How much water should you actually carry when you’re ultralight backpacking? Most hikers carry too much. In this video, I break down my real approach to water carries on the Pacific Crest Trail—and why I often carry less than a liter.
I’ve hiked the CDT, AT, and now the PCT with a super ultralight base weight. If you want to hike further with less weight, you need to rethink hydration. This isn’t reckless—it’s calculated.
Learn how to: • Plan smart water carries using maps and timing • Understand water needs vs. water fear • Trust your body and terrain, not just groupthink • Carry less and move faster
Filmed while hiking 30+ mile days with a base weight under 5 lbs.
This isn’t reckless—it’s calculated.
For you. Because your body is used to it. And so far you haven’t been unlucky.
How much water someone needs during physical activity can vary a lot, different base levels and then differences based on habit.
But no one has ever died from carrying an extra bottle of water. You may want to get your weight as low as possible, but carrying another 10lbs of water is just extra training. It literally helps you in the long run.
If you’re taking the absolute minimum you need, and any substantial setback happens, you’re fucked. On a long enough timeline something will happen, even if you make it out alive, a sprained ankle 10 miles from help sucks enough when you’re not gonna have to be dehydrated.
Just bring another bottle of water.
Even if it’s a “safe” gamble in terms of chances it goes wrong, the consequences of it going wrong could literally be deadly.
Hell, imagine you’re 10 miles away from help, completely fine, and you come across some idiot who desperately needs water. An extra bottle could be the difference between you saving a life, and walking away from someone you know won’t make it out.
Don’t play with shit humans need to live.
What are you going to do when your completely idiotic advice gets somebody dead ? Seriously, get over yourself.
I would rather carry too much water than not enough.
