morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-04-10
From: Slidell

To: Slidell
Miles today: 0.0

Thanks for all the prayers and support for a positive outcome to Mark's surgery. We had him at the hospital this morning and they took him into the Operating Room at 7am sharp. The operation took about 2 hours and he was in a private room by 1130. Of course he was out for most of the day, which was a good thing for him. Their was a chest tube in his chest, this ended up being the cause for most of his pain during the day and night.    It was a long day but we are very thankful that everything went well. He is expected to go home tomorrow. I will keep up with the journal daily until I get back on the trail on Saturday.Swamprat
Date: 2012-04-11
From: Slidell

To: Slidell
Miles today: 0.0

Well, It's hard to believe the difference from yesterday. Mark's Surgeon came in this morning to see him. He removed the chest tube and Mark was a different man immediately. Turns out the tube was most of his discomfort.   Mark got up, got dressed without much pain. It is amazing what modern medicine can accomplish. I did not expect him to be able to come home today. He was in too much pain yesterday. We left the hospital at 10am and were home for 12 noon. He is resting now, a little pain but is expected to get better each day.    It has been nice being home for a few days. It actually has given my ankle a few good days to heal. I am still on schedule to return to the trail Saturday. We will drive to Erwin, TN. on Friday and I will start the trail again on Saturday.    Swamprat
Date: 2012-04-12
From: Slidell

To: Slidell
Miles today: 0.0

Mark is doing great. He spent the day with me and we road to the Backpacker in Baton Rouge. I decided to change out my stove. Ditching the wisperlite by MSR. It is a great stove just a little heavy. I purchased the MSR Pocket Rocker. Half the weight. I also had to replace my filtering system for water. Shaved some weight there also. Going with the steripen. I have heard positive reviews on the trail about them.    Dania and I will drive to Ashville tomorrow and I will start the trail at Sams Gap in NC. See ya on the trailSwamprat
Date: 2012-04-14
From: Sam's Gap 

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Dania and I made it to Sams Gap around 8 am. The worse thing about starting again is having to say goodbye again starting the hike. It was a cold morning. We told each other see ya in six weeks, hopefully somewhere near PA. It was great spending time with the family and now back to the task at hand. Hike north to Katahdin. Less than 2000 miles!!My plan of attack, well not much to plan, walk!! I was hoping to do about 13 miles and get to a campsite where I may find the crew I was hiking with in the Smokies. I hiked for about 8 miles and low and behold, Someone came up from behind. ( which by the way happens fequently. One day I may actually come up and pass somebody!! Anyway, I stepped to the side and recognized Blue Fox. He didnt recognize me at first because of the lack of facial hair. Ended up seeing him a few times during the day. Well I finally finished the 13th mile at Spivey Gap. As I walked up I heard someone scream out, "swamprat!". It was Keith and his wife Linda. (F100 and Steady). Two great people from Arkansas that I have become good friends with. They were sitting by a van with a couple of ice chest next to them. A couple from Chicago had brought drinks and snacks to the gap for the thruhikers. How kool is that!! Here's where I find out that F100 and Steady are going to go to the next shelter. Only 5 miles. So, on with the pack, what the heck, I am feeling refreshed!! Got to the shelter around 7 pm. I was exhausted. My longest day yet. 18.5 miles. To many too soon!! Up with the Hammock and out!! TKO!! Tomorrow will be five miles to Erwin. I will make sure I have enough food to get about 5 day( SH:;@$) a freak'n snake just swam up to my leg!!! I am soaking my feet in a stream while catching up with my journal!! Ok, where was I, oh, 5 days of food. Ok, sorry, time to change locations!! Now I am paranoid!! Anyway see ya on the trail!! Little bastard, ruined a good thing!!Swamprat
Date: 2012-04-15
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Erwin Tn
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: clear sky

