How I'm Handling Resupply Boxes on the Appalachian Trail

[@stickerman272]

Just a couple of things I learned the hard way. When it's hot chocolate melts and what a huge mess. I had a Gatorade packet in the original packaging come open in one of my resupply boxes, again a huge huge mess Inside the Box. Gatorade stuck to everything. Problem solved, the next year absolutely everything I put into my boxes was in a ziplock bag! You are going to save a lot of money doing it your way. With all the hikers on the trail it is not uncommon to get to a resupply point and they're out of several different hiker needs. I highly recommend doing it just the way you've done it!!! I also recommend that you send your boxes to a hostel. They're open 7 days a week and longer hours than a post office. I'm sure you've already thought of that. If you don't stay in that hostel they usually charge you $5 to pick up your box. I write a lot of comments not necessarily for you but also for anybody that doesn't know that may read your comments. Awesome video!

[@ahandfulofspinach]

I like the stickers on the boxes idea. I really love your videos! Can't wait to see more.

[@redpillnobo-atthru-hike2012]

Great ideas on food! You are very organized! Thanks for sharing your experience, looking forward to more posts

[@stumbleannie5830]

Thumbs up to the Bit o' Honey....those are awesome! Just be careful not to yank a tooth or older cavity out with them..lol! It was nice too see all the food laid out for each box....and a bonus for all the trail magic yet to come....yayyy! :)

[@michellel7397]

Really great video. I appreciate all the details and look forward to following you on the trail. Note: you appear to be looking off-camera to the left (for the viewer). I am guessing you are looking at yourself instead of into the camera lens? I followed a really nice couple on their hike in 2017, Chica and Sunsets on Appalachian Trail Tales. They filmed every day with an unending amount of super good tips. I think you would relate to Chica, a real planner. Wishing you the best on your adventure.

[@NorthWoodsDiver]

You’d should do a follow up on what you’d send next time and where to. We are gearing up for 2019 AT thru hike and planning mail drops right now.

[@JoyfulRambler]

I was just thinking about that yesterday. I’ll put that on my to do list!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

You are very organized! Great information in your video. I'm not doing resupply boxes except for a bounce box, but I'm sure I'm going to be jealous of those like you who won't have to be bothered with shopping in every town, but instead only have to worry about getting your box.

[@one1servant]

very informative information. I'll have to thank you when we cross paths somewhere on the trail (- I'm heading SOBO).

[@hooverduties]

The Shug man got me turned on to the instant espresso I like it just fine.. I got one inch by 1 inch Ziplock bags and put a teaspoon in each..works great! Good luck on your trip I'll be following ya...

[@warrenlewis7540]

Jolly Rancher, best candy for the trail. My scouts love them and I use them on my big hikes.

[@jamesbonner5989]

One thing you have is gravy for the mashed potatoes, great idea. I have not seen anyone use before. Good variety of sweets.

[@garyfrechette8689]

Breezy, Final comment, and before I go out and clear my roof of all the snow we got this week, as a personal introduction to you, watch ER71 day 101. My wife and I are at the end of his day. Take care and stay safe, Gary F. Stover

[@tomgibbs1346]

Not sure what you take in your coffee, but if you like cream & sugar, and you have a Korean grocery near you, (I'm lucky, in Atlanta we have several) try French Cafe or Maxim (I actually learned about that one from Early Riser last year). The French Cafe packets are actually the smaller of the two. I've taken a lot of trips toting a Ziploc of sweetener and a Ziploc of creamer, so I like the simplicity. Looking forward to your hike. Best Wishes!

[@tvtoms]

I eat Korean ramyun all the time. Costs more, but it's nice with a dehydrated vegetable pack as well as the flavor pack. I like the classic shin ramyun and the spicy seafood from neoguri. For coffee I'm too easy. Dollar store instant plus dollar store sweetner works for me. Or green tea. Box of 100 for $1 is hard to beat.

[@JoyfulRambler]

Thanks! I’ve heard the Korean coffee is good, I was looking at it on Amazon, but I don’t do sugar in my coffee. Usually just almond milk or black. I haven’t had great luck dehydrating almond milk (still working on it) so I may just mix in hot cocoa.

[@420BLUNTLEY]

Drink it black...

[@elizabethcoker1570]

Extra sweets as trail money! I’ll set up a tent for a snickers anyday! Haha

[@rumblechick73]

Can you still do the bounce box thing with the regional rate boxes? I see nothing wrong with the candy supply! Great bartering items if you get bored with something and it's always nice to have something decadent to look forward to.

[@hollyhopalong7405]

I love coconut chips, very filling due to high fat and fiber content, and taste great!

[@slotortoise6166]

Your plan seems pretty good! Since I don't have a support team at home, I am going to arrive at the trail with a box and bounce it ahead. At least that's what I'll try at the first! LOL I am one of those with some food restrictions, but I'm going to try NOT to put items in my box that I could easily get on trail, such as potatoes or rice. I know that I'm going to want MY refried beans w/ MY salsa and MY curry, etc. As you said...tastes/comforts of home! Well, it isn't long now! You start at the beginning, and I start in the middle the same week. Bet that you'll race on by me before long!! :)

[@cottontalesfromthetrail5474]

Great information! Have a great hike!

[@Flame44]

Thanks for this vid, great to get ideas from! Not that much candy if you break it down for 5 months & sharing will be sweet!! LOL

[@astrog8tr]

Trader Joe's has an instant coffee with cream and sugar. It's quite good and cheap ($2/10). I think it's a bit weak and like a packet and a half. But it's good and not bitter. You're very detail oriented, impressive.

[@nypower29]

Nice video! I'm curious where you got your small bottles for the bronners from?

