Appalachian Trail Information and Hiking Articles

Rusty’s Hard Time Hollow in Virginia 16.7 miles south of Rockfish Gap is currently up for sale.

Rusty has had health issues recently and will be moving once his property has sold. He has listed it with a realtor and there is a promotional website. You can view the listing and see a video online at www.rustyshardtimehollow.com.

Rusty wants 2019 hikers to visit since this might be his final year owning the property. He especially would like to see previous hikers and friends.

This is one of the original AT hostels from days past; visit before it becomes history.

Call and talk to Rusty at 540-377-9742 if you have questions or would like to visit or stay.

To get to Rusty’s from Maupin Field Shelter turn left on fire road (just north of Maupin Field Shelter), walk 1.2 miles west to the Blue Ridge Parkway, then turn left (south), walk or hitch the parkway 1.3 miles to Rusty’s driveway on the left, at BRP mile 16.7. Gravel driveway has a gray, pipe gate with Rusty’s name and AT stickers on one end. Thru-hikers and section hikers are welcome. The no-trespassing signs are for the non-hikers. Rustic hostel includes a cabin, bunkhouse, springhouse, outhouse, rainwater shower, tent sites available. Shuttles to Waynesboro occasionally and back to the fire road, if you pitch in for gas. Rides to nearby Sherando Lake for swimming during hot weather. Donations for stay are encouraged. No illegal drugs permitted on the premises.

The 2019 mileages for Appalachian Trail shelters are out. There were some minor mileage changes on the trail in GA, NC, Central VA, CT and MA. In all there was only 1.1 miles added to the whole trail for 2019.
https://whiteblaze.net/forum/at-shelters.php

Crabtree Retrievers and Kennels
Dog Transportation and Kenneling for thru hiker in the GSMNP.
Pickup and Drop off in Hot Springs and NOC. Vet Services available upon request.
Mild Grooming available. AC and Heated Kennels.
Please visit www.crabtreeretrievers.com for more information.

I just received an email from a family that just got hit with a scam that I wanted to make everyone aware of. Here is a portion of the email.

I am the father of a thru hiker that just completed the AT this month. Our family just got hit by a scam we believe involves AT hikers that anyone on the trail or planning to be on the trail should be aware of. There is a scam ring on social media watching those who complete the trail, and, if they can determine who their elderly relatives are (also through social media), they attempt to pull off the 'Grandma Scam'. They contact the grandparents posing as the hiker saying they've been in an accident, need money, not to tell their parents - and elderly grandparents fall for it, and send money to the scammers using numbers from untraceable Target or similar gift or bank cards - typically around $2,000-$4,000 worth. It is a masterful scam- they know their families and know their grand kid just completed the trail and are on the way back home etc. The scammers string of phone numbers are landlines from NY State. We think all hikers (current and future) should alert their families of this scam.

Recall on 3.88-oz. pouch of “MOUNTAIN HOUSE FREEZE DRIED SPICY SOUTHWEST BREAKFAST HASH,” with pouch code 3253174 and best by date of Dec. 2046.
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal...0-2017-release