CaminoJoy123
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- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2017
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Depends on the route you are walking, and the time of the year.
On the Frances there are bars, albergue and fountain every 5km or so, except on a few occasions. You can fill ip your bottle/bladder often.
Onotnwr routes, and often much warmwr routes, you must carry all your water for the whole day since the morning.
On VDLP, I ended up drinking 1.5 l. per 10km, and that was making sure I only drank what I needed. That was HEAVY!
And water is free, just not in shops ;0). You will typically fill up at the albergue in the am, at the bars or fountains along the way.
Some websites and guides show where fountains are available.
Good for you for bech,arking your consumption now.
Yup, on the Frances you'll be good. No need to panick. Just check your guidebook the night before and plan accordingly in case you need more than 1 liter or so.The plan is to walk the Frances starting next month. So along that route there are fountains? In public? That anyone may use? For free?
Or anyone may walk into a bar or cafe and just get water for free?
We don't really have fountains in public here. Many outdoor parks in Florida have no water fountains either.
Is 1.5 liter per 10 km the recommended intake?
Water is heavy. One liter weighs one gram. One liter weighs 2.2 lbs
You drink till you are hydrated. The medics in the military and at the camps I worked in overseas had the rule of thumb that if your urine is clear, you are hydrated, so I follow that. Also remember that coffee and tea are diuretics.
Same as in Florida, water is free if you get it from the tap or a fountain, but not if you want bottled water. Tap water in Spain is safe to drink.I was told agua no es gratis en Europa. Es verdad?
I keep a small bottle (0.5 L) of water as emergency supply in my backpack and I have never needed it. On the VdlP in March-April, I carried 2 small bottles in outside pouches of my backpack. On the Camino Frances, in cool temperatures, I would only carry one 0.5 L bottle.How are people carrying water and re-supplying?
I typically drink about 0.5 to 1.5 liters per day, depending on the temperature and exertion. Admittedly, I have rarely walked in temperatures higher than 25 C, and I generally walk only 20-25 km.How much water are people drinking each day?
A lot of things are said about the need for water consumption, that have little evidence behind them. Try searching the internet for authoritative studies that connect water consumption, hydration, blister, tendonitis, colour of urine, etc.
I fill up my bottles from the tap in the morning and they last me all day.
I typically drink about 0.5 to 1.5 liters per day, depending on the temperature and exertion. Admittedly, I have rarely walked in temperatures higher than 25 C, and I generally walk only 20-25 km.
A lot of things are said about the need for water consumption, that have little evidence behind them. Try searching the internet for authoritative studies that connect water consumption, hydration, blister, tendonitis, colour of urine, etc. Certainly you need to drink enough to stay comfortable, which means you want to avoid getting very thirsty, but a little thirst won't damage you. Serious dehydration can kill, so you want to err on the side of caution, but that doesn't mean that excessive water consumption is necessary.
I'm with you but I drink 3 litres every day anyway just being a couch potato although admittedly it is 30 deg C in my house anyway. It's actually a good way to prevent injury.How are people consuming so little water?
Yesterday I drank about 4 liters of water by 1pm. The electrolyte solution was extra, I'm not even counting that. Should I see a doctor?!
I'm with you but I drink 3 litres every day anyway just being a couch potato although admittedly it is 30 deg C in my house anyway. It's actually a good way to prevent injury.
(The drinking, not the couch) And I am one of those mad people that use silver hiking umbrellas.
Another point to consider is that if you are taking NSAIDs eg ibuprofen, voltaren etc. the risks of dehydration are greater and you run the risk of damaging your kidneys.
https://www-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.www.ezpdhcs.nt.gov.au/pmc/articles/PMC2908954/table/T5/ (Popkin et al Nutr Rev. 2010 Aug; 68(8): 439–458. in case you can't open the link) has an estimate of fluid requirements based on energy intake required. I can tell you that to maintain my weight I had to more than double my caloric intake and was eating about 4000 kcal/day. By this table I would need 5.4 litres per day.
I'm with you but I drink 3 litres every day anyway just being a couch potato although admittedly it is 30 deg C in my house anyway. It's actually a good way to prevent injury.
(The drinking, not the couch) And I am one of those mad people that use silver hiking umbrellas.
Another point to consider is that if you are taking NSAIDs eg ibuprofen, voltaren etc. the risks of dehydration are greater and you run the risk of damaging your kidneys.
https://www-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.www.ezpdhcs.nt.gov.au/pmc/articles/PMC2908954/table/T5/ (Popkin et al Nutr Rev. 2010 Aug; 68(8): 439–458. in case you can't open the link) has an estimate of fluid requirements based on energy intake required. I can tell you that to maintain my weight I had to more than double my caloric intake and was eating about 4000 kcal/day. By this table I would need 5.4 litres per day.
