Regarding base weight. One thing I always carry is my MSR filter, and associated plastic bottle. the MSR weighs a pound.
Obviously I would like to cut more weight out
I am averse to various treatments , although aqua mira is probably the most paletable.
I have read reports that the water from clear running rivers in the high sierras is very very clean and indeed articles and published papers of scientific study relating most cases of Giardia to bad hygine rather than the water source.
I have met people who say that they regularly drink water straight from the source, including a regular to olympic who was oh his way to snow dome.
So just how risky is drinking water straight from the rivers , especially early in the season. The water in the Merced up around little Yosemite valley seems pretty clean, especially in may
Any experience of drinking the water from the source.
Boiling is more onerous that carrying a filter
Sarah C
