[pct-l] bounce boxes

[Bob Bankhead]

The one big negative to bounce boxes is that you are forced to schedule your trek so that you and the box both arrive at the same spot during normal business hours. With many remote Post Offices, that means only Monday through Friday, and not necessarily 9 am to 5 pm.

Save yourself some money on postage by remembering that an UNOPENED Priority Mail package (or any other First Class Mail item) can be forwarded multiple times for no additional cost. So, if you don't need something from the box, don't open it.

Know before you go. To send your bounce box someplace where there is no outgoing mail service is to be stuck with it. Eliminate this risk by always using post offices rather than resorts. Just plan accordingly, even if it means carrying something further than you would like.

Keep your bounce box small by remembering the functional difference between a resupply box and a bounce box. A resupply box contains things you may or will need now (food, maps, etc), while a bounce box contains things you may or will need at some unknown point in your trek AND WHICH ARE NOT LIKELY TO BE AVAILABLE LOCALLY (Prescription refills, spare eyeglasses, unique batteries and/or chargers, camera SD cards, etc.)

Toiletries, bandaids, most standard size batteries, notebooks, pens, sunscreen, and the like are available darn near everywhere there's a PO so why pay to mail them to yourself? Buy locally as the need arises.

Patti's right - if there's something critically important or very difficult to replace, don't bounce it, carry it (i.e. your passport), or put it into the appropriately timed resupply box.

Personally, I used a bounce box on only one hike, and it was such a hassle that I swore never to do it again. Instead, I use only resupply boxes sent to resorts and private homes; rarely to a PO. I like the freedom to arrive and leave any day of the week. The Trail Gods have a way of screwing with even the most detailed schedule. If there's something in my resupply box that I find I don't need, I either elect to carry it until I do need it (rare), or I give it away, or put it in the Hiker Box (if there is one), otherwise it goes in the trash can.

HYOH

Wandering Bob





  ----- Original Message ----- 

  In the beginning of my hike, I decided to go without a bounce box and just carry those extra little things to save money for postage...but soon discovered that those little things add up to big things in the long run and it really sux in the heat and those serious elevations in the snow. My bounce box wasn't any bigger than the largest priority mail box and it contained stuff like chargers, shampoo, soap, sox, stamps, extra food, ziplocks, TP, etc. the only problem I found with the bounce is that ur schedule doesn't always mesh with the PO or where ever it is getting delivered to so if there is something REALLY important in there...I wouldn't suggest u bounce it. For instance...I carried my Passport card and entry to CA papers the entire time...just in case. I got the card as opposed to the book as it saved in weight and space...plus I didn't have to worry about it getting wet.

  patti