As much as I hate to agree with ole BJ. LOL He' s sure right about drinking in creeks, streams or lakes,not a good idea, if you' ve gotten away with it up till now it' s only a matter of time. I' ve rarely had that problem myself but I' ve been called a camel at hunting camp. Generally I can go all day on 20oz. and this is mostly in Sept. never been sore either, I' ll cover from 5-15 miles every day on foot. Mind over matter, or I' m stupid, it' s one or the other.

Seriously though, you can get those water purifying tablets a little bigger than an aspirin, just fill your water jug with creek water add a couple tablets (I heard water taste like crap but does the job) and you' re good to go. You can also buy one of those water purifying contraptions in a small enough version to fit in your day pack. Problem solved.

Like Bullkllrs idea too. elknut1.