Posted: 1/9/2014 4:42:15 PM EDT
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So yesterday I went on a 12 hour hike to test out my new GHB/24 Hour Bag.
I brought my 3L Source bladder, 50ft of paracord, a tarp, my fixed blade knife, 3 different ways to start a fire, a medkit (filled with supplies to stop bleeding, addressing medium to small cuts and general antiseptics and general hygiene), map of the area and some energy bars and trail mix in a small zip-lock bag. Besides using my new boots to go on a 12 hour hike it was a great time and I ended up using everything, either for shits and giggles or for actual use. I did however find out that I need to focus on adding some water purifying methods to my pack. I stumbled upon this bad-ass spring when I was about 4 hours in, luckily I had enough water to make it through the whole hike, but I wish I had ways to drink some of this fresh spring water or ways to safely refill my water bladder if I ever needed too. Boiling water would not be the best option for me since my goal is to be as light weight as possible, I am thinking about adding a small wood-gas stove so I wouldnt have to worry about carrying extra fuel with me as well. What type of compact light-weight water purifying methods do you guys have? I was looking at getting a life-straw and keeping a small bottle of bleach with me but I wanted to see if there are any better methods out there. Thanks! |
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I bought a Source XL 3L bag not too long ago to run with my Vanguard USMC carrier, but haven't use it yet.
I bought two LifeStraws in '11 and then their LifeStraw GO water bottle with LS inside. You can fill the bottle up and sip out of it and I used it to drink Everglades water last month and didn't get sick! I also have a Sawyer Squeeze 1 filter and gravity buckets, but this isn't what you want. There are other decent 'pocket' filters out there that will do viruses, but we don't generally have that problem here in America, so the LSs are fine for my needs. If I'm worried about viruses in the water, a few drops of bleach will do the job, is my thought? LSs now have an unlimited shelf life and they do 1000L of water, so maybe they're the way to go for 'portability?' If you want a bottle to just fill up and drink, get their GO. I got one for $26 shipped on initial offering, but they're now up to $40 I think? Check Ebay and Amazon for sales. Chris |
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Quoted:
I bought a Source XL 3L bag not too long ago to run with my Vanguard USMC carrier, but haven't use it yet. I bought two LifeStraws in '11 and then their LifeStraw GO water bottle with LS inside. You can fill the bottle up and sip out of it and I used it to drink Everglades water last month and didn't get sick! I also have a Sawyer Squeeze 1 filter and gravity buckets, but this isn't what you want. There are other decent 'pocket' filters out there that will do viruses, but we don't generally have that problem here in America, so the LSs are fine for my needs. If I'm worried about viruses in the water, a few drops of bleach will do the job, is my thought? LSs now have an unlimited shelf life and they do 1000L of water, so maybe they're the way to go for 'portability?' If you want a bottle to just fill up and drink, get their GO. I got one for $26 shipped on initial offering, but they're now up to $40 I think? Check Ebay and Amazon for sales. Chris I like the size of the LS, but how do you fill a bladder with it? I am honestly a bit paranoid about getting sick from water, especially if this will be my go-to water filter during a SHTF event when hospitals might be closed. So I want to make sure I get a quality filter that can truly filter water. The bleach idea is my last resort idea since I do not like the idea of drinking even a small amount of bleach (although I guess it is no different than tap water). I heard that if you leave a bottle of water out in the sun with the cap off for 30 or so minutes the bleach with evaporate before the water does, is there any truth to this? Also, I love the Source bag, easy to fill, zero plastic taste, light and just all alround bad ass. It was 10x better than my older camelback bladder |
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I like the size of the LS, but how do you fill a bladder with it? I am honestly a bit paranoid about getting sick from water, especially if this will be my go-to water filter during a SHTF event when hospitals might be closed. So I want to make sure I get a quality filter that can truly filter water. The bleach idea is my last resort idea since I do not like the idea of drinking even a small amount of bleach (although I guess it is no different than tap water). I heard that if you leave a bottle of water out in the sun with the cap off for 30 or so minutes the bleach with evaporate before the water does, is there any truth to this? Also, I love the Source bag, easy to fill, zero plastic taste, light and just all alround bad ass. It was 10x better than my older camelback bladder Two issues that you have going: one is portability and the other is 'base camp' sort of stuff. They're kind of mutually exclusive, in my mind, since water weighs in at just under 8# a gallon. Are you worried about hiking on the trails and having water, or are you worried about camping out somewhere for