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

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

I’ve filtered from a lot of springs that looked just like that and worse. You check above them to see if there was a seep? I usually end up trying to dig out a spot below a seep to fit my bag or bottle. If none, straight from the puddle and pre filter with my neck gaiter. Seems a fellow hunter left you a gift so in your specific case, I’d use the pipe.

For filtering these past few years, I do the hydrapak cap filter that screws onto their bags into a Nalgene, then steripen. I’m a bit paranoid about water though. Those two combined still weigh less than most pump filters or bottle filters.

 

[Jermh]

Following. An area that we hunt regularly is tough for water. Most consistent spot for water is similar to this. Typically we use a Katadyn pump but it gets old having the filter constantly clogging up and getting difficult to pump, especially after a few days of pumping for 3 guys.

 

[BRTreedogs]

I think those will most likely be dried up by season.

 

[Skerhunter]

I put my Nalgene pre-filter in a ziplock. I use that bag to collect water and pour through the filter. Works well for less than ideal water sources, but it can be time consuming.