Water! Drink It! - Page 2

LittleLady · 06-01-2011, 08:56 PM

Thanks for the reminder! I try to drink as much as possible, but I really do forget sometimes. It's really important to remember for me now that I'm pregnant. It can be dangerous out there.

tentrus · 06-01-2011, 09:17 PM

I agree... it's super hot out (90s the last 3 days) you have to keep drinking fluids. I drink plenty of water and Gatorade. I love it when I hear people say I'm Hot and seeing spots - and my question is where is your water?

IndianaHiker · 06-01-2011, 09:56 PM

Judy if you are doing any longer treks I would suggest investing in a water filter or tablets to clean water. This can cut way down on the amount of water you need to carry. Another thing that you may have to do on some trail is drive to intersecting road and cache water before your trip.

Judy Ann · 06-01-2011, 10:48 PM

Thanks Indiana. I have a filter, but as a nurse and a germaphobe it will be a giant step to drink from a stream or a puddle of muddy water. I like the idea of caching a gallon of water here and there, however that would mean that I could have hiked the same distance several times without a pack. Someone once told me that they made a beer run back to the car while backpacking from a basecamp (he may be my hero). Keeping that in mind, I think that I'll camp withing 2-3 miles from the car for this season while I learn the finer techniques of backpacking. The learning curve might be a little tough for me to get to the point where it is fun.

IndianaHiker · 06-02-2011, 12:08 AM

I have an MSR Miniworks filter and I trust it more than I do my city for clean drinking water. Cant tell you how many gallons of treated water I drank that came out of that thing. Including very nasty muddy river water from the Ohio. Also bear in mind that many cases if hiker or backpackers getting sick are not Giardia but rather from poor hygiene while in the back county.

What area of the county are you in Judy Ann. If near Louisville Ky an outdoor store where I buy all my gear from does what they call Outdoor University. They do classes and also take trips. The people that work there do the classes and also go out with new backpackers. There is never any pressure to purchase they gear or bias towards they brands that they carry. I haven't attended any of the classes but as a regular customer and one that the owner and manager know I have been invited to go on a couple of their trips and it is always a blast. If not in that are check your local outfitter and see of they day anything like that. If not here is a link to the Trail Store you maybe able to look at the classes they offer and see if you local outfitter would be interested in doing something like that. I think it it great marketing for a store to be involved and for its employees to actually get out with some of its customers.

HAPPENINGS!!! | TrailStore

Refrigerator · 06-02-2011, 04:35 AM

Katadyn Products - Katadyn Products Inc.

this link will take you to one of the very few that is EPA approved and will remove viruses although we have no virus problem YET in the US but the day is comming we will. I use them and the mini works that was mentioned earlier. When ever I leave the lower 48 I use Katadyn.

Judy Ann · 06-02-2011, 04:57 AM

Thanks Indiana. My REI doesn't have anything available this month, but that is a great idea.

Fridge, I have one of those Katadyn MyBottle systems just in case I get called in for medical relief service after a natural disaster. Do you use the pocket filter on your trips alone or do you add tablets?

Refrigerator · 06-02-2011, 04:28 PM

Judy Ann, I don't use chemicals. I ask myself this....your stomach has bacteria to help digest foods, so when these chemicals are digested what do they do to the digestive system long term out Backpacking?
I use filters and never had problems with water. I like clean clear water and take a filter any day over chemicals. The Katadyn filters have a Vira stat already built into there system with other elements that make drinking water very reliable and no chemicals need to add to what is already a solid EPA study for clean drinking water.

oldmangunner · 06-02-2011, 04:46 PM

Thanks for the idea. I have been considering getting a filter too. I think we all needed a little reminder that we will have to prioritize drinking water.

Grandpa · 06-02-2011, 06:21 PM

I use a katydyne hiker pro. Never had a problem. And I've filtered some very nasty looking stuff (I hesitate to use the word water) I carry some coffee filters and elastics to pre filter the bugs, worms, leeches and sand before they enter the inlet tube. I try to avoid those kind of places though but sometimes it's necessary.

Most of my trips are in areas where water is plentiful and most could be drank without any cleaning but I still filter just in case. I'm not sure what aqua mira or other chemicals do to the good bacteria in our systems but if I have my filter, I'm happy.