I like the idea of that collapsable sink. It appears to be lightweight and that would be a good repository to refill water supplies in the rain. Who made yours?

I always carry one of those aluminized 'survival' blankets in my pack. Makes a good rainwater catcher if needed. You can either lay it in a ground depression or rig it up as an off-ground run off catcher.

Anybody with real world experience using a system to catch rainwater while camping?

Suppose my world was real, if a bit damp, when I used it last week. Had the 'blanket' set between a stump and some rocks. Saved a wet trip or two to a creek when I wanted water.

I've never had to rely on rainwater collection for drinking water.

But I often have a "dry area" covered with a tarp, rigged to drain off at a couple of points that takes the water out of camp. A tin can or pail gives water that's great for washing, and it's a lot cleaner than the stuff in the stream.

If the water is for drinking, it's worth being a little careful regarding purity. A few considerations come to mind:

- rainwater falling directly from the sky isn't sterile, but normally there isn't anything that will harm you (unless downwind of some heavy duty industry)

- rainwater that filters through a treed canopy has considerably more bio-activity, everything from bird doo to tree fungus; I'd be inclined to bring this to a boil if I had the option, but it's still considerably cleaner, pathogen-wise, than the river

- if I were collecting drinking water off a tarp, a quick swipe with soapy water would add confidence, same as washing your hands before eating

- be careful about using trash bags to collect water; some have antimicrobial or scented gunk sprayed on them

- if collecting close to the ocean, a bit of salt spray could make the water brackish; fine for washing, but not pleasant for drinking

BTW, in winter, a suitable black trashbag in direct sun can generate quite a bit of "free" water from snow. I've used this for drinking with no ill effects (so far).

Don't use the yellow snow....

Seriously though,

There was a Survivorman episode that Les addressed snow that was red tinted. According to Les the "red" was some kind of fungus maybe, but was definitely a no-go for drinking or eating.

Anyone know what that is??

I've heard of "watermelon snow" but never seen it. I have no idea regarding toxicity; but to grow it needs light, so digging deeper into the snowbank may help. (I always get snow some distance off the trail to avoid various coloured impurities. )

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_algae

Supposedly the side effects of this are similar to crypto and giardia (sp?).

Thereby creating other various colors of snow.....