Mail drops

[dabeachman]

All I can see in this forum is one post, it would be nice to see old conversations about mail drops.

Anyway, would it be foolish or too difficult to just start walking without planning any mail drops? I plan to start at about a 12 ile pace NOBO sometime in January. May be slower depending on conditions. Would like to not have to make trips past 2 miles to towns. Any advice?

[ddanko2]

All I can see in this forum is one post, it would be nice to see old conversations about mail drops.

Anyway, would it be foolish or too difficult to just start walking without planning any mail drops? I plan to start at about a 12 ile pace NOBO sometime in January. May be slower depending on conditions. Would like to not have to make trips past 2 miles to towns. Any advice?

You don't have to mail drop at all on the AT. You'll have to carry more though in January!

[FarmerChef]

Agree with ddanko2. Mail drops are not necessary any more. Plenty of resupply points along the trail though it does cost you effort and time to get in/out of town to do the resupply. Consider also, that some services may be limited or nonexistent in January and plan accordingly.

[SteelCut]

Lots of posts about mail drops ... try this in Google: "site:whiteblaze.net mail drops"

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q...net+mail+drops

[rafe]

Save mail drops for stuff you absolutely can't live without, and can't find locally. The fewer the better.

Usually (not always!) if a town is big enough for a post office, it'll have a store as well.

[Venchka]

All I can see in this forum is one post, it would be nice to see old conversations about mail drops.

Anyway, would it be foolish or too difficult to just start walking without planning any mail drops? I plan to start at about a 12 ile pace NOBO sometime in January. May be slower depending on conditions. Would like to not have to make trips past 2 miles to towns. Any advice?

Y'all missed a qualifier. So, the OP's original question (as I translate it) is this: Which locations can I have packages shipped to that are 2 miles or less from the trail beginning in January?
That is a tough question. Hostels/Inns/B&Bs/etc. on/near the trail come to mind. Another possibility is to have a shuttle operator deliver packages to you on the trail. This is useful at Newfound Gap in the Smokies. The nearest town, Gatlinburg, is quite distant from the trail crossing at Newfound Gap. I will go round up the links for you from the home page. You're welcome.

http://whiteblaze.net/forum/content.php/1105

http://whiteblaze.net/forum/content.php/221

http://whiteblaze.net/forum/content.php/533

http://whiteblaze.net/forum/content.php/220

http://whiteblaze.net/forum/content.php/53

I appreciate your attempt to stay on or near the AT at all times. The facts of life and geography might dictate otherwise. Realistically, postage and/or shuttle fees will eat you alive.

Wayne

[bigcranky]

So, on the one hand, it's really easy these days to hitch into town and resupply every few days, especially in the South. The massive growth of the mountain towns in the last twenty years (as vacation destinations) means that most have a good grocery store.

On the other hand, it will be difficult to limit yourself to the 2 miles rule. It may be possible to send mail drops to locations within 2 miles of the trail, but it's going to be very difficult to hit grocery stores within 2 miles. Off the top of my head you can resupply on the trail at Neels Gap, NOC, and Hot Springs - trail goes right through. Damacus, of course. Most of the larger towns are further away than 2 miles.