on Pct in 96 there was’nt magic. We just lugged water, for the most part. But, when we did come across WOW… we were always incredulous that someone would do it. On the CT we came across it once and we were definitely excited…lol. lemon lime soda never tasted so good.
Go Steelers !
yappy
I loved the coolers I found. I often missed the goodies inside, though. Often too late for trail magic.
I also wanted to be a trail angel. I got my chance giving rides in Chester. It’s as much fun for the trail angels as for those of us getting that little spiritual lift from your generosity.
Fresh fruit was always my favorite. Gosh, if someone would have left fresh peaches I would have probably cried with joy for about an hour.
Piper
I thru-hiked again this year, and dug out this thread now out of curiosity. The different points of view from this thread still exist, but the trail magic has expanded literally 5x in 5 years, and it isn’t limited to road crossings. This time around on the trail, i got literally mocked by dozens of hikers for even using the term “wilderness experience”. I got mocked for saying that i wished the coolers would only be at road crossings. This is to say nothing of the widespread leaving of notes on the trail in wilderness areas, writing on trail signs, signing one’s name with or on sticks and rocks, playing ipods out loudly while walking (not with earphones in), etc.
So basically if you’re one of those that feel there is a value to keeping a sense of wildnerness on the PCT, there is something of a growing crisis out there.
In a belated response to PCT colleague Joker, the trail being manmade is hardly a reason to give up on the trail area being wilderness. The purpose of a trail is largely to funnel usage so that man can pass relatively easily through a wilderness, to experience it without trampling it over. It’s not the same as a road or town, which aren’t built with that same goal at all. That’s i believe why we curmudgeons aren’t bothered by coolers at road crossings or anything in towns.
Cuddles