Apparently we are amazed by things easily explained or contribute as "conspiracies" things that are common place.you packed the snow and are curious as to why it doesnt just melt in your hand like butter? The candle is giving off carbon. Thats the smoke. The snow isnt melting because you packed it. Did you not notice it getting smaller and did you mot think that you may have skipped liquid and went atraight to a gas which would have been hidden by the smoke? Also, Im from Colorado, thats not powdery snow. powder snow doesnt pack no matter what you do. we have to be better than this!