12 Miles/Day

DOWNLOAD EXCEL FILE: 2012 PlanNobo12.xlsx

NOBO plan @12 miles per day                         (updated 2/20/2011)				theATguide.com
				Re-	Elevation		Avg	Tot.
Day	Mi.	Destination	Comments	supply	gain	loss	mi/day	mi.
1	8.1	Hawk Mtn Shelter			1181	1763	8.1	8.1
2	7.7	Gooch Mtn Shelter			2053	2253	7.9	15.8
	5.4	Woody Gap	Hiker Hostel. As of Feb 2012, bear cannister required between Jarrard and Neel Gaps.		3429	2629	7.1	21.2
4	10.5	Neel Gap	Mountain Crossings.  Hostel, meals, resupply shower.  Send home what you don’t need.	3	731	1406	7.9	31.7
5	11.5	Low Gap Shelter			2814	2889	8.6	43.2
6	7.3	Blue Mtn Shelter			2056	1206	8.4	50.5
7	8.1	Tray Mtn Shelter			2613	2313	8.4	58.6
8	11.0	Hiawassee	Top of GA hostel; Budget Inn pickup, or hitch to town from Dick’s Creek Gap	4	2436	3961	8.7	69.6
9	6.7	Tenting	Past Plumorchard Shelter		2286	1461	8.5	76.3
10	10.0	Standing Indian Shelter	Enter North Carolina		2903	1643	8.6	86.3
11	7.6	Carter Gap Shelters	Newer shelter to north		1515	1735	8.5	93.9
12	8.1	Long Branch Shelter			1638	1238	8.5	102.0
13	7.8	Franklin, NC	Albert Mtn 2.5 miles into the day.	2	1496	2586	8.4	109.8
14	8.2	Tenting	Bartram Trail / Wine spring area		2704	1264	8.4	118.0
15	7.6	Cold Spring Shelter			1532	1902	8.4	125.6
16	11.7	Nantahala Outdoor Center		2	1496	4693	8.6	137.3
17	6.7	Sassafrass Gap Shelter	Mostly uphill from NOC.		3202	595	8.5	144.0
18	9.1	Brown Fork Gap Shelter			2172	2702	8.5	153.1
19	11.5	Fontana Village	Call for ride from AT Crossing reception center. Alternate 1: Stay at Hike Inn (Resupply in Robbinsville) Alternate 2:  Stay at Fontana Dam Shelter 1.1 mi. farther. Fill out GSMNP permit.	3	1955	3945	8.7	164.6
20	7.1	Tenting	Birch Spring Gap.  Long climb up from the dam.		2878	1008	8.6	171.7
21	10.8	Spence Field Shelter			3000	1765	8.7	182.5
22	11.8	Silers Bald Shelter	Tough day, hard to plan around it.		1945	1980	8.8	194.3	Smoky Mtns
23	12.5	Gatlinburg	Via Newfound Gap. Consider taking more than 2 days if no maildrop at Standing Bear.	2	2081	2541	9.0	206.8
24	10.4	Peck’s Corner Shelter			2624	2389	9.1	217.2
25	12.9	Cosby Knob Shelter			3209	3789	9.2	230.1
26	10.7	Standing Bear Hstl	Plenty fo supplies to get to Hot Springs.	2	1466	4366	9.3	240.8
27	6.9	Groundhog Creek Shelter	Alternate:  Another 7 miles to campsite just beyond Max Patch		2989	1889	9.2	247.7
28	13.1	Walnut Mtn Shelter			3384	2024	9.3	260.8
29	13.1	Hot Springs, NC	PO, Outfitter, grocery.  Elmer’s, Laughing Heart and other choices in compact town with trail through center.	5	2004	4938	9.4	273.9
30	11.0	Spring Mtn Shelter			3636	1662	9.5	284.9
31	8.6	Little Laurel Shelter			2342	2022	9.5	293.5
32	12.7	Flint Mountain Shelter			2743	2813	9.6	306.2
33	8.8	Hogback Ridge Shelter			2526	1821	9.5	315.0
34	13.2	Tenting	Could hitch in at Sam’s Gap for a meal/supplies. Camp at Whistling Gap.		2808	3413	9.7	328.2
35	13.3	Erwin, TN	Uncle Johnny’s, or one of many in-town lodging choices.  Less resupply needed if staying at Greasy Cr. Hostel two nights later.	4	2445	4395	9.8	341.5
36	12.7	Tenting	One half mile north of Beauty Spot		3547	1147	9.8	354.2
37	12.1	Greasy Creek Gap	Greasy Creek Hostel or camp at gap		3631	3331	9.9	366.3
38	9.1	Roan High Knob Shelter	Highest shelter on AT				9.9	375.4
39	7.3	Overmountain Shelter	Great views today, including views from the shelter.		4180	4030	9.8	382.7
