[pct-l] When trail magic sets your teeth a'grinding

[Charles Doersch]

Well said, Douglas. And, of course, Gary -- we all know it's still possible
to hike the PCT "unsupported." Some people do. Good for them, and power to
them! But I think Douglas is taking issue with dissing the kindness of
strangers. The characterization by the self-described "curmudgeon" of trail
angels as needy and a personal imposition isn't even curmudgeonly. It came
across mean-spirited and, well, nasty. Mendo-rider, you're right. Thank the
gods this is apparently a very minority view.

See some of you soon on the PCT!

~Charles and the guys


On Mon, Mar 19, 2012 at 12:49 PM, Edward Anderson <mendoridered at yahoo.com>wrote:

> Very well said Douglas. Fortunately, there are very few hikers with his
> attitude.
>
>
>
> ________________________________
>  From: Douglas Tow <douglastow at gmail.com>
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Sent: Monday, March 19, 2012 9:10 AM
> Subject: [pct-l] When trail magic sets your teeth a'grinding
>
> Good morning, teeth grinder!
>
> Many of us appreciated your post of Saturday, March 17.  We all got your
> "curmudgeonly humor."  Trail angels are all emotionally needy, looking
> crestfallen until you slam down a beer that they brought god knows how many
> miles to offer to such as you.
>
> I presume that you have never caught a ride to or from a trailhead, never
> picked up a resupply box for no fee at other than a post office, never had
> anyone help you fix your blistered feet, never written in a trail register,
> never taken water from a cache, never been to Saufley's, never looked in a
> hiker box, and never downloaded a free map or GPS waypoints.
>
> I also presume that you maintain the sections you hike on yourself - then
> you don't have to thank or appreciate the folks that would otherwise have
> to spend days of hard labor out there making your way easier.
>
> Trail magic comes in many forms, and trail angels are simply volunteers
> choosing to spend their time and money in support of PCT hikers.  Some,
> like Lloyd Gust, have spent years of their lives and untold thousands of
> dollars to help where they are needed and wanted.
>
> And, my curmudgeonly humorous guy, the PCT community certainly knows to
> never expect to see you out there lifting a finger.  After all, it's all
> about YOU, now, isn't it?
>
> Doug
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