Is Woodshole Hostel still open? (Southwest Virginia)
I have tried to call them, all day today, but the voice comes on and says,
“The number you are calling is not in service”.
I wanted to do a mail drop there.
There is no address in Wingfoots
book either (2004 book)?
Has there phone number changed?
Can I do a mail drop there?
Thanks for your help.
Happy Trails,
POOH-BEAR
POOH-BEAR
I suspect that the reason why their phone is disconnected is that Woods Hole Hostel is probably only a summer residence. It’s a great place. It’s like walking back a century in time.
Pearisburg is only a day away. Why not mail drop there instead?
Peaks
Yah I think it’s only open May-June. Wasn’t open in April when I went thru. Taking Peaks suggestion one step further, why not skip Woodshole and Pearisburg maildrops and just buy food at the huge supermarket ON the trail when you are passing near the footbridge.
Unless you’ve got special dietary needs, sending mail into Pearisburg seems kinda foolish to me.
A-Train
I agree with Peaks, Pearisburg is only ten miles away. On my thru-hike I tried to avoid private addresses. Particularly in the south with so many hikers they can get bombarded by maildrops if people start using them. Also there is a reason the address isn’t in Wingfoot’s book and as Peaks said it is most likely a summer residence. If you are looking for something between Troutdale and Pearisburg, I used Bastian, VA. You might want to check the PO first though, 24314, they have closed some. There is also Bland nearby. The Bastian PO is less than two miles off trail. Also when I came through the area in 2002 there was a local minister picking up hikers for his congregation to feed usually on Mondays. At the road crossing before US21 after the stream crossings, they put the picnic tables to the left near the dirt road. That is where they looked for hikers around lunch time.
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=15251
Two Scoops
I agree that Pearisburg would be the best place for a maildrop, but definitely stop in to Woodshole on your way. I forgot her name, but a very nice lady who owns the place, and she only lives there seasonally. The cost to stay there is a simple chore, and the first eight people to get there that evening can sign up for a $2 breakfast of eggs, sausage and grits. You don’t want to miss breakfast.
Best part, she takes Polaroids of everyone who stays there, so you get to see the pictures of everyone ahead of you.
0101
That nice lady is Tillie Woods. She and her late husband renovated the property where her “summer” home and nearby barn (hostel) sit. Her full time home is in Georgia. She comes up to open the hostel for NOBOs in late April/early May I believe. She is also the inspiration behind Woodshole SHELTER just before Blood Mt. in GA.
Skyline
Tillie Wood was open for business last year and she told me she hosted about 400 thru hikers, she only takes about the first 12 or so that sign up for breakfast as that is all the room she has at the table. So plan to hit it early. It is definitely worth it, and also sign up (sign up for breakfast) as soon as you get there.
Tillie will be open this year to my knowledge. She’s in her 80’s now and don’t know how much longer she will continue. She lives in Georgia during the off season and has Woods Hole hostel on the top of Pearis Mountain at Sugar Run open for the NOBO’s about 3 months a year.
If you are too late to sign up for breakfast, you can still stay overnight, but not have breakfast with the group. You can also hike on in to Pearisburg and stay at the hostel ran (donations only) by the Holy Family Catholic Church. They are closed also sometime in the Winter and open sometime around April or May. Bill Gautier runs it. His number is 540-921-4673. He will also pick you up and drop you back off on the AT. They have a stove and refrig, and a super Walmart (with steaks, groceries) is within several hundred yards walking distance of the place.
Hope this helps. See you out there.:cheers
Maintain