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Traveler
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43 years of drinking straight from the lake but I am considering a Sawyer Squeeze Filter. Guaranteed for 1,000,000 gallons. $49 at Bass Pro Shop.
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Naguethey
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Water purification tablets, and boiling. Never had a water born illness. I don't like to carry extra gear that I don't need.
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BRic
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Lake
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Jrod
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Whats your system for getting drinking water?
Water filter bottle?
gravity water filter?
boiling ?
straight from the lake?
I had a strange idea of making my own water filter by buying a replacement cartridge and somehow rigging it into my camel back.
Boiled it one year but didnt have a funnel, so we spilled ALOT when filling up canteens (3 first timers alone). Oh and we boiled it over an open fire, no camp stoves hahahaha not too smart.
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mocha
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whenever possible we drink straight from the lake.
otherwise we use a gravity feed filter and/or boiling.
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Rich11
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from the lake a boiling it. But i still want to get a filter
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OBX2Kayak
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I used a friend's Steripen on my last trip and liked the convenience. I've just purchased one for my trip this summer.
Yes, it is dependent on batteries, so I need a back-up. Luckily the water in the B-dub is clean enough to drink from the center of most lakes or, I can always boil it.
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Boppa
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A lot of different and valid systems used and promoted. We have used and are very pleased with with Katadyn Gravity Feed for 5 years now. Some have had clogging issues, we have not.
We also use and enjoy water on the go with our AquaStar purifier. Never need to carry that much.
Enjoy looking over the various methods and systems.
Boppa
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mooseplums
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quote mocha: "whenever possible we drink straight from the lake.
otherwise we use a gravity feed filter and/or boiling."
I also prefer to drink straight from the lake. I trip in the spring and fall (not sure I would on a mid summer trip)
I use a Katadyn Hiker Pro filter...when I filter.
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Spartan2
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We, too, have boiled (over a fire also,) and have used pills (many years ago), and have had a couple of filters. Have a Katadyn Guide now and we like it fine. Just recently bought a Steripen, but haven't used it yet, so can't comment upon that.
Would never drink from the lake, although in 1971 we did. Not now. And since Spartan1 had his kidney transplant the nephrologist says he can't go if he is going to drink from the lake. ;-)
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fishguts
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Straight from the lake, take care where we dip, never been sick. Not a problem.
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kanoes
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first need deluxe purifier.
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nctry
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After a guy we had on a trip in the eighties got very sick. He was a contractor and lost his business over it. Spent many weeks in the hospital. He insisted he always drank from the middle of the lake. I filter everything... Well, not my dish water. I've used a Pur which is now the Hiker. I go through many replacement filters. I'm tempted to go the MSR Gravity Filter. I drink a lot of water out there. And I do all the preventative things like the coffee filter over the pre filter and letting my water sit. Like last May, there was a lot of pollen or something in the water everywhere. I remember Beatty Portage stinking from it.
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Mort
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I second fishguts. 38 years of tripping, ..hundreds of trippers, ..no one ever had a problem.
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BWPaddler
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quote OBX2Kayak: "I used a friend's Steripen on my last trip and liked the convenience. I've just purchased one for my trip this summer.
Yes, it is dependent on batteries, so I need a back-up. Luckily the water in the B-dub is clean enough to drink from the center of most lakes or, I can always boil it."
+1, using it since 2007 and like it.
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pswith5
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As others have pointed out cooler weather and a good sized lake make drinking form the lake ok. As it warms up and from a smaller body of water you will want to filter. Boiling is an adequate option but time consuming.(heat up to boiling then wait to cool down)I just purchased a gravity feed filter and have yet to use it. Have had a pump filter, katadyn, and never had any problems.
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Savage Voyageur
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I have used all the main ways from drinking from the lake to pills, boiling and filters. They all have there good and bad points. I have settled on a MSR filter that I like. It can be field cleaned. I also use a prefilter and a coffee filter over the prefilter. This prolongs the main filter.
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arctic
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Straight from the lake (using some common sense). 30 years, no problems.
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Rob Johnson
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MSR Gravity
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Stumpy
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Straight from the lake....just like all the thousands of people I helped outfit.
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jcavenagh
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See this product. You can use with your camelback, in the bottle, in line gravity...