I have been carrying electropyte tablets for many caminos after getting terrible cramping on the last day of my first Camino. But this time I also asked mustard in reataurants and would eat a tea spoon or two of it, and had tonic water at aperitif time, or in my pack, as both apparently help with cramps.VDLP may be non-existent until your destination especially in Extremadura which is deservedly known as "the frypan of Europe"...
I never took electrolytes on the camino as I don't cramp easily and I made sure I ate trail mix and oranges to help with the electrolytes. However if walking more than 30km now I would probably add some electrolyte tabs to my water bladder in the mornings just to top up.
Guess I should not post a pick of my pill cocktail I was taking twice a day!If NSAIDs potentially double your risk of renal injury whatever that baseline risk is, you do not need to introduce the highly significant risk of dehydration. Take home message: Keep your fluids right up
I use a 1.5L water bladder and a re-purposed commercial-bottle-of-water bottle. In France there is always water available at the cemeteries for free, although one usually doesn't pass towns with restaurant/shopping services during the day. In Germany, Switzerland and the Czech Republic, carry at least 1.5L with you as there will normally not be re-supply points during the day. It doesn't get quite so hot in those parts, however.How are people carrying water and re-supplying?
Varies wildly with individual acclimatization, locale, and temperature. So be well-prepared, and if you find you still have more than 0.75L remaining at the end of the day, you could cut back a bit.How much water are people drinking each day?
Yes, it surely does! And so it must be planned for as you are working with your weight budget. Fortunately, the weight of a second liter of water for hot weather trades off with the weight of winter fleeces -- you only need to take one rather than both!Water really affects gear and carrying weight.
This is an excellent strategy. It is hard to refill a bladder mid-day without unpacking the pack completely, which is not always convenient.I've been using the water bladder plus an extra bottle on the side for breaks and for refilling the water bag.
I use a 1.5L water bladder and a re-purposed commercial-bottle-of-water bottle. In France there is always water available at the cemeteries for free, although one usually doesn't pass towns with restaurant/shopping services during the day. In Germany, Switzerland and the Czech Republic, carry at least 1.5L with you as there will normally not be re-supply points during the day. It doesn't get quite so hot in those parts, however.
Varies wildly with individual acclimatization, locale, and temperature. So be well-prepared, and if you find you still have more than 0.75L remaining at the end of the day, you could cut back a bit.
Yes, it surely does! And so it must be planned for as you are working with your weight budget. Fortunately, the weight of a second liter of water for hot weather trades off with the weight of winter fleeces -- you only need to take one rather than both!
This is an excellent strategy. It is hard to refill a bladder mid-day without unpacking the pack completely, which is not always convenient.
Another part of your hydration strategy is to drink a liter in the morning before setting off, and one in the afternoon upon arrival.
On three trips I only found it necessary to carry water on two days - rest of the time I used fountains or had milky coffee or a beer in café on the way. But everyone to there own. I do however carry some water purification tablets in my wallet just in case I need to take water from a stream or other iffy source.
@Patch didn't say that he didn't drink any water. He said he didn't carry it except for two days. Water and other beverages are available every 5-10 km along the Camino Frances, except for a couple of stretches. He walks 5-10 km, has a good drink, and then walks another 5-10 km.This is shocking. You don't usually carry water on Camino?!
@Patch didn't say that he didn't drink any water. He said he didn't carry it except for two days. Water and other beverages are available every 5-10 km along the Camino Frances, except for a couple of stretches. He walks 5-10 km, has a good drink, and then walks another 5-10 km.
I wouldn't put much weight into any advice from anyone that touts being dehydrated. I don't know if some people actually believe it's okay to be dehydrated, or it's just a way of dealing with not wanting to pee outdoors, and BTW nobody walking the Camino even takes notice when someone is going to the loo along the route.How are people consuming so little water?
Yesterday I drank about 4 liters of water by 1pm. The electrolyte solution was extra, I'm not even counting that. Should I see a doctor?!
No offense man, but if that's advice to future pilgrims, it's bad advice.On three trips I only found it necessary to carry water on two days - rest of the time I used fountains or had milky coffee or a beer in café on the way. But everyone to there own. I do however carry some water purification tablets in my wallet just in case I need to take water from a stream or other iffy source.
