Outdoor Review

Hydration systems

2011-05-29T04:43:00.000-07:00

Most proper packs come complete with a pocket and some sort of tube fixing to make room for a hydration system, and with good reason.

Hydration packs work well because you can drink on the move and little and often is a more effective hydration strategy than lots and rarely. Furthermore you can also up your fluid carrying capacity without carrying multiple water bottles.

There are downsides - hydration systems are harder to keep clean than a regular bottle, the tubes can be a hassle to route properly, depending on how well the pack has been designed. Pipe work, bite valves and even bladders are known to freeze up, leaving you with a glorified ice pop to suck on.

So what should you be aware of when buying a hydration system? Here are some pointers:

Bladders

Bladders come in all shapes and forms. The most common capacities are two- and three liters. I suggest that you go for the larger variation, because you don't necessarily have to fill it to the top. In hot weather, one liter per hour isn't out of the question though.

When it comes to choosing an actual bladder, things get more complicated. Despite what manufacturers tell you, most bladders will end up contaminated.

In day to day use, a useful feature is some sort of anti-microbial treatment, which will delay the time it takes for mould to grow in an unattended system.

Different companies use different materials for the bladder, Platypus, for example favors polyethylene, Source uses a PE film to minimize a plastic tastes, while Camelbak now has a lifetime guarantee on its bladders. I like the Source version because it is easy to clean and has minimal tainting.

The opening method of the bladder is the other big consideration. I have found threaded caps like the ones on the Camelbak Omega and some others can become sticky, especially if energy drink gets on the threads. A really big opening like the simple fold-over and clip version on the Source Widepac or Platypus's Big Hoser bags is easier to use and makes cleaning access to the bag simpler.

A smear of vaseline can help keep sticky lid threads smoother running.

Bite valves

With a bite valve, you're looking for two things, good flow rates and simplicity. The best I have ever used is the Camelbak Big Bite valve. It's simple, doesn't leak and flows like a dream. I have even popped them onto other hydration packs with better the bladders than on Camelbak.

Mechanical type valves with springs and hard innards are all very well, but seem more prone to failure, contamination and simply don't flow as well, though most will be adequate.

A lock-out facility means your hydration system is less likely to spill it’s innards in the back of your car, but you still need to remember to switch it on... Again, I like the Camelbak version.

Finally, a right angled, ergonomic valve will put the mouthpiece in a more user friendly angle. You guessed it, I like the Camelbaks version on this one too.

Packs

Without getting into an endless debate, I tend to buy the pack for the job then add a decent hydration system to it, rather than buying an all in one, unless I am getting a very good deal.

If you have a really big hiking backpack, you can also by a all in one, and if there is room enough, stuck it in the hydration pocket. That way, you have both a hydration system on your big pack, and have a all in one if you want to do some ultra light hiking.

Most purpose built hydration packs aren't large enough for general use, though I like the CamelBak Lobo 100-Ounce Hydration Pack, and the CamelBak M.U.L.E. 100-Ounce Hydration Pack.

Generally look for a decent sized hydration sleeve (especially if you have a three liter bladder) with a hook or straps at the top to hold the top of the bladder. Check how easy it is to route the hydration tube out of the pack and whether you can use either sides, or if there is a central opening. Finally, the shoulder straps should have some retainers to stop the tube from flapping around. I like the Osprey ones that angle things neatly into the right place.

Care and Maintenance

New users are often bemused by caring for their packs, but in reality it's quite easy. Clean right after use and either store in a freezer or dry carefully. You should also store it open and dry.

If you do get mould growth, you have a number of options. I suggest you invest in a set of specialist brushes that will enable you to clean the tube thoroughly. Rinse afterwards with warm soapy water, and then dry it out as before. In bad cases, use the sterilizing fluid sold to rinse baby’s bottles and soak overnight.

Camelbak also sells sterilizing tablets. If you have a bad attack of mould, dismantle and thoroughly clean the bite valve as well.

Freezing

You can buy neat little insulated tube and bite valve covers, but in my experience, once the going gets cold, they have a minimal effect. Blowing back fluid into the bladder after drinking helps to prevent the tube from freezing solid (it always go first) and starting off with warm water in the first place will also help.

When you get well below zero however, things will tend to freeze. I have had an entire bladder go solid in the cold before.

Garmin eTrex Venture HC GPS

2011-05-25T07:18:00.000-07:00

This little guy will never allow you to get lost. Has a very limited basemap, but for geocaching, camping, hiking or boating this is one of the best for the price. I always get a clear signal in trees, near building and inclimate weather. I recommend this to anyone looking for a compact accurate GPS. It deffetnetly isen't the most afvandced GPS on the marked, but it has a low cost between 125 and 170 $, and is a potential lifesavor if you should lose your way in the outback.

