Embarking on an extensive trek across arid landscapes often entails confronting less-than-ideal water sources. Hikers shares insights on navigating the challenge of encountering unappealing water options during desert thru-hikes. Some long-distance trails in desert areas present situations where the only water sources available are also frequented by cattle. On day hikes, I’d steer clear of these unsavory puddles, but on a thru-hike, choices can be limited. What are some best practices for thru-hikers when unavoidable, unpleasant water sources come into play?
Dealing with the dilemma of whether to hydrate from a cattle trough with algae and manure swirling in it is a comical challenge faced by desert hikers. Long-distance hikers often swap stories of the worst water consumed, ranging from cattle tanks to murky ponds. Here are a few tricks I’ve honed over the years to make the most of limited water resources:
- Map Assessment: Evaluate your options by looking at the map. Consider walking a bit off the main trail for clearer water or deciding between carrying more water weight between good sources or less weight with more frequent stops at less desirable ones. Your choices depend on factors like speed, temperature, water consumption rate, and your tolerance for what you deem as unpleasant water.
- Camel Up: Rehydrate, especially at clear water sources. Drink a liter, but be mindful not to overconsume, as the body can only absorb water at a certain rate. This helps reduce the amount of water you need to carry between sources.
- Electrolytes: Use electrolytes to replenish salts lost during sweating and mask any undesirable flavors in the water.
- Scout Your Source: If the water looks murky, take a moment to find the clearest spot. This might involve navigating around cattle tanks, avoiding murky ponds, or choosing the cleanest corner of a trough.
- Have a Scoop: Utilize a dedicated scoop, fashioned from the cut-off half of a sturdy water bag, to collect water from shallow and stagnant sources.
- Filtering Strategies: Consider pre-filtering water through a bandanna, t-shirt, or coffee filter before using your water filter for chunky water. Adding a chemical treatment like Aquamira or an iodine tab provides extra peace of mind.
- Patience is Key: Water with particles takes longer to filter. Allocate more time for filtering and plan breaks around waiting for gravity filters to do their job.
- Plan Ahead: Determine your next water source before leaving the current one. It’s better to carry extra questionable water than risk dehydration in the desert.
- Mindful of Others: Practice Leave No Trace principles by avoiding activities like laundry in water sources, considering the needs of fellow hikers who rely on that water for drinking.
- Embrace the Challenge: Despite the water challenges, don’t let the difficulties of desert hiking deter you. Once you master water management, the serenity, solitude, and vast skies of desert thru-hiking will beckon you.
Happy trails,
