[pct-l] Water

[Steve Cosner]

  On 10/7/2010 4:45 PM, Lisa Freathy wrote:
 > Another water question which I know is completely different for each 
person,
 > but I would love any feedback/experience so I can have a better idea...

Lisa,

I've hiked the entire JMT plus the PCT north to Echo Summit.  And in the 
last 5 years, I've only carried a single quart (like a Gatorade) bottle, 
and NEVER treated or filtered the water.

It is becoming more and more known that the water in the Sierra is all 
pure enough to dip and drink.  That is what I do.  At every stream 
crossing, I try to drink at least a pint, so that I don't need to carry 
any water in the bottle.  The bottle is mostly used only for camping.  I 
do it the old Sierra cup method, only I carry a 2-cup aluminum cup -- 
works for drinks and all food prep, too.

The only places you need to be wary are livestock grazing areas.

Here are a couple of links to information that helped convince me:

Evidence-Based Medicine in the Wilderness: The Safety of Backcountry Water
http://www.adirondoc.com/publications/water_quality_2004.pdf
60,000 Liters of Water Consumed -- Untreated
http://www.whitneyzone.com/wz/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/6672#60000