I just got back from a arduous backpacking trip where the temps were approaching 90 each day (very unusual for the mountains). We had to fight miles of blowdown and probably racked up 8000'+ of climbing in 2.5 days- one of the toughest trips I've done thanks to the combination of heat and blowdown.
Anyways I drank a lot of water. But every other 16 oz Nalgene I drank, I added a Nuun tablet. Every two to three hours I downed a Salt Stick tablet. Before I went to bed I drank a Nuun Recover packet mixed with water. Amazingly, while it wasn't an overly pleasant trip- I didn't suffer too badly. Staying hydrated and keeping electrolyte levels up definitely made a huge difference.
For electrolyte replacement ( mostly potassium, sodium , and maybe magnesium), make your own, at low cost. Go to your local grocery store and buy "Morton's Light Salt.". It is something like 60% potassium and 40 % sodium. Add a small pinch to your drinking water bottle. Don't need much. If you can taste it, dilute it down.
If you want magnesium, add a SMALL SCOOCH of epsom salts ( magnesium sulfatei). If you want calcium, take a TUMS or the lowest cost antacid that is a TUMS knock off. Want flavor, and no sugar/carbs, add some sugar-free lemonade powder, something like Propel packs of powder. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076T2G7L...a1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
Morton Lite Salt nutritional info:
Nutrition Facts Serving Size 1/4 tsp (1.4g) Servings per container: about 222 * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet Calories Total Fat Sodium Potassium Total Carbohydrate Protein Iodine Amount per serving 0 0g 290mg 350mg 0 0g % Daily Value* 0% 0% 12% 10% 0% 40%
Here’s a look at the nutrient content of different 12-ounce servings of Pedialyte and Gatorade drinks:
For electrolyte replacement ( mostly potassium, sodium , and maybe magnesium), make your own. Go to your local grocery store and buy "Morton's Low /Light ? Salt.". It is something like 60% potassium and 40 % sodium. Add a small pinch to your drinking water bottle. Don't need much. If you can taste it, dilute it down.
Oh, that summer at Ft Leonard Wood, MO. They had those big lister bags on all the ranges. Some genius decided that the men weren't getting enough salt so they added salt to the drinking water in the bags. It would gag anyone. Many of the men were getting dehydrated because they couldn't drink the water without throwing up. It was like drinking sea water.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
For electrolyte replacement ( mostly potassium, sodium , and maybe magnesium), make your own. Go to your local grocery store and buy "Morton's Low /Light ? Salt.". It is something like 60% potassium and 40 % sodium. Add a small pinch to your drinking water bottle. Don't need much. If you can taste it, dilute it down.
If you want magnesium, add a scooch of epsom salts ( magnesium sulfate).
Morton Lite Sa!t nutritional info:
Nutrition Facts Serving Size 1/4 tsp (1.4g) Servings per container: about 222 * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet Calories Total Fat Sodium Potassium Total Carbohydrate Protein Iodine Amount per serving 0 0g 290mg 350mg 0 0g % Daily Value* 0% 0% 12% 10% 0% 40%
Here’s a look at the nutrient content of different 12-ounce servings of Pedialyte and Gatorade drinks:
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"
A long 23-ish mile trip on Thursday- lots of off-trail and lots of [bleep] trail, lots of elevation gain and warm (temps into the mid to upper 80's). Every other 16 oz bottle had a Nuun tablet. I was downing a 16 oz bottle approximately every hour, so staying at least slightly ahead of the hydration curve. It was a 12-ish hour hike, so roughly 6-7 liters total of water.
Nothing magic about Nuun, but it tastes good and provides 300 mg of sodium, 150 mg of Potassium, 25 mg of magnesium and 13 mg of calcium. It looks like it could be easily replicated for less money, but you just throw a tablet in AND it tastes good
Of course water is the obvious answer I am looking for something more than water. I am doing a week long kayak ocean fishing trip in Panama in August and am looking to stay on as good shape as I can considering I will not only be baking in the sun for hours on end but will be using a lot of energy between pedaling the kayaks and cranking in fish and lures. I figured this group has to be the most physically active group so I figured I would ask the question here
Irving,
Bear Grylls has a hydration remedy he'd probably sell you:
I just got back from a arduous backpacking trip where the temps were approaching 90 each day (very unusual for the mountains). We had to fight miles of blowdown and probably racked up 8000'+ of climbing in 2.5 days- one of the toughest trips I've done thanks to the combination of heat and blowdown.
Anyways I drank a lot of water. But every other 16 oz Nalgene I drank, I added a Nuun tablet. Every two to three hours I downed a Salt Stick tablet. Before I went to bed I drank a Nuun Recover packet mixed with water. Amazingly, while it wasn't an overly pleasant trip- I didn't suffer too badly. Staying hydrated and keeping electrolyte levels up definitely made a huge difference.
dang, I've cut back on hiking because of heat and smoke.
dang, I've cut back on hiking because of heat and smoke.
I have to, but if it's Unhealthy for Sensitive People or below, I go. If it's plain Unhealthy or above- I bag it. We haven't seen Green (Good) air in over a month
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"