40	9.2	Mtn Harbor Hostel	Resupply in Roan Mtn	2	1606	3261	9.8	391.9
41	8.8	Mountaineer Shelter			2131	1556	9.8	400.7
42	9.6	Moreland Gap Shelter			1507	1162	9.8	410.3
43	8.7	Hampton, TN Braemar Hostel	Via US 321.  Alternates;  a shorter day stopping at Kincora (ride to resupply available) or at Laurel Fork Shelter.	3	2392	4217	9.7	419.0
44	15.0	Vandeventer Shelter			2519	999	9.9	434.0
45	14.4	Double Springs Shelter			2732	2162	10.0	448.4
46	8.3	Abingdon Gap Shelter			1650	1950	9.9	456.7
47	10.4	Damascas VA	PO, grocery, outfitter, hostels	3	908	2760	9.9	467.1
48	15.6	Lost Mtn Shelter			3835	2363	10.1	482.7
49	12.2	Thomas Knob Shelter	High and exposed shelter – be prepared for cold		3474	1474	10.1	494.9	Grayson Highlands
50	11.0	Old Orchard Shelter	Take your time on this scenic stretch of trail.		1409	2759	10.1	505.9
51	10.2	Troutdale	From Dickey’s Gap. Church hostel in Troutdale.	1	1768	2505	10.1	516.1
52	14.5	Partnership Shelter	Showers-Pizza Hut Delivery-Phone		2532	2589	10.2	530.6
53	11.6	Atkins VA	Relax Inn (where the Trail crosses US11), hitch west to Comfort Inn	4	1911	2747	10.2	542.2
54	13.9	Knot Maul Shelter			3169	2709	10.3	556.1
55	9.1	Chestnut Knob Shelter			2865	1335	10.3	565.2
56	10.0	Jenkins Shelter			1043	2983	10.3	575.2
57	14.0	Helvey’s Mill Shelter			2589	1969	10.3	589.2
58	16.3	Camp – Trent’s Grocery	0.4 west on VA 606.  Need very little supplies if you stay at Woods Hole, where you can get more supplies and meals.	1	2446	3436	10.4	605.5
59	13.9	Woods Hole Hostel	Great place, don’t miss the meals offered here.		2648	1366	10.5	619.4
60	10.4	Pearisburg VA	Church hostel not easy to get to; best hotel option is MacArthur Inn in Narrows.	3 or 4	2080	3262	10.5	629.8
61	8.4	Tenting			2409	1154	10.5	638.2
62	12.1	Tenting	At or near “The Captain’s Place”		1520	2609	10.5	650.3
63	11.5	War Spur Shelter			2399	2425	10.5	661.8
64	12.2	Sarver Hollow Shelter	Tough climb at end of the day.  Could hitch to Newport to get groceries or a maildrop.  PO and store is all that there is after an 8-mile hitch. Don’t go here unless you have maildrop or are certain of store hours.		3254	2194	10.5	674.0
65	16.1	Pickle Branch Shelter	Hard to avoid this long day.		2746	4301	10.6	690.1
66	6.7	Catawba	Four Pines Hostel.  Plan to arrive Thurs-Sunday so you can get a great meal at Home Place Restaurant.	1	2517	2362	10.6	696.8
67	10.2	Pig Farm Campsite	Backtrack to McAfee for morning views		2445	2365	10.6	707.0
68	15.5	Daleville VA	Daleville has restaurants, grocery, outfitter, hotels…everything except hostel. Take 7 days supplies if you want to skip Big Island detour.	4 or 7	1363	2143	10.6	722.5
69	11.2	Wilson Creek Shelter			2685	2155	10.6	733.7
70	13.8	Cove Mountain Shelter			2580	2485	10.7	747.5
71	11.9	Cornelius Creek Shelter			3690	2470	10.7	759.4
72	12.2	Tenting	Marble Spring		2880	3725	10.7	771.6
73	9.4	Johns Hollow Shelter	Hitch in/out of Big Island or Glasgow for supplies.  Alternate:  Stay in Glasgow.	2	1693	2973	10.7	781.0
74	8.8	Punchbowl Shelter			3713	3733	10.7	789.8
75	22.6	Hog Camp Gap	Three Springs Hostel has adequate resupply, or go into Buena Vista		4121	1636	10.8	812.4
76	7.7	Montebello, VA	Via Spy Rock Road.  Stay at Dutch Haus or camp at General Store.	2	1701	1732	10.8	820.1
77	9.2	Harpers Creek Shelter			2918	4572	10.8	829.3
