Decodable Passage 21

Camp in the Snow

It’s fun to backpack in the summer, but it’s great to backpack when it snows! You can see nature like never before. A hush blankets the trails, and the landscape is so white that it gleams.

When you know how to camp, it is a treat to camp in the snow. But, you must know what to bring. Let me teach you how to beat the cold. When the wind blows, it can feel well below zero degrees. Cold can make a dream trip become a nightmare!

Don’t leave home without a coat that keeps out the rain and snow. Coats made of down, or goose feathers, keep in heat so hikers can feel as warm as toast! Waterproof boots help, too. Special heels and soles protect the feet to make a hike fun and safe.

A hiker needs to sleep well. A warm sleeping bag is a must so you won’t freeze. The best bags are filled with down. It is always painful to sleep on the ground. A thick foam pad beneath the bag will help.

It is important to eat well when you camp. You just can’t beat a small gas stove. It can heat water for hot drinks like tea. You can prepare hot meals by pouring hot water into a bag that contains dried food. The sealed bags contain many different treats, like cheese, milk, beans, peas, grains, and meat. Just unseal the bag, and add water. Be sure to throw some G.O.R.P. in your backpack. G.O.R.P is a sweet treat made from good old raisins and peanuts!

So, if you want to camp and hike in the snow on your next holiday, plan away! You will not regret it!