When backpacking, bringing enough water for the trip is essential. Without it, you can become dehydrated and suffer from heat exhaustion or even hypothermia. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to bring water with you on your backpacking adventure.
The most basic way to bring water when backpacking is to simply fill up a large plastic bottle or canteen with fresh water before you set out. This method works well if you are only going on a short trip and don’t need too much water.
However, if you will be out for an extended period of time, it’s best to invest in a hydration system. These systems consist of a reservoir bag, usually made of lightweight material such as nylon or polyester, which is filled with fresh water. A tube runs from the reservoir bag to your mouth, so that you can sip water without having to stop and take out the container.
Another option for bringing water when backpacking is to use a portable filter system. These filters attach directly onto your drinking container and filter out harmful bacteria and other contaminants from lake or river water. This type of system is great for those who plan on camping near a body of freshwater and don’t want to carry too much weight.
Solar Still: If you find yourself in an area without access to freshwater sources, you can construct your own solar still. This involves digging a hole in the ground, lining it with plastic sheeting and covering it with stones or sand so that no light can penetrate the hole.
Then place a container in the center of the hole and cover it with another piece of plastic sheeting. The sun’s heat will cause condensation on the plastic sheeting which will drip into the container below.
Rainwater Collection: Rainwater collection is another great way to collect drinking water while backpacking. All you need is some kind of waterproof receptacle such as a tarp or bucket which can be positioned under trees or other high points in order to collect rainwater as it falls from above.
Conclusion: With these simple tips in mind, bringing enough drinking water on your next backpacking adventure should be no problem at all! Whether you decide to bring along bottled water, use a hydration system, filter lake/river water using portable filters, construct your own solar still or collect rainwater – there are plenty of ways available for keeping yourself hydrated while out in nature.