morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-04-30
From: Hot Springs NC

To: Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up early and went limping to the diner for breakfast. Then went to Dollar General and got better blister bandaids. Ate a few more times throughout the day. Shopped at the Bluff Mountain Outfitters and bought new insoles for my boots and a battery backup charger for my phone so I don't get caught with a dead battery when I need to take a pic.Also bought a couple books and a shirt for Mrs. Boomer and mailed them home with gear I no longer need. I hope. I hope my feet get better quick. From here to Erwin Tennessee is about a five day hike.
Date: 2014-05-01
From: Hot Springs NC

To: Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 0.0

Up early for another zero. I notice a lot of hikers zeroing two days here . It's a good rest stop and is hiker friendly.My Left foot is feeling better with my new inserts. My rightt foot blister is hurting. Will work on fixing it somehow today. I don't want to zero another day if I can avoid it. But I also don't want to attempt a 5-6 day romp in the woods with a painful foot.Spent the day resting feet and catching up on this journal. I also ate a lot. Weight still around 185#. Went shopping for a six day food supply to hit the trail with. Ugh.
Date: 2014-05-02
From: Hot Springs NC

To: Spring Mountain Shelter NC
Miles today: 11.0

I got up early today not knowing if my feet were ready to hike. Coffee and I walked to breakfast at the diner and my feet hurt a bit. After eating I put a new blister bandage and moleskin on my blister and put on my new heavy trekking socks. The blister felt comfortably protected. My other foot was still sore so I took some Aleve. I decided I was OK to hike the 11 miles to the first shelter north of Hot Springs. I really did not want to take another zero day.We packed up and put on our backpacks and left the hotel about 9am and headed out of town. I stopped at the outfitters and bought an extra dry bag for my food and some insect repellant. The walk out of Hot Springs was long and steep.During the hike I suddenly stopped and backed up when I saw a long black snake right next to me on the trail. I immediately recognized it as non venomous so I stepped back to take a picture knowing this would make me look brave. After taking the picture above I decided to get closer to the snake to get a better picture. It was sitting perfectly still. Well I guess I got a little too close because the evil thing suddenly turned toward me and sped past my feet and fled down the hill. This scared the heck out of me and I yelled as I spun around and ran, almost knocking Coffee down. My facade of bravery was gone in a flash. Oh how I hate snakes. We saw another one about a half hour later. The rest of the hike was uneventful. When I arrived at the shelter I put up my tent, got water, and ate. I hung up my food bag on the bear cables and got in my bag because it was getting cold. I made this journal entry and hope to be asleep in a fee minutes. I really really hope I don't dream about snakes. This trail is great.
Date: 2014-05-03
From: Spring Mountain Shelter NC

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: few clouds

Got up just as the sun was about to rise and began to pack my backpack while still sitting in my tent staying warm. I then retrieved my food from the bear cables and had a lesurely breakfast of oatmeal, granola bar,honey bun, hot chocolate and a Milky Way bar. Real hiker food.  Had some long climbs and stopped short at Little Laurel Shelter because I was tired and my feet were real sore. The hike was only 8.6 miles. During the hike we crossed a country road and stopped at Mom's store. It was just off the trail and carried pop, candy, ice cream   novelties and some baked sweets and little else.Real hiker food. We sat and talked to mom and got a little local history about moonshine being made in the area. I bought and ate a lot of junk food as we talked. When I got to the shelter I blew up my air mattress set it on the shelter floor and elevated my feet. We had intended to go 15 miles today. Welcome to the AT.
Date: 2014-05-04
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: clear sky

Had a difficult climb right out of the gate this morning. A few miles into the hike we got trail magic at Camp Creek Bald put on by the Greeneville Hiking And Cycling Club. They had big tents set up and had all you can eat bacon,eggs,pancakes,home made bread and all kinds of yummy sweet stuff for hikers. It was a real treat and helped get me through the days climbs.We had a difficult rock climb over Big Firescald Knob. Some of the summit climb was hands on without poles. The views were spectacular.We stopped at Jerry's Cabin Shelter to make lunch. This shelter is the 300 mile mark on the trail.In this area the trail is on the Tennessee and N.Carolina boarder. So I can have one foot in each state as I hike.When I got to Flint Mt. shelter I got water, set up my tent, ate and went to bed. I had no internet connection to do a journal.I was tired from the long hike and my feet were sore.I am Amazed that I've completed 300 miles of mountain trail.Loving it.
Date: 2014-05-05
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Low Gap Camp site
Miles today: 14.9

