Anyone who has had giardia will tell you that you don't want to get it. Very unpleasant. I had it.

What I use is a portable water filter to replenish my water. When backpacking, I filter enough water to fill a quart bottle which carries me through the day (people recommend more at altitude). When I cook at night, I filter more water. When I clean up, I filter more water. It worked well for me and a backpacking partner. Be careful not to splash water from the stream onto things or you may defeat all your careful measures to avoid giardia!

Here all along I thought that only happened when you came out of the mountains/bush..huh who knew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I drink the bottled stuff as well now. When I worked in the north guiding fisherman we'd often hit the springs with no effects or need for additional TP. Then again diet pretty much consisted of fish, beer, more fish & beer...wait did I mention beer. Vitamin B worked wonders, the odd morn it would be a B & C combo (Beer & Clam") that was required to as gramp's would say "Take the edge OFF!"

I would go with a filter just to be on the safe side. It doesn't change the taste, and it eliminates most of your concerns. What could it hurt?--But, I have never had problems and rutinely drink from springs and creeks when hunting/hiking.

I always use a microfilter pump. Then wherever you are, you can get good drinking water. We don't have the same campsite each year, and sometimes not even the same state, so we need some flexibility. We sometimes obtain water from stagnant ponds. I think I paid $60-70 for my filter. Pretty cheap insurance.

If I camped in the same spot each time near where a spring came directly out of the ground, I doubt I would use it.

Bigbulls: That is what the "block" button is for. I have used it and have never looked back. Just smile as I go right over the post.

Yeah, I know but I keep thinking that he just might actually have something good and constructive to say with out being a complete jerk about it.

The last few posts of his I have read were actually civilized. I think he is simmering down a little and may have some good things to say every so often. I still have hope for manboy.

We do have a great advantage concerning water on the mountain we hunt. It actually tastes good enough to bring it out at the end of the hunt.

as they say-"an ounce of prevention" so to be on the safe side and to cover my ass literally and figuratively i'll pick one up-thanks

"cover my ass literally"

Good one. LMFAO

I got it in Sep and never got it figured out until April, I went from 190 down to 142. the higher end systems will take it out but I still boil the water when I can.
some people seem to be able to pass it with little or no affect on them, myself if i even look at bad water I'll get it.
By the way I got it from water from a spring at 11,000 ft that was running and clear.

Has anyone used AquaMira - a chemical water treatment? It purifies water with chlorine dioxide. I am going on my first drop camp elk hunt and have been concerned about drinking water. The outfitter says he has always drank from the near-by stream.

Anyone who doesn't think they need to filter their water is walking a very fine line. If your alone in the backcountry Giardia can kill you very easily. I've had it more than once actually. Trust me it's not worth it. Just carry a light filter like MSR and use it. Simple as that and you have no worries.