morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-06-17
From: Darlikgton Shelter

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Got up this morning, as usual, before 6 am. Each morning consist of grabbing the food bag, digging to find the cereal and fixing some breakfast. I have learn to break up a Little Debbie brownie (300 calories) and dropping it into the cereal. I also squeeze about a tablespoon of honey into the cereal also. I may have my breakfast up to about 7 to 8 hundred calories. After eating, its time to repack everything from the inside of the tent. When done, I start packing the tent. Everything then gets packed into the backpack, the shoes go on and off NOBO I go. Exciting eah?      Today, the plan was to go 11.5 miles to DuNcannon, PA. It was a fairly easy hike but finished with a steep drop with rocks. On the way, we met two 76 yr old twins that have been section hiking the trail. They have 700 miles left and are being supported by friends and family. Very sweet ladies. Their team actually gave us a ride later from Duncannon to the hotel in Enola, PA. This is where we will re-supply and take a day off. I plan to keep the feet in ice most of tomorrow.    Dania sent me a supply box. It was mailed to the Doyle Hotel. Hikers like to stay there more out of tradition than anything else. We stopped to eat there for lunch and pick up our boxes. It is a very old hotel. The rooms have no air and the bathrooms are in the hallway. We also said goodbye to our friends Shadow and Spider. They finished their section and were catching a train home. I took a picture of an old staircase. There is a ghost in the picture. Very kool picture!! I posted it on facebook. The ghost happens to be someone that walked into the frame just as the picture snapped and the flash caused a ghostly silhouette of the person on the edge of the frame. Anyway, I got lots of comments. I will try and upload the picture today.    After lunch, we hiked the two miles of the trail that follows a residential street through town. After crossing the bridge over the Susquehanna River, we met the twins again. This is where we caught our ride out of town. Another great way to end the day. Interesting day on the A.T. Swamprat
Date: 2012-06-19
From: Duncannon, PA

To: tent site
Miles today: 14.4

Got up early and called a cab from the hotel. We wanted to back on the trail early. I asked the driver to stop at the Doyle Hotel. I needed to pick up a fuel canister for my stove. I have not been very successful finding these. Especially the MSR brand. The Doyle wasnt open yet so I asked F100 if I could use his alcohol stove this week. No problem, onward to the trailhead!! We started hiking at 8 am. My feet lasted about two hours before I stopped to take some extra strenght asprin. After that, I caught up with F100 and Steady up the trail when they stopped for lunch at PA 225 crossing. I met a nice family on the crossing that asked if I were thruhiking. I told them yes and said my trail name was Swamprat. Where was I from, they asked. Louisiana. We talked about the swamps, alligators, and the show "Swamp People". Somehow we got on the conversation of attitudes from people up north. Now they said it first, that people were not as friendly as down south. However, they were as nice as anyone I have met out here. I went and sat down a while then hiked on. We came to Peoples Mountain Shelter. We needed water. I needed it the most so I volunteered to go downhill, 300 steps downhill and get the water. Now I needed to climb back up those 300 steps!! After treating the water and eating a quick Peanut butter and honey sandwich it was time to finish the hike. 5 more miles to the tent site. Now here I am and it's time for sleep. Pretty good day on the A.T. Tomorrows plan, hike 1.5 miles. There is going to be someone cooking food at the next highway crossing. This gentleman has done this now the 3rd yr. i will let you know how it was!! See ya.Swamprat
Date: 2012-06-20
From: tent site

