Planning a Long-Distance Trek
is go to the post office and drop them into the mail for you.
Resupplying as you go gives you the advantage of spontaneity: if you crave something, you buy it, and if you're sick of it, you don't-but has the drawback that you are dependent on what's available in the tiny general stores that are in the tiny towns near the trail. You could end up eating nothing but cereal, macaroni and cheese, and candy bars for a week. And for some trails, such as the Pacific Crest Trail, the stores are much fewer and farther between than places to pick up mail, so for those trails, you will have to resupply by mail.
Most hikers use a combination of the two methods, buying some things along the way and mailing others, especially hard-to-find treats. Resupply boxes also often include maps for the upcoming section, pain relievers, vitamins, new socks, new notebooks for when your journal becomes full, and other things you'll need replaced along the way.
Next month we'll talk about planning the trip and your gear: how to find the lightest, most durable gear, which is often cheaper and more useful than the expensive stuff!
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