Right here at Wilderness Occasions, we hope you’re getting out into some superior snow-covered landscapes this winter (even when it’s simply your personal yard).
We’ve heard the query of “is it suitable for eating snow” greater than as soon as, so we’re right here to present some solutions!
Whether or not you could have a toddler who likes to fall face first into snow banks, or an journey group that wishes to check out backcountry slushies, figuring out when you possibly can eat the snow round you and extra importantly, when to keep away from it, is nice data to hold with you.
Let’s speak about it!
Quick Reply: It Relies upon
On a scientific degree, snow is water that was frozen into snowflakes earlier than it fell to the bottom.
For those who’re protected to drink rainwater, you’ll assume the identical would apply to snow. And, properly, it form of does.
However apart from a spare snowflake that you just catch in your tongue within the winter, it’s unlikely that you just’re going to catch an enormous portion of snow from the sky itself.
It just about at all times touches the bottom first. On this article, we’re going to cowl when you possibly can eat snow based mostly on what it appears like on the bottom.
TLDR: Solely eat recent, white snow with no proof of grime, rocks, or animal or plant matter in it. Guarantee that you’re accumulating snow away from any fashionable footpaths or parking heaps.
When to Say Sure to Consuming Snow
Image this: You’re within the backcountry with some pals and somebody desires to attempt a backcountry slushie (recent snow with maple syrup in it – it’s scrumptious, belief us!).
Maybe one other, extra sensible, good friend is making an attempt to gather snow for campsite water.
If there’s recent snow, you’re in luck. Have a look off any fundamental foot or animal paths to search out comparatively untouched snow.
As you collect it, check out the snow itself. There shouldn’t be any grime, rocks, animal or plant matter in it.
At all times take the snow off of the highest of the snowpack.
The primary snow that falls in any snowstorm is the most definitely to soak up any grime or air pollution that’s floating round within the environment earlier than the storm, just like the carbon that comes from smoke.
Because of this it’s greatest to attend a number of hours right into a snowstorm to assemble snow for consuming or ingesting, when there’s much less grime within the air and the snow.
That is the primary motive why we might advise you to stay to the highest of the snowpack.
Principally, you’re in search of the whitest and freshest snow yow will discover. Because of this as near that “recent rainwater” state as doable, and as clear as yow will discover it.
As a evaluate, listed below are the primary qualities to search for when gathering snow:
- Recent: Guarantee that the snow has not too long ago fallen and hasn’t been sitting on the bottom or packed in for too lengthy.
- White & Fluffy: Snow must be as white and fluffy as doable. This implies it’s clear!
- Much less Travelled On: Find areas the place it’s much less seemingly that folks or animals have handed by or stepped on the snow.
- Prime of the Pack: Solely collect snow from the highest of the snowpack. Keep away from something too near the bottom (it’s extra prone to have grime in it), and wait a number of hours into any snowstorm in lively snow.
When to Say No to Consuming Snow
Sadly, there’s most likely going to be extra situations the place you’ll have to skip consuming snow.
Listed here are the highest issues to look out for to know when consuming snow is a no-go:
- Snow just isn’t white: Every other shade in snow that’s not white signifies that it may have grime in it. Brown, inexperienced, yellow, gray you title it. For those who see any of those colours, skip it.
- Snow is close to animal enclosures: Keep away from snow that’s round any sort of animal enclosure or feeder.
- Snow is straight on the bottom: It’s best to solely be gathering recent snow from the highest of the snowpack. Don’t eat the stuff that’s closest to the bottom (and in addition the most definitely to have grime in it).
- Snow has snow & ice salt in it: The chemical compounds in snow & ice salt are harmful to ingest. Keep away from snow from round parking heaps, strolling paths, or fashionable venues.
Any snow in fashionable footpath areas, or that has any grime, rocks, animal or plant matter in it ought to completely be prevented.
It’s greatest to keep away from any snow that’s round an animal enclosure or feeder.
Contaminated snow will seemingly look soiled like we’ve talked about above, however you possibly can by no means be too certain. It’s higher to keep away from these areas altogether.
To be additional protected, you must also keep away from snow that’s been packed in for too lengthy, or is on the underside of any snowpack.
This snow can also be extra prone to be brown and soiled (one other good motive to keep away from it).
As we talked about above, in an lively snowstorm it’s at all times greatest to skip any snow that falls at the start of the storm.
This snow is extra prone to maintain environmental toxins from air air pollution. So wait a bit bit earlier than going for it!
At all times keep away from snow that has the potential to have snow & ice salt in it. The sort of snow is normally round strolling paths, parking heaps, or fashionable venues.
The chemical compounds in ice & snow salt are harmful to ingest, and the snow itself is extra prone to be soiled from automobile exhaust.
When to Boil Snow
Throughout backcountry winter adventures, you should utilize snow as a fundamental water supply.
Throughout these moments, it’s essential to boil the snow to make sure that it’s as clear as doable.
Boiling ensures that any pathogens are killed, making the melted snow protected to drink.
First, comply with our suggestions within the sections above to assemble clear snow on your campsite.
Then, soften and boil snow for a minimum of 1-3 minutes to make sure protected consumption, particularly at larger altitudes the place boiling temperatures are decrease.
When you’ve boiled for these 1-3 minutes, you’ll be good to go!
Tell us the way it goes!
With all this info, we hope you are feeling ready to remain protected if you reap the benefits of these snowy days and all they’ve to supply.
Tell us how the snow gathering goes for you, and what kind of creations you make!
