[pct-l] SuperSecrets of Backpacking - Water Importance

[Hiker97]

Let's continue our discussion of water.  Previously, we talked about carrying water and the various options.  Now let's talk about water itself.  Here is what I have heard from various people and sources.

#1. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated (likely applies to 1/2 the world population).
 #2. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak  that it is mistaken for hunger.
 #3. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as 3%.
 #4. 1 glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs  for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of Washington study.
#5. Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue. 
#6. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back & joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.
 #7. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term  memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on  the computer screen or on a printed page.
 #8. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of  colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%., and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer. Are you drinking the amount of water you should drink every day, especially on the trail?

Just for fun let's talk about our good old soft drink, Coke.

#1. In many states the highway patrol carries 2 gallons of Coke in the trunk to remove blood from the highway after a car accident.
 #2. You can put a T-bone steak in a bowl of Coke & it will be gone in 2 days.
 #3. To clean a toilet: Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the toilet bowl & let the 'real thing' sit for 1 hour, then flush clean. The citric acid in Coke removes stains from vitreous China .
 #4. To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers:  Rub the bumper with a rumpled-up piece of Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil dipped in Coca-Cola. 
#5. To clean corrosion from car battery terminals: Pour a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to bubble away the corrosion.
 #6. To loosen a rusted bolt: Apply a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola  to the rusted bolt for several minutes.
#7. To bake a moist ham: Empty a can of Coca-Cola into the baking pan, wrap the ham in aluminum foil, & bake. 30 minutes before ham is finished, remove the foil, allowing the drippings to mix with the Coke for a sumptuous brown gravy. 
#8.To remove grease from clothes: Empty a can of Coke into the load of greasy clothes, add detergent, & run through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola will help loosen grease stains. It will also clean road haze from your windshield.

 FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
 #1. The active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric acid.  It will dissolve a nail in about 4 days. Phosphoric acid also leaches calcium from bones & is a major contributor to the rising increase of osteoporosis. The combination of carbination & caffeine depletes calcium from your bones.  This is an equivalent of a 1 glass of milk per coke can.  So a good rule would be to drink 2 glasses of milk for every can of Coke to stay even. 
#2. To carry Coca-Cola syrup! (the concentrate) the  commercial trucks must use a Hazardous Material place cards reserved for highly corrosive materials.
 #3. The distributors of Coke have been using it to clean engines of the trucks for about 20 years!

 As professional hardcore backpackers, we must be aware of what is healthy for us and what is not.  We operate at a very high physical, mental, and emotional rate out on the trail.  Everything must be the best we can make it for our particular style of backpacking.

Your pal, Switchback the Trail Pirate
"May the Rhythm of the Trail Be With You."