Suggestions for maintaining the boxes.

[zippetydude]

Has anyone asked the PSMP what their thoughts/normal enforcement would entail? A lock and cop stationed just a little ways away might be the equivalent of a speed trap to them. And while I understand that they can't afford to take cops off the street to cover little incidentals like this, if the department yielded a profit in fines, wouldn't that be to their benefit? I suppose government agencies don't operate on that basis. Easier just to raise taxes. Too bad, I bet just occasional enforcement at a profit would be extremely effective. Word travels fast. And anyone in need would then actually find water available.

Back to my sniper idea.

Not really. I have never shot litterbugs or thieves on Skyline. I have just joked about it.

z

[bluerail]

You don't want to end up in jail from comments you made on a public forum either ?

Seriously zip maybe this should be the year of the lock and more signage at the boxes.

I was originally curious how many people would see that as a viable idea. Copies of keys could go to the regulars that live on the trail.

[Hikin_Jim]

"Locks keep honest men honest" --Abraham Lincoln

If someone had to break a lock, maybe they'd think twice about casually grabbing supplies out of the box? Maybe not considering you have to be a pretty big scum bag to wrongly take emergency supplies in the first place. Or are there really that many people getting in over their heads on Skyline on that regular a basis?

HJ

[Robert Hunt]

Hi everyone. This has been an interesting thread to say the least! HJ has a point that it's not really known how many people feel that they are in actual danger. Maybe someone felt desperate but didn't want to entirely drain the box? Many people may feel building desperation in knowing that they ran out and box 2 is the last chance with a long way to go yet. This doesn't excuse their lack of planning but not everybody can gage their level of actual danger as well as regulars. If someone truly needs it, thanks to all who care enough to stay one quart ahead of the idiots. Btw, I'm really looking foreward to cruising back&forth thru there Sat.

[Screerider]

Locks may be a little too drastic.
Breakable seals may be enough to discourage a lot of malicious use..
As far as locals checking the boxes, it's just a matter of checking the seal. If it isn't broken, they're full.

[Hikin_Jim]

Locks may be a little too drastic.

Good point. And by lock I meant something small and relatively flimsy that could be broken easily in time of necessity.

I think putting seals on the boxes is a good idea -- something more than just a twisted wire that can be undone without breaking anything. I think this may have been tried before. At the least, someone would have to be going up regularly to verify that the seal was still in place.

Having an open box with what looks like junk in it does not invite respect.

HJ

[zippetydude]

I'm still thinking a small lock, like those found on a kid's diary or something small like that would work best. You'd actually have to break it. Out of curiosity I might open a box myself, and if I was with a friend who wanted a bottle of water, I might just figure I'd bring one up to replace it on another visit, so I'd go along with it. This scenario doesn't really seem hard to imagine. On the other hand, I can't picture myself breaking a lock, however small it might be, because it would require breaking something. We can always give it a shot and see what happens. No one is going to die of heat right now.

z

[Hikin_Jim]

a small lock, like those found on a kid's diary or something

Yeah, that was kind of what I had in mind.

HJ

[zippetydude]

You know, these things kind of get discussed until they die with no action ever happening. bluerail, why don't you put a little lock on there when you go up this weekend and see if it helps? Worst case is somebody will break the lock. There shouldn't be anyone in need with this cool weather, but nobody that is in need will be unable to get to the water, and it will raise the bar just a notch from "selfishness" to "vandalism". Like I said in an earlier post, actively breaking something seems less tempting to me. But I realize, that's just me. I don't steal water bottles and act like a fool (at least, not on Skyline) so I may be overestimating their conscience. Still, I'd say just give it a try!

z

[bamm321]

In my opinion...locks a dirty water sound a bit extreme. How about hanging like a laminated poster inside the door, saying something to the effect of

"these supplies are for instances of absolute emergency! using them could effect someone elses life." Maybe a nice skull and crossbones picture or something

Just something to give someone a second thought check. if it keeps happening maybe something more exteme like above is called for.