morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-09-14
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Mt Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: clear sky

Sept 14, 2012Wow what a last day.  Dania and I were at the gate of Baxter State Park at 6 am sharp.  We met F100 and Steady at 7 and started climbing Katahdin.  It was a clear beautiful day,  a perfect day to finish this six month journey.    Dania decided she wanted to make the climb.  I was glad she did. She hiked the approach trail and Springer Mountain with me. Now she was going to finish with me as well.  We can say she is a thruhiker; she just sky blazed the middle section.  You see there is white blaze(following the traditional blazes), there is blue blazing ( side trails) yellow blazing ( taking the highway), aqua blazing ( water route), sky blazing ( taking an airplane)!!!  .  She made it up the vertical boulders to climb.  Hand rails and all.  On the summit, we ran into a young woman ridge runner.  She recommended the Saddle Back trail as a quicker and easier trail down.  Had she described it, I would have went down the way we came on the A.T.   She said it was just over 5 miles.  I found out later by a Ranger it was 7 miles!! And not any easier.  It was 7 miles of rock!! Mostly very steep down.  I thought I was going to have to call a helicopter to get her off the mountain.  As it was, we ended up hiking an hour after dark with only 1 headlamp!!  But we made it and now the journey has ended!!      Did the experience change me?  No, I am me; many people probably would like a different me.  Did I benefit from the experience?  You bet!!  I now have hundreds of wonderful unbelievable memories!!  Memories that now will over shadow hundreds of horrible memories of terrible crashes and sights no one should have to bare, but do.  I am sorry for the survivors of so many crash victims that I had to make notification to.  But now, when these memories try and creep up, I now will remember being on top of McAfee Knob and seeing a wonderfu view and acting like a big kid while standing on my head.  I will remember the cow moose with her calf, eating in the pond.  I will remember Boots and Melody singing to me while on top of a mountain during a beautiful sunset.  There are many many more that I have that will bury all the bad memories from years past.  Thank you God for giving me this wonderful country to explore and call home.  Thanks goes to my wife and kids for so much support over the last six months.  Thank all of the readers of this journal that kept reading, even during boring times.  Thank ya'll for all the kind words in my guestbook.  I guess all I need to say is just THANKS!!  And don't forget the children that are suffering from illnesses that most of us will never understand what it is like to have to live that way.  Most of us have been blessed with good health and the ability to enjoy journeys like mine.  Through my journey and many of you I am able to donate about ten thousand dollars to the State Police Troop L Grant A Wish program for just such kids.  The journey was long, tiresome, difficult and very challenging both physically and mentally but was so worth the effort.   Thanks again and see yaRandy aka "Swamprat"
Date: 2015-05-04
From: home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well after three years, I am finally going to hike the rest of the Smokies and end my hike at Hot Springs, NC. This is a short section that I missed when coming off the trail in 2012 when my son had to have Emergency Surgery. It should feel good to get back on the trail. See ya soon from the Trail.   Swamprat
Date: 2015-05-08
From: Slidell

To: Gatlinburg, TN
Miles today: 0.0

We left Slidell around 4 am. The drive to Atlanta was quick. We arrived around 1030 and picked up Mark. We got to Atlanta around 430 pm. I had talked with a rep at Gatlinburg Police Department earlier in the week about parking there. He told me it would be ok, so that is where we met Milton. There was only one problem, they were re-surfacing the parking lot. I chose to park next to the agency at the American Legion. It was a large area with plenty parking. We went inside and spoke with someone at the P.D. He said there would be no problem. We handed him several of our LSP patches to give to a few of the people there. I am hoping not to get towed by the time we get back. We then drove to the Grand Prix motel. We had called ahead to tell them we were coming. The saved two rooms for us. We decided to go eat at the Mellow Mushroom. We caught up on old stories over pizza and beer. After, it was off to the Grand Prix Motel. We got there around 730 and the doors were locked and the lights off. The sign said they were open till 830. Oh well. Good start to the hike. Had to park in a spot which I didn't care for and now the motel where we were going to stay was closed. Well, there was a Motel Six next door. Let's see if they left the lights on for us. Yep, we were able to get two rooms. They were a little more expensive but "It is, what it is". We talked for a while then it was time to get some sleep.
Date: 2015-05-09
From: Newfound Gap