78	14.7	Tenting	Near Humpback Rocks (bring water)		4728	3166	10.8	844.0
79	12.5	Waynesboro, VA	Get ride from Rockfish Gap visitor’s center. Mail home winter gear?  Resuppy minimally because food readily available in SNP.	1	962	2422	10.8	856.5
80	6.8	Calf Mtn Shelter	Get backcountry permit as you leave skyline drive.  Camping is permitted in SNP, but nearly impractical because you are not supposed to tent within sight of buildings (waysides), shelters, roads or the trail.		4682	3939	10.8	863.3	Shenandoah NP
81	13.0	Blackrock Hut			2489	2704	10.8	876.3
82	13.2	Pinefield Hut	Loft Mountain Campground (7mi into day) for food		2489	2704	10.8	889.5
82	20.6	Bearfence Mtn Hut	Stop by Lewis Campstore for food just before reaching shelter		4675	3995	11.1	910.1
83	22.4	Byrds Nest #3	Big Meadows for meals & supplies		2170	1815	11.2	932.5
84	17.5	Gravel Springs Hut	Elkwallow Wayside 8.6 mi for lunch		2524	2734	11.3	950.0
85	13.4	Front Royal	Large town with everything but an outfitter. Alternate:  Stop at Front Royal Hostel about 4 miles earlier. Resupply one day less and make it up with maildrop or purchases at Bears Den.	2	2056	3586	11.3	963.4
86	10.7	Manassas Gap Shelter			2484	1779	11.3	974.1
87	12.9	Rod Hollow Shelter			2009	2824	11.3	987.0
88	9.9	Bears Den Hostel	“Roller Coaster” early in the day.  Food and some supplies available at the hostel”¦or send yourself a maildrop.		3025	2565	11.3	996.9
89	19.8	Harpers Ferry, WV	Feed on your adrenaline about reaching this landmark to do a long day.  The hardest hiking is early in the day.  This mileage is to ATC side trail.  Many lodging choices.	4	2997	3813	11.4	1016.7
90	11.0	Crampton Gap Shelter			1989	1473	11.4	1027.7
91	15.7	Pogo Campsite	Pine Knob Shelter a little too close to road		2576	2026		1043.4
92	9.9	Raven Rock Shelter	Rocky terrain from Pogo Campsite all the way to Pen Mar Park.		1692	1762	11.4	1053.3
93	13.2	Tumbling Run Shelters	Can easily go into Waynesboro, PA from Pen Mar Park to get food and supplies.		1986	2346	11.5	1066.5
94	9.6	Fayetteville, PA or Quarry Gap Shelters	Stay at Caledonia SP or Motels to the west.  Alternate; continue on after resupplying to nice Quarry Gap Shelter 3 miles farther.  Short resupply because food is available next three days.	1	1391	1551	11.4	1076.1
95	19.5	Ironmaster’s Hostel	Easy enough stretch to pick up the mileage average.  Pine Grove Furnace – ice cream challenge, more food available		2563	2703	11.5	1095.6
96	15.7	Alec Kennedy Shelter	Food available at Green Mountain store (8.6 mi) into the day.  Alternative:  go four miles further and treat yourself to a stay at the Allenberry in Boiling Springs.		2287	2257	11.6	1111.3
97	18.2	Darlington Shelter	Level ground most of the day.   Get meal in Boiling Springs and/or Carlisle.		1745	1345	11.6	1129.5
98	11.3	Duncannon, PA	Doyle Hotel	4	1291	2181	11.6	1140.8
99	11.3	Peter’s Mtn Shelter			1652	832	11.6	1152.1
100	18.0	Rausch Gap Shelter			1988	2188	11.7	1170.1
101	13.4	William Penn Shelter			2171	1771	11.7	1183.5
102	9.7	Tenting	Hertlein Campsite		947	1107	11.7	1193.2
103	18.1	Port Clinton, PA	Pavillion tenting.  Short resupply because there are 3 towns in the next 5 days.	2	1442	2262	11.8	1211.3
104	15.2	Eckville Shelter			2538	2338	11.8	1226.5
105	13.3	Tripoli Campsite			2026	1226	11.8	1239.8