To: Tent site
Miles today: 17.6

Today should Be a good day.  Got up this morning kinda liesurely. We had 1.5 miles to go to PA 325 where Trail Magic Bob was going to start his 3rd annual trail magic feed.  We had an easy hike to the parking lot and sure enough, he was there and waiting.  I think we were the 2nd, 3rd and 4 th.  Two brothers, Trips A Lot and Dollar were also there.  Younger brother Dollar was completing a section and Trips A Lot was finishing the trail this year.  He began at 14 and is now 23.  Good luck to the both of them.  After a quick welcome, Bob actually handed us a menu!!  I chose the turkey club pasta and deviled egg with pepsi and desert was a chocolate and peanut butter cup cake.  It was very good and greatly appreciated.  After eating we took a few pictures before taking off.  He did tell us a brief history of how he began this.  He won half a million in the PA lottery a few years ago which made it easier to do something like this for the hikers.  After speaking with him a while it was time to hike on.  We hiked into the afternoon and it was getting extremely hot. Temp today was suppose to be 95 with heat index of 104.  Tomorrow is going to be worse.  We came to a stream about 3 pm and decided that would be a good place for a break.  We also ran into Secrets and Shananigans there. After 4( minutes of cooling off we continued hiking.  We decided to go farther than planned and hiked a total of 17.6 miles.  The day ended at a deep creek, kinda deep for a creek, remember this ain't bayou country!!  Knee deep creek is deep!!  That made for a great cool down and bath.  Then it was eat'n time. I decided to eat cold food. I made a spam on tortia with a splash of honey.  Sounds good eah?  Anyway thats about a wrap.  Time for bed.  It was a very hot day on the A.T.  Swamprat
Date: 2012-06-21
From: Tent site

To: Tent site north of 501 Shelter
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: few clouds

It was a relatively comfortable night considering the daily temps. I heard the high today was 99. It felt every bit. I drank lots of water today. We hiked about 9 miles to william Penn Shelter where we ate lunch. We needed water and there was a good spring just below the tenting area. I had already drank 64 ounces and after getting water had a quick 32 oz before filling the bottle again. After lunch it was onward toward the. 501 shelter. It is listed as having a cold shower set up. The plan was to take a shower and get a ride 4 miles into Pine Grove and get real food. This may sound like it's cheating but these small towns have some really nice people and lots of history. There have been many great experiences making these quick into and exits from these towns. Just last year the town was flooded and most of the town was under about 8 foot of water. It has recovered almost fully. The FEMA trailers are gone. I did not see a one. After eating we got a ride back to the 501. We packed up and were going to hike another 3 miles. After half a mile we were dripping with sweat and decided to stop and camp. While at camp, I worked on the blisters which managed to pop up yesterday. Guess I will try mole skin tomorrow again. It didn't work well the first time. Oh, there is a caretaker at the 501 shelter. He and his wife (?, assumption) live next to the shelter. In exchange for maintaining the shelter they get to live in the house next to it. Anyway, they came into camp this evening and chatted a while. It's interesting to meet people that volunteer their time to maintain this 2000 mile trail. Of which by the way, we now are under 1000 miles to go. Triple digit numbers!! Now that's progress. Very very hot day today on the A.T. Swamprat
Date: 2012-06-22
From: Tent site north of 501 Shelter

To: No Named Tent site
Miles today: 17.6

I slept pretty well last.  Got up this morning, packed and was ready to hike at 645.  We had to take a side trail to a piped stream only .3 miles.  I'm gonna admit something here that I know I shouldn't.  I didn't pay much attention to the layout of the trail last night.  After gettin water, I hiked back to the main trail.  I zigged when I shoulda zagged!!!  I walked half mile the wrong way!!!  ( get the laughing over with).  So, had to turn around and go north this time.  I caught up to Steady about two hours later.  Not a good start.  But, where we took a break was an excellent spot. Last night, the caretaker told us about a swimming hole that was not in the guide.  It was only about .2 of a mile off the trail.  Turned out to be a very deep spring fed pond.  Crystal clear water and a rope swing.  I took off the shirt and walked to the edge of the concrete levy and dove in.  It was so cold it took my breath away.  After trying out the rope and diving in a couple more times I had to get out.  F100 and Steady both got in also.  It was a great break since the morning was so hot and muggy.    Our next stop was to get water just prior to reaching the Eagles Nest Shelter.  On the way,  Steady almost stepped on a 3 foot Timber Rattler.  Half mile further a smaller rattler in the trail.  We made it to the spring.  Sharing our watering hole was a nice fat bullfrog.  Yea, I caught it.  It probably thought " oh crap, a coonass has found me!!  And NO, I dont taste like chicken!!!  So I let him go. No frog leggs tonight!     Then it was time to hike on.  Just before reaching the camp site, F100 found yet another ticked off Timber Rattler.  This one was upset at the world.  Everytime we took a step towards him he'd rattle and act like he wanted to strike.  Finally, I took My trekking poles and escorted him into the woods.  Now we were free to set up camp.  It was a good day for wildlife but a very rocky day for hiking.  Going to bed now.  See ya tomorrow on the A.T.Swamprat
Date: 2012-06-23
From: No Named Tent site

