Planning for AT thru-hike

imported
#1

I am in the planning phase of my AT thru-hike. I was woundering if anyone who has done it could give me some information on maildrops.

THANKS DAVE

dave parker

#2

Our “revised” drop list on our journals, Bramble and Bushwhack AT '01 has a good set. Left tool tab. It really seemed to work out to have a drop as close to the trail as possible. Like Hikers Welcome Hostel, Blueberry Patch etc. Saved hours futzing around town. And most will mail out for you also for a few extra bucks. Neels Gap. The less time in town the more walking you get to do, and waiting through Sunday to get a drop sucks. It forces you to pull a twenty or worse to hit it on time. Or some PO’s have bastard hours, 11-2?! :>#

B+B

#3

Last year we planned all of our resupply by maildrop and regretted doing so. In my opinion, there is no reason to get a mail drop in a town with a full service grocery store. We ended up going to the P.O., then going to the Grocery store to buy things like cheese, fruit, beer, etc. Why make 2 trips. The Sunday thing sucks too. There are definitely towns w/o grocery stores. Places like Monson, Woodstock, Duncannon, etc. Check out the Handbook or companion for details on resupply in towns. They do a good job of telling where you might need a mail drop.

I have to disagree on “futzing around town.” We liked to go to towns where there were some extra services to take advantage of. No fun to hike/hitch to the P.O. and back and not eat Fried Chicken somewhere in between. I had no problem hitching for 9 miles to get into town and enjoy it instead of walking .5 for 2 buildings and a pay phone.

Grimace

#4

Sure, if the town has some cool stuff to do and see we always took that. Even hit the Portsmouth Brewery for a White Pizza, Black Cat Stout(made in house) and a bottle sticker.
We also regretted having to may mail drops. We got very tired of of what we had made, home dehydrated for the most part and really liked the fresh and variety in town. Grimace, you didn’t get beer in your mail drops?? I couldn’t have made it in the dry south without a couple Guinness to simmer my Ramen in!
Our friend Raindog had another veriation, he’d call his sister every few days and tell her what he wanted to eat. So his drops were, shall we say, fun to open. Being a Jewish vegitarian Alex got some cool stuff. Wasabi and motza, some king of biscuit thingies. In our group we tended to share whatever at dinner. Made a nice mix and helped keep the blahs away.
I don’t “do” town. I hate crowds and feel smothered. After an hour I’m otta here.
It also help to get a feel for the services where you’re going from other hikers and journals so when you hitch in you make all the right moves. Food/mail, lodging, laundry, outfitter. Not in that order of coarse if needed. We screwed the first few stops like Hiawasee. Hung around and found out the diners all close at 9! At N.O.C. we got in 15 minutes before eats closed and asked the info girl what we should do first. Eat, outfitter, shower in that order. It was to cry for when the onion rings came out.
On the lackof stores we often made up new meals. When you’re brain dead it’s hard but we did things like for a three day’er we put together a loaf of sandwhiches each, a pound of nuts, some fresh fruit and some deserts. Sometimes that’s all you can find but at least you’re getting some nutrition.
Now if you have a bored father that can take the motor home to the road crossing every few days and fishes when he’s not, he could bring you anything you need and really make it cushy. Didn’t have one of those. He was busy. But think about it.
I think Bear Mountain did me in for for town stops. Mail sent to the wrong PO. Hotel was rude. Moose saved the day with a tour of Kent, dinner at is house, thanks bro.

Bushwhack