106	11.8	Palmerton, PA	NOTE: former “Jailhouse Hostel” is closed. food/supplies available	2	1176	2196	11.8	1251.6
107	15.8	Leroy Smith Shelter	Climb in Morning; rest of day very level.		2305	1275	11.8	1267.4
108	13.8	Kirkridge Shelter	Could go into Wind Gap for a meal.		1620	1530		1281.2
109	11.7	Tenting at Backpacker Campsite	Get a meal in DWG and resupply using maildrop or stores in town.	4	1593	1773	11.9	1292.9
110	15.6	Buttermilk Falls	Stop at Mohican Outdoor Center for lunch.		1349	1319	11.9	1308.5
111	10.5	Gren Anderson Shelter			1561	1591	11.9	1319.0
112	13.0	High Point Shelter	Soda and snack machines at park HQ 2 mi before shelter.		1435	1475	11.9	1332.0
113	12.4	Pochuck Mtn Shelter			1107	1547	11.9	1344.4
114	-25.4	Vernon, NJ	Church Hostel, restaurants and grocery near hostel	3	792	1182	11.6	1319.0
115	16.2	Waywayanda Shelter	Approx 44 mi. from Vernon to Bear Mtn, NY are deceptively difficult.  Don’t rush out of Vernon; perhaps get ride to Campmor.		1395	645	11.6	1335.2
116	12.4	Wildcat Shelter	Ice Cream at NY 17, 2.0 mi before shelter.		1108	1128	11.6	1347.6
117	6.5	Fingerboard Shelter			2823	2703	11.6	1354.1
118	42.3	Fort Montgomery, NY		4	2396	3572	11.8	1396.4
119	6.5	Graymoor Spiritual Life Center			1676	1285	11.8	1402.9
120	17.5	Tenting	Shenandoah Tenting area		2788	2398	11.8	1420.4
121	10.3	Morgan Stewart Shelter			1992	1612	11.8	1430.7
122	16.5	Wiley Shelter			2151	2696	11.9	1447.2
123	12.4	Mt. Algo Lean-to	0.3mi from road leading into Kent, CT.  Make trip into town in the afternoon or morning for resupply, laundry and  & meals, but lodging is expensive.  Resupply light, since it is easy to get more in Falls Village and Salisbury. Alternate:  Hitch north to Cornwall Bridge and arrange a slackpack from Rte 341 (1455.9)  to Rte 4 (1467.0)  CALL FIRST.  Cornwall Bridge lodging will be expensive on weekends.	1	2596	2681	11.9	1459.6
124	13.9	Tenting	Caesar Brook Campsite		2286	2141	11.9	1473.5
125	11.6	Tenting	Falls Village, CT.  Tent at Toymaker’s Café (consider patronizing the restaurant if you use the free tent site)		1935	2185	11.9	1485.1
126	12.8	Brassie Brook Lean-to	Stop in Salisbury for more food and supplies.  Resupply short because supplies available in Dalton and Cheshire.	5	2441	1286	11.9	1497.9
127	8.9	Glen Brook Lean-to	Climb Bear Mtn and Mt. Everett, good swimming holes in Sages Ravine		2186	2006	11.9	1506.8
128	14.3	Tom Leonard Lean-to			1940	2285	11.9	1521.1
129	11.2	Tenting	Shaker Campsite		1980	2525	11.9	1532.3
130	9.9	Upper Goose Pond Shelter			1841	1353	11.9	1542.2
131	17.6	Kay Wood Lean-to			2357	1980	11.9	1559.8
132	11.9	Cheshire, MA	Breakfast in Dalton, 3 mi. from shelter.  Church Hostel or Mason Hill Hostel.		1542	2428	11.9	1571.7
133	14.4	Williamstown or North Adams, MA	Williamston has a bit more than N. Adams, including outfitter (Mountain Goat) where you may camp.  N. Adams is closer.	4	3283	3607	11.9	1586.1
134	6.9	Seth Warner Shelter	Enter VT, join Long Trail		1997	467	11.9	1593.0
135	13.1	Melville NauheimShelter	Steep descent to / climb up from Rte 9 (leads into Bennington)		2549	2399	11.9	1606.1
136	12.8	Kid Gore Shelter	Steep descent to / climb up from Rte 9 (leads into Bennington)		2489	2024	11.9	1618.9
137	15.0	Stratton Pond Shelter			2832	3062	11.9	1633.9
138	10.7	Manchester Center, VT	Green Mtn House (call ahead), or Sutton’s Place	3	1041	1806	11.9	1644.6
