[pct-l] The High Desert

[Jason M.]

Hey Diane,

Thanks for the awesome additions!

"Please don't do what some hikers did in 2008: they would use the
water in the water tanks to wash  up at the end of the day, filling
 up a big huge bag and dumping it on themselves. That's just not cool"

I agree, but it's still not as bad as finding someone sitting "in" the
'Tiger Tank' on the edge of the Tehachapi.

jackass



On Thu, Mar 1, 2012 at 9:15 PM, Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes <
diane at santabarbarahikes.com> wrote:

> This is great stuff.
>
> I'll add a little bit.
>
> On Mar 1, 2012, at 10:00 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
> > Water Sources:
> Most of the water is really good. If you can find the pipe feeding
> the trough, the water will be fresh. I drink water like that without
> treatment all the time and haven't gotten sick. So if you opt to
> treat it you'll be more than fine. I met people at mile 500 in 2010
> who were proud they had never used any natural water sources. Only
> water caches. There's no need to be so paranoid or whatever that is.
> >
> > Water:
> To maximize water I would drink a liter at the source before moving
> on. I did not just pee it all out. I really needed it. To help me get
> it down I used Crystal Light hydration lemonade mix. I liked the
> taste over most other drinks. The point was if it tasted good I could
> get that whole liter into my belly. Then I could fill the bottle for
> later and hike on with a belly full.
>
> For me, the symptoms of hyponatremia (when you drink too much water
> and don't get enough salt) are unquenchable thirst and feeling weak.
> If your energy is flagging and you are so thirsty you can't quench
> it, put down the power bars STAT and eat some salt. Power bars aren't
> going to restore your energy under these conditions. You need salt.
> Even if you have to make soup. Don't listen to your doctor who tells
> you to take it easy on salt. One guy went to the doctor in 2008 and
> the doctor was flabbergasted he was trying to reduce his salt
> consumption under these conditions, standing there in the office with
> salt stains crusted all over his clothes. There's a reason they drink
> margaritas with salt in the desert!
>
> > Training:
> Sometimes all the training in the world won't prevent blisters. The
> PCT seems to give almost everybody really bad blisters. Bring a
> needle and lots of tape that sticks to your skin well. You're
> probably going to need it and if not, somebody else will!
> >
> > Lastly, Cleanliness- Keep it clean.
> Please don't do what some hikers did in 2008: they would use the
> water in the water tanks to wash  up at the end of the day, filling
> up a big huge bag and dumping it on themselves. That's just not cool.
> The water in the tanks isn't filled up continuously. They fill it
> once a year, maybe. Take only enough for food and drink and learn to
> wash up by simply wetting a bandana and wiping that on you.
>
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