Great resource info. Thanks Bigfoot. So much to learn. Seems like mail drops may save money and headache in the long run. You've taken some of the mystery out of it.😊
From Harpers Ferry a bus runs to the Walmart in Charles Town. The bus was reasonably priced and there is a laundromat and a couple restaurants right next to the Walmart. Started laundry, went to Walmart, grabbed some lunch and then only waited 15 to 20 minutes for the return bus to Harpers Ferry. Harpers Ferry is amazing. Recommend a double zero in Harpers Ferry: one day in Harpers Ferry and one day in DC.
+Not From Around Here I would definitely second spending a day in both cities. Good to know about the shuttle as it's a much more convenient way then hitching.
I have to say thank you for all these vids on the AT...just well put together and informative...its really taken alot of the anxiety on doing the thru hike...ty
Thanks for all the info, once more. Shared this with the Appalachian Trail class of 2017 FB group. This channel has been great for planning a 2017 through hike. Thanks for paying it forward dude.
This is hands-down the most helpful video while planning re-supply for 2021 !! As a vegan who will be doing almost all mail-drops for food, it has been very overwhelming trying to figure it out with just the AWOL guide (as amazing as that resource is too!) , thank you for this!
Every single time I went thru Stecoah Gap NC traveling nobo or sobo (12 times) I always hitched into Robbinsville NC. It's a great full service town, and sets nobo hikers up for a Gatlinburg re-up perfectly. It's also a perfect re-up for nobo's who went into Franklin. Making the noc a place to maybe get breakfast.
Follow Bigfoot AWOL fails to mention Robbinsonville NC? It's mentioned in the Companion. It's a welcoming town to hikers. It's always an easy hitch. Sad that AWOL leaves it out. Maybe he went in there and someone stole his lollipop.
+HeadshotLocke I'm glad it's helpful. I am trying to recreate the information I had to research or what I experienced on the Trail that I needed to know before I started my Thru-Hike.
This is one reason why I'm training with weight (heavy packs). Carrying 4 pounds of food will last a month. From Hot springs to Fontana Dam. Gatlinburg resupply is 14 miles away. I don't mind resupplying at or 2 miles from the AT but damn that's too far.
One thing you didn't mention was the average cost of sending mail drop boxes. Say 5 days of food (average 10 lbs.). I'm curious of just how expensive it is to mail food to yourself in a few choice towns. I would do this because I plan on making a lot of my own dehydrated meals as I don't like most of the Pasta Sides or Rice Sides and hate instant mashed potatoes. Doesn't leave me much to choose from. And I don't like Pop Tarts, either. I do eat a lot of dried fruit and nuts but that won't sustain me on the trail and I'm thinking that most resupply places on the trail will have limited, if any, of these foods.
I sent out my first 4 Resupplies before I left for my thru hike. I had my Parents send me a couple when I was on trail. You can do either or. You just want to make sure the place you’re sending it to will hold for the time you are requesting.
Thanks for the info! For someone planning a fast thru (100-ish days), which mail drop locations have the potential to save the most time? In other words, I guess, which places would make it easiest to get in and out of town quickly if you did a maildrop and didn't need many other services (laundry, electronic recharging, etc.)? Thanks for all the work you've done on these videos!
+Joy Santee Hey Joy. I will have to look at AWOL's guide as I can't go off of memory with all the stops. I will be doing a video of how I hiked the trail in 100 days for those who may find this appealing, and perhaps I'll add this layer in that vid
Thanks! I may have about 100 days available in 2018 and am going to see how my training goes this spring/summer to see whether a fast thru is even a possibility for me. I did a (slow) trip on the SHT a couple of years ago and am jealous that you live relatively close to it now. It's a beautiful trail!
+kookiemoose Nope, its open, I just didn't recommend it as a resupply. The only place in the actual town of Bland to resupply was Dollar General as I didn't count Trent's since it's not really in the heart of that town.
Follow Bigfoot I was referring to Grants Grocery in Bland VA. Trents Grocery is like 20 miles north of Bland on the AT on VA 606. Grants Grocery is located in the heart of Bland, right where I always hitched out of town. The Companion (2016) says they're open.
Hikers can hitch out of Gatlinburg. Why do thrus who never went into Gatlinburg always say this? I'd figure they would have at least heard that it was not true from at least one other thru they met in the Smokies. It's as simple as walking 5 minutes down 441 to the GSMNP border.
Very interesting and hopefully helpful for our Appalachian trail hike next year
Another guy mentioned the usefulness of Amazon Prime on the trail. Free 2 day delivery of any quantity of goods, and you can order from your phone.
+hallerd Great Point!!!! Thanks for sharing that with all of us.
Thank you for posting. Very helpful
Great resource info. Thanks Bigfoot. So much to learn. Seems like mail drops may save money and headache in the long run. You've taken some of the mystery out of it.😊
thanks for the info, very helpful!
Dido
From Harpers Ferry a bus runs to the Walmart in Charles Town. The bus was reasonably priced and there is a laundromat and a couple restaurants right next to the Walmart. Started laundry, went to Walmart, grabbed some lunch and then only waited 15 to 20 minutes for the return bus to Harpers Ferry. Harpers Ferry is amazing. Recommend a double zero in Harpers Ferry: one day in Harpers Ferry and one day in DC.
+Not From Around Here I would definitely second spending a day in both cities. Good to know about the shuttle as it's a much more convenient way then hitching.
