: It's actually the bacterial growth on the organics trapped in the filter
: media that cause the plugging, just silt would take several more gallons
: if there's a moderate silt load to finally restrict water throughput
: requiring cleaning (that's a relative statement, too, some rivers are so
: loaded as to plug a filter in minutes). The way it works is that the
: organic loading and silt trapped in the filter media and the media itself
: act as a substrate for bacterial growth, which forms a brownish slime that
: anchors debris and fills pore space. The inside of a filter is actually a
: great place to grow: it's wet, there's a growth substrate, there's food
: brought in regulalry...just add heat and special nutrients and it's
: perfect. High end filter$ use a harder "ceramic" impregnated
: with silver iodide to inhibit growth, the hardness and fineness of the
: media restrict the filtrate to the surface. Then again, the difference
: between the Sweetwater and something like a Katadydn Pocket Pump is
: relatively substantial in cost and weight, and for that matter, pumping
: force, too.
: Don't get me wrong, the Sweetwater is a great filter for what it was designed
: for in both useage and market strategy. However, it wasn't intended for
: extended useage; the filter media just doesn't last more then several
: hundred gallons. Then again, the pumping force is less, it's light and
: cheap, and does a good job at what it does, as does MSR and others. One
: thing; purification of water takes chemical treatment to inactivate
: viruses, or you can boil the water (or you can use reverse osmosis units
: but small virus do get through).
If I can get several hundred gallons of water out of the Sweetwater then I'll be happy with it. Incidently, the first time I used the pump it plugged after the first 2 liters of clean water produced. The silt was so fine it seemed slimey but I know the silt has much clay content and should appear slimey. I didn't bring the Chlorox along with me for the first leg (not enough time) but I'm taking it along for the second half because I know I'll need it more. The water down lower moves a lot slower and has more time to pick up and hold contaminents from industry.
The insight and interesting thought aspect of mytrip report is coming through in the write-up I'm working on as I speak. I'm writing in great detail to get it all down. I'll sort through what I write later on then sift out the redundancies and post the rest. Should be good. I'dhave to say I have experienced some envy with your tripping around but only because you were doing it during hte winter months when I and other Canadians were sitting in front of warm fires wrapped in quilts. Hehe! Now that I'm out paddling to my hearts content you can tell me anything about you're great adventures and I'll think of one of my own to tell back to you. Nothing like a great exchange of paddling stories. Imagine how many free beers we should be able to pick up in a pub if we start telling the patrons our kayaking adventures. Hmmmm!
Robert N Pruden
: I know what you mean. There's a routine one always has to adopt, pick
: something up, use it, put it away safe. When I was climbing a lot in my
: youth I got into that habit of "self talk" and being carefully
: methodical, drop a bong or a nut and it's gone forever. I usually tie 2 mm
: lines to everything and tie them to something larger. Many people I paddle
: with sneer with my Northwater deck bag on the yak, but in that I have
: snacks and water, camera and compasses, maps and comm gear, for the gear,
: lines attached to the inside of the bag. On the boat we have a rule that
: critical gear is secured in some manner. For instance, take binos out of
: case, put strap around neck, then use them. If I disassemble something,
: lets say the wind generator for servicing and inspection, I first tie a
: suitable line to it, then remove it. Each fastener goes right in the
: pocket, the tools are on leashes. I don't want to sound like I'm
: preaching, but its all from the school of hard knocks. For instance, I
: dropped a 3/8 inch 6 point Craftsmen socket overboard a couple months
: back. Knowing the replacement cost is close to 5 USD I went over the side
: in snorkel gear to the spot where it had to be and searched without
: success in the mud. Economically that all adds up rapidly (yep, it still
: bothers me losing that socket).
: You know what it really comes down to is that it's about saving money and
: effort, all in the ultimate of currencies: time. I was thinking about a
: comment about our current lifestyle, and I know there's envy and a little
: jealousy. We pinch pennies and shop around, invest and speculate wisely,
: all for the achieved goal of taking a few years off while young to go and
: do the things most people don't even dream of.
: So it all comes back to this: isn't there more to your paddle trip? I'm dying
: to hear all about the insights and discoveries, challenges and problems
: overcome, the sights, sounds and thoughts.
