Utah offers some spectacular scenery that's sure to lure hikers. Utah trails are both breathtaking and varied. From canyons to lakes to deserts to mountains, few states offer so much variety. Some areas are so remote they can only be reached by backpacking, while others offer a scenic prize at the end of a short, pleasant stroll.
Hot sunny days call out to enthusiastic hikers who are lucky enough to have the time to enjoy them. Although you feel light and free in your shorts and tank top, you're going to be perspiring a lot. The hotter the temperatures, the more moisture you'll lose.
If the humidity of your environment happens to be low, that perspiration will be sucked right out of you. Be smart and carry plenty of water or other liquid. You can even bring caffeinated drinks if you like. The belief used to be that caffeine has a diuretic effect, meaning that it causes you to urinate more frequently, which will cause dehydration. However, more recent research finds this claim false. Caffeine has a diuretic effect only if consumed in large quantities, the equivalent of five to seven cups of coffee in a day.
But water is really better to bring along on your hike. It won't make you jittery. (Coming face to face with a black bear can make you jittery enough.) And it still tastes okay even if it does warm up.
Be aware that when you're hiking in a dry climate, you might not feel "sweaty" since your sweat evaporates so quickly. But you should drink extra water, especially if you're hiking at higher altitudes.
Keep tabs on how much water you're drinking: when it's half gone, it's time to start back, unless you're doing a loop hike or one-way hike.
Water carriers come in different sizes, from a small one-liter pack to the giant-sized 45-liter pack. Pick the size that fits the length of your hike and the kind of country you'll be traveling through.
CamelBaks, also called hydration packs, offer the ability to carry varying quantities of water in one pack that's particularly easy to use. You can get a pack already equipped with a reservoir in the size you want, or you can simply buy the reservoir separately and add it to your existing backpack.
Many newer day packs and backpacks now contain a special compartment for CamelBaks, and some even have a hole for the sip tube. Because of the ease with which water can be drunk from them, people tend to drink more frequently, which helps keep them better hydrated.
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