The first hostel heading north is Above the Clouds...it has saved many a hike being an early place to stay when you hit bad weather early or trying to help a sore knee. Food is amazing and very clean, plus shuttle from and to the trail.
That's really terrible to hear. Hikers already have to eat crappy processed food, and how much worse having it be expired! I find it really dishonest and unkind toward the hiking community.
We stayed at ALOT of hostels this year and my favorites were: Above the Clouds, Chicago and Sunsets, The Discerning Hiker, Mountain Harbor (B&B), Natures Inn, The Refuge, Black Bear, Lady Di’s, Weary Feet, Woods Hole, Wicked Waystation, The Notch, The Green Mountain House, The Maine Roadhouse, and Shaws. There was a Church before Caledonia State Park that was great, a lady who had a room downstairs and a wonderfully decorated home and yard in PA (I think), and another lady who ran a B & B in VA (She was a musician and her home was surrounded by cornfields) that were great. I really wished we had a chance to stay at the Blackburn AT center in VA… we stopped in for water and the host gave us soda and ice cream and was so very kind. It was much nicer than Bears Den just a few miles before. We had a similar experience with the hostels in VA and we, too, started staying mostly in Air B & B’s and hotels after Stanimals in Waynesboro and Cross Trails in Harpers Ferry. The AT hostel game picks back up in Vermont, NH and Maine where there are some very nice places to stay.
It's interesting to hear how others felt about different hostels. Above the Clouds in Suches, GA is my favorite. I didn't think I'd make it out of Georgia much less to Maine. Nimrod was so kind and talked with me even though I was a sobbing mess. Some hostels seem more hit and miss though. I wasn't going to stay at Uncle Johnny's but it was pouring rain. Nothing bad happened but I wouldn't stay there again. It's not my jam. The only hostel I tell people to avoid is 4 Pines in Catawba, VA. The two guys who run it are awful. The trail angel form is a really good idea. I could have used some hiking buddies in November when everyone was gone🥲
That’s really good advice about 4 Pines. We witnessed a really bad assault that happened between 1 of the owners and a hiker at the grocery. Really scary stuff. Those guys are bad news. Not to mention scary drivers
Despite your comments at about 4 minutes into this video, Fontana Lodge is NOT the only place to stay prior to the Smokies if you're northbound. There's also The Hike Inn, run by Nancy Hoch. I've stayed there twice and would highly recommend it. Nancy is one of the sweetest people you'll encounter on the trail. She'll pick up from Fontana Dam (or probably elsewhere, but that's where I got picked up). There's laundry available for a small charge on site as well. She'll shuttle you to town for resupply/supper and get you back on trail clean, rested and fed. Look up The Hike Inn and call her. I believe it's listed with FarOut and good guidebooks. Disclaimer: I'm not affiliated, just a satisfied customer.
A few other outstanding Hostels…1/4 Way Hostel in Virginia was amazing, the Notch Hostel in New Hampshire was great in every way-thanks Serena, and the Hostel of Maine was clean, comfortable and luxurious. Finally Shaws in Monson Maine was great, with a legendary history and breakfast. I agree that Woods Hole was unique and so enjoyable. Neville is amazing, the loft was great and she even let me play her grandfather’s Martin guitar after a short audition!!!😊
Hey Fern! I really enjoyed this video segment, and we can always count on your frank honesty. Before I forget, congratulations to you and Gypsy for your new channel, upcoming ventures and your nuptial plans. This video is very informative; I was planning to stay at Standing Bear Farm Hostel at the end of The Smokys this April, but now I'm debating it. I will be doing that section car-to-car with another hiker, so I won't need them for resupply, but just the business and hospitality sense that they'd sell expired resupply goods to hikers gives one pause. I am so looking forward to stay at Wood's Hole Shelter when I do that section. Neville's grandparents are from my neighborhood down here in Roswell, GA (her uncle was our mayor), the subdivision I cut through erected a nature tributary in "Miss Tilly's" honor ... also, you may recall the Wood's Hole Shelter on the Georgia section. I've never met Neville, but I have several friends that know her. Also, one of my former neighbors, Jenn Kent is the owner/hostelier of The Hostel of Maine ... she used to walk her dog in front of my house. Can't wait to be a