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My wife and I are walking our pilgrimage in March 2016. Here in Washington we hike in the mountains and carry a water bladder when full weighs about 5 lbs. Since there are water sources on the Camino would it be easier to carry a water bottle since the don't weigh as much. We drink a lot of water.
Thanks Fred Gregory
I walked both the CF (2010) and CI (2014) with a 2 li bladder that I filled each day and often re-filled. I walked in Apr and early May, and still found many fonts dry then on the CF. On the CI I didn't bother looking for fonts, but checked my bladder and topped it up when I stopped for coffee or lunch, around about every two hours.
To me, it comes down to how often you are going to stop to refill, whether you use a bottle or bladder. You will hear a lot of stuff and nonsense about the cleanliness of bladders, but if you are already using one, I expect you now how to care for its cleanliness, so that shouldn't be a problem.
Remember that for most of the CF, legs between towns and villages are between one and two hours walking, with a fair number between two and three hours. I have posted a summary of this elsewhere on the forum in one of the other regular discussions on this topic.
Fred
as you probably are aware being a walker just drinking lots of water flushes your natural mineral sources away,fine for one day .....so adding natural sugar free electrolytes in tablet form to your water keeps you mineral levels topped up and helps prevent cramp.....you can buy these in Pharmacy's just ask for ~"aqua mineral natural"comes in a tube(used to be in sachets )..when your water bottle gets low just top the mix up..rinse out bottle end of use everyday.
one tablet a day....or two if your prefer....avoid grapefruit version if on statins.........you have a REI store 5.9 miles from your location.
they sell the ones in a tube....worth bringing a tube to start you off...
Hi Fred, I will carry only 2 half liter bottles when empty by a new one ore fill them again in a bar.My wife and I are walking our pilgrimage in March 2016. Here in Washington we hike in the mountains and carry a water bladder when full weighs about 5 lbs. Since there are water sources on the Camino would it be easier to carry a water bottle since the don't weigh as much. We drink a lot of water.
Thanks Fred Gregory
Is the water at the bar filtered?Hi Fred, I will carry only 2 half liter bottles when empty by a new one ore fill them again in a bar.
Wish you well and a Buen Camino, Peter.
Filtered for what? It would be normal treated tap water.Is the water at the bar filtered?
While I am personally a proponent of using multiple .5 liter reusable water bottles attached to the front of my rucksack, to shift some weight to the front, there is another important point that has not been mentioned.
Across the Camino Frances, there are many fuentes located in rural areas. Many of these areas are also agricultural areas. Some of the farming areas have shallow springs or wells supplying them that have been contaminated by overuse of pesticides and fertilizer.
The point of this, and a good rule of thumb, is that tap water in towns can be presumed potable, like in cafes, albergues, and hostels. On other stretches, pilgrims are advised to carry extra water, as the fountains / fuentes are likely contaminated.
Over the past several years, most of the reported cases of gastrointestinal illness could be traced to using "sketchy" Fuentes / fountains. In particular, the segment from Carrion de los Condes to Sahagun is such a "dry" stretch. However, towns like Moratinos enjoy safe, potable "city water" supplies.
I hope this helps.
Filtered for what? It would be normal treated tap water.
Hiya, this is good to know thanks. I have bought a Sawyer mini water filtration system which removes bacteria, protozoa, & cysts, that will fit on straw, bottle, or bladder, also, a pocket purifier straw that allows me to drink straight out of a stream, etc... I bought these for hiking here in the USA.
Sorry? ?? you ask me if the water is filtered ??What do you think?Is the water at the bar filtered?
thanks, c
Do you mean some municipal/public water systems do this?some places have a filter system to take out harmful chemicals & add back in the essential minerals..
It is rarely true that bottled water is any better than water properly treated by the municipal authorities. Unless, of course, you believe the marketing hype of the companies selling bottled water, who clearly have a vested interest in convincing you to buy water in the most expensive way possible.thanks, u answered my question (normal treated tap water), so it would have chemicals in the water... some places have a filter system to take out harmful chemicals & add back in the essential minerals... so what I am hearing is the safest water is plastic/glass bottled water! Buen camino, c
great advice as although i was drinking plenty water i found my hands and toes cramping . sorted very quickly by taking elecrolytes..Fred
as you probably are aware being a walker just drinking lots of water flushes your natural mineral sources away,fine for one day .....so adding natural sugar free electrolytes in tablet form to your water keeps you mineral levels topped up and helps prevent cramp.....you can buy these in Pharmacy's just ask for ~"aqua mineral natural"comes in a tube(used to be in sachets )..when your water bottle gets low just top the mix up..rinse out bottle end of use everyday.
one tablet a day....or two if your prefer....avoid grapefruit version if on statins.........you have a REI store 5.9 miles from your location.
they sell the ones in a tube....worth bringing a tube to start you off...
