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Full list of discussion topics| Post by 2E0YYY on 23rd July 2012 at 18:39 |
| Anyone recommend a decent hydration bladder? Something robust, that's not going to leak into the rucksack. Need about 2L. I'm sick and tired of pulling plasic bottles in and out of the rucksack. TIA Mike 2O0YYY |
| Post by G7LAS on 23rd July 2012 at 19:14 |
| In reply to 2E0YYY: Hi Mike... can I start by saying, HA HA HA HA HA! I used a bladder which leaked twice over my gear and a friend who previously swore by them had problems too. Just get a tritan bottle. |
| Post by MM0FMF on 23rd July 2012 at 19:25 |
| In reply to 2E0YYY: I use some clone Sigg aluminium bottles. I can't afford the real thing so I got mine from ASDA. Andy MM0FMF |
| Post by M1EYP on 23rd July 2012 at 19:25 |
| Get a name brand like Platypus or similar. In my experience these perform better and last longer than "shop's own brand" bladders. Get one that states it has "antibacterial" something or other. This really helps in keeping the bladder clean and avoiding build up of dirty bits. Use it only for water, unless you want to spend 10 times as much time cleaning it! Keep it in the freezer between uses - this also helps with the fight against bacteria. Get one with an on/off mechanism at the mouthpiece, not just a squeezy bite valve. A rucksack with a section to place the bladder in, and a hole for the tube helps too, although the latter is far from essential. Do I take it you're going to be taking on some longer walks Mike? Tom MO1EYP |
| Post by 2E0YYY on 23rd July 2012 at 19:27 |
| In reply to G7LAS: > > Hi Mike... can I start by saying, HA HA HA HA HA! > > I used a bladder which leaked twice over my gear and a friend who > previously swore by them had problems too. > > Just get a tritan bottle. > Cheers Rob. Leaking was my main concern. After having a look around, there are some expesive examples and I was wondering if these may be better. Maybe I'll just stick with the bottle. 73 Mike 2E0YYY |
| Post by 2E0YYY on 23rd July 2012 at 19:32 |
| In reply to MM0FMF: Cheers Andy, I may go down that route. In reply to MO1EYP... Yeah, I plan to do some more longer activations in the near future. I was surprised at just how much fluid I got through on the last one. 73 Mike 2O0YYY |
| Post by MM0GYX on 23rd July 2012 at 19:50 |
| In reply to 2E0YYY: Mike, I use a Camelbak with 2 litre capacity (I think it's called a unibottle), it's never leaked in 5 years of use. With a lot of these things prevention is better than cure, inspect regularly and clean now and then. Some of them can be attached to the outside of the rucksac with clips. That's how I use mine when on longer climbing expeds, it's easy to fill it from a stream that way. 73, Ian. |
| Post by M1EYP on 23rd July 2012 at 19:53 |
| I am constantly surprised at how little I get through on mine. Noted some of the other comments. If you buy a good quality decent spec bladder, and have an intended sleeve for it in your rucksack, I don't think you need worry about it splitting etc. On another matter, I use Exped Drybags to put my rig etc in, so any unintended water (ie particularly heavy rain) in my rucksack doesn't get to the main stuff! Camp 4 in Macc usually has most of the top brand gear in. Purchases in there seem expensive at the time, but with the quality of headlamps, poles, drybags, bladders etc I've bought in there, I've never really needed to buy replacements - as well as the gear being really good. Tom MO1EYP |
| Post by 2E0YYY on 23rd July 2012 at 20:06 |
| In reply to MM0GYX: Hi Ian, When I activated GW/NW-007 Aran Fawddwy with M0TUB, after a steep slog from the farmhouse at the start of the track, we came to to a small fastish flowing steam that we had to cross. The water was ice cold, gin clear and looked so inviting that I couldn't resist taking a drink. It tasted absolutly wonderful. I spent the rest of the activation, praying there wasn't a dead animal laying in it upstream ...or worse! 73 Mike 2O0YYY |
| Post by MM3WJZ on 23rd July 2012 at 20:15 |
