Steripen doesn't work good on really silty water, like from glacier run-off. The silt blocks the UV light from getting everywhere. You can double the treatment time if it's a little silty. Sometimes, you can let the water sit and the silt will settle. Silty water isn't good for a filter either, because it plugs it up.
I don't think it matters if water quality in PNW tends to be better. It's a statistical thing. If you drink a lot of untreated water, you'll likely eventually get sick, but maybe not. And some people get sick without significant symptoms. You have to base the decision on testing of the filter or Steripen. Testing of what parasites are out there and whether the treatment works. Studies of a bunch of people thru-hiking the PCT are good because there's a lot of people-days.
Treating with Steripen or Sawyer weighs about 3 ounces and both are pretty easy so you may as well do it. Maybe it will prevent an illness from ruining a trip some day.
Water Filtration
Re: Water Filtration
Steripen also doesn’t treat at all any of the water on the lip and threads of the container.... the part you put your lips to or pour from.retired jerry wrote:Steripen doesn't work good on really silty water, like from glacier run-off. The silt blocks the UV light from getting everywhere. You can double the treatment time if it's a little silty. Sometimes, you can let the water sit and the silt will settle.
lightweight, cheap, strong... pick 2
Re: Water Filtration
I use the Sawyer Squeeze on every hike. Never had a single problem with it (and I have struggled with other filters in the past. It is easy to clean and very affordable. Not to mention also that 1 or 1.5 liter water bottles last forever and are about the lightest option out there. Totally recommend the Sawyer Squeeze.
Re: Water Filtration
Yep, the Sawyer squeeze and the mini are both good. In my experience the squeeze has faster flow.
And if there is any possibility of freezing at night, I put it in a zip lock an in my sleeping bag with me. Freezing the filter is sure death to it.
And if there is any possibility of freezing at night, I put it in a zip lock an in my sleeping bag with me. Freezing the filter is sure death to it.
Re: Water Filtration
I use a MSR Mini-works.
It is relatively heavy but extremely reliable.
It screws onto the top of a water bottle or my MSR dromedary bag.
If it clogs after pumping cloudy water, I can clean it in the field.
Previously, I used a water filter that was not field cleanable.
When it clogged, I was out of luck.
I have been with people who used the Lifestraw.
It seemed reliable, except that you can't pump a quantity of water.
Been on many trips where others' Steri-pens failed.
I wouldn't trust those.
It is relatively heavy but extremely reliable.
It screws onto the top of a water bottle or my MSR dromedary bag.
If it clogs after pumping cloudy water, I can clean it in the field.
Previously, I used a water filter that was not field cleanable.
When it clogged, I was out of luck.
I have been with people who used the Lifestraw.
It seemed reliable, except that you can't pump a quantity of water.
Been on many trips where others' Steri-pens failed.
I wouldn't trust those.
Re: Water Filtration
Amazon currently has a deal going on for the Sawyer filtering products: Mini and the PointOne.
http://slickdeals.net/f/8745723-sawyer- ... 13-55-more
http://slickdeals.net/f/8745723-sawyer- ... 13-55-more
Re: Water Filtration
I'm a big fan of the Sawyer Mini, you can't beat it for weight...it's a little slow, maybe, but I'm patient. I've never had a problem with it clogging, but I take the syringe along with me (very lightweight) and backflush it every time I use it. Once when I was filtering glacier run-off near Elk Cove I had to flush it after every liter or so because it would start slowing down, but the water was exceptionally silty - you could see a spray of darkish brown water come out when I would flush it so obviously it was just doing its job
Do yourself a favor though and replace the bag it comes with, which is very stiff plastic and can be difficult to fill - I use a Platypus bag and it is SO much easier. Threading it onto the Platypus can be a little tricky so I turn it upside down for a few seconds and make sure it's not leaking dirty water before I start filtering.
Do yourself a favor though and replace the bag it comes with, which is very stiff plastic and can be difficult to fill - I use a Platypus bag and it is SO much easier. Threading it onto the Platypus can be a little tricky so I turn it upside down for a few seconds and make sure it's not leaking dirty water before I start filtering.
- alpinista55
- Posts: 25
- Joined: June 30th, 2016, 1:44 pm
Re: Water Filtration
Has anyone tried the Katadyn BeFree filter and bottle system? Lots of talk over on the BackpackingLight forum about this filter system, better flow (2.5x) than the Sawyer mini, easier cleaning, but a 43mm thread that is hard to match up with collapsable bottles. It comes with a .6 L flask, and will supposedly fit on HydraPak Seeker containers 1L, 2L, 3L.
https://www.rei.com/product/100537/kata ... filter-set
https://backpackinglight.com/forums/top ... /#comments
https://www.rei.com/product/100537/kata ... filter-set
https://backpackinglight.com/forums/top ... /#comments