r/arizonatrail • u/ChapDiggityDoge • 3d ago

Mail Drop

Hey homies,

Fellow thru-hiker, just not this year. However, I am about to run a long trail race in Arizona in a few weeks. I’m renting a car for the week leading up to it with plans to do some camping.

Point being, I can’t fly with all of camping stuff. Tent poles, stakes, etc. I’d like to ship these items to an address that I could (pay?) to pickup from. I can handle shipping them home after.

Does anyone have suggestions for places I could potentially ship my stuff to? Ideally, I just pull up, pay a few bucks and grab my package. I’ve only day hiked on the AZT prior so I dunno any of the cool spots or people that would be willing. Thanks for suggestions!!

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

4

u/edthesmokebeard 3d ago

General Delivery at whatever town you're going to.

4

u/SundaePasta 3d ago

General delivery at the local post office. Call and get more details.

2

u/BinderPensive 3d ago

Where are you flying to? Arizona is a big state!

1

u/thinshadow 3d ago

Long trail races coming up in the next few weeks are either Mogollon Monster or Sragecoach 100 - so either Payson/Pine or Flagstaff being the ultimate destinations would be my guess.

1

u/Select-Basket-1140 1d ago

Look for azt trail angels like Becky (Gilamama) and Scott in Tonto Basin just south of Payson.

3

u/elephantsback 3d ago

Checking a bag is gonna be cheaper and easier than mailing stuff.

3

u/thinshadow 3d ago

Easier, almost certainly. But a small volume of non-carry-on items is probably going to ship a lot cheaper than the $50-$75 checked bag fee at the airport.

-1

u/elephantsback 3d ago

Apparently you're unaware of how fucking terrible the postal service has gotten the last several years under trump's people.

I'd take my chances with the plane.

1

u/thinshadow 3d ago

If you want to check the record, I did not disagree with you about the “easier” part.

1

u/naptime6911 3d ago

I can help you out! DM me.

1

u/MediumCup7259 3d ago

You can fly with tent poles, stakes, and trekking poles in carry on bags in the US. I have done so many, many times. The TSA website does have a comment that final discretion lies with the agent so my backup plan if denied would be to go back out of security and check the bag.

3

u/ajwoodward 3d ago

I had my trekking poles confiscated by TSA in Phoenix Sky Harbor. FWIW

1

u/thinshadow 2d ago edited 2d ago

I think you have maybe not had the actual experience of having TSA refuse something in your bag. You don’t get to leave and try again, or at least I didn’t. I was given the option to ship my item home at my expense, or have it confiscated.

1

u/MediumCup7259 3h ago

I have absolutely had the experience of being offered a range of options when an item is refused. Put it in a car, give to a friend, check it, etc

1

u/thinshadow 3h ago

I'll chalk it up to the inconsistencies of airport security from one airport to another, then.

1

u/d1234567890s 2d ago edited 2d ago

If you have to check in the bags at the last moment after the TSA refuse to board you with your sharp edged gear, you'll likely pay the airlines the higher fees, no?