Question:
Your people better learn to trust either filters or iodine treatment. (I count boiling drinking water as suitable only for survival situations because of the fuel consumption and time required for the water to cool.) Water weighs 8.3 lbs per gallon. Even in non-strenuous activities, it is recommended that you drink 8 glasses of water per day. That’s 3/4 gallon. For "going up and down mountains for four days" make that a full gallon (8.3 lbs.) or more .. per person .. per day, or 33.2 lbs per person for the trip — just for drinking. Add to that what you need for cooking …. I don’t know your menu, but I’d guess about 2 quarts per person per day for breakfast of instant oatmeal and coffee or cocoa and supper of a typical freeze dried or dehydrated entree. That makes another 2 gallons (16.6 lbs) per person for the trip. All that comes out to over 50 lbs of water per person for the entire 4 days. Bottom line is you simply cannot carry 4 days worth of water along with the rest of your gear. Well, maybe you ‘could" but why? A group of us will be on the Long Trail this August in Vermont and I’m trying to figure out a general number to give people in terms of how much water they bring. We’ll have purifiers but some in the group are unwilling/don’t trust water purifiers and so I’m trying to take into account how much one would need carry if they were going up and down mountains for four days.
Ed Stevens/TN
Response:
Your suggestion that water should be "packed along the wearer’s spine" is an excellent suggestion. The inconvenience of fumbling with (or worse, carrying) awkward water bottles is dissolved with a CamelBak hydration system, which is totally insulated to keep the water fresh and cool, and provides hands free drinking. A variety of styles and sizes are available ranging from 50 – 100 oz (1.2 – 3 ltrs). Styles vary, some are complete with 1520 cu. inches of cargo space, and some are simple enough to fit inside your existing backpack. The military depends on these systems for long hauls and fumble free maneuvers, and some are even moving to the CamelBak system to replace the 1 and 2 qt canteen systems currently being used. To view these products in various forms, go to www.treasuresandmore.com/camelbak.htm and take advantage to purchase at discount prices with free shipping. Thank you for the opportunity to share this wonderful product with this group. Geri Weaver – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – … August in Vermont I’m trying to take into account how much one would need carry if they were going up and down mountains for four days. Given the temperature and exertion level, I’d plan on four liters per day. After day-two you can reassess water consumption and dump the surplus, if any, or shorten your trip. Four liters times four days is 16 liters, plus 2 liters for emergency reserve, totals 18 liters. That’s about 36 pounds, but the weight will begin to decline as fast as you drink it, dropping to 4 pounds (the emergency reserve) at the end. Eighteen liters is about 1,100 cubic inches (add a few hundred for ineffeciencies. say 1,400 total) of pack space, and should be packed along the wearer’s spine. Water filters work, are light, and can be shared. Even if everyone bought his own, they are cheaper than twelve 1.5 liter bottles per — Jeff ORBS Bear Canisters – $68 delivered in USA, US$73 in Canada http://home.pacbell.net/orbs/bc-homepage.html
Response:
bring. We’ll have purifiers but some in the group are unwilling/don’t trust water purifiers and so I’m trying to take into account how much one would need carry if they were going up and down mountains for four days.
Unless you intend on carrying their water as well as your own, you can NOT carry enough water for an August trip in the mountains for 4 days, and carry food as well. The amount of water varies depending on the activity levels, and body weight. I myself drink close to a gallon a day, more in really hot weather, then add in the weight of food and equipment and you’ll see why I don’t believe you can enjoy a 4 day trip and carry the entire supply of water. My advice is to NOT take those who won’t drink either plain or filtered, or treated water as they will cause you problems. — Legal Warning: Do NOT send unsolicited commercial email to me – consider this an official notice.
Response:
Since some of the group has filters, you have another option. Tell those not wanting to use a filter that they need 3.47 liters of water. When they run out, say "Opps, I was wrong." Tell them they can either go thirsty, or have some of your filtered water.
