[pct-l] Water Caches

[Patrick Beggan]

A fair point, I suppose. I know all about regulation and how to draw  
attention to yourself invites it -- It's one of the first unwritten  
rules in the Army. However, well, I'll go ahead and be honest -- I  
would like to carry less water when I thru-hike in 08. :P

But in all seriousness I guess it is a delicate issue. However, most  
people sure do like the caches. I've been in arid environments before  
and I'll tell you availability of water has a very direct impact on  
attitude and morale. I think the benefit of these caches goes beyond  
simple prevention of dehydration and makes the trail actually more  
enjoyable.

Even with the increased risk of regulation that leaving water caches  
invites, I still say leave the situation as it is. This is something I  
would risk regulation for. What's the worst they can do, make water  
caches against the rules? That's what many people are suggesting in  
this discussion anyway. :)


On Jan 2, 2008, at 1:38 PM, Donna Saufley wrote:
> You wrote the truth:  people will do what they will, and it will  
> sort itself out eventually.  Unfortunately, it may sort itself out  
> in some form of increased regulatory intervention.  It seems to be  
> the practice of the USFS to shut down entirely that which they  
> cannot manage effectively.  My observation down here in So Cal is  
> that they are not remotely sympathetic or supportive of the needs of  
> thru-hikers.  They shut down miles of trail for a two foot stream  
> crossing where the Yellow Legged Frog lives. They’ve shut down most  
> of the well water sources that were once available.  When sobo  
> hikers have asked to go through the forest when they shut down  
> during fire season (with no active fires):  even though the hikers  
> have walked over 2,100 miles, and have less than 500 to go, the  
> answer is a resounding “No.”   Do we as a community want to allow  
> these guys to make decisions for us when we can raise consciousness  
> and change our behavior before that happens?  If we don’t change our  
> behavior, we will certainly get what we deserve, IMHO.
>
> L-Rod
> From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net 
> ] On Behalf Of Patrick Beggan
> Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 11:25 AM
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Water Caches
>
>
> People like to make a big deal about these caches, as I can see from  
> the last fifty water cache messages on here. :P But really, who is  
> it hurting? If those empties are tied together then I don't see a  
> problem... and if they aren't tied together, the problem isn't the  
> water cache itself, it's the lack of organization.
>
> If you don't like using water caches because it takes some perceived  
> (and I assure you, it's a value of perception) purity from your  
> hike, don't use them. If you think people are starting to count on  
> them as a sure-thing, well, they're going to learn that's not the  
> case eventually. On the other hand, plenty of people are using these  
> to make what would be an uncomfortable stretch into a comfortable  
> stretch, starting with enough water to get across (but thirsty)  
> without a cache and then using the cache as a luxury when they do  
> come across it. Why ruin it for these people, doing it right, just  
> because you're concerned about purity or less scrupulous hikers?
>
> I say keep them how they are until someone in the park service says  
> otherwise. People will do what they will do and this situation will  
> sort itself out.
>
>
>
> On Jan 1, 2008, at 2:14 PM, Slyatpct at aol.com wrote:
>> In a message dated 12/28/2007 9:38:14 PM Eastern Standard Time, hikin_steve at yahoo.com 
>>  writes:
>> http://postholer.com/journal/viewJournal.php?jtype=photo&entry_id=641&photo_id=681
>>
>> This is a photo from Len Roughgarden (2007 thru-hiker) at about  
>> mile 87, somewhere between Warner Springs and Mt. Laguna, showing  
>> all the empty water bottles. What an mess!
>> -----------------------------------
>>
>> Yeah but not as messy as a cattle fouled source.  At least this can  
>> be cleaned up and the empties appeared to be tied together so they  
>> don't fly off..
>>
>> Sly
>>
>>
>> See AOL's top rated recipes and easy ways to stay in shape for  
>> winter.
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