| In reply to 2E0YYY: Mike, I've used Platypus, Camelbak and Source bladders and I think the winner hands down is the Source one. My platypus ones always had a habit of eventually (and admittedly this was always after a significant amount of usage) leaking around the inlet to the main bladder (I'm sure there is a proper techincal term for this). It was also a bit of a faff to fill up from streams as the hole being small meant it took a bit longer to fill. I liked the camelbak but I eventually found it leaked thorugh the bite valve and they're not cheap to replace (so do as Tom says and get one with an "open/closed"). It was also a bit of a faff to remove from the bag to fill up from streams as I invariably had the tube through the "hydration" hole in the rucksack but it did have a much bigger hole so filling with water didn't take as long. The source one seems to solve all of the above problems, quick to fill, on/off valve and a valve at the point where the tube attaches to the bladder so you can remove the bladder from the rucksack without removing the tube, oh and it also has a cover for the bite valve. A bit like this one... http://www.theoutdoorattitude.co.uk/source-hydration-widepac-transparent-blue-p-1854.html That said I generally have a wee 0.5l bottle in the side pocket of the rucksack too, but the bladder does encourage you to drink often rather than when you stop and off load the rucksack. Bottles in side pockets on the rucksack are a good alternative. Oh and in winter the tube freezes much quicker than a bottle which can be a problem. Iain, MM3WJZ |
| Post by G7LAS on 23rd July 2012 at 20:21 |
| In reply to 2E0YYY: I've had a couple of these and they've taken a proper beating : http://www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-1-litre-tritan-bottle-787160 There has been a lot of coverage about Karrimor gear not being like it used to be, but I've found these to be excellent. You'll recall my visit to Scotland recently... I had no trouble trusting my life on these. Talking about drinking water in the "wild" - I've used these and they give none of that strange chlorine/ammonia taste : http://www.lifesystems.co.uk/products/water-purification/chlorine-dioxide-tablets.html The water on Knoydart, when treated with these bad boys, was the nicest tasting water I've ever had! All this stuff makes me thankful that we live in an era where we have these amazing man-made products, fibres and treatments. Without them, our expeditions up daft summits would be far less comfortable. R |
| Post by G8ADD on 23rd July 2012 at 20:21 |
| In reply to MM3WJZ: I must admit that since learning about such delightful little creatures as liver flukes I have been very wary about getting water from streams! 73 Brian G8ADD |
| Post by M1EYP on 23rd July 2012 at 20:59 |
| Me and Jimmy have Source kit as well. We agree that this is the best make we have ever used. Antibacterial, easy to maintain, refill etc. Twist on/off at the mouthpiece and a mouthpiece cover so it doesn't get dirty when you drop your rucksack onto the ground! Tom MO1EYP |
| Post by MM0GYX on 23rd July 2012 at 21:19 |
| In reply to 2E0YYY: Mike, Well, you're still here Mike. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger...up to a point (-: The thing you need to be wary of in the Cairngorms is faeces left by folk playing winter survival, snow melts...poo enters water chain, not nice. 73, Ian. |
| Post by M0TUB on 23rd July 2012 at 21:22 |
Often wanted to taste some stream water but have resisted the temptation so far. Don't think I will try it after reading this... http://survivaltopics.com/that-water-is-unsafe-to-drink/ Me thinks a nice bottle of tap water sounds good. Dave M0TUB |
| Post by 2E0YYY on 23rd July 2012 at 21:36 |
| In reply to M0TUB: > > > Often wanted to taste some stream water but have resisted the > temptation so far. Don't think I will try it after reading this... > > http://survivaltopics.com/that-water-is-unsafe-to-drink/ I feel a whole lot better after reading that, Dave ;-) > > Me thinks a nice bottle of tap water sounds good. > You've got to carry the tap water... 73 Mike 2O0YYY |
| Post by MM0FMF on 24th July 2012 at 09:10 |
| In reply to 2E0YYY: Ladies, some perspective on the risk is needed. Ask how many cases of liver fluke there have been in the UK recently that are not due to people using Khat, imported from Africa. Andy MM0FMF |
| Post by G8ADD on 24th July 2012 at 09:43 |
| In reply to MM0FMF: It is a known hazard in areas where sheep graze, I used to know a farmer who had suffered. Infection can also come from eating watercress amongst other things. It isn't a common problem but when it occurs it is nasty. Why take risks? 73 Brian GO8ADD |
| Post by G4OWG on 24th July 2012 at 10:49 |
| In reply to G8ADD: > Why take risks? > > 73 > > Brian GO8ADD Then again why not? There is too much 'risk assessment' for things that were normal/commonplace when 'I were a lad' :-) Roger G4OWG |
| Post by G8ADD on 24th July 2012 at 11:10 |