To: Tent Site, Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4

Woke up bright and early. We decided to get a good breakfast at a nearby pancake house before starting the hike. After eating we went to the NOC outfitter. I picked up a couple of tent stakes and Cooke picked up a piece of tyvek for a footprint. After that, we went to the Grand Prix motel to catch a shuttle to Newfound Gap. The lady behind the desk said they were too busy to run the shuttle, however, Roadrunner Cab service shuttles from the Grand Prix for the same price. 30.00 for a van load to Newfound Gap. Twenty minutes after the call, we were picked up. The driver laughed when we told her the shuttle was not running. She said the shuttle hasn't left the parking spot in two years!! Apparently, the owner of the Grand Prix says he offers shuttles to try and get the hiker business. Another hiker, "Big Hoss", split the cost with the three of us. The name was appropriate. He was a solid 6'3 and weighed about 350. Big Boy! We were dropped off at Newfound Gap around 1030. It was a good hike north. I found out quick what three years of not hiking will do to your legs. Cooke was hurting because of an old injury to his right ankle when he was a young kid. He nearly lost his foot so any hiking was good. He did well going up the hills. Mark, hikes often, but not in the mountains. All three of us did pretty well considering. Cooke's trail name will be Cookie Monster, Mark's is Sazarak, as in the drink and mine is still the Swamprat. We hiked about 10 miles before getting to the shelter around 6 pm. The ridge runner asked to see our permits. After checking them out, she allowed us to tent instead of using the shelter. I set the hammock up in a terrible spot. It was up against a tree along the right side and higher at the head. I kept sliding all night toward the center. I still managed to get about 5 hours sleep.
Date: 2015-05-10
From: Tent Site, Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Hitch Post Tent sites above Tri Corner Knob
Miles today: 5.5

We got up kinda early and starting packing. I was very rusty packing. I was able to pack up during my thruhike fast. What happened over the last 3 years?We chose to take an easy day today. Everybody's feet were sore from yesterday and Cooke said his ankle needed an easy day!! We reached Peck's Corner Shelter around 2pm. We ate lunch at the shelter and met a thruhiker with his dog. I assume it was a service dog because he was at the shelter last night. The ridge runner didn't say anything and dogs are not allowed on the trails in the park. He said he was going to summit Katahdin on October 25th. Good luck with that one. If it is a normal winter, he may not finish his hike at the top. He also is already getting a late start. I wish him luck. After he hiked out, two men came in to rest. They asked how far we were going. I said just a little farther. I had already found the tent sites above the shelter about a tenth of a mile. I didn't want to tell them about the sites because there were not but three or four available. I didn't lie to them, we were only going a little farther. Turns out, they stayed at the shelter for the night. We set up camp pretty quick and ate dinner.
Date: 2012-02-24
To: Let's Do This!
Miles today: 0.0

Wow...8 days and counting. I can't belive our hike is approaching so quickly. Our very first test has been this journal. It's astonishing how irritated two very strong willed, obnoxious personalities can become when they try to write together. It does not help when both people have a need to be right all of the time and different writing styles. Thank God our journal will be updated by Low's brother while we are on the trail. It is hard to imagine how annoying this process would be, if we both sat down every night to try to maintain this journal together. For those who do not already know, our trail names are Sweet and Low- The Diabetic Duo. Trail names are monikers assumed by those hiking in place of their "normal" names. Some hikers will give themselves their trail name. While others will be given a name by fellow hikers due to some perceived character trait, i.e. Snickers eats a lot of Snickers and Crash is a wee bit clumsy etc. Our self-assumed trail names are an ode to both our prefered control of our diabetes as well as being diabetic. Low likes to run his blood sugars on the lower side. Sweet likes her blood sugar a little higher(she has a tendency to drop quickly once she goes below 90). The only outward appearance to others of our diabetes is our "lows and highs". All rolled together it should make for an interesting 2000+ miles, but we're up for the challenge.
Date: 2012-02-25
To: Pre Hike Head Games
Miles today: 0.0

