That $140 filter seemed dumb until the bugs showed up in the Sierra
Back in the day I just drank straight from whatever creek looked clean, but a ranger near Bishop told me giardia cases were up that season and I finally caved on a pump filter for about $140. Best money I ever spent on gear, mostly because my buddy skipped it on the same trip and spent two days stuck in a motel in Mammoth. Anyone still rolling the old iodine tablets or have you all switched over by now?