How to yogi free food

[chefbrian1]

OK. I used yogi in my younger hiking days. I do not yogi much these days, but I used to do it a lot almost as a challenge.

Yogi is basically begging for food. The term comes from the cartoon character yogi bear.

The main people to yogi from are weekend hikers who have too much food and heavy packs, or day trippers/picnic people who are at their car and have a cooler full of food and drink.

1) The offer to buy a soda approach.

Here how it works. I go up to a car or a picnic table with a visible cooler and say, "I am hiking the trail. I could really use a cold soda. I've give you a dollar if you have an extra."

This almost always get me a free soda and I have never been hit up for the dollar. Once the soda is offered, chips, fruit, candy bars and/or a sandwich usually follows. In fact very often I am offered a beer, which I do not drink but offer to a follow hiker to share in the trail magic.

2) Ask a weekender if they have any "heavy food" they do not need

"Hey, do you folks have any extra "heavy foods" you will not need on this trip that you want taken off your hands?"

Most weekenders have insanely heavy packs (40-60 pounds) for short hikes. They usually are carrying more for their overnight then I have for six days.

The trick here is to use the words "heavy food." That will get them thinking back to the hills they climbed that day and have them searching through their food bag eager to dump anything they can.

The key, however is offer to take only the choice stuff. Don't take their lame gorp or can goods. Offer to take the snickers and a few pieces of fruit. Whatever you take, you are usually doing them favor.

3) The "I never had that before" approach

This one is my silliest approach, but it really works.

Here how it works. Some weekender/picnic people are making pancakes or eating something good and you say, "What is that?" They say, "pancakes,"... a cliff bar, a chocolate chip cookie or something. You say, "I never had that before."

They usually say, "You never had pancakes before?" like you just beamed down to this planet. "Here try some" almost always follows, as the culinary ambassadors to this planet they are.

"Wow, these are great." (make sure to say how great this food item is as if it was the best piece of food you ever had)

This is usually followed by, "Do you want some more."

"OK, thanks" you say.

"Wow!! Pancakes are great. I can't believe I never had them before" you say laying it on thick.

You get free pancakes that you did not have to carry in and they get to tell people they met some guy who never had pancakes, ice cream, chocolate chips cookies or a cola before.

I don't yogi much on my hike anymore, but on hots days when I am hiking through picnic areas, I still use the "will you sell me a soda for a dollar trick," if there is no soda machines around.

Happy trails

Chef Brian

[Manwich]

Lame Gorp!?!!?

I have some of the unlamest gorp there is.

[Maddog]

why didn't you just steal it at gunpoint...it would have been more honest! :/

[Dogwood]

One of the best places to get unused food from is the backcountry ranger stations at Nat. Parks, particularly at the big Nat Parks like Yosemite, Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone late in the season. These places see a great many less experienced hikers who don't know how to adequately access their trail food needs. They very often carry WAY too much gear and food. I've had several incidences when backcountry rangers offered to let me rumage through boxes and boxes of expensive meals and supplies(clothing, cooking gear, medical supplies, tents, etc.) left behind by other hikers. Some or all of this leftover supplies eventually get trashed or given away. Obviously, this is not something you can always depend upon or take unfair advantage of.

[Blissful]

3) The "I never had that before" approach

This one is my silliest approach, but it really works.

Here how it works. Some weekender/picnic people are making pancakes or eating something good and you say, "What is that?" They say, "pancakes,"... a cliff bar, a chocolate chip cookie or something. You say, "I never had that before."

They usually say, "You never had pancakes before?" like you just beamed down to this planet. "Here try some" almost always follows, as the culinary ambassadors to this planet they are.

"Wow, these are great." (make sure to say how great this food item is as if it was the best piece of food you ever had)

This is usually followed by, "Do you want some more."

"OK, thanks" you say.

"Wow!! Pancakes are great. I can't believe I never had them before" you say laying it on thick.

Chef Brian

Well, if this is the truth. If you are lying just to get free food, I sure don't ascribe to the ethics of such a game.

Oops just saw this was in the humor column. Guess I forgot to laugh... :)

[Phoenixdadeadhead]

I'll bet you are a democrat.All the best people are lol.
I like the "you gonna eat that" approach lol
or the "Dang, how did I run out of food? Hey do you know how far to the next town?" approach
Or how about "Be careful where you hang your food." other hiker say "why?" I say "last night a bear climbed that little tree and ate all my food, good thing it is only a 2 day hike to resupply. anymore than that and I would starve."
lol

[Dogwood]

Yeah, sounds like he's a Dummycrat.

[chefbrian1]

Well, if this is the truth. If you are lying just to get free food, I sure don't ascribe to the ethics of such a game.

Oops just saw this was in the humor column. Guess I forgot to laugh... :)

Like I said, this was part of my youthful past and yes, I was admittedly lying to get free food.

I do not believe in lying to get free food or anymore, but yes I confess doing it in my past.

CB

[Disney]

Wow lighten up people. Yogi'ing food is a time honored tradition. It's a prestigious undertaking, with a long and glorious history. I'm going to have to point out that the first official yogi'ing of food in America is now a national holiday. That's right. Thanksgiving. When the pilgrims yogied popcorn and other goodies from the indians.

In communist countries, there is no need to yogi food, as all of it is collectively shared.

So if you don't like yoging, you obviously hate popcorn, hate the country, and hate the troops.

I suggest you try Cuba. They got great music, drinks, food, and cigars.

[MOWGLI]

I'll bet you are a democrat.


Yeah, sounds like he's a Dummycrat.

Note to the humorless. This is a hiking humor forum. :p

http://hij.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/14/2/212

[Phoenixdadeadhead]

Wow lighten up people. Yogi'ing food is a time honored tradition. It's a prestigious undertaking, with a long and glorious history. I'm going to have to point out that the first official yogi'ing of food in America is now a national holiday. That's right. Thanksgiving. When the pilgrims yogied popcorn and other goodies from the indians.

In communist countries, there is no need to yogi food, as all of it is collectively shared.

So if you don't like yoging, you obviously hate popcorn, hate the country, and hate the troops.

I suggest you try Cuba. They got great music, drinks, food, and cigars.
LMAO great post Bravo

[CrumbSnatcher]

IMO-offering to pay is the same as begging! you don't walk up to cars either! you come down off the trail look around like your confused and talk loud. ''i could of swore there was a soda machine here before''? and then they offer you a soda without you even starting up a conversation with them. start with the soda and the food and goodies will fall right out of the car. then the ride comes next all this without asking for anything;)

[Don H]

I've offered to buy a soda. I don't see anything wrong with that, especially if its a sincere offer. I always have money in hand when I ask and usually insist on paying. Interesting enough I had a church group with several coolers full of drinks refuse to sell one to me, let alone give one to me.

[YoungMoose]

i am going to have to try this

[Phoenixdadeadhead]

I've offered to buy a soda. I don't see anything wrong with that, especially if its a sincere offer. I always have money in hand when I ask and usually insist on paying. Interesting enough I had a church group with several coolers full of drinks refuse to sell one to me, let alone give one to me.
Yeah, I have noticed those weekend christians are pretty stingy with everything. Just my opinion, but I think they figure as long as they go to church on sunday and say god bless once a day then they are good christians and are going to heaven lol

[CrumbSnatcher]

beg or offer you still had to stop them, maybe bother them to get your soda! i always had one handed to me,because they offered. to each his own.

[Phoenixdadeadhead]

I got yogied a few weeks back while in Shenandoah, for over a weeks worth of food, and guess what I was happy to give to give it. So when you see me and I am on a weekend hike or a day hike feel free to ask, if I have it to give, you can get it.

[flemdawg1]

Yeah, I have noticed those weekend christians are pretty stingy with everything. Just my opinion, but I think they figure as long as they go to church on sunday and say god bless once a day then they are good christians and are going to heaven lol

Actually thats not how it works at all. Want more info PM me.

We sure are stingy, why those universitys, hospitals, homeless shelters, orphages and relief organizations just popped up all by themselves. :rolleyes:

[Phoenixdadeadhead]

No thanks living in the bible belt, and going to church 7 days a week for 20 years, only to see that none of the people lived up to what they preached was enough knowledge for a lifetime lol. What's funny, is best people I ever met didn't believe in god at all. Who would have thunk it

[flemdawg1]

Sorry you grew up in a bad church, coincidentally so did I. Later I decided not to let other peoples wrong actions keep me from doing right or judge a perfect God by His imperfect people.

Have a blessed and nice day.

[take-a-knee]

Wow lighten up people. Yogi'ing food is a time honored tradition. It's a prestigious undertaking, with a long and glorious history. I'm going to have to point out that the first official yogi'ing of food in America is now a national holiday. That's right. Thanksgiving. When the pilgrims yogied popcorn and other goodies from the indians.

In communist countries, there is no need to yogi food, as all of it is collectively shared.

So if you don't like yoging, you obviously hate popcorn, hate the country, and hate the troops.

I suggest you try Cuba. They got great music, drinks, food, and cigars.

You are obviously a publik skul teacher.

[Phoenixdadeadhead]

Sorry you grew up in a bad church, coincidentally so did I. Later I decided not to let other peoples wrong actions keep me from doing right or judge a perfect God by His imperfect people.

Have a blessed and nice day.
I became a Buddhist (no I don't think Buddha is a god, just a guy who learned how to live happy)

[MOWGLI]

You are obviously a publik skul teacher.

You are obviously a Wingnut. :banana

[take-a-knee]

Actually thats not how it works at all. Want more info PM me.

We sure are stingy, why those universitys, hospitals, homeless shelters, orphages and relief organizations just popped up all by themselves. :rolleyes:

Yeah, who'da thunk it. The Southern Baptist Relief Organization beat the feds and the Red Cross to New Orleans after Katrina.

[take-a-knee]

You are obviously a Wingnut. :banana

Yes, but I am fastened to a good bolt.

[Maddog]

No thanks living in the bible belt, and going to church 7 days a week for 20 years, only to see that none of the people lived up to what they preached was enough knowledge for a lifetime lol. What's funny, is best people I ever met didn't believe in god at all. Who would have thunk it
amen brother! lol!

[Bearpaw]

Maybe we should simply get rid of the Humor section since so few people around here have a sense of humor.

True yogi-ing is when you look so truly beat people actively want to help out. Once or twice, I think I was guilty of the latter on various trails.

"Active" yogi-ing is basically just advanced begging. Many would consider it a "Boo-boo". :banana

[flemdawg1]

Or perhaps people would actually try to be funny (or atleast a honest attempt) instead of just insulting people who different than them.

[BigBlue]

As a fan of Yogi the Bear I am personally offended that you would name an act of begging after my hero!!!

[Dogwood]

True yogi-ing is when you look so truly beat people actively want to help out. Once or twice, I think I was guilty of the latter on various trails.

I've been there myself on many hikes too. Likewise, I've also helped out many who needed gear or food when it was in my power to do so. I don't see the harm in doing either. Not going to defend someone's lying though. It may be worse if someone was too prideful to allow someone else to bless them or being to selfish to want to bless a needy individual.

