[pct-l] Re: First post/water cache questions

[dsaufley@xxxxxxxxxxx (Donna Saufley)]

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Hello to those on this message -- hope all is well with you and yours.  Dav=
e -- from reading the post, it sounds like you're getting (and providing) s=
ome great information on where water needs to be cached, where to get topos=
, etc.  I'm sure there are many PCT alumnus who will gladly make suggestion=
s on where they wish they'd had water.  Mary Barcik is revered by many once=
 very thirsty hikers; she is a special soul and has no doubt saved more tha=
n a few from suffering. She is wise not to go alone on such a rough road in=
 such desolate country.  Does anyone know how to reach her? If so, please r=
espond off list.

In re the Horse Camp reference, I seem to remember having that on there at =
one time, but then, my memory is quite suspect and has been known to be fau=
lty.  Since that report was late in the season in a serious drought year, i=
t's possible that the spring was dry and the reference then removed.   Can =
you provide the "how to find it" info, and let me know where it is (between=
 what other references)?  I'll add it (and any futher updates) to the water=
 report -- thank you.

It's somewhat amazing that this once forbidding and dry section has become =
one of the most hospitable stretches along the way!  Knowing that others ar=
e similarly compelled to support the hikers in their own way helps to valid=
ate our own enthusiasm for the same.  For me, it's a selfish endeavor . . .=
 I get to meet them and hear tales from their journey, and get woven into i=
t.  It's a movable feast of humanity of the highest order.  Hope you are pl=
anning to attend the Kick-Off in April . . .

-=3DDonna Saufley=3D-
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Jenny Canfield
  To: Donna Saufley ; Kevin Corcoran ; pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net ; Joed=
addy44@aol.com
  Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2003 9:39 PM
  Subject: Re: First post/water cache questions


  Hi Jeff and Donna,
  Thank you for the information.  Sorry you did not hear from me sooner.  T=
his looks to be quite the geographical research challenge.  I am looking at=
 the Tehachapi and Walker Pass area.  Does anyone have topo maps with the t=
rail on it?  I bought a guide book for day hikes on the PCT.  The least inf=
ormative maps in the entire book are about that area.  Perhaps I'll have to=
 buy the guide books that the PCTA sells. But I understand a new edition is=
 coming out.  I looked on hikertrash.com and...same thing.  There are topo =
maps on the net but none with the trail easy to spot.  Is this the least po=
pular area on the trail?  Reading journals, it seems that this area is a mo=
stly unwelcome surprise for desert weary hikers.  Hikers who are expecting =
to have left the desert behind etc.  So, I think you are right in suggestin=
g this area.  This area is too far away to service on weekday evenings (tha=
t was what I was originally thinking).  For this area I could go up on a we=
ekend.  But that means a larger cache would be needed because I would hate =
for someone to go thirsty.  With a topo map that shows the trail, I could l=
ook for a part of the trail that may be closely accessed by a dirt road or =
4X4 trail.  I am thinking that I could break up a waterless stretch by carr=
ying a large amount of water a short distance from road to trail.  What do =
you think?  unfortunately the area looks to be under private control.  Know=
 anyone with access to the roads/jeep trails in this area?

  Dave
  p.s.:  There is a spring up near Wilderness camp in Horse Camp canyon tha=
t I did not see mentioned in the water report.  It ain't much but it is onl=
y about fifty yards from a very fine camp.
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: Donna Saufley
    To: davjencan@worldnet.att.net ; pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net ; Joedad=
dy44@aol.com
    Sent: Wednesday, January 08, 2003 9:17 PM
    Subject: First post/water cache questions


    Water sources can go quickly dry in these parts, as you probably know. =
 Water caches can be empty.  When it comes to water in these parts, MORE is=
 definitely better!  However, you'll want to see where your efforts will ma=
ke the most sense.  The area right where you are (Three Points) generally h=
as water available.  The most difficult area comes after crossing the Mojav=
e floor, climbing toward Walker Pass.  Of course, this is a harder area to =
get water to.

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