[Ronnie]

Originally Posted by LaRemnant

I prefer to travel light. I get dehydrated powdered water. Just add water.

If a teaspoon of powder mixed with a teaspoon of water makes a gallon of water then i want some of it

[novazer0]

Originally Posted by Ronnie

If a teaspoon of powder mixed with a teaspoon of water makes a gallon of water then i want some of it

that would be so cool....

[Dick]

1 US gallon = 0.83267384 Imperial gallons = 3.8liters

...just in case anyone was wondering.

One thing I have found working in the bush is that your thirst doesn’t always correspond to your physiological requirements.

Your mouth and throat can be dry when you technically don’t NEED additional water. In contrast, especially in winter, you may not feel thirsty, but you are becoming dehydrated.

I have found wild berries (raspberries, blueberries) to be excellent at “lubricating” your mouth and throat, leaving your water stores for when they are needed.

In winter I add flavour crystals to my water to make a weak flavoured solution. This serves two purposes:
• You are more inclined to have a drink
• It lowers the freezing point of the water

[rogerstevens]

Originally Posted by Ron Fontaine

An understanding of basic water quantity needs is very important for planning.

For example, if you want to get from point A to point B and there is only one stream crossing marked on the map, you can judge whether or not you will need to refill your water containers at the stream. You can also assess water rationing, and how much water you should carry. These are important considerations due to the weight and bulk of water.

Allowing for a margin of error is a hard-won lesson, often learned through suffering.

These are only a basic rule of thumb, from which I start planning for the amount of water I'll need.

• Drinking water - 1 gallon per day at average activity level and non-extreme environment. This can double or triple as the weather becomes hotter or colder, or or when exertion levels increase.
• For cooking, add another quart or two.
• For washing of your body, cooking utensils, and perhaps t-shirt and underwear - 2 to 4 gallons per day. My trick is to use the underwear or t-shirt as a wash cloth, thereby soaping it up and rinsing it off as I wash.

The environment you find yourself in has a great bearing on water consumption needs.

Note that very cold air cannot hold much moisture. At -40F the air is as dry as the driest desert, robbing your body of water very quickly. At +98F with 100% humidity, sweat will flow from your body like a waterfall. These are typical extremes during a year in the Great North Woods. Wind will also dehydrate the body, as will sun or exposure to salt water.

Thank you for posting

[B52gundog]

Excellent post, Ron. Definitely an important factor.

The only thing I'd add based on my experience hiking in a hot and humid environment is: "Can you trust your map?" I've used maps that show what look to be great water sources, but later learn those water sources have dried up. I've seen this for creeks, streams, swamps, ponds, and small lakes. Sometimes permanently dried up other times just dry at that moment in time (drought conditions).

So, if it's an area I know little about, I'm more inclined to bring at least enough drinking water to get by if water sources aren't available as expected.

[Baldninja]

Great post, though I'd like to add that his numbers are general, they will vary from person to person. I stay hydrated very well in cold climates, but tend not to in hot climates, as I sweat easily and a lot if it's 80 or higher. Even with that being the case, using his generalized numbers would likely prevent "total" dehydration(as in dangerously low hydration levels), in my case, for many days. So even those numbers would likely be more than sufficient in short term scenarios for most everyone.

You can also help hydration levels by traveling during the least extreme hours. So in deserts travel at night, helping to keep you warm, then sleep during the day, so you aren't using up as much energy/losing as much water via sweating. In cold climates, travel during the day and try to be bunkered down in some sort of insulated enclosure at night.

[NightShade]

Good post Ron! Touched all the bases.
Little bit of info that may come in handy- water weighs 8.33 lbs. Per gallon...... No way around that, so plan accordingly.

[mscureman]

Originally Posted by Ron Fontaine

Did you steal that line from me?

I thought that was one of Steven Wright's jokes.

"I bought some powdered water...but I don't know what to add."

[snowshoe67]

Ron Great Advise and a Great Post too. you Too Laremnant!