[pct-l] Water Caches

Wed Jan 2 13:10:52 CST 2008

Probably drank the cow-soiled stagnant water they all avoid now. :P

On Jan 2, 2008, at 2:10 PM, Andrea Dinsmore wrote:

> What did the Thru hikers do before there were water caches and trail  
> angels ??
>
> PCT MOM
>
> On Jan 2, 2008 10:58 AM, Donna Saufley <dsaufley at sprynet.com> wrote:
> 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:  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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>>
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