[pct-l] How much water to carry

[Robert Henry]

I second Fireweeds comments.  The best way to manage water and
electrolyte loss due to sweating is to not sweat at all.  Hit the
trail at first light in the morning and hike for 4 hours; this means
getting up at 0430, but then you get to enjoy the critters, the dawn's
early light, and so forth.  Hole up for the day in shade and near
water.  Hit the trail again in the late afternoon when the breezes
kick in and the shadows lengthen, and hike until it is too dark for
safety's sake.  Don't hike up those exposed south facing slopes in the
day, or at least not anytime after noon!  This is really where "Hike
your own hike" is important.  You are not on city time, and not on the
time table of the other hikers.

On Fri, Mar 15, 2013 at 10:55 AM, Mary Kwart <mkwart at gci.net> wrote:
>
>
> Bill said: "I had read that a person drinks about a liter of water
> every 7-8 miles.  Until yesterday, that was exactly what I was
> drinking preparing for my through hike."
>
> Moderating the amount you sweat is another way to moderate water
> intake. Going up hills in the heat when you are fatigued with the same
> pace used on the flats or when you are rested is unwise. I maintain a
> pace that doesn't generate buckets of sweat.  I just go into "low
> gear"--slow and steady, instead of maintaining a fast pace. I also
> believe that your body will become more efficient the more you
> exercise in the heat. I allow 1 liter for every 5 miles on average.
> Through experience, I have found that I do most of my re hydrating in
> the evening in camp.I drink to thirst, and that's when I'm the most
> thirsty so I drink a liter or two then You have to learn what your
> body needs by actually doing it--everyone is different. Sounds like
> that's what you are doing.
>
> I spent a 30 year career fighting fire in the heat and never had
> re-hydration problems by just paying attention to my body's need for
> water and responding appropriately.
>
> --Fireweed
>
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