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

[Melanie Clarke]

Dear Kevin,

I'm doing the same thing right now, planning as much as I can!

Melanie

On Wed, Jan 12, 2011 at 1:41 PM, Kevin Cook <hikelite at gmail.com> wrote:

> Thanks for the clarification Halfmile :)
>
> I am using your warnings. It's helpful to understand your reasoning behind
> them. I hope you don't think I was being critical that your water locations
> included the cache. Now that I reread my post, I realize it could be taken
> that way. I was commenting about it because I had not realized that, or at
> least it hadn't "clicked" inside my thru planning jumbled brain. ;)
>
> Your tale about Hauser Creek is disheartening. That was my planned camp for
> the first night. I thought it would have water on April 20, but now I know
> not to count on it. That's fine, I'll just carry enough to get to Lake
> Morena. Maybe I better take another look at section A again. If your note
> on
> the water waypoint doesn't say something about being dry, that it will be
> running? such as WR026
>
> I know it's silly to plan out each day exactly, but I'm trying to determine
> days between my resupplies. When calculating this, I'm taking into account
> the spots I'll have to "push" a bit to make the next water. Ironically, my
> most optimistic schedule will coincide with the worst case for water. :P
>
> Thanks again for all your work Halfmile. I really appreciate your
> explanation of how to use your maps. :)
>
> On Wed, Jan 12, 2011 at 1:30 PM, Halfmile <list at lon.net> wrote:
>
> > Kevin,
> > My maps show almost all of the locations of  Asabat's water report
> > entries, except for a few locations that almost never have water.
> > Since the water report list caches I show the locations of these on the
> > maps.
> >
> > My maps also have water warnings in yellow text boxes showing area
> > where you may have 10 miles or more without water. I don't include
> > caches in this calculation. So for example, on page A9 at Rodriguez
> > Canyon I have a warning that is 32.7 miles to water at Barrel Spring.
> > I don't consider the water caches at Scissor's Crossing or 3rd Gate
> > that might have water in this calculation.
> >
> > Also, in my water warnings I don't consider water sources that I think
> > might not be reliable. I have hiked the first 20 miles of the PCT more
> > than a dozen times. I have only seen water in Hauser Creek in 2010 so
> > I don't consider it (or the creek at mile 4.4) in my water warning
> > calculation. I have a water warning at the Juvenile Ranch Facility
> > (mile 1.3) stating you may not find water for 18.7 miles until the
> > Lake Morena Campground.
> >
> > I think the water warnings on my maps are a good place to start if
> > your looking for "problematic areas". I have tried to be conservative
> > in my water warnings, so most years you will likely find extra water
> > in some of the water warning areas (but you could find less depending
> > on the year or time of year).
> >
> > As you know, you should always carry the water report and rely on it
> > for the latest water information in southern California.
> >
> > -Halfmile
> > www.pctmap.net
> >
> >
> > On Wed, Jan 12, 2011 at 7:30 AM, Kevin Cook <hikelite at gmail.com> wrote:
> > > I fully intend to reference Asabat's water report before, and during,
> my
> > > hike. I'm not questioning whether or not it will be updated. My concern
> > is
> > > it's contents. I had not realized that some of the water locations on
> > > Halfmile's maps were caches.
> > >
> > > Diane is right that the guidebooks explain where to get water without
> the
> > > caches. I'm going to plan as if there aren't any. Again, I grateful for
> > the
> > > effort these kind soul go through to maintain these caches. If I can
> > avoid
> > > using them, then I will be leaving more for other hikers.
> > >
> > > The only place in section A I'm worried about is the 32+ mile stretch
> > that
> > > includes scissors crossing. I've been to that spot many many times
> while
> > > living in San Diego for a decade. I'll plan to drop off a gallon for
> > myself
> > > there. In response to Diane's warnings... I will hide it well and mark
> > the
> > > location with a GPS. I've cached water before. It's my habit to make
> sure
> > I
> > > put it somewhere nobody else will find. I'll probably leave a few extra
> > > gallons in the "visible" cache. If there are empties there, I'll clean
> > those
> > > up as well. I will be caching a gallon jug, so I won't mind carrying
> the
> > > empty with me when I come through on foot.
> > >
> > > Tonight I'll go through section B and determine if I want to cache any
> > water
> > > myself. I enjoyed scrutinizing Section A. It was like a stroll down
> > memory
> > > lane. I have so many fond memories of this area from my time in San
> > Diego.
> > > I'm looking forward to a similar experience in the other socal
> sections.
> > :)
> > >
> > > If anyone can identify the problematic areas, that might make it easier
> > for
> > > me.
> >
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