Streamlining Water System

[Travis1984]

So FTF finally convinced me to streamline my water system.

20 bucks shipped for all the connections and my bladder is compatible for inline, platy gravity, and katadyn. I never have to take my bladder out of the bag!!!

 

[colonel00]

Looks slick I assume the the smaller bladder is a "dirty" bladder?

 

[JasonGNV]

Who did you order from? I've been to the local REI and can't pick up all I need for that price.

 

[colonel00]

Not sure about the OP but I ordered stuff from US Plastics. Here is what I ordered but it is probably more than most would want or need. I just figured if I was paying for shipping, I should get extras of stuff.


Item No. Item Description Ship. Method Price Qty Ordered Shipped Not Yet Shipped Total
64650
Acetal Coupling Quick Disconnects
1/4" In-line Hose Barb APC Series Acetal Coupling Body w/Shroud - Shutoff
Comments: Prepay and Add $5.39 2 0 2 $10.78
60466
Acetal Coupling Quick Disconnects
1/4" In-line Hose Barb APC Series Acetal Male Insert - Straight Thru
Comments: Prepay and Add $0.85 5 0 5 $4.25
60464
Acetal Coupling Quick Disconnects
1/4" In-line Hose Barb APC Series Acetal Female Coupling Body - Straight Thru
Comments: Prepay and Add $1.51 5 0 5 $7.55

 

[Travis1984]

Ya that top bladder (which is actually a 4L vs the 3L main--optical illusion).

I got all my fittings at...

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=23885&catid=926

 

[Travis1984]

Here is what I ordered...

View attachment 16628

 

[Justin Crossley]

Bottle costs about $0.88 at Walmart and it comes full of Gatorade. 95% of the time I just dip and drink. Water in the mountains is cleaner than most city water.

 

[Clarktar]

I used to fly by those rules as well. But when that 5% chance gets ya, oh man, its a doosie. I drank water from a creek like I usually did, and 5 hours later once on the summit, I started to feel somewhat ill. For some reason dinner just did not sound good, and I started getting chills. I got into my sleeping bag, and felt crappy all night, chills, sweats etc.. Then the sulphur burps hit in the morning, followed by rather intense vomitting. I stay on the summit until middle of the afternoon, then forced myself down the mountain. I eventually tripped while vomiting and rolled down the mountain. 6 hours later I felt much better. spent the night then hiked out the next morning.

After that, I decided I did not want to risk the 5% anymore

 

[Travis1984]

Bottle costs about $0.88 at Walmart and it comes full of Gatorade. 95% of the time I just dip and drink. Water in the mountains is cleaner than most city water.

That works in some situations, but not every situation has some readily available water source.

Plus sometimes it's nice having more storage then a single Gatorade bottle where water isn't close.

Or an area where your source is an elk wallow.

We have a hunt planned this summer where it's Gatorade bottle and steri pen, so we will save the weight when we can.

To me I'd rather not risk it.

 

[Justin Crossley]

I carry more than one bottle typically. I was just making the point that the need for water filters in most situations is nothing but good marketing.

Most illnesses of this sort are not from drinking bad water but from bad hygiene.

 

[Bmcox86]

It's all fun and games till someone starts peeing out their butt.

 

[Travis1984]

http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/water-risks.html

Article both asserting your claim that hygiene is the issue more often then not, while cautioning that you never know what's around the bend of the stream.

I would agree to a certain point that there is a widely held belief that "beaver fever" runs in every ounce of water in the mountains (slight exaggeration), but I think it's a bit of a stretch to say it's strictly a falsity that a water filter is a marketing ploy.

But IMO it comes down to what you're comfortable with.

 

[TRIPLE]

I've been drinking water like Justin in the pic since I was 10 years old in the high country of Wa. No troubles yet.......I do usually take something with (like a sawyer or steripen) if I'm learning new country, but 95% of Wa high country is good to go.

 

[Clarktar]

I was lucky enough to cross the same stream I drank out of when I got sick, and just around the bend...... a beaver lodge. So I know why I got sick, I think...

but before this I simply drank any water from a "clean" stream. Now, I see no reason to take the risk. Just does not seem necessary. But to each their own!

 

[fillthefreezer]

i drank stream water straight up until i was about 20 years old, now i prefer to not roll the dice, and making my water filter light enough, and simple enough theres no reason not to treat it

 

[PA 5-0]

It's all fun and games till someone starts peeing out their butt.

LMAO!!! high velocity discharges are no fun in any conditions, let alone on a remote mntn. I'll spend the $30 and couple minutes to filter my water. Luv my Sawyer filter. I spent the last 4 days of an elk hunt alone a couple years back because my partner utilized the plastic bottle method. He was forced to roll down into town when his eyes weren't working so well from the dehydration. My trips are too precious and far between to risk it.

 

[SHTF]

LMAO!!! high velocity discharges are no fun in any conditions, let alone on a remote mntn. I'll spend the $30 and couple minutes to filter my water. Luv my Sawyer filter. I spent the last 4 days of an elk hunt alone a couple years back because my partner utilized the plastic bottle method. He was forced to roll down into town when his eyes weren't working so well from the dehydration. My trips are too precious and far between to risk it.

Yeah I completely agree. Ive been with guys that have gotten sick while we where backpacking. It wasn't pretty at all. Ive never been sick personally but thats because Ive always errored on the side of caution. I used the Kataydn for years then switched to Sawyer last year and its been a dream. Love not having to pump water and I do a Dirty clean reservoir like the OP has there. Its a much more convenient setup.

 

[poisonarrow]

View attachment 16886
I used Polar Pure until it was taken off of the market. It is easy fast and cheap. One bottle is good for 2000 liters of water. Just fill the bottle with water and shake. Leave for one hour. Then put one tablespoon and a quarter into a liter of water. Let stand for 20 minutes and it is good to go. Refill your polarpure bottle with water and it will be ready for more water in twenty minutes.

I fill my water bottles in the evening and in the morning it is a sure kill on all bugs. Can't find Polar Pure? You can order iodine crystals on line and make your own. Or you can make your own iodine crystals. One teaspoon of crystals in a two ounce bottle and you have two thousand liters of water purification. Do not ingest the crystals.

 

[Bmcox86]

Quick question on the big zips, the new style. Is the white piece on the top supposed to come out so you can hang it in your pack? I don't want to force it but would love if it did so I can hang it in my exo

 

[5MilesBack]

Water in the mountains is cleaner than most city water.

11 years ago I drank creek water and that began a journey I wouldn't wish on anyone. My system hasn't been the same since. The few days that followed that drinking were so bad, that I would have sold all my hunting gear and swore off hunting for the rest of my life, just to make it all go away. The water in WA may be pure, but come to CO and try your stream method a few times. After that episode, I'm even leery if I'm watching the water bubbling up out of the ground at the start of a spring.