There is a saying among hikers that “the trail provides” indicating that what and when a hiker needs something, it will magically appear. This often occurs through the efforts of people known as trail angels – people who selflessly give of their time and resources to strangers who are thru-hiking the trail. Sometimes this is a relatively small thing – like the anonymous person who left a case of Pepsi cans and Hostess cupcakes on a picnic table in Stecoah Gap on a brutally cold and windy day. Hiker etiquette is that you can help yourself, but don’t be greedy – leave some for hikers following you.
In other instances, the trail magic is epic. An amazing trail magic experience was Katie who found us at Flint Mt Shelter (March 22). We had just completed our longest day – 14 miles and were just getting camp set (including drying out wet equipment we had packed in the rain that morning). Thru-hikers were leaving the trail because of the pandemic and we were the only 2 at the shelter that night.
Katie is a bartender in Asheville who had been furloughed. Like many during this pandemic, she had turned to baking and hiking. She arrived with Coors Light and home made chocolate espresso cookies. We tried to get her to leave her dog with us – but that was a no-go! She was a much needed resource to hear about what was going on in the real world as we were trying to decide the fate of our hike.
The most epic case of trail magic was during our first week on the trail. Bobby and Mitzi were set up at Hogpen Gap on a beautiful Saturday afternoon (Feb. 28). We came through about 2 pm and they had seen approximately 35 people that day.
A short video of the action (thanks to Caroline Storck Teeling)!
They have been providing trail magic since 2016 – a year after Bobby was successfully treated for kidney cancer. Providing trail magic is their way of expressing their gratitude and faith. They had chairs for us to sit down – well appreciated as we were hiking 12 miles that day! The food included (and I have probably forgotten some items!): a Caribbean bean soup with pulled pork (a really nice combination of sweet and spicy); bananas, clementines, apples, yogurt, a selection of Hostess items, a selection of candy, water (that we didn’t have to filter for ourselves!), and, lemonade. They also had non-food items: lighters, chapsticks, Ibuprofen, and batteries.
But the most moving aspect of Bobby and Mitzi’s trail magic came as we were leaving. I had observed Mitzi asking a crew leaving before us if they would like a blessing. It was clear that it was important to her. Although I consider myself spiritual, I am not a huge fan of formalized religion. But, I felt that asking for a blessing was one way I could thank them for their generosity. The blessing we received was heart-felt and authentic – she clearly was praying for our safe thru-hikes. People she had just met. People she didn’t know. My dad was a minister. But, rather than the blessing reminding me of him, it reminded me of my mom. And it brought tears to my eyes – then and every time I think back to that blessing. The trail provides.
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