Backcountry Water Purification

[JackOfAllTrades]

The steripen will make the water safe, but won't change the taste at all.

A filter can make things taste better.

•Water filter— A microbiological device that removes bacteria (e.g., Campylobacter jejuni) and protozoan cysts (Giardia lamblia, cryptosporidium) from contaminated water.
•Water purifier— A microbiological device that removes bacteria, protozoan cysts and viruses (e.g., hepatitis A) from contaminated water.

I am not worried much about contracting Hep or other viruses here in the NW. I do take care to not draw from water where cattle have frequented as I really don't want Ecoli.

-Steve

[ICEMAN]

Dan check this filter bag out.  Katadyn Base Camp Water Filter.  This is what we used on our 9 day backcountry hunt in Wyoming this year.  Its about the cheapest route to go and is extremely light.  Its top rolls up like a dry bag which is basically what it is.  You can stuff your clean sock, underwear, camera or anything in it that you dont want wet, then when you get to camp you unload it and fill with 2.6 gallons of water hang in a tree in the shade and have clean filter water to drink and makes a handy wash station as well because the output it slow so you can wash up and not use a ton of water.  I personally think this is the absolute best system out there for shear light weight, packability and multitasking with it.  Its cool because no one recommended it to me, just kind of stumbled upon it and absolutley love its multiple uses!!!
http://www.rei.com/product/737349

Is the filter in this device replacable?

[Bearhunter]

Ya, you can change the filter cartridge out by unscrewing the black lock ring assembly on the bottom of the bag.  The nice thing about a filter is that it cleans particals and debrea out of the water as well so you dont have chunky water

[Wea300mag]

I would say I'm "Old School" by looking at all the great new products available these days. I've always liked the cost/weight/size of the tablets. I mix it with powdered gatorade most of the time so taste is not an issue.

[ribka]

Dan check this filter bag out.  Katadyn Base Camp Water Filter.  This is what we used on our 9 day backcountry hunt in Wyoming this year.  Its about the cheapest route to go and is extremely light.  Its top rolls up like a dry bag which is basically what it is.  You can stuff your clean sock, underwear, camera or anything in it that you dont want wet, then when you get to camp you unload it and fill with 2.6 gallons of water hang in a tree in the shade and have clean filter water to drink and makes a handy wash station as well because the output it slow so you can wash up and not use a ton of water.  I personally think this is the absolute best system out there for shear light weight, packability and multitasking with it.  Its cool because no one recommended it to me, just kind of stumbled upon it and absolutley love its multiple uses!!!
http://www.rei.com/product/737349

That is a great idea. Looking for something like that when I pack in.

I always use a filter or tablets. I caught giardia in N Quebec on a cariboo hunt. Wild and pristine area. Not worth takng the risk

[Machias]

Steripen, love it and never had problems with it!

[boneaddict]

Giardia is nothing but an irritant compared to some of the other stuff you can get.  That being said, I generally go bareback unless I am drinking out of a pond.

[danderson]

I use a water filter, the best one on the market, called sweet water, go to campmoore.com, around 65.00, one of the best investments you will ever make. I do a lot of hiking in the wilderness, easy to use and fast fill a water bottle in seconds.

[timber tiger]

just some advice for those in a tight spot u can actually boil water in a plastic water bottle.. after the water has been drank refill and hang it above a fire and just let the flames barley lick the bottom of the bottel and wallah boil a bottle  

[Skyvalhunter]

I know some people would be caught dead drinking unfiltered water. I rarely use a filter only if the wife is along or somone I am hiking with has one. Usually I just watch where I drink most times I am at pretty high elevation where its not usually an issue.

[saylean]

I boiled it, but my dad now uses a ultraviolet pen light (or something like that) and boy is it slick. He lent it to a buddy who always goes to third world countries to help get clean water, food, etc...the guy loved it! Plus it was only like 70 bucks. I got to get me one.

[Tim in Wa.]

Sawyer squeeze filters look interesting.Steripens were at the Silverdale Costco this past weekend for around $60.00(they look like somekind of space age magic to me,I dont trust them)
Tim

[Miles]

I use a filter when I have it in my pack, but I have drank from a stream without using one and been fine.

Thinking of all the water I drank while swimming in lakes, ponds, rivers and streams growing up.... I'm not too worried about it.  I can remember filling up my water bottle in a stream and not even thinking twice about it. 

[ICEMAN]

I used to do the same. But now that I hear the horror stories... I always filter our water.... Last thing I need is more "intestinal distress"...

[brocka]

Costco currently has the Steripen for $49.99. Its a great product and its light & easy to pack. Cant go wrong in my opinion. REI carries the same product for $69.99