Neither would I! I'm glad that no one is giving such advice here.I wouldn't put much weight into any advice from anyone that touts being dehydrated.
I have walked St. Jean to Finisterre 3 times in July and August. I averaged about 16 oz. of water a day, but I don't need much. I filled my flask at the alburgues in the morning and , when needed, I bought bottled water in a mercado. It's very inexpensive. I would advise against using water from the fonts, especially in the final 2 weeks. Folks get sick, and the culprits seem to be water from the fonts and unwashed lettuce. Neither my wife nor my son would eat salads the last 2 weeks. Yogurt and yogurt drinks are a popular way to settle stomach issues. Hopefully it won't happen, but if you do acquire some stomach issues, The Pharmacies ( and they're everywhere ) have stuff to help. There are also medical clinics along the way that are free to perigrinos. Good luck.I was told agua no es gratis en Europa. Es verdad?
How are people carrying water and re-supplying?
How much water are people drinking each day?
Estoy en Florida. Today I walked with my backpack and nearly three liters of water and ran out. Got more though. Water really affects gear and carrying weight. Hence the question. Gracias!
I've been using the water bladder plus an extra bottle on the side for breaks and for refilling the water bag.
Plastic bottles?? What is the problem. I have done many caminos using them and refilling without any problems. They get a good rainfall to maintain fountains etc in northern spain. Glass weighs more!Yup, on the Frances you'll be good. No need to panick. Just check your guidebook the night before and plan accordingly in case you need more than 1 liter or so.
No need to pay for water, and for the love of god, do not buy bottle water in plastic bottles.
As in don't buy one, drink it, buy another, drink it, etc. It blows my mind how much bottled water is consumed in Spain. Absolutely unnecessary.Plastic bottles?? What is the problem. I have done many caminos using them and refilling without any problems. They get a good rainfall to maintain fountains etc in northern spain. Glass weighs more!
I have walked St. Jean to Finisterre 3 times in July and August. I averaged about 16 oz. of water a day, but I don't need much. I filled my flask at the alburgues in the morning and , when needed, I bought bottled water in a mercado. It's very inexpensive. I would advise against using water from the fonts, especially in the final 2 weeks. Folks get sick, and the culprits seem to be water from the fonts and unwashed lettuce. Neither my wife nor my son would eat salads the last 2 weeks. Yogurt and yogurt drinks are a popular way to settle stomach issues. Hopefully it won't happen, but if you do acquire some stomach issues, The Pharmacies ( and they're everywhere ) have stuff to help. There are also medical clinics along the way that are free to perigrinos. Good luck.
Buzz
Fountains are good, everywhere, even near the end, except if it says they are not. And ensalada mixta is a Camino stapple as a meal, one of the rare ways to get veggetables.Wow! Great information! So the fountains are sometimes not the best source of water, especially near the end.
I was told agua no es gratis en Europa. Es verdad?
How are people carrying water and re-supplying?
How much water are people drinking each day?
Estoy en Florida. Today I walked with my backpack and nearly three liters of water and ran out. Got more though. Water really affects gear and carrying weight. Hence the question. Gracias!
I've been using the water bladder plus an extra bottle on the side for breaks and for refilling the water bag.
....snip...
This is an excellent strategy. It is hard to refill a bladder mid-day without unpacking the pack completely, which is not always convenient.
Another part of your hydration strategy is to drink a liter in the morning before setting off, and one in the afternoon upon arrival.
Nah, that's not true.Wow! Great information! So the fountains are sometimes not the best source of water, especially near the end.
Nah, that's not true.
Nothing wrong with the water from the fountains. I've walked over 120 days on the Camino and drank gallons and gallons of water from the fountains from one end of it to the other. I never got sick and didn't meet anyone that did.
I bought two 1/2 liter bottles of water in SJPdP and used those same two all the way to Santiago, refilling them along the Way. I don't recommend buying a bottle of water every time you get thirsty. No need to, and it's bad for the environment.
I also ate plate after plate of mixed salad. Never got sick off of it. Spain is far from a third world country. Besides, one would be missing out of one was always afraid to eat local food when traveling because of the dreaded "what if". Be like going to Bangkok and avoiding the street food vendors. Missing out on some good food.
ultreia
It can be easy to refill a bladder if you modify your drinking tube to incorporate a quick disconnect with a refill.
https://www.rei.com/product/858765/...ehAjqamRVqufvUDayVljI5m5TcEupQ1t5IaAjiW8P8HAQ
There are different brands, but they all work the same way. When you need to refill the bladder, quick disconnect the drinking valve. Then after refilling a flexible water bottle or bag (I use flexible bags, like those from Sawyer) onto which you screw the cap which also has a quick disconnect. Then just gently squeeze the water from the refill bag into the bladder. It takes me all of about a minute to do the task.
