Water questions

According to my calculations, I will be close to my usual six liters if I bring six of the shrunk bottles plus two nips.

Come to think of it, I'd better pack three nips to give me some margin of error...

At first I thot they were giving you a bottle that was a real "quart" -- but 32 ounces converts to 0.946 so I was wrong about that. Odd bottle size to choose.

I don't buy bottled water anymore, but I've a case in the basement left over from when I did. They're 16.9 ounces -- which is 0.500 liters so that's why they use that size. Out of curiosity I'll have to see if Costco has changed the size of their water next time I'm there.

When I bought my Catalyst at Mountain Crossings (Neels Gap) they threw in 2 Smart Water bottles (new and unused, of course) as a bonus.

Kathy and I have been using the same bottles, some are years old. We bring them home, wash them out and reuse them. That's because we don't buy much stuff in plastic bottles. Of course that's not too practical on your case.

It depends on if there is water on the trail you plan to hike. If there is water I start with 1L and take a gravity filter or pump. If there is no water I plan those trips based on how far I can hike carrying all that weight.