I wanted to caution all hikers and hostel operators regarding a problem hiker. If anyone encounters an older hiker known as PAPA SMURF (aka Clay Gardner), be careful in your dealings with him. This hiker was picked up by MT. ROSE and came to our hostel. He is a war vet, so we extended him some courtesy as he was broke and was waiting for his military disability check to come on July 1st. Just before dark on the 29th after spending 2 weeks with us he slipped out and headed north, leaving with a very large unpaid food / lodging tab. He did do some work for stay while here, but still left owing over $200.00 for various things he received while he was here. I did some research and apparently he has done the same thing in the south. I just wanted to let people know, not to put much trust in this individual.