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Backpacking: Difference between revisions
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Backpackers always carry some [[water]] from the trailhead, to drink while walking. For short trips, they may carry enough to last the whole trip, but for long trips this is not practical. A backpacker needs anywhere from two to eight [[liter]]s or more per day, depending on conditions, making a water supply for more than a few days prohibitively heavy. Backpackers typically carry two to four liters of water depending on conditions and availability. Although some backpacking camps in heavily-used areas provide potable water, it must usually be obtained from lakes and [[stream]]s. | Backpackers always carry some [[water]] from the trailhead, to drink while walking. For short trips, they may carry enough to last the whole trip, but for long trips this is not practical. A backpacker needs anywhere from two to eight [[liter]]s or more per day, depending on conditions, making a water supply for more than a few days prohibitively heavy. Backpackers typically carry two to four liters of water depending on conditions and availability. Although some backpacking camps in heavily-used areas provide potable water, it must usually be obtained from lakes and [[stream]]s. | ||
Drinking and cooking water nearly always needs treatment with a filter or purifier to protect against | Drinking and cooking water nearly always needs treatment with a filter or purifier to protect against bacteria and [[protozoa]] (see [[Potability of backcountry water]] and [[Portable water purification]]). If water is unavailable, or if the only water available is irreparably filthy, backpackers may need to carry large amounts of water for long distances. | ||
Water may be stored in bottles or in soft, collapsible [[hydration pack]]s (bladders). Some backpackers store water in ordinary plastic beverage bottles, while others use special [[Lexan]] bottles or metal [[canteen]]s. For accessibility they may be carried by a shoulder strap or attached to the outside of a pack. Bladders are typically made of plastic, rubber, and/or fabric. They are light, easily stored and collapsible. They may be equipped with drinking hoses for easy access while hiking. In spite of this convenience, bladders are more prone to leaking than bottles, particularly at the hose connections. Hoses also allow the hiker to lose track of the water supply in the bladder and to deplete it prematurely. | Water may be stored in bottles or in soft, collapsible [[hydration pack]]s (bladders). Some backpackers store water in ordinary plastic beverage bottles, while others use special [[Lexan]] bottles or metal [[canteen]]s. For accessibility they may be carried by a shoulder strap or attached to the outside of a pack. Bladders are typically made of plastic, rubber, and/or fabric. They are light, easily stored and collapsible. They may be equipped with drinking hoses for easy access while hiking. In spite of this convenience, bladders are more prone to leaking than bottles, particularly at the hose connections. Hoses also allow the hiker to lose track of the water supply in the bladder and to deplete it prematurely. | ||
