RE: [Paddlewise] stinky camelbacks

I've had a camelback since they were introduced way back in the day when
only us mtn biker geeks had them.  Unless you're really good at rinsing them
out after use and drying them out completely, you're going to have this
problem.  

Once in a while (every 3 wks) I fill the bladder with a strong bleach
solution, rub the internal walls together (to get the slime off), let it sit
over night, then rinse it out.  I can't say that the water tastes great but
I'm not getting sick from it.  The "Camelback" bladders tend to leave the
water tasting yucky anyway - even when new - and especially with warm water.

There are other brands of bladders that do not leave the water tasting funny
but I haven't found one with a bite valve that I like better than
Camelback's.  I've been eyeing some that have a ziploc-type closure that
allows you to get in there for a good scrubbing.

If you do put something in the bladder besides water you MUST rinse it out
after or you will have the scariest stuff growing in there!

-----Original Message-----
From: Allison Corning [mailto:acorning_at_hotmail.com]
Sent: Monday, November 01, 1999 12:54 PM
To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subject: [Paddlewise] stinky camelbacks


Hey Paddlewisers-

After reading a discussion at the beginning of the summer about using 
camelbacks while kayaking I finally decided that having three sports it 
could be used for was a good enough excuse to shell out the cash and buy a 
camel back. so I did, and I absolutely love it, haven't been dehydrated all 
summer etc etc. But, there is  one problem. The water tastes completely 
nasty. I tried to dry it out completely and scrub the insides with that 
little camelback brush, and I even tried a sterilizing chlorine rinse per 
the directions, but nothing seems to kill the nasty green film that always 
shows up inside it after it gets wet.  Especially on hiking trips of several

days when it gets periodically emptied and refilled. Does anyone else have 
this problem? How do you treat it? I've tried all the suggestions in the 
little direction book. Should I just start filling it with lemonade and hope

that hides the taste????

-Allison


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