Water Capacity - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1

I am deciding on water bladders.

First, what do people normally use in terms of total bladder capacity? I was thinking 6 liters – one 4 L and one 2 L.

Second, what brand of bladder do you prefer and why? I have both a 4 L MSR Dromlite and a 4 L Platy Big Zip. Has anyone had problems with either of these products? I think my Big Zip has a small leak at the corner where the twist cap meets the bladder walls, which could be a potential headache.

I would like to stay uniform, too.

Lemme Know…

Dawgtrekker

#2

Six liters of water is 12 pounds of weight and much too much water weight to carrying.

I normally carry two liters of water and make it generally to the next water source easily without running out even in the hot summer.

I suggest the 2 liter. You can carry the other as a backup to use if you know it is going to be a long way to the next water source. Also it would be nice to have in camp for extra water to use for cleaning up, cooking, washing dishes, etc.

Just my thoughts, but carry six liters of water on the trail. No way.

See you out there. :cheers

Maintain

#3

I agree that a 2L bladder is just about perfect with a 1L bottle to use in camp for cooking etc…

Nooga

#4

camelbak bladders are stronger than the plat bladders. i pulled my camelbak 3Litre bladder out of my biking ‘blowfish’ camelbak. i dont expect to carry 3L of water each day tho.

Bloody Cactus

#5

I too carry a maximum of two litres water when hiking but use a six or four litre MSR Dromlite bag with a drinking hose. In camp I usually go through four litres between cooking and drinking; if I gas up my six litre that leaves me two for hiking in the morning: all for just one stop at the spring.

The MSR bags were the first bladder and drinking hose systems I used and I’ve stuck with them because they’ve never leaked on me or failed in any way. I don’t know how they compare to other bladders.

celt

#6

i usually carry 4 liters

that way i dont need to stop at every stream to get water if i dont want to. but i also sweat alot and subsequently am a heavy water consumer. it all depends on the individual person.

Big Boy

#7

I never had a problem with carrying 2 liters. Maybe this is why people get rid of water pumps and go with chems because they are carrying so much water. If I was low on water when I got to a spring I would quinch my thirst, normally with a half liter of ice cold mountain fresh, and then do the 2 liters and off I went. Total time of filtering, 3 mins, total down time, maybe 10, because I count on water breaks as a real break to listen to the gurgle of the spring and look at what is happening around the water sources.

Some people have made a real mess at some of the water sources in GA. Leaving small bits of trash, like candybar wrappers and such, let’s at least hope it wasn’t toilet paper. ugh!

burn

#8

I carry 1 liter H2O in a 2 liter platy, and take along a 3 liter nalgene bag cantene for camp.

renaissanceman

#9

6 L would be maximum capacity

4 L is right at a Gallon and I drink about that most days. When I hike, I’ll drink 2 L in let than 3-4 hours.

So no one is has had any notible troubles with either the Platy or the Dromlite? If not, then I guess its my preference.

Dawgtrekker

#10

1 Nalgene bottle and 1 soda bottle to last the day. I saw people with 3000 gallon water bags hanging in shelters. I always thought “That is one thirsty dude”. Peoples H2O needs differ. You’ll work it out once you’ve been out a few weeks.

Ross:cheers

Ross

#11

Of course, being a true Englishman, my staple will be beer, and lots of it.:lol

Ross again

#12

The only challenge will be keeping it warm, right? :x

:wink:

Ardsgaine

#13

We drink BEER, not LAGER (Bud, Miller etc). BEER is best served at room temp. I remember on the plane asking for a beer. The very polite stewardess brought me a “Bud-light”. I said “No thanks, I orderd a beer”. :lol

Ross

#14

that why I hike with Guiness… hey anyone ever go to the dinner near stratton mountain that has guiness on tap? I love diners with guiness…

Aswah

#15

hot springs has guiness on tap and boddingtons as well. good beer selection there. ahhh. i can taste it already.

Big Boy

#16

yeah right across the street from the outfitters… and we cannot forget North Country Microbrew near the Kennebec River down the road from Caratunk… Damn did I get liquored there… yikes…

aswah

#17

Guiness must be an acquired taste. I’ve met lots of people who swear by it, but the one time I tried it, it tasted like burnt motor oil to me. :x That’s been over ten years, though, so maybe I should give it another try.

I’m not much of a drinker really. Every once and awhile I get a craving for a beer, and pick up a six pack of Beck’s. It only takes one or two before I’m over the craving, though, and then it sits in the fridge for a few weeks. If I’m drinking to get drunk, I like tequilla or Crown whiskey. I don’t see doing that on a hike, though, unless I’m planning on a couple of zeros. I don’t recover from hangovers easily. :slight_smile:

Ardsgaine

#18

Hey Aswah, where didnt you get liqored up.:slight_smile:

have I told you that I love you?

Chef

#19

First, there is no clear consentous on what type of water container to bring along. Some use the hard bottles like Nalgene and Gator-aid bottles. Some use bladders.

That issue aside, I generally carry one liter when hiking the AT. Water is usually plentiful so I can refill mid day. I generally go through about a liter in the morning, one at mid day, and one in the afternoon. Sometimes I carry two, but not too often along the AT. In addition, I carry a collapsible flexible 3 liter canteen. The water can be a long way down off the ridge some times at night. So, this allows me to make one trip to the spring and get enough for the evening meal and to start me off the next morning.

Peaks

#20

Don’t worry Ross, I’ll have a few Hen’s ready for you to “hatch” at Reeds gap, Va.

totally Boagus