[Soulfrk]

Has anybody used chemical treatment products for their water purification? I’ve got a PUR Filter that I like, but it’s about time to replace it….

Suggestions?


Thanks
Zak

[Sped]

Soulfrk, on Aug 30 2007, 02:05 PM, said:

Has anybody used chemical treatment products for their water purification? I’ve got a PUR Filter that I like, but it’s about time to replace it….

Suggestions?


Thanks
Zak

I go the primitive route, I start off with 2 quarts of water then when I'm making lunch or supper, I boil up and refill my bottles from there. After I boil it I run it through a paper coffee filter to get the sticks and whatever else remains. Simple but safe.

Ed

[Soulfrk]

Sped, on Aug 30 2007, 04:34 PM, said:

Soulfrk, on Aug 30 2007, 02:05 PM, said:

Has anybody used chemical treatment products for their water purification? I’ve got a PUR Filter that I like, but it’s about time to replace it….

Suggestions?


Thanks
Zak

I go the primitive route, I start off with 2 quarts of water then when I'm making lunch or supper, I boil up and refill my bottles from there. After I boil it I run it through a paper coffee filter to get the sticks and whatever else remains. Simple but safe.

Ed

I'm embarrassed to admit this but, I didn't even think of that! I'm however thinking about starting to leave the stove at home....

[Sped]

Soulfrk, on Aug 30 2007, 04:49 PM, said:

Sped, on Aug 30 2007, 04:34 PM, said:

Soulfrk, on Aug 30 2007, 02:05 PM, said:

Has anybody used chemical treatment products for their water purification? I’ve got a PUR Filter that I like, but it’s about time to replace it….

Suggestions?


Thanks
Zak

I go the primitive route, I start off with 2 quarts of water then when I'm making lunch or supper, I boil up and refill my bottles from there. After I boil it I run it through a paper coffee filter to get the sticks and whatever else remains. Simple but safe.

Ed

I'm embarrassed to admit this but, I didn't even think of that! I'm however thinking about starting to leave the stove at home....

I can understand leaving the extra gear at home. I've spoiled myself with having a hot meal on the trail even if it's something simple like spam or steak and eggs , seems to help me keep going. At some point I want to do some hiking in the south west and I think a filter system would easier then the stove. Depends on the weather and how cold it gets and if snow is available.

I am curious to see what others have found that works for them.

Ed

[Stickball13]

I use a filter pump and little 1 burner stove. Little extra weight but well worth it.

[Sped]

Stickball13, on Aug 31 2007, 07:23 AM, said:

I use a filter pump and little 1 burner stove. Little extra weight but well worth it.

My stove is a MSR Whisper Jet so it's very light and takes up little room. Lights up easy regardless of the temps. Boils water pretty quick from liquid and fairly quick from snow.

Ed

[EngineCo.2]

For me, the Katadyn Hiker. Small. lightweight, easy to assemble, easy to replace filters. About 20 pumps will fill a quart bottle.Adjustable float for varying water depths. Plus... I landed on my pump a month ago when I slipped and it sustained NO damage whatsoever(250 lbs.) Goes for about $60-65 depending where you go. I'd give it a 9.25 out of a 10.
Ed

[Soulfrk]

I picked up some 'Micropur' tablets from Katadyn. (13.95 for 30 tabs) I'll be trying them out this weekend. I'll follow up with a review.

Zak

[Sped]

Soulfrk, on Sep 5 2007, 07:53 PM, said:

I picked up some 'Micropur' tablets from Katadyn. (13.95 for 30 tabs) I'll be trying them out this weekend. I'll follow up with a review.

Zak

Cool! Look forward to reading your experience with them.

Ed

[Soulfrk]

Soulfrk, on Sep 5 2007, 07:53 PM, said:

I picked up some 'Micropur' tablets from Katadyn. (13.95 for 30 tabs) I'll be trying them out this weekend. I'll follow up with a review.

I used them this weekend and there is noticeable chlorine like taste. I'm very glad I also brought my pump. Here is the quick and dirty:

Use one tablet per liter of water. Allow 4 hours to dissolve and treat the water; pretty simple.

The idea was rather than have to pump out 3 liters of water first thing in the morning. I would treat them overnight and be ready to go when I woke up.

My thoughts: The chlorine flavor is subtle enough that it can be overlooked and I would far prefer it to Iodine, in a large group with other that don’t have means to purify their water it could be helpful, but there is no way I will ever replace my pump with these tablets. I will however, be sure to keep them in my first aid/emergency/damn I f’d up kit.

Zak

[rlc]

I've used Aquamira Water Purifier drops on a couple of trips because I don't have a water filter yet (although that's my next gear purchase). They work well, although you have to spend 5 minutes mixing two different chemicals into one of the bottle caps, then after you pour that mixture (it's just a few drops) into your water, you have to wait 15-30 minutes before it's drinkable. I didn't notice any bad taste at all when using these drops. You do have to use something like this with running water though, I wouldn't do this if I was getting water from a pond or lake.

Definitely not a replacement for a water filtering system but I'll continue to carry these in my pack as an "emergency" way of purifying water.

[Peaks]

Yes, I've tried the chemicals. For our first Phimont trip we were issued Polar Pure. Definately has a taste. On my second Philmont trip we were issued MicroPur tablets. Slight taste, but not too much, more like city water.

Depending on how often you backpack, MicroPur can get expensive. One bottle of Polar Pur lasts forever.

With chemicals, there is alwasy a wait time. The colder it is, the longer the wait. As I recall, 60 minutes was considered adequate for summer with Polar Pur.

Myself, I been using a filter for most of my hikes. No wait time. Fliters last a long time, but can get plugged real easy as I found out last summer pumping out of a very shallow stream.

But, now I've switched over to SteriPen.

[iClimb]

I use a 1 liter water bottle, made by Sawyer, which has a filter/straw system built into it.

You dip and go. Dip into the stream, puddle, pond, whatever, and suck the water through the straw, and it's already filtered.

I recommend using a sock or bandana when filling to keep debris from getting in and clogging the filter easily.

Relief workers who traveled to Haiti used these bottles and did not get sick from questionable water. The filter is 1 micron I believe, and is EPA rated to work better than pump filter systems.

[NEPilgrim]

I use the Aquamira Drops, as they're light & work faster than the tablets. Boiling water is good for when you're sitting in camp, but when hiking & doing a quick refill & go, a pump or chemical treatment is more practical. My sweet woman picked up a Steripen Adventurer this weekend, so I'll be testing it out in the coming weeks.

To minimize the chlorine taste, just add some flavored drink mix to it, such as Gatorade or Propel.

[Sparky]

I have tried just about everything out there. Weight for me was always a factor when selecting gear. I hate the taste of highly cholrinated water and I get impatient waiting for it the be ready. For the 10 oz that my filter weighs (Kathadin Pro Hiker), I felt it was a good trade off for the wieght. I carry a 2 liter baldder in my pack and an really light empty 1 liter water bottle ( like poland springs) I fill the the bottle and drink up to rehydrate. Then I fill it up and transfer it to the bladder. After I pack up I usualy have about 1/2 liter left to sip on the trail. I like this method as I get plenty of water, can take a little break and the water is the best I have ever tasted!