Cache (water or food cache)

In a thru-hiking context, a cache is a planned stash of water, food, or other consumable supplies placed along a route before or during a hike. Caches are most often used in areas where water sources are sparse, seasonal, or unreliable, or where resupply points are very far apart. By leaving supplies in advance, hikers reduce the amount of weight they must carry at one time while still maintaining access to critical resources.

Water caches may consist of sealed containers or bottles left in discreet, recognizable locations such as road crossings, trailheads, or specific landmarks. Food caches are usually placed in durable containers that protect contents from weather and wildlife, and in some regions may need to follow specific food storage rules. In all cases, the person who creates the cache remains responsible for eventually removing all containers and any unused contents.

Land management agencies and trail organizations vary in their stance on caching. Some areas allow or tolerate carefully managed caches, while others restrict them due to concerns about litter, wildlife conditioning, or perceived visual impact. Hikers are expected to follow current regulations and guidance for the specific corridor they are using.

Public or informal caches sometimes appear along popular routes, created by volunteers or other hikers, but they are inherently unreliable. Thru-hikers are generally advised to treat such caches as an occasional bonus rather than a primary planning assumption. Navigation, timing, and contingency planning remain important even when caches are part of a strategy.