Suggestions for maintaining the boxes.

[bluerail]

Serious question here, these boxes are for US. I know a few people who are very good at giving them attention and supply them. Very cool indeed. There are others who give them attention and expect the water fairy to supply them. People use them as trash boxes, often during warmer months piling empty bottles outside the boxes and expecting someone else to take out their garbage. I _really_ dont understand that one. ( because empty bottles are so heavy?)

WE are the people travelling this trail constantly, not PSMP. they are the people that come up and if someone trully needs it. It seems that as a group we could be more appreciative of their efforts and help maintain these boxes. surely carrying an extra bottle or two every now and then to _supply_ the boxes would surely be more helpful than simply reporting on their status.

Winter months are not generally so much of an issue, I feel that people getting into them in the winter surely are not in serious trouble, there is always cool weather in the evening if they need to make a serious exit. I have to admit to eagerly getting to box 2 one night because i needed food and screwed up by not bringing much. so the idea of keeping them locked doesnt really appeal to me. they are a good thing in my mind and have definitely helped people. I guess im just puzzled by peoples beliefs in the water fairy (doesnt exist). Im really curious about peoples take on this subject.

[Hikin_Jim]

Steve,

One thought is that it's important that the rescue boxes look "cared for." If they look like they're abandoned or neglected, that only encourages people not to take them seriously.

Regarding why people leave trash, particularly disposable water bottles: You've got me. I just can't fathom it. What do they weigh? 1/2 ounce? Just crush 'em and stick 'em in the bottom of your pack. Virtually no bulk and no weight. C'mon people, what the heck? I mean it's not like you were on a combat patrol and came under fire and didn't have time to unzip your pack.

HJ

[cynthia23]

Hi Steve, I hear your understandable frustration. See my other post for my take on it.

[zippetydude]

What's wrong with a little actual metal lock? A lot of jerks will open an unlocked box and take out the "free" water bottles. But if they actually break the lock getting into a PSMP box, then it seems like that would be easy to prosecute. Maybe do it one Saturday during the busy season, then get a short distance away with a superzoom camera (I know where we can get one!) and make a movie of each person that does so. Maybe even go back down from there, film them and their license plates as they get in their cars, and let the Palm Springs PD mail them a ticket for vandalizing police property. Say $1000? If they'll split the take with me, I'll be up there every weekend all spring!

z

[Hikin_Jim]

If we could do it in real time, we could confront them at the tram and say, "no, scumbags walk down."

HJ

[bytebit]

I must admit that when I go up Skyline (4300ft during the Winter months), I usually peek in Rescue Box #1 and see if there's ample water supply. If not, then I'll add a bottle (always have a filled bottle ready). I get a good feeling doing the right thing.
About me: http://www.4u2byte.com/skyline/skylinehike.html ---------- Good day, David

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Serious question here, these boxes are for US. I know a few people who are very good at giving them attention and supply them. Very cool indeed. There are others who give them attention and expect the water fairy to supply them. People use them as trash boxes, often during warmer months piling empty bottles outside the boxes and expecting someone else to take out their garbage. I _really_ dont understand that one. ( because empty bottles are so heavy?)

WE are the people travelling this trail constantly, not PSMP. they are the people that come up and if someone trully needs it. It seems that as a group we could be more appreciative of their efforts and help maintain these boxes. surely carrying an extra bottle or two every now and then to _supply_ the boxes would surely be more helpful than simply reporting on their status.

Winter months are not generally so much of an issue, I feel that people getting into them in the winter surely are not in serious trouble, there is always cool weather in the evening if they need to make a serious exit. I have to admit to eagerly getting to box 2 one night because i needed food and screwed up by not bringing much. so the idea of keeping them locked doesnt really appeal to me. they are a good thing in my mind and have definitely helped people. I guess im just puzzled by peoples beliefs in the water fairy (doesnt exist). Im really curious about peoples take on this subject.

[bluerail]

I knew someone was keeping that first box stuffed full of water. Now i know who it is! I just read the story of your first skyline hike this morning David, i got it in an email thats going around. Very cool story, great job. I think i may have seen you that day.

anyway, that box appreciates the attention.

-steve

[Hikin_Jim]

Speaking of stocking the box with water, I rather liked the "green dye" idea. That is, an unpalatable color would be added to the water and perhaps a sticker placed on the bottle with words to the effect:
"This water is for emergency use only. It is not guaranteed to be bacteria free or to taste good, but if your life is truly in danger, then it's probably worth swallowing it."

HJ

[whitebark]

Better yet, dye the water a murky brown color. Green dye would make it look too much like lime Gatorade. Get creative with the food colors

Adding a little (harmless ) floating stuff or some ugly sand in the bottle wouldn't hurt...

[Florian]

I don't think it's a good idea to put dirt or coloring in the water bottles. If i was out of water on Skyline and found a bottle of ugly water i would probably not drink it and just try to hike down on my own. [This of course assumes i'm not familiar with this forum and that i don't know the water has been dirtied on purpose.] Either the boxes supply water or they don't. And this time of year i wouldn't bother stocking the boxes at all. Only stock them during warmer months and then only with plain water.

-Florian