[TD55]

The best way to yogi is with a good prop. Ya just can't beat a skinny, sad looking mutt. Dogs lovers just can't resist helping out a mutt. Just turn your mutt loose when you are around pople preparing food. Act like he got off his leash by accident and be real apologetic like. "Sorry, we aint had no food for two days". Watch the magic work.

[flemdawg1]

Or carry a skull and call him your hiking partner. Extra points for quoting MacBeth.

[Gaiter]

or if a non-backpacker or someone is asking you questions about being a hiker, kinda shift into talking about how amazing the people can be and then about trail magic, a little that you've given first and then some you've received, then they'll think they have the brilliant idea to give you some trail magic from their food....

[Wise Old Owl]

Well the first post was very good - Makes me want to try it, but I am always the guy with the heavy food.

[Slo-go'en]

Find a picnic table next to a family with young kids or an older couple, dig through your food bag and pick out the smallest bag of GORP you have, then eat one peanut at a time as you glance wishfully at the burgers cooking on the grill.

I was with two older woman hikers last year going through Bear Mt state park. We dropped down to one of the picnic areas to get water and I told them we'd score dinner there. They didn't belive me, but with in 10 minutes, we were being feed!

[Skyline]

True yogiing is not verbal. It is visual. Let your target see you in obvious misery due to lack of fluids and food. "Make" them approach you, not the other way around.

After you've succeeded in scoring drinks or food, ask yourself, "Do I deserve an Academy Award for this, or was this just lame begging?" If the former, take a bow. If the latter, don't brag about it.

[Gaiter]

True yogiing is not verbal. It is visual. Let your target see you in obvious misery due to lack of fluids and food. "Make" them approach you, not the other way around.

After you've succeeded in scoring drinks or food, ask yourself, "Do I deserve an Academy Award for this, or was this just lame begging?" If the former, take a bow. If the latter, don't brag about it.

yeah i know, i guess my approach would be considered more implanting the idea for trail magic

[Jim Adams]

I suggest you try Cuba. They got great music, drinks, food, and cigars.

Yeah, but you can't have any of those at a shelter or on the trail because someone will whine about it!!!!!!!:D

geek

[Hikes in Rain]

Actually, that's the best part!:sun

[teasipper]

Amen, I mean Alleluia, I mean you are damn right about that...they act spiritual but don't walk the talk.

[take-a-knee]

Amen, I mean Alleluia, I mean you are damn right about that...they act spiritual but don't walk the talk.

You are right, I don't "walk the talk(!?)". I should be quoting scripture or presenting a pure logic-based apologia...but I'd rather leave you with three words, Damn you're dumb.

[Jim Adams]

True yogiing is not verbal. It is visual. Let your target see you in obvious misery due to lack of fluids and food. "Make" them approach you, not the other way around.

After you've succeeded in scoring drinks or food, ask yourself, "Do I deserve an Academy Award for this, or was this just lame begging?" If the former, take a bow. If the latter, don't brag about it.

Actually it is verbal and visual however it is NEVER asking or begging for food. It is a long tradition with thru hikers and can actually be a great "sport" or challenge.
Newfound Gap is probably the best spot in the southern end of the trail. While walking down the trail to the parking lot, eye up which vehicles may be more approachable. A mini van or SUV with or without small children will usuall have a younger couple and usually will not even consider giving a hiker anything.
A motorhome with teens will have sodas and snacks. A sporty car has a couple who won't even look your way.
You are looking for a Buick! Actually any LARGE older car. The couple will usually be older, from the north and THEY WANT TO HEAR YOUR STORY!!!! The car has a cooler with sandwich meat, veggies, sodas, beer, cookies and candy. The trunk is filled with either alcohol or cigarettes purchased "cheap" down south.
SLOWLY walk over to the sidewalk in front of this car. Look tired and slowly and heavily remove your pack and sit it down leaning against the wall. Then sit down next to it and look beat. You can lean against the wall if you want but do not sit on top of the wall! This is an indication that you have energy! Soon the cars owners will return to their car and spot you.
Usual conversation:
Are you hiking the trail?
Yes I am.
Where did you start?
Georgia.
You're going the whole way?
Hope to but it is rough at times.
Where do you sleep? In a tent?
Sometimes but sometimes in a shelter.
What do you eat?
Mostly peanuts and ramen noodles.
WOULD YOU LIKE A SANDWICH?
No, that's OK, you need it for your trip.
Mother, make this boy a sandwich, we can buy more at the store.
WOULD YOU LIKE A COLD SODA OR BEER?
I would love one!
Mother, get out those cookies also...DO YOU LIKE WHISKEY? I GOT A TRUNK FULL OF JACK DANIELS!
etc., etc., etc.
This was a true happening in 1990 and only the tip of the iceberg and I didn't ask for anything.
It can become a science!!!!!!!!!!!!:D

geek

[Dogwood]

Yogiing food is in the same category as getting a hitch. You let yourself look miserable, exhausted, and injured. Let the prospective ride notice you in agony by limping a lot.

[vonfrick]

I've offered to buy a soda. I don't see anything wrong with that, especially if its a sincere offer. I always have money in hand when I ask and usually insist on paying. Interesting enough I had a church group with several coolers full of drinks refuse to sell one to me, let alone give one to me.


Yeah, I have noticed those weekend christians are pretty stingy with everything. Just my opinion, but I think they figure as long as they go to church on sunday and say god bless once a day then they are good christians and are going to heaven lol

i've found them to be generous and unneccessarily sympathetic. i met a family once who were convinced i was homeless. they could not understand why anyone would be doing what i was doing. their 5 yr old girl looked up at me with big sad eyes and asked, "don't you have a family?" (there were like 12 kids)

i graciously accepted their dinner invitation, sang kumbayh, and then me and my nearly 1 grand in gear walked on. poor little me.

[Dogwood]

GREAT stuff Jim Adams. It's all about getting them to offer and not asking or begging. Yeah, they want to hear your story and remove themselves momentarily from their often mundane lifestyles and interject themselves into your perceived exciting lifestyle. Share the journey. Share the gleam in your eyes and the freedom in your heart with them and maybe, just maybe, they will break out the Twinkies and JD!

[Jim Adams]

GREAT stuff Jim Adams. It's all about getting them to offer and not asking or begging. Yeah, they want to hear your story and remove themselves momentarily from their often mundane lifestyles and interject themselves into your perceived exciting lifestyle. Share the journey. Share the gleam in your eyes and the freedom in your heart with them and maybe, just maybe, they will break out the Twinkies and JD!

It was really odd. They loved to talk to me about the trail so much that for the next week, everytime that I hit a road crossing they were there to take me to supper and hear the next story. He was a retired magician from Wisconsin and his wife was a homemaker that had raised 9 kids. I stayed in touch with them for years until they both passed.:cool:

geek

[JAK]

If the 'target' is a woman, just sit next to here and look sheepish.

[warraghiyagey]

Never tried a regular Yogi but I did a reverse yogi. . . a sweet older couple in Maine (right out of central casting) saw me near the end of the 100 mile and asked if I needed/wanted anything. . . . I thought about it for a minute and then asked them if they'd like a tent. . . . I'd been carrying a 3 man:o my first time out. . . they accepted and suddenly my ridiculously heavy pack was 7 pounds lighter. . . .:sun:sun

[Jim Adams]

Never tried a regular Yogi but I did a reverse yogi. . . a sweet older couple in Maine (right out of central casting) saw me near the end of the 100 mile and asked if I needed/wanted anything. . . . I thought about it for a minute and then asked them if they'd like a tent. . . . I'd been carrying a 3 man:o my first time out. . . they accepted and suddenly my ridiculously heavy pack was 7 pounds lighter. . . .:sun:sun

Very nice!

geek

[CowHead]

How does one add a picture to their post?

[flemdawg1]

Ooooooooooooo:eek: Don't say that! He was a member of the military- The finest example of socialism that the U.S. has.

Health Care.

Living conditions.

Food.

Travel.

Service.

Education.

I don't think he can survive another butthurtin'.

Dang freeloaders should get a job, right? ;)

[Littlest Hobo]

Try to avoid it when possible, but sometimes it becomes unavoidable...:p

http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=205204

[Doctari]

Or carry a skull and call him your hiking partner. Extra points for quoting MacBeth.

"Alas poor Yorik, I knew him Horatio, a man of infinate jest,,,,,"

Do I get a hamburger for that?????

OOPS, that was Hamlet.

UM: "Out Damed Spot!"

Can I have fries with that?

:p

[flemdawg1]

Doh! You're right, that was Hamlet.

[Don H]

I've offered to buy a soda. I don't see anything wrong with that, especially if its a sincere offer. I always have money in hand when I ask and usually insist on paying. Interesting enough I had a church group with several coolers full of drinks refuse to sell one to me, let alone give one to me.

OK my comment wasn't meant to slam church groups. I agree that they do wonderful work and help many people. I don't know why in this one instance, this one person, from this one church group, was not interested in selling me one soda from their several coolers.

[Gray Blazer]

How does one add a picture to their post?

Copy and paste?

[flemdawg1]

Use this button. http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/wb_style/editor/insertimage.gif

[chefbrian1]

GREAT stuff Jim Adams. It's all about getting them to offer and not asking or begging. Yeah, they want to hear your story and remove themselves momentarily from their often mundane lifestyles and interject themselves into your perceived exciting lifestyle. Share the journey. Share the gleam in your eyes and the freedom in your heart with them and maybe, just maybe, they will break out the Twinkies and JD!

One more post before I am off to the bus to hike. Cleveland to Pearisburg awaits!!!

The truth is that nice, curious people do come up to hikers and yes, they do want something from us.

They want a story, some entertainment from their boring site seeing, maybe to project themselves onto a fantasy of hiking, to tell us they read "A Walk in the Wood, by Bill Bryson, and often times they want a picture of us as if we were some guy/gal dressed up in a costume to be the AT's mascot like some AT version of a disney theme park.

They get a story from us for their vacation or daily travels about some hiker they met and maybe even a picture.

Does that mean they owe us a soda or said twinkies? Probably not, but note that they do want something from us too. They want to experience an AT hiker.

The fact is I play my role as AT ambassador pretty darn good and I am more then willing to share with them my hike. I tell them about the bears and snakes I saw, the flowers, edible plants and the views, the scary lighting storms and give them humor about naked hikers or loud snorers in shelter or whatever.

Heck, I am better than reader's "freaking" digest. (lol)

I am more then willing to share and usually they are too if asked and given the opportunity. I know I would offer a soda if the situation was reversed.

I figure the beat up looking hiker act does work, but so does the happy hiker. In fact it is hard to not look like a beat up hiker no matter what to a civilian anyway. The heavy looking pack along is enough to drum up sympathy.

With this said, I do not expect people to empty out their picnic cooler for me, but I would not say no if they offered and I did not feel bad for asking say if they would sell me a soda.

Happy hiking guys and good luck in your yogi efforts if you are so inclined to try.

See you on the trail.

