morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-04-15
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

Again the heat. The temperature was up to the mid 80's F today and we felt it. We drank 9 liters of water on the hike and still felt dehydrated.At the lower altitude all the leaves are out and the fresh leaves are very beautiful. We got the last hotel room at the Alpine Court. We went to the P.O. and got our bump box and a birthday card for Carol. We got a real laugh at the card. Tomorrow we are taking a zero day and moving one of the most famous hostels on the trail "Elmers Sunnybank Inn". He is a former thru hiker and has developed a huge house into a hostel. All the meals are vegetarian and it is said no one ever leave hungry.When you enter Hot Springs the trail runs right down the one and only main steet. The A.T. markers are inbedded in the side walk. We did some chores like showers (WOW!) and laundry. We went to the Rock Bottom Sports Grill for dinner and as we approached a big cheer for us came from the other thru hikers on the out door patio. Many thru hikers are around town including G-hippie the young man who gave us our names.Andrea we are still eating the cookies and they are still good. By the way if you send us any other packages remember to use our Christian names as we need to show identification.The Canadian Geese (Never quit on a bad day Bison 2009 thru hiker.)
Date: 2010-04-16
From: Hot Springs NC

To: Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

We are at Elmers Sunnybank Inn. We were the first ones to arrive and got a private room. We ate breakfast at the local diner and it was very comical as the waitresses yelled at each other and the local customers who they obviously knew very well. We took the bump box back to the P.O. and mailed it to Damascus, VA. We went to the Dollar General and bought a few items and then to the Outfitter (Bluff Mountain Outfitters). What a great store. We bought some bug spray, and bug head nets as well as some sunscreen and a lighter shirt for me.As we were leaving the outfitter a man approached us. He has been following our journal and recognized me (I am sorry I can't remember his name). He is also from Canada and wanted to lend us some moral support. He said he comes to the area to hike every year. Carol usually drinks, perhaps 2 beers a year. Here on the trail it is the first thing she asks for whenn we hit town. We won't be able to uupdate the journal until Erwin Ten. This will be 3 to 5 days away.We want to thank everyone who emails us it is very encouraging. We read all the emails but unfortunately we can not answer them all as computer time is limited.The Canadian Geese (Never quit on a bad day Bison 2009 thru hiker.)
Date: 2010-04-17
From: Hot Springs NC

To: Log Cabin Road - Hemlock Hollow Hostel
Miles today: 16.3

The stay in Hot Springs at Elmers Sunnybank Inn was fantastic. Anyone hiking the trail should stay here. There are only 16 beds so plan to get there by 11 AM. The house was built in about 1840 and was originally owned by a family that wrote songs about the area. After the civil war carpetbaggers from the north came and bought up the town. The Merrill family (Merrill Parkway in NY) bought the 15 plus room house as a summer home and brought many guest from the north to Hot Springs. Eventually hard times hit the family and it was sold and was a rooming house and hostel beginning in 1900. Elmer has collected so many antiques that the house is jammed. The atmosphere is one of reverence as the boisterous hikers spoke in hushed tones in the home.Elmer cooks all the meals. They are gourmet vegetarian and are absoutely delicious. No one ever leaves hungry.A flock of Canadian Geese honked at us as we started out today. The mountains were again strenuous, but we were feeling good and the hiking went fairly well, except for the numerous blow downs. I fell on one large one and scratched up my hand and face. This is the second time for me and the cuts on my legs make me look like a battered husband.We reached a road and had to walk up more than a half mile to the hostel . We were greeted by two elderly folk who had a few cabins they rented out. We stayed and later the old man and some of his kin invited me to a big fire they were having and we sat and drank moonshine from a mason jar. We had a good time and they took us back to the trail in the morning.I forgot to tell you that the trail has a lot less hikers. Historically after the Smoky mountains about 40% of the thru hikers who started are gone from the trail. They either did not know what to expect, were unprepared, or got injured.We trudge on and are still enjoying the challenge each day. We feel as if we have lost weight. Are pants are getting loose on us.The Canadian Geese.Never quit on a bad day. {Bison 2009 A.T. thru hiker}.
Date: 2010-04-18
From: Log Cabin Road - Hemlock Hollow Hostel

