Be sure to review mail drop guidelines to help ensure your packages arrive at their destination. Buying food along the trail. This gives you greater variety, fresher food, and flexibility. No preparation time required. Resupplying at stores along the Trail is becoming increasingly popular, as grocery stores and businesses along the Trail carrying hiker staples have become more prevalent in recent years.
Many hikers employ a combination of the two methods.
Frequency of resupply options. In Maine, there is a 100-mile stretch without resupply. The Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers Companion contains information about post offices and business along the Trail that accept packages. Physical Preparation Before your hike. The first few miles of any hike are often the toughest, and you will appreciate any physical edge you can bring to your trip during these first few miles.