This past weekend I hiked from Roan Mt. to Erwin. Apparently the hostel is closed. I encountered several thru hikers who had walked down to it expecting a place to stay after a long hike from Erwin but they were turned away. There was no sign at the gap indicating such. It was cold and wet, and yes, it is a first world problem that a hiker hostel is closed, but there were several wet hikers who were turned away in very bad weather.