Fw: [pct-l] lightwight water purification on the PCT

[tahoe.cat at verizon.net (Cathy)]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill"<tahoe.cat@verizon.net>
To: <metam01@earthlink.net>
Sent: Wednesday, November 24, 2004 9:19 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] lightwight water purification on the PCT


> Hi All  I've worked for 3 different water companies from small to very
> large. They all try to provide the best water possible. They all used
> Chlorine to purify in different applications. They have all had their
> problems over the years. You can drink from all kinds of sources and not
> have a problem for months and then one day "BAM" your sick.  I want to be
> sure so I use the MSR Mini Works, with that I know I can drink scum and
not
> have a problem, but then you are carrying a little weight. But then again
> HYOH  use what works for you.
>   "Be Prepared"    Ground Pounder Bill
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Monty Tam" <metam01@earthlink.net>
> To: "pct list" <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, November 24, 2004 8:42 AM
> Subject: RE: [pct-l] lightwight water purification on the PCT
>
>
> > 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 dri
nk
> > 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
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > pct-l mailing list
> > > pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> > > unsubscribe or change options:
> > > http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > pct-l mailing list
> > pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> > unsubscribe or change options:
> > http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>