guest there either. Mountain Harbour is another I am looking forward to stay. I was planning on staying at both Stanimal's too ... now not sure. But when doing car-to-car sectioning, one has more options. My Worse hosel experience ever was during my first section (SOBO from Delaware Water Gap to Duncanon) was at the Palmerton Hotel ... the smell of the grease vat from the adjoining restaurant/bar that was below the rickety creaky stairs up to the 2nd floor balcony ... dark hallway with a single raw lightbulb ... door had damage of being previously kicked down ... couch had unmentionable stains, window a/c didn't work. I ended up sleeping on a back deck lounger and was awakened thru the night by seedy people coming and going (I could only assume they were there to buy crack). Worse lodging experience of my life! On trail or off! And that's saying something, seeing as I'm 66. Now the main reason for my post is to share with you my favorite all time hostel experience, which happed on my last section this past September. It was the Bears Den Hostel and I wish that you and Gypsy could have experienced it to. I'm attaching a link to a video from said section where I give an impromptu review of Bears Den just before getting back on trail. I hope you enjoy it and Thank You both for the many hours of your journey you've shared with us. For me, you two (three if including Close Call) are on my Top Five all AT vlogs of all time! Sugar Bear ruclips.net/video/tAm_-XtnYhs/видео.html
Hey Sugar Bear! So sorry it's taken me this long to get back to you. Thank you very much for your kind words regarding our channel rebrand. Happy to hear you found value in the video! Yes, I do question the honesty of standing bear and while others in the comments here state that my standards are too high, I thought it was really disrespectful to be giving hikers expired junk after all the money we spent there on a tent site (which was over priced) Very cool you have those ties to Woods Hole! Those folks are very special and Neville especially is a huge inspiration. We look forward to you visiting there! We send a resupply box to Mountain Harbour, but didn't have the pleasure of staying there. I hear the breakfast is one of the best on the entire trail! I would not recommend stanimals either. That's cool you are able to be a bit pickier with your places by sectioning in a car. I would definitely hold out for nicer places. Thank you for sharing your experience at Bear's den! We so wish we could have stayed there. The outside looks like some kind of castle! We appreciate your great kindness and support on our hike. Thank you for always being there for us. Best wishes on your continued section hike! We are rooting for you!!! Lots of love, Gypsy & Fern
@@hikinghomesteaders Fern, thanks for your reply. I’m counting down the days that I’ll be crossing Fontana Dam and climbing up into the Smokys. I’ll be heading out with a new section buddy from Ohio. If the weather starts to get funky like the 5’ of snow last year, we’ll Plan B it north of Hot Springs, because Ol’Blue (my 4Runner) will be the resupply point at Newfound Gap, then push to the end at I-40. And maybe push to Hot Springs to end the section. I didn’t mention that I liked Gypsy’s job on at the ski slope and such a cool method he and his crew got down off the slope. I look forward to watch all of your projects unfolding. Y’all’s devoted fan, Sugar Bear
Standing Bear has been selling expired food for a decade. Also I had no signs of Laughing Heart being a party hostel. Maybe I was there on a down night but it was quiet and chill.
Thanks so much for this info! It was very helpful, and what a beautiful cabin you have! I will be vlogging my thru-hike starting in mid- to late March: Texas One-Step Hikes the AT. Hope you follow along. 🌻
Instead of Standing Bear consider The Discerning Hiker. They pick up at Davenport Gap and their hostel is new and wonderful. The owners are great also and that makes all the difference. Standing bear is great if your thing is LOTS of drugs, expired food and overloaded privies.
Chica and Sunsets ( Jen & Greg ) are great people and have an awesome place. I've never heard of anyone having a negative experience there. For the record they thruhiked in 2017 as I shuttled them from the trailhead at Uncle Johnny's to Super 8 in Erwin and back to the trail. You're also not the first to have a problem with the shuttle driver at Uncle Johnny's in Erwin. I'm glad you mentioned it because I'm not sure the owner is aware of this behavior. Also was good to see the young lady with the kitten, I took them to Johnson City and back when they hiked through.