To: Hamburg (re-supply)
Miles today: 9.0

Started hiking around 715 this morning. We are re-supplying in a small town called Hamburg. Only one hotel and it is a Microtel. It was a fairly easy hike with a very steap downhill into Port Clinton. The trail exits the woods right at the famous Reading Railroad. Anyone that has ever played Monopoly is familar with Reading Railroad. Our old friends Shadow and Spider drove in to greet us with trail magic and gave us a ride to Five Guys Hamburger and then dropped us off at the hotel. Great folks. Thank you Shadow for the MSR gas cannister. I can boil water again!!    The rest of the day was spent re supplying and repackaging our food. Doing five days this trip. Pack is going to be heavy!! We split the cost of a room that had a pull out sleeper sofa. I took the sofa. Talk about springs!! I started to get out my NeoAir!!    Well thats about it. Oh!! There is a giant Cabelas that has put Hamburg on the map. I didnt go but it was across from the hotel. Now, that's it from the A.T. Swamprat
Date: 2012-06-24
From: Hamburg (re-supply)

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Terrible night's sleep. The pull out sofa was a bed of springs. I was glad to get up at 530 and take a shower. At breakfast, a man and his wife saw our packs against the wall so he came over and asked F100 and Steady if they were thruhiking. He was amazed at our task. When he found out we needed a ride to the trail he was happy to lend a hand.  He would love to be hiking but said his age just wont let him. He told us about meeting the famous barefoot sisters who by the way wrote a book about hiking the trail barefoot!!  I cant imagine how that must have been.  After being dropped off we began our 15 mile day. The best view in PA was from the Pennacle Rock overlook.     Today we saw GQ and Maxxum. They left the trail in the Shenandoahs but returned to finish.  I have enjoyed spending time with the two brothers. I hope they continue there journey to Katahdin.  We also saw Secrets and Shannanigans again today. They hike faster but we seem to be staying with them somehow.    We finally made it to the shelter. It was another that had a caretaker and a cold showere.  A pizza joint even delivered so everybody ordered pizza and coke for supper.    Well its getting late, gotta go to sleep.  Very good day on the A.T. Swamprat
Date: 2012-06-25
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Tripoli camp site
Miles today: 13.4

Terrible night's sleep. The pull out sofa was a bed of springs. I was glad to get up at 530 and take a shower. At breakfast, a man and his wife saw our packs against the wall so he came over and asked F100 and Steady if they were thruhiking. He was amazed at our task. When he found out we needed a ride to the trail he was happy to lend a hand.  He would love to be hiking but said his age just wont let him. He told us about meeting the famous barefoot sisters who by the way wrote a book about hiking the trail barefoot!!  I cant imagine how that must have been.  After being dropped off we began our 15 mile day. The best view in PA was from the Pennacle Rock overlook.     Today we saw GQ and Maxxum. They left the trail in the Shenandoahs but returned to finish.  I have enjoyed spending time with the two brothers. I hope they continue there journey to Katahdin.  We also saw Secrets and Shannanigans again today. They hike faster but we seem to be staying with them somehow.    We finally made it to the shelter. It was another that had a caretaker and a cold showere.  A pizza joint even delivered so everybody ordered pizza and coke for supper.    Well its getting late, gotta go to sleep.  Very good day on the A.T. Swamprat
Date: 2012-06-26
From: Tripoli camp site

To: No name tent site
Miles today: 16.5

Started hiking before 7 this morning.   The first half of the day was rocky.  Hiked a ridge line called the knife edge.  Had a very quick lunch and moved on.  Hiked across the Leighigh bridge then the fun started.  There is an area of the mountain that is nothing but fields of boulders and rocks.  The climb is almost verticle in places.  This took about an hour and a half.  Then the rest of the day was pretty easy.  We decided that anything over 16 miles was lagniappe.  When we reached Little Gap Rd we decided to go east to a small restaurant called the Blue Mountain Diner. The guide said it was .8 but turned out to be at least a mile and pretty steap downhill.  Once there though we were able to get a ride back to the trail.  The food was great and they served ice cream and shakes.   After returning to the trail, we had about half an hour to find a campsite.  Part of that was spent on a steap climb.  It all worked out. Found a site and set up camp just before dark.      A tough and tiring day on the A.T.Swamprat
Date: 2012-06-27
From: No name tent site

