Mail Drop Schedule... Rip it up.

[Jail Break]

Any thoughts on this maildrop/resupply schedule?EST. ARRIVALDAY #TYPELOCATIONDAYS of FOODMAIL BYCOMMENTSMILES







03/27/08 Th1PackedAmicalola Falls State Park, GA4-Approach trail (8.8m) to Springer Mountain-8.803/30/08 Su4Mail DropNeels Gap, GA- Walasi-Yi Outfitter703/16/08Outfitter, on trail ($1)30.7---9710 Gainesville Hwy, Blairsville, 30512----04/06/08 Su11ResupplyNantahala Outdoor Center2-Outfitter, on trail134.904/08/08 Tu13Mail DropFontana Dam, NC, 28733603/25/08Post Office, 2m W162.504/13/08 Su18ResupplyGreen Corner Road, NC2-Hostel, 0.1m W238.304/15/08 Tu20Mail DropHot Springs, NC, 28743504/01/08Post Office, on trail271.704/19/08 Sa24Mail DropErwin, TN- Nolichucky Outfitter604/05/08Outfitter, on trail339.8---151 River Rd, Erwin, TN, 37650----04/24/08 Th29ResupplyDennis Cove, TN5-Grocery, 0.3m E410.904/28/08 M33Mail DropDamascus, VA, 24236304/14/08Post Office, on trail461.104/30/08 W35-Dickey Gap, VA--Afternoon- Get picked up for Lake George 510.305/01 – 05/07-Off-TrailLake George, NY--Guys' Trip 2008-05/08/08 Th35PackedDickey Gap, VA3-Afternoon- Get dropped off to continue510.305/10/08 Sa37Mail DropGroseclose, VA- 54 Roses Restaurant504/26/08Restaurant, on trail536.4---7327 Lee Hwy, Rural Retreat, 24368----05/15/08 Th42ResupplyVA 6063-Grocery, 0.5m W599.705/17/08 Sa44Mail DropPearisburg, VA, 24134505/03/08Post Office, 1m E (Grocery on trail)62405/22/08 Th49Mail DropCatawba, VA, 24070405/08/08Post Office, 1m W696.905/26/08 M53ResupplyJennings Creek, VA7-Grocery, 1.4m E744.806/01/08 Su59ResupplyRockfish Gap, VA4-Grocery, on trail850.506/05/08 Th63ResupplyBig Meadows4-Grocery, 0.4m E911.406/09/08 M67Mail DropLinden, VA, 22642405/26/08Post Office, 1.1m W965.806/12/08 Th70Mail DropHarper's Ferry, WV, ATC405/30/08ATC, 0.2m W1010.9---PO Box 807 Washington St. 25425----06/16/08 M74Mail DropSouth Mountain, PA, 17261406/02/08Post Office, 1.2m E1065.706/19/08 Th77Mail DropBoiling Springs, PA, 17007706/05/08Post Office, on trail1109.706/25/08 W83Mail DropPort Clinton, PA, 19549806/11/08Post Office, on trail1205.307/02/08 W91-Sunfish Pond, NJ--Evening- Get picked up at Route 80 parking1287.707/03 – 07/04-Off-TrailLakota Wolf Preserve, Columbia, NJ--4th of July Barbeque at Josh and Meagan's !!!-07/05/08 Su91PackedSunfish Pond, NJ3-Afternoon- Get dropped off to continue1287.707/09/08 W94Mail DropUnionville, NY, 10988406/25/08Post Office, 0.4m W1333.107/14/08 M99Mail DropBear Mountain, NY, 10911506/30/08Post Office, 0.3m E1389.707/18/08 F103Mail DropKent, CT, 06757407/04/08Post Office, 0.8m E1453.707/23/08 W108ResupplySheffield, MA4-Grocery, 0.1m W1508.507/28/08 M113Mail DropCheshire, MA, 01225507/14/08Post Office, on trail1565.308/02/08 Sa118Mail DropManchester Ctr, VT, Mountain Goat407/19/08Outfitter, 5.5m W1638.4---4886 Main St, Manchester, 05255----08/05/08 Tu121Mail DropKillington, VT, 05751307/22/08Post Office, 0.6m E1691.508/08/08 F124Mail DropHanover, NH, 03755307/25/08Post Office, on trail1734.308/11/08 M127Mail DropGlencliff, NH, 03238307/28/08Post Office, 0.4m E1777.708/13/08 W129ResupplyLafayette Place Campground, NH7-Park Ranger Office, 2.1m W (Mt. Washington)1803.508/16/08 Sa132ResupplyPinkham Notch, NH6-Grocery, on trail1857.208/19/08 Tu135Mail DropGrafton Notch, ME- Mahoosuc Hostel908/05/08Hostel, 4.7m E, $35 to stay, shuttle return1909.4---1513 Bear River Rd (26), Newry, 04261----08/24/08 Su140ResupplyStratton, ME5-Grocery, 2m E1988.408/27/08 W143Mail DropCaratunk, ME, 04925308/13/08Post Office, 0.3m E202508/30/08 Sa146Mail DropMonson, ME, 044641008/16/08Post Office, 4m E (100 Mile Wilderness)2061.709/06/08 Sa153ResupplyBaxter State Park, ME2-Day Pack, (snacks & beverage)217109/06/08 Sa153FINISHMount Katahdin, Baxter Peak--Climb to Summit2176.2