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

The trail started out with the usual 500 feet up and then down, over and over again. Then we reached a sign that gave you an option. In bad stormy weather a lower trail was encouraged. In clear weather the upper trail. We took the upper trail on the clear sunny day. Soon we were walking on a ridge (White Rock Cliffs) that was complete boulders and sharp edged rocks. I would describe it as like the coast of Maine. We had to climb up and down big drops of 15 feet that were straight down. It was difficult but somehow also exciting. We got a wonderful view of all the surrounding mountains. It took us about 1.5 hours to go a mile through the rocks. No falls thank goodness.On the trail today we saw several graves. Two were of hikers who had their ashes scattered and a memorial stone was placed in the spot. The most poignant grave however was for a Shelton (mile 301.7. Born 1850 and died 1863). Judging by the nature of the grave (with many small American flags around it)we both assumed it to be the grave of a 13 year old soldier of the Civil War. It was very touching how the descendants had kept up the grave and had even put up a new marker stone.Whle we talk alot about the up hills, but the down hills are what hurt the feet and knees. The trails are littered with stones that are 3 inches by 4 inches that hurt the feet and knees. So many hikers have knee braces on its amazing. I have not had a problem because I really use my poles on the down hills, to take the weight of my body. So much so that my hands get sore and numb sometimes.The Canadian Geese (Never quit on a bad day - Bison 2009 thru hiker)
Date: 2010-04-19
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Stealth Camp at mile 319.7
Miles today: 15.6

We started out today with about an hour of primarily down hill. Then we hit a huge up hill that went on for 4 miles. On the way up we saw our friend G-hippie who was just breaking camp. He was the only hiker we saw today. The lack of hikers on the trail is remarkable compared to when we started.We reached Hogback Ridge Shelter and ate lunch. We were very tired, despite only traveling 8.8 miles from our starting location. We took a longer lunch break than usual. Normally we take 15 minutes but today we took 45 minutes.We had been told their was water and camp sites at mile 319.7 but when we got there at 5:45 we could only find water and no camp sites. I had not slept well the night before and my eyes were literally closing I was so tired. We had been hiking since 8 AM. Carol finally spoted a flat spot on the bluff above us and we struggled up to it, set up our tent, cooked, and hung our bear bag. Then we went to bed at 730 PM. The Canadian Geese(Never quit on a bad day- Bison 2009 thru hiker)
Date: 2010-04-20
From: Stealth Camp at mile 319.7

To: No Business Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: broken clouds

We were trying to get to within 6 miles of Erwin Ten. so we could get into town early to ensure a spot in the hiker hostel known as Uncle Johnny's Nolichucky Hostel. We arrived at 11 AM and got a cabin.Technically a day like this is called a Nero. It means near Zero day. We have decided to stay tomorrow also as we are tired and I have a couple of heel blisters. We feel quite good about our milage over the last few days as we came over 60 miles in 4 days. During the 6 mile drop into Erwin Ten. we could hear traffic and trains and town noises long before we could see it. It was foggy as it had rained the night before and was very damp. Suddenly as we rounded a corner we got a great view of the Nolichucky River and Erwin. It could have been a post card.Erwin is known as a place where Davey Crocket and Andrew Jackson are known to have attended frontier gatherings along the Nolichucky River.Here are few terms that are common among hikers. A "blue blazer" is someone who takes a short cut by taking a blue blaze (coming into town at one exit point and going out another.) This saves walking miles sometimes. A "yellow blazer" is a person that hikes on the nearby road rather than the trail when the road and trail run parallel. The last term is "slack packer". These are people that give their packs to the hostel to drive up the trail to an exit point (usually 15 or 20 miles)and they walk packless to that location. Prior to the hike Carol and I talked about these possibilites and decided we would do none of these things. We want to backpack past every white blaze. We are known as "purists" on the trail.The Canadian Geese(Never quit on a bad day - Bison 2009 thru hiker)
Date: 2010-04-21
From: No Business Knob Shelter 

To: Uncle Johnny's Nolichucky Hostel - mile 339.9
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: light rain

