Welcome to Yosemite. Don't die.

[maverick]

I have done that too with batteries Jim.

[rlown]

totally works!!

[gdurkee]

[quote][PS: Rangers don't know because they don't keep track of almost anything./quote]

Oh, say it ain't so!! Heck, that could have been me saying I didn't know of any cases, though don't think I would have said "any." The risk is extremely low. I worked with Bob Derlet on his samples and it was his data which confirmed my general impression that the giardia thing was overblown in the National Parks anyway (where I'm familiar with the hikers and streams). Also, I was editor of Sierra Nature Notes and, with Rockwell's very good paper, got pretty familia with the subject. There is a selection factor in that people who get Giardia are usually out of the backcountry by the time symptoms appear and are diagnosed. Still, I would think hikers would occasionally mention having gotten sick before. In addition, trail crews never treated water and I know of only one actual case of giardia in 40 years (though a number of diarrhea stuff likely related to poor camp hygiene).

That said, late in my career, I got one of those UV pens that we used on main rivers where there were horses. Contrary to what the horse folks say, they DO carry a giardia type that's transmissible to people (a very good study -- never published -- out of Tuolumne showed this to be the case). Check the map. If it's a side stream with no trails above it, it's extremely likely to be good. For most areas at alpine levels, if you have nothing other than boiling, I'd just drink it as is. Bob also speculates that surface water on a lake is likely to be less risky because sun UV would kill anything.

[gdurkee]

Oh, PS: On the "don't die" subject of the thread, if any of you folks are in Yosemite Valley on (I think) Tuesdays, John Dill of Yosemite Search and Rescue gives a great SAR presentation in the evening. Well worth going to.

[maverick]

[PS: Rangers don't know because they don't keep track of almost anything./quote]

See, they cannot even put a sentence in a quotation correctly!

[maverick]

Oh, PS: On the "don't die" subject of the thread, if any of you folks are in Yosemite Valley on (I think) Tuesdays, John Dill of Yosemite Search and Rescue gives a great SAR presentation in the evening. Well worth going to.

Where exactly in the Valley George?

[Vaca Russ]

After filtering, treat the water with 2 drops of chlorine bleach per quart (liter) of water for 30 minutes in order to kill viruses (which are not removed by filters)

To be more specific the only EPA approved chlorine bleach product for disinfecting contaminated water is Clorox Germicidal Bleach...AKA "God's gift to humanity".

Always keep a fresh bottle within arms reach.



JMHO,

-Russ

[gdurkee]

Mav: in one of the auditoriums behind the Visitor Center.

[gdurkee]

PPS: yeah, the quote thing. I guess beyond my skill level. I put in the [quote][/quote] brackets but, hey, no quote. What's a nerd wannabe to do?? But wait! Solved it. I cut off the bracket. Oooops... .

[maverick]

Mav: in one of the auditoriums behind the Visitor Center.

Thanks.