Chef Brian

[Frosty]

or if a non-backpacker or someone is asking you questions about being a hiker, kinda shift into talking about how amazing the people can be and then about trail magic, a little that you've given first and then some you've received, then they'll think they have the brilliant idea to give you some trail magic from their food....This is a tradition that goes back thousands of years. Travelers would tell stories and be fed or even housed by the listeners.

The key is to remember it is a two way street. You get food or water and they get to be entertained. Both parties feel they received a lot more than they got.

If the people giving you food have kids, good stories are even better because the kids will remember the stories and parents will be happy the kids had such a good time on family outings. And if you can give a little moral lesson (not preaching, just an example of how you did wrong and it didn't work out), you will be appreciated by the parents for a long time. Kids will listen to you even as they tune out parents.

[zoidfu]

How does one add a picture to their post?

I put the pic in my photobucket account. They offer you four different codes for use in various forums and stuff. Use the IMG code.

[CowHead]

lets see if this will work

[CowHead]

Has it come to this!

http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/1/8/8/0/0/will_hike_for_food.jpg (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=34032&original=1&c=member&imageuser=18800)

[Dogwood]

It was really odd. They loved to talk to me about the trail so much that for the next week, everytime that I hit a road crossing they were there to take me to supper and hear the next story. He was a retired magician from Wisconsin and his wife was a homemaker that had raised 9 kids. I stayed in touch with them for years until they both passed.:cool:

geek

Well, that was pretty cool - eats, a magic trick, and a bottle of JD at every road crossing. Who says hiking isn't fun?

[warraghiyagey]

How does one add a picture to their post?
I see you figured it out but there is a quicker way with WhiteBlaze. . . just drag your cursor over whatever pic you want while left-clicking and that will highlite it. . . the hit Control C (at the same time). . . then when replying hit Control V (at the same time) and voila. . . it's very easy and quick once you get the hang of it. . .
http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:4eg6irYNPfRRmM:http://www.wallpaperbase.com/wallpapers/landscape/sunshine/sunshine_6.jpg (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.wallpaperbase.com/wallpapers/landscape/sunshine/sunshine_6.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.englishbaby.com/forum/LifeTalk/thread/293081&usg=__q0ITFTz_-QFZ5jR9hcgGixVmu_k=&h=768&w=1024&sz=40&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=4eg6irYNPfRRmM:&tbnh=113&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsunshine%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den)

[Doctari]

WOW, this is a great topic.
I'm learning SO MUCH!
I have just been using the "PLEASE!!!!!!!" method. Which is best said in a Loud, sort of whiny voice with a pitifal look on your face & an outstretched hand. A little dirt on your face & arms helps, , , , , , , , , ,




:p

[flemdawg1]

WOW, this is a great topic.
I'm learning SO MUCH!
I have just been using the "PLEASE!!!!!!!" method. Which is best said in a Loud, sort of whiny voice with a pitifal look on your face & an outstretched hand. A little dirt on your face & arms helps, , , , , , , , , ,




:p

aka the Oliver Twist method

http://www.franklincollege.edu/pwp/rbaird/OliverTwist.jpg

[CowHead]

aka the Oliver Twist method



Now that looks like a hiker thats been in the woods for a week or two

[mikec]

I've had people yogi off of me on the trail and I've had to yogi off of others if I was running low on food. Give and you will receive. It all works out in the end.

[Doctari]

aka the Oliver Twist method



Yea, that's exactly how I do it!



:p

[Bearpaw]

aka the Oliver Twist method

http://www.franklincollege.edu/pwp/rbaird/OliverTwist.jpg

Please duuude, hook me up with s'more?!

[hoz]

I once walked into a midnight diner somewhere in Kentucky. The place was almost empty except for the waitress, cook and a guy passed out in a booth. I walked up to the counter and asked if it would be possible to have a cup of hot water for free.

She gave me a weird look but said sure. When she placed it on the counter I squirted ketchup in it, added some salt and pepper and gave her a big smile.

"I been hitchin for 2 days and haven't had much to eat. This "tomato soup" will sure taste good to me, thanks for the water!"

Her weird look turned sweet and she gave me some crackers to go with the "soup". She asked where I'd been and I spun my tale...

Before the night was over I had a cheeseburger and fries, a place to stay for the night, and bacon, eggs and coffee the next morning. She even took me out to the edge of town so I could catch my next ride down the road.

[callook66]

yogi-ing would be much easier if people still used pick-a-nick baskets.

[ShelterLeopard]

Wow lighten up people. Yogi'ing food is a time honored tradition. It's a prestigious undertaking, with a long and glorious history. I'm going to have to point out that the first official yogi'ing of food in America is now a national holiday. That's right. Thanksgiving. When the pilgrims yogied popcorn and other goodies from the indians.

In communist countries, there is no need to yogi food, as all of it is collectively shared.

So if you don't like yoging, you obviously hate popcorn, hate the country, and hate the troops.

I suggest you try Cuba. They got great music, drinks, food, and cigars.

Amen, brother! People, chill out- yoging food is tradition. Besides, it usually benefits the day hikers, who are carrying too much food that they'll waste later anyway.

[ShelterLeopard]

Also, you can ask how far the next town is, and when they say 30 miles, groan and mention how much you hate granola.

I also found that if you ask how far the next water source is and look really beaten, people will offer you their water. (I only did this accidentally, when I really was badly dehydrated- I didn't take the water though, because I knew they had quite aa long time to their next water source- did end up hitting up a day hiker for water who was on his way out though)

[harryfred]

I"ve been yogied for years up at Pine Grove Furnace. Long before I took up this hiking/backpacking thing seriously. I knew what was going on and yes dammit I want a good show and a good story. Don't forget to entertain the kids. If they ask show off your home made alcohol stove and how to use a compass and map. Not only will I feed you but you will leave with a full pack. This is a game we have been playing for thousands of years:)
I have never actively yogied but on six separate occasions I have walked of the trail and had some one looked at me and offer me a beer. I must look like I need a beer:-?

[Wise Old Owl]

I walked into a bar late one night in Virginia had a few beers, felt hungry and asked for the menu, she didn't have one. Within half an hour I yogi'ed Stewed Tomato's with Maple syrup and bread, and a place to sleep that night.:cool:

[Tinker]

Like I said, this was part of my youthful past and yes, I was admittedly lying to get free food.

I do not believe in lying to get free food or anymore, but yes I confess doing it in my past.

CB

I did a lot of lame things in my past, but I'm too ashamed of most of them to pass on the "how to".

There's nothing wrong with accepting food from strangers if they offer it willingly during the course of normal conversation (they probably will), but scheming ahead of time how to pry it from their hands is a little low, imo.
I've had to turn down free food on some of my section hikes. I tell them to give it to an emaciated thruhiker, who really needs the calories, and I love to treat a thruhiker (well, just about anyone I meet) to an ice cream on a hot day. "Give and it shall be given unto you.........". Here's the kicker to this Bible quote - it ends "shall MEN give unto you". Jesus knew something about "Karma" before its popularity made it to the Anglos in the New World. ;)

[Doctari]

I just had a thought. Now, admitedly my memory isn't as good as it used to was, but I seem to remember that the real Yogi Bear's method of "Yoging" was to STEAL picinic baskets.
Seems to me, that one of the opening scenes was him swinging in on a rope/vine & snatching a basket off the table.

I can see it now, Me, wearing a kilt, swinging past a picnic table in SNP grabbing a picnic lunch & with a Hearty "Heigh Ho Boo Boo" off I go into the woods.
Does that mean I need to get a green tie & a pork pie hat?

[saimyoji]

I just had a thought. Now, admitedly my memory isn't as good as it used to was, but I seem to remember that the real Yogi Bear's method of "Yoging" was to STEAL picinic baskets.
Seems to me, that one of the opening scenes was him swinging in on a rope/vine & snatching a basket off the table.

I can see it now, Me, wearing a kilt, swinging past a picnic table in SNP grabbing a picnic lunch & with a Hearty "Heigh Ho Boo Boo" off I go into the woods.
Does that mean I need to get a green tie & a pork pie hat?

just start wearing underwear.

[Reid]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s00MV1sY37c&feature=channel_page

[Lemni Skate]

Point One: Shoot, most people want to help you out. People have a fear of being taken advantage of, but if they think you need it or it will make your day better, then most people will offer.

Point Two: I am a pastor and anyone who notices that Christians are flawed human beings is only confirming Christian doctrine. We are all sinners and fall short of perfect every single day.

Are Christians hypocrites? Yep, just like everyone else.

Still, I'll stand by what the little church I pastored has done for the community and the larger world. I've got three drawers of "thank you" cards from people we tried to help right here beside my computer and believe it or not I would say 95% of the people we helped were not church goers.

P.S. I can't imagine us ever refusing to give a hiker or anyone else who asked a soda. We're constantly giving food to people (whether they want it or not).

[Lone Wolf]

Point One: Shoot, most people want to help you out. People have a fear of being taken advantage of, but if they think you need it or it will make your day better, then most people will offer.

Point Two: I am a pastor and anyone who notices that Christians are flawed human beings is only confirming Christian doctrine. We are all sinners and fall short of perfect every single day.

Are Christians hypocrites? Yep, just like everyone else.

Still, I'll stand by what the little church I pastored has done for the community and the larger world. I've got three drawers of "thank you" cards from people we tried to help right here beside my computer and believe it or not I would say 95% of the people we helped were not church goers.

P.S. I can't imagine us ever refusing to give a hiker or anyone else who asked a soda. We're constantly giving food to people (whether they want it or not).
1. hikers ain't needy. they're wanty
2. i'm not a christian so i'm not a sinner

hikers don't need sodas or other stuff. they made a concious choice to be on the AT

[vonfrick]

1. hikers ain't needy. they're wanty
2. i'm not a christian so i'm not a sinner



Amen!!....

[Reid]

1. hikers ain't needy. they're wanty
2. i'm not a christian so i'm not a sinner

hikers don't need sodas or other stuff. they made a concious choice to be on the AT

I believe it's called pride, and you have your fair share.

[Nasty Dog Virus]

2. i'm not a christian so i'm not a sinner

Amen Brother!!!

[Lone Wolf]

I believe it's called pride, and you have your fair share.

huh? explain :-?

[warraghiyagey]

Jeeziss. . .

[Reid]

huh? explain :-?

Pride comes from the heart. All thing things about people scalping other people being needy or "wanty" as you so eloquently put it and having a sense of entitlement comes from the mind. But at the root of all these things is pride.

[Reid]

That should read, All these things

[Lone Wolf]

Pride comes from the heart. All thing things about people scalping other people being needy or "wanty" as you so eloquently put it and having a sense of entitlement comes from the mind. But at the root of all these things is pride.

still ain't understandin' the babble. laymans terms please

[Reid]

still ain't understandin' the babble. laymans terms please

I'm not doing anymore favors tonight.

[saimyoji]

I'm not doing anymore favors tonight.


don't say it warrgy.....resist the urge.....good warrgy :sun

[CowHead]

damn it I'm a sinner! and I like it

[flemdawg1]

2. i'm not a christian so i'm not a sinner



That would be the 2nd one ever. I didn't realize I was in such excellent company. Congrats to you, whats your secret?