They are really amazing people, with such a nice place! And yes, Uncle Johnny's is iconic as a hostel/resupply but we probably wouldn't go back there due to the really rude shuttle driver. Too bad
I'll 2nd that suggestion, Even back in 2012 Uncle Johnny's was a "busy" place... Back then, we lived in the Nolichucky Gorge Campground for 7 months (basically the campground just upstream from USA raft). Erwin is a good resupply town, small, quiet, hiker friendly (the locals expect ya to be around and many may give trail magic rides just by striking up good conversation).. Walmart, A good mexican restaurant, even has an outfitter/campstore downtown If I remember right... etc... I'm not sure if USA runs shuttles into town, but they routinely have folks that give kayakers rides through Erwin, and out to Poplar NC for the 9 mile run down the Nolichucky.
I had a much different experience with Alison at Open Arms and stayed a couple of times and got a food drop from her as I worked my way through VA this winter. Both bunk rooms I stayed in (3 beds per room) were spotless as was the bathroom. Her not wanting stinky hikers laying around on her furniture or even in her loaner clothes does not mean she doesn't wash the loaner clothes; just means she wants the least amount of lingering hiker stink possible. Great stay and would stay again.
I had a great experience at Open Arms as well! Alison was so helpful and kind to us. I respect her method of handling the laundry and loaner clothes, especially since she is opening up much of her own living space to hikers. Her pup Blaze was also adorable.
Wow people provide clothes and food and laundry and transportation services just because they're kind? Or is this part of the hostile price/experience? That's so sweet of the one person who offered to wash your clothes for you. What a sweetie. I'd be freaked out about a stranger touching my stuff but the thought is definitely what counts💗
Here's a funny story from y 1980 thru hike. Hiked into Helen Ga after several days of pouring rain and no matter how we tried gear/clothing was soaked. A guy picked us up and took us to town. In those days there was 1 motel and no laundry. The guy who picked us up had a sister whk worked there. She too all if our clothes home and washed/ dried. Only problem was we were 3 grown men in a motel room with nothing but a skimpy motel room towel. 1for each of us. We couldn't go and eat or anything. She brought them back and the next day mu buddy ended his thru hike.
You can stay in as many or few hostels and hotels as you wish, and camp freely in most states. Only a few sections on trail where camping is prohibited. Hike your own hike!
Yeesh seems like you ran into a couple doozies. I'm definitely not the partying type being that I am 33 during the trial for more of a grounding journey. Anyway I just thought I would leave a comment thank you for participating in the trail and maybe have a chance to meet you guys someday.
Expired dates I understand If you buy things cheap sometimes come with close expired dates but they are cheap So despite the fact, things lasted 2 to 4 years past the best-by date maybe more So what should you do Although it should be common courtesy for others to respect this date even if you think or know better As a traveling trail angel with a younger son, in toe, We watch dates for others but have much older on shelf As bed and breakfast thank you I think more hikers need to highlight and experience this more often. thank you again happy trails ~woodbooger~
They were certainly cheap, but I think from a food safety standpoint, it's really terrible to be giving your throwaway food to hikers. B&Bs are wonderful and truly underrated as an option for hikers! We always have a better experience when we stay at them.
Yes we definitely recommend calling/texting in advance to reserve a spot for the night. Most will take walk-ins but space isn't guaranteed. If the place isn't directly off the trail then your reservation will usually also include a shuttle (provided by the hostel) so that's why it's always important to call ahead!
Expired food huh, well fuk that! Shut them down! im sure they no about tha problem and that hikers kno, and tha fact that they didn't address tha issues. Goes to show a problem!
True that. what's my concern is that, these are are small businesses, trying to make a living. Just move on. why do you have to do that? Let's hope you continue your perfect life that you have.
