@steveo @IWARTS it's been suggested to me that I should try the canal water through my LifeStraw. I am reluctant.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Events, rides etc.
CCE Overnight Capables
(875 posts)-
Posted 4 years ago #
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I have been impressed with the Sawyer mini. The manual says good for bacteria and protozoa, not so good for viruses or chemicals. Connected to 2-litre platypus bottles (one dirty, one clean) balanced on a pannier you can filter plenty of water with little effort. Mine came with a straw so you can use it like the Lifestraw if you want.
We've had no problems in the Highlands just using the filter by itself, though I also carry a bottle of Aquatabs for dodgier-looking water.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Truth is I reckon, once you're out away from very agricultural areas, filtration isn't as necessary as we've become accustomed to.
People doing the OMM tend to carry a cup drink from whatever they come across, same with a lot of long distance hill runners.
Having said that I always filter ...
Posted 4 years ago # -
As a mere mortal I shall ignore the example set by the double-hard <rule-2>s who undertake mountain marathons :)
The murky water that comes out of the filter when back-washing it also encourages me to persist. I know that the sludge is probably just peat but still...
Posted 4 years ago # -
Up in the mountains I always drink straight from streams without concern. Look for running water, don't drink stagnant looking water. Never had a problem.
In the Pentlands I would be more concerned I admit.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Been drinking hill water all my life. No probs. Agri-water no. Pentland water I think not.
The original definition of 'virus' was a living thing that couldn't be filtered out of water. They can be now, but that's getting into ultrafiltration which is not an outdoor thing.
@bill
Stay reluctant.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Number 1 son and I camped in the quarry at the summit of Hare Hill last night. Based on our experience, would certainly recommend. Biggest plus is that it is very well sheltered. A storm brewed overnight, but apart from a few minor gusts and of course rain, you'd hardly know it inside the quarry. We found a patch of grass which was reasonably level (actually a fair slope), and free of large stones, then proceeded to pitch a 3-man tent. Getting pegs in was sometimes a bit challenging due to lots of quarry stones around, but we managed and the ground was soft following days of heavy rain. No water nearby other than from the skies, so carrying your own is a must.
Such a contrast in weather: balmy sunshine and warmth yesterday, we had a barbecue and got away with light clothing; then a bit cooler and persistent rain from around 4.30am with relatively few drier intervals, plus a driving wind (though sheltered from most of it). The forecast was accurate and we were prepared for it. It wasn't too bad until inevitably we decided to take down the tent and the heavens opened. We were also caught in a heavy downpour on the walk back, but once you're already wet you don't really mind the rain much. Parts of Red Road had been transformed into lagoons or streams by torrents of water running off the hill. Again though at the point where we walked it, still passable with care: not sure I would have wanted to try and walk it this afternoon though!
All in all a great mini-adventure. Son wants to scout for other wild camping spots now...
Posted 4 years ago # -
@crowriver - great write up
did you see the sign we left? Here Hare Hill Here?
The scouts love it as it is below the height where you need more leaders. They have a stash of wood in the wee cave
Posted 4 years ago # -
@gembo, thanks, did not see a sign but perhaps not looking for it? Did see a reasonably sized cairn in the middle of the quarry, and a precarious tall/thin one at the quarry "summit" above (sudden flash of insight - perhaps *that* was the sign, but did not investigate further due to barbecue tending duties and approaching darkness). We camped within view of the cave, but did not spy wood.
Posted 4 years ago # -
I read a thing somewhere pointing out that the effects of bad water take hours or days to manifest and are usually inconvenient, not life threatening (at least in UK). The effects of dehydration or heatstroke are immediate can can be immediately life-threatening. On that basis you're better to drink from stream water than not.
Also, steritabs and similar only really work on clean water. On dirty water they get distracted trying to bleach bits of suspended peat rather than kill microbes
Posted 4 years ago # -
We mustn't overlook the improvised solar still of course.
Posted 4 years ago # -
I thought you didn't like distilled water.
Posted 4 years ago # -
I suspect this technique would yield water with more than a little taste. The disturbing thing about water distilled under nitrogen in acid-washed laboratory glassware was the flatness. Hard to describe, almost a disorienting dullness to it.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Hard to describe, almost a disorienting dullness to it
Kind of what I think of fruit tea...
Posted 4 years ago # -
@IWRATS, that diagram doesn't show all the wee beasties swimming around in that condensation, and being sucked up via the straw onto the thirsty person's tongue.
Distilled water with added protein and mouthfeel.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Very peaty / muddy water can be pre-filtered through a t shirt, clean sock, tea towel or similar, gives a filter pump much less work to do. If still suspicious afterwards, add steritab - or just boil for a couple of minutes.
Posted 4 years ago # -
@Sheeptoucher has taken to referring to the Overnight Incapables. I think this is a DIG at our organisational skills.
Also: re: conversation above - Efficacy of a solar still in destroying virus and indicator bacteria in water for human consumption
Posted 4 years ago # -
"we've" managed a trip per year so far surely anymore is greed!
Posted 4 years ago # -
Where's your ambition, man?!
That said I'm dead busy and also going on a wee mini tour of Ardnamurchan mid September, in company with @sheeptoucher, so my overnighter options are a bit limited!
Posted 4 years ago # -
"The removal efficiency of total coliform and Escherichia coli in all tests carried out was 100%, regardless of the sample used to feed the system or its contamination level. This result is within drinking water’s microbiological standards as established by the Brazilian Ministry of Health Ordinance 2914/2011. However, disinfection testing was not carried out neither during overnight periods, nor on rainy days. The removal of enteric viruses using HAdV-5 as an indicator was 4.5 log, which meets the USEPA and HEALTH CANADA regulations.
It is concluded that solar distillation is a simple, low-cost technique that is highly efficient in removing enteric pathogens from water intended for human consumption, with its efficacy comparable to more-expensive treatment methods. In addition, its use is recommended for rural properties or residential water-supply units that do not yet have access to a public drinking water supply. This will result in a significant reduction in contamination levels of waterborne diseases in these communities.
"
Posted 4 years ago # -
I will refer to this thread as the CCE Overnight Incapables, as last time I bivi'd with paddyIrish I fell off my bike riding off the Pentlands and bashed my knee. ;o)
Posted 4 years ago # -
@DaveC- Only reason I didn't too was that I embraced my incapability and hike-a-biked more than most would...
Posted 4 years ago # -
I'll just leave this here:
Posted 4 years ago # -
Posted 4 years ago #
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Hmm, "could" "it has been suggested" "The suggestion has been made in a response to a consultation" - when reports on consultations I've been on the other side of appear with this language it just means "at least one response suggested this so we put in in the consultation report".
Highland Council said wild campers could be asked to pay a levy at a point where they do use any public tourist facilities.
So not actually a tax on wild campers at all but a levy on all visitors using facilities? (Not sure how they would actually determine who was local and who was not - you could tax camper van hire maybe?)
Posted 4 years ago # -
They won't ever implement the tax. But the suggestion is interesting.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Anybody up for a gravel/hybrid/MTB overnighter in May?
Posted 4 years ago # -
Trying to stave off winter? I could be persuaded, assuming there is more camping and drinking than actual cycling. :)
Posted 4 years ago # -
I might be interested. (Not sure I can call myself overnight-capable without purchasing or borrowing some additional equipment)
Posted 4 years ago #
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