Our Team & History

 
Koty Sapp “Trash Panda”
Danya Saadawi “Loins of Arabia”

In 2017, Koty & Danya separately set out to hike all 2190 miles of the Appalachian Trail. On one chilly April evening, near mile 110.3, they crossed paths for the first time. Little did they know, they would spend the next nine months hiking together and a lifetime walking beside each other.

Koty & Danya have both backpacked over 6200 miles. Utilizing their experience and knowledge of life on trail, they have tailored AT Hostel & Outfitters to be the best resource possible for AT Hikers. Long hikes:

  • 2017-18: Appalachian Trail - 2190 mile completion

  • 2019: Pacific Crest Trail - 110 mile section in Washington

  • 2021: Arizona Trail - 800 mile thru-hike

  • 2022: Pinhoti Trail - 150 mile section

  • 2023: Camino de Santiago - 490 mile Frances & 165 mile Portuguese

  • 2024: Florida Trail - 1250 mile thru-hike

 

Appalachian Trail Hostel & Outfitters was originally constructed in 1901 as a boarding house for mill workers, then known as R. Levasseur Boarding House. It has hosted Appalachian Trail hikers since 1988, for which it became known as the Appalachian Trail Lodge.

From 2007 to 2021, the Appalachian Trail Lodge was owned and operated by Paul “Ole Man” and Jaime “NaviGator” Renaud. Paul and Jaime dedicated 15 years to building an outstanding support network and hiker service in the Katahdin and 100 Mile Wilderness area.

Through a series of chance events, Koty “Trash Panda” and Danya “Loins of Arabia,” were invited to work at the Appalachian Trail Lodge in 2018. Through another series of chance events, they ended up coming back to work alongside Paul and Jaime in 2020 and 2021, before taking over management of the AT Lodge in 2022.

On October 24th, 2022 Koty and Danya purchased the AT Lodge and rebranded as Appalachian Trail Hostel & Outfitters.

Appalachian Trail Hostel & Outfitters is located in the heart of downtown Millinocket, the closest town to Baxter State Park, Katahdin, and the northern-half of the 100-Mile Wilderness.