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Stony Plain, AB
Canada
15 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2007 : 06:53 AM
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| We are heading out on the WCT this Sunday. I am curious about water sources. From all the reading I have done I am not concerned about a lack of water sources but about the quality. We hike with a MSR Sweetwater Microfilter and have found this quick and effective. Will we need to further treat stream water on the WCT? I am also wondering what the condition of the water sources are like after the stormy winter. Has the increased run-off and debris had an effect? We have hiked in the Rockies and American southwest for years but this will be our first coastal hike. Cheers. |
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1097 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2007 : 07:21 AM
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There are water sources at every campsite and several places in between. The water is excellent. Dare I say that I have drank without filtering or using chemicals and never had an issue. Nevertheless, your filter will work just fine as a measure of security. Just watch the tides - at times the tides push salt water back up the streams so the recommendation would be to make sure you get your water fairly far upstream just to be sure.
I spoke in length this year with the Pacific Rim representative at the Gordon River Trailhead about the water - her initial response was filter or use chemicals. However, further prodding indicated that those that work there and spend time on patrol rarely if ever filter or use chemicals..... |
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 double-double seeking, snow-chasing, short-cutting, vertical feet collector
4522 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2007 : 08:08 AM
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there is one place where the water is murky (like Orange Crush) and the rangers will tell you where, during orientation. That stream is located closer to Bamfield than to Port Renfrew.
Otherwise the water in the streams is plentiful and good to drink. |
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Stony Plain, AB
Canada
15 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2007 : 08:33 AM
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| Good to hear! We are setting out from the Bamfield end and will have plenty of water with us to start. Weve been planning the trip for months now and excited it is almost here. |
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Coffee swillin', wine lovin', Owl fearin' Andie McDowell stunt double, who sports retro gear
Vancouver, BC
5464 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2007 : 08:50 AM
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I have the same filter as you and used it on the WCT, and I lived to tell about it 
Word of warning: bring those little drops too, just in case. We had two filters in our group of 6: one died (some other kind of MSR filter), so we thought, "Oh well, we'll just use mine." A day or two later mine died too (something happened mechanically to the pump, it wasn't due to clogging). Luckily someone had the drops, which we used the rest of the trip.
My filter was covered by warranty, so I got a replacement. I still take it on trips as the drops are a hassle, but from now on I will always carry the drops as a backup. |
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alpine seekin, therma loungin, java brewin, licorice whorin, stealth hikin, all weather trail guru
Pt. Coquitlam, B.C.
Canada
1772 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2007 : 12:15 PM
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If you do find that the water is particularly cruddy with debris, an extra pre-filter on the intake like a coffee filter or bandanna will help, but it might slow the flow some. I've never had too much trouble over there on the WCT.
Some of the sources out here on the coast might provide water that is a bit off-color, as you may know. It's just the tannin from the trees, so don't be concerned. It might just look a little brownish. |
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Surrey, B.C.
Canada
48 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2007 : 6:58 PM
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Cheewhat Creek has only a small, hard to find trickle.
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Stony Plain, AB
Canada
15 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2007 : 10:20 AM
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| Cheers everyone. This is exactly what I was hoping to hear and appreciate the tips! Most people we talk to are reminding us that coastal hiking is not mountain hiking and we will not cover as much ground daily as we are used to, the rain is even wetter (if possible) and beach walking is just plain tough. I am just looking forward to the adventure! |
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Raitenbuch, Bayern
Germany
25 Posts |
Posted - 07/15/2007 : 08:13 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by wilderness_seeker
Word of warning: bring those little drops too, just in case. We had two filters in our group of 6: one died (some other kind of MSR filter), so we thought, "Oh well, we'll just use mine." A day or two later mine died too (something happened mechanically to the pump, it wasn't due to clogging). Luckily someone had the drops, which we used the rest of the trip.
Hi,
same to me at my first hike at the WCT.
On the 5th evenning at Michigan creek our Kadatyn Filter brooks and for the last day we drank water from the filter of some new friends.
Since this, I have always chemical drops as a backup.
Rosi |
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Fleece thong wearin, Buntzen Lurkin, mystic poet mountain man and international spokesman of the friends of the white squirrel society
Port Moody, B.C.
Canada
5882 Posts |
Posted - 07/15/2007 : 09:34 AM
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Then again there is the "old fashion way" 
Boiling:
Boiling is the surest method to make water safe to drink and kill disease-causing microorganisms like Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium, which are frequently found in rivers and lakes.
These disease-causing organisms are less likely to occur in well water (as long as it has not been affected by flood waters). If not treated properly and neutralized, Giardia may cause diarrhea, fatigue, and cramps after ingestion. Cryptosporidium is highly resistant to disinfection. It may cause diarrhea, nausea and/or stomach cramps. People with severely weakened immune systems are likely to have more severe and more persistent symptoms than healthy individuals. Boil filtered and settled water vigorously for one minute (at altitudes above one mile, boil for three minutes). To improve the flat taste of boiled water, aerate it by pouring it back and forth from one container to another and allow it to stand for a few hours, or add a pinch of salt for each quart or liter of water boiled.
If boiling is not possible, chemical disinfection of filtered and settled water collected from a well, spring, river, or other surface water body will still provide some health benefits and is better than no treatment at all.
Chemical Treatment
When boiling is not practical, certain chemicals will kill most harmful or disease-causing organisms.
For chemical disinfection to be effective, the water must be filtered and settled first.Chlorine and iodine are the two chemicals commonly used to treat water. They are somewhat effective in protecting against exposure toGiardia,but may not be effective in controlling more resistant organisms like Cryptosporidium. Chlorine is generally more effective than iodine in controlling Giardia, and both disinfectants work much better in warm water.
*Last weekend a few were using just the drops to disinfect water at Manning Park.Maybe I should have taken a picture of all the gunk that was on my filter when I cleaned it at home. the suction hose was floating in fast running water & it was still clogged with brown sludge. For me I think I'll use drops only as a last resort. Diarrhea + smelly outhouse= "No fun"
Unless you find this...
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Water sources on the WCT