[Foyt20]

That would be the 2nd one ever. I didn't realize I was in such excellent company. Congrats to you, whats your secret?

The idea of "sin" is based off of your core values. If you do not have an idea of what sin is, you cant be guilty of doing it, only accused.
:banana

[TD55]

1. hikers ain't needy. they're wanty
2. i'm not a christian so i'm not a sinner

hikers don't need sodas or other stuff. they made a concious choice to be on the AT

Illogical ilusory delusional escapist pragmatism.

[flemdawg1]

The idea of "sin" is based off of your core values. If you do not have an idea of what sin is, you cant be guilty of doing it, only accused.
:banana

Unfort, we're judged by God's standards, not our own.

Sigh, seriously people, if you don't wanna go around again, don't start it. :rolleyes:

[RAT]

I usually limp over and ask if they have anything I can put on my last piece of bread or cracker to get me to my next re-supply point while eyeballing their KFC or whatever goodies they may have. Oh, and always make sure you limp away on the same leg you limp in with ;)

Hairnt !

[Homer&Marje]

1. hikers ain't needy. they're wanty
2. i'm not a christian so i'm not a sinner

hikers don't need sodas or other stuff. they made a concious choice to be on the AT


I hate when I agree with you....but it happens:rolleyes:

When I go out for a week or longer I never bring too much extra.

If i'm out for a weekend I always bring extra food. I don't have a 40-60lb pack...but 25 lbs for a weekend comprises a lot of food.

I do it for myself more than anything, to have a variety if and when I want it, knowing it will not kill me to carry the extra weight for 2 days.

As for the begging approach suggested here, go right ahead. Everyone knows what your doing and most are happy to oblige.

As for me, when I encounter thru hikers on the trail...I usually ask them first if they need anything. I start with granola bars, oatmeal, gorp, few pieces of my giant bag of beef jerkey that's making your mouth water...really anything that I think they will take.

Aint no way your taking any of my pancakes if I brought them into the friggin woods. Too hard to cook out there for company to enjoy, not that I ever bring them anymore...but I dream of it again one day:D:D

Good luck though, I'm sure it will work....mid week will get hard when there's no weekend warriors out there.

[TD55]

Whats so hard about pancakes? What are you talking about Homer?

[Homer&Marje]

Whats so hard about pancakes? What are you talking about Homer?

Too much to clean up...and they just don't come out well when I cook them in the woods. Little harder now with an alky stove too...although I do have some that are less efficient and more of a simmer heat.

[Doctari]

just start wearing underwear.

Yogi don't!

But then he didn't wear anything but a collar, tie & hat (And a grin I spose).

So I'm guessing that to truely "Yogi" you need to be wearing only a Hat, collar & green tie.

Might scare the children tho, you know how they can be afraid of "bares"

:p

[flemdawg1]

Yogi don't!

But then he didn't wear anything but a collar, tie & hat (And a grin I spose).

So I'm guessing that to truely "Yogi" you need to be wearing only a Hat, collar & green tie.

Might scare the children tho, you know how they can be afraid of "bares"

:p

But usually as they run away holding their lil' dear's eyes, they leave the food. Score! ;)

[hoz]

Too much to clean up...and they just don't come out well when I cook them in the woods. Little harder now with an alky stove too...although I do have some that are less efficient and more of a simmer heat.

The only way to cook pancakes in the woods is with a cast iron skillet or griddle and a good bed of coals.

[ShelterLeopard]

The only way to cook pancakes in the woods is with a cast iron skillet or griddle and a good bed of coals.

Wait, are you joking, or do you really carry a cast iron skillet to make pancakes?

[hoz]

The only time I carry a cast iron skillet is from the van to the picnic table.

[Foyt20]

Unfort, we're judged by God's standards, not our own.

Sigh, seriously people, if you don't wanna go around again, don't start it. :rolleyes:

Well, what if I don't believe in "your god"? How can i be judged by some thing that you believe in, but I don't. Not that I don't feel you have the right to believe what you want, because you do have the right, but don't try to push it on other people. The logic is flawed in my opinion.

[Nean]

Wait, are you joking, or do you really carry a cast iron skillet to make pancakes?

I can't speak for hoz but I carry a cast iron griddle.:o I'm an ultralighter- so to save weight, I use it as a big ol stay.:eek: I'm all about the suspension folks AND it makes for a firm sleeping pad, which I prefer. :)

[warraghiyagey]

I also carry cast iron utencils. . . . I can't see why anyone wouldn't. . . . they wash off easier in a stream when I'm getting water anyway. . . . they're a useful defense against people who talk about hammocks. . . you can kill a moose with them. . . . they're the fashizzle at a drum circle. . . and they remind me of my ex-wife. . . :)

[flemdawg1]

Good one warggy, you had me going for a second.

[CowHead]

I also carry cast iron utencils. . . . I can't see why anyone wouldn't. . . . they wash off easier in a stream when I'm getting water anyway. . . . they're a useful defense against people who talk about hammocks. . . you can kill a moose with them. . . . they're the fashizzle at a drum circle. . . and they remind me of my ex-wife. . . :)

LMAO a ford mustang reminds me of my ex-wife

[TD55]

LMAO a ford mustang reminds me of my ex-wife
Is she red with a busted right headlight? I think I saw her at the beach yesterday.

[Slack-jawed Trog]

I suggest you try Cuba. They got great music, drinks, food, and cigars.

Don't forget the cars! http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://static.flickr.com/121/315055959_0b87c7fd8a.jpg&imgrefurl=http://cardirectory.wordpress.com/2006/12/21/1121cuban-cars-4/&h=404&w=500&sz=168&tbnid=VYOT4_7YkGSp3M:&tbnh=105&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcuban%2Bcars&usg=__rXQw8vqkrUNBQPaYl3WtDSpnm50=&ei=0DeZSpf_DMupnAfXmrCWCA&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=2&ct=image

[Captain]

Yeah, sounds like he's a Dummycrat.


they all are :D

[JustaTouron]

While I realize this is a humor thread, as someone who has been on the other side multiple times, I would like to offer some serious advice on how to be more successful, at what me and my friends refer to as the “trickortreaters.” At the very least to keep the door open for the next one.

I bumped into your website by accident, but one of my dreams when I was younger was to hike the AT. Never got the chance and unlike many of you I have never been wealthy enough to be able to take 4 or 5 months of vacation from work. But I have backpacked a few sections, day hiked it some and every year for about 15 year stretch me and about a dozen other families would have a huge picnic pretty close to the AT. So I have given to (and refused) quite a few of you. And out of curiosity I spent a good chuck of time poking around your site.

I found this thread particularly interesting for reason that will become obvious.

The term “trickortreater” came about once when we were setting up our picnic and one of the women inquired, “so I wonder how many trickortreaters we are going to get this year?”

First off, you aren’t fooling anyone. We know when you walk up to our picnic and inquire which direction it is to the nearest restaurant and how far it is, we know you are looking for a handout, and not directions. We both know the nearest restaurant is 15 miles away. Our choosing to play along doesn’t make us morons.

Second, those of you who have pointed out that both sides want something is absolutely correct. Make sure you understand your half of the bargain (it is usually pretty simple, and live up to it.)

Your half might be to listen to a Christian family preach Jesus and attempt to save your soul. If that is what they want, give it to them. Don’t tell them all the sins that have been committed in Jesus’s name. Play along. Actually don’t talk much of all, it’s rude to talk with your mouth full of food and foolish of you to stop eating the food they are giving you so you can argue with them. Let them do the talking you eat and nod. Likewise it is not a good idea to explain your Marxist anti-corporate view while eating the food that was paid for by someone who works in the corporate world.

Your half might be that they don’t want to throw away food. That means you eat the food they don’t want. The 4.5 lbs of potato salad that is sitting in the store bought 5lb container that nobody is touching, odds are you can have all of it. And take what’s left on the trail with you. But no dirty looks when you are not offered the grilled shrimp that they don’t have trouble polishing off on their own in 3 mins flat. It means that when you see three hotdogs all shriveled up on the grill that nobody wants because they are overdone, you mention that you “kinda like them that way.”

Your half might be that they want to live vicariously through you. Show them your DYI stove, show them how your sleeping hammock works, tell them interesting stories. But be smart about the stories. No parent wants to have their 15 year old daughter hear that the highlight of your trip was having sex under the stars or smoking your first joint.

Your half might be that they simply want to be appreciated for their generosity. “Please” and “thank you” go along way. It also means you need to be ultra polite.


BTW best answer to “what was the best part of the trip so far?” came from one girl in her late teens or early 20s. She said that the best part of the trip had happened quite recently. She was running low on food and knew it would be a while until her next resupply spot so she cut back dramatically on how much she ate. But not only did this make her really hungry it also caused to get weak and tired so she was traveling much slower which was making her resupply problem even worse. And after a couple of days of this starvation diet she was walking up this steep hill she could smell BBQ grilling in the distance and this made her hunger even more painful to the point where she started to cry. Then she saw this huge group of people having a picnic. She told us how terribly jealous she was. “I figured they might know where a nearby store or restaurant was, so I went to them and asked. They told me it was too far too walk. Which made me really sad. But then the most incredibly thing happened. They invited me to join their picnic. It was the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me in my entire life.” She then went on to describe all the great food at this picnic and all the great people at this picnic. (us) We knew that a lot of this was a bunch of bovine excrement, but the appreciation she was expressing was genuine. And it was part of the reason why she not only left with a full belly but quite a few ziplock bags of goodies. She also left with a brand new goretex rain jacket and sneakers. (A person in our group had bought them on clearance so they weren’t returnable and they didn’t fit the intended person and happened to be in the trunk.) By far the best haul of any of our guests. She was also super excellent with the kids teaching them how to boil water in a paper cup and use a map and compass.

How polite should you be? Ideally, after you leave the parents should turn to their kids and say “did you notice how polite our dinner guest was. ‘please’, ‘thank you’, ‘yes madam’ ‘no, sir’. That is how I want YOU to be when you are guest somewhere.” Early on we did have a few trickortreaters that did happen with. A few of the later ones were used as examples of what not to do.

For home cooked food the best way to ask for seconds, is to ask for the recipe. Even folks who will never give away the family secret recipe, loved to be asked for it. In fact there is no greater complement you can give a cook.

Rave about the food. The HOMECOOKED food. You’re not gonna score many points with your hosts if you rave about the store bought coleslaw and then mention that the homecooked macaroni salad “wasn’t too bad either.” Also attribute you appetite to how outstanding the food is, not to how hungry you are. “Wow, this is the best potato salad I have ever had in my life, you must add something to it nobody else does.” Goes over a lot better than “this food is great, but than again how hungry I am dog manure would probably taste good too” Nobody wants their homemade potato salad compared to dog manure. Even if your host suggests that it is hunger and not the food, say something along the lines of, “While it is true, I am hungry and hunger makes food taste better, I have been hungry before. This is the best potato salad I have ever had. Hunger or not.” There is no need to lie that you have never had pancakes before. It will work just as well if you have had 100s of different pancakes in your life, but these are the best pancakes you have ever tasted.