We have been planning this hike for more than a year now. Every piece of gear has been researched and deliberated over. We will be sharing a tent, stove, cook kit, as well as a few other items. Shared gear means weight savings to the individual, which is great but... Now, I find myself questioning every gear choice I've made. Thoughts creep into my head, no matter what I'm doing, or where I am. "Wouldn't it be better if I reduce pot weight by six ounces? It would only cost another $90 for similar pots in titanium." "Are you sure the Exped sleeping mat is right? You could sacrifice sleeping comfort for a lighter pad." My favorite one though, "I know I hate the idea of chemical water treatment, but the gravity filter is heavy and kinda bulky compared to AquaMira drops. And what if it freezes." And what if. And what if. And what if.Every night for the past few months I would come home and research gear. I would spend one week deciding what kinda of whatever I wanted. If a decision haden't been reached, just put that item on hold and move on. Now that we own evrything for the hike, I question the decisions made. Pack wieght is a constant concern for me. We need to carry everything we need to survive between towns. For us though, that includes insulin, pump supplies, meter, strips, Gluc-a-gon... not to mention the extra food needed to treat lows.I just want March fourth to come quickly. We'll be on a mountain in GA on the fourth. Life will be simpler then.
Date: 2012-02-29
To: Nature's Reminder
Miles today: 0.0

Today was both of our last day of work before the trail. I walked out the door before I realized it was raining, so I turned around and traded my softshell for my rain coat. I've been walking to work for the last few weeks, partly because I figured I had to get used to the idea of walking no matter what the weather had in store. The other part, my car broke down and I saw no reason to replace before we left. The mile or so to work was light rain. No problem. I was only at work to finish up a job I started the day before so one hour and fifteen minutes later I clocked out and walked home. This was the world's way of asking if this hike was a good idea. The tempurature outside was a balmy 37 degrees, and the rain had picked up. So, I slogged home putting my rain coat to the test. My top was warm and dry, but wearing jeans on this day reminded me why "cotton kills." I am now getting ready to go for another walk in the rain. This time, I've got on hiking shorts and rain pants. I need to pick up a few things and the rain won't relent any time soon. We'll see how it goes, I'm not too worried. Hopefully Becky's (Sweet's) last day at work is a little bit drier.
Date: 2012-03-03
To: Road Trip
Miles today: 0.0

We're in the car and heading south. It seems somehow like a facade. We have been waiting for what seemed like so long, but now, underway, it's not quite real. We are zipping past mountains in the car that we'll trek over in a few weeks to months time. I wonder which way I'll prefer to see them when this is over. Last night we ate dinner at The Orchards. Its the most "fine" a restaurant gets in our area. Halfway through the meal Becky pointed out that it was our last meal of sorts. Yesterday our stomachs held fillet and scallops accompanied by overpriced beverages. Today donuts and other misc. food of the road warrior. Starting tomorrow dehydrated high calories trail food. I wonder which I'll have fonder memories of when this is all over.
Date: 2012-03-04
From: Springer Mountian

To: Hawk Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 8.1

Winning! We started the day at Amicalola Falls Lodge with showers and a great buffet breakfast. After checking out we walked around the falls a bit and back in the car for a drive out to USFS 42 to a lot near Springer. Sweet's Parents walked with us out to the summit and took some photos. (Thanks again for the ride and encouragement Bob and Karen)I don't think we could have asked for a better day. the weather was brisk and sunny. we even had a few flurries fall on us while walking. Magical. Ended our evening with a delicious dinner of Alu Muttar with rice and flat bread, and some yummy cocoa.
Date: 2012-03-05
From: Hawk Mt. Shelter

To: Gooch Mt Shelter
Miles today: 7.7

First Trials:Sweet was eager to hit the trail this morning until we hit a snag much like yesterday. It's the second time her CamelBak sprung a leak inside her pack. The day stayed foul because then she went low while descending into Horse Gap. I stopped and sat on a log while encouraging her to check...49, and she didn't think she was low. Stopped to treat four more times, which made for a slow day. We finally stumbled into Gooch Mt Shelter Site and called it for the night. Water is a piped spring, but just before nightfall the neighborhood went to hell. So we had to listen to the ramblings of a few idiots as we tried to go to sleep. P.S. Setting your tent up five feet from mine is bad enough, but telling the world about how you dug a hole to poop in for the first time today... NOT gonna impress the hoochies your walking with.
Date: 2012-03-06
From: Gooch Mt Shelter

