Well, there it is...my Camelbak. I love it and I hate it. Well, there's more love than hate. I guess to be honest the problem is not the Camelbak, it's the Camelbak Operator (yep, me). If you remember back to my first 3-Day, you'll remember day 2. On day 2, it was cold, sweat shirt cold and I had a bumped up knee. I stopped at Pit Stop 2 sat my pack down and headed to the restroom. When I arrived back, I put on the backpack only to soak my back with water. Not a little, but it went straight through the sweat shirt and t-shirt. I took it off the pack and notice that it was wet and it was sitting in a puddle of water. I quickly looked to see if there was a leak and there wasn't. What happened was I sat the bag on top of the straw and the water came on out while my bag was on the ground creating the puddle and soaking the outside of the bag. I clean the straw and refilled the water and walked that cold, cold morning with a wet back and pack too. After that little experience I have been careful not to sit the bag on the straw again. I love carrying the water on my back during the walks. It is easy to get a drink of water when needed through the straw and it holds tons of stuff. You would be surprised what all I can pack into this little bag. My pack is actually a cyclist pack. There's even enough room to put a bike helmet in it. I carry water, foot care items, rain jacket, extra socks, and more in mine. It is one of the best things that I have bought for my 3-Day journey, only second to my Road Runner socks, Road Runner fitted shoes, and molded insoles. I haven't had any more trouble (again, it was my fault) with my pack since that day back in 2011.
Well, the other day, we went for a 15 mile training walk at Stone Mountain (trust me, I need water to complete a walk at Stone Mountain, especially for 15 miles). I double checked as always to make sure that I didn't sit it on the straw. I was ready to walk. I got out of my car, put the pack on my back and then I felt it... yep, water. I thought maybe it was dripping from the car door, but it hadn't rained! I looked in the floor of my car and there was NOT a puddle of water. I quickly took off the bag...too late, my back was wet. I unzipped the pack and the section that holds the water bladder was filled with water, there was hardly any water left in the bladder of the bag. This time, I didn't put the lid on good when I filled it with water. On a good note, my stuff inside the bag (other compartments) was totally dry! I refilled the water, put the lid on tight, and walked on. Lucky for me it was a hot morning so a wet back wasn't so bad after all. Lesson learned...I will always double check to make sure the lid is tight and watch where I sit it. :-)
Again, it's one of the best things I have purchased! I really prefer it over the fanny pack, but I do encourage other walkers to try both and then make the best decision for them as to what to carry for the event. Practicing with your gear is important in preparing for the 3-Day! I look forward to carrying my Camelbak another 60 miles in October. Although, I may need someone else to check it before I put it on. Yep, definitely a problem with the operator!! ;-)
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