Anyone have a good guide or manual that gives tips on how to find water when there's none above ground? I do a bit of hiking in desert-like areas, and it's always been a concern of mine.

_________________
http://linuxconsultant.info
http://remote-server-support.com

Well, there's the cactus trick: cut open a cactus, mash the pulp, and suck the water out of it. Seems to work, although in small amounts.

I personally wouldn't use this method. Most cactus don't actually store drinkable water. The runny slim in them is just that, slim. And as I understand it, that slim can actully cause dehydration in some cases.

In desert like conditions, I found the best method is to find an area that has some green vegitation growingm then dig in the lowest point. Something that looks like it might be a stream bed would be best. You can occasionally find water a few feet down in places like that. Remember, desert plants are designed to sprout very quickly when a watersource is avalible, so if it's green water is most likely there, you just might have to dig for it.

_________________
-The Road Warrior

I saw just about to post something similar- find a low point and get to digging!

_________________
http://www.envisiongloballeadership.com ... ining.html

One good tip also is to watch the animals in the area at dawn. See what direction birds fly, or deer move- it will be towards water in the morning and evening.

Another way to get water in the desert is the sponging method which is to use cloth to mop up dew early in the morning. If there is any vegetation at all, there will usually be dew on it before sunrise, and you can collect surprisingly large quantities by mopping it up and squeezing out the cloth.

To get the water that is found on the shrubs and plants is a good idea if there is vegetation but mainly as far as desert are concerned you would not be able to find plants like that so that is not at all a practical way of finding water.