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From: lowell@fluke.UUCP (Lowell Skoog)
Newsgroups: net.rec
Subject: Re: Water Purification
Message-ID: <1217@vax1.fluke.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 11-Oct-85 17:32:44 EDT
Article-I.D.: vax1.1217
Posted: Fri Oct 11 17:32:44 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 13-Oct-85 04:24:59 EDT
References: <1168@cbdkc1.UUCP>
Organization: John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc., Everett, WA
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> For hikers/backpackers/survivalists/outdoors people, what way(s) do
> you prefer purifying your water?

My number one method is to avoid questionable water.  Unfortunately, even in the
Cascades, this is getting harder and harder.  On a day trip, I can usually get
by on a liter of water brought from home.  Otherwise, I avoid drinking from all
but the highest streams and lakes.  I have never purified Cascade water...yet.

The only time I have purified water was on a climbing trip in the Andes.  We
used iodine tincture, not crystals.  Eight drops to a liter of water, more if
the water is cloudy.  Wait 30 minutes, no boiling required.  This method is
simple and reputedly effective.  Iodine crystals make me nervous since they are
poisonous.  I would worry about accidentally dropping one in my water bottle.

					Lowell Skoog, Seattle