Are you wondering how to stay hydrated while hiking this summer?

If so, you came to the right place!

Today, I am going to give you 5 easy ways to stay hydrated on your next hike.

Hiking is a pleasurable pastime and a good way to stay healthy and happy, but the exertion that your body goes through makes you susceptible to dehydration.

Whether you are new to hiking or someone who is always on the trail, these 5 easy ways will help you stay hydrated for your next hike.

 

 

 

Without further ado, Let’s go drink some water!

 

 

 

For more information regarding hydration, please check out https://www.americanhiking.org

 

 

5 Easy Ways to Stay Hydrated for Your Next Hike

 

 

#1. Learn to Hydrate your body before you even hit the trails!

Before you begin your next hike, you should drink one or two cups of water. Your body begins to feel thirsty when your water level is already low, meaning you shouldn’t wait until your body’s thirsty signal before drinking.

Learn to put this into practice and you will prevent your water level from dropping in the first place by hydrating yourself during your pre-hike.

If you learn to develop this habit long-term, then you will reap the benefits of being ready for any hike.

 

 

 

 

#2. Stay away from the Booze.

 

 

If you’re planning on a grueling morning hike the next day, opt for water instead of the beer.

Consuming alcohol prior to hiking should be absolutely avoided, as alcohol significantly contributes to dehydration.

There is a time and place to drink, hiking your body into dehydration in lieu of having fun isn’t the way to do it. Obviously, alcoholic drinks are not a good idea to bring on a hike, as they won’t hydrate you properly and may dehydrate you.

 

 

#3. Add those Electrolytes!

 

 

Water comprises up to 60 percent of the human adult body. When you lose even a small amount of this 60 percent, your body can’t perform all its essential functions.

When you become dehydrated, electrolytes step in to regulate hydration levels.

An imbalance in electrolytes can have a harmful effect on your health. Here are a few of the dangerous symptoms that can occur…

 

• Fatigue
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Numbness and tingling
• Confusion
• Muscle weakness and cramping
• Headaches
• Convulsions

 

In hot environments, electrolyte-enhanced water is recommended for hydration over other beverages because of its ability to replenish the vital electrolytes being lost in sweat.

Drinks that contain sugar and caffeine such as soda and coffee may worsen dehydration. I like to carry some food on the trail such as seeds and nuts to help keep things in balance.

 

 

#4. Keep at least 1/3 of your water on your way down.

It is very tempting to chug your whole water bottle during a hot summer hike. The way down can seem easy, and you might think you won’t need water, but going downhill still requires a lot of energy.

Keep at least 1/3 of your water on the way down will give you enough wiggle room and you should be able to escape the danger of being dehydrated.

Before you go on a hike, calculate the amount of water that you need to bring for the duration of your hikes. I can’t emphasize this enough.

 

#5. Keep extra water in the car.

To fully re-hydrate your body after a grueling hike, keep a full bottle of water or two in the car. This will help you cool off and you will avoid the post hike headache from being dehydrated.

In addition, I also bring some rewarding snacks for the end of my hike to help refuel my body before going home.

If you learn to keep your water accessible, you will indeed stay hydrated before, during, and after your favorite pastime.

 

 

 

 

Thoughts & Takeaways

And there you have it. These are 5 easy ways to stay hydrated for your next hike. I hope you are able to stay hydrated wherever you go. Please share your experiences in the comment section below.

 

 

 

-CT