139	14.8	Lost Pond Shelter			3024	2674	11.9	1659.4
140	14.9	Minerva Hinchley Shelter			2345	2965	12.0	1674.3
141	13.8	Cooper Lodge Shelter			4083	1763	12.0	1688.1
142	6.3	Rutland, VT	Inn at Long Trail, Back Home Again Hostel, many other choices.  Resupply short because food is avail in West Hartford.	2	184	2154	11.9	1694.4
143	10.0	Stony Brook Shelter			2458	2578	11.9	1704.4
144	9.9	Winturri Shelter			1965	1825	11.9	1714.3
145	13.2	West Hartford, VT	Check gen store or Library for tenting/lodging opportunities, be prepared to move on if none available.		1837	3337	11.9	1727.5
146	23.0	Hanover, NH	Check DOC for lodging options, or continue 1.5 mi to Velvet Rocks Shelter.  Resupply short 1 day to be made up at Glencliff. * GET WINTER GEAR *	5	1552	1421	11.9	1737.3
147	11.0	Moose Mtn Shelter			2473	1154	11.9	1748.3
148	12.4	Fire Wardens Cabin			4169	2779	11.9	1760.7
149	12.4	Ore Hill Shelter			2407	3927	11.9	1773.1
150	8.6	Jeffers Brook Shelter	Or Hikers Welcome Hostel in Glencliff, NH.		1753	2123	11.9	1781.7
151	15.9	Eliza Brook Shelter	Tough morning going over Moosilauke.		5675	4525		1797.6
152	8.8	North Woodstock, NH	Via Franconia Notch.  Many lodging options here and in adjacent town of Lincoln.  Short resuppy in expectation of some meals at huts.  If hut stays do not pan out, pick up more supplies at Crawford Notch or on Mt. Washington.	3	2205	3255	11.9	1806.4	White Mountains
153	10.3	Garfield Campsite	Tough climb up to Franconia Ridge.  Once up, beautiful open stretch of trail.  Alternate:  Try for WFS at Greenleaf Hut (risk:  steep, mile long side trail & return if no WFS / reward: fewer hikers competing for WFS, 2 days on Franconia Ridge)		4933	2883	11.9	1816.7
154	14.5	Ethan Pond Campsite	Stay at Zealand Falls Hut (9.7 mi) if WFS is available.  4 mi. Section from Zealand hut to campsite is easy, smooth and level, making this day more doable than it may seem at the outset.		2810	3360	11.9	1831.2
155	9.3	Mizpah Hut / Tentsite	At Crawford Notch, can hitch down to Willey House for lunch and short-term supplies.  Tough climb back up from Notch.		3392	2542	11.9	1840.5
156	11.8	Madison Hut / Tentsite	Get lunch and short-term supplies at store atop Mt. Washington.  If weather is unfavorable, stop short at Lakes of the Clouds Hut.		3983	2983	11.9	1852.3
157	7.8	Gorham, NH	By way of Pinkham Notch.  In Gorham:  Barn Hostel, many motels and all services in town.  Alternate:  Lodging,  meals, supplies also available at the notch. (WFS at Camp Dodge).  Leave what you can in Gorham and carry light load up Wildcat Mtn.	1	1175	3925	11.8	1860.1
158	13.1	Imp Campsite	Rugged day.  Shelter and many tent sites.		5062	3862	11.9	1873.2
159	8.0	Gorham, NH	Return to Gorham via Rte 2.  Resupply light because day 4 is in Andover.  NEW:  White Mtns Lodge & Hostel	3	1105	3595	11.8	1881.2
160	11.8	Gentian Pond Shelter			3601	2195	11.8	1893.0
161	9.6	Full Goose Shelter			2933	2069	11.8	1902.6
162	12.0	Baldpate Lean-to	Tough day including  Mahoosuc Notch and Arm.		4469	4839	11.8	1914.6
163	8.0	Andover, ME	Badlpates are challenging uphill and down.  Via East B Road.  A couple of nice hostel choices.		2034	3209	11.8	1922.6
164	10.1	Andover, ME	Could be slackpacked.  Via South Arm Road.	4	3259	3334	11.8	1932.7
