Baltimore Jack????

[Sly]

He followed the bubble up the trail. Last time i saw him, it was at the Hikers Welcome Hostel in Glencliff, NH. Where they were happily ripping hikers off by taking them 5 miles into Warren, NH for a resupply, and waiting until they got there to say that the trip would cost $35. Not a very friendly place towards hikers IMO. Lots of issues with hiker boxes being signed for, then nowhere to be found when hikers got there looking for them.

Let's see 10 miles round trip for $5 a hiker equals $.50 a mile and that includes wait time. If you can do any better maybe you should start a hostel or shuttle service.

I can't comment on any missing hiker boxes but who signed for whom and did they have permission? Most post offices wouldn't do that especially if some went missing.

[Jack Tarlin]

Quick comments: Most hostels have small fees for town/shopping shuttles, and what with the price of gas these days, most of these fees have inceased recently. And the hostel in Glencliff makes it clear that this fee is per person......the alternative would be to charge a "per carload" fee, which would in all likelihood be significantly more than five bucks (A run to the Warren store, back again, and giving people time to shop generally takes at least three quarters of an hour or more.....how much is an hour of YOUR time worth? I bet it's more than 5 bucks, and this doesn't even inlclude keeping the car gassed and on the road.) Would Mr. Breeze be happy to pay a "carload" fee if he were the only person going? In short, the "per person" fee seems to work better......if there was a "carload" fee of, say, ten or fifteen dollars a trip, he'd be complaining even louder! As for the "lots of issues" over allegedly lost mail, this is the first time I ever heard of this. Complaints such as this are best directed towards the service provider or businesses themselves, as opposed to anonymous, undetailed, and perhaps unsubstantiated accusations made on web forums. But it is a simple truth that there will always be people that find a way to be unhappy about ANY place, and anyone who feels "ripped off" by the fees charged at hiker facilities or businesses has an easy remedy: They can skip requesting the service in question.....or even skip the facility itself. Problem solved.

[Mike2012]

I was hiking from Hanover, NH to the first shelter in vt and saw jack on the trail wearing a totally orange blaze outfit. He even had an orange blaze beret. It was smart because hunting season just started.

[Papa D]

He followed the bubble up the trail. Last time i saw him, it was at the Hikers Welcome Hostel in Glencliff, NH. Where they were happily ripping hikers off by taking them 5 miles into Warren, NH for a resupply, and waiting until they got there to say that the trip would cost $35. Not a very friendly place towards hikers IMO. Lots of issues with hiker boxes being signed for, then nowhere to be found when hikers got there looking for them.

Hiker's Welcome Hostel is a very nice hostel. I was there in August and the shuttle fee was $8 per person which seemed ok to me. They have a great outdoor shower, provide towels and you can do laundry while you shower. I will concede that Fat-Chap who is the manager is a know-it-all and disses thru-hikers without much reason. He doesn't know everything he thinks he does - reminds me a little of Uncle Johnny - - a much grumpier and less accomplished personality than Jack for sure. Other than Fat-Chap, it's a fine place and you can just curl up in the hammock with a book and ignore him.

[brotheral]

#8 IF he does it

I may have my numbers wrong... but I'm thinking Baltimore Jack (Jack Tarlin) has 8 thru hikes to his credit. And a knee / leg problem forced him off the trail far into his 9th thru hike attempt.
BrotherAL

[brotheral]

I may have my numbers wrong... but I'm thinking Baltimore Jack (Jack Tarlin) has 8 thru hikes to his credit. And a knee / leg problem forced him off the trail far into his 9th thru hike attempt.
BrotherAL

I sent Baltimore Jack a PM asking him to refresh my memory .....

[Chaco Taco]

Find it interesting that you would go on a website and trash talk someone.

Hiker's Welcome Hostel is a very nice hostel. I was there in August and the shuttle fee was $8 per person which seemed ok to me. They have a great outdoor shower, provide towels and you can do laundry while you shower. I will concede that Fat-Chap who is the manager is a know-it-all and disses thru-hikers without much reason. He doesn't know everything he thinks he does - reminds me a little of Uncle Johnny - - a much grumpier and less accomplished personality than Jack for sure. Other than Fat-Chap, it's a fine place and you can just curl up in the hammock with a book and ignore him.

[Chaco Taco]

And how did he diss thruhikers? I have seen some real jerks roll through that hostel and come across as very entitled! Have you ever managed a hostel or spent a significant amount of time catering to demanding thru's? Im just curious as to your knowledge and experience of hostel management....

Hiker's Welcome Hostel is a very nice hostel. I was there in August and the shuttle fee was $8 per person which seemed ok to me. They have a great outdoor shower, provide towels and you can do laundry while you shower. I will concede that Fat-Chap who is the manager is a know-it-all and disses thru-hikers without much reason. He doesn't know everything he thinks he does - reminds me a little of Uncle Johnny - - a much grumpier and less accomplished personality than Jack for sure. Other than Fat-Chap, it's a fine place and you can just curl up in the hammock with a book and ignore him.

[Many Moons]

Quick comments: Most hostels have small fees for town/shopping shuttles, and what with the price of gas these days, most of these fees have inceased recently. And the hostel in Glencliff makes it clear that this fee is per person......the alternative would be to charge a "per carload" fee, which would in all likelihood be significantly more than five bucks (A run to the Warren store, back again, and giving people time to shop generally takes at least three quarters of an hour or more.....how much is an hour of YOUR time worth? I bet it's more than 5 bucks, and this doesn't even inlclude keeping the car gassed and on the road.) Would Mr. Breeze be happy to pay a "carload" fee if he were the only person going? In short, the "per person" fee seems to work better......if there was a "carload" fee of, say, ten or fifteen dollars a trip, he'd be complaining even louder! As for the "lots of issues" over allegedly lost mail, this is the first time I ever heard of this. Complaints such as this are best directed towards the service provider or businesses themselves, as opposed to anonymous, undetailed, and perhaps unsubstantiated accusations made on web forums. But it is a simple truth that there will always be people that find a way to be unhappy about ANY place, and anyone who feels "ripped off" by the fees charged at hiker facilities or businesses has an easy remedy: They can skip requesting the service in question.....or even skip the facility itself. Problem solved.

