morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-09-29
To: HOME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Even though Septermber 28th was the final day in this two-year journey, for us it was really just one more day in this adventure. As with most things in life, this trip was about the journey and not the destination. So while we were excited to reach Katahdin and the end-point of the trail, this was not the sole climax of our trip. We spent only a few minutes celebrating on top of Katahdin because we knew that the real meaning would be gleaned from this adventure later as we reflected over all the experiences we have had over the last two years. The Appalachian Trail has given us a lot over the last 2,000 miles. Now that we can say we have hiked every inch of that trail we are excited to spend some time reflecting on what we have learned from this experience. Many people contributed to the completion of our journey in incredible ways. We feel very blessed to have so many people -- friends and strangers alike -- who have supported us, cheered us, and helped us achieve a dream. Not just because of our own determination and hard work, but because of the support of so many others, we are now 2,000 milers. We'd like to thank all those who have helped us along the way. Thanks to all the trail angels who left us sodas and food, gave us rides and places to sleep. Thanks to Souleman's Dad for driving us to the trail in PA and picking us up again in NH. A special thanks to Brownie's Mom for all her hard work mailing packages, downloading pictures, driving all over the East coast to pick us up ... Learning about the generosity of others has been an important part of our trail experience. Now it is our turn to give back.The Appalachian Trail will be there for anyone else who wants to learn a lesson about hard work, friendship, generosity and kindness. As for us, there are many other dreams yet to be achieved ... here's to tackling many more.
Date: 2007-03-05
To: Salem, MA
Miles today: 0.0

With the two-year anniversary of our Springer date approaching, I have been thinking a lot about the trail. Souleman and I started a tradition last year of pitching our tent in the living room on March 15 and cooking dinner over our camp stove. We are excitedly anticipating the date next week.Life has changed dramatically since summitting Katahdin. We have traded the solitude and simpleness of the trail for the complexity of "real world" life. We miss more things about the trail than we would have imagined -- the simple one pot meals, crunching the mileage numbers, sleeping outside ... Souleman and I have settled in Salem, MA. I am working for the Girl Scouts as a Membership Development Specialist and Souleman is working for Bally Total Fitness as a Fitness Coach. We are both enjoying our jobs and are learning to enjoy the limitless opportunities available to us living so near Boston. While we are away from the trail in location we have made sure to always stay close in our hearts. Our family room is decorated with pictures of Katahdin and our office features random trail photos. The AT map hangs in my office at work and Souleman makes sure to mention our hike to all of his potential clients at Ballys. I am working on a book about our adventure and am making great progress. One of my life goals is to publish a book and I can't think of any better topic about which to write. We have two new kittens that we adore. There was no debate at all about their names -- Georgia and Maine. As soon as the weather warms they will be introduced to the trail.I miss the trail and especially the woods and mountains every day. The trail is still never far from my mind. Since we are tied down to jobs, another long-distance trail is not in the plans yet (we're still dreaming about the PCT for retirement though). For now we are working on completing the 48 4,000 challenge in New Hampshire. For those of you who don't know, this involves hiking each of the 4,000 plus foot peaks in New Hampshire (of which there are 48). We have bagged 18 peaks already and are hoping to make considerable headway this Spring and Summer. Finishing the Long Trail is definitely a goal of ours for the next couple years. We hope that all of the people we met on the trail are doing wonderfully and enjoying whatever path life has taken. Hopefully in the strange and exciting way of the trail we will meet some of you again soon. Until then, happy hiking!
Date: 2007-09-01
To: moving on
Miles today: 0.0

The time Souleman and I spent on the trail together was amazing. We saw beautiful sights and had wonderful experiences. My memories of the trail will last a lifetime. Becoming a 2,000 miler remains one of my greatest accomplishments. Back in the "real world," after the trail, we experienced new things, faced different challenges, and grew in different ways. Without the little white blazes pulling us forward in the same direction, our changing and exploring took us in different life directions. After much struggle we ultimately ended our relationship. My experiences on the trail remain a defining part of who I am. Living in the woods for so long highlighted my passion for nature and encouraged me to pursue a position in Outdoor Education. After spending 9 months as an Outdoor Education Coordinator, I am currently working as a Camp Director where I have the privelege of enouraging other young kids to set and achieve goals. Camp is where I first heard of the Appalachian Trail and it is my dream that some other little girl will hear of the trail from me and grow up to become a thru-hiker herself. As always, the trail works in mysterious and amazing ways in my life. Just yesterday I met someone who saw my "I'd rather be hiking the Appalachian Trail" license plate holder and spent a good 30 minutes asking about my experiences on the trail. Through these conversations and interactions I get to relive my hike and build my dreams of completing another long distance trail someday. The PCT is (faintly, ever so faintly) calling my name!
Date: 2006-04-03
To: Akron, OH
Miles today: 0.0

