Re-supply - The Long Trail - Vermont

imported
#1

is it possible to hike and not send yourself resupply packages ahead of time?
just stop into towns and get food as you go along the trail?
or is it cheaper and more convienent to send yourself resupply packages
thanks

trek

#2

Depends a lot on which trail you are looking to hike. For the most part, you can resupply along most trails without using maildrops. I personally plan on using maildrops for all of my resupplying except where it’s not possible. I only eat organic, natural foods and nothing processed… so it’ll be difficult for me to find these foods in the trail towns.

I’m using a dehydrator to make all of my meals. It’s saving me a lot of money and pack weight. Even with the cost of shipping the maildrops, I’m still saving quite a bit of money.

I figure you have to go into town to resupply, so it’s just as easy to swing by the Post Office. But using maildrops can cause some logistic issues. You’ll need to make sure you can pick up your package at each PO during their normal operating hours.

Phreak

#3

It is absolutely possible! If you’ve gotten to a post office, chances are you’re also near a grocery store. I had packaged food in advance and had friends and family meet me along the trail to re-supply. I found that #1 I had pre-packed more than I needed and #2 once on the trail I wanted different foods from what I had pre-packaged. Other hikers seemed to share this experience.

There is little quite as satisfying as walking the aisles of a brightly lit market and selecting the perfect piece of fruit as your eyes take in all the possibilities!

Tumblina

#4

I agree with Tumblina.

Resupplying at stores has other advantages as well as well as the ones she mentions.

Stores are open more hours than Post Offices (and many are open Sundays). Mail drops also involves some committment to getting off the trail at certain points.

My only mailed in resupply on my thru-hike was at the Long Trail Inn, which has the advantages of more flexible hours than a Post Office.

In summary, I prefer to stay flexible in terms of decide ofn the when, where and whats I resupply with. If you have a restricted diet - for any reason - you might prefer the certainty and control that comes with mail drops over flexibility.

PedXing

#5

Is this the PedXing whose entries I just saw on the Northville Placid Trail? If so, great trail - eh?

Jeffrey Hunter

#6

Yep, it was a gorgeous trail and a delight. It was also a nice change to be on a mostly low-land, lake and river trail, as opposed to the ridge and peak trails I’m used to. I regret speeding up for the first part - it deserved more time.

I posted a journal at www.trailjournals.com/PedX

PedXing