View Full Version : Mail Drop Services - Anyone know of any?
H2O_Buffalo
11-06-2006, 09:29
Hi,
I am new to the White Blaze community and have not hike a lot in the last few years. I am doing some section hiking now and I did some Boy Scout things in my teens, including a trip to Philmont, New Mexico (talk about fickle weather :eek: ). I am considering a thru hike in 2008 or 2009. I don't have a lot of support in that my family is small. Does anyone know of any services that will send mail drops out to locations on a regular schedule? The locations would be coordinated well ahead of the time they are needed and could be modified via phone call from the hiker to the service.
Is there a need for this sort of service? :-?
Thanks and good hiking to all.
H2O_Buffalo
Raleigh, NC
max patch
11-06-2006, 09:38
1. There are a few that offer this service. I'm sure you can find them using Google.
2. Unless you have specific dietary requirements, you don't need mail drops. Easier and cheaper -- even without the added expense of a service -- to buy as you go.
SGT Rock
11-06-2006, 10:08
That is something I have been thinking of doing as an in-home business. But I don't think I could start this year.
ShakeyLeggs
11-06-2006, 10:11
Here ya go
http://www.hike-usa.com/
Eagle aka William Box, who runs DUST (desert unique survival training) out of tx, is thinking about offering a logistics service, part of his hike this summer was about trying it out. I hiked w/ him for 3wks this summer, he said he had a website, but i can't seem to find it, I guess i should just call their no. They would be something to check-in too.
DUST
P.O. Box 326
Overland Trail Camp, Main St.
Fort Davis, TX 79734
888-478-5267
915-284-2025
FAX: 915-426-2418
Contact: William E. Box
[Specializing in survival skills in desert and arid mountain terrain]
SGT Rock
11-06-2006, 10:35
Maybe you could convince my wife to do it. She is always looking for something else hiking related to get into.
SGT Rock
11-06-2006, 11:05
BTW, that was a joke.
Lone Wolf
11-06-2006, 11:06
BTW, that was a joke.
That's what Kerry said.:rolleyes:
SGT Rock
11-06-2006, 11:10
LOL, that is sort of what my wife said too, although it went more like this:
"That BETTER be a JOKE!"
H2O_Buffalo
11-06-2006, 11:50
Sarge and Wolf...
Laffing...
Pretty presumptuous of you guys to use my post for your jokes.
:D
H2O
SGT Rock
11-06-2006, 12:53
Well I was serious about wanting to do it as a business, but my wife is the one that decided my other post ought to be a joke. Blame her ;)
(just kidding dear - I swear!)
RockyTrail
11-06-2006, 17:14
Well, he was for the joke before he was against it:D
yugrekih
11-15-2006, 12:26
I do maildrops every year.
www.hike-usa.com
Email me for more info
Pittsburgh
Texasgirl
12-18-2006, 00:49
I've agreed to do maildrops for a member of the 2008 class. Been reading Whiteblaze to learn about the AT adventure, as well as several books. The Whiteblaze AT Resupply article by Karen from 2002 is good, several forum threads have good tidbits from hikers themselves; and I see some folks do this as a business. This could be a big job, and I'm getting excited and a bit nervous, especially after reading one post's opinion that you can't depend on loved ones/girlfriends cause they won't understand. Are there any family-member support crews (not businesses) who have recent "lessons learned" to share?
TJ aka Teej
12-18-2006, 02:11
:welcome to WhiteBlaze Texas Girl! POG's a great person, glad you liked what she wrote and posted here. You're asking a good question - but maybe you might want to start a new thread to get specific responses?
My hint: - only plan and pack the first two or three boxes ahead of time. Communicate and make adjustments with your hiker after a few hundred miles, because their wants and needs will change!
Texasgirl
12-18-2006, 12:54
Thanks TJ. I'll start a new post - just didn't know which forum thread to put it under cause I'd really like to hear the success and horror stories from the view of the support crew back home.
Buy As You Go To Much Of Pain In Butt To Do Mail Drops
Is there a need for this sort of service? :-?
ISTM that over the years, more and more thrus are doing without mail drops. There's no doubt that they can be useful. There's no doubt that they can be a drag. I went without on my last section -- no regrets at all. A "bounce box" is a partial alternative; at least it's something that you manage.