BWCA Water Filter Boundary Waters Group Forum: Solo Tripping
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09/07/2022 12:09PM  
Still aiming to take my first solo sometime in the next year or so. I've been helping lead scout trips the last few years and I just haven't had the time to fit in a trip for me.

One of the benefits of leading these trips is that the scout trip pitched in a provided a Platypus gravity system which has worked very well for our groups (between 4-7 people). In the meantime, the only system I have is my old pump but I just can't see going back to that after experiencing the convenience of a gravity system. So here I am looking at what system to buy.

What do all you use for filtration? I am considering just buying the Platypus but on a solo it is really more that I would need and is somewhat bulky. I have done just a bit of research into other options, but would love to hear what experiences you all have had.
 
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09/07/2022 01:28PM  
I just bring a Sawyer filter and a soda bottle.
 
PineKnot
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09/07/2022 02:24PM  
I just bring the 4l dirty bag, hoses, and a Sawyer Mini filter. I run the water into a gal jug that becomes my camp water. Fill up and hang the bag and I have 2 gal of water at camp. Since my solo trips entail traveling and laying over for a couple nights at more than one campsite, it's nice and convenient to have this water at camp, and the gravity bag/filter rolls to a small size and weighs very little on a canoe trip. The gal jug(s) weigh nothing and I just attach them to the bow and/or stern...
 
09/07/2022 04:59PM  
I've used quite a number of them over the years. Had an MSR to begin, but too big for solo trips. Platypus has a pretty nice one and comes in a 2L size which is nice for solo. I've used a Sawyer Squeeze and a Sawyer mini and I've made various sytems using Sawyer filters and components. I tried the Platypus Quick Draw last year but wasn't happy with it and am going back to what I've done the last couple years below.

Currently I carry a Sawyer Water Filter bottle to drink on the go and have a gravity system with the CNOC 2L bags and the HydroBlu filter.
 
09/07/2022 08:52PM  
MSR 4L gravity for camp (filter into a Nalgene, or much lighter Smartwater bottle) and a .6L BeFree filter bottle for travel
 
DanCooke
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09/08/2022 09:21AM  
msr guardian pump. used in Alaska more than in mn. Able to deal with silt and stuff well.
 
09/08/2022 03:21PM  
Sawyer squeeze + coupling rigged in gravity mode...about 6 ounces for everything you see.

 
09/08/2022 03:21PM  
Thanks everyone for chiming in. I have toyed with creating my own system with the Sawyer filter but did not have much luck and was glad I had my pump along as backup. Appreciate any other advise.
 
09/08/2022 04:13PM  
I don't know which you used, I found the Sawyer Squeeze filtered faster than the mini when I made gravity systems.
 
OCDave
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09/09/2022 05:26PM  
Hey Cricket67,

I was exposed to the Platypus 4L on a son's scout trips as well. While I have several other water filters, none are as easy to use as the Platypus Gravity. I spend less energy carrying the extra weight of the 4L Platypus system than I'd spend pumping or squeezing or making multiple trips to refill. So, even as a solo traveler, the Platypus 4L is in my pack. I fill it and hang it and my water needs for the night are met.

I also carry a Life Straw while paddling. My son gave it to me for a Father's day gift so, I use it and a IMUSA mug to hydrate en route to camp.

Good Luck
 
mgraber
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09/09/2022 11:52PM  
I love the Platypus system, If the 4L is too large, get the 2L.
 
straighthairedcurly
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09/10/2022 04:06AM  
For solo travels the last couple years, I have been using the Versaflo Hydroblu which I find faster than the Sawyer. I match it with 2 Vecto by Cnoc bags (2 L) size. On this week's trip I needed to travel even lighter so I started just using the BeFree 1L squeeze bag to drink on the go with no fuss.

Hydroblu filter

Vecto by Cnoc

Katadyn BeFree

 
09/10/2022 09:05AM  
I'd just get the 4L Platy. Hardly much bigger packed than the 2L and 4L really isn't all that much water for one person on a hot day. If you need less don't fill as full.
 
