View Full Version : What are the downsides of Potable Aqua?
For several years, I've only used Colman's Potable aqua tablets for water purification on my section hikes (~5 days).
I have found them easy to use and I don't mind the taste, and much lighter than a filter setup, they are commonly available, yet I never see them mentioned on WB.net.
Is there something I am missing. What is the catch to using them? Why don't more whiteblazers use them?
MuddyWaters
06-05-2016, 19:09
There are better , more effective, faster, more appealing options is the reason.
That said, if your happy with it, use it.
99% of time, nothing is needed.
There are better , more effective, faster, more appealing options is the reason.
That said, if your happy with it, use it.
99% of time, nothing is needed.
Agree with above. Chemicals appear to be lighter but in most cases that is an illusion. During the day, you have to carry the water while the chemical is working. Water weighs about 2lbs per liter. A filter or steripen is just about instant which allows you to treat water and drink immediately. With frequent water sources on the AT is allow you to carry very little water.
i don't treat water often but if I did then I would likely use a steripen. Upside is quick and light and no chemical taste. Downside is it's a gadget and uses batteries. Like most things there isn't a best, it a series of trade offs.
Such as? Genuinely Curious. Normally when I visit the US and go on a section hike, all I have is *mart, and all they have is potable aqua. Is there something else I can get shipped from Amazon or REI?
potable aqua only takes 30 min at most, I suspect in the warm summer it acts even quicker. Never been a problem for me, I load up with water, walk a mile or two, and have a big drink...
I'm not here to defend it, I'm just asking for better alternatives.
Anyone got good data on how contaminated trail water is? Any one thru hiked without sterilising the water and not getting sick?
There is nothing wrong with your system.
I find a Sawyer Squeeze is more convenient, filtering, using as a drinking straw if I had to. I like the gravity-feed system best, using my backpack or, especially, overnight.
I am purchasing the bottle adapter set, at Amazon, for my upcomming long section hike. I like to make my own gravity-fed system. I have been using the Pur water bottle cap. The kit will let me use just about any container commonly available.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004QMF0U8/ref=s9_simh_gw_d0_g468_i1?pf_rd_p=21ab59bf-b39a-46a9-9db0-65fc0c6cf716&pf_rd_s=grid-14&pf_rd_t=Gateway&pf_rd_i=mobile&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1K6Y3X7C4WAJQFTA1MT9
BTW, at home (Ireland) I always drink straight from the source when hiking. Never been a problem. But when reading about AT hiking, there is always a warning about treating the water...
Maybe you don't have giardia in Ireland? Inquire.
It is a terrible affliction, the treatment involving a medication that attacks your own DNA.
I look up stream for dead animals, and I like moving water best. I avoid lake water but I will take water from below the surface. The bad stuff is so lightweight, it is on or nearest the surface. I use a hiking pole to push the "dirty" water container down under the surface.
For all that, I prefer the high mountains. I still look upstream.
I use a Sawyer Squeeze to protect against giardia and cryptosporidium.
Sarcasm the elf
06-05-2016, 19:38
Such as? Genuinely Curious. Normally when I visit the US and go on a section hike, all I have is *mart, and all they have is potable aqua. Is there something else I can get shipped from Amazon or REI?
Chlorine Dioxide sold under the brand name Aqua Mira is probably the most popular chemical treatment used on the A.T. in recent years. My understanding is that chlorine dioxide is more effective at killing Giardia and Cryptosporidium compared to iodine tablets iodine tablets.
http://www.amazon.com/McNett-Aquamira-Water-Treatment-Drops/dp/B00AFNYAI0
To address your other question about drinking water playing in Ireland: In reality the vast majority of the water on the Appalachian Trail is likely safe to drink. Our obsession with purifying is as much a cultural phenomenon as it is rooted in valid health concerns. That said, I personally do treat my water.
Connie, I will look into Giardia. But luckily? in Ireland we have plenty of moving water due to the rain. I would never drink water without treatment from a still source or water which is possibly passed through a livestock area.
