Kincora Stories

[kayak karl]

So it is actually on the AT, right? Or .2 miles off, or whatever. (And it is still open, right)

it is a MUST stop

[Ron Haven]

met bob " 501 " the new wingfoot guide owner in 2007
at kincora .. it was cool to watch him and bob people sit and talk for a few
while "501" was going around trying to get info on the trail
the trail work around that area was incredible ..

I really like Bob 501 McCaw.He seems to be a great person in every way.

[Jeff]

So glad to see this thread resurrected. Kincora and Bob are the reason my wife and I opened our hostel in Manchester, VT for AT and Long Trail hikers.

[Cabin Fever]

I have the fortune of being in the same club as Bob and the freedom of dropping in Kincora on a whim. Bob is one of the greatest men I have ever met. He has lived a life of service in many meanings - husband, father, Air Force, trail crew, hostel owner and friend. We (men) should all strive to follow his example.

Some of my favorite trail experiences are doing rock work with him on trail maintenance days with TEHCC. Not Hard Core because too many people are attached to him, but rather on small TEHCC outings when there's less than 15 of us. It's a joy to work side by side with a man of that calibur.

[Tennessee Viking]

Has he gotten back from his European pilgrimage hike yet?

[ShelterLeopard]

Well, it has definitely been highlighted in my guidebook- and I found it on the map. Only .2 off the trail? Awesome...

[Lybarger]

Fantastic hostel. Best enjoyed shortly after the thruhiker bubble has past.

[Jack Tarlin]

Wow. Amazing. I started this thread almost five years ago.

Am very glad somebody revived it, and very glad that folks STILL have great Kincora stories to tell.

This is a very unique place, as anyone who's been there knows, and I hope the 2010 people are marking this thread, so sometime next Spring, they make sure and stop for a day or two in Dennis Cove.

Cuz otherwise, they'll have to do it again later and come back that way again.....

You miss Kincora on your thru-hike, you dropped the ball, end of story.

[toegem]

Stay there on a section hike Bob is one heck of a person, I hope to visit Kincora again this fall to start a 2 week section hike in Va.

[ShelterLeopard]

So glad to see this thread resurrected. Kincora and Bob are the reason my wife and I opened our hostel in Manchester, VT for AT and Long Trail hikers.

Wait, wait, wait. Hostel? In Manchester Vermont? Is it still open? Why didn't I know about this? This changes my resupply day in Manchester completely!!! (If you're still open, of course)

[AUhiker90]

Already marked this for a stop. I have only heard wonderful things about Kincora. Cant wait!

[Old graymare]

I have stayed at Kincora a few times on my section hikes. Listening to his stories and his take on different characters, with that twinkle in his eyes makes me smile. . When he offers advice, he knows what he is talking about. His encouragement and discriptions of trail sections, have truly kept me going. He is a sweetheart.

[Lumberjack2003]

Fantastic hostel. Best enjoyed shortly after the thruhiker bubble has past.

I second that. I was there while Trail Days was going on and really enjoyed it. Bob is great and I really apprecited all the help and advice that he gave me.

[Sly]

Wait, wait, wait. Hostel? In Manchester Vermont? Is it still open? Why didn't I know about this? This changes my resupply day in Manchester completely!!! (If you're still open, of course)

They're listed in the 2010 Companion. Jeff is also a fellow field editor.

[w4ofw4of]

http://maps.google.com/?q=1278%20Dennis%20Cove%20Rd,%20Hampton,%20TN%2037 658

[Jack Tarlin]

This thread will be seven years old in a few months. Amazing! Keep the stories coming, especially you guys who've been there recently!

[LittleBearK]

Does Kincora hostel offer a mail drop? Also, there is a 4 donation listed, are there laundry costs, etc? Planning a zero there after all I have heard about it!!!

[SCRUB HIKER]

Does Kincora hostel offer a mail drop? Also, there is a 4 donation listed, are there laundry costs, etc? Planning a zero there after all I have heard about it!!!

I got a maildrop there last year. Can't imagine why he wouldn't keep taking them now ... does your guidebook not say? The $4 suggested donation covers everything.

Also, I love Kincora and think it's a fantastic place, but I wouldn't take a zero there. It's small, likely to be crowded, and far out of town. 2 1/2 days later, you'll be in Damascus, which is an awesome place for a zero. I'm sure you'll figure it out as you go.

[wornoutboots]

This October after climbing sobo from the rain into the sleet & into the snow to Iron Mountain Shelter & spending a cold damp night there, I woke up put on frozen boots & I was determined to get to lower elevation & out of the continued bad weather. I ended up hiking 24 miles & night hiking the last hour or so into Kincora. It was perfect timing! As I opened the bunk house door, about 6 fellow hikers going both Sobo & Nobo looked at me & the first thing they said was "Are you hungry, Dinner is just about ready" music to my ears!! They fed me a huge breakfast for dinner complete with kielbasa(sp) fried potatoes, fresh vegtables omlettes, french toast, salads & more. It looked like Bob's love was spreading!! I asked what I owed & they just said you've had a long day, just help with the dishes. The next day Bob noticed that I must have come in after dark & he drove me down to Browns Store to resupply & we had a long great conversion. I wish I could remember all the hikers there that night but I only have a few, Ayla, Brennen, skinnylegs, Saltydog were a few & the others I can't remember were heading nobo to Damascus.

[mountain squid]

Yes, Kincora does accept maildrops. The suggested donation is now $5 however.

See you on the trail,
mt squid

how to hike