View Full Version : Aqua Mira users: trail availability?
Aquamira users, here's my question: how much aquamira to carry on the thruhike? approx distance between aquamira sources at outfitters on the trail? send some up the trail in a bounce box?
the small Aquamira drop bottle set (1oz each) will treat up to 30gal (120L) of water. range/set depends on a lot of variables, but I can guess conservatively it should last 3-4 weeks with 1gal/day consumption
I'm wondering if I will be able to buy more aquamira along the trail every 300-400 miles, or if I need to add it to a bounce box.
I'm just a simple caveman, and wonder what hikers are doing on this in 2010
brian039
03-18-2010, 21:03
The thing to remember is that you don't have to treat all water sources unless you're really paranoid. If your water is coming out of a spring why treat it? The people who I've talked to who used it on a thru-hike said that they went through 2-3 of the size you're talking about.
Well, between Neels Gap and Daleville it was available at basically every outfitter. It's pretty much a standard item.
Blissful
03-18-2010, 21:51
If you're going to have a bounce box anyway, might as well add some to it just in case. But you will be able to pick it up farther north at Harpers ferry, Port CLinton, I think DWG, Manchester, Hanover, Gorham. Kent has somewhat of an outfitter but not sure if they are yet carrying it.
As a matter of one being labeled "paranoid" if using treatment = I'll take the label any day and finish my hike rather than trust in a giardia or other GI attack that takes me off (even if might be deemed rare with a spring). However I won't even use Aqua mira in southern VT with the beaver ponds. Need to watch that area
is Polarpure iodine water treatment better than aquamira for the VT beaver ponds? or do u recommend a pump filter there?
garlic08
03-18-2010, 23:20
In my experience, in a wet year (2008), there was so much excellent spring water on the AT, the Aqua Mira pretty much just gathered dust. I just couldn't bring myself to throw chemicals into the best water on Earth, Appalachian spring water. My one set of AM finished the AT with more than half left. I still have it--it will expire before I use it up.
I don't remember ever needing to get water from a beaver pond, but I did have to get some from a roadside creek in cattle country, so I dosed it. If I trust it to take care of e. coli in an over-grazed cow pasture, I'd trust it in a beaver pond in the Vermont woods.
If you have problems finding it along the way, Campmor will drop ship it to you.
is Polarpure iodine water treatment better than aquamira for the VT beaver ponds? or do u recommend a pump filter there?
You have so many other options, you'll never need to suck water out of a beaver pond.
Stir Fry
03-19-2010, 02:59
As far as Pumps go they are not any god agenst virus. so if your not treating in adition to pump your taking a chace. Aquamiri tasta a lot bedder then Polarpure.
daddytwosticks
03-19-2010, 07:31
Yes, the outfitters at Neel(s) Gap, Franklin, and the NOC carry Aqua Mira. :)
desiderata
04-14-2010, 14:07
Sounds terrible but I've heard a couple drops for a couple liters will work just fine..I agree with garlic about not treating water unless you're near cow country.. or if it looks terrible. the chemys make it taste so aweful. I'd love to hear some other opinions on how effective bleach is..(cheap and accessible however terrible for your body)
I want to say I used about 5 sets of Aqua Mira on last years thru and had some left over when I reached Katahdin. I kept one set within easy reach and another emergency reserve set in the bottom of my food bag. I bounced the rest.
Most all the outfitters had it in stock except some in the New England states.
springerfever
04-16-2010, 16:46
As Garlic08 eluded to.......AquaMira does have an expiration date. Usually its good for a least a couple of years, but make sure to check before purchasing. Unfortunately, its not on the outside plastic throwaway, but on the bottle itself.
I've been using AquaMira for the last five years and its definately the lightest oprion out there, and no taste whatsoever. Just takes a little planning to meet the time limits for treatment.
Praha4 once you start using Aqua Mira you won't want to switch back.
I use to be a devout filter guy (before my thru) and swore you'd have to pry it "FROM MY COLD DEAD HANDS!!".
Now I just think back and chuckle.........