Here, if there isn't livestock, there is wildlife.
In the high country, your chances are better.
MuddyWaters
06-05-2016, 19:51
potable aqua only takes 30 min at most, I suspect in the warm summer it acts even quicker. Never been a problem for me, I load up with water, walk a mile or two, and have a big drink...
I'm not here to defend it, I'm just asking for better alternatives.
Anyone got good data on how contaminated trail water is? Any one thru hiked without sterilising the water and not getting sick?
Google such terms as water purification or water treatment and backpacking light, and look for backpacking light discussions about it. You will find all the comparison data on efficacy , etc you want.
Most people that get sick, dont actually get sick from water. Other fecal oral vectors that are more probably in most cases. Few cases are likely giardia, most simply ecoli.
Yes, lots have thru hiked without getting sick, and without treating. Not saying its a good idea, eventually you may need a pond source, which is much more risky than mountain top springs.
Connie, I will look into Giardia. But luckily? in Ireland we have plenty of moving water due to the rain. I would never drink water without treatment from a still source or water which is possibly passed through a livestock area.
From my readings, livestock and in particular beaver are major carriers of giardia. I too will drink from a high altitude source such as a spring. In lower elevations, you'll never know what's died upstream or pissed in it. I treat with Aqua Mira as solo hiker or a Sawyer mini filter hooked up to a gravity bag for groups. If I know there's up stream livestock or beaver, I will filter. Aqua Mira and I suspect Potable Aqua take a long time to kill Giardia, especially in cold or turbid water.
From reading backpacking light, 20 to 30% of the population in the US already has Giardia as a resident in their gut and humans are the most likely vector for giardia in backcountry water supplies. Humans infected beavers, not the other way around. Treat your water, if for nothing else, to prevent becoming a carrier of the disease yourself.
The top two or three inches of water from lakes or ponds are usually sterilized from UV rays from the sun. If you are going to drink from still water, gather the water from the surface. It will be safe on a sunny day.
Starchild
06-06-2016, 08:04
Agree with above. Chemicals appear to be lighter but in most cases that is an illusion. During the day, you have to carry the water while the chemical is working. Water weighs about 2lbs per liter. A filter or steripen is just about instant which allows you to treat water and drink immediately. With frequent water sources on the AT is allow you to carry very little water....
Agree, if water sources are plentiful, as in the AT, chemical methods are heavier. The Steripen is great for encouraging small carrying quantities of water (1/2 L minus what you drink at the source before leaving), and is the lightest method of purification I know of.
I may be one of the few left defending AquaMira at this point. The entire set only weighs a couple of ounces, and with a premix bottle you can limit your water source stop time to less than a minute. Just dip your bottles and squirt in the required amount of mixed chemical. The two bottles should be enough to last several weeks on the trail at a minimum, so I don't really see the weight penalty.
All of this written as I recover from a case of giardia inflicted by self stupidity (drinking untreated water from a poorly selected water source on a non-AT hike).
peakbagger
06-06-2016, 11:33
I used AquaMira for the majority of my section hiking of the AT. I used to use Iodine (Polapure)which has fallen out favor due to aftertaste and side effects. The portable aqua pills have real short shelf life and filters weighed too much. One thing I do with AquaMira is carry a spare cap so that I can mix up two doses at once.
peakbagger,
I like the idea. I am reluctant to carry liquid bleach (chlorine-dioxide would bleach fabric?) that could leak on my lovely UL gear.
