[pct-l] So. Calif. Desert Water Caches

[Kevin Cook]

I fully intend to reference Asabat's water report before, and during, my
hike. I'm not questioning whether or not it will be updated. My concern is
it's contents. I had not realized that some of the water locations on
Halfmile's maps were caches.

Diane is right that the guidebooks explain where to get water without the
caches. I'm going to plan as if there aren't any. Again, I grateful for the
effort these kind soul go through to maintain these caches. If I can avoid
using them, then I will be leaving more for other hikers.

The only place in section A I'm worried about is the 32+ mile stretch that
includes scissors crossing. I've been to that spot many many times while
living in San Diego for a decade. I'll plan to drop off a gallon for myself
there. In response to Diane's warnings... I will hide it well and mark the
location with a GPS. I've cached water before. It's my habit to make sure I
put it somewhere nobody else will find. I'll probably leave a few extra
gallons in the "visible" cache. If there are empties there, I'll clean those
up as well. I will be caching a gallon jug, so I won't mind carrying the
empty with me when I come through on foot.

Tonight I'll go through section B and determine if I want to cache any water
myself. I enjoyed scrutinizing Section A. It was like a stroll down memory
lane. I have so many fond memories of this area from my time in San Diego.
I'm looking forward to a similar experience in the other socal sections. :)

If anyone can identify the problematic areas, that might make it easier for
me.

On Wed, Jan 12, 2011 at 7:37 AM, Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes <
diane at santabarbarahikes.com> wrote:

> If you cache your own, someone else will drink it. The trail is littered
> with water caches, often more than what is commonly noted in the water
> report, and people just figure it's for them and they drink it. Also, if you
> are caching water for yourself, you should return to clean up the empties.
>
> You all are worrying way too much about water in my opinion. The trail can
> be done without caches. It used to be done without caches. You just have to
> hike off trail to the springs. Knowing where off-trail water is located is
> the reason for the water report. It's not just about whether the caches are
> full. Knowing where off-trail water is located was also a reason why the
> wordy guide books were so good.
>
> On Jan 11, 2011, at 10:56 PM, Kevin Cook wrote:
>
>  I'll have a little time in CA before I start hiking. I have been thinking
>> I
>> might cache some water myself. After looking at the maps some more
>> tonight,
>> that's sounding like an even better plan. It looks like I'll have to study
>> the maps a bit more and decide where I want to place my own caches.
>>
>
>