The Katadyn Hiker Pro Microfilter

The Katadyn Hiker Pro Microfilter

Monday, October 4, 2010

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I received my brand new Katadyn Hiker Pro Microfilter from All Filters about a week before we left on our recent vacation. I was really excited about giving the product a test on a few of our hikes. It got to the point where my wife and I were getting tired of lugging a ton of water around with us on every hike and thought this would be a great way of reducing the weight in our pack, thus making us a little more efficient at walking uphill.

I’ve had my eye on the Katadyn Hiker Pro for sometime now. Generally speaking, this filter has received great reviews from both users and outdoor writers alike. Moreover, it seems to be the most popular choice for day hikers and short backpacking trips because of its light weight and dependability.

I’m not one to spend a lot of time reading directions - I prefer to just jump in with new toys. But with something as important as your health (i.e. eliminating all the nasties lurking in open waters), I spent the time reading all of the materials to make sure I knew how everything worked. I even tested the Katadyn at home before taking it out into the field. (You should also be aware of the cleaning procedures afterwards as well)

It was during this process I discovered my first, and really my only complaint: Katadyn doesn’t provide an adapter to connect directly to my Platypus. Fortunately my wife and I both have Nalgenes, which Katadyn does provide an adapter for. They also provide an adapter for Camelback type systems as well. I’m not sure why they don’t provide something for the popular Platypus; it seems like it would be very easy to develop a connector that would work.

Unfortunately there was only one hike on our entire trip that provided us with an opportunity to try our new filter. The hike to La Vega in Northern New Mexico was the only hike on our itinerary that had a water source anywhere along any of the trails we hiked. The Rio Nambe Creek near the hike's destination that day allowed us to stop and re-fill our bottles for the return trek.

We were both pleased with the performance of the filter and thought that the water tasted pretty good. Although a relatively short hike, it still helped to lighten our load. I think that bigger benefits will be had on longer hikes when weight is even more of an issue.

While researching the filter one of the complaints that I read were with regards to users getting silt into their filters and clogging it up (the Hiker Pro is not the only filter receiving these complaints). Several people suggested using coffee filters attached to the pre-filter intake to prevent this. We did this as a precaution, using a rubber band to attach it, and didn’t have any problems.

I also read a couple of complaints regarding the durability of the parts. My take on this is that some of these users may not have read the owners manual closely. The manual states that if the filter is hard to pump, it means that it needs to be cleaned and lubricated with the silicon lubricant provided, or the internal cartridge needs to be replaced. Possibly some of these users tried to force the pump, thus causing it to break. I don’t know, but to me the entire product seems to be quite sturdy.

According to the product literature, the 0.3 micron filter (effectively) eliminates all bacteria, protozoan cysts and microorganisms such as Giardia, Cryptosporidium and Klebsiella terrigena. The activated charcoal core also improves water taste. The filter also has the ability to pump roughly 1 quart of water per minute.

For more information on the Katadyn Hiker Pro, including specs and a product demo video, as well as other filter products from All Filters, please click here.



Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed trail information for the Great Smoky Mountains; trail descriptions, key features, pictures, maps, elevation profiles, news, books and more.

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Top 10 Items to have on a Day Hike

Top 10 Items to have on a Day Hike

Monday, December 7, 2009

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Below is my list of the top ten things you should keep in your backpack on any day hike. Obviously you will need to make changes to your overall list based on weather conditions, season, terrain and length of trip, but generally speaking, these are the items I consider to be the most important to have on any day hike.

1) Orientation - Take a map and/or guide book with you. National Geographic’s Trails Illustrated Maps are excellent. Use the map to keep track of your progress so that you know where you’re at all times. It’s also a good idea to carry a compass, and know how to use it as well.

2) Hydration - Take plenty of water with you, especially in the summer. You can sweat anywhere from 1/2 to 1 quart of fluid for every hour you walk in the heat. This fluid/electrolyte loss can exceed 3 quarts per hour if you hike uphill in direct sunlight and during the hottest time of the day. If you plan on drinking water from the backcountry, know that it must be treated for Giardia lamblia. Giardia is a parasite that can cause an intestinal infection with a variety of symptoms. To avoid this infection, boil water for at least one minute or use a filter capable of removing particles as small as 1 micron. Liquids such as water or sports drinks are best for you. Drinking soda or alcohol while hiking will dehydrate you. Make sure to pack extra liquids with you in case your hike takes longer than expected.

3) Fuel - The best snacks for the trail are ones that will provide you with high energy, such as fruit, granola, peanut butter, bagels, power bars, fruit bars, G.O.R.P. (trail mix), beef jerky, or even candy. Again, take extra food with you in case your hike takes longer than expected for whatever reason. Throw a couple of energy bars in your pack. They’re light weight, and will pack a nice punch if needed.

4) First Aid - Learn first aid and carry a first aid kit in your pack. Know what to do in case of an emergency. First aid training will teach you how to react and deal with specific types of injuries.

5) Shelter from the storm – No, I’m not talking about toting a tent around with you. I’m referring to keeping rain gear in your pack in case the skies open-up while you’re out on the trail. Weather can be very unpredictable in the mountains. Nothing is worse than getting soaked miles from the trailhead, which can lead to hypothermia. Even during the summer a wet hiker can succumb to hypothermia at higher elevations.

6) Fire – I’m not suggesting you carry something to cook beef stroganoff on your lunch break. But it is extremely important to have some ability to start a fire in case of an emergency bivouac. I always carry a fire source: waterproof matches or some other emergency firestarter. You'll also want to carry some type of tinder, such as fire sticks, or even cotton balls dipped in petroleum jelly and stored in aluminum foil, a zip lock bag or even an old film canister.

7) Extra Socks – Extra socks are a must as well. If you accidently slip into some water, or you’re forced to cross a swollen creek, you’ll want to change your socks right away. Besides having cold feet, you’re almost guaranteed to take home a few blisters.

8) Gloves – Although the forecast might call for a mild day, weather can change quickly in the mountains. Overcast skies, high winds, or light rain, can chill your hands in a hurry, especially in the mountains.

9) Emergency Blanket – An emergency blanket is an excellent item to throw in the bottom of your pack. They’re inexpensive, light weight and take about as much room as a pack of baseball cards. Using a reflective material, they’re designed to reflect your body heat back to you in an emergency situation. You can also use the blanket to ceate an emergency lean-to shelter as well.

10) Knife – preferably a multi-use knife such as a Swiss Army Knife can come in handy in a variety of situations.

There are a few other items you should probably consider having in your pack, but didn’t quite make my top 10 list, including, medications, a whistle, flashlight, bear spray, toilet paper, moleskin, sunscreen, ski hat, cell phone, duct tape. For a complete checklist, please click here.






Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

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