Water...cool cool clean water?
I've been using a Sweetwater filter for several years...it's ok but I think I can do better?? What kind of advice is out there other than using a "heavy" filter? Sojo
i have the katadyn hiker water filter and i like it. some people say that you have to be careful that it doesnt freeze up on you... i am not an expert on the subject... but i like the fact that you can pump and drink right away, no waiting for drops to work and all that. i think the flavor is better. i ve tried a few other methods of water purification. although filter are heavier, i feel they are worth the weight.
Thanks Climber, have you ever used the polarpure "drops"? I understand that there is an iodine after-taste and am wondering what different ways there are to reduce that?
if you are worried about long term drinking of iodine treated water, try Aquamira, chlorine dioxide drops.
both filters you mentioned are good, I use the MSR Miniworks-EX, but those others are good ones too
I use Aqua Mira drops for quantity and an Aqua Mira squeeze filter bottle (link below) for convenience. I get the best of both worlds. I can treat a volume of water if I want, or I can fill my bottle from a stream and drink on the spot. Lightweight, inexpensive, and both the drops and replacement filters are readily available. YMMV
http://aquamira.com/consumer/aquamir...le-and-filter/
Chilly water
I also use a Katadyn Hiker Pro filter. It's heavier than tablets, doesn't use batteries, but is always reliable and working. With tablets, you have to constantly buy them which is $ and a hassle. You also have to worry about time, the water with tablet treatment isn't instantly usable. With SteriPen and the MSR thing, there are batteries involved, another hassle to try and lug around. Esp since SteriPen uses non standard batteries. CR123 aren't cheap.
Tried and True, ceramic filters are heavier in weight. But we require no filter changes in the short frame, we don't require expensive batteries or tablets. Our water is instantly drinkable without any odd tastes or brown floaties. They just plain work..
Hammock Hanger
Section Hiker
Nature Lover
I was a "filter" guy before my thru hike. I thought I'd do the Charlton Heston thing and yell "From my cold dead hands!".
Then I tried Aqua Mira.
I threw my filter away.
"Fish Camp Woman.... Baby, I like the way you smell"
- Unknown Hinson
I've broken two Sweetwater filters, right at the top of the pump rod. Probably 30 camping days on each one. I would not recommend this type for a thru. If you bring any filter, bring some aqua mira or other chemical treatment as a back up--or take your chances with "raw" water. Actually, your odds are pretty good (unless you get stuck at some really nasty sources).
The way I've seen many people handle their filtration chores, they probably cross-contaminate to some degree every time. Think about how you would filter out of a toilet bowl and go through how you would set up, break down and store your filter w/o any of the nasties getting where they should not. All those dripping hoses, keeping your hands dry, getting the gear back into bags of some sort--pretty tricky to be completely confident. Now figure on doing it 3 times a day.
Cosmo
I have the Hiker Pro and it has been good on this last trip i didn't break it down and forgot to put the filter in my bag that night close to 0* and it froze up solid so had to make do in the AM for a short 9 miles.
Often Accused, Often Guilty but Seldom Guilty of What I am Accused.
Yuck. I used it once, on the Approach trail. Decided I'd rather take my chances and drink straight from the spring. I don't always treat my water, but I always carry aqua mira, in the event that the water source is questionable. This is a personal choice though, so I'm not telling you to drink untreated water.Originally Posted by sojo
what Cosmo said is exactly why I quit using the "2-hose" pump filters like the Katadyn Hiker... I've never found a way to keep that "clean" output hose from getting some kind of contamination, it's just gonna happen when you are on the trail for weeks.
iN 99 I used a sweet water it eventually turned into crap!very high maintainence!
ever since ive used a pur hikerpro (katahdyn now) BY FAR the hikerpro is a much better filter. might be a better filter nowdays? my time on the trail i never used or seen a better filter than the hikerpro. on cold nights make sure you pump out everything and you could always wrap a fleece or something around it
Amen to all that. I have the Katadyn hiker pro as well and I have only used it a few times but it's great... much better than iodine or other weird chemicals. Very much worth the weight.
.... you detach it from the filter after you are done pumping the water and be extra careful to make sure it is in the bottle or whatever container is holding the water while pumping. you could even trim the output hose so that you could hold the filter to where it wouldnt even touch the water source if it fell out of the bottle (because the input hose is longer). even if it does get "contaminated", you could disinfect it somehow in a town.
I used the MSR Hyperflow during my thru and it was a complete joke. Usually the cartridge would clog permanently after about 8 liters. But they redesigned the cartridge last year and I've used it on several week long trips with no problems. So my faith is tentatively restored. I like that it does not have an outlet hose, but rather a nozzle that fits perfectly inside a regular disposable water bottle. It's about 8 ounces.
"I always told you I was more of a Westerner than an Easterner"
-Theodore Roosevelt
Appalachian Trail 2008
Colorado Trail 2010
You can take your chances and use nothing. I will deal with the 16 ounces of weight of my filter and not risk spending a day or more vomiting.
Man that picture came out big!!
I use the First Need (but I don't do hikes longer than a couple of weeks, max.). I absolutely HATE the taste of chlorine in my water (I have a tap filter at home) so I don't think I could chemically treat my water and be happy. Sure the filter is heavy, but it pumps fast, the water tastes good, and I'm assured that it takes nearly EVERYTHING (including some agricultural chemicals) out of the water. I sure wish that General Ecology would make something lighter and just as effective, though.
As I live, declares the Lord God, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn back from his way and live. Ezekiel 33:11
As far as the cross contamination the same goes for those that use drops I have seen people with drops of untreated water on the lip of their container. Basically it is all a crap shoot. Condoms are only 99% effective but if you want to avoid certain nasties most folks will still use them. I use a filter because I have seen what the water coming out of the RPH pump looks like even after AM drops.
Often Accused, Often Guilty but Seldom Guilty of What I am Accused.
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