How much should I drink and how often?
The amount of fluids you should drink while hillwalking depends on three factors – the climate, your exertion level and individual preference. Firstly, if you’re walking in mild conditions around half a litre of water per hour should suffice to remain hydrated, but in hot weather double that amount may be needed. Next, and unsurprisingly, the more strenuous your exercise the more fluids you lose through respiration and sweating, so it is important to increase your fluid intake. Lastly, everyone is different and so you might need to drink more often than your walking buddy – it can be as simple as if you’re thirsty, drink. But ideally, you should never feel thirsty at all. It is also important to remember good hydration practice includes preand post- walk, too. Being dehydrated before you even start a walk is unwise, while it’s vital to replenish fluids and energy stores after a long walk. Beer actually has some health benefits as it positively affects the body’s HDL levels, or ‘good cholesterol’, to help reduce fatty deposits in the arteries.