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Trail Chef: No-Burn Backcountry Fondue
Chocolate fondue for the backcountry that's mess-free and delicious. -
Wyoming's Red Desert
Writer Michael Behar heads into Wyoming's Red Desert to traverse the unreal ... -
Trail Chef: How To Bake Cake...In An Orange
Use this fun and fruity backcountry recipe to make a tasty dessert that the ...
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Survival Skills: Survive a Bear Attack!
Learn how to deal with a black bear or grizzly encounter with Shannon Davis and ... -
Pick the Perfect Pack: Measure Your Torso Length
One of the most critical pieces to finding the ideal backpack is your torso ... -
Lost: A Survival Video Diary, Pt. 1
On his first day lost in Idaho's Frank Church--River of No Return Wilderness, ...
TIP 60: Dry Up
Set up a clothesline when you arrive at camp to dry clothes as sunlight fades.
International Travel
From Nepal to New Zealand, we have stories and tips to help you plan the perfect 'life list' trek abroad.
Navigation Center
Learn how to orient a map, navigate any terrain, and the ins-and-outs of GPS devices.
BACKPACKER's Free Smartphone GPS App
Record and share you adventures with our new, free navigation app. Plus, discover thousands of GPS-enabled hikes in national parks and major cities.
Green Guide
A backpacker's guide to environmental issues and "green" gear.
READERS COMMENTS
Great tip with the 3mm rope, Using any Denture cleaner will keep the bladder clean also, buy the house brand and use them after use - Fast & easy and NO after taste / As for Drying the Bladder, I use 2 paper towels stuffed in the mouth opening and turn it upside down, what ever water is left is collected by the papper towels and the rest is air dried
Posted: Aug 09, 2011 2 Dogs
I guess not everyone can have small, girl, hands like me. I'm able to get my hand into the camelbak and scrub, and then use paper towels to get to the hard-to-reach places within the bladder. Thanks for the tube tips.
Another solution - stop using the Gatorade mixes and just use water. I use dish soap and hot water to clean mine, and as long as I gets completely dry it shouldn't be a problem, at least it hasn't yet.
Posted: Jul 19, 2010 Zach
You apparently did not have to pay for your cleaner kit? Last time I checked the kit was $19.95, an exorbitant price for what it is. I did find the tube brush at Wal-Mart for $2.95. I then made my "spreader" out of a plastic clothes hanger. Simply cut out one section of the hangar from below the stem to the flat bar, wrap the ends with duct tape.
Perhaps you also do not have a wife. Mine, who camps with me, would never let me take up that much space in our freezer with a flappy hydration bladder.
Posted: Jul 16, 2010 Jerry Weston
To clean the tube I use a 3mm rope, 5ft long, and run it through the tube. Once the rope peaks out at both ends, I make a knot and pull that through, together with some soap water. The knot should be somewhat bigger than the inner diameter of the tube. Since the tube is flexible, the knot will rub off all dirt.
To dry the bag, I turn it inside out.
Posted: Jun 19, 2010 Josef
i love the freezer trick
Posted: Feb 02, 2010 took a hike 420
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