but let's look at the positive side)
Date: 2007-10-19
To: The Mailman is Santa Claus
Miles today: 0.0

It is Christmas in October, and the mailman is Santa Claus !I found some more good deals on-line, so I am filling in a couple gaps in my gear.   Plus I got a "surprise gift box" on my doorstep today straight from REI - yes, it has already come in handy to have a gift registry .....what a great idea REI has - you do not even have to have a baby to set up a gift registry there ! Gifts are so fun to get - especially when it is a surprise
Date: 2007-11-08
To: Testing at the Eno
Miles today: 0.0

Decided to go to Eno River State Park this past weekend and test out some of my new gear....and of course some of my new gear tested me !I stayed in the designated backcountry camping area since I know the head Ranger I did not want to disrespect his park.Tested my new tent, cook stove, water filter, sleeping bag and air mattress. The cook stove, air mattress and bag did great and will work out fine.I did OK with the tent set up, but did not know how to use the guy-line strings on the side of the fly - it was then I realized that everytime I have slept in the woods (many times), someone else actually did the tent/shelter set-up..... Ladies - this is a good lesson - take matters into your own hands with your shelter and know how to set it up ! I knew something was not totally right, but I made it work and had a blast. I love this tent. A quick e-mail to Big Agnes when I got back home, and they sent me some "Guy-lines for Dummies" type pictures, and now I am good to go. Good customer service award to Big Agnes.
Date: 2007-11-30
To: Sacrifice of Snowboard Season.
Miles today: 0.0

Every extra dollar I have needs to go towards funding my hike - so I have had to give up my snowboarding trips for this year. Oh boy, just saying that cuts like a knife...I love snowboarding so much...where hiking gives me peace and relaxation, snowboarding makes my heart race and my adrenaline rush. The snowboard places are just starting to open up for this season and they are calling my name....but I will remain strong and stay away !I gave my snowboard one big hug and put it back in the closet to gather dust until next year. I took this picture of myself with my new camera I got for my hike. It is an Olympus and has a feature that will delay the picture taking for 12 seconds - so you can run over and get in the shot. I think that will be useful on the hike. Plus it is also waterproof and drop resistant. I hope I get to take pictures of some bears and a moose....
Date: 2008-01-01
To: Happy New Year !
Miles today: 0.0

January 1st... HAPPY NEW YEAR .... and boy am I happy !2008 ... I plan on seeing and doing a lot of new things this year ... hope you get to do some fun things too.I already bought my plane ticket for March, and I will be at the airport early (probably very early) when the day comes.... I am always nervous to fly, so I am accepting prayers and good wishes for the airplane and my pilot. Thanks !
Date: 2008-03-03
To: Inspiration
Miles today: 0.0

Heading out to Georgia tomorrow. Thanks to everyone who has called, e-mailed, etc. with good wishes....it was great to hear from all of you.I am smiling.Gotta mention my awesome buddy Orval - who lit the spark in my brain for long distance hiking.   We love Orval like family. Here is his lesson....do not keep putting off something you want to do, because one day it might be too late - go out and do it now and have FUN ! I agree.also - I will be posting entries on here in batches as I find a computer along the way - so you will probably need to 'click' around the entries to see all the different days for each batch I post while hiking. I feel real good about this.....
Date: 2008-03-05
From: Springer Mtn.

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

WOOOOO WEEEEEE ! Made it my first day....hopefully the first of many.I set up my tent at Hawk Mountain - well, let me tell you that I found out the exciting way that US Military Rangers do battle training on the mountain..... I had just fallen asleep and all the sudden I hear very loud machine guns and morter rounds and whatever they blow stuff up with these days ! In the dark night time woods of Georgia !It is a good thing I read on someone else's journal about military training somewhere on the AT - or I woulda' been runnin' for the hills in the middle of the night and hiding behind downed trees ! Anyway - I figured this must be the place, and actually it was kind of cool falling to sleep while listening to the firepower of the US Military.
Date: 2008-03-07
From: Gooch Gap

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: moderate rain

LET IT RAIN !LET IT RAIN !LET IT RAIN !Decided to do a shorter hike today with some of my new gal pals of the AT. Ventured through the thick fog and light rain for a couple hours with V8, Auntie Mame, Mule, and Bobbi. Girls just want to have fun.......and we did !
Date: 2008-03-08
From: Woody Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

LET IT SNOW !LET IT SNOW !LET IT SNOW !Hiked up Blood Mountain today with crazy wind and blowing snow. It was a winter wonderland on steroids for a little while. I kept moving to stay warm (so no great pictures of it during the snow), but it sure was pretty when the wind let up and the sun came out. I only stopped to grab a quick bite between a couple of big boulders that sheltered the wind.That reminds me.....did you ever make a sandwich out of two pancakes spread with peanut butter? deeelicious... I got that recipe from Leigh at the Hiker Hostel...She is a cooking genius !
Date: 2008-03-09
From: Neels Gap