@@hikinghomesteaders we are lucky we have some really good places here in Maine. Check out Angel falls off the bemis road at the bottom of the height for the land. It's awesome
Aw I missed hearing from you lovely lady! How are you doing Elizabeth? So sorry we've been bad at releasing content this month. It's been a whirlwind of a year so far!
@@hikinghomesteaders I'm sure it takes months to recovery and get back into reality after what you guys did! I was just so happy to see you posted again, and I look forward to any future ones you post! You have a future wedding, getting your cabin up and liveable. You need to worry about some big deals, so take your time, we will wait!
You can so easily tell a person's station in life by how they react to the different hostels. People think America doesn't have classes like England. They are wrong. I could even tell your political leanings off this video.😂
The older I get the more my tolerances change. Younger people doing some things bizarrely due to their youth I understand more ( but not when it involves downright disregard for the well-being and safety of others,). Staying in dirty accommodation with crappy food? No. Not doing it. It's possible to provide clean, honest lodgings at the cheaper end of the market
Thank you for making this video! This is all really good stuff for me to know before I start my thru hike this year 🙂 I'll be vlogging my journey this year and you can find me at FreedomForaging!
That's an awesome channel name! So happy you found value in the video. We are so excited for you and your thru hike! Sending you best wishes. Anyone can finish the AT if they are stubborn enough. :)
This has been one of the most informative videos I have seen concerning hiking the AT. Thank you!!!!
Thank you for the kind feedback, Wesley! I'm hoping to put out a few more AT videos before the hiking season really ramps up.
@@hikinghomesteaders this gets me ready for AT 2025!!!! Maybe it will also make the suspect places increase the quality of their services.
Thank you for doing this video! I will be getting on Trail in 2024 and this is really helpful! I love your form too!!!
Thank you for the support, Carrie! We are so delighted that you found value in it. Rooting you on for big success in 2024. :)
The first hostel heading north is Above the Clouds...it has saved many a hike being an early place to stay when you hit bad weather early or trying to help a sore knee. Food is amazing and very clean, plus shuttle from and to the trail.
Thank you for sharing! We didn't have the pleasure of staying there.
Above the Clouds was outstanding! I agree 100%
That form was such a great idea as it was an quick way to reach out to let you know how we could help you! Made planning at your end easier!
Thank you Natalie! It turned out to be a tremendous help and united you with us, being the biggest blessing of all.
The expired food @ standing bear has been an ongoing thing for YEARS.
That's really terrible to hear. Hikers already have to eat crappy processed food, and how much worse having it be expired! I find it really dishonest and unkind toward the hiking community.
Standing bear stole my package in 2011
@@OffWidthCrack what happened?
@@yoseph420 stole my fed ex package
Best used by and expired are not the same. I had zero problems with anything purchased there.
We stayed at ALOT of hostels this year and my favorites were: Above the Clouds, Chicago and Sunsets, The Discerning Hiker, Mountain Harbor (B&B), Natures Inn, The Refuge, Black Bear, Lady Di’s, Weary Feet, Woods Hole, Wicked Waystation, The Notch, The Green Mountain House, The Maine Roadhouse, and Shaws. There was a Church before Caledonia State Park that was great, a lady who had a room downstairs and a wonderfully decorated home and yard in PA (I think), and another lady who ran a B & B in VA (She was a musician and her home was surrounded by cornfields) that were great.
I really wished we had a chance to stay at the Blackburn AT center in VA… we stopped in for water and the host gave us soda and ice cream and was so very kind. It was much nicer than Bears Den just a few miles before.
We had a similar experience with the hostels in VA and we, too, started staying mostly in Air B & B’s and hotels after Stanimals in Waynesboro and Cross Trails in Harpers Ferry. The AT hostel game picks back up in Vermont, NH and Maine where there are some very nice places to stay.
Excellent advice here, thank you for leaving these recs!
