How much water do you carry in your pack?

[DEZURTRAT]

3-liter bladder and a back up 16oz bottle. 2-3 gallons back at the rig

 

[TheJason]

Probably 4 liters with some liquid IV added/available. It’s always “enough” water until it isn’t, then life really sucks.

Do you really want to potentially drop 1k to get to water when you have a bull elk to take up 3000 feet? Just because the elk have water available doesn’t mean it’s easy to get.

 

[Mallardsx2]

Thread makes me chuckle.

First, 90% of the guys on this forum have never done a 2000’ elevation gain in one day outside of their truck or 4 wheeler or horse….

Second, if you think you’re doing that in 65 degree temps with only 2 bottles of water, you have lost your damn mind.

 

[MT Bound]

me personally I would find a different place to hunt where there's at least some water source. I bring 1 32 oz nalgene bottle and my steri-pen (or small bag filter)
10 yrs back most of my pack weight was water/drinks, not anymore I go as light as possible
It takes time and experience to learn smarter not harder, and I'm a slow learner.....

 

[MT Bound]

Thread makes me chuckle.

First, 90% of the guys on this forum have never done a 2000’ elevation gain in one day outside of their truck or 4 wheeler or horse….

Second, if you think you’re doing that in 65 degree temps with only 2 bottles of water, you have lost your damn mind.

agreed, 2,000 vert. feet is gonna make you work for sure

my best september elk spots have dark timber nearby with seeps or springs or little brooks somewhere, the elk are drawn to it

don't make it harder than it already is

 

[hunter49]

I burn through a fair bit of water.

Try to plan ahead so I don't carry excess if not necessary.

But going through 4 litters a day is common even on moderate days.

Always carry 2 in 3 litter hydrapak. With a 32oz Nalgene.

When we due our annual AT stretch I am always blown away at how much water I go through.

 

[brymoore]

Thread makes me chuckle.

First, 90% of the guys on this forum have never done a 2000’ elevation gain in one day outside of their truck or 4 wheeler or horse….

Second, if you think you’re doing that in 65 degree temps with only 2 bottles of water, you have lost your damn mind.

I do it all the time. It’s way easier to hydrate properly before the hunt than to think you need to carry 2 gallons (16 pounds) of water.

 

[npaden]

I do it all the time. It’s way easier to hydrate properly before the hunt than to think you need to carry 2 gallons (16 pounds) of water.

100%. Another big factor is what kind of shape you are in. When I was in really good shape I could run 12 miles without bringing a sip of water with me. Really didn't have to worry about carrying water unless it was hot or I was going long distance. I've done quite a few hikes that were 15 and 16 miles with 4,000+ elevation gain in the summer with just a 2 liter or 3 liter water bladder starting out and not filtering any water along the way.

The times I can think of where I got dehydrated had nothing to do with the distance or elevation traveled. There was some other wrinkle that caused me to stay longer and work harder than I planned on. Thinking it through generally that has involved getting an animal on the ground. I think people underestimate the work it takes to get a big animal like an elk cut up and ready to pack out. Thinking it through further, the times I got dehydrated were when I was out of shape too.