Had a pretty good night in my Hammock. Woke up around 7. Heard people around the shelter moving about.    Dania told me yesterday, when I make my entries, try and be as descriptive as possible so the reader will feel like they are on the trail themselves. So, go get a hammer from your toolbox, pummel the heck out of your feet and knees. Then, wear yesterdays cloths that you cut the grass in and you now have the smell and the physical well being while reading todays journal entry. Yesterdays 18.5 miles were double what I should have done for my first day back on the trail. Oh, feeling homesick also because it sure was nice being home for several days.    Walked out of the woods around 1130. I started walking west towards Erwin. Walked about .5 mile and ran into Plus Two, F100 and Steady. They were trying to hitch a ride like I was. However, you need cars on the road to catch a ride and those were few and far between. Steady called Super 8 and their shuttle car was on the way. I will ride with them into town and get the things I need.    While in town I decided to soak my feet in the ice cold water of the river. Now when I call it a river, it is not a river by our standards. It is clear and cold with a rocky riverbed. If you read yesterdays journal, this is where Mr Snake decided he was going to sun himself in my lap. Little sucker (3 footer) swam to within an inch of my leg when I finally saw him. Just a water snake but I would like to see them prior to them almost using me for a rock!!   Anyway, that finished my journal writing in the river. Due to my feet hurting after my 18.5 mile day, i will only do the five miles today. I will do about 6 tomorrow and hopefully with the help of Ibuprofen my feet will begin to feel better.    See ya on the trailSwamprat
Date: 2012-04-16
From: Erwin Tn

To: Indian Grave Gap
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Left Erwin around noon today. I wanted to get ack to hiking and get my feet back in shape. It seems to have worked. The feet feel pretty good today. I left F100 and Steady in Erwin. They taking a zero mile day   They will catch up on day thre of this leg. We will be in the woods for about 6 days before the next re supply.    I camped at a site near the road last night which I hate to do. Sure enough, 330 this morning, people at the road shouting and a horn blew. This morning I noticed a truck from ohio abandoned. Other than that, slept good in my hammock.    Hey guys, I would sure like to see some encouragement in the guestbook. You would not believe how that helps to keep my spirits up on those rainy days. Take care peoples!!   Swamprat
Date: 2012-04-17
From: Indian Grave Gap

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: light rain

Was awakened this morning by sounds of people screaming and horns blowing at 3:30. That's what you get when you sleep near a roadway. Against my better judgement I decided to camp here. Got up about 7:30 and packed and began my hike for the day. There was an abandoned p/up truck at the road from out of state. Obviously left over from last nights activities. Hiked 8.7 miles and was going to stop by the tent sites but again, right by the road so I decided to hike on. Another 4.8 to Cherry Gap Shelter. Set up the hammock by 4:00. Cat-Nap and 4 other hikers were already at the shelter. Thunder could be heard in the background. By dark the shelter was full. Blue Fox, Feathers, and Wild Turkey came up and a new female hiker that went by the name Doc. She was doing big miles, like 20 a day. That will not be one to add to the list of hikers that I keep seeing!!! My feet are feeling much better and I am going to up my mileage, how's that!! The highlights of the day were Beauty Spot ( A bald overlooking Erwin and Unaka Mountain, (a very dense Fur Forest) X-mas trees everywhere. Ok, thats about it, sleep time.Swamprat
Date: 2012-04-18
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: moderate rain

Got up this morning around 7:15. It rained all night long. The hammock worked great and kept me dry. Did breakfast at the shelter, Feathers, Wild Turkey and Doc were already packed and headed out. When everybody left they left me behind with Ricky and Lucy!!! I think they are basically homeless and living shelter to shelter. I was going to wait for Steady and F100 to catch up but decided to move on to the next shelter. It rained most of the day while hiking but all in all it was a good hike. There were probably great views along this stretch but it was too foggy and not much to see. I did walk passed an apple orchard, it was a strange site seeing several tents around the orchard. Several hikers were riding out the rain. I set up the hammock at Clyde Smith Shelter and while laying in the hammock not long before dark, finally heard familiar voices, yep!! F100 and Steady. Had a quick hello, some conversation and back to bed I went. Good day even in the rain,SWamprat
Date: 2012-04-19
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

