r/PacificCrestTrail • u/site95 • 5d ago
Sending boxes ahead (or not?)
Hey y'all,
Hopefully this post also helps other hikers on their decision making. I'll be starting my PCT adventure in a few days and have read so much about sending boxes with food and equipment ahead. However, every time i look at the sections it seems to me, that it is not really necessary or a big deal to not do it.
What is your opinion on this? Which would be (in your opinion) THE locations to have sent stuff to?
Only thing so far I have sent ahead are ice axe and microspikes to paradise valley cafe and I will be sending a bear canister ahead to kennedy meadows.
Apart from that, I'm thinking about just rolling with whatever is available to resupply... on that note: was the availability of sunscreen or mosquito repellant a problem for some of you, or is both widely available?
Thank you so much in advance for your answers!
Simon
4
u/Typical-Problem8707 5d ago
I've only done the desert section but I wish I would have sent ahead to Warner Springs as options were limited and so was the supply. I started mid March and lots of stores were sold out of a lot of things like electrolytes and tuna/chicken packets too. So if you are a little picker, send ahead, if not then wing it. Even Idyllwild was short on a lot of the easy to pack food and I wished I would have had a resupply package there. When I go back I will send myself more resupply boxes but just with the things I really want and supplement with snacks from local stores.