Here at Wilderness Times, 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 safe to eat snow” greater than as soon as, so we’re right here to offer some solutions!
Whether you may have a toddler who likes to fall face first into snow banks, or an journey group that wishes to check out backcountry slushies, realizing when you may eat the snow round you and extra importantly, when to keep away from it, is nice information to hold with you.
Let’s speak about it!
Short Answer: It Depends
On a scientific degree, snow is water that was frozen into snowflakes earlier than it fell to the bottom.
If you’re protected to drink rainwater, you’d suppose the identical would apply to snow. And, properly, it form of does.
But 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 all the time touches the bottom first. In this text, we’re going to cowl when you may eat snow based mostly on what it appears to be like like on the bottom.
TLDR: Only eat contemporary, white snow with no proof of filth, rocks, or animal or plant matter in it. Ensure that you’re gathering snow away from any in style footpaths or parking heaps.
When to Say Yes to Eating Snow
Picture this: You’re within the backcountry with some pals and somebody desires to attempt a backcountry slushie (contemporary snow with maple syrup in it – it’s scrumptious, belief us!).
Perhaps 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. Take a glance off any most important foot or animal paths to seek out comparatively untouched snow.
As you collect it, check out the snow itself. There shouldn’t be any filth, rocks, animal or plant matter in it.
Always take the snow off of the highest of the snowpack.
The first snow that falls in any snowstorm is the most definitely to soak up any filth or air pollution that’s floating round within the ambiance earlier than the storm, just like the carbon that comes from smoke.
This implies that it’s finest to attend a number of hours right into a snowstorm to assemble snow for consuming or ingesting, when there’s much less filth within the air and the snow.
This is the primary purpose why we’d advise you to stay to the highest of the snowpack.
Basically, you’re on the lookout for the whitest and freshest snow you could find. This implies that as near that “fresh rainwater” state as potential, and as clear as you could find it.
As a evaluate, listed here are the primary qualities to search for when gathering snow:
- Fresh: Make certain that the snow has just lately fallen and hasn’t been sitting on the bottom or packed in for too lengthy.
- White & Fluffy: Snow needs to be as white and fluffy as potential. This means it’s clear!
- Less Travelled On: Locate areas the place it’s much less possible that individuals or animals have handed by or stepped on the snow.
- Top of the Pack: Only collect snow from the highest of the snowpack. Avoid something too near the bottom (it’s extra more likely to have filth in it), and wait a number of hours into any snowstorm in energetic snow.
When to Say No to Eating Snow
Unfortunately, there’s in all probability going to be extra cases the place you’ll have to skip consuming snow.
Here are the highest issues to look out for to know when consuming snow is a no-go:
- Snow will not be white: Any different shade in snow that’s not white implies that it may have filth in it. Brown, inexperienced, yellow, gray you identify it. If you see any of those colours, skip it.
- Snow is close to animal enclosures: Avoid snow that’s round any kind of animal enclosure or feeder.
- Snow is instantly on the bottom: You ought 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 most definitely to have filth in it).
- Snow has snow & ice salt in it: The chemical substances in snow & ice salt are harmful to ingest. Avoid snow from round parking heaps, strolling paths, or in style venues.
Any snow in in style footpath areas, or that has any filth, rocks, animal or plant matter in it ought to completely be prevented.
It’s finest to keep away from any snow that’s round an animal enclosure or feeder.
Contaminated snow will possible look soiled like we’ve talked about above, however you may by no means be too certain. It’s higher to keep away from these areas altogether.
To be further protected, 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 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 at first of the storm.
This snow is extra more likely to maintain environmental toxins from air air pollution. So wait a bit of bit earlier than going for it!
Always keep away from snow that has the potential to have snow & ice salt in it. This kind of snow is normally round strolling paths, parking heaps, or in style venues.
The chemical substances 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
During backcountry winter adventures, you need to use snow as a most important water supply.
During these moments, it’s necessary 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 protected to drink.
First, observe our suggestions within the sections above to assemble clear snow in your campsite.
Then, soften and boil snow for no less than 1-3 minutes to make sure protected consumption, particularly at increased altitudes the place boiling temperatures are decrease.
Once you’ve boiled for these 1-3 minutes, you’ll be good to go!
Let us know the way it goes!
With all this data, we hope you are feeling ready to remain protected while you reap the benefits of these snowy days and all they’ve to supply.
Let us understand how the snow gathering goes for you, and what kind of creations you make!