Good for you!! you must have an iron constitution. I hope you can continue drinking straight from the river without getting sick, especially with Giardia from all the Elk and deer poop. However, for people that might be older, younger or immunocompromised for some reason, it is an issue.I drink straight out of the Middle Fork (no filtration) for a week every year for the past decade and have never gotten sick. This is a non-issue.
Keith - the time of year that you go has the highest ratio of volume of water/giardia.I drink straight out of the Middle Fork (no filtration) for a week every year for the past decade and have never gotten sick. This is a non-issue.
Silly. That is kind of like saying you didn't get the flu so the flu is a non issue. Your iron constitution is not shared by everyone. I wish I could remember how many people I have heard your story as part 1, and then the second part is about how they got giardia or norovirus and they have changed their opinion. Especially as Jerry says, spring high flow vs later season low flow.I drink straight out of the Middle Fork (no filtration) for a week every year for the past decade and have never gotten sick. This is a non-issue.
They are putting handwash stations in, in response to last year's problems.Both at Boundary and Indian Creek there is very little active sanitation procedures being followed. As in no handwash stations setup since the groover is already there and the food is precooked, simple or heat and eat.
Think of a busy August on the river and how many people fly in and use the toilets and handles in those bathrooms. Boundary too. When was the last time you saw a handwash setup at the top of the ramp for anyone.
Growing up in Southern Idaho when I was young punk we used to drink out of the irrigation ditches sometimes. When thirsty enough. Glad I didn't know it was all runoff from Eastern Idaho recycled through the cesspool of sorts known as the Snake River.Growing up fishing little mountain streams on the east slope of the cascades, dad taught us it was fine to just drink right from them. "Purest water you can find!" Maybe his real theory was what doesn't kill those little basturds will make 'em tougher. Then again, we also rolled around in the back of the station wagon without seat belts while mom smoked.
Are we talking about the same Middle Fork? I'm talking about the one in Idaho, not the Mexico Middle Fork.
Everyone acknowledges that it is low probablility and low consequence. What is the mortality rate from giardia in America?
Seems like eating better and excercising more (rafters) would do more for your long term health than straining the pine needles out of your Middle Fork water.
Full disclosure: Not the first time I've been called reckless. I have had gastro-bugs before and likely will again. I prefer to hit it raw.