RE yogi/magic: I agree that it's a gray area and a slippery slope. Those who've been following these FKTs for a while know that in 2013, I received trail magic on several occasions with one in particular being a classic yogi scenario.
This encounter and most all others were reported on daily video journals. Since then, I've been called out by some who hold an embellished perception of the event (most recently
here on WB). A few more thoughts on the matter:
First of all, this issue is inexorably linked to the need for greater transparency. In the thread linked above, OP considers my 2013 hike a DQ while praising Anish. I can't blame him for a lack of access to 2015 documentation revealing how I'm not the only self-supported FKT claimant "guilty" of yogi/magic encounters. How I know this: a random friend's FB post. This is unfortunate, as honest and thorough documentation should remain the standard.
So while I (rightly or wrongly) rationalized that no such yogi/magic encounter in 2013 constituted prearranged support (another one of
seven self-imposed guidelines), I also readily and publicly accounted for these events. As for the numbers (taken from my response in thread linked above): the estimated calories that I received from hikers along the entire trail amounted to ~2000; ~500 were yogi-ed; a drop in the bucket (0.17%) to total calories burned.
But like I said, I agree that this is a slippery slope. What happens when that percentage starts creeping up? What to make of asking for batteries, errands, other favors? When does this become a supported hike? These are all good questions to which I don't have answers. Ultimately, this all hinges on honest and thorough documentation from the claimant. I give Joe credit for crediting his angels. I also look forward to a more thorough account of his feat!