It's interesting to hear how others felt about different hostels. Above the Clouds in Suches, GA is my favorite. I didn't think I'd make it out of Georgia much less to Maine. Nimrod was so kind and talked with me even though I was a sobbing mess. Some hostels seem more hit and miss though. I wasn't going to stay at Uncle Johnny's but it was pouring rain. Nothing bad happened but I wouldn't stay there again. It's not my jam. The only hostel I tell people to avoid is 4 Pines in Catawba, VA. The two guys who run it are awful.
The trail angel form is a really good idea. I could have used some hiking buddies in November when everyone was gone🥲
That’s really good advice about 4 Pines. We witnessed a really bad assault that happened between 1 of the owners and a hiker at the grocery. Really scary stuff. Those guys are bad news. Not to mention scary drivers
Despite your comments at about 4 minutes into this video, Fontana Lodge is NOT the only place to stay prior to the Smokies if you're northbound. There's also The Hike Inn, run by Nancy Hoch. I've stayed there twice and would highly recommend it. Nancy is one of the sweetest people you'll encounter on the trail. She'll pick up from Fontana Dam (or probably elsewhere, but that's where I got picked up). There's laundry available for a small charge on site as well. She'll shuttle you to town for resupply/supper and get you back on trail clean, rested and fed. Look up The Hike Inn and call her. I believe it's listed with FarOut and good guidebooks.
Disclaimer: I'm not affiliated, just a satisfied customer.
Thank you so much for leaving this helpful information! We were not aware of The Hike Inn.
A few other outstanding Hostels…1/4 Way Hostel in Virginia was amazing, the Notch Hostel in New Hampshire was great in every way-thanks Serena, and the Hostel of Maine was clean, comfortable and luxurious. Finally Shaws in Monson Maine was great, with a legendary history and breakfast. I agree that Woods Hole was unique and so enjoyable. Neville is amazing, the loft was great and she even let me play her grandfather’s Martin guitar after a short audition!!!😊
Thank you for leaving these recommendations here, Doc! What an honor to have played Neville's grandfather guitar!! :) Happy Trails
Woods in the Hole and above the Clouds are both Awesome Hostels !!!! Loved them both... Great people!! Must stays in my opinion.
Totally agree!
Thanks for the info. Always check reviews too
No problem 👍
Wow! Very informative and helpful!
Starting in May. In GA We are older hikers so we will be taking it very slow!
Thank you for doing this video !
❤🥾🥾
So glad you found value in the video! Gypsy and I wish you the very best of luck on your hike!!
Hey Fern! I really enjoyed this video segment, and we can always count on your frank honesty. Before I forget, congratulations to you and Gypsy for your new channel, upcoming ventures and your nuptial plans. This video is very informative; I was planning to stay at Standing Bear Farm Hostel at the end of The Smokys this April, but now I'm debating it. I will be doing that section car-to-car with another hiker, so I won't need them for resupply, but just the business and hospitality sense that they'd sell expired resupply goods to hikers gives one pause.
I am so looking forward to stay at Wood's Hole Shelter when I do that section. Neville's grandparents are from my neighborhood down here in Roswell, GA (her uncle was our mayor), the subdivision I cut through erected a nature tributary in "Miss Tilly's" honor ... also, you may recall the Wood's Hole Shelter on the Georgia section. I've never met Neville, but I have several friends that know her. Also, one of my former neighbors, Jenn Kent is the owner/hostelier of The Hostel of Maine ... she used to walk her dog in front of my house. Can't wait to be a guest there either. Mountain Harbour is another I am looking forward to stay.
I was planning on staying at both Stanimal's too ... now not sure. But when doing car-to-car sectioning, one has more options. My Worse hosel experience ever was during my first section (SOBO from Delaware Water Gap to Duncanon) was at the Palmerton Hotel ... the smell of the grease vat from the adjoining restaurant/bar that was below the rickety creaky stairs up to the 2nd floor balcony ... dark hallway with a single raw lightbulb ... door had damage of being previously kicked down ... couch had unmentionable stains, window a/c didn't work. I ended up sleeping on a back deck lounger and was awakened thru the night by seedy people coming and going (I could only assume they were there to buy crack). Worse lodging experience of my life! On trail or off! And that's saying something, seeing as I'm 66.
