[pct-l] Filters

[radney@ix.netcom.com]

During our 1997 & 1998 hikes along the PCT we used the PUR water filter, it was the least cussed 
at filter. Both the MSR & Katadyn filters I havs used were bearsto use! PUR guarantees their filter 
for a year and will replace it free of charge if it becomes clogged. Odds are you won't make it past 
Big Bear before you will need to replace the original filter after it has had to strain the water from all 
those horse and cow troughs. The PUR doesn't quit filtering the water, it just gets increasingly more 
difficult to use and you finally give up and replace the filter element. You can clean the filter while out 
on the trail, however, the time duration gets shorter and shorter between cleanings.
Many hikers keep a replacement filter in their drift box.  After the original filter is replaced call PUR 
and explain the situation and have PUR ship a replacement filter element to a Post Office on the trail a 
couple of weeks ahead. In the past PUR has been very understanding and accommodating. The PUR 
Voyageur & PUR Hiker are mechanically the same unit; the difference being that the Voyageur has 
an iodine core to the filter element and the Hiker does not. Both filters come with a charcoal 
attachment to sweeten the water but I find that Kool-Aid does a better job.   


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