The Best Ways to Treat Water in the Backcountry

February 21, 2020

SteriPEN water purifier

In a recent article for The Casper Star Tribune, senior NOLS instructor Marco Johnson explains the top four methods for water purification in the backcountry and when to use them. Depending on your budget and the type of trip you’re taking, Marco recommends different strategies ranging from simply boiling the water to using chemical or UV treatment.

“No matter where you go, you either need to bring enough water with you (which is often nearly impossible) or figure out how to clean what you find along the way…

But before you decide how you’re going to treat your water, you need to answer a few questions, said Marco Johnson, senior faculty member at NOLS, the National Outdoor Leadership School.

‘The first question I would ask is what type of trip are you taking? The other question is what is your budget?’ Are you backpacking for a week, which means weight is a concern, or are you car camping?”

Read the full story.

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Written By

Brooke Ortel

Brooke is a runner and writer who enjoys finding adventure in the everyday. True to her island roots, she loves sunshine, that salty ocean smell, and the sound of waves against the shore.