165	8.7	Bemis Mtn Lean-to	Alternate:  Slackpacks easy to arrange from Andover (East B to South Arm Rd) or Rangeley (Rte 17 to Rte 4)		3129	1739	11.8	1941.4
166	12.9	Little Swift River Campsite			2490	2830	11.8	1954.3
167	12.8	Redington Campsite			3731	2591	11.8	1967.1
168	10.7	Spaulding Mtn Lean-to	Climb the Saddleback peaks		2648	3108	11.8	1977.8
169	13.5	Stratton, ME		3	3448	5188	11.8	1991.3
170	10.4	Safford Notch Campsite			3673	2843		2001.7
171	12.2	West Pond Carry Lean-to			2085	2975	11.8	2013.9
172	10.0	Pierce Pond Lean-to			752	932	11.8	2023.9
173	9.7	Pleasant Pond Lean-to	Option;  breakfast at Harrison’s Pierce Pond Camp. Reach Kennebec River (3.7mi) in time for 9-11am ferry.  Maidrop at PO in Caratunk close by.	2	1243	1083	11.8	2033.6
174	13.1	Moxie Bald Lean-to	Nice shelter near pond		3007	3107	11.8	2046.7
175	17.9	Monson, ME	Shaws or Lake Shore House.	7	1903	1908	11.8	2064.6
176	10.4	Wilson Valley Lean-to	Enter 100 mi wilderness		1638	1808	11.8	2075.0	100-Mile Wilderness
177	15.6	Chairback Gap Lean-to			3757	2872	11.8	2090.6
178	11.7	Sidney Tappan Campsite	Gulf Hagas loop trail, 5.2mi., a recommended diversion.		2330	1835	11.8	2102.3
179	17.1	Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to	First 5.8 mi of day, to top of White Cap Mtn is last significant climb until Katahdin.  View of Katahdin as trail descends the mountain.  Picturesque shelter setting.		2783	4328	11.8	2119.4
180	13.8	Whitehouse Landing	Can get meals and some supplies here.		649	1009		2133.2
181	15.8	Rainbow Stream Lean-to			1959	1459	11.9	2149.0
182	11.5	Hurd Brook Lean-to			849	1159	11.9	2160.5
183	13.4	The Birches Lean-to	Stop at Abol Bridge store (11.2 mi) for food.  A little further along there is a sign-up board for the Birches.	1	973	613	11.9	2173.9
184	5.2	Katahdin	5.2 More miles to get back down to the Birches, the closest location accessible by car.  If you have a ride arranged (family or friends picking you up?), consider descending north side of Katahdin and having them pick you up at the Roaring Brook Campground, 5.47 mi via Saddle Trail and Chimney Pond Trail or 4.46 on Knife Edge and Helon Taylor Trail.		4374	176	11.8	2179.1
Notes:   Deviation from plan is encouraged!  For and Excel version of this plan, contact Awol. Day:  Zero days are expected, but omitted from the spreadsheet because there’s no reason to attempt planning them in advance.   Adding 16 zero days would make a 200-day trek and reduce the mi/day average to about 10.9 mi/day.  Shelters are specified far more than any other destination, but this is not meant to promote shelter use.  Most shelter locations also have tent sites. Comments: Comments apply to the hiking day that ends at “Destination”. Elev gain/loss:  The sum (in feet) of elevation gain/loss during this segment of trail.  This is a very crude measure of  trail difficulty. Resupply:  This is the number of days worth of supplies that should be purchased at this location.  The number always assumes that meals (dinner and breakfast at least) will be eaten at the towns where the supplies are obtained.  Sometimes this number is LESS than the number of days until the next resupply; this is usually due to an opportunity to get meals at points in-between.  Food is the heaviest “variable” in your pack, so this plan encourages resupplying often and eating meals when available (if budget permits).