Quote:
Originally Posted by stampsx2
Anybody have any advice on drinking river water.
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Since I have no desire to ever have beaver fever, or another gastro-disorder in the backcountry, I carry one of these for overnighters (I can't imagine hauling water for food/drinking for an overnighter) or super long hikes where I know there's a water source:
https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5035-5...-Filter-System
Quick and easier than pumping.
If you're incredibly anal, such as I am, I carry one of these too:
https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5024-1...Water-Purifier
Overkill? Probably. But it's come in handy during travel, as well as water-boil advisories. And it makes freaking delicious water.
Likely the worst thing you'd have to deal with drinking out of a river (in Canada) is sediment plugging you up for a few days, so a coffee filter or something for particulate would be good, but I'm not one to take chances.
If you're not worried about viruses, the MSR miniworks is good, but I hate pumping for an hour when I get to camp, but wouldn't be horrible for day trips. If you want a filter to do what the UV pen does, the MSR guardian is awesome but pricey.
Lifestraw is a cool idea in a pinch, but you're not filling up a water bottle with it, and most hikes I go on don't have a water source every time I want a sip of water.