Why do you need a computer? Doesn't the postal service still work in your area? Why don't you snailmail this message to everyone instead of posting it on the internet?

Ah yes, I forgot, the internet is the latest cool toy.

romania,

Great post!

I have tried freezing water in the bladder as you described. I had great difficulty getting the lid open. Water would freeze in the threads. It is nice to have that big block of ice in the bladder. It is common here in Phoenix for people to freeze their water bottles and drink the water as it thaws.

I am wondering if I should carry an additional water container. Maybe a rolled up Platypus water bag. If I have another issue I could drain the water into the Platypus.

As many posts suggest, a hydration bag has many advantages and I won't repeat them. It took me a long time before trying one, but now, I cannot imagine hiking/walking/biking... without one !
But for sure, it also can fail !

That's why, when hiking, I have at least 3 different water containers...
- a Platypus hydration system (1.5 or 2 liters .. ?)
- a 1.5 liter plastic bottle of mineral water,
- and a metallic (alu) canteen

Why ?
- the Platypus bag doesn't hold enough water for several hours, so I need more ; and it can fail ;
- the plastic bottle is used to replenish the platypus ;
- the alu canteen is my last-ditch tank : should I fall and crash the fragile plastic bottle and Platypus bag in the rucksack, this more robust canteen should hopefully sustain the fall. If not, I don't even want to think about my own shape ... <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Usually, when I reach camp (or preferably hotel .... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />), the alu canteen has not been used.

As for a flask, in a pant's backpocket, its small size means it can only contain some Port wine : I like a sip before lunch !!!! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Nicodemus, my apologies. I did not mean it as a slam against a handicapped individual. The inability to drink water and hang on to a stick at the same time certainly is dibilitating.
I guess I hate to make the newbes think ETS is the place only for the toy collectors. As pointed out earlier, the original post illustrares one problem with the bladder system: one leak and your whole supply can be gone.

"There is nothing so frightening as ignorance in action."

HAHAHAHA Good one.

And in return, please accept my apologies for pointing out what would be obvious to anyone other than a person reading my post from a Braille terminal.

When I was a geology student, we had to spend 6 weeks on a field camp, during the summer, most of it in western Utah. I'd carry a 2 liter plastic bottle (i.e. a pop bottle) in my pack. It'd start out full of water each day and most days, I'd return to camp with the bottle empty and needing a drink.

Now granted, at the time I was not the smartest, and I've learned a great deal since. One day, fairly early in the day, I dropped my pack to check out an outcrop. The outcrop was a key to the assignment so I spent quite awhile there. When I got done, I picked up my pack and it was wet, weighed about 3 lbs lighter, and there was a wet spot where it was sitting. Apparently, when I had dropped my pack, a rock had punctured my bottle, right on the bottom and it was empty.

I learned something that day: "one problem with the [bottle system]: one leak and your whole supply can be gone."

Now fortunately, I could get to where I could get another bottle and some more water. Later went to Nalgene bottles, which are much more durable (but would have been pretty expensive while I was in college).

Eventually, I broke down and bought a bladder system (a Jansport that was $20 at a Sam's club). I loved it and have since replaced it. I still carry a Nalgene with me as a backup if I'm way off the beaten path but I primarily rely on a bladder now. Before I had one I could not imagine myself with one. My office neighbor, who is a hardcore biker, finally convinced me to try one (and obviously I went the cheap route to try it out). Now I cannot immagine being without one. I even bought youth ones for my kids (I added a whistle and a garbage bag to theirs so that they have something with them and they love to go hiking because they get to wear their "water packs").

Anyway, a bottle will work, but it can fail. A hydration pack can fail but it is much more convenient than a canteen because I constantly sip at it and rarely ever get thirsty.

Also, I learned today that I have a disability because I too have a hard time holding onto my walking stick (or rock hammer or rifle, etc.) while removing my pack, digging out a water bottle, opening the water bottle, and drinking it. I used to overcome this disability by putting down my walking stick (or rock hammer or rifle, etc.) but I got sick of backtracking to retrieve it. So, I like the hydration pack because it minimizes the effects of my disability and even if it is considered "so 'cool'; the latest toy", I'll stick with it.

Woodsloafer: you've never used a bladder, have you? (And, apparently "handicaps" come in many forms, "dibilitating" or not.)

Redundancy is always smart, so I carry a couple of hydration bladders (usually Platypus brand now). The benefits of the bladders, especially when hiking or biking fast, far outweigh any downside. I stay far better hydrated, and cover lots more ground, when using them. They also save weight.

Winter's the only time when I feel they aren't the best choice for me; if it's cold enough, the tube can freeze up, even when insulated (but it has to be pretty cold).

As a Scout leader and weekend camp director for two years, I can tell you that the boys with the hydration packs drink more water. Yeah, the other boys can carry water bottles around - I have found a lot of water bottles (not empties) left behind after an activity and I've never found a hydration pack.

I've been dragging my old ALICE Pack (Medium) around for 20 years. While I can clip a 2 Qt canteen on it - my next pack will have a Camelbak pocket.

Ben

Nalgene makes a sturdy looking rectangular 64 oz bottle, and a Platypus-like 96 oz soft-sided cantene, FWIW. Both are available at rei.com.

I've been scared of these hydration systems with their complicated hose and valve assemblies that seem like bacteria magnets. This failure mode is another thing to worry about. I've never used a hydration pack so I'm still wondering what I'm missing. I've never had much desire to drink and walk at the same time. With a waterbottle, I stop, get the bottle out of the pack, drink, look at the scenery and generally rest up for moment, then get going again; no problem. Some people use belt or lumbar pack thingies that hold a small bottle for easy access in an outer mesh pocket (stop and refill from larger bottle when needed). That seems like a usable system too.

If you're happy with what you're using, then you're not missing anything, paul.

I carry a backup 1L Nalgene Lexan Bottle, but keep equipment in a heavy duty waterproof bag in it until such a time when I may need to use it. If the Nalgene bottle fails, then I also have a roll of Gerber Seal & Go Breastmilk Bottle Bags... LOL

I also pack a Reliance Fold-A-Carrier collapsible 5 gallon PE water jug in my BOB, and have two more in my car.

Every piece of equipment we carry can fail or may have shortcomings. It's all about finding what works best for our own purposes. If a person is happy with what they have, then that's all that matters.