Re-Supply Information---2005

[Jack Tarlin]

Re-Supply Information---Part 1

By Jack Tarlin, last updated 25 Feb 2005

A few comments about the information below: The purpose here is to provide some sugestions and possibilities for prospective thru-hikers. This article is NOT supposed to be a blue-print, framework, or manual for anyone's hike. There is no one "right" way to hike the A.T.; no one "right" way to plan your itinerary or schedule; no one "right" way to re-supply. More than 7,000 men and women have hiked the entire A.T., and no two have done it the same way. It would be presumptuous in the extreme for anyone to claim that there's only one correct way to plan or hike your trip. There isn't.

So this isn't a blueprint. It isn't meant to be rigidly adhered to, and no one is suggesting that one deviates from this guide at their peril. On the contrary, people have to find out for themselves what works for THEM. This information is merely what has worked for ME.

Nearly all businesses or service providers named are known to me personally: I've either visited them, patronized them, or both. On the occasions where I do NOT have personal, firsthand knowledge of, or experience with a place, but merely know what I've heard from others, I will make this clear. But by and large, these are businesses, facilities, and places that I know well.

In no cases have I been compensated or paid for providing favorable commentary about any business; on the very rare occasions where I omit a service provider or do not give a glowing reference or recommendation, this is based on personal experience. However, it should be pointed out that everyone has different perceptions of different places, so try and keep an open mind. Merely because I don't mention a particular place doesn't necessarily mean there's anything wrong with it. Also, there are dozens and dozens of facilities that cater to hikers or that hikers can avail themselves of, there are new ones every year, and there are places I've never seen or patronized. It is inevitable that I'm going to leave some places and businessses out of this article, and it should not be inferred that doing this is deliberate, or intended to steer folks away from anywhere. It would be plainly impossible to list every business or facility on or near the A.T., and I lack the time or the desire to do so.

Hikers should know that the information below is being published in late February 2005. Many folks will be hiking this year til October or November, and even longer if going Southbound. This means that some of this information will be close to a year old by the time people encounter certain businesses and service providers.

Hikers should be aware that in the course of a calendar year, there are always changes on the Trail: New places open. Places that have serviced hikers for years suddenly decide to close. Busines places that once catered to hikers now decide to concern their business to a diferent clientele. Prices for goods and services change frequently, and very seldom do they go down. Hikers using the below information to help plan their trip need to be aware of all this.

This article is as accurate as I could make it as of its writing and publication, but neither the author nor any website that re-prints any or all of this information can be help responsible if businesses or service providers aren't what you expect when you arive there. The Trail changes, and the prudent hiker knows this, and is always capable of keeping some flexibility and will change their plans or their itinerary based on what circumstances demand.

Finally, hikers planning to re-supply by mail should do careful research: If a published guidebook tells you that a particular place receives or holds hiker mail, or is open thru a particular date, then this is probably reliable information. But if you've any doubts, especially as regards the holding of mail, or if you're hiking late in the season, it's wise to call and confirm BEFORE your mail is sent. A few phone calls or E-Mails ahead of time can save a lot of grief later on.

If this information proves useful to anyone in 2005, I'd be delighted to hear about it. Likewise, if anyone feels there are significant mistakes or omissions here, I'd like to hear about that, too, so these lapses and errors can be noted, in order to improve future versions of this article.

Distances and hiking times between re-supply points are based on my own personal experiences and my observation of others. Most of my hikes lasted about 180 days. Hikers planning longer or shorter trips will of course need to adjust their scheduling and re-supply accordingly. It is always suggested that hikers carry a small "emergency" food supply on every leg of their trip, in case a planned three or four day section turns out to take a bit longer than they expected.


* * *

PART ONE: SPRINGER MT. TO DAMASCUS, VA.

1--I generally leave Springer with 3-4 days worth of food/supplies, which is sufficient to get from there to Neels Gap, which is now 30.5 miles from Springer's summit. If you are planning to hike the approach trail from Amicalola Falls State Park, you'll need to bring a day's extra. Likewise, if you're out of shape or anticipate a really slow start, you might wish to bring extra food. But in most cases, 3-4 days worth should be sufficient.

2--It is possible to go into Suches from Woody Gap (19.9 miles from Springer) but it is entirely unnecessary for most folks. The Walasi-Yi Center in Neel's Gap is a great facility run by fine folks. You can send a small maildrop here if you wish (there's a small fee for holding mail), or you can buy what you need from their excellent food selection, which is geared specifically towards thru-hikers. This is also a great place to field-strip your pack and examine everything you're carrying in case you wish to send home stuff you've discovered you don't need. There is also an excellent outfitter shop here if you need to add or replace gear. Lodging is available at Neels; there are other nearby options. If you need to get to a real town, shuttle service to Blairsville, Dahlonega, or Hiawassee is available. Neels is 36.5 miles to Dick's Creek, the road crossing for Hiawasee. You'll need 3-4 days worth of food to get there, depending on what time of day you leave Neels and how far you go on the first day.

3--Some hikers go into Helen from Unicoi Gap (20 miles from Neels); I very seldom do as I don't much care for the town. If you MUST get off the Trail here for supplies, weather, or anything else, it's probably cheaper to go into Hiawasee instead.

4--Getting into Hiawassee from Dick's Creek Gap is easy; DON'T get brow-beaten into paying for your ride in (every year a few shifty locals hang out there and only tell you AFTER you're in the car that they expect to be paid for the ride!) It's a good Trail town with different services for different budgets (motels, etc.). Most of the motels accept hiker mail, but check first.
It's 39.7 miles from Dick's Creek to Winding Stair Gap (the road crossing for Franklin); 3-4 days worth of food should be sufficient.

5--Most hikers will need to re-supply in Franklin in 2005. (Hikers with older Guidebooks should be aware that Rainbow Springs Campground, where hikers resupplied for many years, is now closed). Franklin is a good Trail town with a variety of lodging places and restaurants; there's also a K-Mart in town and a Wal-Mart a little further out. Hikers NOT planning to go into Franklin wil need to pack extra food from Hiawassee (an extra 2-3 days worth for most folks). Your next re-supply point is less than 30 miles past Franklin, so you won't need to carry too much.

6--The Nantahala Outdoor center, known universally as the NOC, is directly on the Trail. Lodging and laundry facilities are available, as well as several restaurants. There is limited food-resupply here; a small maildrop might not be a bad idea, tho you won't need much as Fontana Dam is only 28 miles down the Trail. Note: Unlike most places that keep hiker mail in a back room or other secured area, hiker mail at the NOC is merely stacked alphabetically on the second floor back stairway. Because of the "public" access to mail, this is probably NOT a good place to send such things as money, a new credit card, vital medications,etc. Also, there's a small hiker mailbox hanging on the wall near the mail parcels; make sure you go upstairs and go thru the box if you're expecting something; a lot of folks seem to forget to check this each year.

7--Fontana Dam is one of the few places on the Trail where it makes sense to send a food parcel. You will absolutely need some sort of re-supply here before entering Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and while there's a small store in Fontana Village, the selection is lousy, over-priced, and unreliable, especially if you arrive late in the day after hordes of other starving hikers have pillaged it. How much food you buy here or have sent depends on whether you plan to hike straight thru the Park, or re-supply in Gatlinburg. If you plan to hike straight thru, you'll need 6-7 days worth of food; if you're going to Gatlinburg, bring 3-4. (Another alternative to a maildrop is to stay with the very nice folks at the Hike Inn Motel, who will shuttle you to nearby Robbinsville where there's a real market).

8--Hikers have a love-hate relationship with Gatlinburg. It's a pretty tacky place, but I've always found the year-rounders there to be very friendly. The folks at the Outfitter's are great; the most hiker-friendly (and cheap!) motel over the years has been the Grand Prix, just up the street from the Outfitters. There's a shuttle bus that will take you all over town, or you can just walk and people watch, which is both fun and terrifying at the same time.

9--Just outside the National Park, some hikers re-supply or stay over at Mountain Momma's. As an alternative, I suggest you stay on the Trail for a few more miles and visit Standing Bear Farm, which is a wonderful place. They have limited re-supply there, or they can shuttle you to a market. Also, they accept maildrops. You won't need much as it's only 31 miles to Hot Springs (2-3 days). Great folks, great place.

10--Hot Springs is a great, great trail town, and is one of the very few places where the Trail leaves the woods and goes directly thru a community.
There are some wonderful places to stay; Elmer's is the most popular; I usually stay with Brian and Frank at the beautiful Duckett House Inn. Both places are wonderful. There are other lodging options as well, including motels, cabins, even a campground. There are NOT a lot of services here, but the small town has everything you're likely to need: Restaurants, a pub, and one of the Trail's finest outfitters, Bluff Mountain. As far as re-supply, shop at the Outfitter's first, as they have the best selection of hiker-oriented food; you can supplement this if necessary by visiting the two small markets, but in all likelihood, you'll find everything you need at Bluff Mountain. They also have the town's one ATM and offer limited Internet service. Shuttle service to a real supermarket is available (ask Dan at the Outfitter's). This is the last good outfitter til Damascus (unless you get a ride to Johnson City, TN), so if you have gear or footwear issues, you might want to resolve them here. Try and get help from Wayne the co-owner who knows as much about gear as anyone I've met; he is particularly good if you decide to switch out to a different or smaller pack. And lastly, eat at the Bridge St. Inn if you can: wonderful people, excellent food. Your next stop is most likely Erwin, TN; pack 4-5 days worth of food, it's just under 70 miles. Hikers should probably NOT plan to resupply in Sam's Gap; it is also illegal to hitch-hike from there.

11--Erwin, tho spread out, is a great Trail town. I sugest that hikers send their mail (if any) and stay over at Miss Janet's House, in the center of town. In a few short years, this has become one of the most popular hiker hostels on the Trail, and Miss Janet's hospitality is legendary. Her place is conveniently close to downtown, so the Post Office, Library, supermarket, many restaurants, and even a movie theater are within easy walking distance.
Note: While Janet provides rides to and from the Trailhead, other shuttle rides are NOT free. One of her biggest expenses is keeping her van running, so if she shuttles you around town, or takes you to the Outfitter in Johnson City, or Wal-Mart, or especially if you stay a few days and do some slackpacking, make sure you make a contribution for fuel. Most folks don't, and Miss Janet's gasoline bills are unreal. So do your bit, and make sure others do likewise. Hikers that don't plan to stay at Janet's (or can't because it's full) can still leave their packs there while they run their town errands, and may use house services (shower/laundry) even if they're not overnighting, but if you do so, please make sure you leave a donation for these services.....her utility bills are enormous, so every little bit helps. Be aware that if her hostel is full, she usually does a shuttle around dinnertime to a nearby motel; if you plan to take a "zero day", you can usually sign up for a spot in the hostel for the following day. Have a great time, but make sure you do right by Miss Janet; her house is run on love, but it doesn't run on air. I would bring 5-6 days of supplies from Erwin.

12--Some folks re-supply in the towns of Roan Mountain or Elk Park. I generally do neither, as neither place has particularly inspired services. Instead, I continue hiking to Dennis Cove and stay at Kincora Hostel, which is simply one of the greatest places on the whole Trail. Bob and Pat Peoples, who have run Kincora since 1997, are without question two of the finest folks you'll meet on your whole trip, and you'd be crazy to miss this place. You can send mail here if you wish, but keep in mind that Bob runs a shuttle every day to a nearby large supermarket, where you can get everything you need for the 50-miles stretch from Kincora to Damascus. If you stay here, keep in mind that even tho there's a "suggested" donantion of $4.00, you should try and leave much more. First off, a lot of folks leave nothing, thinking that "donation suggested" means free. And secondly, what you get at Kincora is priceless; the services Bob and Pat provide would cost six or seven times as much at other commercial hostels, so please, give whatever you can, and if you have the time, ask Bob if there are any projects going on, either at the hostel, or more likely, on the Trail nearby, as Bob is the maintainer of this section. He's always looking for some folks who want o help out with a bit of Trail work.

13--If you miss Kincora ( and if you do, you're nuts) you can re-supply in Hampton, Tennessee. It's 50 miles from Kincora to Damascus, but you'll need no more than three days of food as this is an easy section; many folks do back-to-back twenty mile days getting into Damascus.

14--Welcome to Virginia! Damascus is a great trail town, so try to take some time off here. Lots of lodging possibilities, a few new places to eat, several good outfitters, including the legendary Mt. Rogers Outfitters, which you'll walk right by as you enter town. Resupply is available at the new supermarket just out of town; you'll also walk by two smaller markets on your way out of town in case you've forgotten anything. You'll need 5-7 days worth of food leaving town, depending on whether or not you plan to go into Troutdale. Be aware that the stretch north of Damascus is absolutley spectacular and you might want to slow down your pace a bit and enjoy it. Most thru-hikers later acknowlkedge that they wish they'd spent more time here, so some extra food on this stretch is not a bad idea.

END OF PART ONE

[TankHiker]

Hey Jack, very nice article. And I appreciate your emphasis on some of the more "legendary" trail stops (as they truly are special places).

Here is one note of where I got burned on this section: Before hiking in '03, I read somewhere that all the popular trail towns have ATM machines, except Monson. Well, I spent my last dollar in Fontana Dam, and found that it does not have an ATM. What's worse is that Mountain Moma's does not take credit cards. (Luckily, my hiking buddies hooked me up with some cash). I don't know how significant it is, but I would have found it helpful to know that Fontana does not have an ATM.

Thanks again for sharing your trail knowledge.

-TANK

[flyfisher]

Jack,

The information you supply here is wonderful. I did all of that trail this last summer and everything is exactly on the mark.

I am going to be hiking Mt. Rogers to New Jersery, beginning a month from now. I look forward to your next installment.

[Blue Jay]

I know I've made fun of the "Where Baltimore Jack Eats" list in the past and may do so in the future for the massive ego of it all. It's still a great piece of information. I'm sure it has taken the pressure off hundreds of new thrus, who tend to over think this subject, at least in the beginning. Thank you for posting it.

[Lone Wolf]

12./13. Kincora is nice and all but he fails to mention The Braemar Castle Hostel and Guest House in Hampton. It's really worth checking out. It gets little use. There is a great little beer bar and internet cafe there too. Kincora tends to get very crowded and it's in the middle of no where. Laurel Creek Lodge is another option in Dennis Cove.

[Jack Tarlin]

As I said in my introduction, it's simply not possible to name every facility or business----for example, I didn't mention by name even ONE lodging place in Damascus, and there are, in fact, several excellent options there.

But Wolf is correct: The Braemar Castle in Hampton was the first hiker hostel to operate in this area, and the folks who run it are great people. I don't know anything about who is operating Laurel Creek Lodge this year, but many folks have reported that they've had a fine time there over the past few years.

It's always good when there are several lodging options in a town or location instead of just one: It cuts down on over-crowding, and gives folks the opportunity to decide for themselves what sort of services they want, and what they're willing to pay in order to receive them. More options mean more choices for hikers, and this is always a good thing.

[Jack Tarlin]

Re-Supply Information---Part 2

By Jack Tarlin, last updated 26 Feb 2005

PART TWO: DAMASCUS, VA. TO HARPERS FERRY, WV.

