water cache

[lightgy]

Pardon my naivety, but after lugging 2 gallons of water up Skyline a couple of times I am interested in leaving water on the trail. Is it as simple as hiding a bottle under some bush? Any tips would be appreciated?

Thanks, the Thirsty One.

[Cobber99]

Pardon my naivety, but after lugging 2 gallons of water up Skyline a couple of times I am interested in leaving water on the trail. Is it as simple as hiding a bottle under some bush? Any tips would be appreciated?

Thanks, the Thirsty One.

Good question for Florian as he hiked a 5 gallon pail full of water bottles to somewhere around 6,500 ft.

[Florian]

I think lightgy was asking about hiding water for his own use. The water i left is in plain view for use by anyone in need. But to address lightgy's question i think you've summed it up yourself. If you want to cache water for your own use just hide some bottles someplace a bit off the trail in a location you'll remember. But frankly, i would not rely on cached water myself. There is always a chance that someone will find and take your water. I would always want to carry enough water to complete the hike safely.

-Florian

[lightgy]

Thanks for the reply Florian. I haven't hiked Skyline since you established your public Cache , but your advise to always carry your own supply is probably the best idea. I never hike skyline without a least a gallon and half after my own personal "experience" of hiking Skyline with only two quarts in 105 degree weather. It was an "eyeopener" After the two deaths this last week would a second cache of water in the lower section of skyline make sense? Would to many people take advantage of it not leaving any water for someone who really needs it? I live in the Palm Springs area and would help maintain it if any one has ideas.

[Florian]

I really hope no one ever depends on finding water in the cache i left. I'm still having sort of mixed feelings about it. (I don't know if there is actually any water in the cache right now.) I'd really hate for someone to read these forums and expect to find water cached along the trail. But on the other hand a second visible cache at the 4300' area where many people take a break sounds like it might be a good idea. That's also a spot i'd recommend that people turn around if they have any doubts about completing a through hike.

-Florian

[bluerail]

....buckets empty, take lots of fluids, good ones.

[magikwalt]

I have twice trail met people who pour out water caches that they find. Kind of like the duck haters I guess. If you are really going to have to rely on it then I suggest putting it well clear of the trail. Weekly repeat traffic is below 3000ft so get it up high.

[Florian]

I'm thinking to remove the water cache next time i go up. (Probably not until Sept.) If i could keep it stocked during the summer that might be different but i don't hike the Skyline now.

-Florian

[Cobber99]

I think lightgy was asking about hiding water for his own use.

Yep - that's how I understood him as well - and why I figured you may have a good tip or two on getting a cache up and placing it. I totally agree that people relying on a water cache makes no sense. If someone hikes up and actually relies on someone else to provide them water, they should not hike it at all.