Water is heavy and at 2.2 lbs per liter, it’s most likely the heaviest factor you carry in your backpack. Regardless of this, many hikers and backpackers nonetheless carry far more water than they want when mountain climbing or backpacking. That’s wasted effort if you will discover water alongside your path to fulfill your wants with out compromising your security. Should you constantly find yourself at your vacation spot with one or two liters of water that you just haven’t consumed, possibly it’s time to rethink how a lot you water you carry.
Listed below are a number of methods to scale back the quantity of water you carry and nonetheless stay hydrated:
Plan Forward
Get out a map and work out the place the water sources are in your route. They could possibly be streams, rivers, wells, springs, water taps, consuming fountains, ponds, or lakes. Carry a water filter or air purifier with you if the water high quality is suspect or unknown. If the space between water sources and the way a lot water you favor to eat per hour, you’ll be able to time it so that you arrive on the subsequent water supply when it’s time in your drink or bottle refill. For instance, I sometimes drink a liter of water each 2-3 hours and hike at a 2 mph tempo, which supplies me a spread of 4-6 miles earlier than I must refill my 1 liter water bottle.
Eat Water at Water Sources
Drink water at water sources, so that you don’t have to hold it away with you. However achieve this carefully. Your physique can solely take in a half liter per hour or barely extra in excessive warmth. Don’t attempt to “camel up” with greater than a liter of water at a time. Ingesting an excessive amount of water can disrupt your physique’s electrolyte stability, result in hyponatremia which is brought on by low sodium ranges, and make you’re feeling like shit.
Prepare dinner Meals at Water Sources
If it’s close to time for dinner and also you want water to prepare dinner or rehydrate your meals, put together and eat it on the water supply so that you don’t have to hold additional with you.
Prehydrate
Drink a half liter to a liter of water whenever you get up within the morning or within the automotive on the way in which to a trailhead. Should you’re nicely hydrated at first of the day, you’ll want to hold much less water to catch up at first of your hike.
Be Smart
- Should you don’t know the state or location of the water sources forward of you, hedge your bets and carry extra water.
- Should you discover it tough to drink sufficient with no hose/hydration system, by all means, carry one.
- Should you eat wholesome snacks or meals as you stroll, you’ll be able to normally keep away from counting on electrolyte mixes and the added sugar that almost all embrace.
- Should you hike with individuals who don’t wish to cease at every water supply or wait whilst you refill your bottle, carry extra water or discover new mountain climbing companions.
- If it’s actually sizzling exterior, decelerate your tempo or relaxation till the temperature drops, after which resume your journey. It’s a lot simpler to handle your hydration degree in case your physique isn’t confused.
That is Tough
Coaching your self to hold much less water on mountain climbing and backpacking journeys is likely one of the most tough backpacking abilities to be taught as a result of we’re instinctively programmed to worry thirst and can do something to keep away from it. However when you can reduce down on carrying extra water, you’ll discover an enormous distinction between carrying one liter of water as an alternative of two or three at a time. It’ll undoubtedly put the spring again into your step!
