schmidt.grant•24d agoProlific Poster

Finally dialed in my water carry for desert trips after a few close calls

I keep seeing people on trail forums say 'a liter every 5 miles' as a hard rule for water planning. That almost got me in trouble on the Lost Palms Oasis loop in Joshua Tree last spring. It was only 7 miles, but with full sun and 90 degree heat, I went through 3 liters before the halfway point. I started tracking my actual consumption with a simple notepad, and now I plan by hours in the sun, not just miles. Has anyone else switched to a time-based system for dry climates?

2 comments

2 Comments

felix_thomas7323d ago

My last trip to the Superstitions in Arizona taught me the same lesson. I was doing a 10 mile loop and packed my usual two liters. By mile four in that exposed canyon, I was already rationing and had a real scare. Now I plan for a full liter per hour of actual hiking time if it's hot and sunny, no matter the distance. That simple switch from miles to hours changed everything for me. I also check the hourly forecast now to see when the peak heat hits.

seth_green8523d ago

Wait, you only packed two liters for a ten mile loop in Arizona? I mean, that sounds like a death wish, idk how you even made it to mile four.