[pct-l] mailing alcohol

[Bighummel at aol.com (Bighummel@aol.com)]

I'm currently shipping resupply boxes out to a couple who are thru-hiking.  
The boxes that have alcohol in them are labeled "ORM-D  SURFACE SHIPPING ONLY". 
 The first one that I took in to ship thru USPS they had to look it up and 
made me swear that it was "denatured alcohol" and NOT drinking alcohol, as 
drinking alcohol can not be shipped.  It has to go by ground only so Parcel Post is 
the most economic way but you have to ship them about a week or more before 
you anticipate being at any point because Parcel Post is lowest priority.  Now 
the people at the post office know me and know what I'm doing and think that 
it is cool.

Best regards,

Greg  Hummel
"Strider"



In a message dated 6/15/2004 12:59:09 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
Alan.Rintoul@starwoodhotels.com writes:
hi mountain goat,
thanks for your reply and the advice.
i'll be on the trail either 2005 or 2006 for a pct thru hike (ideally 2005).
i was aware that at least some alcohol products could be shipped via ground
mail, but after trawling through the usps hazmat guide (several hundred
pages) i am still unclear as to which can and which cannot be sent this way
(and what labeling is required if permitted). 
for example, grain alcohol can (i think), but i'm not sure about denatured
alcohol (or others). i will inquire with staff at various post offices. my
concern is that they may also be unclear and i'd not get the correct answer
(either they say yes incorrectly and my box doesn't show up, or they say no,
when in fact i could have sent it).
there are always alternatives, but given the large standard container size
of denatured alcohol containers it would be nice to pre pack it before
departure.
i converted to using soda can stoves about a year ago. their simplicity
amazes me. as long as you don't stand on em or block 'em with grit you're
golden. i love 'em.
i'll test HEET out over the summer to see how it compares. 
cheers,
alan