[pct-l] Aqua Mira

[Jim & Jane Moody]

Lisa, 

Aqua Mira (both tabs and liquid) and Micropur (tabs) use chlorine dioxide to sterilize the water.  Tabs generally take longer to treat especially turbid and cold water, but warmer, clearer water will take less time.  I used both Aqua Mira liquid and Micropur tabs on the PCT this past summer (Campo to Sonora Pass).  If you give it adequate time, the chlorine residue will dissipate, with no aftertaste or smell.  Plus, a lot of your total water intake will be in town, from public water supplies, so worrying about excess chemicals is unnecessary. 



Another poster advocated drinking straight from the creeks in the Sierra.  Sometimes that may be okay, but make sure you go upstream from trail crossings.  The PCT is open to horses, mules, etc, and their poop will be in the water around and downstream from the trail.  Only at very high elevations, above tree line, would you be safer drinking directly from creeks withou t treating.   IMO, you s hould treat everything.  One bout of giardia will make you a true believer , and it's out there.  I hiked with two people who got it before Kennedy Meadows. 



Good luck, 

Mango 
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lisa Freathy" <rainorshinecamper at yahoo.com> 
To: "pct-l" <pct-l at backcountry.net> 
Sent: Thursday, October 7, 2010 7:33:57 PM 
Subject: [pct-l] Aqua Mira 

Thinking about water for my 2011 thru hike. I have heard great things about aqua 
mira and it seems many use this option. I do plan on carrying a filter as I 
don't like the idea of anything chemical on a regualr basis, but I am 
considering have some other method of treatment as back up to my filter (and 
perhaps to allow me to bounce my filter ahead in certain areas). Just a couple 
of questions... 

~I see that aqua mira comes in liquid and tablets, any experience with or 
pros/cons of either? I am considering the tablets as of right now. 

~I thought I had heard that you can't purchase this in CA and that is where I 
live. I didn't see this on their website, but I do have the option of having out 
of state family order for me. Do you know if the aqua mira company will/can ship 
to CA? 

~If indeed this is banned for sale in CA does anybody know why? 

~Are there other lightweight options that I should consider instead?  

Thank you! 
Lisa 


"Keep close to Nature's heart... and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb 
a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean." 
~ John Muir 


       
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