14 Tips For ALL THINGS WATER Every Backpacker Should Know

Summary

In this informative video, Dixie shares essential backpacking tips focused on water safety and hydration. She emphasizes choosing the safest water sources, like flowing over stagnant, and highlights the importance of keeping clean and dirty water bottles separate. Dixie introduces various water treatment methods, including the Sawyer Squeeze, and offers creative solutions for collecting water from shallow sources. She also discusses the risks of overhydration and the benefits of using drink mixes, creatine, and glycerol for better hydration. Additionally, she advises on always having a backup water treatment plan and the necessity of testing water filters before trips. Dixie concludes with practical tips for on-trail fixes and the value of carrying extra gaskets for the Sawyer Squeeze.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Choose the safest water source possible, preferring flowing over stagnant water and higher elevation sources.
• 🎒 Keep dirty and clean water bottles separate to avoid contamination, using different sizes or colors for easy identification.
• 💧 Ensure water is easily accessible to stay hydrated, considering hydration systems or bottles with bite valves for convenience.
• 🌊 Use a water filter like the Sawyer Squeeze for on-the-go water treatment, which is lightweight and quick to use.
• 🏞️ Get creative when collecting water from shallow sources, using leaves, rocks, or scoops to direct the flow.
• 🚰 Back flush your water filter regularly using a clean water bottle and a sports cap to maintain its effectiveness.
• 🐫 Camel up cautiously, being aware of the body's limits and the risks of overhydration and electrolyte imbalance.
• 🍹 Use drink mixes like Element to add flavor to water and stay hydrated, opting for natural sweeteners like Stevia.
• 💪 Incorporate creatine and glycerol into your diet before a hike to improve hydration and energy levels.
• 🦠 Be aware that most water filters do not remove viruses, and have a backup water treatment plan for such scenarios.
• 🔬 Test your water filter before your trip to ensure it's functioning properly and consider carrying extra parts like a gasket for on-trail fixes.

Q & A

What is the first water tip mentioned in the script?

The first water tip is to ensure you pick the safest water source possible. It's better to choose a flowing source over a stagnant one, and smaller trickles are preferred over large sources like rivers with lots of runoff.

Why is it advised to avoid mixing dirty and clean water bottles?

Mixing dirty (untreated) water with clean water can contaminate the clean water, potentially leading to illnesses such as diarrhea, especially when consumed on the trail.

How can backpackers ensure their water is easily accessible to stay hydrated?

Backpackers can use a hydration system like a bladder or a bottle with a tube and bite valve, or attach a water bottle to their shoulder strap using a bungee. The key is to find what works best for the individual to encourage regular hydration.

What type of water treatment system does the speaker prefer and why?

The speaker prefers the Sawyer Squeeze because it is lightweight, quick to use, and allows for immediate drinking without having to wait for chemical treatments to take effect.

What is 'cameling up' and what are its potential risks?

Cameling up involves drinking a lot of water at a water source and then filling up bottles before continuing the hike. The risk is that it might lead to overhydration, which can cause an imbalance in electrolytes, especially in endurance athletes and military personnel.

Why should hikers carry a backup water treatment plan?

A backup plan is essential in case the primary water filter becomes damaged or ineffective. It could involve boiling water or using chemical treatments like bleach as an alternative.

What is the speaker's recommendation for dealing with shallow water sources?

The speaker suggests using creative methods such as placing a leaf to create a mini waterfall for easier collection, or using a scoop or cup to gather water from shallow sources.

What are the speaker's thoughts on using drink mixes for hydration?

The speaker recommends using drink mixes like Element to add flavor to water and make hydration more enjoyable, without the negative effects of sugar found in other sports drinks.

How can creatine and glycerol help with hydration?

Creatine and glycerol can improve hydration by helping the body maintain continuous energy and carrying water to the cells, making them effective for hikers who plan to camel up and utilize this hydration strategy.

What should hikers do if their water filter is not functioning properly?

