I'm tossing around the idea of a hike this summer, along the northern coast, no roads along there. It will be one or at the most two nights. I've hiked along there in August before and most of the streams where dry so we had to pack enough water for a two day trip. I've been wondering if I can filter salt water right out of the ocean? The ocean isnt going to dry up. Will the salt clog up the filter fast? I dug out the box my Katadyn filter came in and the directions are still there but it dosent say anything about filtering salt water.

I do not believe the salt would clog your filter, which means you will have nice, pure saltwater when you're done. Still not drinkable.

To make drinking water out of sea water with a filter, you would need a desalination pump. Katadyn makes one for about $900. I've never used one.

There are "solar desalination kits" available for boat/yachts emergency supplies. I believe they are often carried in the emergency rafts carried on ocean going yachts etc.

You can make a similar version by digging a hole in the sand, saltwater in the hole, and a sheet of plastic over the top. The water evaporates, condenses and drips back into a cup as pure water.

These are more for a survival situation though, as you have to wait around for the sun to do its thing. Probably not that suitable for your hike.

Well, I guess I wont try that one. I was thinking if the filter could catch bacteria it should filter out the salt.

Not so much. Ones an actual particle and one is soluble...big difference.