Water Requirements

[Waka]

I don't normally take as great deal of water during the hiking day, possibly around 1 ltd. I have noted that previous VDLP pilgrims advocate taking 2-3 ptrs, I also note that July and August are mentioned which will be the hottest part of the year.
I will be walking during Feb/Mar, I guess my question is, will I need to increase my water carrying capacity.

Just to give you an idea of my intake, I did a 22 mile hike yesterday and consumed about 1 ltr and at no point did I feel or get dehydrated.

 

[t2andreo]

I always walk with at least 2 liters of water. I store this in 4 x .5 liter ubiquitous (and free) water bottles. This allows me to arrange the bottles in various ways around my rucksack and harness.

The water bottles conveniently come already filled with water.. I reuse them until they are too gross to do so. Then I recycle them and replace them. It works for me.

Hope this helps.

 

[Iriebabel]

I would say that only you know your body and it is indeed a personal choice as to how much water you carry however, with that being said your body does not always show signs of dehydration until its too late. I would say for you err on the side of caution. I think you’re are using an enormous of amount of calories and sweating out an enormous amount of water day to day. You can get dehydrated in cold as well as heat because your body needs the fluids to function properly especially on a hardous day to day hike. I am not a doctor but was a medic in the military I can’t tell you how many times I have seen someone who didnt drink enough water then 30 minutes later pass out cold or get dizzy due to dehydration. I think if you ask the question you already think your normal amount of water consumption may not be enough. My two cents : Err on the side of caution, listen to your body and you can’t go wrong. Buen Camino!

 

[Camino Addict]

The only thing that I would add to the sage advice on this thread is that resources are fewer and far between on the VDLP then the Frances. I carried a .75 liter bottle on the Frances and I was never in need of water because there was always a store, fountain, café, and now multiple food and snack trucks (which I'm slightly torn on their worth because they're starting to become eye sores), but I carried the same .75 liter bottle on the VDLP in February, and though I was not crawling on my hands and knees into town, there were a few days I did get concerned that I was running out of water and did start carrying a small backup bottle.

 

[OzAnnie]

I don't normally take as great deal of water during the hiking day, possibly around 1 ltd. I have noted that previous VDLP pilgrims advocate taking 2-3 ptrs, I also note that July and August are mentioned which will be the hottest part of the year.
I will be walking during Feb/Mar, I guess my question is, will I need to increase my water carrying capacity.

Just to give you an idea of my intake, I did a 22 mile hike yesterday and consumed about 1 ltr and at no point did I feel or get dehydrated.

Hi Waka
I agree with @Camino Addict above referring to opportunities to refill (I haven’t yet walked Vdlp yet tho, btw ) You may well not need extra water but to answer your question: yes, I’d increase the quantity you walk with for safety. You can tip out surplus if you don’t use it; but it doesn’t work the other way !
Have another great camino
Annie

 

[Waka]

Thanks all for your reply's I will effeminately take the advice and up my water carrying capacity. Only 11 months to go.