Photo From the AT:
The
Appalachian Trail Conservancy has complete detailed set of maps for the trail. There are MANY maps but very helpful, if you
have the extra room to carry them. The maps show the topography of the area and
always keeps you abreast of the altitude.
They also publish a couple books and the hiker actually needs at least one of them. One
is more detailed , but both give details as to where the next shelter is and
how far off the trail it is. They give the areas to find water along the trail
and the distances to food resupply places at each road crossing.
A group of Boy Scouts on a day hike, taking a break.
The books give the miles to the next shelter + nearest water.. The books
are updated every year to cover any changes or detours on the trail. There are
emergency numbers and the locations of the nearest medical facilities.
Some
hikers use a ‘bounce box’. They forward it to themselves, general delivery, at
the next town where they plan to stop. That way they can have that complete set
of maps and only take the one out they need for the section coming up. Personal
items and clothes, like heavier clothes as they get further north, are also in
the box. Some are very ingenious in using the bounce box, i.e. Putting something
from their pack they are sure they will not need until they see the box next
time.
Others have someone back home and have already planned and packed numbered
boxes of things they have prepacked and will need on the trail. They meet the
box at a predesigned town. Most, like us,
try to pick small towns to have mail and boxes forwarded.
Well, there was once in NY we made a mistake. Sherry remembered WRONG and we went to the
wrong P.O. She got it right and we found
our mail. ;-)
Sometimes you just cannot pass up a chance to soak your feet!
Nite Shipslog
PS: Thank YOU ALL, YOUR visit means a lot and makes us smile. You make our day better to
know you have visited.
3 comments:
I wondered how you replenish supplies and get your mail as you travel. Bounce box. Ingenious idea.
God bless.
What a genius idea, that bounce box.
Have yourselves a beauty-full day!
Those maps and books would be very important to have with you when hiking an unfamiliar trail. Glad they do cross towns in some places where you can get supplies. It would be impossible to carry everything. Same with the post offices forwarding your mail . If you follow the maps everything should be fine.
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