Avoid Standing Bear Hostel

[pyroman53]

curtis is a cranky-azz jarhead tired of puttin' up with hikers crap like me

I asked him about that one evening and he said he still goes out of his way to help out folks where he can. He said most people are great and there's really only an occasional knucklehead he has had to deal with. Curtis is a great guy who helps out thousands...just make sure you don't take him, his hostel, or his help for granted. He did me well when I stayed there last fall.

[Hoofit]

Tough luck - I had a great time there!

[Rasty]

I do! Love that kind of stuff.

i was left a cute note this morning by some wonderful, entitled thru-hikers stating "have some respect. you're a menacing ... hole" i guess cuz i called LEOs the past two nites for dopers and drinkers inside The Place

You lucky stiff,I never get letters like that!

[Pony]

True, there's always another side but the reality is when you're in a service delivery industry you're always "on stage" (sorta like the Disney philosophy) and liable to be judge more quickly for bad service than nice.

I have worked in restaurants for most of the last decade and unfortunately this is true. Most often the scenario is that the guest who is dissatisfied will not take care of the problem then and there, but will email the corporate office, much like the OP went to the internet in this case. This way they have some time to put their story together and more often than not it is greatly exaggerated. In the two instances I have had complaints emailed to the corporate office, one was a huge stretch with only a grain of truth. The other was a complete fabrication sent by the family member of a coworker in an attepmt to get me fired.

That being said, if I were a hostel owner with no fear of repercussion from my corporate office, I'm sure I would have bumped a few chests. I stayed at SBF in 2008 and had a great stay. It was toward the end of thru hiker season, and Curtis sounded as though he had had enough of jerks for one season. He went on to tell us that most of the a-holes he had dealt with were from Ohio or Florida. A little while later he said "so where you guys from?" We all had a pretty good laugh. Regardless of my state of residence he still treated me well.

[aaronthebugbuffet]

i'm surprise he hasnt chimed in - he is on whiteblaze....

He's probably too busy.
I'm sure he would have a good laugh about it though.

[Mags]

I've hiked through that area 3 times since Curtis has been there.

It's one of my favorite spots on the AT. Stayed there 5 nights. Curtis has always been great. Not sure what the problem is.

Ditto. Stayed there before and just after my BMT hike.

He let me park my truck there during the BMT hike, had everything I needed and was very hospitable to me.

But, I'm from the northeast originally. Maybe I just take direct-and-to-the point as normal.

\the option was Mountain Mama's. Now for those who have been around a while, we know what that means...for the newer hikers, let's just say that Standing Bear Farm operates at an extremely high level comparably speaking.

But SBF does not offer nearly the variety of tax-free cigarettes as Mountain Momma's!

[Senor Jalapeno]

I cant believe anyone thinks his resupply is expensive.... its not a dollar general sure, but its cheaper than most places down this area!

[Senor Jalapeno]

Woohoo go Lonewolf! I hate when people just blatently abuse hostels like that!

[Praha4]

one recent statistical study showed most of the *ssholes that hike the AT come from CT, is it the water up there or something?

[coach lou]

one recent statistical study showed most of the *ssholes that hike the AT come from CT, is it the water up there or something?

you must be kidding, to post a comment like that!

[Wise Old Owl]

wow I never got letters like that.... LW you rule!

[Wise Old Owl]

curtis is a cranky-azz jarhead tired of puttin' up with hikers crap like me

What - you don't feel the love - the fist pump? Get over it... did he say never come back? I think not.

[Lone Wolf]

What - you don't feel the love - the fist pump? Get over it... did he say never come back? I think not.

huh? what you yappin' about?

[Wise Old Owl]

no yapping you are a hoot.... (You have my respect)

[Lone Wolf]

no yapping you are a hoot.... (You have my respect)

i'm menacing

[yellowsirocco]

I have stayed there twice. The first time Curtis was drunk and a bit of a jerk and things were a bit of a mess. The second time he was drinking reasonably and a much nicer person and things were more in order. I think it really depends on how much he has had to drink combined with how many hikers come through with entitlement issues pissing him off. As for the resupply prices, he pretty much has a monopoly and could charge whatever he wanted so I think the prices are quite low considering his location.

[rocketsocks]

i'm menacing

Yeah,but your our menacing!

[ChinMusic]

Yeah,but your our menacing!

We can rename him "Dennis" for the duration of Trial Days.........

[rocketsocks]

We can rename him "Dennis" for the duration of Trial Days.........

dahlt,that could stick!

[Rain Man]

I have stayed with Curtis three times and have had nothing but a great experience....

When ever I hear someone complain about a place like SBF, I sure would like to hear the other side of the story....

We stayed at SBH about 4 weeks ago. Curtis was more than accommodating. ... I wouldn't hesitate to stay again, or arrange a shuttle with him....

I have to agree with all the above. I've been there twice (in '05), once over-night with my wife. Also Curtis did a vehicle shuttle for us, driving our vehicle to Hot Springs as we hiked over a Thanksgiving holiday, for a reasonable fee. Never saw Curtis drunk or drinking. The re-supply stock and arrangement were fine, especially for a hostel miles from the nearest town. I wouldn't hesitate to stay again or arrange another shuttle.

I'll add that Curtis was helpful and courteous both by email and phone as I was planning my trips, shuttle, and stays.

i was left a cute note this morning by some wonderful, entitled thru-hikers stating "have some respect. you're a menacing ... hole" i guess cuz i called LEOs the past two nites for dopers and drinkers inside The Place

Good for you, Lone Wolf!!! If only all hikers "had some respect." Thanks for seeing a problem and reporting it.

RainMan

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