Internet Access?

**drsukie** · 01-05-2006, 20:48

Unless I have missed it, I have not seen anything about 'net access at trail towns.

I could care less about surfing or checking the real-world e-mail (which WILL be on hold for my journey), but I write an on-line journal for family and friends. We are scattered all over the US and in NZ, South Africa, and Canada, so it's an easier way to communicate with people given all the different time zones.

Plus, I hate the phone. I do NOT want to be sitting at a pay phone. I'll carry my cell for emergencies only, to check for family messages when I have coverage (my Dad is old, and not doing very well - this Spring is probably a rough time for me to be away, but I have their support).

Are there trail towns that have internet cafés or other Internet access? Plus, my mail drop Angel (Herb Goddess) is an e-mail junkie - it will help to fine-tune things as I go.

Any info is appreciated..negative thoughts on Internet access are respected, but unneeded for my purposes!

Thanks! Sue

**Lone Wolf** · 01-05-2006, 20:55

Plenty of towns have plenty of that s**t. Not to worry. The AT is connected.

**MOWGLI** · 01-05-2006, 20:58

Most public libraries in the US have internet access. The two primary trail guides list the libraries along the way. In addition, many hostels offer access, although in both hostels & libraries there might be a wait and user time limit.

**TooTall** · 01-05-2006, 20:58

Originally Posted by drsukie

Are there trail towns that have internet cafés or other Internet access? Plus, my mail drop Angel (Herb Goddess) is an e-mail junkie - it will help to fine-tune things as I go.

Every trail town has a library with internet access. All the libraries are equipped with PCs with internet access (courtesy of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation). Just show an ID to sign up for an hour on a PC. If all the hour slots are taken you might have to wait a day. I've been able to occasionally use a PC longer than an hour when it was close to closing and no one else was around who wanted to use the PC.

Many hostels and cafes along the trail have internet access. Miss Janets in Erwin now has three PCs. The Sidetrack Cafe in Damascus has a couple of PCs and a Mac along a wall. The ATC office in Harper's Ferry has a PC. The Dartmouth Outing Club in Hanover has three Macs. I'm sure there are other places along the trail.

Too Tall Paul

**Lone Wolf** · 01-05-2006, 21:03

The Sidetrack no longer exists. It is now the Baja Cafe. They have 1 computer for public use. Free. Don't abuse it. 15 minutes and get the heck off it. The library has 6 computers donated by Bill Gates.

**drsukie** · 01-05-2006, 21:04

Thanks! I have not looked at this part of my Guides yet (eagerly awaiting my 2006 Thru-hikers Handbook, please come, please come, please come).

An hour is SO much more time than I need - I am a 10 minute person; on, off, later! So, maybe I'll find some other souls who will need to link for a wee bit!

Sue

**max patch** · 01-05-2006, 21:15

If you have no desire to check the web or email, it may be less of a hassle to handwrite your journal and mail it to a friend for transcribing rather than looking for a pc and waiting in line to use it.

**calearn** · 01-05-2006, 21:22

Also consider pocketmail (http://www.pocketmail.com/us/products/pm32/) as a way to send/receive emails only needing a phone. Many hikers like it because they can type in their journals at night on the trail and then just send them when they reach a phone.

**drsukie** · 01-05-2006, 21:25

Originally Posted by max patch

If you have no desire to check the web or email, it may be less of a hassle to handwrite your journal and mail it to a friend for transcribing rather than looking for a pc and waiting in line to use it.

I know, I know - but I do not have any friends that will do this right. I guess it's one of my own "crosses"; I was a Journalism major way back. If they can't (or won't) transcribe like I can write, it seems like a death of words...

Plus, Herb Goddess can send many good treats when I tell her to - brownies and cookies probably will NOY be ignored ny myself and my fellow thru-hikers, no ?

Suke!

