Mt Whitney Webcam
Mt Williamson Webcam
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 70 guests, and 30 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
How To Build An Igloo
#9538 12/10/10 02:37 PM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,251
Likes: 1
wagga Offline OP
OP Offline
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,251
Likes: 1
This looks like a BSA project.


Verum audaces non gerunt indusia alba. - Ipsi dixit MCMLXXII
Re: How To Build An Igloo
wagga #9545 12/11/10 11:11 AM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 742
K
Ken Offline
Offline
K
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 742
Building a snow shelter is an essential snow country skill, although an igloo is a quite skilled task.

The first one takes about 20 hours, and looks quite comical. Each following one takes many hours fewer.

I love the film, and the statement that it took them 1-1/2 hours! I've never done that! Next time, I'll use a machete.

The trick is to not get soaked doing it, which is not easy.

The unskilled version is the Quinzy ( quinzhee )

Re: How To Build An Igloo
Ken #9546 12/11/10 02:09 PM
H
Harvey
Unregistered
Harvey
Unregistered
H
Hey Ken,

the ultimate unskilled is not quinzhee

it's quonset

haha.
must be the percocet after my meniscus trimming yesterday

Re: How To Build An Igloo
wagga #9552 12/11/10 11:49 PM
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,537
Likes: 107
S
Offline
S
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,537
Likes: 107
Bob R and friends made one by Lower Boy Scout Lake back in April:



Read the thread here:
    Thor Peak and a giant igloo, 10 - 11 April

Re: How To Build An Igloo
Steve C #9681 12/22/10 05:57 PM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 742
K
Ken Offline
Offline
K
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 742
Hope you are recovering, Harvey.

Ah, that's Bob, with the Igloo making machine!

Re: How To Build An Igloo
Ken #9682 12/22/10 06:12 PM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 742
K
Ken Offline
Offline
K
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 742
Bee, I saw you asked in the other thread, unanswered,
"I am wondering if it would have been of some help to dig out the bottom so that the walls would be higher to begin with?"

Excellent question, often asked.

No.

You wouldn't want to do it during construction, because you wouldn't be able to reach the top. frown

However, the better answer is, that the lowest area is the coldest, so you actually want the sleeping area to be as high as possible. This is often arranged by digging a tunnel entrance that goes both down, as well as out. Practically, you dig out a hole in the wall, then dig a trench at that spot, then cover up the hole with snow blocks. This creates a "cold sink" where cold goes, down, and heat goes up. It can be relatively comfortably warm inside. The snow walls are VERY insulating.

Freedom of the Hills has some nice illustrations on this.

I'll bet there are some GREAT igloo making conditions at the Portal, now! smile

Re: How To Build An Igloo
Ken #9683 12/22/10 06:47 PM
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,261
Bee Offline
Offline
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,261
Thanks, Ken! I forgot that I asked the question. I read up on the the Freedom of the Hills snow shelters, and I was amazed by how effective the insulating qualities of the snow was.


The body betrays and the weather conspires, hopefully, not on the same day.
Re: How To Build An Igloo
Ken #9684 12/22/10 06:59 PM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,251
Likes: 1
wagga Offline OP
OP Offline
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,251
Likes: 1
I once was involved in building a snow motel in a 10-foot plus snow drift for a dozen campers. Toasty warm! This pales in comparison to the Km-on-a-side neutrino detector at the South Pole, which was finished this week. Some details here. A video and some science stuff can be found here. I personally prefer my scotch whiskey neat, but for those who do scotch on the rocks, this is indeed a huge ice rock!


Verum audaces non gerunt indusia alba. - Ipsi dixit MCMLXXII
Re: How To Build An Igloo
wagga #9767 12/31/10 10:30 AM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 742
K
Ken Offline
Offline
K
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 742
Bump on this thread, due to all the deaths showing up relating to tree wells.

I say that, because tree wells are one of the "special tricks" in snow survival.

In about 10 minutes, you can build a quick snow shelter in a tree well, conditions permitting. So if a storm is about to slam you, this is an option that is far better than other snow shelters, which take a lot of time. (assuming trees are handy.)

http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/2010/01/26/quick-snow-shelters/

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/outdoors/2003570749_nwwsnowsafety152.html

http://books.google.com/books?id=SKt_u35...p;q&f=false



Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4
(Release build 20200307)
Responsive Width:

PHP: 7.4.33 Page Time: 0.251s Queries: 32 (0.027s) Memory: 0.6137 MB (Peak: 0.6933 MB) Data Comp: Off Server Time: 2025-08-04 11:26:56 UTC
Valid HTML 5 and Valid CSS