[pct-l] 'Monetary contributions'

Mon Sep 24 01:35:03 CDT 2012

On 9/23/12 11:29 AM, Jackie McDonnell wrote:
> This is an interesting thread.  Interesting for me, because I've been on
> both sides of this situation:
>
> (1) as a hiker ecstatic to come across Trail Magic in the form of a ride to
> town, food and tasty beverages, or jugs of water in the desert (the *best*
> Trail Magic), and
>
> (2) as a Trail Angel providing rides to hikers, and food/beverages/rides at
> the Walker Pass Trail Magic in early June.
>
> What bothers me about this thread is that some replies have assumed that
> Lost and Found *expected* monetary donations.  I could be mistaken, but I
> do not recall her post indicating that she expected hikers to donate
> money.  She simply said that many hikers were generous with contributions.
> Lost and Found is a hiker, just like most of us on this list.  Let's assume
> that she wanted to do a good deed; let's not attack her.
>
> When I hiked the Colorado Trail in 2010, a Trail Angel went out of her way
> to drive me from Silverton CO up to the trail at Molas Pass.  She refused
> money.  So, as I got out of the car I hid $20 in the center console of the
> car.  Was I wrong?  If she posted this to a list, would list members assume
> she solicited donations?  I hope not.
>
> At our June Walker Pass event, many hikers want to contribute.  We do not
> require/expect hikers to donate; however, some people simply want to.
> Either they have the means to donate, or maybe they're just very thankful
> and they show their thanks by giving money.  Because of the many times
> hikers ask "may I donate?", we do have a donations jar.  Honestly, I don't
> like having a donations jar, because I believe that might imply that hikers
> *should* donate.  That's not the case.  It doesn't matter to us if hikers
> do/don't donate.  Nobody would be refused food/beverages/rides.
>
> Hopefully, my perspective of being on both sides of this situation sheds
> some light on the subject.
>
> Yogi, sent from the CDT
> www.pcthandbook.com
>
> On Sep 23, 2012 11:43 AM, "Anne Estoppey"<anne_estoppey at yahoo.com>  wrote:
>
>> Hello all
>> I must admit that I am a bit surprised too that a few people that are
>> called 'Trail Angels' expect monetary contributions.
>> Volunteering means by default that one takes on his/her resources (time,
>> energy, gas, food, etc) to provide help, and comfort to others.
>>
>> If one expects money: fine. But then open a campsite or a have a food
>> station where prices are tagged clearly.Then everybody knows what to expect.
>>
>> If the trend is that some Trail Angels expect money, where do we stop?
>> This hiker can go on without giving because he/she is a young student or
>> without work?
>> I am old and I work in Europe, so I have to spit out 20 bucks each time?
>> or maybe 50?
>>
>> Do we have to start hiking in 2013 on the PCT with a check book? Or a bag
>> full of twenties?
>>
>> C'mon, that doesn't make any sense.
>>
>> Cheers
>> Anne
>>
>>
>>
>> Message: 1
>> Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2012 15:01:38 -0700
>> From: Amanda Timeoni<amanda.timeoni at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [pct-l] (no subject)
>> To: linsey<mowoggirl at yahoo.com>
>> Cc: pct list serve<pct-l at backcountry.net>
>> Message-ID:
>>      <CAJNt-s6aixrwahL+V2nQomVcT0QFMPwz5gUh4Sw73K_PNPrHyQ at mail.gmail.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>>
>> Lost and Found,
>> Are you doing trail magic or are you a vending machine? To say that "most
>> hikers were generous with their monetary contributions" goes against the
>> spirit of trail magic!
>>
>> I don't often carry cash on me when thru-hiking. Should I in case there is
>> trail magic?
>>
>> Maybe I should walk on by because "trail magic" is for those who can afford
>> to have it. For the person doing it, there is a great cost!
>>
>> I hope that I'm with another hiker who can vouch for me!
>>
>> No, I need to carry cash. I'm not going to want to walk passed it and I
>> don't want the person doing trail magic to think I'm ungrateful.
>>
>> I'm cashless because I didn't anticipate trail magic. There hasn't been
>> trail magic for x amount of miles. I hope they don't think I'm ungrateful.
>>
>>
>> A lot of hikers are generous with their money. We love trail angels, it is
>> a huge part of the thru-hike experience. But don't talk about it like "Hey
>> you over there, I got some money from these people!" It's tasteless.
>>
>> Yours Truly,
>> Not a Chance (PCT '09, '10, '12)
>>
>> On Fri, Sep 21, 2012 at 10:12 AM, linsey<mowoggirl at yahoo.com>  wrote:
>>
>>> You wrote, "Most hikers were generous with their monetary contributions"
>>> Let me just say that while I have offered monetary contributions at trail
>>> magic, I have never seen them solicited and am somewhat offended.  To
>>> assume all of those at the end of their hike have disposable income for
>> the
>>> unexpected snack is asinine.
>>>
>>> Trail magic can be a double edged sword.  The white flour pancakes,
>> greasy
>>> breakfast, processed junk food, snacks and coffee I've indulged in at
>> trail
>>> magic stops were welcome, but not near as healthy as the trail food I
>> pack.
>>>   When one eats trail magic food, their pack stays heavy with the meal
>> they
>>> should have eaten and and/or the fuel they should have used.   In my
>> case,
>>> I never get the burst of energy  from eating junk that I get from eating
>>> wholesome trail food.  Even though it is a diuretic and not conducive to
>>> hydration, the coffee is especially tempting although it makes my knees
>>> hurt.
>>>
>>>
>>> pct-l] Trail MagicHikes and Bikes hikingis4me2 at yahoo.com
>>> Thu Sep 20 17:26:57 CDT 2012
>>>          * Previous message: [pct-l] Your use of PCT-L messages
>>>          * Next message: [pct-l] slowest hike?
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>>> ________________________________
>>>
>>> Mother Goose and I hosted 72 hikers at White Pass September 11-15 (one
>>> hiker arrived 9/16 as we were packing up).  We gave what leftovers we had
>>> to Only a Test, who said she was planning TM in Washington this weekend.
>>> Weather was almost perfect, although a little on the cool side during the
>>> day.  No rain.  Most hikers were generous with their monetary
>>> contributions, which we greatly appreciated.  Certainly helps to offset
>>> out-of-pocket expenses and gas for the car. BTW - There is no laundromat
>> in
>>> Packwood, unless you are staying at the campground.  The nearest
>> laundromat
>>> is Castle Peak 9 miles west of Packwood, but bring your own quarters and
>>> detergent.  The store was in the process of closing 9/16.  Not sure if it
>>> was for the season or forever.   Lost and Found
>>>
>>> "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely
>>> in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside,
>>> thoroughly used up, totally worn out, Guinness in one hand, steak in the
>>> other, yell 'Holy Sh**, What a Ride!"
>>> ________________________________
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I second Yogi on this. Gas and food aren't free. That they are there at 
all is a wonder. I'm happy to put in for whatever.