Water Collection From Springs - Help

[b.hunts]

I just got back from a weekend in the backcountry checking out a new area. Haven’t been to this side of the wilderness but in other places I’ve never had an issue finding running water. I came across the only 2 springs on this particular ridge system and couldn’t get any water from the first one. Water was basically a mud hole with bugs swimming around. I went downhill from the spring and couldn’t find a trickle. The second spring had more standing water and somebody put a piece of PVC into the mountain about 10 yards lower that had a constant flow.

How would you guys go about collecting water from these sources? I’m running a Grayl as my primary bottle and filter and have Hydrapak bladders for daily (3L) and camp storage (6L). I also have hollow trekking poles but I didn’t have any luck with that method.

 

[HighCountryHill33]

I've always used a Katadyn pump filter. They're bulky, but get the bugs and nasties out. I fill nalgenes for the day-hikes and bladders for camp. The only downfall is that it does nothing for taste, so take some water flavoring or expect burps, farts and sweat to smell like the mudhole you pumped from