Hetch Hetchy Report - Hydration Question
Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2016 3:40 pm
I got a wilderness permit for last weekend (8/22-24) to hike out of Hetch Hetchy. I drove up the night before and camped at the backpacker's campground to acclimate (I live at sea level). I was drinking plenty of liquids to get ready. My plan was to hike to Rancheria Falls Friday, then northish to Lake Vernon Saturday, then back down to Hetch Hetchy on Sunday.
I knew it was going to be hot, so I got an early start Friday - I was walking by 6 am. I got to Rancheria Falls by noon and found a very good campsite toward the south end of the campsite area (11 S 0261324, 4204376) - easy access to water, nobody next to me, but not much shade.
Did I mention it was hot? I drank 3 liters of water during the hike in, and 3 more liters after I got there. I felt tired, with no appetite. Later I learned that I had the classic symptoms of dehydration. Rather than risk getting worse in the hike over to Lake Vernon, I headed back to the dam on Saturday morning, and then drove home. Good thing I did, because traffic out of the Yosemite area on Sunday was a nightmare.
I want to find something to fight dehydration the next time. What do other people use: Gatorade powder, salt pills, or what? It has to be light, and no caffeine.
I knew it was going to be hot, so I got an early start Friday - I was walking by 6 am. I got to Rancheria Falls by noon and found a very good campsite toward the south end of the campsite area (11 S 0261324, 4204376) - easy access to water, nobody next to me, but not much shade.
Did I mention it was hot? I drank 3 liters of water during the hike in, and 3 more liters after I got there. I felt tired, with no appetite. Later I learned that I had the classic symptoms of dehydration. Rather than risk getting worse in the hike over to Lake Vernon, I headed back to the dam on Saturday morning, and then drove home. Good thing I did, because traffic out of the Yosemite area on Sunday was a nightmare.
I want to find something to fight dehydration the next time. What do other people use: Gatorade powder, salt pills, or what? It has to be light, and no caffeine.