How much water do you carry

[Couester]

How much water do y’all carry for a 3-5 day backpack hunt in dry mountain conditions. Just returned from a 3 day hunt and ended up rationing to make it back down the mountain. I was seriously dehydrated and don’t want to do that again!

 

[Hnthrdr]

I’d carry 7-8 liters and cache water if it was that dry, typically only carry 2-2.5 liters on day hunts/ where I know there is a lot of water

 

[Taudisio]

I generally plan it out and camp within 1/2 mile of water and have a filter. 3 liters is easy for me to go through in a day. Judging by your username, you’re in az/nm desert. Packing water may be your only option. But the deer have to drink water too so there must be some around if the deer are there.

 

[Couester]

Hunt was in Southern Arizona. Water source was 2000 vertical feet below! Not something my 62 year old legs like to do for a water run anymore.

 

[S.Clancy]

If there is no viable source I'll pack 10L. Although, I once packed in 18L to hunt a certain spot for 4-5 days.

 

[aks]

My hydration bladder holds 3 liters. I fill it up everytime I go out. Even if its just a day. If it's longer than a day then I take my water filter with me AND water purification tablets for emergencies. I've had my water filter quit working on me in the mountains. Luckily it was just a single night backpacking trip. But lesson learned, thats why I always pack the tablets also.

 

[KBC]

Fortunately there's water almost everywhere I am but could you load up super heavy and drop it on the way in at a few spots if you know you are taking the same path in and out?

 

[PathFinder]

Probably 8l if it was a certain 5 days in a place like that. That would be assuming some fairly water-efficient meals. Could be worth combining a scouting/water packing trip before the hunt.

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[Q_Sertorius]

If there is no viable source I'll pack 10L. Although, I once packed in 18L to hunt a certain spot for 4-5 days.

The most I ever humped in was 18L (5 planned days plus a reserve day). That sucked hard.

 

[OutHeavy]

I just went through that scenario a month ago myself. You can get by on 2L/day if you're just sitting and glassing all day. But if you're hiking at all I agree that 3L/day is the minimum. Also make sure you're adding electrolytes to your water because it aids with absorption and helps your body retain water.

 

[neil.hansford]

I'd plan on at least 1 gallon per day if backpacking in with no viable water source nearby. Probably require packing some in ahead of the hunt if staying several days.

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[Macintosh]

Different world! Around here I often bring just a pint bottle and an empty 1l platypus bag. Half the time on day hunts I dont bring water at all, I just bring a ziplock baggie to dip in streams and drink from. I also wear rubber knee boots, because hip waders are too much of a pain in the rear. Some days I feel like I ought to pack my water-wings!
In the desert for 3-5 days I have carried as much as 5 gallons, although sometimes we’ve stashed some of it for the way out so dont have to carry it the whole way. Coming from that^, it’s always a bit of a shock to the system.

 

[Te Hopo]

in a situation like that, I'd be carrying a few MSR Dromedary bladders.
Something like 12L would give a good few days with plenty of water.

Most of the time if I know there's water nearby I'll carry 3L max

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Man I hate packing water…. You said the water was a 2k drop, still might be easier to bring a lot of bags and do one empty pack run from camp to there than packing in all you need+camp. Depends on how far in you are.
I’m in the at least 4L a day camp, especially early hunts. Might can get by on 2-3 but it’ll catch up to you after a few days.

 

[LCguy]

I drink 7-8 L a day (around 2 gallons). On my elk hun in a very dry unit, I stashed 20 gallons a few weeks before the hunt, since I would be out there for 7 days and you never know.

 

[eamyrick]

There is a desert loop at Big Bend. Buddy and I did the whole thing in 2.5 days/2 nights fully supported with our own water. 250 ounces a day was lean for me but my buddy was closer to 175 ounces per day. Temps were freezing to high 80s.

We used 50 ounces smart water bottles for that trip and I’ve used them desert hunting before and weight/durability ratio for large amounts of water they are great.

 

[DesertPinstripes]

I drink 7-8 L a day (around 2 gallons). On my elk hun in a very dry unit, I stashed 20 gallons a few weeks before the hunt, since I would be out there for 7 days and you never know.

I feel like you’re the only hydrated person on the mountain! Can’t believe how little water some people use. I easily go through 6 liters a day.