[Jail Break]

Nevermind.... That didn't come out how I typed it. Don't even bother trying to interpret that until I figure out another way to post it.

[Sly]

Nevermind.... That didn't come out how I typed it. Don't even bother trying to interpret that until I figure out another way to post it.


Save it to word or notepad where it's easy to find, and post it as an attachment by clicking the paper clip next to the smiley on the tool bar of the reply box.

[Jail Break]

Let's try this...

[Sly]

LOL... empty!

[Jail Break]

***? Forget it...

[kayak karl]

***? Forget it...

i decoded your list. LMAO

[kayak karl]

i decoded your list. LMAO
copy and post if its right. i might use it for SOBO

[Matteroo]

Personally, I think too many mail drops. Unless you have a dietary specification (IE: vegan or something..)

You can get food everywhere but the places I'd do a drop are delaware water gap, fontana dam, and maybe bear mountain/ft. montgomery-though that was a pain in the ass to get to the PO-though walking back a trail angel pulled up.

After having dealt with these mail drops, they tend to be a pain in the !@#, though occasionally nice if a store had been picked over by hikers. If I were doing it again there would be 4 or 5 maildrops, one per month, mostly to get me goodies that I'm craving.

[Sly]

i decoded your list. LMAO

Some of the dates are out of sequence, but good job!

[rafe]

That's about sixty mail drops? You can't be serious... Shoot for fifteen. Seriously.

[max patch]

As thru hikers think back on their hikes regarding food supply:

a) A lot of hikers will say "Next time I'm doing less maildrops."

b) Very, very few hikers will say "Next time I'm doing more maildrops."

I usually had a mail drop every 7 days. Next time I'm having none. The main reason is that even with a mail drop I still had to go to the store!! So the mail drop saved no time at all!

You will want a few mail drops for maps. Not for food.

[Sly]

That's about sixty mail drops? You can't be serious... Shoot for fifteen. Seriously.

if you looked closely it's about 23.

[Appalachian Tater]

I would shoot for 2 or 3 tops, probably would use none again. What's the point in a food drop when there's a grocery store? You don't save because of the postage.

[warraghiyagey]

I'd say if you do any at all Taters number of two or three is plenty. You're going to find yourself at stores anyway for most of the maildrops and I can't imagine in total it will be any less expensive to maildrops. Just makes you a slave to your schedule.
Whatever you do, have a great hike.
BTW, I'm doing zero maildrops this year.
:sun

[rafe]

if you looked closely it's about 23.

