Keeping water from freezing during winter

I used to use a platypus but the tube always kept freezing up when the temps really dipped. I've actaully had it pretty much completely freeze and been stuck without water – and trying to unfreeze a platy in your jacket or sleeping bag is the worst!
Now, I usually use a gatorade bottle on the inside pocket of my jacket. It may seem that it would be heavy and pull on the jacket, but in fact it sits atop may backpack waist belt and just leans against me. I also have a widemouth platy that I fill with water at the end of the night and place in my sleeping bag. Then I fill the gatorade bottle in the morning from the platy. This system works well for me.

Wide mouth Nalgene bottles, in my pack, in my tent/bivy have been my solution.

Since I do not use a hydration system, I need to keep water on the outside of my pack for access. Also, since I have had water bottles (nalgene and gatorade) freeze almost solid during a few hours of snowshoeing, I use the OR insulated bottle holder (I keep one quart in the holder, another buried in the pack).

I prefer this approach as I do not like stashing bottles in my belay jacket during camp and do not sleep with the water (just can't get used to it). I have an irrational fear that a platy will leak in my bag- and round, hard bottles are not comfortable.
Regardless of what approach you use, simply make sure that the water is always covered and insulated – in your pack, bag, jacket, with a cozy, etc… just find a way to do so that fits into how you access water.

For overnight storage, you can also dig a hole in the snow and cover it with a block of snow. Snow is an excellent insulator and should keep your water from freezing. Be sure to store the bottles upside down to keep the lids from freezing. On a recent trip, I made "refriderator" out of snow blocks. I kept our water in it during the night without freezing. However, they did start to crystalize once I took the bottles out in the morning.

Michael

> Since I do not use a hydration system, I need to keep water on the outside of my pack for access.
I have to ask – WHY?

In all my years (>40) of walking in summer and winter, I have never carried a water bottle on the outside of my pack, and I don't use a hydration system either. If I want a drink I stop and get my water bottle out, but I would only do that once or twice a day.

In winter I carry my water bottles inside my pack, upright, against the back wall where the warmth from my body prevents any freezing. It's so simple.

cheers

Roger – Many of us mere mortals need to drink more than "once or twice a day."

In the US I believe that folks should try to do their winter hiking in Mexico or Central America, if not the Southern Hemisphere.

I usually keeps a small bottle of water inside my jacket hung around my neck for that short drinking break. I have an additional thermos in my backpack with warm water for the longer breaks, drinking cold water during winter is a real turn off for me (and an "energy thief" aswell).

My experience with bladders and such during winter is that they demand more effort to keep unfrozen than the benefits of quick drinking. But, to prevent the tube from freezing, blow the water back into the bladder after use. Usually helps a bit but the valve tends to get "frosty" after a while anyway. I save mine for the summer.