Originally Posted By sandia

Anybody looking at relevant research, ought to doubt decades-old hysteria regarding drinking water





Yup.

Haven't ever treated backcountry water in Montana... ever.

But I have treated water elsewhere.

Yes, I've had Giardia (Missouri Farm Stream) and Hep-A (India) from water sources. Neither of those were what I'd call the backcountry, and neither were BP trips. Giardia is nothing compared with Hep A.

Truth is, both times I got sick I KNEW I shouldn't drink the water untreated. In India my treatment tabs got separated with my backpack in Kuwait and I got tired of drinking Campa Cola.

The backcountry water hysteria is silly in my view, but to each his own hike.

In over 37 years of backcountry travel I've never gotten sick from water, including a 1000 mile AT hike. Probably treated water twice on that walk. Doubt I've treated water more than 15-20 times in 37 years.
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