hydration?

[cyn]

I was wondering what other Divas use to stay hydrated while skiing or doing other sports. I have one of those Camelback things, but it's really hard to clean properly, especially after I've stored it for a while. I usually resort to a water bottle, but that can get heavy, especially when it's full.
Does anyone have a better system?

 

[RachelV]

I just use a camelbak, and I loooove it. Are you filling it with something besides water? I find that with water, as long as I leave it open for a bit and make sure it's dry before I pack it away, you really hardly have to clean it.

Or, there's always cold poles. ;)

 

[cyn]

No, I just fill it with water. But when I got it out for a recent trip out west, the reservoir and the tube were all moldy, so I thought the best thing to do was chuck them and buy news ones.
Maybe I should be cleaning them with a weak bleach solution or something.

 

[altagirl]

I don't have any problems with my camelbak packs either, provided you never put anything in there but clean water.

My husband has put gatorade or something in there, and his whole bladder and the tube was filled with algae in days. I don't put anything in but water and can leave it full for months (stored in a cool/dark place) and it's nice and clean and the water still tastes good. I know some people store their hydration bladder in the freezer to keep anything from growing in it, but that seems like a hassle to me to get it in and out of the pack, and I don't seem to have any problems with it anyway.

 

[altagirl]

No, I just fill it with water. But when I got it out for a recent trip out west, the reservoir and the tube were all moldy, so I thought the best thing to do was chuck them and buy news ones.
Maybe I should be cleaning them with a weak bleach solution or something.

I'm with you - if they ever look moldy, I just toss them and buy another one. Though, we have about 8 camelbak's laying around the house... And mine seem to stay looking clean for at least a few years.

Oh - the other thing I thought of is that my husband believes in blowing air back into the tube to keep the water in the tube from getting hot or freezing. I think that contributes to the gunk he develops in his, while mine stay clean. I'll deal with two sips of hot water instead of worrying about stuff growing in it...

 

[Gloria]

water source

I use a camelback fairly often. Keep in mind that the bladders are sold seperately and are removable so if you do get mold etc you can replace only the bladder. We also buy the individual bladders, I think we only have one full system, and stuff the bladders in any pack we may be using.
The water source I think is key, treated water, no problems, well water or unsure, take precaution. You may be on a well yourself or filled your bladder with water that was. Without the chlorination of a treated water system, even a small amount of bacteria from something as simple as your hands touching the bladder etc can create enough bacteria for mold to incur if you leave water inside in warm enough temps. We are on a well and I have to drain the bladder and let it dry overnight. This ussually does the trick. I have found though that if I don't and leave well water in for a couple of days, it can get yucky. I wouldn't reccomend trying to bleach your bladder or using soap etc. simply drying it out works great, any water system is bound to get bacterialized yet it still takes the right time and temp to keep it alive, if you know what I mean.

 

[volklgirl]

I also use a Camel. I have a little one with an insulated tube that fits under my jacket for winter and several larger ones for biking. I leave them full during the season, but drain and hang dry them during off-season. I've rarely had a problem with them getting yucky (but I'm on city water with a drinking water filter too.

If they do get ick, a simple solution of a tiny bit of bleach with hot water works great, then rinse, rinse, rinse. Another thing that works well and can eliminate that yucky plastic taste that some of the new ones have is baking soda and water. I soak my bite valve in bleach solution every year before using, just in case ;) .

 

[RachelV]

Oh - the other thing I thought of is that my husband believes in blowing air back into the tube to keep the water in the tube from getting hot or freezing. I think that contributes to the gunk he develops in his, while mine stay clean.

Hm, I blow back into my tube, too, but just to keep it from freezing. I dry it out between uses (just by leaving it open hanging on a chair for a day or so) and I have yet to have anything growing in there after 2 seasons of use. Interesting thought, though...

 

[ski now work later]

Camelback also makes tablets that I use to clean my bladder if it gets yucky (which it rarely does).

 

[SnowHot]

I own a camelback that I've never used.
My husband uses a camelback when he trail rides and lets his get slimy so he has acquired mine.:mad:

I don't know how to clean it, because I refuse to get near his after he lets it set.

 

[Pequenita]

I've had a Platypus for years, but I haven't figured out how to get the exposed part of the tube from freezing....

 

[Kimmyt]

Camelback also makes tablets that I use to clean my bladder if it gets yucky (which it rarely does).

... pretty sure i read somewhere that they are the same things as Denture cleaning tablets but more expensive, so if you are interested in saving money you might wanna try some dentyne or whatever....

 

[SnowHot]

I bought a replacement Camelback 50 oz. Took it on a few mt bike rides and found it wasn't enough.

I am a drinker!!!!
Always have a water bottle by my side.

Today I bought a 72 oz on Steep and Cheap $17.00. We'll see if that does the trick.

 

[RachelV]

I have that same one that was just on steep & cheap and it's big enough for me on a normal ski day (as long as I don't drink from it at lunch). I think there was one late-season day where I finished the whole thing, so you still might get through it on a summer day of mtn biking.

 

[SnowHot]

I have that same one that was just on steep & cheap and it's big enough for me on a normal ski day (as long as I don't drink from it at lunch). I think there was one late-season day where I finished the whole thing, so you still might get through it on a summer day of mtn biking.

I definitely needed a Camelback when I went to Abasin. I found myself stopping for a drink frequently, but "relieving myself" seldom. Every chance I had, I was drinking. On the drive to Abasin, on the way back to SIL's all evening long, as soon as I woke up.......always a water bottle in my hand.

I am sure it was the reason I had an easy time with the altitude, but I wished I had a camelback. At least I'm all set for my 07-08 trip to Abasin!!!! YEAH!!!

 

[Quiver Queen]

I'm a major water drinker but have found remaining hydrated is a problem only in the West. In the East I just use a Platypus collapsible flask which fits in my pocket & refill whenever we stop at a lodge, plus we make a point of a quick mid-morning fluid and calorie stop. For skiing in the West I use a Camelback fanny pack, but I don't like Camelback's bulky answer to prevent a freezing tube, so came up with my own solution--I don't leave the tube out in the air (or under my clothes because even then the bite would freeze), instead leave it inside the pack, tuck in a couple of toe warmers, and take the tube out only when drinking which is usually on the chair/in the tram or gondola. The heat of hand warmers made me nervous & I found the toe warmers don't get as warm & are just enough to keep everything from freezing. I haven't had any molding problem with plain water or with a little lemon juice in the water, but I'm careful to wash the bladder thoroughly and prop it open until it's completely dry.

 

[Ski Spirit]

I use a camelback and i just stick it in the freezer every now and then to kill off whatever might be growing.......

 

[tradygirl]

I lost faith in my Camelbak two winters ago due to two problems...

1. Freezing tubes. On those really cold days, there's absolutely nothing you can do to keep it from freezing. And if you're in the backcountry, there goes your only water source. Not good.

2. Leaking bladders. I had a bladder start leaking on me during a tour and my back and pants got really wet. Wet + cold temps = hypothermia!! Thank god it was spring. And again, there goes your water supply for the whole day. After that day, I never wanted to risk getting wet or losing my water again.

My answer is skiing with a small pack with one or two tightly sealing, bombproof bottles (Nalgene, Sigg, etc). No worries about freezing or leaking, and they're easy to clean. I'll take a 16-20oz bottle for resort days since I can just refill at the lodge. I chug on the lift and it stays in the bag the rest of the day. A little bulkier than a camelbak, but much more reliable.

 

[pinto]

This works well if you don't have room for a whole bottle, plus as you drink, it gets smaller -- just fold it up in your pocket. Flexible Nalgene bottle