[pct-l] Extra water caches needed on section A

[RJ Lewis]

Jon Danniken wrote:
> ----- Original Message ----- 
>   
I know that I'm rather a newbie on this list, but I did spend 2 years 
down in the deserts of Arizona, in fact down near the AZ/CA border. I 
wasn't exactly near the metro areas either, as we were working in gravel 
pits, and such, many of them "virgin"--  ie, we opened them up for the 
first time ourselves. We were in fact all over that deep desert area 
near there, and even spent some time in Wickieup, AZ, as well as some 
time in Beatty, NV. Any desert rats...any true desert rats, will know 
those areas quite well. ;)  Those weren't the only areas I spent time 
in, by any means.  Most of the areas I was in, could be found by GPS only.

As such, and having spent this time down there, both summers and 
winters, I think I can say a few things about the desert heat.  #1, even 
if you were to go down and spend a whole month trying to acclimate to 
the heat, it isn't going to happen. The heat down there is unlike ANY 
heat you have ever experienced, whether you have experienced the 100+ F 
heat in any other part of the country or not. The sun glares more off 
the rocks that make up most of what you walk on, thereby making the sun 
seem much brighter. The rocks heat up during the day, making things much 
hotter than if you had the greenery of grass and trees to absorb much of 
the sunlight that comes down.  There just is no way to prepare for this 
experience, but to go down and experience it for yourself. 

Another bit of advice I can give out that is oh so important, that I 
have never seen on this list, is that you never ever camp in or near a 
wash. The rain clouds you see in the  mountains nearby could "wash" you 
out by morning. I have pictures of what an inch of rain can do in the AZ 
desert, if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time. Pictures I took 
myself. =/

If anyone can contribute to extra water caches, *please* do so. This is 
going to be very important this year to many hikers.  I can understand 
being prepared, but folks this is going to be an uncommon  year, I 
believe and any and all help is going to be much needed and appreciated 
I am sure. Even the expert hiker can get into trouble, even if well 
prepared.  I would hate to be the one who gave out such advice as that, 
and later hear about someone who didn't take the extra water from the 
cache, upon someone's advice on this list, and later died. Could you 
live with that on your conscience? I know I couldn't.

So for those who can contribute, please do. If you feel you shouldn't 
participate, don't. Let's leave it at that.

Peace!
Ronnie Jo.



> From: "roni h"
>   
>>  I'f I'm not mistaken it takes about a week or two
>> to the body to get acclimized to the heat, even if
>> You are in otherwise great physical condition.
>>     
>
> This is why it is important for hikers to acclimatize their bodies to heat 
> and other trail demands *before* they hit the trail, instead of depending 
> upon trail welfare.
>
> Jon
>
>
>
>
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