Hmmm, forcing logic on them. Cool. That idea has my vote.
Response:
… August in Vermont I’m trying to take into account how much one would need carry if they were going up and down mountains
for four days. I carry two one liter bottles. Fill them both up in the morning with purified water. Drink out of one bottle when empty fill it dump in your favorite chemicals then drink out of the second bottle. By the time it is empty the re-filled one will be OK. Only in the desert would I pack more water. Any other place you can find it as you go Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.
Response:
Thanks for all of the replies. I’m going to show several of these posts to the members of my group so that they can understand the impracticality of carrying all of your water. I’ve got my filter, a friend of mine has his, and another person in the group is looking into getting a filter so we should be fine.
Response:
Thanks for all of the replies. I’m going to show several of these posts to the members of my group so that they can understand the impracticality of carrying all of your water. I’ve got my filter, a friend of mine has his, and another person in the group is looking into getting a filter so we should be fine.
Since some of the group has filters, you have another option. Tell those not wanting to use a filter that they need 3.47 liters of water. When they run out, say "Opps, I was wrong." Tell them they can either go thirsty, or have some of your filtered water. — Fight Spam! Join CAUCE (Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial Email) at http://www.cauce.org/ It is there as an experiment to see if email spammers scan content — Pete Hickey | | VEIWIT University of Ottawa | | mirrors for Ottawa,Ont. Canada K1N 6N5| (613) 562-5800×1008 | dyslexics.
Response:
Okay, just my hiking experience but I generally get by on a lot less water. I would be hard pressed to say I know anyone who drinks the recommended 8 glasses of water per day when they are at home and water is easily available. While it is ideal to have a gallon of water per day it just isn’t practical. Most of my hiking is in the midwest where the water concerns are industrial and farming run off, so filters really don’t do much good, and carrying water is a necessity. In general a four day hike is only three 24 hour periods; you start hiking mid morning (possibly later if you have a long drive) on the first day and finish mid afternoon on the forth day. So really you only need water for three days. Also most people I know Carbo-load before a long trip, do the same thing with water. If you start perfectly hydrated or even slightly over hydrated, you can afford to let yourself dehydrate (only slighty) over a four day period. I you have a big breakfast with lots of water and juice, you can minimize your lunch requirments (and fluid requirements) for the first day. If you are in a well mapped area and are certain that you will finish on time you can just have a powerbar for your lunch on the last day and have a lot of water and food waiting in the car so that you can recover from any minor hunger and thirst. You can also reduce your bodys water requirement by being smart. Don’t drink beer or coffee on the hike since they will reduce your body ability to use the water you consume. If possible don’t walk in the sun and wear a hat to keep your body cool. The cooler you are the less you sweet and the less you sweet the less water you need. Also you can cool your body down with the questionable river you arn’t willing to drink; moisen you hat and cloths with river water if it is a really hot day or take a break and swim. Also avoid having all of you meals be rehydrated, they require extra water to cook and are often very salty, making you more thursty. Another amazingly useful invention I found was cook-in bags. Often camping food comes in cook-in bags and you can also buy cook-in bags for your own recepies. If you also eat out of the bag, the only washing you have to do is one spoon or fork per person, which reduces the need for dish water. I would like to reiderate that these are only my experiences and it is very dangerous to dehydraiting yourself. Be smart don’t starve yourself of water, just make sure you feel well hydrated and don’t feel like you need to maximize your water intake to some recommended level. Also have a back up. No mater how experienced you are, things can go wrong, water bottles can spill and be broken, injuries and detores can occure and lengthen the duration of you trip. If you are dehydrated you will function poorly. Try a few short trips and see how much water you actually drink/use per 24 hrs. Also even if you don’t trust water filters, they don’t weigh a lot, so have atleast one one the group. That way if you run out of water you can still get drinking water. I’d rather risk fitlered water than go without. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A group of us will be on the Long Trail this August in Vermont and I’m trying to figure out a general number to give people in terms of how much water they bring. We’ll have purifiers but some in the group are unwilling/don’t trust water purifiers and so I’m trying to take into account how much one would need carry if they were going up and down mountains for four days. You can’t do this. You will need at least a gallon a day. That’s over 30 pounds of just water the first day. Add in all your other gear and food and you get a pack weight that is just impossible for most people. If people won’t use the filters or pills, leave them at home. Before you go out for several days, you should try out all your gear for an over nighter. So, let these water carriers try the four day load for just one day and see how they do. Maybe that is the only way you can show them this is not a good idea. I would not start out with people carrying this kind of load because they are just going to screw up your trip. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Visit http://members.aol.com/MarvWelte/index.html for backpacking info.
