[pct-l] bounce boxes

[patti kulesz]

yeh I had a box go to Idyllwild that is still in PO space....had some VERY important stuff in it! and from then on I did tracking on ALL my boxes...never lost another box...imagine that!

patti

--- On Tue, 10/20/09, Bob Bankhead <wandering_bob at comcast.net> wrote:

From: Bob Bankhead <wandering_bob at comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] bounce boxes
To: "patti kulesz" <peprmintpati88 at yahoo.com>, pct-l at backcountry.net
Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2009, 1:18 PM



 
 


 

 
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