How about this for containers?
http://www.arrowhead-equipment.com/store/p367/XS_Micro_Drop_Bottle.html
peakbagger
06-06-2016, 14:14
Aqua Mira basically comes with two real nice dropper bottles. The advantage to Aqua Mira is that the neither of the two components are that particularly nasty alone. I have seen no ill effects from spilling either one of the components but do carry it in ziplock bag. Its only when the components are mixed that the characteristic green color and odor of CLO2 forms. CLO2 is an unstable compound, it really doesn't like to stay together and rapidly decomposes. There was one firm that used to sell a CLO2 water treatment system where the hiker would premix a days quantity of CLO2 in the AM into a squeeze bottle and the hiker would use it all day but I expect the concentration also varied over the course of the day and therefore they had to run a higher dose to compensate. I personally don mind the 5 minute wait to mix it up. I usually carry a water bladder and couple of gatoraid bottles. I carry a spare mixing cap so I can either just fill the water bladder or mix two bottles.
CLO2 is used a substitute for straight chlorine for industrial bleaching, but due to its habit of decomposing its hard to keep it at concentration compared to using chlorine.
MuddyWaters
06-06-2016, 14:22
Aqua Mira basically comes with two real nice dropper bottles. The advantage to Aqua Mira is that the neither of the two components are that particularly nasty alone. I have seen no ill effects from spilling either one of the components but do carry it in ziplock bag. Its only when the components are mixed that the characteristic green color and odor of CLO2 forms. CLO2 is an unstable compound, it really doesn't like to stay together and rapidly decomposes. There was one firm that used to sell a CLO2 water treatment system where the hiker would premix a days quantity of CLO2 in the AM into a squeeze bottle and the hiker would use it all day but I expect the concentration also varied over the course of the day and therefore they had to run a higher dose to compensate. I personally don mind the 5 minute wait to mix it up. I usually carry a water bladder and couple of gatoraid bottles. I carry a spare mixing cap so I can either just fill the water bladder or mix two bottles.
CLO2 is used a substitute for straight chlorine for industrial bleaching, but due to its habit of decomposing its hard to keep it at concentration compared to using chlorine.
Agree, if water sources are plentiful, as in the AT, chemical methods are heavier. The Steripen is great for encouraging small carrying quantities of water (1/2 L minus what you drink at the source before leaving), and is the lightest method of purification I know of.
Baloney
Am is the lightest possible treatment
Unless you wanr to pretend other people never take breaks, and thats total BS
Take your break when you get water, as most do.
Now, whats the lightest?
Or look at work done .
Carrying 2 lbs for 15 min, 3 x per day id still less overall work than 4oz for 10 hrs per day. Do the math.
As ive said many times, understanding am is key to efficient use. Virus and bacteria is dead in a minute. Giardia is deactivated 1000x in a few min. If you arent drinking sewage, you dont need to wait long. No one is worried about crypto either so forget the 4 hr .
My 2 wk supply of am weighs 1.2 oz in its little bottles. My water bottles are 0.93 oz dasani.
Someone who isnt going to carry water, isnt regardless of method. Someone that will, will. pretending otherwise is just pretending really. Just like pretending it has no weight cause it was drank instead of on back .:eek:
Funny to hear these claims but never seemed to be passed by these people with filters and steripens. Maybe they use similar justification for everything in their pack, and it ends up hvy. 4 oz for steripen, 2 oz for backup batteries, 6 oz for wide mouth nalgene, several oz for chemical backup too. Etc etc. All the while argueing they have the lightest system.
orthofingers
06-06-2016, 18:15
Anyone got good data on how contaminated trail water is?
Well, that is the $64,000 question. Isn't it? While I suspect that if you choose you water sources carefully you'll probably be ok, you can't always choose your water sources. You can't judge contamination by a the taste, smell color or clarity of water so why take a chance. Use a filter, chemicals, sterile not or boil it. The choice is yours.
orthofingers
06-06-2016, 18:16
That should read "steripen"
Mayday_Belle
06-07-2016, 13:07
My favourite option: the Sawyer Squeeze also allows you to screw it to the end of your water bottle and drink straight from that. Although the flow is a little slower than if you were just to chug from the bottle, the main attraction for me is not having to think about purification at all. I'll just unscrew the filter like a regular bottle cap, dip my bottle in the stream and carry on hiking. To me, that's well worth the trade-off of a slightly slower drinking speed.
