I almost got stranded on the JMT when my filter broke at 11,000 feet

I was on the John Muir Trail near Muir Pass, about 20 miles from the nearest resupply at Muir Trail Ranch. My water filter just gave out, plastic cracked right where the hose connects. I had no backup because I thought my old Sawyer was bulletproof. I ended up boiling water for three days using my tiny cook pot, which took forever and ate up all my fuel. I had to ration my stove time and ended up eating cold dinners twice. By the time I made it to the ranch I was so dehydrated I could barely hike. Has anyone else had a piece of gear fail that badly in the backcountry and what did you do about it?

2 comments

2 Comments

mary_kelly18d ago

Oh wow, I used to think one filter was fine. Totally changed my mind now.

nancy82017d ago

Three different neighbors told me they switched from tap to bottled water last week, isn't that the same logic?