morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-04-11
From: Newfound Gagp

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

After a little rest yesterday afternoon, 4/10/15, and a good nights sleep, the Iceman was ready to put on his backpack and hike another 15 miles today. The backpack was repacked with tent, mattress pad, sleeping bag and other necessary items for an overnight campout. The pack was really heavy today and the Iceman was thinking of not taking his warm leather sheepskin lined gloves with him but his Sherpa insisted and reminded him how cold his fingers were on a previous hike when he had decided they wouldn't be necessary. Even a pair of gloves can push one over the limit of what they can carry but there are some things that must be taken on these overnight trips at this time of year. He made his sandwich for lunch today and took an extra banana to eat right away. They're a good source of potassium. The drive to Newfound Gap from our motel takes 40 - 45 minutes on a winding road through gorgeous scenery going no faster than 35 miles/hour.   It was still dark and we needed the high beams but in just a short while daylight shone through the tree lined road and then we arrived at the Gap. The temperature was in the 60's when we left the motel but at 5,070' it was 40 and the wind was stinging our faces as we got out of the car at 7:15. Poor Iceman, it's a good thing he put on an extra layer under his jacket but now he realized that he also should cover his legs with his waterproof pants so on they went while he was in the front seat of the car. Maneuvering to get them on was a little tricky. The photo shows him as he was about to get back on the AT. If all goes well he'll only have to camp out tonight. The Sherpa will be lonely but busy finding another base camp, getting all of the luggage packed again and schlepping it to the car for the upteenth time.   Waynesville, NC will most likely be the next base since it's at the major roads going north through the Smoky's. Towns near where the Iceman will be hiking are too small to have motels or hotels that provide what we like and need such as wifi and laundry facilities. Best to look for major chains which provide all of that and more.As you may have noticed from the photo's it has rained almost everyday and next week the prediction is for rain everyday. April showers bring May flowers and what do Mayflowers bring? That's for you little ones.
Date: 2015-04-15
From: Allen's Gap

To: Devils Fork Gap
Miles today: 20.6

The photo shows the White Blaze, the symbol of the AT, on one of the boulders that constitutes the trail for about a mile and a half of the 20.6 miles from Allens Gap to Devils Fork Road. This part of the trail is quite strenuous. Another photo shows a hiker climbing down from one spot on the trail that was about 10 feet higher than the next section. It's rock scrambling. The trail is on a ridge and therefore exposed to wind and weather and all soil has been removed over time. Also, it's a type of rock formation. (You must have guessed by now that I'm not a geologist).The Iceman hiked the entire 20.6 miles in 10 1/2 hours. Needless to say he's a very tired dude tonight. We left Hot Springs today while the Appalachian Trailfest was still going on. Every year the little town of Hot Springs has a festival for the hikers in April. There's music, games, food and it's lots of fun. While the Sherpa was checking out of the Iron Horse Station Hotel a twenty something young man was also checking out with his big backpack on his back and an American flag covering it with the words, if I can remember correctly, "Here I come Mt. Katahdin". We began talking and he said that he was from Berlin and had decided to hike the AT after watching a documentary about the AT some years ago. It must have been shown in many parts of the world, because pretty soon hikers from all over the world were showing up on the trail. Why the AT when Europe has so many beautiful mountains, I asked, like the Alps? His reason was that he could get up in the morning, brush his teeth and look around and only see mountains and trees whereas in Europe when one hikes there's always a village or town at the end of the day. The AT is so vast that days can go by and one never see's a living soul. He liked that feeling of being alone in the wilderness.Another story the Sherpa heard today was of a father and daughter who hiked sections of the AT together for 30 years. The father had decided to do his last hike. It would be a 100 mile hike up north ending at Mt. Katahdin, in Maine, This is the end of the AT. His daughter, knowing this, went ahead of him and on the trees that lined the 100 miles placed pictures from the many, many trips they had taken together. What wonderful memories are created for children when their parents do simple things with them like hiking. Just being together is what matters.We are now in Erwin, TN and will be here for about 4 nights as the Iceman continues on the winding AT. Tomorrow will be a shorter hike of about 9 miles.
Date: 2015-04-16
From: Spivey Gap