Hikers should test their filter before their trip and if it's not working well, consider soaking it in water beforehand. If on the trail and the filter is not effective, they can use backup methods like boiling water or using a bandana to strain sediment before treating with bleach.

What is the speaker's advice for treating water in cold conditions?

The speaker suggests melting snow in a food pot or heating it up, or placing snow in gallon-sized Ziplocs on the ground to melt. It's important to filter the melted snow to remove any contaminants or particles.

Outlines

00:00

🌞 Enjoying Nature and Water Safety Tips

Dixie shares her experience of enjoying a sunny day in Alabama after days of dreary weather. She emphasizes the importance of choosing the safest water source while hiking, suggesting flowing sources over stagnant ones, and upstream from any contaminants. Dixie also advises against mixing dirty water bottles with clean ones and highlights the use of a 7L water bottle with a flip cap for easy access to safe drinking water.

05:00

💧 Water Accessibility and Collection

Dixie discusses the importance of keeping water easily accessible to stay hydrated, suggesting personal preferences for hydration systems. She shares her experience with a hydration system that hooks to a bottle with a bite valve for easy access. Dixie also talks about her preference for the Sawyer Squeeze for water treatment due to its lightweight, quick filtering, and ease of use, and mentions alternative options like inline and gravity systems for different hiking styles.

10:02

🌊 Creative Water Collection Techniques

Dixie provides tips on collecting water from shallow sources, such as using a leaf and rock to create a mini waterfall or using a scoop. She shares her personal preference for a seed assignment cup as a scoop and discusses the challenges of filling a bladder from stagnant water sources. Dixie also talks about backflushing the Sawyer Squeeze with a smart water sports cap top and emphasizes the importance of not overdoing water intake during 'cameling up'.

15:03

🍹 Enhancing Hydration with Mixes and Precautions

Dixie talks about using drink mixes like Element to add variety to plain water without the downsides of sugar. She also discusses the benefits of creatine and glycerol for hydration and maintaining energy levels. Dixie warns that most water filters do not remove viruses and suggests having a backup water treatment plan, such as boiling or using bleach as a disinfectant. She also shares tips on melting snow for water without using fuel and the importance of testing water filters before a trip.

20:03

🛠 On-Trail Fixes and Extra Tips

Dixie shares practical tips for on-trail fixes, such as using Tenacious Tape to solve a loose gasket issue with the Sawyer Squeeze. She advises carrying an extra gasket as a backup and suggests soaking the filter before use if it's slow to flow. Dixie concludes with her experience of needing to boil water as a backup plan when her filter froze and emphasizes the value of improvisation and preparedness in hiking.

Keywords

💡Backpacking

Backpacking refers to the act of hiking or traveling with equipment and supplies carried on one's back, typically in a rucksack or backpack. In the context of the video, the speaker shares tips for backpackers, emphasizing the importance of being prepared and knowledgeable about various aspects of outdoor travel, such as water sourcing and hydration strategies.

💡Water Sources

Water sources are natural or artificial locations where water can be obtained, such as streams, rivers, lakes, or springs. In the video, the speaker highlights the importance of choosing the best possible water source for safety, preferring flowing over stagnant water and higher elevation sources over those that may have been contaminated by animal waste or runoff.

💡Hydration

Hydration refers to the process of providing or maintaining an adequate amount of water in the body to prevent dehydration. In the context of the video, the speaker discusses various strategies for staying hydrated during backpacking trips, such as having easily accessible water bottles and using drink mixes to make water more palatable.

💡Water Treatment

Water treatment involves processes and methods used to make water safe for drinking by removing contaminants and harmful microorganisms. In the video, the speaker talks about different water treatment options for backpackers, including filters, chemical treatments, and boiling.

💡Sawyer Squeeze

The Sawyer Squeeze is a portable water filter designed for outdoor use, which allows users to filter water directly from a water source into a bottle or bladder. In the video, the speaker shares personal experience with the Sawyer Squeeze, discussing its advantages and providing tips for its use and maintenance.

