Natural fridge

by Thijs
(Netherlands)

Fast flowing rivers are natural frigidaire's

Here are two survival tips, one of them is simply for luxery, the other to filter water of visable parts.

First up, the luxery tip. If you find a stream, a river or whatever, with rocks on the bottom, use the rocks to make a half circle, in such a way that it 'collects' water. You can put your bottles of water in there, or if you have watertight boxes, you can also keep meat in there. Fast flowing rivers are natural frigidaire's. Besides that cool water, fresh food, and achievements in bush-craft are good for your moral, a thing nescessary to survive.

If the bottom isn't rock but mud, you can still try to find rocks close to the river. To be absolutely sure that your food and water don't drift away in the river, tie a rope around them and secure the rope in the riverbank with a stick.

Second one, to filter water use coffee-filters, they're weight is negligible, and they work great.

Do you want to safely enjoy the wilderness?

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Natural fridge
by: Samantha Richard

It looks like its a popular tip. When I went to hilly area I saw many people did the same to keep their beverages and water bottles cool. The water was coming from springs and was very chill. It was fantastic.

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Thanks
by: Mike

Well, I have used the above said method of chilling the bottles by keeping them underneath the stream. And believe me, it works really well and keeps your bottles so cool. If the flow is in a pretty good rate and the water is bit chilly, you can even chill a beer bottle.

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Keeping food Frozen/cold/cool
by: surfnfx

I know this is not for backpacking but is good for base camps, for day hikes to different area's around you.
We all have had the problem with coolers when the ice melts and your food is swimming in water. I use Military ammo boxes. I pack the box's with meat, steaks what ever and put them in the freezer. I use the small ammo boxes. The military ammo boxes are used only one or two times before they become surplus. They are water tight, so you do not have cooler water covering your food. I also use this to keep veggys minus the freezing this way but in a different cooler. I also make my own ice blocks that fit the cooler over the ammo boxes. I used pastic tubs made for storage of stuff and cut it to size to make slabs of ice to fully cover the boxes. We also paint the coolers white and wrap them in old sleeping bags and they sit on blue isulation. This is mostly for transportation to help keep them cold in the small gear trailer. Also add some salt to your water while making ice as it makes it colder. The boxes can also be put in a cold stream as well. Just make sure it is tied off right. We use rope and the cheap carabeners to hold them in the stream. I have a few older ones that I use to make hot water in beside the fire for washing up stuff. I can keep 5-7 days of meats, and homemade spaggetee (in tupperware type containers inside the ammo boxes) this way for 4 people. We also use a bigger box for our first Aid supplys. Just open it daily to keep it dry from condesation. It's bear proof as well!

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Try it
by: Anonymous

During my backpacking trips, I always have the food I want to keep cold in a watertight box.
Every night I put the box in a cold stream. During the days, I never put the box in the sun. It seems the food is always cold - try it.

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