Water

[Nwalker]

How much water to carry in late September , especially on first couple stages of Camino Frances?
Thanks

 

[Paul-CH]

Take as much as you need. As we don't know how long stages you do on a day. That's very personal some have enough with one litre others need more. Try it out now at home, hike a stage and count the usage of water. Don't forget sometimes there are restaurants or bars nearby, they have beer.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

This question has come on many occasions as you will note if you do a little research here on the forum. When you do you will see that the answers are as individual as we are. Some will tell you that you only need to carry 500 ml, others will tell you two liters ( or more!). For the individuals responding those answers are absolutely correct.

Why the discrepancy? Because our needs are very individual. Body type, fitness level, weather etc are all factors.
In the course of your training you should have formed some idea as to how much water you typically consume either per hour, or per 5km of your walk. Look at whatever guide you're utilizing, whether it be Breileys, Wise Pilgrim, Buen Camino or Gronze, and you will see the distance between water points/bars/restaurants. Add a little more for insurance purposes (tap not working, warmer than expected weather for example) and that should give you a pretty fair idea.

Buen Camino!

 

[Ianinam]

And don't forget: tapwater is potable everywhere in Spain, unless it is mentioned as no potable.
You will walk through many villages with restaurants, bars, fountains.
The only exception is the Route Napoleon over the Pyrenees, there are no villages. 8 km after leaving SJPdP you can fill your bottle at Refuge Orrisson (and have a coffee there) and after another 4 km you will find the 'Fuente de Roland' where you can fill your bottle again.

 

[trecile]

Don't forget sometimes there are restaurants or bars nearby, they have beer.

And water!

 

[C clearly]

Depends hugely on the weather that day!

 

[Americanperegrino]

1L from St Jean to the last Albergue before you enter the forest...filling up at Orrison also. Once you reach the forest...2L. Once you reach Roncesvalles back to 1L.

BTW, if its hot and dry...double the above.

 

[hikentravel1234]

How much water to carry in late September , especially on first couple stages of Camino Frances?
Thanks

Late September is usually still very hot. If you have a John Brierley book, the map will show you where cafes are located. I always fill up from the faucets in the bathroom. How much will also depend on if you are a low volume drinker or a high volume drinker.

 

[lt56ny]

Drink a liter before you leave.

 

[JerryStroebele]

Don't forget electrolytes -- Kas, Aquarius, orange juice, apple juice, grape juice (not fermented), or powder/tablet supplement. Buen Camino

 

[ThatIrishGuy]

If I remember correctly I counted and used at least four water outlets before reaching the start of the decent to Roncevalles in June this year. The first was before Orisson and appeared to be very recently put in place slightly off and to the right of the path on a new concrete driveway. There was another at a viewing point with information panel describing the points of interest to be found in the view from that point.
I can’t have misremembered or just made it up in my head already..could I?

 

[MikeJS]

Plenty, as you cannot walk far if you get dehydrated. I always carry about 5l in my sac and another 3 as spare. In addition, I always take a very large drink of water at the start of the day!

 

[akane81]

Can anyone tell me is water from unmarked fountains like this safe for drinking? It was the first day of my first camino and I was tempted to fill up my bottles. But I wasnt sure and I decided to err on the side of caution and I skipped this. This was found 15km from Sarria and somewhere near As Rozas.

 

[LeslieC]

View attachment 181282

Can anyone tell me is water from unmarked fountains like this safe for drinking?

General rule: if it doesn't say otherwise, it's fine. I've been very appreciative of the fuentes.

'No potable' means 'don't drink this if you value your intestines'. I can't remember the exact wording, but you may also see signs meaning 'not tested' or similar. At your own risk, but they're also probably fine.

 

[Maurice Frank]

I like to carry more than I usually need. I’m happy to share with other pilgrims who might need it. I usually walk with a 1 liter and a 700 ml bottle. I rarely runout.

 

[CTLawGal]

Don't forget electrolytes -- Kas, Aquarius, orange juice, apple juice, grape juice (not fermented), or powder/tablet supplement. Buen Camino

Agree! Very important - I know some on this forum disagree, but my personal experience is that regular use means you need to drink less water and they are also important for muscle recovery.

