Friday, September 30, 2011 - Blog on a Log
8 Ways to Use Too Much Water
This may seem like a strange blog topic, but recently Wilderness Supply picked up the Sea to Summit Pack Tap. The bulk water dispersal system makes carry large amounts of water such a snap, it got me thinking... sure, we all know the basic reasons we carry water to the outdoors: to drink it. Or, I suppose, eat it, via means of cooking. But what if, with your brand spankin' new Pack Tap you had so much water you didn't know what to do with it? Never fear - Wilderness Supply is here for you in the good times and the bad. We helped you get that water, and gosh darn it, we'll help you find a way to use it...
Mud Castles - as anyone with a dirt-splattered toddler can tell you, mud is a magnet for fun. Why not disperse some of that extra H2O into the dusty ground? Good for hours of digging and mud castle one-up-manship. Great for amusing kids-of both the literal and "at heart" variety.
River Races - An open tap can make a pretty serviceable running stream, at least for floating small items. Try racing leaf boats, twigs, or very small rocks (for the patient types). The more you open the tap, the faster the course! We recommend marking your vessel to avoid post-race disputes.
Rainy Nights - the sound of rain on a tent at night is one of the greatest auditory pleasures of the outdoors. If Mother Nature's been granting you nothing but clear nights, you could always use your Pack Tap to duplicate that rainy night feeling. Lash above the tent, and leave the tap just slightly dripping. For a full auditory experience, try multiple taps.
Desalinate the Sea - if you're salt-water bound, you can always make use of your extra fresh water by desalinating the sea. Sure, it's a fruitless effort in which your few litres or extra H2O will make no noticeable difference, but hey - you're the one who carted so many litres of water to your campsite you don't even know what to do with it. Apparently fruitless efforts are your thing!
Splish Splash - Ok, bathing is probably not on the top of many adventurer's lists (BO keeps the mosquitoes away!) but the feeling of standing under a shower is one of those home-grown comforts. Chances are your Pack Tap water will be cool at best, but if a shower still sounds like fun, feel free to stand under that open tap for a while.
Water Torture - in extreme circumstances, campmates may become enemies. If someone forgot the marshmallows or insisted on sitting duffer all day, low-key punishment may be required. If you can catch them, try dripping small drops of water on their forehead. It probably won't do squat, but the process should be good for at least 10 minutes' worth of entertainment.
Lake Placid - With appropriate preparation, you should be able to disperse your extra water onto the ground in such a way as to create a small pond. If you've built it up really well (think a clay base for maximum holding capacity) it may stay long enough for you to catch some critters to relocate. See how the local toad likes his new home. For the truly bored, an extensive leaf-based decoration scheme is recommended.
Fire Safe - Every outdoorsman knows you should always douse a campfire after use. If you can't be bothered to walk down to your nearest local water source to do so, pull out that Pack Tap. Unlike the previous 7 ideas, at least this one includes a legitimate safety element!
So my friends, you need never fear the too-much-water conundrum. We've got 8 ways to make the most of your H2O, from the fun to the truly bizarre. Besides, always remember - at least you had too much water rather than too little! Bottoms up.