[pct-l] Water in Sections A & B

[Tom Bache]

7 or 8 liters of water is a lot!  8 liters of water weighs nearly 17 lbs.  I
live in San Diego and hike on or near Sections A & B very frequently, and I
sure try to avoid carrying anywhere near that much.

Here's the way I look at it.  Depending on your physiology and training to
exercise in hot weather, you may need 7-8 liters per 24 hours when it is
really hot.  But even then you can drink many of these liters at night and
at water sources, so you don't need to carry it.  Also, a substantial
fraction of Sections A & B is at altitudes over 4000' where high
temperatures (i.e., well over 90) aren't common except for a few hours in
the middle of the day.

There are many reliable water sources (not including caches) near the trail
in these sections.  You should know where they are (guidebook).  Most of the
time they are spaced so you can get between them with only a few liters.
There are a couple of exceptions that will require more water -- Campo to
Lake Morena and Tule Spring to Hwy 74 are long stretches, but can be done in
a day.  The one really big challenge is Rodriguez Canyon to Barrel Springs.
This is really long (about 30 miles) and is at 2000'-4000' altitudes where
it can be very hot.  Without caches, this is the one place where you might
need 7-8 liters (depends on whether there is water in the seasonal creek at
Scissors Crossing).

Of course, tolerance to dehydration shows very wide individual variations
and can be developed (i.e., trained).  You should be very confident that you
know your tolerance as you calculate your water needs.

Sections A & B are magnificent sections with spectacular scenery (few trees
to block the views!).  Enjoy them.

Tom Bache
San Diego