1--It is possible to get limited re-supply in Whitetop, about 24 miles from Damascus. Or you can go into Troutdale, just under 50 miles from Damascus. I have never re-supplied or in either place.

In Troutdale, the church hostel has an excellent reputation. Make sure to obey their requests re. alcohol use and keeping dogs outside, and don't forget to leave a nice donation. Limited re-supply is available at the Troutdale Trading Post; otherwise, you might be better off to put together a small maildrop in Damascus and priority mail it to the Troutdale P.O. (It's a 3-4 days hike from Damascus to Troutdale, so if you have mail being sent here, make sure you'll be arriving when the post office is open. If you have to adjust your schedule, I'd advise spending extra time in Damascus, or doing smaller mileage days between Elk Garden and Old Orchard Shelter, one of the loveliest stretches of the entire Trail.

Note: If you send mail to TroutDALE, check your label and zip code carefully, so you don't confuse it with TroutVILLE, which is farther down the Trail.

2--If you stay at Partnership shelter, just shy of VA.16 (about 64 miles from Damascus), you can have lunch or dinner (pizza, subs) delivered to the visitor center, .01 from the shelter.

3--It's possible to re-supply in Marion, VA. (5.6m west from VA.16 road crossing). There are several lodging options in Marion as well as a supermarket. I've passed thru Marion in a car but have never stayed there.
It is also possible to hitch from this crossing to a small grocery store in Sugar Grove.
Eleven and a half miles later, you'll come to US11/VA683. There is a motel called the Relax Inn just yards from the Trail that accepts maildrops for overnight guests. The motel has changed names and owners several times in recent years, but has always been very hiker-friendly. There is also a truckstop convenience store here, directly on the Trail; it's also possible to hitch into Atkins, where there's a market. (Note: Atkins market is closed on Sundays).
Distance from Damascus to US11/683 is 75.3m. If you do NOT plan to re-supply in Whitetop, Troutdale, Marion, or Sugar Grove, I'd plan on bringing at least 4-5 days worth of food out of Damascus and maybe a bit extra if you plan to slow down and enjoy the scenery--which you should!

4--Next re-supply (44.4m from 11/683) is the mid-size market in Bland, VA. Even tho Bastian is a closer hitch, don't bother going; there's nothing there.
If you don't re-supply in Bland, there's a small market .8 from the Trail at VA608, about 2 day's hike past Bland. I've never been here. A better bet would be to stop at Trent's Store, .4 off the Trail at the VA606 crossing, which is about 18 1/2 miles past Bland. You can also tent near the store, tho I'd suggest you re-supply here and then hike the easy two miles to Dismal Falls, a great place to camp and swim. In any case, you won't need much here in the way of food, as it's only 24 miles from 606 to Pearisburg.

5--Pearisburg is one of my favorite Trail towns. Like Erwin, it's a bit spread out, but excepting the absence of an Outfitter, it's got everything you'll need. For lodging, there's a fine hiker hostel, but it's WAY off the Trail. There are several motels, and while it might be more convenient to stay closer to the town center, I've always elected to stay at the trail-sde Rendezvous Motel, whose proprietor, Brenda, is one of the friendliest and most genuine folks you'll meet on your trip.
For re-supply, there's a Food Lion supermarket at the top of the hill in town; there's a Wal-Mart a bit further out. There are lots of restaurant options, including several All You Can Eat buffets; the sports bar in the middle of town is very friendly to hikers. There's another supermarket, Wade's, directly on the Trail as you leave town, which is very useful if you've forgotten anything. You can get fuel at the hardware store and some of the motels.

6--After Pearisburg, there's a small market in Newport, VA (hitch from VA 42, about 40 miles past Pearisburg). I've never been here. If you continue further, there's a small market near VA624, just before you get to the Catawba crossing. There's also a friendly general store in Catawba itself, which is 73 miles from Pearisburg. You should try and eat at the wonderful Homeplace Restaurant if you get to Catawba on the right day, and you should stay at the Four Pines Hostel if it's open in 2005. Great place, great folks. There is excellent re-supply just 19.8 miles after Catawba, so you won't need to pack much food out of here.

7--US/220 Daleville crossing. The best supermarket on the trail, a 24-Hour Kroger superstore, is about half a mile to your left. There's also a small but very friendly outfitter at the same mall. Most restaurants are to your right, up the hill. Use caution while roadwalking here, it's a very busy road. Because of the closeness of the market, I'd forego a maildrop here; also, the Troutville P.O. is almost a mile walk from the Trail. The motels at the 220 crossing accept parcels for guests. Note: It is 92.8 miles from Pearisburg to Daleville; if you elect NOT to re-supply before Rt220, bring 5-6 days of food when you leave Pearisburg.

8--21.6 miles after Rt220, you can get supplies if necessary at a small market in nearby Buchanan. After that, there's a private campground with a small camp store near VA614/Jennings Creek. Most folks re-supply in Glasgow or Big Island which are both easily hitchable from US501, which is 56.7 miles from Rt220. (4-5 days hiking).

9--Some hikers hitch into Buena Vista from US60 to re-supply; I've only been there once.

10--The Montbello Camping and Fishing Resort has a small store with limited hiker re-supply; if you stay at the Dutch Haus B&B, which is very popular, you can get a shuttle, or better yet, you can have mail sent here. I've never been to either place. Be aware that if you're going to Montbello, it's almost impossible to hitch a ride on Fish Hatchery Road; be prepared to hoof it, unless you catch a shuttle from the Dutch Haus folks.

11--At VA56, you can hitch to the small camp store at Crabtree Falls Campground, 4 miles from the Trail.

12--Rockfish Gap/Interstate 64. Most hikers will want to go into Waynesboro from here. The town is large, spread out, but very friendly. There are many lodging options (either the YMCA campsite or a choice of motels, of which the Comfort Inn is probably the nicest). The best supermarket is the Kroger's in the center of town; best restaurant is the amazing Chinese buffet next to Kroger's. There are all sorts of other restaurant options. Leaving Waynesboro, there are several camp stores in Shenandoah National Park, but I'd still pack at least three or four days of food out of Waynesboro as the selection at the market is much better than what you'll find in the Park. There's an excellent outfitter between the town center and Rockfish Gap if you're having gear issues.

If you need to leave the Park for supplies, you can do it at Thornton Gap. It's an easy hitch into nearby Luray. Just before you exit the Park, many hikers have spoken well of Terrapin Station hiker hostel, which is half a mile from the Trail. The hostel holds maildrops and makes regular shuttle runs to nearby Front Royal, which is a major trail town with all services.

13--US522 Many hikers hitch into Front Royal from here; use caution, it's a very busy road. Front Royal is another spread-out trail town, but it has everything you need, including markets, motels, restaurants, and an outfitter.
Hikers should be aware that if you continue just five miles on the Trail past the 522 crossing, and go to the Jim and Molly Denton shelter, it is actually possible to walk to Linden, VA via a side trail that cuts off the A.T. to the left, about 150 paces North of the shelter. It takes about 20 minutes to walk to Linden from here and a few more than that to walk back again. (Follow the side trail downhill for about 5 minutes; you'll hit a road. Continue straight ahead, follow this road 7-10 minutes, you'll hit a "T" intersection. Go left for a few minutes; this will bring you to the center of Linden by the store and Post Office. To get back, reverse these steps. Of course, one can also get to Linden from VA55, a few trail miles AFTER the Denton shelter). The Linden store is small, but certainly has enough to get you the 45-odd miles to Harpers Ferry.

14--Short-term re-supply is available at the very nice Bear's Den Hostel.

15--There's a small grocery store 1m left of Snickers Gap.

16--Welcome to Harpers Ferry; you've now completed over 1,000 miles on the Trail. It is advisable to send a maildrop here, preferably to the Appalachian Trail Conference headquarters, which you'll want to visit anyway.
Otherwise, there is very little re-supply in Harpers Ferry itself; there's a 7-11 in nearby Bolivar, but that's about it. There is a town bus that will take you to nearby Charles Town, where there's a Wal-Mart, an enormous supermarket, and all sorts of restaurants. Occasionally, there are friendly locals that offer shuttle rides from the ATC office to Charles Town, but you can't count on this. For most folks, a maildrop here is probably a good idea, probably between three and five days worth, depending on whether or not you plan to re-supply somewhere in Maryland. Harpers Ferry also has one of the best Outfitters on the Trail, as well as Amtrak service to Washington. There are several hotel/motel options in town, and a nice hiker hostel a few miles North of town. There's a lot to see in town, especially if you're interested in American history, so if you can, this is a nice place to take some time off before continuing North. If you've any questions about town, ask at the ATC office, which has a very friendly staff, or try Laura or Ron at the Outfitters.

END OF PART TWO

[Lone Wolf]

6. Be advised that The Homeplace Restaurant in Catawba is only open Thursday - Sunday. Thursday is southern barbeque night. You MUST eat here!

[Nightwalker]

I leave four weeks from yesterday, Jack. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this.

[Freeze]

If you leave before he gets the rest of it up, you can read his 2003 article here (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/articlesresupply.php)

[Jack Tarlin]

The rest should be up within a few days, and then Rock or Troll will hopefully put them all together and place them in the "Articles" section so they'll be easily available in the future.

[Roland]

The rest should be up within a few days, and then Rock or Troll will hopefully put them all together and place them in the "Articles" section so they'll be easily available in the future. Jack,

This is very nice work, and a great service to the hiking community. Thank you.

Roland

[flyfisher]

Jack,

Thanks. That is my April in a nutshell (except that I am going to skip from Montebelo to a spot about 22 miles into the park)

[wacocelt]

Jack, this post is exactly the reason which makes WhiteBlaze.net such a terrific community. I am impressed and thank you sincerely for the time and effort.

[Jack Tarlin]

Re-Supply Information---Part 3

By Jack Tarlin, last updated 27 Feb 2005

PART THREE---HARPERS FERRY TO KENT, CONNECTICUT

1--How much you carry out of Harpers Ferry is up to you: There are any number of small grocery stores in Maryland and Pennsylvania that are close to the Trail:

*Limited re-supply is available at Harpers Ferry Hostel, just a few trail miles North of Harpers Ferry at a place called Sandy Hook.

*At Turner's Gap/US40A (17.4m into Maryland), there's a small grocery store two miles away in Boonesboro.

*There's a good market in Smithsburg (39.9 m from Harpers Ferry); to get there, go 2.4m west from the Wolfesville Rd/MD17 crossing.

*12.5m later, there's a small market in Blue Ridge Summit, PA, 2.2m East of the PA16 road crossing.

*There's a small market in South Mountain, PA (PA233 is the road crossing, go right 1.2m). This is about 55 miles from Harpers.

*58.7 miles from Harpers, you can go left about a mile on PA30, there's a small market. Or you can hitch from there, east into Gettysburg, which has all major services and is an extraordinary place to visit. (Note: Don't go NEAR Gettysburg between 28 June and 5 July unless you want to be surrounded by half a million Winnebago driving Civil War enthusiasts).

2--There's a small camp store at Pine Grove Furnace Park, about 78 miles from Harpers Ferry. It doesn't have much, but you can get enough snacks to keep you going til Boiling Springs, 19 miles down the Trail.

3--At PA34, you're .2 from a small grocery store; atPA94, you're a couple miles from the market at Mt. Holly Springs, but since you're so close to Boiling Springs at this point, you may as well wait and shop there.

Note: If you do not leave the Trail to re-supply at any of the above locations, be aware that it's 98 miles from the Potomac River (Harpers Ferry) to Boiling Springs; this will most likely take you 5-6 days to hike.

4--In Boiling Springs, there's a good supermarket; if you don't need it badly, you can go to the convenience store just yards off the Trail. You won't need much here, as Duncannon is just 25-odd miles down the Trail.

5--If necessary, you can walk a short distance to restaurants, motels,and a small truck-stop convenience store at the US11/Harrisburg Pike crossing. This is about six easy miles from Boiling Springs.

6--Duncannon, PA is one of the great trail towns. The Doyle Hotel in the center of town is a legendary hiker stop. It has wonderful owners and a very friendly staff; terrific food, and one of the best bar-rooms on the Trail. It is also being renovated, so if you haven't been there in awhile, you'll be pleasantly surprised at all the hard work that's gone into improving the business. That being said, this is probably not the best place to stay if you're looking for peace and quiet, or if you embrace sobriety. The truck-stop motel at the North end of town would do better for older, stodgy folks, and snobs who turn up their noses at the Doyle's simple accomodations. If you're on a limited budget, the little campground in the center of town is spartan, but very hiker friendly and very inexpensive. For your re-supply, Mutzbaugh's supermarket is fine, but be careful if you roadwalk to it; this is a very busy street. Better to try and catch the daily shuttle from the Doyle. Fuel is available at the hardware store, directly on the Trail. The Post Office
is a few blocks from the Trail, and the Doyle holds parcels. What I think most hikers remember about Duncannon is how friendly everyone is, so if you can, take some time off and give yourself a rest in one of the Trail's best towns.

7--What you carry out of Duncannon depends on you. From PA501 (about 46 miles from Duncannon) you can hitch to a market in Pine Grove; from the Shartlesville/Cross Mtn. Rd., (17 miles later) you can go to Shartlesville, which has restaurants and a convenience store.

8--A lot of folks get a small maildrop in Port Clinton. Others hitch to nearby Hamburg where there's a large market (and other services, motel, etc.), or if they're lucky, they get a ride from a friendly local. If the very friendly small outfitter in town is still open in 2005, you can get fuel, limited food, and other gear items; there's also a massive Cabela's outdoor superstore in Hamburg. It's more hunter/car camper/fisherman oriented, but it has clothing, stoves, boots, and other useful items for hikers, as well as a gun room that you could re-enact the Civil War with, and about nine thousand stuffed dead animals hanging on every available wall. Cabela's is taxidermy heaven. Oh, there's also a restaurant in the store that serves large portions of food to predominantly large people who are taking a break from their gun shopping.
In Port Clinton itself, the Port Clinton Hotel has been great to hikers for years. Very friendly bar-room with great pub food. (Please clean up a bit if you're going to eat in the main dining room!) Also, don't miss the Peanut Shop, an old-fashioned candy store that would get Willy Wonka excited. They also reportedly have an ATM if you need on). You can overnight at the motel if you wish, but most folks make do with the very pleasant and free hiker pavillion, a few blocks away.

9--Most hikers get off the Trail at Lehigh Gap (just over 40 miles from Port Clinton) and go into either Palmerton and Slatington, with Palmerton being more popular. If the "Police Station" hostel is still open, please make sure and obey all their posted regulations; this, along with the church hostels in Damascus and Vernon, J, are the most "threatened" hostels on the Trail, due to abuse by hiker guests.

10--Five miles later, from Little Gap, one can walk a mile and a half to a small market in Danielsville.

11--Many folks go into Wind Gap (PA33); this is about 61 miles from Port Clinton. There are all sorts of services here, but be prepared to walk a bit as most of them are quite far from the Trail. Be aware that you're less than 16 miles to Delaware Water Gap from here, but this is a rocky mean little stretch; it might take you a bit longer than you'd thought.

