Thru-Hikers' Companion

Every fall or early winter, a new edition of the A.T. Thru-Hikers' Companion—one of ATC's best-selling books—is published to update Trail users on changes in mileages and facilities after the summer work and relocation season. Current editions can be ordered from the Ultimate A.T. Store or by calling 1-888-AT STORE (888-287-8673)

The Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers’ Companion, a collaboration between the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association and ATC, takes a south-to-north perspective of the Trail and details extensive information (and maps) on town services along the Trail. It also has advice on getting to (and from) the termini and some basic reference material (post-office list, mileages, elevation, etc.). While the point of view of the Companion is that of thru-hikers, this book has proven over more than 15 years its value to section-hikers as well.

Reduced hours at Post Offices along the A.T - The U.S. Postal Service is cutting hours in many rural post offices, and several along the A.T. will be affected. Those known to have reduced hours already in effect or with proposed cuts to be announced early in 2013 are Suches, GA, Fontana Dam, NC, Troutdale, VA, Sugar Grove, VA, VA, Atkins, VA, Montebello, VA, Glencliff, NH, and  Warren, NH and potentially others. For more information, visit www.usps.com and check our Trail Updates page periodically. No post offices along the A.T. are expected to close in 2013 during the hiking season.

Updates to the 2013 edition are outlined here. Please send suggested changes and corrections to [email protected].

Georgia

No additions or corrections at this time.

North Carolina

 Page 24: Addition
Lodging
Ron Haven has re-opened his hostel across from Haven's Budget Inn during foul weather and for hikers on a strict budget . $10 per night, no pets. Ask Ron during the shuttle into town.

Page 28: Addition
 Lodging
The Cabin in the Woods is now between $15-70/night. Second phone number: (828) 735-3368.

Page 28: Addition
N.C. 143/Stecoah Gap: Lodging
Buffalo Creek Bed & Breakfast, (828)479-3892, [email protected], 
www.buffalocreekbedandbreakfast.com/index.htm
$100 per room (doubles) with up to 30% hiker discount. Season runs from April - October, call for availability November - March. Will shuttle to and from the Trail and Robbinsville, NC. Laundry, internet, breakfast. Ask about pets.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

 No additions or corrections at this time.

North Carolina and Tennessee Border

 No additions or corrections at this time.

TENNESSEE

No additions or corrections at this time.

Southwest Virginia

Southwest Virginia Field Editors:
Ken and Nora Bennett aka Big Cranky & DragonFly (Damascus to Atkins) and Chase Davidson (Atkins to Pearisburg)

Page 63: Correction
U.S. 58/Damascus, VA
The Place is closed for the winter until late March. Stays and parking (with permission) are limited to two days.

Page 64: Correction
Restaurants
Quincey’s Pizza has new management and is doing business as Blue Blaze Cafe.

CENTRAL Virginia

Page 78: Correction
U.S. 460/Pearisburg, Va
The Rendevous Motel is closed due to a fire that severely damaged it in March 2013.

Page 89: Addition
U.S. 60/Lexington: Lodging
Brierley Hill B&B, (540) 464-8421 www.brierleyhill.com,  >$50 thru-hiker rate, shuttle to/from trail, free laundry, internet access, no pets allowed; mail drops to: 985 Borden Rd. Lexington, VA 24450

Page 98: Addition
Waynesboro, VA: Lodging
Stanimals, (540) 290-4002, $20 PP, WiFi, optional AYCE D/B, laundry, shuttles. In residential district, mail drops to: 328 Lee Drive, Waynesboro, VA 22980

Shenandoah National Park

 No additions or corrections at this time

Northern Virginia

No additions or corrections at this time.

WEST VIRGINIA

 Page 117: Correction
Harpers Ferry, WV: Lodging
Teahorse Hostel is $32 per night, not $28 as listed.

Maryland

 Page 124: Correction
U.S. 40-A/Turners Gap: Meals
Icing Bakery and Cafe is closed.

PENNSYLVANIA

No additions or corrections at this time.

New Jersey

 No additions or corrections at this time.

New York

 Page 161: Addition
N.Y. 17A/ Greenwood Lake, NY: Lodging
Lake Lodging, (1145 Route 17A/ Greenwood Lake, N.Y. 10925), Ingrid King, (845)-477-0700. Used to be called Greenwood Country Motel. Ask for special rates.

Page 167: Addition
Pawling, NY: Camping
Registration is now required at the Edward R. Murrow Memorial Park. A security officer checks in each evening.  

CONNECTICUT

Page 174: Correction
Conn. 4/Cornwall Bridge, CT: Groceries
The Cornwall General Store, near the junctions of RT 4 & 7, formerly known as Baird’s and also Cornwall Country Store has been sold and is closed until further notice.

Massachusetts

 Page 192: Addition
Mass. 2/Williamstown, MA: Outfitter/Lodging
The Gear Den, (413) 458-7990, 130 Water St. Williamstown, MA 01267 (former Mountain Goat storefront) is a consignment store specializing in used outdoor clothing and gear.   Carries a small to medium inventory of backpacking equipment and supplies, including books, maps, and fuel, both canister and liquid by the ounce. Hikers are welcome to camp in the back yard next to the Green River and mail drops are welcome. Possible future plans include a small hostel, pay showers, and a laundromat.

VERMONT

 P. 205: addition 
Vt. 103 Meals, groceries
1 mile west, Loretta's Good Food Deli, (802) 772-7638, short term resupply, M-Sa 7-7, Su 8-4, accepts maildrops 638 Route 103, Clarendon, VT 05759 (no fee). Short-term resupply, deli with burgers and salads; coffee, breakfast sandwiches and donuts at 7am. Fresh breads baked all day long, fresh fruit and veggies. The Bus with service to Rutland stops nearby near the Whistle Stop at Pluss Lane.

New Hampshire

Page 216: Correction
The Mountain Goat Outfitter in Hanover, NH closed on March 30. Packages sent to the outfitter will be returned to sender. The Hanover Post Office is the suggested alternative for sending packages. Hours: M-F 8:30-5, Sat. 8:30-12. Hikers should follow the following format and include their estimated time of arrival:
Hiker's name 
c/o General Delivery
Hanover, NH 03755

Page 225: Correction
 U.S. 302/Crawford Notch--East
The Crawford Notch Campground & General Store no longer accepts hiker packages and does not carry resupply items. Hiker packages that are sent there will be sent back to the Bartlett post office or returned to Fed Ex or UPS.

Maine

 No updates or corrections at this time.

Another favorite, the Appalachian Trail Data Book, is a compilation of less than 100 pages of distances between major landmarks drawn from all 11 official A.T. guides. It is a favorite among section hikers to track their distances and, because it is updated every year, it is a useful tool to verify map information. Resembling a 20th-century railroad timetable with cumulative mileages on either side of the page, it has a north-to-south orientation. It is an essential aid in planning A.T. trips and is the source each December for the new official mileage of the Trail. Current editions can be ordered from the Ultimate A.T. Store or by calling 1-888-AT STORE (888-287-8673)