Proper right here at Wilderness Events, we hope you’re getting out into some superior snow-covered landscapes this winter (even when it’s merely your particular person yard).

We’ve heard the question of “is it suitable for eating snow” better than as quickly as, so we’re proper right here to supply some options!

Whether or not or not you’ve got a toddler who likes to fall face first into snow banks, or an journey group that wishes to take a look at backcountry slushies, understanding when you’ll eat the snow spherical you and additional importantly, when to avoid it, is sweet data to carry with you.

Let’s talk about it!

Temporary Reply: It Depends upon

On a scientific stage, snow is water that was frozen into snowflakes sooner than it fell to the underside.

In case you’re safe to drink rainwater, you’d assume the an identical would apply to snow. And, correctly, it type of does.

Nonetheless apart from a spare snowflake that you just catch in your tongue inside the winter, it’s unlikely that you just’re going to catch an infinite portion of snow from the sky itself.

It nearly always touches the underside first. On this text, we’re going to cowl when you’ll eat snow based mostly totally on what it appears to be like on the underside.

TLDR: Solely eat current, white snow with no proof of grime, rocks, or animal or plant matter in it. Assure that you simply’re accumulating snow away from any widespread footpaths or parking heaps.

When to Say Positive to Consuming Snow

Picture this: You’re inside the backcountry with some mates and any individual wishes to try a backcountry slushie (current snow with maple syrup in it – it’s delicious, perception us!).

Possibly one different, additional smart, pal is trying to assemble snow for campsite water.

If there’s current snow, you’re in luck. Take a look off any main foot or animal paths to look out comparatively untouched snow.

As you accumulate it, try the snow itself. There shouldn’t be any grime, rocks, animal or plant matter in it.

On a regular basis take the snow off of the best of the snowpack.

The first snow that falls in any snowstorm is the virtually actually to take in any grime or air air pollution that’s floating spherical inside the ambiance sooner than the storm, identical to the carbon that comes from smoke.

Snow does the work of cleaning the air as a result of it falls by trapping it inside the snowflakes themselves.

Which implies it’s best to attend quite a few hours proper right into a snowstorm to assemble snow for consuming or consuming, when there’s a lot much less grime inside the air and the snow.

That’s the precept motive why we would advise you to remain to the best of the snowpack.

Primarily, you’re trying to find the whitest and freshest snow you will discover. Which implies as close to that “current rainwater” state as potential, and as clear as you will discover it.

As a analysis, listed beneath are the precept qualities to seek for when gathering snow:

• Latest: Be certain that the snow has simply these days fallen and hasn’t been sitting on the underside or packed in for too prolonged.
• White & Fluffy: Snow have to be as white and fluffy as potential. This means it’s clear!
• A lot much less Travelled On: Discover areas the place it’s a lot much less doable that people or animals have handed by or stepped on the snow.
• Excessive of the Pack: Solely accumulate snow from the best of the snowpack. Steer clear of one thing too close to the underside (it’s additional extra prone to have grime in it), and wait quite a few hours into any snowstorm in full of life snow.

When to Say No to Consuming Snow

Sadly, there’s perhaps going to be additional circumstances the place you’ll must skip consuming snow.

Listed below are the best points to look out for to know when consuming snow is a no-go:

• Snow simply is not white: One other shade in snow that’s not white implies that it could have grime in it. Brown, inexperienced, yellow, grey you establish it. In case you see any of these colors, skip it.
• Snow is near animal enclosures: Steer clear of snow that is spherical any form of animal enclosure or feeder.
• Snow is instantly on the underside: It’s best to solely be gathering current snow from the best of the snowpack. Don’t eat the stuff that’s closest to the underside (and as well as the virtually actually to have grime in it).
• Snow has snow & ice salt in it: The chemical compounds in snow & ice salt are dangerous to ingest. Steer clear of snow from spherical parking heaps, strolling paths, or widespread venues.

Any snow in widespread footpath areas, or that has any grime, rocks, animal or plant matter in it must fully be averted.

It’s best to avoid any snow that is spherical an animal enclosure or feeder.

Contaminated snow will doable look dirty like we’ve talked about above, nevertheless you’ll not at all be too sure. It’s greater to avoid these areas altogether.

To be further safe, you additionally must avoid snow that’s been packed in for too prolonged, or is on the underside of any snowpack.

This snow might be additional extra prone to be brown and dirty (one different good motive to avoid it).

As we talked about above, in an full of life snowstorm it’s always best to skip any snow that falls at first of the storm.

This snow is additional extra prone to keep environmental toxins from air air air pollution. So wait considerably bit sooner than going for it!

On a regular basis avoid snow that has the potential to have snow & ice salt in it. This sort of snow is often spherical strolling paths, parking heaps, or widespread venues.

The chemical compounds in ice & snow salt are dangerous to ingest, and the snow itself is additional extra prone to be dirty from automotive exhaust.

When to Boil Snow

All through backcountry winter adventures, it’s best to use snow as a significant water provide.

All through these moments, it’s important to boil the snow to be sure that it is as clear as potential.

Boiling ensures that any pathogens are killed, making the melted snow safe to drink.

First, adjust to our options inside the sections above to assemble clear snow in your campsite.

Then, soften and boil snow for at least 1-3 minutes to verify safe consumption, significantly at better altitudes the place boiling temperatures are lower.

While you’ve boiled for these 1-3 minutes, you’ll be good to go!

Inform us the best way it goes!

With all this information, we hope you are feeling prepared to stay safe for those who take advantage of these snowy days and all they’ve to provide.

Inform us how the snow gathering goes for you, and how much creations you make!