12--Not much in Delaware Water Gap, but there's a great church hostel. For shopping, there's a convenience store, a very nice bakery, and a small outfitter. Most folks go into Stroudsburg, a good-sized town with all major services. The small outfitter runs a cheap (and sometimes unreliably scheduled) van shuttle to Stroudsburg; there will also reportedly be real bus service connecting the two towns this year.

13--You should probably try and bring at least two or three days worth of food out of DWG, tho you'll be pleasantly surprised at shopping/re-supply options in New Jersey and New York.

*The Mohican Center, about 10 miles north of DWG, is a great place to stay and has sandwhiches and snacks.

*There are restaurants and convenience stores within walking distance of Culver's Gap, 28 miles from DWG.

*From NJ23 (42.5m from DWG), one can hitch 4 miles to Port Jervis, NY, which has restaurants, motels, and a supermarket.

*52 miles from DWG, the trail zigzags into New York before returning to New Jersey; Unionville NY has a very friendly deli/market and an extremely friendly Post Office.

*12 miles later, from NJ94, one can easily hitch into Vernon, which has a great church hostel, a picnic pavillion you can sleep in, several restaurants, and a large supermarket.

*If you want, one can get to small markets in Greenwood Lake, Bellvale, or Warwick, NY (From the NY17A crossing, 15 miles past Vernon). However, I usually bring enough from Vernon so I don't have to stop again so soon.

*One can get a maildrop in Bear Mountain, NY but the Post Office in Fort Montgomery, just under a mile away, is probably more reliable. Plus, there are restaurants and a small market there.

*Just after Bear Mt. one can hitch into Peekskill, a large town with multiple services.

*.4 east at NY52 is the very friendly Mountain Top market.

*At NY55, one can hitch left to large supermarkets and a few restaurants

*From County Road20/West Dover Rd, one can hitch to Pawling, New York, which has markets, restaurants, and a free place to tent.

*At NY 22, you can walk half a mile to a deli.

*At Hoyt Rd. (Wingdale NY) there are restaurants and a grocery.

*At Bull's Bridge Rd, just off the Trail, is a very friendly small market.

*Kent, Connecticut offers all major hiker services with the exception of inexpensive lodging. You're also about to enter serious mosquito country, so don't forget to pick up some Deet.

In terms of mileage and travel time, it generally takes me around 17 days to get to Delaware Water Gap from Harpers Ferry, and this includes at least one zero day in Duncannon. DWG to Kent takes 10-11 days.

[Jack Tarlin]

Re-Supply Information---Part 4

By Jack Tarlin, last updated 28 Feb 2005

KENT, CT. TO HANOVER, NH.

1--Leaving Kent, it's possible to leave the Trail and re-supply in Cornwall Bridge (11 miles past Kent); there's also a market in Shaorn about 4.6 miles west of the crossing at the West Cornwall Rd. However, I've always found it easier to pack 2-3 days of food out of Kent and re-supply at the excellent market in Salisbury, which is less than half a mile from the Trail 32.7 miles North of Kent.

2--Salisbury is small, with limited services, but there's an excellent (if somewhat pricey) supermarket; if your budget permits, check out the deli/prepared foods section which has some amazing stuff. There's also a pharmacy, ice cream shop, great coffee shop, bank with ATM, and fuel available at the Auto Shop if you didn't bring enough from Kent.

3--You have several options after Salisbury: About 15 miles past Salisbury, at MA41, there's a convenience store about a mile to your left.

*From the trail crossing at Rt.7, about 40 miles from Salisbury, one can go 3m to Great Barrington (motels, restaurants, market). There's also a small market about 3m to your right in the town of Sheffield. Very limited re-supply is available from a friendly farmstand a few yards from the trail crossing. If you need an Outfitter, there's one just 2 miles to your left; it also holds hiker mail.

*At MA23, there's a hiker hostel that holds mail. I've never stayed there, and it does not enjoy a reputation for friendliness.

*Tyringham MA. has a Post Office and not much else.

*From US20 one can hitch (not always an easy one) about 5m to the left to Lee, which has a motel, restaurants, and a large supermarket. Lee is about 50 miles from Salisbury.

4--Dalton MA is 19 miles past Lee, and the miles from Upper Goose Pond to Dalton are very easy ones; big mileage here is a snap. There's a small market in Dalton as well as a convenience store just yards off the Trail. There are also several very friendly locals who take in hikers; if you stay with them, please follow all house rules and respect that you're in a residential area, so behave accordingly, especially as regards noise, alcohol, etc. If you elect to skip Great Barrington, Sheffield, or Lee, it's about 70 miles from Salisbury to Dalton; bring 4-5 days worth of supplies.

5--You won't need much leaving Dalton; 9.3 miles later in Cheshire, you'll go close to a market and right past the Post office.

6--13.8 miles from Cheshire, you'll come to MA2. The large town of North Adams, with all sorts of services, is a few miles to your right. Williamstown, a very pleasant college town, is an equal distance to your left.
Lodging (motels) are cheaper in North Adams; it's possible to stay for free behind the excellent Outfitter in Williamstown if you get permission first. The best local supermarket is the enormous Super Stop 'N Shop, about half a mile to the west of the Trailhead going towards Williamstown. Williamstown has all sorts of other facilities.....a great coffee shop, a very friendly pub, several good restaurants, an excellent public library. This is a nice place to take some time off. Note: Avoid sending too much food, or purchasing too much, in either Dalton or Cheshire. This will keep you from hauling too large a foodbag up Mt. Greylock, a healthy climb on a hot day. You're much better off to pack only what you need, and re-supply after Greylock at the Stop 'N Shop.

7--Unless you plan to get off the Trail at VT9 and go into Bennington (18.4 miles from Rt2), you'll need to pack 4-5 days of supplies from North Adams/Williamstown. This will last you the 58.5 miles to VT 11/30 and the easy hitch to nearby Manchester Center.
Manchester Center is a great Trail town; only the Post Office is somewhat out of the way. Re-Supply options are excellent, and the town has all major services except for a decent selection of affordable lodging. There's a big supermarket and two excellent outfitters. The folks at the Eastern Mountain Sports shop in the center of town might have leads or info on cheap alternative lodging; also, look on the bulletin board at the laundromat across the street. Every year, there are locals who enjoy taking in hikers.
Note: A good time/money-saving plan for Manchester is to stay at the very nice Spruce Peak Shelter, an easy 2.5 miles south of the trail crossing, then hitch into town the morning and do your town stuff. You can stay either at the new Bromley shelter or on top of Bromley Mtn. itself (bring water!). If you leave town at dusk, there's a good campsire with water about a mile north of the Rt 11/30 trailhead. If you get out of town earlier, the top of Baker Peak is a very cool place to camp.

8--It's around 96 miles from Manchester Center to Hanover. This will take you about six days. I've frequently done it without further re-supply after leaving Manchester, but if you want to make it easier for yourself, you have several options:

*There's a market about 3.5m west of the Danby-Landgrove Rd., 18 miles past Manchester.

*2.8m west of the VT140 crossing, about 26 miles from Manchester, there's a small market in Wallingford.

*1 mile west of the VT103 crossing, Clarendon has a small market.

*At US4/Sherburne Pass, you can hitch 8.6 miles to the left, to the large town of Rutland, that has extensive services. Killington, with limited services, is 2.2 miles to the east, tho if you're going into Killlington, you should wait til you get to VT100 so you'll only have about .7 to walk. The Inn at Long Trail, near the Rt4 crossing is a great place to eat or overnight; the bar, in particular is unique and a lot of fun.

*From Vt12, one can easily hitch into Woodstock

*A few miles later, one can hitch into South Pomfret from the Woodstock Stage Road.

*You'll walk right past a very friendly market/deli in West Hartford, in case you need anything for the last few miles of Vermont.

*There's a large general store near the Trail in the center of Norwich, but you're better off to wait until you get to Hanover to buy food.

It will take you 10-12 Days to go from the MA/VT border to Hanover, (150 miles) but if you have the time, try and slow down and enjoy it. There are many fine views, great places to camp, and lots of places to swim. Try not to rush Vermont; many folks consider this section one of their favorites on the whole Trail, and later wish they'd spent more time enjoying it.

END OF PART FOUR

[smokedog]

I'm walking Pearisburg to Harpers Ferry in May. Lot's of great info here. Thanks a lot.

[Jack Tarlin]

There's at least one significant typo in Part Four: There's about 150 miles of Vermont you'll have to hike, which will take most folks 10-12 days. My comment that it takes 10-12 miles to hike from the Mass. border to Hanover might have been wishful thinking, but it sure ain't correct! (Note to Troll: Please correct this if and when you shift this article to the "information" section of the website. Thanks!)

[ed bell]

Another thank-you Jack. Very nice of you to take the time for this. I'm sure that not worrying about re-supply specifics or uncertainties helps one enjoy the hiking parts much more.

[plodder]

Ditto. Mercy Buckets. I got books, but somehow it works for my mind in this format.

[MedicineMan]

not only good for thru-hikers but us section hikers as well.

[SGT Rock]

I agree, Jack's info is very good for anyone, just print off the section you need and stick it in a Databook as a placemarker, with that you have about all you need.

[Mags]

Wow...it is for info like this that makes Whiteblaze such a great resource for the AT. Reading the info brings back some good memories and makes Springer Fever harder to ignore. :)

(Hey my 300th post..woo hoo!)

[yappy]

Hey, thanks for all the interesting info.... :)

[ARambler]

I was slightly disappointed that the small store in Pine Grove Furnace was closed on weekdays before Memorial Day. This does not affect many NOBOs but could catch some SOBOs after Labor Day. The Cheese Steak at PA 34 was a good substitute for the 1/2 gal challenge.

[Jack Tarlin]

Re-Supply Information---Part 5

By Jack Tarlin, last updated 1 Mar 2005

HANOVER, NH TO KATAHDIN:

1--Hanover is a great trail town, tho I'm admittedly biased: I live there. But it's a great stop for hikers regardless of which direction they're going; the town has everything you need, with two omissions: There's no cheap, convenient lodging, and the Outfitter is out of town. Other that that, tho, it's a great Trail town.
For Food Re-Supply, the Co-op Food Store (which you'll pass directly by as you leave town) is one of the Trail's best supermarkets, especially if you like to eat healthy. There are also two convenience stores: Foodstop is open 24 hours, which is useful if you're leaving town early in the morning. Stinson's on Allen St. has great sandwhiches, and the best selection of tobacco and beer in town.
For lodging, there are several moderately priced motels, but they're way out of town (see your Handbook or Thru-Hiker's Companion for details). The Hanover Inn is lovely is someone else is paying.
For gear, Omer and Bob's sporting goods on Allen St. has footwear, some clothing and some accessories. They'll also, at my suggestion, hopefully be carrying fuel by the ounce this summer; otherwise, you'll have to go to the Hardware store.
New this summer will be a new fishing/outdoor store, the Lyme Angler, which is expanding its present business and re-locating a few doors down from the Ben and Jerry's store on Lebanon St (which is also the A.T.) The store might also be carrying some articles of interest to hikers, but it's primarily a yuppie-type fishing store and not an outfitter.
If you need a real outfitter's, you can catch the free town shuttle bus (from in front of the bookstore) and go to the Powerhose Mall in nearby West Lebanon, where there's both an Eastern Mountain Sports and an L.L.Bean.
Other services in town include a great new bookstore, a great used bookstore, a new CVS pharmacy (which also has some snack foods), a hot tub place, banks, doctors, veterinarians, and all sorts of small retail shops. Unfortunately, the only "real " do-it-yourself laundromat is a bit out of town, tho there is place that will wash and fold your laundry for you, but it's expensive. Hikers can probably talk the folks at the Dartmough gym into letting them grab a shower if they leave their ID at the front desk.
You have all sorts of dining options: Five Olde Nugget Alley has great food and is one of the three great saloons of the Trail. Hikers are welcome just as they are in the front bar-room, and many folks walk in fresh off the Trail wearing their packs, but my neighbor and good friend James, who runs the back dining room has asked me to ask you guys to de-stenchify a bit if you're going to sit back there.
There are all sorts of other restaurants; the ethnic ones tend to be over-priced except for India Queen, which is very friendly and has good food.
Best pizza is Ramunto's. Best food overall, if money is no object, is Cafe Buon Gustaio if it's still open (they're losing their lease) or the Canoe Club, which has great food and entertainment nightly. (The floor manager, a former thru-hiker, hopes to see lots of hikers this summer, but again, remember this is a nice place, so please and try to clean up a bit!) Best breakfast is still Lou's, and it's still overpriced. EBA's has a GREAT Sunday brunch, but that's the only time I'd eat there. Alternative breakfast ideas are the Bagel Basement or the Dirt Cowboy Cafe, which has the best coffee on the entire Trail (they roast their own beans) and wonderful baked goods. For lunch, Five-Olde has great sandwiches and burgers. The Wrap, a new place on Main St., has great burritos. There are all sorts of other options for something light or to take-out.
For Internet users, there are public access machines all over campus, including Robinson Hall, the Dartmouth Outing Club building; also, the Public Library, just off of Main St., is extremely friendly.
Lastly, for lodging, DON'T stealth camp on or near campus, including Robinson Hall. Instead, if you don't luck out and find a local who lets you crash or tent in his yeard, you can walk all the way thru town, and about .4 from Main St., you'll go by a socer field near the Co-op Food Store. Immediately after you leave the field and enter the woods, there are tentsites you can use, off the Trail to your left. A few caveats: Don't party here, as it's close to houses, and don't leave your stuff up all day unattended as this is a high-use area and folks might take your stuff or think you abandoned it. (And don't camp ON the soccer field unless you want a visit from the police).
Finally, Hanover is a good place to be if you need to get off the Trail, or if someone is going to meet you: Amtrak service is available in nearby White River Junction, VT; and there's regular bus service (Vermont Transit) to Boston, Manchester (both city and airport), and all points South. Come to think of it, there's service North, too. The bus stops in from of the Hanover Inn; they probably have schedules there as well or you can go on-line.
Important Note: You'll be going above treeline in the White Mountains just a few days after leaving Hanover; make sure you get your warm weather gear back (or buy some) either here, or have it shipped at the latest to the next town, Glencliff. Glencliff is 3-4 days North of Hanover for most folks; keep this in mind in case your warm clothes are being sent to the Post Office; make sure you arrive on a day that the P.O. is office. It might be wiser to send your mail to the nearby hiker hostel in Glencliff instead.

2--It is possible to lightly re-supply before Glencliff, in Lyme Center, Lyme, or Wentworth, but I never do. It's easier just to pack what I need from Hanover.

3--In Glencliff, I'd try and stay at the excellent hiker hostel there. From Glencliff, you can shuttle or hitch a ride to nearby Warren, which has a small market.

4--I suggest re-supplying in North Woodstock, unless you want to carry a REALLY big load out of Glencliff. The market in North Woodstock is adequate for re-supply; if you need a real supermarket or an outfitter, you can hitch or road-walk (a long one) to Lincoln.

