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  1. #1
    Registered User
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    Default Hostel at Glencliff

    At the southern edge of Mt. Moosilauke, the AT crosses a road at Glencliff, NH. A short hike east (maybe 0.1 mi) is the post office. A sign outside on the post office wall says, "If you have to wait for mail or the office to open, cross the street and hang out at the Hostel." A roadside sign at the hostel says, "Hikers Welcomed". Jeffers Brook Shelter is also a near level 1.1 mile north of the road which is NH rte. 25.

  2. #2

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    One of the best on the entire AT.

  3. #3

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    Interesting...I wasn't so crazy about it- we really didn't get a very welcoming feeling. (and this was early in the season before a lot of hikers were there) It seemed more like, what can I sell to you at this minute? Although, we weren't dealing with the guy who actually runs it, who I heard was awesome.

  4. #4
    Donating Member/AT Class of 2003 - The WET year
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    Default Glencliff Hostel

    Only been there once ...this year on my thru. When I first walked in the door I was a bit confused. No one seemed in charge or knew much about the house rules. I asked a lot of questions and finally got introduced to Packrat, the guy who runs the place. Once I got the lay of the land it was OK. Packrat seems like a squared away dude and really goes out of his way to help thru-hikers, or at least so it seemed. I think the key is to speak up and ask questions. He runs a pretty loose shop from what I could see.


    I was only there one night but all in all it was a good experience. The place was full and I ended up sleeping on a couch upstairs ...but Hey, that's softer than my thermarest.
    The more I learn ...the more I realize I don't know.

  5. #5
    Registered User A-Train's Avatar
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    Default great hostel

    I loved this place. Packrat is hands down one of the best guys out there, super friendly and so kind. He's not there to make money and I got to talking with him a bit. He hardly comes away with anything, he simply does it because he loves it.

    I experienced tho what both you guys described. When I first got there he was out and it was on a kind of do it yourself basis. It seemed kinda unorganized but I prefer this. It was so refreshing to have a place where they werent in your face right away about paying. And he wasn't trying to nickel and dime you. I felt that I generally did and wanted to give more to these places, rather than the ones so uptight about getting their 75 cents for the soda i was drinking today, when i was leaving tomorrow.
    And you probably dealt with Big John who is a little more on the business side of things. He's not the owner or proprietor but helps out when not working on his moonbow gear.
    Anything's within walking distance if you've got the time.
    GA-ME 03, LT 04/06, PCT 07'

  6. #6
    Registered User mongo's Avatar
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    Default

    I really liked it there! Packrat was just great and helped out with some great "freedom hiking".

    He is one of the people that made the trail so great for me!

    Mongo

  7. #7

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    It couldn't have been Big John, he's just as cool as Packrat. Uncle Johnny must have been moonlighting.

  8. #8

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    I think this place is great; both Big John and Packrat are wonderful folks and have helped hikers for years; there MAY (repeat, MAY) be a change of owners/managers here next year; will post more info here when I know more. In any case, this is a fine hostel and deserves our patronage and support.

  9. #9

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    I'm not sure who the guy was we were dealing with, but it wasn't Pakrat- like I said, I've heard only good things about him. And I also met others who stayed there who loved it...it just wasn't a very comfortable experience when I was there.

  10. #10
    Registered User mongo's Avatar
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    I was reading a trailjournal by a hiker called "squeaky". Yet another person who has nothing but nice things to say about Glencliff. Actually one of the best journals I have read. However he goes a little fast for my tastes (eg doing the smokies in 22 hours is a little fast!)

    Mongo

  11. #11
    Registered User Blister's Avatar
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    Just finished gettting the hostel ready for the season. Had to get it up and running early since Packrat and I are heading out to the CDT. The Hostel is officially open for the season and caretakers for the summer are Phat Chap and Ffej (pronounced fedge). Big John will make some appearances throughout the season. Very grateful for theese guys to help out so that Packrat can hike!!! Happy trails all!!!!
    Blister "Bitchen" Sister

  12. #12
    TOW's Avatar
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    very cold here right now but very homely indeed....

  13. #13
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    Homely huh? Can't be that bad.

  14. #14
    TOW's Avatar
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    No LW, it's a great place and I'm telling you that you, pirate and willie ought to go there some day this summer. phat chap (gary) is one of the best you will ever encounter......don't know packrat but i here tell he's good people too..........

  15. #15

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    Agreed! 1st great hostel in MANY miles.
    I hate Nike but Just Do It anyway!

  16. #16

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    Bartender(1) and I stopped in for something cold to drink on Wednesday afternoon (10/4) while we decided whether to continue north over Moosilauke or save it for next year. As short-term section hikers, we had never bothered with hostels before and this one seemed very nice indeed. There is a fridge with plenty of cold drinks, ice cream sandwiches and frozen pizza. They also have a tv/vcr with a large selection of movies as well as a cd player and many cds. We checked the weather conditions on the internet pc and decided Moosilauke would be there next year when conditions might be more favorable. Packrat showed up and after a brief chat agreed to stop what he was doing (relaxing after a long day of work on the house) and gave us a ride to our car for a nominal fee. He talked most of the way about his adventure on the CDT, which he had returned from on 9/15. Awesome guy. Thanks Packrat!

  17. #17
    Getting out as much as I can..which is never enough. :) Mags's Avatar
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    Default Packrat's E-mail addie?

    Does anyone have Packrat's e-mail addie? He and I split a room at Mack's Inn this year on the CDT. His brother met up with us..and well, need to write his brother a thankyou card!

    If I do the AT again (2008?), I have to stay at the hostel. Packrat was one cool guy.
    Paul "Mags" Magnanti
    http://pmags.com
    Twitter: @pmagsco
    Facebook: pmagsblog

    The true harvest of my life is intangible...a little stardust caught,a portion of the rainbow I have clutched -Thoreau

  18. #18

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    Mags:

    Send a PM to Blister here on Whiteblaze; she'll have all of his contact info.

  19. #19
    Getting out as much as I can..which is never enough. :) Mags's Avatar
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    Thanks Jack!
    Paul "Mags" Magnanti
    http://pmags.com
    Twitter: @pmagsco
    Facebook: pmagsblog

    The true harvest of my life is intangible...a little stardust caught,a portion of the rainbow I have clutched -Thoreau

  20. #20
    Registered User Butch Cassidy's Avatar
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    The Hikers Welcome was one of the best stays during my 05 thru. I took a zero and had to have medical care and they were very helpful. I met two great new friends( Ican and Seneca) and hiked with them the rest of the way to Katadin. We will be sure to stay there again this year when The Sundance Kid and I do our Thru. Thanks Packrat!! Butch
    A toast to the ones that don't fit in.

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