I Will Gladly Help!

Any AT hikers out there - long distance, sectioners, thru hikers, if you need anything like the mail drop listing I have posted here on my blog or other information on services, gear, etc. I will gladly send it via e-mail. Just let me know by e-mailing me via my profile page. Some have tried to copy the information and are running into difficulty. Sometimes it helps to get info (and yes, encouragement!) from someone who has been there and has gone through it all.

Safe travels and have a great time!

Where We Sent Our Mail Drops in 2007

Paul Bunyan resting in front of the Unionville Post Office after receiving our mail drop.

While many long distance hikers choose to buy along the way, Paul Bunyan and I did a combination of mail drops and buying (like cheese, bread, chips) which fit our needs well. At times my husband, Skipper, delivered our boxes to us. We chose a combination to help supply nutrition and to mail necessities (such as my medicines, etc).

Note on mailing Mail Drops - be sure to send them Priority Mail with delivery confirmation. Do not send surface. We had two boxes in Maine get lost or arrive without any contents after they were sent via surface. Most POs will hold boxes for a long time, so don't worry if you are running behind. If you are way behind or must leave the trail for a time, you can call them to let them know. Also, drops sent Priority can be forwarded ahead if you find you don't need them. Some hostel owners will do this for you too, but best to call them if you need your box forwarded to see if they will mail it for you.

Also, if you are using fuel canisters, they can be sent in the regular mail. BUT they must go surface mail and with a sticker on the box that has a symbol for "no airplanes" - available at your Post Office. Don't let your PO or others tell you they can't be mailed. They can. We did it several times.

This was our schedule in 2007:

Neels Gap - Skipper brought but you can send drop to the outfitter

Unicoi / Hiawasee- Skipper brought but have good grocery store

Dicks Creek- we dropped at Cloud Nine Hostel

Franklin- you can maildrop at the PO or shop. Ron shuttles to both

NOC - Mail drop to outfitter

Fontana Dam - we went to the Hike Inn which shuttles to Robbinsville. We also dropped at the Inn.

Standing Bear Farm - mail drop

Hot Springs - mail drop and a Family Dollar there; outfitter

Erwin - Skipper brought, Supercenter there for resupply but out of the way

US 19E - mail drop to the hostel - Mtn Harbour B&B

Kincora - mail drop, but they shuttle to town for shopping

Damascus, VA - mail drop to PO but you can buy there; two outfitters

Atkins - we paid $5 to drop at the Relax Inn

Bland - Skipper supplied, but services are there

Pearisburg - we dropped at a friend's, but services there

Daleville- great grocery and outfitter, don't plan a drop here

We then went home (we live in the area), slacked, did sections on weekends, etc. But some options for drops in this part of VA include:

Glasgow- requires hitch

Buena Vista - long hitch

Dutch Haus B& B - check on on drops or might be able to drop at Montebello

Waynesboro - full service town, but spread out, excellent outfitter

Shenandoah NP- you can resupply at the waysides (Loft Mtn, Big Meadows, Elkwallow), but can be pricey

Front Royal - full service town, but spread out and requires hitch

Bears Den - check on mailing a drop there

Harpers' Ferry - you can drop at the ATC office; outfitter here

(the rest below are what we used)

Pine Grove Furnace SP, PA - maildrop to Ironmasters

Duncannon - maildrop to PO, they also make a grocery run

Port Clinton - mail drop to PO; Cabelas with fair selection (can get fuel)

Palmerton - great place for supplies or mail drop if needed

DWG- Maildrop at PO; outfitter

Unionville - mail drop to PO

In NY we got supplies from Skipper. Convenience stores in this area are expensive for resupply.

Kent, CT - Mail drop to PO; poor outfitter

Salisbury - Mail drop to PO, have grocery store

Cheshire, MA - mail drop at PO

MA 2 - good supermarkets here

Manchester Center, VT - mail drop to PO or you can buy; two outfitters

US 4 - Mail drop at The Inn at Long Trail.

Hanover, NH - mail drop to PO and buy at Food co-op (a little pricey); outfitter

Glencliff - mail drop to PO including your cold weather gear, limited food at hostel

Franconia Notch - if you stay at Chet's you can buy in Lincoln; outfitter

Crawford Notch - mail drop to campground

Pinkham Notch - mail drop to AMC office; outfitter (small)

Gorham - mail drop to PO or buy (Wal Mart supercenter here with town shuttle); outfitter

Andover, ME - we sent our box to The Cabin but they are closing.

Stratton - maildrop to PO or buy at grocery store

Caratunk - this one is tricky. Might see if the Northern Outdoors resort will take a mail drop since the Ferryman is closed and he had a store.

Monson - mail drop to PO (store limited for the 100 mile wilderness, IMO)

Abol Bridge - store there

Sickness BAD

The View from Springer Mountain, Georgia

Okay, I am getting it bad. SPRINGER FEVER. I was out today running (I have been getting into a running program of sorts to try and maintain a little of the conditioning I gained on the trail). The weather is sunny and pleasant. Birds are singing. A waft of smoke from a neighbor's chimney tickles my nostrils. And suddenly I am transported back to the trail on a similar day nearly a year ago when I was enjoying a delightful spring day in Georgia. Oh, it's great to reminisce. And think how I would very much like to do it again, if the Lord wills.

