Steripen Classic
Last Christmas I got the Steripen Classic as a gift. After some bad experiences out on the trail with iodine tablets I thought I’d try this thing out. Since getting it, I’ve always been weary of testing the thing out. The idea of a light killing harmful bacteria and viruses is hard to grasp. After seeing the Steripen in action I was even more skeptical. You turn it on, put it in some water, watch the light shine for about 90 seconds, then it’s safe. It just doesn’t make sense. However, this method of UV light water treatment has been tested to treat over 99.9% of harmful bacteria, viruses, and protozoan cysts. On my last overnight trip, I decided to pack it up in my bag and test it out on the trail.
The UV light in the Steripen does not actually kill most of these nasty critters. The UV light disrupts DNA within the organisms and prevents them from reproducing. This is all pretty cool technology.
The Steripen is awesome. None of us got sick from the water we drank. For about $70 you can get one of these and with four AA batteries you can treat up to 200 half-liters of water. No boiling and waiting for your water to cool. No terrible tasting iodine tablets. Within five minutes, we all had cold, safe, and great tasting spring water to drink. I highly recommend this to any backpackers or hikers.
Pickett State Park, TN after a wildfire
Taken at Fall Creek Falls State Park, TN
Fall Creek Falls, TN
Greeter Falls
Stone Door
