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The time I carried too much water on the John Muir Trail
Last summer on the JMT near Muir Pass, I packed an extra 3 liters thinking I'd need it for a dry stretch. Turned out there was a reliable creek every 4 miles, so I was just hauling 6 pounds of dead weight all day. I learned to check recent trip reports for actual water conditions instead of relying on old maps. Anybody else ever carry way more water than they needed on a long stretch?
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john_cooper9d ago
And you know what, that extra water weight probably made you work harder than you had to on a day where you're already climbing up to Muir Pass which is no joke. I did the same thing on the PCT in Oregon, carried 4 liters extra through a section that ended up having snowmelt streams every mile or so. The worst part is when you finally realize it halfway through the day and you're just mad at yourself for not checking Current reports instead of last year's notes. Now I always check the JMT Facebook group or call the ranger station a day before I head out, saves my back and my mood every time.
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the_parker9d agoTop Commenter
Is hauling an extra couple liters of water really that big of a deal though? You're already carrying a 30+ pound pack, what's a few more pounds?
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dianal948d ago
Used to be on the other side of this too... thought a couple extra liters was just part of the deal until I hit a dry stretch on the Sierra High Route where I hauled six liters up a pass and found running water at the top. Standing there with sore shoulders and a stupid heavy pack really changed my mind. Now I check the JMT conditions page on Facebook the night before each section, beats carrying that extra weight for no reason.
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