Now the main reason for my post is to share with you my favorite all time hostel experience, which happed on my last section this past September. It was the Bears Den Hostel and I wish that you and Gypsy could have experienced it to. I'm attaching a link to a video from said section where I give an impromptu review of Bears Den just before getting back on trail. I hope you enjoy it and Thank You both for the many hours of your journey you've shared with us. For me, you two (three if including Close Call) are on my Top Five all AT vlogs of all time!
Sugar Bear
ruclips.net/video/tAm_-XtnYhs/видео.html
Hey Sugar Bear! So sorry it's taken me this long to get back to you. Thank you very much for your kind words regarding our channel rebrand. Happy to hear you found value in the video! Yes, I do question the honesty of standing bear and while others in the comments here state that my standards are too high, I thought it was really disrespectful to be giving hikers expired junk after all the money we spent there on a tent site (which was over priced)
Very cool you have those ties to Woods Hole! Those folks are very special and Neville especially is a huge inspiration. We look forward to you visiting there! We send a resupply box to Mountain Harbour, but didn't have the pleasure of staying there. I hear the breakfast is one of the best on the entire trail!
I would not recommend stanimals either. That's cool you are able to be a bit pickier with your places by sectioning in a car. I would definitely hold out for nicer places.
Thank you for sharing your experience at Bear's den! We so wish we could have stayed there. The outside looks like some kind of castle! We appreciate your great kindness and support on our hike. Thank you for always being there for us. Best wishes on your continued section hike! We are rooting for you!!!
Lots of love,
Gypsy & Fern
@@hikinghomesteaders Fern, thanks for your reply. I’m counting down the days that I’ll be crossing Fontana Dam and climbing up into the Smokys. I’ll be heading out with a new section buddy from Ohio. If the weather starts to get funky like the 5’ of snow last year, we’ll Plan B it north of Hot Springs, because Ol’Blue (my 4Runner) will be the resupply point at Newfound Gap, then push to the end at I-40. And maybe push to Hot Springs to end the section.
I didn’t mention that I liked Gypsy’s job on at the ski slope and such a cool method he and his crew got down off the slope. I look forward to watch all of your projects unfolding.
Y’all’s devoted fan, Sugar Bear
Standing Bear has been selling expired food for a decade.
Also I had no signs of Laughing Heart being a party hostel. Maybe I was there on a down night but it was quiet and chill.
I really hope that standing bear makes a change soon. Really unfair for hikers.
It must have been the group we were hiking around!
Thanks so much for this info! It was very helpful, and what a beautiful cabin you have! I will be vlogging my thru-hike starting in mid- to late March: Texas One-Step Hikes the AT. Hope you follow along. 🌻
We sure will! So excited for your future journey!
@@hikinghomesteaders Thanks so much! I cannot wait to get started!
Valuable video. Thanks.
No problem!
Instead of Standing Bear consider The Discerning Hiker. They pick up at Davenport Gap and their hostel is new and wonderful. The owners are great also and that makes all the difference.
Standing bear is great if your thing is LOTS of drugs, expired food and overloaded privies.
Thank you for the great advice! Is that a newer hostel?
@@hikinghomesteadersit is… I don’t know when he opened but he was still doing some work on the porch when we stayed there in April this year.
Chica and Sunsets ( Jen & Greg ) are great people and have an awesome place. I've never heard of anyone having a negative experience there. For the record they thruhiked in 2017 as I shuttled them from the trailhead at Uncle Johnny's to Super 8 in Erwin and back to the trail. You're also not the first to have a problem with the shuttle driver at Uncle Johnny's in Erwin. I'm glad you mentioned it because I'm not sure the owner is aware of this behavior. Also was good to see the young lady with the kitten, I took them to Johnson City and back when they hiked through.
They are really amazing people, with such a nice place! And yes, Uncle Johnny's is iconic as a hostel/resupply but we probably wouldn't go back there due to the really rude shuttle driver. Too bad
Thank you SOOOO much for this video! I am not comfortable or into the party seen.