5--In the White Mountains, you'll probably score a few cheap meals from the Appalachian Mountain Club Hut cabins, especially if you take advantage of their work-for-stay option. However, and this is important, don't assume this will happen; DO NOT enter the Whites with only a few days of food, and do not take for granted you'll be living off of the Huts.

6--I do NOT suggest you use the Post Office on the summit of Mt. Washinton as a maildrop location; over the years, it has had erratic operating times and even more erratic staffing.

7--The store in the Pinkham Notch AMC center has very limited re-supply, but you can probably get enough to get you the 20-odd miles to Gorham. You might also catch a meal from the dining room there. It's possible to hitch from Pinkham to North Conway which has all sorts of services, but most folks wait until Gorham. (If you need Gorham's services right away for any reason, you can easily hitch from Pinkham to Gorham, and then hitch back to hike the section you skipped).

8--Gorham is a great Trail town, but again, it's all spread out. Excellent shopping services, including a Wal-Mart and large supermarket, but be prepared to walk or hitch there. Other services include many restaurants and several outfitters. For lodging, while Gorham was once a great hostel town, I'd now recommend one of the motels on Rt2/Main St., which aren't a bad deal if you split them between a few hikers. Note: This is the last place close to the Trail with a decent outfitter; if you have shoe or gear issues at this point, I'd take care of them NOW.

Note: It generally takes me 12-13 days to hike from Hanover to Gorham. If you consider that it takes 3 days to get to Glencliff, this means that you'll be in the high country for about nine days. Make sure you bring enough food, but don't over-do it. If the weather is good, you'll make better progress than you think. Your longest stretch beetween re-supplies will be between North Woodstock and Pinkham. For most folks 5 days should do it, as you will most likely be getting some food from the AMC Huts.

Note #2: You'll be entering Maine in a day. Count on 22-26 days for the rest of your trip, depending on weather and how much time off you take, with 24-25 being about right for most folks. Keep this in mind, especially if folks are coming up to meet you or pick you up at Trail's end.

9--Maine re-supply points are few and far between, especially when you consider that there's more than 280 miles of Trail in Maine. Make sure you've got everything you need when you leave a Maine town, because if you forget something important, you'll likely be without it for quite awhile. I always find it helpful to make a "To Do" or a To Buy" list the night BEFORE I arrive in town; this makes it much less likely that I'll forget something important.
Also, if you're one of those folks who likes to pack 8-10 days worth of food because you either prefer to avoid towns, or you think this will save you time and money by omitting a bunch of town stops, DO NOT do this in Maine. Especially in the first half of Maine, this is not terrain that you'll want to carry nine days of food thru. I've done it, and regretted it.

It is opossible to hitch and re-supply in Bethel (about 31 miles from Gorham; you'd hitch in from Grafton Notch). Most folks keep going.

10--Andover is an easy hitch from the Trail. For a small town,,one has a lot of lodging options. Pine Ellis B&B is a very restful spot and has been taking in hikers for many years. The Andover Guest House in the center of town is friendly, conveniently located, but tends to get a younger and louder crowd. And outside of town is the Cabin, a hostel that has become extremely popular in recent years (most folks stay more than one day).
There are two grocery stores that are OK, but not fantastic. You might want to send a small maildrop here if you have favorite foods, or things you'd not likely find in a small-town grocery. Many hikers make up a small maildrop when they're in Hanover, and send it to Andover. The distance from Gorham to Andover is less than 45 miles, but don't let this fool you; I'd bring 4-5 days worth of food from Gorham; you can get by with one day less if you're planning to go to Bethel (or Andover) from the Grafton Notch road crossing.

11--Pay attention to your travel plans before you leave Andover: If you plan to re-supply in Rangeley, it's 37m from Andover; you'll most likely come to the Rt4 crossing towards the end of the 3rd day; if you are NOT planning on going into Rangeley, then it's 69 miles between Andover and Stratton (or 32m between Rangely and Stratton). It will take you 2-3 days to get from Stratton from the Rangeley crossing, so if you don't go into Rangeley (and you probably should, it's a nice little town), you shoud bring 5-6 days of food when you leave Andover. There are no other resupply options here.
As far as re-supply, there's a brand new large supermarket just out of Rangeley center; there are also several nice restaurants, and a wonderful book store. Gull Pond Lodge, which I visited for the first time in 2004 is a very nice place if you decide to overnight; otherwise, you might want to re-supply in town and then hike 1.7m North to the Piazza Rock campsite.
In Stratton, the market is fine but not as big. Best food/lodging option is the White Wolf Inn, tho all of the other places that take in hikers have good reputations.

12--It's only about 40 milesfrom Stratton to Caratunk, but this can be a very solid section. Cound on coming in to Caratunk on the third day.
Note: If you're using an old guide book, keep in mind that the Caratunk general store has CLOSED. It is possible, (and suggested!) that you roadwalk less than a mile up the road, and re-supply at Rivers and Trails, which has a camp store with adequate re-supply for the easy 37-odd miles to Monson. (bring 3 days). Rivers and Trails also offers cabins and campsites, and sometimes there's a work-stay option. Proprietor Steve Longley, a legendary Trail figure, is a wonderful host. Fancier and more expensive lodging is available a bit further up Rt201.

13--Monson, ME is your last Trail town. You can send a maildrop to the Post Office, but it's better just to send it to Shaw's Boarding House, which is where you'll most likely be staying anyway. At least you will if you've any sense; this is a VERY famous place on the Trail, and the Shaw's hospitality has been enjoyed by thousands of hikers over the years.
Note: There is effectively only ONE place to re-supply (by mail) after you leave Monson, so plan your next week wisely. If you plan to get mail at White House Landing, leave Monson with 4-5 days worth of food; if you plan to hike straight thru the 100-Mile Wilderness (as it is still called), bring 6-7.
There's a small market in Monson, or Keith Shaw Jr. will shuttle you to a a real supermarket in a nearby town. Keith also has fuel and many hiker essentials and accessories for sale, such as socks, water treatment stuff, repair kits, etc.
Other Monson services are fairly limited, tho the pizza at the gas station/convenience store is actually pretty good; the Bar-B-Q place is great; the folks at the small library are very friendly. There's not much here in retrospect, but it's a great place to get a bit of rest before finishing your trip, or if you're heading South, it's a great spot to have as your first Trail town.

14--Abol Bridge. Unless you hitch into Millinocket before going into Baxter to summit Katahdin, the camp store at Abol Bridge is your absolute LAST place to buy groceries. Note the word BUY. Do not send maildrops here ot to the Park Ranger's Office as they will most likely not be accepted. I suggest you bring along an extra day's rations from Abol Bridge, just in case you have to kill a day in Baxter because of bad weather. Note: There is nowhere to get supplies of any kind once you're in the Park, so it's wise to bring along a few extra meals and snacks; don't forget to include meals or treats for your summit day as well.
In terms of scheduling plans, in all likelihood, you'll be summitting Katahdin 7-9 days after you leave Monson.
When you leave the Park, if you're not driving directly towards home, nearby Millinocket has all sorts of services, including many restaurants and differently-priced lodging options.

* * *

And now you're done! Congratulations and best of luck with your next adventure, and I hope that used in conjunction with one of the standard thru-hiking guidebooks, that the information above proves useful, and hopefully, that it's accurate as well.


--Jack Tarlin
Hanover NH
1 March 2005

[A-Train]

Nice Info Jack. Thought I might mention to keep in mind that while traversing New England one should keep in mind the fees that are charged at some of the shelters/campsites. This is important when planning and budgeting money through these sections. Your guidebook or handbook will notify you of which sites are pay sites and which are not. The Whites and Mahoosuc Sites should still be 8 dollars a night.
The GMC is implementing a new system this summer to try a change and to hopefully lose less money than they normally do with long distance backpackers. The sites are only 5 dollars instead of 6 and a you only need to pay for one site. After that you can use your ticket/receipt to stay at others for free during your time in vermont.
Just keep it in mind.

[rocket04]

Many thanks to Jack for taking the time to provide everyone with valuable info.

[Jack Lincoln]

Jack

Sometimes folks deserve a good round of applause for their service to their fellowman. You are that person. Thanks!


Clap, clap, clap!

I will buy the first round when we meet...


Jack Lincoln

[hikerjohnd]

Only someone who thruly loves the trail and is interesed in the success of fellow hikers would have taken the time to put a guide like this together! I have already cut and pasted the sections into Word and printed each section on a single page (front and back) and put them in with my maps/maildrops.

Thank you so much! I hope we meet while I'm out on the trail this year! :cool:

[Freighttrain]

Thanks B-Jack

[Jack Tarlin]

Many thanx for the kind words.....boy, when Blue Jay and Jack Lincoln have something complimentary to say about me, you know I can't have messed up too significantly!!

In any case, I hope you 2005 people find this stuff helpful; also, I'm hoping that at some point Troll can take the five parts and put 'em all together into one piece, and put a complete version in Whiteblaze's "Information" section so it's available for easy reference.

Signing off for now, off to Pennsylvania, then points south and west. I hope to see some of you on the Trail at some point this year, but I can't say when or where. To Troll and Rock, thanx again for taking the trouble to maintain such a great website, and to the 2005 folks, best of luck on the Trail this year, and make sure you let us all know at some point how things turned out.

On another recent thread, someone asked people to answer "Why do You contribute to Whiteblaze?"

I never answered, so here it is: I come here to learn new things, and to help folks new to the Trail to learn some things that might help them out. I come to stay in touch with old Trail friends, and in the process, I've made some new ones. I come here because I was helped a long time ago by a lot of very good people, and spending time here is a way of paying off that debt.

But mostly I come here because long-distance hiking, and getting involved with the A.T. community has greatly enriched my life, and if I can help someone, even in a small way, to plan and have a better or more positive trip, then this is something I'm very happy to do.

I hope everyone here has a great spring and summer and I'll catch up with you guys somewere down the line.

[attroll]

I just put it all togehter and posted it under the INFORMATION link in the navagation bar:

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/articlesresupply2005.php

[TJ aka Teej]

The Philosopher's Guide is at last reborn in Baltimore Jack's Re-Supply Information. Well done, Jack. Thank you!

[Nightwalker]

I just put it all togehter and posted it under the INFORMATION link in the navagation bar:

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/articlesresupply2005.php
And I put it together as a txt file and a doc file, in case anybody wants it that way for easier printing.

[DLANOIE]

super useful my friend. thanx alot for all of that super useful information.

just one question- if you dont mind me asking what your budget was on your thru because it sounds to me like you may have spent alot of nights at the intown hostels. Coming from one who is planning a thru,SOBO, is it also feasabe to spend most nights at a shelter or tent? thanx again for taking the time and volunteering your experience on the trail!

[rickb]

"For lodging, while Gorham was once a great hostel town..."

What's up?

"The Barn" might have new owners but isn't it still open? And isn't Bruno J.'s "Hiker's Paradise" still going strong? That's the one that most hikers stayed at anyway, right?

Rick B

[minnesotasmith]

Thank you, Jack. Your contributions to this thread are IMO well worth adding to the "Information" section. Mods?

[Footslogger]

"The Barn" might have new owners but isn't it still open? And isn't Bruno J.'s "Hiker's Paradise" still going strong? That's the one that most hikers stayed at anyway, right?
=================================
They were both open in 2003. Need an update from some 2004 thrus ...

'Slogger

[foodbag]

Kudos Jack, hope to bump into you this year somewhere along the line. BTW, I enjoyed the great meal you made at Kincorra in 1999; whatta salad! Do you still kick everyone's butt in Trivial Pursuit?

(Back on the trail in May for the first time in 6 years to pick up where my feet made me leave off in '99. Looking forward to meeting many of this year's crop of hikers. Don't anyone tell my mom that I quit another job to go walking in the woods again. Woohoo!) :banana

[rocket04]

The Barn" might have new owners but isn't it still open? And isn't Bruno J.'s "Hiker's Paradise" still going strong? That's the one that most hikers stayed at anyway, right?
=================================
They were both open in 2003. Need an update from some 2004 thrus ...

'Slogger They were both open when I went through in '04. I stayed at the Barn.

[Jack Tarlin]

Rick:

Both the Barn and Hiker's Paradise hostels will be open in Gorham in 2005 as far as I know; I never said otherwise.

I never stated or mentioned that they weren't going to be open; I merely said that Gorham USED to be a great hostel town. By this I meant that at one point there were GREAT hiker hostels there.

There are still hostels there, and will be for the 2005 hiking season.

The prudent and intelligent reader will have no problem discerning what I am attempting to tactfully say about Gorham hostels at present.

But like so much here at Whiteblaze, this is merely one person's opinion.

[Flash Hand]

Balitmore Jack


Many thanks! I am printing those information you installed in whiteblaze so I can have some enjoy bedtime reading. I will find it worth the time to read. I apprecriate your another contribution to this whiteblaze again. Hope to see you again on the trail!

Flash Hand :jump

[rickb]

Jack, you have forgotten more about these places than I ever knew, and I would have killed for your list. Its a great service!

What surprised me about Gorham was that you used to rave about the Barn as being one of the best hostels on the whole Trail, up until last season. I'm not sure what kind of experience you had with the new owner, but I was dissapointed to hear your report. At least they are still open, so they might get better in thier second season.

As an aside, I think the "Northern Peaks Hotel" sold at auction for almost nothing. Something like $100K. Doh! It was about the cheapest hotel in town, but was getting refurbished last fall so that might change.

[Jack Tarlin]

Rick:

Thanx for the kind words about the article!

As far as my Gorham comments, I was deliberately sort of cryptic as my whole focus in the Re-Supply article was to accentuate the positive, and to NOT go out of my way to speak poorly of anyone or any place. And believe me, I could have: Are there places on the Trail that I don't think hikers should go anywhere near? Absolutely. Places that should be shunned? Absolutely. Places that ought to close? Yes, there are a few.

But happily, there aren't many of these places....they either don't last long, or by the time people get there, they've heard all about them. The "trail telephone" is pretty effective.

That being said, you're right. I used to rave about The Barn in Gorham. It was, for many years, a legendary place. Paul, Maggie, Scavenger, and Lilly were simply great folks to be around, and it was a very cool place.

I feel that the atmosphere has changed there somewhat with their absence, and while I think the new ownership had to be a little firm in their first year of operation (the old Barn used to have something of a reputation for a late-night kinda place), many hikers last year said it was a bit TOO restrictive in terms of rules, regulations, etc. For these reasons, I think that at present, if I were to be thru-hiking thru Gorham again, I'd probably elect to split a motel room with a few other folks. It'd be quieter, not much more expensive, closer to restaurants and services, and relatively un-restricted. This should NOT be taken as an admonishment re. staying there nor is it a harsh criticism of new management/ownership......I still think the Barn is a pretty cool place. But for me, it's not the place it once was, and I doubt I'll be staying there again.

In re. to Gorham motels, there are several that have comparable facilities/prices. Perhaps some Whiteblaze folks who've stayed in some of them recently can provide comments and descriptions.

[Roland]

~

In re. to Gorham motels, there are several that have comparable facilities/prices. Perhaps some Whiteblaze folks who've stayed in some of them recently can provide comments and descriptions.
Jack,

I'm on my way out the door at the moment, but I will provide an overview of services available in Gorham, later this weekend.

