Why no stoves or water filters?

Hi all,

I live a couple states north of ya, Neb. I have and did carry that stuff years ago but I do not do that now where I live. There a many creeks and I just start a fire:eek: if I need to make water drinkable:D. I also have a place that I can go to and some times do for water the I do not even have to boil.
I just hold me cup out and fill it up as the water comes out of the spring and drink.

I really feel for you guys that can not have open fires. The longest time of my life of not having a fire was while I was in the Marines and in the first gulf war with 1/7 Task Force Ripper . It was 7.5 months and no fire ( well there was not much wood just lying around either LOL ) That was a yucky time in my life, for not having a campfire, But I make up for the lost time now though LOL.

Bryan
 
sicily02 said:
I really feel for you guys that can not have open fires. The longest time of my life of not having a fire was while I was in the Marines and in the first gulf war with 1/7 Task Force Ripper . It was 7.5 months and no fire ( well there was not much wood just lying around either LOL ) That was a yucky time in my life, for not having a campfire, But I make up for the lost time now though LOL.
Bryan
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Yup, fires are a no-no here too, unless you're in a campsite with a designated fire ring.

I don't carry a water filter or stove with me right now, since I only dayhike. I usually carry all my drinking water and pack a lunch.

At the suggestion of a friend, I did recently buy one of those little pop-can alcohol stoves that weighs practically nothing. I haven't used it yet, but I figure it'd be nice to have something hot to drink/eat on trails in cold weather. I might start carrying it (and a little fuel) in my pack just because it doesn't add much weight or take up much space at all. Once I start doing overnighters or longer trips I'll definitely look into a better stove system.

As for the filter, I think it's highly efficient for longer trips. But it's not crucial enough for my dayhike trips to warrant dropping money on it right now. I carry 2-3L of water in my camelbak with me on dayhikes, and that's usually more than sufficient. If I ever have a bit of extra money to drop though (right...:rolleyes:), I wouldn't mind picking up a filter system so I could use it even on dayhikes; that way I could carry less water on my back, and refill whenever I need to along the way.
 
For dayhikes, I like to carry a water bottle with a built-in bio filter. I begin with a full bottle of city water, without the filter. If I need to fill up when I'm on the trail, I sift some water through a bandana into the bottle, pop in the filter, and I'm set. So far, this has worked very well.

For longer hikes, I always bring a filter and MSR stove.

All the best,

- Mike
 
You know it is funny thinking about my own habits and they seem to vary often. I sometimes find myself taking my dogs for the weekly forest walk which is usually only 2 or 3 hours. My plan during this time is usually to 1) give the dogs a walk at a place were they can romp leash free for a bit; 2) take pictures of knives stuck in trees :D; 3) find something to practice whether it be to whittle, start a fire (usually just a small thing to say it is started) or maybe have lunch out there. To satisfy (3), sometimes I'll just pack a thermos with coffee and tote a sandwhich. Other times I think, hey it would be fun to cook up some noodles and I'll bring the stove.

Over here the fire rules can be unpredictable. In general fires are okay in the parks, but then if there is a dry spell they will post a no fire rule. The unfortunate aspect is that unless it is raining right before you leave, you can have the status of the place change en-route to there e.g. taking a car ride 8 h to camp for the weekend. Best to have a stove with me in case I can't have a fire. Other times, I just like to cook with the stove and use the fire strictly for recreational mood setting. Occasionally I cook on the fire, but when it comes to boiling stuff I prefer the stove. For example, nothing I hate more then having to start a fire to cook breakfast. It takes way to look to set the fire up and then to put it out. When I get up in the morning, I don't want to sit around and watch that fire for 3 h. I want to eat and go off to do my thing. Stoves are really well suited for that!
 
I have PUR tablets in all my packs and bags, and a bottle of iodine crystals in my big pack. I also routinely carry a water bottle with built-in filter (I have two different brands, each purchased on clearance for less than $20). I sometimes pack an Esbit stove, but can build a fire legally so I only bring the Esbit for convenience or when I don't want smoke.

