[pct-l] SuperSecrets of Backpacking - Water

[Hiker97]

I was thinking about trail water the other day.  Two things struck me.  One, water is super essential and two, it is heavy.  My problem is that for medical reasons, I have need more water than the average backpacker.  It limits where/how far I can hike, since I must carry so much.

So now we are down to the real problems.  What would be the best way to carry water outside of llamas, mules, and horses?  First, the container should be a light as possible.  Second, what is the best way to carry it?

The first question is rather easy.  There are several very light containers to choose from.  A light weight bladder with hose is nice.  This could be carried in the pack or across the chest/waist.  Next there are light weight bottles, like the Gatorade one quart bottles that I use.  They only weigh 1.7 ounces each.  There are also the Platypus soft sided containers that are very nice.  Also, another thing to consider is what system promotes you to drink more water.  Some people say that a bladder system with hose helps them drink more.

Now comes the hard part.  If you use bottle type containers, how do you carry them?  My 17 ounce pack is only rated to carry 20 pounds total weight.  I like that.  It keeps me honest about my pack weights --- not continually adding things and driving up the pack weight.  But the trade off is that it has limited capacity to carry water. 

So, now what do I do?  I started to think about how the human body is designed for carrying things.  I can carry some water in the pack, but only a little.  What would be next?  I decided that the waist would be good and then something across the chest.  I have a nice 4 liter carrying system with a larger MountainSmith fanny pack turned around to be a belly pack.  All my bottles are in easy reach.  I added two OR water bottle pouches to the belly pack to get my 4 liter capacity.  My center of gravity is lower with this system too.  This makes for a nice ride down the trail.  A lot of weight is off my spine and upper body too.  If I needed additional water, then I add some bottles across the chest with some bottle web slings.  If I had two liters in the backpack, this would push my capacity up to 8 liters if needed with no problem.

That is a lot of water.  Of course, I usually only use the 4 liter/quart system on the waist.  I think if you do not have the water needs that I do, you could just put a few liters in your pack and hit the trial.  No problem.  I really like my system.  One of my waist bottles is a mixer bottle for my trail protein chocolate shakes with granola.  This bottle has a small stainless steel ball in it to mix up my goodies.  Very nice.

One thing about this belly pack system.  I use the MountainSmith shoulder strap option through the backpack shoulder straps.  I wrap this waist pack strap through and behind the should straps to add more lift capacity.  I do not want all that water weight just riding on my waist.  This keeps the belly pack riding nice and high on my waist as I walk regardless of the water weight.  The belly pack does not slip down.

Of course, I would like an ultra light belly pack system, but I do not know of any that would give a comfortable ride down the trail with all the water weight.