[pct-l] helping out

[Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes]

> I still don't understand why hikers can't carry their own water to  
> Third
> Gate.

Yeah, you have a point. But the man was asking if there was something  
he could do to help and I know there will be an announcement asking  
for help so why not just pitch in where the help is wanted.

> The issue isn't hiking to third gate, it is hiking beyond third  
> gate, as you
> still have another 10+ miles to go from that point to barrel  
> springs.  The
> PCT route from scissors crossing to the third gate is about 13  
> miles or so,
> which would make the total PCT length about 23 miles between these two
> points (scissors crossing and barrel springs).  A long way to go in  
> desert
> country without a water supply.

Eventually a 23 mile stretch without water will be totally ho-hum  
boring to you. You'll be able to do 23 miles before your 2nd lunch.
>
> Is there a tank at rodrigez?

Yes, there is a tank. But there is also a really nice spring as I  
have mentioned. I posted links to pictures of the spring.

https://picasaweb.google.com/dianesoini/PCT2008CampoToWarnerSprings?
feat=directlink#5215646594623693058
https://picasaweb.google.com/dianesoini/PCT2008CampoToWarnerSprings?
feat=directlink#5215646651195211634

There's no need to drink that nasty tank water with such nice spring  
water available. Fill up at the spring and you won't need any water  
at Scissors Crossing. If you aren't a heavy sweater, you won't need  
any at 3rd Gate, either. It is possible to go from Rodriguez Spring  
to Barrel Spring without partaking of the water caches. It was a  
little less than 2 hiking days for me.

Someone also asked about how to deal with water management. Ways  
people do:

- hike the cooler morning and evening hours and rest in the middle of  
the day
This doesn't work for me because I feel antsy that I'm not making  
forward progress toward water while I'm sweating profusely under some  
sage scrub fending off giant ants or flies. At least when I'm walking  
there's a little breeze being generated to cool me off.

- tank up at the source
This works for me. I bring lemonade drink mixes (crystal light or  
propel, not sugary stuff) and can power down a liter of water if it  
is a tasty lemonade. It does not make me pee it all out right away,  
probably because I really need it.

- carry a lot of water
5.5 liters was the maximum I carried. It was almost always too much.  
Some people need more, others less.

- eat salty snacks
Eating only sweet foods makes you drink uncontrollably to quench your  
thirst, causing hyponatremia, or electrolyte imbalance. Salty food  
(don't overdo it) helps keep you in balance. Salty food works better  
than supplements or fancy drinks because you will naturally stop  
eating when you have had enough.

- wear a sun hat, long sleeves, long pants
This creates a microclimate around your skin. Your sweat will soak  
into your shirt and cool you. You can soak your shirt and pants when  
it's hot and water is available. Clothing protects your skin without  
clogging your pores with greasy chemicals.