When I know I'm going to be out for more than a day, I bring either a Sweetwater Guardian pump type filter or a large Katadyn gravity bag type filter and a Coleman Peak 1 gas stove. I just bought a couple Trangia alcohol burners and will be trying them out as a compact alternative to the already-compact Peak 1.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
For day hikes, I never carry either, but have chemicals. If I need a fire, f*** the rules, I'd rather live and pay the fine. (The one time I did this, I didn't get caught)

Depending on what the water situation is like, I may or may not carry a filter for overnights, but I always take chemicals.

For solo one-overnights, I generally blow off the stove and cook kit and just carry ready to eat food.

When I have hiking buddies, we generally carry a stove, my favorite is the Jet-Boil, it rocks. Heavier than alky, but you don't spend so much time watching the pot not boil.

I have been on several trips where the filter clogged up the first day, twice it was on the first liter, so I'm more willing to leave the filter home than I used to be. Chewy water isn't the end of the world.

Gordon
 
For fire - usually MSR Super Fly (many parks in my locality camp fires are restricted, but I happily light campfires when allowed), matches and back up fire steel. For water - carry as much as required to a 6kg max, I then rely on steripen (prefiltered if the water does not 'look' clear) and back up purification tabs in case of techno failure. Boiling water works well but I agree it takes longer to set up and then wait for it to cool etc.
 
Well.... I'm gonna catch flack here but.... I see this all the time and agree completely. Some of the "kits" described or shown here look like things that have spent more time being modeled in front of a mirror or camera rather than what a really outdoorsman would carry. I see people carrying large, heavy kits with 5 or more knives but no poncho/tarp, no mess kit, no canteen etc. That usually tells me all I need to know about the internet expert.
 
nemoaz said:
Well.... I'm gonna catch flack here but.... I see this all the time and agree completely. Some of the "kits" described or shown here look like things that have spent more time being modeled in front of a mirror or camera rather than what a really outdoorsman would carry. I see people carrying large, heavy kits with 5 or more knives but no poncho/tarp, no mess kit, no canteen etc. That usually tells me all I need to know about the internet expert.
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Good thing they have you to judge them :D :D
 
nemoaz said:
Some of the "kits" described or shown here look like things that have spent more time being modeled in front of a mirror or camera rather than what a really outdoorsman would carry. I see people carrying large, heavy kits with 5 or more knives but no poncho/tarp, no mess kit, no canteen etc. That usually tells me all I need to know about the internet expert.
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I don't care if anyone is a "really outdoorsman" or not, as long as they're having fun. :thumbup:


Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
I like to carry my JetBoil, Katadyn Pocket Filter and an MSR Dromedary hydration bag.

For lighter carry, the Primus Micron stove, Litech Trek kettle, Pre-Mac 'Pocket' Travel Well water purifier, and some neutralizing tabs.
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To be honest, I don't own either a stove or water filter.

I guess I'm lucky.

The water where I go is clean enough to drink straight from the creeks, so I don't need to treat it.

When there isn't a total fire ban, I cook on a campfire. When there is a total fire ban, I take food that doesn't need cooking.



Kind regards
Mick
 
desmobob said:
I don't care if anyone is a "really outdoorsman" or not, as long as they're having fun. :thumbup:
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AMEN!

If more people would just get out and have fun, I think a lot more folks would appreciate the beauty and tranquility of the outdoors. Plus, they could pay park fees as well, and help keep some of them open.

I think it's great to see everyone out there, from the casual walker to the serious survivalist. I think that the folks that actually go outdoors and enjoy nature, no matter how they do it, give us the best chance of keeping the parks open. When I saw a list of parks that were on the list of federal funding cuts, and the ones that are on the verge of being permanently closed this year, it may my stomach turn.

