Carrying water?

I was wondering how you guys carry water with you when you are out hiking to do photography.

Currently I use a tamrac backpack that I love. It holds a ton and holds it well, I don't notice it when it is packed to the brim. It also has a laptop compartment that I stuff a 3 liter camelback bladder in. Thats enough water to last quite a while.

Recently I realised I don't really need to carry that much stuff, my lowepro slingshot 200 is plenty big enough. Problem is it doesn't have any way to carry a camelback bladder. I tried wearing the bag with my camelback backpack (its for mountain biking), but it just doesn't work, very awkward.

Also, I sometimes find myself crouching on a rock in a stream with my tripod in the water, or on the side of a steep slope, where there is no dry and/or level spot to lay the backpack down to access the contents. That is one more reason I would like to start using the lowepro more often.

I use a Lowepro sliplock water bottle holder and Nalgene bottle.

I prefer backpacks that provide an ample space for additional necessities, such as a fleece layer, rain gear, food/snacks, toolkit, etc. I have two Lowepros...the Rover AW II and the Dryzone Rover, both with dual compartments. In the case of the Rover, it also has two large elasticized pockets that will each fit a 1-qt Nalgene bottle. Its very easy to reach back when you're on the go, grab a bottle, take a drink, then re-stow it without having to stop. The Dryzone Rover has an internal bladder and drinking tube...the bladder's not very large (about 150ml or so), so for a long dayhike it may not be enough liquid. Even with the bladder installed, the upper compartment is still roomy enough to stow the necessities. If the Dryzone had the two elasticized pockets that the Rover has, it would be the ideal camera backpack IMO (maybe the folks at Lowepro will read this and make a modification). Another option with the Dryzone Rover is to ditch the bladder and use a Camelbak in its place.

I also have a Tamrac Expedition 7 that pretty much sits in the attic. It carries a ton of stuff, but doesn't really have any provisions whatsoever for storing necessities (unless you spend more money for the clip-on attachments). I remember using this pack hiking out to the Wave...had to clip several Nalgenes to the waist strap, which then would bang against my legs with every step. Real PITA...hence, the attic storage.

On short excursions, I carry Nalgene bottles in a waist pack. On longer hikes, I carry a Camelback in an Osprey pack. I rarely carry more than a camera with lens attached. If I'm taking another lens it goes in the pack or on my belt.

Win

Argyle

Would you say the Rover AWII has enough space for decent hiking gear? I have a Minitrekker atm which is fine for my photography gear but has virtually nowhere for anything else.

What i would like to be able to carry is the following: 1 additional layer, waterproof trousers, food (1-2 small meals max), a small flask, and basic survival gear (bivi bag, torch, whistle, mini first aid kit, compass and map & fire lighting kit).

I have read some of the reviews in the bag section but im still not sure.

neilwood32 wrote in post #9114496
Argyle

Would you say the Rover AWII has enough space for decent hiking gear? I have a Minitrekker atm which is fine for my photography gear but has virtually nowhere for anything else.

What i would like to be able to carry is the following: 1 additional layer, waterproof trousers, food (1-2 small meals max), a small flask, and basic survival gear (bivi bag, torch, whistle, mini first aid kit, compass and map & fire lighting kit).

I have read some of the reviews in the bag section but im still not sure.

There's quite a bit of room in the upper compartment of the Rover AW II. I have no idea what a bivi bag is, but to give you an idea I had the following in the upper compartment during a trip through the Tetons:

Fleece pullover layer
Goretex rainsuit (jacket and pants)
Gloves
Food/snacks (energy bars and beef jerky)
Trail maps
Small tool kit
Small flashlight
First aid kit
CF card wallet
Compass (which I eventually clipped to the outside of the pack)
Large lens hoods
Emergency blanket

There may be a few more items, but to be honest I simply can't remember what they could have been. But the above is a very accurate list. Just be aware that the Rover is not really suitable for overnights (but I'm sure that you already know that).

Hope this helps...

Bivi bag = waterproof sleeping bag. The one im thinking about is an emergency one made from plastic and folds up to the size of a small notebook. Basically for emergency shelter if caught in a storm/injured.

That looks like almost the exact list i would want to take if out walking (the highlands here are no place to be caught unprepared despite how nice they look in photos!)

I think my mind is set on the Rover AWII

I own the Rover AW II as well...and it is an excellent pack for daytrips. It would not fair well for overnight hikes. When you first look at the bag, the upper compartment doesn't seem very big, but it will swallow up a lot of gear. Looking at your list, I think you'll be fine.

Bryan

As far as carrying water is concerned, I save Gatorade bottles and fill them from my tap at home . . . or fro ma creek if I'm n the backcountry. I like the Gatorade bottles, as they have rather wide mouths in relation to other throwaway bottles. I particularly like the 32 oz. Gatorade bottles, which I toss into my backpack. I sometimes use a 20 oz., when I need a smaller one to fit into a small pocket.

On a typical 4 hour hike, I drink between 2 and three quarts of water, so the requisite amount does add quite a bit of weight to my pack. But what else can I do? I get thirsty easily, and frequently hike in areas where there are no creeks, springs, etc. - so I have to take it all with me in my pack.

Wow, this 4-yr old thread is coming back to life!

Tom,

I assume you filter your water, right?

Bryan

This is what I carry...along with good drinking water when I can...In a pinch this straw can be a life saver.http://www.amazon.com …onal-Filter/dp/B006QF3TW4

I use a camelback bottle with filter built in (not for creek water though) and clip it to my bag with a carbine hook. On longer hikes I strap a camelback bladder to the outside of my bag, using those D rings and straps on it. I guess one could also wear a camelback backpack on the front.
Sometimes I also attach the waterbottle to my belt or belt loop with the hook, what ever seems more practical.

bps wrote in post #16325328
Wow, this 4-yr old thread is coming back to life!

Tom,

I assume you filter your water, right?

Bryan

No, I don't filter or boil my water. I have drunk water from natural sources all over the continent, for decades, and never, ever gotten sick. Of course, I only drink from water sources that are far from human development.

Tom Reichner wrote in post #16325423
No, I don't filter or boil my water. I have drunk water from natural sources all over the continent, for decades, and never, ever gotten sick. Of course, I only drink from water sources that are far from human development.

Man you are lucky (IMO). It's usually not humans you have to worry about, since they generally don't **** in streams.

ejenner wrote in post #16325739
Man you are lucky (IMO). It's usually not humans you have to worry about, since they generally don't **** in streams.

But, they fertilize their lawns and crop fields, the runoff of which enters the streams and rivers. And they use insecticide on the lawns and crop fields. And they discharge their wastewater treatment plant water into them. And they discharge water used for industrial cooling into them, and . . .

I'd much rather take my chances with what the wild critters do in the streams . . . they drink that water, and don't get sick from it.