Water Purification - Blue Green Algae

Every summer in the Cascades of Oregon hikers and campers are warned about Blue Green algae.  The warnings arrive as the temperatures rise.  In some cases the algae infestation can become quite dangerous.

Algae are microscopic organisms that grow naturally in the lakes and waters of Oregon.  Some species such as cyanobacteria can produce toxins that can cause serious illness or death in pets, livestock and humans.

Warnings are provided by the State's Office of Public Health.  Severe conditions can be visually detected by the presence of a thick scum or foam that is white, brown, blue green or bright green.

Contamination systems range from a mild skin irritation to dizziness, paralysis, cramps, vomiting and diarrhea.

So, when in doubt stay out and don't drink it.

Importantly for the hiker, you can not treat the toxins.  Water filtration and boiling has not been proven to be effective.

Should your pet become covered with the algae immediately wash them with water from another source.  Do not allow them to lick the algae off their body. 

For a detailed report on Blue Green Algae visit the US Forest Service site here.

Knives It The Backcountry - Part 2

What is a good, reliable knife?

As a follow-up to Part 1, I sought out another backcountry expert to discuss an alternative knife selection.

While attending the Washington Search and Rescue conference, I had an opportunity to talk to Skip Stoffel, President of Emergency Response International (ERI.)  An Air Force veteran and survival instructor, Skip founded ERI in 1978.  From his web site:

“… Emergency Response International, Inc. has specialized in Global Survival, Search and Rescue (SAR), and Emergency Preparedness training, publications, consulting, and products. ERI is committed to offering only the highest quality programs and services and guarantees all of its work.”

Skip’s view on the right knife for the SAR team member or backcountry traveler is 180° out from the view expressed in Part 1.

Skip looks for a knife that is strong, light weight, versatile, safe and modestly priced.  He does not recommend a folding knife.  His choice is the Mora knife.

The Mora 840 Clipper is a knife that performs well in the field.  It is a great all round choice. 

Though small, this knife is very sturdy.  The handle ergonomically fits the hand well and one’s grip is solid and secure; it is not unwieldy.  It can be used with a baton for cutting firewood like the larger knife.  It takes an edge very quickly. 

For the person not sure which knife to buy, the Mora is a great place to start.  It sells for a fraction of the price of the larger fixed blade models.  Put it to the test and see if it works for you. 

On another note, both John and Skip carried multi-tools in their kit such as the Leatherman Wave. 

Water Purification

Kummerfeldt's review of water purification.

There are still far too many people using iodine tablets to disinfect their water when there is a much better product on the market - chlorine dioxide. There are also too many people drinking water that has not been disinfected simply because they don't like the taste of iodine not knowing that there is a new product on the market that doesn't leave an after taste.

Chlorine dioxide tablets made available by the Katadyn Company and also by Potable Aqua have been around for several years now but have not been embraced enthusiastically by those who recreate or work in the outdoors. Old habits die hard I guess. Or perhaps it's just ignorance! Either way you are putting your health at risk by drinking water that has not been disinfected.

If for no other reason you should consider using tablets that release chlorine dioxide because of its effectiveness in killing cryptosporidium, an organism commonly found in water - something that iodine was never able to do effectively.

Regardless of the manufacturer the tablets are individually packaged in sheets of ten tablets per sheet and are sold in containers of twenty or thirty tablets for $10 - $13.

Disinfecting your water is easy. Simply drop a tablet into a quart or liter of water and the chemical will destroy viruses, bacteria, Giardia and Cryptosporidium leaving no chlorine after taste.

For more information on Micropur tablets go to Katadyn.

inReach Update from Delorme

DeLorme inReach™ Two-Way Satellite Communicator Now Connects With iPhone®, iPad® and iPod® touch
Two-way messaging, interactive SOS, global coverage and Follow-Me/Find-Me Tracking and Location now available to vastly expanded mobile device user base.

YARMOUTH, Maine, May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — DeLorme, an innovation leader in navigation technology, today announced that its award-winning inReach™ is now compatible with iPhone®, iPad® and iPod® touch. This innovation makes it possible for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch to access an array of two-way satellite communications capabilities with the inReach and the DeLorme Earthmate App.

inReach turns an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch into a global two-way satellite communicator for use outside traditional wireless coverage areas.
Users can send and receive messages to and from cell phones, email contacts and other inReach users, anywhere in the world. inReach can also be used to post messages to Facebook and Twitter.

“DeLorme is now extending the unique inReach two-way SOS, personal communication, and tracking capabilities to a far broader universe of users worldwide,” said Mike Heffron, DeLorme CEO. “This underscores our commitment to making affordable two-way satellite communication solutions available to as many people as possible.”

To read the rest of the post go here.

Spring Has Sprung - Are Your Ready?

This is a great post by Peter Kummerfeldt about getting your pack ready for Spring adventures.

Photo by Peter Kummerfeldt

Spring is here and summer is right around the corner. The snowline here in Colorado is retreating up the mountainsides and things are beginning to green-up. I’m hearing rumbles about it being time to head for the outdoors to hike, fish, photograph or whatever else takes you out there. Spring fever is upon us!

That being the case it might be time to drag out all of your gear and give it good once-over. Don’t assume that just because it was working fine when you stashed it in a basement closet last fall that it’s ready to go today.

To read the rest of Peter's post go here.

Knives In The Backcountry (Part 1)

I was fascinated listening to John C’s backcountry survival presentation at the 2012 Washington Search and Rescue (SAR) conference.  John is a 19 year veteran of wilderness SAR.  He is also a county Emergency Management Coordinator in Washington.

With his backcountry experience and knowledge he was the absolute right person to discuss wilderness survival.

Key to his discussion of SAR tools, fire starting and building an emergency shelter was his selection of knives.  He carried a full tang, fixed blade knife in his SAR pack.

After his presentation I sat down with John to discuss why his primary choice was a fixed blade rather than a folding knife.  He told me that the hinge point of a folder was its weakest point and not something he would compromise on.

This was a stout knife made by the Busse Combat Knife Company.  His knife’s blade body was thick, just under a quarter inch; the tang itself was impressive.  The knife had an approximately eight inch blade. Sturdiness and versatility came to mind when looking at this tool.  It’s not a fine bladed scalpel but rather a strong knife that will do the job shaping boughs or batoning firewood.  It is a utilitarian, multipurpose part of his kit.

John’s is a quality knife and not a trendy looking bowie knife with engraving and inscription.  The only designs etched onto the blade were the wear patterns from years of hard and demanding work.  His selection of manufactures included the Busse Combat Knife Company, Swamp Rat and Scrap Yard; all names new to me.

He did caution that using a large knife takes experience and extra caution.

John’s choice may not be for everyone but is based on years in the wilderness and experience.

Backpacking - Lighten Up Your Pack

Check out this article from Section Hiker.

If you're seriously interested in reducing the weight of your backpacking gear, the most important thing you can do is to buy a digital scale. I like the model shown here, called an Ultraship Scale because it can weigh your items in ounces or grams. This is the third one I've owned – they fall off my cluttered desk onto the floor too often.

Section Hiker's site is a wonderful resource. 

To read the complete article go here.