Staying Hydrated

hiking_and_biking · 01-05-2012, 03:14 PM

When you hike, how much water do you bring with you? Do you have a formula like X amount of water per hour/mile, or do you just bring a set amount, like a quart or a liter?

Grandpa · 01-05-2012, 03:26 PM

You have to know where your water sources are or else bring enough for the entire hike. They recommend a liter an hour with a full backpack but I'm okay with a liter every hour and a half. On every backpacking trip I have a 4 liter capacity but on known dry trips I add up to 8 more liters of capacity. Any needs more than that, I stay out of such as The Maze in Canyonlands NP. The Northern Rockies where I predominately hike have enough water sources that I seldom carry more than a liter, which I top of with a filter every chance I get.

calanta · 01-05-2012, 03:51 PM

We ran out once and it was not a fun hike back to the car to get the extras that we left behind. The only thing worse than running out for good is then having to hike back while drenched in your own sweat because your silly head is all "Oh we don't need all that"...never again!

Lamebeaver · 01-05-2012, 03:59 PM

It's not how much you bring that matters, it's how much you drink. The saying is "drink until you pee clear". This indicates you're properly hydrated.

state_camper · 01-05-2012, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lamebeaver

It's not how much you bring that matters, it's how much you drink.

I got such a kick out this when I read it, because you can't drink enough if don't bring enough! ROFL

Seriously though, Lamebeaver is right - you should be drinking enough water such that your pee is clear or near-clear.

As for us, we've found that anything in excess of a gallon is heavy enough to affect our stamina, so we limit it to one gallon and plan our hikes around that, limiting them to no more than 4 hours, unless we've got a refill point somewhere along the hike.

catspa · 01-05-2012, 06:40 PM

Well, you can treat and drink water you find along the way.

Parker

oldsarge · 01-05-2012, 07:38 PM

I have a bad habit of not drinking enough water. I know better, but just don't seem to do it. I've been out for 10 or 12 hours hiking in the summer months and maybe polish off 2 quarts. I'm not talking 90º heat, but pleasant days when hiking is comfortable. It doesn't seem to bother me. Once I get home I'll kick back and drink a few glasses, but that's about it. The wife is always getting on me about it.

Grandpa · 01-05-2012, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldsarge

I have a bad habit of not drinking enough water. I know better, but just don't seem to do it. I've been out for 10 or 12 hours hiking in the summer months and maybe polish off 2 quarts. I'm not talking 90º heat, but pleasant days when hiking is comfortable. It doesn't seem to bother me. Once I get home I'll kick back and drink a few glasses, but that's about it. The wife is always getting on me about it.

Same here Sarge. Thats why I chucked the camelbak and went back to the bottle so I can monitor my intake. Get dehydrated in the Rockies and it can be a long, cold night.

dinosaur · 01-05-2012, 09:23 PM

There are always ways to find water. Never go anywhere without it. If you lose your supply, find ways to get it. Overcome those around you and procure your needs.

Overcome and adapt. Overcome and adapt. Overcome and adapt. Oops, I'm sorry! Did I become fixated on a singular path?

Sarge, am I wrong here?

catspa · 01-05-2012, 09:35 PM

Come on over and I'll give you some. Save you the effort of overpowering me, and I won't have to kill you in your sleep.

Parker, just onshore from the biggest distillery in the entire world...