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drinking red / watermelon snow

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2019 2:53 pm
by frozenintime
hey all

i found myself filtering water at the (freezing!) tarn at the top of goat crest saddle last week while staring at the watermelon snowfield that feeds it. it occurred to me that, despite its elevation, this might not be the cleanest water for me to drink. it also occurred to me that my filter might be taking care of the algae. either way, i drank the water and resolved to ask about it afterwards.

so i'm curious what anyone more experienced and/or more scientifically-minded than i am does in this situation?
i found a single 1997 study (https://www.wemjournal.org/article/S108 ... 0018-8/pdf), but it had a sample size of 6!

Re: drinking red / watermelon snow

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2019 2:59 pm
by c9h13no3
Most single cell organisms are significantly larger than the 0.2 micron pores. So yeah, your filter will get rid of the algae.

If the bugs put toxic chemicals into the water, those won't be filtered necessarily, but I believe it's the bacteria itself that's bad for your health.

Re: drinking red / watermelon snow

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2019 3:26 pm
by frozenintime
noted, thanks!

Re: drinking red / watermelon snow

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2019 3:37 pm
by dave54
I have eaten red snow on several occasions with no ill effects. It was never very much at one time, and I was younger then with a cast iron stomach, so your results may vary.

Re: drinking red / watermelon snow

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2019 8:23 pm
by thegib
We don't filter, except thru a hankie, and have camped downstream from red snow countless times and haven't had an issue, yet. But if someone's got more than anecdotal reports I'd be interested too.