[philmont] Water Filers/Pumps

You will probably get the entire spectrum of answers on this one:
 
Water filters are on the list of 'crew provided' equipment per the
Guidebook to Adventure. Last summer, each of our crews carried water
filters but I know our crew only used them one time - at Ute Meadows
after rains had muddied up the stream. The rest of the time we just
took the water 'as is' and used the MicroPur tablets provided (Philmont
recommends using MicroPur even after filtering to deactivate/kill
viruses).
 
In my opinion and it is only an opinion, filters are not 'essential' but
might be 'nice to have'. If you have a situation where you need water
'now' and don't have 15 minutes to wait for the MicroPur to work it
could come in handy - although sharing between the 'haves' and 'have
nots' could mitigate this situation for the time required. If the water
is silty or has other 'floaties' like algae, etc. in it, a filter can
speed up the water collection process (although without a pre-filter you
will probably gunk up your filter pretty fast). In some situations
(very shallow pool, etc.), a filter might make getting water a bit
easier since it would suction the water out rather than having to dip
it.
 
The question really comes down to are they worth the weight? We will
probably take the filters with us to the Ranch, whether we carry them or
not is up in the air.
 
Like most equipment decisions YMMV
 
Happy Trails,
 
Roy Fisher

I'm wondering if carrying water filters is a unnecessary crew weight and
if thy are essential or nice to have?

-------------------------------------------------------
Scouting E-mail Discussion Lists @ usscouts.org
Listserv Commands at http://usscouts.org/lists/lc.asp
-------------------------------------------------------
Send listserv commands to: listserv@troop47.com
Send postings to: philmont@troop47.com
List FAQ found at: http://usscouts.org/lists/faq.asp
List Administrator: philmont_owner@troop47.com
-------------------------------------------------------
To Unsubscribe send text email to:

     To: listserv@troop47.com
     Subject: unsubscribe
     Body: unsubscribe philmont@troop47.com
-------------------------------------------------------

As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
-------------------------------------------------------

 
Received on Sun Jun 3 14:15:50 2007