Sawyer Filter
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lean
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Have used the Katadyn Base camp, gravity filter, had many clogging problems, switching to the MSR gravity flow this year! If you are going to filter, gravity is the way to go!
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Great Melinko
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Straight from the lake
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SunCatcher
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I have a base camp filter and a hiker pro filter from Katadyn. (By the way these both use the same filter) I like the concept of the base camp for groups but am using the hiker pro for myself solo or if just a couple go.
Word of caution on Steripen's. I had mine on a River trip, It is the Journey Model, I had it in my thwart bag and we dumbed the canoe at a falls, and it got wet and hasnt worked since, $100 out the door.
the point is you have to keep em dry. Call me a dumb dumb.
SunCatcher
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Winsum45
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I use a Katadyn Pro Hiker. Works great, pumps a lot of water in a short time. I've heard of silt build-up problems so I carry basket type coffee filters to put over the pickup end of the hose and fasten with a small rubberbands. No silt problems.
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alpine525
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quote drnatus: "quote nctry: "After a guy we had on a trip in the eighties got very sick. He was a contractor and lost his business over it. Spent many weeks in the hospital. He insisted he always drank from the middle of the lake. I filter everything... Well, not my dish water. I've used a Pur which is now the Hiker. I go through many replacement filters. I'm tempted to go the MSR Gravity Filter. I drink a lot of water out there. And I do all the preventative things like the coffee filter over the pre filter and letting my water sit. Like last May, there was a lot of pollen or something in the water everywhere. I remember Beatty Portage stinking from it."
Exactly. It is not worth the risk to me. If I don't work, I don't get paid. We used a Katadyn base camp and some sort of "hiker". The base camp was bit of a disappointment. (search in the gear thread for more info on that)"
I agree - it's not worth the risk. We always use a filter. The filter does not take up a lot of space, and it's not that hard to use. I have no desire to get sick just for the sake of convenience.
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fisher
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hand pump filters are a huge pain.
straight from the lake.
boiled.
avoid beavers.
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Freddy
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We have used a MSR Miniworks for several years all over the country. We take an extra ceramic core and when we keep it clean you will get a liter in about two minutes. We have considered going to a gravity unit but we trust this one.
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solotrek
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I've always used the pills. Never had a problem. This year, however, I bought a Katadyn MyBottle and I'll be picking up a Katadyn Base Camp at 'Copia this year.
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cowdoc
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quote SunCatcher: "I have a base camp filter and a hiker pro filter from Katadyn. (By the way these both use the same filter) I like the concept of the base camp for groups but am using the hiker pro for myself solo or if just a couple go.
Word of caution on Steripen's. I had mine on a River trip, It is the Journey Model, I had it in my thwart bag and we dumbed the canoe at a falls, and it got wet and hasnt worked since, $100 out the door.
the point is you have to keep em dry. Call me a dumb dumb.
SunCatcher"
So, let me get this straight: A device you stick into water and you cant get it wet.....?
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Jeriatric
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Straight from lake.
Katadyn Base Camp for nervous group.
Steripen for nervous solo.
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inspector13
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I either dip from the middle of large lakes, or filter water out from shore on smaller, shallow lakes using the Katadyn (Pur) Hiker. Just make sure not to use untreated water taken from shore; not even to rinse your dishes.
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threehorse
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I started out years ago with the iodine tablets, then moved to a Pur (now Katadyn) Hiker Pro, and this year I am switching to a Katadyn Vario just to increase the filtration speed.
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BearBrown
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I have moved from drinking straight out of the lake, to boiling, to filtering.
Boiling is too time consuming for me, wastes fuel and doesn't get rid of the lake particulates.
The only filter I have used is the MSR Miniworks filter. Works great and has held up well. Water tastes great out of it and it is easy to field clean. Only problem is it can get a little slow after pumping several liters of tannin stained water with it, then you just have to clean the filter quickly.
I would like to purchase a gravity filter to complement or replace my MSR though. Depends on group size.
