Bounce box
Overview
A bounce box is a package that a long-distance hiker repeatedly mails ahead to future stops on a route to reuse items that are needed periodically but not at every segment.
Key points
- Often contains extra supplies such as toiletries, specialized gear, or documents.
- Moved forward from town to town using postal or shipping services as the hike progresses.
- Allows certain items to be available intermittently without carrying them at all times.
Details
In extended hikes, some individuals use a bounce box to manage items that they want occasionally but do not wish to carry continuously. The box is picked up at one town, updated or repacked, and then re-mailed to another town ahead on the route. Contents vary and might include spare clothing, seasonal gear, chargers, or personal materials. Decisions about whether to use a bounce box depend on mailing logistics, cost, and personal preferences. The term describes this mail-forward strategy rather than specifying any standard contents or schedule.
Related topics
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Illustrative hiking footage
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