💡Drink Mixes

Drink mixes are pre-packaged powders or concentrates that are dissolved in water to create flavored beverages. In the context of the video, the speaker suggests using drink mixes not only to add flavor to water but also to provide additional nutrients and electrolytes, which can aid in hydration and energy levels during backpacking.

💡Electrolytes

Electrolytes are minerals that carry an electric charge and are essential for various bodily functions, including maintaining hydration and nerve function. In the video, the speaker mentions the importance of maintaining electrolyte balance, especially when 'cameling up' or drinking large amounts of water at once.

💡Glycerol and Creatine

Glycerol is a sugar alcohol found naturally in the body and often added to sports drinks, while creatine is a substance that helps supply energy to muscles. Both can aid in hydration by drawing water into cells. In the video, the speaker suggests using these substances as part of a pre-backpacking regimen to improve hydration efficiency.

💡Filter Testing

Filter testing is the process of checking a water filter's functionality before use to ensure it operates correctly and effectively. In the video, the speaker shares a personal experience where a filter did not work as expected, emphasizing the importance of testing filters before embarking on a backpacking trip.

💡Backup Plan

A backup plan is an alternative strategy or course of action to be used when the primary plan fails or is not feasible. In the context of the video, the speaker advises backpackers to always have a secondary method for water treatment in case their primary filter or purification system fails or is unsuitable for the conditions.

💡Tenaious Tape

Tenaious Tape, also known as Tegaderm, is a type of transparent medical tape that is breathable and waterproof. In the video, the speaker mentions a tip from a fellow hiker who used this tape as a temporary fix for a leaking water filter, demonstrating resourcefulness and improvisation in outdoor situations.

Highlights

Choose the safest water source possible, preferring flowing sources over stagnant ones.

Opt for smaller water sources like trickles from mountains over large bodies like rivers with potential contaminants.

Water from higher elevations is generally safer as it's less likely to have been contaminated.

Avoid mixing dirty water bottles with clean ones to prevent contamination.

Use designated bottles for clean and dirty water, ideally with different sizes or colors to avoid confusion.

Ensure water is easily accessible to stay better hydrated, considering hydration systems or bottles with tubes.

The Sawyer Squeeze is a lightweight and efficient water filtration option for on-the-go situations.

For shallow water sources, get creative with methods like using a leaf to create a mini waterfall for easier collection.

A smart water sports cap top works well for backflushing the Sawyer Squeeze to maintain its efficiency.

Cameling up can be useful for long stretches without water sources, but consistent hydration throughout the day is key.

Drink mixes like Element can enhance the taste of water and help with hydration without adding too much sugar.

Creatine and glycerol can aid in hydration when used in conjunction before backpacking.

Most water filters, including the Sawyer Squeeze, do not filter out viruses.

Always have a backup water treatment plan, such as boiling or using bleach as an alternative.

Melt snow for water by heating it in a food pot or using Ziplocs to melt in the sun without fuel.

Test your water filter before your trip to ensure it's functioning properly.

Carry an extra Sawyer Squeeze gasket as a backup to prevent leaks and ensure a good seal.

For an on-trail fix, use Tenacious Tape to wrap around the threads of a leaking water filter.

