Neesl gap - Appalachian Trail

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#1

Does anyone else feel that the gang at the store at Neels Gap rips off more people than they help? They don’t even seem to have good intentions. Just a sale!

stumpsucker

#2

Not sure if this is a troll or not, but I’ll take the risk. I think the service at Neel’s Gap is a valuable and appreciated one. Sure, the items are more expensive than you would find them elsewhere, but where else has the extra staff to take each and every hiker that walks through the door aside and go through EVERY item in their pack giving them options on lighter equipment. Skittles '03 helped me when I got to Neels, and every suggestion he made was reasonable. Most of the people working there–if not all–are former thru-hikers. I don’t think they’re out to screw you.

Leki-Less

#3

what is a “troll”?

stumpsucker

#4

Trolls are little people who hide under bridges and collect tolls on the A.T…BEWARE.

OLD & IN THE WAY

#5

I could not disagree more with your statement regarding Winton and his staff at Mountain Crossings. Winton GAVE me the keys to his Suburban three weeks ago today on my section hike. We drove it to Blairsville, had dinner, went to Ingles, grocery shopped, drove it back home to the cabin.

Found out later that he needed it back earlier than we had arrived, so he had to scrounge up another ride for a shuttle. Not a problem with him.

I had a pack shakedown, even though I was only section hiking and was not buying a thing. I saw Winton help more hikers than I can count.

Tabasco

#6

I think the first post is a troll intended to produce bad feeling and a flame-fest.

Eric #2

#7

As far as I can tell, Mountain Crossings is no more expensive than anyother outfitter. Winton and his crew performs a valuable service to thru-hikers.

No rip off here

Peaks

#8

Are you kidding? The people are great at Mountain Crossings. They have been serving the AT hiking community for many years and have made a lot of friends. The prices are fair and the staff is very knowledgeable.

Eric G.

#9

Are you kidding? The people are great at Mountain Crossings. They have been serving the AT hiking community for many years and have made a lot of friends. The prices are fair and the staff is very knowledgeable.

Eric G.

#10

We have nothing but wonderful things to say about these folks, their store and staff, and the service they provide. They were amazingly kind and helpful when we passed through in '02. Margie drove us to Blairsville when I had to get to a dentist, gave us another lift when she saw us walking back from said dentist, and then she brought us back to the mountain. Need I say that she did it all for free?

Winton spent at least an hour helping me into new shoes after my original boots destroyed my feet. That’s a lot of time just to sell one pair of Salomons. He was concerned and very competent.

Oh, and where else would a business owner pay his employees to help inexperienced backpackers get rid of all the extra crap they were silly enough to bring on a thruhike?? They also help people learn how to pack their gear more efficiently (so it’s not hanging out all over) and how to adjust their packs to fit more comfortably. No one even once suggested that we buy new gear.

Great, great people.

Chipper & Jeff

#11

I’ll add my voice to those who have had positive experiences with the personnel at Mountain Crossings. Running an outfitting store is a tough business with all of the high volume dealers in the market. But what I have always gotten there (and this goes back to the days of Jeff and Dorothy) is excellent service with good products and the wilingness to sell you only what you need and plenty of time making sure it is right for you. I send many people to them to get hiking books because I know they will spend the time to get it right, unlike many other stores. When Jeff was going out of business, I feared that we would lose this precious resource and Winton has continue the grand tradition of excellent service and high quality. They provide a wonderful service to hikers and I encourage people to support them and keep this invaluable asset there at the first of the AT (for NOBO’s) where this kind of attention and commiment is so important.
They get very high marks from me, as obviously they do from most of the people who have been there.

Pastor John from Georgia

Pastor John

#12

I’d challenge anyone to show a better backpacking store in GA. Shoot, off the top of my head, I can hardly think of any store better than it on the entire AT! One that comes to mind is one in Erwin, with the lowest prices I can remember, but it’s a close call.

Let me put it this way: When I drive the hour and a half from Atlanta to go there, I pass 2 REI’s on the way without stopping. If you threw out all the useless junk at REI you couldn’t fill a shelf at Mountain Crossings.

Winton and his crew know their stuff, and they have always treated me with extreme kindness and respect.

It is a business, not a hiker box, however, and they do need to sell things to stay there.

Even though I’ve seen them recommend those puffy Solomon “boots” that never dry, they usually have the advice down pat.

I think I’ll give them a visit and see what awesome shirts they have on sale after the thru’s have passed.

Tha Wookie

#13

It’s your choice as to wheather you want to stop in there or not. No one twists your arm. Yes, I will have to say that the prices are extremly high, almost price gouging. But the staff has always been very helpful and upbeat. I never use Neels for resupply as I cannot justify a pack of ramen at $.49 (Crazy). Also the hostel is not a deal at all at $16 ($1 more than last year). And I know they try to justify the price increase with the internet. However, it is dialup and EXTREMELY S-L-O-W… The Hostel bathroom is also usually very dirty. In the end though, it is your choice to spend $ there or not…
~ Round here “Ktr”

Ktr

#14

I would like to add a positive comment about the folks at Neels Gap. I bent my hiking pole on a previous hike but bent it back so I could hike with it. I walked into the store just to look around. Winton noticed the bend in the hiking pole and asked me if he could try to correct my Leki
problem. He told me that it was beyond repair and that he
would replace the bad section of my Leki. He took both poles cleaned and replaced the bent section. I asked what the charge, he just smiled and said no charge. All I can say is this was great and unexpected service to a hiker.

Swamp Dawg

#15

My son Mello and I have been in there several times in the last two years and they have allways been a great help. Their prices are cheaper than our local outfitters here in South Alabama.

hopalong

#16

They all seem like decent folks to me, however…I passed through and watched them shake a few folks down, people carrying 35 lbs plus. One guy came over to me and asked if I would also like a shakedown. I told him i was fine and happy with what i was carrying. He asked how much I had, I told him I had 20lbs. He told me that wasn’t enough and that i may need more gear!! Nice try.

Cheers

Cheers

#17

How nice they are doesn’t reflect the prices and desire to “outfit” me with **** I don’t need. The more they know about gear, the better salesmen they are. If they are cheaper than your normal outfitter, then I’d hate to see that place!!! I mean waldees at $40 a pair. Got mine at my local outfitter for $17 regular price!

chillin’

#18

i agree. with all of you. except for the people who were crying troll. because although we know the people and the story behing neels gap, to a first time hiker in there on the first sunny day after consecutive rainy days in april, the place is so busy that there would be no chance to chat with winton about history and philosophy. and to someone who is not accustomed to widerness living and they are all of a sudden surrounded by this hoopla, and now some salesman is patting them down, well it sure can feel like captive audience extortion.

but that price at neels gap is the price you paid for not getting familiar with your gear before you left. so before you accuse them, well take a look at yourself.

milo

#19

If you are comparing Mountain Crossing’s prices (or any other small outfitter’s prices) to Wal-Mart or Sam’s Club or some internet closeout site then of course they’re going to be higher. But those three examples don’t offer the products most of us want, and forget about knowledgeable staff or unselfish service.

Compare apples to apples if you expect anyone to take you seriously.

Skyline

#20

I manage at a small town outfitter and have for three years.
I know what things are bought for, DO YOU? This is why I agree they are a rip off. I also agree that for the most part it is one’s decision whether or not to buy from them. I just don’t think everyone should act like they are doing everyone a favor. I don’t feel like listing their inventory, otherwise, I would give more than three examples. Apples to Apples baby!

chillin’