[pct-l] What are Trail Angels?

[Scott Bryce]

Postholer wrote:
> Hey, I'm new to the list. Can someone tell me what a trail angel is?

A non hiker who helps a hiker in some way.

> What do they do and why?

Different trail angels will offer differing types and amounts of help. 
There are trail angels who:

Offer rides to and from the trail.
Allow you to spend the night at their houses.
Have food or drinks available near the trail.
Offer the use of laundry facilities.
Offer the use of a shower.
Hold resupply packages.
Stock water caches.
Allow you to take water from a hose at their house.
Give information about upcoming trail conditions.
Drive your pack up the trail so you can hike all morning without having 
to carry it.
Or just about anything else that you need.

A trail angel may do one of these things one time, or may help as many 
people as they can throughout the hiking season.

The reasons that trail angels do what they do are as varied as the help 
they offer.

They do it because they love the trail. Because they like to rub 
shoulders with hikers. Because they saw that you needed help. Because 
they want to give back to the hiking community. Or just because they 
were feeling generous.

> How should I approach a trail angel?

With as much gratitude as you can. Never presume upon a trail angel. 
Never make demands. Never complain about the help they offer. If you 
have a specific need, it is OK to ask, but never approach a trail angel 
with the attitude that you are entitled to their help. You aren't.  They 
don't have to do what they do. They do it because they want to.

It is a good idea to offer to pay them to cover the cost of gas, food 
etc. If they decline to take your money, respect that decision. If you 
stay at the home of a trail angel who leaves out a jar for donations, it 
is a polite way to suggest that they can use some help covering their 
costs. Pitch in if you can. If you can afford beer and pizza, you can 
afford to pitch in.

There have been a very few times when hikers have had a bad experience 
with a trail angel. If that happens, first determine whether the problem 
was a fluke, or the fault of yourself, another hiker, or circumstances 
beyond anyone's control. If you are sure that this particular trail 
angel really is a little creepy, then it is OK to pass that information 
along to other hikers who may want to avoid that particular trail angel.