In years pasts I carried all my water like a stupid mule. I would bring about 8 20 oz bottles of Gatorade because it tastes better than water and it's easy calories.
But this year I decided to go light and wore only a vest with a 2 liter bladder filled with Gatorade. I started at my usual 2:00 am time and only drank about 12 oz all the way up to Trail Camp (although I did chug down a 20 oz bottle right before we started).
I topped off a Trail Camp, hoping that 2 liters would be enough. Not only was it enough, but I still had over a liter left when the hike was over!
So how much water to carry highly depends on two things: 1) your condition and 2) how hot/sunny it is outside. Although it's better to be safe than sorry, I know next time that 2 liters will be plenty for me. If it's hot then I can take more. But really is it ever hot from TC to the Summit? Also one can drink as much as possible at TC and have that count for the total one wants to bring along.