WWW http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Lab/5538
Response:
John, it looks like you didn’t read the question, which said quite clearly that filters are not an option. I, personally, would use a filter, do use a filter, and somewhat sarcastically suggested that they use a filter. But, if filters are not an option, so be it. The guy asked his question (How much water?) and I answered (18 liters, 36 pounds, 1,400 cubic inches, $86 worth of bottles). I have carried more than that in the desert, and know it can be done. That is not "absurd." What is absurd is ridiculing the guy because some of his hiking partners have some kind of phobia about having their precious bodily fluids sullied by filtered water. I’d let them enjoy the backcountry any way they can. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It is absurd to suggest to carry all that water! It’s not like this guy is going on some desert trek in the Sahara. I say to look on your map if there are any springs by the trails, and use a water filter like everybody else or even more safe just boil your water. I have been using a water purifier/filter for many years ,I’m still alive and I still have all my hair on my head….. Cheers! … August in Vermont I’m trying to take into account how much one would need carry if they were going up and down mountains for four days. Given the temperature and exertion level, I’d plan on four liters per day. After day-two you can reassess water consumption and dump the surplus, if any, or shorten your trip. Four liters times four days is 16 liters, plus 2 liters for emergency reserve, totals 18 liters. That’s about 36 pounds, but the weight will begin to decline as fast as you drink it, dropping to 4 pounds (the emergency reserve) at the end. Eighteen liters is about 1,100 cubic inches (add a few hundred for ineffeciencies. say 1,400 total) of pack space, and should be packed along the wearer’s spine. Water filters work, are light, and can be shared. Even if everyone bought his own, they are cheaper than twelve 1.5 liter bottles per — Jeff ORBS Bear Canisters – $68 delivered in USA, US$73 in Canada http://home.pacbell.net/orbs/bc-homepage.html Your suggestion that water should be "packed along the wearer’s spine" is an excellent suggestion. … The idea of packing dense stuff along the spine is to minimize the polar moment of inertia of the pack plus upper-body. It make the person more agile all day and less tired in the evening. For weekend warriors, it reduces the possibility of a back sprain and those Monday morning aches and pains. The only exception is liquid fueled stoves and liquid fuel bottles, which are dense but could leak into the pack. Best to put them in an outer pocket. Lots of packs have exterior water bottle pockets low on the side, so you can reach them without taking off the pack. A bum idea, because of the polar moment of inertia issue. I carry a small bottle with a push-pull top in a front-worn fanny pack (along with compass, map, snake bite extractor, and usual pocket stuff. It’s about 6 oz, but keeps me sipping between hourly rest stops, and can be used as "running water" for dishwashing. Works for me. — Jeff ORBS Bear Canisters – $68 delivered in USA, US$73 in Canada http://home.pacbell.net/orbs/bc-homepage.html
– Jeff ORBS Classifieds – Free outdoor classified ads http://home.pacbell.net/orbs ORBS Escrow – Affordable safety for online buyers and sellers http://home.pacbell.net/orbs/oe-homepage.html
Response:
A group of us will be on the Long Trail this August in Vermont and I’m trying to figure out a general number to give people in terms of how much water they bring. We’ll have purifiers but some in the group are unwilling/don’t trust water purifiers and so I’m trying to take into account how much one would need carry if they were going up and down mountains for four days.
