Re: [Paddlewise] water filters was ( Lightweight backpacking stoves)

  It certainly takes more trip pre-planning but I tend to go with
> empty water containers now (other than enroute requirements plus
> reserve) and a water purifier.  Specifically a PUR Explorer, with the
> screw on carbon element, and the carbon stop-top.  The convenience of
> virus/bacteria/cyst free water with reasonable taste via a filter
> extends useful load for such things that can't be manufactured on the
> spot, such as fuel (well at least in the absence of a cold-fusion
> solution).

I use the Pur and I would like to second the virus warning.  On our 94 Grand
Canyon trips half the party became sick from the Norwalk virus.  When we got
off the river we found out there was an epidemic of it on the river.  The
Park Service recomended chemical treatment as well as filtering for the
water due to the Norwalk virus.  On subsequent trips we used a high capcity
gravity filter ( for 16 people you need a lot of water) and treated the
filtered water with iodine. We called the Center for Disease Control for
their recommendations.  Since we use excellent filters for giardia and
amoeba, we only needed to kill viruses.  The CDC said that it takes about
1/10 the amount of iodine to kill viruses.  We were conservative and took
1/4 of the usual iodine amount (to kill giardia) to complete the
purification of our water. If you use one of the Pur, Sweet Water or other
filters with iodine resin or virus protection it is not an issue. When
members of our party contracted the Norwalk virus they were violently sick
and completely incapable of rowing or paddling.  Fortunately we had enough
back up rowers because much of it happened in the inner Gorge of the Canyon
, which is where the biggest rapids are.  There was another outbreak of
Norwalk  virus in the Grand Canyon this past summer.
http://www.sltrib.com/2002/jun/06182002/utah/746372.htm
Note the recomendation for disinfection.  Other reports said the virus was
chlorine resistant.
http://www.sltrib.com/2002/oct/10312002/utah/12207.htm
We are much more careful since that  first Grand Canyon trip.  Pay attention
to your water sources and don't rely on filtering alone you need
disinfection as well (which you can get from some filters). Believe it!

Amazing how these threads morph!
-- MZ
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