[pct-l] Not treating water on the PCT

[Sean Nordeen]

Well, for one thing, while Scott Williamson does not treat his water, he has caught giardia several times over the years and just hiked through it.  For him, its a tradeoff that he is willing to accept.  This year, I hiked with a guy who caught Giardia twice (Northern Sierra and northern Oregon) as he mostly didn't treat his water.  I hiked with a woman who told me she had gotten Giardia in the High Sierra where people are least likely to treat their water.

I personally didn't catch anything, but I treated everywhere with the exception of being near the top of the high passes in the Sierras.  My main method of treatment was using a half dose of Aqua Mira with at least twice the waiting time.  I personally think SoCal and NoCal are the most dangerous areas due to all the Cattle grazing across the trail.

-Sean "Miner" Nordeen