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

Got up at 7 am and started hiking. It was a cold night in the hammock. Started at about 815. Climbed Roan Mountain. The Roan Mtn Shelter is the highest shelter on the Appalachian Trail. Over 6000 ft. Started out as a steady climb but the last couple of miles was one of the toughest climbs yet. The trail was super muddy and slippery. Got to the top of the mountain and at one time there was a hotel. I think in the early 1900s. Now it is a common tourist area but it doesnt open until late May. I had some lunch with F100, Steady and Sting Ray. We spread all our gear across the blacktop to dry somewhat. After packing up again we had some climbs up Round Bald and Jane Bald. Very long and steep! Great views!! Thats where I took a picture standing on the edge of a rock that freaked some people out. We reached Overmountain Shelter at 630. Kool spot. An abandoned barn is used as a shelter. There were no trees for the hammock so I decided to set it up like a tent by using the rain fly and hiking poles. It worked great and was much warmer this way. I am going to bed now. Another long day but great day. I can do pretty good miles now. Swamprat
Date: 2012-04-20
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Elk River campsite
Miles today: 15.2

I was startled this morning at 530 by a large animal that walked to within 15 feet of my hammock. It stomped the ground a couple of times the snorted. Sounded somewhat like a deer snorting but when it ran off it sounded heavy and kinda clumsy. Not saying it was a bear but I may re-think sleeping with my food bag for a while!! Started hiking at 830. Still hiking with F100, Steady and Stingray. We had two very intense climbs right out of the gate today. First was Little Hump Mountain and the second was, yep, Hump Mountain. We have been in the woods for 6 days, all we talked about today eas food. Real food!! We knew we were coming to Bear Branch Road. There were two very small towns. Roan to the west 3 miles and Elk Park to the east 2.5 miles. We knew Roan had Bar-B-Q!! Roan it was!! Got to the road and F100 and I stood behind Steady and let her use her thumb. Everytime a p/up came by she held out her thumb. About the 4th truck pulled over and yep, got us a ride to the BBQ. Man that was good. Got me a large platter with tator salad (really, it was on the menu as tator salad) they had potato salad also but the Swamprat got the tator salad. Oh came with beans too; the platter did! Not the tator salad!! Finished that off and got two scoops of ice cream!! We met a 19 year old guy in the restaurant that went by the name EMT. Yea, he was an EMT. He admitted, not very original. However, I soon gave him the name Mikey, as in let Mikey try it, he eats anything. This kid eats like a horse. He actually caught up with us later, and camped at the same site. Let me backtrack back to the restaurant. One of the owners said that he would take us back to the trail after we ate. Now look, we are pretty ripe at this point. Let me get more descriptive, we stink!! We have yet to meet someone that didn't treat us like royalty. Got the ride back and back into the mountain by 330. Darn if we didnt have several climbs!! All that food was not sitting well but I managed. We ended up finding a nice camp site right on side of the Elk River. Set up the hammock like a tent again. After eating the chocalate cake that I brought from the BBQ, I went to bed. Another great day on the A.T.Swamprat
Date: 2012-04-22
From: Hampton, TN

To: Iron Mountain Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up this morning around 430 by a Whip-poor-will (bird, just in case you didn't know)outside the window. I thought for a moment he shut up, however, he got quiet because he just flew closer. Now even louder!! Wow he was loud. Anyway, I was treated to a fantastic breakfast. Fresh fruit, bacon,eggs, toast, and some potatoes that I will fix again in the future. (Yukon gold potatoes and leeks. Down right delicious. Oh, add orange juice and coffee. Now we are all sitting around waiting on the weather to get better. I will re-supply today and hit the trail first thing in the morning. Dania, I added this picture just for you.    I hope to be able to keep up with the journal the next few days, but this area does not have good cell coverage while in the mountain. If you don't hear from me for a few days, I will be in Damascus, VA in about 4 days. I do know the next few days are going to be very cold at night. Not looking forward to that. Anyway, thank everybody for your comments in my guestbook. Really, it makes my day when I can read them. And, I would like you to know that It helps Dania also to know that there are so many people out there that are following this journey.    I hate to do this, but I will have to stay at Ms Vicky's for one more night. Darn!! Back on the trail in the morning. See ya,Swamprat
Date: 2012-04-23
From: Iron Mountain Inn

To: iron mountain gap
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: light rain

