Packing And Sending Resupply Boxes From Home
Overview
Packing and sending resupply boxes from home involves assembling food, fuel where permitted, and small gear items into labeled parcels that will be shipped to specific resupply locations along a long distance route.
Key points
- Boxes are typically organized by the number of trail days each is meant to cover.
- Labels include the hiker’s name and clear identification for the receiving location.
- Packaging choices balance durability, weight, and waste considerations.
- Contents may reflect dietary needs, personal preferences, or bulk purchases.
- Shipping timelines are planned so parcels arrive within the receiving location’s preferred window.
Details
Before a thru hike begins, some people prepare resupply boxes that will be shipped to post offices, hostels, outfitters, or other locations along their route. Each box is assembled with an estimated number of days of food, including breakfasts, dinners, snacks, and any specialty items that may be harder to find in remote stores.
Labels typically include the hiker’s name, expected arrival timeframe, and any wording suggested by the receiving location. Clear labels can help staff keep track of boxes and make retrieval smoother when the hiker arrives. Some locations share specific instructions for addressing parcels, which hikers review in advance.
The packaging itself is chosen to protect food and gear during shipping, while keeping overall weight and waste reasonable. Hikers often organize internal bags by meal or category so that unpacking in town is efficient. Some boxes include items such as maps, replacement socks, or seasonal gear swaps.
Shipping schedules are coordinated with the expected hiking pace and the receiving location’s policies. Some places prefer that boxes not arrive too early; others have limited storage space. This article describes packing and sending boxes in general terms, recognizing that postal and business practices differ by region and change over time.
Related topics
- comparing-mail-drops-and-on-trail-purchase
- post-office-rules-hours-closures
- receiving-resupply-boxes-in-town
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Illustrative hiking footage
The following external videos offer general visual context for typical hiking environments. They are not official route recommendations, safety instructions, or planning tools.