So happy it helped you out!
Thank you for this beautiful video. This helped a lot. Good information
So happy it was helpful, Robert! Best of luck to you.
Pro tip- stay at USA Raft instead of Uncle Johnny’s. It’s a trail mile north of Uncle Johnny’s.
That's a great idea, thank you! Many lessons were learned on our trip.
I'll 2nd that suggestion, Even back in 2012 Uncle Johnny's was a "busy" place... Back then, we lived in the Nolichucky Gorge Campground for 7 months (basically the campground just upstream from USA raft). Erwin is a good resupply town, small, quiet, hiker friendly (the locals expect ya to be around and many may give trail magic rides just by striking up good conversation).. Walmart, A good mexican restaurant, even has an outfitter/campstore downtown If I remember right... etc... I'm not sure if USA runs shuttles into town, but they routinely have folks that give kayakers rides through Erwin, and out to Poplar NC for the 9 mile run down the Nolichucky.
I had a much different experience with Alison at Open Arms and stayed a couple of times and got a food drop from her as I worked my way through VA this winter. Both bunk rooms I stayed in (3 beds per room) were spotless as was the bathroom. Her not wanting stinky hikers laying around on her furniture or even in her loaner clothes does not mean she doesn't wash the loaner clothes; just means she wants the least amount of lingering hiker stink possible. Great stay and would stay again.
I had a great experience at Open Arms as well! Alison was so helpful and kind to us. I respect her method of handling the laundry and loaner clothes, especially since she is opening up much of her own living space to hikers. Her pup Blaze was also adorable.
I'm happy to hear you both had a different experience than us! Maybe we just caught her at a bad time.
@@hikinghomesteaders What about the hiker stink in loaner clothes? Do you agree that could be an issue?
This was such an informative video! Thank you ✨🤞
Of course! Thank you for supporting us.
Hostel of Maine was not so good in 2019. However, highly recommend The Cabin as a great place to stay a little earlier on the AT.
Thank you for the recommendation!
I just want to say that most Hostels have a website. If you do a little research ahead of time, youll get an idea of what they are like.
Great idea here, thank you for sharing!
Lot's of good information.
Glad it was helpful!
Wow people provide clothes and food and laundry and transportation services just because they're kind? Or is this part of the hostile price/experience? That's so sweet of the one person who offered to wash your clothes for you. What a sweetie. I'd be freaked out about a stranger touching my stuff but the thought is definitely what counts💗
Generally it's part of the cost!! Most hostels don't do the laundry for you though, we only saw that with Lady Di's
Here's a funny story from y 1980 thru hike. Hiked into Helen Ga after several days of pouring rain and no matter how we tried gear/clothing was soaked. A guy picked us up and took us to town. In those days there was 1 motel and no laundry. The guy who picked us up had a sister whk worked there. She too all if our clothes home and washed/ dried. Only problem was we were 3 grown men in a motel room with nothing but a skimpy motel room towel. 1for each of us. We couldn't go and eat or anything. She brought them back and the next day mu buddy ended his thru hike.
I'm not a biker but I imagine if you've been on the trail the person washing your clothes might be the freaked out one ;0)
Very informative and cool stories!!Thanks, Good Stuff✌️
Glad you learned from the video Seymour!
This is a great video; it's packed with great information. Green Dragon Hostel - Bill
Thank you for the support, Bill!
Great video! Awesome information. Crow✌️
Thank you for the feedback, Crow!
Where are you two now? Any hiking trips planned? Just wondering
We are homesteading in rural Maine! Hoping to hike a trail this fall...stay tuned. :)
The Human health hostel in Maine is one of the best book online
Oh very cool, thanks for sharing! I don't think we've ever heard of that one before.
Do you have to stay at hostels or hotels during the AT thru hike or can you camp the whole thing, if wanted?
You can stay in as many or few hostels and hotels as you wish, and camp freely in most states. Only a few sections on trail where camping is prohibited. Hike your own hike!
