u/Jimusbill

Just wondered what people's thoughts would be on some potential plans to do trail magic on the WHW in a few weeks.

For background, I was introduced to the concept of 'trail magic' whilst on a thru hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2024. For people who may be unaware, its essentially people (usually former hikers or locals) helping out hikers for free, whether that's with food, drinks, rides into town etc. It's very much a part of the long distance hiking culture in the US. I've done a few few long trails in the UK (including the WHW) and obviously we don't have anything of that same scale but I've still been met with people offering water or snacks here and there.

I have some time off in a few weeks and was thinking of doing some trail magic of my own along the WHW for a day or two.

Essentially just parking up somewhere along the trail with free cold drinks, snacks, water refills, camp chairs and somewhere to just have a break and a chat.

My questions for the community are as follows:

1. Do you think the average WHW Hiker would take to this? If they saw someone parked up saying "Hey do you want a drink?" Would you immediately think "What's the catch, or what's his deal?". It's not really a part of UK hiking culture so I wouldn't blame people for being hesitant.

2. Where would you have appreciated something like this on your WHW hike? I was thinking maybe pulling over in the A82 lay-by just before Kingshouse after Rannoch Moor. I know I would have appreciated a rest after that stretch before maybe going on to camp in the woods at Kingshouse. I'm trying to think of other spots that wouldn't also interfere with smaller businesses or existing honesty boxes. If I was giving away snacks and drinks for free, I wouldn't want to step on their turf as it were.

I'd welcome any opinions on this, happy trails!

Hi all, hoping to get your thoughts on my options for travel later this year.

For background, I'm a UK citizen, living in the UK with my wife who is a joint US/UK citizen. She is currently hiking the Pacific Crest Trail and I want to fly out to meet her at the end. As her finish date is variable and I need to book flights, I'm looking to travel to the US for a month to cover the period we currently expect her to finish.

As I can't take a month off work, my company are happy for me to work from our US office (which is near the finish point of her trip) for a few weeks to network with my US colleagues and then take the vacation time when needed. This trip would then be a mix of business and leisure.

I have a B2 visa as we regularly travel to the US to visit her family but this would technically not allow me to work.

So, after all that, my question is, should I just enter on my B2 and state my purpose of travel is primarily leisure, which it is, I just happen to be doing my regular job for logistical reasons.

OR

Should I apply for an ESTA in addition to my B2 for the sole purpose of doing this trip and confirming at the border that I'm travelling primarily for leisure and will also be working temporarily from a US office with full intention to return to my normal residence/place of work.

I can get a letter from HR stating their expectations as evidence.

Basically, I'd prefer to get the ESTA but have seen conflicting points on whether I can even get a visa waiver whilst being in possession of a valid visa.

Thanks for any thoughts or advice on this one.

Edit: Thanks for the input so far. It's looking like I'll have to try and get some more flexible flights so I can move them around closer to the time and only travel for the planned vacation time.