While I am okay with most of what you say, Brian. I disagree with this…..





The trick here is to use the words "heavy food." That will get them thinking back to the hills they climbed that day and have them searching through their food bag eager to dump anything they can.

The key, however is offer to take only the choice stuff. Don't take their lame gorp or can goods. Offer to take the snickers and a few pieces of fruit. Whatever you take, you are usually doing them favor.



If you are offering to take the heavy stuff, then your half is taking the heavy stuff. That means the can of beans I was stupid enough to pack but didn’t bother to cook last night, not the snickers I am gonna eat on the way back to my car.

Realize that while the odor of their BBQ grill might be appetizing to you. Your odor is likely having the opposite affect on them. Do your best to say downwind at all times. Your hosts may be too polite to bring the topic up, but if you sense they are uncomfortable, come out and say “I know I have been in the woods a while and probably reek, I won’t be offended if you would prefer I eat elsewhere.” If they bring up your BO or a kid holds his/her nose around you, don’t get all offended. Just take the free food and eat somewhere else.

If someone offers you deodorant, perfume or to let you use their RV’s shower, it isn’t them just being nice to you. They want you to use the stuff. If you are worried that spraying perfume on yourself will attract bugs, you have two choices: live with the bugs or pass on the free picnic. Don’t refuse the perfume and then expect to hang around for a free lunch while everyone else gags. Never ever refuse a breath mint or piece of gum.

As I said, I have both given to and refused yogis. Within our picnic group there was some difference of opinion regarding allowing strangers into out picnic and more importantly near the kids. But the “feed the hungry” faction won out over the “protect the kids” faction. And the first few years we had some really great guest so there were quite a few converts who were originally skeptical that now were cool with the guests. We also let our guard down a little (stupid on our behalf) and now instead of always having an adult with every guest at all times the guest would sometimes just hang out with some of the older kids.

Well, a couple, one boy, one girl was the beginning of the end. We probably should have been concerned based on what she was wearing --- a very very thin shirt and no bra. The hikers and a bunch of our kids all, 10-15 years old spent about an hour chit chatting together. We learned the next day that the topics of conversation was the two hikers explaining to our kids the benefits of smoking pot and why it should be legalized along with the different places they went skinny dipping. At least that is what they told us, who know what else was discussed that our kids didn’t tell the parents. This did not go over well, particularly among the mom of one kid who was also the president of the PTO Dare. Also one 15 year old girl inspired by her new role model showed up a few days later at the breakfast table wearing a thin tee shirt and no bra. She didn’t leave the house that way but it spurred at least a week of mother-daughter fights over the family dress code.

This resulted in many parents leaning towards turning away future guests. But those of us who said, lets keep with it and not let one (actually two) bad apples ruin what had been pretty good so far and the kids really look forward to meeting the hikers prevailed.

The next year we has quite a few visitors, (12 I think), the most ever. None were a real problem. But none were particular great either. No inappropriate stories or cussing, but no boiling water in a paper cup tricks either. Did get a couple of dirty looks when they were told certain foods were off limits. (BTW it was a very small fraction of the food, 8 items out about 200, there weren’t gonna leave hungry just because we saved the mini hotdogs for the toddlers and there wasn’t a limit on how many of the full size hot dogs they could have.)

The following year was the last year we invited guests into our AYCE BBQ. It was just one. This 20 year old young lady out of the blue started telling one of the 15 year olds all the tricks to getting a fake id and how to get booze even without an id. Probably wouldn’t have been a big deal in most cases as none of the adults could overhear it. But in this case the 15 year old in question was the vice president of her high school SADD chapter and had joined because a friend was killed when crossing the street and was struck by a 19 year old drunk driver. The comment of “underage drinking and driving is way overdone by adults, driving a little buzzed isn’t that dangerous unless you are totally blitzed.” Resulted in our 15 year old going completed bonkers and she physically attacking the hiker. While our kid did overreact to the hiker’s inappropriate comment, ultimately, one was our kid, one was a stranger. Not hard to figure out which one isn’t gonna be invited to next year’s picnic.

But even with everyone agreeing that we weren’t going to let them join the picnic, many of us still felt bad about turning away hungry children. (Yes, hungry children, many of you were only about 5 or 6 years older than some of our own kids) And we knew you were hungry, you ate a lot.

So a plan was decided that instead of inviting trickortreaters to stay we would give them a paper plate of food plus a zip lock bag with more food but they had to agree NOT to stay, take the food, keep walking, once you get about a quarter mile away, enjoy your meal, and have a great hike. This plan went 0-4. One girl got all sassy and got an attitude, “what are you too good too eat with common folks like me?” She got no food. The other three came back later looking for seconds. We realized that for the same reason we tell the kids they can’t feed the critters, we can’t give hikers food and expect them to go away either.

So for the last few years we picnicked there, we provided hungry hikers with directions to the nearest restaurant. (15 mile walk). Told them were they could get water. Told them where a nearby pay phone was if they wanted to call a cab instead of walk. And told those who wanted to buy food that we didn’t have a permit to be a restaurant, but where one was. When they complained they couldn’t afford a taxi, we commented about how wealthy one must be to be able to afford a 4 month vacation. AND WE ABSOLUTELY HATED DOING IT. We by nature are each very generous people, but we decided we couldn’t trust the hikers around our kids.


Interesting enough I had a church group with several coolers full of drinks refuse to sell one to me, let alone give one to me.

I am willing to bet they had a similar experience as we did with prior hikers.

I know that hikers have a credo that says you are suppose to leave a trail or shelter in as good or better shape than you find it. I suggest you may want to consider adding people and trail towns to that credo. Make sure if you yogi someone, you leave them more willing not less willing to be yogied again. When you visit a trail town act in such a way that the town is going to want more thru hikers to visit not dread the hikers.

The first few hikers we had did in fact make us more willing to be yogied. But the later ones made us unwilling to be yogied.

A first step might be to come up with a better name for those generous souls that open their picnic baskets. While moron might be an accurate term for someone foolish enough to willingly be taken advantage by someone who acts ungrateful for the kindness, calling those who provide you with free food tourons is a poor attitude. Maybe a better ASFH (angels sent from heaven) or maybe Merlins (we created quite a bit of trail magic for many hungry hikers) to describe those people who provide you with free food instead of your current derogatory term.

Just my two cents from a corporate Touron.

[Wheeler]

While I realize this is a humor thread, as someone who has been on the other side multiple times, I would like to offer some serious advice on how to be more successful, at what me and my friends refer to as the “trickortreaters.” At the very least to keep the door open for the next one.

I bumped into your website by accident, but one of my dreams when I was younger was to hike the AT. Never got the chance and unlike many of you I have never been wealthy enough to be able to take 4 or 5 months of vacation from work. But I have backpacked a few sections, day hiked it some and every year for about 15 year stretch me and about a dozen other families would have a huge picnic pretty close to the AT. So I have given to (and refused) quite a few of you. And out of curiosity I spent a good chuck of time poking around your site.

I found this thread particularly interesting for reason that will become obvious.

The term “trickortreater” came about once when we were setting up our picnic and one of the women inquired, “so I wonder how many trickortreaters we are going to get this year?”

First off, you aren’t fooling anyone. We know when you walk up to our picnic and inquire which direction it is to the nearest restaurant and how far it is, we know you are looking for a handout, and not directions. We both know the nearest restaurant is 15 miles away. Our choosing to play along doesn’t make us morons.

Second, those of you who have pointed out that both sides want something is absolutely correct. Make sure you understand your half of the bargain (it is usually pretty simple, and live up to it.)

Your half might be to listen to a Christian family preach Jesus and attempt to save your soul. If that is what they want, give it to them. Don’t tell them all the sins that have been committed in Jesus’s name. Play along. Actually don’t talk much of all, it’s rude to talk with your mouth full of food and foolish of you to stop eating the food they are giving you so you can argue with them. Let them do the talking you eat and nod. Likewise it is not a good idea to explain your Marxist anti-corporate view while eating the food that was paid for by someone who works in the corporate world.

Your half might be that they don’t want to throw away food. That means you eat the food they don’t want. The 4.5 lbs of potato salad that is sitting in the store bought 5lb container that nobody is touching, odds are you can have all of it. And take what’s left on the trail with you. But no dirty looks when you are not offered the grilled shrimp that they don’t have trouble polishing off on their own in 3 mins flat. It means that when you see three hotdogs all shriveled up on the grill that nobody wants because they are overdone, you mention that you “kinda like them that way.”

Your half might be that they want to live vicariously through you. Show them your DYI stove, show them how your sleeping hammock works, tell them interesting stories. But be smart about the stories. No parent wants to have their 15 year old daughter hear that the highlight of your trip was having sex under the stars or smoking your first joint.

Your half might be that they simply want to be appreciated for their generosity. “Please” and “thank you” go along way. It also means you need to be ultra polite.


BTW best answer to “what was the best part of the trip so far?” came from one girl in her late teens or early 20s. She said that the best part of the trip had happened quite recently. She was running low on food and knew it would be a while until her next resupply spot so she cut back dramatically on how much she ate. But not only did this make her really hungry it also caused to get weak and tired so she was traveling much slower which was making her resupply problem even worse. And after a couple of days of this starvation diet she was walking up this steep hill she could smell BBQ grilling in the distance and this made her hunger even more painful to the point where she started to cry. Then she saw this huge group of people having a picnic. She told us how terribly jealous she was. “I figured they might know where a nearby store or restaurant was, so I went to them and asked. They told me it was too far too walk. Which made me really sad. But then the most incredibly thing happened. They invited me to join their picnic. It was the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me in my entire life.” She then went on to describe all the great food at this picnic and all the great people at this picnic. (us) We knew that a lot of this was a bunch of bovine excrement, but the appreciation she was expressing was genuine. And it was part of the reason why she not only left with a full belly but quite a few ziplock bags of goodies. She also left with a brand new goretex rain jacket and sneakers. (A person in our group had bought them on clearance so they weren’t returnable and they didn’t fit the intended person and happened to be in the trunk.) By far the best haul of any of our guests. She was also super excellent with the kids teaching them how to boil water in a paper cup and use a map and compass.

How polite should you be? Ideally, after you leave the parents should turn to their kids and say “did you notice how polite our dinner guest was. ‘please’, ‘thank you’, ‘yes madam’ ‘no, sir’. That is how I want YOU to be when you are guest somewhere.” Early on we did have a few trickortreaters that did happen with. A few of the later ones were used as examples of what not to do.

For home cooked food the best way to ask for seconds, is to ask for the recipe. Even folks who will never give away the family secret recipe, loved to be asked for it. In fact there is no greater complement you can give a cook.