Another great video packed full of good info ! Thanks so much !
+One Backpack 😊
I have to say thank you for all these vids on the AT...just well put together and informative...its really taken alot of the anxiety on doing the thru hike...ty
Very helpful and a lot of great info! Thanks!
Thanks for all the info, once more. Shared this with the Appalachian Trail class of 2017 FB group. This channel has been great for planning a 2017 through hike. Thanks for paying it forward dude.
+Assaultlife5.56 Always welcome. Thanks for sharing the vid so others can enjoy!!
Planning a thru hike in a few years this is really useful thanks 😄
This is hands-down the most helpful video while planning re-supply for 2021 !! As a vegan who will be doing almost all mail-drops for food, it has been very overwhelming trying to figure it out with just the AWOL guide (as amazing as that resource is too!) , thank you for this!
Every single time I went thru Stecoah Gap NC traveling nobo or sobo (12 times) I always hitched into Robbinsville NC.
It's a great full service town, and sets nobo hikers up for a Gatlinburg re-up perfectly.
It's also a perfect re-up for nobo's who went into Franklin. Making the noc a place to maybe get breakfast.
+kookiemoose Thanks for sharing. No one probably knows about this because AWOL doesn't mention any resupplies in that town. Thanks kookie.
Follow Bigfoot AWOL fails to mention Robbinsonville NC? It's mentioned in the Companion. It's a welcoming town to hikers. It's always an easy hitch. Sad that AWOL leaves it out. Maybe he went in there and someone stole his lollipop.
May I know how long can a post offices hold your mail drops
You're channel is great. I'm planning a 2018 Thruhike and find your channel invaluable. Thanks! Keep it up!
+HeadshotLocke I'm glad it's helpful. I am trying to recreate the information I had to research or what I experienced on the Trail that I needed to know before I started my Thru-Hike.
This is one reason why I'm training with weight (heavy packs). Carrying 4 pounds of food will last a month. From Hot springs to Fontana Dam. Gatlinburg resupply is 14 miles away. I don't mind resupplying at or 2 miles from the AT but damn that's too far.
Cool
How exactly do you bounce a box forward? And how much is it to mail a package?
Harpers Ferry ... Charles Town is the closest town to it which has a Martins, Walmart etc, but it is way off
Your info is great. I appreciate the effort that goes into your work. I assume that you research before hand. Great stuff. Thanks.
You said send the re-supply package to NEEL GAP & NOC, but what's the address???
Guthook says standing bear farm has a good selection for resupply, but you are saying you can't resupply there? anyone know which it is?
One thing you didn't mention was the average cost of sending mail drop boxes. Say 5 days of food (average 10 lbs.). I'm curious of just how expensive it is to mail food to yourself in a few choice towns. I would do this because I plan on making a lot of my own dehydrated meals as I don't like most of the Pasta Sides or Rice Sides and hate instant mashed potatoes. Doesn't leave me much to choose from. And I don't like Pop Tarts, either. I do eat a lot of dried fruit and nuts but that won't sustain me on the trail and I'm thinking that most resupply places on the trail will have limited, if any, of these foods.
Great info. How much time should you allow for your package to arrive if you are doing mail drops?
Think the USPS is 3-5? Best check. Depends on what you pay or if you arrange for someone to send it at specific times from what my research shows.
So when do you send out these boxes? Does someone send them as you get close to the predetermined location?
I sent out my first 4 Resupplies before I left for my thru hike. I had my Parents send me a couple when I was on trail. You can do either or. You just want to make sure the place you’re sending it to will hold for the time you are requesting.
Follow Bigfoot thanks for the info
Thanks for the info! For someone planning a fast thru (100-ish days), which mail drop locations have the potential to save the most time? In other words, I guess, which places would make it easiest to get in and out of town quickly if you did a maildrop and didn't need many other services (laundry, electronic recharging, etc.)? Thanks for all the work you've done on these videos!
+Joy Santee Hey Joy. I will have to look at AWOL's guide as I can't go off of memory with all the stops. I will be doing a video of how I hiked the trail in 100 days for those who may find this appealing, and perhaps I'll add this layer in that vid
Thanks! I may have about 100 days available in 2018 and am going to see how my training goes this spring/summer to see whether a fast thru is even a possibility for me. I did a (slow) trip on the SHT a couple of years ago and am jealous that you live relatively close to it now. It's a beautiful trail!
So Grants Grocery is closed in Bland? There's only the Dollar General now?
+kookiemoose Nope, its open, I just didn't recommend it as a resupply. The only place in the actual town of Bland to resupply was Dollar General as I didn't count Trent's since it's not really in the heart of that town.
Follow Bigfoot I was referring to Grants Grocery in Bland VA. Trents Grocery is like 20 miles north of Bland on the AT on VA 606. Grants Grocery is located in the heart of Bland, right where I always hitched out of town. The Companion (2016) says they're open.
I don't ever remember seeing that, so it may be.
Follow Bigfoot well, there was never a DG there. But it would be sad to see Grants shutdown. They cook to order in there. Good stuff.
Hikers can hitch out of Gatlinburg. Why do thrus who never went into Gatlinburg always say this? I'd figure they would have at least heard that it was not true from at least one other thru they met in the Smokies.
It's as simple as walking 5 minutes down 441 to the GSMNP border.
+kookiemoose Good to know. Thanks for sharing. I never went to Gatlinburg and o just remember hearing this on the Trail. Thanks!