Roland

[jags]

A wealth of information in that article.
Thanks a million.

Jags

[gregkandis]

If you're like me, and prepare all your own meals, then you cannot count on a mail drop at the Landing. The 2005 Companion did not list an addess for them - so I called today and was told - no mail drops, but they do have re-supply for sale based on what they think all hikers need.

[tiamalle]

Re-Supply Information---Part 1


By Jack Tarlin, last updated 25 Feb 2005

A few comments about the information below: The purpose here is to provide some sugestions and possibilities for prospective thru-hikers. This article is NOT supposed to be a blue-print, framework, or manual for anyone's hike. There is no one "right" way to hike the A.T.; no one "right" way to plan your itinerary or schedule; no one "right" way to re-supply. More than 7,000 men and women have hiked the entire A.T., and no two have done it the same way. It would be presumptuous in the extreme for anyone to claim that there's only one correct way to plan or hike your trip. There isn't.

So this isn't a blueprint. It isn't meant to be rigidly adhered to, and no one is suggesting that one deviates from this guide at their peril. On the contrary, people have to find out for themselves what works for THEM. This information is merely what has worked for ME.

Nearly all businesses or service providers named are known to me personally: I've either visited them, patronized them, or both. On the occasions where I do NOT have personal, firsthand knowledge of, or experience with a place, but merely know what I've heard from others, I will make this clear. But by and large, these are businesses, facilities, and places that I know well.

In no cases have I been compensated or paid for providing favorable commentary about any business; on the very rare occasions where I omit a service provider or do not give a glowing reference or recommendation, this is based on personal experience. However, it should be pointed out that everyone has different perceptions of different places, so try and keep an open mind. Merely because I don't mention a particular place doesn't necessarily mean there's anything wrong with it. Also, there are dozens and dozens of facilities that cater to hikers or that hikers can avail themselves of, there are new ones every year, and there are places I've never seen or patronized. It is inevitable that I'm going to leave some places and businessses out of this article, and it should not be inferred that doing this is deliberate, or intended to steer folks away from anywhere. It would be plainly impossible to list every business or facility on or near the A.T., and I lack the time or the desire to do so.

Hikers should know that the information below is being published in late February 2005. Many folks will be hiking this year til October or November, and even longer if going Southbound. This means that some of this information will be close to a year old by the time people encounter certain businesses and service providers.

Hikers should be aware that in the course of a calendar year, there are always changes on the Trail: New places open. Places that have serviced hikers for years suddenly decide to close. Busines places that once catered to hikers now decide to concern their business to a diferent clientele. Prices for goods and services change frequently, and very seldom do they go down. Hikers using the below information to help plan their trip need to be aware of all this.

This article is as accurate as I could make it as of its writing and publication, but neither the author nor any website that re-prints any or all of this information can be help responsible if businesses or service providers aren't what you expect when you arive there. The Trail changes, and the prudent hiker knows this, and is always capable of keeping some flexibility and will change their plans or their itinerary based on what circumstances demand.

Finally, hikers planning to re-supply by mail should do careful research: If a published guidebook tells you that a particular place receives or holds hiker mail, or is open thru a particular date, then this is probably reliable information. But if you've any doubts, especially as regards the holding of mail, or if you're hiking late in the season, it's wise to call and confirm BEFORE your mail is sent. A few phone calls or E-Mails ahead of time can save a lot of grief later on.

If this information proves useful to anyone in 2005, I'd be delighted to hear about it. Likewise, if anyone feels there are significant mistakes or omissions here, I'd like to hear about that, too, so these lapses and errors can be noted, in order to improve future versions of this article.

Distances and hiking times between re-supply points are based on my own personal experiences and my observation of others. Most of my hikes lasted about 180 days. Hikers planning longer or shorter trips will of course need to adjust their scheduling and re-supply accordingly. It is always suggested that hikers carry a small "emergency" food supply on every leg of their trip, in case a planned three or four day section turns out to take a bit longer than they expected.


* * *

PART ONE: SPRINGER MT. TO DAMASCUS, VA.

1--I generally leave Springer with 3-4 days worth of food/supplies, which is sufficient to get from there to Neels Gap, which is now 30.5 miles from Springer's summit. If you are planning to hike the approach trail from Amicalola Falls State Park, you'll need to bring a day's extra. Likewise, if you're out of shape or anticipate a really slow start, you might wish to bring extra food. But in most cases, 3-4 days worth should be sufficient.

2--It is possible to go into Suches from Woody Gap (19.9 miles from Springer) but it is entirely unnecessary for most folks. The Walasi-Yi Center in Neel's Gap is a great facility run by fine folks. You can send a small maildrop here if you wish (there's a small fee for holding mail), or you can buy what you need from their excellent food selection, which is geared specifically towards thru-hikers. This is also a great place to field-strip your pack and examine everything you're carrying in case you wish to send home stuff you've discovered you don't need. There is also an excellent outfitter shop here if you need to add or replace gear. Lodging is available at Neels; there are other nearby options. If you need to get to a real town, shuttle service to Blairsville, Dahlonega, or Hiawassee is available. Neels is 36.5 miles to Dick's Creek, the road crossing for Hiawasee. You'll need 3-4 days worth of food to get there, depending on what time of day you leave Neels and how far you go on the first day.

3--Some hikers go into Helen from Unicoi Gap (20 miles from Neels); I very seldom do as I don't much care for the town. If you MUST get off the Trail here for supplies, weather, or anything else, it's probably cheaper to go into Hiawasee instead.

4--Getting into Hiawassee from Dick's Creek Gap is easy; DON'T get brow-beaten into paying for your ride in (every year a few shifty locals hang out there and only tell you AFTER you're in the car that they expect to be paid for the ride!) It's a good Trail town with different services for different budgets (motels, etc.). Most of the motels accept hiker mail, but check first.
It's 39.7 miles from Dick's Creek to Winding Stair Gap (the road crossing for Franklin); 3-4 days worth of food should be sufficient.

5--Most hikers will need to re-supply in Franklin in 2005. (Hikers with older Guidebooks should be aware that Rainbow Springs Campground, where hikers resupplied for many years, is now closed). Franklin is a good Trail town with a variety of lodging places and restaurants; there's also a K-Mart in town and a Wal-Mart a little further out. Hikers NOT planning to go into Franklin wil need to pack extra food from Hiawassee (an extra 2-3 days worth for most folks). Your next re-supply point is less than 30 miles past Franklin, so you won't need to carry too much.

6--The Nantahala Outdoor center, known universally as the NOC, is directly on the Trail. Lodging and laundry facilities are available, as well as several restaurants. There is limited food-resupply here; a small maildrop might not be a bad idea, tho you won't need much as Fontana Dam is only 28 miles down the Trail. Note: Unlike most places that keep hiker mail in a back room or other secured area, hiker mail at the NOC is merely stacked alphabetically on the second floor back stairway. Because of the "public" access to mail, this is probably NOT a good place to send such things as money, a new credit card, vital medications,etc. Also, there's a small hiker mailbox hanging on the wall near the mail parcels; make sure you go upstairs and go thru the box if you're expecting something; a lot of folks seem to forget to check this each year.

7--Fontana Dam is one of the few places on the Trail where it makes sense to send a food parcel. You will absolutely need some sort of re-supply here before entering Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and while there's a small store in Fontana Village, the selection is lousy, over-priced, and unreliable, especially if you arrive late in the day after hordes of other starving hikers have pillaged it. How much food you buy here or have sent depends on whether you plan to hike straight thru the Park, or re-supply in Gatlinburg. If you plan to hike straight thru, you'll need 6-7 days worth of food; if you're going to Gatlinburg, bring 3-4. (Another alternative to a maildrop is to stay with the very nice folks at the Hike Inn Motel, who will shuttle you to nearby Robbinsville where there's a real market).

8--Hikers have a love-hate relationship with Gatlinburg. It's a pretty tacky place, but I've always found the year-rounders there to be very friendly. The folks at the Outfitter's are great; the most hiker-friendly (and cheap!) motel over the years has been the Grand Prix, just up the street from the Outfitters. There's a shuttle bus that will take you all over town, or you can just walk and people watch, which is both fun and terrifying at the same time.

9--Just outside the National Park, some hikers re-supply or stay over at Mountain Momma's. As an alternative, I suggest you stay on the Trail for a few more miles and visit Standing Bear Farm, which is a wonderful place. They have limited re-supply there, or they can shuttle you to a market. Also, they accept maildrops. You won't need much as it's only 31 miles to Hot Springs (2-3 days). Great folks, great place.

10--Hot Springs is a great, great trail town, and is one of the very few places where the Trail leaves the woods and goes directly thru a community.
There are some wonderful places to stay; Elmer's is the most popular; I usually stay with Brian and Frank at the beautiful Duckett House Inn. Both places are wonderful. There are other lodging options as well, including motels, cabins, even a campground. There are NOT a lot of services here, but the small town has everything you're likely to need: Restaurants, a pub, and one of the Trail's finest outfitters, Bluff Mountain. As far as re-supply, shop at the Outfitter's first, as they have the best selection of hiker-oriented food; you can supplement this if necessary by visiting the two small markets, but in all likelihood, you'll find everything you need at Bluff Mountain. They also have the town's one ATM and offer limited Internet service. Shuttle service to a real supermarket is available (ask Dan at the Outfitter's). This is the last good outfitter til Damascus (unless you get a ride to Johnson City, TN), so if you have gear or footwear issues, you might want to resolve them here. Try and get help from Wayne the co-owner who knows as much about gear as anyone I've met; he is particularly good if you decide to switch out to a different or smaller pack. And lastly, eat at the Bridge St. Inn if you can: wonderful people, excellent food. Your next stop is most likely Erwin, TN; pack 4-5 days worth of food, it's just under 70 miles. Hikers should probably NOT plan to resupply in Sam's Gap; it is also illegal to hitch-hike from there.

11--Erwin, tho spread out, is a great Trail town. I sugest that hikers send their mail (if any) and stay over at Miss Janet's House, in the center of town. In a few short years, this has become one of the most popular hiker hostels on the Trail, and Miss Janet's hospitality is legendary. Her place is conveniently close to downtown, so the Post Office, Library, supermarket, many restaurants, and even a movie theater are within easy walking distance.
Note: While Janet provides rides to and from the Trailhead, other shuttle rides are NOT free. One of her biggest expenses is keeping her van running, so if she shuttles you around town, or takes you to the Outfitter in Johnson City, or Wal-Mart, or especially if you stay a few days and do some slackpacking, make sure you make a contribution for fuel. Most folks don't, and Miss Janet's gasoline bills are unreal. So do your bit, and make sure others do likewise. Hikers that don't plan to stay at Janet's (or can't because it's full) can still leave their packs there while they run their town errands, and may use house services (shower/laundry) even if they're not overnighting, but if you do so, please make sure you leave a donation for these services.....her utility bills are enormous, so every little bit helps. Be aware that if her hostel is full, she usually does a shuttle around dinnertime to a nearby motel; if you plan to take a "zero day", you can usually sign up for a spot in the hostel for the following day. Have a great time, but make sure you do right by Miss Janet; her house is run on love, but it doesn't run on air. I would bring 5-6 days of supplies from Erwin.

12--Some folks re-supply in the towns of Roan Mountain or Elk Park. I generally do neither, as neither place has particularly inspired services. Instead, I continue hiking to Dennis Cove and stay at Kincora Hostel, which is simply one of the greatest places on the whole Trail. Bob and Pat Peoples, who have run Kincora since 1997, are without question two of the finest folks you'll meet on your whole trip, and you'd be crazy to miss this place. You can send mail here if you wish, but keep in mind that Bob runs a shuttle every day to a nearby large supermarket, where you can get everything you need for the 50-miles stretch from Kincora to Damascus. If you stay here, keep in mind that even tho there's a "suggested" donantion of $4.00, you should try and leave much more. First off, a lot of folks leave nothing, thinking that "donation suggested" means free. And secondly, what you get at Kincora is priceless; the services Bob and Pat provide would cost six or seven times as much at other commercial hostels, so please, give whatever you can, and if you have the time, ask Bob if there are any projects going on, either at the hostel, or more likely, on the Trail nearby, as Bob is the maintainer of this section. He's always looking for some folks who want o help out with a bit of Trail work.

13--If you miss Kincora ( and if you do, you're nuts) you can re-supply in Hampton, Tennessee. It's 50 miles from Kincora to Damascus, but you'll need no more than three days of food as this is an easy section; many folks do back-to-back twenty mile days getting into Damascus.

14--Welcome to Virginia! Damascus is a great trail town, so try to take some time off here. Lots of lodging possibilities, a few new places to eat, several good outfitters, including the legendary Mt. Rogers Outfitters, which you'll walk right by as you enter town. Resupply is available at the new supermarket just out of town; you'll also walk by two smaller markets on your way out of town in case you've forgotten anything. You'll need 5-7 days worth of food leaving town, depending on whether or not you plan to go into Troutdale. Be aware that the stretch north of Damascus is absolutley spectacular and you might want to slow down your pace a bit and enjoy it. Most thru-hikers later acknowlkedge that they wish they'd spent more time here, so some extra food on this stretch is not a bad idea.

END OF PART ONESee folks what happens when you do nice things for other people.This deserves a big round of applause for the time you took to help fellow hikers,Thanks Jack

[Jack Tarlin]

Thanx for the kind words, Ron.

I'll be updating and editing this article sometime this winter for the 2006 hikers, so I hope you'll help me out with news on changes in Franklin, new businesses that hikers should know about, business closings if any, etc. More and more hikers seem to be going into Franklin each year---and for good reason, it's a very friendly place---so if anyone has anything to add to the Franklin info, I'll happily incorporate it into the 2006 update.

[Rambler]

Wow, Jack, what a great service. I'll keep my eyes open for places, too. At the top of Statton Mt., VT, one can walk over to the chairlift and hop a free ride down into town. Along with places to stay with off season summer rates, are several options for meals, grocery store, and outgoing mail. Mail drops can be sent there c/o the Ski Patrol. There is a store that carrys backpacks and other limited gear. The Green Mountail Club publishes an annual 'end-to-ender's guide to the Long Trail. It has info on shelters and near-by places, mileage, water,etc. It costs c. $7-8 is lightweight, easily packable. (cvers Mass to Rutland, c. 100 miles of the AT/LT)

[Jack Tarlin]

For anyone who hasn't read this whole thread:

The full version of my Resupply Article for 2005 can be found in the "Artcles" section of this website, along with other extensive posts by some other folks on Maildrops; Hiking on a Budget, etc. I urge next year's hikers to check this stuff out as many folks seem to have found it useful.

Also, I will indeed be updating this article for the 2006 hiking season, and while I don't expect to change a whole lot, there will certainly be some re-writing, some additions, and some corrections. It'd be extremely useful if some folks who've hiked recently (like this past year!) took the time to read the 2005 article and pass along their comments. If I missed including something important, let me know. If you know of a new place that opened this year that should be included, let me know. And if you dis-agree with anything I've said, I'd like to know that, too. There are parts of the Trail I haven't hiked since 2003, so it'd be very useful to get feedback and comments from folks whose experience with these places and facilities is more recent than my own, so if anyone has something to add for the 2006 Re-supply update artricle, please send it along.