Rave about the food. The HOMECOOKED food. You’re not gonna score many points with your hosts if you rave about the store bought coleslaw and then mention that the homecooked macaroni salad “wasn’t too bad either.” Also attribute you appetite to how outstanding the food is, not to how hungry you are. “Wow, this is the best potato salad I have ever had in my life, you must add something to it nobody else does.” Goes over a lot better than “this food is great, but than again how hungry I am dog manure would probably taste good too” Nobody wants their homemade potato salad compared to dog manure. Even if your host suggests that it is hunger and not the food, say something along the lines of, “While it is true, I am hungry and hunger makes food taste better, I have been hungry before. This is the best potato salad I have ever had. Hunger or not.” There is no need to lie that you have never had pancakes before. It will work just as well if you have had 100s of different pancakes in your life, but these are the best pancakes you have ever tasted.

While I am okay with most of what you say, Brian. I disagree with this…..



If you are offering to take the heavy stuff, then your half is taking the heavy stuff. That means the can of beans I was stupid enough to pack but didn’t bother to cook last night, not the snickers I am gonna eat on the way back to my car.

Realize that while the odor of their BBQ grill might be appetizing to you. Your odor is likely having the opposite affect on them. Do your best to say downwind at all times. Your hosts may be too polite to bring the topic up, but if you sense they are uncomfortable, come out and say “I know I have been in the woods a while and probably reek, I won’t be offended if you would prefer I eat elsewhere.” If they bring up your BO or a kid holds his/her nose around you, don’t get all offended. Just take the free food and eat somewhere else.

If someone offers you deodorant, perfume or to let you use their RV’s shower, it isn’t them just being nice to you. They want you to use the stuff. If you are worried that spraying perfume on yourself will attract bugs, you have two choices: live with the bugs or pass on the free picnic. Don’t refuse the perfume and then expect to hang around for a free lunch while everyone else gags. Never ever refuse a breath mint or piece of gum.

As I said, I have both given to and refused yogis. Within our picnic group there was some difference of opinion regarding allowing strangers into out picnic and more importantly near the kids. But the “feed the hungry” faction won out over the “protect the kids” faction. And the first few years we had some really great guest so there were quite a few converts who were originally skeptical that now were cool with the guests. We also let our guard down a little (stupid on our behalf) and now instead of always having an adult with every guest at all times the guest would sometimes just hang out with some of the older kids.

Well, a couple, one boy, one girl was the beginning of the end. We probably should have been concerned based on what she was wearing --- a very very thin shirt and no bra. The hikers and a bunch of our kids all, 10-15 years old spent about an hour chit chatting together. We learned the next day that the topics of conversation was the two hikers explaining to our kids the benefits of smoking pot and why it should be legalized along with the different places they went skinny dipping. At least that is what they told us, who know what else was discussed that our kids didn’t tell the parents. This did not go over well, particularly among the mom of one kid who was also the president of the PTO Dare. Also one 15 year old girl inspired by her new role model showed up a few days later at the breakfast table wearing a thin tee shirt and no bra. She didn’t leave the house that way but it spurred at least a week of mother-daughter fights over the family dress code.

This resulted in many parents leaning towards turning away future guests. But those of us who said, lets keep with it and not let one (actually two) bad apples ruin what had been pretty good so far and the kids really look forward to meeting the hikers prevailed.

The next year we has quite a few visitors, (12 I think), the most ever. None were a real problem. But none were particular great either. No inappropriate stories or cussing, but no boiling water in a paper cup tricks either. Did get a couple of dirty looks when they were told certain foods were off limits. (BTW it was a very small fraction of the food, 8 items out about 200, there weren’t gonna leave hungry just because we saved the mini hotdogs for the toddlers and there wasn’t a limit on how many of the full size hot dogs they could have.)

The following year was the last year we invited guests into our AYCE BBQ. It was just one. This 20 year old young lady out of the blue started telling one of the 15 year olds all the tricks to getting a fake id and how to get booze even without an id. Probably wouldn’t have been a big deal in most cases as none of the adults could overhear it. But in this case the 15 year old in question was the vice president of her high school SADD chapter and had joined because a friend was killed when crossing the street and was struck by a 19 year old drunk driver. The comment of “underage drinking and driving is way overdone by adults, driving a little buzzed isn’t that dangerous unless you are totally blitzed.” Resulted in our 15 year old going completed bonkers and she physically attacking the hiker. While our kid did overreact to the hiker’s inappropriate comment, ultimately, one was our kid, one was a stranger. Not hard to figure out which one isn’t gonna be invited to next year’s picnic.

But even with everyone agreeing that we weren’t going to let them join the picnic, many of us still felt bad about turning away hungry children. (Yes, hungry children, many of you were only about 5 or 6 years older than some of our own kids) And we knew you were hungry, you ate a lot.

So a plan was decided that instead of inviting trickortreaters to stay we would give them a paper plate of food plus a zip lock bag with more food but they had to agree NOT to stay, take the food, keep walking, once you get about a quarter mile away, enjoy your meal, and have a great hike. This plan went 0-4. One girl got all sassy and got an attitude, “what are you too good too eat with common folks like me?” She got no food. The other three came back later looking for seconds. We realized that for the same reason we tell the kids they can’t feed the critters, we can’t give hikers food and expect them to go away either.

So for the last few years we picnicked there, we provided hungry hikers with directions to the nearest restaurant. (15 mile walk). Told them were they could get water. Told them where a nearby pay phone was if they wanted to call a cab instead of walk. And told those who wanted to buy food that we didn’t have a permit to be a restaurant, but where one was. When they complained they couldn’t afford a taxi, we commented about how wealthy one must be to be able to afford a 4 month vacation. AND WE ABSOLUTELY HATED DOING IT. We by nature are each very generous people, but we decided we couldn’t trust the hikers around our kids.



I am willing to bet they had a similar experience as we did with prior hikers.

I know that hikers have a credo that says you are suppose to leave a trail or shelter in as good or better shape than you find it. I suggest you may want to consider adding people and trail towns to that credo. Make sure if you yogi someone, you leave them more willing not less willing to be yogied again. When you visit a trail town act in such a way that the town is going to want more thru hikers to visit not dread the hikers.

The first few hikers we had did in fact make us more willing to be yogied. But the later ones made us unwilling to be yogied.

A first step might be to come up with a better name for those generous souls that open their picnic baskets. While moron might be an accurate term for someone foolish enough to willingly be taken advantage by someone who acts ungrateful for the kindness, calling those who provide you with free food tourons is a poor attitude. Maybe a better ASFH (angels sent from heaven) or maybe Merlins (we created quite a bit of trail magic for many hungry hikers) to describe those people who provide you with free food instead of your current derogatory term.

Just my two cents from a corporate Touron.

Holy shnikes........

[JustaTouron]

Holy shnikes........

Care to elaborate?

[Jack Tarlin]

Touron:

That was a pretty great post.

I hope you stick around here and keep contributing.

[ShelterLeopard]

Dude, if someone is going to be literally preaching to me the whole time, I don't want their food.

[ShelterLeopard]

Though you're right about making a bargain, I just wouldn't make that particular one.

[Skidsteer]

Dude, if someone is going to be literally preaching to me the whole time, I don't want their food.

He just described and explained the "entitled thru-hiker" complaint/issue in a coherent, cogent, honest way.

Listen up.

[ShelterLeopard]

Ha! (I made the last comment after reading only the beginning) Very helpful, funny, and well written post. I agree with Jack- I hope you continue to write here!

(Nice to hear from the "other side's" point of view)

[Blissful]

Dude, if someone is going to be literally preaching to me the whole time, I don't want their food.


You have the option to move on. More for others. But guaranteed when your hungry you might take something anyway. On the trail, one is always hungry. In more ways than one.
:D

[JustaTouron]

Dude, if someone is going to be literally preaching to me the whole time, I don't want their food.


Though you're right about making a bargain, I just wouldn't make that particular one.

Me neither, unless I was really really hungy. In which case I would.

I get the sense most of you yogi not out of absolute need but more cause free food is a bonus, so if you absolutely need to, that bargin might be worth doing, but most of the time probably not.

BTW that was never the bargin we were looking for. Just entertain the kids, be polite and be half way decent role models for the kids.

[ShelterLeopard]

Yep Blissful, I totally agree. (Usually I'd chose to pass it up, but if I was hungry enough)

Touron- I also really liked hearing your bad experience with hikers- it's info we could all pass on to our friends. There've been similar suggestions/ threads like this about how to act in hostels, some of which have closed due to rude hikers in the past.

Sorry- I am terrible about consolidating my responses (and this one was so long, it took me a while to process). But it was a very good post and very good advice, and I'm sorry to hear the bad experiences you've had with hikers lately!

[JustaTouron]

Yep Blissful, I totally agree. (Usually I'd chose to pass it up, but if I was hungry enough)

Touron- I also really liked hearing your bad experience with hikers- it's info we could all pass on to our friends. There've been similar suggestions/ threads like this about how to act in hostels, some of which have closed due to rude hikers in the past.

Sorry- I am terrible about consolidating my responses (and this one was so long, it took me a while to process). But it was a very good post and very good advice, and I'm sorry to hear the bad experiences you've had with hikers lately!

No problem. It was a very long post. And I can understand how you could have stopped reading long before the end and posted.

This post isn't meant as a laundry list of complaints. Just as some suggestions on how to keep the free food avaiable for the hikers behind you.

[take-a-knee]

I get the sense most of you yogi not out of absolute need but more cause free food is a bonus, so if you absolutely need to, that bargin might be worth doing, but most of the time probably not.In Latin America it is called liberation theology, but it is really just the carnal voice of Marx, Lenin, Stalin, Che, Pol Pot, Mao....

They get taught this crap in publik skool. Before the Bicentennial high school students were queried as to the origin of Marx's infamous, "From each according to his means..." quote. The majority said it was from the US Constitution.

[Alligator]

That was a mighty fine dish. Compliments to the chef.

[Erin]

Section hikers. I was one.
We brought so much food, way too much and were not that hungry. And good stuff like fruit, cheese and summer sausage. The thrus never asked for anything but we noticed they loved the fruit and we were happy to give it. Made us feel like trail angels.

[ShelterLeopard]

Made us feel like trail angels.

That's probably what they thought! And so, you were. :)

[Hyway]

Dude, if someone is going to be literally preaching to me the whole time, I don't want their food.

Choose your mark carefully then.


touron, yours is the best post I have ever read on this forum, and there have been some great posts here. I have only been backpacking for about 8 years and have never thruhiked before, but I do have some limited experience with thruhikers. I am thruhiking the AT this year, I've section hiked parts of the trail, I have several friends that have thruhiked and I have attended traildays for 7 years in a row. Every year we bring a bunch of oysters and seafood and share them with anyone who asks or if we see any thrus we met on the trail we invite them. Many of the the thruhikers I have met have been great folk. Only a few have been intolerable. But there is a not too small group that have a sense of entitlement that is hard to believe. Its a shame that that small group's behavior leaves a more lasting impression than the much morenumerous grateful hikers. There's an axiom we use in the corporate world that should be remembered by all thruhikers "ten 'attaboys' can be wiped out by just one 'oh ****'".

[guitboxdude25]

Dude, if someone is going to be literally preaching to me the whole time, I don't want their food.

I agree, but theres a certain amount of preaching thats worth the cheese and crackers they brought along :)

[Jack Tarlin]

I loved take-a-knees last post, especially as regards "liberation theology", which is esssentially a roundabout way of saying "You have acquired interesting goods and possessions thru sacrifice, effort, and most of all, hard work.......and I am entitled to share them with you!!"