To: Sam's Gap
Miles today: 37.0

It looks like some of my journals haven't been posted. Who knows why? But I'll try to recap the last couple of days, if it's still in the Iceman's memory. Yesterday it rained, again, and he started out from Sam's Gap and ended at Devils Fork Road which was a hike of 9 miles. The weather was pretty bad and it was so windy that the poncho he was wearing tore and it had to be ditched. It was another day of flip flopping so he saw lots of his hiker friends going north or just hanging at the shelters. Even though it was a cold, windy, rainy hike the Iceman made it in 4+ hours. Because of the weather, the Nascar race in nearby Bristol had to be halted until the rain let up, causing it to run until late when it finished under the lights. The Sherpa spent time in the lobby of the Mountain Inn & Suites chatting with Shannon, the manager on duty, and various hikers and guests. While doing laundry a hiker from MA and I started talking about the trail. He had just recently retired from his job and was asked by his 32 year old son if he would join him and hike to Maine. He's having a nice experience but is a bit homesick. Being homesick and missing loved ones is one of the most common reasons people quit the trail. Neon another hiker in our hotel has had to take a few days off because of Plantar Fasciitis. She's an elite athlete but carrying a heavy backpack has caused the Fasciitis. Today's hike was 13.4 miles in beautiful sunny weather, not, thank goodness, in rain as had been predicted. It started again at Sam's Gap but today went north to Spivey Gap. The photo of the Iceman was taken by an Australian woman on the top of Big Bald Mt. which is on the border of TN/NC as is most of the AT in these two states. It's 6pm and now raining so I guess we have to give the weathermen a little credit for predicting rain even though they were off by about 7 hours and that was a good thing for the Iceman. The Sherpa had instructions today to find a store that sold a Delorme Atlas and Gazetteer of Tennessee and a light bulb for our vitally important nightlight. Barnes and Noble is in Johnson City TN so off she went around lunchtime and 20 miles latter was shopping in a wonderful, busy city with lots of stores and chain restaurants. After buying the map it was Panera for lunch and then back in the direction of Erwin TN and a quick stop at the largest Walmart in the world, that's no exaggeration. It was HUGH!! Because the norovirus is on the trail it's necessary to have good disinfecting wipes so surfaces in hotels/motels can be wiped down. Hopefully it helps. We've heard it was epidemic at one Motel where some hikers stayed a night or two. A container of wipes, small night light bulbs and back to base camp. The Iceman is now showered and ready to eat dinner. He can't eat while hiking, except for fruit, his stomach just won't let him have much more than that so he's famished when he's finally finished for the day.
Date: 2015-04-17
From: Indian Grave Gap

To: Nolichucky River
Miles today: 19.5

The Iceman out did himself today and hiked from 7:30am to 12:30pm, was picked up by the Sherpa and driven to Indian Gap Road and did another hike from 1:30 to 5pm for a total of 19.5 miles. The morning started off cold and windy, 44 degrees, but sunny and clear. Along the trail he saw a snake and several lizards that were about 10" long and fat. The photo is of the snake and because he was slow, unlike the lizards, he had his picture taken. Does anyone know what kind of snake it is? It may be a Brown snake but we're not sure. What we do know is that the Iceman stayed clear of it just in case it was one of those deadly snakes found in these parts, like a copperhead. When the Sherpa picked up the Iceman at 12:30 she had a nice spicy Wendy's chicken sandwich for him so that he would have enough energy to do the second hike and she also picked up a fellow hiker. John, aka 3D, was looking for a place to stay for the night so we took him to our motel where he was able to get a room. After taking the Iceman to Indian Grave Gap for the 2nd hike of the day the Sherpa returned to the hotel to pick up John who was now ready to have a hot lunch. He only eats cold food while he's hiking unlike some who cook their food while on the trail. After lunch the next stop was the Super Walmart where provisions were purchased for the next few days on the trail. We made arrangements to have dinner together tonight and after the Iceman and 3D cleaned up it was off to the Bonefish Grill in Johnson City, TN. It was a wonderful evening with good food and great conversation.
Date: 2015-04-22
From: Indian Grave Gap

