How Do You Bring Ice Backpacking?

By Michael Ferguson

Bringing ice backpacking is an essential element to consider when planning for a camping or backpacking trip. Ice can help keep food and drinks cold, and can provide a refreshing cool-down on hot days. It’s important that you bring the right type of ice and the right amount of ice in order to make your backpacking experience enjoyable.

When deciding how much ice to bring, it’s important to consider the length of your trip, the temperature of the area, and how much food/drinks you plan on bringing. Generally speaking, it’s best to bring at least 1-2 pounds of ice per person per day. If you’re backpacking in very hot temperatures or for a longer duration, then it would be wise to bring even more.

The type of ice you will need depends on how long you plan on being out in the wilderness. If you’re only spending a few days out in nature, then standard block or cube ice should suffice. However, if you’re planning an extended stay of several days or weeks in the wilderness, then dry ice is recommended for keeping items cold for longer periods.

Where To Get Ice:

The best place to get either type of ice is from a local store near your camping spot. Many grocery stores and convenience stores sell bagged block or cube ice as well as dry ice. You may also be able to purchase larger quantities from an industrial supplier if needed.

How To Store Ice:

Once you have purchased your desired type of ice, it is important that it be stored properly so that it remains cold for as long as possible. If using block or cube ice, store them in either an insulated cooler with a lid or an insulated thermal bag along with some towels or newspaper to absorb any condensation.

If using dry ice however, store it outside in a separate cooler with proper ventilation and keep the lid open slightly so that carbon dioxide fumes can escape safely. Do not ever put dry ice directly into any container with food items due to its extreme cold temperature.

Conclusion:

Bringing enough quality and quantity of appropriate types of ice is essential when going backpacking. It’s important to consider factors such as length and temperature of your trip as well as where and how you plan on storing and handling your purchased supply before setting off into the wild!