#184089 - 10/02/09 11:38 PM
Re: System for collecting rainwater while camping?
[Re: Exploriment]
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Newbie
Registered: 09/26/09
Posts: 32
Loc: Texas
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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?
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The journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step.
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#184091 - 10/02/09 11:59 PM
Re: System for collecting rainwater while camping?
[Re: Kingarthur]
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Stranger
Registered: 10/02/09
Posts: 4
Loc: 45 South
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So, what should the backpacker bring to capture rain water to refill camel backs/similar systems when a body of water is not readily available-but rain water is? 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.
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#184092 - 10/03/09 12:02 AM
Re: System for collecting rainwater while camping?
[Re: GeoSpear]
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Pooh-Bah
Registered: 02/16/08
Posts: 2463
Loc: Central California
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Anybody with real world experience using a system to catch rainwater while camping?
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#184093 - 10/03/09 12:03 AM
Re: System for collecting rainwater while camping?
[Re: Kingarthur]
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Newbie
Registered: 12/14/04
Posts: 36
Loc: Ontario
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Seattle Sports Camp Bowl
Whether it’s for hand washing, water collection, keeping small parts together if you have to take something apart, wild food gathering, etc., etc., it’s a handy multi purpose item. A whole host of uses.
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#184095 - 10/03/09 12:24 AM
Re: System for collecting rainwater while camping?
[Re: dweste]
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Stranger
Registered: 10/02/09
Posts: 4
Loc: 45 South
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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.
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#184102 - 10/03/09 01:25 AM
Re: System for collecting rainwater while camping?
[Re: Exploriment]
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Crazy Canuck
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 02/03/07
Posts: 3219
Loc: Alberta, Canada
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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).
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#184103 - 10/03/09 01:32 AM
Re: System for collecting rainwater while camping?
[Re: dougwalkabout]
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Veteran
Registered: 11/01/08
Posts: 1530
Loc: DFW, Texas
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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??
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I do the things that I must, and really regret, are unfortunately necessary.
RIP OBG
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#184105 - 10/03/09 01:44 AM
Re: System for collecting rainwater while camping?
[Re: Desperado]
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Crazy Canuck
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 02/03/07
Posts: 3219
Loc: Alberta, Canada
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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
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#184107 - 10/03/09 01:50 AM
Re: System for collecting rainwater while camping?
[Re: dougwalkabout]
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Veteran
Registered: 11/01/08
Posts: 1530
Loc: DFW, Texas
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Supposedly the side effects of this are similar to crypto and giardia (sp?). Thereby creating other various colors of snow.....
Edited by Desperado (10/03/09 01:50 AM)
_________________________
I do the things that I must, and really regret, are unfortunately necessary.
RIP OBG
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