We're going to Arizona and Utah to the National Parks in October. We won't be doing much hiking but I'm told you need water because of the higher elevations. We'll do the shorter, easy hikes. What type of water carrier do some of you recommend? I don't want one too heavy but with room to pack a few things in it like the camera and maps. Any advice will be appreciated.

Are you kidding? not sure. You "won't be doing much hiking" and are going on some "shorter, easy hikes." Why do you need more than a bottle, or bota, or other single container of water? (Unless your version of "shorter, easy" is much longer than, e.g., my definition, which is under 10 miles?!)

mckim

It really depends on how long the hikes are, and how isolated you'll be. It would help if we knew which parks/hikes you were thinking of. If you're just getting out of the car and walking to something very close, you really don't need to carry water with you. For anything longer, there are various sizes of hydration packs with room for maps/camera. The size depends on how long you'll be out there, but based on your comments, I'd say buy the small size to minimize the weight you'd have to carry. You can refill them with water kept in a cooler in your car after each short hike, or from a potable water source within the park.

I'd recommend carrying your camera in something other than a backpack - it's a pain to have to remove the backpack to get at the camera every time you want to take pictures. I prefer to keep my camera in something around my waist for easy access.

When I go hiking I like to carry several 500cc PETE (code #1 plastic) bottles. These aren't too heavy - they weigh slightly more than one pound each When they are empty, then can quite easily be refilled at a local potable water supply location.

Numerous retailers in both Arizona and Utah are apt to stock these carriers, usually already prefilled with mountain spring water from the Ozarks, Canada, Maine or elsehwere.

How do you carry water & a camera now when you go walking or sightseeing? No need to do it any differently or to spend extra money. A shoulder bag or small backpack should do it.

however much you carry pop them in a freezer overnight. They will defrost quickly enough to drink in the heat of the day - and still be pleasant to drink.

Consder a Camelbak water system that goes on your back. Most have zipper pockets for carrying "stuff". I don't know what Sylvia3's problem is...but it is clear to me that (s)he has never taken a 10 mile "short" hike in the desert on one bottle of water and thought that was sufficient.

Goodness, I "have a problem?" Nope--but a "short" hike doesn't really need a dedicated water carrier. A single waterbag to me is similar to a amaller camelback, such as I use when biking a long way. (And, bty, I've hiked plenty over my many decades, mountains, desert, forest, and alpine; and so far, I've never suffered dehydration.)

sylvia3 your response seemed a bit harsh to mckim's request for help. However, this does not give giro permission to attack you.

When we travel to the national parks in AZ and UT we usually carry a bottle of water and keep water in a larger cooler in the car. That way you don't have to carry a lot but you have the water you will need. If you want a mini cooler to carry you will find many inexpensive choices at Walmart. In October it will be a lot cooler so the threat of dehydration will not be as high. Enjoy your trip.