Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board How much water do you carry TC/Summit/TC?

Is 3 quarts a reasonable amount of water to carry per person?
On our last summit we carried two quarts per person from Trail Camp to Summit back to Trail camp, we dropped one which shattered much to our dismay (Nalgene bottles do break easily). I remember having to conserve which wasn't fun. I was actually thinking four quarts per person but read somewhere three is good. What do you all consume during this time?
P.S. yes, I did do a water search and didn't come up with answers to my question

Four is reasonable. I am carrying 5 in a couple weeks just in case...

Try Platypus...they don't break when you drop them, even in freezing weather.

See you out there.

Try

http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=000526

In early August, I started (from Outpost Camp to Summit) with 100 oz camelback bladder and one 32 oz bottle (for powdered gatorade) and a water filter. There was plenty of water available both at Trail Camp and on the switchbacks so I felt no need to really 'plan' or conserve when it came to water. On the way up I re-filled above trail camp and then on the way back on the switchbacks. I would prefer to do it this way (refilling) then mess up planning on water usage or end up carrying too much. Have Fun!

Thanks Hike of your life and MP, that was just the info I was looking for and it didn't hurt you to reply. I have 120oz's worth of platapus for three of us and will make up the difference with nalgenes(do I dare?)
I've heard of people using simple arrowhead type water bottles at the grocery only to have them bounce of the rock when dropping them with no breakage or leakage plus they are much lighter, tempting.

Thanks for the link BobR, but I did do a search for Water in the title line and since your title was so off the wall it did not come up, it would have been foolish and a waste of time for me to search ALL text for the word water.
How did I know that someone would give me c-rap for posting this question?
What's the point of this forum anyways? Is it or is it not to ask questions and get information?

Edited to erase something I wrote that was stupid

My son and I summited July 2nd this year. I had a 100 oz water bladder, my son 70 oz. To my great surprise, I ran out of water just before the summit. I had no AMS until the way down, because of little water(shared my son's) and I stopped eating.
Later my son told me he drank 2 full water bottles before leaving Trail Camp, so he was well hydrated.
Next year I'll bring my 100 oz bladder plus 2 full water bottles to stash on the way up and over hydrate before leaving Trail Camp.
Happy Trails!! Good Weather!!!

Paige, old bottles of water or soda work just as well as expensive hydration packs, the deal is the hose and bite valve...

Paige, I feel badly about the other points that were in that earlier post, ones not meant for you. Sorry! I was trying to save time and words. I just wanted to mention here the different factors that go into answering your question:

· How hot a day might it be? Or cold?
· Do you sweat a lot? Or not?
· Are you hiking hard, or just strolling along?
· Have you been hydrating well all day?
· If not, and even if you have, do you spend time at Trail Camp to get well hydrated before you move on up?
· Do you have a wide-mouth canteen to be able to add snow or water from trickles as you drink?
· Do you want to get back to Trail Camp canteen-empty and a little thirsty, or do you need a safety factor? How much?

(The issue about using the search function was really a separate topic, aimed at some things going on during that time, and had nothing to do with your question.)

The short answer to your question is yes, I think 3 quarts is enough for just about everybody this time of year. Personally, I can make do with about half that. But I am well-hydrated when I start up, add snow as I go, and I go slow enough so I don't sweat much. I also like to finish off my water by the time I get back to Trail Crest - replenishment being less than an hour away.

It's worth pointing out that there is almost always a big snow patch just below the summit, with a trickle of water coming out the bottom. I use my canteen lid to scoop it. I used to say that snow patch is "always" there, but was surprised last year (or was it the year before?): it was gone in early October - the only time, in my experience.

When Nathan and I did Whitney in July, 2001, we carried about 4-1/2 liters each from Trail Camp to the summit and back. 2 liters in a hydration Platy, 2 more in a regular platy to refill, 1/2 of electrolyte drink (Innergize, similar to Gatorade or Powerade) in a Gatorade bottle.

Granted, that was in July rather than September, but we had a relatively cool day and rain/sleet on the way down. We got back to Trail Camp with less than 1/2 liter each.

Personally, I wouldn't want to depend on the seeps across the switchbacks this time of year. They could be running, or they could be dry, or frozen over. I'd rather plan on carrying what I needed, plus a little, rather than depending on a marginal source in the middle of the switchbacks...

(2001 trip report under "highpointing" on my <a href="http://www.mtritter.org">WWW site</a>.)

