RE: [Philmont]: Water Purification methods

> Did anyone else pick up on the rationing of tablets?

I had the same initial thought until I continued thinking. On my last
trek, we probably only had three days where we "had" to treat our own
water, because treated water wasn't available. At other times we
treated water just so we wouldn't have to carry as much along the way.
Many of the starting camps lack treated water, but you are at least
coming from an area (base camp) where ample supplies are available.
>
> "They are going to give each of us a strip of 12 Micro-Pur tablets"

> Each tablet treats 1 liter of water. Based on my memory of
> commisary stops - is Philmont issuing 3 or 4 tablets per person per
day?

That works out to 3 or 4 liters of water per day - IF you don't go
through a locale where treated water is available (or like the Hunting
Lodge in years past is undrinkable).

> Will you be able to get additional tablets at staffed camps?

In staffed camps you shouldn't need to treat your water since treated
water is usually available. But if it isn't (Copper Park comes to mind)
then I would be willing to bet that the staff will have some treatment
supplies available and might issue some if the need was great.

> What about community water? or has the water use now based on the
individual ?

I'm not sure I understand the concept of "Community water" - do you
gargle with it and share around :>( bathe in it or what?

> This should make cooking and clean up interesting...

Again, don't forget that cooking and clean-up does not require the use
of treated water (except for uncooked items like some of the desserts)
because the water is boiled first. For the non-cooked desserts, each
crew member could contribute their "fair share" of treated water, which
shouldn't create too many problems. And boiling is always an option if
water supplies get critical.

Since Micropur is considerably more expensive vis a vis Polar Pure, I'm
sure that the Phil-Pholk don't want to send out excess quantities that
wind up on the ground somewhere or crushed in the bottom of a bear bag.
I believe that the approach indicated is sufficient and like most new
procedures will be *tweeked* extensively once it is fully implemented.
I would also imagine that the 12 tablets per crew member criteria would
be flexible for crews with itineraries where water treatment is an issue
- numerous trail camps and/or longer periods between commissary stops.

Happy Trails,

Roy Fisher

Happy Trails

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Received on Tue May 3 20:47:33 2005