Well done! Hope to see you in the Smokies later this year 🐻
We hope so too Chris! Best of luck with your preparations. We couldn't imagine a better person to be a ridge runner.
I was at Standing Bear in September 2021 and everything I bought was within the expiration date.
That's strange, because I've heard it's been going on for years. Maybe not all of the food was expired, but most of it was for us.
Yeesh seems like you ran into a couple doozies. I'm definitely not the partying type being that I am 33 during the trial for more of a grounding journey. Anyway I just thought I would leave a comment thank you for participating in the trail and maybe have a chance to meet you guys someday.
All hostels aren't great, but it just depends what you are looking for :) Thank you for supporting our channel!
Expired dates I understand
If you buy things cheap sometimes come with close expired dates but they are cheap
So despite the fact, things lasted 2 to 4 years past the best-by date maybe more So what should you do
Although it should be common courtesy for others to respect this date even if you think or know better
As a traveling trail angel with a younger son, in toe, We watch dates for others but have much older on shelf
As bed and breakfast thank you
I think more hikers need to highlight and experience this more often.
thank you again happy trails
~woodbooger~
They were certainly cheap, but I think from a food safety standpoint, it's really terrible to be giving your throwaway food to hikers. B&Bs are wonderful and truly underrated as an option for hikers! We always have a better experience when we stay at them.
Good video.thanks. Thumbs up
Thanks for watching!
I stayed at the terrapin hostel in Kingsfield Maine
Cool! Haven't heard of that one either
Do you reserve hostels? How does it work??
Yes we definitely recommend calling/texting in advance to reserve a spot for the night. Most will take walk-ins but space isn't guaranteed. If the place isn't directly off the trail then your reservation will usually also include a shuttle (provided by the hostel) so that's why it's always important to call ahead!
Expired food huh, well fuk that! Shut them down! im sure they no about tha problem and that hikers kno, and tha fact that they didn't address tha issues. Goes to show a problem!
at least 45 problems
Most all dry Expired food is fine don't ever worry about that lol
True that. what's my concern is that, these are are small businesses, trying to make a living. Just move on. why do you have to do that? Let's hope you continue your perfect life that you have.
Great video
Welcome to Maine.
Thank you very much!
@@hikinghomesteaders we are lucky we have some really good places here in Maine. Check out Angel falls off the bemis road at the bottom of the height for the land. It's awesome
I missed your face girl!!!!
Aw I missed hearing from you lovely lady! How are you doing Elizabeth? So sorry we've been bad at releasing content this month. It's been a whirlwind of a year so far!
@@hikinghomesteaders I'm sure it takes months to recovery and get back into reality after what you guys did! I was just so happy to see you posted again, and I look forward to any future ones you post! You have a future wedding, getting your cabin up and liveable. You need to worry about some big deals, so take your time, we will wait!
@@Elizabethmoonlightchild Thank you for your gentle kindness Elizabeth
Hostel of Maine was a great one up north.
We still gotta check it out, we don't live too far from there!
You can so easily tell a person's station in life by how they react to the different hostels. People think America doesn't have classes like England. They are wrong. I could even tell your political leanings off this video.😂
Your standards are a wee bit too much perhaps... as you mentioned do you research and fill up your bank cards. ✌ ☮
The older I get the more my tolerances change. Younger people doing some things bizarrely due to their youth I understand more ( but not when it involves downright disregard for the well-being and safety of others,). Staying in dirty accommodation with crappy food? No. Not doing it. It's possible to provide clean, honest lodgings at the cheaper end of the market
Blah blah blah get to it. Hostels are pushing you for your money.
Some, but a lot of hostels are barely breaking even and are not in it for the money. They just care a lot for hikers.
Thank you for making this video! This is all really good stuff for me to know before I start my thru hike this year 🙂
I'll be vlogging my journey this year and you can find me at FreedomForaging!
That's an awesome channel name! So happy you found value in the video. We are so excited for you and your thru hike! Sending you best wishes. Anyone can finish the AT if they are stubborn enough. :)