[pct-l] Carrying extra water, which container(s) do you use?

[Kathi]

Hi Anne,
Planning is so much fun! I have not thru-hiked yet but I've been 
backpacking a while and just started section-hiking. Until a few years 
ago I always used Nalgene type bottles and that worked fine, but rough 
to carry a large amount of water. A few years ago when I did a section 
in SoCal I decided I better get a system that had a drinking tube. So I 
chose Platypus and have had good luck with it. I carry the Big Zip 
Platypus 1.8 L 
(http://www.rei.com/product/798147/platypus-big-zip-sl-18l-reservoir-60-fl-oz). 
I like the Big Zip because it is easy for me to open the top and add 
more water while it is in my pack. One thing I quickly realized with the 
Platy is that I don't have a way of knowing how much water is left 
without opening my pack. I always carry a 16 oz. water bottle to collect 
and treat my water in. I personally use a water filter that this bottle 
attaches to. So I just make sure that 16 oz. bottle also has water in it 
so if I do run my Platy dry I know I have some backup water. I also 
carry a Platypus soft bottle 
(http://www.rei.com/product/797977/platypus-softbottle-with-closure-cap-34-fl-oz). 
They are VERY lightweight and durable and can fit just about anywhere in 
my pack. So if I do need to have extra capacity for a dry section then I 
have the bottle to put it in. I also use that for my electrolyte mix. So 
sometimes I only fill my bladder halfway and then fill my soft bottle 
with Gatoraide or something. Then when I have a snack or lunch I drink 
about half of that instead of water.

One thing I found out by mistake with the Platy is that you have to make 
sure you don't lay on your drinking tube or it will drain the water out 
of your water bladder. I did that the very first night out on the trail 
with it. I had filled up my bladder before bed and then was using my 
pack as my pillow. The drinking tube was apparently under my pack and I 
suddenly realized that the edges of my sleeping bag were wet. I had 
drained the entire contents of my bladder onto the floor of my tent by 
way of squeezing my drinking tube. UG!!! The new drinking tubes I 
noticed have a lock on them, probably for this type of reason.

Happy planning!
Kathi


On 6/29/12 5:52 AM, Anne Estoppey wrote:
> Hello everybody
>   
> I am planning to hike PCT in 2013. I am therefore in the process of collecting information about gear. I found numerous gear lists and I picked out some items already.
>   
> There is one thing though I didnt find much information about. It is about carrying a large amount of water, while hiking in SoCal and in case the water springs are dry.
>   
> I imagine carrying 1 gal of water is fine, in a platypus for instance. But how do you carry 2 gallons or maybe 2.5?
> Can you have several platypus in your backpack without it to be 'slushing around'?
> Do you carry extra water in other types of containers? Which ones?
>   
> I would be happy to hear about your experiences, good or bad!
>   
> Thanks a lot in advance :-)
> Cheers
> Anne
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