a while and having enough water to get by? Survivorman got me hooked on the Sawyer filters and gravity bucket system a couple of years back and that method works well for my 'stationary' situation, but the LSs are good on the go, but they're not easy to employ, as you need to 'sip' while on the road. There are other similar solutions to the LS brand, so do your research. This brings us to something like the LS GO bottle, as at least one can fill up the bottle with 22oz of dirty water and drink as they go. Frankly, you need multiple systems in SHTF, or just while out hiking through the trails. Some of the 'pump solutions works great, like the Katadyn Pocket filter, but you'll still need a bag and that bag weighs X, Y or Z, when filled with water. Plus, the Katadyn Pocket filter, or their Vaio, or Hiker Pro, costs a bit of money...a lot more than the LS Go, or LSs and an empty bladder. You can always carry a small vial with bleach in it and be totally protected, if you're worried about viruses. Pick your poison. Chris |
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I like the size of the LS, but how do you fill a bladder with it? I am honestly a bit paranoid about getting sick from water, especially if this will be my go-to water filter during a SHTF event when hospitals might be closed. So I want to make sure I get a quality filter that can truly filter water. The bleach idea is my last resort idea since I do not like the idea of drinking even a small amount of bleach (although I guess it is no different than tap water). I heard that if you leave a bottle of water out in the sun with the cap off for 30 or so minutes the bleach with evaporate before the water does, is there any truth to this? Also, I love the Source bag, easy to fill, zero plastic taste, light and just all alround bad ass. It was 10x better than my older camelback bladder I will try and get some updated photos of my new Sawyer Mini (just downsized from the Squeeze). For the price, this is your most versatile filter with a few attachments. It can be used like a straw (with a longer hose, used as a gravity filter and used as a "squeeze" filter which can also be rigged up and attached directly to your Source hydration tube allowing you to fill it directly without removing from your pack. Don't ignore the need for filtration/purification...I use both, my Aqua Mira purification mix is my backup or when the water is really clear and no need for filtering. ROCK6 |
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Quoted:
I like the size of the LS, but how do you fill a bladder with it? I am honestly a bit paranoid about getting sick from water, especially if this will be my go-to water filter during a SHTF event when hospitals might be closed. So I want to make sure I get a quality filter that can truly filter water. The bleach idea is my last resort idea since I do not like the idea of drinking even a small amount of bleach (although I guess it is no different than tap water). I heard that if you leave a bottle of water out in the sun with the cap off for 30 or so minutes the bleach with evaporate before the water does, is there any truth to this? Also, I love the Source bag, easy to fill, zero plastic taste, light and just all alround bad ass. It was 10x better than my older camelback bladder Quoted:
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I bought a Source XL 3L bag not too long ago to run with my Vanguard USMC carrier, but haven't use it yet. I bought two LifeStraws in '11 and then their LifeStraw GO water bottle with LS inside. You can fill the bottle up and sip out of it and I used it to drink Everglades water last month and didn't get sick! I also have a Sawyer Squeeze 1 filter and gravity buckets, but this isn't what you want. There are other decent 'pocket' filters out there that will do viruses, but we don't generally have that problem here in America, so the LSs are fine for my needs. If I'm worried about viruses in the water, a few drops of bleach will do the job, is my thought? LSs now have an unlimited shelf life and they do 1000L of water, so maybe they're the way to go for 'portability?' If you want a bottle to just fill up and drink, get their GO. I got one for $26 shipped on initial offering, but they're now up to $40 I think? Check Ebay and Amazon for sales. Chris I like the size of the LS, but how do you fill a bladder with it? I am honestly a bit paranoid about getting sick from water, especially if this will be my go-to water filter during a SHTF event when hospitals might be closed. So I want to make sure I get a quality filter that can truly filter water. The bleach idea is my last resort idea since I do not like the idea of drinking even a small amount of bleach (although I guess it is no different than tap water). I heard that if you leave a bottle of water out in the sun with the cap off for 30 or so minutes the bleach with evaporate before the water does, is there any truth to this? Also, I love the Source bag, easy to fill, zero plastic taste, light and just all alround bad ass. It was 10x better than my older camelback bladder |
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The LS isn't meant to fill up a bladder, although I guess you could get some silicone tubing and attach it to the mouth piece of the LS and use it like you use the Sawyer units, that is to say as a siphon filter.