My wife much prefers Aqua Mira, but personally I find the mixing and waiting a little too fiddly. It's all about preference since they're both solid purification methods.
My husband and I used the Lifestraw bottle on our last little trip. There was tons of water around all the time from streams and we gathered from swift running sections where there were rocks and things, so the water was visually clear and cold. We did get fresh from the ground spring water once, but always just drank from the Lifestraw water bottle. We used Smart water bottles and loaded those up and just poured them into the Lifestraw bottle every time we emptied it. It seals really well and has a carabiner so you can just hook it anywhere on ya. It was easy, tasted good and there were no ill-effects, but I never hear it mentioned here either. Probably because the bottle itself is pretty heavy. I may look into a lighter option for future hikes, just due to the weight alone. It worked well for us though.
cmoulder
06-07-2016, 16:31
Baloney
Am is the lightest possible treatment
Unless you wanr to pretend other people never take breaks, and thats total BS
Take your break when you get water, as most do.
Now, whats the lightest?
Or look at work done .
Carrying 2 lbs for 15 min, 3 x per day id still less overall work than 4oz for 10 hrs per day. Do the math.
As ive said many times, understanding am is key to efficient use. Virus and bacteria is dead in a minute. Giardia is deactivated 1000x in a few min. If you arent drinking sewage, you dont need to wait long. No one is worried about crypto either so forget the 4 hr .
My 2 wk supply of am weighs 1.2 oz in its little bottles. My water bottles are 0.93 oz dasani.
Someone who isnt going to carry water, isnt regardless of method. Someone that will, will. pretending otherwise is just pretending really. Just like pretending it has no weight cause it was drank instead of on back .:eek:
Funny to hear these claims but never seemed to be passed by these people with filters and steripens. Maybe they use similar justification for everything in their pack, and it ends up hvy. 4 oz for steripen, 2 oz for backup batteries, 6 oz for wide mouth nalgene, several oz for chemical backup too. Etc etc. All the while argueing they have the lightest system.
^^^^^^^^^^^^+1
I have been using the AM pre-mix strategy for a few years and there is nothing simpler or lighter. Put 35 drops each of A and B in the mixing cup and then vacuum that up into a little 3ml dropper bottle and you're good for the day. I've used AM pre-mix a couple of times to treat some very skanky-manky standing swamp water — with a few extra drops of AM just for good measure — and didn't get sick... and if ever I was gunna, that'd be it.
I like your idea. I didn't know how much to mix.
I prefer the Sawyer Squeeze for ease of use, but if I had to use "questionable" water I would prefilter and use both.
cmoulder
06-07-2016, 22:40
Hi, Connie: It is not my idea to do the pre-mix — I got that from Mike Clelland (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAoy3VC3uy8), and I'm not sure where he got it but I also doubt he is the originator. Whoever had it first, it's a good idea. :)
However, I did notice (and others have also observed) that the small 3ml "MIX" bottle (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=43972) will often develop a leak over time. I ascribe this to the practice of removing and reinstalling the dropper tip each time the A and B drops are put into the 3ml container. This is why I stopped removing the dropper tip of the 3ml bottle and started mixing A and B in the little cup and using vacuum action to suck the mix into the 3ml bottle. Since then, I have not noticed the tendency to leak.
I also don't think it matters a huge deal if the 3ml bottle is black or translucent. I mix it and put it in my pocket right away, and have not noticed any difference except that it's much easier to judge how much remains when the bottle is translucent.
rocketsocks
06-07-2016, 23:37
Hi, Connie: It is not my idea to do the pre-mix — I got that from Mike Clelland (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAoy3VC3uy8), and I'm not sure where he got it but I also doubt he is the originator. Whoever had it first, it's a good idea. :)
However, I did notice (and others have also observed) that the small 3ml "MIX" bottle (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=43972) will often develop a leak over time. I ascribe this to the practice of removing and reinstalling the dropper tip each time the A and B drops are put into the 3ml container. This is why I stopped removing the dropper tip of the 3ml bottle and started mixing A and B in the little cup and using vacuum action to suck the mix into the 3ml bottle. Since then, I have not noticed the tendency to leak.
