The last time I did the GAP and C&O was in 2008. I'm going to do it again this coming Fall so I bought the current trail guide. http://www.amazon.com/TrailBook-Offi...ny+trail+guide
There are two hostels near Harpers Ferry. One is the Teahorse Inn located in Harpers Ferry near the top of the climb. The other is the HI-Harper Hostel and campground located on Sandy Hook rd. I believe the old Harpers Ferry Hostel which was on the corner of Sandy Hook rd and Keep Tryst is closed. The shortest way to get to the Hi-harper hostel is to cut across the railroad tracks near the bridge to Harpers Ferry. This is not recommended because it is illegal to cross railroad tracks unless it is at an approved crossing. When I stayed at the Brunswick Family campground in 2008 it was a fairly nice campground and I had no issues there. I have heard that it got pretty seedy for a while but that it has been cleaned up a little and is under new management. We are planning on camping all the way but might consider hostels if the weather gets really bad.