[pct-l] "Business"...."THE NATURE OF THE BEAST"

[Emily Toby]

I over reacted to Stephen's post, and would like to apologize to him and the list for my response.  Chalk it up to being too soon after our efforts to want to be criticized in any way.  I cannot objectively evaluate the impact our magic may have had on others, so I defended what we did and why.  And didn't give his concerns proper consideration.  
Lost in my response was the real reason, why I and possibly so many others want to provide a little magic to current thru hikers.  I am not, by my own admission, a very charitable or generous or giving person.  And I don't normally like to rely on others, or ask for help.  But, I believe, with few exceptions, nobody hikes this trail without the help of others in one form or another. The PCT trail community, and the people we met during our hikes, restored my faith in the kindness, and generosity of people.  Perfect strangers helped us, in so many ways, inviting us into their homes, giving us rides and support, voluntarily maintaining the trail.  I  simply want to embrace that newfound faith, and do something to pass it along to others.
In my opinion, hiking to Canada doesn't get any easier, or closer, if someone gives you an occasional soda pop or burger along the way.  Most of the 'road crossing' magic provided is relatively infrequent and short lived, and the hiking season relatively long, so I doubt it will influence who hikes and for how long.  However, for those of us who chose to do trail magic, it is our responsibility to ensure that we act in a manner that reduces our impact on the trail and our surroundings.  A gathering of hikers will never, imho, be inconspicuous, but we need to practice LNT in our magic as well.  Especially, as the numbers continue to increase.
Über