Topic: Fresh Water in the Mournes (Read 15861 times)

velvetmonkey · « **on:** September 04, 2011 »

Hi all,

I've been up in the Mournes a good few times now (trying to get more active).

While I do bring a water bottle (usually one litre), I'm drinking quite a bit, and have topped up my bottle a few times from the various springs and rivers etc. through the Mournes............
I do know to stay away from stagnant water, but is there any danger in drinking right from these streams without boiling?

Any advice greatly appreciated - a runny tummy is best avoided.
Don't want to soil the Craghoppers!

LennyJ1 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 04, 2011 »

Several of us have drunk and had no problems with out boiling. I knowI have never had a problem.

spartan00117 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 04, 2011 »

Never had a problem with this myself and actually look forward to drinking from the rivers when i'm up there. its still a chance you take but hey more chance of the squirts from dehydration anyway.

LandyLiam · « **Reply #3 on:** September 04, 2011 »

i try only to drink from very high fast flowing streams and i've never had a problem, i have heard of others getting a serious dose of the skits though

so if i'm camping i boil all water, if just out for the day i'll take a chance in the hope that i'll be home before anything bad happens

velvetmonkey · « **Reply #4 on:** September 05, 2011 »

Thanks to all who replied.

Perhaps we should goecache some bog roll in case we're all wrong?

RedLeader · « **Reply #5 on:** September 05, 2011 »

I drink from the faster flowing rivers all the time and have never had any ill effects but it might be a matter of luck.

If you're worried get a simple filtration system like the Travel Tap

simon · « **Reply #6 on:** September 05, 2011 »

Quote from: LandyLiam on September 04, 2011

i try only to drink from very high fast flowing streams and i've never had a problem, i have heard of others getting a serious dose of the skits though so if i'm camping i boil all water, if just out for the day i'll take a chance in the hope that i'll be home before anything bad happens

I've also spoken to someone whose friend was hospitalized after drinking water in the Mournes. It's a lottery. You take your chances.

LennyJ1 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 05, 2011 »

Quote from: simon on September 05, 2011

I've also spoken to someone whose friend was hospitalized after drinking water in the Mournes. It's a lottery. You take your chances.

More info please. what was he hospitalized for?

Bushbuddy · « **Reply #8 on:** September 06, 2011 »

As I'm sure you know there is nothing like the taste of fresh spring water especially in the mountains but I don't think I would take the chance now, I always boil my water when I can or I would use a puri tab as a last resort as I don't really trust them either, I remember my boys taking the chance and needless to say it was a Long walk down the hill with a lot of loo stops on the way.

Dollywaggon · « **Reply #9 on:** September 08, 2011 »

Quote from: velvetmonkey on September 05, 2011

Thanks to all who replied.

Perhaps we should goecache some bog roll in case we're all wrong?

Bog Roll !!!!! Good grief, have you gone mad ? Sphagnum moss, my boy !!! ( Club moss in desperate times but it doesn't have the absorption quality )

Paul72 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 09, 2011 »

Are you speaking from experience here!

I personally haven't taken water from a stream or river in the Mournes for a long time. I used to get these horror stories of dead sheep lying in the stream further up and I always dismissed it until I did see them several times. From then on I've only carried my own water!

dean1970 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 09, 2011 »

i do take the water and have no issues, i use the chem tab. kills your brain, but you wont get the runs if something dies in the flow.

chances are that the water from you tap at home will do you more harm.............IMO

kiltedrunner · « **Reply #12 on:** September 30, 2011 »

I threw up once on the way home from some dodgy water but it didnt stop me next time. Theres no way you can just carry enough if your on a full hike so id rather take my chances. Saw a few dead sheep kinda near streams but didnt put me off when i went back. Strange the way a mildly dehydrated mind works :p The last thing you want to do is stop for 10 minutes, boil a cup, wait for it to cool. Only thing you want to do (and i love doing) is sticking yer head in the river and inhaling the stuff! Good filtration systems are seriously expensive and 1 time outta 20 odd isnt too bad i suppose!

LandyLiam · « **Reply #13 on:** September 30, 2011 »

on the MMM spotted this fella only a few metres from a river (near sandy brae) makes you think before you drink

(we never drank any mourne water that weekend

)

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Author Topic: Fresh Water in the Mournes (Read 15861 times)

velvetmonkey

Fresh Water in the Mournes

LennyJ1

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spartan00117

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LandyLiam

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velvetmonkey

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RedLeader

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simon

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LennyJ1

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Bushbuddy

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Dollywaggon

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Paul72

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dean1970

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kiltedrunner

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LandyLiam

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