This is a bit of a trick question! You can't be 30 miles from the equator and knee-deep in snow in South America (or anywhere else).

Here's why:

* The Equator is a hot zone: The equator experiences consistently warm temperatures due to the direct sunlight it receives throughout the year.

* Snow needs cold temperatures: Snow forms when water vapor freezes in the air at temperatures below freezing (32°F or 0°C).

While South America has mountains with snow-capped peaks, these are located at much higher altitudes and are not within 30 miles of the equator.