Well, woke up this morning and it was sleeting and snowing. The owner of the iron motel inn suggested slackpacking pond mountain. She said she would drop us off and pick us back up at the end of the day. Hummmmm, cold and snowing and windy. She is offering us another night for 20 bucks each!!! Slackpack it is. We got on the trail at 10. Late start but eah!! Its cold. We hiked to Laural Falls which was great. The snow stopped until we got up into higher elevations.. Then we ran into snow again. Someone even built a snowman!! The hike led us down to the lake. Watauga lake and dam. After finishing 13.2 miles we were picked up. On the way back to the house, we stopped at a lonestar steakhouse and ate. Now I was dressed for hiking. I was wearing shorts with black pepper skins. People gave me some strange looks but I aint out here making a fashion statement!! Later we went to the house and settled down. I actually got the heat working for Ms Vikki at the house. Its going to freeze tonight. Ok. Gotta go. Swamprat
Date: 2012-04-24
From: iron mountain gap

To: Tent site on Iron Mtn near Iron Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 14.5

Woke up this morning in a warm bed. It was about 30¢¢ outside. This would be the last warm night until Damascus. F100, Steady and I discussed the plans. No more slackpacking and sleeping in warm beds, it was making us soft!! We're Mountain people, gotta sleep in the mountain tonight!!! We were dropped off at yesterday's pick up point to start the day. It was sunny but breezy. After a couple of hours, it was cloudy, cold and down right windy!! It wouldn't be long and it would start snowing pretty dang hard for my standards. There were some great views of Watouga Lake from the ridge we walked most of the day. We decided we would hike to Nick Grindstaff monument, which would be 13 miles. Turns out this was a grave site of a man that died alone in the Mountain in 1923. We hiked another 1.5 miles and found some level ground. I will pitch the hammock like a tent again since it may be COLD tonight. Still ice and snow against many of the trees. Got everthing set up and cooked me an awesome hotdog. After I ate I crawled into my down sleeping bag to warm up. This is one of the rare occasions that I have enough cell coverage to work on my journal from the trail. I want to thank my cousin Tom and wife Corina for their pledge of 50 cents a mile for Grant-A-Wish. What a great pledge thanks guys. Also an old friend, Scott pledged 250.00 today. It was a great day for Grant-A-Wish and a great day on the trail as well. Tomorrow should be at least a 15 mile day. Damascus, VA by Thursday. Another state in the book.    Well, it is extremely windy, gust of 35 easy. Gotta go batten down the hatches. Don't want the stakes coming out the ground tonight!!Swamprat
Date: 2012-04-25
From: Tent site on Iron Mtn near Iron Mtn Shelter

To: no name tent site
Miles today: 17.7

Wow, last night was nearly a disaster. As you know already it was very cold. I set my hammock up on the ground as a tent to be warmer. I had the rainfly pulled down tight blocking the wind. Everything great!! Crawled in my down bag and was warm and comfortable. Sleep was well needed and came quickly. Around 2 am the bottom fell out of the sky. Everything was great until I felt water on side my sleeping bag!! Turns out the end of the hammock ( and bag ) had made its way outside of the covered area of the rainfly!! I was able to make an adjustment and it seemed to work. Only got the bag a little damp. Managed to rest ( kinda) the rest of the night.    I woke around 7 and went to get the food bag from the tree. It was raining lightly. Fixed my breakfast under the rainfly and by then the rain had stopped. That is until I whiped off the fly. Yep, rained again just long enough to get it wet again. Finally we were able to pack and start hiking. We went about 2 miles and found a steel box that had a cooler with iced drinks and snacks provided to the hikers by the local Baptist Church!! It had been a while since we had trail magic!! We hiked on about another mile and came to a road crossing. Another thruhiker named Sipsy had taken a break in Damascus and brought more trail magic to the crossing. I got me some chips for the road.    As we left, we entered a huge pasture. Way toward the back we found a herd of cows. Now, me, I look at this as an opportunity to play with the cows. F100 and Steady, they were trying their best to get through the cows without disturbing them!! That ain't no fun!! They got there first glimpse at the kid in Swamprat. I mooowed at them while trying to touch a few. I finally got one but my audience wasn't amused and wouldn't stop and watch!! The touch went without notice. Ha! I was videoing it as I did it so I have it on record!!   The rest of the hike went without incident. We did meet other NOBO hikers. There was Miles ( because he did about 30 a day!! His pack weighed 12 lbs. ). Sugar Plumb ( Sipsy named her) Nitos Oxide ( said he got that because he goes uphill so fast ) Biscuit ( dont know why )    We set up camp about 6 miles from Damascus, VA. Tomorrow a new state!! Tonight, in the hammock because yep, raining again. I an actually hanging in the hammock tonight. It is warmer and less likely to get wet!!   That's it. Great and fun day on the A.T.Swamprat
Date: 2012-04-26
From: no name tent site