You know if it was a full park, it would stay around. Personally, I haven't ever had any problem with full parks, you just need to know where to go in the park. I have found that the nastier the terrain and the more distant the trail, it will be the most unused. So that's my trail.

I wish we could have open fires here in TX, but it probably isn't ever going to happen. All our emergency funds have dried completely up starting with Katrina, and the put the fund in the red with Ike. The farther south you get in the state, the more stringent they are with this rule. But I sure have a lot of fond memories of open campfires in a camp over the years. Nothing like a little 500 yard stare in the campfire for a few hours to calm the nerves.

As far as the filters go, with the extreme heat we have here in the summer, it isn't unusual for me to drink a gallon or so a day just for hydration, so that's why the water issue is so important to me. When I stop on a summer day, I can easily chug a quart in two - three shots. You go through your water fast, but you stay hydrated. But at that rate, you can burn up your water fast. That's the reason I was wondering.

I've enjoyed all the responses. Looks like most of us are about on the same page with the stoves and filters.

Robert
 
Here is a pic of my water bottle set up. For those who don't want to take the link to the thread where I wrote this up the red tin is a fuel jel.
The thing under the spoon is a piece of alloy I use as a lid for the cup it bends enough to get into the carrier. The little green tube is an Australian Army match box ( 1 per 24hr one man ration pack)
waterbottleopen.jpg

Here is a link to the original post.
http://www.laventrix.com/showthread.php?t=1220
Carl
 
nemoaz said:
Well.... I'm gonna catch flack here but.... I see this all the time and agree completely. Some of the "kits" described or shown here look like things that have spent more time being modeled in front of a mirror or camera rather than what a really outdoorsman would carry. I see people carrying large, heavy kits with 5 or more knives but no poncho/tarp, no mess kit, no canteen etc. That usually tells me all I need to know about the internet expert.
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I have gear from 20 years ago that looks new, and that has been used extensively. I have auto toolsets that look brand new yet are 10 years old and get used weekly. Some of us take exceptional care of our gear, and we get extended life out of said gear as a result. For example my spyderco Assist rescue balde. Its broken 5 windows, cut 2 seatbels, one web harness, and go knows how much kernmantle rope. It looks new. In the case of my MSR Reactor stove i listed above, it happens to be new. as in bought that day and taken out.......



just saying. :rolleyes:
 
SouthernCross said:
The water where I go is clean enough to drink straight from the creeks, so I don't need to treat it.
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Persoanlly, I would not drink untreated water anywhere. I treated the glacial run-off water I drank while 'packing in Denali National Park (Alaska). :(

The fact is, contamination from human sources isn't the biggest issue with drinking in the wild places these days, it "natural" thing like giardia that are the biggest worry. So, it does not matter how far from civilization you are, you are still in danger off the "backwoods trots" from drinking untreated water.
 
mdauben said:
The fact is, contamination from human sources isn't the biggest issue with drinking in the wild places these days, it "natural" thing like giardia that are the biggest worry. So, it does not matter how far from civilization you are, you are still in danger off the "backwoods trots" from drinking untreated water.
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After 20+ years of drinking untreated water from this area, I've yet to experience an ill effects :D

If I had, I would probably already own some form of water treatment (other than a billy).



Kind regards
Mick
 
I carry a steripen with me on day hikes and coffee filters to get out the big stuff. I always have iodine on hand just in case of a super emergency. When I backpack I bring a filter and a steripen. I filter fist and then steri pen after. I know that sounds like alot of work but I have never been sick doing that. I have however went for a swim in a lake and then got the squirts from getting some water in my mouth... I for sure am no minimalist when I am 70- 100 miles out...
 
I carry an Aqua Mira Frontier Filter when I go on dayhikes with my 100oz MULE. I have yet to need it, even in out lovely Central Texas summers. As far as a stove, when I go on an outing long enough to require cooking a meal, it is usually about 10 people camped out at a state park with Colemans so I haven't bothered getting anything else.
 
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