Water, It's Heavy. But We Need It!

We know that when hiking we should more water than usual.

So, how much should you drink?
How should you carry it?

I was researching the answers to this for myself and decided that if I’m doing the research I might as well share.

Water is a pain in the ass, and here’s why:

• Water is heavy at 8.3 lbs per Gallon(3.75 liters)

• On an average hot day without exercising you should have about 3 liters of water a day

• If you are hiking you want to bring more, let’s say 3.75 liters This is about a gallon of water. At 8.3 pounds per gallon, This is very manageable if you are going on a day hike, but not if you are going for longer that that. Considering that for 2 days that’s over 16 pounds you have to add before you even start.

• You need containers to hold these amounts of water which can be cumbersome.

So how you carry the water you need?

• Carry a water filter with you when backpacking, which allows you to get clean water from a lake, pond, puddle, river or stream. Insert the hose of the water filter into the water and pump the water into a bottle. (http://www.ehow.com/how_2210377_carry-water-hydrate-backpacking.html) I have a small review on one such filter I used on a camping trip the filter is called the Katadyn Hiker Pro Water Micro filter You can read what I thought by reading about my California Camping Trip
  

• Hike with a bladder system, such as a camel pack. This can be placed in your backpack and has a hose that attaches to it and connects to your shoulder strap. You can filter water directly into your bladder system. You can pick one of these up for a good price at Wal-Mart. Or you can find Multiple web sites on the Web that sell them as well.

I use the water pack option. I also carry Some water purifier tablets just in case.

If you have any Ideas on carrying water, please leave a post.