Mail drops

[Drybones]

Where does it make sense to do a mail drop if you want to keep mail drops to a minimum? I have one planned for Fontana to get me across the Smokies but no others at this time. Are there any other places you would recommend and why? Thanks.

[RWheeler]

Well, you can also think of when you're going to be switching out gear. Look for hostels around where you expect to do that, and mail drop to them - make it easier on yourself.

Besides gear swap, I think you can resupply in towns elsewhere to keep the drops pretty much limited to 1 or whatever.

[BrianLe]

If you do plan to swap gear, I suggest (for a typical NOBO) Pearisburg VA and then maybe again at Glencliff NH. But no need for a food resupply at Pearisburg, and really not at Glencliff either though the latter could be handy.

I think that a food box to Harpers Ferry might be a good idea, and as you said at Fontana Dam. At the end of the day, you don't need any at all, it just boils down to how much you're willing to take time to hitch to somewhere you can get food. If I weren't concerned about spacing out boxes to replenish things (shoes in particular) and if no gear swaps, then I'd likely just send a box to those two places. As it was, I used 5 resupply boxes to cover all three needs --- food resupply, replacing gear & data/maps (and medication in my case), and for gear swaps. That seemed just about right.

[Spokes]

I liked getting my drops at:
NOC
Fontana Dam
Pearisburg, WV (Gear Swap)
Harpers Ferry
Glencliff, NH (Gear Swap)
Pinkham Notch Visitors Center (Front Desk)
Caratunk, ME

[Spokes]

I liked getting my drops at:
NOC- hit or miss food stuff here
Fontana Dam- Can't rely on convenience store being stocked
Pearisburg, WV (Gear Swap)
Harpers Ferry- It's just a big hassle for re-supply here. The bus system sucks too.
Glencliff, NH (Gear Swap)
Pinkham Notch Visitors Center (Front Desk)
Caratunk, ME- Absolutely the Best/Friendliest Post Office on the Trail!

[Blissful]

Do a search on this, it's been talked about many times.

I'd do it at:

Neel Gap
NOC - the outfitter
Fontana Dam if not staying at the Hike Inn (they shuttle to Robbinsville)
Harper's Ferry - ATC office
DWG - po is right there
Salisbury - only b/c the grocery store there is really expensive, imo, and the po is right there, but that's up to you
Glencliff
You can send yourself a drop to the store at Crawford Notch if you want
Pinkham Notch - AMC
Caratunk po

Port Clinton now has a Wally World (I used to drop there) and a buffet place.