Combating Frozen Drinking Water

[treillw]

How do you keep your drinking water from freezing? Subzero temps and blasting winds have made drinking difficult recently.

Thanks!

 

[JWP58]

Base camping? Place water jugs in empty cooler with a couple of activated hand warmers.

Away from base camp? I try to keep my nalgene bottles inside my pack with some insulation layer around them, and at night inside my bag. Make sure they're sealed good tho

 

[Wingert]

Turn the bottle upside down (water freezes from top / down) or place in the foot of your sleeping bag if there's enough room.

 

[mlgc20]

I use a bladder with an insulated tube and mouthpiece cover. When I’m done drinking, I blow the water that’s in the tube, back into the bladder. I will also sometimes use a Yeti water bottle. A little heavy. But, definitely won’t freeze.

 

[Mwacree74]

That whole putting the nalgene in your sleeping bag... got to be careful with that. Twice I've had them leak and soak my bag and me in the middle of the night.. I think a little ice can form on the threads of the lid preventing them from sealing great.. them they thaw in your sleeping bag and you wish the hadn't!

 

[Yellowknife]

Living in Fairbanks, I have some experience with this.....

The best way if you really need to go all day in sub-zero is an insulated bottle holder for a wide mouth Nalgene. I use one made by OR and it will get me through the day at almost any temp.

Water Bottle Parka #1

Makes any bottle a thermos®

www.outdoorresearch.com

You can DIY one with a little foam and ductape around the body of the bottle for less arctic conditions.

For less drastic, but still freezing temps you can just mix some gatorade in. The salt and sugar depress the freezing point, and when it does start to freeze is more of a slushy... so you can still get the cap off.

If I'm going to store a bottle in my sleeping bag, I fill it with hot (boiling) water first. No ice on the thread leaks, and it will keep your toes toasty all night.

 

[Milestone522]

I also like the Outdoor Research insulated cover for the Nalgene bottle. Got a coyote brown one with a bottle included off of EBay.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Not as much experience as others but:

- I use insulated tube covers and wraps but I give up on bladders below a certain temp say the mid 20s. Frozen valves, hoses and bladders are a pain.
- on the move, a Nalgene bottle in an inside pocket of a jacket works great and can be a “hot water bottle for warmth” in the AM and then fed with snow during the day to keep it full which body heat will melt to drinkable water. Not a great idea unless you are moving and generating excess body heat so that hyperthermia isn’t a concern.
- put a nalgene of hot water in a gallon zip lock in your bag. Warms up the bag and will be liquid in the AM.
- insulated bottle wraps as mentioned above. Store bought or made with sleeping pad and duct tape. I prefer these over insulated bottle belt pouches that tend to stay attached to my pack.
- I will add a 32-40oz thermos to my kit if it is really cold. Yeti or hydro flask are great but there a plenty of others. Even cheap o plastic ones are worthwhile.
- a cheap insulated coffee mug is worth a few oz to keep drinks hot in camp

 

[mj23polaris]

Anyone use these in the cold? They freeze?

GSI Outdoors - Microlite 1000 Twist 33 fl.oz. Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle, Olive https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JR9JG6L/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_YwTUDbFN7FF9B

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[*zap*]

The microlite will keep water from freezing for a while. Keeps stuff warm for a while also. Camelbak insulated chute is also a good option.

 

[JG358]

I use a bladder with an insulated tube and mouthpiece cover. When I’m done drinking, I blow the water that’s in the tube, back into the bladder.

I do the same. Got down to low single digits when I was out this season and I only had a couple freezup issues.

 

[Obsessed1]

I made a pouch that holds my bladder right under my left arm pit( imagine shoulder holster idea) I wear it on top of my base layer under my mid and warm layer. I run the hose down my sleeve and Hold it on my wrist with a elastic strap. I always blow the water back into the bag when I'm done drinking. This has worked to temps of -35c winter hunting in northern alberta.
If I'm hunting light this is all i carry ( stuff a few snacks and emergency high in with the bladder) or it can be worn with a full pack

 

[backcountryshaffer]

I use hydroflasks. I put warm water in one at night so I have fresh water for morning, then pack warm water in it for the day's drinking.

 

[ChrisAU]

I put my water bottles in my boots which are by me in the tent, every time I'd wake up I'd shake them some. Didn't have too many issues, temps below 0 a couple nights.

 

[kopecsean]

I made a pouch that holds my bladder right under my left arm pit( imagine shoulder holster idea) I wear it on top of my base layer under my mid and warm layer. I run the hose down my sleeve and Hold it on my wrist with a elastic strap. I always blow the water back into the bag when I'm done drinking. This has worked to temps of -35c winter hunting in northern alberta.
If I'm hunting light this is all i carry ( stuff a few snacks and emergency high in with the bladder) or it can be worn with a full pack

I would love to see a picture of what you've created, please. Great idea!

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[Obsessed1]

I would love to see a picture of what you've created, please. Great idea!

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

I'd be embarrassed to put up a pic lol.
It's a very simple pouch just large enough for a bladder with two adjustable straps with buckles one fastened to the bottom of the bag which is done up just above the belt line( to keep the bag snug to your body)
The second is fixed to the top of the bag and is worn across the chest( under your arms) with a strap that is attached front and back (with simple sewn loops )to the horizontal strap that goes over the shoulder to keep the weight from pulling the bag down. It can then be carried slightly in front or slightly in back or straight down under the arm.

I had plans to sew a "pocket" onto a t"shirt under the left arm and add webbing sewn from the pocket over the shoulder to help with stretch/ sag ,and another adjustable around the middle to keep it snug . Making the shirt into a "load bearing vest" type of thing that would support the weight and keep it snugged up to your body without adding too much bulk.

 

[huntsman22]

I put my water bottles in my boots which are by me in the tent, every time I'd wake up I'd shake them some.

in my best Cool Hand Luke voice, "Shakin' it here, Boss".......

 

[87TT]

I just pull out my little backpacking stove and make coffee and it's hot. Refill the 1 liter thermos and good to go.