What a 10-Mile Hike on Dallas’ Hottest Day of the Year Taught Me (Again)

Yesterday afternoon I hiked a little over 10 miles on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year so far in Dallas (104 at DFW I believe). Thankfully the humidity was low. I’ve done enough summer miles at this point that I don’t say that lightly. It was the kind of heat where you feel it in your chest just standing still, let alone moving.

About halfway in, one of the guys hiking with us ran out of water. Not “getting low” — out, with miles still ahead of us. Fortunately I had my filter with me, and we were able to refill at a creek crossing before it turned into a real problem. It worked out fine. But it easily could not have, and that’s exactly why I want to talk about it.

This Wasn’t a Beginner Mistake

I want to be clear about something — this wasn’t someone who didn’t know better. This was just someone who simply underestimated how much water a day like that would actually demand. That’s the thing about heat like we had yesterday: it doesn’t ask permission, and it doesn’t care how many miles you’ve logged before. It’ll eat through your margins faster than you planned for, every single time.

Why I Always Carry a Filter, Even on “Short” Hikes

I never leave for a hike without a water filter, even on routes I could practically do blindfolded. Yesterday is exactly why. Water bottles run empty. Filters let you turn a creek, a pond, or even a puddle into a second chance. It’s one of the cheapest, lightest pieces of gear you can carry, and it’s bailed out more hikes than I can count — mine and other people’s.

If you don’t already carry one, this is your sign. A simple filter costs less than a nice trail lunch and takes up almost no space in your pack.

Do the Math Before You Leave the Trailhead

Here’s what I want people to actually do before a summer hike, not just nod along to:

• Plan on roughly a half liter per hour of hiking in serious heat — more if you’re carrying weight or moving fast
• Add extra for the return trip, especially if you’re hiking out-and-back in the afternoon heat like we were
• Know where the water sources are on your route before you start, and bring a way to treat them
• If someone in your group runs low, that’s a group problem, not their problem — plan to share or refill together

The Real Lesson

Nobody plans to run out of water. That’s exactly why it happens. The gap between “should be fine” and “actually fine” gets smaller every degree the temperature climbs, and yesterday reminded me why I don’t cut corners on this stuff even after all these years.

Carry more water than you think you need. Carry a filter regardless. And keep an eye on your hiking partners — not just yourself. It’s a lot easier to prevent a bad afternoon on the trail than to fix one.

Stay safe out there, and I’ll see you on the next one.

— Ray