[pct-l] 'Monetary contributions'

Jackie McDonnell yogihikes at gmail.com
Sun Sep 23 13:29:38 CDT 2012


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?
> >         * Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ] [ subject ] [ author ]
> > ________________________________
> >
> > 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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