When you backpacking there are several factors that influence how far you go for a day. How you feel of course, but also where are the next possible campsites and where is water. This day and the next are totally driven by water availability. Today, plenty of water available but the next has an over 14 mile stretch with none. So, the goal of the day was to get to the last reliable source of water before the dry stretch tomorrow. I need to get in about 15 miles. Mind you this is tough for me, yesterday was over 13 miles. I haven’t hiked double digits in months let alone with a heavy pack. Go slow, rest a lot, you have all day. And again it’s not just the miles, it’s the climbing two passes to get over, over 2000ft of climbing. Anyway it was a good day typical beauty everywhere and made it to where I wanted to. Camped alone again. Not scared or anything just a bit lonely and boring at camp.
So as you know all the water I drink is filtered to get out any nasty bugs that can cause issues. The stream in the video below had nice clear water but all the rocks are white.. It is full of calcium. Calcium can clog my filter so while it looks clear and is probably healthy enough, I have to pass.
Never thoight of white rocks being a sign to pass on water.
Really great pictures!