Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Gather the needed materials. If you know you will be traveling across the desert, make sure you carry a large sheet of clear plastic (roughly 6 square feet) and a container.
Dig a hole about 4 feet wide and 3 feet deep. Use whatever you have available to dig the hole. If you have a shovel or a spoon that's great, but if you don't you can use your hands.
Dig a smaller hole in the center of the big hole large enough to place the container in. Place the container in the smaller hole.
Cover the large hole with the plastic sheet. Make sure the hole is covered evenly on all sides and the plastic sheet is not touching the bottom of the hole. Place large rocks at the corners of the plastic sheet to prevent the sheet from moving.
Place a small, round rock in the center of the plastic sheet, directly above the container. Press down on the rock until the sides of the plastic sheet slope 45 degrees. The small rock should be a few inches above the container.
Cover the edges of the plastic sheet with sand and rocks. Make sure that no moisture can escape.
Wait for water. It may take a couple of hours, but as the sun beats down on the plastic sheet you will begin to see condensation on the underside of the sheet. The water will collect in the container because of the angle of the plastic sheet.