[at-l] maildrop schedule ideas. . .

["Jack Tarlin" <baltjack@hotmail.com>]

     Rick---

       I don't know if you've resolved the question of not wanting to hitch 
to town or take rides.  It's certainly possible to re-supply without relying 
on cars, but it'll sure be tough, especially in Maine, where in several 
cases, re-supply by foot would entail a LOOONG roadwalk.   Hope you 
re-consider this.

       Whatever you decide to do, here are a few ideas that came immediately 
to mind after looking at your preliminary list:

        1)Instead of Elk Park, I'd send a package to Kincora Hostel, in 
Dennis Cove, near Hampton, TN.  First off, re-supply in Elk Park ain't that 
great.  Secondly, Kincora is .2 off the Trail, saving you the trip to Elk 
Park.  Thirdly, you're gonna want to visit Kincora anyway as it's the finest 
hostel on the Trail, and Bob and Pat Peoples, who run it, will happily hold 
your mail/packages til you get there.

        2)Most folks find Bland a better place to resupply than Bastian.  
Better market, eateries, etc.

        3)I'd send your mail to Bascom Lodge atop Mt. Greylock, rather than 
Cheshire, for a number of reasons:  Even tho you pass right thru Cheshire, 
re-supply isn't that great, and the Post Office may be closed when you get 
there.  Also, don't plan to stay overnight as the church hostel there is  
now CLOSED.  You can pick up your mail at Bascom ANY time, as it's open 7 
days a week and is directly on the Trail; also, picking up your maildrop at 
the TOP of Mt. Greylock means you don't have to haul it 8 miles, mostly 
up-hill, after you leave Cheshire.  Greylock can be kind of a beast, 
especially in hot weather; it's a good stiff climb, without a lot of water.  
Why carry a fat maildrop all the way up the mountain when it's just as easy 
to retrieve it at the top?

       4)I'd very carefully re-consider using Mt. Washington as a 
maildrop--it is NOTORIOUS for having irregular hours and a schedule that 
hikers cannot rely on on.  I've known or heard of hikers every year  who 
arrived on the summit only to discover that the P.O. was unexpectedly 
closed.   It's a lousy place to find yourselves short on supplies and maps.

      Otherwise, your list seems fine, tho I hope you'll reconsider the 
decision to fore-go hitching or accepting rides.  I feel you're making the 
trip tougher than it needs to be.  The food you're gonna eat arrived at the 
store in a truck or van; what difference does it make how YOU arrive at the 
store, provided you don't miss any part of the Trail in getting there?  And 
by refusing to accept rides, you're eliminating the possibility of side 
trips off-Trail, to visit points of scenic or historic interest, to visit 
friends, to stay as guests with people you meet on your journey, etc.  
Nearly every thru-hiker has great times and adventures  during their trip 
that take place OFF trail, and most folks would really regret giving up 
these opportunities.   Your "foot" journey of a lifetime does not have to be 
a foot journey in its entirety.  For most folks, 2167 miles of Trail is 
sufficient.

                             In any case, best of luck with your planning 
and trip, however you end up doing it.

                                              --Baltimore Jack
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

* From the AT-L |  Need help? http://www.backcountry.net/faq.html  *

==============================================================================