We shall see.

But for now I bask in a fever that I do not need an aspirin for, save the trail alone.

Services we liked on the Trail - Vermont to Maine

Paul Bunyan feasting on the special hiker lunch at Mountain Meadows Lodge, Vermont

Vermont

Bennington - we did not stay here but Paul Bunyan was able to hitch into Bennington for supplies. Many hikers do use this town.

Manchester Center - a tourist town with lots of tourist type shops, outlets, etc. We stayed at Suttons Place which worked out fine (no Internet or laundry). But there is no AC in Vermont and it was hot on the top floor. Town has everything you need - good size grocery, laundromat, PO, eateries, two outfitters. Hitching in and out is a must - look for rides at the parking lot coming in.

US 4 - Many hikers go into Rutland where there is a hostel and everything else you need (but the town is spread out). We stayed at the Mendon Mountain Lodge - about a half mile left down Rt 4. Great place, friendly to hikers, does your laundry for you for a good price, has Internet access and rooms for hikers and cheap buffet breakfast. A bus runs up and down Rt 4 to take you back to the trail.

Near Kent Pond, on the trail - Mountain Meadows Lodge has a super hiker lunch - a bit pricey at $8.95 but it was great. Might be good to stay at also.

New Hampshire

Hanover - college town on the trail, has everything you need. Internet access and backpacking room at the Dartmouth College Outing Club. We stayed at Tiggers Treehouse in their motorhome and it was great. They will pick you up at Dartmouth and shuttle you back and forth.

Glencliff - nothing here at all except for the PO to get your cold weather gear for the Whites (which you MUST have!) and a hiker hostel that is unique to say the least (they have outdoor showers, laundry, Internet access, and some food for purchase). They make a run to "town" (you pay for the shuttle) which has a very slow restaurant and a convenience store for supplies (enough to get you to Lincoln), but you barely have enough time to eat and get supplies before the shuttle guy arrives.

Rt 3, Franconia Notch - we called for a shuttle at the Flume visitor center to take us to Lincoln and Chet's place - a great guy that opened up his home to hikers. From there you can walk to major services in Lincoln like groceries, food, and an outfitter.

White Mountains - The Hut system- if you can get there by 3 PM, you can get in on the hiker work-for-stay option which means you work for a place to sleep on the dining room floor and eat whatever leftovers are available (usually little). Some huts are better than others - but it really depends on the croo in residence at that given time. Some required one job to fulfill your quota, others work you to the bone. Some will make food if there isn't a lot left, some you are scraping food off the floor practically. The hut we like best for work for stay was Galehead. The worst was Carter Notch. But it all depends on the croo and the croo hutmaster (some seem to really dislike thru hikers and work-for stay). All huts have soup, leftovers (pancakes were free, cake, bread, etc) for sale at lunchtime.

US 302, Crawford Notch - we got a ride with a day hiker at the parking lot to the Crawford Notch campground. Had a hiker bunkhouse all to ourselves. Laundry and showers. Store to get some supplies. Shuttle back to the trail. Owners a bit standoffish, they insist hikers stay in their bunkhouse and not in their cabins which kind of irked me.

Mt Washington - friendly staff here for breakfast when we arrived. Don't leave your gear unattended in the backpack room. Don't use the PO for drops.

Pinkham Notch - AMC center here accepts mail drops. Outfitter area a bit lacking. Food and lodging expensive. We actually hitched to Gorham from here so I could recover from a stomach flu.

Wildcat Mtn Chair Lift - one of these nice surprises. The guy there let hikers go down the lift for free, get food from the concession stand, and ride back up.

US 2, Gorham - this is my favorite town. I like Gorham very much. It has everything, though spread out. We stayed at the Northern Peaks motel managed by these two ladies that like hikers (or at least us!). Very helpful. Gorham has a PO, laundry, library for Internet, a small outfitter, a free shuttle that goes to the Wal Mart supercenter. And plenty of places to eat. Friendly townsfolk. A must for a zero day.

Maine

(NOTE Recommend any maildrops go priority with delivery comfirmation. We got two boxes lost in Maine)

Andover - we stayed at The Cabin- but sadly Honey and Bear are closing in 2008 to hit the roads and trails themselves. This was a great hostel. We have heard good things though about Pine Ellis hostel.

Stratton - we stayed at the Stratton Motel. We got a room but hikers can stay at the hiker hostel area. Sue is great and very helpful. She will pick you up and take you back to the trail. Laundry and Internet available. Good diner across the way, along with a grocery store and PO.

Caratunk - We stayed at Northern Outdoors resort since Steve the Ferryman is closing up shop. Not sure where you can get supplies with his store closed. Check with the NO staff. Laundry, Internet.

Monson - we stayed at Shaws in the main house and it was great. Small grocery store with owner anxious to have supplies for hikers. PO.

White House Landing - we did not stay here but many do. Pricey.

Abol Bride - boy does Katahdin look great! So load up at the store here with goodies to celebrate the last few days as there is no food available in Baxter State Park. Pay phone is a pain to use but it works so you can secure your ride. No cell phone coverage.