Re[2]: [at-l] Water treatment stories

[lparker@cacaphony.net (L. Parker)]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Sloetoe [mailto:sloetoe@yahoo.com]
> Sent: Friday, May 25, 2001 10:43 AM
> To: L. Parker; 'Bob Cummings'; at-L@mailman.backcountry.net
> Subject: RE: Re[2]: [at-l] Water treatment stories
>
>
> ### So trot out the numbers on hiker deaths due to un-potable
> water, or
> put a cork in the hysterics. Or hell, get your butt out on
> the trail and
> see if carrying this crap around, fussing and fixing it in
> the rain and
> bugs when your legs are cramping from squatting while
> dehydrated 'cause
> you didn't want to BOTHER with the f*-ing filter....... Ahhhh, phuey.
>
> ### Who's playing with lives here? YOU are mandating AT
> hikers treat their
> water. So tell me, how did the first THREE THOUSAND or so
> throughhikers/2000 milers (who completed their journeys
> before the Golden
> Age of Filtration was inaugurated by Madison Avenue) manage to do so,
> without leaving scattered bodies up and down the eastern
> seaboard. When
> you can answer THAT question, you'll start to get somewhere.
> Get a grip.
>
> ### Take your own medicine. Lighten your pack, while you're at it.

> ### I've hit Peck's Corner three times in the past year,
> including with my
> kids. Yummy stuff. For that matter, for the RUN I just did coming down
> into Damascus, I used a half-ounce cup and drank wonderfully
> and deeply
> (and dumped over my head plenty), from EACH water source for
> that stretch.
> Somehow, I suspect I'll live. I don't know... "experience"????
>
> Irascibly,
> Toe'dy

Sloetoe, I'm surprised at you! You didn't even stop to think about what I
said. At least you signed it "Irascibly", that was appropriate. I'm not
trying to start an arguement here, just make a statement on the side of
caution. It really doesn't matter about the numbers or the pack weight or
how often you have been to Peck's Corner. What matters here is a word:
RESPONSIBILITY.

Great, you drank from Peck's and got away with it. Now tell the list where
the latrine was, and while your at it, the horse stabling area. Or did you
even notice that both drain INTO the spring?

You must have really enjoyed "The Deer Hunter". It is not irresponsible to
suggest that someone err on the side of caution. However, to tell them to
put a loaded gun to their head just because you did it once and got away
with it is just plain stupid. THAT is my point. If you MUST give advice,
give SAFE advice, otherwise make sure you at least say "Ohh, by the way,
Don't do as I do, do as I say".

Since you asked, my pack weighs 27 pounds WITH filtration. Full winter load
out with ice climbing rack, harnesses and ropes is still only 50 pounds.
I've got a VERY good "grip".

Lee I Joe