[@larryguy8606]

Great video. Some good food choices. I eat a lot of those same things. Although I prefer to make my own GORP. I think you pay about twice as much for the bounce boxes. To many the extra cost is worth being able to not have to pick it up. {especially if YT folks are sending you lots of trail magic} But I agree with you. It's not worth the extra cost on most boxes.

[@brib9716]

I'd be interested in what your instant coffee blend is.

[@JoyfulRambler]

I mixed up some Cafe Bustelo instant coffee with Taster’s Choice and the Starbucks Via. I’m not sure how it will taste but fingers crossed its drinkable! I like strong coffee with no sugar (unless it’s a shot of Cuban Coffee or espresso).

[@sectionhiking1470]

Cooking with oil without a Teflon coated cook pot will make a burnt mess. Pack a sponge cut up in quarters with a scrubby side. Gravy sounds yummy, but without 2 cook pots you need to cook the potatoes in one and the gravy in the other. Gravy also has a high salt content- you’ll be thirsty that night and drink all your water. Gravy also uses a cup of water- will you eat that much in one sitting? You don’t want to carry leftovers or have to dump it and feed the bears. Now for the candy..... I’m with you sista! Gotta have the chocolate!!! But ziplock it. If it melts you’ll be a heap of chocolate trouble.

[@hallman321]

Good stuff!

[@wandawilloughby6052]

I saw on one of the blogs that one of the hikers purchased a coffee brew buddy and he used real coffee. I have purchased one off Amazon but it has not arrived

[@JoyfulRambler]

I’ve seen those, even some French press gadgets. I have a pour-over filter from GSI (I think) that sits up on your mug. The problem is I don’t want to pack out grounds 🙁 so I only use that fro short trips.

[@wandawilloughby6052]

Had not even thought of the grounds. Good luck and I will be following

[@neilm905]

Well organized. Helpful.

[@jcb67]

What is the source of the plastic bottles you use for the liquids in your resupply boxes

[@JoyfulRambler]

I got them at the craft store - Hobby Lobby, Micheals or Joann may have them.

[@LoNSloAT]

A simple pack of Ramen can cost 2 to 3 time what you pay at home in the small stores close to the trail. I see food as the biggest problem, if I left for a long trail today I see food as, I don't know what to take. Keep a 1 gal zip lock close to the top of your pack for garbage then empty it at road crossing etc to get rid of extra weight each day.

[@05glisedan]

Good stuff. Thanks for the info.

[@johnhenderson8360]

I think you done some good planning here. I might misunderstood something you said. At one point you mentioned having enough of a particular category for three weeks. Are you planning to use a bounce box? Surely you're not planning on carrying three weeks supply of anything, are you? Your knees will never forgive you.

[@deltahiker6732]

Just an FYI, post office forbids ALL liquids. Lighter, liquid soap, permetherin, hair color etc. It is not uncommon for them to open your package for inspection if they suspect contraband. You could ship UPS but a $10 USPS package is more than $20 UPS. It is amazing how much you can stuff inside a used poptart box and reglue, just sayin'. Just bag all items individually then put it ALL in your compactor bag as a box liner and seal that up.

[@JoyfulRambler]

Thanks for your comment. I checked the regs and you can ship liquids if they’re packed and labeled properly. I need to double check on the Permethrin, I forgot it’s aerosol so I may be out of luck shipping that.

[@deltahiker6732]

Joyful Rambler Wow, maybe my postmaster needs to tell me the full story. She was most insistant on NO liquids, even highlights it on a do and don't poster. Thanks.

[@JoyfulRambler]

Maybe she's worried about spills, I'm sure that's a pain! I found it here, in section 3.4. (I see aerosols is right below it, but I haven't read the details on that yet.) pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/601.htm?q=liquid&t=H&s=R&p=1&c=DMM#ep1211902

[@deltahiker6732]

Great info, I had never heard of regional boxes. You just saved me $25 for an upcoming section hike!

[@milrrtime]

@@JoyfulRambler As a postal window clerk we're REQUIRED to ask, " Is there anything liquid, fragile, perishable, or potentially hazardous, any perfumes or lithium batteries? " or a slight variation of that question. If a customer replies "liquid" we ask what type of liquid and is it packed well. One of the problems with a package that begins leaking it's liquid contents somewhere between acceptance and the delivery point is that we would have no way of knowing if that liquid is hazardous and poses a danger to the employees who handle it and the possibility of leaking onto other packages. It's all about safety. I've seen many a package that has leaked it contents and some of the smells are unbearable. The postal service handles 100's of 1000's of packages on a daily basis throughout the United States as well as foreign destinations and most make it to their final destination with no problem. As postal workers we want your packages to get delivered as quickly and safely as possible. Most of us are going to believe what you tell us no matter what is inside of your package. Yes, we can open a package if we have concerns about it's contents and if this is done, a notification is attached to the box stating that the postal service did inspect the box. Be safe and "Happy Trails".

[@elizabethcoker1570]

Also, great idea with stickers! I’m using washi tape 🙈

[@alanmartin4381]

When do you start?

[@jamiemurphy3633]

Thanks for the video

[@420BLUNTLEY]

So are you just sending 8 boxes?

[@JoyfulRambler]

I ended up only doing about 5 boxes. I’d change my approach a bit if I were to do the whole trail (or another long trail). Less food and just a few key item to be sent as I need them.

[@420BLUNTLEY]

You’re from Maryland aren’t you

[@JoyfulRambler]

Nope!

[@kendog53]

In addition to what you said, your insuring your not buying things that have been on the shelf too long.

[@jamiemurphy3633]

It's probably cheaper to

[@420BLUNTLEY]

What about shipping weed to yourself