In the .DOC file there are about 60 separate line items. Until the OP (or someone else) manages to clean up the list, there's no point commenting further. But even 23 is way too much, IMO.

And anyway, why plan them out, with dates? Regardless of how many drops, there's no point picking destinations/dates until a few weeks in advance.

[Sly]

I would shoot for 2 or 3 tops, probably would use none again. What's the point in a food drop when there's a grocery store? You don't save because of the postage.

How many hikers have run out of money by Damascus? One advantage is knowing you'll have food up the trail. You could drop an entire mailing budget in one town. It also helps keeping the people home involved.

[Sly]

In the .DOC file there are about 60 separate line items. Until the OP (or someone else) manages to clean up the list, there's no point commenting further. But even 23 is way too much, IMO.

And anyway, why plan them out, with dates? Regardless of how many drops, there's no point picking destinations/dates until a few weeks in advance.

The drops say DROPS!

I schedule a certain amount of time to hike a trail, and hiked the AT, PCT (til I ran out of money) and CDT within a few days of when I thought I'd finish. I expect to do the same again on the PCT this year.

Maybe you ought to try it. ;)

[Appalachian Tater]

How many hikers have run out of money by Damascus? One advantage is knowing you'll have food up the trail. You could drop an entire mailing budget in one town. It also helps keeping the people home involved.It would be easier and cheaper to leave cash with someone to send to you later. You can keep people at home involved with a calling card or let them transcribe your journal. Besides, only 25% or less of people attempting thru-hikes complete them.

The whole maildrop thing has been debated again and again, and the only valid reason I have seen for doing them is if someone is on a special diet. Like max patch pointed out, no one that I've ever seen said they wish they had done more maildrops, but you frequently hear the opposite.

[Christopher Robin]

Thanks for the mail drop list, I plan to use it. While on the subject has anyone did one at Caratunk as a mail drop or just picked up some items, & is it only 1 mile from the tail head.

[Sly]

The whole maildrop thing has been debated again and again, and the only valid reason I have seen for doing them is if someone is on a special diet. Like max patch pointed out, no one that I've ever seen said they wish they had done more maildrops, but you frequently hear the opposite.

Well then you're wrong. It is cheaper if you by things in bulk beforehand if you shop frugally. Someone on a strict budget would benefit knowing the cost up front. If you have all the food you need, which can be changed up (not the same thing drop after drop) and a few bucks to buy a couple meals and stay a in couple hostels, you can do a hike cheaper.

Do the math.

Added: You also include a money order in each box

[warraghiyagey]

Certainly nothing to get in a snit about. there doesn't need to be a right or a wrong.:)

[rafe]

Maybe you ought to try it. ;)

Wise guy. :rolleyes: I had six weeks to finish my last major section, last summer. I did it in five and a half. Three mail drops: Mt. Holly Springs, PA, Front Royal, Waynesboro. If it weren't for the maps I'd have skipped the mail drops.

What I didn't do is plan to "meet" each drop at a specific date.

What I did do is plan for a 15 mile per day long-term rate. I was never behind schedule.

[Sly]

Certainly nothing to get in a snit about. there doesn't need to be a right or a wrong.:)

Correct, but there are options. No hike fits one shoe. That's all I was trying to point out, after I got rebuffed.

[warraghiyagey]

Correct, but there are options. No hike fits one shoe. That's all I was trying to point out, after I got rebuffed.
It's all good.:sun:sun

[rafe]

No hike fits one shoe.

Prolly not, but I'll bet most hikes do it in two. :D

[Jail Break]

Well then you're wrong. It is cheaper if you by things in bulk beforehand if you shop frugally. Someone on a strict budget would benefit knowing the cost up front. If you have all the food you need, which can be changed up (not the same thing drop after drop) and a few bucks to buy a couple meals and stay a in couple hostels, you can do a hike cheaper.

