Cookware

Most outings in scouts occur over a weekend.  These short trips and simple menus will require the basics only.

• Single pot, with a lid that can double as a plate
• Cup
• Basic utensils (spoon and knife)
• Some way to pick the pot up (either a handle, bail or pot-grabber)

Water Filter or Purifier

As a scout builds has strength and interest in backpacking, a water filter or purifier become a piece of equipment that he will either need to have or be able to share.  It is not a piece of equipment that a new scout needs to purchase.  This being said, lightweight, compact water filters and purifiers have become extremely popular in recent years.  These devices are convenient, easy-to-use and best of all, they're quick.  But how do you choose the right one?

1.  Consider How Much Protection You Want

It's impossible to know for sure if a given water supply is free of contamination.  But bacterial and protozoan contamination has been estimated to be present in 90% of the United States' surface water.  And water-borne viruses may be found anywhere where humans have come into contact with the water supply.

Filters - All of the water filters that REI carries provide reliable protection against bacteria and protozoa (one new model also provides reliable protection against viruses!).  Filters are the easiest, most economical method of making water safe to drink in situations where viral protection is not needed.

A Note on Pore Size
The size of the holes, or "pores", in a filter determine which microorganisms get caught and which sneak through.  Most filters have a small range of hole sizes.  Absolute pore size refers to the size of the largest (least effective) holes.  This measurement tells you which critters will be caught and which won't.

Unfortunately, some manufacturers advertise nominal (average) pore sizes instead of absolute sizes, which can make the whole pore size issue very complex.  When comparing the effectiveness of different filters, concentrate instead on which water-borne nasties the unit claims to eliminate and which it doesn't.

Every water filter (and purifier) that REI sells has packaging that describes which microorganisms it can protect you from.  Be sure to read this information carefully before choosing a specific model.

Purifiers - Water purifiers offer the very best protection available from contaminated water in the backcountry.  Purifiers usually provide reliable protection against bacteria, protozoa and viruses.  But is this extra protection worth the extra cost?  It depends on your plans.

You are at risk for viral infection any time humans have come into contact with your water supply (NOTE: viruses can be spread by everything from urinating to brushing your teeth to spitting in a stream).  This means situations like:

• Crowded recreation areas where sanitation systems may become overloaded from time to time.
• Areas where infants may be in the water.
• Backcountry sites where backcountry visitors may not have disposed of their waste properly.
• Developing countries with basic sanitation systems.
• Areas that are susceptible to natural disasters like floods and earthquakes (which could overwhelm sanitation systems).

Quite simply, purifiers are the best choice for any backcountry traveler who doesn't want to take any chances with their water supplies.  Remember -- you never know for sure what's been going on upstream!

2.  Consider How Much Water You'll Need

If you only backpack a few times a year, focus your attention on smaller, less expensive filters/purifiers designed to handle a limited amount of water.  You may need to replace the filter elements in these models from time to time, but you'll still come out ahead in the long run.  If you plan on using your filter/purifier more often (10-20 times a year), it may be more cost effective for you to choose a more expensive unit that's designed to last longer between filter replacements.

Also keep in mind as you compare filter/purifier models that different designs work at different speeds.  If your trip plans involve difficult terrain, dry conditions and/or large groups of people, look for a model that can process a lot of water quickly.  If you're planning shorter trips and/or smaller groups, you maybe happier with a lighter, smaller, less expensive model.

3.  Consider Size and Weight

Keep in mind that you'll be carrying your filter/purifier everywhere you go.  Balance your desire for high water output and ease of use with your desire to keep your backpack light.

4.  Consider Ease of Operation

Water filters/purifiers come in a variety of styles.  When performance levels are similar, the decision between them is often a matter of personal taste.  To decide between models, consider how easy each one is to use.  Ask yourself questions like:

• How easy is the filter/purifier to set up and operate?  If it's a pump design, how easy is it to pump?
• Can it be operated easily by a single person?  (try it out for yourself and see!)
• Is it possible to connect a water container directly to the unit?  If not, how easy is it to get the treated water into your water jug?
• Can the filter unit be cleaned to extend its usable life?  How easy is it to do?
• What about basic maintenance procedures? Can common problems be fixed in the field?

NOTE:  If you plan on setting up camp and staying put for a while, you may want to consider a large-volume, gravity-driven system instead of one that you have to pump.  Gravity-driven systems tend to be bulkier and slower than hand-held units.  But they can process a large volume of water while you're out exploring, and you don't have to lift a finger!

5.  Consider Cost

The most expensive water filters/purifiers are often the most cost-efficient when you consider their performance and longevity.  If you plan on backpacking for a number of years, consider paying a little more up front so you can save money further down the trail.  When comparing costs, look at:

• The overall price of the unit.
• The amount of water that it can treat before the filter must be replaced.
• The cost of replacement filter/chemical elements.

Also keep in mind that some filter/purifier elements can be "scrubbed" from time to time to clean out pores and extend their useful life.  Others cannot.

• Pre-filter - Usually located at the end of the intake hose or just before the main filter.  Pre-filters strain out the largest particles and cut down on wear and tear to your main filter element.  Most pre-filters can be rinsed from time to time to remove caught particles.
• Depth Filter - These are blocks of filtering material, honeycombed with small passages.  Water flows through the passages and microorganisms are caught inside.  Some depth filters can be cleaned to improve longevity, others cannot.
• Surface/Membrane Filter - Membrane filters are perforated surfaces that strain out particles as the water passes through.
• Surface/membrane filters cannot be scrubbed clean.