I also don't think it matters a huge deal if the 3ml bottle is black or translucent. I mix it and put it in my pocket right away, and have not noticed any difference except that it's much easier to judge how much remains when the bottle is translucent.hmm, I wonder why Aqua Mira did t figure this out and just save a bottle...maybe cause it's supposed to be mixed right before use for the most effective product?
chiefduffy
06-08-2016, 06:20
Aqua Mira.
cmoulder
06-08-2016, 06:31
maybe cause it's supposed to be mixed right before use for the most effective product?
Yes. But many, many folks have found it "effective enough" when pre-mixed for a 1-day batch (http://ryanjordan.com/blog/2011/05/group-gear-for-lightweight-wilderness-travel/).
The trick to making Aqua Mira efficient for group travel is the pre-mix bottle. I use a Backpacking Light MiniDrop bottle for this purpose. In the morning, we add about 100 drops of Part A and 100 drops of Part B into the pre-mix bottle (e.g., enough pre-mix to treat 14 liters of water). Then, when it’s time to treat water, we dispense 14 drops of the premix into a 1 liter bottle of water that needs to be treated (28 drops into a 2L bottle, etc.). With large groups or on treks where we’re consuming a lot of water, we might have to make another bottle of pre-mix during the day.
southernfire97
06-08-2016, 07:49
My husband and I used the Lifestraw bottle on our last little trip. There was tons of water around all the time from streams and we gathered from swift running sections where there were rocks and things, so the water was visually clear and cold. We did get fresh from the ground spring water once, but always just drank from the Lifestraw water bottle. We used Smart water bottles and loaded those up and just poured them into the Lifestraw bottle every time we emptied it. It seals really well and has a carabiner so you can just hook it anywhere on ya. It was easy, tasted good and there were no ill-effects, but I never hear it mentioned here either. Probably because the bottle itself is pretty heavy. I may look into a lighter option for future hikes, just due to the weight alone. It worked well for us though.
And that's the key. It worked for you. Everyone gets so caught up in " can I shave 0.0001 grams off my BW by using this or cutting that, that it makes your entire experience less enjoyable. It's about being in the woods, and experiencing life. If an extra oz or 2 makes your trip more enjoyable, then go that route and ignore the gram nazis..
hmm, I wonder why Aqua Mira did t figure this out and just save a bottle...maybe cause it's supposed to be mixed right before use for the most effective product?
You can clearly see when AquaMira is no longer effective. The yellow color goes away. In bright sunlight, exposed to the air, this happens quickly. Put it in a sealed bottle and protect it from the light, however, and it will last for many hours. This is why premixing works, and it's a very useful trick to take advantage of.
MuddyWaters
06-08-2016, 10:44
You can clearly see when AquaMira is no longer effective. The yellow color goes away. In bright sunlight, exposed to the air, this happens quickly. Put it in a sealed bottle and protect it from the light, however, and it will last for many hours. This is why premixing works, and it's a very useful trick to take advantage of.
Even more complicated .
Rec. dose is based on open mixing after 5 min when open cup reaches peak conc. because its lost to air whole time.
Mix in closed container, it comes out...stronger. noticeably so. Another way to use less and have it.last longer.
If you do the math to reach the 4ppm treatment conc, they really dont account for evap losses, variable droplet size, etc. Hence conservative treatment times. this inability to control well is why the liq isnt epa approved purification like tablets are.
Premix actually lasts days .
And that's the key. It worked for you. Everyone gets so caught up in " can I shave 0.0001 grams off my BW by using this or cutting that, that it makes your entire experience less enjoyable. It's about being in the woods, and experiencing life. If an extra oz or 2 makes your trip more enjoyable, then go that route and ignore the gram nazis..
