[pct-l] Section O drying out

[Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes]

Thru-hikers, especially those you will meet at this time of year who  
have more than 1000 and almost 2000 miles on their feet, can hike a  
lot farther on less water than the average hiker. So when they say 2  
quarts are enough, or that there was enough water on the trail,  
consider whether you are as acclimatized and in as good condition as  
they are. Someone who can hike 25 miles in a day is going to think  
there's more water on the trail than someone who can only hike 12  
miles in a day. By the time I got to Nor Cal I could hike 20 miles by  
2 PM so 20 miles between water sources meant I only had to get  
through lunch.

Same goes for people who are regular hikers or who are local to the  
area. I can hike 18 miles in 95 degree temps on 3 liters, but I live  
in So Cal where this is normal. If you live in the PNW or the East  
Coast you might not be able to do this so easily.

Whenever you ask another person about trail conditions, be specific.  
"How was the water, was there enough?" is not specific. "Was there  
water at X Creek? Was there water at Y Creek?" is specific.

Diane


On Aug 11, 2010, at 8:14 PM, AsABat wrote:

> You generalized, I gave an extreme example to refute it.
>
> In Section P last week it was in the mid-90's. There was no water from
> Disappearing Creek (and many probably didn't find the water there)  
> to 3
> miles past Gumboot, a total of about 18 miles. Most thrus were  
> powering up
> the steep 2500' climb, others looked ready to drop. Yes, some only  
> carry a
> quart or two, some carry more, and some wish they had more.
>
> I just want the less-experienced reading to understand it's not  
> just the
> desert where water is a problem, and they need to be prepared. I'm  
> sorry if
> I offended.
>
> AsABat
>
>
>
> On Wed, Aug 11, 2010 at 7:53 PM, Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes <
> diane at santabarbarahikes.com> wrote:
>
>> When did I say Hat Creek Rim?
>>
>> Diane
>> On Aug 11, 2010, at 5:30 PM, AsABat wrote:
>>
>> "Also, thru-hikers can
>>> walk 25 miles on 2 quarts of water and so if toward the end of the
>>> day they pull into a source and can fill up the bottles again, they
>>> will be of the opinion that there was plenty of water."
>>>
>>> Really? 25 miles on the Hat Creek Rim in July at 100+degrees with 2
>>> quarts?
>>>
>>> I just want to warn hikers that, as you said, know your body, as  
>>> YMMV. I
>>> would drink 5 quarts in 25 miles and still be dehydrated in those
>>> conditions.
>>>
>>> AsABat
>>>
>>
>>