[pct-l] Water filters/purification

[Jeff Moorehead]

> Has anyone used the Steri Pen Water Purifier?  It looks like it could
> work really well.

For water purification in the desert I used the Hiker Pro. I think that pump 
filters are a good choice for the southern stretches because of the 
occasional insect-laden and highly marginal water holes. I changed the 
filter cartridge in Agua Dulce and that really improved performance. I 
switched to the Steri-Pen from Kennedy Meadows to the Canadian border, with 
reservations from many onlookers who believed the electronics would quickly 
fail. However, the unit continued working very effectively all the way to 
Canada. The problem was that the lid to the battery compartment became 
stressed and eventually cracked and had to be duct-taped. Even so, I had to 
press down hard on the lid  to get the current flowing continuously 
throughout the UV cycle. Agitating the Nalgene was an unexpectedly awkward 
and two-handed operation because of this. I believe the cracks developed 
because I used rechargeable NiMH AA batteries and they tend to be slightly 
bulkier than non-rechargeable alkalines or lithiums. I'm sending mine in 
under warranty and now would only use lithium AAs for an extended hike.
 In general, the Steri-Pen is an amazing tool and it is very conveneient 
compared to filters or chemicals. Since purification is so fast and easy, 
you tend to carry only as much water as you need until the next source-- and 
this reduces pack weight in the end. I recommend it.
Whiptail