Ultimate Mountain Fountain

Hydration bladders are a rage in the industry. So here's a new twist-a pressurized hydration system. The Mountain Fountain's bladder features double compartments, one for air and one for water. Fill it with 70 ounces of water (the prototype at Outdoor Retailer had a 50 oz capacity, but the manufacturer says the production model will be in the range of 70 to 90 oz.), then use the blood-pressure-style bulb to pump air into the air bladder. About 40 pumps should do to trick. For mountain bikers, attach a tire pump if you desire.

Once pressurized, a regulator attached to the hose keeps the water pressure even as you dispense water.

Who wants a pressurized hydration system? Ultimate sees their product appealing to mountain bikers, trial runners, racing athletes, and for water sports, such as kayaking, where the bladder typically sets lower than the drinker; or anyone who finds it inconvenient to suck water from a bladder when the water is low. Using the Mountain Fountain makes drinking from a bladder more like squeezing water from a bottle into your mouth.

For competition athletes you're sucking air so hard its difficult to stop to suck the water from a traditional hydration system. With the Mountain Fountain, you simply byte the valve, without sealing off the mouth, letting water flowing into one side of your mouth while still breathing, then swallow between breaths.

The Mountain Fountain bladder is slated for availability in October 1997 and is compatible with other hydration system pack such as Gregory and CamelBak. The suggested price is $39.95.

Contact Ultimate at 800-426-7229.