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Post by Coolkat on Jun 14, 2024 8:39:12 GMT -8
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balzaccom
Trail Wise!
Waiting for spring...
Posts: 4,769
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Post by balzaccom on Jun 14, 2024 15:25:21 GMT -8
Yeah--that doesn't sound like fun at all.
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zeke
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Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 10,025
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Post by zeke on Jun 14, 2024 16:07:31 GMT -8
There are a few water sources in the Canyon that present those issues, no matter what the water is treated with. I'm hoping the spring in the Havasu Falls area has not been so stricken.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jun 14, 2024 18:39:19 GMT -8
There are a few water sources in the Canyon that present those issues, no matter what the water is treated with. I'm hoping the spring in the Havasu Falls area has not been so stricken. What’s the cause in those other sources? Chemical leaching or a secreted toxin in the water as happens some places with heavy Cyanobacteria blooms. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29946124/
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zeke
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Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 10,025
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Post by zeke on Jun 14, 2024 20:03:13 GMT -8
Serpentine Creek has resisted all scientific efforts to make it safe to drink without causing GI problems.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jun 14, 2024 20:22:58 GMT -8
Serpentine Creek has resisted all scientific efforts to make it safe to drink without causing GI problems. But why? What’s the safety hazard?
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ErnieW
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I want to backpack
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Post by ErnieW on Jun 15, 2024 6:32:15 GMT -8
The symptoms sound a lot like Norovirus to me. In this era I wouldn't past someone sick who crapped their pants to wash their underwear in the creek.
P.S. This NPS article seems to say water quality is a tough issue in the Canyon:
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rebeccad
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Writing like a maniac
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Post by rebeccad on Jun 15, 2024 6:32:38 GMT -8
I saw in the NYT article about that that one woman, at least, had drunk from a spring tested and labeled as potable, as well as filtering from other sources. I wonder if their source has gotten contaminated. The comment about trash and TP flowers on the trail is telling about the hygiene risks. Also about the number of ignorant idiots making the hike.
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walkswithblackflies
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Resident terrorist-supporting eco-freak bootlicker
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Jun 15, 2024 7:04:41 GMT -8
What’s the cause in those other sources? Chemical leaching or a secreted toxin in the water as happens some places with heavy Cyanobacteria blooms. While hiking in the desert SW, I've come across springs that are posted for bacteria. I've also come across backcountry springs/streams that are heavily laden with minerals... I assume from mining... to the point of being undrinkable.
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jazzmom
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a.k.a. TigerFan
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Post by jazzmom on Jun 15, 2024 8:28:51 GMT -8
I think it's Norovirus. There have been many outbreaks in the Grand Canyon among rafting groups; a recent one a couple of years ago that affected a couple of hundred rafters during the season. I've been told that it spreads voraciously; that it's possible to get it by drinking filtered Colorado River water if someone who has it threw up in the river upstream of you, and that the virus can linger in the sand in the camps to infect the next group. River groups all routinely chlorinate drinking water. Tourist destinations, e.g., resorts, cruise ships, etc., generally like to keep it quiet if Norovirus is suspected.
I don't think I read whether all of the people affected in Supai were camping or staying in town. At the campground, there's one water source, a pipe/spigot that they say is spring water and tested to be within potable limits. Most people don't filter it (pretty sure I didn't.)
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Jun 15, 2024 8:32:30 GMT -8
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ErnieW
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I want to backpack
Posts: 10,637
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Post by ErnieW on Jun 15, 2024 8:49:46 GMT -8
FYI Norovirus can survive on surfaces up to two weeks which is extra bad since the infected get it all over the place.
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sarbar
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After being here since 2001...I couldn't say goodbye yet!
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Post by sarbar on Jun 16, 2024 18:18:26 GMT -8
Norovirus is a "fun" time, especially for adults who haven't had it since they were kids. Once you get it, you get a bit of immunity to it for a few years. Since I have 3 kids, we have been on the barf train with each kid. But once they get it in school, it's often till middle school before it happens. Keep activated charcoal with you, always, when traveling, in capsule form. You have to be careful with prescription meds (take the charcoal at least 3 to 4 hours after any meds - as it will pull all meds out of your gut!!) But it will pull the nasty out of your GI and push it out the back door, and nearly stop the vomiting. Anytime a kid came home sick, 2 pills went down my throat. Last Norovirus run, I got it, but only threw up one time. Kirk didn't get it at all that time. Every adult I know who has gotten Norovirus, who isn't around kids, were sick for days, some needing fluids. It is real and soooo nasty.
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rebeccad
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Writing like a maniac
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Post by rebeccad on Jun 17, 2024 6:35:26 GMT -8
Sadly, it appears that there is no evidence or even mechanism for activated charcoal to “absorb” a virus or bacteria. It is, however, effective for dealing with many toxins.
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sarbar
Trail Wise!
After being here since 2001...I couldn't say goodbye yet!
Posts: 1,168
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Post by sarbar on Jun 17, 2024 13:15:04 GMT -8
They actually do use it for that purpose medically. I know, it sounds all woo woo, but it literally works. It grabs on to anything it can and you poop it out. Pretty simple. And yes, it is used to grab medicine and toxins as well. As long as you use it appropriately with prescription meds, it won't hurt you. And it works. You can find it at any well stocked supplement store.
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