Do the math.

Added: You also include a money order in each box

Yes, I bought enough food for all my maildrops in bulk for about $150. I'm still doing SOME grocery re-supplying along the way. If there's a post office (or other place that accepts maildrops) that's right on the trail, I'm doing a drop. If not, if there's only a grocery, then I'm buying.
I bought enough where I can change up and vary my meals, without mailing myself the same thing for days on end, and the store resupply will change it up even more.

I've seen too many people over run their budget buying in the overpriced stores ($1 isn't bad for a pack of noodles and sauce, but when you can get 30 for $9, it's better!) to trust myself not to do the same. And mailing the package of food for 5 days might cost $10, but you can easily spend $10 on 1 or 2 days of food in stores. That adds up fast without realizing it.

...And the schedule is an ESTIMATE... It's obviously not an itinerary written in stone. If I don't get to my maildrop marked for 4/5/08 until 4/7/08, I'm not screwed, right? It's organized that way to keep track of where I guess I'll be and when, so my support at home knows when to send them.... not for me to HAVE TO adhere to. My packages are scheduled to mail 2 weeks before I'm scheduled to reach that drop point, enough time to make it there even if I'm ahead of schedule. If I'm WAY ahead of schedule, or for that matter, WAY behind, I can call home and tell them to make adjustments.

That seems reasonable to me... I'd love to hear more about it though...

[rafe]

...And the schedule is an ESTIMATE... It's obviously not an itinerary written in stone. If I don't get to my maildrop marked for 4/5/08 until 4/7/08, I'm not screwed, right? It's organized that way to keep track of where I guess I'll be and when, so my support at home knows when to send them....

Well, they have these incredible new devices called telephones. Some don't even use wires. Amazing stuff.

I was gonna pose the argument that some (actually, most) folks don't finish their hikes. But since you only spent $150 on the whole set of maildrops, that argument doesn't matter much to you.

There's nothing terribly wrong with maildrops, except that they tie you down somewhat.

[Blissful]

i decoded your list. LMAO


I still had a hard time following it.

I also posted our drop schedule from last year on my blog (http://blissfulhiking.blogspot.com) (though we did get family to help drop at certain locales). We used about 20, give or take, and supplemented at grocery stores. Whether one drops or not, hikers have succeeded in doing both.

[Jail Break]

Well, they have these incredible new devices called telephones. Some don't even use wires. Amazing stuff.

...Which I would use to call in CHANGES in the schedule... otherwise, they would already know when to send them, and I wouldn't have to waste MORE money calling each individual maildrop in.

[Appalachian Tater]

Wow, sounds like it would just be easier to buy your Liptons and ramen and raisins as you go along.

There is another advantage to maildrops I just thought of: if other people didn't do them, people like me couldn't do a significant portion of their "shopping" before going to the grocery store by taking stuff out of hiker boxes.

[rafe]

...Which I would use to call in CHANGES in the schedule... otherwise, they would already know when to send them, and I wouldn't have to waste MORE money calling each individual maildrop in.

Not a persuasive argument. There are plenty of reasons to call home besides mail drops. I'm not concerned about the cost of phone calls. Nowadays when I hike, I call home (or at least try to) every evening. That's what the cell phone is for. ;)

My question to you is, why bother asking for other people's opinions? You've obviously thought this through and have your mind made up. :cool:

[fiddlehead]

Is there now a store to buy groceries in Port Clinton? Glencliffe?
if not, is it easier to hitch somewhere than picking up a box at the PO? (I know Port Clinton is a busy, somewhat dangerous highway but sure you could get a ride to Hamburg, coming back would be tougher though as the supermarket in Hamburg is after the highway gets even busier)
I believe people are friendlier in Glencliffe and it would be easier to get a ride into and out of there, but, my question is: "why bother if the po is right there anyway?"