To: Wolf Laural Top
Miles today: 3.4

I spent most of the day at Mountain Crossings (an Outfitter right on the trail) with their gear genius Andy. We dumped my entire pack and he went through everything to get rid of any unnecessary items....a whole 5 pounds worth ! No Joke. Plus he showed me how to arrange my pack to make it carry better - and I will tell you that he knows his stuff....it was well worth the time to learn the lessons of Andy the gear genius.After that I hiked up to meet some of my AT Pals to camp on Wolf Laurel Top.
Date: 2008-03-13
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: broken clouds

I hiked in shorts today - which was strange because it was only a few days ago when I was hiking in a snowstorm. I cannot eat too much while hiking because I do not want to projectile vomit going up the hills...so I snack along the way....but as soon as I finished the 16 miles, it was..."I want Food, I do not care what it is, I just want food now, and I want a lot of it! " Good thing I worked off a lot of calories today.Oink Oink.
Date: 2008-03-15
From: Hiawassee Inn

To: Hiawassee Inn 2
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

LISA - I GOT THE POISON !I woke up in Hiawassee about 5:30 this morning itching like crazy all up my right leg and side....took a look, and ...poison ivy (or oak or sumac) had got me already. So, I braved the lightning and darkness and headed across the street to the hospital to ask about any Immediate Care Office....well, no such luck - but the Doctor over there wrote me a prescription for Poison Ivy Steroids. Yes ! And he said I had to wash my clothes in warm water...oh oh.When Lisa (the Queen of the Hiawassee Inn, as I call her) came to work about 8:00...I said..." LISA - I GOT THE POISON! " Well she hooked me right up and washed my clothes for me in their washer....then she gave me all new towels etc. That is why she is the Queen.Guess that this was a good day for the poison treatment, because it is thunderstorms and hail outside anyway. Gotta say HEY to the awesome folks at the Hiawassee Inn... Sam, Ron, Lisa, Michael, and Woofie the dog. THANKS FOR THE HOSPITALITY AND AWESOME PASTA SUPPER !
Date: 2008-03-16
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

I made a run for the border and hit the NC State Line today !After setting up my tent near Muskrat Creek Shelter, word got around of a nice sunset over the lake....so I followed the tribe to take a look, and it was a good one...I posted a pic on the photo log for your visual pleasure.
Date: 2008-03-17
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Skunk Smell = Snake PooThis is what I have been told today by 2 different people. There was a place along the trail today that smelled like skunk (but with a smaller plume zone). Folks started talking about it at camp, and they swear to me that it is actually snake poo smell...so if you smell it watch out for snakes. You be the judge....but I will look for both a snake and a skunk just to be safe.In any case, there are either snakes or skunks hanging around Standing Indian Mountain.
Date: 2008-03-18
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Road
Miles today: 12.2

There is a place called Albert Mountain...it has a Fire Tower on top....and there is a very steep climb to get there...fairly short, but KILLER climb....hand over hand even....but way fun.Anyway, it was rainy and very foggy hiking today. It was like walking in a cloud. I had my rain jacket hood pulled up over my head, so basically had no periphreal vision ..... I had just got done climbing the rocks to Albert Mountain and started on a flat area when something flew out of the woods right next to me and missed me by only a foot ! I stopped in my tracks, and out flew 4 more things.... Hound Dogs on the chase....they were flying and a barking.... they took off down a different side trail just a hollering.I continued to hike about another quarter mile down the AT, when here comes a wayward young hound running down the trail just playing and smelling whatever he wants....that darn hound pup left dog tracks two more miles down the AT ! I call him Wayward Hound Dog. He kept wanting me to pet him and to play - I do not think he likes to hunt.
Date: 2008-03-19
From: Franklin

To: Franklin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

It is thunderstorm warnings again today - so all the gear is hanging up all over the hotel room drying out for tomorrow....a beautiful sight.All the hikers are hiding out at Ron Haven's hotels in town waiting out the storms. He really caters to the hikers - he even free rides from the trail to town (and back again), and everyone that works here is real nice.
Date: 2008-03-20
From: Rock Gap Road

To: Wahlah Shelter
Miles today: 14.7

I was more then ready to hike all day after the rest in Franklin...and of course that is exactly what I did.Made it up past a big stone observation tower where it looked like you could see the whole world...at least this part of it anyway.I learned a good lesson a few nights ago....do not set up your tent right next to the fire ring, especially when you are downwind. After I was almost asleep, some of the folks started a fire in the pit, and my tent was soon packed down with smoke. I did the stop/drop/and roll out the tent - and hung out by the fire for a while until the tent was a hazard free area again. It was fun to see the fire though, and the folks were fun.
Date: 2008-03-22
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: clear sky

