It would be unwise to rely solely on a water bladder in wilderness and especially if you are alone.

I always carry a army water bottle with the issue mug so I can brew up a hot chocolate while I S.T.O.P.

I don't like bladders in the winter as it is difficult to keep the hose clear.

I do like a wide mouthed bottle as it is easier to get water in/out if there is a bit of ice in the bottle. You can also keep it stored upside down so that the ice formes on the bottom.

I am going to look at this bottle from MEC to see if it could also be used to heat the water.

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442621456&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302696609&bmUID=1193702880092

Being in SOCAL lotsa water was on my mind when I chose this bag. I've never seen a bladder freeze so "don't know" -- good question for the folks at Camelbak; I suspect it would simply expand to accommodate the ice.

I think that if I was in that kind of weather I'd leave the bladder out and use that space for something else -- maybe a dry set of long underwear (smartwool). My Camelbak Rim Runner weighs 11 1/2 lbs without the water.

In the book, "Deep Survival" it discusses the same phenomena. That split second decision that contradicts common sense. Everyone experiences it. It's what you do when you recognize your situation that determines survivability.

Live and learn . . .

I have heard from various places that freezing your Camelbak "bladder" in the freezer is not recommended because it will damage/weaken the plastic material.

concerning the water bladders -- I think they get worn inside your coat and the hose has a bit of insulation around it. Check with the snowboarders.

teacher

I've done back country skiing in Canada. I've seen 'em freeze and become totally useless. The mouth piece and tube in particular tend to freeze, but they can also freeze up inside the main bladder.

My fiancee recently bought a camelback with the hose that goes inside the shoulder strap for extra insulation. This config works well in either relatively mild freezes or if you have a warming hut to retreat to as needed. If you get a seriously hard freeze and plan to be out for the day, I'd think twice. For winter snow camping, I've carried these Water Bottle Parkas with good success although I haven't yet taken them below zero.

Hmm. Interesting idea -- put your whole canteen on the fire. You've got a ready made lid that way, although you'd have to be careful to loosen the top a bit if you intend to boil it lest the steam build up pressure and when you open the top ... well, hope you brought your burn first aid kit with you.

The one thing I don't like about the MEC product is the kind of rounded bottom. Sigg makes stainless steel bottles with a bit more of a squared off bottom, Sigg Water Bottle. The one shown in this link is .6L but they make them in .75L and 1L sizes as well. I hadn't seen this one before, but Sigg also makes a stainless steel Canteen with cup. Might be nice to be able to boil a second round of water while you drink soup or hot chocolate from the cup. The .6L size, while of limited capacity, is pretty compact and readily packable in your ATV kit, car trunk kit, or backpack -- even a good sized fanny pack. The equipment you carry is the equipment you'll use.

Thanks You everyone for the information on the bladder type water carrier packs, I can see me getting one for spring/summer/fall use but I usually run a snowmobile in the winter and I do not think the tube system would work well under the helmet or in the cold.

I can carry a lot of stuff on the work snowmobile (Ski-doo widetrack Expedition 600cc) so I usually bring a steel thermos of hot water from home; I make instant soup with the first cup of water and turn the rest into tea.

I think I am going to contain my new mid-sized hiking kit in a metal container (army mug or heavy tin can) which will then be placed in a small pack that has room for 500ml waterbottles to be added to it. The goal is to keep this kit small and light (so I will not be tempted to leave it behind) but still cover all the survival component groups.

Mike

During the winter I keep a bota bag under my jacket you could do the same thing with your camelback