Clean water

[Twindaddy]

What do you guys recommend for getting clean water? Tablets, filter, steripen or other? I will be hunting with friends that have filters. In years past, I just used theirs and had tablets as a backup. I would love to hear what you guys are running and how they are working for you. Thanks.

 

[BigAntlerGetter]

I run an msr filter pump, I'm looking into buying the hang up bags with the inline filter so that I can filter water while doing other chores


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[GraveyardNRSE]

Platypus filter. It saves a ton of time and cleans water great. Got mine on Amazon for $120.


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[BigAntlerGetter]

That's the one I'm looking at getting. As a horseback guide that has to ride in 2-4 hours to camp packing water in is a chore and takes up a complete horse or mule to get it in. When I could just fill the bladder hang it in a tree and pay attention to my clients. How are the bladders to fill out of a creek or spring?


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[airlocksniffer]

This year I'll run a Sawyer Mini with Katadyn Aqua Pur tabs as a backup. For a group setup I definitely go with the 4L Platypus system.

 

[tttoadman]

Sawyer Mini and Katadiyn mini if I want to pump water.

 

[BroodBuster]

I use the chlorine dioxide tabs. But I'm never very far from clean running water so I've never bothered with a pump. I also boil my water when convenient. I almost never hit a water source without boiling up at least a cup of coffee.

 

[COlineman78]

Geigerig with a Sawyer Squeeze. SHTF runs the same thing. I picked up the Sawyer gravity system to try this year, but I don't think it's going to be lighter or better.

 

[GraveyardNRSE]

Bladder is very easy to fill. One of the easiest systems to get ample amounts of water. The filters can be bought on Amazon as well.


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[KMT]

Filter. I use a sawyer, but I'm sure that any filter you get from s reputable supplier will be adequate.

 

[blackovis]

I do what you do. As long as someone has a filter in the group and doesn't mind sharing, I would use theirs. That saves on the weight for everyone, but it can get a little busy at the water hole when everyone needs to fill up. Tablets are a great backup.

When I get to be the mule, I use this guy: http://www.blackovis.com/katadyn-hiker-pro-microfilter

Gets the job done, it's compact, cheap, and lightweight. I like the taste of the water that comes out of it too.

 

[twall13]

A few years back my buddy got a katadyn base camp gravity system. We used that almost exclusively for a group of 8 guys and it was phenomenal for the first 3 days. By day 4 it was pretty plugged up and was incredibly slow. After we got home he tried to clean it out with a good back flushing, etc. but never could get it to flow right again. Maybe others have had a better experience but I expect a filter to last longer than 4 days of heavy use. If you have a base camp the gravity system is awesome in theory, but I wouldn't count on it as your only source of water filtration, at least not with the Katadyn. And yes, we used a pre-filter to get most of the large gunk before it got to the main filter. On a side note, if you don't have water at least 5-6 inches deep or flowing off a rock it can be fairly tough to fill the bags. You almost need a separate container to scoop it in with shallow water. It's not a problem if you know what water sources are like in the area and can plan ahead but it's something to think about. A pump filter can pull water from just about anywhere.

 

[camping1601]

A few years back my buddy got a katadyn base camp gravity system. We used that almost exclusively for a group of 8 guys and it was phenomenal for the first 3 days. By day 4 it was pretty plugged up and was incredibly slow. After we got home he tried to clean it out with a good back flushing, etc. but never could get it to flow right again. Maybe others have had a better experience but I expect a filter to last longer than 4 days of heavy use. If you have a base camp the gravity system is awesome in theory, but I wouldn't count on it as your only source of water filtration, at least not with the Katadyn. And yes, we used a pre-filter to get most of the large gunk before it got to the main filter. On a side note, if you don't have water at least 5-6 inches deep or flowing off a rock it can be fairly tough to fill the bags. You almost need a separate container to scoop it in with shallow water. It's not a problem if you know what water sources are like in the area and can plan ahead but it's something to think about. A pump filter can pull water from just about anywhere.

I would kind of echo what your saying. We use the base camp bag as well if we know the water source and we bring a container to scoop and haul the water. When it's working great it is the cats meow and like having running water at camp. The place we base camped at the last couple years the two of us can only get a week out of a cartridge, but we had the same experience using the hiker pro version which uses the same cartridge. I've used mine all over the country and have never plugged a cartridge other than this area of CO??

Freezing temps are also a problem with the hanging bag.

Also use a Steripen around home.

 

[gmajor]

Steripen with tablet backups. Hated my sawyer squeeze so it stays at home.

 

[jdmaxwell]

Bag filter for at camp..
Steri pen while hunting..

 

[ChrisS]

I have a platypus gravity feed, it's great, but you have to backflush regularly (should be in the habit of doing it every time you use it) and keep it from freezing. Water will still flow through it after a freeze, but you may not be filtering anything.

Filling it is fine if there is running water or deep pools. It can be a real pain in the ass if you're trying to fill up from a mud puddle.