I started hiking in the pitch dark today. For the first hour I was only using my headlamp and the moon to see. Yes, this was good.I hiked down the gorge to NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) which is a river area where folks go river rafting and kayak. And they have FOOD !If you know about river rafting, you will know it is usually done in the depths of the canyons....which means I will be hiking about 8 miles straight up to get back out of the gorge, and up to the top of the mountains. I will do this tomorrow on fresh legs....for now I will do some re-supply and then hang out by the river and watch the kayak riders.
Date: 2008-03-23
From: NOC

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: broken clouds

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE....check out the picture of my solo church service.up up up up up up up up ... out of the Nantahala gorge to the ridgeline. Plus of course carrying about 31 pounds in my backpack (which includes food supply for about 5 days).I was planning on heading to the very top ( 8 miles ). I had just reached the shelter at the 7 mile range, when up behind me comes Daddy-O, Peacock ( Daddy-O's son) and Handyman. I told them my plans and Peacock tells me that it is going to be a very cold night and the winds at the top are crazy...it would be a better move to stay out of the wind and tent near here, then hike an extra mile tomorrow. Well, I know that the younger generation of America is a very smart group, especially this one young fellow named Peacock - so I took his advice.Since it was in the low 20's it is a good thing.....I stayed warm enough, and did not wake up a popsicle !
Date: 2008-03-24
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light snow

Hiked all day in snow flurries.....then another snowstorm. It made me remember one of the first outdoor lessons that I learned in my early childhood....."Don't Eat Yellow Snow". I think my brother taught me that, and it has served me well.I ate some snow today. White snow.I am also proud to say that I set up my tent in a snow situation and kept the inside dry. I did not have any type of structural collapse under the weight of the snow that fell overnight, so I say I did a pretty good job.
Date: 2008-03-25
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: clear sky

This morning I hiked down out of the snow to the Fontana Dam area. Very strange to start hiking in snow, and end up at a marina with folks out on boats. That is what elevation change will do for you.Caught the $2.00 shuttle into the village and got cleaned up. So far a nice lady gave me some laundry soap for my wash - and then I bribed some kids in a golf cart to give me (and my mail drop boxes) a ride up from the post office to my room....of course their Mom said it was OK. I gave them a $2.00 tip and they loved it. Good day so far.
Date: 2008-03-27
From: Fontana Dam

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Headed out today across Fontana Dam and into the Smokies.The 70 miles of Smokies have a set of rules regarding sleeping...you have to stay in the shelters there, and cannot tent. The challenges I see with shelters are: less privacy, possible sick folks sleeping next to you, having to get to specific locations (milage-wise) each night, and MICE.....but let's give it a try !HIKE On.....
Date: 2008-03-28
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up after my first night sleeping in a shelter.....remember what I said about mice ?Well, these mountain mice are crazy. One guy got his toilet paper all chewed up....those roughneck mice used his toilet paper to build a nest in my backpack...they chewed 3 holes in my backpack for their access.I had to serve an eviction notice on those mice this morning, and boarded up their holes with duct tape.But then I got to hike and so all was forgiven....on to the next shelter before the storms come in tonight.
Date: 2008-03-29
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

Saw some very pretty woods today....a lot more then I expected actually.Even though my AT milage is 13.5, my actual milage is a few more...this is because I missed a turn and went down the wrong trail for a while....downhill. Which means that when I figured out I was on a different trail, I had to backtrack to find the AT again...uphill. I also had to do the milage to get to the shelter because of the Smokies rule of no camping.....so I hustled and bustled (crashed and fell twice) and made it to the shelter just before dark....it was a good day hiking, but I trashed my legs and they are tired tonight.   Hot chocolate is so good after a long day's hike.
Date: 2008-03-30
From: Mt Collins Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Started out today and my "uphill legs" were very tired due to my excursion yesterday. Plus, due to the rains most of my clothes have been wet for over 2 days.I knew that I would need to adjust my plans....so this would be a short day to Newfound Gap and hopefully find a ride to Gatlinburg. This is the only exit point that I know of from the trail in the Smokies, and as good fortune would have it, I was not to far from it. My only hesitation was the ride since I did not know the shuttles there. Cricket was also going to town, so he said I could work with him to figure it out.I got the surprise of my life when I walked out at Newfound Gap and found my good friend (and inspiration for this hike) Orval hanging out there waiting for me ! It was so good to see him, and just in the knick of time....he drove me (and Cricket) to town, then took me to do wash and to eat...now I am using his computer to write this...Yes, Orval is a good good man....a mighty mighty good man.