When we got to Uncle Johnny's we had a bunch of chores to do. It is amazing how much work there is to do upon reaching town. We first showered. Awe what a relief. I did our laundry, while Carol walked down the road to a bench on the side of the road known as the AT&T bench. It is a location that our cell phone will work. By the way any potential hikers reading this don't use AT&T cell phones they are almost useless in these mountains. Go with Verizon or one of those pay as you go phones from Walmart. They are by far more useful.We got a shuttle from Johnny's to eat lunch and shop at a nearby dollar store for provisions for the next section of the hike. We went back to the hostel and aired all our belongings out. After a short rest it was time to go for dinner. Again a shuttle took us to a restaurant. We further shopped for groceries and went to the Rite Aid for prescriptions. When we returned to the hostel Carol put together 4 days provisions breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Finally at 10 PM we watched a video "Roman Holiday". We had never seen it and we really enjoyed it. I think she may have even had a tear in her eye although she denied it. I still need to get to the libray to update the journal. That will be tomorrow. I don't know how I will swing it but we are becoming very adept at getting favors.The Canadian Geese {Never quit on a bad day - Bison 2009 thru hiker)
Date: 2010-04-22
From: Uncle Johnny's Nolichucky Hostel - mile 339.9

To: Uncle Johnny's Nolichuky Hostel - mile 339.9
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day. We did not get all the chores done IE library, and we are still tired.It just dawned on me that we have almost completed 1/6 of the trail. The next section is up to Damascus VA. It is about 125 miles. The terrain begins to flatten out there (I am told). First we have to go over Roan Mountain. It is the last mountain over 6200 feet on the trail. It will be another 3000 foot climb. We weighed ourselves at Uncle Johnny's and we have both lost 10 pounds. We hope the weight loss slows down over the next few months.We were shuttled around town to eat and I walked to the library from were the driver let the others out. He said he would meet me back at that spot at 2 PM. Thank you James!The Canadian Geese(Never quit on a bad day - Bison 2009 thru hiker)
Date: 2010-04-23
From: Uncle Johnny's Nolichuky Hostel - mile 339.9

To: Cherry gap shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: few clouds

Left at 07:30 am arrived at the shelter at 6:45 pm and set up our tent. As we left on the trail from Erwin, a group of Canadian Geese were flying by and honking. We crossed over several streams feeding the Nolichucky River. Crossed over three nice footbridges with hand rails. One of the bridges was built by an Eagle Scout. A number of days ago there was a picnic table at a shelter built by a group of scouts from Florida. Thanks guys.About 2 miles before reaching USFS road there were a lot of blowdowns to cross over. One in particular was so big we had difficulty getting around it. The diameter of the tree waqs as tall as Carol. We met a new group of hikers in the parking lot at USFS road 349.3 mi.. The forest ranger asked about the blow down and we gave hime the approximate location. After the hike across the USFS road there appeared to have been a forest fire. Rhododendron were only 2 feet tall, there was no new tree growth, tea berry plants and other tiny flowering plants covered the forest floor. We later found out the fire had probably occured around 2003.We climbed up to a place called Beauty Spot 350.5 miles. Jerry - fellow thru hiker, his wife, his friand and his wife had trail magic for us and the other hikers on the trail that day. Sprite, chips, chocolate bars etc. Thanks Jerry it was great. We continued on up the mountain, it smelled wonderful and looked like Sherwood Forest. We expected to see Robin Hood come out from behind a tree at any minute. It was a quiet dense forest, the trail was not well marked. We had to watch the blazes to stay on track. "Tree" and 2 other hikers kept check on us until we were out of the forest to make sure we didn't get lost as it was getting late in the day.Today was 14 miles of uphill and 3 miles of downhill. Silver Back and Graye were at Cherry Gap Shelter tenting. The shelter was full and there were 7 other tents set up. There was an almost full moon in the sky tonight. Gray has a weather radio and advised us that severe weather was coming. We will try to get to Clyde Smith Shelter at 366.1 and hole up there. The Canadian Geese - (Never quit on a bad day - Bison 2009 thru hiker)
Date: 2010-04-24
From: Cherry gap shelter

