Hidden Water in the Desert?

Yes! There is water in the desert. In a pinch, there are places to look to get moisture. It may not taste very good, but it will keep you alive:

BE CAREFUL! IN MANY CASES, STAGNANT WATER COULD BE POISON, OR AT THE VERY LEAST, FULL OF BACTERIA THAT COULD MAKE YOU EXTREMELY ILL! CARRY WATER PURIFYING EQUIPMENT WITH YOU.

Look for old disused trails in the hills. These may indicate old Indian Trails that lead to natural water tanks in rock formations.

Carry one of the many types of water purifying devices available for sale.

Barrel Cacti are spiny and very hard, but will contain enough moisture to keep you alive. DO NOT DRINK LIQUID FROM THE PULP! It is very alkaline and will most likely make you ill and give you bad diarrhea (a possible death sentence). The sour rind and fruit are edible, however.

Another type of edible cactus you may encounter is the Prickly Pear Cactus. This cactus is juicy and edible (better when young). The red fruit it bears is also edible (and very tasty).

 

Now comes the not so pleasant way to get moisture in a pinch in the desert. All the small animals you will encounter are full of moisture. In fact, most animals in the desert get most of their moisture intake by eating other animals. It may seem disgusting, but it may save your life!