Transcripts

hey y'all Dixie here we are finally

having a beautiful sunny day in Alabama

it's been dreary and gross for days so I

wanted to get out on trail and enjoy the

sunshine I'm sure the snakes have the

same idea but while I'm doing my Day

hike I figured I would talk to y'all

about tips that I think every Backpacker

should know about all things

water my first water tip is is make sure

you pick the safest Source possible now

you may only have one source for miles

at a time and you're kind of limited but

if you do have options or even if just

at one body of water you can kind of

make a choice so if you can pick a

flowing Source over a stagnant source

that is always a plus and sometimes even

if you're limited to One S course you

might see for example a dead animal near

the water and it makes more sense to go

Upstream of that dead animal than

Downstream smaller trickles are

preferred over big sources so like if

you find a little trickle coming off of

a mountain that's less likely to have

contaminants in it than say like a big

river that has a lot of runoff and a lot

of opportunity for things to doo in it

and in that same vein water sources that

come directly from the ground like

Natural Springs are going to be less

risky than something that's been flowing

openly and finally water from higher

elevations tends to be safer than water

that's had a chance to run through cow

pastures and other areas that might

contaminate it you know because if

you're at the top of the mountain if you

can kind of Envision it near the source

from wherever this water is coming from

from then you know the closer to the

source the less chance of

pollutants the better chance of being

safe another water tip for you don't mix

up dirty water bottles with clean water

bottles basically what I'm saying is if

you're going to ooh pretty

flowers but anyway if you have a water

bottle that you've got dirty water and

water that you've collected from a

source that has not been treated

you don't then want to use it to mix up

like a drink mix even if you're filling

it with treated water because you can

contaminate your drink and then you know

end up with diarrhea on trail and nobody

likes diarrhea especially not on trail

so with that said you want to make sure

you have designated bottles and it's

more helpful if they're a different size

or a different color or you know

something different color caps something

that stands out so you don't accident L

take a swig of the dirty water now

typically I use a 7 L water bottle like

this with a flip cap and I know that the

one with the flip cap is the one that's

safe to just chug from whether it's

plain water or whether I decide to mix

up some kind of drink packet in it and

then typically when I'm backpacking I'll

have one lit smart water bottles that

are my dirty bottles I've also used

things like gat bottle before for my

clean bottle but again anything that

you'll be able to tell the difference

next water that is easily accessible

will help you stay better hydrated us

hackers and Backpackers can be lazy in

the most interesting of ways we're

willing to go out and travel 2 miles per

hour by foot but if something's just a

little too tedious we're probably not

going to do it so having your water

easily accessible will assure or at

least give you better chances of staying

hydrated so you are going to find out

what works specifically for you it's

different for everybody but having

something like a bladder or even a uh

bottle and Tube system that leads to a

bite valve might work well for you and

I've actually got a little tube

hydration system that hooks to a bottle

that I'm going to try for the first time

today in just a little bit and basically

that tube system and bite valve is just

right there on your shoulder so that you

can access it anytime you really think

about it and you don't even have to you

know pull out a bottle and unscrew it

and all that another option is if you

don't have a bunch of junk you carry in

shoulder pockets on your shoulder straps

then they make these bungees

specifically for hooking something like

a 7 L water bottle to your shoulder

strap so your water bottle is right

there in your face and I would argue

that it's a little bit more involved to

take that off and drink out of it than

just you know grabbing a hose and a bite

valve but it really just boils down to

again personal preference for me having

my water bottles in my side stash pocket

like that one right there works out

better just because I do carry so much

junk up here in my face in my shoulder

strap Pockets but anyway it really boils

down to like I said personal preference

well I took me a short little break here

at the beautiful Lake Martin another

little slew area if you will and I keep

feeling like I don't know what to do

with my hands cuz I realized when I

pulled up here that I left my trekking

poles at home but anyway well it took me

a little break I uh hooked up this one

bottle hydration system here it goes

into my clean water bottle and it's got

a little magnetic clip

here I'd probably have to play around

with how I've got this set up but you