Oh but having been under the weight of a very heavy pack... I will look for lighter weight, also dependable, options going forward. What we did was easier than doing any treating or mixing and waiting, but it was also much heavier. Its the marriage of ease and light weight that I am looking for... as well as every other hiker... except Tipi, who could probably carry me on his back without flinching ;)
rocketsocks
06-08-2016, 12:18
You can clearly see when AquaMira is no longer effective. The yellow color goes away. In bright sunlight, exposed to the air, this happens quickly. Put it in a sealed bottle and protect it from the light, however, and it will last for many hours. This is why premixing works, and it's a very useful trick to take advantage of.i just leave my shoe laces at home, I save 4 grams, and bring the extra bottle, but hey, whatever floatest tho boat.
cmoulder
06-08-2016, 12:30
Oh but having been under the weight of a very heavy pack... I will look for lighter weight, also dependable, options going forward. What we did was easier than doing any treating or mixing and waiting, but it was also much heavier. Its the marriage of ease and light weight that I am looking for... as well as every other hiker... except Tipi, who could probably carry me on his back without flinching ;)
Here's a complete AM kit for a week (solo). Both the A and B bottles are full.35136
Using the pre-mix method it is both easy and lightweight.
rocketsocks
06-08-2016, 12:33
My pool is 35,000 gals. Can I use aqua Mira to treat it? I'm trying to save and shave a few steps from the garage to the pool, how many drops will I need, what will be the cost? Can I pre mix.
not fur nuthin' but this is in the health, safety, hygiene forum, if it were in the gram weenie fourm I wouldn't be as snarky...maybe.
rocketsocks
06-08-2016, 12:40
oh brother
35137
cmoulder
06-08-2016, 12:41
I really don't understand your snarkiness. We are trying to present facts to someone who wants to know facts. :confused:
Or maybe you missed LNJ's sentence above, "I will look for lighter weight, also dependable, options going forward."
Here's a complete AM kit for a week (solo). Both the A and B bottles are full.35136
Using the pre-mix method it is both easy and lightweight.
Nice! But for those who care not about weight... the Lifestraw was super easy.
No need to worry about snarkiness. It's not my first day on WB. Its all part of the charm.
cmoulder
06-08-2016, 13:04
It really is best to try all methods.
I started out using nothing, graduated to Iodine tablets after a gawd-awful intestinal bout with something (never got a culture test so I don't know what), then to various MSR and Katahdyn filters, then to Platypus Gravity works, and then AM. And I also have a Steripen Classic 3 that I am now trying out. In a way, learning about water treatment methods is similar to learning about various kinds of stoves and becoming "fluent" with each kind of fuel. It is not wasted time, money or effort if you learn something from it, or if it prepares you to use a system you don't normally use.
rocketsocks
06-08-2016, 13:37
I really don't understand your snarkiness. We are trying to present facts to someone who wants to know facts. :confused:
Or maybe you missed LNJ's sentence above, "I will look for lighter weight, also dependable, options going forward."its the wussification that chaps my nuts.
No need to worry about snarkiness. It's not my first day on WB. Its all part of the charm.exactly!
MuddyWaters
06-08-2016, 13:44
Nice! But for those who care not about weight... the Lifestraw was super easy.
No need to worry about snarkiness. It's not my first day on WB. Its all part of the charm.
Easy until it plugs up or freezes and is ruined
Why do you think many take chem as backup too?
Yeah, you can spill or leak AM, or run out. Backup is....nothing. which is all you need most of time on AT.
so, use what like. 99% of time just unnecessary.:)
Odds are good flying without a net, regardless if method.As long as dont do it all the time.
rocketsocks
06-08-2016, 13:50
1 of bottles of Aqua Mira weighs less than a piece of Halloween candy.
joshuasdad
06-08-2016, 14:20
I carried a Sawyer Squeeze with a few Katahdin tablets as backup. This worked best for me because I liked to "camel" at water stops -- I would drink a liter or more using the 1 L bag, then if concerned about the distance to the next water source, would squirt a filtered pint or liter into a bottle, or carry the bag for filtering later. For me, average backpack weight was likely lower by using the Sawyer.
