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 individual yard).
We’ve heard the query of “is it suitable for eating snow” greater than as soon as, so we’re right here to offer some solutions!
Whether or not you have got 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 information to hold with you.
Let’s discuss it!
Quick Reply: It Relies upon
On a scientific stage, snow is water that was frozen into snowflakes earlier than it fell to the bottom.
If you happen to’re secure to drink rainwater, you’ll assume the identical would apply to snow. And, effectively, it kind of does.
However apart from a spare snowflake that you simply catch in your tongue within the winter, it’s unlikely that you simply’re going to catch an enormous portion of snow from the sky itself.
It just about all the time touches the bottom first. On this article, we’re going to cowl when you possibly can eat snow primarily based on what it appears like on the bottom.
TLDR: Solely eat contemporary, white snow with no proof of dust, rocks, or animal or plant matter in it. Guarantee that you’re accumulating snow away from any in style footpaths or parking heaps.
When to Say Sure to Consuming Snow
Image this: You’re within the backcountry with some buddies and somebody needs to attempt a backcountry slushie (contemporary 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 contemporary snow, you’re in luck. Have a look off any fundamental foot or animal paths to seek out comparatively untouched snow.
As you collect it, check out the snow itself. There shouldn’t be any dust, 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 more than likely to soak up any dust or air pollution that’s floating round within the environment earlier than the storm, just like the carbon that comes from smoke.
Which means it’s finest to attend just a few hours right into a snowstorm to collect snow for consuming or ingesting, when there’s much less dust within the air and the snow.
That is the primary purpose why we might advise you to stay to the highest of the snowpack.
Principally, you’re in search of the whitest and freshest snow you could find. Which means as near that “contemporary rainwater” state as potential, and as clear as you could find it.
As a evaluation, listed below are the primary qualities to search for when gathering snow:
- Contemporary: Guarantee that the snow has just lately 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 potential. This implies it’s clear!
- Much less Travelled On: Find areas the place it’s much less seemingly that individuals 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 more likely to have dust in it), and wait just a few hours into any snowstorm in energetic snow.
When to Say No to Consuming Snow
Sadly, there’s in all probability going to be extra cases 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 shouldn’t be white: Some other coloration in snow that’s not white implies that it might have dust in it. Brown, inexperienced, yellow, gray you title it. If you happen to see any of those colours, skip it.
- Snow is close to animal enclosures: Keep away from snow that’s round any kind of animal enclosure or feeder.
- Snow is straight on the bottom: You need to solely be gathering contemporary snow from the highest of the snowpack. Don’t eat the stuff that’s closest to the bottom (and in addition the more than likely to have dust 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 in style venues.
Any snow in in style footpath areas, or that has any dust, rocks, animal or plant matter in it ought to completely be averted.
It’s finest 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 positive. It’s higher to keep away from these areas altogether.
To be further secure, you also needs to 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 more likely to be brown and soiled (one other good purpose to keep away from it).
As we talked about above, in an energetic snowstorm it’s all the time finest to skip any snow that falls originally of the storm.
This snow is extra more likely to maintain environmental toxins from air air pollution. So wait slightly bit earlier than going for it!
At all times keep away from snow that has the potential to have snow & ice salt in it. Such a snow is often round strolling paths, parking heaps, or in style venues.
The chemical compounds in ice & snow salt are harmful to ingest, and the snow itself is extra more likely to be soiled from automotive 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 potential.
Boiling ensures that any pathogens are killed, making the melted snow secure to drink.
First, observe our suggestions within the sections above to collect clear snow to your campsite.
Then, soften and boil snow for no less than 1-3 minutes to make sure secure consumption, particularly at increased 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 data, we hope you are feeling ready to remain secure whenever 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!