[pct-l] To filter or not filter in the Sierras...don't let this happen to you

[Reinhold Metzger]

Yes Lindsey,....well said.
This question, to filter or not to filter in the Sierra, comes up every 
year and like you said, opinions vary.
I have hiked the Sierra since 1968 and NEVER FILTER.
I don't like the weight, the bulkiness and the time it takes to filter.
Also, filters can plug up or crack and become unreliable.
I was given a very expensive filter as a Christmas present many years ago.
I never used it and gave it to a backpacker friend.

However, having said that, I always TREAT MY WATER.
When I go solo, or with Karen, my wife, I carry a 1.5 oz bottle of 
iodine crystals in solution.
That is total weight....bottle, crystals and solution.
That 1.5 oz bottle gives me the peace of mind and freedom to drink when 
I want to, where I want to without having to question whether the water 
is safe to drink or not.
Furthermore, that 1.5 oz bottle will treat 2 liters, never plugs up, it 
never runs out, you merely cap it off and in 20 minutes it is, again, 
fully recharged.
Another good thing....it takes no time at all to pour a cap of iodine 
solution into your water bottles.
The only downside, you need to wait about 20 minutes to drink the water.
That is why I usually will leave 1/4 liter or so in one bottle until the 
next refill.
I don't like iodine pills......they sometimes take forever to dissolve 
in real cold water and they may loose their potency if exposed to humid 
air, which is a possibility in rainy weather.
Another downside about iodine,...some folks don't like the slight iodine 
flavor, especially if they treat it on the strong side.
I have been using iodine so long, I don't notice it anymore.

Some folks say it has effected my thinking and that I don't notice that 
anymore neither......hhhhmmmm.

Those folks that are bothered by the slight iodine flavor,..a dash of 
"CRYSTAL LIGHT" will give you just about any flavor your little hearts 
desire.
Word of caution.....if you add flavoring to your water wait until the 
iodine had sufficient time to purify the water before adding the flavoring.

There is much disagreement about the Sierra water
Some claim there is nothing wrong with the water....most of the water is 
purer than our tap water and is very rare that the water is contaminated 
with Giardia.
This may be true, however, which is pure?....which is contaminated?
Also, what may be pure today may not be pure tomorrow if some horses, 
cows ore hikers contaminated the water upstream.
Some folks drink the water straight and never get sick and some do get 
sick (even PCT legend Scott Williamson has gotten sick).
Some filter and still get sick.
Some folks may be more resistant than others, others may just be luckier.
Some folks claim it is not the water it is interaction with other hikers 
and poor sanitation.
This may be one cause, but the water is also a cause.
I have hiked the Sierra, the Rockies and the Grand Canyon, much of it 
with the Boy Scouts, since 1968 and I and none of the Scouts ever got sick.
Wen you hike with the Scouts there is much interaction with other hiker, 
like physical contact sharing of food and equipment etc.
I think the reason nobody ever got sick, is because we treated our water.

Al Shaver, on his 3 JMT record attempts, for a variety of reasons, made 
a deliberate decision not to filter or treat his water.
If you are interested in reading about "Al's" strategy  for the JMT 
record and his reason for not filtering or treating his water go to:

John Muir Trail (JMT) Record Attempt - Unsupported, Without Resupply

If you are interested in the results go to:

Results: John Muir Rail (JMT) Record Attempt - Unsupported, Without Resupply

DON'T  LET  THIS  HAPPEN  TO  YOU

JMT Reinhold
----------------------------------------------------

Lindsey wrote:
There's been a few posts recently about water quality, filtering etc.
For me the take away lesson is that you should do what you feel 
comfortable with.
It seems like there's many on this list you choose to forgo filtering in 
the Sierras and those who do filter.
I fall into the camp of always filtering.
NOT because I think every water source is taunted (I'm sure many are 
very good), but filtering just offers me an additional peace of mind, 
same as the hiker Matt mentioned below.
I have a very sensitive stomach, so taking precautions, even ones that 
simply exist to help me feel mentally better, are worth it.

So, do what you feel comfortable with! If you choose to forgo filtering 
but are going to spend the whole time worrying about getting sick then 
maybe a different solution will work better for you.
  Hike your own hike :)

Enjoy!
Lindsey