[at-l] Re: Chemical Water Treatment

[hiker_00@hotmail.com (T. Woodworth)]

Kahley,

My dunk in the water of chemical treatments happened this summer and I would 
like to throw it in for the good of the order.  I am a lightweight 
backpacker who still believes in a pump.  My Pur Hiker has done its duty and 
more.  I would still be using it now if it was stupidly left beside a stream 
this past summer outside of Stratton Maine. The realization it wasn't in my 
pack didn't happen until the next afternoon atop Crocker Mountain.

So what to do?  As the Goddess of Fortune does on time to time while we hike 
along the AT, a fellow Pennsylvanian and hiker, Peatz, came to my aid.  He 
had been using Clorox throughout his thruhike and had an extra bottle.  So 
there between the Crocker Mountain peaks, I became a Cloroxer or whatever 
they're called.

My report to date is: I'm not dead yet.  We have to watch to the best of our 
ability anytime we collect water from a backcountry stream and maybe my 
Maine and Pennsylvania experience is the exception from the rule but I think 
I like it.  The taste's not bad and I use Crystal light anyway.  Like you, 
iodine will not pass my lips willingly, unless mixed with a dose of scotch.

So, for me, experience gave me the confidence I needed.

Good luck and hike on!

Tim

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"My feets is tired, but my soul is rested."  -Mother Pollard


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