[pct-l] Carrying Bulk Water

[CHUCK CHELIN]

Good morning, all,

I used Dromedary bags years ago to carry bulk water, but quit for good once
I began using the Platypus bags.  My 2 liter Dromedary weighs over twice as
much as my 2.4 liter Platypus.  Over the years I’ve had one Platypus
fail:  There
was an incompletely sealed seam near the neck which oozed early, and the
sack was replaced by REI.  If there should be a puncture, a bit of duct tape
would fix it.  I’m about average-rough on gear, and I don’t throw my pack
onto rocks, etc.  If I were a horse-packer I might reconsider the Dromedary
because, 1) they will take more of the abuse when a horse pack rubs against
a rock or tree, and, 2) because I wouldn’t have to carry it.



Southbound in Oregon years ago I wanted extra water to get me between Summit
Lake and Thielsen Creek so I used a plastic one-gallon jug that had held
spring water. When I got near Carter Lake I passed it off to a NoBo hiker
who also needed capacity for that same piece of trail.  Those “milk jugs”
are very light and durable, but are a bit bulky.  Last year near Little
Jimmy Springs I encountered a bunch of Scouts hiking to the campground.  Each
Scout had several empty gallon jugs tied to the outside of the pack and were
bobbing around.  It looked a little strange -- like they were all decked-out
with party balloons.



Another good opportunity for bulk water carriage is the plastic bladder that
lines a wine box.  They hold about a gallon, they are flexible to be
compliant in the pack, they diminish in size when emptied, and they can be
tossed or recycled at the next resupply if no longer needed.



Drink up….



Steel-Eye

Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT – 1965

http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye

http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09