I have spent the day going through my plans
As I said, I am sending a bounce box that contains spare gear including two new pairs of shoes…
I plan to send it to Franklin , this will be my shake down, so any items of kit I no longer need I will place in the box or grab an item from it if needed.
I will then bounce my Box to Damascus mile 469, This is when I may require new shoes , again if I don’t need I will bounce it on to Harper’s ferry,
Later if I change my mind I can then get it back or delivered to another location .
I have planned 4 bounces after that I may not need it. Alternatively, I may have abandoned it before the fourth bounce.
Proposed Bounce Box Locations
First Bounce, Franklin, This will be my shake down. Miles 118
Second Bounce, Damascus, Replace shoes. Mile 469
Third Bounce, Harper’s Ferry, Replace shoes. Mile 1019
Fourth Bounce, Great Barrington, Possibly last bounce. Mile 1520
Dahlonega
After flying in to Atlanta I plan to catch the Marta which is a light railway. This will take me to North springs that should reduce my costs of getting to Dahlonega
From here to Dahlonega is still TBC, the Uber seems a good choice, maybe I can split a ride with someone when I get there !
I hope to get to my Hotel around 8pm, grab some dinner and a beer and get a good night sleep,
In the morning I plan to find a phone shop and get a US sim, I would like to use Verizon as this company seem to offer the best coverage, so this will be my first choice.
Next will be a visit to Walmart, to buy food for the first few days that I am on trial before heading back my hotel to decant into zip locks and loose the packaging .
Finally to the post office, to send my bounce box and maps to various locations up the trail.Once back at my hotel I will look at possible rides to the trail for the morning
And relax !!!!
In the morning my adventure will begin !!
Food Drops
From my research, it is recommended to send food drops to the following locations
Nantahala Outdoor center (the NOC) mile 137
Fontana, mile 164,
Bland VA mile 587
Harper’s Ferry mile 1019
Caratunk mile 2034
Monson mile 2070
From Franklin I will send 3 days to the NOC and 4 days to Fontana
The rest I will decide as I get nearer to those other Towns
snailtrainers Adventures 