[pct-l] Re: pct-l-digest V1 #1141

[KBerger466@aol.com]

Strider, sometimes I think that people on the Internet are so intent on being 
clever and winning arguments that they don't really read what others have 
said, or are so quick to stark clicking away that they miss the whole point. 

I didn't say anything against trail magic. Yes, I drank some of the water -- 
like a cup or two -- and appreciated it. (And I left plenty for others coming 
behind.) The point was that I didn't NEED it. For me it was a nice surprise, 
not a crutch  -- just what trail magic should be. I would be delighted if 
people continued in future years to do the same sort of thing and delight 
hikers with surprises in tough sections of trail. 

But the water drops weren't a small surprise -- they were full-fledged 
support. The people who kindly supplied the water this year announced that 
they were doing it. As a result, it seems that some people counted on it and 
abused it. Therefore other hikers, who were counting on the water being there 
(even though they had been warned not to) found themselves high and dry. Is 
this helping hikers? I don't think so.

As for my opinions about trail magic -- a little is wonderful. Too much, in 
my opinion,  compromises my hiking experience. (You judge for yourself what 
compromises yours.) And I think there CAN be too much of a good thing. 

Of course, being only human, I find it difficult to walk past "trail magic" 
without stopping. That's one reason why Dan and I prefer hikes where the 
trail "community" is a little bit less established. For instance, we plan to 
hike the AT southbound next time -- less people, less trail magic. Does that 
mean we don't appreciate it? No. Does it mean we turn up our noses at it? No. 
I love the hiking community. But part of a hike, in my opinion, is about self 
reliance and learning to appreciate the little things. I'm delighted I've had 
the experience of a northbound AT hike. I loved my AT hike. I recommend it 
highly. And I wouldn't do it again. 
 
The people doing the water supply are considering downscaling the operation. 
They raised the question. I support them in that. 

And I don't especially appreciate your implication that what I said was 
hypocritical.  

Karen Berger
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