Melt snow and ice for drinking water

Step-by-step

1. 1

   Start with a small amount of liquid water in the pot — even a couple of ounces — before adding snow.

2. 2

   Add snow gradually, stirring so the ice contacts water rather than dry pot metal.

3. 3

   Prefer ice or hard, dense snow over fresh powder — you get four times more water per volume.

4. 4

   Bring to a rolling boil for 1 minute (3 minutes above 6,500 ft) before drinking to kill pathogens from animal fecal contamination.

5. 5

   Insulate the pot and store extra water in bottles kept close to your body so it doesn't refreeze.

Warning: Never eat snow directly for hydration — it drops your core temperature and burns calories your body cannot afford to lose.