Over its length, the PCT travels through a wide range of environments each of which presents unique water-related challenges.

For much of the first 700 miles in Southern California, the PCT traveler is faced with:

1) A constant quest for water
2) Water sources frequently 20 or more miles apart
3) Temperatures exceeding 100 degrees and little shade.

Careful water planning in Southern California is essential. For current information on water sources in Southern California, visit www.4jeffrey.net/pctwater . This site is maintained by PCT enthusiasts. As always, keep in mind that this type of information is only as reliable as those reporting it. It is made available as a service. One must, however, take personal responsibility for one's own hike.

Upon arriving in the Sierra Mountains in Central California, travelers find that:

1) Water is ubiquitous
2) Too much water (in the form of snow, ice, and raging snowmelt-filled creeks) can pose problems of its own.

In Northern California and Oregon, the PCT travels through regions that alternate between having plenty of water and very little. The Hat Creek Rim in Northern California, for instance, is one of the longest dry sections of the entire trail with 30 miles between reliable sources.

For the most part, travelers in Washington don't need to worry about having enough water to drink - it's usually falling from the sky. Still, there are stretches of 10 or more miles between water sources.

Of course, finding water in the backcountry is only part of the hydration equation. Unfortunately, it's just not safe to drink straight out of many streams, lakes, springs, and other trailside water sources. Many sources are contaminated by:

• Pesticides
• Herbicides
• Fertilizers
• Organic parasites like Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium

This means you have to purify your water before you drink it - or risk getting ill.

There are three main ways to purify water in the backcountry:

• Boil it
• Filter it through a water filter or water purifier
• Treat with a chemical like iodine or Aquamira

Boiling
For the long-distance hiker, boiling water can be impractical because it takes a long time and uses a lot of fuel in the process.
But if you want to purify your water by boiling it, you must:

· Bring the water to a rapid boil
· Continue to boil it for 5 minutes
· Add 1 minute to boiling time for each 1,000 feet above 10,000 feet

Please note that boiling will NOT neutralize chemical pollutants.

Water Filters and Purifiers

Over the last 10 years water filters and water purifiers have become the preferred method of many backpackers to treat their water.

The primary difference between a water filter and a water purifier is that a purifier adds another layer to the filtering process. This layer - generally an iodine mix - is designed to kill viruses. (There is some debate about the necessity of a water purifier in the backcountry because although viruses may be found in polluted water in populated areas they are not as prevalent in backcountry areas.)

When shopping for a water filter or water purifier, look for information on the type of contaminants that the device is effective against:

· Giardia (a must)
· Bacteria (another must)
· Cryptosporidiosis (optional but on the "safe" side)
· Viruses (optional but on the "safe" side)

More and more companies are coming out with filters attached to the top of sports bottles. Because they are little more than a filter stuck in a modified sport-bottle, they have the advantage of being lightweight. It should be noted that the sports bottle filters do not filter out the same variety of pollutants as their traditional, pump and hose-based counterparts. Literature provided by most manufacturers indicates that their devices effectively filter out:

· Cysts (such as Giardia)
· Other pollutants
· Only a couple claim to be affective against bacteria
· Only one against viruses

Sport bottle filters may provide a convenient solution for people who rely primarily on chemical treatment yet would like a faster treatment option for use when hiking. This combo would allow one to quench thirst quickly using the bottle while using chemicals to purify a larger quantity of water to be consumed later.
Keep in mind that filters/purifiers can and do break and/or clog, so if you're planning on using a filter/purifier, it would be wise to also carry some form of chemical treatment as a back up.

Chemical Water Treatment

For many years chemicals were the only way to treat suspect water in the backcountry. Today the method is still popular among many backpackers because use of chemicals is simple and they are lightweight.

Easily the most frequently used chemical water treatment is iodine in tablet form. The taste of iodine-tinged water takes some getting used to, but neutralizing tablets (which are added to the water after the iodine has been given time to do its work) can help remove the taste and color of iodine from the water before you drink it. Crushed vitamin C tablets will do the same thing.
As with filters, the effectiveness of the treatment varies with the turbidity of the water. So straining it first -- through a bandana, coffee filter, etc. - will increase it's effectiveness.

In addition, the temperature of the water affects chemical treatment. So the colder the water the slower the purification process or the more chemicals required. You must make sure that water (at 75 degrees Fahrenheit) sits for 20 to 30 minutes with iodine in it for purification to take place. If the water is colder (as it usually is), you will need to let it sit longer - possibly overnight for cold stream water.

Iodine will not neutralize chemical toxins and there have been worries that long-term use of iodine may not be a good idea for people with thyroid conditions.

Aquamira is a newer water treatment on the scene and a viable alternative that's been getting a lot of attention lately. Aquamira is stabilized Chlorine dioxide and contains now chlorine or iodine. Chlorine dioxide, according to Aquamira's manufacturers, is an effective and safe water treatment used by municipal water treatment plants around the world. Aquamira works by releasing oxygen (in a highly active) into the water, which then kills any bacteria in the water. Like iodine, Aquamira is convenient for backpackers because it's lightweight, compact and easy to use. Please note, however, that Aquamira is not approved for sale in California. It can be purchased in Oregon and Washington.

For more information about water purification methods, the risks associated with drinking contaminated water, and other water-related topics visit the Water Issues links.

The above water purification information includes advice found in Karen Berger's book Advanced Backpacking.