Old timer on the PCT told me I was carrying too much water

Met a guy near Kennedy Meadows. He said 4 liters is plenty if you camp near sources. I was hauling 7. Felt dumb. First thing I did was ditch the extra bottles. Next morning my pack felt way lighter. Anyone else get called out for overpacking water?

2 comments

2 Comments

spencer_chen64d ago

Huh, funny thing about that old timer advice - I actually ended up going the other way on the JMT last year. Everyone told me to carry 4 liters, but I was doing 20 mile stretches between reliable water spots in the Sierra. Ended up carrying 6 liters some days because I'd rather have the weight than risk dry camping. Your mileage may vary big time depending on the season and your route. Desert sections are a whole different beast than mountain country.

benk262d ago

Same here, man. I did a section hike in the Gila last spring and that advice went right out the window. People kept saying "a gallon is plenty" but I hit a 28 mile stretch with nothing but cow troughs. Ended up hauling 7 liters one day. My shoulders hated me but I'd rather be sore than thirsty. Those desert sections are no joke, the maps lie sometimes.