Finally, the strongest manufactured piece of plastic that I own, has now been destroyed. My Nalgene has been broken. Yes, it lasted me close to two years, faithfully holding water, Gatorade, hot chocolate and whatever else I desired to put inside. It was a great joy to throw around, seeing how high it could be tossed, how far it could go and what heavy objects it could withstand.
From the heights of Sulphur Mountain, in Banff National Park, were the water started to freeze on that morning November trek; to the scree of Guatemala’s fiery volcano, Pacaya; this little green Nalgene went everywhere.
I purchased it two Octobers ago, after losing my former Nalgene on a canoe trip. The Green One came to Vancouver on our Urban Plunge, where it was adorned with Moneen stickers from the concert there. It hit every rock and patch of dirt at the Rocky Mountain YMCA, and then stayed at CMU over Christmas holidays. Upon finding it again, a minor culture of mold had grown, only to be washed out in the Camp Nutimik Hobart Dishwasher. To Guatemala it came, and withstood the scorching heat of noon-day, in the cornfield where we helped to build a house for a deserving family. It came to the beaches of Monterrico and Tilapa. It was thrown around Puerto Barrios, Antigua and Tikal.
At Camp Assiniboia, it became the model of what a traveled Nalgene should look like. It was the gauge on how much damage new Nalgenes should expect. It was a testament to perserverance. It came along to Washington, and stayed there with me for eight months; hitting the paths and roots of many a mountain trail, the pavement of the cities and all that comes with the suburban city life.
It went through three lids, two splash guards before finally giving out. On a sunny Saturday afternoon, while frolfing with Tim Goose at Camp Assiniboia, I decided to toss the old Green over to the next hole. Well, it fell short of the pool fence and struck the pool deck, cracking the bottom all the way around, abruptly ending it’s usage. An eight meter toss, with a half full Nalgene was a small feat in itself, but alas, it’s time has come to an end.
For all the hydration and throwing memories, I thank you Nalgene. Your products are something else.
i’m very sad to hear about your loss my friend, although i didn’t spend a lot of time with your nalgene, i was able to witness the deep connection you shared. hopefully one day you will find another small plastic hydration receptacle to fill the void now left in your heart.
I have been broken in twine.
I mean twain.
he/she/it may make you sick…. but he/she/it was pretty!
http://www.wwdmag.com/WWD/index.cfm?fuseaction=showNewsItem&newsItemID=7442
Now that I’ve read that article about the dangers of polycarbonate, I am afraid. The meadia-driven fear machine has now spread to the realm of scientific plastics and I cannot help but wonder: if birth defects are caused by polycarbonates, what will my future children look like…?
it’s hopeless really. everything is gonna get ya
i have mine sitting pretty on the counter but have moved onto a Rubbermaid bottle (it was on a recommended list in the naturopath’s office) btu it isn’t the same. i miss the loop to hold onto and the way the water looked when the sun shone throught the red.
You Gotcha real nice blog