know first time you don't know till you

till you do it but uh I do like that

it's got this cover for the bite valve

because those things tend to get nasty

honestly if I was on a thr HCK I'd

probably get tired of undoing it and

doing it back so I would just be gross

and embrace getting a stronger immune

system but also one of the downsides to

these bite valve things is sometimes

they can leak so I do like that

also it's got like a

little on and off switch here not doing

a great job of it but anyway this little

yellow thing

right here is an on andof switch and

even though I had a little start guide I

failed to actually like read it so it

was easy to figure

out um but

anyway it's a success so far my next tip

is make water collection SL treatment as

simple as possible this really is going

to depend on your preferred hicking

style and since most of the time my

hiking SLB backpacking style has been

through hicking so I don't typically

stop and take a break at every single

water source just because time is of the

essence so I like the option of scoop

and go and for that reason the sawer

squeeze has worked out well for me uh it

costs about $45 weighs approximately 2

to 3 o and the system that I have which

is just the screw onto a smart water

bottle you just scoop your dirty water

into your smart water bottle grow on the

top and drink right through the filter

now the Sawyer squeeze does come with

multiple options you can squeeze from a

little pouch if you want to instead of

drinking through the filter you can do

an inline type thing so you could have

something like this like a tube with a

bite valve and have the Sawyer squeezed

hooked up to it you can also do a

gravity type system so if you're

somebody that knows you're going to be

hack in where there are trees branches

Limbs and you're probably going to stop

and take a break at every water source

well then something like the gravity

system might work great for you because

you just scoop up the water in the

little pouch hang it on a branch and let

gravity do the work for you but for me

my go-to route like I said has just been

the saw smart water bottle and drink

right through it and I know some people

like to chug their water you don't want

to be restricted by the flow rate of the

Sawyer but if you keep this thing good

and back flushed then it's got a pretty

good flow rate the Sawyer seems to be

the most common tool if you will on the

trail for treating water at least here

in the US and the sawer is just like I

mentioned lightweight it's very quick as

far as you can drink your water

immediately whereas with different

treatments like a chemical treatment for

example you have to wait 30 minutes or

more before your water is safe to drink

but I like my system because I don't

have to take my pack off to get water to

filter it I can just like I said scoop

and go and also because I don't have a

hydration bladder hooked to a hydration

tube as my setup I don't have to wonder

how much water I have on me at any given

time I can just look in my cup holders

and check my water bottles and it's

easily visible and something I can keep

track of and if I want to mix up a drink

mix well that's not a problem I just

squeeze from my dirty bottle through the

filter into my clean bottle and then add

a little drink packet my next tip is

when you are dealing with a shallow

water source you got to get creative

there are a couple of things that you

can do first if you've got like a

trickling stream you can sometimes times

put a leaf in the flow and then set a

rock on the Upstream end of the leaf and

it'll almost create like a little spout

or waterfall mini waterfall and you can

get your bottle up there and collect

what's shooting off of that little leaf

if that doesn't work for you or if you

don't want to fool with that then there

is the option of carrying a scoop and

for me I like having a cup to drink

coffee out of in the morning anyways so

I've got a seed assignment cup so I've

used that as a scoop before another

instance where you might need a scoop is

if you are using the saw your squeeze

method but you're actually going to use

the bladders that it comes with if you

are collecting from a stagnant Source

like the lake that I'm out here by today

it's not super easy to plunge that

bladder into the water source and have

it fill up with water because the

pressure of that water will collapse the

bag now if you blow into it and kind of

poof it up that seems to help

but I've found that having a scoop to

collect the water and then pour into the

bladder is a lot better now you might be

thinking well wait a second you told me

not to mix up my dirty stuff and my

clean stuff and now you're fixing to put

your coffee in this scoop that you've

contaminated well you could use

something else if you wanted to very

lightweight like you could cut out the

bottom of a smart water bottle for

example you know even if it's a scoop

that's that tall it's enough to actually

scoop the water or if you do use

something like a c of summit cup or a a

food pot if you air dry especially in

the sun it's probably going to kill

whatever you might be worried about but

