[pct-l] PCT Open trail Directory

[AsABat at 4Jeffrey.Net (AsABat)]

Yes, Chance and I have discussed and contributed to each other's projects
for some time. I see a few things that should be updated on the wiki, and a
few things I need to copy to my water report.

My site came about from a discussion among the ADZPCTKO organizers about how
to get the water talk info to the hikers that don't do to the ADZ. After
much discussion, I just did it. My goal has always been to move it to a more
appropriate venue, like the PCTA website, and they agreed to host it, but
I've just never had time to work with them on how it would work. The biggest
problem I have now is that the site is not updated when I'm hiking. As it is
now, only I can update it as it's on the free space I get from my ISP.
Unfortunately, I don't usually get out for more than ten days, so the site
stays pretty current.

My goal is to provide only the STATUS of the water sources, not how to find
them, or much else (although I did post some snow conditions last year). I
don't want to replicate what is already in the books. Locations in some
cases are a little vague, as the guidebook already gives that info, although
I have added more when I receive info that clarifies directions to a spring,
etc. 

Chance's wiki works a little different. He is attempting to build a
reference from original sources, rather than deriving the info from other
texts. I think his site works very well for those things that do not change
daily, like new water holes, good places to stay, tips from past hikers,
etc. - sort of an addendum to the guides.

The big difference in philosophies is how the sites are updated. Chance
relies on others to edit the wiki themselves. A few have, but most edits are
by Chance. I solicit water reports actively, and then post that info myself.
Many people will send an email or post to the PCT-L about water and trail
conditions (I even received a postcard from Kennedy Meadows last year from
Mtn. Goat!). I also prowl the online trail journals for water info during
the peak season. However, IMO, most don't want to or don't have the time to
go further and update the wiki. Maybe that will change. Meanwhile, I think
both sites can complement each other well.

AsABat
www.4jeffrey.net/pctwater


> -----Original Message-----
>   AsABat and I came out with a desire to deal with the water location /
> flow condition problem independent of each other and at the same time.
> 
>   However we have different views on how to do it.
> 
>   AsABat
>   Wants to control the posting of information to help reduce reporting
> confusion
>   Currently wants to limit the reporting range to the Southern California
> area which is considered to be the most critical area
>   And wants to report on this area and those conditions over about a six
> month period.
> 
>   I want to
>   Experiment with a community reporting system where anyone who is
> interested can post in real time
>   Open such a system to other not copyrighted data sets
>   Report on the entire length of the trail
>   Focus on the narrow time frame when northbound long distance hikers are
> passing through
>   And show year to year changes so that we can see what I think will be
> very dependable water flows for that time frame
> 
>   Initially, AsABat and I experimented with combining his data and mine.
> In his 2004 list I contributed information to his and he contributed to
> mine. Ultimately our systems are not all that compatible. In my 2006 thru
> hike I will be up dating the water conditions to the PCT Open Trail
> Directory and experimenting with the reporting of what I call trail
> confusion points.
> 
>   Maybe this sounds like a contradiction, but I fully support AsABats very
> excellent water report and will add to it if there is anything new to say.
> 
>   Chance
> 
> 
> Steve Peterson <steve_peterson@sbcglobal.net> wrote: It isn't clear to me
> why it's useful to duplicate the effort that goes into
> 
> http://www.4jeffrey.net/pctwater