[at-l] Gear approval/recommendation (waterfilter)

[icw39@ncfreedom.net (Clark Wright)]

Gotta put in my two cents re filters; they are a good idea, but let's
get real on how most people use them - one bag, both hoses together -
cross-contamination.  Then, you usually get your hands wet somewhere in
the process - more cross-contamination.  Then, you sometimes get the
outside of the receiving water bottle/bag wet - more
cross-contamination. Then, the whole issue of viruses, versus lesser
levels of filtration.  Then, there's the extra weight once a filter is
wet (on the inside).  Then, there is the clogging factor.  Now, having
said all this, every one of the above CAN be addressed by meticulous
user habits - but I rarely saw that happen.  THE most important thing
about water use is making the initial decision on what sources to use,
where to fill up, how much to use, etc.  I saw people "get brave" with
their filters and pump some stuff I would not have wanted to drink even
after running thru the best filter in the world . . . just some points
to ponder on this very personal issue.  I sent my PUR Hiker home, used
the 2-stage potable aqua tablets, drank from springs that I felt were
safe (which generally meant springs high up, early on in the trip before
too many people were out); zeroed in on "public" water sources whenever
possible [but note there are no guarantees here - there has been at
least one big disease outbreak on the AT in recent years due to
contaminated "tap" water], and then use one of those in-line filters
that can go in a platypus-type water bag . . . or use one of the 1-quart
dip and sip bottles that have in-line filters . . . I used one of those,
plus one other 1-Liter Nalgene in the winter, and switched over to the
platypus with in-line filter in the summer . . . putting potable aqua
tablets into the bag whenever I thought the water was especially dicey
(the filter takes out most of the taste).

One other winter note - if you are using potable aqua or other tablets,
get your water set the night before, or "sleep" with your water [can be
a dangerous thing to do - leakage potential always is there] - for there
is no way to use tablets in cold, frozen water the next morning.

Hike On!

thru-Thinker

Brian C Merrell wrote:
> 
> On Tue, 8 Jan 2002, Anderson, Paula_(MD) wrote:
> 
> > put me down as one more water chicken.  I always filter.
> >
> > I've used a PUR hiker for several hundred AT miles.  It was the earlier
> > version w/ the acorn knobby pre-filter.  I did have some trouble w/ it, but
> > in Damascus - the outfitter tried to fix it and decided it wasn't worth it
> > and gave me a new one w/ the new pre-filter.  he sent my old pur back to
> > them for re-imbursement.  I've not had any trouble w/ this new one at all.
> > The problem I had was easily gotten around in the field, it was just an
> > irritation.
> >
> 
> I'm scared of rumors that people got sick from these when it didn't filter
> correctly.  Now, while I have taken water directly from a stream in the
> Appalachians, it's only because I completely ran out of water.  Normally I
> would have used someone else's, but somehow no one had their with them....
> 
> > one note - you think you won't mind the speed, but really - thats only true
> > on nice days.  remember you will be filtering in rain, cold, snow, sleet,
> [...]
> 
> I don't mind learning the hard way.... :P
> 
> -brian
> 
> --
> Brian C. Merrell               | "All that glitters is not gold,
> brian@patriot.net              |  All who wander are not lost."
> ICBM address: 38.845 N, 77.3 W |                -J.R.R. Tolkien
> 
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