Detailed Summary of Ep. 165 | Water Filtration and Mountain Hunting Hydration

Live Wild with Remi Warren delves deep into the critical aspects of hydration and water purification for mountain hunting. In Episode 165, released on January 16, 2025, host Remi Warren is joined by Chris Denham from Western Hunter and Kevin Guillen of Wilderness Athlete. The trio shares invaluable insights drawn from their extensive outdoor experiences, emphasizing the importance of proper hydration and effective water filtration in the backcountry.

1. Introduction to Hydration Challenges

Remi Warren opens the episode by highlighting his recent backcountry experience that underscored the significance of reliable water filtration systems. He sets the stage for an in-depth discussion on water purification methods and strategies to maintain optimal hydration during mountain hunts.

Notable Quote:

“This week I figured we'd talk about a little bit about hydration, but also due to a recent backcountry experience of mine, might as well talk a little bit about purification because I'm in the market for something new...”
— [00:00] Remi Warren

2. Remi’s Adverse Experience with Water Filtration

Remi recounts a challenging sheep hunt in Alaska where he relied on a SteriPEN for water purification. Due to malfunctioning equipment, he consumed contaminated water from a beaver pond, leading to severe illness.

Key Points:

• Equipment Failure: Remi's SteriPEN stopped functioning, rendering his water purification ineffective.
• Symptoms: He experienced intense dehydration and sickness, requiring hospitalization and IV treatment.
• Lesson Learned: The incident highlighted the critical need for dependable water filtration systems and regular equipment maintenance.

Notable Quotes:

“So I was squeezing pretty hard and the top popped off and I got the bad water in my water. So I'm like, forget about it. I'm just gonna SteriPEN it. We'll be fine.”
— [04:18] Remi Warren

“I just drank that straight up pond water without any kind of sterilization or filtration. And yeah, that was, that's not good.”
— [05:15] Remi Warren

3. Evaluating Various Water Filtration Systems

The conversation shifts to a comparative analysis of different water filtration systems, emphasizing their pros and cons based on field experiences.

Discussed Filtration Systems:

• SteriPEN UV Filters: Portable and quick but reliant on battery functionality.

  Remi’s Preference: Continues to favor UV filters for their convenience and speed.

• Squeeze Filters (Catadine, Sawyer): These filters, though effective, tend to clog easily and require regular maintenance like back-flushing to prevent blockages.

  Challenges: “The filter clogs up super fast... It just took forever to squeeze a liter of water through that thing.”
  — [09:08] Remi Warren

• Lifestraw and Katadyne Hiker Pro: Lightweight and compact but may lack the capacity for large water volumes quickly.

  Chris’s Insight: “It's got a cap and then attached to that cap is a pretty robust filter. So you can drink straight from that filter.”
  — [08:18] Chris Denham

• Swig Rig by Stone Glacier: Integrates into bottles with efficient burping systems for easier water intake during strenuous activities.

  Remi’s Experience: Finds Swig Rig effective but acknowledges that personal adaptation is key.

Notable Quotes:

“Hydration is definitely not like a one size fits all approach.”
— [19:14] Kevin Guillen

4. Transitioning from Filtration to Hydration Strategies

Remi discusses his shift from using soft hydration bladders to hard-sided water bottles like Yeti Yonder. This transition addresses issues like pack management, preventing leaks, and ensuring easy monitoring of water supply.

Key Points:

• Soft Bladders vs. Hard Bottles: Soft bladders can be problematic due to leaks and difficulty in tracking water levels. Hard bottles offer better visibility and reliability.
• Rationing Water: Implementing a rationed hydration system ensures that water is consumed efficiently without the risk of overhydration or running out unexpectedly.

Notable Quote:

“I have one on my hip belt. So that's the one that, I mean, if you're talking about, we're kind of transitioning from filtration to hydration.”
— [13:44] Remi Warren

5. Hydration Theories: Sipping vs. Gorging

Kevin introduces a theory contrasting the modern habit of continuous sipping with the traditional practice of gorging water at water sources, suggesting the latter may align more closely with human physiological needs.

Key Points:

• Continuous Sipping: Modern hydration systems like Camelbaks promote constant sipping, which may lead to hyponatremia (low sodium levels).
• Gorging at Water Sources: Traditional methods involve consuming large quantities of water when available, potentially maintaining better electrolyte balance.