Because we avoid political discussion here, I won't talk about the outside world, but on the Trail, people that embrace this completely ridiculous mindset need to be shunned at every opportunity.

[ShelterLeopard]

Well, maybe for a burger... with cheese and ketchup.

[Yahtzee]

I loved take-a-knees last post, especially as regards "liberation theology", which is esssentially a roundabout way of saying "You have acquired interesting goods and possessions thru sacrifice, effort, and most of all, hard work.......and I am entitled to share them with you!!"

Because we avoid political discussion here, I won't talk about the outside world, but on the Trail, people that embrace this completely ridiculous mindset need to be shunned at every opportunity.

That is about as ignorant a descpription of liberation theology as could imagined.

[climber2377]

hey boo boo! hows about a pic a nic basket?

[Slo-go'en]

Going up to someone and begging for food is one thing, having it offered to you is quite another. Of course, even if it was offered to you, you might have begged it in some subliminal manor. In any event, there is always a price to pay on both sides. For the hiker, the price is often either a sermon or doing the 20 question routine and saying "thank you very much, that was a nice treat - I'll be on my way now".

[Johnny Appleseed]

I get the sense most of you yogi not out of absolute need but more cause free food is a bonus, so if you absolutely need to, that bargin might be worth doing, but most of the time probably not.

This is absolutely wrong. I never heard anyone talk about ANY benefits of free food. All I ever heard, and quite a lot, was how good this or that was. Remember we can't get that food out there, only when we hit society. Which brings me to point two. These people have lived in society and should have not talked about pot, booze or anything like that to kids, or around kids. I am sorry this happened and also happened multiple times.

If you told me there was food I cannot eat and plenty of stuff I can I would not care at all. Heck a big buffet has more food then you can sample anyway, so you are already not eating some items. Then second to that I would love to have food and eat it 1/4 a mile away from you. No insult to me.

More I will listen to any sermon to eat if I need/want to eat. I know who I am you will not convert me if I don't want to be, but good ideas might be exchanged and bad ones ignored, just like any other conversation.

What is going on w/ people being so rigid they lose perspective?

Anyway thanks for trying for as long as you have. I ate w/ over a dozen families along my thru hike and I loved every minute of it, and I remember almost all of them-its been 4 years. I even got to stay in a friends families house and at the end a lady took several of us to a restaurant for free(which again, free, was not important to me, but the taste was) and then she let me sleep at her and husbands house before they drove me to bus station in the morning. I will NEVER forget this.

Thanks again for your attempts and your post. You are a trail angel by the way. Maybe a retired one, but nonetheless...

[mweinstone]

your all weird

[Jester2000]

That is about as ignorant a descpription of liberation theology as could imagined.

Agreed. But I won't dilute this thread. I'll put it on the list of "heated arguments to have with Jack at the Winter Warmer."

[Old Hiker]

your all weird

hey!!! I resemble that remark!!!

[thelowend]

Wow lighten up people. Yogi'ing food is a time honored tradition. It's a prestigious undertaking, with a long and glorious history. I'm going to have to point out that the first official yogi'ing of food in America is now a national holiday. That's right. Thanksgiving. When the pilgrims yogied popcorn and other goodies from the indians.

In communist countries, there is no need to yogi food, as all of it is collectively shared.

So if you don't like yoging, you obviously hate popcorn, hate the country, and hate the troops.

I suggest you try Cuba. They got great music, drinks, food, and cigars.

well played. i see no harm in bumming off some folks. i wouldnt try the i never had that approach because i wouldnt be able to keep a straight face but the others like the heavy food are good ideas. thats not lying.. if they are carrying an asston of food then its good to lighten their load.

[Johnny Appleseed]

Cuban food is good, but they are on a strict 1-2 rations/uses of meat a month. Can't get caught breaking this either, unless its lobster from the ocean. Do not butcher an animal on your own. Yes I have been, and tourists are exempt from this rule. But good luck finding food outside of any tourist area.

[take-a-knee]

That is about as ignorant a descpription of liberation theology as could imagined.

Then, by all means, enlighten us Obiwan.

[Alligator]

Then, by all means, enlighten us Obiwan.If you guys want to continue that discussion, do so by PM or VM. Thanks.

[Just Dan]

1.I bumped into your website by accident, but one of my dreams when I was younger was to hike the AT. Never got the chance and unlike many of you I have never been wealthy enough to be able to take 4 or 5 months of vacation from work.



2. First off, you aren’t fooling anyone.


3. Your half might be that they don’t want to throw away food. That means you eat the food they don’t want. The 4.5 lbs of potato salad that is sitting in the store bought 5lb container that nobody is touching, odds are you can have all of it. And take what’s left on the trail with you. But no dirty looks when you are not offered the grilled shrimp that they don’t have trouble polishing off on their own in 3 mins flat. It means that when you see three hotdogs all shriveled up on the grill that nobody wants because they are overdone, you mention that you “kinda like them that way.”




4. Realize that while the odor of their BBQ grill might be appetizing to you. Your odor is likely having the opposite affect on them. Do your best to say downwind at all times. Your hosts may be too polite to bring the topic up, but if you sense they are uncomfortable, come out and say “I know I have been in the woods a while and probably reek, I won’t be offended if you would prefer I eat elsewhere.” If they bring up your BO or a kid holds his/her nose around you, don’t get all offended. Just take the free food and eat somewhere else.


5. If someone offers you deodorant, perfume or to let you use their RV’s shower, it isn’t them just being nice to you. They want you to use the stuff. If you are worried that spraying perfume on yourself will attract bugs, you have two choices: live with the bugs or pass on the free picnic. Don’t refuse the perfume and then expect to hang around for a free lunch while everyone else gags. Never ever refuse a breath mint or piece of gum.



6. Well, a couple, one boy, one girl was the beginning of the end. We probably should have been concerned based on what she was wearing --- a very very thin shirt and no bra. The hikers and a bunch of our kids all, 10-15 years old spent about an hour chit chatting together. We learned the next day that the topics of conversation was the two hikers explaining to our kids the benefits of smoking pot and why it should be legalized along with the different places they went skinny dipping. At least that is what they told us, who know what else was discussed that our kids didn’t tell the parents. This did not go over well, particularly among the mom of one kid who was also the president of the PTO Dare. Also one 15 year old girl inspired by her new role model showed up a few days later at the breakfast table wearing a thin tee shirt and no bra. She didn’t leave the house that way but it spurred at least a week of mother-daughter fights over the family dress code.





7. But even with everyone agreeing that we weren’t going to let them join the picnic, many of us still felt bad about turning away hungry children. (Yes, hungry children, many of you were only about 5 or 6 years older than some of our own kids) And we knew you were hungry, you ate a lot.

So a plan was decided that instead of inviting trickortreaters to stay we would give them a paper plate of food plus a zip lock bag with more food but they had to agree NOT to stay, take the food, keep walking, once you get about a quarter mile away, enjoy your meal, and have a great hike. This plan went 0-4. One girl got all sassy and got an attitude, “what are you too good too eat with common folks like me?” She got no food. The other three came back later looking for seconds. We realized that for the same reason we tell the kids they can’t feed the critters, we can’t give hikers food and expect them to go away either.

8. So for the last few years we picnicked there, we provided hungry hikers with directions to the nearest restaurant. (15 mile walk). Told them were they could get water. Told them where a nearby pay phone was if they wanted to call a cab instead of walk. And told those who wanted to buy food that we didn’t have a permit to be a restaurant, but where one was. When they complained they couldn’t afford a taxi, we commented about how wealthy one must be to be able to afford a 4 month vacation. AND WE ABSOLUTELY HATED DOING IT.


I don't even know where to start with this.

[JustaTouron]

I don't even know where to start with this.

You could start by quoting my post and editing out some paragraphs and numbering some other paragraphs....oh wait you already did that. :)

[Pedaling Fool]

Another thread in which people try to intellectualize too much. :rolleyes:

To yogi is to simply relieve some fat american of food they either would have thrown away or forced fed to themselves and their fat little rug rats.

Hikers do not yogi off one another, only unprepared hikers without an ounce of self-respect does that.


If you ask for food, regardless of the situation that’s begging.

[Jack Tarlin]

Hey, John just out of curiousity, how many miles and how much time on the A.T. do you posess? :D

Truth is, hikers yogi, cadge, guilt-trip, beg, and mooch from other hikers all the freaking time. Sometimes it's food, or gear, or maps, or tobacco, or weed, or beer, or even money.

But they do it all the time.

I kinda see what you're saying, and trying to draw a distinction between yogi-ing and outright begging but at the end of the day, it ammounts to pretty much the same thing, and to pretend that there aren't hikers who work the system in order to get stuff off of other hikers, well it happens daily, and the fact that they're "yogi-ing" what they need instead of outright asking for it doesn't really matter.

At the end of the day, it's pretty much ALL begging.

[JustaTouron]

To yogi is to simply relieve some fat american of food they either would have thrown away or forced fed to themselves and their fat little rug rats.



That right there is a perfect example of the entitled thru-hikers mentality that many have talked about.

The hikers at our picnics were doing us no more of a favor by eating our food than my own kids were doing by accompaning me to Disney World.

I enjoyed seeing my kids eyes light up when they saw Cinderala's castle. And I also (for the most part) enjoyed seeing how happy our food made the hikers. But make no mistake about it, they weren't doing us any favors by eating our food. Just like my daugher wasn't doing me a favor when she let me buy her a pooh bear sweatshirt.

[Slo-go'en]

The hikers at our picnics were doing us no more of a favor by eating our food than my own kids were doing by accompaning me to Disney World.


Yeah, but you invited them to join you, didn't you?

Hiking though PA a couple years ago, I stumbled onto to a Memorial day family picnic. There was a sign on the trail which said "HIKERS! COME DOWN THE HILL A LITTLE WAYS AND JOIN OUR PICNIC!" So, I did, along with all the others in that days hiking group, maybe 5-6 of us all together.

We were warmly greeted, told to eat as much of anything we wanted, drink as much as we wanted (they had a nice open bar, but we stuck to having a beer or two), pretend we're part of the family and have a good time. One of the guys in our group had a banjo, so he played for awhile which was a big hit.

If your going to invite hikers to your picnic, thats the way to do it. That was a good trail magic day for sure.

[JustaTouron]

Yeah, but you invited them to join you, didn't you?



Yeah, I invited them. I also took my kids to Disney.

But only a fool would claim that my kids do me a favor every year by getting their butts out of bed extra early each Dec 25th and then do me the favor of unwrapping the packages that are under the tree. If my kids started taking the attidude that they were doing us a favor, you can bet the annual tradition would end abruptly.

I invited the hikers. But I expect a much more appreciative attitude than,


To yogi is to simply relieve some fat american of food they either would have thrown away or forced fed to themselves and their fat little rug rats.

