GearFlogger

Platypus 1 Gallon Water Tank

Ah, the platypus. Waddling along at the very pinnacle of evolution, sharing that exalted summit with the likes of Brangelina and Moose's Tooth Fairweather IPA. Also, taking up space in "the pig" as we fondly named our expedition sled that glided along behind us effortlessly on the Kahiltna. Of course, we also called the pig many other names that rhymed with pucker. Always with love in our hearts, though. We love the pig.

And we do love the Platy. Here's the 411: fly into Kahiltna Base Camp and you're immediately sharing space with a few hundred of your closest friends. Assuming your closest friends are foul-assed climbers polluting every piece of meltable snow in sight. Anyway, you need water, so you either have to pack it in or find some clean snow. We're here to argue for packing it in.

The beauty of the Platypus one gallon water tank is that you can pull it in the pig up to camp two, and then you don't have to melt snow. One gallon is four quarts/liters, enough for two people to cook and fill their bottles for day two on the mountain. The tank itself only weighs three ounces, and is easily cached or carried if you're through-hiking. The zipper closure holds tight, the handle is perfectly located for pouring, and not only do you save the time and effort to melt snow but you save a bit of fuel as well.

$22.95 at REI

Kelty Aqua Porter canteen

W.C. Fields famously said, "I never drink water because of the disgusting things fish do in it." Of course, his liver was the size of his thorax and a vibrant shade of blue, but you have to admire the man's commitment.

For us less-committed but probably healthier people, getting a bunch of water down our pieholes when we're engaged in high-perspiration activities is a priority. Kelty is here to help: their Aqua Porter is a portable canteen that fills the niche between Camelbaks and Lister bags. The 8.5L Nalgene is handy for car and basecamp, but it's packable too if you're going somewhere a filter won't work. A little metric reminder: 1L of water weighs 1Kg or 2.2lb, so you're looking at 8.5*2.2=18.7lb plus one for the carrier, about 20lb packed.

The carrier is solidly built a la all Kelty gear, and the twist faucet never leaked on us. The handles are beefy and there are d-rings for a (not included) shoulder strap. The zipper slash pocket has a cord that can go through a roll of paper towels if you want to set it up as a wash station. All in all it's a great size for weekend warriors or a day at the crags in the hot season. The alternative is one of those monster square things, which are cheaper but a lot more difficult to move around.

$40.00 at REI

Thermos Element 5 vacuum bottle

What do the Wright Bros., Ernest Shackleton and Count Zeppelin have in common? Well not only are they all dead, it turns out they all used Thermos products. Taking some time off from defending the use of their company name as a generic product description, Thermos found time to innovate a bit with the new Element 5 line of vacuum bottles.

Available in 20 and 40oz capacities, and featuring the usual stainless steel inside and out design with a twist-and-pour spout and cap/cup, they also have two unusual and nice features: a wide no-slip base and a beefy carabiner loop. Stop; you had me at 'biner.

A thermos vacuum bottle is more than a comfort item, it's a vital piece of your medical kit on summit day. Good enough to be pimped by Ed Viesturs, an actor known for his pivotal role in the classic mountaineering comedy Vertical Limit, the E5 line includes a food container as well. Now if they would only bring back the Nissan TiBottle life would be rosy.

$40.00 at Thermos

Nalgene Elevation hydration pack

The Nalgene Elevation hydration pack is part of a new series of hydration packs that feature real innovation in design. My favorite feature: a magnetic clip that secures the bite valve to the sternum strap.

Another nice touch is a quick-connect valve for swapping out bladders; just pop the empty out and pop a new one in, no fussing with rethreading the tube. There's also a visual water level indicator, glow-in-the-dark panels for safety, side and front mesh pockets and a sunglass compartment with a soft, no-scratch lining. Why don't more packs have that?

The pack is a little schitzophrenic, for example including an ice axe loop, internal pocket organizers that seem to target students and a bike light strap. It's solidly built, perhaps even overbuilt, but that's ideal for someone who wants to use the same pack for school, biking and light hiking.

The Elevation is the largest in the series with 1,220ci cargo space, suitable for day hikes where you need to carry a little extra gear. Also comes in a prettier, smaller verson for women called the Larkspur.

$74.99 at Nalgene Outdoors

Outdoor Research Water Bottle Parka

Another optional piece of gear. Optional, that is, in the same way that dying of thirst because your water bottle is frozen solid at altitude is optional. If you prefer your water in liquid form you'll want one of these.

It's a little lighter and now has a velcro strap to secure it to your hip belt or wherever you choose. Comes in 1L or .5L sizes, and any color you want as long as it's red.

$20 at REI