dskoon wrote:find it almost ridiculous to be filtering water coming from what I think, are pretty clean sources.
Yeah, like higher up in the stratosphere.
by dskoon » Mon Jun 07, 2010 6:00 pm
redneck wrote:dskoon wrote:find it almost ridiculous to be filtering water coming from what I think, are pretty clean sources.
Yeah, like higher up in the stratosphere.
by simonov » Mon Jun 07, 2010 6:14 pm
dskoon wrote:redneck wrote:dskoon wrote:find it almost ridiculous to be filtering water coming from what I think, are pretty clean sources.
Yeah, like higher up in the stratosphere.
Seriously, you think all water is contaminated?
by dskoon » Mon Jun 07, 2010 6:50 pm
MikeTX wrote:dskoon wrote:redneck wrote:dskoon wrote:find it almost ridiculous to be filtering water coming from what I think, are pretty clean sources.
Yeah, like higher up in the stratosphere.
But that's where I reside!
Seriously, you think all water is contaminated?
don, there don't necessarily need to be a lot of campers near a water source for there to be a risk of water-borne pathogens. other animal feces carry pathogens just as well. many people take the risk of drinking water from "pretty clean sources" all the time and don't get sick, but some people do get sick. for me, i would just as soon treat my water somehow (filter, chemical or boil) and sleep better knowing that I've reduced at least one factor that could ruin my trip.
by dskoon » Mon Jun 07, 2010 6:54 pm
redneck wrote:dskoon wrote:redneck wrote:dskoon wrote:find it almost ridiculous to be filtering water coming from what I think, are pretty clean sources.
Yeah, like higher up in the stratosphere.
Seriously, you think all water is contaminated?
No, I'm the one arguing that snow found at 10,000 feet on the side of Rainier doesn't need to be treated.
I also drink straight out of springs and will drink straight out of a stream if I think I am pretty close to its source.
But I don't know how a parasite like giardia can get into surface snow at 10,000 feet.
by Jakester » Mon Jun 07, 2010 7:14 pm
by simonov » Mon Jun 07, 2010 8:09 pm
dskoon wrote:What about these two iconic figures from the Northwest, Ira Spring and Harvey Manning. Co Wrote and photographed many a guidebook here in the PNW, spanning a few decades. Hiked damn near every summer, literally from one end of the Cascades to the other, and some in the Sierra as well. Took familial generations back there with them. Read in one of their books that he considered it sacrilegious to filter mountain water.
by dskoon » Mon Jun 07, 2010 8:16 pm
redneck wrote:dskoon wrote:What about these two iconic figures from the Northwest, Ira Spring and Harvey Manning. Co Wrote and photographed many a guidebook here in the PNW, spanning a few decades. Hiked damn near every summer, literally from one end of the Cascades to the other, and some in the Sierra as well. Took familial generations back there with them. Read in one of their books that he considered it sacrilegious to filter mountain water.
Are we veering too far off topic with this?
Harvey Manning is one of my personal heroes. This is the first time I have ever seen his named mentioned, except by me. His Backpacking One Step at a Time is as funny and informative book on the subject as I have ever seen. And since he wrote about general principles rather than specific recommendations, my second edition copy from around 1982 is still relevant.
Of course, he was also an early editor of Mountaineering, the Freedom of the Hills.
Anyway, he was an opinionated old curmudgeon, so you can sometimes get into trouble by quoting him. Nonetheless, I want to be just like him (though not so heavy).
by welle » Mon Jun 07, 2010 10:05 pm
by Snowslogger » Tue Jun 08, 2010 2:12 am
dskoon wrote:MikeTX wrote:dskoon wrote:redneck wrote:dskoon wrote:find it almost ridiculous to be filtering water coming from what I think, are pretty clean sources.
Yeah, like higher up in the stratosphere.
But that's where I reside!
Seriously, you think all water is contaminated?
don, there don't necessarily need to be a lot of campers near a water source for there to be a risk of water-borne pathogens. other animal feces carry pathogens just as well. many people take the risk of drinking water from "pretty clean sources" all the time and don't get sick, but some people do get sick. for me, i would just as soon treat my water somehow (filter, chemical or boil) and sleep better knowing that I've reduced at least one factor that could ruin my trip.
I know, I know. . . but, do you think many animals shit in the water? Perhaps near it, but. . .
Anyway, interesting topic, as always when this subject comes up.
Personal choice, definitely. Couple of my friends who have scientific backgrounds, think I'm crazy when I drink from a couple of streams when we're hiking out in the gorge. Mind you, I said a couple; I don't drink willy Nelly from every water source I see. Haven't been sick yet. . . Probably will continue to do so until I get sick, if ever.
What about these two iconic figures from the Northwest, Ira Spring and Harvey Manning. Co Wrote and photographed many a guidebook here in the PNW, spanning a few decades. Hiked damn near every summer, literally from one end of the Cascades to the other, and some in the Sierra as well. Took familial generations back there with them. Read in one of their books that he considered it sacrilegious to filter mountain water. (I don't know all of his details, maybe he boiled it sometimes if he felt it necessary). Romantic, that sacrilegious notion, I know, but he didn't really mention himself or others getting sick. Again, this from a guy who hiked everywhere in the Cascades. Just chance that he didn't get sick?
What about another icon, Fred Beckey? Do you think he carried a filter with him? Doubtful.
What about ol' Mr. Muir? He seems to have survived ok, along with all those other early Sierra pioneer climbers and explorers. Presumably there were plenty of animals in the mountains back then, probably more so than now. . .
Everyone evaluates the risks and makes their own decision.
Personally, I think filtering is a mix of marketing and the fear factor that runs rampant through this country. . . (whew, really opening up the ol' Pandora's box now!).
Should one be careful about their water in the backcountry? Yes, but how careful becomes just a personal decision, like everything else.
Again, you all will probably have the last laugh when I"m laid-low with a bad case of the shits.
But, I have read some stuff, that suggests the risk of getting giardia is rather low, at least in the Cascades and Sierra. This, again, from people more qualified than I, who've gone back there and tested the water in the summer. One report I was reading even suggested that most who contract giardia get it from their own unsanitary practices before/while eating.
There ya go. The box is now open!
by rockymtnclimber » Tue Jun 08, 2010 2:51 am
by dskoon » Tue Jun 08, 2010 4:54 am
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