[pct-l] Water Caches

Wed Jan 2 12:58:46 CST 2008

I’ve never been so personally torn and divided on a issue.  It’s not in my
heart to deprive a hiker of something that helps them.  Yet I can’t help but
hear and share the concerns.  The benefit/consequence divide is so valid on
either side of the discussion.  

L-Rod

   _____  

From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Patrick Beggan
Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2008 10:47 AM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Water Caches

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: HYPERLINK
"mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net"pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net
[HYPERLINK
"mailto: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: HYPERLINK "mailto:pct-l at backcountry.net"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, HYPERLINK
"mailto:Slyatpct at aol.com"Slyatpct at aol.com wrote:

In a message dated 12/28/2007 9:38:14 PM Eastern Standard Time, HYPERLINK
"mailto:hikin_steve at yahoo.com"hikin_steve at yahoo.com writes:

HYPERLINK
"http://postholer.com/journal/viewJournal.php?jtype=photo&entry_id=641&photo
_id=681"http://postholer.com/journal/viewJournal.php?jtype=photo&entry_id=64
1&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

   _____  

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