Pinhoti Trailhead Shuttle

[Firedog]

It must be the investigator in you. Nothing gets by Cuffs. You should be a Private Eye.

[fungi]

Hay Bob,

Looks like things are shaping up for maybe the 13th of July and Pink Burns Trailhead.  Will you be available?   Im encouraging those interested to park at your house and let you shuttle us.   Just thought I better check with you to make sure that would work for you.   

I know its going to be HOT but I think im up for the challange.   I also feel comfortable with the water situation up to where you picked us up last time at the USFS 500 trailhead. 

Brent

[blisterbob]

fungi,
my reply #33 on PTS and #36 on need hiking buddy states that we will have no services available from 7/7 thru 7/14.
It may not help much, but I can trim that by 1 day so that any late starters that want to park here Sat. AM 7/14
I will get you to where the others are.
At this time,that is the best I can do.
Sorry,
Bob

[fungi]

fungi,
my reply #33 on PTS and #36 on need hiking buddy states that we will have no services available from 7/7 thru 7/14.
It may not help much, but I can trim that by 1 day so that any late starters that want to park here Sat. AM 7/14
I will get you to where the others are.
At this time,that is the best I can do.
Sorry,
Bob

Im so sorry,   I guess I was skimming and didnt catch you wouldnt be available.   Illl take another look at the callendar and see what I come up with. 

Thanks,
Brent

[blisterbob]

PTS will have no services available July 6, 7, & 8.
bb & ss going somewhere cool & shady.

[stevebo]

  Hey guys, just a quick question:  with the shuttle service, what would be a suggested donation?  Just wondering what a good rule of thumb would be  (I love it that they offer the service---and dont want to short change them, or they may stop doing it!)  

[blisterbob]

  Hey guys, just a quick question:  with the shuttle service, what would be a suggested donation?  Just wondering what a good rule of thumb would be  (I love it that they offer the service---and dont want to short change them, or they may stop doing it!)  

Stevebo,
After a year of doing the shuttles and meeting some really good folks from all income levels, I feel it is better left to the individual
as to what THEY are comfortable with and then just a little help with gas expense. I would rather do a dozen shuttles with no tip
than to have 1 person feel they were gouged.
Thanks for your interest,
Bob

[ednotmilkman]

This may be one of those labors of love that we get involved in once we are able to retire from the "rat race" ?  Kinda like when I grow veggies in the garden. You'd never make a living selling them even if it was stuff everybody loves like sweet corn, strawberries or blueberries. So we give it to people who appreciate it, whether they can afford to pay us much or not. And if they don't like okra or zuchini, they take it anyway if it looks like we have more than we know what to do with. The reward is in watching God grow it, and making friends with everybody involved. Those that may not appreciate what we do, ..............  I forget who that was.

[stargazer]

I have read somewhere that a "good rule of thumb" for paying for shuttle service is $1.00 a mile.  I believe most people who are good enough to provide this service are happy with a donation no matter what it is. 

[milkman]

 Hey guys, just a quick question:  with the shuttle service, what would be a suggested donation?  Just wondering what a good rule of thumb would be  (I love it that they offer the service---and dont want to short change them, or they may stop doing it!)  

There's was an ongoing thread over on WhiteBlaze just today asking the same question.
http://www.whiteblaze.net...e-going-rate-for-shuttles
I don't know if this link will work and I usually don't direct people to another site but there are a couple of posts that explain it pretty good in my opinion.
Basically what they are saying is it's between $1.00 and $1.50 per mile one way calculating round trip or $2.00 per mile. As some have pointed out the miles and time down a back dirt road are different than highway miles. Someone over there had a pretty good formula using the IRS 0.55cents per mile and $15.00 an hour driving time that worked pretty good for figuring back dirt roads. Just use your good judgement. Figure what it would cost you and allow some for the time for their trouble. Plus I've heard that with blisterbob you might even get a cookie.(LOL)

[squidbilly]

Three or four really good cookies.  Plus, he knows the Pinhoti and can pick you up if you need to cut the trip short. And how many shuttles offer secure parking?  Tip accordingly. 

[Sailer]

Have a great time Bob and be safe!  I may be hitting you up come mid/late September.

 Thanks in advance for the great service you provide!

[blisterbob]

Have a great time Bob and be safe!  I may be hitting you up come mid/late September.

 Thanks in advance for the great service you provide!

Thanks,
and we will be glad to help when you come to the Pinhoti.

[Cuffs]

Dont know where youre headed, but Southern VA s pretty dry. Was up there first week of July.

[blisterbob]

Dont know where youre headed, but Southern VA s pretty dry. Was up there first week of July.

I plan two- 3 day sections so I can keep my pack weight under 25 lbs.
#1- Davenport Gap S. to Newfound Gap, I will need 1 water source here, should be OK.
#2- NOC N. to Fontana, Yellow Ck. looks like reliable water, but I will leave a stash at Stecoah Gap.

bb

[ku coyote]

Bob,

Thanks again for your service!  We made it back to the car and it started fine.  Hope you enjoyed your trip as well.

[jstring]

blisterbob,

I am farely new to this forum but have been hiking the Pinhoti for several years.  I have recently seen your posts about shuttling hikers to and from trail heads and wanted to ask a few questions.

Some buddies and myself are planning a 4 day/3 night hike from FS 500 to the Burns TH.  We would probably be coming in 3 vehicles since we all live in different places.  First... do you offer drop off and pick up service or just drop off?  If you offer both...Do you have space at your house to park our trucks or would you prefer to meet us at one of the trailheads and go from there?

We don't have our dates ironed out just yet but I will keep you posted and check this forum for any updates.  We are all very excited about your shuttle service and the rumored cookies.  We have been "staging" a truck at one TH and driving back to our starting point.  Your shuttle would obviously save us some drive time and some anxiety when leaving a truck in a secluded location for several nights (although we have never had an issue).

Thanks!    

[blisterbob]

jstring,
I apologize for the delay in replying.
We have unlimited secure parking at our place about 5 miles N. of Ashland.
We can drop you off and come get you when you finish if you so choose.
About the cookies, a couple hikers missed out because shadowsue had to leave
to her Mother's unexpectedly. But not to worry she will be back tomorrow.
I had marked off next week to do about 60 miles on the AT, but changed that to
28 miles this past Sun. & Mon. So I will be available next week.
Thanks for your interest in our service,
Bob

[jstring]

blisterbob,

Thanks for the info.  Our plans are to make the trip sometime this fall...maybe winter.  Once we figure out our dates, I will touch base with you and make sure your available. 

Thanks again and hope you had fun on the AT!   
Justin

[blisterbob]

HOLIDAY HIKERS,
Anyone hiking any section of the Alabama Pinhoti between Thanksgiving and Nov.25.
Free shuttle, no charge, no tip, no strings attached!
Shadowsue will not be available and I will fill reservations on first come basis.

Get out and walk off that turkey.

Blisterbob 256-276-1661
hilltophermit@msn.com