[tiamalle]

Thanx for the kind words, Ron.

I'll be updating and editing this article sometime this winter for the 2006 hikers, so I hope you'll help me out with news on changes in Franklin, new businesses that hikers should know about, business closings if any, etc. More and more hikers seem to be going into Franklin each year---and for good reason, it's a very friendly place---so if anyone has anything to add to the Franklin info, I'll happily incorporate it into the 2006 update.i"ll
keep in touch

[Lone Wolf]

This info is all well and good but hardly complete and unbiased. The ALDHA Companion and Thru-Hikers Handbook provide much more up-to-date and complete info on re-supply. This thread is about one person's opinions.

[Cookerhiker]

[quote=Jack Tarlin]......I'll be updating and editing this article sometime this winter for the 2006 hikers.......[quote]

Good article with many useful tips. One change you may consider incorporating concerns Stratton, Maine. The article had said "In Stratton, ..... Best food/lodging option is the White Wolf Inn, tho all of the other places that take in hikers have good reputations."

Not to deningrate the White Wolf Inn, but I'm plugging for the Stratton Motel and Hostel. Right around the time of your article, the Stratton Motel underwent management/ownership change. Don, the new owner, is very hiker-friendly. The hostel's amenities include free long-distance telephone, free high-speed internet, and the best self-service, fully-equipped kitchen of any hostel I've seen.

[Jack Tarlin]

Gosh, Wolf, thanx for the kind words. Glad you liked it.

Of course, the article is incomplete and contains personal bias. In fact, if one reads the introduction to it, I make it very clear that the material was based on my own personal experiences, and isn't intended to be a manual or blueprint. It's merely what worked for me.

And of course I realize that certain things were left out, and certain things need to be revised, which is why I'm always interested in hearing the opinions of others, especially recent hikers. Incidentally, if you see post #52 above, where I essentially acknowledged that the article is open to additions, revisions, and suggestions, I make it very clear that 1) the article is "incomplete" as it can always be improved on, and 2) that I want to hear views and opinions from others.

In other words, the article is indeed based on my experiences, but it remains a work in progress, and one that I'm always willing to revise or adapt, based on feedback and input from others, which I'm always willing to hear.

As Wolf so charmingly pointed out in his above post.

[tiamalle]

This info is all well and good but hardly complete and unbiased. The ALDHA Companion and Thru-Hikers Handbook provide much more up-to-date and complete info on re-supply. This thread is about one person's opinions.I'm not sure the way you said that but i think you like it too.Maybe before it's over we can get frosty to merly analize it
for all of us.at least from Dahlonga up to Hiawassee and back.How about it
Sweeney:-? :-? :( :( :D :jump

[Lone Wolf]

Jack's feelings are VERY easily hurt.:rolleyes: He should be more of a man like Warren.

[Burn]

jack...are ya gonna refer folks to buck's place and remind people there is a decent resupply in Roan Mt TN. ever since i have been hiking, they have always been open for business and friendly. I always found what any hiker would need at the grocery. There's a dairy dip or some kinda buger joint, subway, i forget what all. several more pricey B$B's, but hell, thruhiker's today use some of that stuff. Everyone I've talked to has used the town and even more in 05. I would suggest that you go thru the market and get whatcha want, it'sa small store and the locals need to shop too. hang out at bucks and enjoy a burger and some suds and head to kincora.

[Burn]

oh, overflow at laurel creek is acceptable, tho not 4 bucks donation.

[Lone Wolf]

Braemar Castle hostel in Hampton is great too. He doesn't mention this. Bob and Pat at Kincora ARE wonderful folks but the hostel is small and cramped and in the middle of no where.

[Burn]

agreed. see, that is another thing, i've never been there either but know folks stay there....and get what they need.

[Lone Wolf]

That's why it's essential to buy one of the handbooks that list ALL options for every town.

[Tha Wookie]

Gosh, Wolf, thanx for the kind words. Glad you liked it.

Of course, the article is incomplete and contains personal bias. In fact, if one reads the introduction to it, I make it very clear that the material was based on my own personal experiences, and isn't intended to be a manual or blueprint. It's merely what worked for me.

And of course I realize that certain things were left out, and certain things need to be revised, which is why I'm always interested in hearing the opinions of others, especially recent hikers. Incidentally, if you see post #52 above, where I essentially acknowledged that the article is open to additions, revisions, and suggestions, I make it very clear that 1) the article is "incomplete" as it can always be improved on, and 2) that I want to hear views and opinions from others.

In other words, the article is indeed based on my experiences, but it remains a work in progress, and one that I'm always willing to revise or adapt, based on feedback and input from others, which I'm always willing to hear.

As Wolf so charmingly pointed out in his above post.


Don't worry Jack. Your personal section of WB here is just fine as you like it.

Just be thankful Warren isn't in here trying to dissuade your opinion.

[Frosty]

I'm not sure the way you said that but i think you like it too.Maybe before it's over we can get frosty to merly analize it
for all of us.at least from Dahlonga up to Hiawassee and back.How about it
Sweeney:-? :-? :( :( :D :jumpHa ha. Maybe I'll do better this year.

But I already analyzed it, if by analyze you mean read it in detail and pick out the places I wanted to stop at.

Before I even heard about Whiteblaze, Warren Doyle gave me a copy of Jack's paper, and recommended it highly. He suggested I use it in conjunction with either Wingfoot's handbook or the Companion/Data Book pair and rough out a list of places where I might like to stop, buy food, etc. Being an engineer (if x amount of data is good, then 2x is better) I used all the above: Jack's re-supply article, the data book, the Companion, and the Handbook.. I laid out all of them on the kitchen table and went through the trail from Springer to Katahdin, though as it turned out I could have saved a few days by only planning as far as Dicks Creek Gap.

I guess-timated mileages, saw where I could buy food, where I needed a mail drop (not many), where I would like a bounce box sent, and highlighted a few places as "can't miss" where I would stay even if it was a nero.

The two places I stayed at, the HikerHostel in Dahlonega and the Hiawassee Inn far exceeded any expections I could possibly have had for trail services. Talk about hiker friendly. The worst part about getting off the trail was not being able to sample the rest of the places I read about. Well, actually the worst part is being poked fun of for not finishing, but most people are pretty understanding and I received A LOT of info on arthritis and ITBS here on Whiteblaze.

This February, I will again gather up Jack's article, the Data Book (WHY is it backwards?!?!!?), the Companion, and the Handbook and make a new list. Shouldn't take so long this time around. I have transportation arranged that will get me to Gainseville on Feb 28, so I should be starting again on March 1. I will have to get off the trail briefly in May or June but if I do my stretches and Range-of-Motion exercises faithfully between now and then and keep my mileage down once on the trail maybe I'll reach katahdin by September. If not, then i will stop repeating the parts I've done (about half) and section hike so that at least I will have finished the entire trail, even if not in one season.

[max patch]

Don't worry Jack. Your personal section of WB here is just fine as you like it.



Trying to make the case that B Jack's article is the same as W Doyles "I'm special ask me questions here and only here thread" is just plain stoopid. Or jealous. Or both.

[Tha Wookie]

Trying to make the case that B Jack's article is the same as W Doyles "I'm special ask me questions here and only here thread" is just plain stoopid. Or jealous. Or both.

Yeah about the same as saying Warren has his own "section".

Now you're getting it!

[bulldog49]

Jack is an active participant in many threads on this board, which you can't say for Warren. Warren comes here just to shill for his services which are basically useless. Jack offers useful information and does not do so for profit.

If you pulled your head out of Warren's you know what long enough Wookie, you'd realize that.

[Lone Wolf]

Jack's got brown nosers.:D

[Jack Tarlin]

Several folks have made some good suggestions, such as Buck's place in Roan Mt; also, the Braemar in Hampton is a fine place and should absolutely have been included.

Thanx for the input, keep 'em coming.

Hey Wook....following your logic to its proper conclusion, am I to gather that you have a problem with ALL of the pieces in the "Articles" section....or is it just mine?

I think it's kinda curious that there are several dozen articles in this section contributed by individuals, and the only one Wook seems to be troubled by happens to be mine. Gosh, what a coincidence!

Suggestion to Wook: Instead of carping about me five times a day, why don't YOU contribute an article or two. Seems to me that you have more to offer this site than your incessant whining about me.

Or then again, maybe you don't.

[rickb]

Weathercarrot's article has a comprehensive list of resupply points, too.

Probably has much of the same info as here, but it might be worth checking out too, even if much of the info is duplicated.

That article is listed under Ideas for an Inexpensive Hike but most of it is about when and where to efficiently resupply.

[the goat]

Braemar Castle hostel in Hampton is great too. He doesn't mention this. Bob and Pat at Kincora ARE wonderful folks but the hostel is small and cramped and in the middle of no where.

if you're lazy like me, you hit braemar & then pull an 8 miler to kincora. heading sobo, of course.

[Jack Tarlin]

Rick is correct; Carrot's article is EXCELLENT, especially for younger hikers who are on a tight budget.

[smokymtnsteve]

if you're lazy like me, you hit braemar & then pull an 8 miler to kincora. heading sobo, of course.


even better is to take the BLUE LINE directly into hampton

[the goat]

even better is to take the BLUE LINE directly into hampton

damn! i've been out-lazied:D

[Nean]

There is a great new resturant/bar/hotel in Hot Springs. Autumn Harvest or something. Opened a month or so ago.

[Nean]

16.3 miles north of Hot Springs, .7m W on Log Cabin Dr. is Hemlock Hollow Cabins, store and campground. They are expanding their supplies (that you can order online) Nice folks, beautiful place, inexpensive

[Nean]

Seiko has done a nice job at Braemar. BTW, has WD more AT miles than Seiko?

[Jack Tarlin]

Depends who you ask, Nean.

Warren is on record (here at Whiteblaze, for example) as saying that he feels Seiko's mileage is greatly exaggerated and over-stated.

Seiko is on record as saying he neither knows nor cares what his own accumulated mileage is.

[Lone Wolf]

There is a great new resturant/bar/hotel in Hot Springs. Autumn Harvest or something. Opened a month or so ago.
Is it one of those goldamn liberal vegItarian places?

[Lone Wolf]

Seiko has done a nice job at Braemar. BTW, has WD more AT miles than Seiko?
Warren has more.

[rickb]

What makes you say that, L. Wolf?

[Lone Wolf]

Cuz I know. And who cares anyway? Michael P. Jones, Terry Moore, Roy, etc. have lotsa miles too. Nobody knows them.

[rickb]

Good point, L. Wolf.

[Nean]

M.P.Jones is the one that stumped me- did he go by something else? And NO, the new place aint veggie!! They do however, have some nice maters ntaters LW. Some good local brews on tap too.

[BW2006]

This is wonderful information! I am planning a thru hike of the AT this year and was planning to pick up the guide books in January. (Should I have more planning done by now?) I'm a real novice and this is a great planner for me. I do understand that the info is a tiny bit out of date but it's a great guide to get me started. Thanks so much for taking the time to put this together!!!BW2006

[tiamalle]

Jack's feelings are VERY easily hurt.:rolleyes: He should be more of a man like Warren.that's mean

[Jack Tarlin]

Ron---

He was kidding! Wolf and I go way back, so I know when he's full of it (which is frequently) and even on those rare occasions when he's actually serious, I'm fairly thick-skinned.

But thanx anyway, sorry we're missing you this weekend in Hanover!

[tiamalle]

[quote=Frosty]Ha ha. Maybe I'll do better this year.

But I already analyzed it, if by analyze you mean read it in detail and pick out the places I wanted to stop at.

Before I even heard about Whiteblaze, Warren Doyle gave me a copy of Jack's paper, and recommended it highly. He suggested I use it in conjunction with either Wingfoot's handbook or the Companion/Data Book pair and rough out a list of places where I might like to stop, buy food, etc. Being an engineer (if x amount of data is good, then 2x is better) I used all the above: Jack's re-supply article, the data book, the Companion, and the Handbook.. I laid out all of them on the kitchen table and went through the trail from Springer to Katahdin, though as it turned out I could have saved a few days by only planning as far as Dicks Creek Gap.
Frosty,I talked to the
folks at Hiker Hostal on the phone and they seemed to be great folks and
I hope to stop by soon and see them.Ron and Sam at Hiawassee are great
people and offer a good services.I was there one day dropping off some hikers when you were there and you were waiting for Pittsburg.I was a little surprised to see the same thread you slapped me for boosting you boosted again.I put this
hoping to give you the chance back to boot me and you didn't.I know your leg was hurt and If you do try it I'm glad for you and hope you best of luck in making it.Maybe this may surprise you,But as you pass my area and if I could help you let me know.I will wheater you patronize my motels are not.I'll agree with you"the companion has great Info,So does Wingfoot,and so does Jack" They are all good.
I was impressed with him taking the time to help other Hikers with this as
for others who does this type of things.Also folks like Ric for furnishing whiteblaze,and Sarge for campfire,Miss Janet for all she does and many more.Good luck again with your hike.If your in Franklin Apr !st weekend
welcome to the hiker bash.:D

[Frosty]

Good luck again with your hike.If your in Franklin Apr !st weekend
welcome to the hiker bash.:DThanks. If all goes well I should be through Franklin long before April 1, but who knows. I have had terrible luck witht the long distance hikes I've tried. Three different trails, nary a finish. All for different reasons. 2006 will be tough because I have commitments in the middle of the year. I'd wait until 2007 but I'm too stubborn. Take care.

[The Old Fhart]

Lone Wolf-"Cuz I know. And who cares anyway? Michael P. Jones, Terry Moore, Roy, etc. have lotsa miles too. Nobody knows them." I had hiked with Michael P. Jones (and Helen) for a while in 1989, and also once met the preacher who married them (George, I believe) at Hightop Hut. If I recall Michael had done 5 thrus when I first met him. Helen was an upbeat person.

[Nean]

Mr Jones was an AT9er too? Trail name anyone? We aint talking bout Traveler are we? Funny how so many legends o' the day end up as tomorrows trivia. Whatever happened to Spooky Boy?

[The Old Fhart]

Nean-"We aint talking bout Traveler are we? " Greg "The Traveler" Key first hiked in 1987 and I met him that spring at the Fontana Hilton. He had been arrested the previous winter for illegally entering Baxter alone. I remembered reading the news article on this so this was true but his account greatly differed from the known facts. He told me and the others at the shelter several kind of bizarre stories and that was just the start of his strangeness. I next saw him at the Barn in Gorham later that same year and physically he didn't look like the same person. He had claimed to have spent 10 months weight training before the hike and had that build when I first saw him. By Gorham he had a full beard and looked like the typical skinny thru hiker with little upper body mass. He apparently would do 50 mile days occasionally and once pulled into an empty shelter in the snow after one of these days and actually fell asleep while he was getting stuff out of his pack. He said if he hadn't fallen on his cookset with the pots clanging that he might have died in the cold.

