hostels and undesirables

[jdc5294]

This is something that sprung to my mind as I was getting nostalgic about my thru 3 years ago (wow, that long ago?). I remember I came to a hostel in New Hampshire and the owner at the door asked me what my destination was. After wondering why I was being quizzed for a beat, I replied "Katahdin?" and he smiled and let me in. He told me he did that to make sure everyone coming in was in fact a hiker and not some homeless person just looking for a bed. Come to think of it we all fit that description anyway, but I digress.

So I was wondering if this is a common occurrence, people not hiking the trail making use of the hostels? Not sure how many hostel owners use WhiteBlaze but maybe some other hikers have some stories.

[TOW]

It is common for mine.......

[kayak karl]

they are referred to as posers.

[TOW]

Yeah they'll come in saying they're hiking the AT and I will question them, but if I feel comfortable with them I will let them stay.....

[squeezebox]

The idea of being homeless but having the money for a hostel does not add up for me. In St. Louis the urban homeless are mostly downtown. There are a couple of tent towns, 1 is a fenced off area on city hall property. 1 near the river. and a few dead warehouses. Glad the city realizes it's cheaper to provide them with minimal services than throw them in jail. Rural homelessness is an issue that does not get much attention.

[MuddyWaters]

The idea of being homeless but having the money for a hostel does not add up for me

Vagrants may not intend to pay. They like to sponge off the goodwill in the hiker community, especially hiker boxes. Not that i care, anything dumped in one is for anyone that can use it imo.

[nuknees]

Hm. I would think that hostels would ask for $$$ first and that the homeless wouldn't be able to pay. I'm also trying to remember if I've ever seen a homeless person with a backpack. I've seen some with a duffle bag but mostly they are pushing around shopping carts or carrying their belongings in trash bags.

[coach lou]

Yeah they'll come in saying they're hiking the AT and I will question them, but if I feel comfortable with them I will let them stay.....

You get a bunch of likes Tow..........this is the only way to roll.

[Starchild]

I met one at the church run hostel at DWG. He signed in as IIRC Satan and his dog as Lucifer though that may have been reversed. He was hiking the trail only because the police hassle him less on it rather then walking the roads and he was on his way from PA to the Rainbow gathering in CT. This appeared to be his 2nd night at this hostel, and with the breakfast included and 'free' donation based stay I can see why he chose a 2nd night. When I left this hostel I though this was the last I would see of him.

I had 2 occasions to talk with him the first at the hostel which he did something that stuck me as odd, he asked if he could sit down on the couch I was sitting on, even though there was clearly a empty seat. I could not deny him a seat, but truth be told I really didn't want him to sit next to me. In afterthought perhaps this is some sort of prison etiquette for such a situation, I don't know but it does sound plausible. The second time was on the trail, he and Lucifer was in a small clearing near the trail in NJ eating lunch, which gave me more insight into his journey, and answered the question how he got ahead of me this far down the trail. I let him know that in NY the trail would turn away from where he wanted to go and he may want to get off the trail and seek a more direct route.

He had very little gear and hiked in a ski bib in the summer, this he also used to sleep in as he had no sleeping gear. Often ate dry uncooked rice and threw it up sometime later down the trail. He did also have a can of dog food which was given to him for his dog. The Pastor of the hostel drove him 20 miles AT NoBo and dropped him off at a trail head, this was to ensure he didn't come back (which is how he did get ahead of me).

Other thru hikers were very uncomfortable around him, some, particularly female, hikers paired up for a time, including one that asked me to hike with her, well not directly but expressed concern so we hiked together that day. Another thru hiker got to a shelter alone, and set up for the night, Satan then came in after dark and talked with this hiker in the shelter, preventing him from sleeping and making him uncomfortable till very late. The thru hiker decided it was better and safer to move on, so packed his stuff up in the dark and hiked further down trail and found a spot in the woods to make camp and go back to sleep.

I found him a interesting part of the hike and never really felt threatened by him, My take, a lost soul in many respects, just wandering around that happened to stumble into the wonderfully blessed world of the AT. Not that he was accepted, but he did see it and get to experience a small piece of it, and I do wonder if it made a positive mark on him.

