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

[Paul Robison]

I don't understand, you say you disagree then proceed to reiterate exactly what I was saying... That the caches are bonus's and not to be depended on... Have a backup plan; wether that be carrying more, or having an alternate source in mind and already planned,  'better safe than sorry' as a concept isn't what you disagreed with, is it ? ? 



On 2011-01-12, at 7:19 PM, Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes <diane at santabarbarahikes.com> wrote:

> 
> On Jan 12, 2011, at 3:47 PM, Paul Robison wrote:
> 
>> better safe than sorry
> 
> I guess I just disagree or have a different idea about what is safer. I think it is safer to know where the water supplies are and have it already planned in your mind that you are going to get your water there. So what if there's no water at 3rd Gate Cache? I planned for there being no water between Rodriguez Spring and Barrel Spring anyway, and if there's an emergency, there's a water source a mile away from 3rd Gate. So what if there's no water at Scissors Crossing? There's always hitching a ride to Julian where I can get water and my fill of Apple Pie if my 5.5 liters of water somehow didn't make it the 4 hours of downhill, cool morning hiking from Rodriquez Spring.
> 
> I did not find the 32 mile stretch across the San Felipes to be an undue hardship as far as water was concerned. I worried about it, sure. It was one of the true desert stretches along the trail and it was pretty hot. I also injured myself and was uncertain if I could even make it to Barrel Spring. But made it I did with an overnight dry camp where I made some soup and with water to spare when I reached Barrel Spring.
> 
> The 35 mile stretch north of Tehachapi wasn't even that bad. I've done it twice. The first time I had 5.5 liters carried from Water camp. I topped off at the Kelso Valley cache. I staggered through the blazing heat of the desert to the Bird Spring cache and camped there. I still had plenty of water. I should not have taken any from the Kelso Valley cache. I managed to make it all the way to Walker Pass the next day without filling up at Bird Spring or McGuyver Spring.
> 
> The 2nd time I did that stretch I had 3.5 liter capacity. I made the side trip to the spring just before you drop down to Kelso Valley. The sign said good water and they were right. Delicious! The Kelso Cache was empty but it didn't matter to me because my water was full. I camped half way through the 35 mile dry stretch. There's a muddy cattle pond 2 miles down a road near where I camped. Some people actually filled up there. I didn't need to. The next day I hiked on to McGuyver Spring. I was surprised I had skipped such a great place the year before. I filled up on water and cooked an extra meal. There was like a hiker party almost going on. It was loads of fun. Continued on to Walker Pass and walked into a barbecue. Chicken and steak! Wow!
> 
> See, it's really not that bad. In the 32 mile stretch, Rodriguez Spring is there and there's a slight chance of creek water near Scissors Crossing and an emergency water access a mile from 3rd Gate. In the 35 mile stretch there's great water a half mile or so off the trail, the muddy cattle pond and McGuyver Spring. Those water sources aren't included in the 32 and 35 mile distances. There's more water than you think. Sure, it's not like the Sierras or the Cascades where you can just drink when you are thirsty. Just be prepared and trust that you will improve in your hiking abilities and your water management. You will learn a lot and you'll get to use those skills when you get to Nor Cal and Oregon and possibly even in the last few days of the trail if it's still summer when you get there.
> 
> Sorry this is so long.