Everyone needs to pass on staying at NOC. The woman that does the lodging is so uncustomer friendly and will run a scam on you trying to push the cabins on you when they have bunks availible. She lied to me when I called to get a spot to sleep and told me all she had was one cabin for $215 a night. I asked for something else. She said that is all she had. I took it cause my son was feeling bad. After I paid other hikers later with no prior reservations got bunks. Others I talked with said the samething about her. Beware of her she tried to rip them off as well. To bad cause this could have been a nice visit.
_fivehour_Bad experiance at NOC
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#1
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#2
Historically, the NOC is an outstanding place to crash on a hike– a nicer place for your first zero. Hope this individual is found out and has gone Rogue rather than acting on policy.
If so, your comment will uncover her bad practices.
Let’s hope the NOC deals with this promptly or it’s an isolated case. Did the NOC change ownership? Something is amiss(Sp?). The NOC has too much going for it, and besides, some past Thru-hikers work the store.
_Postcard_
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#3
Something does not sound right here. I stayed at the NOC in 2000 and it was a wonderful experience. As the women at the desk is not the owner nor works on commission I find it odd that she would be pushing hikers into cabins. I would like some confirmation from other hikers before we start bashing the place.
_Big B_
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#4
Hey a pass through in 2000 isn't really relevant to this more recent problem. I passed through in 1980 but wouldn't even compare then to now. Lot of the businesses along the trail are there to make money, thats why there is so many offering to slack pack you or do other things for a fee.
_jima59_
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#5
We had exactly the same experience in 2011. We were lucky and found others to share the cost so it wasn't quite so expensive. We had a great break there, but the resupply in the store was dismal beyond belief!
_Taz 2011_
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#6
I stayed there last year and had no problems. In fact, it was the cabins that were in demand that particular day.
It may be possible that the bunks were booked and then someone either didn’t show up or someone checked out.
Its not exactly a state of the art system they have for reservations and it is pretty chaotic there sometimes, especially during high season.
I thought the resupply was pretty decent though I stayed there about a week after the main bolus had passed through.:cheers
_Jalan Jalan_
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#7
It is quite possible they do not reserve bunk space. This time of year they expect to have mostly "walk ins" coming off the AT.
I’ve bunked a number of times at the NOC, most recently last April. I just walked in and asked for a bunk, no problem. It’s probably a good idea to stay at the shelter just before the NOC and get there early in the morning to be assured of a spot, rather then walking in late in the afternoon or early evening. Unless you know how many people are just ahead of you.
Yes, resupply isn’t great there, but is enough to get you the few days needed to get to Fontana, which is only marginally better for resupply.
_slo-go'en_
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#8
I also had negative experiences with NOC. Certainly didnt feel welcome...more like they were doing me a favor by taking my money. Don't plan on an early departure meal or resupply there. They focus on the vacationing river rat crowd and I dont blame them a bit for that. If it were my business, Id focus on where the most money was too. I just want hikers to be aware that NOC is not hiker heaven. Good for a slight diversion but that's about it.
_Mule_