Water is the heaviest thing in a pack and also the thing you should not economise on. The answer is not to carry a great deal but to know where on the route you can refill.
The compact principle: carry enough for the stretch between two refill points, plus a reserve. If you have to take water from nature, treat it before drinking by one of three methods, boiling, filtering with a filter device, or using a purpose-made chemical treatment according to the product instructions.
Three methods, each with its own strength
- Boiling: the simplest and most reliable method against micro-organisms. Bring it to a rolling boil, then let it cool. It needs a stove and fuel.
- Filtering: fast, needs no heat, and keeps the taste of the water. Effectiveness depends on the filter type, and the membrane must be kept from freezing or cracking.
- Chemical water treatment: light, compact, good as a backup. It needs the full waiting time and the correct dose as instructed.
Choosing a water source
Running water is usually better than standing water. Take it upstream, and the further from paths, grazing land and cultivation the better. Avoid: cloudy water with a smell, water with an oily film or clinging foam, water standing in a hollow, and water immediately below a dead animal or a livestock pen.
If the water carries a lot of sediment, let it settle or strain it through cloth before treating. Sediment reduces the effectiveness of both filters and chemicals.
How to drink along the way
Small sips taken steadily through the day are usually more comfortable than drinking a lot once you are already thirsty. You need to drink in cold weather too, because the sensation of thirst is dulled while the body still loses water through breathing. On ZUNGZA trips we tend to set drinking points by rest stops, because if the sensation decides, almost everyone drinks less than they need.
A few questions you often send us
Can clear stream water be drunk straight
Clear water does not mean safe water, because most of what you should worry about is micro-organisms you cannot see. If you are not certain about the headwaters, treat it before drinking.
A metal bottle or a plastic one
Both work. A metal bottle is durable and some types can be put over a flame; a plastic bottle is lighter and cheaper. What matters is that the bottle does not leak and that you can fill it quickly at a water source.
Should I carry electrolyte drinks
On long trips, in heavy sweat or in hot weather, many people find it useful. This is a choice that depends on conditions rather than a requirement, and if you have a condition where mineral salts need watching you should ask someone qualified.