[pct-l] Super Secrets - Water

[yetifan at yahoo.com (Scott Herriott)]

Switchback wrote:


<In my water caches, I usually hide Smart Water 
bottles.>


I'd like to also recommend Fiji bottled water
containers.  Used one last year after a recommendation
from Dancin' Chance Money.  I liked the squarish
body...seemed easier to put back in the mesh on the
side of my pack compared to the round-bodied
holders...also, seemed to hold its place better.  And,
of course, let's not forget the festive floral display
on its face.


Squatch
www.walkpct.com

  

--- Hiker97@aol.com wrote:

> I know everyone is aware of how  important water is
> on the trail.  But let me 
> give you a few  suggestions and ideas.
> 1.  Carry the heavy water in  the lightest
> containers.  Platypus water 
> containers is an example of these  containers. 
> Store bought water bottles and 
> Gatorade bottles are other  examples of light weight
> containers.
> 2.  If possible distribute  your carrying capacity
> over your body.  Do not 
> put HEAVY water weight on  one set of muscles or
> area of your body.  For 
> example, carrying some  containers low on the side
> of your pack pockets and a water 
> bladder inside the  main pack with an outlet tube. 
> You now have your waist 
> area taking some  weight and your back/shoulder area
> too.  I like to carry a 
> belly/waist pack  with two bottle holders for this
> reason.  I have water on the 
> pack and on  the belly pack.
> 3.  The darker your urine, the  more dehydrated you
> are.  Try to drink so 
> that your urine is light or  nearly clear.  If you
> do this you will get 
> Switchback's gold star  for outstanding water
> management.
> 4.  Just like protein,  carbohydrates, fat,
> vitamins, and minerals, water is 
> an essential body  nutrient.
> 5.  A lack of water leads to  muscle cramps,
> fatigue, dry skin, headaches, 
> and constipation.  A lack of  water can lead to
> false hunger signals and cause 
> you to eat when what you really  need is water.
> 6.  Do not rely on thirst as  an indicator of water
> needs.  It is a delayed 
> reaction and does not kick in  until your levels are
> already low.
> 7.  Consume one quart/liter of  water for every 50
> pounds of body weight per 
> day.  If you weigh 150 pounds  you should drink 3
> quarts per day WITHOUT ANY 
> SERIOUS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY!   Just think what this
> means for a hiker.
> 8.  Milk, juices, and sports  drinks are okay, but
> water is by far the best. 
> 9.  As with anything else, do  not over do the water
> intake.  You can wash 
> out your body chemistry.   You must use water in
> conjunction with snacks with 
> salt and minerals to keep  things balanced as you
> bounce along the trail.  A few 
> bites on a trail  bar/GORP would be fine with your
> water pit stop.
> 10.  Of course, avoid alcohol  and caffeine.  They
> increase unnecessary 
> urination and fluid  loss.
> 11.  A good method for your  daily water intake is
> determine for your weight 
> how much water you should drink  per day.  Put a
> container at home and one at 
> work to equal how much water  you want to drink each
> day.  Each day you just 
> check the containers to see  how you did.  Simple.
> 12.  I like to use Smart Water  at Wild Oats, Whole
> Foods, Traders Joe, and 
> some grocery stores.  In my  water caches, I usually
> hide Smart Water bottles.  
> Neat.  Smart Water  has some electrolytes in it.
> 13.  Water makes up about 60%  of the average man's
> weight and 55% for the 
> average woman.  Think about  that.  That is a lot of
> water to maintain!  It 
> allows the  body to cool itself, lubricate muscles
> and joints, brings oxygen to 
> the cells,  and moves wastes out of the body.
> 14.  My breakfast regime on  the trail is usually a
> liquid shake, like 
> Nature's Plus Spiru-Tein  strawberry with a Lara Bar
> or similar trail bar.  During 
> the day I like  Gookinaid Hydralyte drinks and plain
> water with my snacks.
>  
> Anyway, sorry for the long post,  but this is so
> important.  Critical.  Life 
> and death, etc.,  etc.
>  
> Your hiking buddy,  Switchback
> 007 Trail Scoundrel & Camp  Sponge
>  
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