I've always scoffed a bit at people using water filters in much of BC, because alpine creeks are prevelent, and in all my years, I've never got sick from drinking from our creeks..

But my dumbass buddy got a 3/4 curl sheep tag in a hot, dry area, and we are going.

I imagine we will need to drink from some pools of water, and I'm thinking "gross."

So we'll pack as much water as we can, take salt pills, and I guess I'll buckle under and get a filter.

I'm looking for a small, light, portable device. We will only be filtering enough for drinking water, as on a hunt such as this, we won't be doing alot of cooking etc.

Gatehouse
I have used the smallest KATYDN [I think I spelled it correctly] with good results. It has a very good filter. I have drank water out of a beaver pond, the beavers was swimming around as we "pumped" our water out of it. If you are really worried about the water just filter it AND treat it. I have also used the water bottles with the built in filters if the water is in a fast moving little mountain stream. So far I have never been sick.
I have found that if I use a "Camel Back" type water carrier I use less water and stay better hydrated, because I can "sip" as I go rather than get thirsty and then "guzzle the whole bottle".

Gates, you have a PM.

Ya you don't want that beaver fever. We were on a elk hunt up north and left our water with the horses and ended up further than we had planned. We found some very slow moving water and could actually see some elk turds on the bottom. My buddy and I decided to wait it out but my old man being the older wiser one said he's not affraid. Well, he lost like 20lbs by the time we left that hunt from him shitting himself to death. He wasnt too comfy on that horse niether.

I use the Sweetwater gauardian now I had the best Katadyn they made what a pice of junk. 3 times the price and wouldn't filter hardly at all. haven't tried their new models but he sweet water works well.

Boileroom

Ya you don't want that beaver fever

I didn't know 'Beaver Fever' could be prevented with water filters. I do know 'Beaver Fever' will be cured by marriage.
Hell I could have saved myself two divorces, a pile of money and a lot of hassel if I had just used a water filter and prevented 'Beaver Fever'.
Jim

If you're worried, take iodine or anti-bacterial tablets, treat the water, then filter it. Any of the good filters (Katydyn or Sweetwater) will remove 99+% of the microorganisms, and most of the iodine taste. There's no need for anti-viral treatments in North America (DO use it in Asia).

If you're relatively sure you'll be able to find water, there's no need to pack it with you, IMO. That's alot of weight, at 1 gallon/per person/per day, to pack if you're planning on having a filter along. Lighten that load!

I have used a PUR water filter for years.
I believe it is the Hiker model. They are light and work great. I have filtered water from some pretty questionable sources and have never gotten sick.
I use mine all the time when I am in the mountains.

I use a Pur water filter an it works fine. It is light weight and will pump about a gal. in 30sec. Fuzz

I use one of the filter bottle type, and take only one bottle with me. I am sure of water availability where I hunt though. Anything you can do to avoid carrying water is a good thing.

I'm very satisfied with my Sweetwater filter. Have used in in Yellowstone's back country and for elk hunting.

Has one of the fastest rates of pumping water of all of the different water filters.

take a Pur hiker, now i think they are called the Katydyn hiker, it has a good pump rate but what is key is will it purify the water, yes it will if you get sick after pumping the water through a hiker filter, there isnt sa filter out there that could do better

Great post!

This is one thing that has killed more trips than animals . I would try this Ultraviolet Water Purifier . I think its runs a bit high but well worth the money. It is small and convenient. It kills about anything that can make you sick besides you buddies jokes .
If you would like more information I'll be happy to send it to you.

Back To The Stove
Turtle

Gatehouse, PM'd again.

Get a couple of the EXstream filtering water bottles. They pull out viruses as well as basteria and, while slow, are portable and not too expensive.

JohnTheGreek

I can't find the article, but I read somewhere that stated there is no longer any surface water on earth that is 100% safe to drink.