To: Iron Mt. Gap
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: light rain

This journal is about yesterday, 4/22, and the Icemans hike from Indian Grave Gap to Iron Mountain Gap. It began with a long climb up to Beauty Spot which is a Bald of about 30 acres where the top was very windy and cold. From here the Iceman could see Unaka Mt., the mountain he was about to climb next. It was downhill and then up to the top, 5180' where it was covered with a large thick grove of fir trees. The wind was howling but the thick grove of trees sheltered all of the hikers from the full force of the wind. He walked on a soft bed of pine needles through the dark grove for about a mile past Cherry Gap Shelter and on to Iron Mt. Gap. The day amounted to putting on layers when exposed to the wind and taking off the same layers when sheltered.The Sherpa on the other hand drove to Ashville, NC and spent an hour with a couple of Ashville ladies at a Pilates studio. How nice it was to exercise again after doing nothing for a month. Lunch was at an Ingles, comparable to our Stop and Shop, where there are tables and one can buy hot food or made to order sandwiches and anything else the store sells, and eat it right there. Then back to pick up the Iceman and return to our comfortable room at Mountain Inn & Suites, (we're still here). A local Mexican restaurant was where we had dinner and then off to bed. The Iceman wants to thank each and everyone of you for sending encouraging messages. The Sherpa says, "Please keep it up" he looks forward to them.
Date: 2015-04-23
From: Iron Mt. Gap

To: Carvers Gap
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: light rain

This morning we knew it was going to be a cold day but had no idea how cold. At 9:30 the Sherpa dropped of the Iceman on top of Carvers Gap the temperature according to the car was 32 degrees but it didn't take into account the ferocious wind. We saw Vulture coming from the trail and taking photo's. The Iceman started to climb the last of the 6000+ mountains until he reaches the Whites in New Hampshire. With winds at about 30mph it was like the coldest winter day on Roan Mountain, 6267'. There is no access to the summit until Memorial Day weekend because of the cold temperatures experienced there and the fact that ice could form on the road if it rains. As he climbed south, another flip flop day, he met Buffy and Neon, two women thru hikers going north. They had camped last night and all of the water they were carrying froze. Three trail angels were waiting at Hughes Gap to give all kinds of food and drink, including WINE, to the passing hikers. Those angels had also hiked the AT in 2012. The Iceman just stayed a very short while because he wanted to get to Iron Mt. by 4:30. On his way he met many nobo's (north bounders) including 3D, Yellow Bird and South Pole. Hurrying to get to the car and hotel the Iceman had a spill, the second since starting on the AT. He caught a root and went flying down the side of the hill about 10' before being able to stop. The water bottle kept going another 10 feet. All is well, nothing broken. The Sherpa had a nice visit with the woman in charge of the Visitors Center at the Roan Mt. State Park this morning. The place was empty and we had a chat about the history of the park and the surrounding area. It was lunch time and time to find a unique place to eat. Tripadvisor recommended Smoky Mt. Bakers and Pizza. What a great place! It's an old building on a small side street in Roan Mountain, TN and doesn't look like a restaurant. The family running the place also does all of the cooking and baking. The fresh french bread is crusty and soft inside, just like the loaves in France and the Pizza is absolutely delicious. The veggie one had black olives, onions, artichokes and many other veggies on it and today they had wild ramps so they were on it also. Shuttles were bringing hikers up to Carvers Gap in the morning so that means that some of them may have spent the night in Roan Mountain and I sure hope they got to taste some of that pizza.
Date: 2015-04-25
From: Walnut Mountain Road