I'm going back to the AT!!! I made it to Pearisburg, VA in '99 ('bout 600 miles) and hope to make it all the way to Maine this year. Hope all my friends can follow me thru this trail journal, and that my bitching and moaning 'bout the privations of long-distance hiking doesn't annoy too many. I especially hope to meet alotta special people and enjoy hiking with new friends.
Date: 2006-04-07
To: Toledo, OH
Miles today: 0.0

Pretty much ready to go. Sitting in a Toledo, OH hotel with my niece Clara Jane and my parents, 'bout to go to sleep, though Clara is "not tired" (its 1am and she's jumping on the bed still!). Anyway, leaving tomorrow on the greyhound to Georgia, hope to get to Amicalola Falls sometime early afternoon Saturday. Looking forward to finally getting out there again! I'm taking the cell phone down with me, will probably keep it until Neels Gap, then send it home. Now Clara's "hungry", tho I swear she's eaten more than I have today, and I'm a pig. Speaking of which, I put on my new hiking clothes today, and they're a size or two too small, probably as a result of my "reverse training" over the last 3 weeks. Anyways, they'll fit quite nicely after a week or two, so long as I don't eat too much food in town. Ok, wish me luck on the greyhound! Don't know if I'll get to a computer again before I'm on the trail, so, well, in a while crocidile.Uh oh, just walked 3 flights of stairs up to my hotel room...and I was winded! Unless the approach trail has been leveled out recently, I'm in trouble! Oh well, gotta take a beating to get into trail shape.Next full entry 4/10/06 from Woody Gap.
Date: 2006-04-10
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: clear sky

Just completed my 2nd day of hiking. Decided to push on to Woody Gap ('bout 20 miles from Springer, 12 miles from where I stayed last night at Hawk Mt. Shelter) to catch the daily 5pm shuttle back to the Hiker Hostel. I stayed here the night before my hike began, and I loved it so much I couldn't help but return! Anyway, the nights get cold and I'm not crazy 'bout roughing it when a warm bed and cold shower beckon.The weather has been just tremedous so far. The sun is so bright I have my first AT sunburn! So far, the leaves haven't grown in enough to block the sun, which is very nice. If the weather was always like this, no one would fail to complete a thru-hike.I've been pleasantly surprised at how good I feel thus far. I remember back in '99, when I hiked this section, I struggled mightily to complete each day. But then again I was probably 260lbs. back then, as opposed to 230lbs. right now. Don't get me wrong, its not easy. But, so far, its felt DOABLE, which is hella lot better than 7 years ago. Anyway, I'm still gonna take it easy early on here. I don't wanna do any more than 10-12 miles a day for the next week or so. Just don't want them dreaded dead legs.Ok, time to eat some pizza. Gonna stop in Neels Gap tomorrow or Wednesday, then on to Hiawassee.Next full entry 4/14/06 from Hiawassee, GA.
Date: 2006-04-14
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Still alive! Staying at the Holiday Inn Express in Hiawassee, GA. Got my trail name at the Hiker Hostel. My full trail name is "Butt Burner", but I go by Burner for short. Got it 'cause I set fire (on accident) to a bucket full of butts at the hostel.I'm having lots of fun out here. The weather has been nearly perfect, tho I'm getting absolutely fried right now. Yesterday I did my biggest day yet, a 15 miler from Low Gap to Tray Mountain Shelter. The terrain was tough - the last 5.5 included two huge climbs. First time since I got on the trail this year that I felt absolutely exhausted. Unfortunately, yesterday, we lost the Slo' Learners, Nancy and Charles. I looked forward to hiking with 'em for awhile, but, sadly, Charles is having some serious foot problems (planter facietis?).I was gonna upload some photos from my camera, but can't seem to get the flash reader to work properly. I really don't know what i'm doing with that. Anyways, next stop NOC. Next full entry 4/19/06 from Wesser, NC.
Date: 2006-04-19
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Wesser, NC
Miles today: 5.6

