Does anyone know if they are still letting thruhikers stay at the Dartmouth dorms in Hanover. I had heard they were re-evaluating the practice and it might have been cancelled.
Brutus
Dartmouth Dorms in Hanover
system
#2
Hmm are the dorms open this year. Seems as if its anybodies guess each year. I heard due to an incident(s) late last hiking season that Panarchy decided to close its doors to hikers. Don’t know about the others that occasionally allow hikers to stay. I stayed at one of the co-ed frats. One of its members is an 02’ thru-hiker named Jon. I would contact the Dartmouth Outing Club either by phone, or go there when you arrive in town. Velvet Rocks shelter is a fine destination after a day in town, not even a mile outta town. You can also tent at the edge of the soccer field in the woods.
I would say Baltimore Jack would be able to answer this quesiton best, but alas hes gone now. He talked of not only a resupply list for 2004 but also an update on services in Hanover, but seems to do niether. Maybe he’d be able to help once he finds this message. I’ve heard there are a couple cheap motels nearby, though you may have to hitch to West Lebanon
A-Train
system
#3
I know The Panarchy has closed it’s doors to hikers because i was the last thru hiker to stay there in 2003. I think some of the other groups in town will let hikers stay in their Frat houses, not sure of the names. Sometimes the people in town will let hikers stay at their houses. My second night in town i stayed with an older couple who lived just off Main Street.
cakalaki
system
#4
In regard to staying at people’s homes in Hanover, NH is there a clearing house or listing of available places to stay? Does the Dartmouth Outdoor Club perform this function? How would one go about finding such a place?
Skylander
system
#5
I left Hanover on Thursday and don’t expect to be back til July or August.
It is EXTREMELY doubtful that any of the old houses (Tabard, Panarchy, or Alpha Theta)will be taking in hikers this year; one should NOT count on it.
The Outing Club (DOC) might (repeat MIGHT) have information on anyone who’s decided to take folks in, but usually, they do NOT give out this information, nor do they steer folks anywhere (liability issues, etc). It can’t hurt, tho, to check out Robinson Hall (especially the Thru-Hiker bulletin Board in the basement) for possible information; this building is one minute off the Trail.
For the last several years, various locals have let people stay in their house or permitted tenting behind it; you won’t know about this till you arrive; best thing to do is ask other hikers who you’ll see on Main St.; if anyone’s taking in thru-hikers, the folks who’re in town already will know about it. Don’t count on any “clearing house” listings re. lodging possibilities; anyone taking in hikers wil most likely be doing it on a day-by-day informal basis, and will not be “posted” anyhwere.
Semi-reasonable motels are at least a mile from the town center. More info on this can be found in the Thru-Hiker’s Companion or Handbook.
If you have to, you can camp just beyond the soccer field as you follow the Trail into the woods on the North end of town. (This is about a five minute walk from Main Street).
Do NOT stealth camp elsewhere, either on campus, in the cemetery, etc. These places are regularly patrolled and they do not take kindly to people overnighting there.
Re. A-Train’s comments----I’m stil planning to write something to whiteblaze.net about changes to Hanover this year as well as other changes/additions etc. There haven’t been many changes in Hanover----there’ll be a big new drugstore by summertime; there’s a new nightclub and a burrito restaurant, but not much else has changed. Oh, watch out for the 2004 Companion; the map still shows the P&C supermarket on Main Stret; it closed long ago, tho this seems to have escaped the fact-checkers and editors. Otherwise, not much changed in Hanover; will try and update some more info this week re. Trail Changes for 2004; old article on towns/lodging/re-supply still available at “Artcles” section of Whiteblaze site; the 2003 info is probably 97% accurate.
Jack Tarlin
Harper's Ferry, WV
Baltimore Jack