[pct-l] hydration question!

[Gary Wright]

On Jun 24, 2008, at 6:29 PM, Steel-Eye wrote:
> Plus there us
> usually a water resupply point somewhere during the day, and the  
> best plan
> is -- provided the water availability is reliable -- to arrive  
> thirsty and
> tank-up both you and your bottles.

I have to disagree with this.  Arriving at a water source thirsty and  
without water means that you have been dehydrated with no margin of  
error for some period of time prior to arrival.  Even minor  
dehydration makes your muscles less efficient and what happens if you  
are injured and unable to make it to the water source in a timely  
manner?

I'm not suggesting that everyone plan to arrive at a water source  
with an extra 2L of water, just that everyone should be aware that  
small mistakes add up quickly.  If you stay hydrated at all times and  
plan to arrive at a water source with a little water to spare you've  
got a nice margin of error to work with.  In hot dry weather and/or  
marginal water sources you should probably plan to be able to skip a  
water source or be willing to do the extra miles to an alternate off- 
trail water source.

Radar