And my rug rats aren't fat. Mom make sure they eat a well balanced healthy diet that has very little candy and junk food (which is one of the reasons they like going camping with dad and and look forward to our pre-camping shopping trips)

[Hyway]

The wheel in the sky keeps on turning ...

[kanga]

do you people really know how to use the english language or are you really slow? cause i don't want to offend..

[Yahtzee]

do you people really know how to use the english language or are you really slow? cause i don't want to offend..


I think you could talking about my last 5 or so posts. My brain works too fast for my fingers sometimes. Alright, most of the time.

[Old Hiker]

The wheel in the sky keeps on turning ...

I don't know where I'll be tomorrow .......

[Pedaling Fool]

Hey, John just out of curiousity, how many miles and how much time on the A.T. do you posess? :D

Truth is, hikers yogi, cadge, guilt-trip, beg, and mooch from other hikers all the freaking time. Sometimes it's food, or gear, or maps, or tobacco, or weed, or beer, or even money.

But they do it all the time.

I kinda see what you're saying, and trying to draw a distinction between yogi-ing and outright begging but at the end of the day, it ammounts to pretty much the same thing, and to pretend that there aren't hikers who work the system in order to get stuff off of other hikers, well it happens daily, and the fact that they're "yogi-ing" what they need instead of outright asking for it doesn't really matter.

At the end of the day, it's pretty much ALL begging.
I Probably don't have enough time on the AT to have a say. Just giving my take on this AT phenomenon, not just through observation, but from talking to hikers from back in the day. This subject as others, especially Trail Magic have become so twisted it drives me crazy. But as you correctly suspect I probably don't have the "time" to have much of a valuable opinion.

Yeah, I invited them. I also took my kids to Disney.

But only a fool would claim that my kids do me a favor every year by getting their butts out of bed extra early each Dec 25th and then do me the favor of unwrapping the packages that are under the tree. If my kids started taking the attidude that they were doing us a favor, you can bet the annual tradition would end abruptly.

I invited the hikers. But I expect a much more appreciative attitude than,



And my rug rats aren't fat. Mom make sure they eat a well balanced healthy diet that has very little candy and junk food (which is one of the reasons they like going camping with dad and and look forward to our pre-camping shopping trips)
I don't actively participate in yogi'n, but I have inadvertently received food that way. I no longer accept, but I can see how it can become an art form separate from begging. What you're talking about seems more like "trail magic", which I have even less of a positive view point of.

Don't worry about me being unapreciative, because I learned to pass up "trail magic", but of course I've been accused of being unappreciative doing that.

There's a big difference between trail magic, yogi'n and begging, but in today's world it's a very fine line.

Disclaimer: Just an observation from a person with a few miles on the AT.


I probably should write up a disclaimer and put it under my signature:D



:sun

[Disney]

What you're talking about seems more like "trail magic", which I have even less of a positive view point of.


If I understand correctly, you are actively against people giving treats and food to others. Sometimes this is done anonymously, sometimes with a note, sometimes in person. Sometimes singularly, sometimes in groups. This is probably the most universally appreciated and beloved tradition on the entire AT. A thread just telling good trail magic stories from both sides would be end up being as long as Wargraninny's thread. It's a phenomenon that is enjoyed by the givers and the receivers alike.

And you don't like it.

That is either the saddest thing I've ever heard, or evidence of a psychotic mind.





There's a big difference between trail magic, yogi'n and begging, but in today's world it's a very fine line.



Really? So there is a fine line between guy on the street corner in brand new shoes and a bored expression on his 25 year old face with a sign that says 'why lie, I want beer money' and me because I accepted an anonymous gift of water left for hikers on a very hot day.

You have a very disturbed, distorted, and distrustful view of the world. I find it incredible that anyone could hike the AT, get to know the community, and scorn folks like Trail Angel Mary.

Aside from the fact that you can't have a 'big difference' and a 'fine line' at the same time (those two things have opposite meanings. You might even say there is a 'big difference' between them). But let's table that for a second. I want to ask a question that may help us all understand your thought process.

How often did you get angry/throw/disregard a present under the christmas tree because it said it was from Santa? If I need to explain the similarity (disregard the religious aspect) between Trail Magic and Santa that is a completely different thread and personally I don't think it would do you any good anyhow.

More or less you are getting a gift because someone is being kind - You didn't know santa was your mom and dad but you still enjoyed it. In the same way that now, as grownups, we enjoy "being" Santa and giving to others.

You are a sad, strange, little man. And you have my pity.

[berkshirebirder]

Some may feel that long hikes on the AT promote self-sufficiency--not at all a bad idea. Giving to others isn't a bad idea, either, in the right circumstances. Different strokes.

[Pedaling Fool]

If I understand correctly, you are actively against people giving treats and food to others. Sometimes this is done anonymously, sometimes with a note, sometimes in person. Sometimes singularly, sometimes in groups. This is probably the most universally appreciated and beloved tradition on the entire AT. A thread just telling good trail magic stories from both sides would be end up being as long as Wargraninny's thread. It's a phenomenon that is enjoyed by the givers and the receivers alike.

And you don't like it.

That is either the saddest thing I've ever heard, or evidence of a psychotic mind.

You've been on here since 2004 and NEVER seen this subject come up.:rolleyes:

Tradition is a little overboard in describing today's version of trail magic. There are plenty of threads on trail magic or more accurately: Trail Feedings so I'm not going into it here.




You are a sad, strange, little man. And you have my pity.
I see what kind of person you are and it's someone I'd rather not exchange ideas with.

[Wheeler]

JustaTouron, Don't do it if you don't like it. If it makes you cynical, find something that you enjoy more.

[leaftye]

JustaTouron, Don't do it if you don't like it. If it makes you cynical, find something that you enjoy more.

Please, his post was one of the best two in this thread. Just because you don't like one part of a thing you mostly like doesn't mean you stop doing the whole thing. I don't like pooping, but I like eating and living. I'm going to deal with the bad to continue having the good.

[trailangelbronco]

You can beg for my food, just don't go Bogarting that joint!

[Sumone86]

why don't you learn how to live off the land then learn how to beg?

[Buzz_Lightfoot]

why don't you learn how to live off the land then learn how to beg?

People who live off the land are callled "Sailors".

Learn how to fish!

[Old Hiker]

People who live off the land are callled "Sailors".

Learn how to fish!

Teach a man to fish and he will kick your ass and steal your fishing pole.

Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime. Teach a man to create an artificial shortage of fish and he will eat steak.

Teach a man to fish, and though he's fed for life, he'll call you a miser for not giving him your fish.

Give a man a fish, he owes you one fish. Teach a man to fish, you give up your monopoly on fisheries.

Teach a man to fish, and you can sell him a ton of accessories.

Teach a man to fish and you've fed him for a lifetime ... unless, of course, he doesn't like sushi -- then you also need to teach him how to cook.

Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day Teach a man to fish and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.

Give a man a fish, and he can eat for a day. But teach a man how to fish, and he'll be dead of mercury poisoning inside of three years.

Give a man a fish he'll eat for a day, if you teach a man a fish he'll get drunk then fall out of his boat and drown.

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; Teach him to use the Internet, and he won't bother you for weeks!

Give a man a fish and you'll feed him for a day, but give him a case of dynamite and soon the village will be showered with mud and seaweed and unidentifiable chunks of fish.

Give a man some fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life. Which may not be too long.

Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and he'll overfish, cause famine in the next three regions and pollute the atmosphere with his fish.

Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Give a man religion and he will starve to death praying for a fish.

Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you can get rid of him for a whole weekend.

Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime. Enlighten him further, he owns a chain of seafood restaurants.

If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day; if you give a man a machine that makes fish, teach him to operate it, and enslave him, you feed yourself for a lifetime.

Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you will not have to listen to his incessant whining about how hungry he is.

Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you can sell him fishing equipment.

Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to use the Net and he won't bother you for weeks.

Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Unless he doesn't like sushi - then you also have to teach him to cook.

Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish, and he will sit in the boat and drink beer all day.

Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime. Teach a man to sell fish and he eats steak.

Give a man a fish, and you satisfy his fish craving for a day. Give him fish aversion therapy, and you eliminate the craving for life.

Give a woman a fish and you'll be sleeping on the couch again.

Give a man a fish, and he'll wonder what you want from him.

Give a man a fish and you have fed him for a day. Teach a man to Google and he can look up any number of "Teach a man to fish" jokes.

And on and on and on...........

[Buzz_Lightfoot]

Teach a man to fish and he will kick your ass and steal your fishing pole.

Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime. Teach a man to create an artificial shortage of fish and he will eat steak.

Teach a man to fish, and though he's fed for life, he'll call you a miser for not giving him your fish.

Give a man a fish, he owes you one fish. Teach a man to fish, you give up your monopoly on fisheries.

Teach a man to fish, and you can sell him a ton of accessories.

Teach a man to fish and you've fed him for a lifetime ... unless, of course, he doesn't like sushi -- then you also need to teach him how to cook.

Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day Teach a man to fish and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.

Give a man a fish, and he can eat for a day. But teach a man how to fish, and he'll be dead of mercury poisoning inside of three years.

Give a man a fish he'll eat for a day, if you teach a man a fish he'll get drunk then fall out of his boat and drown.

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; Teach him to use the Internet, and he won't bother you for weeks!

Give a man a fish and you'll feed him for a day, but give him a case of dynamite and soon the village will be showered with mud and seaweed and unidentifiable chunks of fish.

Give a man some fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life. Which may not be too long.

Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and he'll overfish, cause famine in the next three regions and pollute the atmosphere with his fish.

Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Give a man religion and he will starve to death praying for a fish.

Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you can get rid of him for a whole weekend.

Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime. Enlighten him further, he owns a chain of seafood restaurants.

If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day; if you give a man a machine that makes fish, teach him to operate it, and enslave him, you feed yourself for a lifetime.

Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you will not have to listen to his incessant whining about how hungry he is.

Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you can sell him fishing equipment.

Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to use the Net and he won't bother you for weeks.

Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Unless he doesn't like sushi - then you also have to teach him to cook.

Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish, and he will sit in the boat and drink beer all day.

Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime. Teach a man to sell fish and he eats steak.

Give a man a fish, and you satisfy his fish craving for a day. Give him fish aversion therapy, and you eliminate the craving for life.

Give a woman a fish and you'll be sleeping on the couch again.

Give a man a fish, and he'll wonder what you want from him.

Give a man a fish and you have fed him for a day. Teach a man to Google and he can look up any number of "Teach a man to fish" jokes.

And on and on and on...........

Won't work, you keep giving your darn fish away! How will this help yoging?

[Old Hiker]

Won't work, you keep giving your darn fish away! How will this help yoging?

But they keep asking for my fish!! I just hope I don't have to give up the tarter sauce and coleslaw as well!

[Buzz_Lightfoot]

But they keep asking for my fish!! I just hope I don't have to give up the tarter sauce and coleslaw as well!

Aha! I see! They are teaching YOU how to be the SOURCE to Yogis.

"Say dude, I'm starvin' Got any trail magic for me?"

"Sure, here's a fish!"

"Um, thanks."

Something sounds fishy here!

[JustaTouron]

All this talk about fish is making Ziggy very uncomfortable.