Got up early for the long hike to Low Gap camp. The first 3.5 miles out of Flint Mt. shelter was easy hiking. The rest of the day was mostly difficult uphill hiking. The day was an uneventful 14.9 mile trek.When I got to the camp site I got water, set up my tent, ate and went to bed. I was beat.The camp sites have no shelters or privy but are often near a water source. There were about seven tents set up this night.
Date: 2014-05-06
From: Low Gap Camp site

To: No Business Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: clear sky

Left Low Gap shelter at 7 am to hike another 14.9 miles to No Business shelter.I rested after five miles at Bald Mt. Shelter and stopped for lunch on the trail near Whistling Gap. While hiking after lunch I found a shirt on the trail. I recognized it as belonging to "Weather", another hiker who had passed me earlier. I attached it to my pack. Within a mile or so I found Weather eating his lunch at a gap. He was happy to get his shirt back.While hiking we'll sometimes find items of gear or clothing on the trail. We'll pick the item up and usually find the owner at the next shelter. Since Springer Mt. I have found and returned a trekking pole tip, a camera mount piece and Weather's shirt.Again this was a long strenuous hike and when I got to No Business Shelter I set up my tent, ate and went to bed. I was very, very tired but my feet were feeling better.Still trucking.
Date: 2014-05-07
From: No Business Shelter

To: River Rd. Erwin Tennessee
Miles today: 5.8

Got up and moving early to hike 5.8 short miles to Uncle Johnny's hostel in Erwin Tennessee.During the hike I got a spectacular view of Erwin Tennessee and the Nolichucky River from the mountains above.As soon as I got to the hostel I bought and drank two cans of rootbeer a Yoohoo and two bottles of orange juice. Hiking makes me crave rootbeer.Coffee and Gandolf arrived later and we got a cabin for the night got showers and did laundry. In the evening Uncle Johnny shuttled us and about twenty other hikers to Walmart for resupply and to eat at nearby restaurants. He has two 15 passenger vans.After returning from Walmart I was able to catch up on my journal. I've got five days of resupply so I'll be leaving with a heavy bag tomorrow.I'm trying to get to Damascus Virginia by May 15th for the Trail Days celebration. Living the dream.
Date: 2014-05-08
From: River Rd. Erwin Tennessee

To: Mile 354.2 Campground
Miles today: 12.7

Coffee and I left Uncle Johnny's Hostel at about 8am after a quick breakfast. I was hoping to do an 18 mile hike to a shelter. My backpack was heavy with a five day resupply of food. I only did 12.7 due to heat and fatigue. I hiked the first five miles to Curley Maple Shelter and stopped to rest and eat a snack. The morning had some steep climbing.It was hot and sunny all day with some wind near summits. The heat made the climbs more difficult. When I reached Indian Grave Gap, about 9 miles into my hike,there was trail magic being given out by BT, a local resident. About 15 hikers were already there. I got some sweet iced tea, a can of ginger ale,an apple, banana and a Wendy's hamburger. It made a great lunch.The rest of the hike involved some steep long climbs and crossing a bald. At mile 354.2 (according to my guide book) I stopped at the primitive camp ground there for water and decided to stay instead of doing an additional 5 miles to the next shelter. I was beat and turned in early.
Date: 2014-05-09
From: Mile 354.2 Campground

