Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation - View Single Post - First-timer: June heat, backpacking and water?

06-08-2005, 11:05 PM

I'm planning my test entry into the world of backpacking next Monday -- hiking two miles into the primitive camping area at Colorado Bend state park, for a two-day stay. Yeah, hardly a trek, I know, but it's a first for me and I'm excited! I've only done car tent camping before, and not even much of that. I love the idea of being two miles away from roads, cars, etc, out in the country...

But it is June, in Texas -- am I crazy?!?

I'm starting to get worried about drinking water. I usually drink 2-3 liters of water a day, even at home or at air-conditioned, sedentary work. I can down half a liter easy after a short bike ride... I'm trying to pack a light pack since I weigh only 110 lbs and am in reasonable shape, but in my late 40s and no super athlete. At 8 lbs a gallon, I don't want to take more water than I need... but I don't want to be thirsty and miserable. I plan on arriving at the park by 9:30 AM so I can get to my campsite by 11:00 or noon at the latest if I really need to rest on the trail. But its still going to be a good hot little hike. Especially with a big old pack on.

I plan on using the creek to stay cool and wet, but the dog and I will still need to drink a lot! (She has been on long summer hikes with me and does okay with the heat, and I know about signs of heat exhaustion for her and how to prevent it, so that's covered, as long as we get to our camp before it gets to full sun, 90+ degrees.) And unless the creek is super clean, which I don't expect anything to be anyore, the dog shouldn't be drinking much from it either (though she will some, unavoidable -- she still needs fresh water).

How much water should I expect to drink in three hot days and two nights? I plan to refill at the park entrance on day two, but that will involve a two-mile hike to the road and then another five miles to the water spigot (I could drive that part).

How would you all handle this? Can I just boil water from the creek to drink? Is it worth getting a water filter or something? Seems dumb when I am only 2 miles in...! (Plus I am not buying lots of gear but renting/borrowing, since for all I know I may come back and say "picnic tables, coolers full of cold beer, and nearby composting toilets are the thing for me!" Though I kind of doubt it -- I've wanted to do long back country solo hikes for a long time, and am really psyched about this test run.) It's strange -- many years ago I went hiking in New Mexico in august, not knowing what the hell I was doing, with a little day pack and some amount of water, and i did fine. But the thought of "BACKPACKING" suddenly makes it seem so mysterious. Plus, it has just gotten HOT, as all you Texans know.

Thanks for humoring me with my first-timer nerves and questions!

--"Scratch" in Austin (I'll register soon, I promise)

06-08-2005, 11:05 PM	#1
New_to_it Posts: n/a	First-timer: June heat, backpacking and water? I'm planning my test entry into the world of backpacking next Monday -- hiking two miles into the primitive camping area at Colorado Bend state park, for a two-day stay. Yeah, hardly a trek, I know, but it's a first for me and I'm excited! I've only done car tent camping before, and not even much of that. I love the idea of being two miles away from roads, cars, etc, out in the country... But it is June, in Texas -- am I crazy?!? I'm starting to get worried about drinking water. I usually drink 2-3 liters of water a day, even at home or at air-conditioned, sedentary work. I can down half a liter easy after a short bike ride... I'm trying to pack a light pack since I weigh only 110 lbs and am in reasonable shape, but in my late 40s and no super athlete. At 8 lbs a gallon, I don't want to take more water than I need... but I don't want to be thirsty and miserable. I plan on arriving at the park by 9:30 AM so I can get to my campsite by 11:00 or noon at the latest if I really need to rest on the trail. But its still going to be a good hot little hike. Especially with a big old pack on. I plan on using the creek to stay cool and wet, but the dog and I will still need to drink a lot! (She has been on long summer hikes with me and does okay with the heat, and I know about signs of heat exhaustion for her and how to prevent it, so that's covered, as long as we get to our camp before it gets to full sun, 90+ degrees.) And unless the creek is super clean, which I don't expect anything to be anyore, the dog shouldn't be drinking much from it either (though she will some, unavoidable -- she still needs fresh water). How much water should I expect to drink in three hot days and two nights? I plan to refill at the park entrance on day two, but that will involve a two-mile hike to the road and then another five miles to the water spigot (I could drive that part). How would you all handle this? Can I just boil water from the creek to drink? Is it worth getting a water filter or something? Seems dumb when I am only 2 miles in...! (Plus I am not buying lots of gear but renting/borrowing, since for all I know I may come back and say "picnic tables, coolers full of cold beer, and nearby composting toilets are the thing for me!" Though I kind of doubt it -- I've wanted to do long back country solo hikes for a long time, and am really psyched about this test run.) It's strange -- many years ago I went hiking in New Mexico in august, not knowing what the hell I was doing, with a little day pack and some amount of water, and i did fine. But the thought of "BACKPACKING" suddenly makes it seem so mysterious. Plus, it has just gotten HOT, as all you Texans know. Thanks for humoring me with my first-timer nerves and questions! --"Scratch" in Austin (I'll register soon, I promise)