Good Info about Maildrops

imported
#1

While researching maildrops, I found this info from 2001. It is accurate as I have just placed an order for “Box 7”. The order confirmation states 7-14 day delivery period…

Ahhhhhh – All so exciting!!! It’s all falling into place…

“Attention prospective thru-hikers: you don’t have to scrounge around (or --gasp-- pay) for all the boxes you’ll need for your mail drops! I’ve read in several journals that folks have had a hard time finding shipping cartons, but you can get them free from the US Postal Service (not only that, but they’ll deliver them to your door!).
Just go to http://www.usps.com and hit the “Buy Stamps and More” link on the left. Then hit the “Order Shipping Supplies” link. On the new screen, hit the “Order Supplies” link on the left. You’ll be asked if you understand that the boxes you order have to be used for mailing stuff (don’t use them when you move into a new house!), and then you’ll get to a screen that asks what type of mail you want. Hit the “Priority Mail” button (Priority Mail is anything sent First Class that’s over 13 oz. You want Priority so that you get free forwarding in case you get ahead of your maildrops while hiking!). Finally, you’re on the order page. I recommend “Box 7”, which is a good size for hiker supplies. You can even tape two of these together for larger shipments (even the tape is free). One word of advice: order your shipping supplies at least a month before you need them.”

Dawg

#2

boxes from liquor stores work good too

Big Boy

#3

I just ordered "Box 7"s for my 2004 thru hike attempt.
Thanks for sharing the information.

Jill

#4

seems to me yogi discusses not using priority mail in her journals …it’s been a while, i guess i need to go back and look at what she said. and her reasons.

is this correct? anyone?

burn

#5

lol just goes to show ya my little P brain is not always in gear and my tongue seems to run wide open…yogi actually says you must use Priority mail and do not use delivery confirmation…thanks trail journals and yogi!

burn

#6

I put similar info into my trail journal just the other day! It actually took less than a week for my supplies to arrive…

Keep in mind, you can also order labels and even packaging tape FREE. I plan to make up labels ahead of time for my family to use for ‘care packages’. I even ordered smaller boxes for these packages. Also, the tyvek envelopes are useful for sending clothing and such. Just some other ideas!

Peak-a-Boo

#7

Priority labeled you can bounce a box for ever. And you can do it by phone as long as you haven’t opened it. Great when you want to cut the weight of your tent and move it thru the Smokys or up trail a week/month at a time. We bounced our tent for a few weeks until the bugs came out. Started with the closest PO to where we were for cheap shipping and then called the PO once a week to move it. Once we finish the trail we just called and had the bounce boxes sent home.

Bushwhack

#8

You can pick up Priorty Mail boxes for free in any post office, depending of course on what they have available in stock (sometimes they run out of certain sizes). Most PO’s will also supply you with some tape to tape an outgoing box.

This way you can bounce ahead food items, etc several or many days down the trail from various locations all along the AT.

See you out there. :cheers

Maintain

#9

Its weird how some trail town POs will help you to no end and others make it like they’re doing you a favor. Hanover has a whole hiker section with tap, labels, pens etc. Bear Mountain, she takes UPS boxes! She was funny, “I took a box for one guy who needed boots and even though my boss chewed me out I’ll still take 'um 'cuase I know how impotent you guy’s supplier are to ya”.
The packing method seems to vary too. One will want the Priority tape, one wants the label, one wants the box. Whatever, just get it there, please.

BW

#10

How big are these boxes you’re finding? The only one’s I see on the site are pretty small for bouncing. Can someone post a direct link to the boxes?

Dharma

#11

I’ve heard you can walk into a post office and they provide boxes for free?? I’ll be doing it as i go along (the bounce box thing). How long does it usually take for parcels in transit? (Taking into account some places are a bit out off the beaten track).

Cheers

Ross

Ross - England

#12

ross

priority mail in the states is 2-3 days to get from middle of nowhere georgia to middle of no where maine.; or california; or tennesee. its pretty cool.

Big Boy

#13

Heres a link to the largest box I saw…

Box 7

When shopping it gives you a choice between Business or Personal Use. Click on Business Use, larger boxes there.

Peak-a-Boo

#14

A good friend of ours who thru-hiked the PCT this year showed us her bounce box, a five gallon bucket with a lid. She said it was great around town because of the wire handle, durable for multiple posts (she’s still using it), and you can sit on it while you sort through your drop.

raru

#15

I use priority mail for my Ebay shipping quite frequently and obtain the boxes from the USPS.com site. Keep in mind that they are Priority Mail boxes and if used, will cost you the priority mail fees which are not cheap. You cannot use the box to ship any other way. Yes, it is 2-3 day delivery if everything goes right. Post Office’s generally carry some boxes but there are some that they are not allowed to have in stock (seems to be the larger boxes). Only the general public can get them. What I have done in the past is used what I needed and took the rest to the post office so they could give them out. Everything is free including shipping to your address.

frogge