To: Greasy Creek Hostel
Miles today: 12.6

Left camp at 7am after getting water and having breakfast of one cup of dry raisin brand and a pop tart. The weather was cool and cloudy and remained so throughout the day. The first six miles of the hike were generally uphill. I walked through a dense spruce forest at the top of Unaka Mt. (5,180 feet). It was very cool and shady.After summiting Unaka I had a two mile descent to Low Gap. Descents can be a as difficult as climbs and you have to watch every step or risk falling.A short climb out of the gap and I took a short break and got water at Cherry Gap Shelter.After a long 12 mile hike I hiked an additional .6 miles down an old unused jeep trail to Greasy Creek Hostel. After walking what seemed like a mile I though I was lost. When I rounded a curve I spotted the hostel just before turning around and returning to the trail.I got a bunk in the bunkhouse, showered and rested. Laundry was done by Connie (CC),the owner. The hostel was very nice and CC was friendly to all. She did no work from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. So at that time everything was self serve. Strong storms are forecast for the area. I love the AT.
Date: 2014-05-10
From: Greasy Creek Hostel

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: light rain

Woke up early at Greasy Creek Hostel and left at about 9:45, after packing up my gear and having breakfast. It was an uphill .6 mile climb on an old forest service road back to the AT. I hiked out with Solo Amigo. It was raining earlier in the morning but was just cloudy when we left. Our plan was to hike to Roan High Knob Shelter, the highest shelter on the Appalachian Trail at 6,194 feet.When we got to the trail we had a 1,000 foot ascent over a two mile distance. When we ascended Roan Mt. it was rainy and windy and got chilly. The 2,000 foot ascent of Roan Mt. Was over a distance of about five miles. This made for a long but not too difficult a climb. During our hike it began to rain steadily and thunder at times. Although we heard thunder I saw no lightning.When we got to Roan High Knob Shelter I opted to set up my tent because the shelter looked full and the rain had stopped. After setting up my tent I got into dry clothes and put on my down jacket because it was getting windy and cold. I cooked dinner hung my food bag and got in my sleeping bag to get warm. It started to rain again. That meant I'd have wet heavier gear to pack in the morning. It rained steadily and hard. I fell asleep after listening to the rain on my tent for awhile. The journey continues.
Date: 2014-05-11
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: US 19E - Mountain Harbour Hostel TN
Miles today: 15.8

Woke up early to rain with fog covering the mountain top. All my gear felt damp and my tent was wet. I packed up and put my gear and tent in the shelter while I ate my breakfast. It stopped raining before I left but it was cloudy and cool.I was hiking alone today and decided to go to the Mountain Harbour Hostel and B&B on US19E, in Roan Mt. Tennessee, a distance of about 15 miles.The hike started out mostly downhill coming off the mountain. The trail was very rocky so it was slow going. The general trend to the highway was downhill except for three very tall balds. The balds were tough to climb since the paths up them were pretty much straight up and I was hiking in the sun without shade anywhere. Once I finally summited Hump Mt. it was a five mile descent to the highway. Much of the trail down was tangled roots or large rocks. These are both very difficult to walk on and slow my pace considerably.My left foot was painful throughout the day and was aggravated by the roots and rocks.When I finally got to the highway I saw a lady at the pull off with a bouquet of flowers and remembered it was Mother's Day. I asked if I could take a picture of the flowers and sent it to Mrs. Boomer. When I got to the Mountain Harbour Hostel/B&B I was told that the hostel was full but they had some tent spaces and one room in the B&B. When I was told the room had its own shower and a whirlpool tub I decided to take it so I could soak my feet in a tub of cold water. The room was called the Jefferson Room and it was pretty classy. It took about a second to convince myself that I deserved the luxurious room. I rested my feet by soaking them in cold water,taking Aleve and elevating them. I do hope this gets better.
Date: 2014-05-12
From: US 19E - Mountain Harbour Hostel TN

To: Mountain Harbour Hostel - Zero 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

When I got up this morning my foot was swollen and very painful to stand on. It has been hurting for maybe two weeks and I was hoping it would go away by hiking on it. Duh. Yesterday's 15+ miles was a real chore on a painful foot. Today I figured it was time to have it checked. I got a hostel shuttle to an urgent care center in Elizabethton TN. I was in and out, including xrays, in about an hour. The Dr. Said my symptoms were indicative of a stress fracture but xrays were normal. He said new stress fractures don't always show up on xrays initially.He advised me to take Aleve,soak the foot in cold water, elevate it and take some time off the trail. I will take time off the trail for this week and return after Trail Days next Monday. The doctor advised me to hike shorter distances when I return to the trail. He said if there is an unseen stress fracture hiking would only make it worse.I do not want to leave the trail so I will rest.Later in the evening Mrs. Boomer texted me to let me know that she added a couple of days onto a room she had rented in Abington. She is leaving in the morning to pick me up here and have a little vacation there. Abington is near Damascus VA where we intended to meet this weekend for the Trail Days activities.To be continued.
Date: 2014-05-13
From: Mountain Harbour Hostel - Zero 

