Snow Ice Cream

I have fond childhood memories of snow ice cream, and as the years went by it is something I sort of forgot about. But with this abundance of snow on the ground, and a gentle reminder, we decided to go for it with gusto! I'm posting here, because it is so simple and easy this could be a great cold weather camping activity.

Three ingredients, period. Eight cups of fresh clean snow, one small (14oz) can of sweetened condensed milk, and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir well and eat immediately! I have found it does not store in the freezer well, at all. But fresh? Fantastic! It tastes like real homemade ice cream!

The condensed milk and vanilla are small enough to include in with cold weather camping gear, and this yields a yummy treat. I imagine eating snow ice cream under the stars by a roaring camp fire would be nothing short of divine. 

And for those who are nowhere near the snowfest, shaved ice does just as good. What a great treat! The addition of chocolate syrup is pretty good, too. Enjoy!

Camp Cooking In Cold Weather

Camp cooking in cold weather can present a few challenges. With the outside air dropping to frigid, it will take longer to achieve the same results. Some creativity may come into play, but it is still absolutely feasible to have a fantastic meal cooked at camp in cold weather.

My last cold weather camping trip I had brought along two things I regularly used to cook with in warm weather: a stove top camp oven, and a stove top smoker box. Both took an unusually long time to finish cooking. Neither are insulated from the outside, and I was fighting 20 degree temps. They eventually worked with a higher heat, but the results weren't as good. Leave behind anything you think the cold weather will hamper.

What did work best was my camp pots and pans that had lids. You wouldn't think there would be as much difference in the pot with a lid and a camp oven, but there really was. My chili cooked in roughly the same time as summer, but the smoked salmon took more than twice the regular time. 

For cold weather camp cooking, sticking with foil packs placed right over the fire, or things that can be cooked in a pan with a lid is probably the best option. The heat tends to be higher, and being offset less with the cold air. Cold weather camping always takes a little more planning and foresight, and cooking is no different.

All camp cooking in cold weather should be done outside. Not in tents, not in an enclosed area. Camp cook stoves and fires still put off carbon monoxide, a very real danger in cold weather.

Dressing For Cold Weather

While camping in cold weather, dressing appropriately is a definite must. This doesn't necessarily mean the biggest heaviest coat you can find, but rather dressing in layers to retain heat. Wearing cotton in the layer closest to the skin is also important, as it can wick away any perspiration which can work against you. Plus, if you dress in layers and find you're warming up a little too much, you can shed a layer or two to keep the temperature at the right balance.

Start with cotton long johns, and add a long sleeved tee-shirt. If the weather is cold enough, add lined pants next. A sweater or thick sweatshirt or hoodie is the next layer. Don't forget a pair or two fo heavy socks! Depending on the temperature, go with a medium weight jacket or heavier coat. Gloves are definitely important, too. Once your feet and hands get cold while camping in cold weather it feels like it takes a long time to warm back up.

Hats. Don't forget the hats! Your body will lost most of it's heat through your head in cold weather, so make sure to get an appropriate hat. The newer toboggans made with bamboo fiber are super soft, and seem to hold in the heat rather well. A nice and soft scarf will top everything off perfectly.

While working or walking around the camp site, you will find you warm up pretty quickly. Make sure not to get to the point of sweating, as damp clothing will not insulate you as well against the cold. If you have to undo a little, go with the sweatshirt or tee-shirt. Sometimes just unzipping a jacket for a few minutes is all you need.

In downright frigid temperatures, consider using hand warmers in your gloves and / or your shoes. Having a heater in your tent or a raging fire at the campsite can help warm you up if you find you're still a little chilly. Don't forget the warm beverages and a hot meal, both can heat you up quickly.

Keep an eye on the forecasts and the weather and make sure you've packed a little more than you think you might need. Weather can often change in the blink of and eye, and having too much clothing is much better than not enough. Wool blankets hold in heat very well, and are perfect to layer over your sleeping bags. 

Camping in cold weather can present extra challenges when it comes to keeping comfortable. But with a little planning it shouldn't be too much of an issue. One thing to keep in mind, in cold weather fire wood seems to have a way of getting damp, so make sure you have enough fire starters and waterproof matches on hand to compensate. Having a great campfire is essential in cold weather camping.