[borregokid]

Of course you do. Especially when its hot and you are dehydrated and you are a long ways from "certified tap" or bottled water. I alway wonder how many anal or germ freaks there are out there who dont or wont drink stream water even when they are dehydrated or have to pop in an iodine pill or chlorine. I am going riding today and I am going to drink some more cold clear mountain water-no filters, etc. Once again I am jeopardizing my health for the 10,000th time.
Ok germ freaks its roll call time.

 

[jeffscott]

Oh yeah,

and have done so for 32 years.

Still don't think I have got giradia.

But only when I run out.

 

[Jayem]

Giardia is no joke.

 

[formica]

we carry a water filter when we do mountain trails; it's no fun running out of water on a hot day..... like he said, giardia is no joke. Humans are no joke either. I've seen enough piles of poo close enough to "clear cold mountain streams" to have my mind pretty set to NOT ever drink out of them.

formica

 

[pacman]

Of course you do. Especially when its hot and you are dehydrated and you are a long ways from "certified tap" or bottled water. I alway wonder how many anal or germ freaks there are out there who dont or wont drink stream water even when they are dehydrated or have to pop in an iodine pill or chlorine. I am going riding today and I am going to drink some more cold clear mountain water-no filters, etc. Once again I am jeopardizing my health for the 10,000th time.
Ok germ freaks its roll call time.

I would - dehydration is now and very serious, giardia is tomorrow and curable.

I have taken a drink from a cold clear mountain spring.

 

[exitor]

I got it the first time I drank it on a bike trip. And yes, it was clear.

 

[Jayem]

giardia is tomorrow and curable.

Well, it's also fairly resistant.

Just the fact that people think "clear" means it's "ok" is interesting.

Just because I draw the line at some point doesn't make me a germ freak. Always carry more supplies than you think you'll need in that kind of terrain, or carry a filter.

 

[Andrewpalooza]

pack an msr mini-works water filter. light and compact enough to bring on every ride. we use it to refill the camelbaks on hot, humid kansas days. the water that we start with is from a reservoir...clearish, but I trust the filter to do its job. and I think it does. one of the most important tools to carry.

 

[Nat]

Poop poop poop!

Dehydration can kill you today. Giardiasis can make you want to die for the next several weeks. Personal choice.

 

[PVFJR]

I'll drink from a spring, but that's about it. I've had giardia before, and it was a miserable week, but not the end of the world. It was from swimming anyway. I've never had it after drinking from a spring, as I choose my sources carefully.

 

[TrekFan]

nah, too many risks. just carry enough water...

 

[jeffscott]

I realize giardia is everywhere. But I htink drinking from a stream also depends where you are.

There is a difference between SoCal and Canaadian Rockies

 

[Derick]

our local watershed supplies us with natural spring water .............love...British Clumbia.....Canada Rocks.......:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[scrublover]

I have when it's been direly needful. Though I also now carry a small sealed metal vial in the bladder pouch of my pack with a dozen or so iodine tabs. Won't kill everything, and won't filter, but it's better than nothing if needing to fill up the bladder at an uncertain water source.

 

[dstepper]

Depends were I am. When in the High Sierras and the water is bubbling up out of the ground I have no problem drinking it directly. When the source is a spring I do not hesitate.

 

[Sk1nnyGuy]

Bought one of these. Haven't got to use it yet.

Exstream Bottle Purifier

The only EPA registered purificaton bottle that removes ALL types of organisms, including viruses.
Lightweight, simple design fits into standard water bottle holders. Ideal for dayhikes, international travel, mountain biking, kayaking, etc.
New carry loop for easy attachment to packs, kayaks, etc.

ULTRALIGHT SERIES

Specifications
Purification Method: Virustat Technology plus filtration and carbon
Bottle Capacity: 26 oz (21 oz. after cartridge displacement)
Cartridge Capacity: up to 26 gallons
Weight: 7 oz
Height: 11"

Colors: Yellow, Translucent White, Olive Drab

 

[YuriB]

forget mtn streams - will you drink from this?

filtered of course.

i'll spare you the closeup of that tank....

 

[stinkymutt]

Just drink your own pee...

If it's good enough for mystics, it's good enough for the rest of us. And no giardia. Unless you poop where you pee.

 

[borregokid]

Ok all you "Monk" fans

There are other things that I actually think about that might be worst than stream water. How about a visit to Chuck E. Cheese, a pre-school, grade school, or maybe a trip to the salad bar at Pizza Hut. None of which I really worry too much about except maybe Chuck E. Cheese. I have drank from some spring water out in the desert that had a lot of stuff swimming around. Didnt seem too bad-especially when you are suffering from heat exhaustion and have run out of water.

 

[gcc0]

Giardia is no joke.

It really isn't....

...then again, like it was said, it also depends on the location...

...then again, you just neve know when it hits...