I did.
Seeing those coolers, sitting by their
lonesome, brimming with goodies just for a hard hiker like me.
But things have changed….
I have changed.
Why?
Because of this.
Bear wrecks a thru hiker tent. 2017. |
And this.
I have seen gear damaged and hikers lose money by animals
that have received food rewards in one form or another. Including my own tent that had nothing in it.
I have seen magic left and remnants scattered around
the cooler and a half mile beyond, with cans thrown into the woods. I have seen food tied to
trees, soda cans propped on the ground and cans pierced by bears’ teeth and a
sign on a tree afterwards that says – Bears are active in these woods and have destroyed
property.
I have seen folks think they are doing right with all the
food feeds, especially down south in the early AT hiker season, but are instead
contributing to a massive mentality issue currently affecting long distance hikers.
The “I deserve it” mentality. The entitlement mentality. After all – “I am hiking
the whole trail, I need it.” They expect people to do for them. They are of a
higher class. And that mentality carries into towns and places with regulations,
where ill behavior can run rampant and thankfulness and doing good to others instead
of yourself is absent. Selfishness abounds. The yellow blazer class is also born
with those not interested in hiking but hitchhiking from party to party or feed.
I have worked now as a ridgerunner on the Appalachian
Trail and seen a lot to turn me off to food magic. This past season I had a thru hiker actually ask me – “Hey where is the trail
magic around here? I haven’t had food or drink in a long time.”
I was flabbergasted.
I say to him – “There are others ways of trail magic in these
woods besides food and drink.”
A sunny sky.
A trail kept free of blowdowns by a maintainer. Or a shelter
that keeps out rain.
A flowing spring that is not dry.
Encouragement to a weary hiker with a kind word.
Picking up trash along the way. Even some gum wrappers will
do.
Offering a ride to a weary hiker. I’ve had some even invite
me into their homes. Wow
Thanking a maintainer and offering to help.
(To the trail angels that helped me so much on my treks –
who offered rides and their homes and a friendly smile and encouragement – thanks)
To those that leave trail magic unattended - with coolers and bags
and boxes of food sitting at a road or by the trail -
PLEASE don’t. Stay with your offerings and give them out.
Meet and greet. Then remove it all when you are done. But really, consider
other ways of magic instead of food. There is so much food along the AT these days – it is
like a carnival from one food stop to another. The wilderness is gone.
Instead, do other things.
And do it expecting no thanks or rewards. The
thanks is the satisfaction that you helped others and the trail.
1 comment:
I agree with you Blissful. Trail magic has gotten out of hand and yes, hikers are now expecting it. If you are going to give trail magic out stay with your goodies.
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