do water filters/purifiers really work? after getting "lost" (not really lost, just couldn't find a trail that was clearly marked on map) on a hike yesterday and running out of water and food, i wondered about the water filters/purifiers that you can find at ems, rei, etc. do they really make water safe to drink? meaning, if i drink water "filtered" by one of these products, will i spend the rest of my hike well hydrated or squatting behind a tree?
Re: do water filters/purifiers really work? Yup. I've been backpacking since the early 90s and have used various water filters on my trips and have filtered out water from streams and alpine lakes and have not had a problem. I currently use a PUR Hiker that is at least five years old. FYI PUR is no longer in existence...sorta...they were bought out by Katadyn. Keep in mind that there is a difference between filters and purifiers. A purifier will also treat viruses in the water with iodine within the filter element. A water filter does not do this (that is why they are cheaper as well). Both will filter out bacteria and protozoa crap. Viruses are not that big of a concern for folks in the backcountry in this country. The only real problem you'll have with viruses are in places where humans crap like crazy in the water or near water sources. But if you want that sense of extra security get the purifier. On all my long day hikes and backpack trips I always pack my water filter along with a backup (usually iodine tablets). You can also use Polar Pur tablets if you can find it (it's hard to get cuz meth makers use these).
Glacier NP There's a chance I'll be living in Portland this summer. Either on the way out (beginning of June) or the way back (middle of August) I'd like to do a 2-3 night backpack in Glacier NP. Anyone been there and want to share advice? Any trails or areas of the park you especially like?Which would be a better month? I noticed that many of the trails aren't cleared until July b/c of the melt, but I'm afraid August might be heavy bug season (wife none too fond of mosquitos).
Renamed it "Climbing, Hiking, Cycling, and Other" to make sure that pro cycling doesn't get included as there is already a pro cycling thread.
i'm going to hook myself up with a katadyn hiker. i never want to run out of water again. i did some research and found out the trail i was looking for had been relocated due to a fire last summer. i found out the hard way it pays to always double check your route.
Well so far this year I have been able to get my ass five times into a climbing gym. The first time out I sucked real damn bad. No stamina or strength and my new Boreal Spiders were hurting my feet. But subsequent visits into the gym have gotten progressively better. My main goal for April as well as May is to build up my strength and stamina. My technique and mentality are pretty much there...just like the good ol' mid/late 90s when I climbed real good. Right now I'm topping out at 5.10 indoor routes. I think if I was to get my butt out to the Black Cliffs then I'm maxing out on 5.9s. My goal for 2003 is to be a very solid 5.10 climber...so basically what I was back in college before I got a damn job. I picked up a new climbing partner and his son. We'll see how this works out later this spring and summer. John has the potential to be a real good solid 5.10 climber. John is a "student" of mine that began coming into my REI wall along with his son about a year ago or so. My sore point though is that his son is a very annoying lil' ************ in the climbing gym and my tolerance for his behavior is wearing thin. If the weather is good in the next couple of weeks then I am going to take them out to our local crag and get them on a very easy route in the 5.7 to 5.8 range. I think then I will lay down the law with Charles (John's son). ------- With regards to camping and hiking... The past two years have sucked for me cuz I'm a WUSA junkie. I did get several backpacking trips into the Sawtooth National Recreation Area the past two years but nowhere near what I wanted to do. Another one of my goals for this summer is to get in at least 3-4 weekend backpack trips. Later this summer I am slated to climb Mt. Borah, Idaho's highest peak at just a tad under 12,700 feet. I did it once in the late 90s and had a blast. It took us 8 hours to get up and about 6 to get down. My goal is to shave an hour off each way. I've been *trying* to train for it this month but the past couple of weeks have sucked due to bad weather and work. More later.
Well after work today I laced up the trail running shoes and got in an hour hike on the Corrals Trail in the foothills north of the city. It was nice but a tad bit in the nipply side. OK maybe not really nice cuz for some odd reason I was just running low on energy. I chomped down a Clif Bar in the office about an hour before I hit the trailhead but that didn't help at all. Oh well.
Spent the weekend hiking in Big South Fork. Beautiful park, featuring a ton of interesting geological & aquatic features. The hiking was awesome- Even though our milage was unusually light. We did 8 miles on saturday and only ended up doing around 3 miles on sunday due to some trail confusion. That being said, the trails are extremely well maked, and relatively lightly traveled. Lots of crazy ferns and wildflowers, but I didn't see as much wildlife as I expected. I'll blame it on the hunting that they allow. My girlfriend, unfortunately, is not into mtn biking (even though she's an obsessive roadie), as BSF looked to have a lot of nice trails. There is also a decent amount of whitewater. I didn't see anyting that looked to be over a class IV, but this looks like it would be a great kayaking resource. I'm not so sure it would be a great rafting river though, even though there are plenty of outfitters. Also, it looks to be a pretty good place to climb, though you certainly won't be doing any multi-pitch stuff here. I didn't see any bolts, and I'm not sure they would be allowed, so you might be limited to top-roping. Which begs the question, with Red River Gorge so close, why would you need to climb here?
