Purifying Water – A Backpacker’s Concern

Those days are gone when backpackers drank straight from lakes and streams without having the slightest worry about the purity of the water. Mountain streams were believed to be the purest of all forms of water.

Then the word “Giardia” entered our dictionaries and backpackers needed to start purifying water.

A protozoan parasite named Giardia lamblia leads to a horrible disease called giardiasis, which results in vomiting, bloating, cramps and severe diarrhea. This disease needs to be treated with powerful drugs that have their own side effects.

Thus, it is absolutely essential for a backpacker to purify every drop of water he drinks. The easiest water purification technique is the boiling of water. Boiling water kills Giardia and all other water-borne menaces. But there is a dispute about the duration of time for which water needs to be boiled in order to effectively kill each of the water-borne parasites. Moreover, boiling water wastes a lot of time and fuel.

Water-purifying tablets that contain Iodine are believed to be excellent killers of viruses and bacteria. But recent researches show that Iodine hardly affects Giardia. Present day backpackers better rely on water filters designed specially for backpacking.

Backpacking can be an enjoyable and enriching experience only if you do not catch a disease during your trip. Thus, every backpacker should adopt adequate water-purification measures to ensure that they do not fall prey to Giardia or other severe diseases.

Backpackers and air travel

Air travel was simpler for backpackers prior to 9/11. We have seen numerous changes at all the US airports since 9/11 and many of these changes have affected the backpacking traveler.

The fact that many components of a backpacker’s gear appear highly suspicious when x-rayed contributes greatly to the backpacker’s plight. The stove may be mistaken to be a land mine ready to blow away the airplane. In short, since most of a backpacker’s gear looks suspicious, their bags are always going to be searched.

It is advisable that a backpacker takes two bags during air travel. He can stuff the first bag with his completely packed backpack. He should not pack any metallic object in that one. He can then stuff the second bag with things like his headlamp, camera, knife, stove, GPS, cook-set and trekking poles. Any object that can appear even remotely dangerous under an x-ray should be packed in that bag. If the security personnel at the airport decide to search, you can be done with it quickly and with minimum hassle, all your suspicious gear being in one place.

A traveling backpacker should also remember that canister stoves are prohibited on an airplane. Fuel also needs to be bought after reaching the destination only.

Have a light backpack

You can be a happy and comfortable backpacker only if you know how to pack light.

The following factors can help you achieve that ever-elusive feat:

a) Knowing the weight of your empty pack: You will find the weight of your empty pack in the “description” section of your gear catalogue. You must judge a pack on the basis of its weight and size. Going for a pack that is lighter by even a couple of ounces is bound to make a significant difference.

b) Avoiding heavy tents: A 2 or 3 man four-season tent is the heaviest of them all. The first question that you need to ask yourself while choosing a tent for your backpacking trip, is whether or not you actually need a big and heavy tent. You would not need a heavy tent for a summer trip. You also would not need a big one if you plan to hike on your own.

It is advisable to take a 2 or 3 man three-season tent if only you have two or three people with you. This will be a lighter option compared to that of each one carrying a separate tent.

The confidence and skill of packing light comes from years of experience and once you achieve it you will know the true joys of backpacking.