It is a good idea to spend the first night at Orisson to break up the journey as this is the most difficult part of the Camino Frances so no need to do it all at once. It is a great place to stay as there is a shared meal and the atmosphere is really good. Everyone is asked to say where they are from and why they are on the Camino. It is a good way to meet other pilgrims who you will see again as you are walking. You can of course get water there. I think there was a fuente just right outside that everyone could fill up at. You would still need a decent amount of water to get to Roncesvalles but at least you won't be hot and tired from doing that first 8km which is pretty much straight up.Great info here folks. I would think at the cafes & refuges along the way you can fill up your bottles. My concerns is from SJPDP to Roncesvalles there is only 1 stop....Orisson. After I filled up at Orisson there is still 20Km of grueling hike to Roncesvalles and there is NOTHING in between! Does this mean I will have to really load up with water at Orisson? (weight is my concern here and I do drink a lot, especially when hot). Thanks.
I forgot to say you need to book if you want to stay at Orisson.It is a good idea to spend the first night at Orisson to break up the journey as this is the most difficult part of the Camino Frances so no need to do it all at once. It is a great place to stay as there is a shared meal and the atmosphere is really good. Everyone is asked to say where they are from and why they are on the Camino. It is a good way to meet other pilgrims who you will see again as you are walking. You can of course get water there. I think there was a fuente just right outside that everyone could fill up at. You would still need a decent amount of water to get to Roncesvalles but at least you won't be hot and tired from doing that first 8km which is pretty much straight up.
My wife and I are walking our pilgrimage in March 2016. Here in Washington we hike in the mountains and carry a water bladder when full weighs about 5 lbs. Since there are water sources on the Camino would it be easier to carry a water bottle since the don't weigh as much. We drink a lot of water.
Thanks Fred Gregory
Welcome to the forum Fred. I use two .75L water bottles and a smartube now, on the first Camino I just used the bottles but got dehydrated a few times because I didn't want to stop and take the bottle out of the side pocket. the smartube allows you to sip on a regular basis. I also brought along the rehydration sachets but gave most away to people in trouble, mostly young people overdoing it. I topped up at fountains as far as Logrono but was advised to avoid the fountains after that so I just topped up at cafe's or bars or just bought water and discarded the old bottles.
I wish you and your wife a safe and Buen Camino.
I am on the Camino right now. Staying tonight in La Casa Magica in Villatuerta . I am carrying a 64 oz bladder and I filled it twice today walking from Obamos which is a little over 20K. I would suggest you each get a 64oz bladder. Got mine at Walmart for $12.
Welcome to the forum Fred. I use two .75L water bottles and a smartube now, on the first Camino I just used the bottles but got dehydrated a few times because I didn't want to stop and take the bottle out of the side pocket. the smartube allows you to sip on a regular basis. I also brought along the rehydration sachets but gave most away to people in trouble, mostly young people overdoing it. I topped up at fountains as far as Logrono but was advised to avoid the fountains after that so I just topped up at cafe's or bars or just bought water and discarded the old bottles.
I wish you and your wife a safe and Buen Camino.
Consider only carrying the water you need. Water is heavy and can add to the problems some have with pack weight.
The 64 oz (above) is about 1.9 liters and would weigh about 4 pounds. If you only require 1 liter with you at a time...you save 2 pounds on your back. It is really an individual thing as to requirements. We can't tell others what they will need.
I only carry two 1/2 ltr bottles and refill during the day if needed. That works perfectly for me. Others report that they need more.
The point is that carrying an extra liter of water that you don't drink or need is carrying an extra unused 2.2 pounds (1 liter equals 1 kilo or 2.2 pounds)
Thus: 1 liter 2.2 lbs
2 liter 4.4 lbs
3 liter 6.6 lbs
4 liter 8.8 lbs
Do what fits your needs. Weather will make a difference.
Try a Camelbak Eddy.I just bought a smartube for my Camino next spring, but the top doesn't screw on properly and keeps poping off the bottle. Any suggestions by any of you who have used this? And just when I had decided that this would be my hydration choice for the journey!
The thread on the bottles where you live might be different to the smartube thread, I know the Spanish bottles worked with mine, if its not that then the smartube thread may be damaged and you should look for a replacement.I just bought a smartube for my Camino next spring, but the top doesn't screw on properly and keeps poping off the bottle. Any suggestions by any of you who have used this? And just when I had decided that this would be my hydration choice for the journey!
The Smatube comes with 3 different lids. The bottles in Spain require that you use the two small ones in combination.I just bought a smartube for my Camino next spring, but the top doesn't screw on properly and keeps poping off the bottle. Any suggestions by any of you who have used this? And just when I had decided that this would be my hydration choice for the journey!
Good tip! I started carrying hydration mix (powder form) in my 'spare' 500 ml water bottle, with plain water in the bladder. I'd sip the hydration mix through the day.
Then I got lazy and bought bottles of Aquarius (sports drink). But I think like most sports drinks they have too much sugar in them. My excuse for putting on weight
If you are starting to feel weary at the end of a long day though........a bottle of Aquarius will give you a boost!
I justify the sugar with the fact that the sugar is metabolised to water. Every water molecule counts!Good tip! I started carrying hydration mix (powder form) in my 'spare' 500 ml water bottle, with plain water in the bladder. I'd sip the hydration mix through the day.
Then I got lazy and bought bottles of Aquarius (sports drink). But I think like most sports drinks they have too much sugar in them. My excuse for putting on weight
If you are starting to feel weary at the end of a long day though........a bottle of Aquarius will give you a boost!
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