I brought electrolyte powder in packets, added one to a 500ml collapsible wide-mouth bottle every morning and sipped that until it was done, then switched to my camelback-type hydration system with just water, but took a capsule every hour or so - I did some research before I left and the most efficient way with least amount of weight seemed to be a capsule. I used SaltStick, which I found at REI, but there are others. Flavored chewables were less efficient weight-wise, but I brought some of those too and would chew a couple at the end of my walk. My feet were often tired but I didn't suffer from any sore muscles. I shared with several pilgrims who were suffering, and just a few servings helped alleviate a lot of the stress their bodies were suffering. It's a good thing to test in your training before you depart on your Camino.

Buen Camino!

 

[Frankybaby66]

And water!

And water!

I love a beer . . . Always wait until walking is done for the day though. ... OMG, I must have finally become an adult

 

[Robo]

How much water to carry in late September , especially on first couple stages of Camino Frances?
Thanks

Just as a general comment.
I would suggest that most people don't drink enough water.
Or should I say, do not maintain adequate hydration.
And it differs for all of us, as there are many variables.

There are all kinds of strategies people use.
Drinking a lot before starting, drinking at every font they pass etc etc.

I know from walking a few Caminos, that in warm weather (20C+) I need 1 litre / 10 kms.
But others carry far less.
My wife gets 12-15 kms per Litre. (she is half my size)

The best way is to make sure you're OK is to check your urine colour!
Dehydration is not fun and can be fatal.........(has been on Camino)

Good News. On the Frances there are usually frequent places to top up water.
I'd suggest.

1. Know how much water you consume to stay hydrated (check on training walks).
2. Check your guide/map to water top up points and plan around that.
3. Carry some spare (I carry at least 300 ml backup, more on long hot stages) in case the water source is dry/closed.

 

[Paul-CH]

Dehydration is not fun and can be fatal.....

That's true, but if you are drinking so much, it means you're sweating much too. So don't forget to replace the already lost salt. Either with the next beer or some salted peanuts. Buen camino

 

[Robo]

That's true, but if you are drinking so much, it means you're sweating much too. So don't forget to replace the already lost salt. Either with the next beer or some salted peanuts. Buen camino

Yes very true! I carry salted nuts (trail mix)

Though last year I tried Salt Sticks.
They are supposed to be a mix of salts, electrolytes etc.
I have no scientific 'evidence', but they seemed to make a big difference.
No aching muscles, maintained energy levels.......
I'll certainly use them again.

 

[Frankybaby66]

Yes very true! I carry salted nuts (trail mix)

Though last year I tried Salt Sticks.
They are supposed to be a mix of salts, electrolytes etc.
I have no scientific 'evidence', but they seemed to make a big difference.
No aching muscles, maintained energy levels.......
I'll certainly use them again.

Aquarius is the answer (whatever the question )

 

[Robo]

Aquarius is the answer (whatever the question )

Yes, I often carry a bottle. Great stuff.
Though I use the sugar free one now…

 

[Roland49]

How much water to carry in late September , especially on first couple stages of Camino Frances?
Thanks

That's depending on your personal preferences.
In hot July I often didn't drink not more than half a litre per morning. Filling up on the way with coffee, fresh orange-juice and on the afternoon some clara and more coffee. On the evening the unavoidable wine and water to the pilgrims meal.

I do carry 2 half-litre bottles, that's all.

 

[David Tallan]

That's true, but if you are drinking so much, it means you're sweating much too. So don't forget to replace the already lost salt. Either with the next beer or some salted peanuts. Buen camino

I think if you drink too much it doesn't necessarily turn into extra sweat. I think the amount of sweat is much more based on how much the body needs to cool down. I suspect you are much more likely to get rid of the excess as urine - but I'm not a doctor, so I could be wrong.

 

[trecile]

I think if you drink too much it doesn't necessarily turn into extra sweat. I think the amount of sweat is much more based on how much the body needs to cool down. I suspect you are much more likely to get rid of the excess as urine - but I'm not a doctor, so I could be wrong.

Of course. I need to drink a lot more water when I sweat a lot. Drinking when I'm thirsty has always worked for me.