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  1. #1
    Registered User
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    08-26-2019
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    Dustin, Ok
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    Default Potential Trail Magic Items

    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!

  2. #2

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    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.
    Follow slogoen on Instagram.

  3. #3

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    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.

  4. #4
    Registered User
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    03-17-2009
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    Hadley Pa.
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    Default

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

  5. #5

    Default

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

  6. #6
    Registered User
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    08-26-2019
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    Dustin, Ok
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    Default

    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.

  7. #7
    Registered User
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    11-02-2018
    Location
    Austin, Texas
    Age
    29
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    Default

    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.

  8. #8
    Registered User swjohnsey's Avatar
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    10-13-2010
    Location
    Kingsville, Texas
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    77
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    2,331

    Default

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

  9. #9

    Join Date
    08-07-2003
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    Nashville, Tennessee
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    Default

    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!
    [I]ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: ... Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit....[/I]. Numbers 35

    [url]www.MeetUp.com/NashvilleBackpacker[/url]

    .

  10. #10

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    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.
    "I love the unimproved works of God" Horace Kephart 1862-1931

  11. #11
    Registered User One Half's Avatar
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    08-05-2010
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    in a bus
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    53
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    1,802

    Default

    avocados and salt
    https://tinyurl.com/MyFDresults

    A vigorous five-mile walk will do more good for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult than all the medicine and psychology in the world. ~Paul Dudley White

  12. #12

    Default

    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!

  13. #13

    Default

    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 older I get, the faster I hiked.

  14. #14
    Registered User
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    05-01-2007
    Location
    Ridgefield, Connecticut
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    45
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    252

    Default

    Mcloed tool
    hand saw
    pruners
    Grit
    Sweat

    Volunteer on a trail crew. That's real trail magic right there!
    Springer to Katahdin: 1991-2018

  15. #15
    Registered User
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    09-16-2013
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    warner robins ga
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    Default

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

  16. #16
    Registered User
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    12-19-2005
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    Knoxville, TN
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Ankle Bone View Post
    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...

  17. #17
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    12-19-2005
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    Knoxville, TN
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Ankle Bone View Post
    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...

  18. #18
    Registered User
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    11-20-2002
    Location
    Damascus, Virginia
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    65
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    Default

    cards, magic wand, top hat and a rabbit?

  19. #19
    Registered User John B's Avatar
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    10-04-2005
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    .......................
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    Default

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

  20. #20

    Default

    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.

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