Kieth Shaw told me a story about The Traveler and apparently he had scammed several other people as well. I remember one register entry from a woman who said she was going to track him down and neuter him, or worse.

[the goat]

Seiko has done a nice job at Braemar. BTW, has WD more AT miles than Seiko?

WD has more miles, but Seiko has more miles with a pack on his back....depends on how you look at it.

[Tha Wookie]

Several folks have made some good suggestions, such as Buck's place in Roan Mt; also, the Braemar in Hampton is a fine place and should absolutely have been included.

Thanx for the input, keep 'em coming.

Hey Wook....following your logic to its proper conclusion, am I to gather that you have a problem with ALL of the pieces in the "Articles" section....or is it just mine?

I think it's kinda curious that there are several dozen articles in this section contributed by individuals, and the only one Wook seems to be troubled by happens to be mine. Gosh, what a coincidence!

Suggestion to Wook: Instead of carping about me five times a day, why don't YOU contribute an article or two. Seems to me that you have more to offer this site than your incessant whining about me.

Or then again, maybe you don't.

Yeah whatever Jack. Don't flatter yourself. I'm defending a friend.

I'm simply pointing out your "personal section of Whiteblaze", that you accused Warren of having, along with your communist rant about everyone on this site being equal, and then you layed out rules about people not having any "special priveledges", blah, blah..... What a hypocrite.

True, many people have written articles. But only you have attacked Warren for having what YOU labeled his "personal section".

Just calling you on it. I could care less what you put on this site, outside of attacking good people and blockading input by those more experienced and knowledgable than yourself.

"The answer to your question is that Warren's sense of privilege and entitlement was entirely self-imposed: Nobody, and I mean NOBODY else here, Weary, has their own special section. We don't have a section called "Weary dispenses knowledge and wisdom...." or "Lone Wolf teaches his secrets...." or "Baltimore Jack educates newcomers..." or anything like that. We have no sites devoted to any one person's opinions or pronouncements. And this is good. Instead, we have hundreds of threads on hundreds of different subjects where people are welcome to contribute as individuals and equals on any subject they wish to. Let me stress this, because this seems to be a point you're manifestly incapable of understanding: People here at Whiteblaze contribute AS INDIVIDUALS and AS EQUALS.....nobody here looks down from a pedestal, an nobody is given their own separate part of the website to preach from. Nobody." -Jack, while attacking Waren Doyle

[Youngblood]

Wookie,

Jack's contradictions have been pointing out over and over by you, me and other folks on here as well. No matter how overwhelming the facts, I don't expect an acknowledgement of a mistake of any kind... apparently that is not something Jack does (easily)? I think we just have to accept that we are powerless to change that. Jack does not own this site and neither do we... the folks that do get to decide how to deal with these incidents. I suggest we let it go for now and let them deal with it because ultimately they have to deal with integrity issues or policy issues (or whatever you want to call them) related to this web site. Freedom comes with a price and Sarge's new assignment certain dramatically brings that home to this web community and puts in perspective just how important this little Hatfield and McCoy feud is between Jack & Company and all things Warren. I guess this feud has its own life. BTW, what is it called... the Jacksters versus the Doylees?

Youngblood

[rusty075]

My god Wookie, is your idolatry of Warren, and your hatred of BJ, really so thick that you can't even think rationally about the two subjects anymore?

Your attempt to parallel Jack's articles with Warren's "I'm too busy to answer questions anywhere except in a thread that is about me" is mighty thin, and more than a bit pathetic. Your comments serve only to make yourself look foolish, and to turn potential WB readers off to the entire site.

Jack has taken the time to provide a free informational service for past, present and future hikers, and is clearly open to criticism of it in an attempt to make it better. Warren, on the other hand, uses WB to promote his attempts to sell to hikers information that others would have given for free, and refuses to even discuss the possibility that he may be wrong about anything. That's the real parallel between the two.


As is obvious from my join date and post count, I'm rather new here. In fact, the first thing I had ever read here about Doyle was his initial post in his, "Warren Doyle answers..." thread. Before that I knew the name only as "a guy that has hiked the AT a bunch of times", and "the founder of the ALDHA". After reading his post, my reaction was, "Wow, he's a pompous ass". That was a reaction to his own words, before any of his "internagators" had even responded. As the thread continued his reactions only reinforced that impression.


When you present yourself as being "the greatest AT hiker of all time", self-proclaim youself as being a leader of the hiking community, and make efforts to create and maintain a position of public authority with respect to hikers and the public community at large, as Warren has and continues to do, your actions should be held to a higher standard. It's that simple. Warren's actions are clearly ethically questionable, and there should be vigorous public discussion of them every single time he makes posts that present himself as an authority to novice hikers, so that the new readers who don't have the background knowledge are aware of them and can make their own judgements. If he presented himself as just another hiker, then his actions would be his own business. If you, or I, or Jack, decides to steal from a business we only make ourselves look bad. But when someone who claims to be a leader of the hiking community at large does it, he makes all of us look bad. Warren could very easily interact with this community on an even par with everyone else. He could simply respond to any of the dozens of hiker questions posted here daily, but he chooses not to. Or he could write an article, as has been suggested to him, but he chooses not to. Those are his decisions, and I think they reflect his opinion that he is simply too good, or too important, or his knowledge too valuable to be given away for free. Either way, he makes a poor role model for this community.

I'd be willing to bet that if Jack's non-hiking politics were closer to your's, and if you didn't see Warren as a model on which you are attempting to base your own interactions with this community, that you would be right there with him in holding WD's feet to the fire on his unethical behavior.


I hate having to make what I see as a personal post against you Wookie, I really do, and I'm sure you'll flame me, but oh well. I imagine that I'm not the only new member or casual reader of this forum that sees things similarly.

[Jack Tarlin]

Wook and Youngblood:

Thanx for the kind words, but in case you hadn't noticed, this thread was about helping out hikers with Re-Supply Information.....it had absolutely NOTHING to do with Warren or any other topic until Wook introduced the subject. Of course, 64 people had posted with some useful stuff BEFORE Wook entered the thread to bitch about me, but I guess he couldn't miss out on another opportunity.

Funny....people accuse ME of harping about Doyle; let the record show that in this case, it wasn't me who brought the matter up. I was busy talking about Re-Supply and how folks could help with the next revision of my article.

Quick note to Wook and Youngblood: If you have anything valuable to offer prospective hikers about Re-supplying, here's your chance to help them out by posting something useful. If all you wanna do is bitch about again, please take it to a more appropriate location.

Thanx.

[the goat]

Yeah whatever Jack. Don't flatter yourself. I'm defending a friend.

I'm simply pointing out your "personal section of Whiteblaze", that you accused Warren of having, along with your communist rant about everyone on this site being equal, and then you layed out rules about people not having any "special priveledges", blah, blah..... What a hypocrite.

True, many people have written articles. But only you have attacked Warren for having what YOU labeled his "personal section".

Just calling you on it. I could care less what you put on this site, outside of attacking good people and blockading input by those more experienced and knowledgable than yourself.


wook- aren't you're doing to jack, what you accuse him of doing to warren?

i have nothing against warren, i wish him the best (although after my "goat answers" thread, he probably wants me dead); nevertheless i think the obvious difference is that tarlin's not trying to make any $$$ off of his advice. and also, this isn't posed as a "jack answers questions blah, blah" thread. it's a "resupply info" thread with constructive input from others as well.

your above post gives the appearance that you actually care very much about what jack puts on this site. (just my observation)

[tiamalle]

Ron---

He was kidding! Wolf and I go way back, so I know when he's full of it (which is frequently) and even on those rare occasions when he's actually serious, I'm fairly thick-skinned.

But thanx anyway, sorry we're missing you this weekend in Hanover!Oh Jack I have begin to see that.I like those golfing stories he tells:-?

[tiamalle]

Thanks. If all goes well I should be through Franklin long before April 1, but who knows. I have had terrible luck witht the long distance hikes I've tried. Three different trails, nary a finish. All for different reasons. 2006 will be tough because I have commitments in the middle of the year. I'd wait until 2007 but I'm too stubborn. Take care.I would take off north bound with all of you but in late winter and early
spring I'm busy shuttling hikers in and out of Franklin.I've hiked the A T a
lot in the south.Maybe one day I can catch up to the big guys who have done it all.Need Luck? rubb the belly of a pregnet women and make a wish
on the 3rd circle and you'll have luck to spare.

[The Old Fhart]

Rusty075, your post #97 pretty much nailed it-very perceptive. Now if we could just convince some of the idolaters to open their eyes (or their minds)...... ;)

[Nean]

The new place in Hot Springs is called something along the lines of Leaf Junction... still not positive but will be there tomorrow.

[weary]

As is obvious from my join date and post count, I'm rather new here. In fact, the first thing I had ever read here about Doyle was his initial post in his, "Warren Doyle answers..." thread. ... After reading his post, my reaction was, "Wow, he's a pompous ass". That was a reaction to his own words, before any of his "internagators" had even responded. As the thread continued his reactions only reinforced that impression.
....
Warren's first post reads:

"Hello,
I am entering the perilous info superhighway again after a multi-month hiatus from the few incessant WB 'internegators', who I will neither waste my time, nor my emotional/intellectual energy on, by not responding to their posts.
However, I am willing to answer questions of posters who are planning future thru-hikes/section hikes on the AT and other 'non-internegator' past and present AT hikers.

"My responses to questions will be based on my extensive observations on what helps a person complete their journey while so many others stop by the wayside. My advice/info will be simple and based on four premises:

1) walking the ENTIRE Appalachian Trail in one hiking season, or by sections, is a challenging task;
2) that the majority of people who start atop Springer or Katahdin hope to complete the ENTIRE trail in one hiking season (i.e.,late winter/spring/summer/early fall);
3) that those who finish their journey at the place where (and when) they wanted to get to when they started tend to have a more satisfying trail experience, including memories, than those who stop; and,
4) that although almost all of the learning is between Springer and Katahdin, the final chapter is more fulfilling when experienced atop those once distant summits.

"My observations/premises/advice are based on my fourteen (14) walks along the ENTIRE trail (8 thru-hikes; 6 section hikes; 1973-present) and on my preparing over 80 individuals to plan, and complete, their hikes (i.e., the 7 circle expeditions - six of which had 100% completion rates). In addition to these, my knowledge is also based on the results of the few hundred people who prepared for their thru/section hikes by attending the Appalachian Trail Institute program which I have directed since 1989 (www.warrendoyle.com).
One disclaimer on my answers is worth noting though: Please remember that we as individuals have different temperaments, levels of comfort, and thresholds of pain.

"Happy trails!"

That doesn't strike me as pompous. Why do you think it is?

[rusty075]

That doesn't strike me as pompous. Why do you think it is?
I'm hesisitant to drag this otherwise useful thread further off topic, but since you asked:

pompous: adj.
Characterized by excessive self-esteem or exaggerated dignity; pretentious:
Full of high-sounding phrasesExamples from WD's initial post:

1. The entire premise of starting his own thread to force people to ask questions specifically of Him, instead of just answering the already posted questions from potential thru-hikers that litter the forums, is pompous.
2. "I am entering the perilous info superhighway again after a multi-month hiatus from the few incessant WB 'internegators', who I will neither waste my time, nor my emotional/intellectual energy on, by not responding to their posts." Making straw men of any alternative/contractory opinions before they are even submitted, is pompous.
3. "I am willing to answer questions of posters who are planning future thru-hikes/section hikes on the AT and other 'non-internegator' past and present AT hikers." Limiting the type of question worthy of a response from the very outset, is pompous.
4. " My responses to questions will be based on my extensive observations..." Excessive self esteem is, by definition, pompous.
5. "My observations/premises/advice are based on my fourteen (14) walks along the ENTIRE trail (8 thru-hikes; 6 section hikes; 1973-present) and on my preparing over 80 individuals to plan, and complete, their hikes (i.e., the 7 circle expeditions - six of which had 100% completion rates)." Exaggerated self-importance equals, you guessed it, pompous-ness. (Can you name anyone else on WB who feels it necessary to list their hiking resume before answering a question? Me neither.)
6. "In addition to these, my knowledge is also based on the results of the few hundred people who prepared for their thru/section hikes by attending the Appalachian Trail Institute program which I have directed since 1989 (www.warrendoyle.com (http://www.warrendoyle.com/))." A shameless plug for a for-profit enterprise by its proprietor, is pompous. The equivalent would be like Ms Janet beginning each of her posts with, "based on my knowledge of the thousands of thru-hikers I have hosteled since 1987..." :rolleyes:


Did I miss any?

[smokymtnsteve]

that U jack????

[Nean]

The first time I met Mr. Doyle 16+ years ago, he was wearing a Guess Who? name tag. I'd heard he was a pompous ass, so I figured that must be him.:eek:
Then again, I've got a Nean for America bumper sticker on my car; my lady thinks it's pompous, I thought it was (made from 2 Howard Dean stickers) funny:datz Life is funny, sometimes I get a good laugh. The other night I was watching football at the bar and the guys beside me didn't like thier wings. I offered to finish them; I thought they were damn good. Maybe its not the same but I did wonder if I'd burn in hell.:(

[rickb]

The equivalent would be like Ms Janet beginning each of her posts with, "based on my knowledge of the thousands of thru-hikers I have hosteled since 1987..."

I think you mean that the equivalent would be like if Ms. Janet began one of her posts with "based on my knowledge of the thousands of thru-hikers I have hosteled since 1987..."

[weary]

Did I miss any?
I always find it useful to know the qualifications of people offering advice, even free advice.

[rickb]

I like Jack's plan of stocking up for the Whites in North Woodstock.

That said, the weather can turn quickly up there, and its severity can come as a surprise. Because of that, I might include some additional resupply options just in case.

Crawford Notch represents the last road crossing before the famed Presidentials and the longest stretch of Trail above tree-line on the AT.

If inclement weather is predicted, hikers may want to take advantage of the reasonably priced Shapliegh Bunkhouse Hostel just a short hitch north of the AT. Price includes clean sheets, a full breakfast, shower and kitchen facilities (microwave only, fire codes prohibit stoves within the bunkhouse).

The bunkhouse is on the grounds of the larger AMC "Highland Center" where a limited amount of colder weather gear (gloves, hats, fleece, ets.) can be purchased by those who neglected to plan ahead. Beer, wine and meals can also be had at the Highland center, but the one thing hikers will really want to check out is the world class photography exibit by Brad Washburn (its in a seperate building, so if you don't know its there you could miss it entirely. It is simply amazing, No charge, and be sure to get the audio headset from the AMC front desk).

Hikers can also resupply from the Crawford Notch road crossing by heading south into Bartlett, where there is a PO and small country store. There is an additional store (not much selection) heading into Bartlett at a commercial campground.

[The Old Fhart]

Rickboudrie-"I think you mean that the equivalent would be like if Ms. Janet began one of her posts with "based on my knowledge of the thousands of thru-hikers I have hosteled since 1987..."" More correct might be "any of her posts"

[Youngblood]

...1. The entire premise of starting his own thread to force people to ask questions specifically of Him...