I have walked St. Jean to Finisterre 3 times in July and August. I averaged about 16 oz. of water a day, but I don't need much. I filled my flask at the alburgues in the morning and , when needed, I bought bottled water in a mercado. It's very inexpensive. I would advise against using water from the fonts, especially in the final 2 weeks. Folks get sick, and the culprits seem to be water from the fonts and unwashed lettuce. Neither my wife nor my son would eat salads the last 2 weeks. Yogurt and yogurt drinks are a popular way to settle stomach issues. Hopefully it won't happen, but if you do acquire some stomach issues, The Pharmacies ( and they're everywhere ) have stuff to help. There are also medical clinics along the way that are free to perigrinos. Good luck.
Buzz
I was told agua no es gratis en Europa. Es verdad?
How are people carrying water and re-supplying?
How much water are people drinking each day?
Estoy en Florida. Today I walked with my backpack and nearly three liters of water and ran out. Got more though. Water really affects gear and carrying weight. Hence the question. Gracias!
I've been using the water bladder plus an extra bottle on the side for breaks and for refilling the water bag.
Good point!Domestic water isn't free, that's why taking a coffee, a beer or something is a good idea before asking for refilling our bottle or bladder in a bar.
I was told agua no es gratis en Europa. Es verdad?
How are people carrying water and re-supplying?
How much water are people drinking each day?
Estoy en Florida. Today I walked with my backpack and nearly three liters of water and ran out. Got more though. Water really affects gear and carrying weight. Hence the question. Gracias!
I've been using the water bladder plus an extra bottle on the side for breaks and for refilling the water bag.
disconnect the bite valve?
i dont get it. is there a video that explains this?
it takes me forever to transfer water in the middle of a hike.
I would guess I go through 3-4 litres during a warm walking day in April/May (about 20-25 kms a day).
Here's a YouTube clip demonstrating installation and how it works.
https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome-psyapi2&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8&q=install sawyer fast fill&oq=install sawyer fast fill&aqs=chrome..69i57.10063j0j7#kpvalbx=1
I also add a bit of tubing so that I never even remove my pack to do a refill. The clip shows the refilling process with a water filter, but you don't need to use it with a filter. Simply attach the same refill cap with the quick connect to a refill bag (or flexible water bottle) which you have filled with water, minus the filter. Then connect the refill bag or bottle to the quick disconnect in the same way you see in the video.
I don't even have to take my pack off to do this. And other than stopping to fill the refill bag or bottle, I can refill my bladder while walking.
Thanks, I watched but was still confused! Maybe I will ask more questions about this later. Seems useful for conditions here in the South. Maybe less relevant for Camino.
Thanks, I watched but was still confused! Maybe I will ask more questions about this later. Seems useful for conditions here in the South. Maybe less relevant for Camino.
Wow! Great information! So the fountains are sometimes not the best source of water, especially near the end.
This is a fabulous and hugely useful thread. Without addressing specific comments, here is my hydration rationale:
I started using a 2-liter water bladder with my Osprey Kestrel 48-liter rucksack on my first Camino in 2013. But, when I discovered that the empty bladder weighed 11 ounces (@ 312 grams), the empty bladder was mailed ahead to Santiago, cleaned and sold to a good home. ....snip
Eating lots of ensaladas on your way is a good hydration strategy! I carried a 1.5 L bladder and filled it each morning. If need be, I refilled it at a bar or albergue midday. I avoided the fountains. A water bladder means you can sip frequently, meaning you don't have to stop and pull out your water bottle when you feel thirsty, thereby staying hydrated as you go. Drinking from a bottle means that your hydration level fluctuates, that is if you wait until you feel thirsty, whereas with the bladder, such as a Camelback, you are constantly drinking as you go. TIP- do not stop at your half way point for the day and costume large amounts of beer, sangria, etc., especially on your first day on the Camino!Fountains are good, everywhere, even near the end, except if it says they are not. And ensalada mixta is a Camino stapple as a meal, one of the rare ways to get veggetables.
TIP- do not stop at your half way point for the day and costume large amounts of beer, sangria, etc., especially on your first day on the Camino!