Thanks for your help this spring 2012 with teaching me how to pack my pack!!!! See you on the trail!!! Hike On!!!

Miller

[mfleming]

Papa D's review of the Hikers Welcome Hostel seemed to be sincere and balanced

[Papa D]

Papa D's review of the Hikers Welcome Hostel seemed to be sincere and balanced

Thank you. I would stay there again and don't
mind telling Fat Chap that he's a grump. I'm sure
that if you know him, it's not news. Sorry if I offended.

[10-K]

I had an OK experience at Hiker's Welcome other than a hiker named "Uncle Walt" gave me no end of grief for slackpacking from Franconia Notch back to the hostel....

I didn't get a shuttle into town but I did invite Phat Chap to dinner in town and he still charged me full price for the shuttle even though I paid for his meal.

I never sorted out how I felt about that but there wasn't nearly enough money involved to get a resentment so I just let it go and kept on hiking to Maine.

[Chaco Taco]

Thank you. I would stay there again and don't
mind telling Fat Chap that he's a grump. I'm sure
that if you know him, it's not news. Sorry if I offended.

I was just saying, without trying to seem like I was trolling, that its interesting you would say that on a website. We have been to Hikers Welcome quite a few times since our thruhike and Fat Chapp has never been anything but very welcoming to us and always has treated us with overwhelming hospitality and anyone that ends up at the hostel. Maybe give him the benefit of the doubt and cut him a break. Like I said, dealing with thru's day in and day out can probably put even the nicest guy in a pissy mood.
10-K, I can see your issue with Uncle Walt. Walt is a good guy and means no harm. He helps out around the hostel as well. He is socially awkward but a nice guy once you get to know him.

[Chaco Taco]

and yes its all a fair assesment of things, and Papa D, I dont want you to think Im giving you crap. I mean no disrespect

[10-K]

I had no problem with Uncle Walt CT. He's a character just like we're all characters.

[Chaco Taco]

I had no problem with Uncle Walt CT. He's a character just like we're all characters.

Well said 10-K

[JAK]

Gotta get back
Back to the past
Baltimore Jack
Watch out
Gotta get back
Back to the past
Baltimore Jack
Jack Jack Jack Jack Jack

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp7W2Z5Mzqw

[Papa D]

and yes its all a fair assesment of things, and Papa D, I dont want you to think Im giving you crap. I mean no disrespect

thanks - likewise - I tend to run my mouth - Phat Chap just said things to some young SOBO thru - hikers in August that I thought was uncalled for, demeaning and essentially rained on their parade. The consensus among all the guests was that he was out of line and I talked to folks later who sort of had the same opinion. I'm actually friends with a friend of the owner of the hostel (forget his name) but I know he's a triple-crowner and a super legit guy. The place is great - bunks, books, plenty of towels, hot water, hammocks in the yard, etc. - - no problem with the HWC - - Phat Chap just surprised me a bit, I guess.

10K says that Uncle Walt rubbed him wrong. The only problem that I had with Uncle Walt is that he smokes like a smokestack but I sort of liked that guy in a weird way and I appreciate the hostel letting him stay there and work - - he's sort of a free-spirit of the trail - - really didn't mind him at all.

Thanks for your posts - - we're all good. Cheers.

[Del Q]

Coming up on my 1000th post, trying to be selective here.

1. yes, I think that running a hostel and dealing with the public, thru's and other hikers, many, many challenges. Some crappy experiences could taint anyone's perspective
2. No $$$ in it
3. This hostel was GREAT from my experience, they picked friends up 10 miles back and shuttled them back to their car in Hanover............got a pizza delivered, shower, washed my clothes. What else do we really need? Eccletic, fun, cool spot. Shared my Pizza with those around the fire pit.
4. Backpacking is my hobby of choice, I save $$ for gear, food, shuttle drivers, etc.

The SUPER LOW FEE'S that are charged by hostels and providers along the trail, I am so friggin happy to have what I receive I always over tip, what is a few bucks one way or the other when you add it all up?

Q

[Chaco Taco]

Well said and thanks for clarification. I can see where you are coming from and I respect that. You are right though, its a great place regardless and Packrat is a good guy. Glad you saw past any bad vibes and still had a good time.

thanks - likewise - I tend to run my mouth - Phat Chap just said things to some young SOBO thru - hikers in August that I thought was uncalled for, demeaning and essentially rained on their parade. The consensus among all the guests was that he was out of line and I talked to folks later who sort of had the same opinion. I'm actually friends with a friend of the owner of the hostel (forget his name) but I know he's a triple-crowner and a super legit guy. The place is great - bunks, books, plenty of towels, hot water, hammocks in the yard, etc. - - no problem with the HWC - - Phat Chap just surprised me a bit, I guess.

10K says that Uncle Walt rubbed him wrong. The only problem that I had with Uncle Walt is that he smokes like a smokestack but I sort of liked that guy in a weird way and I appreciate the hostel letting him stay there and work - - he's sort of a free-spirit of the trail - - really didn't mind him at all.

Thanks for your posts - - we're all good. Cheers.