Water wings

‘We were out there doing a resupply, hauling empty bottles away. We normally run a cord through the handles so the wind doesn’t blow them away. They’re not heavy, just awkward. There were probably 30 or 35 bottles. When we came back down with empties, Jan’s hands were free to take the picture.’

--Charlie Jones

who replenishes jugs of water for thirsty hikers on a 23-mile segment of the trail that runs through the San Felipe Hills in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

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‘We were coming back down the hill after the third and last trip of the day. We would each carry 5 gallons of water up the hill to leave for future hikers. I didn’t intend to take any photos and didn’t have my camera, but Charlie had his. When I saw the lighting on him I couldn’t pass up a great photo op, so I asked him to stop and give me his camera. I’m not sure he knew what I wanted it for.’

-- Jan Hawkins

who won grand prize for this image in the Pacific Crest Trail Assn.’s 2005 photo contest