RE: [Philmont]: water filters wanted

This topic of water filters is always interesting.  Here is my two cents.

Having done Philmont twice and several other back country trips I have found the filters to be a good tool if there are enough of them and they are used properly.   We can debate Polar Pure but proper use requires attention to details like TIME. 

On the filters two is not enough for a crew of 12.  The amount of time required to produced enough water makes additional filters advisable.   I would go with at least the buddy system and no less than 3.   Practice with them on your warm up hikes. 

I would also recommend that you bring a couple of hair ties and a bandana and "prefilter" the water through the bandana.   We found this significantly reduces the number of times the internal filter must be cleaned.  The elastic hair ties are tougher than rubber bands and can be stored on the filter. 

Last detail is to make sure that all your water needs are completed before you hit the sleeping bags.  This gets you out earlier in the morning and in the event of an emergency evacuation you'll have water to drink on the hike out.  You may not get to drop your bear bags in an emergency so keep your polar pur contaminated bottle in the fire ring for easy access.

Have fun

Mike