Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board water filters

I am considering buying a new water filter and need some advice. I currently have a Sweetwater Guardian about five years old. I've noticed the First Need Delux is rated to two microns, ie: virus protection. Any comments on what others use to filter their water while on the trail (not just Whitney!). Thanks in advance. Bob D.

Bob,

I'm sure some will post advice on filter systems they use and prefer but I suggest you do a search on the site for "Water" and you will get more information than need.

I have a First Need Deluxe that works well but I hate to pump.

As Memory Lapse pointed out, there are many earlier posts about water filtration in the Sierras, including data showing that the water is clean enough to drink without filtration.

You shouldn't kid yourself that a 2 micron filter will remove viruses; many are much smaller than that.

Here is the last topic on the subject of <A href="http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=003019">water quality</A>. The last post to the topic was made a week ago, and today it was on page two of the message board.

Actually, the <a href="http://www.generalecology.com/firstneeddelux.htm#FirstNeed">First Need</a> is rated at .1 micron nominal, .4 micron absolute.

I've been using First Need filters for 10+ years, both in the Sierra and here in MO, where I KNOW many of my water sources are contaminated (downstream from farms raising cattle). It is heavy but it pumps quickly.

I'll be taking it to Philmont (Scout ranch in New Mexico) this summer...

So is it the soil or the water that makes Missouri prime for agriculture?

Anyone have experience using an MSR MiniWorks Ex Ceramic Water Filter? A good filter to use?

Dave,
I use the MSR filter you are asking about and really like it. It is light, easy to clean, and pumps quickly. Good luck!

I too have the MSR miniworks. I love it. It filters quickly, light weight, and I have used it for a number of years and it has never failed me on or off the trail.

After reading several posts and threads on the topic of water quality, it appears that there is some uncertainty about whether even a .1 micron filter can provide adequate and effective virus protection. In addition to a good filter (I've got an MSR MiniWorks EX Ceramic Filter, which is a .3 or a .4 micron filter -- I'd have to check), will using iodine tabs in the filtered water kill off the remaining little buggers (intended), including Hepatitis A?

(And I have no problem taking along the extra minimal weight of the filter/tabs, and waiting the requisite 30 minutes or so after filtering (to allow for the taste to dissipate), to ensure we're still feeling as well post-hike as we were heading up.)

If you honestly believe virus protection is a must, filter and use iodine pills together. Boiling your cooking water also takes care of it.

I honestly don't believe virus protection is something you need to worry about in the Sierras.

That is unless someone in your group is using contaminated water to wash your salad, like you would get in a third world country. A break down in normal hygiene on the mountain is a bigger worry then the stream running by.