I'm on a pay-computer thingie, so I don't have much time here. I'm paying 25 cents a minute, for pete's sake! Anyway, I just pulled into the NOC and I'm taking it easy until tomorrow. Shower! Food! More Food! Couple days back we left Georgia for good. From here, I gotta stop at Fontana Village to pick up a pakage, and then on to the Smokies. Not looking forward to the climb up to that particular ridge line. I still feel great. Picked up my first blister, but its just a little one at the top of my foot. We're doing 'bout 15 miles a day now, and moving (with breaks) 'bout 2 and a half miles an hour. I wasn't moving that fast back in '99 until I had reached VA. Ok, gotta go. I've already been online now for 12 minutes and I still gotta check out how the tribe and cavs are doing. Cya!Next full entry 5/02/06 from Erwin, TN.
Date: 2006-05-02
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Shin splints! Apparently I got 'em, in my left leg. They hurt like the dickens, but, so long as the problem doesn't get too much worse, I should be okay. Sucks, 'cause otherwise I feel great. I'm not struggling half as much as when I did this in '99, especially with the up-hills. Last 3 days we did back-to-back-to-back 20 mile days. That's probably what caused the shin splints - just been overdoing it. We'll probably slow down over the next few days. In fact, I'll probably take my first "zero day" (i.e., no hiking day) tomorrow. Hopefully my shin will feel a bit better after some rest.Currently I'm hiking with Jellybean, Foreigner, and Citation (aka Jarhead, Yankee). Next full entry 5/03/06 from Erwin, TN.
Date: 2006-05-03
From: Erwin, TN

