Hiking is a great outdoor activity no matter your age. Get in touch with nature, get exercise, and tap into your inner wild. While you are out having a great time it can turn into a bad situation…and quick. One thing to really think about is hydration. Ending up dehydrated can turn any hike into a scary situation.
Signs of Dehydration
- Not urinating or having very dark yellow urine
- Dry skin
- Feeling dizzy
- Rapid heartbeat and breathing
- Lack of energy
- Confusion
- Fainting
Dont let dehydration ruin your hike. Here are some tricks to stay hydrated while hiking.
1.Pre-Hike Hydration
Before setting out on your journey make sure you are drinking enough water. Drinking one to two cups of water before stepping on the trail can set you up for a great hike. Even if you don’t feel thirsty its a great idea to get those couple of cups in on the way to the trailhead.
Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic drinks before your hike. These can start to heavily dehydrate your body before even stepping foot on the trail.
2. Hydration Powders / Tablets
There are loads of hydration powders out there these days. Some taste great and others taste….ehh. They are loaded with electrolytes to help you replenish all of the salt you have sweat out. Read the packaging on how to mix since each brand can be different. Shop around and find the flavor that works for you. You can also create your own homemade remedy with salt, sugar, and flavoring with a simple google search.
3. Sip and Eat Along the Way
Having your water easily accessible, such as in a bladder bag, makes sipping convenient. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to start drinking your water. Sip your water along the way to prevent that “dying of thirst” feeling. Carrying easy to grab snacks such as bars, dried fruit, or trail mix will help keep dehydration at bay as well. Make sure you are balancing out your food/water intake to avoid feeling ill.
4. Bottles and a Bladder
Whether you carry a bottle or a bladder, it’s a good idea to just have both in your pack. I personally always over pack water. During your hike your pack will get lighter once you start drinking the water. I like to sip on my bladder along the way and if I make a stop to rest thats when I’ll pull the bottle out.
Also, having a bottle to mix your powders or tablets in or to use to get water out of a stream is much easier. To keep weight down I just grab a bottle of Smart Water instead of carrying, say, a Nalgene bottle or similar. Whether you carry a bottle or bladder just carry both and be able to have extra water if needed.
5. Water Filters
A filter? Thats Right! I always carry a small Sawyer water filter with me. Anything can happen. You could get a leak in your bladder or drop your bottle and lose all your water. Doing so could drain your spirits and your water, but if you have a filter you can always filter more water on the next water source you approach.
Another reason I carry a Smart Water bottle is because the Sawyer Mini Filter fits the threads perfectly.
While there are tons of tips on staying hydrated on the trails, these are the simple precautions I personally have taken to stay hydrated while hiking. Do you have any tips or tricks to stay hydrated on the trail? Leave a comment below.
