Author Topic: Trail Angels  (Read 2106 times)

jimbob

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Trail Angels
« on: 10:50:53, 14/08/19 »
Watching a YouTuber walking the PCT. It seems they get a bit of help from trail angels,. They stock up water caches, give lifts to nearby towns etc. I am sure most of you know what they are.
My thought is, if we were to have trail angels on the Pennine Way (1) Where would they be most appreciated and (2) what would be needed most.
I. E. Water caches, more snack boxes, lifts to towns(which ones), open garden camp sites (where).

 I do wonder if something of the like would be nice.
 


Too little, too late, too bad......

gunwharfman

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Re: Trail Angels
« Reply #1 on: 11:57:20, 14/08/19 »
Cowden! A lift to and from from the nearest pub would be nice!

archaeoroutes

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Re: Trail Angels
« Reply #2 on: 11:58:15, 14/08/19 »
The PCTA (Pacific Crest Trail Association) is fighting a big battle to cope with over-enthusiastic trail angels and channel them into constructive things. In particular they have banned water caches and snack boxes (the former for safety reasons and the latter for the litter and wildlife impact it creates).
Their big drive is if you want to help, volunteer on an organised project to maintain the trail or pick up litter.
Walking routes visiting ancient sites in Britain's uplands: http://www.archaeoroutes.co.uk

Florence Lamb

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Re: Trail Angels
« Reply #3 on: 12:27:45, 14/08/19 »
Surely trail angels defeat the object and one step closer to our nanny state. Surely we walk remote trails to escape and be self sufficient - all part of the challenge in my book ....

archaeoroutes

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Re: Trail Angels
« Reply #4 on: 12:51:01, 14/08/19 »
Surely trail angels defeat the object and one step closer to our nanny state. Surely we walk remote trails to escape and be self sufficient - all part of the challenge in my book ....
That is something that comes up again and again on the PCTA website.
Walking routes visiting ancient sites in Britain's uplands: http://www.archaeoroutes.co.uk

jimbob

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Re: Trail Angels
« Reply #5 on: 12:57:38, 14/08/19 »
Well Florence, GWM found a non nanny reason for an angel.

Do you think MRT s are a step towards being nannied also?
I get your point Archeoroutes, but to be fair water sources can be extremely rare on the PCT, one stage has 27 miles between sources. Not the case in the UK as far as I am aware.I

Too little, too late, too bad......

archaeoroutes

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Re: Trail Angels
« Reply #6 on: 13:12:46, 14/08/19 »
I get your point Archeoroutes, but to be fair water sources can be extremely rare on the PCT, one stage has 27 miles between sources. Not the case in the UK as far as I am aware.
I'm simply stating the policy of the organisation responsible for the PCT.
"Water caches, especially in very dry stretches of the PCT, are a separate and more complex matter. They lead to decreased hiker preparedness — in effect making the trail less safe — because people come to rely on them. Not all caches are well maintained and they can be empty. What then? Caches also reduce the wildness that people go out to experience. They collect trash and some become camps."
There are some official water caches but they ask trail angels not to set up any more.
Walking routes visiting ancient sites in Britain's uplands: http://www.archaeoroutes.co.uk

archaeoroutes

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Re: Trail Angels
« Reply #7 on: 13:14:22, 14/08/19 »
I did think that lifts is one of the best things that could be offered, either to/from stations or pubs or ferrying baggage.
Walking routes visiting ancient sites in Britain's uplands: http://www.archaeoroutes.co.uk

gunwharfman

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Re: Trail Angels
« Reply #8 on: 13:16:50, 14/08/19 »
It is when your desperate for a pint and the pub is miles away!  :)

Dread

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Re: Trail Angels
« Reply #9 on: 13:21:16, 14/08/19 »
I've encountered lots of kindness from strangers while walking. Shelter from the rain, a lift, a point in the local. That does it for me. I travel by public transport and on a couple of occasions I've missed the last bus and walked to the nearest pub to get a taxi. Both times the landlord has found a slightly enebriated local to give me a lift.

Dread

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Re: Trail Angels
« Reply #10 on: 13:22:56, 14/08/19 »
A pint in the local I meant, although a point in the right direction is sometimes needed as well.

vghikers

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Re: Trail Angels
« Reply #11 on: 13:26:55, 14/08/19 »
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(1) Where would they be most appreciated and (2) what would be needed most.

1. Nowhere.
2. Nothing, if you've prepared properly, otherwise learn from the experience and do better next time.

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Surely trail angels defeat the object and one step closer to our nanny state. Surely we walk remote trails to escape and be self sufficient - all part of the challenge in my book ....

Exactly.

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Do you think MRT s are a step towards being nannied also?

I go round and round with this one. They obviously do a fantastic job dealing with medical emergencies and injuries etc.,  but I find it hard to get past the times when they are effectively used as an escort service just because the mist comes down.



ninthace

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Re: Trail Angels
« Reply #12 on: 13:45:33, 14/08/19 »
Apropos MRTs,  I can see your point of view but are you going to be the one to tell Mr & Mrs Lost: “You got yourself into it, you get yourself out “.   Usually these are inexperienced folk and are quite likely to get themselves into more trouble.


As to Trail Angels, do you include folk who leave honesty boxes with goodies by the trail or is that commerce?  There used to be one at Sharp Abbey on the C2C and another at Sunbiggin.


Solvitur Ambulando

jimbob

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Re: Trail Angels
« Reply #13 on: 14:03:47, 14/08/19 »
MRTs are angels, volunteers who give their time freely to help others. Heaven forbid you break your ankle in an area where these angels are needed for help. There is no preparing for the type of thing Sussamb recently experienced.

As for, honesty boxes are in erned what about the byre where they have a kettle and sheltered seats. Not many walk past

Still it is interesting reading the views of others.
Too little, too late, too bad......

vghikers

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Re: Trail Angels
« Reply #14 on: 14:05:11, 14/08/19 »
Quote
As to Trail Angels, do you include folk who leave honesty boxes with goodies by the trail or is that commerce?

There were a couple of those on the Hadrian's Wall trail, one empty at the time and nothing I fancied in the other. I would regard them as equivalent to shops, though I wouldn't rely on them. There are also the water taps on the Ridgeway, they were excellent on a low level trail for topping up and avoiding lengthy detours to shops.
The distinction between these and 'nannying angels' is rathered blurred admittedly.

 

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