Sean

How they translate US$86 into £100 is an amazing process! Even with shipping and VAT, I can't see that as reasonable.

If you decide you want the non-iodine product, I'd suggest you order it from REI. They do ship internationally, and are a very reputable firm, in business for a long time.

Susan

c0_re

Spam is a good high energy food.

Also when in the North country keep in mind that there is real potential for bear encounters while camped or fishing so watch how you store your food. Best to keep food prep and cleanup away from your tent and store your food in sealed containers. If the smell food...you will get an unwelcomed visit.

In Denali Nat'l. Park last year the Park Rangers said you should have a bear proof container (available in area)to store you food. And that you should eat, clean up, store your food at one location then camp at a different location at least 100 yards or meters (your choice)from you eating and food storage area.
Our room was mayby 50 yards from the restaurant.

Hi Susan

After careful consideration and weighing up the options, I've ordered one of the first need deluxe purifiers from www.adventuregear.ca.

Price was $160 Canadian or about £75 (with SIGG) including shipping to UK. Another case of rip off Britain I feel....

Thanks for the advice.

Sean

PS. Our drop dead departure date for UK, India to Aus is Sept. 2nd , so the clock is now ticking.

Well, 2 weeks after placing the order, the first need purifier has arrived all the way from Canada.

Looks good, compact and well made. I was tempted to try and filter some water from my frog filled pond, but I haven't made that leap of faith yet...


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Sean

hi
there is a great book called one burner cooking I got from mec in canada (mec.ca) when I get home I'll get the isbn no.
nobby

I have ate many an MRE and if I never have another one in my life it will be to soon. If travelling in a remote area it would be a good idea to have one or two with you for emergency rations, esp in the cold. They have 2000 cal per meal so you can live on one a day. Mountain house freeze dried meals are pretty good, but expnsive like all these type meals. Instant rice, peanut butter, oatmeal, jerky, dried fruit are all good to carry along and inexpensive. Take them out of the original container and put them in zip lock freezer bags. Easier to pack, water proof and light. If you are in cold weather freeze a couple of steaks and throw them in. They will keep for a day or two depending on the weather. Bear cannisters are very handy in bear country, just rember to put them away from camp and between rocks etc. Bears have been known to roll them away where they couldn't be found. Hope this helps.

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John

[This message has been edited by ekaphoto (edited 07 December 2003).]

One person above mentioned cans of tuna. This is a great, quick and filling meal. The only problem is, that the cans are heavy and are full of water that you have to carry and drain off. Recently some companys have started packaging tuna in vaccuume package envelopes. They are thin very durrable and quite lite. There is as much or more tuna in one of the packs and they are more condusive to being packed and stored on your bike.

I have lived in Inuvik for the past 28 years, and done a lot of travelling, hiking, float plane flying, cycling, biking, etc. I have never used any water purification systems in my life, and do not know of anyone that uses them. All the water is clean. Usually the biggest problem is that you do not have any water in some areas. Also you only have to carry emergency food unless you out in the bush somewhere. If you are on the road system, you can always purchase food at the end of the day.

Hello V8! I'm sorry to say, but your last statement is very inacurate! I' like you, grew up in the wilderness of Northern Canada, and i have never got sick from drinking the water, but this is because we have been doing it all our lives and have probably developed heavy resistance to whatever it is we are consuming. Another example is Mexico or S.America. The local people can drink the water, but it does horrible things to my body. I've seen other travellers go to the hospital after eating the same food as me, and i was fine (savichi in Peru) Basicly what i'm trying to say is what might be safe for us can be dangerous for others, although i feel Canada probably has the safest drinking water in the world, especially your far northern land mostly free of garbage and industry. In S.America, pollution is probably the #1 factor
Canada Kicks Ass!!

For Aus to Britain ... yes take a water purifier. If your going backpacking (by buss) then you won't need one.. but on the bike you'll get to some remote places (other wise why take the bike?).

The other way to purify water is to boil it .. for 15 minutes on a rolling boil. Best with a camp fire.

On the tuna .. tins or aluminum pack .. the tins are cheaper .. take more bumps.. and have about the same amount of liquid. I take 3 minute rice (takes less fuel to cook) in those plastic bags .. and a tin of tuna .. cook (with all the liquid.. may as well consume what you pay for).

When we are away from towns and cities where we eat local food, we carry pasta, rice or noodles, tinned tuna, corn beef and tinned tomatoes. A couple of times we have hung fresh garlic and an onion or two from a rucksack or the bike. A small bottle of dried herbs, Italian or French mixed add flavour.

We've been using 'Pentapure' bottles up to he end of our last trip but, the filters are next to impossible to get in the UK so we'll buy a pump type filter for this years trip.

[This message has been edited by mcdarbyfeast (edited 11 March 2004).]