then if you put a little hand Sandy on

it or if you carry some Camp soap and

then rinse it with clean water you

should be safe and good to go next up a

Smart Water Sports cap top works well

for back flushing a sawyer squeeze the

Sawyer squeezes do come with a syringe

that you can use to back flush and if

you'd rather use that that's perfectly

fine but for me I didn't like carrying

something extra especially on something

like a thr hack so having your clean

water bottle with clean water in it

obviously and your Sports cap you can

connect it to the output area of the saw

your squeeze and then let water flow

backwards H back flushing through the

filter and voila and it always helps if

you have something that you can tap the

Sawyer on to kind of break up any Gunk

on the inside I've noticed I can back

flush and nothing really comes out but

then if I tap it on like a root or or

lightly on a rock because it is plastic

you can crack it then it'll uh bust up

some of that Gunk and flush out much

better but if you have been using your

clean water bottle for mixing up drink

mixes make sure it's good rinsed out and

that you're not back flushing drink mix

through your filter next camel up with

caution I know in previous videos I've

mentioned that it's a good idea to camel

up especially when you are on longer

water carries you've got a a long

stretch before your next water source

for those of y'all who are not familiar

with cameling up essentially you get to

a water source you stop take a break

drink a liter of water and then fill up

your bottles and truck on and I still

think that drinking a good bit of water

while you're taking a break is a good

idea for helping you stay hydrated

especially if you are in drier climates

or at higher elevations it's very

important to stay hydrated but I have

certainly heard that the best way to

stay hydrated is to drink consistently

throughout the day not chug at certain

points but with that said obviously

chugging is better than not hydrating at

all and I think some people do camel up

with the intention to not carry as much

water I certainly don't think that

cameling up is a replacement or at least

a smart replacement for carrying water

because you never know the predicament

you're going to be in and and in my

opinion it's a good idea to always have

water maybe you think you're going to

make it to your next water source but

something happens that day you get an

injury or you decide not to push on as

far and now you're stuck with no water

but especially since drinking gradually

is better than chugging I wouldn't

replace carrying water with cameling up

but apparently our kidneys can only

filter out or you know handle

like8 to 1 liter of water per hour and I

also saw this study that was horribly

sad about child abuse situation where a

9-year-old was forced to drink like 3 to

4 lers super quickly and it caused the

child to be in serious state of

confusion and drowsiness because their

electrolytes became seriously unbalanced

and people who are at the highest risk

for drinking too much water and having

their electrolytes become unbalanced are

like endurance athletes and people in

the military that seems to be the group

of folks that it happens to the most so

anyway if you are planning to camel up

and you're chugging water in one sitting

just make sure you don't overdo it and

also having something like electrolytes

in a drink mixture will help to kind of

keep those balanced while you're making

sure you drink enough water which leads

me to my next tip make sure you use

drink mixes if you're just sick of

drinking water don't stop drinking water

my favorite drink mix I use right now is

elemente I'm sure it's pronounced

element but if you go to search up e l m

n t you're not going to find it Well you

might but it's l m NT what I like about

it doesn't have a bunch of weird and

unpronouncable additives and it

sweetened using Stevia so you're not

drinking a bunch of sugar which is known

to be inflammatory for people I normally

put about honestly half a pack in in a

lader just something to Spruce it up a

little bit so I don't feel like I'm just

drinking water another tip for you

creatine and glycerol can help you with

hydration now both of these things are

something that you'll want to load up on

for a couple of weeks before you start

backpacking but if you're not familiar

with glycerol or creatine glycerol is a

sugar alcohol that is naturally found in

the body and it is added to a lot of

different sports drink mixtures but it's

also something that you can take

individually like separate from the

sports drink creatine kind of helps your

body maintain like a continuous energy

while working out you know pretty hard

and it also carries water to the cells

and apparently combining these two

things can really improve their

effectiveness but on a side know if you

are somebody that knows I'm going to be

chamelin then these can help you get

more out of chamelin up my next tip is

most water filters do not filter out

viruses now if you are only backpacking

or hiking in the US not really a big

deal but if you're going somewhere where

