How Much Water for Hiking: 1-5 Days' Trip in Grand Canyon
If you plan to hike, camp, and complete a long trail for days, you won’t be able to carry enough water with you because it will be too heavy. So you need to calculate How much water to hike, for how long, and the best way to take it.
It is not difficult to measure how much water you need to drink and carry for hiking. Don’t worry, this article provides a hiking water calculation tool, please read on>>>
1、How Much Water for Hiking: Pre-trip Research-Preparation for hiking
Air temperature
You don’t have to be an experienced trailblazer to know that it’s best to stay hydrated if you choose to hike in hot weather. The results of one such related study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health suggest that about 25 percent of cases of heat-related illness are the result of fluid imbalance. Participants also took an average of about 20 minutes longer to complete the hike in hot conditions compared to moderate conditions (i.e. 75 minutes in mild conditions, but up to 95 minutes in high temperatures).
Trails and environmental
Elevation gain is directly related to hiking duration and energy expenditure, and you always want to get a general idea of the area you are going into (including trail length, location and elevation gain, topographic maps, and trail reviews) before you start hiking.
Exercise
When hiking in a group, even though we are very fit and have a very fast feet, we have to slow down as fast as the slowest member of the group. We also spend much time on the road for rest, which means we need to bring plenty of water to keep us on the road for longer periods.
Hiking duration
The longer hike we take, the more physical exertion and the higher the fluid intake.
Backpack weight
The most difficult part during the hike is the heavy package and the altitude of the road we hiked. So if you carry heavy loads or walks a trail over 2,500 meters, please prepare to carry extra water for hundreds milliliters.
Packing list
- Basic first-aid Knowledge
- First-aid kits
- Map and compass
- Pest control spray
- Deheated blanket
- Whistle
- Food and drinking water
- …
Symptoms and risks of dehydration
When the bodies’ water loss > the amount of water you takes in, the balance of minerals in our bodies disrupts and dehydration occurs:
- dizziness
- headache
- tired
- thirsty
- rarely micturition, deep color, smell (less than three or four times a day)
2、 How Much Water for Hiking: Calculate by 2 Simple Steps
Before calculating how much water is needed, we need to roughly calculate how long the hike should take, although there are many uninsurable factors(trail condition, pack weight, exercise intensity, etc.).
Step 1: Calculate the length of the hike Naismith’s Rule:Allow 20 minutes for every mile you go and 30 minutes for every 1,000 feet you climb
Eg:The trail is 4.7 miles long and adds 965 feet in elevation. Based on the Naismith rule, you can calculate that it will take 123 minutes to complete.(20 minutes x 4.7 miles) + (965 feet / 2,000 feet) x 60 minutes = 123 minutes
- If you go downhill slowly, the total time can be reduced by 10 minutes
- Add 10 minutes if the descent is very steep
- Add 10-15 minutes if the pack is heavy or very heavy
- Adults: 2 cups (about 1/2 L) per 1-hour hike
- Children: 1-2 glasses of water (about 1/3 liter) per hour for hiking
- Drink water 2-3 hours before you start hiking. Use 500 ml (17 oz) of water as a starting point.
- If the trails are tough or you will be hiking in the heat, multiply by 1 x (hours) to calculate the number of water liters you will need.
- If your luggage is heavy, more than 50 pounds or 22 kilograms, you will need to carry an extra liter of water for every 25 pounds (11 kilograms) over that weight. Also, 1 liter (34 oz) of water weighs about 2.2 pounds (1 kg), so the amount of water you carry adds weight to the pack.
Hiking Length (miles) | Hiking Length（Km) | Hiking Duration | Water Requirement (liters) | Weight of Water（ounce） |
1 | 1.6 | 20 minutes | 0.3 | 10.2 |
2 | 3.2 | 40 minutes | 0.6 | 20.4 |
3 | 4.8 | 1 hour | 1 | 34 |
4 | 6.4 | 1 hour and 20 minutes | 1.3 | 44.2 |
5 | 8 | 1 hour and 40 minutes | 1.6 | 54.4 |
6 | 9.6 | 2 hours | 2 | 68 |
7 | 11.2 | 2 hours and 20 minutes | 2.3 | 78.2 |
8 | 12.7 | Two hours and 40 minutes | 2.6 | 88.4 |
9 | 14.4 | 3 hours | 3 | 102 |
10 | 16 | 3 hours and 20 minutes | 3.3 | 112.2 |
3、 The Best Way to Carry Water While Hiking -3 Alternatives
The longer you hike, the more water you need. From water bottles to water bags, you have a variety of options.
- Bottled water (not recommended, disposable water bottles are not a good idea. They are bad for the environment)
- Boil
- Disinfection (UV, disinfectant tablets, iodophor)
- Filter
Life straw water filter — Advanced 4-stage filtration System (0.1μm aperture) removes more than 99.9999% of harmful substances. They are very compact and lightweight.(To learn more, click here)
Gravity water filter bags — these are an excellent solution. As recommended, they come with a hose that you can sip on the ride. The hose on your shoulder will constantly remind you to drink.(To learn more, click here)
Method | Boil | Disinfection | Filter |
Equipment | - | Disinfectant tablets or drops | Filter water bottles straw filters Gravity water filter bags |
Weight | - | Very light and negligible | 2 ounces -10 ounces |
Use | Once the water boils, simmer for another 1 minute (depending on altitude) and let it cool | Dissolve in water, mix well and let stand for 30-45 minutes. | Open the bottle and fill the bottle or bag with water for immediate sipping |
Pros | No special equipment is required. All you need is a campfire or camp stove and a container to boil water in. | Each tablet can purify up to five gallons of water, and the weight is not noticeable | Lightweight 99.9999%+ removes bacteria, protozoa, cysts, algae, and chemicals. Improve the taste |
Cros | It takes time to build a fire and boil water It takes time to build a fire and boil water Sufficient fuel | Long waiting time Not Deliciou | It doesn't provide a lot of cooking water It doesn't filter out the salt |
4、Finally: How to Drink Water Correctly During The Hike
Before Hiking: To properly hydrate, start drinking water before hiking. Try to limit or avoid drinks such as iced tea, soda, or coffee. These caffeinated drinks act as diuretics.
During the hike: Drink 4 ounces of water every 10 to 15 minutes on mild days, while on hot, humid days, you can expect to drink twice as much. But it is highly recommended that you drink more during your hiking activities. Drink water even if you are not thirsty. Keep sipping to rehydrate properly.
Sometimes when hiking in hot, humid weather, drinking water is not enough to rehydrate yourself. In this environment, you’ll want to add something to the water. I recommend Gatorade Powder or MiO Liquid Water Booster.
After your hike: Drink plenty of water to help your body recover. Drink about 17-20 ounces of water over 2 hours.