Posted: 3/7/2011 3:55:01 PM EDT
| Ok im just curious, I have the tablets, three different water filters, bleach and plenty of stored water. when I was backpacking as a teen if we had too we would filter our water through our shirts or whatever we had then boil it to drink. or if in highcountry melt snow and boil to purify it. Why does no one ever talk about that method? Is it the fear of being able to use a heat source? or is technology just brought us that much further along? And i am not that old either! LOL |
| I'm kind of new to these boards so I don't know if that's been covered in a thread before or not. I would imagine the fuel used to boil water is a pretty good reason. Or, it could be that many people are already aware that you can boil the water. Either way, having multiple options to acquire, transport, filter, and store potable water is always a plus in my books. |
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I'd consider boiling one of the top methods to purify water. Odd are I'll be wanting a warm meal, so why not take advantage of the heat when doing so.
In addition boiling water uses scrap or renewable resources when in the field. Unless you store filter media and charcoal then those resources could become in short supply in the event of a long term disaster. The only reason I use a filter is a quick refill when hiking, or if I'd want to stay in "stealth mode" (which is unlikely). Always pack a good metal cup to allow this. |
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Same reason why we talk about EOTWAWKI gun scenarios more. The other methods are not as common, more entertaining, and there's more to learn.
Its not like people don't know how to boil water. There are however numerous scenarios where taking the time to boil water is either not practical or inconvenient. Tj |
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I carry katadyn tablets and use cloth to filter out the larger particles. However, without tablets, it is pretty simple to build a workable purifier on your own. You just need to have the time to make a fire and let it go. Once done, take a handkerchief fill with a handfull of grass, sand and crushed charcoal from your fire. Filter your water through it and it should now be potable without needing to boil. And as stated, many people don't talk about melting snow because of the large fuel cost in order to do so. Especially if you backpack with cooking gear you don't want to put into a wood fire. |