[kayak karl]

these are not your typical homeless. they have a little money and a lot of stories. they're hiking north, they're hiking south, section hiking, veteran, hippie, retired, unemployed, on SSI........the story will change depending on who they are talking to. they will ask to "borrow" money (they have a check coming soon) and will hope you leave before that get said check. watch your pack, they may offer to watch it for you they will stay at hostel while others go shopping. i know TOW will remember No-Name-No-Bo in '09. at Chets place in Lincoln Let-It-Be spotted a poser getting off the shuttle. i don't know how he knew, but he was right and was kicked out next day.
when crime on the trail in mentioned, i always think of these type of people.

[Bronk]

Every year there seem to be a few homeless that stumble upon the trail and become half assed thruhikers, mostly hanging around with other hikers in order to take advantage of free lodging at hostels, free food, etc.

[kayak karl]

Every year there seem to be a few homeless that stumble upon the trail and become half assed thruhikers, mostly hanging around with other hikers in order to take advantage of free lodging at hostels, free food, etc.

but nothing like "real" thruhikers counting on trail magic

[nuknees]

watch your pack, they may offer to watch it for you they will stay at hostel while others go shopping.

Wow...I hadn't even even thought about that! What does one do about pack security while at hostel's and resupplying?
I can see that even some 'real dishonest hikers' taking that advantage of unguarded packs at hostels...for instance if they see you have some gear they don't or that is better than what they have such as a nice 900 fill sweater or sleeping bag.

[MuddyWaters]

Wow...I hadn't even even thought about that! What does one do about pack security while at hostel's and resupplying?
I can see that even some 'real dishonest hikers' taking that advantage of unguarded packs at hostels...for instance if they see you have some gear they don't or that is better than what they have such as a nice 900 fill sweater or sleeping bag.

Problems are very are, but have happened. Someone posted on here once a sizeable sum of money was taken out their pack at a hostel, it was in envelope ducttaped to the inside of the pack., under all their gear.

The problem is, it can end a hike if it happens.

I am uncomfortable milling about towns with my stuff not locked away or left in someone i trusts care. So i really like hotel rooms over hostels. Plus i like quiet, big beds, and long hot showers.

[Walkintom]

My pack has never been left unattended when someone I suspect in the least has had access to it. Simple risk vs. reward.

I recall one instance where we stayed at a hostel for 2 days and paid the owner for a slackpack. At the end of the first day, after the slackpack, the hostel operator was making the daily run to town to allow hikers to resupply. My wife stayed at the hostel while I went to town because a slightly shady hiker arrived and stated that he didn't need anything but 10 minutes or so to recharge his phone and wanted to check the place out for future hikes. We'd encountered him before and felt he was safe to be around, but not too trustworthy to be unattended around your possessions. He was 'not quite homeless.' He'd told us up front he was eating out of hiker boxes to save $$$ which is an excellent usage of the food imo, but too many things he said added up to him being a petty thief.
.
While the hostel operator was in town with us the guy also used the shower, did a load of laundry and then went on his way without paying anything for those services. Things that didn't have a price tag, but for which compensation was clearly expected and which the guy indicated that he did pay for - only he didn't. Not great amounts of theft, but clearly an abuse of the hospitality and who knows what conveniently portable items might have gone missing if no one were hanging around. At the least, I suspect that the hostel operator would have also been out some food items from the hiker pantry.

You don't have to automatically distrust someone who appears to be trail homeless, but it's usually safe to assume that they deserve a little more vigilance.

[nuknees]

My wife stayed at the hostel while I went to town....

A great solution if you have a partner...but what are the options if you hike alone? Muddy, I hear ya about staying in hotels but that kind of expense can end a hike for me (limited $$$) just as well as coming back to hostel and finding some of my expensive gear I worked and saved for for so long gone! UG!
I've never been to a hostel and I don't know how they are setup. I assume in many different ways, but I guess I was imagining them to have a front desk or 'main house' the caretakers live in that one could ask if they could leave their pack 'behind the counter' so to speak or in the main house where it could be watched while you resupply in town or go to restaurant.

[MuddyWaters]

You don't have to automatically distrust someone who appears to be trail homeless, but it's usually safe to assume that they deserve a little more vigilance.

I like the term trail- homeless. These folks are sometimes actually hiking and living on the trail. Sometimes they are running from law or mentally not-right. But what differentiates them, is everyone else is on vacation, these people are scrounging the fringe of society trying to exist.

