Category — Hiking

Unless you are a fan of explosive projectile diarrhea, you have no doubt tried to come to terms with the safety of our backcountry water sources. It seems like the days of reckless abandon are gone when it comes to drinking from creeks, lakes, and rivers. With the ever present Giardia, cryptosopridia and a laundry list of viruses and bacteria which can lead to months on the porcelain throne and debilitating cramps, nausea, vomiting, as well as the afor mentioned EPD, we must filter, boil, irradiate or chemically purify our water to stay healthy in the backcountry.

I have in the past have tried every method and each have their drawbacks, some take hours, or fuel, or taste nasty. Others are cost prohibitive or rely on batteries which does not really work for extended outings. Even to this day I switch up what I am using on almost every trip because there is no all in one kick ass water treatment device. I am sold on none…yet.

I must admit that I do still drink untreated water often even though I have done the research and read the reports. I know better! And I still am playing with fate.

Think about the enjoyment of a trip and taking a few minutes out of the hike to filter/treat whatever your water. No big deal right? Then why do so many of us play russian roulette with our health? I don’t know, but I am making the commitment now to be safer. And as such I was looking for a new whiz bang water treatment to be my all in one when I came across the Reliance PUR Purifier of Water

The PUR system utilizes powdered iron sulfate and calcium hypochlorite which happens to be the same system used all over the world to clean up water for humanitarian missions, as well as in most water treatment plants in U.S. cities.

Basically you add the chemicals to nasty water and it congeals the funk and you then filter it out via a cotton sheet (check out the video). This new system is supposed to be the most effective and with a creek to mouth time of around 30 minutes it might not be to bad. Each PUR packet treats 2.5 gal. of water. So if I only need two water bottles full how am I sure to get just enough chemical?

PUR is also marketing a Reliance PUR Clean Drinking Water Kit which has two collapsible containers a stir stick and a few other items.

I think I might give this one a go and see how I like it, especially since it promises no chemical taste, after all isn’t that why we drink out of streams in the backcountry?

I will give a report once I can test it for myself, or if any of you have given it a shot let us know how you liked it. Whether you buy this kit or not always carry a backup method, such as my current favorite Potable Aqua Chlorine Dioxide Tablets - 20 Pack. They take a bit longer but are light and dummy proof!

These days as the almighty dollar thins and we find it difficult to make ends meet often we allow the great causes that we support to go by the way side. I just wanted to make sure that we outdoors lovers not allow some great protectors of the things we love to go un-aided.

Keep in mind there are a ton of great causes out there eager for your support, give wisely and keep these organizations going. If you have any recommendations feel free to let us know!

I.M.B.A. International Mountain Bicycling Association

Access Fund Non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the climbing environment

A.H.S. American Hiking Society

Microbreweries List of local breweries near you!

Got back yesterday, check out the route. I will post up details and some pics later today. Route ended up at about 24 miles (best guess) and today I am working on getting the legs to loosen up. I can now officially say that UTM is a hiking machine!

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UTM and I are going to flash up America’s Mountain starting from my house this afternoon and camping tonight just above treeline then hit the summit for morning coffee then running back down the hill hopefully home by early afternoon.

The weather has been nice for a few days, which is a welcome break from the highly charged electrical storms we have had. Unfortunately the weather is calling for a bit of rain and thunderstorms, so I will be keeping my eyes peeled for those nasty anvil heads to start rolling in. If it gets too sketchy we may change our plans and head to some of the lakes around the back side.

Wish us luck and fast feet. More upon my return.

I rolled back into town early Monday (now a week ago) after a great trip into the Lost Creek Wilderness. UTM his buddy Todd and I headed out to the Goose Creek trail head Saturday morning eager for a hike and a great relaxing weekend among the wilds.

The trail head was overstuffed to say the least but we managed to find a spot to park the rig and after a few last minute gear checks, we were off. The trail head lies near the northern end of the Hayman burn area (largest fire in Colorado history) from there you drop down to Goose creek among the standing dead trees that leave and eerie reminder of human idiocy.

Interspersed with the standing dead are the promise of a new forest with Aspen and Spruce and Ponderosa saplings popping out everywhere. Working your way down switchbacks to the creek itself you quickly transition into the untouched forest with the beautiful creek on your right. All the while surrounded by giant granite boulders, moss covered rocks and the pleasant song of nature untouched.

We followed the trail down a few hundred meters until we met a fork in the trail, to the right we could cross a bridge or continue going on a secondary trail straight ahead. We chose the latter and were not disappointed, after a bit more hiking we found a great site secluded from the others with great views and plenty of flat ground for our tents.

We went to task at setting up our camp and quickly took off down to the rapidly flowing creek and enjoyed exploring the creek north of our camp as well as stopping on a grand flat granite boulder for a quick nap in the sun. Returning to camp after that short hike we settled into dinner and conversation. All in all the first day and night went well with clear skies and a grand celestial display.

Sunday we rose early cooked up some pancakes and dedicated our morning to making our way to the top of a granitic outcropping where we had seen an arch the day before. With the promise of another warm breezy day we decided instead of taking the trail to go cross country and were not disappointed as we were set to scramble up and around huge boulders deep in the old growth of vanilla scented Ponderosa pines. We found numerous springs and the views south of Pikes Peak were amazing. I guess it took us about two hours to reach our goal and were rewarded with outlandish granite boulders and the smooth almost flowing terrain of rock. From the top we were actually looking down on Harmonica Arch and Goose creek all the way through the valley to Pikes Peak far to the south. From the north you could see the expanse of the Lost Creek Wilderness. An area I plan on exploring in great depth very soon!!

The trip ended uneventfully and although we did not hike a great deal we all had a great time simply being out of doors and taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of this great wilderness area.

This list is what I tend to pack when going out for a weekend excursion. There are variations to the theme depending on location and weather expectations.

Feel free to copy it if you would like, but keep in mind this is what I have found works for me, be sure and adjust your list for your own needs.

I do try and keep the items in their own stuff sacks that are different colors for ease of finding them. For instance, I keep all of my survival gear in a light blue stuff sack and all of my clothing in a waterproof red stuff sack etc… [Read more →]