[pct-l] lightwight water purification on the PCT

[Lonetrail at aol.com (Lonetrail@aol.com)]

While backpacking in Oregon last year I camped at six horse springs camp  
site. I walked down to the springs to find yukkie water. I filled up my  
containers and decided to boil the water that night. I had no TV to watch so I  watch 
the water boil. I notice little black spots and small twigs in the water.  
Slowly the little black spots as the water got warmer began to move and sprout  
wings and legs. Then to my surprise the twigs began to sprout wings and legs  
also. The heating of the water caused premature development of the black spots  
to water bugs the twigs to dragon flies.
 
Later on that night a thru hiker arrived and went down to get water. When  he 
came back up with his water I explained to him about the bugs in the water.  
He smiled and drank out of his 
bottle bugs and all. Protein he explained. later on he pulled a tick from  
his leg and ate that too. I said proteins and smiled. 
 
So to make a long story short some don't use any water purification.  
Different strokes for different folks.
 
Lonetrail
 






> 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