Apparently, she moved. I used to see her all the time (like just about every day at climb time) in the mid 90's, but I totally dropped out of the scene around the time she was starting to win competitions. I knew she was good, but I had no idea of her reputation until I just googled her name. Wow.
I've never seen her climb in person but I have seen video of her climibing and it's SICK. My goodness to have 1/100th of her ability....*sigh* --- In other news REI just put out their summer 2003 catalog. *drools* So much stuff I wanna buy, but soooo much debt I have cuz I work there. Ugh.
I can't remember if it was January or November, but I went hiking for the first time since then this afternoon after work. Just a 5.5 mile trip, with only one short stretch of leg busting uphill switchbacks. http://openspace.co.jefferson.co.us Apex Park (http://ww2.co.jefferson.co.us/ext/dpt/comm_res/openspac/apexrpro.htm) is where I hiked. Did a loop towards the top of the map, if you view one. I like hiking there since it's 30-40 minutes from me, 30 min. from work if there's no traffic, and I get out at 3:30.
BTW I need to get a Camelback for mostly skiing, but something I can use for hiking as well, maybe even biking or rollerblading. I was thinking a 1.5 liter SnoLite, seen it for as litte as $29. Or maybe 2 liters. I'd like to keep the cost under $50, it can go over for tax. Suggestions?
What an excellent night of climbing at the Black Cliffs tonight!!! Did several 5.8s and one 5.7. I was suprised at how strongly I climbed tonight considering I have only had five indoor sessions within the past two months. Well the first climb tonight was a lil' shaky but after that I was good to go. I was really calm and collected with the subsequent climbs. NICE!!! I think the weather is suppose to be crappy this weekend so I think I will just be a bum and OD on WUSA soccer. ------ With regards to which CamelBak to get... Jeff I would strongly suggest that you get a non-winter model of Camelbak. You can modify it for winter use by buying the Therma Control kit for like $15 I think. Basically it's an insulated tube and bite valve. You just switch them out with the original tube that comes with your Camelbak. My suggestions are... the Rogue (70 oz) Siren (50 oz) I own the SnoBowl (50 oz). The downside of that setup is that it can't hold anything else other than the resevoir.
i would recommend a 2 liter if you want to bring it biking and hiking. you suck down the water on hot days. the lobo is a great choice. you can carry some gear with you also. the msrp is $65, a little more than you wanted to spend, but i think it will fit your needs better. i own this model. if you want to take the lobo skiing, i would recommend adding the thermo control kit, so the water won't freeze in the tube.
Did Boise's toughest trail after work today...********** Creek. The reason why it's the toughest trail in the Foothills is because it's a grunt of a climb. I've never made it to the top of Squak Creek though...that is an all day endeavour. Tonight all I did was 1.5 hours. It would have been interesting to see how much vertical feet I gained as I was going up...it's pretty steep compared to a majority of the other trails in the system. I sure wish I had a CamelBak reservoir in my backpack though. I just don't like taking off my backpack to pull out my Nalgene bottle. I think tomorrow I'm going rockclimbing...errr if the weather is good.
I just found out earlier today that I am one of REI's newest product gear testers. My first assignment is to test our new line of hydration packs that will make their debut next spring.
Saw a snake where I hiked today, http://ww2.co.jefferson.co.us/ext/dpt/comm_res/openspac/mawmp.htm Harmless King Snake, but I didn't know that right away. Some tough mini climbs, maybe 1000 feet of vertical, 9.8 miles in 4 hr 15 min. I was happy with the hike. 2nd hike of the season. Not ready to, nor am I motivated to summit any 14ers, but I can still get good exercise and good hikes in just 30-60 minutes away from me. Jefferson County Parks Deer Creek Canyon is next for me. 20 minutes from work. I think Friday after work Jeffco (county's called this) hikes are going to become the norm. I'm still home by 8.
Thanks to all who offered suggestions. I'm going to get the Lobo later this year I think, especially if they have the 70 oz. ones. Edit: Yup, they do, on sale for $50 at REI during the anniversary sale. I gotta try to get it tomorrow.
We had a fantabulous night of climbing tonight!!! I climbed pretty OK. John and his eight year-old son Charles climbed exceptionally well. And we met some pretty cool people at the cliffs too. Looks like we are gonna try to climb with them this season. Overall just a very good vibe up there. Damn I love the outdoors!!!