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drnatus
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quote nctry: "After a guy we had on a trip in the eighties got very sick. He was a contractor and lost his business over it. Spent many weeks in the hospital. He insisted he always drank from the middle of the lake. I filter everything... Well, not my dish water. I've used a Pur which is now the Hiker. I go through many replacement filters. I'm tempted to go the MSR Gravity Filter. I drink a lot of water out there. And I do all the preventative things like the coffee filter over the pre filter and letting my water sit. Like last May, there was a lot of pollen or something in the water everywhere. I remember Beatty Portage stinking from it."
Exactly. It is not worth the risk to me. If I don't work, I don't get paid. We used a Katadyn base camp and some sort of "hiker". The base camp was bit of a disappointment. (search in the gear thread for more info on that)
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TomT
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quote fishguts: "Straight from the lake, take care where we dip, never been sick. Not a problem."
I did it ths way up until 2006 when I used the Katydn basecamp flter. For my solo this year I'm going back to drinking from the lake wih common sense. Will boil if I think I need to.
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pswith5
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Hi Jrod, Hey I have an older pur water filter I would like to pass on to the next generation. ( I assume you're young, maybe I shouldn't) It's the equivalent of the Hiker from Katadyn. May even be an offshoot or bought out by Katadyn. I will sell/give it to you for a cup of Caribou coffee. Are you from the Twin Cities by chance? You can probably Google Pur Pro Hiker. It will need a new filter, so not entirely free. Shoot me an e-mail if you're interested.
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FullGo
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I use a katadyn. It is no big deal to pump and the risk other-wise is not worth it to me.
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nojobro
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We filter with a pump filter. Would like a gravity filter someday, too. Iodine & boiling as backup.
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PineKnot
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Straight from the lake most of the time. Use pills as a back-up. Will bring gravity filter if not solo.
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Amok
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Katadyn Vario and the Katadyn Exstream.
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butthead
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quote Jrod: "Whats your system for getting drinking water?
Water filter bottle?
gravity water filter?
boiling ?
straight from the lake?
I had a strange idea of making my own water filter by buying a replacement cartridge and somehow rigging it into my camel back.
Boiled it one year but didnt have a funnel, so we spilled ALOT when filling up canteens (3 first timers alone). Oh and we boiled it over an open fire, no camp stoves hahahaha not too smart.
"
New from Camelbak
butthead
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Woods Walker
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I have drank from the lake on trips before, but most of the time I use the Katadyn (Pur) Hiker & pump my water from shore. My cooking water is boiled.
I think I may buy a Steripen & only use the filter pump to fill the camp water bag from shore.
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I-Hawk
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I drink straight from the lake 95% of the time. If I need water at shore then I use my Katadyn hand pump.
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oldnewbie
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Katadyn Vario. pumps fast
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Jrod
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quote Woods Walker: "I have drank from the lake on trips before, but most of the time I use the Katadyn (Pur) Hiker & pump my water from shore. My cooking water is boiled.
I think I may buy a Steripen & only use the filter pump to fill the camp water bag from shore.
"
My roommate has a steripen, he bought it for a hiking trip and the things batteries died after two days, the batteries it came with were next to dead. Kind of a bummer
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fstask
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Wow. The thought of not filtering water never even crossed my mind as a newbie to the boundary waters. Figured that was a given. Still think I'll filter though ;)
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fstask
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quote threehorse: "I started out years ago with the iodine tablets, then moved to a Pur (now Katadyn) Hiker Pro, and this year I am switching to a Katadyn Vario just to increase the filtration speed."
Just stumbled across the Vario in the Cabela's Bargain Cave.
Good deal? Or bad deal?
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dicecupmaker
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I use the gravity Katadyn when camping and paddle-n-drink as we go. Never had any issue with the water. Never drink water near a beaver damm or hut.
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firestarter
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quote SunCatcher: "Word of caution on Steripen's. I had mine on a River trip, It is the Journey Model, I had it in my thwart bag and we dumbed the canoe at a falls, and it got wet and hasnt worked since, $100 out the door.
the point is you have to keep em dry. Call me a dumb dumb.
SunCatcher"
They are supposed to work in water yet if they get wet they will break? That is stupid design.
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BearBrown
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For all you people who drink straight out of the lake, read corndog's trip report. You might reconsider your ways!!! Haha.
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Beaverjack
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Yeah, drinking straight from a lake always sounds the same. Then, the stories that begin with "I always did it until the year I was on my death bed.." all sound the same too.
