An exploration of hydration on the trail
Winners have been drawn in the Geigerrig Hydration Pack giveaway. And the winners are... Thank you to everyone that helped to make the Hydration Summit a success and congratulations to our winners. If you weren't one of the lucky ones, don't worry. Our Contributors will be giving away a pack on each of their blogs so be sure to follow them for a chance to win a Geigerrig system. … [Read more...]
While hydration has proven itself to be a vital element in staying happy and healthy on the trail, it cannot be dismissed as a mechanical necessity – hydration is also heavily reliant on personal preference and taste. While many diehard outdoorsmen will accept nothing besides plain, pure water, many explorers are keen on flavored sports drinks and enhanced performance beverages. Is there a right choice? In my first interview segment with … [Read more...]
Hydration Reservoirs in Review: Camelbak Antidote Reservoir ($35.00) Osprey Hydraform Reservoir ($34.00) Platypus Big Zip SL ($34.95) GeigerRig Hydration Bladder ($49.00) Before receiving these four bladders to test, I had only owned a Camelbak bladder. It worked great, but I got sick of trying to clean it and eventually it just ended up collecting dust in the back of my closet. Instead, I lugged around water bottles. With my dusty old … [Read more...]
We all know that hydration is key to our survival and during the summer months the heat sucks the moisture right out of us. Water constitutes approximately 70% of body weight in infants, 65% in children, and 60% in adults. (Medscape) We lose water through tears, sweating and urination and tykes are more prone to dehydration than adults. When the temperatures are HOT dehydration can occur more rapidly. "Parents, however, should … [Read more...]
Any time a box of gear lands on your doorstep, you get a bit excited. Just recently, a box full of hydration bladders landed on my doorstep to run through the review gauntlet. There was one from the market standard, Camelbak, called the "Antidote", one from Osprey called the "Hydraform", a clear bladder from Platypus called the "Big Zip SL" and one from the new kid on the market, Geigerrig, simply called the "Hydration Pack … [Read more...]
"The person you love is 72.6% water.” It’s a catchy slogan to be sure, and while that fact is not completely accurate, you may be surprised to learn that it’s not very far off. Water, a main component of the human body, normally comprises about 60% of body weight in adult males and 50-55% in women. In dire situations, one can go for extended periods of time without food, but take away water and they’ll only last about 3 – 5 days … [Read more...]
For many outdoor enthusiasts, hydration doesn’t appear to be a pressing issue of concern, much less a notion that requires constant vigilance. It’s a no-brainer, right? We feel that familiar dry itch at the back of our throats, the inside of our mouths lose their usual moist condition – so we instinctively reach for drink of water to sooth ourselves and cool down. It may seem as simple as that, but the issues of hydration and rehydration … [Read more...]
Inexpensive portable water filters like the Frontier Pro and LifeStraw provide extremely lightweight options for safely filtering water in the backcountry, but these types of on-demand or "emergency" filters rely upon the availability of good water sources. Pump filters on the other hand, like the Katadyn Hiker, are designed to let you quickly and safely filter large amounts of water for carrying or storing in a separate container like a … [Read more...]
You knew better, but… It’s early Spring and you and a couple of your favorite compadres are out for another adventure. You’ve headed to a section of remote wilderness where the people are scarce and the views are legendary. A couple of days in to your expedition, your rag-tag team of explorers finds refuge for the night next to a seductive mountain stream. Everything has been perfect, the weather has held and you guys are making good … [Read more...]
Disclaimer: Through my experience and study, there is no “right” answer to the best way to treat your water in the backcountry. Without getting too scientific, my purpose in this discussion post is to explain the basics and give you a starting point when deciding what will work best for you. Each region of the U.S. is different as well as each country, so it’s best to research the water in the area before traveling to that particular … [Read more...]
