Camel Bak Issue: Ever have this happen to you?

You can get more than the 100oz in the camelbak if you do the following.
Lay the CB flat on a table.
Slowly fill
As it fills, raise the CB opening by the handle, keep the opening level.
Tap out air pockets.
Fill to opening threads.
Close opening
Remove air from drinking tube
Open again and fill to opening threads
Close and enjoy.
 
SIXFOOTER said:
I always pull the bladder out to refil it, mostly because its a PITA to fill while its in the bag without flooding the bag and its contents. Glad ya came out ok, got to watch your ass out there. Got pics of the snakes?
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No pics of the rattle snakes. We had the cameras stowed by then and even if we had the cameras I think I was more concerned about moving away and getting back to water than doing photo shoots! It was a good lesson and I am glad that we were not hurt by the lack of water.
 
stingray4540 said:
Oh, I see, you filled it while it was in the pack? I always fill mine outside of the pack, then put it back in, that way I can see that it's full.

I would just write it off as a lesson learned to always fill your bladder outside of the pack so you can ensure that you are filling it up. It might be a little difficult to get it back in the pack, but not nearly as difficult as being dehydrated and risking death.
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I agree. From now on I am going to visually verify the fullness of the bladder and then deal with getting it back into the pack. It's those stupid mistakes that can get ya!
 
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kgd said:
Not trying to be critical, but I'm pretty sure I'd notice the difference of 3kg on a daypack. Glad it worked out for you in the end. You should have turned back when you noticed.
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I agree; I should have noticed the difference in weight after I "filled" it and we should have turned back when we learned of the mistake.

I don't mind broadcasting my mistakes here if it will help someone else not to do the same thing. It was dangerous and in hindsight I won't do something like that again. I would hate to hear someone going through the same thing, so please read and heed.

I have hiked for years and this turned into my most dangerous hike simply because of the water situation. Worse, I had control over the situation 1) when I improperly filled the bag, and 2) when I figured it out the mistake while we were on the trail. In both instances I made the wrong decision or action and it turned a nice long day hike into a very worrisome situation for a few hours until we trudged back into camp.
 
After the hike I checked the bag for leaks and there were none. I also do not think that the gasket or the fill port was loose because it was hard to open after I got back; however, when I filled it to the point of overflowing, lots of water got onto the carrier and the carrier dripped water for a few minutes. This went away quickly and I don't think the fill port was the cause. I think nearly 3 liters of water leaking through the fill port would have been noticeable while I was hiking. I could be wrong, but I think I crimped the bladder while I was filling it.
 
Oh, BTW and FWIW if anything at all....every Camelbak owner needs to keep at least one or two extra "O" Rings in each of their packs. Don't ask my why I'm saying this or how I know! Trust me the day will come when you're miles from home, days away, and a O Ring breaks!

Just go to a hardware store and stock up on 7/16ths OD by 5/16ths ID O Rings.
 
SuzukiGS750EZ said:
Nope, but the reason rattlers rattle late if at all now is because they know if they rattle death will be around the corner for humans. More people are being bit now because they are evolving. I have a feeling the rattlesnake may have no use for its rattle at all in years to come and may evolve into something different. Beautiful pics.
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Actually, rattlers have been like this for years. I assume you are talking about the Timber Rattler since you are in CT. They are very reclusive and, like most snakes in North America, actually fear humans. Their first reaction to human presence is to hide. The second is to rattle and psture themselves. The third is a "light" strike. This is a strike with very little venom, it is a warning. Of course, if it is a young rattler it hasn't fully developed that control and you will get a substantial dose of juice. They don't "rattle late" or any other such nonsense. They simply don't rattle as their intial means of defense.
 
Quirt said:
Oh, BTW and FWIW if anything at all....every Camelbak owner needs to keep at least one or two extra "O" Rings in each of their packs. Don't ask my why I'm saying this or how I know! Trust me the day will come when you're miles from home, days away, and a O Ring breaks!

Just go to a hardware store and stock up on 7/16ths OD by 5/16ths ID O Rings.
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Good idea. I was filling up a Camel Bak once when the O ring popped out. I saw where it landed and reinserted it, but I had not seen where it landed I would have been in a difficult situation again.
 
Midnight Scout said:
Good idea. I was filling up a Camel Bak once when the O ring popped out. I saw where it landed and reinserted it, but I had not seen where it landed I would have been in a difficult situation again.
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Ok..I'm lost...which O-ring are y'all talkin about? Never noticed one that might pop out on my bladder...
 
dougo83 said:
Ok..I'm lost...which O-ring are y'all talkin about? Never noticed one that might pop out on my bladder...
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If you look on the inside of the cap for the fill port, there is an O ring in there. The ones with a small fill port have tiny black ones in the cap. The ones with a larger fill port have white O rings. They are essential to keep the water from sloshing out of the cap.
 
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