Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Outdoor Activities => Northern Ireland Camping and Bushcraft => Topic started by: RedLeader on September 01, 2009

Title: Carrying Water
Post by: RedLeader on September 01, 2009
What does everyone use for carrying water either just for a walk or for a camping weekend?
Title: Re: Carrying Water
Post by: Cardnim on September 01, 2009
1 Litre aluminium bottle for drinking

6 Litre collapsable plastic container (from Tiso's)

The one thing I would say about both:
- the 1L bottle is good an dlight,a nd the top is very secure, but its a pain to unclip everytime you want a sip while walking and as I found out this weekend while camping, any boiling water poured into it and left to cool tastes very metallic. :(

- the 6L container I thought would be good for collecting water for purification (like from streams,  rivers, etc) but it isnt. The collapsable feature means that although it is very light and takes up no room, it doesnt expand underwater, which makes collecting water a bit trickier.

P.S. best "water" thing in my kit is my old 1945 Millbank bag - just hang it from my chair and let it do its thing to give you nice, clear water :)
Title: Re: Carrying Water
Post by: DryBag on September 01, 2009
For a day I've got a 2.5l hydrapak bladder that I usually only part fill.
It opens right up so it's easy to clean and dry.
the tube is removable which makes it easier to carry, but I had to replace the attachment because it leaked from new.  The replacement works fine though.

My wife has a couple of different sized platypusses (or should that be platypi) that she swears by.  Actually I like them too, they're less complicated than my big fancy one.

For camping, after trying a whole variety of variously priced water containers, we now just buy a 5l bottle of water from Tescos or somewhere (98p) and refill the bottle.  5 Litres is a good compromise - doesn't need refilled every couple of hours, but it's easy to carry, easy to fill, easy to pour etc.
Title: Re: Carrying Water
Post by: Celt_Ginger on September 01, 2009
2 x dutch army "Avon" water bottles and a 4 ltr Ortlieb water bag. I have also used a Premac filter and the trusty Millbank bag, but if it's only for the day and I'm not having to walk too far, then it's the bottles and bag.
Title: Re: Carrying Water
Post by: chris on September 01, 2009
1 litre sig bottle and refill it when its done
Title: Re: Carrying Water
Post by: RedLeader on September 02, 2009
1 litre sig bottle and refill it when its done

What if you go somewhere that you're not expecting to find water in any great quantities? Say, like the top of Bernagh!
Title: Re: Carrying Water
Post by: chris on September 02, 2009
Dunno, I guess i'll cross that bridge when I come to it. I used to carry a 2lt camel back but it burst and I swore i'd never use a bladder again. I guess if the shit hit the fan so to speak I could use the water proof bag in my bergan and ray mears some water up! I've just got used to never being far away from water in the mournes...perhaps a bad hill habit of mine?
Title: Re: Carrying Water
Post by: RedLeader on September 03, 2009
If you need to carry 2L of water for cooking is there any reason to not just take a 2L store bought bottle? Seems both light and cheap.
Title: Re: Carrying Water
Post by: 666_pack on September 03, 2009
If you need to carry 2L of water for cooking is there any reason to not just take a 2L store bought bottle? Seems both light and cheap.

how many people are you cooking for ;D
I can usually get away with a single pat58 water bottle and if needs be reuse the same water over again.

But to answer your question a shop bought bottle is as good any.
Title: Re: Carrying Water
Post by: RedLeader on September 03, 2009
With the wayfarer meals I'm not sure how much water I need to cook them and I'd intend to drink it after with coffee or suchlike.
Maybe 1L would be enough for dinner/breakfast. Would save a Kilo in weight.
Title: Re: Carrying Water
Post by: 666_pack on September 03, 2009
In my experience 1ltr for boil in the bag should be plenty as it only need covered and have found that the less water used the quicker you'll be eating.

My girlfriend brother just got back form his TA basic trainning and I have some new rat pack meals to try.mmmmm treacle sponge.

What eats have you got?
Title: Re: Carrying Water
Post by: RedLeader on September 03, 2009
In my experience 1ltr for boil in the bag should be plenty as it only need covered and have found that the less water used the quicker you'll be eating.

My girlfriend brother just got back form his TA basic trainning and I have some new rat pack meals to try.mmmmm treacle sponge.

What eats have you got?

Might be best with 2L then for potentially 2 meals.
Title: Re: Carrying Water
Post by: 666_pack on September 03, 2009
better to be safe and it's always extra to drink.