Price: 125-170 $ avaliable at amazon.com, link: Garmin eTrex Venture HC GPS Receiver.

Black Diamond Fitzroy Tent 3-Person 4-Season

2011-05-25T06:48:00.000-07:00

The Black Diamond Fitzroy is essentially a winter tent. If you most likely already have a three season tent, this is the tent for that other season. Like most specialized products it performs its specialized function well. The tent has mosquito netting, but my experience is that it isn’t the greatest tent in temperatures where bugs are present. In temperatures much above freezing I would recommend a traditional three season tent. The ventilation in this tent is not appropriate for warm weather. However for snow, ice, and wind the Fitzroy approaches the ideal tent.

The tent weighs six pounds. Its single skin design sheds high winds with remarkable silence compared to double wall designs. In my experiences I have found that the zippers won't freeze, even in minus 20 degrees Celsius. There is a small back door in the tent, just in case something unpleasant decides that the Fitzroy is as great as I think. The Fitzroy is excellent for one person and reasonable for two. Despite the tent description, I think it is impossible to sleep three persons in the tent. Its yellow color transmits a lot of light into the tent. The tent sets up from the inside and does require some practice to set up.

All in all, The Fitzroy is a great tent, but I would only recommend it for winter uses. As soon the temperature goes a lot over freezing, it becomes unbearable to sleep in the tent.

That being said, The Fitzroy is a potential lifesaver.

The price is a little harsh, but you really get a “winter tent” for your money.

560$ and available at Backcountry.com

Water Purification

2011-05-24T14:05:00.000-07:00

Water is the course of all living on earth. Water is the most essential resource for the survival of humans and other animals, and it is therefore important to respect and be resourceful of the water we have available. Even thought 75 % of earth’s surface is covered by water, only about 3 % of the water on earth is fresh. 75 % of the freshwater is frozen on the poles, which means that only about 0.75 % of the water on earth is drinkable, if you look through the fact that most freshwater is polluted.

The water available to wilderness enthusiasts usually comes from rivers, springs and lakes. The problem is, that those water sources might be polluted, and is usually filled with harmful bacteria, parasites and viruses. If you drink water directly from rivers, springs, lakes or other water sources, you risk getting diarrhea and deadly water related illnesses.

The only safe way to drink untreated water is buy either using a filtration system, a reverse osmosis system or chemical purification.

Filtration systems:

A filtration system obviously purifies water through one or more filters.

A water filter removes impurities from water by the means of either: a fine physical barrier, a chemical process, a biological process or combines the different methods. The quality of the filtrations systems is greatly diverse, and therefore also has a very huge span of costs. The price of a filtration system for outdoor uses can span between 50 dollars and up to about 300 dollars.

I recommend filtration systems to persons who knows they will have to find water sources on their outdoor adventures.

Katadyn Pocket Katadyn MyBottle Purifier

Reverse osmosis systems:

Osmosis is the movement of molecules through a semi-permeable membrane. Osmosis is “fuelled” by an unequal pressure on both sides of the membrane. The membrane will try to equalize the pressure by letting molecules pass through it. But, because the membrane is semi-permeable, only small molecules are able to pass through the membrane, and the larger molecules are left on the other side. Water is a small molecule and therefore passes through the membrane easily. Salt, larger molecules and organisms are too big to pass, and the water therefore becomes pure.

Reverse osmosis systems, are wildly popular because you can purify salt water to drinkable water. But, the method does have some disadvantages. Even the best systems, needs a lot of time to purify the water, which can be very unpractical in a outdoor situation. The other disadvantage is the price. You can’t find any Reverse osmosis systems to less than 850 dollars. The 850 dollars system is the cheapest, and therefore the slowest which means it only purifies 0.9 liters/hour. The more expensive systems (1900 dollars) produce 4.5 liters/hour.

I only recommend the reverse osmosis systems to hardcore adventures who knows they will find them self near marine locations. If you are not in a marine environment, filtration systems are a better purchase.

Katadyn Survivor 35 Katadyn Survivor 06

Chemical purification:

The most common chemical water treatments used by hikers and backpackers for drinking water purification are some form of chlorine, iodine, or oxidizing agents. The chemicals quite simply kill the organisms in the water.

Chemical purification is great for persons, which only needs water purification in survival situations. The taste is bitter, but the cost and storage is low. The price is between 5-50 dollars.

Water Purification Tablets Mcnett Water Treatment Drops

All items can be found on http://www.amazon.com/