Mr. Coffee
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- A Demented Corner of the North Cascades
There is a peculiar institution amongst distance hikers known as the "drift box" or "bounce box". The idea is that you have a small resupply box that you mail to yourself and intercept periodically over the course of your expedition.
Typically you'd put spare clothing and gear that you don't currently need in the drift box. You might also put bulk food that is difficult to find along your route as well.
Now how do you address such a box? With the magic of "General Delivery", e.g.
Now here is the really cool hack: if you get to the post office before your box, you can forward the box onto a post office in front of you (or for that matter, back home if you decide you really don't need it).
You can do similar trickery with a UPS Card and self-serve UPS Shipping, but you'd need to do it from some location that UPS goes to, like a motel or a campground.
Typically I'll have a drift box that is shoebox-sized and mostly has spare clothing.
Typically you'd put spare clothing and gear that you don't currently need in the drift box. You might also put bulk food that is difficult to find along your route as well.
Now how do you address such a box? With the magic of "General Delivery", e.g.
Code:
Richard Cranium
c/o General Delivery
Chesaw, WA 98844
ATTN: Hold for cyclist arriving 15 August 2023
Now here is the really cool hack: if you get to the post office before your box, you can forward the box onto a post office in front of you (or for that matter, back home if you decide you really don't need it).
You can do similar trickery with a UPS Card and self-serve UPS Shipping, but you'd need to do it from some location that UPS goes to, like a motel or a campground.
Typically I'll have a drift box that is shoebox-sized and mostly has spare clothing.