Table of contents 1 If a natural water source is available
2 If a natural water source is not available
2.1 The evaporation still
2.2 The vegetation still

If a natural water source is available

• Water may be boiled over a campfire or portable stove. At high altitudes, water boils at a lower temperature, so the boil must be maintained for several minutes to kill the microorganisms.
• Water may be filtered with a portable water purification device. Water purifiers differ widely, so if you own one, familiarize yourself with the instruction manual. If the water is visibly dirty, pour it through a cloth to remove large particles and avoid prematurely clogging the purifier.
• Certain chemicals, such as dilute chlorine solution, are commercially sold as antimicrobial additives. Some leave an unpleasant flavor that may be masked with powdered drink mix.

Probably the best way to get water from the ground is the evaporation still, shown in cross-section in the diagram at right. To build an evaporation still, you need only four items: a shovel, a sturdy sheet of transparent plastic, a cup, and a piece of flexible plastic tubing long enough to reach from the middle of the plastic sheet to the side with some excess length.

Begin by digging a hole with sloping sides in the shape of the sheet of plastic, but slightly smaller. Avoid digging in hot weather, as you will lose considerable amounts of water through sweat. Sink the cup in the middle of the hole so that the rim is almost flush with the sides of the hole. Place one end of the tube in the cup, run the other end to the outside of the hole, and place the sheet of plastic over the whole assembly. Weigh down the sides of the plastic sheet, or anchor them with stakes, and place a small weight directly over the cup.

The evaporation still will produce water continuously. The plastic sheet will create a greenhouse effect in the still, accelerating the natural evaporation of water from the soil. When the water vapor hits the plastic sheet, it will condense and drip down into the cup. The tubing may be used to drink from the cup without disturbing the still. For added effectiveness, use a second cup to pour any available fluids, such as urine, into the pit.

The vegetation still

The water in the bag will pick up chemicals from the leaves. These will give it a strong leafy flavor, and may include toxins, so make sure not to gather any poisonous plants.

Algonquin Park is the third largest park in Ontario and one of the largest in Canada, covering about 7,725 square kilometres. Highway 60 runs through the south of the park, while the Trans-Canada Highway bypasses it to the north. Over 1500 lakes and over 1200 kilometres of streams and rivers are located within the park, including Canoe Lake and the Petawawa and Nipissing Rivers. These were formed by the retreat of the glaciers during the last Ice Age. The park covers both the deciduous forests of southern Ontario and the coniferous forests of the Canadian Shield in northern Ontario. It contains thousands of species of plants and animals, including as moose, beaver, black bear, lake trout, maple, and spruce, and is an important site for wildlife research.

In the 19th century, the logging industry began harvesting trees in the area for shipbuilding. To preserve the land as a wildlife sanctuary, the province of Ontario designated it a Provincial Park in 1893. It quickly became popular with fishermen and hunters, as well as artists such as Tom Thomson and the members of the Group of Seven, who found the landscape inspiring. Thomson served as a guide in the park and died there in 1917.

Today Algonquin Park is a popular year-round camping site. There are designated campgrounds along the edges of the park, especially on Highway 60, but it is possible to camp further inside the park as well. Other activities include fishing, canoeing, hiking, snowmobiling and skiing.

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