Hi, I'm Arnold "Bloodhound" Guzman, an avid trail angel. I became connected to the A.T. through my sister, Maria, who owns Standing Bear Farms Hiker Hostel. I like taking my Bloodhounds, Caroline and Beau Diddley, adventuring deep into the backcountry shelters all up and down the A.T, where I surprise hikers with fresh food and drink while looking for stories. When I'm not doing this, I sometimes join my local Smoky Mountains Hiking Club and do trail maintenance.
Posts
Hiker Feeds: Abhorred by Some, but Mostly Adored
A phenomenon occurs in various places along the Appalachian Trail every spring--especially in the Southern Appalachians--large hiker feeds. Many harbor opinions for and against. This story is dedicated to discovering the truth.
Hikers, Hostels, & Heroes: Spring Breakers in Trouble on Max Patch
On spring break, 8 students from Macalester College, St. Paul MN, headed down south to Hot Springs, NC, where they thought the weather would be warm, to go on a 35 mile backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail, from there to Davenport Gap. What they didn't take into account was that the southern Appalachians weren't quite finished with winter.
Meet The Hostel: The Sunnybank Inn and Hostel in Hot Springs, NC
Tucked away in a lonely little section of the Appalachian Trail is the first real trail town the nobo's encounter on their epoch hike. At first glance, Hot Springs may appear as a small, drab little town in the mountains, but when you peel away the tiny town veneer, you'll soon discover a town, rich in heritage, and one of the most historically significant buildings in the area: The Sunnybank Inn and Hostel, know locally as "Elmer's"
Meet The Hostel: Greasy Creek Friendly
Though a story of Greasy Creek Friendly has already been told, it's time to update everyone on recent changes as well as give you a touching insight into the heart and soul of a hostel owner
Meet The Hostel: Boots Off Hostel, Hampton TN
Details: Name: Boots Off Hostel and Campground Location: Hampton, Tennessee Options: Tenting, bunks, private rooms Amenities: Wifi, free shuttle
Trail Maintainers: Heavy-Lifting Trail Angels of the AT
There is a special group of trail angels out there that are some of the unsung (and often unseen) heroes of the A.T.: Trail Maintainers. This story is a little peek into the life of the dedicated, hard working men and women who make your hike a lot easier