[pct-l] CDC recommendations for water treatment

[Edward Anderson]

Dianne,  That was a very good post.  I agree.  If you are careful when selecting 
your water sources you will rarely feel a need to either filter your water or 
have to resort to treating it with chemicals. However, it's a good idea to bring 
along a way to purify water in an emergency. A few years ago I even 
experimented  with getting water from damp earth.  I condensed it by spreading a 
30" square sheet of clear plastic over a hole that I dug to damp earth.  My cup 
was placed under the middle with a rock directly above it.  I weighted down the 
perimeter with more dirt and rocks.  I got a drip, drip, drip of good water as 
the condensation ran down the plastic.  I know - it's slow, but after some time 
I had a cup of water. I used to bring the plastic along, among other things, in 
a fanny pack on long conditioning rides.  If I had an accident and broke my 
leg and there was no water around I might be able to get some by this method.  
Now, I just carry a knapsack with what I might need, including water, and, on 
the PCT, even my sleeping bag. If your horse runs off (as Primo did, in a panic, 
in Washington when we came upon llamas) you must have everything you need to 
survive. Of course, I also always carry a SPOT.

MendoRider


________________________________
From: Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes <diane at santabarbarahikes.com>
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Sent: Fri, October 22, 2010 5:01:02 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] CDC recommendations for water treatment

For water treatment on the PCT I would bring a filter or chemical  
treatment and use it as per the instructions. Over and above that, I  
wouldn't worry too much about the water. 99% of the time the water is  
clean and clear and tastes good.

I met some people in Section E this year who said they never drank  
any of the natural water on the trail. As they ate their lunch, I  
reached into the guzzler and fixed up a liter of water to take with  
me. They reacted in horror. They said they only drank water from  
cashes or faucets. I thought that was incredible and stupid.

People worry way too much. I rarely treated any water beyond the High  
Sierra. I was more paranoid the first time through the Sierra and  
now, after a second time, I would treat very little of it. I admit to  
never treating water that comes from a pipe even if it is filling up  
a cattle trough, but I will filter or treat the water in the trough.

I think we get so paranoid about germs in all the wrong places. We  
need some germs to keep our immune systems healthy. If you want to  
worry about germs, worry about potty germs, germs on people's (and  
your own) hands, germs on unrefrigerated foods that should be  
refrigerated. Things of that nature. Where do you think your drinking  
water comes from? It comes from the rivers and streams in your  
watershed. They put some chemicals in it and you drink it from your  
faucet after it runs through the pipes. It's probably less pure  
having to run through your pipes and your dirty faucet nozzle than it  
is running through a mountain stream.
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