[pct-l] Re: caches at Kelso V. Rd. and Bird Spring Pass

[wandering_bob at comcast.net (Bob Bankhead)]

A cache is never dependable.

Even if it were just filled earlier today, it could be empty when you reach 
it this afternoon. Hikers aren't the only ones to stumble across or know 
about these caches. On rare occasion, you'll have somebody deliberately 
destroying them, as happened to Cache 22 on the Hat Creek Rim three years 
ago.

As the annual pack of thru-hikers leaving Campo en mass gets larger each 
year, it naturally puts a greater strain on the available caches. Large 
groups hitting a cache all at once can easily drain it in a few hours. 
Despite warnings to the contrary, some foolish folks WILL depend on the 
caches rather than learn to manage their water consumption. Sadly, a few 
hikers will consider them a God-given right and have no qualms about sucking 
them dry as their own personal watering hole rather than carry the extra 
water needed to be self-sufficient.

Please think of the caches as an emergency water source. If you have enough 
water to make it to the next source, say a silent "thank you" and leave the 
cache undisturbed. If you do use it, please be sure the lids are back on 
tight and an empty bottles are secured. You might just be the next person 
arriving there with empty bottles and a very dry throat. Apolite thank-you 
note for the cache angel would not be a bad thought.

Mary Barcik is a God! Long may her flag wave over section F.


Wandering Bob




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Matt Geis" <mgeis@yahoo.com>
To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2005 10:41 AM
Subject: [pct-l] Re: caches at Kelso V. Rd. and Bird Spring Pass


> David wrote...
> Three years ago, numerous hikers were surprised to
> find both caches completely drained.
> Finding these caches dry was inconvenient, annoying,
> but not maddening -- the trail angels are not under an
> obligation to provide this labor and water >