Did I miss any?
My bad, I didn't realize Warren was forcing people to ask questions specifically of Him on WhiteBlaze. Shame on Him! ...wait a minute, just how is he forcing people to ask questions specifically of Him? You're not stretching the truth just a tad on this are you as it seems to me that there is a difference between asking/offering and forcing. I'm capitalizing "Him" because you did... what is the reason for that? Wouldn't be blind hate would it?

[MOWGLI]

You're not stretching the truth just a tad on this are you as it seems to me that there is a difference between asking/offering and forcing. I'm capitalizing "Him" because you did... what is the reason for that? Wouldn't be blind hate would it?

C'mon Youngblood, this guys been here since July. He's got it all figured out - just like my 15 year-old. ;)

[Nean]

Sorry to go off topic yet again, but the name of the wonderful new resturant/bar in Hot Springs is Bright Leaf Juntion... Final answer.

[Tha Wookie]

wook- aren't you're doing to jack, what you accuse him of doing to warren?



Slightly. Thank you for noticing the intended irony.

However, I have not nor will I ever go into Jack's personal history to fling mud as if I were running for president against him or something.

So you see, it's not exactly the same, and thank you for bringing it up.

[rickb]

The best local supermarket is the enormous Super Stop 'N Shop, about half a mile to the west of the Trailhead going towards Williamstown.

No argument from me, but FWIW, we have stopped into a Wild Oats coop type market about a mile farther down Route 2 (towards Williamstown)-- for those who are into such places.

[warren doyle]

I feel Jack Tarlin provides a very good service with the effort he puts in providing re-supply information for people who want and/or need this information. I imagine it takes a considerable amount of time to keep it accurate and updated.

[TJ aka Teej]

If you're like me, and prepare all your own meals, then you cannot count on a mail drop at the Landing. The 2005 Companion did not list an addess for them - so I called today and was told - no mail drops, but they do have re-supply for sale based on what they think all hikers need.

Yeah, that was my mistake. Instead of just de-listing the mail drop info I should have put NOT TAKING MAILDROPS ANYMORE in their entry.
It's also important to note that supper at Whitehouse Landing is now only available to those who spend the night.

TJ < one of the ALDHA Companion volunteers in Maine.

[Jack Tarlin]

Rick's information about alternative rest/supply spots in the Whites is very useful; this is EXACTLY the kind of feedback and additional commentary that I'm looking for, in order to incoroporate it into the next revision of my article.

[Burn]

great eddition for 06 jack....preciate the add ins that ya missed in years past. yer growing babe. hehehe

[Jack Tarlin]

Thanx, Burn, but actually, the 2006 version hasn't been written yet! I should be getting Wingfoot's 2006 book any day, and as soon as I can, I'll be going thru it, as well as the 2006 Companion. Then, hopefully by 1 March, I'll update my article to take into account new places, closures, etc., as well as including some important places that I managed to leave out the last time around. It shouldn't be a whole lot different from what's presently found in the Articles section of Whiteblaze, but I will be making some additions and changes that some foks might find useful to know about.

[Nightwalker]

Thanx, Burn, but actually, the 2006 version hasn't been written yet! I should be getting Wingfoot's 2006 book any day, and as soon as I can, I'll be going thru it, as well as the 2006 Companion. Then, hopefully by 1 March, I'll update my article to take into account new places, closures, etc.
How's that going?

Thanks,
Frank

[TJ aka Teej]

...I will be making some additions and changes that some foks might find useful to know about.

Jack, any chance of adding any important changes to the resupply situation that happens for lateseason southbounders, say from Fontana Dam on?

[Mountain Man]

Thanks Jack for all the Info., I know this took a lot of time for you to do this. It will be a big help for me in planning for 07.

[Jack Tarlin]

Teej asked a good question.

For late (and I guess now we're talking about REALLY late) season southbounders, no, there isn't a lot they need to know south of Fontana.

As far as I know, everything in last year's article (in re. to Neel Gap; Hiawassee; Franklin; the NOC; and Fontana is correct.)

Only significant change I've heard is that you can now get beer in Fontana Village, which quite frankly, is something that I think they'll live to regret. It means problems in the Village and more law enforcement presence at the Fontana Dam shelter.

(On other matters, have heard nothing but good things from early Nobos about the fine folks at Neel Gap; the Blueberry Patch; Hiawassee Inn. Two late Sobo's left Janet's yesterday and are really looking forward to finishing up).

I'm hoping to do a very brief update to the 2005 Article before heading south in a few days, but it'll be brief: Thankfully, most of what appeared last year still seems to be fairly accurate, at least according to what I've heard, and according to what's in the two principal Trail guidebooks.

[ARambler]

I used Jack's notes extensively in 2004 and essentially the same strategy in 2005. They were also useful for someone like me who uses mainly mail drops. Before the last of the 2006 hikers hit the trail, I have the following updates/comments using Jack's numbering system:

Part One
2) The Hiker Hostel is close to Woody Gap. It is a short hitch, but a sign will not be up until after the season. See the Companion for the evening sweep times or use a cell.

7) Unless you are lucky, the Hike Inn requires reservations. Note, the requirement for arriving before ca. 5:00 pm to get the shuttle into town.

9) It's a long shuttle from Standing Bear to major shopping. I recommend planning on a mail drop or purchasing food from Owen's small but good stock. A beer run is another matter;)

12) The Greasy Creek Friendly is about 20 miles from Erwin. They have simple meal options and a small variety of hiker food.

Part Two
1) Although Troutdale is small and off the trail, its reputation and facilities are growing every year. I have not been there yet.

3) I'm a big fan of the new owners at the Relax Inn. You may be able to get a shuttle back to Marion from them, although Marion is probably better from Partnership shelter. As with all motels, it pays to have fellow hikers to share the cost of the room and shuttle expenses.

6) 4 Pines closed 2005, 2006, --> :(

10) The Dutch Haus had no shuttle up the dirt road in 2005. I sent a package there and got some resupply from the Grocery. I still think it is as good or better than the other resupply options between Troutville and Waynesboro.

11) I enjoyed Terrapin Station in 2005. It is open for the heart of the NOBO season. You should check ahead at other times of the year.

Part Three
13) 2nd* The Culver Gap bakery has reopened as a Deli. Don't know the variety of hiker supplies.

Kent -- The laundry has been closed. See the outfitter for latest in local information.

Part Four
3) 2nd* (At MA 23) The East Mountain Retreat Hostel does not enjoy a great reputation because it is off the trail, has no other businesses around it, and many hikers are put off by the silent retreat atmosphere. None-the-less, the reputation should be good and you may appreciate the setting, laundry or shower.

8) 4th* I still had money for Inn at the Long Trail and recommend it. I have talked to only a couple hikers about the Hostel in Rutland but it sounded different but good. There is bus service from the Inn at the Long trail to Rutland or Killington.

7th* The store in West Hartford looked closed for good in 2005.

Jack wrote: It will take you 10-12 miles to go from the MA/VT border to Hanover, but if you have the time, try and slow down and enjoy it. I guess that's 10-12 days?

Part Five
1) We need more information on Stray Cats new Hostel outside Hanover. I enjoyed it but it was very far outside of town.

4) Lafayette Campground reported accepting many packages from hikers, but I never met anyone who used this option. I used the "get lucky on leftover Hut pancakes and hiked hard" to avoid a resupply in North Woodstock. (No good reason, maybe I have a fear of Volvos.)

10) There are two new owners in Andover, but I'm sure Andover is still a very good town. I think most hikers stopped at two out of the three towns of Andover, Rangley and Stratton. Not sure there is a "bad strategy".

13) White House Landing accepted packages in 2004 but not in 2005. This teaches a very important lesson, never assume an establishment will accept packages, and always use the most recent information available. I was able to purchase enough food at White House (I also had excess food).

Rambler

[Chris Vreeland]

[quote=Nean]Mr Jones was an AT9er too? Trail name anyone? We aint talking bout Traveler are we? Funny how so many legends o' the day end up as tomorrows trivia.

Having hiked with both Michael P. Jones and The Traveller in both '88 and '89, I can assure you that they are two separate and quite different individuals. I met both Mike and the Traveller in VA in '88 and finished with Mike, Helen and others in '89. The day we summitted in '89 was the day Traveller and Maniac (Scott Grierson) headed south on the beginning of a yo-yo.

The only time Mike ever had a trail name was as part of Smiles in Our Hearts with his (at that time) future wife, Helen.

Chris Vreeland

a.k.a. The Kalamazoo Gorilla
GA ->

[toppup1]

Excellent piece of work Jack. Even though I have many of these on my itinerary for my '08 thru hike it's nice to hear about them from someone who has been there - done that.

[Jack Tarlin]

Thanx Top, am hoping to update the whole thing for 2007; will be doing that next month and hopefully have it out early next year, right around when the 2007 Handbook and Companion come out.

[digger51]

Jack, as always you go above and beyond to help us. Many thanks. Last year there was some confusion about resupply at Fontana Village. Any info on how they look in '07?

[Jack Tarlin]

Digger:

I hiked from Springer to Hot Springs during thru-hiker season, and here's what I discovered at Fontana Village:

1. Not much has changed as far as lodging, i.e. you can still get an OK, fairly
spartan (i.e. no cable) motel room for fairly cheap. There might also be
some sort of shared cabin/bunkhouse deal if you want a roof or you're on
a budget.

2. People wanting to save money can always stay out at the Fontana Hilton
shelter.

3. There is a dining room there, but it may not be open for people who get
there too early in the season. Don't take for granted the restaurant will
be open, and if it is, be aware that the food is OK, not great, and unless
you hit some sort of buffet, it's probably not worth it.

4. As far as Re-Supply, the General Store in the Vilage is still a pretty lousy
place to buy food, in that selection is limited, they don't buy stuff in
quantity, and it's overpriced. As I've said elsewhere, if you're the
thirteenth hiker that shope there on any given day, you might find them
cleaned out on key things like mac and cheese, Liptons, Peanut Butter,
etc. The little Outfitter store at the Village, just a few minutes away,
has some additional food, but it's mainly Mountain House Dinners, candy
bars, and Gatorade packets. In short, I wouldn't plan on Re-Supplying
here unless you knew you were going into Gatlinburg 3 or 4 days later,
i.e. this is a LOUSY place to resupply for the entire Smokies, unless you
want to spend too much money on so-so food.

5. This is a really good place for a maildrop, so either from home, or perhaps
Hiawassee, put a box together, you'll be glad you did. If you're going into
Gatlinburg, you'll in all likelihood want three full days of food and one
breakfast; if you're gonna go all the way thru the Smokies, pack 6-7
days worth of food out of Fontana, and Re-supply at Standing Bear Farm
to get what you'll need to get from there to Hot Springs.

6. Of course, there are other options; if you stay at the very friendly Hike
Inn motel, Jeff or Nancy Hoch will shuttle you into Robbinsville which has
a real market, so you can avoid both a Maildrop or having to shop in the
Village.

[ARambler]

In '04, 05, Jeff and Nancy frequently filled up with hikers zeroing and section hikers. As recommended elsewhere, book at NOC. Also, Robbinsville is a ways away, and you should get to the hostel before 4 pm to have any time for a supply run.
Rambler

[BigToe]

Re-Supply Information---Part 2


<SNIP>
<SNIP>
9--Some hikers hitch into Buena Vista from US60 to re-supply; I've only been there once.
<SNIP>
<SNIP>

END OF PART TWO

Just a comment on the hitch into Buena Vista --- my two sons and I just came back from our SOBO section hike in that area. Buena Vista was a mail drop for us. It is farther off the trail than I would have liked (~ 10 miles) and so was a hitchhike. I was worried about getting a ride for the three of us.

We arrived to the wayside on Rte 60 about 10:00 AM on a weekeday. We waited about 15 minutes with NO traffic going our way except for tractor trailers. We were lucky enough to have a local with a pickup come out of one of the dirt roads intersecting the trail there. I asked him if we could jump in the back and he graciously offered us a ride and in fact took us right to the post office in Buena Vista. The PO is a bit off of Rte 60 in the business center of town.

We got our mail drop and ate a great lunch in the pizza place on Magnolia Drive ("Main St"). There's a pharmacy and a small grocery store close to the PO. The folks in town were all really nice.

In the interest of time and after seeing the lack of hitching type traffic on Rte 60 we decided to get a taxi back to the trailhead. It cost us $25 plus $3 tip. Our taxi driver commented that really the only traffic on Rte 60 in that area anymore is logging trucks which would have a hard time pulling over even if they were so inclined to give a hiker a ride.

We were able to get in and out of town in about three hours. Getting back on the trail SOBO, there was a sign advertising a reasonable shuttle which may have been cheaper than the taxi.

One complicating factor in arranging rides is that none of our cell phones (Verizon and AT&T) had any service here and in most of the section so calling for a ride was not possible.

If I had to do it agian, I probably would stop in the next mail drop on Jack's list.

[BigToe]

Re-Supply Information---Part 2



8--21.6 miles after Rt220, you can get supplies if necessary at a small market in nearby Buchanan. After that, there's a private campground with a small camp store near VA614/Jennings Creek. Most folks re-supply in Glasgow or Big Island which are both easily hitchable from US501, which is 56.7 miles from Rt220. (4-5 days hiking).

END OF PART TWO

So my two sons and I had to get into Glasgow during our SOBO section hike this year due to a gear issue one of us had. From the Foot Bridge on Rte 130, it's an easy 6 mile walk up one side of the mountain and then down the other on Rte 130. Be aware there is very little shoulder along with many curves and a lot of big truck traffic which can be a little unnerving -- we stepped off into the dirt many times to be on the safe side. There was a fair amount of traffic besides the trucks. We tried to hitch most of the way with no success but there was three of us and it was pouring rain the whole way so we probably looked like a group of drowned oppossum.

Glasgow is a small town (pop 400) with one sit down restaurant/motel "Howards Restaurant", post office and a laundromat. There was also a gas station/grocery and a dollar store that had a fair amount of trail-able food items. Folks in town were REALLY nice although being from the northeast perhaps I'm easy to impress. Howards has a hot/cold buffet and a limited menu but the basics are there. We actually stayed at the motel section to dry out - the cost was $42. The motel is a little down on its heels but served from our point of view.

[Jack Tarlin]

By the way, I expect to re-do this article sometime this winter to bring it more up-to-date. Anyone who has additions, omissions, or better yet, corrections to the present article, by all means send them along so I can include them on the next edition.

[minnesotasmith]

BTW, if you just happen to redo it prior to about Dec. 9th, that would be even better. There are at least two people who could REALLY use the input from the updated version of this unique contribution of yours to the AT then (any later, and they'll be hiking)... :D

[Jack Tarlin]

Smitty:

This update will, in all likelihood, NOT be done by 9 December as I'd rather wait until the major Trail guidebooks/handbooks are released, which probably won't happen for another month or so. That way, I can study them to see if there are any major errors or omissions. In recent years, many hikers have pointed out mistakes in these works or important things that they've somehow managed to leave out, and I think my Re-Supply article will be more useful if I wait until after the 2009 guidebooks are published, so that the Article can supplement the books that most of the 2009 hikers will be using both before and during their hike.