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tazistar
0
May 19, 2018
I’m doing the JMT this summer and can’t decide what treatment to rely on. On short trips in the past I’ve used tablets to purify and carried 2-3 litres. I just purchased a katadyn BeFree filter and 2L hydrapak, but am a little disconcerted by how quickly the water flows through the filter. Is it really working? There seems to be no stop on the flow And the cap looks pretty flimsy. I’m also considering the steripen...the one that uses ultraviolet light to purify but needs charged. Any thoughts on any of these systems would be greatly appreciated!
Cuylar
199
May 31, 2018
tazistarI've used all available methods that I am aware of for making water safer to drink... mostly in pretty clean water, but sometimes on some really horrible looking ponds.
You mentioned tablets (I assume iodine, but they may have been chlorine-based). First of all, yuck on the flavor. Yes, you can make it "better" with vitamin C but that's like sprinkling some salt on garbage to smile through it. Tablets are by far the lightest method... but you have to wait to drink, it tastes bad, and has some health risks if used long term.
The BeFree is an interesting filter. (Along with the MSR TrailShot). They are using a 0.1 micron hollow fiber membrane filter which, simply put, is a loop of porous tubes. Take a look at this crude illustration:
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The pores are small enough that water can flow through them... but most bad things can't. The estimate is 1,000 liters of reasonably clear water before the filter pores will be clogged/plugged by sediment and/or bacteria.
As for the flow rate, there is SO MUCH more of the loop exposed to the dirty water with these newer filters that they can supply clean water without the burden of pumping or dealing with a slow flow. Remember, it's the number of pores that water can enter that determine the flow rate.
The Steripen is an awesome tool I use when I travel. It only works in clear water and because I am more paranoid than most, I always run it for twice the number of time that is recommended. The rechargeable model is the only one I would recommend for your situation but it does nothing to affect taste from sediment.
I know that this post probably comes across as biased.... but it is. I built the bias to filters over years of trying other methods. When camping in a group I bring a gravity-fed filter. When camping alone I bring a personal filter.
All Hail The Mighty Hollow Fiber Membrane Filters!!
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Now, depending on your personal taste, I'd recommend the BeFree or an MSR TrailShot. The biggest difference there is that you are either always carrying the dirty water or you are only carrying clean water. I prefer clean water with me which is why I usually bring the TrailShot.
Don't fear the flow rate... celebrate it. I don't know how long you've been cleaning camp water... but the old days of pumping an MSR SweetWater in the thick of mosquito season have no appeal to me. It truly is the best time to be camping and hiking.
tazistar
0
May 31, 2018
CuylarThanks so much for the detailed response. I’m leaning towards the filter with pristine tablets as back up. The steripen will be returned!
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