Water Treatment On The AT...

[BradMT]

Wondering who treats water on the AT and, if so, how and with what?

I put this on the "General" section of WB because it's as much about experience and philosophy as it is about "gear."

I haven't been on the AT in decades... "back in the day" (1970's) I can only recall a handful of times where I treated water anywhere on the over 1,000 miles of the AT I've been on (GA, NC/TN, VA, WV, NY, CT, MA, VT, NH, ME).

I used either Halogen tabs or bleach (four drops per liter).

Here in Montana I've never treated water... that's not to say there aren't places I wouldn't treat water, just that I don't drink from those spots... there's always good water just around the corner (grin).

Thanks for your thought's...

[Lone Wolf]

i've never treated or filtered water in 21 years hiking on the AT

[Blissful]

There was quite a lengthy thread on this not too long ago. Might do a search.

But I use Aqua Mira.

[BradMT]

Is THIS the thread?

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=43692&highlight=water+treatment

[Tipi Walter]

It all depends where you camp and if you're using your "gut" feelings ha ha ha. Sort of intuitive, etc. Drink where you think is good. But it's amazing where people will squat and dump their loads, especially in the winter and on top of snow. Who are these people? The dreaded dayhikers? It's not uncommon to be by a decent campsite in the middle of nowhere and find a human turd festooned with toilet paper right off the side of the hill and right above the spring. Good idea to filter.

In the winter with snow, people panic and drop their loads right on the surface of the snow, too irksome I guess to dig a hole and bury it, too lazy, too cold to even be squatting half naked in their puny opinions. I'm surprised they just don't squeeze off a round right in their underwear and keep moving down the trail. Maybe most do. Alot of dayhikers and even backpackers seem to be in a big hurry all the time, won't stand and talk, so maybe that's why they need to rush off somewhere and deposit their pant-loads.

Add vehicles to the mix, like at overlooks and memorial loops and waterfall parking lots and, well, you end up with a wide variety of human turtleheads in full display.

[MOWGLI]

Walter, sometimes you crack me up! :D

[daddytwosticks]

What sort of crap is this? :)