[pct-l] 1st day

[Gary Wright]

On Mar 9, 2007, at 7:20 PM, stillroaming wrote:
> As far as first-day water goes, twice I've made it to Lake Morena on 3
> liters of water. 3 Liters will get you at least to Hauser Creek (16  
> miles),
> if not another seasonal source before. If you don't want to rely on  
> seasonal
> sources, take whatever you think you need to get to Lake Morena.  
> Fill-up and
> tank-up at the Border Patrol station.

The water situation is highly variable on the PCT from year to year.

In 2004 I'd hazard a guess that anyone trying to get from Campo to  
Morena
on 3 liters of water was dehydrated when they arrived.  There was no
water flowing in Hauser Creek that year and just stagnant pools in  
the creek
just before the railroad tracks.  I carried five liters and would  
have been
better off with six.

In 2005 you probably could have left the border with a liter and  
filled up
at many of the seasonal creeks.

Thru-hikers tend to underestimate the effects of dehydration.  Your  
muscles
need water in order to function efficiently.  No one likes to carry  
extra
weight but I think it is wise to err on the side of caution with water,
especially in the desert.

Another big mistake for east-coast hikers when they hit the PCT is
concluding that a dry shirt means that you aren't sweating.  On the AT
it is quite obvious when you lose water due to sweat because your shirt
will be soaked.  On the PCT the air is much dryer and it is easy to fool
yourself into thinking you aren't sweating since it evaporates so  
quickly.

Gary Wright (Radar)