I use a Katalyn Pro Guide or a Pro Hiker, and I add 3 drops of chlorine per liter.
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Merganser
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Filter, always. I have a Katadyn base camp filter that is convenient for groups. We always have at least one pump filter. I have some micropure tablets (or something similar) as a backup.
I don't care what the odds are, it's not worth the risk of drinking unfiltered water. I wash dishes in filtered water too.
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Sierra1
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I never drink unfiltered water. I use a Katadyn Pro Hiker. Never have had any problems.
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toddhunter
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I just bought a Katadyn MicroFilter bottle (white bottle) for $30 on sale at Gander Mtn. Keep it or return it? (it's the only one I have)
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Basspro69
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I bring a really long straw with me .
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MrBreeze
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Been drinking straight from the lake since mid 70's, have never had an issue. We carry iodine pills if lake water does not look good or on a river and can't get time to boil first.
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PlumberDave
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We have always boiled the water then run it through coffee filter or similar product to remove particles from water
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bjager
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My dad does water conditioning and he made this really cool filter and i still haven't seen anything quite as efficient, basically i use 1/4" poly tubing, a five gallon collapsible bag, a home made PVC charcoal filter, iodine tablets and a small cork or cap for tubing. first you fill your bag and hang it from a tree, then tape your filter underneath, throw a few iodine tabs in, wait ten minutes then start a siphon through the charcoal filter, put the cap on, and you've got running water whenever you need it. the charcoal filter is just a piece of PVC pipe filled with charcoal and a screen in the outlet, it takes out any particles or sediment, and completely knocks out the iodine taste, best water you can get besides straight from the lake.
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BWPaddler
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quote bjager: "My dad does water conditioning and he made this really cool filter and i still haven't seen anything quite as efficient, basically i use 1/4" poly tubing, a five gallon collapsible bag, a home made PVC charcoal filter, iodine tablets and a small cork or cap for tubing. first you fill your bag and hang it from a tree, then tape your filter underneath, throw a few iodine tabs in, wait ten minutes then start a siphon through the charcoal filter, put the cap on, and you've got running water whenever you need it. the charcoal filter is just a piece of PVC pipe filled with charcoal and a screen in the outlet, it takes out any particles or sediment, and completely knocks out the iodine taste, best water you can get besides straight from the lake. "
sounds cool!
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Canoearoo
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quote drnatus: "quote nctry: "After a guy we had on a trip in the eighties got very sick. He was a contractor and lost his business over it. Spent many weeks in the hospital. He insisted he always drank from the middle of the lake. I filter everything... Well, not my dish water. I've used a Pur which is now the Hiker. I go through many replacement filters. I'm tempted to go the MSR Gravity Filter. I drink a lot of water out there. And I do all the preventative things like the coffee filter over the pre filter and letting my water sit. Like last May, there was a lot of pollen or something in the water everywhere. I remember Beatty Portage stinking from it."
Exactly. It is not worth the risk to me. If I don't work, I don't get paid. We used a Katadyn base camp and some sort of "hiker". The base camp was bit of a disappointment. (search in the gear thread for more info on that)"
One of my friends never believed in filtering either. He went to Quetico one year and drank out of the middle of the lake just like everyone here (he also had done this for years.) But he did get sick and it took him 6 months on meds to get it out of the system. He lost a lot of work hours over, it and had to spend time in the hospital. Seeing that; it is not worth the risk at all IMHO. Drinking out of the middle of the lake guarantees you nothing; I don't care if you have done it for 30 years. You have been lucky.
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jb in the wild
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I'll never pump water again. 
JB
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DavidMpls
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I used to filter my drinking water until one day I was getting ready to head in and I was at the outfitter talking with one of the guys who worked there who lived in Ely and he said that he wasn't supposed to say it but none of the people who worked at the outfitter filtered their water and of all the people he knew that went to bwca and the Q, none of them filtered their water. In 30-some trips I have not filtered my water. I am happy I got rid of that chore and hauling around the filter. There are specific instructions for collecting water if you're not going to filter it, you might find them in Cliff Jacobson's books but I'm not sure.
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schweady
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Agreed, jb. The Sawyer makes it so painless it's silly not to anymore.
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AdamXChicago
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"Lucky" or otherwise, all Q trips have been straight from the lake
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