[pct-l] PCTA Statement on Water Caches

[Gail Van Velzer]

I think the original article was very well written.

In regards to your question of "protect and preserve", the original trail 
was never easy.  Just ask any of those who did it in the 70's.  No one is 
making it harder or more dangerous, in fact, just the opposite is true.

And, if you want to get picky about the way something is written, it's a 
cache, not cash!  You wrote cashes, and it's correctly spelled caches.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Walljito" <walljito at gmail.com>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2015 1:09 PM
Subject: [pct-l] PCTA Statement on Water Caches


> The subject "Statement" may be read here:
> http://www.pcta.org/2015/problem-water-caches-pct-27677/
>
> First, please note that the Subject is "WATER CACHES". We are NOT talking
> about candy and beer.
>
> The "Statement" seems very muddled to me. In a VERY big font, it asks:
> What is the PCTA doing?
> ... but never answers the question except with vague generalities.
>
> The "Statement" also seemed muddled in terms of basics
> ... such as ... what the "purpose" of PCTA is.
>
> The first sentence of the PCTA Mission Statement, says
> "The Mission ... is to protect, preserve and promote..."
> read it for yourself here
> http://www.pcta.org/about-us/our-mission-vision-and-values/
>
> A central issue raised in the "Statement" is: "How easy should the PCT 
> be?"
>
> So "protect and preserve" by making it harder and more dangerous, thus
> discouraging its use?
> And how does that relate to "promote", or does this pertain to attracting
> money?
> A PCTA concern for how "easy" the PCT is seems like micromanagement of the
> worst kind.
>
> The "Statement" seems also muddled in terms of content
> ... such as acknowledging that water cashes are literally "vital" in some
> places and under some circumstances
> for example
> "... There are, admittedly, a few exceptionally long dry stretches that
> warrant a solution, and water caches may be an appropriate stopgap. There
> are about four of these locations: two in Southern California, one in
> Northern California, and one in Oregon. ... And there are other factors to
> consider. "Reliable" water sources can go dry - recent years of drought 
> have
> proved that."
>
> yet coming to the following conclusion ...
> " If you've thought of placing a cache, we urge you to find a different 
> way
> to join in the magic of the PCT."
>
> So, PCTA, if you don't want hiker-friends to supply and maintain WATER
> cashes, what is your solution?
> Until you are ready to publish an answer, it seems irresponsible to tell
> others not to put water where it may be vitally needed.
>
>
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