[pct-l] This Year's Going to Be Awesome! Woo!

[Diane Soini]

Thank you Prof Errant.

Let me add that over the years I have done many trips where I brought  
ALL the water I needed for 2-3 days of backpacking, camping, and  
trail work. Yes, it's heavy. No, you don't get to hydrate yourself  
with abandon, wash your dishes and do your laundry. Remember, our  
ability to function well under mild dehydration is what gave humans  
an evolutionary advantage over other animals. To be thirsty is not to  
die quite yet.

Also, don't forget that in So Cal at least, many of the water sources  
are man-made. If you don't believe me, look at last year's water  
report and see how many pipe springs and cattle troughs there are.  
Not to mention tanks, guzzlers (water sources set up for wildlife)  
and towns. You can get a whole day on water filled up in town and on  
your last day before town, you only need enough water to get to town.

Please everybody, do not rely on caches to resupply your water. Only  
use them to get to the next water source, just enough to get there  
and only if you are running too low to get there. I have met too many  
hikers on section hikes who think cattle troughs and guzzlers are  
gross and only use caches for their water.

On Jan 23, 2014, at 10:54 PM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:

> From: Michael Slusser <michael.slusser at gmail.com>
> Subject: [pct-l] This Year's Going to Be Awesome! Woo!
>
> Sorry. Just felt like I had to speak up in the face of all the  
> dread and
> gloom that has been showing up here.
>
> Please don't think I'm not taking the dangers and difficulties  
> seriously;
> you have no idea how paranoid I am about water rationing, fire  
> danger, and
> safety on the trip. But every year has its challenges and trials,  
> doesn't
> it? If we were getting wetter weather, we'd be hearing dire  
> warnings about
> high snow in the Sierras and impassable passes in the Cascades, no  
> doubt.
>
> The trail will be what it will be, I imagine. Plan carefully, walk  
> boldly,
> and think critically. Whatever the circumstances, the journey can't  
> help
> but be awesome, right?
>
> I now yield back the balance of my time.
>
> Professor Errant