berninbush
11-15-2006, 14:44
Ok, I'll start out by saying that I'm a novice hiker who doesn't live near the AT, but is somewhat fascinated none the less. I've done a lot of reading here over the last few months, and everything I've read about the advantages and disadvantages of mail drops has given me an idea. I don't have the wherewithal to act on this idea myself, and I don't even know if it's feasible, so I'm just flinging it out into cyberspace for anyone to take advantage of it who can.
It seems like two of the biggest objections to mail drops and bounce boxes are being tied to a post office schedule, and the cost and inconvenience of shipment. Though I know some people prefer to "buy as they go" anyway, this comes with its own problems, and I suspect more people might use mail drops if the two big objections could be eliminated.
So here's my idea: form a company that buys up a few square yards of land in strategic locations up and down the trail, maybe every 4-7 days' hike or so, perhaps in trail towns that hikers would like to visit anyway for conveniences like laundry. (Note: I'm talking about developed areas, not actually in the woods!) On the little land parcel, install a set of lockers. Each locker is numbered, and each number corresponds to a particular key, so that the same key unlocks all of the Number 194 lockers (for example) the whole length of the trail.
A thru- or long-section hiker contracts with the company to rent the lockers of a particular number, and receives a key. They can then send their bounce box to whichever of their lockers where they need it, using the company shuttles (see below).
This same company employs three or four shuttles with drivers that do nothing but drive up and down the trail. They can give rides to hikers (on a pay basis) who need to move to other areas of the trail for whatever reason... this seems to be a common need (especially for section hikers). The shuttles also move bounce boxes from one set of lockers to another. So when Hiker 194 finishes with his or her box in one town, they drop it in a drop box with a label saying where they'll need it next, and the shuttle driver comes along and picks it up and takes it there for them. No postage is needed; the transit cost has already been paid by the hiker before their hike begins. When Hiker 194 reaches the next locker location, they will find their bounce box waiting for them in Locker 194.
This would work for mail drops as well, as long as you could get the local post office to agree to deliver to the lockers, and give them a master key to get in. I bet they'd love not having stinky hikers walking in at all hours to collect their mail. ;)
It's a little complex, but I'm wondering if you might be able to make it cost-effective. What do you guys think?
It seems like two of the biggest objections to mail drops and bounce boxes are being tied to a post office schedule, and the cost and inconvenience of shipment. Though I know some people prefer to "buy as they go" anyway, this comes with its own problems, and I suspect more people might use mail drops if the two big objections could be eliminated.
So here's my idea: form a company that buys up a few square yards of land in strategic locations up and down the trail, maybe every 4-7 days' hike or so, perhaps in trail towns that hikers would like to visit anyway for conveniences like laundry. (Note: I'm talking about developed areas, not actually in the woods!) On the little land parcel, install a set of lockers. Each locker is numbered, and each number corresponds to a particular key, so that the same key unlocks all of the Number 194 lockers (for example) the whole length of the trail.
A thru- or long-section hiker contracts with the company to rent the lockers of a particular number, and receives a key. They can then send their bounce box to whichever of their lockers where they need it, using the company shuttles (see below).
This same company employs three or four shuttles with drivers that do nothing but drive up and down the trail. They can give rides to hikers (on a pay basis) who need to move to other areas of the trail for whatever reason... this seems to be a common need (especially for section hikers). The shuttles also move bounce boxes from one set of lockers to another. So when Hiker 194 finishes with his or her box in one town, they drop it in a drop box with a label saying where they'll need it next, and the shuttle driver comes along and picks it up and takes it there for them. No postage is needed; the transit cost has already been paid by the hiker before their hike begins. When Hiker 194 reaches the next locker location, they will find their bounce box waiting for them in Locker 194.
This would work for mail drops as well, as long as you could get the local post office to agree to deliver to the lockers, and give them a master key to get in. I bet they'd love not having stinky hikers walking in at all hours to collect their mail. ;)
It's a little complex, but I'm wondering if you might be able to make it cost-effective. What do you guys think?