PDA

View Full Version : Mail Drops



novabob71
12-30-2010, 00:17
Hello all!!
Can someone please explain how mail drops work. I am starting my hike mid march 2011.

couscous
12-30-2010, 00:35
Packing and sending the perfect Maildrop Published by SGT Rock (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/member.php?u=5)
03-22-2005

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=95199&postcount=1

Jack Tarlin
12-30-2010, 15:20
NovaBob:

If you use the "Search" here on WB, you'll find all sorts of threads/dialogues on maildrops.

There's a good deal of debate about the subject, but unless you're on some sort of specialized diet (i.e. no salt, kosher, vegan, etc.) most people to purchase their food while en route as opposed to buying it all ahead of time and having it mailed. (Tho there are still a few places where it doesn't hurt to send yourself a small box of food due to poor selection, expense, etc.) You'd be surprised by how many places there are close to, or actually ON the Trail where you can shop. The advantages to this: You only buy what you need; you only buy what you LIKE (as opposed to eating food you bought and boxed up months before!!); you save the postage; most of all, it won't be til you're out there that you'll have a really good idea of your food needs, required ammounts, likes and dis-likes, etc.

And you will of course be getting other mail periodically, i.e. maps, letters from home, care packages, gear replacement, etc.

All of the major Trail guidebooks will list the places where most hikers get their mail. In some cases, these are US Post Offices. In other cases, they are motels, hiker hostels/bunkhouses, trailside outfitters, etc.

I suggest you get your hands on one of these books, partly to help with your planning, and also to carry with you during your trip. You may wish to buy an additional copy for your "basecamp" person, i.e. your mom, brother, girlfriend, or whover will be the person prinicipally in charge of staying in touch with you, knowing your approximate itinerary/schedule. Choose this person wisely as THEY will be the person most responsible for making sure you get what you need, when you need it, and at the right place. The most popular A.T. guide these days is The A.T. Guide by David "Awol" Miller; the 2011 edition will be coming out in about 3 weeks. If you need something before then, go to www.aldha.org and check out the on-line version of the2010 Thru-Hikers Companion, another excellent work.

Lastly, check out the "Articles" section of this website; lots of good info there on places to Re-supply while en route, places where it makes sense to have food sent, a rough overview of how much food you'll likely need for each stretch of the Trail, info on how to send/receive mail while on a thru-hike, etc.

Good luck!

-SEEKER-
01-29-2011, 09:24
Before planning your trip be aware that there are over 600 post offices across the US that will be closing this year.
Check out: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/documents/post-offices.html

Cookerhiker
01-29-2011, 15:04
Before planning your trip be aware that there are over 600 post offices across the US that will be closing this year.
Check out: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/documents/post-offices.html

Good advice. Last year when I planned an Allegheny Trail thruhike, I made it a point to verify the existence of all the POs and sure enough, I found one that was no more.


Attention Mods: you may want to move this thread to the "Maildrops" forum.