Outdoorsy people tend to talk about hydration as though it's an in-crowd secret. The thing is, we are all into hydration. We all drink water. But is there a right way? A wrong way? Think of this article as a primer on staying hydrated in Alaska's outdoors.
As anyone who has ever experienced thirst will tell you (can I get a show of hands?), drinking enough water is important.
How much water does one person require? Not counting water needed for cooking or bathing, the rule of thumb when outside is to plan on three quarts of water per person per day. That's 12 cups of water; or three of the colorful plastic Nalgene bottles sold at outdoor outfitters.
For an average day hike lasting 3-5 hours, it normally suffices to bring two quarts of water per person.
For longer day trips, and for camping overnight, more planning is necessary.
Car camping is easy. Most campgrounds on the road system have some kind of running water. Often there will be a spigot or hand pump with potable water; campers can walk over and fill up water bottles or dispensers to have on site for drinking water or cooking.
For backpackers, planning on water sources is more of a puzzle. It's important to spend an evening poring over a map before heading out, figuring out where the trail may run over or near creeks and rivers. In Alaska, even some of those water sources may not be viable—glacial silt can make water undrinkable; water that's been standing so long that it hosts mosquito parties and appears to be fuzzy is not recommended. (If it doesn't look like something you want to drink, don't.)
Once out there on the trail, knowing approximately where the next water source is and how long it will take to get there is key. Even when water bottles are nearly full, it's good to stop and fill them up if crossing a good source. You never 100 percent know if the next one will work out.
Then, of course, there's treating the water. Maybe cartoon characters dip cups into flowing streams and then guzzle the clear, blue water. In real life, Alaska's majestic wildlife may use these same streams as toilets.
Giardia, or beaver fever, is a gastrointestinal malady that is about as fun as it sounds. It can live in water contaminated by animal waste. While sickness experienced by campers and backpackers is often due to sanitation issues (hand sanitizer is a must for backpacks), giardia is easily preventable.
There are several readily available options for water treatment. These range in price from $10-$100. If you have $10, opt for tablets that are simply added to water. If you're a more frequent hiker, plan to spend $50-$100 for devices that treat water with ultraviolet light. In the $80 and upwards range, you'll find filtration hand pumps. It's always good to have some of the tablets on hand for emergencies. Both the ultraviolet treatment and the hand pumps have their benefits. However, despite the ultraviolet devices being quick and really cool (who doesn't like lasers?), the old fashioned hand pumps are the most reliable; they don't require batteries.
Although finding and treating water can be seen as a chore, it's also part of what makes being outdoors worthwhile. Stopping to get water is often social—time for a break, and to hang out sitting on rocks along a stream. Like buying rounds, hikers often take turns filling everyone's water bottles. In the evening when it's quiet, filling water is often an opportunity to see wildlife.
Hydration isn't just a fancy word; it's part of enjoying the Alaska outdoors.
DEHYDRATION RED FLAGS
Regular sips from your water bottle should keep these dehydration symptoms at bay, but do take a rehydration break immediately if you experience one or more of these red flags on the trail.
You're thirsty.
You feel a headache coming on.
You're dizzy.
You don't have to pee.
Your mouth is dry and sticky.
You've stopped sweating.
This story first appeared in the June 2016 Adventure Issue of 61North magazine. Contact the editor, Jamie Gonzales, at jgonzales@alaskadispatch.com.