Food for 15 day trip???

“I will be taking a solo 15 day backpacking trip on the AT from Davenport Gap (at I 40) to Damascus, VA in late April-early May. I'm working on my food supplies and logistics. My questions are:
Do you carry 15 days of food? I'm guessing that will be about 20 pounds.
Do you do mail drops for a trip of this length?
Any personal experiences shared will be appreciated.

I pretty well know what to take and how to keep my food weight to a pound to a pound and a half a day, I just don't know if most people hump the weight or mail drop.
My normal pack weight for a three day trip is aroung 25 pounds. Carrying 15 days will probably start me at atleast 40.”

“Baltimore Jacks resupply advice says resupply at Hot Springs, Erwin, and Kincora - see link for details”

“HOI, thanks for posting that link.”

“Thanks HOI, I printed that out yesterday. I haven't had time to digest it completly yet. Hot Springs is only about 46 miles from Davenport. Erwin is 116 miles-a little over half way. Kincora Hostel sounds like the place to be.

But do I ship my stuff ahead, or buy from the local grocery store for the next section?”

“I'd ship ahead. That way you don't have to spend a good portion of your day shopping.”

“Do you sent stuff directly to the Post Office or do you send it to the Hostel where you think you will be staying?”

“personal choice mostly - myself I would buy from the local grocery store/outfitter but if you want to send the resupply ahead I would probably send it to Miss Janet and Kincora - both are class acts when it comes to hostels - as for Hot Springs - so what if its only 46 from Davenport Gap - it still saves you carrying more than 3-4 days of food at the start.”

“Thanks for the link HOI. I am planning a trip for CS and I and that helps.”

“Good point on the 46 mile thang.
What kind of stuff would I expect to find at the "local grocery store/outfitter."
I really don't like freeze dried stuff.”

“It's possible to carry 15 days worth of food... I've done it on a 14 day trip, and the first few days were hell - well, they weren't that bad, but we only covered like 5/6 miles the first couple days.”

“I'd just go to the local grocery. Support local business along the trail and they will support us.”

“not having been in Hot Springs or Erwin I am not sure what types of food are available - I would suggest asking the question over on Whitblaze.net - for sure you will get some good info there from people who have been there.”

“Thanks.”

“Hot Springs has a grocery store but it closed early when I was there. I mailed a food package to the post office in Hot Springs for my hike. Also, the laundry closed early too...like at dark ~ 6pm. You might want to check ahead of time on these if you plan to use them...for example...check out the operating hours of the post office.

Erwin is a nice town with grocery stores. You have lots of options there...mail a package to yourself there or go shopping. It's an easy place to find a ride if you need one.

Stop at Kincora and spend the night. They will run you to town for supplies, or even better, send them a package to hold for you.

Have a good time !!”

“Thanks again.
I was looking through some of my notes from a few 7 day trips and it looks like I carried about 1.7 pounds per day (which usually is too much.) I don't think I can get by without 1.5 pounds per day, and for 15 days that is 22.5 pounds of food. That would put my pack weight well above 45 pounds.
Yep, food drops or shopping is a must.
It sounds like these three stops are going to be on the schedule.”

“Another good online resource that describes these stops is the ALDHA Companion”

“Great resource HOI. I just printed it out. I'll do some studying tonight.”

“Baltimore Jack's resupply list is super-duper! Great info! I used it to help plan my whole hike last year. Here are my suggestions -

You certainly could carry 15 days worth of food but there's no way I would. You'll be toting alot of weight if you do. The Trail goes right by the store, PO, and outfitter in Hot Springs, right by a small outfitter-ish hostel and also a campground in Erwin, and Bob Peoples at Kincora can shuttle you to a supermarket (call him to confirm if you're not going during thru-hiker "season").

Take enough to get you to Hot Springs. In Hot Springs I'd get enought o get me to Erwin. There's plenty of hiker food at the outfitter. The grocery store is small and has limited hours, but has some stuff. You can also ship a package but be aware that if you send a package to the PO you'll be married to their schedule - only open during "business" hours, closed most of Sat and all Sun. Elmer's is a nice place and accepts packages shipped UPS. Don't send it there unless you're spending the night.

In Erwin I'd take enough to get me to Kincora. If you don't want to get off the trail you can ship a package to the Nolichucky Gorge Campground. Don't send a package there if you're not going to stay there. If you don't mind getting off the trail a little bit you can hitch into town and stay with Miss Janet (legendary Trail Hostel). There's a good grocery store in town or mail a package to her.

At Kincora either send youself another package or let Bob Peoples shuttle you into town. Good grocery store.

Again, check with all the places you plan to stay/send packages, especially if it is not during the thru-hiker season. If you want to be more alone I would recommend going after the "season" to avoid the thru-hiker crowds. Those folks are alot of fun, though.

A link to the online Thru-hiker's companion put out by the ALDHA with all pertinent phone numbers, addresses, town maps, etc.:

http://www.aldha.org/comp_pdf.htm

Good luck. Wish I were going with...”

“Hmmm, looks like I missed HOI's post re: the Companion. Ah well. It's so good it deserves two posts.”

“Thanks for the input MM. When exactly is thru-hiker season in the area between I-40 and Damascus?”

“May ?”

“Dang, I'll be there the last week of April and first week of May. Probably right in the thick of the trailing slacker crowd like that Bill Bryson fella...but he didn't make it that far.”