[Walkintom]

A great solution if you have a partner...but what are the options if you hike alone? Muddy, I hear ya about staying in hotels but that kind of expense can end a hike for me (limited $$$) just as well as coming back to hostel and finding some of my expensive gear I worked and saved for for so long gone! UG!
I've never been to a hostel and I don't know how they are setup. I assume in many different ways, but I guess I was imagining them to have a front desk or 'main house' the caretakers live in that one could ask if they could leave their pack 'behind the counter' so to speak or in the main house where it could be watched while you resupply in town or go to restaurant.

Hostels vary greatly. The one I mentioned is run out of the guy's basement, which is really well geared out to treat up to 8 or so hikers nicely. There's a freezer and fridge stocked with food you can buy, there are bunk beds, a separate living room area with TV and lots of books, a bathroom with shower and a tiny laundry room. At this place, hikers essentially check themselves in and meet the operator when he comes through. The food he stocks is run on the honor system with a clipboard and log sheet to keep track of your in-house purchases. Pay on the way out.

Other places accept money up front, may be open only certain hours, etc. Everyone does it the way they feel best for their particular operation.

If I am not comfortable leaving my pack somewhere then I don't do it. Whether that means skipping the town run, carrying my pack in the trunk of the vehicle, locking it up somewhere safe - that's what I do. There are many solutions and as long as you're polite and solution oriented you can come up with something workable.

[MuddyWaters]

Yep, hostels vary from literally...someones garage...to essentially very nice bed and breakfast inns with outstanding food, where the only thing that makes it a hostel is you are in a group room.

[Second Hand]

I met one at the church run hostel at DWG. He signed in as IIRC Satan and his dog as Lucifer though that may have been reversed. He was hiking the trail only because the police hassle him less on it rather then walking the roads and he was on his way from PA to the Rainbow gathering in CT. This appeared to be his 2nd night at this hostel, and with the breakfast included and 'free' donation based stay I can see why he chose a 2nd night. When I left this hostel I though this was the last I would see of him.

I had 2 occasions to talk with him the first at the hostel which he did something that stuck me as odd, he asked if he could sit down on the couch I was sitting on, even though there was clearly a empty seat. I could not deny him a seat, but truth be told I really didn't want him to sit next to me. In afterthought perhaps this is some sort of prison etiquette for such a situation, I don't know but it does sound plausible. The second time was on the trail, he and Lucifer was in a small clearing near the trail in NJ eating lunch, which gave me more insight into his journey, and answered the question how he got ahead of me this far down the trail. I let him know that in NY the trail would turn away from where he wanted to go and he may want to get off the trail and seek a more direct route.

He had very little gear and hiked in a ski bib in the summer, this he also used to sleep in as he had no sleeping gear. Often ate dry uncooked rice and threw it up sometime later down the trail. He did also have a can of dog food which was given to him for his dog. The Pastor of the hostel drove him 20 miles AT NoBo and dropped him off at a trail head, this was to ensure he didn't come back (which is how he did get ahead of me).

Other thru hikers were very uncomfortable around him, some, particularly female, hikers paired up for a time, including one that asked me to hike with her, well not directly but expressed concern so we hiked together that day. Another thru hiker got to a shelter alone, and set up for the night, Satan then came in after dark and talked with this hiker in the shelter, preventing him from sleeping and making him uncomfortable till very late. The thru hiker decided it was better and safer to move on, so packed his stuff up in the dark and hiked further down trail and found a spot in the woods to make camp and go back to sleep.

I found him a interesting part of the hike and never really felt threatened by him, My take, a lost soul in many respects, just wandering around that happened to stumble into the wonderfully blessed world of the AT. Not that he was accepted, but he did see it and get to experience a small piece of it, and I do wonder if it made a positive mark on him.

I think I shared a shelter with this guy in CT on an October night in 2010. I was doing a quick section and got to the MT. Algo Shelter just before sun down. I set up shop and was almost asleep when he strolled in with his dog and wearing a ski bib.

He told me all sorts of crazy stories. I mean, I could have written a book with this guys stories! Everything from being bitten by a rattlesnake in PA to finding a dead body and being questioned by the FBI in VA. Then there was a really creepy story that I actually went home and validated.... save that for another day.

Anyway, he was not a thru-hiker, although he claimed that he had hiked up and down the trail several times. He said he had gotten a job installing fences in Kent and he was going to sleep in the Shelters until work ran out, then he was heading South for warmer weather.

His trail name, at least at that point, was Wild Bill.