Let’s talk about Water
Show of hands: who knows what Giardia is?
Second question: Who here has had giardia?
So maybe you answered “No” to both of those questions. OR maybe like me, you answered “yes,” to both with some sadness and shitty feelings (pun intended.)
Giardia is a microscopic parasite found in water that causes fatigue, loss of appetite, vomiting, and lot of poo poos (LOTS). It’s truly an experience that I will never forget.
And it is an experience I never want you to have.
That being said, we are going to talk about WATER and 5 tricks & tips I find helpful when choosing a water source in the wild!
1. Choose a Filter.
On a long thru hike, you are passing through streams every so often, and it is important to have a filtration system that is accessible. (Goodbye 2L Bladders!) I have tried many filtration systems on the AT and PCT, but one of my favorites that I’ll be using on the CDT is the Platypus QuickDraw System. It is so easy and quick to use, and finding a filter that you’re comfortable with can make such a difference.
2. Dirty Bottle vs Clean Bottle.
This is a simple way to stay away from those parasites. When gathering water, only use your dirty container to fill up-Then squeeze into CLEAN. It sounds simple, but if you confuse this (like I did), you could get the ILLNESS. (pictured is my new “Dirty Bottle” and it’s not a plastic Smart Water Bottle! YAY ENVIRONMENT!)
3. Avoid standstill Water.
It has been there for a while my friend, stirring something that won’t be appetizing.
4. When you find a source, go upstream a little bit.
I know you’re tired, but the water can be a little cleaner if you just walk a few extra steps.
5. Bigger is not always Better.
Many times, you are more likely to find animal feces or even industrial activity in a large river verse a stream. Choose the MainStream.
Maybe this is OLD NEWS for some of you, but when I first started the PCT, I was carrying a 3L Bladder in the back of my pack, using drops that tasted terrible and I refilled once a day. So, for those of us who want to hike long distances but don’t have a clue- I am here for you. Because hiking long distances is scary as shit, and if you can get the one thing that keeps you alive in check, i feel like you're doing alright.
