2 people, 6 panniers for a cross country tour. Bad idea?

[sspeed]

Is a steripen a useable idea when doing long shots between water?

http://www.rei.com/product/799003/steripen-adventurer-opti-water-purifier

My route I'm planning for June hits a lot of "interstate ghost towns" on the first couple days and it looks like I might be 60-80 miles between water and food at some point.

[staehpj1]

Is a steripen a useable idea when doing long shots between water?

That depends on the route.  I figured that for most of the TA and most of the ST treating water was not the way to go.  There just wasn't water to treat in the places where you would want to.  On the Sierra Cascades route (southern part) we were really happy to have a filter, mostly because we could get COLD water from the snowmelt streams.

Personally I use and like the Sawyer Squeeze.  It is only a couple ounces, is fairly cheap, and is supposed to last a million gallons.  I have not found I need to carry the back flush syringe.

[sspeed]

Thanks staehpj1, I had never heard of the Sawyer Squeeze.  REI reviews point to a lot of bag ruptures, have you had any problems with that?

[Pat Lamb]

I'd be slightly suspicious when I see REI is selling replacement bags in 3-packs.

[staehpj1]

Thanks staehpj1, I had never heard of the Sawyer Squeeze.  REI reviews point to a lot of bag ruptures, have you had any problems with that?

No, but yes lots of people have.  I have been gentle with the squeezing and carry a spare, but the only bag that failed was the one my dog decided was a chew toy   One person suggested that it is better to roll the bag up like a toothpaste tube.  I suspect folks just kind of go crazy with the squeezing.

I read that the 2013 version of the filter was now shipping with sturdier bags.  See this link:
http://hikelighter.com/2013/01/20/sawyer-squeeze-updated-2013-version/

[sspeed]

Thanks for that link.  If that review is correct it looks like REI still has the old bags.