September 11 Skyline

[KathyW]

If there's water in the box, I guess I can carry less water up Skyline now and just get water from one of those boxes if I run out. Thanks for helping me out.

[Hikin_Jim]

The umbrella in the box is a nice touch.

Yeah, there are a lot of scumbags out there that may just loot the supplies in the boxes. But even if it saves one or two lives, I think it's worth it. In any event, they're there now. Let's see how it goes.

HJ

[Florian]

Went to the first box this morning to check it out. The contents were all still in place (Yay!) although someone has added a Pure Addiction sticker to the front of the box and left the backing paper on the ground. I picked it up along with some boots and a bunch of water bottles left along the trail nearby. The boots are size 8 1/2 and i left them at the Ramon trailhead if anyone wants them.

Photos here ► http://www.flickr.com/photos/fboyd/sets ... 77/detail/

-Florian

[Hikin_Jim]

Hi, Florian,

Thanks for the photos. Looks like they did a first class job on the boxes.

Wow, so the box is just wide open? No seal? I suspect the 2500' level box will be difficult to keep stocked although I sincerely hope I'm wrong. It seems like some kind of seal might be worth a try, although who knows.

It still amazes me that people that do Skyline would leave behind bottles and trash.

HJ

[Florian]

Wow, so the box is just wide open? No seal?

The box was held closed with a little "baggie" twist tie. Maybe i'll put a padlock on it next time. Oh, wait, i guess that wouldn't be such a good idea.

-Florian

[Hikin_Jim]

I was thinking of something like this:


or this:


Although maybe those are a waste of time.

I suppose one could put a length of tape along the opening edge of the box. Something like the below but marked "emergency only."

Maybe tape would be a greater disincentive?

HJ

[bluerail]

They're getting seals for boxes.

The boxes aren't complete yet. I really hope everyone respects them and realizes the help they may afford someone in trouble. I know that all the people that go up the trail want deeply to be self sufficient on it, thats part of our deal. the boxes are solely for those individuals that actually do end up in trouble, PSMP SAR put these up simply to help save a life. I know that the people I have run across in the wilderness are really decent people, and have a deep understanding for the need to help those in trouble.

I flew up 2 weeks ago to help them scout out the locations for the boxes and completely agree with the choices made for these two locations. If these work out there may be 1 or 2 more placed.

These guys are trying to find the best way to help. I hope we all help them out in our own way and show the respect and care we would want ourselves.

[Hikin_Jim]

Here, here.

[bluerail]

Thanks Jim, this is going to take all the suport we can give it. I know there are people that are going to strongly dissagree with this idea. Not even mentioning the morons that make it to the 2460' box to vandalize it. That one concerns me the most.

I completely understand the sentiments of Kathy and others that contend it's going to get people up there unconcerned and ill prepared.

There is that issue.

I wonder if the people that have gotten in trouble up there have had that mind set.That there is water at 5700'. From all that I've heard, Florians bucket never had anything to do with people relying on it, finding it empty,and having to call for help. It's been other circumstances where people have trully found themselves screwed....with every intention of making it up there on their own abilities and supplies. It's just that it turned out to be more than they realized. They take forever and generally run out of water after too long on the trail.

Or do the Marine crampy thingy.

Nobody should die trying to do this trail. Anything that someone is willing to do to keep that from happening, seems like it should be embrassed by all of us.

[KathyW]

I don't really think the boxes will encourage very many people to go up the trail with less water than they would have before. I just think it's sad they are needed.

What I'm curious about is the number of rescues on the Skyline Trail. Has the number of rescues increased over the years? If so, why? Is there some reason more people are encouraged to try the trail when it's too hot out and/or when they are not in shape to do it?