Plans at Va. Rt. 42 trail crossing

[PorkchopBob]

thanks, we have some trail experience and have been involved with extreme sports type folks for a long time. This is a retirement plan with no expectations of profit or anything but keeping it simple and evolving. we are going to keep it basic and try to meet the needs of the folks we meet. Any trouble makers, and I have done my homework and heard of some, will be dealt with as it happens. But mostly we love the place and the type of people drawn to independence and nature. The Bland area is full of great things to see and undisturbed natural scenery.

[mountain squid]

Well, I'm not sure how well 'trail experience' will translate to 'hostel experience'. If anything it might hinder it. As a hiker arriving at a hostel, you are concerned with your needs being met (food, shower, food, town run, food, bunk, etc). As a hostel owner, you will be concerned with the needs of many hikers, including the hiker that shows up at 10:00 at night and wants his/her mail drop . . . (it will happen) . . .

So many things to consider (and you probably already have):

shuttles
slackpacks
alcohol allowed
dogs allowed
work-for-stays (someone will be asking about it)
mail drops
food for sale - resupply or just for eating (frozen pizzas, etc)
laundry
shower
bunks
tenting allowed
internet
wifi
price structure (everything included or seperate prices for everything)
etc

You may have already considered this stuff, but if you haven't experienced it yet with 10 hikers and then 4 more just showed up, 2 with dogs and it has been raining all day - When are we going to town? . . . . you might be surprised . . . it will be 24/7 for 2-3 months when the hikers are coming thru . . . .

Again Good Luck (and go be a caretaker first).

See you on the trail,
mt squid

[PorkchopBob]

You have great ideas, lots to think about. Most we have considered. Please keep one are open minded and the caretaker ideas sound smart!