Was on a trip last year and we were told that having a wet towel on your food barrels all the time when they're closed helped to keep that colder via evaporation....

just wondering if there is any merrit to this...

In the 'old days', we used to have water canteens which were held in a canvas 'holster'. By continually soaking the holster in lake water and keeping it exposed to the wind, the contents would be quite 'chilled' by the evaporation process.

It's the same process as splashing water on your body to have the evaporation of the water cool you off. Old tech, but good tech!

Barry Bridgeford
http://www.AlgonquinAdventures.com
http://www.ABRweb.ca .. Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists - Caring for Algonquin's Backcountry

I never really thought about it until now,great pointer from the old school Barry! Thermodynamics at work.

It will help but don't expect it to chill the contents of a barrel when the ambient temps are very high. Generally, keeping a damp cloth over an item will maintain a temperature several degrees below the ambient temperature but it depends on humidity, airflow, etc. It's not like you're going to pull of that towel and have a cold six-pack waiting for you underneath...if you do though, grab them and drink 'em quickly before you wake up!

yeah i'm not expecting miracles, but i did seem to keep the contents cooler

Tie the sick pack off in the lake it will work much better.

what do you mean?

PaPaddler, lol well said..
all is real till the wake anyway
so i'll take that advice to heart

algoalex

he means place your beer where the environment is cooler (in the water). tie it to shore so it doesn't stray away.

algoalex