14 November 2007
Food and water are essential to survival when it comes to winter camping. The food and water you eat and drink is what keeps your body warm. It also gives you the energy you need to play and work in the cold. When winter camping here are some suggestions to make your food and water more enjoyable:
- Don't let your water freeze. This can be done by keeping a bottle of water on your person.
- If you must melt snow for water, poor in some liquid water before trying to melt snow. This will help prevent the burning of the snow. Burnt snow water tastes nasty.
- Bring insulated utensils, cups, and plates. Wooden spoons, plates and cups are great for winter cooking and eating. Most of the food you cook will feel extremely warm to your hands while winter camping so it is a good idea to insulate before grabbing.
- Plan meals that are high in protein. Milk, Eggs, Steak and other meats are great fuel and taste great for winter camping dinner meals. Lunches may consist of nuts, trail mixes, and peanut butter & honey sandwiches.
- Use lots of margarine for cooking. Vegetable oil fat in the body causes the body to release heat and energy more slowly.
- Drink plenty of water. Dehydration causes your body to lose it's heat producing ability.
- Plan meals with fast cooking food. Obviously you won't have a microwave, but planning meals that can cook fast will help you stay warm. The more time you stand around cooking, the cooler your body will get. If you plan on cooking hamburger or other meats, you may consider cooking them before you get there and just warming them up at your campsite.
- Drink soup and hot drinks for warmth. Soups and hot drinks will not only bring your body core temperature up, but will also provide you with much needed liquids. If you are not a fan of hot chocolate, bring some jello and drink it hot. (Who knows maybe the jello will jell up during the night and you won't have to get out of bed when nature calls.)
- Never drink alcohol! (I'll go as far as to say even when you aren't winter camping.) Alcohol causes your blood to cool faster and messes with your head. You will need to be able to think clearly while winter camping. Thinking clearly could be the difference between life or death.
- Use a cloth or tarp to stand on when cooking. The tarp or cloth will catch items you may drop. Snow is one of the best winter magicians. If you drop something in it, it disappears.