Just want to second the idea of using bleach. Not sure if there are any long term effects of using it. But I never had a problem with it on my hike. Can’t see the sense of carrying a water filter unless the water sources are consistently poor.
Ganj
What to pack? What NOT to pack?
system
#22
I too was a bit wary about ingesting so much iodine and we stopped using it after a month or so so I can’t tell you of the ill effects. I figure a thru-hiker is already doing such horrible things to the body, what’s a little iodine?
I’m not smart enough to say if the iodine concentration is different with polar pure and tablets. The Polar Pure bottle actually has a primitive thermometer on the side of the bottle to measure the water temp inside the bottle. The temp of the water determines the concentration of the solution. They recommend using more cap fulls of solution the colder the water is. We just put 2 caps in everytime. Too lazy I guess. The more cap fulls the more noticable the taste.
If you’re really smart…I’m told you can make crystal meth. with the iodine crystals in the bottom of the bottle. REI up here in Boston was scolded by the police for selling it 400 bottles at a time. They got all hissy with me when I wanted just one.
Grimace
system
#23
What a great idea! I now can carry a portable drug lab to fund myself through my next hike.
Ganj
system
#25
I was looking all over the store for the stuff when a selsguy came over and asked if he could help.
“Yeah, I’m looking for Polar Pure.”
“What do you want it for?”
“Ummm, this is REI right? Backpacking.”
“Well, how many do you need?”
“Doesn’t it treat like 4000 liters of water?”
“Yeah”
“In that case I’ll take 400. Big Boy Scout Troop”
Man, I couldn’t get out of there fast enough.
Grimace
system
#26
Iodine is safe to use for long periods of time. You’ve been
eating it for years as an additive to table salt, to promote
thyroid health. Don’t eat the crystals and then drink water.
Just dissolve the recommended amount in the water and follow
the directions. Over a 6 month trek, there should be no
problem.
Now they’re giving potassium iodide away to residents near
nuke plants, in case of terror attacks. Again to protect the
thyroid, from absorbing radioactive materials.
Scamp
Scamp