To: Bear Branch Road
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

The weather forecast, for Saturday 4/25/15, was rain all day so it was a good day to do a short 10 mile hike. The Iceman started off at Walnut Mt. Rd which is a dirt road that runs through the forest where the AT crosses and proceeded South. Today he was a SOBO because he flip flopped. As it turned out it was mild and sunny all day and the hike was easy. Can't believe the weathermen! On his way south he met many familiar faces all going north. When he reached Bear Branch Road the Sherpa was waiting along with 5 or 6 other hikers. She had been trail magic today and gave away oranges. My oranges! We climbed into the car and headed to Smoky Mountain Bread and Pizza for a quick bit and there we met several hikers that we knew including the fellow from Montreal (Zorco ?). Can't remember all the trail names. Because the Sherpa had been to a Fiddlers and Fiddleheads Festival earlier in the day and it was terrific we decided to go back. The festival was a bluegrass music and antique car event with about 20 antique cars. The other car owners were scared off by the weather forecast. When a 1956 T-Bird is an antique you know you're in trouble. It was warm and sunny and the music was all over the farm. Folks bring their instruments and just all gather around and begin to play. What an experience it was. The singing and great Tennessee songs filled the air and no one wanted to go home but at 7pm the last car left and the last band was playing so off we headed to dinner. Nice, sort of Italian, food prepared by the Moroccan owner with a touch of Greek as in Greek salad only this one had Ham on top. Never know what you're going to get. Today we checked into our new base camp in Johnson City TN and it's a lovely old hotel smack in the middle of the East Tennessee State University campus. In fact, our 4th floor window looks out on "Buc's Bleed Blue". That must be their nickname.
Date: 2015-04-26
From: Walnut Mountain Road

To: Dennis Cove Road
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: drizzle

At 3:55 the Sherpa was waiting at Dennis Cove Road for the Iceman. He started the 14+ mile hike at 9am this morning after an hour drive to Walnut Mt. Road. Walnut Mt. Road is part paved and part dirt and as all other roads in the mountains it's winding and narrow, only one lane, and has few turnouts. It's not as steep as some others but it's in an area of dire poverty. I've spoken to several folks who live in these towns and rural areas and they say that there's quite a bit of diversity as far as income goes. When the Iceman hikes the trail it stays in the forests and parks and he doesn't see many homes or dwellings and so he doesn't pass some of the "dwellings" that look a little shady. (Moonshine stills and whatnot). We packed up our luggage this morning and the Sherpa schlepped it to the car for the drive to the new base camp in Johnson City TN. The new place of operation is wonderful. We feel like we're in civilization again. It's a 5 story hotel with a large lobby filled with comfortable furniture and has a restaurant that serves all meals. The decor is Baroque in style with a large piano near the entrance, wood paneling on the walls, Tiffany style lamps and sleigh beds in the rooms. Just GREAT!! At noon the Sherpa was in the car and headed for the hotel and arrived 45 minutes later to find out that the room was ready and we could move right in. The Iceman finally arrived at Dennis Cove Road, very wet, at 4:15. Another hiker, Carrot, a high school English teacher from CO had also just arrived. Although it was sunny, warm and dry in Johnson City it had been raining practically all day in the mountains from the moment the Iceman got on the trail and not a good day for views or picture taking but he did get a nice shot of a bridge, the typical Tennessee bridge, that one sees on the AT. Notice the large Rhododendron plant on the right. These plants are so thick that when they bloom the forests will turn pink. There are millions of them through the mountains and a Rhododendron festival in the Summer in Roan Mountain TN. The rain was very heavy at times so he was reluctant to stop and take out his fruit for lunch. He stopped only once at a shelter where there was a couple who were also eating. He ate a banana and then left. To eat the rest he would have had to stop and take off his backpack and dig around for the remaining fruit and that was just too difficult to do in the rain. Before we left the Mountain Inn & Suites this morning we had a conversation with a gentleman in hiking attire and as it turned out he was one of a team of maintenance guys who volunteer their time to clean up and maintain the AT. They cut up trees, remove dead and threatening trees, repair and build access steps and everything else everyone tends to take for granted. It's hard work but he's retired and loves the outdoors and hiking so he's enjoying himself, he said. The Iceman is out today doing another 14 miler.
Date: 2015-04-27
From: Dennis Cove Road