You can’t do this. You will need at least a gallon a day. That’s over 30 pounds of just water the first day. Add in all your other gear and food and you get a pack weight that is just impossible for most people. If people won’t use the filters or pills, leave them at home. Before you go out for several days, you should try out all your gear for an over nighter. So, let these water carriers try the four day load for just one day and see how they do. Maybe that is the only way you can show them this is not a good idea. I would not start out with people carrying this kind of load because they are just going to screw up your trip. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Visit http://members.aol.com/MarvWelte/index.html for backpacking info.
Response:
I know I’d seriously be reconsidering whether or not I wanted to hike/camp with people who will not chose filtering, iodizing, or boiling. There’s foolish, ignorant, and really outstandingly foolish. These seem to fall into the last group. What other bad decisions are they apt to make? It’s obvious they’ve never hiked more than a mile and that without a heavy pack. What ideas do they have about what trails and hiking should be like that’ll turn out badly? Admittedly I take along a gallon or two of water when I do an overnight, but then I canoe camp. An extra 8 to 20 pounds in my canoe is no hassle. On my back it would be. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It is absurd to suggest to carry all that water! It’s not like this guy is going on some desert trek in the Sahara. I say to look on your map if there are any springs by the trails, and use a water filter like everybody else or even more safe just boil your water. I have been using a water purifier/filter for many years ,I’m still alive and I still have all my hair on my head….. Cheers! … August in Vermont I’m trying to take into account how much one would need carry if they were going up and down mountains for four days. Given the temperature and exertion level, I’d plan on four liters per day. After day-two you can reassess water consumption and dump the surplus, if any, or shorten your trip. Four liters times four days is 16 liters, plus 2 liters for emergency reserve, totals 18 liters. That’s about 36 pounds, but the weight will begin to decline as fast as you drink it, dropping to 4 pounds (the emergency reserve) at the end. Eighteen liters is about 1,100 cubic inches (add a few hundred for ineffeciencies. say 1,400 total) of pack space, and should be packed along the wearer’s spine. Water filters work, are light, and can be shared. Even if everyone bought his own, they are cheaper than twelve 1.5 liter bottles per — Jeff ORBS Bear Canisters – $68 delivered in USA, US$73 in Canada http://home.pacbell.net/orbs/bc-homepage.html Your suggestion that water should be "packed along the wearer’s spine" is an excellent suggestion. … The idea of packing dense stuff along the spine is to minimize the polar moment of inertia of the pack plus upper-body. It make the person more agile all day and less tired in the evening. For weekend warriors, it reduces the possibility of a back sprain and those Monday morning aches and pains. The only exception is liquid fueled stoves and liquid fuel bottles, which are dense but could leak into the pack. Best to put them in an outer pocket. Lots of packs have exterior water bottle pockets low on the side, so you can reach them without taking off the pack. A bum idea, because of the polar moment of inertia issue. I carry a small bottle with a push-pull top in a front-worn fanny pack (along with compass, map, snake bite extractor, and usual pocket stuff. It’s about 6 oz, but keeps me sipping between hourly rest stops, and can be used as "running water" for dishwashing. Works for me. — Jeff ORBS Bear Canisters – $68 delivered in USA, US$73 in Canada http://home.pacbell.net/orbs/bc-homepage.html
—– rec.backcountry vixen I only answer my email every few months, on average. Patience helps. http://www.visi.com/~cyli
Response:
It is absurd to suggest to carry all that water! It’s not like this guy is going on some desert trek in the Sahara. I say to look on your map if there are any springs by the trails, and use a water filter like everybody else or even more safe just boil your water. I have been using a water purifier/filter for many years ,I’m still alive and I still have all my hair on my head….. Cheers!