To: Tent site 3 miles north of Wind Gap
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: clear sky

Started hiking before 7 this morning.   The first half of the day was rocky.  Hiked a ridge line called the knife edge.  Had a very quick lunch and moved on.  Hiked across the Leighigh bridge then the fun started.  There is an area of the mountain that is nothing but fields of boulders and rocks.  The climb is almost verticle in places.  This took about an hour and a half.  Then the rest of the day was pretty easy.  We decided that anything over 16 miles was lagniappe.  When we reached Little Gap Rd we decided to go east to a small restaurant called the Blue Mountain Diner. The guide said it was .8 but turned out to be at least a mile and pretty steap downhill.  Once there though we were able to get a ride back to the trail.  The food was great and they served ice cream and shakes.   After returning to the trail, we had about half an hour to find a campsite.  Part of that was spent on a steap climb.  It all worked out. Found a site and set up camp just before dark.      A tough and tiring day on the A.T.Swamprat
Date: 2012-06-28
From: Tent site 3 miles north of Wind Gap

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: few clouds

Camped at no name camp site noth of Wind Gap.  We only have 12.7 miles to Delaware Water Gap.  This is where we will resupply.  We started hiking a little before 7. The trail was very rocky most of the way.  The shelter logs all read pretty much the same.  Everybody complaining about the PA rocks destroying their feet.     Only one decent view for the day and it was just passed Kirkridge shelter.  We stopped at The shelter for lunch and met the ridge runner for this area.  He said he has been doing that while obtaining his Master's degree in English.  He stays in the wokds for 10 days and off for 4.  It's seasonal so it works out for him while he is out of school for the summer.     After lunch we hiked into Delaware Water Gap.  The trail runs down Main St.  Very small town with one hotel.  The Pocono Inn.  If you're ever on vacation around there, NO, I dont recommend The Pocono.  Ok for cleanliness however nothing seems to work.  Notice I said ok and remember, my standards are much lower while on the trail.  If it's got clean sheets and no mildew on the shower curtain it ranks ok for cleanliness.  The ice machine was broken and I was kinda surprised to find a hair dryer in the bathroom but eah, it didn't work.  The first room I was given the air conditioner didn't work.  So stay in Stroudsburg if you find yourself in this area.  There is cheap public transportation too. 1.50 gets you to the neighboring town.    There is a diner in Delaware Water Gap that has excellent food.  Its on main st very close to the hotel.    While eating dinner this evening we ran into Secrets and Shananigans again.  They said they were taking another zero day because of the feet issues.     Well, that's about it for the day. Short day but a busy one with resupply and repackaging everything.    I find it difficult to upload pictures to trail journals unless I get access to a computer in town. ( wasnt even gonna ask at the pocono!).  I do upload at least once or twice a day on facebook.     Time for bed.  See ya.  A short day on the A.TSwamprat
Date: 2012-06-30
From: no name tent site

To: No Name Tent site
Miles today: 15.0

Started hiking at 630 this morning.  All of us were out of water this morning.  I fixed my cold cereal with the water I had.  After finishing the cereal I used the same milk to fix my chocolate/coffee mix.  Not the greatest but it worked.     It was expected to get hot today. Our goal was about 12 miles.  The trail cross New Jersey Hwy 206 right alongside a Tavern.  So, it was convenient to go inside and get a hamburger and drink a couple of cold beers.  The Tavern was located on the shoreline of a small lake. There was a guy fishing with live shiners and catching a few small bass and white perch.  I took a picture holding a bass as though the Swamprat had found a fishing hole but I really did not catch it.  Posted it on facebook!!  Hey, I never said I caught the fish!!  Anyway, we started hiking again at 6 pm.  Went another 3 miles to a tent site and set up camp.      Tomorrow may require waiting out the midday heat as well.  I do know we have to go into town for a few resupply items but we are not staying.  We will go right back to the trail.  New Jersey is turning out to be a little less rocky.  Well, thats about it for today.   Hot and humid day on the A.T.Swamprat
Date: 2012-07-01
From: No Name Tent site

