Re: [Paddlewise] Use of "Hydration Systems"?

|Interesting to see all this stuff about the hydration systems.

I use the platypus bottles filled with water.  I don't put anything else in
them.  DONT clean out your bottles by using softsoap.  Did that once and
even though I thought I had gotten the residue out, I had not.  Not a fun
paddle.  I did have another bottle of water but still was not fun.

I put the bottle behind my seat, with the cap angled down.  The house I run
out of the cockpit and clip it to my PFD.  I can somehow get the sprayskirt
on so that it does not close off the supply tube.  This makes it very easy
to drink while paddling.

I usually take at least two bottles, 2+ liters, with me.  Hotter days
another liter or two.  I'll freeze one and put the other in the fridge the
night before a trip.  That way I have at least some cold stuff when on the
water.  Even if I leave the bottles in cooler in a hot car all day before
getting on the water, the bottles are still cold/cool.

|I prefer to stop every half hour or so to take a break and pull out a
|nalgene bottle or some Gatorade.  I think the half a minute breather is
|as important as the hydration.

I stop every hour to rest, drink and maybe eat a snack.  Yes, the MRE
oatmeal bars.  The break is very important.  I stop for 5 minutes or more.
Just depends on what I doing and location.  If it is a hot day I'll drink
some Gatorade.  Gatorade makes me sick if I drink it when I'm not
excercising but it certainly makes a difference when expending lots of
energy.  On so so days I'll take one quart and on hot days at least two
quarts in the kayak and a third left in the truck for the trip home.  Water
as well.


|It amazes me how little people around me carry in the way of water.  In
|summer paddles of just a few hours duration I carry about 3 quarts or a
|gallon.  In moderate temperatures never less than 2 quarts for a two
|hour paddle.  I see people with just one quart under just about all
|circumstances.  Moreover, I know individuals who refuse to drink in cold
|weather because of the need to pee and the awkwardness of cold water
|gear.

Agreed.  I have seen people with young children, 4 to 6 years old, on a 6.5
hike in hot weather with just a couple of 20oz bottles of water.  I would
be on the same trail with a couple of liters just for me.  I have seen this
several times and it still amazes me.  I guess they think there is a water
fountain out there somewhere....

|ralph


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