[pct-l] lightwight water purification on the PCT

[leo-spencer at comcast.net (leo-spencer@comcast.net)]

Hi,

I have used Chlorine Dioxide (Pristine) through out the high Sierras since 2001 and so far have not had any health problems related to water purification.  I will be hiking 800 miles of the PCT this coming season and will continue to use the two part Pristine water treatment.  Information on Pristine can be found at:

http://www.windupradio.com/Pristine/

Leo. 

-------------- Original message -------------- 

> On Wed, 24 Nov 2004 00:49:02 -0800, Jeff Moorehead 
> wrote: 
> 
> > I would be interested in hearing about solutions to water purification 
> > that don't involve boiling ... 
> > 1) Lightest method-- don't worry about it ... 
> > 2) Next lightest-- tablets or chlorine dioxide solutions. ... 
> > 3) Water filter bottles ... 
> > 4) MSR MIOX. ... 
> > 5) And then the long list of water filters ... 
> 
> The very first place to start is by reading about the need for 
> purification: 
> there is such a need but it's a lot less than most people suppose. 
> 
> The next of course is to realize that anecdotal evidence is not scientific 
> evidence, and is good only for campfire lies. 
> 
> Essentially the Yosemite Association papers says all water is contaminated, 
> but that certain threshholds of contamination are necessary before 
> infection 
> results. It goes on to say that much of the Sierra water supply contam- 
> ination is below measured levels in domestic tap water. 
> 
> But that's for only for some of the more famous bugs. There's always 
> e. coli to mess things up. However, even here the article suggests that 
> simple domestic hygiene (washing one's hands, particularly after 
> elimination) 
> is the best preventative. 
> 
> I've met people who treated everything with Polar Pure iodine solution. 
> > http://www.polarequipment.com/ > Simple, largely effective, gives the old 
> thryoid a quick thrill. Bounces right off one of the protozoans 
> (Cryptosporidium parvum, fortunately rare, as I hear). 
> There's always the ascorbic acid after-treatment which apparently 
> precipitates 
> out the remaining free iodine. All drinks are lemonade. 
> 
> Most people I've met filtered most of the time but used squeeze bottles 
> some 
> of the time. Filtering clean water into a dirty bottle poses a logical 
> problem, 
> at least in my mind. My observations of the Katadyn Pocket Filter match 
> yours, 
> reliable, effective, durable, and weighty. Doesn't purify the container. 
> 
> Me, I've used the Aqua Mira dual solution when I had doubts about the 
> water, 
> about a third of the time. BTW the Miox chemistry is also chlorine 
> dioxide, 
> just delivered in a different manner -- or at least so I hear. The cost 
> of the 
> Miox unit itself buys a lot of Aqua Mira. I find that Aqua Mira is 
> difficult to buy in California (out of state sources deliver it readily, 
> though), 
> apparently due to unfinished acceptance by state health authorities. 
> You'll 
> notice how particularly modest and vague vague are the performance claims 
> on 
> the manufacturer's web site: > http://www.mcnett.com/page.cfm?pageID=947 > 
> 
> "Ya pays yer money and takes yer chances!" 
> 
> -- 
> Jeffrey Neil Zimmerman 
> Sonoma County, The Left Coast 
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> http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l From metam01 at earthlink.net  Wed Nov 24 10:42:38 2004
From: metam01 at earthlink.net (Monty Tam)
Date: Wed Nov 24 10:53:23 2004
Subject: [pct-l] lightwight water purification on the PCT
Message-ID: <410-220041132416423831@earthlink.net>

Hi Jeff
What a can of worms! Great topic. Here come the Giardia Doctors!!! 
It's good to be informed.  I'm all for that.  On this topic, however,
CONTRAVERSY.
I believe that's when a person pushes how "YOU SHOULD" do it instead of
what that person chooses.
Giardia Doctors!!  We Salute you!!!
 
Ultralight.............................................. Car Camping
Winged Mercury...................................Bubble Boy
Nothing.................................................An entire treatment
plant
 
My choice, not my recommendation, I'm not a doctor, just a hiker:
Bleach
I am the only Non-AT hiker I've met on the PCT using bleach.
Very common ultralight solution on the AT.
A little info at Clorox.com.
Lots of references on the net from severe AT ultralights.
 
One ounce total weight.
My Way:
One empty Visine bottle washed and rinsed with boiling water. Do not drink
Visine. You'll think you have Giardia.
Fill with bleach. Keep it in it's own plastic bag or better in a bag needed
for other purposes(Medications, lighters, etc.)
 
To use: Two to four drops per litre depending on my judgement of the water.
Shake and wait15-20 minutes.
 
Lasts forever. (Four refill in 1800 miles)
 
Availability: everywhere including some hiker boxes. Only had to buy it
once. I gave the rest of the bottle to my sister in Ashland.
 
Major setback: Giardia Doctors providing their service. Unsolicited, "you
gotta" advise, every day on the trail. And here they come
again............................................
 
Bleach is not THE most effective treatment, I find it my best balance. I'd
rather carry a pencil than a Buick. No bubble boy here.
 
Great topic Jeff
 
Warner Springs Monty
 


> [Original Message]
> From: Jeff Moorehead <jeffmoorehead1@cox.net>
> To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
> Date: 11/24/2004 12:49:01 AM
> Subject: [pct-l] lightwight water purification on the PCT
>
> I would be interested in hearing about solutions to water purification
that don't involve boiling and are in line with the goals of ultralight
hiking. I've been doing some research on the matter and from my reading,
here are the availabe options in ascending order of the weight requirements:
>    1) Lightest method-- don't worry about it and take chances with water
purity. Doesn't seem this is wise for a 5 month hike, or even a short hike
if it involves water sources in the So Cal deserts.
>  2) Next lightest-- tablets or chlorine dioxide solutions. Seems the
disadvantage here is the cost, waiting time, and possible after taste.
>  3) Water filter bottles: these sound great but do they work? How does
one devise a system with these? They are costly, too. One expensive filter
cartridge will handle about 30 gallons.
>  4) MSR MIOX. A relatively new device that creates a cocktail of
biotoxic, mixed oxidants using salt and electricity which is then added in
small quantities to unpurified water. In effect, it produces a purifying
solution that then has all the pros and cons of a chlorine solution. It
would cut costs over the duration of a thru ike and it is relatively light.
Anybody used these?
>  5) And then the long list of water filters that range in weight from 2
lbs down to 13 oz. The heavier ones are more durable and filter to the
recommended 0.1 microns. However, the most durable lighter weight units,
such as the Katadyn Pocket Filters are prohibitvely expensive and still
weigh in at 22 oz (more with the gadgetry required to deal with viruses and
after taste). 
>
>  I'm not sure if this has been extensively discussed in this group, so
pardon the remission if it has. I'd like to hear about systems that people
use-- i.e. maybe one should use different methods for different parts of
the hike. It seems that water purificaton may be a vital chore in the more
southerly sections of the trail but maybe not so in the high Sierra. Any
thoughts would help...
>  Jeff
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