Taking a break at a water stop is not a good idea in some locations, especially during black fly season, and I rarely would rest during the hiking day anyway. So getting a liter of water per stop using chemicals for me would mean carrying that liter of water (2.2 lb) on my back until it was purified. If I wanted 2 L or more of water per stop, that would mean even more weight.
One reason NOT to use my preferred method is if you plan to hike in cold temperatures -- you need to keep the ceramic filter from freezing, so you often need to keep the filter in your sleeping bag, or even in your pocket on really cold days. You also need to clean/treat the filter to prevent mold/mildew. YMMV
Easy until it plugs up or freezes and is ruined
Why do you think many take chem as backup too?
Yeah, you can spill or leak AM, or run out. Backup is....nothing. which is all you need most of time on AT.
so, use what like. 99% of time just unnecessary.:)
Odds are good flying without a net, regardless if method.As long as dont do it all the time.
Wonder where you got your name?? :) LOL! I think I will probably go with AM in the future. We did have Potable Water tablets with us as back up and we did use them once, when the water was running but a bit mirky. I believe I will continue to go safer than sorry. I don't even drink tap water at home so... Can't trust those few hikers that don't know or care to practice the distance setting for urination and other gross stuff, like bathing and such. For some odd reason, the thought of possible bear pee near my water doesn't freak me out nearly as much as drinking dirty hiker bath water does.
1 of bottles of Aqua Mira weighs less than a piece of Halloween candy.
Yep! There just went a pound or two from my pack!
i just leave my shoe laces at home, I save 4 grams, and bring the extra bottle, but hey, whatever floatest tho boat.
What's your point here? I'm not suggesting a way to save the weight of Aquamira, but a way to make it work better on the trail. If you have a real suggestion to make, go for it. As it is, it really comes across as if you're trolling the thread.
Odds are good flying without a net, regardless if method.As long as dont do it all the time.
Just keep in mind that when you do hit the ground, it hurts. Giardia really is miserable. I'm on my last day of metronidazole right now, and I really, really, wish I'd treated that water when I had the chance. Clearly I chose that stream poorly.
I hope this time, this dose, gets it: I had a year-and-a-half before a public health clinic got the dose right to knock it out. I got it at City College, San Francisco, CA end of the day "food coach" for a night school class.
I have had good success reading a water source, and taking the appropriate measures.
MuddyWaters
06-08-2016, 17:01
Just keep in mind that when you do hit the ground, it hurts. Giardia really is miserable. I'm on my last day of metronidazole right now, and I really, really, wish I'd treated that water when I had the chance. Clearly I chose that stream poorly.
Well, a lot of people, up to 20% of US population actually have it
Up to 2/3 who get it, are asymptomatic
So, to some people its a big deal
To others, never will be
Possibly for MOST, it will never be based on asymptomatic statistics
Those lucky ones dont have to treat water at all
Wouldnt it be nice to know if you were one of those?
There is still cryptosporidium, the Sawyer Squeeze does protect against.
rocketsocks
06-08-2016, 19:53
What's your point here? I'm not suggesting a way to save the weight of Aquamira, but a way to make it work better on the trail. If you have a real suggestion to make, go for it. As it is, it really comes across as if you're trolling the thread.okay, to the point!...It's ridiculous! The weight savings of a tiny bottle that needs to be measured on a sophisticated scale that to 8 places in order to save pack weight is cra cra, at best. It will not break your back or allow you to hike faster further, it's just freaking nutso! Period. Ya wanna save weight, pick a lighter pack, shelter, sleeping bag, or maybe consider going stoveless. We've gone from traditional 40-50 lbs loads in 35 years, what the heck is the difference between say 34 pounds and 28 pounds (besides 6lbs.) it barley registers on an adult back.
