[pct-l] So. Calif. Desert Water Caches

[Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes]

If you cache your own, someone else will drink it. The trail is  
littered with water caches, often more than what is commonly noted in  
the water report, and people just figure it's for them and they drink  
it. Also, if you are caching water for yourself, you should return to  
clean up the empties.

You all are worrying way too much about water in my opinion. The  
trail can be done without caches. It used to be done without caches.  
You just have to hike off trail to the springs. Knowing where off- 
trail water is located is the reason for the water report. It's not  
just about whether the caches are full. Knowing where off-trail water  
is located was also a reason why the wordy guide books were so good.
On Jan 11, 2011, at 10:56 PM, Kevin Cook wrote:

> I'll have a little time in CA before I start hiking. I have been  
> thinking I
> might cache some water myself. After looking at the maps some more  
> tonight,
> that's sounding like an even better plan. It looks like I'll have  
> to study
> the maps a bit more and decide where I want to place my own caches.