Water, Water Everywhere!

“Two is one and one is none.” The old preppers adage rings true throughout the annals of failed and miserable outdoor expeditions, where double-checking gear before starting out took a back-seat to bravado. Not that ‘yours truly’ would ever be guilty of such oversight in checking to make sure SOMEBODY packed the batteries, lighter, toilet paper, etc… but let’s pretend for just a moment that the following fictitious scenario DID actually happen on my first overnight excursion of the year.

First of all, I DO love my gadgets…everything that uses power to make my life easier…who doesn’t? However, when electronics meet the great wooly outdoors, Murphy almost always bangs his gavel, re-affirming it’s HIS law after-all and who are we to tempt that old Irish curmudgeon! So, when I headed out on a 3 day trek along the Chattooga River Trail at the beginning of April, I brought THREE sets of batteries for each device….take THAT, Murphy.

Well, in the rush to cram every last packet of dehydrated sweet potatoes (yeah, they’re awesome!…but that’s for another story) into my pack, I forgot to: A) check all equipment for proper function and: B) double-up on the important ones, like water filters, and water filters, and oh…water filters. Yes, I sell these things, dozens of different types and configurations and operations, and YES, I own at least one of every type there is…but “possessing” and having IN your possession are often many rugged, thirsty miles apart. So, having broke the other rule of “Never pass a water source without filling up,” on my first days hike because “Hey, we’re hiking all along a river, right”…it wasn’t until nightfall and a very weary camp set-up that I realized that my very favorite in the whole world U/V water filter had been rendered non-functional either directly after my last trip or in my poor, rushed packing job for this one.

“Didn’t you have a spare straw filter at the very least, Captain?” you ask, as you clench your fist and strike your forehead while reading this…. Well, what kind of story would THAT have made if I did? NO!, I trekked tiredly, thirsty and angrily the many miles back out to the car, 45 minutes of driving to find a simple squeeze filter, 45 minutes back and miles back hiking in under a dark nearly moonless canopy. All because I failed to follow prepper rule #1: Two is one and one is NONE! Now somebody tell Murphy to stoke the campfire, I’m going to sleep…

Come see our FULL line of Water Filters at Smoky Mountain Trader. Maybe even purchase one…NO, purchase TWO! We’re right on the downtown square in Cleveland, GA. Now Gear Up & get Out There !

Posted by admin in Captain Dann