Thanks for the article. Seems like good information on treatment of dehydration. However, I'd take a closer look at the recommended amount of water for strenuous activity. You state, "A guideline here is 24 to 32 ounces of fluids per hour during the activity." This is a mountain climbing site, so I presume we should be applying the recommendations to that. So, if I'm doing a summit bid on Rainier for 6 hours I would need to take 4.5 to 6 liters of water + some for the return leg. That may be ideal from the academic laboratory, but just isn't practical or necessary from my field experience. Many climbs with myself and others indicates that 1/3 your recommendation is plenty adequate to keep my urine clear-and in fact is rarely all drunken. More will be needed if it is sunny and warm (no wind) and less will be needed if you weigh less (<200 lbs). Carrying an extra 8 lbs of water will likely slow one down more than it will benefit.
Karl S - Jun 16, 2008 9:31 pm - Hasn't voted
asking for too much waterThanks for the article. Seems like good information on treatment of dehydration. However, I'd take a closer look at the recommended amount of water for strenuous activity. You state, "A guideline here is 24 to 32 ounces of fluids per hour during the activity." This is a mountain climbing site, so I presume we should be applying the recommendations to that. So, if I'm doing a summit bid on Rainier for 6 hours I would need to take 4.5 to 6 liters of water + some for the return leg. That may be ideal from the academic laboratory, but just isn't practical or necessary from my field experience. Many climbs with myself and others indicates that 1/3 your recommendation is plenty adequate to keep my urine clear-and in fact is rarely all drunken. More will be needed if it is sunny and warm (no wind) and less will be needed if you weigh less (<200 lbs). Carrying an extra 8 lbs of water will likely slow one down more than it will benefit.