[pct-l] mail at Burney Falls

[Bob Bankhead]

Keep your cool. We need them a lot more than they need us. They've already got all those crabby weekenders to deal with. Let's not give them an excuse to drop the service altogether.

We need to recognize that they are doing us a HUGE service by handling hikers' supply packages at all. The aternative is a 14 mile roundtrip roadwalk on hot, exposed blacktop with lots of high speed traffic into Burney itself. 

Frankly, I'm surprised that they only charge $5 per package. By comparison, Red's Meadow charges $20 + $1 per day over 5 days, VVR charges $15, and Muir Trail Ranch $45.

It sounds like they really don't want to be a mail drop, and I can't blame them for that. That store and its adjoining snack bar are small, cramped, and get very hectic with just the folks car camping there.

I agree that $2.50 per letter is rediculous and taking advantage of the situation, but even still.............we need them a lot more than they need us.


Wandering Bob
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Shelly Culbertson 
  To: pct-l at mailman.backcountry.net 
  Sent: Sunday, July 09, 2006 10:59 AM
  Subject: [pct-l] mail at Burney Falls


  I just spoke with Michelle, who told me that Scott Williamson arrived at
  Burney Falls last night and picked up his items at the State Park store
  there this morning.  Hikers receiving mail there may wish to be aware that,
  in addition to the $5 holding fee they require to deliver a resupply box,
  they are also expecting payment of $2.50 per piece for letters and
  postcards.  This seems rather opportunistic and inappropriate for small mail
  pieces.  Perhaps if hikers resist paying this additional amount for letter
  mail (as Scott did), the store will reconsider the policy.