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

An extra day in Erwin, resting my shins. Been icing 'em all day (when I can't get ice, I just stick a cold pop can in my sock), trying to keep the swelling down. I was at Barnes & Nobles today in Johnson City. Asked for a bag full of ice from the Starbucks people, stuck ice in my socks the whole time I was there. Makes the shin splints feel so much better! Unfortunately, not much ice up there in the hills right now. May have to just soak my foot in a cold stream ocassionally.I finished Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, so had to buy a new book. Got Paulo Cuehlo's (sp?) Pilgrimage. Looking forward to reading the book. Its 'bout a guy on some kinda spiritual journey through Spain. Sorta like my journey, 'cepting its not very spiritual, and Appalachia has never been confused for Spain. Weighed myself at the hostel scale and I'm down to 'bout 218, my lowest weight in 'bout 10 years. I'm liking this AT diet, but I really have to be careful not to lose too much weight too soon. If I get too far below 200, there won't much extra fat for my body to draw from while I'm hiking. Thru-hikers can burn as much as 5000 to 6000 calories a day, and its almost impossible to carry that much food. I'm trying my best to consume as much protein as possible too, to help with the muscles. I eat several spoonfulls of peanut butter for breakfast, then snack on mostly candy bars all day ('bout one every hour), then eat lipton or ramon (usually 2 packs) for din-din. Still, that can't be much more than 3000 calories. I've heard it said that women on the AT get toned, while men get emaciated. From what I've seen, seems true. Women just retain fat alot better.Ok, we're off to dinner soon at the Elms here in Erwin. Hope all is well out there in civilization! Tomorrow, I'm back up in the hills. Hope my shins don't continue to splint.Next full entry 5/10/06 from Damascus, VA.
Date: 2006-05-10
To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Damascathon '06Pulled into Damascus yesterday (my one month "mensiversary" since I began from Springer). Did a 40-mile day to make it to Damasucs - 16 miles over my previous best. Myself and 4 others decided to take the Damascus challenge and make the hike from Watauga Lake to Damascus in one day. I woke up around 3:30am, left camp around 4am, and pulled into Damascus at 7:45pm, for a total of 'bout 16 hours of hiking. The first few miles were tough (over Iron Mountain and in the dark) but fun - it was the first time I had done any night hiking on this trip, and we circled beautiful Watauga Lake the whole time. The terrain the whole way (at least after Iron Mt.) was extremely kind, in comparison to the typical AT grind, and the weather couldn't have been more beautiful. Even so, around the 25-mile mark I felt my body just crashing. Too many Snickers and not enough real food! But I pushed through, and in fact covered the last 10 miles in only 3 hours, working on adrenaline and large doses of ibruprofren to relieve the pain in my poor feets. All in all, it was an enjoyable experience, tho one that i'm not likely to repeat anytime soon - not, at least, until the Maryland Challenge (aka the Four State Challenge: hiking from the tip of north VA, through the one-mile section of WV (Harper's Ferry), through the 40 mile section of Maryland, and into PA all in one day).Jellybean hadn't planned to do the Damascathon, but come 11pm, I saw her coming toward the hostel. She just decided when she woke up that it'd be fun. Pretty impressive, I think.Today we're taking a zero here in Damascus, staying at The Place Hostel, and tomorrow we're planning on setting out again. This section between Damascus (mile 460) to Pearisburg (mile 620) is, from what I remember, alotta fun and gorgeous. On Saturday we should make it to Partnership Shelter, the coolest shelter on the trail. The shelter actually has a shower, and down below is a park visitor's center with a phone, from which you can call and get pizza delivered. We'll probably make it to Pearisburg by the 19th. I'm hoping to complete all of Virginia, WV, Maryland, and get into PA by this time next month. So far, I'm on pace to complete the AT sometime in August, but I may wanna slow down at some point. At an average of 15 miles a day (which includes zero and "nero" days - days in which you hike very little, usually into or out of town), we're going far faster than most thru-hikers. We're passing people who left as early as the first of March. While it sorta sucks that we don't get a chance to get to know too many other hikers, moving as fast as we are, I don't know if I'd enjoy slowing down much. Its not that we're pushing that hard - I just like hiking pretty much all day, and don't enjoy sitting around in camp very much doing nothing but counting blisters. Hopefully, down the road, we'll find more people who enjoy hiking our pace.Next full entry 5/11/06 from Damascus, VA.
Date: 2006-05-11
To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Just 'bout to leave Damascus to get back to the trail. When I was at the post office sending stuff home, I found out that Jellybean and I had made our way into the local newspaper, the Bristol Herald Courier. Some reporter had come in yesterday in the post office and interviewed us for a story on packages coming into Damascus for thru-hikers during Trail Days (the hiker festival which happens next week). Jellybean was quoted (not me - apparently I'm not interesting enough), but we both got our pictures in the paper. I'm a celebrity!Ok, I was gonna leave Damascus today, but too damn lazy (still recovering from my 40-mile day - i think a toenail is 'bout to fall off). Definitely leaving tomorrow. Still debating whether to come back to Damascus for Trail Days next week. Decisions, decisions!Next full entry 5/12/06 from Lost Mountain Shelter.
Date: 2006-05-12
From: Damascus, VA

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Finally got out of Damascus around 11am, after stopping at Subway to pack out 6 inch Italian BMT for dinner later that night. Damascus, as many thru-hikers would attest, is a very difficult town to escape. Its sorta the mecca of thru-hikers, where you can stay for almost free and the townsfolk bend over backwards to help you. There's even a pay phone at the laundromat which gives ya free long distance. But I finally did escape, and headed out to the great unknown! (actually, I've hiked this section before, so its really just the great "not so-well remembered"). Fairly easy day to Lost mountain. Completed the hike in around 6 hours, and got the last space in the shelter. Beside Foreigner and Jelly Bean, Side Step, Banshee, Willow, Lone Wolf (not THE Lone Wolf), Steve (aka Shrek, aka Half-Day), Soullive, and Clay & Branch spent the night in the shelter area.Next full entry 5/13/06 from Wise Shelter.
Date: 2006-05-13
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: scattered clouds