MuddyWaters
06-08-2016, 20:02
okay, to the point!...It's ridiculous! The weight savings of a tiny bottle that needs to be measured on a sophisticated scale that to 8 places in order to save pack weight is cra cra, at best. It will not break your back or allow you to hike faster further, it's just freaking nutso! Period. Ya wanna save weight, pick a lighter pack, shelter, sleeping bag, or maybe consider going stoveless. We've gone from traditional 40-50 lbs loads in 35 years, what the heck is the difference between say 34 pounds and 28 pounds (besides 6lbs.) it barley registers on an adult back.
Its the idea of bringing only what you need, and nothing more, if applied, that allows you to get the pack wt down very low.
The wt isnt important, the attitude is.
I can cite the wt of every item in my pack from memory
such as:
xlite short - 7.6 oz
li AAA battery - 0.27 oz
fleece beanie - 0.95 oz
#64 rubber band - 0.04 oz
tealight cup - 0.07 oz
mini bic = 0.38 oz
my own AM bottles - 1.14 oz full for 2 wks
garbage ziplock 0.3 oz
etc.
With the right attitude, the weight takes care of itself.
All those little fractional oz add up to lbs, cause theres a bunch of them when you list them all.
Also, what weight savings is he referring to? I'm suggesing adding a tiny bottle to make your life easier and more efficient, not leaving one behind.
MuddyWaters
06-08-2016, 20:14
PI suppose relative to a heavier filter or something.
I like AM because I grab water and go. I might carry water a lot because , I just do. not uncommon for me to carry 2L for 5-10 miles without taking a sip, but Im half mile down trail before most have gotten their filter out and filled their bottles. different hiking styles. my pack is light enough that I generally dont care.
This is why I like my base pack wt to be low, cause I dont worry about food or water wt. Its still light enough regardless. It not to win a contest, or set a record, its to always be ....comfortable...while knocking out miles desired.
Sounds about right. I carry 1.5,but drink from it regularly. To me, the benefit you mentioned of just dipping the bottle, dripping some aquamira in, and walking on is worth its weight in gold. Like youyou said, another half mile before the filter goes back in everyone else's pack.
MuddyWaters
06-08-2016, 20:28
Sounds about right. I carry 1.5,but drink from it regularly. To me, the benefit you mentioned of just dipping the bottle, dripping some aquamira in, and walking on is worth its weight in gold. Like youyou said, another half mile before the filter goes back in everyone else's pack.
Works great with reasonably clean water
On the CDT (aka Cow Dung Trail), id also have a filter for the occassional nasty source.
Sure, different situation, different set of tools.
Haven't read the whole thread. Potable Aqua and similar chemical treatments wont make clear water out of muddy water. A filter will. Plus, with the P.A., you have to wait for a while, a half hour or so.
Granted -- muddy water will quickly clog most filters, so it's not all roses.
cmoulder
06-09-2016, 06:15
For muddy, nasty water there's also THIS (http://www.amazon.com/TM-Purifier-Water-12-pack/dp/B013ISZELK?ie=UTF8&keywords=drinking%20water%20packets&qid=1465466965&ref_=sr_1_9&sr=8-9).
I've seen something similar in action — and actually drank the water, which was fantastic — when our friends in Canada used a flocculant they got at MEC on a canoe trip. Glad we had it because in Algonquin Provincial Park there are many piles of moose poop in the water that you can see while paddling the shallows.
If I were going to someplace like the Grand Canyon I would absolutely take this stuff and a collapsible bucket. Really amazing stuff for silty, turbid water (https://www.csdw.org/csdw/pur-packet-technology.shtml).
flocculant?
Is this the same as adding alum to water to settle out the turbidity? Take off the clear water, then treat?
This product looks like 1-step process.
cmoulder
06-09-2016, 07:16
Actually, with this stuff you don't have to treat further after taking off the clear water.
I've also heard about alum and am going to give that a try, although locally I really don't need it. I don't mind a few "floaties" in the water as long as I know they're dead. :)
If it gets to be too much I strain 'em out with my mosquito head net.