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Chemical water treatment

Following up to the last post about the type of pathogens we can run into when getting water “au natural,” today we’ll cover one common way to remove the Blue meanies from your water.

Since World War I we have used iodine to treat water. The iodine kills many, but not all, of the most common pathogens present in natural fresh water sources A major drawback at Yosemite is that iodine is not effective against Cryptosporidium. It does have medium effectiveness on Giardia and a high effectiveness on bacteria and viruses. Iodine can be extremely dangerous if used in incorrect quantities, if used over an extended period of time (more than a few weeks) or if the hiker is pregnant or has a thyroid disease. This could lead to serious hyperthyroidism. Iodine based tablets only have a usable open bottle life of 3 months. The CDC recommends against using iodine as your main water purification/treatment method on a multi-week long distance backpacking trip. In fact, the European Union has banned the sale of iodine water purification drops or tablets.

That aside, the way iodine or other chemical products work is to place a tablet into the water then wait …

Hydrate or die

Water is the most important factor on a Half Dome hike. You do not want to skimp on drinking. Dehydration will sap your energy and cause you to think irrationally. It can also have severe medical consequences. You will see unprepared hikers with one or two 12-ounce bottles of water. When I ask why, they reply “I don’t drink much.” Why? Your choices are two: (1) bring all the water you’ll need or (2) treat the water along the trail.

With alternative (1), you’ll need to haul up a LOT of water. How much should you bring? I weigh about two hundred pounds, and I drink seven quarts all day.

I don’t like alternative (1), because water is heavy—about two pounds per quart. Why carry this extra weight for all those miles? And how do you carry it? In a backpack, this weight would really cut into your shoulders, and your back will be soaked with sweat. Water weighs 2 pounds per quart. The bladder-type backpack systems are popular, but I don’t like them because you’ll have a lot of weight on your back. You are limited as to how much water you can carry. The biggest bladder I’ve seen …

Water Filtration

Did you get that special gift for Christmas? The pony? The BB gun? The train set? How about a water filter?

The days of dipping your canteen into the closest stream for a refreshing drink are pretty much gone in today’s world. The most common health risk on hiking trips is infection by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and protozoa. Contaminated water can cause serious illness or even death. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated that nearly 90 percent of the world’s fresh water is contaminated. Giadiasis is a concern in Yosemite. It is caused through infection of the intestine by the single-celled parasite, Giardia lamblia. Another harmful parasite called Cryptosporidium may also be in the water.

If ingested, these parasites live and reproduce in human or animal intestines. Once in the intestines, they attach to the inside of the intestinal wall, where they can disrupt the normal function of the intestines and compete for nutrients. They can survive for a long time in soil or water until they are injested by another host. Giardia is spread by contact with the fecal matter of deer, rodents, bears, birds and people. The risk is that you may end up with a …

Happy Half Dome Christmas

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

Mr & Mrs Half Dome stylin'

Unrelated thought worth quoting: “I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle with a compass in the stock, and this thing which tells time.” – Ralphie, A Christmas Story

*MrHalfDome™ – Rick Deutsch – www.HikeHalfDome.com

One Best Hike: Yosemite’s Half Dome…

Gas Wars at Yosemite

I hope yall know that there is no gas in the Yosemite Valley. If you are coming via Hwy 120, you best get gas in Oakdale. Via Hwy 41 get gas in Oakhurst. Via Hwy 120 from the east – Lee Vining. And via Hwy 140, Mariposa.

When you exit on Hwy 120 east/west or 41 you can always scoot up to Crane Flat and fill. But if you exit via 140, you can get gas at the automated Shell station in El Portal, right? Well, not any more. When I was there in August, the station was closed. Last week it was STILL closed. Yellow tape around the pumps. Why?