Closing your mind to maildrops is not the smartest way to hike the AT, PCT or CDT.
There are PO's and maildrop places on each trail that make your hike easier to resupply! I say use them when and where you see fit.

[rafe]

A maildrop in Port Clinton might make sense. IIRC, there's not even a convenience store there, just some candy shop for tourons. It's not a town I'd want to get stuck in, waiting for my package. OTOH, Port Clinton is about halfway between Palmerton and Duncannon.

I'm not "absolutist" on the issue of mail drops; I see both sides. I've used them all along, but more sparingly as the years roll on. I still don't know of a better way to deal with maps on a long AT hike. I've left a lot of excess/unwanted mail drop items in hiker boxes over the years. I also found wonderful cards and unexpected goodies in my mail drops that made me smile. ;) :D :cool: :sun

[Jail Break]

Not a persuasive argument. There are plenty of reasons to call home besides mail drops. I'm not concerned about the cost of phone calls. Nowadays when I hike, I call home (or at least try to) every evening. That's what the cell phone is for. ;)

My question to you is, why bother asking for other people's opinions? You've obviously thought this through and have your mind made up. :cool:

A very persuasive argument...
#1, I CAN'T WAIT to leave my cellphone at home for five months. Personally, I hate when people have them out there. You're not that guy who's cellphone rings at 10:00 at night in the middle of otherwise peaceful woods are you? Walking down the trail with that God-awful thing stuck to your head? Or worse, a stupid bluetooth sitting on your ear? I hope not. I don't even want to get into the argument of whether or not to bring a cellphone with you on a thru-hike. Just like every single other piece of equipment you could possibly bring out there, you either absolutely certainly need it and you're irresponsible if you don't, OR you definitely don't need it and you're foolish for even considering it... depending on who you ask. Pointless. I haven't looked but I bet any money there's a thread on here with people going back and forth over whether or not to bring a cellphone, just like whether or not to bring boots, trekking poles, underwear, a tent, washcloth, sunglasses, sunscreen, a bug net, groundcloth, matches, gaiters, Q-tips, condoms, water filter, stove, hammock, gloves, and anything else you could possibly think of, someone either considers it mandatory or useless.

#2, I plan on calling home once a week to check in, let everyone know I'm alive, make sure there's no emergencies, etc... I do realize that there are reasons to call home besides maildrops, thanks. I have family and friends too.

And I don't actually recall asking whether or not I should use maildrops for food. Just like every other option you have on the AT, whether its equipment or method of resupply, some people use maildrops, some don't. I will. I HAVE the food, why should I buy more of what I already have? I posted (or tried to) my maildrop schedule asking if anyone saw problems with it... too far apart, towns that are problems to stop in, better suggestions for drop points, etc. Maybe I'll learn otherwise while I'm out there, but that's my journey. I'm not saying anyone is wrong, I'm saying I'm trying it THIS WAY, do you have any suggestions to HELP ME DO IT THIS WAY.

I apologize if I flew off the handle here. Sometimes it gets aggravating when you see someone ask for advice on something, and instead of useful advice, you get people who nit-pick at any little thing they can to pretend they're better at this than you, and act like if you don't do things THEIR way, you're an idiot.

Is this still the maildrop thread? I don't even remember.

[mudhead]

Jack's resupply article might be a good reference source.

Enjoy your walk!

[rafe]

You're not that guy who's cellphone rings at 10:00 at night in the middle of otherwise peaceful woods are you? Walking down the trail with that God-awful thing stuck to your head? Or worse, a stupid bluetooth sitting on your ear? I hope not.

Nope, that would be someone else. The phone's off while I hike. There are about three people on the planet who know the number. My wife's happier if she hears from me regularly while I'm on the road or on the trail. And frankly, I enjoy being able to chat with her -- particularly (eg.) on last summer's hike where I was alone in the woods most nights.

I'm done with this thread. Enjoy your hike.

