Trail Magic and Trail Angels

imported
#1

Looking for a good summation of: When does Trail Magic/Trail Angels exceed the original spontanious intent that is is supposed to be. 1)Does leaving a Styrofoam cooler filled with goodies, and subsequently ripped apart by bears, and the remains left for others to carry out qualify as trail magic. 2)If A bear box is so filled with goodies and other items to the point that food can not be stored in it due to the resultant garbage and ants attracted to the open wrappers, does this also qualify as trail magic.
I find it interesting that some of those who do this style of trail magic do it for the sole purpose of recognition for “being the only one who cares about the thru-hiker” Is this what trail “magic” is all about? I think it loses its magic!!!

Navigator

#2

Burger in a sleet storm after Roan, on the humps-big wind, tenting in the open or die, by a neighbor living across the field. “Knock knock!, anyone hungry?” Dude…

Poor, people fighting over who is going to feed you first.

A carrot from a day hiker in the middle of the 100 Mile is cool.

Bushwhack

#3

Bushwhack, If you want your message understood, please be a little more specific with the content of your sentences. Sorry, I just don’t get it!

Nutz

#4

Bushwack I get ya!! arms full of oranges and cookies from convicts, an apple from a puppy, a bag full of snacks from fellow thrus when you’ve run out of food in the 100 mile, offers of a warm place to sleep when sick, leftover KFC from dayhikers, chocolate chip cookies and beer, the hitch when you thought you’d just about given up

Blip

#5

Yeah that was retarded wasn’t it. Sorry. Lemmi redux that mess.

A bit of magic that’s truly a surprise, or when you least expect is always fun; carrots in the middle of no where from day hikers.

A banner at a trail crossing with a circus monkey may be over doing it. Or a permanant station to feed hikers with nickels vending may bit over the edge. A good middle ground is that stream with grape soda somewhere south of Killington?, has a box on a tree to stuff change into and a small scribble journal? I guess its cool because I’ve been by it three times now and I can never remember where it was. Now who has seen my hagus? A dingo got my hagus!

BW

#6

I love trail magic. I can’t imagine why anyone would discourage people being generous.

The only negative thing I can say is “use your head.” Don’t leave stuff where shelter critters are more likely to get it than hikers.

Bob McCaw

#7

I want to say thank you to Madhatter(?) and who ever left those sodas in the stream prior to Killington, they helped me get through those last 6 miles to the summit. I wasn’t expecting anything yet there it was. Who can say no to a cold soda when it’s 85* and as sticky and humid as a linebackers jockstrap?

Cheers

Cheers