[pct-l] Thru numbers

[Bob Bankhead]

I have not hiked from Campo to Mojave so have no business commenting on that
566 miles.

However, in my opinion, the trail from Mojave to Manning Park can be
successfully hiked without trail angels and their caches. That does not mean
it is easy. The hiker needs to have thoroughly studied the trail so as to be
able to plan for the long dry sections and emergency bail-out routes. It is
all about personal responsibility rather than relying on others to (1) cover
your mistakes, or (2) be a secondary resupply point so you don't have to
carry those extra liters.

There were only two spots where I felt it would be nice to have water caches
- Kelso Valley Road (thank you, Mary Barcek) and again at Road 21 on the Hat
Creek Rim. I carried 6 liters across the Hat Creek Rim and only used 4.5,
including an overnight camp near the watch tower so know it can be done
without excessive suffering.

Courtesy demands that if I use a cache, I should - at a minimum - leave a
thank-you note and if possible, something financial. Even a dollar will help
fund the gas and supplies needed for the cache. Courtesy also demands that I
not make a pig of myself at the cache. These are for emergency use, not for
my impromptu Happy Hour along the trail.