[astrogirl]

Not a persuasive argument. There are plenty of reasons to call home besides mail drops. I'm not concerned about the cost of phone calls. Nowadays when I hike, I call home (or at least try to) every evening. That's what the cell phone is for. ;)

Wow, I'm lucky if I get a signal once every three days on a cell. I've been considering not taking one this year.

[freefall]

As thru hikers think back on their hikes regarding food supply:

a) A lot of hikers will say "Next time I'm doing less maildrops."

b) Very, very few hikers will say "Next time I'm doing more maildrops."

I usually had a mail drop every 7 days. Next time I'm having none. The main reason is that even with a mail drop I still had to go to the store!! So the mail drop saved no time at all!

You will want a few mail drops for maps. Not for food.
About right. I would not do any drops in PA and carry about 4 days at a time in Summer/ late Spring months.
Personally in `06:
I had a drop where I started ( in Dahlonega, GA)
At Mtn Crossings.
At Blueberry Patch
At Fontana
At Mtn Momma's (closed but Curtis at Standing Bear Hostel) will hold packages.
Kincora hostel in Hampton, TN
ATC, Harpers Ferry, WV

[CocamoJoe]

I didn't use any maildrops on my section-hike last year, nor will I use any on my upcoming section-hike in the Fall. I talked to at least thru-hikers, and all used some, but all, in retrospect, found them to be a royal pain-in-the-ass. One didn't plan on using any, as she knew there'd be plenty of grocery/convenience stores along the way. But, her mom wanted to be involved with her hike, and volunteered to buy those expensive fancy-schmancy freeze-dried meals (Mountain House, Backpackers Pantry, et al), and mail them along. My friend found it hard to turn down the opportunity for free food, so acquiesced.
I, for my part, don't want to worry about getting into town in time on any specific day to pick up a package. I'd rather just walk at a nice, relatively fast, pace, and get into town when I get there, resupplying at a local store.... But, that's just me:)

[Jack Tarlin]

Geez, this one has been done to death.

When you throw in the cost of postage, you don't really save that much money by buying in bulk ahead of time. And if you DO buy all your stuff ahead of time, I guarantee you that by the time your trip is less than half over, you'll HATE a lot of the stuff you're eating....but you're stuck with it for six months. You bought itAND paid to have it posted. What are you gonna do.....get rid of it and shop all over again? Doubtful. No, you'll suck it up and finish your trip hating every meal.

There's a lot of information in the "Articles" section of this website in regards to where one can re-supply while en route.......which is what most folks choose to do nearly all of the time.

Unless you're really into meal planning and dehydrating, or unless you're on some sort of specialized diet (vegan, kosher, no-salt, etc). there's no need to send yourself food on the A.T. except for a handful of places.

Buy food en route, and decide when you shop what you want to eat for the next few days. Quick question: Do you know right now what you wanna have for dinner on September 24th? Well, neither do I. So why on earth shop now for that night's supper?

Doesn't make much sense to me.....

[Appalachian Tater]

Even if you have maildrops you're going to want juice, milk, fresh fruits and vegetables, ice cream, stuff like that when you're in town, anyway.

[Tin Man]

Even if you have maildrops you're going to want juice, milk, fresh fruits and vegetables, ice cream, stuff like that when you're in town, anyway.

I heard some towns even sell beer and such.

[BREEZER]

WoW!!!!!!

[CocamoJoe]

I heard some towns even sell beer and such.

Not Suches, GA! I remember the night I camped out at Woods Hole Shelter (I think that's it's name, just south of Blood Mountain). Earlier that day, at Woody Gap, everyone with whom I'd been hiking got of the Trail, either as that was their planned end, or they didn't feel fit to go on. Well, at the shelter, I was perusing the entries, and found several that were complaining about Suches's being a dry county! Apparently, they were planning to get a bottle of wine/liquor/champagne to toast on Blood Mountain, and hitched into Suches since it's so much close than Dahlonega.... only to find out that it's a dry county! Poor guys!