water this winter

[rhihn]

I was planning on melting snow for water on a trip next week, but given the overall mild weather we've been having and a mild forecast for next week, I am contemplating taking a filter (keeping it close to me and sleeping with it) and leaving snowmelting fuel at home. Of course, I will monitor temperatures up to the last minute. Good idea or bad? Does anyone know the current ice condition of the streams in the Upperworks-Flowed Lands-Uphill Brook area?

Related question: Currently can one safely cross Flowed Lands?

Thanks.

 

[Mark]

Some filters can withstand some freezing. The integrity of rigid ceramic filters can be breached by the expansion of freezing water in the filter material. Water remaining in the pump assembly could also freeze and ruin that. Some filters (e.g., paper) are more flexible and can tolerate some freezing. You should check with your filter manufacturer to get their recommendations on using your filter in cold weather.

If you have a filter that is susceptible to freezing and there is even a chance of your filter freezing, leave it home. Even if you try to keep it warm, it might only take a handful of ice crystals to compromise the filter. The damage would likely not be visible and would only reveal itself the first time you get sick from drinking incompletely filtered water.

 

[Oldsmores]

The current forecast is for cold weather through the weekend. Mark makes some good points - you're probably better off melting snow or boiling running water...

 

[rdl]

Three weeks ago(11/30-12/2) Flowed Lands was entirely iced over but nothing I would consider walking/skiing on. The little brook that runs next to the Flowed Lands lean-to's was starting to be snow covered.

Conditions obviously can be much different now...