**hopefulhiker** · 01-05-2006, 21:51

Ditto on the pocketmail, I got one and it was a luxury item worth carrying. I typed into it everynight and then called the 800 number at a payphone.. I used trail journals It cost $100 for the unit and $50 for three months.. It was good for the thru hike, very durable and the two aa batteries lasted a long time. It weighs a half a pound though...

**SGT Rock** · 01-05-2006, 21:54

One of the joys of backpacking for me is getting away from all that e-mail in the first place - as well as phones (especially cell phones). Hopefully on my thru it will involve minimal time on the net. I plan to hand write my journal and mail it to my wife - I still haven't even decided if it will go on the net as I hike or after I get done.

**Blissful** · 01-05-2006, 22:03

How big a file can you receive on the pocket e-mail? Can it receive attachments? Not that I want to "work" on the AT, but I am a writer by trade and the necessity may arise if an editor has to e-mail me galleys for correction or something else (which I hope will not be the case, but could happen). Can that be done on this type of gizmo? Thanks!

**Lone Wolf** · 01-05-2006, 22:06

No wonder there's so many roads, hostels, shelters. AT hikers CANNOT be without. sad.

**hopefulhiker** · 01-05-2006, 22:14

The pocket thing is real simple, no attachments or anything, you have to segment really large emails. it does have a calculator, a calendar, and a memo pad. I carried data sheets which I sometimes lost and my wife would email me the next data sheet for me.. It has a little light that you can use to type stuff at night. I only actually emailed about three times every two weeks. Saves the 75 cents for a payphone call too.

**MOWGLI** · 01-05-2006, 22:34

I did the hand written journal thing and mailed it to my transcriber (Mom) every town stop. It worked great. I highly recommend it.

**tiamalle** · 01-06-2006, 04:12

I furnish free in Franklin a computer room with new Dell computers and wireless internet.If you are a thru hiker and need to stop in and check e-mails or send messages it's ok even if you are not a guest at one of my motels.Also If you want to keep a journal free on my brand website use
the message board free all of you are welcome.There is a lot more you might want to check out. appalachiantrailservices.com

**Chickety** · 01-06-2006, 08:08

I was rather suprised at how easily internet access was to find. Even when we were not expecting to find it...........internet everywhere!
3 days out from Springer (Neel's Gap) there was internet, I e-mailed my family and friends (because the computer was there and free and why not??!) and they were all like...........I thought you were hiking a TRAIL.........in the woods??!
A few days later in Hiawassee..........more internet........I had to stop e-mailing everytime I saw a computer......no one was going to believe me when I said I was hiking the AT!!

**tiamalle** · 01-06-2006, 11:10

Originally Posted by L. Wolf

No wonder there's so many roads, hostels, shelters. AT hikers CANNOT be without. sad.

9 out of ten I meet ask where is the closest library?I ask do you NEED a computer? quickly they answer Yes

**Lone Wolf** · 01-06-2006, 11:23

A few years back I was in Dalton, Mass. with my truck and ran into some folks just coming out of the woods. It was damn hot that day and I asked them if they wanted a ride to an air-conditioned diner for something to eat and a cold drink. They said no, they needed to get to a computer. So I dumped them off at the library. Most AT hikers really don't like to be disconnected from the civilized world.

**Blissful** · 01-06-2006, 14:11

Everyone has their opinions on the computerized world, which is fine. And obviously if we are posting on this forum, we are using a computer. For some of us though, in the woods and gone for six months, it could mean keeping a job and providing for oneself and others. And keeping in contact with loved ones. I want others to enjoy the thru-hiking experience right along with me, and yes, a computer can help do that. Like my family that can't be there with me. Or my editors who may need my work. I don't want my thru hike to be some kind of selfish, self seeking enterprise where I evaporate into the mist and come out six months later to pat myself on the back. I want others to experience it with me and learn along with me. So because I or others would like to have access to some kind of computer every so often on the trail doesn't make me any less a person who enjoys the outdoors, which I have all my life. To quote a famous line - "Hike your own hike."

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