To: Abingdon VA. - Zero
Miles today: 0.0

This morning my feet feel a little better but not enough to hike yet. Even if they felt great I still have to give them a rest. I had the huge all you can eat breakfast served here and then packed my backpack for the move to the hotel in Abingdon VA. this afternoon. After packing up I just hung around the hostel shooting the breeze with other hikers and waited for Mrs. Boomer. It's a perfect day weather wise for hiking as well as relaxing on the porch of the hostel.When the Mrs. arrived at around 3:30 pm we gave out some trail magic of beverages, snacks and toilet paper to hikers at the hostel. Toilet paper is an important commodity on the trail and was taken gladly.We then left the hostel, giving a ride to Giggles,for the hour and a half ride to Abingdon VA where we got motel rooms. This is about 15 minutes from Damascus and Trail Days activities. We'll visit there tomorrow morning after breakfast. I'll be resting my feet for awhile in Virginia after backpacking through Georgia, North Carolina and most of the trail in Tennessee. I will return where I left the trail in Roan Mt. TN after Trail Days.
Date: 2014-05-14
From: Abingdon VA. - Zero

To: Abingdon VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up early and had breakfast in the motel lobby. We made Belgium waffles in a counter top waffle maker.We then picked up Giggles and drove twenty minutes to Damascus for a look see. The town has a population of about 1000 people and is fairly small. People of the town were busy here and there preparing for Trail Days activities that start on Friday.We had coffee at the Blue Blaze Cafe and then took a walk around the town. We talked to some local folks and found they were as excited about this weekends activities as many hikers are. (Google "Trail Days Damascus" for more information on this event) We returned to the cafe around noon for lunch. After lunch we drove around to explore more of the town and I got a rootbeer shake at a local ice cream stand. It was not on their menu but I asked if they could make one for me and they were kind enough to do so. The people I've met all along these Appalachian Mountains and towns are just the nicest people anywhere. I am continually being impressed by their kindness and hospitality.After getting my root beer shake we returned to the motel and rested. A storm was forecast for tonight and tomorrow and I could see the front forming over the mountains to our east. I'm sort of hopeing to see a light show over the mountains tonight. Swamp Dawg contacted me today and said he was coming to trail days and expected to be in Damascus tonight. We will meet tomorrow at The Place, a hostel he is staying at tonight.My feet are feeling a bit better.
Date: 2014-05-15
From: Abingdon VA

To: Abingdon VA
Miles today: 0.0

Spent this rainy morning rearranging my pack and deciding what items to send home.Mrs. Boomer and I then went to Damascus to meet up with Swamp Dawg who had arrived at "The Place" hostel last night. He had set up his tent there for his stay during Trail Days. Swamp drove in from his home in Georgia and was wearing an air cast on one foot to protect the injury he suffered that knocked him off the trail.After finding Swamp at the hostel's pavilion we went to breakfast at the Blue Blaze Cafe. We then walked around town a bit and returned to the hostel's pavilion and talked to other hikers there. On the way there there we ran into Gandolf who had just walked into town. He also got a place on the hostel's grounds and set up his tent. A group of churches was having a pulled pork dinner for hikers and gave out six hundred tickets for the event. We got tickets for the 6pm seating.After dinner we dropped Swamp off at his tent and met with Gandolf and Giggles for drinks at the Blue Blaze. We then called it a night and went back to Abingdon.My foot is a little better.
Date: 2014-05-16
From: Abingdon VA

