[pct-l] Platypus in the desert?

[montypct]

I carry more than one Platypus and one or two small one pint water 
bottles(Like the ones you buy water in).
I get leaks on Occasion from the Platypus.  Always on a seam toward the top, 
except this last one.  Monday night.
Pin hole.  I've been around cactus, off trail, a lot the last couple of 
years................. maybe that's it.  I don't know.

The Platypus leaked in my pack.  Wet midweight long sleeve.  Slept without 
it.  (March 31.  About PCT mile 23 between Lake Morena and Boulder Oaks 
Campground)  Hung the shirt up over a bush.  Frost on my bag.  Ice in my 
water bottles.  I froze all night..
My shirt was frozen solid (and my shoes) in the Morning.  It's too cold at 
night and too early for me to hike!!!!!
I did see a hard core on March 22 (hiker name L-Something) at 6am pushing 
through Barrel Springs in Section A.  I hate to be outdone by a girl.

I just got a Platypus replaced that probably had 3000 miles on it.  Came in 
the mail today.  I took out the new one and placed this new leaker in the 
same box to ship in for replacement too.  It probably had 3000 or more on it 
easy.

Next time though, I'll use a ....................... Platypus.  I get LOTS 
of miles on them.  I use a combo of one and two liters.

Suprising, though, those 1 pint bottles you buy water in hold up a long 
time.  I don't remember ever having a leaker.
I changed for a new one at 1000 miles last year, but that was just out of 
vanity.  It looked really grungy.  I wanted a clean bottle to impress the 
girls.
I keep one in my pack.  I keep one easy reach, lower right pack outside 
pocket.  Quick draw.  I'm sure I drink more water and more often because or 
it.  These two bottles are my primary water source.
I use them to fill my Platypus where dipping is the only method to fill.  At 
home, I keep a case around and toss them in my daypack for day hikes. 
Weight........ 0.4-0.5 oz average.  My favorite water bottle (in combo with 
colapsing Platypus).

For leaving Tehachapi/Mojave/Hwy 58 heading north, I add on a 2 liter, 2 oz 
soda pop bottle when needed.  A temporary solution to a temporary problem. 
Saftey in long waterless stretches.  If Mary Barcik is still using them at 
Kelso Valley Road and her Bird Springs Pass Caches, I know she runs low on 
bottles.  If it's in good shape with a cap, TIE it IN so it won't blow it 
away, and she'll refill it.

Warner Springs Monty
Pacific Crest Trail 2650 Miles .....Again.....and Again
Sign my Guestbook
www.trailjournals.com/monty
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Eric Payne" <vaporjourney at gmail.com>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2008 7:44 PM
Subject: [pct-l] Platypus in the desert?


> So Yogi says in her book to avoid water bladders like Platypus.  A few 
> other
> people in the book say the same thing, and of course there are an equal
> amount of people who say just the opposite.  Any opinions on here 
> regarding
> Platys?  Is it possible to be really careful with them and not have these
> psychotic plants out there abuse them?  Are the leaks just typical Platy
> leaks near the spout and at seams?  There are obviously lots of people who
> rely solely on these bladders to hold their water (Andy Skurka comes to
> mind) and it seems to work out ok.  Just trying to find out the cause of 
> the
> leaks and if its really the environment that is causing them.  When 
> carrying
> 7 L of water, it would be nice to save a half lb of weight by carrying
> platys if possible.
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