The LS is light and easily carried in one's pocket. As you happen by a water source, you stop and drink, or you carry a bottle, fill it up at a water source and then go on your merry way, sipping out of that. If you want to fill a bladder, buy a pump filter, or just use drops/tablets/bleach, for the quickest way. If you want to fill a bladder, bring the Sawyer Mini, or Squeeze, a separate bladder for holding the 'host' water, some tubing and spend some time letting gravity do its thing filtering the water from the one bladder, into the other bladder and then you're ready to go. You can also just use the Sawyer mylar bags as a 'host' water container, attach the SS 1, or Mini to those and fill/drink as you go. They might pop, they might not, but you're not filling a bladder that way, either. It's all a trade off. Sometimes the pumps break down, or leak. The good ones like the Katadyn Pocket filter, are close to $300 and might be slow, or clog up due to freezing/dirty water, but that pump is the standard for hikers. Like I said, pick your poison, or try and be prepared to use multiple, but practical, methods. LSs, LS Go, vial of bleach and the Sawyer Squeeze 1 for me. Chris |
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Sawyer Mini for filtration. Quite a few great purifying methods out there, boiling always works well. |
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Sawyer Mini for filtration. Quite a few great purifying methods out there, boiling always works well. I definetly like the Sawyer a bit more than the LS after some research. I just wish there was a easier method to purifying water and adding the already purified water to a bladder or bottle than boiling or using chemicals. However, I guess it doest really matter as long as I have a way to drink safe water in an emergency situation. As a back up. I was wondering what the best chemical method was, is it just regular bleach I can get at the store? Or are their better and safer chemicals that I can add to untested wated to ensure it is safe to drink? |
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I like these, although I rarely use them anymore, but good in a pinch if you don't have a filter. Katadyn Micropur Purification Tablet |
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I like these, although I rarely use them anymore, but good in a pinch if you don't have a filter. Katadyn Micropur Purification Tablet Thank you! After some more research into the Sawyer I see that it is pretty much exactly what I am looking for if I keep the pouch with it. It might take me a few minutes to fill up my 3L bladder with it but I am never in too much of a hurry when I am out hiking. I also saw how some guy just connected two bladders too either end to make a gravity filter. So I just placed an order for my Sawyer and I cannot wait for it to arrive! That with some of those tablets or a little vile of bleach for extra protection on extra sketchy water sources and I am set! Thank you for the info everyone |
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Thank you! After some more research into the Sawyer I see that it is pretty much exactly what I am looking for if I keep the pouch with it. It might take me a few minutes to fill up my 3L bladder with it but I am never in too much of a hurry when I am out hiking. I also saw how some guy just connected two bladders too either end to make a gravity filter. So I just placed an order for my Sawyer and I cannot wait for it to arrive! That with some of those tablets or a little vile of bleach for extra protection on extra sketchy water sources and I am set! Thank you for the info everyone Quoted:
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I like these, although I rarely use them anymore, but good in a pinch if you don't have a filter. Katadyn Micropur Purification Tablet Thank you! After some more research into the Sawyer I see that it is pretty much exactly what I am looking for if I keep the pouch with it. It might take me a few minutes to fill up my 3L bladder with it but I am never in too much of a hurry when I am out hiking. I also saw how some guy just connected two bladders too either end to make a gravity filter. So I just placed an order for my Sawyer and I cannot wait for it to arrive! That with some of those tablets or a little vile of bleach for extra protection on extra sketchy water sources and I am set! Thank you for the info everyone It should be noted that the Sawyer Mini can also be used inline with some bladders, if you're okay with putting dirty water in your hydration bladder. I have an original Sawyer Squeeze, and just ordered a four pack of Sawyer Minis for the hurricane kits I'm building for family members. I'll also be including a couple Potable Aqua bottles in each kit, since flooding often leads to sewage contamination. |
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The Sawyer Mini is perfect because you can splice it into your camel back (if needed). Buy a couple platypus bags and you will have more than enough storage. You can also gravity feed this filter by filling up a bag and hanging it with paracord from a tree, use the straw and drink right from a water souce. It's very versatile, I really wouldn't worry about the tablets unless you are going into a 3rd world area, or maybe drinking from a super nasty water source. 0.1-micron filter physically removes 99.99999% of all bacteria, such as salmonella, cholera and E.coli; removes 99.9999% of all protozoa, such as giardia and cryptosporidium. You can buy more sawyer bags, but I prefer the Platypus bags. They also sell 4 packs on amazon. |
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I am not a huge fan of the straws. Sure they work for making water safe to drink but what if you want to cook something with the water?
In most of the US surface water is relatively free of viruses so a filter that does not remove them is generally not needed here, at least IMO. There are a fair number of places where there is chemical contamination with organics of various kinds so some kind of carbon makes sense to me. There are some contaminants that are not removable at all in any practical way out on the trail - like dissolved heavy metal ions. |
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if you go with the Sawyer mini, the 1/2 liter water bottles with a full thread on cap like the Aquafina fit the filter threads... would give you a backup to the mylar source pouch.... you may need to check the threads for other brands One liter coke bottles work great too. 
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I definetly like the Sawyer a bit more than the LS after some research. I just wish there was a easier method to purifying water and adding the already purified water to a bladder or bottle than boiling or using chemicals. However, I guess it doest really matter as long as I have a way to drink safe water in an emergency situation. As a back up. I was wondering what the best chemical method was, is it just regular bleach I can get at the store? Or are their better and safer chemicals that I can add to untested wated to ensure it is safe to drink? Quoted:
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Sawyer Mini for filtration. Quite a few great purifying methods out there, boiling always works well. I definetly like the Sawyer a bit more than the LS after some research. I just wish there was a easier method to purifying water and adding the already purified water to a bladder or bottle than boiling or using chemicals. However, I guess it doest really matter as long as I have a way to drink safe water in an emergency situation. As a back up. I was wondering what the best chemical method was, is it just regular bleach I can get at the store? Or are their better and safer chemicals that I can add to untested wated to ensure it is safe to drink? Since you have a Source bladder, you can use the UTA attachment and fill the bladder direct from the tube. A water bottle with the bottom removed (or a sufficiently large hole punched into it) can be attached to it and the filter drain into it will work easily. If you have a WXP bladder, you can hook the filter direct up to the screw-on valve on the back. |