How to Carry a Water Bottle on a Rock Climb

Staying hydrated is key to climbing well and staying safe. If you don't have a fancy hydration backpack system, here's an easy way to modify and carry a water bottle.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Duct Tape
• Climbing Gear
• Climbing Harnesses
• Climbing Helmets
• Climbing Ropes
• Climbing Shoes
• Climbing Webbing
• Plastic Water Bottles
• Duct Tape

1. Find a suitable water bottle. A good water bottle for climbing is made of durrable plastic and carries a couple of quarts of water. Cycling bottles are good, although small. Nalgene backpacking bottles are great.

2. Cut a piece of climbing webbing, or 4-5 mm Perlon rope for a leash. The material should be about 2 feet long.

3. Duct tape the webbing or rope to the bottle. Make an upside down "U" out of the material so that it lays flat on the sides of the bottle and loops loosely over the top of the bottle. Generously run the duct tape around the bottle and over the webbing material until you reach the top.

4. Clip the bottle to the back of your harness with a carabiner.

Tips & Warnings

• Athletic tape is OK for taping the material to the bottle, but duct tape is the best.
• Climbing is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.

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[Snagglehouzer]

on 7/8/2008 In my opinion, the best climbing bottle is the bpa free Titan water bottle by independent inventor, Jared Joyce. It's made out of bpa free tritan (just like camelbak better bottle), got a built-in carabiner and mouthpiece, and features simple 1-handed operation. I think they are on backorder but you can still preorder at www.titanwaterbottle.com

Video of someone climbing and using the titan with one hand:
http://video.yahoo.com/watch/2694044/7861308

Lily

on 9/13/2006 If you just buy a standard nalgene it will work fine without all the duct tape and all that jive. They have a loop where the lid attaches to the bottle. You can use that.

on 11/22/2005 Nalgene water bottles are great for any occasion. You can get them in various sizes at REI stores. For the large ones there are bottle top covers to make drinking easier with no spills.