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – … August in Vermont I’m trying to take into account how much one would need carry if they were going up and down mountains for four days. Given the temperature and exertion level, I’d plan on four liters per day. After day-two you can reassess water consumption and dump the surplus, if any, or shorten your trip. Four liters times four days is 16 liters, plus 2 liters for emergency reserve, totals 18 liters. That’s about 36 pounds, but the weight will begin to decline as fast as you drink it, dropping to 4 pounds (the emergency reserve) at the end. Eighteen liters is about 1,100 cubic inches (add a few hundred for ineffeciencies. say 1,400 total) of pack space, and should be packed along the wearer’s spine. Water filters work, are light, and can be shared. Even if everyone bought his own, they are cheaper than twelve 1.5 liter bottles per — Jeff ORBS Bear Canisters – $68 delivered in USA, US$73 in Canada http://home.pacbell.net/orbs/bc-homepage.html Your suggestion that water should be "packed along the wearer’s spine" is an excellent suggestion. … The idea of packing dense stuff along the spine is to minimize the polar moment of inertia of the pack plus upper-body. It make the person more agile all day and less tired in the evening. For weekend warriors, it reduces the possibility of a back sprain and those Monday morning aches and pains. The only exception is liquid fueled stoves and liquid fuel bottles, which are dense but could leak into the pack. Best to put them in an outer pocket. Lots of packs have exterior water bottle pockets low on the side, so you can reach them without taking off the pack. A bum idea, because of the polar moment of inertia issue. I carry a small bottle with a push-pull top in a front-worn fanny pack (along with compass, map, snake bite extractor, and usual pocket stuff. It’s about 6 oz, but keeps me sipping between hourly rest stops, and can be used as "running water" for dishwashing. Works for me. — Jeff ORBS Bear Canisters – $68 delivered in USA, US$73 in Canada http://home.pacbell.net/orbs/bc-homepage.html
Response:
Since when is finding water a problem in VERMONT? Two liters per person is probably fine assuming they are bringing a filter.
Read the original post. The poster claimed that some had a fear/mistrust of water filters, and wanted to bring their own water. — Fight Spam! Join CAUCE (Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial Email) at http://www.cauce.org/ It is there as an experiment to see if email spammers scan content — Pete Hickey | | VEIWIT University of Ottawa | | mirrors for Ottawa,Ont. Canada K1N 6N5| (613) 562-5800×1008 | dyslexics.
Response:
Guys, Since when is finding water a problem in VERMONT? Two liters per person is probably fine assuming they are bringing a filter. — Regards, Dave Physics Dept. Box 5820 Clarkson University Potsdam, NY 13676
Response:
I just found this site. http://www.vermont-st.com/longtrail/index Check it out! Happy Trails, jay (Monkton,VT) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A group of us will be on the Long Trail this August in Vermont and I’m trying to figure out a general number to give people in terms of how much water they bring. We’ll have purifiers but some in the group are unwilling/don’t trust water purifiers and so I’m trying to take into account how much one would need carry if they were going up and down mountains for four days.
Response:
Very nice! proper URL is http://www.vermont-st.com/longtrail/index.html — Yoyodog LT ‘88 "Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures", so now, "Go take a Hike!!!"
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just found this site. http://www.vermont-st.com/longtrail/index Check it out! Happy Trails, jay (Monkton,VT) A group of us will be on the Long Trail this August in Vermont and I’m trying to figure out a general number to give people in terms of how much water they bring. We’ll have purifiers but some in the group are unwilling/don’t trust water purifiers and so I’m trying to take into account how much one would need carry if they were going up and down mountains for four days.
Response:
Carrying enough water for 4 days is purely ludicrous. The begin, any water that comes out of your tap at home is simply not as pure and clean as Spring water from the mountain side. Use a filter if you feel you must. Wanna convince your hiking partners about using water filters? Use the ankle bone connected to the leg bone explanation… Where did the water out of your tap come from? 1. The tap 2. The plumbing pipes to the city supply 3. The city water supply system 4. A reservoir or lake 5. The rivers that feed the reservoir or lake 6. The streams that feed the rivers 7. The creeks that feed the streams 8.The SPRINGS that feed the creeks. Contamination possibility increases the farther down the pipe you go. Its about animal feces and toxics from manucfacturing plants etc. The Spring is the FIRST source af all water supply and is usually high up in elevation. Conveniently, so is the LT. Furthermore, many backpackers drill holes in their toothbrush handles to reduce weight! Many messages in this thread describe the issue of weight of water…. If you want to scare off a bunch of hikers form enjoying backpacking in the future, go ahead and make them carry four days of water. Two quart size bottle are more than enough to keep in your pack. Keep them filled between Springs along the way. When I get to a Spring, I drink as much as I can and refill just before continuing on. I thru hiked the LT in 1988 and there were more than enough Springs along the way. Spring water is nature’s filter. Providing there is no Beaver pond or mining operation above it, you have no worry about contamination. As usual, if you are weary about drinking pure Spring water, use the filter. Tell me where on the LT you will be and I could name every (almost) Spring along the way. Or read the Guidebook to the LT, it names the Springs as well.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A group of us will be on the Long Trail this August in Vermont and I’m trying to figure out a general number to give people in terms of how much water they bring. We’ll have purifiers but some in the group are unwilling/don’t trust water purifiers and so I’m trying to take into account how much one would need carry if they were going up and down mountains for four days.
Response:
August in Vermont
Given the temperature and exertion level, I’d plan on four liters per
an unknown. day. After day-two you can reassess water consumption and dump the surplus, if any, or shorten your trip.
If you plan on pushing hard, and you’ve got some big people there, four liters will not be enough. I have pushed hard enough that I’ve consumed 8 liters per day. Note also that the size plays a part. The small 100 pounder does not require tha same amount as a 200 pounder. Four liters times four days is 16 liters, plus 2 liters for emergency reserve, totals 18 liters. That’s about 36 pounds, but the weight will begin to decline as fast as you drink it, dropping to 4 pounds (the emergency reserve) at the end. Eighteen liters is about 1,100 cubic inches (add a few hundred for ineffeciencies. say 1,400 total) of pack space, and should be packed along the wearer’s spine. Water filters work, are light, and can be shared. Even if everyone bought his own, they are cheaper than twelve 1.5 liter bottles per — Jeff ORBS Bear Canisters – $68 delivered in USA, US$73 in Canada http://home.pacbell.net/orbs/bc-homepage.html
– Fight Spam! Join CAUCE (Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial Email) at http://www.cauce.org/ It is there as an experiment to see if email spammers scan content — Pete Hickey | | VEIWIT University of Ottawa | | mirrors for Ottawa,Ont. Canada K1N 6N5| (613) 562-5800×1008 | dyslexics.
Response:
Water filters work, are light, and can be shared. Even if everyone bought his own, they are cheaper than twelve 1.5 liter bottles per
Ever try gatorade bottles. I’ve never had one leak and they are free. They are semi widemouth and almost indestructable. I’ve been using them for years with not one leakage yet. Justin Justin Serpico Jr. Microbiology/Animal Science "Mother nature did a good job on this planet…and photography helps me appreciate it." Justin Serpico
Response:
Then you need to factor in water for meals. I’d say count on 4 quarts per day. thats 4 gallons of water per person. or 32 pounds of water. Have a good trip carrying 32 pounds of water. Justin Justin Serpico Jr. Microbiology/Animal Science "Mother nature did a good job on this planet…and photography helps me appreciate it." Justin Serpico
Just a note: the burden is greatest at the beginning of the trip–the longer you hike, the lighter your load gets. Still, I only consider the possibility because I live in the desert, where there may or may not be water available. I really can’t fathom carrying water when it is reliably available en route. My $.02 . . . If you need to get in touch, just remove what doesn’t belong in my address
Response:
A group of us will be on the Long Trail this August in Vermont and I’m trying to figure out a general number to give people in terms of how much water they bring. We’ll have purifiers but some in the group are unwilling/don’t trust water purifiers and so I’m trying to take into account how much one would need carry if they were going up and down mountains for four days.
