Water

[WileECoyote]

How much water should you carry with you when you go on a hike. I drink an enormous amount of water and I don't think I could carry enough to do me. I always take something to boil water in and purification tablets and get water as I go. But what is the basic formula you should follow?

[Bradsalex]

Every person is different and I don't believe there is a set formula for calculating water intake. A good rule of thumb is; on a hot day (ie. >95) a person should drink 1 quart of water per hour, other than that a person should drink at least 1/2 quart of water regardless of temperature. This applies in cold temperatures also, just because you don't sweat doesn't mean you don't get dehydrated.

So, by doing research about the weather conditions and the length and difficulty of the hike you should be able to figure your approximate water intake.

[boomerang]

Thanks Bradsalex. I never planned how much I will drink when during a hike or trekking. I would just do it instinctively, I drink when I feel thirsty. The last time I and some friends did trekking, we consume at least four liters a day.

[HikerChick]

It really depends on how long and difficult the hike is, what the weather conditions are, and like Brad said, your personal needs. Can I recommend a full CamelPack? I haven't used them, but I hear they're great for day trips!

[failghe]

If you are thirsty then you are already getting dehydrated. You should drink before you get thirsty. I bring a 2 liter hydration pack plus a couple of water bottles depending on how long I will be hiking and the temp. Better to have too much than too little.
I thought the eight 8oz of water a day is the rule. Now I read this.
The latest new conventional wisdom from the field of sports medicine holds that you should drink daily half your body weight in ounces of water. That is, if you weight 120 pounds, you should drink 60 ounces of water every day, or seven and a half cups. If you weight 180 pounds, you should drink 90 ounces of water daily, or eleven cups and another few sips.

[Bradsalex]

Originally Posted by failghe

if you weight 120 pounds, you should drink 60 ounces of water every day, or seven and a half cups. If you weight 180 pounds, you should drink 90 ounces of water daily, or eleven cups and another few sips.

That's interesting, I think it makes more sense. Our bodies are different per our size. A person that is 200 pounds has more blood in them then a person that is 120 pounds. It takes more to hydrate a larger body then it does a smaller one. Good research.

[ramp]

Yes, good find failghe. In the case of someone weighing 120 pounds, he should take 60 ounces (equal to 60 liter) of water. It means we actually need less water than what we are advised to consume.

[jason]

I would end up drinking all day if I went that route. Ok, I kid. But on a more serious note, I often take too much. I usually leave a gallon of water in the car. I drink up before I head out. I will often carry two bottles with me, I forget their exact size. I some left by the time I get back, but I usually drink some anyway when I get back.

Someone told me once that when you are out, you should sip the water rather then guzzle. They said your body will absorb the water better that way. Not sure how true it is though, but I do follow that rule.

[Bradsalex]

Originally Posted by jason

Someone told me once that when you are out, you should sip the water rather then guzzle. They said your body will absorb the water better that way. Not sure how true it is though, but I do follow that rule.

This is accurate, I'm not sure about the absorption of the water into your system but it will help to keep from over doing it and having what you just guzzled come back up when your pushing yourself hard on a hike.

Also, your body will absorb water that is room/tepid temperature easier then water that is cold.

[campclose]

I don't carry a ton of water. I do always have a cooler full of water in the car for when I get back. I usually will carry a couple of water bottles with me. I don't like to have to haul a lot of water.