Went on a 9 mile walk in the Great Dismal Swamp on New Year's Eve, so I took my new Sawyer Squeezez and a new Trangea stove with me. At the 1/2 way mark, I stopped by the lake's edge and made some tea.
- Sawyer Squeeze. I got the set with 3 bladders, filter and the backflush syringe for $45. For the hike I took the filter and the 1 liter bladder, which together weigh 2 oz. I keep the bladder empty, wrapped around the filter, secured with a rubber band. I tested swamp water, ditch water and lake water - all tasted the same, good with a hint of dirt. Went in like coffee, came out like water. The bladders are hard to fill full from standing water, it worked easier from a runoff. The filter unit itself will screw onto any standard water/soda bottle, as well as the collapsible bladders.
- Trangea Stove. I got it with a 3pc collapsible pot stand/windscreen for $25, and the simmering cap. With fuel sealed inside the stove, and a book of matches, it weighs in at 6oz. I keep it in a freezer ziploc. Did not leak fuel. Lit on first try - must use matches though, or light a stick with your lighter first. I used Heet, although denatured has been great as well. Filled up a GSI 18oz camp cup (sized to slide onto the bottom of a Nalgene or KK wide mouth) with hot water, and in minutes had a rolling boil for tea. Poured out 2 cups (there were 4 of us), added more water and put the cup back on again. Still had fuel left after 4 cups of water. Put the cap on it, threw it all back in the ziploc, and we're good. Also had a 1liter USGI flask full of denatured in the pack - I'm guessing one person could several days on the flask and a full stove, using dehydrated foods.