09/10/2022 11:56AM  
I use a steri pen unless I know it’s more of a base camp trip and then it’s a bag above a sawyer mini with he hose going into one of those clear plastic folding camp jugs. 2.5 gallons maybe?

The steri pen is great for travel days. I’ll keep a nalgene to drink out of in the boat then filling and sterilize at a portage landing. It takes about 1-2 min.
 
09/14/2022 04:07PM  
Thanks all...I think I will be watching out for deals on the 4L Platy!
 
Paddle4Hike
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09/18/2022 06:09PM  
Just finished an 11 day solo in the BW, my 6th sol9 trip. I started with the sawyer squeeze and transitioned to a gravity works 4L a couple years ago. I love the gravity works! It does not take up too much space or add too much weight for its value.

Between refilling my (typically) 2 bottles of 1 liter each of water or sports drink, for the next day, drinking one in camp, water for dinner and tea, I use more than 4 liters in camp on a solo night.

This system is simple, reliable and effective, if you follow the directions and backwash as suggested.

I have only ever questioned whether the 4 L is big enough. It’s easy to dump excess clean water in the morning while packing.

My typical tripping profile is about 8 or 9 days with a layover day day once very 3 or 4 days of travel. Although this last trip had 1 layover day in 11 days of tripping.

Asking questions on this site is a great start! I have learned so much from the experienced individuals that are also very willing to share their perspectives!!
 
EddyTurn
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09/18/2022 06:54PM  
I wonder how people that use exclusively gravity systems satisfy filtration-on-the-go demands - carry the whole day water supply in their packs? Seriously?
On a solo trip I don't filter more than a liter of camp water - the rest being boiled anyway. But I pre-filter 100% of my water, before filtering or boiling it, with Steripen pre-filter. It takes care of dirt, frog-poop and any other unwelcome substances.
 
Paddle4Hike
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09/18/2022 11:50PM  
Eddy
My personal technique…..
I start each day with 2 liters of treated/filtered water, usually in the form of a sport drink. This is prepared with my gravity works system in camp. My backup system is a sawyer squeeze system that usually stays in my ditch bag, near the top. On days where I plan/anticipate a lot of travel and may need more than the 2 liters, I move the sawyer to my granite gear thwart bag for easy access and quick supplemental water processing.

I always carry water purification tablets in my pfd for unplanned/emergency water treatment. I would use this I& there was an issue with the sawyer system, recognizing the time required for such a process.

Lots of methods and approaches exist, this is mine, with all its flaws and potential value.
 
EddyTurn
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09/19/2022 10:51AM  
@Paddle4Hike: sorry, I misinterpreted your message as saying that you rely solely on gravity. Obviously your technique works in BW. In areas with longer and more strenuous portages I'd rather keep some small volume squeeze filter with me all the time and - if I double-carry - refill it at the landings as necessary.

Interestingly, I see lots of positive reviews of Gravity Works by Platypus. My experience of their Quick Squeeze system shows inadequate QC: out of the four filters obtained between April 2021 and July 2022 two failed altogether and another two suffered serious flow issues after few weeks in the field. Cleaning by shaking procedure was of no help since the filters were not exposed to any sediments to begin with. Platypus warranty service dep doesn't return emails with service requests.
 
09/19/2022 03:18PM  
I use the same one I do with groups; MSR 10L. Far fewer trips to scoop water that way.
 
ockycamper
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09/25/2022 03:38PM  
We have tried all the different systems and have ended up staying with Platypus. The reason is that it filters very quickly, back flushes by simply reversing the bags, and you can bring a 6 litre system for almost no more weight or bulk then a 2 litre system. Only have to go for water once a day doing that. And for whatever reason, I have found 6 litre Platypus systems for $69 on sale several times a year.
 
09/26/2022 11:39AM  
I use the 4L platypus system for groups and solo trips and then just filter the water into whatever water container that I'm carrying for the trip. 2 gallon water bags for group trips, 96 once nalgene water bagswater bags for solo trips and multiple water bottles. Just hang the 4 L dirty bag in a tree and I keep adding water to the bag with a bucket till I refill all water carriers.

Tony
 
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