If you are implying carrying 4 days worth of water you are crazy. A person should drink about 3 quarts of water per day while doing anything remotely strenous. Then you need to factor in water for meals. I’d say count on 4 quarts per day. thats 4 gallons of water per person. or 32 pounds of water. Have a good trip carrying 32 pounds of water. Justin Justin Serpico Jr. Microbiology/Animal Science "Mother nature did a good job on this planet…and photography helps me appreciate it." Justin Serpico
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Just a suggestion, if you prefer to carry water at your waist. CamelBak also makes waist pack hydration systems. The bladder sits in an insulated pocket, and some have extra storage space. Once again, hands free sipping from the big bite valve, water is kept cool and fresh, and the additional benefit of lumbar support. www.treasuresandmore.com/waistpacks.htm Geri Weaver
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – … August in Vermont I’m trying to take into account how much one would need carry if they were going up and down mountains for four days. Given the temperature and exertion level, I’d plan on four liters per day. After day-two you can reassess water consumption and dump the surplus, if any, or shorten your trip. Four liters times four days is 16 liters, plus 2 liters for emergency reserve, totals 18 liters. That’s about 36 pounds, but the weight will begin to decline as fast as you drink it, dropping to 4 pounds (the emergency reserve) at the end. Eighteen liters is about 1,100 cubic inches (add a few hundred for ineffeciencies. say 1,400 total) of pack space, and should be packed along the wearer’s spine. Water filters work, are light, and can be shared. Even if everyone bought his own, they are cheaper than twelve 1.5 liter bottles per — Jeff ORBS Bear Canisters – $68 delivered in USA, US$73 in Canada http://home.pacbell.net/orbs/bc-homepage.html Your suggestion that water should be "packed along the wearer’s spine" is an excellent suggestion.
… The idea of packing dense stuff along the spine is to minimize the polar moment of inertia of the pack plus upper-body. It make the person more agile all day and less tired in the evening. For weekend warriors, it reduces the possibility of a back sprain and those Monday morning aches and pains. The only exception is liquid fueled stoves and liquid fuel bottles, which are dense but could leak into the pack. Best to put them in an outer pocket. Lots of packs have exterior water bottle pockets low on the side, so you can reach them without taking off the pack. A bum idea, because of the polar moment of inertia issue. I carry a small bottle with a push-pull top in a front-worn fanny pack (along with compass, map, snake bite extractor, and usual pocket stuff. It’s about 6 oz, but keeps me sipping between hourly rest stops, and can be used as "running water" for dishwashing. Works for me. — Jeff ORBS Bear Canisters – $68 delivered in USA, US$73 in Canada http://home.pacbell.net/orbs/bc-homepage.html
Response:
A group of us will be on the Long Trail this August in Vermont and I’m trying to figure out a general number to give people in terms of how much water they bring. We’ll have purifiers but some in the group are unwilling/don’t trust water purifiers and so I’m trying to take into account how much one would need carry if they were going up and down mountains for four days.
Response:
… August in Vermont I’m trying to take into account how much one would need carry if they were going up and down mountains for four days.
Given the temperature and exertion level, I’d plan on four liters per day. After day-two you can reassess water consumption and dump the surplus, if any, or shorten your trip. Four liters times four days is 16 liters, plus 2 liters for emergency reserve, totals 18 liters. That’s about 36 pounds, but the weight will begin to decline as fast as you drink it, dropping to 4 pounds (the emergency reserve) at the end. Eighteen liters is about 1,100 cubic inches (add a few hundred for ineffeciencies. say 1,400 total) of pack space, and should be packed along the wearer’s spine. Water filters work, are light, and can be shared. Even if everyone bought his own, they are cheaper than twelve 1.5 liter bottles per — Jeff ORBS Bear Canisters – $68 delivered in USA, US$73 in Canada http://home.pacbell.net/orbs/bc-homepage.html
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