Prudent Prepping: Staying Hydrated in August

The dust has settled and the First 72 Hours have passed. Now we concentrate on what to do in, and how to plan for, the long term via Prudent Prepping.

In setting up all my gear for a camping trip (pushed back at least one week due to wildfire and heavy smoke at the campground), I discovered an item that needed replacement due to damage and neglect on my part.

What I needed to replace is my
CAMELBAK RESERVOIR



This is a Camelbak Antidote 50 oz(1.5L) water carrier that I bought from REI (again), since there was not enough time to replace it from Amazon before a very short hike last Saturday. Camelbak offers bladders up to 100 oz and separate backpack/water carrier combinations in many different sizes, shapes and colors, so you can match the capacity you want with the style you want.

My old Camelbak needed to be replaced due to a crack caused by me not storing the bladder flat. The combination of being folded, stored for over one year, and high heat damaged it beyond repair. I wasn't heartbroken, though, because I wanted one of the newer models anyway for their improved filler and easy plug-in feature.

From the Camelbak website:
The new Antidote Reservoir with Quick Link™ System - the ultimate cure for dehydration.

Antidote features:

• Quick-snap cap that tightens in just a quarter turn
• Low-profile fit for unmatched stability
• Air-light fillport cuts weight
• 100% Free of BPA and BPS

On the Antidote 50 page are three short videos, with the one on cleaning being the most interesting to me. I knew about keeping water in your reservoir as a way to keep it fresh but had no idea that keeping it in the freezer was a good way to prevent things from growing inside a Camelbak!

While 1.5 liters is a small volume of water to be carrying, it is just right for the day pack I have, and it just might be adaptable to my sling bag... IF things are re-arranged.

http://amzn.to/2aHxGwb

Another possible modification is using a Sawyer SP129 Filter and Sawyer Filter Adapter*with your hydration system, allowing you to capture water from any source quickly and easily, while filtering it as you drink. Chaplain Tim has reviewed a Sawyer filter study here, Lokidude did a video here and I have reviewed them here and here. I like mine!

If you look at the Amazon link, on the left are three thumbnails with the bottom showing the adapters and Sawyer filter in use with a hydration pack.

http://amzn.to/2aHxGwb

The only down side to adding a Sawyer to your existing pack is the need to cut your  drink line. This is something I may do in the future, if and when the opportunity to do multi-day hikes occurs.

The Takeaway

• Storing your seldom-used gear correctly is a must! 
• Heat and plastics do not mix. 
• Buy the size and model that fits your intended use 

The Recap

• Camelbak Antidote 50 reservoir:  $30 from REI; $22.49 with Prime shipping from Amazon.
• *The Sawyer Filter Adaptors are listed as Add-On items from Amazon ($7.23), which are available with Prime orders over $25

Just a reminder: if you plan on buying anything through Amazon, please consider using our referral link. When you do, a portion of the sale comes back here to help keep this site running!

If you have comments, suggestions or corrections, please post them so we all can learn. And remember, Some Is Always Better Than None!

NOTE: All items tested were purchased by me. No products have been loaned in exchange for a favorable review. Any items sent to me for T&E will be listed as such. Suck it Feds.