Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board How much water to carry above trail camp?

How much water do you carry with you to the summit from trail camp?

Its 10 miles to the summit and back to Trail Camp. I usually carry 2 liters. Some carry 4. Others cache a few liters somewhere in between Trail Camp and the summit and pick it up on their return.

I was planning on 2. I think that is what I did last time. But then I saw the video post on this board and that guy was talking about 4 liters so I thought I would ask the question here. I like the caching idea. Thanks.

It was my first time, so I erred on the side of caution, based on my training hikes in very hot, humid Virginia. I carried four liters (one 3L hydration pack, one Nalgene w/Accelerade). I arrived back at TC with close to 2L remaining. The weather was "perfect", about 55 and sunny. Next time under similar conditions, I'd probably carry 2.5 L.

I also found it very beneficial to load up on water prior to my hike at Trail Camp. I drank about 2 liters. This way, as long as I'm not sweating too much or overexerting and gasping, I know I'll remain relatively well hydrated, and that if I'm thirsty (I tend to feel thirsty even when I'm fully hydrated), it's not necessarily a sign of dehydration. I know that sounds counterintuitive, but it works for me. Instead of drinking, I'll pop a Jolly Rancher or Sweet Tart hard candy, or some Honey Stinger Chews and these will go a long way towards "quenching" my thirst.

For me, "clear and copious" urination is the best sign I'm fully hydrated.

Jim

My sson and I started with 4 liters each back in July, 2001. The morning was nice, starting out in the 40s and up into the 60s and breezy at Trail Crest and up to the summit. It clouded up while we were up there and rained/sleeted/snowed on us on the way back to Trail Camp but still fairly mild, in the 50s, most likely.

We got back to Trail Camp with only about 1/2 liter each, so we planned it about right for us.

I'd rather haul a liter too much than come back dry and desperate. I also find that I drink more, a sip at a time, when I'm using my Platypus hydration system than if I have to stop, get a Nalgene out of my pack, drink, and put it back.

I really depends on you and conditions. I've carried two...and ran out, and 4...and ran out.

Sunday, I had 3 and was ok. I drank 1 L from above Guitar Lake and Lower Trail Crest between 2:15 and 4:30 AM and 2 L until Mirror Lake. If I had started my trip later I would have need more water.

The body need 16 to 24 oz.of liquids/per hr. of exercise. Just do the math.

I usually carry 4 L from the westside...where the distance to the next water is similar.

I carried 4L and ran out before getting back to Trail Camp. I tend to drink alot of water on a daily basis anyways so frequently hydrating is never an issue. I believe that most people get into trouble with dehydration because in their day to day routines they fail to drink enough water but it is never really a big issue. As a result these people don't "train" themselves to keep hydrated in critical situations such as hiking Whitney getting therefore themselves into trouble (and sometimes not even realizing dehydration is the cause). Just my personal hypothesis based upon observation.

I carried a 3 liter CamelBak and an extra liter in a bottle. I HATE running out of water. Better safe than sorry, I always say. You either carry the weight, or risk running out. Pick your poison.

3 liter camelback + 1 liter nalgene bottle - all filled at the switchbacks.

would rather have more if something untoward happened than run out.

i drink all but 1/2 liter.

refill again, not so much, at the switchbacks coming down - love that water!

My philosophy is not just hydration, but also electrolyte balance.

Whenever I'm hiking I have 2 1L bottles in my hip pack, one with plain water, and one with a STRONG mix of powered Gateraide.

Whenever I stop and drink, I drink out of BOTH bottles.

Well, the water on the Switchbacks is not an option...at least it was not when I passed that way Sunday.

having read G27's previous posts prior to my response, it was readily apparent G27 has had more than a casual experience at whitney - and the outdoors in general. so i gave him/her credit for knowing the difference between the hiking seasons - and the effect those seasons have on the water supply at / near trail camp.

thank you for your input.

where's lower trail crest?

i can't seem to find it on any of my maps.

Thanks for the confidence! It's been quite a while since I've been on the main trail so any and all info is appreciated though. I'd like to think that I have a bit of experience, not as much as I would like...job, family, etc keep getting in the way

I'm headed down there next weekend. And this trip in particular is a little out of the bounds of normalcy so that's why I've been posting questions recently. Just trying to control the few variables that I can control. Similar to the old whitney classic, we are riding from badwater to the portal and then starting our day hike on the main trail. The plan is to go straight through with minimal sleep.

Thanks again to all for the info!

Lower Trail Crest is where the MMWT and JMT collide. This is where most backpackers coming up from the Guitar Lake area drop their packs for a run to the summit.

thank you for your response.

any idea why it's not identified as such on any map?

Lots of things are either misindentified, the numbering of Cottonwood Lakes or not identified on maps; such as, Soldier Lake.

oh, like old army pass?

Old Army Pass is sometimes labeled Army Pass, whereas New Army Pass is labeled as such. My hunch is hikers differentiate between the two as "new" and "old" but mapmakers don't.

I carried 4L and ran out on the way down.