[pct-l] Empty Water Caches All Over So Cal.

[jeff.singewald at comcast.net]

Tatto Joe writes:
>So every bottle had about a 1/2 inch of water in it. Lets face it, when most people are 
>50 or more miles from a trashcan, the last thing they want to do is put that 
>bottle[s] in their pack and carry it out. It sounds crazy and there are those 
>who do clean up after us, but the proof was right there.

Ah, that sweet sense of entitlement that we thru-hikers (and section hikers) have on the trail!  In addition to having no desire to carry out anything we might find at the cache, we frequently choose to leave the trash that we have been carrying for several days at the cache believing that the cache maintainer will happily haul it away as well.  This year I have put out two caches of trail magic at trailheads while out hiking portions of the trail and both times there was significantly more trash at the site when I returned than what I had left.

To think how much weight I could have saved (ah the those precious ounces) if I would have unloaded my trash at all of the caches I came across last year.  I'm sure it would made a significant difference for me!  Now, if I can only figure out how to establish that sense of entitlement back here in life off trail...

Joe, while I agree with you, I sense that this is going to be a bigger and bigger issue as the number of hikers increase and the number of people that want to provide this assistance increase in the years ahead.

Elevator 

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: joseph kisner <lostonthecrest at hotmail.com> 

> My friend has been trail running the PCT, for his upcoming race. He has been 
> running sections all over So Cal., like he has done so many times before. The 
> only difference this year are the empty water bottles and trash related to 
> caches, left for everyone's enjoyment. He said, "the ones that were close enough 
> to retrieve he went back to clean them up", but in some areas it is simply a 
> shame. Usually it is us hikers, who complain about the racers ribbons that get 
> left behind. But this year the talk will be different. 
> 
> I myself departed late in May from Campo. I had the pleasure to witness ALL of 
> the random caches, throughout So Cal. Some actually were in styro-foam coolers 
> that were broken up and spread out by the wind. Others had become trash piles 
> for the few thoughtless people who came upon them. 
> 
> I hiked the entire trail, only relying on reliable sources. I admit I did top 
> off on these sources, but I also kept them organized and clean. But I will also 
> say I could of hiked the entire trail without any caches. I knew then as I know 
> now, that some of the people who left some of these caches, would not return to 
> clean up the mess. One in particular had a sign on it and I DO remember the name 
> of the person who was leaving these caches, "When you empty the bottle take it 
> with you" was on the sign. So every bottle had about a 1/2 inch of water in it. 
> Lets face it, when most people are 50 or more miles from a trashcan, the last 
> thing they want to do is put that bottle[s] in their pack and carry it out. It 
> sounds crazy and there are those who do clean up after us, but the proof was 
> right there. 
> 
> I believe that if you do not maintain your cache you are degrading our 
> wilderness, and only creating a pile of trash for others to enjoy. A act of 
> kindness, should be thoughtful to all. 
> 
> Ps. Do not get rid of the oasis, I love a beer and a lawn chair about the time I 
> reach that spot! + they take out the trash...............tattoo joe 
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