you do need to worry about viruses they

do make filters that will take out

viruses but they're going to cost more

and they're going to weigh more so just

so you know the saw your squeeze does

not take out viruses next tip is always

have a backup water treatment plan for

example these are instances where I've

been glad that I had a plan B on the

Pacific Crush Trail I got to a sistern

that collects rainwater and

unfortunately there was a dead carcass

in it we were saying it's a dead cat I

don't know if it's a dead cat dead

rabbit but something dead was in it and

I really didn't want to run that through

my filter and think well it'll be just

fine so for peace of mind I boiled my

water first for 5 minutes pretty much

kill anything had to let it cool and

then poured it into my dirty water

bottle and filtered it now if you were

in an instance where you're using boil

and water to be your backup source and

you don't have a working filter I had to

do that one time because I camped near

this cow Pond did not expect it to get

freezing temperatures at night but it

did and I did not have my saer squeeze

in a Ziploc bag in my sleeping bag to

keep it warm so it froze therefore I did

not trust its Effectiveness cuz freezing

can burst the little tubular filtered

thing in bobes and so anyway I boiled my

water that time uh until I could get to

town and get some bleach which I will

talk about in a second

but in that instance when you've got

sediment you can run the water through

bandana first so at least you don't have

to drink sediment with bleach one to two

drops per liter is good as long as

you're not at like a super gnarly Source

you know you don't have like really

gross water but if it's really gross

looking then I would say up to four

drops but it's going to smell strongly

of bleach next tip this is one that was

shared by somebody on the book of faces

melt snow if there's an H water and you

need some this might sound like a

no-brainer but my go-to for doing this

would be to put snow in my food pot and

heat it up well that is fuel intensive

now the person who made the suggestion

says that they often pack the Tahoe room

Trail and a lot of times when they get

to Camp there are patches of snow still

left under the trees so they put the

snow in these gallon Ziplocs and put

them on the ground and within a couple

hours they're melted now you'll still

want to filter it to get any contaminant

or particles out but you know it's a

good way to not use a lot of fuel and to

uh be able to utilize the snow around

you next test your filter before you go

I learned this one the hard way actually

when I was heading out to do the trail

that I had started in the Sawtooth

Wilderness I just threw in my saw your

squeeze thinking I wouldn't have any

problems cuz I never had before but it

was not flowing well and that was a

problem for the whole trip it just had a

super slow flow rate so it was painful

to drink out of not literally but just

because of how slow it was filtering now

I've heard if you discover that your

filter is going super slow and you back

flush it and that doesn't seem to solve

it that it may need to be soaked in

water before you head out I've never

personally tried this but there were

multiple people who commented on

Facebook and said that that in fact has

worked for them and my last tip for

those of y'all who I have sold on the

saer squeeze carry an extra saw saw

squeeze gasket with you now these are

the little O-rings that you'll see on

the threading part of the Sawyer squeeze

and if you're not aware the purpose of

this gasket is to make sure the water

doesn't come out at the threads of the

bottle so it keeps the water from

spewing out there these just tend to at

some point kind of draw up or something

and they end up falling out but once it

turns loose and you're having to put it

in every time you take your saw your

squeeze off cuz it falls out you might

end up misplacing it and you know losing

it so carrying an extra one of these on

trail is a good idea for that purpose

now for an on tril fix somebody on

Facebook commented and said that they

have used Tenacious Tape and that they

just did like a single wrap around the

thread of the bottle just one layer they

said two is to thick it seems like they

said go counterclockwise that way when

you're unscrewing your bottle it's not

pulling the tape off and the cleaner

your cut the better it seems to work and

this lasted this person 3 to four days

and then they had to redo it so doesn't

hurt to try and I thought that was a

brilliant idea I'm wondering now like

what all tapes could this work with like

medical tape or duct tape but I guess

you know use what you have and that's

why hikers are awesome because we figure

stuff out on the Fly well anyway that is

all the preaching that I have for y'all

to today and somehow in all my talking

and Doling I have uh about 3 miles to go

and uh only 45 minutes until

sunset I mean it wouldn't be a shocker

if I ended up not hacking anyway thank

y'all so much for watching if you found

this video useful don't forget to share

it with a friend and we will see y'all

next

time