Lean-Tos
Gather green boughs or use tarps and ropes with snow banked up against the sides
for extra protection and insulation. These shelters can vary in size and shape
to meet the needs of the intended occupants. Be sure to return the environment
to better than its original condition.
Treebase Shelters
A tree partially buried by a snow drift will make an excellent emergency shelter.
Dig the snow out from around the tree and down to the base. Make the space
large enough so you can sit or lie comfortably. In an emergency, cover the
top with branches or evergreen boughs.
Snow Shelters
Snow shelters take considerable time and energy to build. Snow is so fantastic
an insulator that the heat from a couple of people and perhaps the heat from
a candle will be enough to keep the temperature above freezing.
Snow Trench
Snow must be atleast 45cm deep. The shape of this shelter is a 'T'. Dig the first
trench 2.5m long and 1m wide, down to ground level. Dig a second trench 2m
long across one end to form a 'T'. Pile snow removed from the trenchses along
the sides of the longer trench to build it up. Place sticks, ski poles, etc,
along the top of the longer trench to form the bases of a roof. Cover with
a tarp or branches and evergreen boughs. Place a second tarp on the floor,
on which will go your mattress and sleeping bags.
Snow Dome (Quinzhee)
This is like a small igloo. The thick walls and roof provide excellent insulation
- much better than a tent. A quinzhee for 3 or 4 people can be build from a
snow pile 2.5m high (packed snow) and 3 or 4 metres in diameter. When your
site has been determined, clear all snow away right down to the ground and
re-pile
it
back
on. Or you can pack the snow as much as possible with your feet. Let the snow
pile settle for as long as possible (two hours is great). Gather a number of
sticks 45cm long - at least 12, and stick these straight into the snow pile
until their ends are flush with the outside wall. These will help you determine
the
thickness
of the walls as you hollow them out. When hollowing out the quinzhee, stop
when you reach a stick, thus maintaining a minimum wall thickness of 45cm.
As you hollow out the quinzhee, form two wall extending from the door to block
the wind. Remember to remove one or two sticks to form air holes.
Snow Cave
A simple hole dug into a large snow drift makes an excellent emergency shelter
with minimal energy. Dig at right angles to the prevailing wind so drifting
snow won't block the entrance. Use a block of snow or a large snow ball to
block the entrance and keep heat in. Don't forget an air hole!
Snow Shelter Tips