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Left at 08:00 am, arrived 12:45 pm. The temperature varies depending where you are, on a ridge or in a gap. It is hard to dress appropriately. It was a long haul up and down. Carol probably didn't eat enough last night, probably calorie depleted. Slow going on the hills. Trail Magic just being set up at Iron Moountain Gap. We stopped for a bottle of water. When we got to the shelter Silver Back and Graye were already there with their tents set up on the hill. Two young ladies stopped in for lunch and shared that they had disturbed a juvenile rattlesnake warming under the leaves on the trail. It bit one of the girls on the toe of her boot. No damage. We stopped here to get rested and have a fresh start in the a.m. Tomorrow we go over Roan Mountain, 6,285 feet. This is the last of the 6,000 foot mountains until we get to Mt. Washington in the White Mountains. This is a 3,000 foot climb in 3 miles. The wind and rain were tremendous overnight. We were in the shelter so we stayed dry. We have discovered that after we take our packs off our balance is affected for a couple hours until our body adjusts.The Canadian Geese (Never quit on a bad day - Bison 2009 thru hiker)
Date: 2010-04-25
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Over Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: scattered clouds

We left at 7:45 am and arrived at 5:15 pm. We hiked over a rough Maine like trail as we ascended the mountain (for the first few miles). We than crossed over a road and started the main climb up to Roan Mountain. Teh beginning of the hill was green and lush, then the uphill trail turned rocky and was coverd with roots, log steps, stone steps and lots of trees. It smelled like a pine forest. We saw two little orange red salamanders on the trail. Half way up to the top, the trail flattened out (Ash Gap) there were nice tenting spots. We stopped here for lunch with Silver Back and Graye and then headed back up the mountain.On the way up there was a clearing. On inspection of the site there was a sign describing that this had been the original site of the Cloud Top Hotel built in the early 1900's.We made it to the top and stopped at Roan High Knob Shelter for a water resupply. This is the highest shelter on the A.T. We experienced high, gust winds all day.The descent was along the trail which was a rocky, wet stream bed. We finally got down to Carver's Gap where there were lots of day hikers on the trail.The trail now took us up and over two balds. The first was Round Bald and the second was Jane Bald. The wind gust got up to 40 miles per hour making the hike even harder. Too bad they weren't behind us and pushing us up the trail. The views of the North Carolina mountains were incredible.Just before we got to Stan Murray Shelter Carol caught her foot on a root and went down on her right side. The wallet in her pocket made her land hard on that thigh and she ended up with a deep bruise in that leg making it uncomfortable to walk. Hope it feels better tomorrow.We have noticed that the 20 something hiker crowd show lack of judgement in three areas. They try to hike too many miles and don't listen to their bodies and eventually have to get off the trail because of injury. They don't treat their drinking water and potentially risk getting giardia. We know of two hikers with confirmed cases. The third error is that they hike up a mountain in a thunder storm when they don't have too, just for the thrill. The Canadian Geese (Never quit on a bad day - Bison 2009 thru hiker)
Date: 2010-04-26
From: Over Mountain Shelter

To: Mountain Harbor Bed & Breakfast & Hostel
Miles today: 9.2

We climber over 2 balds today, Little Hump Mountain and Hump Mountain, both just under 6,000 feet. There were beautiful vistas, but the weather was poor. It was 40 degrees F., dark clouds, 25 mile per hour sustained winds with gusts to 50 miles per hour. This made for cold, uncomfortable hiking. During the strong gusts we had to turn our backs and brace ourselves with our poles until it passed. It was slow going for Carol as her leg was still sore from yesterday's fall. The down hill trek was even more difficult as it was hard to bend her right leg and the whole down hill trail was one boulder field after another. It took us longer than anticipated to get down to the Hostel. It was worth the wait. The Hostel was a big apartment built over and horse and goat barn. This sounds strange, but it was great. We had a hot shower, had our clothes washed, resupplied our food and got in to town for a hearty meal. We will stay one more day to rest Carol's leg. We met a lot of old hiker friends we hadn't seen for a while who were also staying here because of the inclement weather. We are now in Carter Co., TN. We have been told this county was named after June Carter Cash's family (Johnny Cash's wife).The Canadian Geese(Never quit on a bad day - Bison 2009 thru hiker)
Date: 2010-04-27
From: Mountain Harbor Bed & Breakfast & Hostel

To: Mountain Harbor Bed & Breakfast & Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