@Patch didn't say that he didn't drink any water. He said he didn't carry it except for two days. Water and other beverages are available every 5-10 km along the Camino Frances, except for a couple of stretches. He walks 5-10 km, has a good drink, and then walks another 5-10 km.
Perhaps, but only on the Frances.I carried 2 * 750 ml bottles and never ran out because there are fountains and other places to fill up if needed. Walked in August/Sept twice and back again this year same time but starting in Castrojeriz - lovely place.
Perhaps, but only on the Frances.
I'm with you but I drink 3 litres every day anyway just being a couch potato although admittedly it is 30 deg C in my house anyway. It's actually a good way to prevent injury.
(The drinking, not the couch) And I am one of those mad people that use silver hiking umbrellas.
Another point to consider is that if you are taking NSAIDs eg ibuprofen, voltaren etc. the risks of dehydration are greater and you run the risk of damaging your kidneys.
https://www-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.www.ezpdhcs.nt.gov.au/pmc/articles/PMC2908954/table/T5/ (Popkin et al Nutr Rev. 2010 Aug; 68(8): 439–458. in case you can't open the link) has an estimate of fluid requirements based on energy intake required. I can tell you that to maintain my weight I had to more than double my caloric intake and was eating about 4000 kcal/day. By this table I would need 5.4 litres per day.
many times it was not enough but thankfully there were places to refill.
I was told agua no es gratis en Europa. Es verdad?
How are people carrying water and re-supplying?
How much water are people drinking each day?
Estoy en Florida. Today I walked with my backpack and nearly three liters of water and ran out. Got more though. Water really affects gear and carrying weight. Hence the question. Gracias!
I've been using the water bladder plus an extra bottle on the side for breaks and for refilling the water bag.
Also, the water was very good and usually cool.
Urine colour is subjective but is still a good general indicator .
A slightly more accurate and personal indicator is the elasticity of the skin on the back of your hand , obviously when pulled up gently by a younger person the skin will almost invariably twang back quickly and correspondingly so much more slowly as age increases .
Whatever the variation between people the base line indicator of the resilience of your own skin is easy to determine . Simply pinch the skin upwards in the middle of the back of your hand and release , count slowly until it returns. My personal base line is two seconds when fully hydrated . Any increase in this time indicates one of two things , dehydration or sunburn , both of which can be remedied quickly if treated early enough .
Don't drink all your water at a fountain until you are sure it can be replenished...Yes water is heavy. In fact one litre weighs one kilogram
Everyone's water consumption varies. But it's important to stay hydrated to avoid injury. Dehydration actually increases the risk of blisters I think... But it certainly leads to aches, sore tendons and cramps.
You will work out what is right for you. It's easy to carry more if you need to. Just buy a couple more bottles of water in the store and when they run out refill them from a tap somewhere. Instant extra capacity. Or maybe carry a couple of empty ones just in case. They weigh nothing and can be filled as required.
I used a water bladder, with an extra bottle in a side pouch. The only downside of the water bladder was:
#1. I couldn't see how much was left. And I ran out once. Not pleasant at all.... But a cafe 'caravan' appeared on the trail an hour later!
#2. I tended to carry too much water and hence weight.
Next time I'll just use store water bottles. The ones you buy bottled water in. And refill them as I go. If you have a guide book, the water fountains are marked on the maps. Just be aware,that sometimes they might be dry, so don't leave yourself short.
If I found a water fountain, I tended to drink what water I had, and then refill. Loading up water like a camel
On the infamous 17 km section with no water fountains or villages, (after Carrion) I carried about 2.5 litres. The weather was quite warm. About 25 C I think. I only used 1.5 It's really hard to tell sometimes........
Mostly I carried about 1.5 litres on me. I could probably manage carrying 1 litre most days, where I was sure I could refill. 500 ml? I would get dehydrated .... frequently.....
There are plenty of places to top up water free (on the Frances Route). So don't ration it........ Just look at the guidebook maps so you know how far the next font/village is and plan accordingly.
While on holiday in Rome, I was lucky to stay with friends, and having access to a freezer. I would fill bottles with water almost to the top and let the water freeze overnight. During the day I would top up my giant ice cubes with water from the many fountains.My fantasy, which is unlikely ever to happen, is to freeze ice into sticks and put it in the bottle! Sometimes as I sip my tepid water, I imagine it's iced.
In Australia, we have a product called 'Berrocca.' They are tablets that quickly dissolve in water and they supply a wide array of electrolytes that help a lot if you become too dehydrated. Have used them in the Frances - mostly while on the Meseta - and they have helped a lot.
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