To: Lance Creek Camping Site +.5mi
Miles today: 8.5

Scenic Camp:We left Gooch a little late this morning, about 10. Which was fine by us at the time but made for a worried Sweet later in the day, chasing sunlight. Made it to Woody Gap for lunch. Still had a little Condensation on our tent from a poorly vented night, so we laid it out to dry. Woody gap is a nice little place with parking to access the National Forest, and some chemical toilets. Thought it odd to see hikers sitting by the road waiting for a pizza this early, but we saw that. We met a talkative local, named Tom, at "Preaching Rock," a beautiful overlook just north of Woody Gap. Then we tried to make the last few miles to the tenting area near Lance Creek, It was pretty full so we kept walking. About half a mile up the trail we found a great tent site, off the trail and just level enough for our tent before it continued to drop back to the creek below. When we make it to a computer, we'll add more pics.
Date: 2012-03-07
From: Lance Creek Camping Site +.5mi

To: Neels Gap 
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Blood Mt.:We left our overhang camp and got on the trail at 8am. It was a great walk up to Blood Mt. Shelter, stopping for water at Jarrard Gap. On top of Blood Mt. it was beautiful even though it was a little overcast. The decent was a little rough on the knees of Miss Sweet. (Can someone remind me to have Marge dx Becky's arthritis so she quits telling me she doesn't have it.) We walked into Neels Gap about 2pm, and got bunks at the hostel. We talked with Baltimore Jack a lot in Mountain Crossing. He and Pirate (the caretaker at the hostel) really make this place memorable. Had some ziti and salad for dinner. Can't wait to see what's next!
Date: 2012-03-08
From: Neels Gap 

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Daffodils:We walked out of Neels Gap with full tummies, thanks to Pirate's pancakes, around 8. The entire morning was Shrouded in mist. We stopped at Several lookouts but were disappointed each time by no visibility. However we both enjoyed the eerie, amazing quality the fog gave to the woods. It was like everything ahead of us was a mystery. The fog burned off about noon, as we descended into Tesnatee Gap, where we found a gentleman passing out drinks and snacks to hikers. after a few oatmeal cream pies we climbed the next hill and found daffodils in full bloom! Spring is in the mountains.We ended our day at a nice camp spot near the low gap shelter. lashing down the gear and tucking in for the night. the weather forecast is calling for our first bit of rain. wish us luck.
Date: 2012-03-09
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Cheese Factory Site
Miles today: 13.4

Long day, Cold night:We stayed dry last night! We had oatmeal and grits for breakfast and hit the trail early, considering the wet night. We made it to Blue Mt shelter for lunch. This shelter is famed for how the north wind blows directly in... So we stayed only long enough to eat, because it was cold, even at midday. The following decent into Unicoi Gap seemed endless, but finally ended in a parking lot with a thru hiker alumni, class of 2011. Muldune was great! He fixed veggie burgers and dogs with all the fixings, chips,pretzels, soda, oreos, ginger snaps, PB&J, and fresh fruit, for all of the hikers passing by. We sat around and and snacked and chatted with Muldune and other current hikers for to long though. We still had 3.7 miles left in our planned hike for the day when we left Unicoi. That took us up and down and up again until we reached the old Cheese Factory Site. We got setup just before dark, and ate quickly as the night grew cold.
Date: 2012-03-10
From: Cheese Factory Site

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: clear sky

Highs and Lows:We got in late last night, which led to a too soon morning. When we hit the trail neither of us felt 100%. Becky cried a few times in the morning. Eric had enough and freaked after lunch. The rest of the day was great. Looking forward to a full resupply in town tomorrow. We're planning on an in and out day. Meaning we'll get into town, and wash clothes, eat lunch, and resupply food and supplies before heading back to the trail and another couple miles. I think we'll carry out small steaks...
Date: 2012-03-11
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Plumorcharsd Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: broken clouds

