Want to send me a postcard or some tasty treats? Here is some information on how to do just that!...(basically copied directly from the pages of the Yogi handbook.)
-I'd love to get letters and care packages from you! I know that there are a lot of instructions here, and I am not trying to scare you. I'm just trying to make sure that I actually do get the packages and letters that you send me. Picking up mail on the trail is much more involved then simply going out to the mailbox in front of my house at home.
Letters can be mailed FIRST CLASS (this is normal, regular mail).
Most boxes must be mailed via Priority Mail through the US Post Office. If you send a box via First Class or Parcel Post, I probably won't get it. Don't believe the Post Office employees when they tell you that they can have a Parcel Post box to me a week to 10 days from now. It's not true.
Some maildrop locations only take UPS. Those locations are noted in my maildrop list. If you send a box via USPS Priority Mail to a UPS address, I wont get it.
Do NOT use FedEX.
However you send the box, please make sure that I DO NOT have to sign for it.
What should you put in a box? Any delicious treats that I'm not likely to buy or carry along on my hike...so no granola, clif bars, or ramen, for example. Care packages don't have to be huge. Food is good. Cookies, notes from you, cookies, newspaper clippings, and cookies are all things that I like. Please remember to avoid sending me heat sensitive goodies (i.e., chocolate) in southern California.
What should you not put in a care package? Anything that I would have to carry. If you send cute little stuffed animals, or toys, or books, I'll have to send those home, 'cause I can't take them on the trail with me.
I do not have firm dates of when I'll be at specific locations. If I say that I'll be someplace on June 5, it's possible that I'll get there a couple of days early, like June 3, or a couple of days late, like June 7. Or I could be off by a week or more. Plans are never set in stone on the trail, so it's a good idea to plan for your box to get to the town a couple days earlier than my scheduled ETA. If you're planning on sending me something, please refer to the page "Where to find me" to check on my predicted arrival date.
It's very important that you address each letter/box exactly as I've detailed on my maildrop list. And don't forget to write "Hold for PCT Hiker. ETA: (date)" on the bottom left corner of all boxes and letters. It's also helpful if you write my last name in big black letters on all sides of any box. Surprise packages are nice, but I've got to ask for all my mail. If I don't know that you've sent me something, I won't know to ask for it. So if you're sending me something, please send me an email or voice mail to tell me about the package.
Seriously, thank you for helping support my hike! I really look forward to hearing from you along the trail...even if it's just happy thoughts sent in my general direction. I do this hike for me, but I couldn't do it without all the support of all my loved ones. You can find my tentative itinerary on the page titled, "Where to find me".
-I'd love to get letters and care packages from you! I know that there are a lot of instructions here, and I am not trying to scare you. I'm just trying to make sure that I actually do get the packages and letters that you send me. Picking up mail on the trail is much more involved then simply going out to the mailbox in front of my house at home.
Letters can be mailed FIRST CLASS (this is normal, regular mail).
Most boxes must be mailed via Priority Mail through the US Post Office. If you send a box via First Class or Parcel Post, I probably won't get it. Don't believe the Post Office employees when they tell you that they can have a Parcel Post box to me a week to 10 days from now. It's not true.
Some maildrop locations only take UPS. Those locations are noted in my maildrop list. If you send a box via USPS Priority Mail to a UPS address, I wont get it.
Do NOT use FedEX.
However you send the box, please make sure that I DO NOT have to sign for it.
What should you put in a box? Any delicious treats that I'm not likely to buy or carry along on my hike...so no granola, clif bars, or ramen, for example. Care packages don't have to be huge. Food is good. Cookies, notes from you, cookies, newspaper clippings, and cookies are all things that I like. Please remember to avoid sending me heat sensitive goodies (i.e., chocolate) in southern California.
What should you not put in a care package? Anything that I would have to carry. If you send cute little stuffed animals, or toys, or books, I'll have to send those home, 'cause I can't take them on the trail with me.
I do not have firm dates of when I'll be at specific locations. If I say that I'll be someplace on June 5, it's possible that I'll get there a couple of days early, like June 3, or a couple of days late, like June 7. Or I could be off by a week or more. Plans are never set in stone on the trail, so it's a good idea to plan for your box to get to the town a couple days earlier than my scheduled ETA. If you're planning on sending me something, please refer to the page "Where to find me" to check on my predicted arrival date.
It's very important that you address each letter/box exactly as I've detailed on my maildrop list. And don't forget to write "Hold for PCT Hiker. ETA: (date)" on the bottom left corner of all boxes and letters. It's also helpful if you write my last name in big black letters on all sides of any box. Surprise packages are nice, but I've got to ask for all my mail. If I don't know that you've sent me something, I won't know to ask for it. So if you're sending me something, please send me an email or voice mail to tell me about the package.
Seriously, thank you for helping support my hike! I really look forward to hearing from you along the trail...even if it's just happy thoughts sent in my general direction. I do this hike for me, but I couldn't do it without all the support of all my loved ones. You can find my tentative itinerary on the page titled, "Where to find me".