| In reply to G4OWG: Oh sure, Roger, we take on risks every time we climb a mountain, any sport involving hazards involves the participator in risk management. You prepare yourself, minimise the risks that you have some control over, and go ahead. I lost a couple of good friends in a caving accident and a couple of others to avalanche and rockfall in the Alps, they knew the risks, minimised them and went ahead, and things turned out badly - but it didn't stop the rest of us. Not drinking water from streams in sheep or cattle country is part of risk management: drinking water from springs is low risk, drinking purified water is even lower risk. We have control, we should exercise that control. 73 Brian GO8ADD |
| Post by G1STQ on 24th July 2012 at 11:21 |
| In reply to G8ADD: Think I'm going to stick to beer. Much safer than the water ;) |
| Post by G8ADD on 24th July 2012 at 11:22 |
| In reply to G1STQ: Depends on who makes the beer! 73 Brian GO8ADD |
| Post by G1STQ on 24th July 2012 at 11:26 |
| In reply to G8ADD: Ain't that very true! |
| Post by M0TUB on 24th July 2012 at 16:46 |
| In reply to G1STQ: Indeed it is true John. I have spent many many years searching for the perfect pint of Guinness. Now, I've had some good ones and some very good ones and some very very good ones but not sure if I have ever actually found the perfect one yet - the search continues... My old man was a degree qualified biology teacher and warned us to be wary of the dangers of fluke from uncooked meats and unclean water. Why take the risk if you don't need too? Each to their own. |
| Post by GM4COX on 25th July 2012 at 08:42 |
| In reply to M0TUB: Hi Dave! In your on-going worthy endeavour, dont expect a good pint at the home of Guinness in the Dublin brewery and the Galaxy Bar. If they cant provide a good pint what hope have we for the rest of the planet hi! Now having said that one of the best pints I ever had was in an Irish Bar on 7th Ave NY hic! Maybe the brew needs a cross Atlantic cruise to settle it's alkaloids? Cheers & good health Jack (;>) PS: On the bladder front (well whats left of it after drinking pints of dodgy Guinness) I have used a Camel for over 10 years now. Still surviving in the front pouch of my 35L SOTA rucksack. More water in the summer less in the winter. Good for wild camping as I use one of my guyed walking poles to suspend it with the tube coming through the flaps for cooking and drinking. Good for keeping the midges at bay. Keep it clean by using babies bottle steriliser fluid. Interestingly there is a in-built filter for reducing grit if filling from a stream etc. Though usually not a problem in fast flowing Scottish streams and rivers (were you should fill-up from). And yes I have encountered filling-up from a steam, continuing up-stream to find a dead sheep beside it. But hi Im still here (:>) |
| Post by G8ADD on 25th July 2012 at 09:33 |
| In reply to GM4COX: Interestingly > there is a in-built filter for reducing grit if filling from a stream > etc. Though usually not a problem in fast flowing Scottish streams and > rivers (were you should fill-up from). And yes I have encountered > filling-up from a steam, continuing up-stream to find a dead sheep > beside it. But hi Im still here (:>) > Years ago a friend and I were wild camping near the Clachaig Inn (nobody should need telling where that is!) and whilst I boiled my water from the River Coe, my friend drunk it as it came. By the end of the week he was quite poorly with the trots. I showed him where the cowsheds of the farm just up the Coe drained into the river... Can't be bothered with this modern hydration stuff - being thirsty is a reason to stop, drink, take in the views and look to see if there are any good photos to be taken! 73 Brian GO8ADD |
| Post by MM0FMF on 25th July 2012 at 10:00 |
| In reply to G8ADD: I stubbed my toe going up a flight of stairs in 1976. Ever since then I've avoiding the risk of stubbing my toe by always taking the lift. I learnt my lesson! ;-) Andy MM0FMF |
| Post by G8ADD on 25th July 2012 at 10:24 |
| In reply to MM0FMF: I tripped over the sill of a lift, once, so I always take the stairs... 73 Brian GO8ADD |
| Post by G4AZS on 25th July 2012 at 11:59 |
| In reply to G8ADD: > In reply to MM0FMF: > > I tripped over the sill of a lift, once, so I always take the > stairs... Well, statistically a very large number of people are injured on stairs every year, and quite a lot in lift related accidents. On the other hand, very few Free Climbers are injured, so that is obviously the safest way to go up and down buildings ;o) |
| Post by M0TUB on 25th July 2012 at 13:32 |
| In reply to G4AZS: 'On the other hand, very few Free Climbers are injured, so that is obviously the safest way to go up and down buildings ;o)' but they aren't drinking the water from the streams are they??...right, nuff of this, where's that Guinness gone ....hic..burp |
| Post by G3NYY on 25th July 2012 at 14:16 |
