[at-l] Pittsburgh's shuttle

[yugrekih at yahoo.com (Richard Mann)]

Marta -

I will see you at Dicks Creek Gap at 10am, no reservations required...

Listers - 

Anyone seeking a shuttle schedule, please go to www.hikeusa.biz and
click on the 'A.T. Shuttle Info' tab...

I am now two weeks into shuttling hikers along the trail in Georgia. 
During the first week, the idea seemed ill-conceived as I had very few
hikers in my van, plus the cost of fuel was spiraling out of control. 
Since then, things have picked up considerably with many hikers making
a March 1st start, and with the onset of some really nasty weather. 
The Dahlonega Hiker Hostel has been doing a banner business, and I
shuttle out of there in the mornings heading to Neels Gap and north.  I
am looking forward to a big March 15th start for hikers, and a bigger
April 1st start...

For thru-hikers, the shuttle is perfect for getting in and out of
towns, especially for those hikers that aren't all that keen on
thumbing.  For section hikers, the shuttle is perfect when seeking a
way back to their vehicles after their hike, or seeking to shuttle away
from their vehicles at the start of their hike.  For slackpackers, the
shuttle is perfect for getting a hiker to the start of their daily
hike, with the good people from the Dahlonega Hiker Hostel picking them
up at the end of their hike.  There are other slackpack scenarios for
hikers staying at the Neels Gap hostel, or at Goose Creek Cabins.  I
have taken a number of hikers in the mornings from the Dahlonega Hiker
Hostel to Neels Gap so that they can shop for gear at the outfitter. 
Four hours later, when I return to Neels Gap, I get these hikers for
the return trip to the hostel.  A  number of hikers have also used the
shuttle to backtrack to Neels Gap to get needed gear.  I generally then
take them back north the next day after they have spent a night at the
Neels Gap hostel.  The motels in Helen and Hiawassee seem to be happy
with me as I drop hikers off at their doors...

I hope to see some of you down here in Georgia this hiker season...

Pittsburgh and family



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