Water when backpacking in freezing weather?

[slim23]

I am headed to Colorado for 3rd season rifle hunt and planning on spiking out higher. I figure most of the water will be frozen. Filtering won’t work if the filter is froze solid. Is melting snow the only real option? Anyone figured out anything that I’m overlooking?

 

[browning2480]

Most running water probably won't be frozen solid yet. You can filter, just need to keep the filter from freezing. Last time we used a Sawyer and I kept it in an inside pocket of my jacket against my body. If you are using a bladder in your backpack, just make sure to blow the water back in out of your tube. Keeping the tube from freezing is the hardest part. The water in our backpacks never did freeze.

 

[Clarence]

Steripen works good, if you can get water out of a creek? Store your bottles upside down so the lids and opening don't freeze closed as fast.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[Gznokes]

another reason not to futz around with camelbaks and the like.

 

[LaHunter]

It takes a whole lot of snow (and time) to make a little bit of water. Filter running water into Nalgene or collapsible water container and keep inside you pack

 

[Whaledriver]

Filter works fine. Keep it in a pocket on yourself and it will not freeze. Aqua mira works too.

 

[flyinsquirel]

Most running water probably won't be frozen solid yet. You can filter, just need to keep the filter from freezing. Last time we used a Sawyer and I kept it in an inside pocket of my jacket against my body. If you are using a bladder in your backpack, just make sure to blow the water back in out of your tube. Keeping the tube from freezing is the hardest part. The water in our backpacks never did freeze.

If it's real cold I've had the entire bladder freeze. Stick a handwarmer down in your bladder sleeve or wrap some sort of insulation around it. If you don't have a sleeve maybe you can use a wrap of tape to hold the warmer to the bladder.

 

[bluetick78]

Filter works fine. Keep it in a pocket on yourself and it will not freeze. Aqua mira works too.

I never dick with bladders in cold weather. Aqua Mira with Nalgenes will make your life tons simpler. No filter to protect from freezing, and no frozen drink tubes.

 

[ColoradoSteve]

If you're using a bladder, make sure to drink regularly or blow the water back out of the tube. Was out last weekend and hose froze solid. Water in the pack never froze.

The coffee I had with me in the thermos stayed hot, though ;-)