just wanted to see where you folks thought that some ‘definite’ mail drops should be made on a thru hike? i’ve recieved some mixed info from a few people, so i figured i’d get a better feel from a larger community.
i’d like to go with as few drops as possible, but i know there are places where food selection isn’t great or you just might not be able to find food. thanks in advance for any help.
brandon
I only had one maildrop (at Neel’s Gap/Walasi Yi), which I sent to myself before leaving home. Although, there is food available there at the outfitter, just not like a grocery store. Also, I bounced a box ahead to myself from Grafton, NH (I think it’s called Grafton, where the Hikers Welcome Hostel is, just before Moosilauke) to Pinkham Notch Vistor Center in the Whites, where the selection is very limited. That was to get me through to Gorham, ME. Otherwise, I never had a problem resupplying at all. Sure, in a handful of places, the selection was a bit limited (compared to the big grocery stores), but that wasn’t an issue for me. I liked resupplying as I went, not having to worry about getting to a post office while it was open (rather than hanging out in town, waiting) and being able to choose what I wanted to eat as I went along. When I did wanted to receive a package (ie. to switch some gear), I tried to use non-post office drop sites as much as possible, such as hostels and outfitters. The Thru-hikers Companion has info on those places, as well as the post offices, but I think it’s best to call ahead to confirm whether a place is still holding maildrops, for how long, and whether to send USPS or UPS. I’m sure you probably want specific info on places with more limited choices, but I just wanted to add my two cents that maildrops aren’t NECESSARY.
ramkitten
The Hikers Welcome Hostel is in Glencliff, NH. The post office is across the street: ZIP 03238. Grafton is a notch in Maine. If your resupplying with mail drops the closer the town is to the trail the better but I’d say the only definite ones are the ones on the trail: Walasi Yi, NOC, Hot Springs, Damascus, Boiling Springs or Duncannon (their close to each other), Port Clinton, Delaware Water Gap, Cheshire and Hanover. And the towns before long “roadless” stretches like Fontana Dam before the Smokies and Monson before the “100 mile wilderness”. I’m sure I’ve forgotten some great places but resupplying options on the AT are so open that its really a personal desicion that each of us makes and its also posssible to change strategies as you hike.
celt
The short list of must mail drops are;
Port Clinton
Glencliff
Fontana Dam
Walasi Yi has a good selection of foods. No need to mail drop there in my opinion.
At NOC, I carried through from a resupply at Rainbow Springs
In Hot Springs, the outfitter has a good selection of food. No need to mail drop there in my opinion.
Damascus has stores. No need for a mail drop there.
Duncannon has a supermarket nearby.
I did a mail drop at the Water Gap, but could have used the shuttle to a grocery store.
Cheshire is a day from the supermarkets along Route 2 in North Adams/Williamstown. I did a small mail drop instead in Dalton.
Hanover has the Coop. The supermarket there closed. No need for a mail drop there.
The small store in Monson is adequate, and Mr. Shaw will shuttle you to a bigger store if you so desire.
That being said, I actually used several more mail drops to get maps and film.
Peaks
The correct answer I believe is: None to start out with. As you progress into your hike, get in hiker shape, figure out what your realistic daily milage is going to be, then you can mail drop to yourself four or five days down the trail. Cheaper postage this way, also. Also your desire for certain foods will change, etc----so mail dropping a lot of stuff before you ever start your hike is bad. Have all the mail drop addresses and info regarding where what is as Peaks notes in his response above. Also read the other info in “mail drops” concerning food, etc. Some good info there. Hope this helps. Keep on hiking. 
Maintain
Fontana Dam, NC - unreliable source
Harpers Ferry, WVA - No source
Port Clinton, PA - No Source and PO right on trail
Glencliff, NH - limited supplies available at Hostel, PO right accross the street.
-Howie
Hungry Howie
thank you all for the responses. you’ve been most helpful considering that i don’t really want to worry with too many maildrops. i appreciate the help!
brandon