Okay, I know that accomodations are not impossible in Hanover, but they are tricky if you are in a larger group, or just aren’t yogi-savvy.
So, I would like to know who ruined it for all the future thru-hikers in Hanover. What was the incident at Panarchy that made them close their doors to us?
nobody
well, lodging is always questionable in hanover. I stayed at the coed frat (forgot the name). One of the members of the frat was a 2002 NOBO so he hooked 5 of us up with some great magic. Panarchy at that time was only taking 6 max, and 3 were already there. What happened at Panarchy, i have no clue, because I went thru on 6/21. Something happened in late august I believe. Baltimore Jack, a town resident might be able to answer this question more satisfactorily.
I wouldn’t be too concerned. Things seem to have a way of working themselves out on the Trail. If I were to hike the trail again i’d probably just hike on up to Velvet Rocks shelter, a mere .8 miles north of town. Trust me, you’ll probably wanna leave town after a couple hours!
A-Train
Not to sound Too High and mighty, but as for specifics, what happens on the trail stays on the trail.
I was not there, just trail rumor is that a hiker got drunk and stupid.
It is a sad incident and a rare one when considering the mutual respect between town folks and thru hikers.
Last Minute
OK, this is what i heard, but again, this may just be a rumor … Two days before I arrived and stayed at Panarchy i heard about a thru hiker getting really drunk and ended up in a fight with several of the Panarchy residents. Then two days after I left I heard of another thru hiker who was blamed for stealing a Panarchy residents’ coke (not the drink). The coke was upstairs on the second floor(we stay in a dirty basement) in someones bedroom, in a backpack in a closet. So I doubt any thru hiker would be able to find it up there without being caught or even knowing where to find it. It is my belief that they were looking for an excuse to get rid of the thru hikers. In all honesty Panarchy was the worst place i stayed on the trail. Dirty and nasty. Then again, I knew both thru hikers and can say I didnt care for either of them.
to all the 2004ers: remember when you visit a town you represent the WHOLE trail community. Be good and leave a positive impression! :cheers
See you out in the mountains! Peace
Borah
I agree that what happens on the trail stays on the trail. However, what happens in town, particularly a negative incident, should be served as a warning to future thru-hikers as to how a single person’s actions can taint the image of the entire hiking community, and disable certain privileges that were once open to all.
I don’t mean at all for it to become a gossip forum. However, when I walk up to what used to be a friendly community for hikers, and see a sign posted about how hikers are no longer welcome due to an earlier incident, then curiosity gets the best of me.
Hopefully this will serve as another reminder as to how important town ediquette is to the trail community.
So, changing the direction of this topic, what do you believe to be most important to keep in mind when in town?
nobody
Next to not getting really loaded, picking random fights with your hosts and stealing all of their sweet, sweet nose candy, I think the best thing thrus can do when in town is to make a point to clean up before heading out into the streets, supermarkets, etc., even if the town stop is just to re-load and move on. Most, but not all, townsfolk understandably don’t want to have to spend too much energy making the often-murky distinction between whistful, Trail-seasoned hikers and rancid, danagerous vagrants.
You are still gonna stink and may not be taken especially seriously, like Dick Cheney’s SEC conflict of interest filings (“None!”), but my experience is that every effort one takes to reduce the butt reek gets rewarded in smiles from the locals, or at least less cockeyed glares and slamming doors.
Papillon
When I stayed at Panarchy on July 19th they were still welcoming hikers at that time. We were directed there by the Dartmouth Outing Club. However, it was a unique experience to say the least. The other house wasn’t taking in hikers because of weekend activities…at least that was what we were told.
The basement was such a dump that I tried to stay in a motel…all were either booked up or cost a fortune.
Stuff was strewn about, dirt on the floors, half filled and empties everywhere, etc. Hikers were not cleaning up after themselves. In fact there was a couple of SOBO’s there for “their 3rd night of partying.” and they hadn’t lifted a finger to clean up. There must have been an inch of dirt on the floor…(maybe a bit of an exageration.)
A SOBO called Coop and I tried to make the best of it. We carried out two large bags of trash and straightened out the mattresses. Another NOBO, Swift, pitched in and the place actually looked okay the next day. The members seemed pleased that we took an interest in cleaning it up.
Aswah, there were only couple of low priced motels in the area. One, the Sunset Inn was a mile or so outside of town. I took a zero and stayed there my 2nd night. It was imacculate. They picked you up upon arrival but I had to hitch back and forth into town. I think it was around $60.
The town is interesting. I found the students extremely hospitable and friendly, even to older hikers like myself. There were also some great places to eat, bars and Ben & Jerrys. On the other hand, the drug store wasn’t even open on Sundays (One hiker needed a prescription filled urgently) and there aren’t any McDonald’s or Walmarts in town.
Its too bad if the Panarchy stays closed…the town really could use a nice hostel. A testimony to the fact that hikers must realize they are “guests” and no one owes them anything.
Skeemer
this is definately a worthwhile topic. Hikers have a huge responsibility to be good, law abiding, mature citizens at towns, hostels and even during hitches. Not just because people are doing a service for us (sometimes free) but because some are cynical of hikers and believe (due to past occurences) that we are just coming thru to cause trouble. Not to lecture, but any 2004ers should keep this in mind and really go out of your way to thank and appreciate what the fine folks up and down the AT do for us hikers. Without them we would not be able to hike the Trail and it wouldn’t be nearly as fun!
A-Train
We used to be able to stay in Episcopal Church basement. We lost this facility after the 1988 season again due to inappropriate thru-hiker behavior. On my last night there hikers were not only violating the no alcohol policy, but they were drinking upstairs in the Church pews.
max patch
with A-Train. If Hiking PLC was a company we’d all be on the PR team. There’s always going to be those that spoil it for the rest of us. It just means that those of us who follow have to make that little bit more effort to keep that PR on an even keel. You might even say “act without expectation” (something I’ve just been wrestling with in my journal) Doh !! I’ve got myself started again!
Ross :cheers
Ross
At the ALDHA Gathering we were able to camp at Storr’s Pond. Is this too far away for Thru-Hiker’s passing through Hanover? I walked there twice and once back to town (got rides the other times). Or, perhaps the idea is that Hanover is an opportunity to get a change from the out of doors. With the price of hotels in the area perhaps a hotel stop before Hanover (in Vermont) would be appropriate. I won’t experience that until late summer 2004.
Those who walk the AT seem to have a very rigid view of HYOH and don’t interfere with “rowdies” on the AT or in town. Is there a way to communicate with those who are ignorant of societal norms? Or is it a thankless task and perhaps a source of further trouble? Certainly it is useless to “argue with a drunk” but how about when the person is sober the next day? Too late? Perhaps a continual conversation along the way about responsible behavior may cause some to think before messing it up for those who will follow on the path.
BTW does COKE really help one study better?
Skylander
I suspect that if you want a relatively cheap motel, then catch the bus to West Lebanon and stay at one of the hotels near I-89. Things in Hanover are pretty pricey.
Storr’s Pond is out of town the wrong way. I don’t know what the rates are there, but it does have indoor plumbing and showers. If you want to tent someplace, then I suggest going up the AT to Velvet Rocks.
Peaks