Water Planning-Presidential Traverse

[DreamFarmer]

I am doing some research for the Presidential Traverse. Trip reports from this site have been very helpfull. Also the short film on "You Tube" "Pounding the Presis" was great to see...Bubba, Spongebob, David Metsky...
ANYWAY,

I want to get some clarification on getting water along the way.
From what I understand, getting water on Mt Washington is a sure thing but
the huts may be questionable.

I want to know if I can depend on getting water at the huts.

If I can't depend on the huts, is there water to be had , once we're above treeline ?

I appreciate any information !

 

[griffin]

I don't know what the official policy is, but I've never had a problem filling up at the huts. Granted, I haven't done so very often, but it's not as if they have a Gate Troll protecting the spigots.

Obviously, you'd want to make sure the huts are open.

 

[Kevin Rooney]

The huts are open to the public, whether you're on overnight guest or not. Water is readily available.

If doing a N->S traverse, fill up at the Madison hut, then again on Washington and finally at Lakes hut.

 

[David Metsky]

No, the huts always have water for passing hikers. It's not an issue.

There's also a spring in Edmands Col, on the cut-off trail just 100' from the junction. There's also a spring on the Gulfside if you don't go over Clay. Both have extremely reliable water and mean you don't need to carry as much when you leave Madison.

And it's Metsky, .

 

[DougPaul]

There's also a spring in Edmands Col, on the cut-off trail just 100' from the junction. There's also a spring on the Gulfside if you don't go over Clay. Both have extremely reliable water and mean you don't need to carry as much when you leave Madison.

I found the spring on Gulfside to be dry a few years ago. Don't know how often it happens, but it isn't 100% certain.

Doug

 

[Kevin Rooney]

As Dave points out, there are two additional springs which are usually reliable, Doug's comments notwithstanding. However, if you use the springs that means you'll need to carry a filter or water purification method. I've always found the 3 water sources mentioned above to be sufficient.

I've done a traverse several times, and since pack weight is always an issue, this is what works for me: tank up on water before the hike, and carry a liter to Madison hut. Drink heavily at the hut (their water), leave your pack there and summit Madison. On the return, start the trek to Washington with 2 liters - might be a little shy, but not by much. Drink heavily on that summit, and then 1/2 liter gets you down the hill to Lakes. Drink heavily again, and then leave on the last leg with 2 liters.

I end up drinking about 7-9 liters on a traverse, depending upon how warm, and especially how humid it is.

Hope this helps -

 

[DreamFarmer]

Stick a fork in it.. my water planning is done !

Thank You !

Dave,
I actually looked under the "M's" to see how to spell it instead of the "D's"....and then took a guess.....Sorry about that.

 

[David Metsky]

Those two springs are the only two I drink from in the Whites without filtering. It's probably going to kill me someday, but the water tastes so good straight from the springs up there on a hot day.

Kevin knows his stuff about planning for the traverse. It's nice to know where your backup options are, and I tend to drink more water then most folks so knowing where I can resupply if I need it is key for me.

 

[peakbagger]

Dont have to worry about water if you do the traverse on the weeknd of June 21st. Probably can chill your beverages from the snow on the back side of Jefferson! There is also a pretty reliable spring along the gulfside just north of Sphinx but as its downhill from the trail, I would treat it.

 

[HockeyPuck]

Bring a couple bucks for the lemonade at Mitzpah.

Towards the end of a long hike it will really hit the spot.

 

[peak_bgr]

Thanks for all the great info. That will help make things much lighter. I'm not usually all about how little carry but this is a exception to the rule.