Turns out there is an issue with the vendor who ran it. Lots of squabbling as to who will get the approval from the powers that be to run the place. And no end in sight. So gas up often.
Unrelated thought worth quoting: “I come home in the mornin’ light; my mother says, “When you gonna live your life right?” “Oh Mommy dear, we’re not the fortunate ones and girls, they wanna have fun. Girls, just wanna have fun” – Cindy Lauper
*MrHalfDome™ – Rick Deutsch – www.HikeHalfDome.com…

Body found under Vernal Fall

On Tuesday a park ranger discovered the body of a person in the Merced River beneath Vernal Fall. It’s unknown who it might be as an autopsy is being performed by the Mariposa County coroner. In July, 3 people went over Vernal Fall and only one was found.…

Wilderness Watch Advocates Removal of Cable System

If you’re a recent reader, you may not be up to speed on the Half Dome cables situation.  The Group “Wilderness Watch” submitted a position during the open comment period for the Half Dome Stewardship Plan. Here is a synopsis of their perspective. Tomorrow I will post the entire letter they sent to the Superintendent.

Their words:

“In our scoping comments, Wilderness Watch urged the NPS to restore the area’s wilderness character by removing the cable system. We let the Park Service know we appreciate its efforts to address issues created by the cable system, including its incompatibility within designated Wilderness. We noted that the cable system is unnecessary to preserve the area as Wilderness and it conflicts with the Wilderness Act’s prohibition on structures and installations. We added that the cable system diminishes the area’s wilderness character by altering its natural, undeveloped condition and greatly decreasing opportunities for solitude. We encouraged the NPS to remove the cable system using non-motorized/mechanized tools and transport, and to determine an appropriate use level to preserve the area’s wilderness character. This is a good example of how a different perspective, one that accepts Wilderness on its own terms, is required to …

He’s Alive A L I V E

I was in surgery for about 90 mins . . .   it went better than expected. They only had to drain fluid around the left lung cavity and didn’t need to scrape. Lung reinflated OK… it had been like a taco down low, so now the  flow is better.

I’m in my recovery room. It’s in ICU due to crowding. Private room!!  Sitting in a chair. Feeling great! MIGHT even be released Friday!!! I’m addicted to the blog and had to get back online.  Thanks to all who enquired.  Those darn “motorsickles.”

Unrelated thought worth quoting: “I don’t want a pickle, just want to ride on my motorsickle. And I don’t want a tickle. ‘Cause I’d rather ride on my motorsickle and I don’t want to die. I just want to ride on my motorcy…cle.” – Arlo Guthrie 

*MrHalfDome™ – Rick Deutsch – www.HikeHalfDome.com

One Best Hike: Yosemite’s Half Dome…

Call to Action

Friends, Romans and Countrymen:

As I sit here recuperating after kissing the pavement, I need a goal. So I have agreed to give a pretty nice talk I developed called: “Half Dome – A Historical Perspective.” It’s totally FREE and is part of the Library’s ongoing history presentation program. It will be next Sunday the 13^th (Not the 12^th as I screwed up announcing before) at 2 pm at the Livermore Public Library. For your GPS set to 1188 S. Livermore Ave.
Livermore, CA 94550.

So here’s the deal. This crummy weather gets us all down. The Half Dome hike is closed for 6 months so we have to do stuff to keep the interest up. If you have done the hike, you surely are developing the same passion I have. If you are planning on doing it, you will benefit by learning as much about it as you can. I hope you had a chance to view the YouTube I blogged about yesterday. Believe me, I have read most of the ancient scrolls about Yosemite and have culled the Half Dome Epistle to the Ephesians down into a 1-hour presentation. I have a lot of neat archival …

UV Water treatment

     A relatively new technology for portable water treatment is the use of Ultraviolet (UV) light. UV technology has been used for decades by many cities in their municipal water treatment plants.  When exposed to the proper wavelength, the DNA of the microbes is affected such that they cannot reproduce. Without reproduction capabilities, the microbes can’t make you ill. A company called Hydro-Photon introduced the portable UV water purifier, with the brand name SteriPEN®. They market several models that can destroy over 99.9% of bacteria, viruses and protozoa such as giardia. These UV purifiers are effective and battery powered.

     The “Little Spring” water source described in my book  is too shallow to scoop water into your bottle, so you’ll need to use a ladle or other method. The water treated by UV needs to be as clear as possible to prevent pathogens from “hiding” behind sediment. It’s best to agitate the water during the treatment.  The optimum method for unclear water is to employ a two-step process by first filtering suspect water, thereby removing the particulates, prior to using UV purification.

Unrelated thought worth quoting: “And my number is Beechwood 4-5789. You can call me up and have …