My water filter cracked at 11,000 feet on the JMT last week...

I was filtering water from a creek near Guitar Lake when the pump handle just snapped off in my hand. Had to boil everything for the last two days... anyone else carry a backup filter for high elevation trips?

2 comments

2 Comments

skyler_anderson651mo ago

Actually, the JMT doesn't go right past Guitar Lake. Guitar Lake is a bit off the main trail near Mount Whitney. You have to take a side trail to get there. That's a small thing though. On the backup filter question, I ALWAYS carry a spare. I learned that lesson the hard way on the PCT a few years back. A broken filter at high elevation is a real pain. Boiling water takes forever and uses up so much fuel. I just throw a small squeeze filter in my pack as backup now.

nancy_davis1mo ago

Did you have the same filter I had? Mine snapped right at the pump handle connection too, same spot. I was up near Kearsarge Pass on the JMT and it just gave out. Now I carry a backup Sawyer squeeze and a few spare bags. Boiling at 11,000 feet takes forever and eats fuel like crazy. I had to ration my stove use for the last two days.