Seeking hikers who do not treat their water

[Manwich]

This was the question. He was looking for those who don't filter, not all us "depends on the source" or those who "analy filter" people. It's interesting to note that the same people are wrong on this question ... yet again ... for the 100th time it's been asked in different ways.

Whether or not he asked a black or white question, he's getting a grey answer. There does exist a bell curve in this area and fortunately people are giving him such a response.

I am seeking people who usually do not treat their backcountry water.

...

Conversely, for those that feel all water requires treatment, I would love to hear from you as well.

He also opened the floodgates with this one

Whatever your experiences, the more specific the detail, the better.

So, if you want to argue about exactness and following his instructions, you're better positioned to poke at this one:

If you have experiences to share, please send a note to the address below.

Thank you.

He didn't say "please post a lengthy argument on the forum I'll never return to again."

[superman]

Whether or not he asked a black or white question, he's getting a grey answer. There does exist a bell curve in this area and fortunately people are giving him such a response.



He also opened the floodgates with this one




So, if you want to argue about exactness and following his instructions, you're better positioned to poke at this one:



He didn't say "please post a lengthy argument on the forum I'll never return to again."

Now there you go again doing all that quoting stuff. It's very impressive. Did you notice that I was one of the “depends on the source” responders? Every time this question is asked, in it’s various forms, we all pile on and aver what we think is the right thing to do. It would be easier for all of you to just accept my answer as the correct one so we can all get on to "what breed of dog is the best to hike the AT with."

[Manwich]

Now there you go again doing all that quoting stuff. It's very impressive.

YOU BETCHA!

It would be easier

for all of you to just

accept my answer

as

the correct one

No, Because it is your answer, not everybody's.

[Mags]

It would be easier for all of you to just accept my answer as the correct one so we can all get on to "what breed of dog is the best to hike the AT with."

Remember: Hike my Hike, damn it!

[Manwich]

Remember: Hike my Hike, damn it!

I oft allude users on WB to be equal to that of drivers on the road, as the old saying goes:

People that drive faster than you are maniacs.
People that drive slower than you are morons.
People who match my pace are ********.

[minnesotasmith]

Greetings all;

As an ongoing study of the effects of Giardia on hikers, I am seeking people who usually do not treat their backcountry water.

Try a parisitology/gastrointestinal ward.

[superman]

Remember: Hike my Hike, damn it!

LMAO

[SassyWindsor]

It amazes me to see several hikers sharing a bag of GORP using nasty hands but insist on filtering their water. I have never filtered my water when in the mountains, I don't share, and I keep my hands clean when handling food. If I ever do get Guardia, I probably still won't filter.

[Serial 07]

Should have set down your poles and filtered that salad

i know in "thread life", this was a long time ago, but i thought it was funny...

[Serial 07]

...so we can all get on to "what breed of dog is the best to hike the AT with."

this is funny too...

[gonewalkabout]

I met some type of water quality scientist that was a professor at University of Florida on the trail and he gave me a quick lesson on choosing water sources that do not need treatment. I wouldn't call him a cowboy.

Could you please share this experts qualifications if know and his advice so the rest of us ccan benifit.

Thanks

[fiddlehead]

I remember FH borrowing a water filter once he, he, he

Yeah, you laughed then too!
May I explain?
PCT 96, i hiked the 2 or 3 miles off trail to the water source (now they have a cache nearby from what i understand).
When i got there, there were about 15 cows IN the water source which was basically a swamp with just as much cow **** as water being mixed together by their feet in their frightening state to get away from me aproaching them.

I found where the spring entered the swamp after a while, although it was below the top of the water/**** level. I cleared it as best i could and filled my bottle. I was then building a fire to boil it when you and RM came up laughing and holding that filter out for me.
Sure i was glad to use it.
But you didn't have to charge me that pack of cigerettes i was carrying for the day you ran out.

Anyway, yes it was a very memorable day Blister Sister and I even carried bleach for our hike in 2002 for that very spot. But now, of course there are cases of water up at the trail so you don't even have to walk down to the ****hole.

Good memories for sure.

[Newb]

this thread is about real hikers who don't treat and aren't afraid of water not for sheeple like you that follow the masses

Sheeple is it? That's downright feeling hurting.

[KG4FAM]

Could you please share this experts qualifications if know and his advice so the rest of us ccan benifit.

Thanks

All I remember about qualifications was he knew what he was talking about. He was out with a coworker at Overmountain Shelter and I overheard them talking shop so I asked him.

What he said was if you see it coming out of the ground and there are no cattle fields or anything with a massive amount of poop uphill then you are good to go. So I asked about the spring there and he said he would drink it.

[The Professor]

I rarely treated my water during my thru in 07. I did have a number of qualifications though. I did not purify water that:
A. was not flowing through an agricultural or urban area
B. had a clear flow, not heavy in sediment
C; I could take from a point above where it crossed the trail
D: had otherwise no obvious contaminants (dead animals/feces/trash)

And this accounted for most of my water. Probably purified less than 25% of the time.

The only time I was ill was coming out of Atkins, the day after I stayed at an incredibly dirty motel (most of you know that one).

I think most giardia and infections are transmitted hiker-to-hiker, not by water. And one common vector would be shelter logs. Everyone touches them, and few of us touch them with pristine hands. And then many of us eat hand-to-mouth.

[Alligator]

...
I think most giardia and infections are transmitted hiker-to-hiker, not by water. And one common vector would be shelter logs. Everyone touches them, and few of us touch them with pristine hands. And then many of us eat hand-to-mouth.

I'm especially suspicious when the log has pages ripped out...who would need an emergency sheet of paper?

[Almost There]

Only filter near roads or from standing water/mudpuddles. Have not filtered at all in the last two years. This includes NC/Tenn north of Smokies, parts of Central Va, and the 100 mile Wilderness.

[Spider]

I treat with iodine tablets just for peace of mind.

[bloodmountainman]

Sheeple is it? That's downright feeling hurting.

You'll get used to it if you hang around here enough! Wear your thickest skin!!!
I usually boil water for cooking and drink the left over after it cools overnight. Tried and trued method of water treatment.

[MOWGLI]

I treat occasionally. It all depends on where I am and what the source looks like.
I wouldn't drink from a lake witout tesTing if I could avoid it. I prefer springs where
I see the water coming out of the ground. Water dripping off of rocks, or small streams
are other preferred sources I will size up a source looking for a animal sign or if there is any nearby development. No drinking from beaver ponds.

In 2000 I got sick in Maine. I suspect it was food poisoning from Gorham, but I really don't know. I was using Polar Pure at the time. I use Aqua Mira these days. When I hike with my daughter I soMetimes carry a filter and treat water more often. 100% for her.
I understand I am taking a risk. My choice.