Water - Rules and Tips

Water is vital when you’re hiking. You want to stay properly hydrated and absolutely do not want to run out (although it happened to me a few times on the PCT), so there are rules you should stick to. Also, water is heavy, so the rules help prevent carrying too much.

Rules

• 1 Liter for every 4 miles

• 2 Liters extra if dry camping (or camping without access to a water source)

• Pro Tip - Try to have your meals (especially 2nd breakfast or lunch) at a water source so you can eat while your water filters (using the String System mentioned below)

• Examples

  • You fill up water and see that the next water source is 10 miles away. How much water should you bring?

    • Answer: 2.5 Liters

  • You reach a water source and see that the next source is in 12 miles, but it’s getting late, and you’ll have to dry camp. How much water should you bring?

    • Answer: 3 Liters + 2 Liters for Dry Camping = 5 liters Total

Filtering System + Tips

There are a few different systems people use for water, but the most popular is the Sawyer Filter Squeeze + Water Bladder + Smart Water Bottle system.

What does this look like?

• Sawyer Squeeze Filter

• Screw-on connector for a water bottle - VERY IMPORTANT

  • VERY IMPORTANT - Do not tighten the water bottle fully onto the connector! It needs pressure release to allow the water to fall

• 2 Smart water bottles with sports caps (easier for drinking)

  • 1 Liter Bottle - easily accessible for drinking on the go

  • 1.5 Liter Bottle - useful for storing filtered water

• 1 or 2 Water Bladder(s) - the most popular is the CNOC 2 Liter

  • Bring 1 - you can usually get away with only bringing 1 - but they don’t weigh much, so it can bring peace of mind to have a backup

  • Bring 2 - If you are hiking in the desert and know that there will be long water carries

  • String System - VERY IMPORTANT

    • Use 1-2 feet of string to tie the string into a loop using a double fisherman’s knot

    • Use the loop to wrap around a tree branch or whatever is available to hang the bladder

    • Use a carabiner or plastic buckle to connect the string to the bladder

    • Let gravity do the work - then you can do other stuff while your water filters. I call this Passive Water Income hahaha

    • This also increases the longevity of the filter because the sediment will gather at the top of the filter instead of being squeezed into the middle and getting stuck

• Pro Tip - you can hang your bladder directly from your hiking pole wrist strap if there are no convenient branches or anything to hang on to

• Pro Tip - If the water source is far off trail, this hiking pole + carabiner system can also be used for carrying the bladder back to your backpack

  • Once you’ve filled up the bladder, sling it over your shoulder and hike back to your pack

  • Much better than holding it with your finger the entire walk back

  • I used this for a particularly long trek on the PCT at Miller Springs

Other Tips

• Backflushing often - clearing the sediment and gunk out, will also keep the filter flowing smoothly

  • I usually back flush as needed (if the flow is slow) and do a hot water back flush when I’m in town and have easy access to

  • How to: attach the water bottle (with clean water) to the connector piece and squeeze so the flow goes backwards

• Replace your filter every 1000 miles - there’s debate on this, but replacing your water filter often will keep the filter flowing smoothly

  • For the PCT (2650 miles), I used 2 Sawyer Squeeze Filters

  • Some people say to replace it every time you get new shoes (every 700 miles), but it’s really up to you

• DON’T put the filter directly on your bottle and drink from the filter - squeezing the water bottle to get drops off water every time you need a sip is just annoying and inefficient

• Using FarOut Comments to verify water - click on the Water Icon to sort the comments

  • Remember to update your comments when you are in town / have wifi or service!