The Phil-list Sep_2004: RE: [Philmont]: Water filters / purifie

From: Garrett, Russ <Russ.Garrett@bullivant.com>
Date: Tue Sep 07 2004 - 18:16:37 CDT

We took two PUR or katadyn (Hiker) filters with us. the filters lasted well
prior to Philmont 04 but clogged simultaneously at Cyphers Mine. This might
have been avoidable if we'd taken our water above the panning but we didn't.
We didn't have backup filters and as many of you know, those filters are not
field maintainable. We took the water from what appeared to be fairly clear
water below the panning location. We resorted to Polar Pure which worked
unbelievably well and tasted like tap water. I'd have no problem using
Polar Pure again where necessary.

I've had great success with the MSR sweetwater. It pumps easily, fast and
is field maintainable. It's also small and light. I saw other crews at
Philmont with these filters. I saw one clog at Philmont and it was easily
cleared. I also own a MSR miniworks. Great filter, but heavier, slower and
more difficult to pump.

Russ Garrett
Bullivant|Houser|Bailey PC
805 Broadway Street, Suite 400
Vancouver, WA 98660-3310
mailto:russ.garrett@bullivant.com
direct dial: 360.737.3363 - fax: 360.695.8504
http://www.bullivant.com
Seattle . Vancouver . Portland . Sacramento . San Francisco . Irvine . Las
Vegas

-----Original Message-----
From: Perkins, Mark [mailto:mark.perkins@intel.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2004 2:43 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
Subject: RE: [Philmont]: Water filters / purifiers

Pete,

On our Philmont trek this summer, we used our water pump/filters only
and not the polar pure. All of our prep backpacks were done with filters
and the crew felt more comfortable with them on the trek. In addition,
we didn't like the idea of carrying glass bottles with us on the trek,
so we left most of them back at base camp and only took a few for
insurance. All bottles were returned unused. Our trek consisted of (5)
trail camps and (4) staffed camps. Of the trail camps, (2) had potable
well water and (3) camps required us to filter water. We always topped
off our nalgenes and camelbacks on the trail, whenever we had the chance
to. Additionally, neither of our two filters failed us during the trek
or over the past year on our prep outings. Most good filters will remove
the bacteria (ie. giardia) from the water, but not any viruses.
Personally, I stopped using iodine tablets a long time ago. To use polar
pure is a personal preference.

Mark
704-G8
Troop14
Phx, AZ

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-philmont@troop47.com [mailto:owner-philmont@troop47.com] On
Behalf Of Stan Clark
Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2004 7:02 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
Subject: RE: [Philmont]: Water filters / purifiers

To all

We brought water pumps with extra parts and pre filters. All of them
failed
by the 4th day. Thank heavens for polar pure and the fact that we
brought
them. I know other groups had more success with the pumps but we did
not.
The water pumps were dead weight and the polar pure worked great.

Your hardest problem with polar pure is management of treated water. We
brought 3 MSR 6 liter water bags. When we got into camp we filled the
water
bags with the left over water from our nalgene bottles. Once they were
full
we then filled up our camelbacks. This gave us a supply of water for
the
afternoon and the next morning to top off with. We then filled and
treated
all of the nalgenes and filled the camel backs as needed during the
afternoon as the treated water was completed. Remember, the water you
cook
with does not need to be treated as long as you boil it for longer than
2
minutes.

Stan Clark
701Q1

PS We cooked using the Philmont method and ate like kings! Remember
first
the meat, then the veggies and last the starch when you add it to the
water!

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-philmont@troop47.com [mailto:owner-philmont@troop47.com] On
Behalf Of Pete Swiggum
Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2004 8:48 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
Subject: [Philmont]: Water filters / purifiers

Great information on tents so far. When we have our first crew meeting,
we'll take an inventory of what's available to us. Seems to me that, if
possible, one should use the Philmont gear since it's included in the
price,
but we'll look into that as we prepare.

We were in the same boat (pun intended) when we attended Northern Tier
last
year and utilized a few things of our own (including my own kevlar
canoe),
but mostly used the base gear. The (perceived) slightly higher weight
was
offset by the knowledge that our own gear wasn't at risk of getting
damaged.
Fortunately, we didn't damage NT's gear, either.

The next question I have is regarding water filters / purifiers. I see
Philmont offers polar pure, but do most crews carry their own water
filters?
I own two First Need purifiers that are great and am willing to bring
them.
Assuming the water at the trail camps is good, how often does one need
an
alternative water source along the trail?

Pete Swiggum
Troop 1173
Green Bay, WI

----- Original Message -----
From: <CoopWright@aol.com>
To: "Multiple recipients of list philmont" <philmont@troop47.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2004 7:11 AM
Subject: RE: [Philmont]: Christmas tents?

> Money better spent would probably be on some good quality coated nylon
rain gear. Also, folks need to check out backpacks. Unless your troop
has
been doing some serious backpacking, your son probably has a pack from
Webelos days that no longer fits him or has the volume capacity for a 10
day
trek, carrying crew gear and water. Wait until March or April to get
boots
if they are needs. Most kids feet are growing so fast at this time in
their
lives that a boot bought before Christmas may not fit when it is time
for
Philmont. More good info is available in the Philmont Advisor's Guide,
an
84 page unofficial document written with input from experienced advisors
and
rangers.
>
> Cooper Wright
> Associate Advisor, Crew 1519
> Co-author of the Philmont Advisor's Guide
>
>
>
>
>
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-------------------------------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------------------------

"MMS <BHB>" made the following
annotations on 09/07/2004 04:21:00 PM
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Received on Tue Sep 7 19:03:23 2004

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