Getting into towns from the trail.

[troubletrev]

This July I'll be hiking a section of the AT from Springer Mountain to Erwin TN. I have plenty of backpacking experience as it pertains to short hikes lasting up to 5 days. This experience will be new to me because I'll be on the trail for 3-4 weeks and will obviously have to resupply a few times. I know that several of these resupply towns will be 10 or so miles off the trail. I have no extra money to pay for shuttles and such.. so hitching a ride seems to be the way to go. I have NO experience hitch hiking. How might I go about doing this in the most effective and safe way? Also, how might I do all of this in a timely manner? I don't want to spend the whole day resupplying resulting in a zero. I'm open to any advice or knowledge you may have to offer. I'm just a rookie.

Thanks!!

[Slo-go'en]

Hitching into town is pretty easy. Just stand there with your pack and put out your thumb. The locals are pretty used to taking hikers in and out of town.