To: Trail Days - Damascus VA
Miles today: 0.0

Got up early as usual and had breakfast in the hotel lobby. My left foot was giving me pain.Later in the morning we went to Damascus to enjoy Trail Days activities. We first went to the ministry building near the hiker tent city. This building was set up to offer some supplies, haircuts,beard trimming and medical consults to hikers at no cost. I registered to have a doctor check my painful feet to see what he believed the cause was. There were four doctors in the medical area. One of them was an orthopaedic surgeon who I got referred to. He told me that my symptoms indicated that I had stress fractures in one and possibly both feet. He advised me to stop hiking and to see an orthopaedic surgeon for treatment. He told me that to continue hiking would only make my condition worse.I had gotten this second opinion about my feet from the ortho doctor because it was free and in hope that he would tell me they were only bruised or had some other minor condition. He confirmed what the urgent care doctor told me and what I wanted to deny.Based on the medical opinions and the amount of pain in my feet when walking I have to leave the trail until I see an orthopedic surgeon at home and give my feet time to heal. I will stay in town through the weekend and return home with my wife on Sunday. I called from Damascus and got an appointment for Tuesday morning with a doctor in the group that replaced my knees last year.This was a decision I did not want to make so I didn't until faced with the consequences of continuing to hike.I will take the time needed to heal these feet so I can return to the trail that I love this year.After seeing the doctor we went across the street to the manufacturer's repair tents that were set up to repair hiker's equipment free of charge. They would also repair equipment of brands other than theirs if they had parts that would fit.I had my tent ground cover repaired. Big Agnes tents replaced a buckle that had broken off a corner. Lekki trekking poles took my Kelty poles apart and cleaned the locking mechanisms and replaced the tips with new ones. After having repairs made I limped along with Mrs. Boomer to see the vendor and food tents. I got some grilled alligator meat for lunch. It was tasty but expensive. I never had gator before so I just had to try it. The wife then had her picture taken with David Miller the author of "AWOL On The Appalachian Trail" and "The A.T. Guide" that I and most other thru hikers use on the trail. When I started this journey I was worried that my total knee replacements, that were done less than a year ago, might bother me during this trek. They have performed perfectly in the approximately 400 miles I have completed. They have been without discomfort or pain of any kind. I had to have my knees replaced so I could hike this trail. I'm sure I can handle what I need to do to repair these feet.I thank all who have supported me so far on my journey and followed my journal so far. I will keep you informed of my progress and eventual return to the trail.
Date: 2014-05-17
From: Trail Days - Damascus VA

To: Trail Days - Damascus VA
Miles today: 0.0

Trail Days events included a hiker parade on this cool Saturday afternoon. The parade included all thru hikers in attendence from this and past years. There were hundreds of marchers who walked from one end of town to the other, a distance of nearly a mile. Fire trucks were bringing up the rear of the parade. As the parade walked down the main street some onlookers armed with large squirt guns doused the hikers with water. This is a traditional part of the parade. Being in pain and not feeling like much of a thru hiker because I was going home I wasn't going to march in the parade. At the last minute I changed my mind and walked because I knew I'd come back when healed up. Shortly after I began marching I regretted my decision. My feet hurt badly as I limped down the parade route that seemed to last forever. I finished the parade and rested. I was glad I completed the parade which is traditionally so much a part of this journey. During the rest of the afternoon Mrs. Boomer shuttled some fellow hikers to Abingdon for resupply as I relaxed in town chatting with other hikers. We later had a chicken dinner at the fire department and ended the day at a bonfire in the hiker's tent city.
Date: 2014-05-18
From: Trail Days - Damascus VA

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

We got up early and had breakfast in the motel lobby. We packed up our stuff for the ride home and headed for Damascus to pick up Giggles. We were returning her to the Mountain Harbour Hostel in Roan Mt. TN. so she could continue her hike on the trail from the point where we got off.We had breakfast again at the Blue Blaze restaurant before heading to the hostel.Our trip home was uneventful and took about eight hours from the hostel. When we got home I was met by my youngest boy and two extremely excited, yelping, dancing around German shepherds who had not seen me in a long while. It took them quite awhile to calm down. It was good to be home but I already missed the trail and was anxious to return. I'm still hoping for a better diagnosis from the ortho clinic in Akron in two days.