To: High Point Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Alright, let me just get the whining out of the way!!!  Damn it's hot!!!  These Oboz shoes are terrible.  They have pronated inward so bad its like walking on a slanted surface.  That's what caused the blisters on the outside of each heel!!  Oboz are sending me a burlier soled shoe.  I will get them Thursday in Newburgh, NY. I may try them are keep them in the box until I find a dealer.  Going back to my Merrell Moabs.  Dania is flying to New York for the 4th and will bring them back.  I hope these Oboz will at least get me to New York.  Barefoot would be a bi@&$!!      Ok, todays dislike- the heat. At one point we all just shut down and took the shoes off for 20 minutes.  Also, turns out Jersey has a few rocks of her own.     The good- short day. Only 13 miles.  Most of it before 1pm.  The trail took us right to the Headquarters for High Point State Park.  Thruhikers were given a cold soda.  After sitting around for about 45 minutes we hiked 1.3 miles to a side trail that led to a recreation area with lake, lifeguards and concession stand.  Oh, showers too.  After this heat, I am sure that people at the park would appreciate us taking showers.  We saw Catnap and Easy Rider by the concessions.  Several people came up to us during the afternoon to ask questions about our adventure.  Others were not so sure what we were doing.  It's amazing how many people are not aware of the trail right in their own neighborhood.  They see these grimy, stinky, non shaven and most with unkept long hair walking into their park with dirty backpacks on but yet buying food, lots of food, not begging for anything and very polite and they just don't know what to think.  For that matter, I would'nt either!!!  At this point along this jurney, its easy to tell who's been on the trail since Springer and who the overnight and day hikers are.  Heck!! I caught F100 drafting two dayhikers the other day just outside Delaware Water Gap.  He didn't want to pass them because they smelled good!!  Seriously,  that's just not right.     We ate lunch and dinner by the lake.  At 6pm we decided to hike to the High Point Shelter which was only a mile. We took our time and got there around 7.  Tent got set up and I got out of the mosquitos.  Now it's time for bed.  Very, very hot day on the A.T.   Swamprat
Date: 2012-07-02
From: High Point Shelter

To: no name tent site
Miles today: 16.0

Some people decided they were sleep'n later this morning and didn't let me in on the secret.  I was up and packed as usual at 7.  F100 and Steady were still in their tent.  I decided to hike ahead, maybe I would see a bear or deer.  Wildlife has been scarce lately.  Everybody was talking about all the bears in Jersey, so far they have stayed hidden.  Sleeping with my food tonight.  This will be the night they show up!!    Anyway, I hiked toward Unionville and said I would meet them their around lunch.  About 8 miles in I came across the Murry property.  Not enough can be said about Mr Murry or the property.  It has a couple of small clean buildings that he  maintains and hikers have full use. One has a hot shower on the side.  They have electricity also that you can use to charge your electronic gadgets.  There is also a hand pumped well and the water is cold and taste great!  While there I met a guy that uses the trail name the Mad Hatter.  He claims to have done a NOBO thru and a SOBO.   I saw him later in the day and he was wearing Nike Tennis Shoes and carring his gear in a shoulder type duffle.  No backpack.  He said he had two weeks vacation and he was going as far as he could in that time frame.      After speaking with Mr Murry a few minutes and thanking him for his generosity I hiked on.  About an hour later I came to NJ 284 and walked about .5 miles west of the trail to the State Line Grocery.  I rested, ate two hotdogs and some snacks while waiting on F100 and Steady to catch up.  We all hiked out around 230.  Got back on the trail and headed north.  Murry said their was a swimming hole up the trail.  We think we found it but none of us wanted to swim in the water.     Now it was time to start looking for a camp site.  We found one around 730 pm.      The plan for tomorrow is hike about 15 miles and camp. Time for sleep.  Oh!  I did see two deer along the trail just before Unionville.  Anyway, very good day on the A.T. And not as hot as the last couple days.  Swamprat