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Hi, thanks for everyone's help with earlier questions. I understand the difference between water purifiers and filters/microfilters. Again, I am nervous about using a Pocket Katadyn or PUR/Katadyn Hiker filter. Again, I am only using this in clean Canadian national park quality lakes, with the exception of one or two fishing lakes where I have seen the occasional boat motor (less than 50 a year). There is a bit of salt runoff from the highways nearby I would imagine, but trace amounts in lakes usually 1-2 miles long with no cottages on them.

Should I worry about 'beaver fever', or any kind of bacteria using these filters in fairly clear water? I swim in these waters all the time, and have never got a rash or ear infection nor has anyone else who's gone out camping with me. Am I being nuts?

Also, if you DO suggest a purifier, can you recommend one that is easy to use (i.e long life / cleanable filter components...years between filter changes, etc)...and what is a good value model?
Schnurrbart I'm hoping you see this!

For any backcountry areas of North America all you need is a 0.2 micron or lower water filter. The things you're trying to filter are Giardia cysts (beaver fever),the occasional cryptosporidum, and organic matter. Viruses (such as Hepatitis A) are only present in water that has a chance of being contaminated with human fecal matter, such as in third world countries.
http://www.myccr.com/SectionGear/GearInf o/WaterFilters.htm
http://www.rei.com/online/store/LearnSha reDetailArticlesList?categoryId=Camping& amp;url=rei/learn/camp/filter3f.jsp
http://www.rei.com/online/store/LearnSha reDetailArticlesList?categoryId=Camping& amp;url=rei/learn/camp/howfilterpart2f.j sp
http://www.rei.com/online/store/LearnSha reDetailArticlesList?categoryId=Camping& amp;url=rei/learn/camp/howpurvsfilf.jsp< br /> When you visit countries like that you should get HepA/HepB and typhoid vaccines anyway, which I did for when I went.

If I was going to buy a new filter to replace my PUR Hiker, now Katadyn Hiker, I would get the
Katadyn Mini Ceramic Filter, which I've heard good things about and is very light. http://www.backcountry.com/store/EXT0036 /c3/s16/Katadyn-Mini-Ceramic-Microfilter .html?id=FUspUXiS

But if you really want a purifier, which I suspect you do, although it's not necessary,the First Need Deluxe Water Purifier is an award winner and filters viruses without chemicals.
http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductD isplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=400000 08000&partNumber=618208&cm_mmc=a d_froogle-_-datafeed-_-product-_-na
Or you could combine your regular filter with something like the Micropur Purification Tablets to eliminate viruses. http://www.katadyn.us/brands-products/ka tadyn/micropur-purification-tablets.html

Up in Emigrant Wilderness, CA one October when all the creeks were dry I pumped water through my PUR Hiker from the footprints of cows who had stomped all over a seeping creek and experienced no ill effects. Another time I drank from a greenish snow melt pond. Suffice to say I really trust my PUR Hiker and my stomach.

I also use Purell before every meal and after every toilet and carry Imodium AD just in case, because usually it's what we bring with us that causes stomach ailments on backcountry trips, not what's out there.

2007-01-26 06:13:49 by The Smuggler

Here is my Katadyn Hiker Pro Water Filter. It filters down to 0.3 microns at 48 strokes per quart. Total weight including the bag and accessories ...