[pct-l] water filter/purifier?

[AaronD at Cadwell.com (Aaron Doss)]

Jeff, I tried to Google 'h2o buddy' and didn't find anything.  I tried
to add the words 'filter' and 'drip' but still was unable to find it. 

The Steri-pen looks interesting.  The manufacturer claims 20-40 1 liter
treatments with 4 AA alkaline batteries and 130 on lithium AAs.  How is
the weight after you add batteries? Spare batteries?  How does it work
with a Nalgene bottle?

Aaron

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net
[mailto:pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Jeff
Moorehead
Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2005 5:52 PM
To: PCT-L
Subject: Re: [pct-l] water filter/purifier?

Aaron,
 I agree with you on taste/health issues of chlorine dioxide. I bought
the 
Katadyn Pocket filter as well but in an attempt to explore other options
for 
a distance hike, I also bought a Steri-pen, which is a device that kills
all 
biological molecules with UV light. The problem is, of course, other 
dissolved solids and macroscopic particulate matter are not removed. For

that they recommend using a prefilter (i.e. a cloth funnel). This device
is 
pretty cool-- it is definitely safe and very convenient. I haven't tried
it 
in the wild yet but it is fast.
 The other lightweight option is made by the ULA company out of Utah-- I

think it is something called the 'H2O buddy'. It is basically a drip
system 
that demands a bit more time at each watering site but was developed
with 
weight in mind. Google these and check out the web sites for further
specs.