To: Wilbur Dam Road
Miles today: 13.0

Today the Iceman finished hiking 431.5 miles. What an accomplishment! Just as he was about to get on the trail this morning at 9am he noticed a sign posted at the entrance to the trailhead that warned of bear activity in the area so he went back into the car to get his bear spray. Many hikers say it's not necessary to carry bear spray because Black Bear aren't known to be aggressive but we say "better be safe than sorry". There was a recent attack and fatality in NJ last fall. The sky was bright and sunny but it was cool, in the upper 40's, as he started his hike so a warm jacket was in order. About noon it warmed up enough so that he could hike in shirt sleeves. The shelter's were closed by the Forest Service because of the bear activity and a sign posted warned those hiking not to stop to eat but to keep going. Along the way bushes of Pink Azalea were seen and a magnificent waterfall, Laurel Fork Falls or Laurel Falls. Two years ago on the July 4th weekend a tragic accident occurred and a father and son who were hiking the AT were found dead in the waters of these falls. Their backpacks were found nearby showing in a log that they had been hiking for 13 days. The undercurrent at the base of the Falls is very strong. Strong enough to hold a person under for a long time. There was a well built and pretty footbridge that spanned the Waycaster Stream. The Iceman can hike 1.5 miles to 2 miles an hour depending on the difficulty of the terrain. Climbing down to Laurel Falls was a nice way to begin the hike and then a steep, continuous climb for about 3 miles on Pond Mountain all the way to Pond Flats and ending at Watauga Lake. Views of Watauga Lake were lovely and there was a good view of the Dam. He hiked 13 miles in 6.5 hours. Very good time.
Date: 2015-04-28
From: Wilbur Dam Road

To: Shady Valley TN91
Miles today: 15.0

Tuesday was a sunny day in northeast TN when the Iceman was brought to his starting point, Wilbur Dam Road, early in the morning. The hike began with a long climb, a mile and a half, to the top of Iron Mountain and then puds (pointless ups and downs) for the next 10 miles. The end of the hike was all downhill and ended at Route TN91 at an elevation of 3525'. Because most of the hike was along a ridge the views were wonderful out over both sides of the mountain. Along the way the Iceman met another through hiker who was flip flopping and she took the photo you see here. The last mile or so there were many "bog bridges" to cross. This area of Tennessee is one of two places where cranberries grow wild and there are bog turtles that are now being protected by the forest service. There are also "Turtle Dogs". Can you guess what they do? While the Iceman was enjoying his hike the Sherpa decided to visit the brand new "Birthplace of Country Music" Museum in Bristol, TN/VA. It opened in August, 2014. The Museum is considered to be in both states and the reason is that Bristol in divided in half. One side of State Street is in Tennessee and the other is in Virginia. It gets pretty interesting if you have property that's in both states. Your bedroom dictates which state you must pay your taxes too. If it's in Tennessee then you pay Tennessee taxes and if it's in Virginia then guess what. The Museum has very informative exhibits, a lot of old time and new instruments on display and mini theaters where one can watch short films about the beginning of country music and it's influence on today's gospel and folk musicians. Before entering Bristol the highway from Johnson City climbs up a steep hill and as one approaches the top a mountain of steel appears. It's the Bristol Motor Speedway and it's enormous. It seats 160,000 spectators. Another interesting fact about Bristol is that each year a country music festival is held and at this festival there are, in addition to bands, lots of beer tents. Virginia doesn't allow liquor to be sold after midnight BUT Tennessee has no curfew and at the stroke of midnight the whole crowd shifts across to the Tennessee side to buy their beer. Sounds silly but that's the way it is. Today is Wednesday,4/30/15 and we're in a new place. We moved this afternoon to Damascus, VA to the Mountain Laurel Inn a 4 bedroom house built in 1900. Damascus is a tiny town and it's claim to fame is that the Appalachian Trail goes down the main street. Each May there's a Trail festival for hikers. There's also a rail trail called the "Virginia Creeper" that's very popular with bicyclists. It's a 100 mile trail and it's well used. We'll be here about 3 days.