| In reply to MM0FMF: > I stubbed my toe going up a flight of stairs in 1976. Ever since then I've > avoiding the risk of stubbing my toe by always taking the lift. I learnt my > lesson! If you had ever been stuck in the lift of an unoccupied, 14 storey office building on a Sunday morning, you would not be saying that! Ask Martin Lynch next time you see him! :-))) 73, Walt (GO3NYY) |
| Post by AE7IK on 26th July 2012 at 01:58 |
| In reply to 2E0YYY: I've been using a Platypus bladder for over a year now on hundreds of miles of hikes and cross-country skiing. It cost me $20, and I have a spare one sitting on hand for when the plastic finally wears out. I also don't bleach the inside. We have clean water though, so I don't really have to. Bleaching/cleaning can destroy the plastic really fast. My biggest gripe is that you'll want something to velcro it in place with, or magnetic mount (which can collect magnetic particles if you're in a dusty area), otherwise as bouncing around on your chest, it'll leave a wet spot as if you've been lactating. You can get fancy insulators for winter and summer to prevent freezing/overheating of the water, but I just lift the tube up in the air and let the water drain back out of the tube, has been very effective in cold winter storms. I'll probably still be using it come this summer when I finally get my radio built and start hitting W7/CM summits. Cheers, AE7IK |
| Post by G7LAS on 26th July 2012 at 08:49 |
| In reply to AE7IK: > My biggest gripe is that you'll want something to velcro it in place > with, or magnetic mount (which can collect magnetic particles if > you're in a dusty area), Hi... Interesting you've mentioned the magnetic holder. A friend of mine has one of these and on a recent trip to Knoydart managed to *reverse his compass*. The compass was hung around his neck and the magnet was on the front of his rucksack strap. He said "nothing wrong with my compass mate"... and then I said "it's midday and the sun is in the north then... yeah???" Ha ha ha... funny moment - but shows what can happen. There could have been dense fog that day hiding the sun and we would have started going completely the wrong way! Scary stuff! Rob GO7LAS |
| Post by 2E0YYY on 26th July 2012 at 10:48 |
| In reply to G7LAS: > > Ha ha ha... funny moment - but shows what can happen. There could > have been dense fog that day hiding the sun and we would have started > going completely the wrong way! Scary stuff! > Hi Rob, Sun! What's that? Mind you after almost five days of uninterrupted sun, no doubt the water companies will be announcing a hose pipe ban this weekend :-( 73 Mike 2O0YYY |
| Post by G7LAS on 26th July 2012 at 10:51 |
| In reply to 2E0YYY: It was boiling hot up there that week, the same time England was getting monsoons! |
| Post by HG1DUL on 27th July 2012 at 00:29 |
| In reply to 2E0YYY: I also can recommend the Camelbak Omega reservoir hydration systems. It is very very strong. If anyone looking for military grade, MSR guys have pretty good ones here: http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/water-treatment-and-hydration/expedition-water-treatment-and-hydration/dromedary-bags/product A softer version also available: http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/water-treatment-and-hydration/fast-and-light-water-treatment-and-hydration/dromlite-bags/product I have all of these and can tell you that all three are top quality. 73, P |
| Post by OK2QA on 30th July 2012 at 08:29 |
| In reply to 2E0YYY: I really cannot see any advantage of using hydration bladders. Who needs to drink more often than every say 30 minutes? You should stop then, stretch, take the PET bottle out of the backpack and let your heartbeats slow down a bit. And the Sigg bottles? They are the relics of the pre-PET times. PET bottles are KISS stuff, you take as big or as much you need depending on the weather and trip. In many years no PET bottle has ever failed. The only down point is that some "tourists" throw empty PETs in the nature. My XYL has the habit to collect them along the trail as we descend to dump them in the next waste container back in the civilisation. Last time when I was buying a new rucksack I was unable to find out any without a pocket for the bladder, but no bladder will ever come into it. My 2 cents. 73 Ruda OK2QA |
| Post by F5VGL on 30th July 2012 at 11:56 |
| In reply to OK2QA: Hi Ruda, In my case once I start walking up I do not like to stop before I reach the summit. With this hydration system it is not necessary to stop for drinking. Still I need to do typically one or two stops on the way to the summits on Alps. For example to check the map, start APRS tracker or put sun screen. 73, Jaakko OH7BF/F5VGL |
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