Hiking in the heat

“I was hiking in the hills south of Encampment Wyoming this morning . Fairly hot and water has to be carried up there . How much water do you people carry on hikes in mid-summer heat ?”

“2-3 liters a day or more would be my suggestion. I drink a lot of water.”

“On a hot day atleast 2 if water is readily avail. If not, I would probably carry 4 on an all-day day trip.”

“You can easily sweat 1 to 2 liters an hour, more under extreme conditions.

I would adjust the amount you carry according to access and availability.

If you become severely dehydrated, it can take up to 3 days to recover.
last edited: 6/30/07 6:51:41 PM”

“Funny thing - I seldom, if ever, monitor the amount of water I drink. Sometimes I'll chug an entire quart while filtering, then pack-out loaded, ie, one qt. Nalgene, two qt. bladder.

Gizmeaux prolly drinks as much as me, and Belle thrice the amount.

I've deliberately hiked specific routes so's to hit watering holes that turned out to be dry - skeery. Pinhoti Trail (Cheaha) comes to mind. I suffered a de-capped water bottle (Gatorade) at Cohutta Wilderness. I bushwacked to Panther Bluff, dropped my pack, and retrieved my last bottle - which was capless and empty. I was able to re-up within an hour or so. I soonly bought Nalgenes.

If running low, I never drink more than half of what I have (unless I'm coming out and have a supply at the trailhead). I've reached water holes with mere drops remaining.

Hiking trails along creek drainages is the best bet.

"Swamp tea" never tasted better than on Cumberland Island on a July hike several years ago - "humiditure" hit 112 degrees. In all my years of construction work, I've NEVER sweated as much as I did that (last) day. Showered in shorts and tee shirt, I did. I stunk - clothes and all - so I figured I'd do some laundry while showering. My ferry companions were spared the stinch... mostly.”

“My external frame pack serves well when I have 8 liters( 18lbs) of H2O for some desert trips. Too many times I've had 8-10 miles waterless to get in with temps around 100*F. I'm getting too old for summer trips.”

“Fortunately we have low "humiditure " . But a fairly steady wind does dry out the old hide.

The drainage creeks are about dry now so I just need to pack more Nagene bottles.”

“I have to chug water constantly when hiking in the heat....I would take 4Ls for a day trip in anything above 80.”

“I have to chug water constantly when hiking in the heat....I would take 4Ls for a day trip in anything above 80.”