Take High Ground With Bagged Water
A water bag is an often overlooked item that can help ridge hikers expand their horizons.
Inexpensive and ultralight waterbags have a plastic bladder supported by a nylon outerbag with fabric handles for carrying and hanging. The spout is like those found on boxed wine.
The bags, sold at many outdoor equipment stores, can be folded into a fist-sized wad and stuffed into a pack pocket. Find a good camp spot on a ridge or peak? Take it.
Then hike down with a light pack to the nearest creek or lake and fill the bag with filtered or treated water. At nearly 3 gallons, the bags hold plenty for a day of camping.
The advantage: High camps often are more scenic, less crowded and less buggy than camps near creeks or lakes.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo