Potential Trail Magic Items

[ghetto-okie]

Hi all! We're currently looking to move to western NC or eastern Tennesee next year. I'll be within a reasonable distance to be a trail angel here and there. My question is what types of things, besides food, you hope an angel has?

One of my thoughts was small, single use packets of Neosporin, band aids, first aid type of stuff in a small kit.

And go!

[Slo-go'en]

I ran across a cooler stocked with dollar store odds and ends. AAA batteries, travel toothbursh/paste kits, wet wipes, small led flashlights, suntan lotion and the like.

[Trailweaver]

That sounds like an excellent idea! It is sometimes the tinest of things that you find you need out there that you just don't have and get annoyed about.

One of the best trail angel "finds" I experienced was fresh fruit. I absolutely craved fresh anything - vegetables or fruit - so when I found one banana and some gallon jugs of water in an area where water had been scarce, I refilled one water bottle (left some water for the next hiker), and claimed that banana. It was just wonderful.

I sent a random box to a hiker hostel once with small packets of different flavored jellies and honey, small packages of cookies, different varieties of nut butters, and some small note cards with stamps. (My thinking on that was that a hiker might want to just send a quick note to a friend or relative from the trail, and I got a note back thanking me for the hiker box, and telling me that I had helped several hikers have a nice week with the treats.)

I have also known trail angels to send/give out coupons for discounts at area restaurants, or maybe leave word with the hikers that at the next town they could go for free ice cream at a store, beer at a pizza place, etc. That could be expensive, of course, but depends on what you have in mind.

Possibilities are endless. if you hike, try to think about the things you most want when you are out there and can't get it.

[Two Tents]

Water. Cold water or cold juice. Fruit is another treat.

[chknfngrs]

A ride. Or a guitar for me to play. Or laundry. That list could go on and on.

[ghetto-okie]

I would definitely have fresh fruit or some type of snacks with me as well. I'm thinking more along the lines of things you didn't know you needed; like toothpaste, batteries, etc. I'm clutzy so bandaids would definitely be a blessing 😂.

Once we do move I'll have a better idea of what other things, like rides, I can provide.

[Apollo117]

A Trail Angel on the PCT had a garden sprayer filled with water and ice. He would spray hikers with ice water. It felt great.

Leukotape or other blister care is always appreciated.

[swjohnsey]

Fruit, cold drinks, hard boiled eggs. A place to leave trash.

[Rain Man]

Depending on season, I crave (non-alcoholic) cold drinks (that means ice). The other thing I sometimes needed more than food & drink?-- a way to charge electronic devices (kinda assumes you might be there with a vehicle).

BTW, bless you. Some misanthropes disdain trail magic of any sort. Not me, it can brighten my day!

[TwistedCF]

Sewing kit, duct tape, super glue, two part five minute epoxy, innertube repair kit for leaky sleep pads.....basically a mobile gear repair tool kit. I carry most of what I need to make minor repairs but a lot of people don't.

[One Half]

avocados and salt

[centerfieldr162]

Nice cold beer for me. Always a first when I get back down to my vehicle at the trailhead. Open that cooler and pop a top before I go anywhere!

[Ankle Bone]

Chair Massage
Pipe and slippers
Sunday NY Times
Oven with warm cookies
Recliner rocker and Big Screen TV
Pack Mule
Washer, Dryer, Steam Iron
Big Green Egg
Hot Tub

Go Big or not at all

[The Kisco Kid]

Mcloed tool
hand saw
pruners
Grit
Sweat

Volunteer on a trail crew. That's real trail magic right there!

[smithjv]

Cold, cold, cold watermelon.
Can't be beat on a hot sweaty day.

[TNhiker]

Hot Tub

Go Big or not at all



well....

i know what im doing next spring.....

wonder where the best spot for this would be....

birthday suit only.....

and this actually leads me to wonder---running a generator in guessing for the heat....

but wonder legality of it up at newfound gap....

hmmmm....

guess im going to fire off an email to the Park's PIO to see...

[TNhiker]

Hot Tub

Go Big or not at all



well....

i know what im doing next spring.....

wonder where the best spot for this would be....

birthday suit only.....

and this actually leads me to wonder---running a generator in guessing for the heat....

but wonder legality of it up at newfound gap....

hmmmm....

guess im going to fire off an email to the Park's PIO to see...

[Lone Wolf]

cards, magic wand, top hat and a rabbit?

[John B]

To steal from Chris Willets' suggestion, liquor and porn.

[capehiker]

One of the most memorable trail Magic’s I had was individual Sunny D bottles and chips. On a hot summer day, sweet ice cold juices and salty snacks were a perfect combination.

[ghetto-okie]

Salt and pepper packets?

[Ankle Bone]

cards, magic wand, top hat and a rabbit?

As always LW, you win!

[Ankle Bone]

Mcloed tool
hand saw
pruners
Grit
Sweat

Volunteer on a trail crew. That's real trail magic right there!

Well said. I went with sarcasm about the "magic" of a hiker feed, but you nailed it

[Ankle Bone]

Depending on season, I crave (non-alcoholic) cold drinks (that means ice). The other thing I sometimes needed more than food & drink?-- a way to charge electronic devices (kinda assumes you might be there with a vehicle).

BTW, bless you. Some misanthropes disdain trail magic of any sort. Not me, it can brighten my day!

So I'm a misanthrope because I go to the AT and don't want handouts? Hmmm

[SawnieRobertson]

Water. Cold water or cold juice. Fruit is another treat.

Always, yes, always jugs of fresh, clean water regardless of season.

[stephanD]

Water. Especially in this time of the year when springs are drying up. The SOBOs will appreciate you very much