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  1. #1
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    Default Jail House Hostel in Palmerton, PA.

    the hostel is closed after 40 years due to bad hiker behavior. another one bites the dust

  2. #2

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    Quote Originally Posted by Lone Wolf View Post
    the hostel is closed after 40 years due to bad hiker behavior. another one bites the dust
    Sad. I learned what the phrase "flop house" meant at the Jailhouse Hostel. Because there is a sign inside that says "this is not a flop house!" Apparently not enough people took note of that sign...

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    What happened? Was it a specific instance or just intolerable behavior & incidents year after year?
    "The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
    But I have promises to keep,
    And miles to go before I sleep,
    And miles to go before I sleep."

  4. #4

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    When I stayed there several years ago, a hiker burst into tears because another hiker (both females) told her she couldn't keep her dog inside. It was quite the drama, and it made me glad that I was hiking against the flow (southbound on a summer section).

  5. #5

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    I remember staying there on an early season (March) section hike several years ago. Musta been 30 gift baskets wrapped and ready to roll down in the bunk room. Had the whole complex to myself. Thought, "Man these people are awfully trusting." Sad to see that people who had that much faith in the hiking community have decided it's not worth the aggravation anymore.

  6. #6
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by JumpMaster Blaster View Post
    What happened? Was it a specific instance or just intolerable behavior & incidents year after year?
    not sure but most likely it's been building for years

  7. #7
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    Isn't this hostel actually run by the local police?
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  8. #8

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    In 2012 you are to contact the PD and let them know you are there.

  9. #9
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    I could be totally wrong, but when I passed through in May of 2011, I thought I saw a sign at one of the shelters saying that the Jailhouse hostel had already closed back then. Am I just mistaken, or has this happened before?
    Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.

  10. #10

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    May have happened before. I was there mid June of 12 on a rainy night.

  11. #11

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    Quote Originally Posted by Lone Wolf View Post
    the hostel is closed after 40 years due to bad hiker behavior. another one bites the dust
    Too bad. I really enjoyed my stay there. Too often a few bad apples ruin it for everyone.
    [I]ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: ... Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit....[/I]. Numbers 35

    [url]www.MeetUp.com/NashvilleBackpacker[/url]

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  12. #12

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    They might of heard of the hiker wave approaching.

  13. #13
    Registered User Donde's Avatar
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    Wow I keep betting on the place to be the next one, and keep getting it wrong. How long you think it will be before they are all gone (excluding the for profits)? Sooner the better.

  14. #14

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    Quote Originally Posted by Rain Man View Post
    Too bad. I really enjoyed my stay there. Too often a few bad apples ruin it for everyone.
    Given accounts and observations over the last several years, it may have been a lot more than a few apples that were bad and more like Frat house mentality that seems to be pervasive.

  15. #15
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    Would like more info. Wonder if it was a problem inside the hostel or in the town which the hostel attracted to it.

    When I went it was full, people sleeping on the floor, but pretty mellow. Lots of hikers wandering around town but no problems. The police even stopped by to let us know about the bars, categorized mainly by age groups.

    It is shame that this one is gone, it seemed like one of the landmark 'must stay' places. But then again change is the only way things can get better, so I am ever hopeful.

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sarcasm the elf View Post
    I could be totally wrong, but when I passed through in May of 2011, I thought I saw a sign at one of the shelters saying that the Jailhouse hostel had already closed back then. Am I just mistaken, or has this happened before?
    I stayed there on June 8, 2011.
    "Chainsaw" GA-ME 2011

  17. #17

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by Coffee View Post
    Isn't this hostel actually run by the local police?
    It's run by the town, you check in (or use to check in) at the police station, behind the town hall after hours. During business hours you checked in just inside the entrance to the town hall.

    It's not really a jail but the basement of the town hall.

    Hikers need to wake up!
    "Chainsaw" GA-ME 2011

  19. #19
    Registered User mrcoffeect's Avatar
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    "getting palmerized will not be tolerated"
    If the thru hikers companion in 2008 had to tell hikers to behave when at the hostel,it should be no suprise that the town was sick of it.

  20. #20
    Registered User Walkintom's Avatar
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    It was open in 2013 but I remember a couple of hikers who were staying there getting kicked out of one of the bars for being rude (not inebriated, just rude) so if that behavior was continuing to be a problem I can understand why the town would choose to no longer provide the location.

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