I believe this is the first day I did not make it to the shelter I intended to reach. I originally planned a 28-mile day, to set up an easy 20-miler into Partnership Shelter. However, I didn't get an early start (around 8am) and I didn't feel very well. It was a cold cold day through the Grayson Highlands (which are just gorgeous), so that didn't help matters much. Plus, I took 3 breaks in the cold (3 more than I usually do in this weather), 2 of 'em cause of "trail magic" (usually former thru-hikers giving out free food and drinks along the trail). By the time I arrived at Wise Shelter, I just took out my sleeping bag, jumped in, and tried to get warm for the first time all day.Overall a very disappointing day, 'cause i been looking forward to Grayson all year. Just wish I coulda gone through on a sunnier, warmer day. Shared shelter with Jellybean, Foreigner, and Lone Wolf.Next full entry 5/14/06 from Partnership Shelter.
Date: 2006-05-14
From: Wise Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 30.6
Weather: light rain

Woke up still feeling a little under the weather, and, for the most part, the day was wet, cold, and dreary. So it might seem odd that I would pick today to do my 2nd 30+ mile day. But the last thing I wanted to do on a day like this was sit around a be cold. So I decided to bust it Partnership, to get pizza and set up an early day into Atkins and a warm bed the next day. I knew I had to hurry, 'cause I figured the thru-hikers at Partnership would order pizza between 5 and 6. Since I left at 7:15, I knew that I only had 'bout 10 or 11 hours to do the 30-miler and get the pizza. A challenge! To make a long-story short, I pulled into Partnership Shelter around 5:30pm, just as the other hikers were putting their pizza order together. Victory!I ate like a pig (when do I ever not out here) and met some interesting new people, Chewey and the Mudboggers. The Mudboggers were particularly interesting - they do a juggling act. Additionally, to be frank, they're just strange, but in a good way. They seem to be like twins with some sort of shared psychic abilities. I swear, they both have the exact same voice!Next full entry 5/15/06 from Atkins, VA.
Date: 2006-05-15
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: light rain

Woke up and my iPod refused to work. I thought it was broken! As it turns out, it was just so cold that night that it temporarily incapacitated my iPod. In Atkins, after a few hours inside, it worked okay. If you've sensed a pattern, yes, I do bitch 'bout the cold alot! Its not that its THAT cold, but over the last couple weeks it has gotten down into the low 40s in the evening, which I do not have the clothes or the body temperature to withstand comfortably. These days I don't take many breaks during the day, for the simple reason that I go into full-on hypothermia mode within minutes. As long as I'm moving, I'm okay. In fact, its 'bout perfect hiking weather - keeps you relatively dry and energized. Anyways, got into Atkins and shared a room with Chewey. Jellybean and Citation made it into Atkins later that day, but Foreigner wouldn't pull in until tomorrow (Jellybean, Citation, and Foreigner stayed at the Wapiti Shelter while I was at Partnership). Met a few other hikers, including NoFalls, Catch-Up and Mule.Decided to quit smoking. My circulation while I've been sleeping has been terrible (my body parts spend more time asleep than my brain) and I've noticed that smoking does not help my circulation. I been meaning to quit, and this is as good a time as any.Next full entry 5/16/06 from Knot Maul Branch Shelter.
Date: 2006-05-16
From: Atkins, VA

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Got out late from town, as usual - this time real late tho, 'bout 4pm. Had to really bust it to make the shelter by nightfall. It was a pretty nice hike outta Atkins - got alotta great pictures of cows hiking the AT. Foreigner and Jelly Bean stayed in Atkins. Foreigner's girlfriend is coming in from Montreal for a week, at which time he has to decide whether he'll continue or not. Jelly Bean, on the other hand, stayed so that she can go down to Damascus for Trail Days. If she does Hardcore (the trail maintenance project with Bob Peoples of Kincora Hostel), she'll be a good week behind me. So, at least for now, my original group of Foreigner, Jelly Bean, Moon Beam, and Mulligan (left him at Damascus) has totally dissipated. To be honest, tho, I thought it was time I hiked alone for awhile. I've enjoyed my hiking companions, but, for my own good, I need to have the confidence to face the hardships (and the joys) of the trail without assistance. I've learned alot from my friends, including how to set up a tarp, how to crush Ramen so to be able to fit multiple packets in a single pot, and other absolutely necessary camping essentials. Now I can apply all that knowledge to conquer the remaining 2/3rds of the trail!Next full entry 5/17/06 from Jenkins Shelter.