Scott Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Im sitting here burning my mouth off while eating a pot noodle thing and I had a random thought. We often boil water to kill germs and to sterilise, for example a babies bottle, but what happens when you are at a higher altitude? If you were at the top of a mountain where water boils a lot cooler, how can you be sure that the water is hot enough to kill the bacteria? Do you check it constantly with a thermometer? Making home brew at the everest summit must be a nightmare! I can imagine having to start off with 3l in order to get 1l of water by the time it has properly boiled lol. Cooking things would be hard too as just about everything says not to allow it to boil. Would make for an interesting come dine with me though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwilkinson Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Scott, there are some incredibly random people on the forum, however, I think you might be winning the title for me at the moment. I bow down to your randomness!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ewen Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 I carry a pressure cooker at all times to cater for circumstances such as these. I haven't actually had the need to use it yet, Dorset being rather slightly lacking in mountains, but I'm ready just in case. And its shiny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Presumably if you're eating food on an expedition at high altitude it will be something in a can or dried sachet that's already gone through some kind of cooking process and only needs to be reheated - ie not something that need sterilisation. Even more weird - what possessed you to eat something like that at this time of the morning?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Just empty the water into a fire. You lose it, but at least it'll be clean! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted September 9, 2011 Author Share Posted September 9, 2011 Scott, there are some incredibly random people on the forum, however, I think you might be winning the title for me at the moment. I bow down to your randomness!! I have an inquisitive mind when I'm bored lol. I carry a pressure cooker at all times to cater for circumstances such as these. I haven't actually had the need to use it yet, Dorset being rather slightly lacking in mountains, but I'm ready just in case. And its shiny. Ahh, you are quite the survivalist Ewen. It could also be considered a handy anti terrorism device. What with Terrorism being the main pastime in Dorset. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted September 9, 2011 Author Share Posted September 9, 2011 Presumably if you're eating food on an expedition at high altitude it will be something in a can or dried sachet that's already gone through some kind of cooking process and only needs to be reheated - ie not something that need sterilisation. Even more weird - what possessed you to eat something like that at this time of the morning?! I'm pretty sure they boil snow for water though? Is that not survival 101 to those types? I would really struggle on an expedition, I'm far to fussy an eater to settle for any old canned rubbish. I could see how far the limits of dominos 30 mins or less promise goes but their pizza isn't all that great either. I was thinking more along the lines of a nice spaghetti bolognese due to it's simplicity. I can only see the water continuously reducing at a rate faster than the snow I'm shovelling in can heat. I really don't enjoy overly firm pasta though so I would probably just abandon the treck. As for eating pot death at this time, I'm not really one for the whole time of the day means you eat x. I just have what I fancy really. I've seen me with a madrass at 7 in the morning (that was nightshift though). I also often have takeaway for breakfast if there is any left from the night before. I'm the mad man that eats crisps after sweets remember Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Would bacteria survive the temperature change from -30C ish to +70C (boiling point of water at Mt Everest summit)? Maybe it would: perhaps it would be in cryogenic suspension when at -30C, and wake up when heated ready to give the unwary mountaineer a nasty case of Delhi belly on the South Col. what possessed you to eat something like that at this time of the morning?! Pot Noodle - Breakfast Of Champions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 I'm pretty sure they boil snow for water though? Is that not survival 101 to those types? I think the trick is to 'cook' things for longer than you would at sea level. I'm not entirely sure though, I've not been up any mountains lately As for eating pot death at this time, I'm not really one for the whole time of the day means you eat x. I just have what I fancy really. I've seen me with a madrass at 7 in the morning (that was nightshift though). I also often have takeaway for breakfast if there is any left from the night before. I'm the mad man that eats crisps after sweets remember I think that's a man thing - pizza in the mornings etc. I have to have food at the required times of the day, it doesn't make sense otherwise. Like when you have to have cake for breakfast in Italy, WRONG! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted September 9, 2011 Author Share Posted September 9, 2011 I think the trick is to 'cook' things for longer than you would at sea level. I'm not entirely sure though, I've not been up any mountains lately I think that's a man thing - pizza in the mornings etc. I have to have food at the required times of the day, it doesn't make sense otherwise. Like when you have to have cake for breakfast in Italy, WRONG! One day a few months ago we had breakfast 4 times. Once for each meal. Don't get me wrong the food was different but they were all breakfast ingredients and items Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David P Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Even more weird - what possessed you to eat something like that at this time of the morning?! Maybe it's a phantom pregnancy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Maybe it's a phantom pregnancy? Speaking as someone who is having an actual pregnancy - pot noodle is the very last thing on my mind in the mornings! Salt and vinegar chipsticks though.....now you're talking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
st3ven1 Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 One day a few months ago we had breakfast 4 times. Once for each meal. Don't get me wrong the food was different but they were all breakfast ingredients and items Mmmmm, brinner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted September 9, 2011 Author Share Posted September 9, 2011 Speaking as someone who is having an actual pregnancy - pot noodle is the very last thing on my mind in the mornings! Salt and vinegar chipsticks though.....now you're talking! Given your situation I'm surprised you haven't taken this thread more seriously. What will you do if you find yourself near the summit of everest and your little baby fancies a feed? I know the twins try to be open for business 24/7 but it doesn't work out that way most of the time. Emergency boiled water could be your only option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted September 9, 2011 Author Share Posted September 9, 2011 Mmmmm, brinner. Turk was right, it's awesome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Given your situation I'm surprised you haven't taken this thread more seriously. What will you do if you find yourself near the summit of everest and your little baby fancies a feed? I know the twins try to be open for business 24/7 but it doesn't work out that way most of the time. Emergency boiled water could be your only option. You're right, I totally didn't take all this into account. Perhaps I could store some food in my mouth and feed it to her like a bird? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted September 9, 2011 Author Share Posted September 9, 2011 You're right, I totally didn't take all this into account. Perhaps I could store some food in my mouth and feed it to her like a bird? Now you're just being ridiculous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Now you're just being ridiculous I can blame that on hormones - what's your excuse? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted September 9, 2011 Author Share Posted September 9, 2011 Extreme boredom. Did you look at baileys thread? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Just boil it for longer or drink it anyway as the bacteria will probably already have been zapped by the higher doses of UV found at altitude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy442 Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Im not entirely sure you can boil snow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted September 9, 2011 Author Share Posted September 9, 2011 Im not entirely sure you can boil snow. Can you fry it? Perhaps wash it down with a side of fiva beans and a nice Chianti? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackie Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Heres a random thought Scott, How about you answer your texts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted September 9, 2011 Author Share Posted September 9, 2011 Heres a random thought Scott, How about you answer your texts? Oh yeah, sorry about that mate lol. I read it at 5am and forgot about it It's MILES away buddy. I wouldn't mind coming up for an overnight, pissup etc but I doubt I could get things organised in time unfortunately. Driving up for an hour or 2 and driving back would be a waste of time. I'll speak to the wifey tomorrow and see what gets said Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackie Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Oh yeah, sorry about that mate lol. I read it at 5am and forgot about it It's MILES away buddy. I wouldn't mind coming up for an overnight, pissup etc but I doubt I could get things organised in time unfortunately. Driving up for an hour or 2 and driving back would be a waste of time. I'll speak to the wifey tomorrow and see what gets said Cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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