 

[b.hunts]

I'm also wondering about a water filtration/hydration system. I have been considering two similar systems and was hoping to get some insight about which one is more practical. The first system I have considered is a gravity system with a Platypus Big Zip 3L, an inline sawyer squeeze, and a Camelback Mil-spec Antidote 3L main bag. The second one I thought about is a Platypus water bladder with an inline sawyer squeeze filter. I am planning a solo backcountry hunt and am reluctant to travel so far with only 3L of water. Especially if I'm not completely sure if i'll be able to find a renewable source of water. I drink a lot of water and plan on using water to boil water every morning/evening for my meals so I like the idea of being able to have as much water as possible keeping in mind that I would keep the Big Zip at camp until it needs to be refilled. What do you guys think?

 

[twall13]

I'm also wondering about a water filtration/hydration system. I have been considering two similar systems and was hoping to get some insight about which one is more practical. The first system I have considered is a gravity system with a Platypus Big Zip 3L, an inline sawyer squeeze, and a Camelback Mil-spec Antidote 3L main bag. The second one I thought about is a Platypus water bladder with an inline sawyer squeeze filter. I am planning a solo backcountry hunt and am reluctant to travel so far with only 3L of water. Especially if I'm not completely sure if i'll be able to find a renewable source of water. I drink a lot of water and plan on using water to boil water every morning/evening for my meals so I like the idea of being able to have as much water as possible keeping in mind that I would keep the Big Zip at camp until it needs to be refilled. What do you guys think?

The Sawyer Squeeze inline on a bladder with quick disconnects has always looked like a sweet system to me (especially if I were to use a Geigerigg). I've never tried it out for a couple of reasons. Mostly, I want a filter that fits an actual bottle because when I've been hiking all day for several days I get to the point where I don't want to suck water out of a tube anymore. I want to chug some water and feel refreshed. I know a lot of guys don't like nalgenes/bottles because the water sloshes around making too much noise but since I don't archery hunt yet I'll live with that noise. I've used a sawyer squeeze with a bottle and it's kind of a pain to squirt the water in and not drip contaminated water as well.

My second reason I hesitate with the sawyer squeeze is that if it freezes it no longer filters and you won't necessarily know it's not working anymore as water will still move through the filter, it just won't be clean anymore. This can be minimized by sleeping with the filter etc. but it's one more thing I don't want to worry about in the backcountry.

If it weren't for those two reasons I'm sure I would run a Sawyer in line with a bladder. In fact, there is a good chance I'll do it someday in spite of those hesitations.

Regarding your water on your planned trip. I'd do some research, talk to some people that have been in the area, etc. so I knew I would have water sources along the way. Nobody wants to pack more water than they have to but it's a necessity in the backcountry. Figure it out beforehand so you don't have to pack more than necessary but will always have sufficient sources along your planned route.

 

[COlineman78]

I do run the Geigerrig system and I have had to throw out a filter because it froze on the last night on me of a trip in July. I didn't have it in my bag because who expects it to drop into the 20s overnight in the middle of July, even at 11,500ft. I do however also carry a Nalgene or Powerade bottle for adding some Mio to my drinking water. I almost never carry the bladder filled as most areas I am in have plenty of water. While the freezing issue is a concern, 95% of the time you should be able to predict when it might freeze overnight or not and plan accordingly. I have a quick disconnect so it'e not a problem to throw it in my bag. For the other 5% there is a reason that I carry some sort of backup in the form of tabs or drops in my first aid kit, which you could stretch by not purifying water before you boil it for food. Aron said that he carries an empty bladder for situations where they will be heading into areas where water will be harder to come by, but runs a Nalgene with a Steripen for all other cases. I plan on testing out both the Sawyer gravity system and the Steripen at some point this year. I also carry a mosquito head net to use as a pre-filter in all cases to avoid clogging and needing to back flush in the field.

 

[b.hunts]

I do run the Geigerrig system and I have had to throw out a filter because it froze on the last night on me of a trip in July. I didn't have it in my bag because who expects it to drop into the 20s overnight in the middle of July, even at 11,500ft. I do however also carry a Nalgene or Powerade bottle for adding some Mio to my drinking water. I almost never carry the bladder filled as most areas I am in have plenty of water. While the freezing issue is a concern, 95% of the time you should be able to predict when it might freeze overnight or not and plan accordingly. I have a quick disconnect so it'e not a problem to throw it in my bag. For the other 5% there is a reason that I carry some sort of backup in the form of tabs or drops in my first aid kit, which you could stretch by not purifying water before you boil it for food. Aron said that he carries an empty bladder for situations where they will be heading into areas where water will be harder to come by, but runs a Nalgene with a Steripen for all other cases. I plan on testing out both the Sawyer gravity system and the Steripen at some point this year. I also carry a mosquito head net to use as a pre-filter in all cases to avoid clogging and needing to back flush in the field.

Hmm. I like the idea of the Geigerrig with an inline Sawyer. Im sure the pressure helps with cleaning up and filling stoves, bottles, ect. Have you had any other issues besides the Sawyer freezing? I have read some reviews on the Geigerrig and some say they are sweet others say not so much. Do you like this system? Im trying to decide between a Platypus Big Zip (dirty bag), Sawyer Squeeze, and Camelback Antidote bladder as a gravity system or a Geigerrig Hydration Engine and Sawyer Squeeze as an inline system with a nalgene bottle on the side.