Notable Quotes:

“It's like, how does my body react? Not what I read on the Internet there. Nobody else's examples.”
— [17:17] Remi Warren

“Hydration is definitely not like a one size fits all approach.”
— [19:14] Kevin Guillen

6. Importance of Individual Hydration Needs

The hosts emphasize that hydration needs vary based on individual physiology, activity level, and environmental conditions. Personalized hydration strategies are essential for optimal performance and safety.

Key Points:

• Electrolyte Balance: Maintaining the right balance of sodium and potassium is crucial to prevent dehydration and overhydration.
• Personal Testing: Hunters should experiment with different hydration and electrolyte replenishment methods during training to identify what works best for their bodies.

Notable Quotes:

“Hydration is definitely not like a one size fits all approach.”
— [19:14] Kevin Guillen

“Electrolytes need to be a part of your equation, not just water.”
— [19:09] Chris Denham

7. Innovations in Hydration Products

Kevin introduces Rescue Hydration by Wilderness Athlete, a product designed to enhance traditional hydration powders with additional electrolytes and soothing agents like aloe vera gel powder.

Key Points:

• Rescue Hydration Features:

  • Enhanced Electrolytes: Doubles the sodium and potassium content.
  • Aloe Vera Gel Powder: Helps soothe the stomach and prevent nausea associated with severe dehydration.
  • Astaxanthin: A potent antioxidant that boosts resistance to heat stress.

• Collaboration with Remi: Remi contributed to developing new flavors, ensuring the product is both effective and palatable.

Notable Quotes:

“Astaxanthin is in there as well, which is a really, really potent antioxidant for me.”
— [33:35] Kevin Guillen

“It's gotta taste good. You want to, you know, feel good afterwards when you're working hard.”
— [40:09] Remi Warren

8. Practical Advice for Hunters

The panel offers actionable tips for hunters to optimize hydration and ensure safety during hunts:

• Pre-Planning: Know your water sources and carry reliable purification systems.
• Regular Testing: Ensure your filtration equipment is functional before heading out.
• Rationing Strategy: Implement a system of carrying multiple water containers to manage intake effectively.
• Electrolyte Replenishment: Incorporate products like Rescue Hydration to maintain electrolyte balance.
• Adaptation to Heat: Gradually acclimate to hot environments to reduce the shock on the body during hunts.

Notable Quotes:

“Find something that does. I don't know. That's always one of the big things.”
— [45:00] Remi Warren

“Just go do it.”
— [50:29] Chris Denham

9. Upcoming Hunts and Gear Recommendations

Remi and his guests discuss their plans for upcoming hunts and recommend essential gear to ensure readiness for varying conditions.

Key Points:

• Gear Innovations: Highlighting the Sky Archer 6400 pack by Stone Glacier, noted for its versatility and ease of access to essential items.
• Upcoming Hunts: Remi mentions his preparation for high-temperature hunts, emphasizing the need for effective hydration strategies.

Notable Quotes:

“Yeah, that pack is definitely a go to pack. It's great for pretty much any hunt.”
— [55:27] Remi Warren

“What really helps because you, you feel it. You feel the effects.”
— [25:43] Remi Warren

10. Final Thoughts and Recommendations

In concluding the episode, Remi reiterates the importance of personalized hydration strategies and encourages hunters to experiment during training to find what best suits their needs. He also promotes the newly developed flavors of Rescue Hydration, emphasizing their effectiveness and improved taste profiles.

Notable Quotes:

“If you don't like it at home, you aren't gonna like it on the mountain.”
— [45:04] Remi Warren

“It's all about just feeling a little less shitty.”
— [37:02] Chris Denham

Conclusion

Episode 165 serves as an essential guide for mountain hunters, offering a comprehensive overview of hydration and water purification strategies. Through personal anecdotes, expert insights, and product innovations, Remi Warren and his guests equip listeners with the knowledge to enhance their hunting experiences while ensuring safety and performance in challenging environments.

Additional Resources:

• Wilderness Athlete Website: Explore Rescue Hydration and other products.
• Remi Warren’s Website: RemiWarren.com for more insights and gear recommendations.
• YouTube Channels: Follow Remi Warren and Kevin Guillen for visual guides and hunting videos.

Remember: Use the promo code LIVEWILD to receive discounts on select Wilderness Athlete products.