How Do Outdoor Experts Recommend Drinking Water When Backpacking?

By Anna Duncan

When backpacking in the wilderness, it is important to stay hydrated with enough water to keep your body functioning properly. Outdoor experts recommend several strategies for safely drinking the water needed for a successful and enjoyable trip.

Purifying Water – In most cases, outdoor experts recommend that backpacking adventurers purify their drinking water. This can be done with a variety of methods such as boiling, chemical treatments, or filters.

Boiling is the least expensive and most reliable method of purifying water and should be used in areas where there is concern about microbial contamination. Chemical treatments are simple and effective but they don’t remove particulates from the water. Filters are more expensive but they are more effective at removing bacteria, protozoa, and other particulates from the water.

Using SteriPen – A SteriPEN is a handheld device that uses ultraviolet light to kill bacteria, protozoa, and viruses in drinking water. It is a convenient way to purify water quickly without having to wait for boiling or chemical treatments to take effect. However it does require batteries so it is important to make sure the device has fresh batteries before heading out on a backpacking trip.

Carrying Enough Water – No matter what method you choose for purifying your drinking water, outdoor experts also recommend carrying enough clean drinking water with you on your backpacking trip. This can be done by purchasing pre-packaged bottles of clean drinking water or by filling up containers from reliable sources such as springs or streams before starting your journey.

Following these recommendations can help ensure that you have enough clean drinking water for a successful and enjoyable backpacking trip in the wilderness.

Conclusion: Outdoor experts recommend several strategies for safely drinking the necessary amount of water while on a backpacking trip including purifying it with boiling or chemical treatments, using a SteriPen device, and carrying enough clean drinking water with you. Following these recommendations can help ensure that you have enough safe and healthy hydration during your wilderness adventure.