Thanks again guys, BobR your wealth of knowledge is really appreciated on this site, please continue to educate the rest of us!
Hikeofyourlife, are you saying that a platapus bite valve and hose will fit on a soda bottle!?
3 quarts per person with one quart extra between the three of us if needed is what we are going to bring, my back thanks you and my brain thanks you.
P.S. Hike Fast, It's been seven years since my last summit, I remember feeling so lousey. Not sure how much was from dehydration or just altitude or both, my brain isn't serving me as well as it did back then, neither is my body;P so I love any and all the advise I can get!

Just to add one more element to the topic of water - this string has mostly focused on the amount of water that you drink. There are two parts of the equation: what goes in and what comes out. Since there is not too much you can do to regulate your kidney (well you could, but not a good idea), the main thing that you can control to some degree is the amount that you sweat. For that reason, it is best to dress on the cool side when climbing. I usually start out feeling cold and let the work warm me up rather than initially dressing warmly and starting to sweat. Also, pace has a lot to do with how much you sweat. If you are looking to go fast, then sweating probably comes with the territory. But if you are not looking for speed, adjust your pace to one that doesn't make you sweat as much (clearly there are trade-offs here). Finally, certain drugs, like aspirin, can make you sweat more. Know how you react to drugs and avoid taking ones that increase your sweating.

The pre-hydrating tip is also a very good one.

If you hydrate well for 48 hrs prior-and I mean really force the fluids in order to saturate the body tissues-you shouldn't need more than a quart of water on your hike, this time of year. Contrary to what S. Sam said, cooler clothing only allows your sweat an easier path to evaporation--that is why you feel cooler. What you want to do is "bundle up" in prefferably waterproof materials and hold the persperation in, not allowing it to leave the sweat pores. A low-tech method for doing this is saran wrap, but there are much better materials available at outdoor clothing stores like REI or Sport Chalet. Good luck and be safe on your hike!

I love it! Now I have this image in my head of a bunch of mummified hikers wrapped in Saran Wrap from head to toe, stumbling their way to the summit...

iodine tablets....does anybody use them.....would like to leave the pump home......thanks

peter

I used Iodine on my mid-July trip. So far, I believe, I did not come down with any dreaded illness. I was alone so did not have anyone to share weight and decided the filter would be left in the car.

I backpacked so needed even more water. I carried enough to get to Trail Camp without a refill. I probably had too much. I refilled at the Trail Camp waterwell-swimming pool! Yes, it is used for both purposes. I treated with the regular iodine doses per quart/liter. I boiled water 2-3 minutes for cooking purposes.

Have a great trip.

thanks fred for the info.........peter

Iodine rocks. I always use it. Just drop the little vitamin C tablets (P.A. Plus) in 30 minutes later and you can't taste the iodine at all. Much cheaper than filters, much easier, much lighter, and never clog. For the price of a filter, the average backpacker can buy 30 years worth of iodine tablets.

I use and have both, for the long haul when every ounce counts, I carry iodine, but there's nothing like the taste of fresh/pumped water from a stream. Even with the neutralizer, Iodine still has a chemical taste to it. That said, we used iodine on our last trip up Whitney and will use a pump on this one, looking forward to no floaties in my drink
It's a personal issue, one I weigh(no pun intended) on each trip. I know people who have their pack weight, for multiday trips, down to 12 pounds, but they still wont get rid of their pump.

Iodine works well for everything except crypotosporidium. Bob R.'s research shows if you drink smart the water is actually quite clean anyway, causing me lately to sometimes chance it and drink right from the fast flowing stream. I personally carry a filter because I am not a big fan of bugs and other floaters which end up in scooped lake water.

Well hydrated, I never carry more then three quarts above trail camp,...although I must admit I had never thought through the rational until I read Bob R.'s comment on how much water to take.

Hi, Paige.

I was up on Whitney 9/4 - 9/7 (summited on 9/6), and I carried 3 quarts to the summit from Trail Camp. But, I was really hydrated (I drank a quart at camp before I began up the switchbacks). I was really hydrated the whole time. I wore a windbreaker (not fleece) for summit day, and yes, it was a bit chilly up there, but I was fine. Of course, the weather is so unpredictable. Who knows what it will be like the day of your ascent. I wish you all the best.

P.S. I visited the Portal store after my hike and Doug (the owner) thought I was you! (My name is Paige, too.)

Happy trails. PMK