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: light rain

Ok!!! Another big night. Yesterday was a perfect day for hiking. Settled down by a fire right at dark. Out of nowhere came a rainstorm so everybody scrambled. Got in my hammock and had limited service but was able to catch up on my journal. Anyway went to sleep about 10. The about 230 the wind started blowing tropical storm strenght!! I had to tighten the rainfly twice. The wind made the hammock cold also. Made it thru the night, got up at 7 and packed. I ate a small breakfast and chose hot chocalate instead of coffee. Big mistake, caffeine headache!! Started hiking at 745. Dang if it wasn't storming by 9 am. Lightening, thunder, wind, rain. Getting use to it. Rained for the next two hours. The trail exited the mountain and went straight down main street Damascus!! Quincy' pizza seemed to be the place to stop. Made our selves at home. Put on dry clothes, ate a half pound hamburger and just sat for a while. Due to the weather, all the hostels and houses with rooms were full. Found a card for a two bedroom house for 75 bucks a night. Thats it, stay there tonight, re-supply and on the trail in the morning. Damascus is a neat place. Very hiker friendly, there is an event called trail days mid May. They say it is the Mardi Gras of Damascus. Too bad we will be a long way north by then. Walking around you see hikers everywhere. I have ran into Stingray, Wild Turkey, and several others. There are three outfitters in town. Right now I am in Quincy's again eating pizza and using their wifi. There is no AT&T service in town. In the mountain had it for three days. Best cell service since Georgia but none here. Hey Dania, if your reading this, seems to be our communication for today. Please sign my guestbook? I love you and miss you. Swamprat
Date: 2012-04-27
From: Damascus, VA

To: Campsite N. of Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Great deal found at Quincy's pizza on the two bedroom house. Tony, the owner decided to give us the house for 25.00 each. That is better than a hostel. The house was clean and comfortable. We got up early and decided not to take a zero day in Damascus. Great town, wierd to see white blazes on poles right thru the middle of town. Just before the edge of town is a small breakfast joint called L.E.B.O.S. if I remember what it stands for I will let you know!! I bought some new ensoles called Super Feet. The guy at the outfitter said they should help my heels. The backs of each heel start to hurt after lunch. When I stop hiking they just tighten up even worse. Takes a few minutes to walk normal again!! Very painful. I understand it may be plantar faciitis. Anybody have any recommendations other than rest I will be glad to try them. I actually had to wade across my first swollen stream today. No big deal, took off socks and shoes, put on the crocks and across it was. It actually felt great on the feet!! Hiked until 7 pm and was exhausted by the time we found a campsite. Setting up the hammock on the ground tonight because it will be chilly. Only slight chance of rain. Great day on the A.T.Swamprat
Date: 2012-04-28
From: Campsite N. of Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up around 630. While packing it began to rain lightly. Go figure. This went on until about noon. The sun finally came out by then.    The first climb was White Top Mountain. The elevation change was 3200 feet to about 5400 feet. At the top it was bitter cold. 45 mph wind and very light rain. Very uncomfortable!! Fingers hurt. No gloves, left them behind when I returned to the trail. On purpose!!! After White Too it was downhill before climbing Mt Rogers. Another climb over 5000 feet. I looked forward to this because we were coming up to the wild horses. This Swamprat was going to get to play with horses now. First cows now horses, Wow!! Just before Mt Rogers we met Goto, ( spanish for cat?). He is from the Los Angelas area. Fast hiker. We also met a female hiker named Jen. Trailname is Dumper. She said when we got to the Roanoke area she and her husband would treat us to trail magic, not that I would have hinted this first!! I have become quite a good Yogier. This is when you kinda begg but if you get good at it you dont have to ask. We made it to the first fence style and there were the wild ponies. They like the salt on your hands from the sweat. They were fun to pet and we stayed by them for about half an hour. We then hiked toward Wise Shelter. Had to pass thru a rock tunnel called fat man's squeeze. Then finally got to the shelter and found a tent site. Fun day on the A.T.Swamprat