We had a hearty breakfast at the main house. Man was it good. We interacted with the other hikers catching up on all the trail news we have missed. We found out there is an illness on the trail (flu like symptoms). We then walked down the road to the Beer Wash (pub) to enter our Trail Jounal notes. Tomorrow we plan on hiking out early. We will try to be in Damascus in 5 days.The Canadian Geese (Never quit on a bad day - Bison 2009 thru hiker)
Date: 2010-04-28
From: Mountain Harbor Bed & Breakfast & Hostel

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: few clouds

Today was a myriad of ups and downs. Hikers call these PUDS. Pointless ups and downs. Rhodendrum are about to bloom, but not quite yet. After we left today we got a great view of the balds we suffered over. Thank goodness we came over them when we did. Those that followed us had to endure snow and wind. The snow was still evident on the balds.In the campsite tonight are Wippersnapper, Yahzee, Wizard and his dog, Nemo and Red Kelty. We all cooked over the fire tonight and shared our thoughts on the hike. Carol and I are tired and we may take a shorter day tomorrow if we still feel weakened.The Canadian Geese.(Never quit on a bad day. Bison 209 thru hiker)
Date: 2010-04-29
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Dennis Cove Road - Kincora Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 6.0

We took a nero today because we were tired. We stayed at a hiker hostel run by Bob Peoples. He is responsible for maintaining 134 miles of the trail. You can tell he takes great pride that he and 12 others keep the trail so well. During Trail Days in Damascus VA. he signs people up to give him one full day of labour and he gets lots done. We were very impressed with him. The rock steps in this area are incredible. When we got to the hostel there was trail magic. Hot dogs - we each had 3. The trail magic drew hikers all along the trail as word spread. Soon the hostel was overflowing. We were lucky to get a private room. Some younger hikers were sleeping on the floor with their pads and sleeping bags. Some slept in tents and some even slept in a tree house he has on the property.We got a ride into town to resupply and Nemo cooked everyone a pasta dinner complete with salad and garlic bread. YUM!Carol was able to call Carolyn Tester, my brothers blog friend and we determined a spot 8 miles from her house where we could meet her.The Canadian Geese.(Never quit on a bad day. Bison 209 thru hiker)
Date: 2010-04-30
From: Dennis Cove Road - Kincora Hiker Hostel

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: clear sky

We started along the trail and followed what we think was called the Laural River. It was a beautiful area with a falls and very steep rocky sides. It reminded me of a place in Ontario Canada called Muskoka. We spent time there in the summer for a number of years. At one point the trail was on a ledge about 12 inches wide overlooking the river. What a beautiful view. Soon we started up the mountain and climbed up to 3700 feet in about 5 miles. We saw 2 white tailed deer who seemed to careless about us. They just meandered off at their regular grazing rate.We arrived at 430 PM after spending an hour and 15 minutes enjoying the lake. Carol waded in the cool lake. The trail book says the shelter is on the lake. Maybe in prehistoric times but not at this time. Blue Sky and Mary Beth were already at the shelter. We had a great evening talking about the day.I wanted to let the readers know that falls on the trail are inevitable. There are just too many opportunities to trip on a root or rock. You just have to be as careful as possible. Carol is recovering from a nasty fall that bruised her thigh. She wrapped it amd hiked on like a trooper. I have had 4 falls. One in a shelter in the Smokles as I was trying to hang my bag and missed the hook. I fell on my face. I got lots of scratches. I have had two more at blowdowns trying to get over them. On one occasion the ground gave out under me and I slid partially down the embankment. For a while I looked like a battered husband with cuts and bruises on my arms and legs. The last fall I had, I felt myself falling and did a head overheels front roll. No injury but Carol let out a scream as my head hit the ground.The most troubling thing for me is carple tunnel syndrom from poling hard. I pole very hard to take weight off my knee and hip replacements. At night a frequently wake up and both hands are completely numb. In addition to that the last joint on my ring finger (on my right hand) will no longer straighten. It is a little freaky. It does not especially hurt so I don't think it is broken. Perhaps I have done something to the tendon. I will splint it when I get to town.The Canadian Geese.(Never quit on a bad day. Bison 209 thru hiker)