[pct-l] Non-filter water treatment along the PCT

[m_factor@hotmail.com (Mara Factor)]

Hi folks,

I've done most of my backpacking using iodine to treat my water.  I'm 
interested in hearing from people who generally treat all their water and 
who have hiked the PCT without a filter.  People who don't treat or filter 
their water until they have to chew on it probably won't have the 
perspective I'm looking for.  Blech.  :-P

On the AT, even in a drought year ('99), I didn't have many problems using 
only iodine.  Some water had a few more "floaties" than I would have 
preferred, but I made do...  (tea leaves, right?  ;-)

Stories I've heard from the PCT make me wonder whether it's  particularly 
feasible to do the same on the PCT.  I think there are areas where the 
floaties are much less, umm,  "appetizing" than the occasional leaf.

If there are only a couple of particularly bad areas, maybe I would carry a 
filter just for those areas and use iodine elsewhere.

Maybe I can get away with a coffee filter prior to treatment?

Thoughts?  Suggestions?

I'm just trying to keep my packweight down and this will help,

Thanks,
Mara

P.S.  This is only meant to inquire about the relative clarity of available 
water.  Also, I am already aware of alternatives like Aqua Mira, etc.  
Thanks - MF

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