[pct-l] Thrill seeking and water caches

[Brett Tucker" <blisterfree@xxxxxxxxxxxxx (Brett Tucker)]

At the risk of preaching to the choir, it might be noted that southbound
thru-hikers often have no choice but to pack all of their own water, since
the publicly-offered water caches generally follow the herd northward only.
Reaching the desert in the height of drought, southbounders learn to go the
extra distance between natural sources, since it is an unavoidable part of
their experience. The same once was true of the northbounders, and while the
water caches now offer assistance to the growing number of thru-hikers many
of whom desire it, they do not necessarily breed the level of adaptation
among hikers that once occurred.

That may sound like a harsh, Darwinian-type of statement, but I am not
intending to pass judgment on the water caching "scene." It is human nature
to want to give, and it is hikers' nature to accept; the PCT is a growing
family of hikers and townspeople all intent on maximizing the enjoyment of
the experience. The larger the family, the greater the potential for
assistance at times of need. But family or no, there will still be snow in
the Sierras; there will be mosquitoes to swat and creeks to ford; there will
be times of loneliness, perhaps, or of boredom, frustration, pain, or
boundless fatigue - or any of these in exquisite combination. No matter the
level of support and kindness a thru-hiker is blessed to receive along the
way, he or she still must walk the way, all the way between distant nations,
toiling among the welcoming grandeur and inhospitable faces of a vast and
varied, wild landscape. This is the real cost of a thru-hike, and it drains
not the wallet but sometimes the spirit. Yet for those who persevere, it
lightens the mental load and frees the soul, and by the end of the trail we
are practically floating.

Electing to forego the reliance on water caches is like adding a few extra
pennies onto the cost of the hike. If we save up, then we can surely afford
it. And if we cannot, then we can either borrow or dig deep.

- blisterfree


----- Original Message -----
From: Ben Armstrong
To: Brett Tucker ; Pacific Crest Trail
Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2003 8:03 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Thrill seeking and water caches


There is great freedom in letting go of the worry over water caches and
unreliable natural sources.
Prepare to walk 30, 40, 50, 60 miles between faucets, and you will not have
to rely on trail angels and their often abused (by thru-hikers) dedication
and goodwill.  They all provide a wonderful service with water caches, but
there is also the question of self-reliance.  Proceed without expectations,
and freedom is born.
You can walk for hours, days without the constant ego-stream-fear of "Do I
have enough water?"  And, when you do come across a cache, you can drink a
liter you didn't have and feel pretty blessed by the circumstances.