Sweet's First Hitch:We made it to Dick's Creek Gap by 10:30. We sat in the parking area for a few minutes trying to decide how to get into Hiawasee, GA. After about five minutes we were walking toward town, planning to thumb it the 11 miles in. After about eight minutes, and 2 cars passing in our direction, we landed a ride with a colorful couple from Selma, AL. They were driving through the mountians exploring and got excited to see hikers. We stopped on the way a few times to check out Jeeps with for sale signs, but made it in one piece. Sadly, the laundry was closed on Sundays, so we ate lunch at McD's, resupplied at the Dollar General & made a trip to Ingles for some cheap steaks to fry up for dinner tonight. In the parking lot a wonderful older couple in a beautiful town car offered us a ride back to the trail. A few more hours of hiking and we stopped early to enjoy our meal. Having a cute girl along makes for easier hitches.
Date: 2012-03-12
From: Plumorcharsd Shelter

To: White Oak Stamp
Miles today: 8.1

Becky woke me last night because she heard "scurrying." I ignored her & shouldn't have. A scamp chewed a hole in my pack. When morning came it was raining lightly with lots of fog. We laid in our bags longer than normal, then packed up and hit the trail. the last few miles of Georgia passed with no grand story, just wet slogging. We took a few photos at the GA/NC line. Walked into Bly Gap and took another photo at the knobby tree that is the unofficial marker for NC, & kept walking in the rain. NC welcomed us with uphill climbs that seemed to have no end. The weather sucks and we can't see any views. We made it to Muskrat Creek Shelter and dried out talking to a few other hikers, including Avatar & "Tom for Now." We decided to keep walking and made camp a bit down the trail, Set up our tent and cooked in the vestibule. We are safe dry and warm, despite the challenges NC is throwing at us. Falling asleep to the sound of owls looking for that scamp that got my almonds!
Date: 2012-03-13
From: White Oak Stamp

To: Carter Gap
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: broken clouds

Clear Views:We woke to light drizzle, so we had breakfast in bed, cooking oatmeal in the vestibule. Packed up our wet tent again and made trails. Within the first mile we realized the weather was clearing. By the time we made it to Standing Indian Shelter for lunch, the sun was out in force and we laid out the tent to dry.After a quiet lunch we finished the climb up Standing Indian and took the blue blaze for a wonderful view. We got to Carter Gap Shelter and saw the familiar face of LeeBob! Set up out tent, happy to be dry, and slept well.
Date: 2012-03-14
From: Carter Gap

To: Rock Gap
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

Feeling like Dru:We packed as usual and head out. Before ten yards we met A.C., a hiker who stayed in the shelter the night before. We didn't expect much from the morning, but got slapped in the face by Alberta Mt. It was a short-ish climb nearly straight up. It reminded us both of Precipice Trail in Acadia NP. Upon reaching the top we were rewarded with views from a fire tower and cheers from other hikers having come up the same path.Lunch was at Big Spring Shelter, a spot with too many gnats, but we ate with others and shared in a large summer sausage some section hikers were trying to ditch when they realized they had too much food. Then more pleasant terrain to Rock Gap Shelter and a needed break. We got enough water to make a dry camp and kept walking to make the morning short, to catch an early shuttle into Franklin NC. When we finally stopped we were both low, and made dinner. Each of us ate 150g of carbs for dinner, thus, we felt like Dru.
Date: 2012-03-15
From: Rock Gap

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: clear sky

Nearo:We got up today while it was still dark, looking forward to a nearo town day. That is, a day with nearly no miles. We were on the trail at first light and at Winding Stair Gap before we knew it, Waiting for the scheduled Haven shuttle into town. AC and Avatar showed up and we passed the time swapping stories. Once at Budget Inn, we found the water turned off, so we went in search of food before showers. Ate at an amazing local spot called Sunset Restaurant, and ventured into the Tartan Museum on Main St before returning to clean ourselves and clothes. Resupplied at the Dollar Store and Ingles around 5, and picked up dinner there too, instead of eating out again. $3 for six BBQ chicken quarters was an awesome deal! Back to the motel to finish laundry and chores, including catching up on journals. Sorry we didn't manage time well enough to upload any decent photos yet. Now to bed before heading back out in the morning.