Maildrops and Backup Packages

Our strategy for this hike is to self-supply as regards food. This gives us more flexibility, more independence, and burdens our support crew less. I also hope that postage will be cheaper than it would be if everything were to be mailed from South Carolina to the West.

We should be able to reach a good-sized town every few hundred miles. From such towns we plan to buy food and pack boxes to mail forward to ourselves.

Equipment and maps are another story. I've prepared a few packages of maps and gear to be sent by our wonderful support team.

This is an inventory of those packages. This might be useful to prospective hikers. It is certainly useful for me as a reminder.

New Mexico
We'll have some time in Deming to pack and ship boxes of food and maps forward to Doc Campbell's, Pie Town, and Ghost Ranch.

Southern Colorado
This large priority flat rate box will be sent from home to Chama, NM. It contains:

1 pr CAMP instep crampons for Cruiser
Montbell Thermawrap jacket for Cruiser
extra business cards for Team Creason
backup copies of resupply overview
Yogi pages: Leadville, CO to South Fork/Pagosa Springs, CO
Wolf: Vol 5 Southern Colorado (Copper Mtn, CO to Cumbres Pass, NM)
DeLorme: overview, public lands, 47, 48, 59, 69, San Juans, 77, 78, 88, 89
Trails Illustrated maps 139, 140, 141 for the San Juans
Ley maps: 19-45 (not 44)

Northern Colorado
This large priority envelope will be sent to Leadville, CO. It contains:

Yogi pages: Copper Mtn, CO to Encampment, WY
Wolf: Vol 4 Northern Colorado and supplement (Rawlins, WY to Copper Mtn, CO)
DeLorme: 16, 17, 27, 28, 29, 38, 39; WY 67, 68
Ley maps: 1-18; WY40, 41, 42, 43, 44

Wyoming
The large flat rate priority box will be sent to Encampment, WY. It contains:

1 pr Montrail Hardrock shoes for Cruiser
2 prs new socks for Cruiser
Yogi pages: Yellowstone, WY to Rawlins, WY
Wolf: Vol 3 Wyoming and supplement (Macks Inn, ID/Yellowstone to Rawlins, WY)
DeLorme: overview, public lands, Yellowstone, 10, 20, 19, 21, 31, 32, 44, 45, 46, 47, 56, 57
Ley maps: Mt 72; WY1-39

Montana
This large flat rate priority box will be sent to Old Faithful village, Yellowstone Park, WY. It contains:

1pr Montrail Hardrock shoes for Cruiser
Yogi pages: Northern terminus to Macks Inn, ID
Wolf: Vol 1 Northern Montana (Canada to Rogers Pass, MT); Vol 2 Pt1 Southern Montana (Rogers Pass to Chief Joseph Pass, MT); Vol 2 Pt 2 Southern Montana (Chief Joseph Pass to Macks Inn, ID)
DeLorme: overview, public lands, Glacier Park, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 36, 37, 38, 39, 55, 68, 69, 83, 84
Ley maps: 1-71

Emergency/as needed gear (Maybe I can prevent Reason from ordering new gear if we have backups boxed and ready to go!! Figuring out where to have UPS and FedEx shipments sent on the trail is a huge hassle and waiting for such packages takes forever. It's much easier to use the PO. Scott Williamson personally told us that he attributes his record PCT hikes to good time management. I think he has a point!)

2 ice axes and 1 pr crampons for Reason

1 pr CMI instep crampons

1 pr old eye glasses for Reason

2 Bearvault BV500 bear canisters (it looks like we can avoid having these sent for the 30 mile stretch through Rocky Mountain National Park where they are now required for backcountry camping; we'll day hike the park from Grand Lake or take the Ley red route which avoids the park.) I wouldn't be surprised if Yellowstone and/or Glacier suddenly decide to require canisters.

REI Quarter Dome 2 person tent

assorted extra thermals and hiking skirt for Cruiser