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Which Water Treatment is for You?
Fast, hassle-free, ultralight,–we explore five different water treatment
scenarios and the right system to use.
by: Buck Tilton
You already know that pristine-looking backcountry lakes and streams can be
contaminated with tiny, gut- twisting bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. But do
you know which of the many water treatment methods on the market is the best for
you? Here's how to decide.
You want One quick method for use domestically and abroad
Choose An ultraviolet light purifier like the SteriPEN ($80-$100, steripen.com)
bombards water with UV rays, neutralizing bacteria, protozoa, and viruses (which
are a particular problem in developing countries). It works in less than a
minute and doesn't leave a chemical aftertaste. Caution: This handheld device
works best in relatively clear water (strain with a bandana first if it's not)
and requires batteries (pack spares).
You want The lightest possible treatment
Choose Chlorine dioxide tablets such as Aquamira ($8, aquamira.com) weigh almost
nothing (less than an ounce for 30) and take care of all three major types of
bugs with a highly active form of oxygen. They're also easy to use—just pop one
tablet into your bottle—but they take 30 minutes to kill Giardia and up to four
hours for cryptosporidium. (Iodine tablets are also lightweight and cheap, but
they won't kill crypto and leave an unpleasant taste.)
You want The best method for silty water
Choose Good old-fashioned boiling works everywhere, but it's perfect for
ultracloudy rivers and sediment-choked puddles. Collect water in a pot, then
fire up the stove: Not only will the high temperature kill bacteria, protozoa,
and viruses, but the boiling will help the sediment settle out, leaving clear
water on top. Simply bringing water to a rolling boil is sufficient. Cons:
Boiling is fuel-intensive and requires waiting for water to cool.
You want An easy, speedy method
Choose Pump filters use microscopic pores (.2 microns or less) to snag bacteria
and protozoa while allowing water to flow through the filter at one to three
liters per minute. They shine where viruses aren't an issue, but can be pricy
and require field maintenance. Where viruses are a problem (developing
countries, near human habitation or agricultural runoff), choose a filter with
iodine resin, upgrade to a purifier (First Need's XL model neutralizes the big
three pathogens), or back up with a chemical treatment.
You want A hassle-free method for big groups
Choose Gravity filters are quick and trap everything a pump model does, but
handle larger volumes of water. (The Platypus CleanStream filters four liters in
less than three minutes; $90, platy.com). The lightweight bags pack small and
are a snap to use (just hang from a tree, let water drip, and drink).
I just purchased a 2 oz. Sawyer Mini Water Filtration System from REI for $19.95 including my 20% coupon!
"Weighing only 2 oz. and sized to fit in the palm of your hand, the Sawyer
Mini water filter is one of the lightest, most compact filters available, and
you can use it to drink straight from a stream! Hollow-fiber membrane offers a
high flow rate; sip on the Mini like a straw and it filters the water while it's
on the way to your mouth Get down close to the stream or lake and use
the filter to drink straight from the source, or fill your water bottle and
insert the filter to start sipping
Filter will also fit the threads on the included Sawyer 16 fl. oz. reusable
pouch (or other brand) that you can fill at a lake or stream and then use to
squeeze water through the filter
0.1-micron filter physically removes 99.99999% of all bacteria, such as
salmonella, cholera and E.coli; removes 99.9999% of all protozoa, such as
Giardia and Cryptosporidium
Use the included syringe to back flush the filter to maintain a high-flow rate
Filter will also fit the threads on most bottles of water that you buy at a
grocery store; can also be used as an inline filter (adapters and hoses not
included)
Avoid freezing this filter; freezing may ruin the hollow-fiber membrane.
Includes Sawyer Mini water filter, one 16 fl. oz. reusable squeeze pouch, a
filter tip cap and a cleaning syringe
Made in USA. Item 866577
--Robert Speik 04-08-14
07-24-14 Here is a current award-winning Review of this great filter system on Trailspace: http://www.trailspace.com/gear/sawyer/mini-filter/#review31580
Read more . . .
The Sport of Alpine Mountaineering
Climbing Together
Following the Leader
The Mountaineers' Rope
Basic Responsibilities
The Ten Essentials
Our Mission
YOUR
ESSENTIAL SUMMIT PACK
What are the new Ten
Essential Systems?
What does
experience tell us about Light and Fast climbing?
What is the best traditional alpine mountaineering
summit pack?
What is Light and
Fast alpine climbing?
What do you carry in your day pack?
Photos? 
What do you carry in your winter day pack?
Photos?
What should I know about "space blankets"?
Where can I get a personal and a group first aid kit? Photos?
YOUR
LITE AND FAST BACKPACK
Which
light backpack do you use for winter and summer? Analysis
pdf
What would you
carry in your backpack to climb Shasta or Adams?
What is the best traditional alpine mountaineering
summit pack?
Photos of lite gear packed for
a multi day approach to spring and summer summits
Backpack lite gear list for spring and
summer alpine mountaineering 4 pdf pages
ESSENTIAL
PERSONAL
GEAR
What clothing do you wear
for Light and Fast winter mountaineering?
What do you carry in your winter day pack?
Photos?
Which digital camera
do you use in the mountains?
What about Boots and Shoes?
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