[pct-l] hydration question!

[Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes]

On Jun 24, 2008, at 8:31 PM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
> Subject: [pct-l] hydration question!
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Message-ID:
> 	<35acb5240806241451ndb7a30cx67fe4304e78b3c0f at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> hello again everybody! thank you all for submissions pertaining to  
> questions
> that i have had in the past. here is another...i am currently  
> considering
> hydration options for my upcoming hike on the pct from tuolumne  
> meadows to
> ashland, oregon. I have encountered sections that are waterless for  
> around
> 15 miles. is 2 litres of water enough for that? or do you all think  
> that i
> would need more? i am 6'1 190lbs and my partner 5'9 215lbs, both in
> good cardiovascular shape. i am leaning towards 3 litres of water  
> total for
> such days. what does everyone else think? peace!

15 miles isn't really very far unless it's very hot.

My strategy for water has depended on whether I expect I'll have to  
waterless camp or if it is just part of the day's hike. I'll carry  
enough for drinking and cooking if I expect a waterless camp.  
Otherwise, I'll carry enough for hiking and expect to get my cooking  
water at the next source.

When I get to water sources, even in the abundantly watered places,  
my strategy is to drink deeply at the source, then fill up my bottles  
and continue. That way I can carry less since more is already in my  
belly.

Diane