Finally! Enough snow for some fun! Quinzee Pics too.

Brian Andrews

Brian Andrews

Joined
Dec 11, 2006
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1,659
We finally got some good snow last night/this morning.

First thing I did early in the morning before the plows and people started shoveling was to take a walk around with the snowshoes. Normally I would expect to have to go north to do that, but we got quite a bit.

After that, it was Quinzee time. Before starting to shovel, I started piling and piling the snow up.

The size can be hard to tell, because there is not much for scale, and the shot was taken at 17mm. Ideally, I would have like the shelter a tad bit bigger. But, I really don't have much yard, and I really started running out of snow.

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This was me halfway through the ordeal. I literally just got in from outside, and have been out since about 7am.

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The entrance way.

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Finally, the inside.

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If you haven't built one of these before, I basically did the following:
- Shoveled all the snow into a moung.
- Alternated throwing snow and flipping snow to mix it up.
- As I started getting closer to the end, I work hardened the snow. Piled more on, and then did the same. This seems to be kind of controversial. I have seen people teach this exact method, and I have heard people say no work hardening at all. If you have any experience on NOT doing this, let me know. It has worked for me, so I stuck with it.
- I stuck in several depth gauges so that I would know when to stop digging the inside out.
- Let it sinter for at least 3 hours.
- Dug it out.
- Poked a vent hole.
- Left a slightly elevated heat trap.
- Warmed it up.

So, the big question.....am I am going to sleep in it tonight? That is the plan. Of course, my wife thinks I am nuts.

Either way, the kiddies had tons of fun helping and crawling in and out. By the time I finally got the camera out, they were inside the nieghbors house playing! :D

B
 
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That's awesome, I was only telling my son today about one me and a buddy made when we were kids, it was pretty big and when we had done my dad bought us both mugs of Bovril and we sat inside it drinking them !
 
Great job!!! That looks real good. If you decide to sleep in it tonight, good luck and stay warm!!
 
I say go for it bro.... just make sure it's not gonna warm up over night or you might need a E.C.I. (emergency cocoa infusion) Nice work BTW I've been wanting to try one of those for a bit but we just don't get enough snow here these days.
 
Thats great Brian, I really dig the snow shelter. Mother nature has dropped some snow on us today and it's still gowing strong. I may try that if I have the time on Sonday.
 
My father built a very crude igloo when I was a teenager, with some help from my sisters and I. It was big enough for the whole family to crouch in, packed like sardines, and was a great windbreaker. Not warm enough to take out coats off, but it was comfortable. I remember when it was still up, the snow had melted to an agreeable level, maybe about 4 or 5 inches, and we had really bad wind. The "igloo" held that at bay very well.
 
Where do you get the energy Brian? That snow kicked my butt today. Took care of it at four houses, went through two tanks of gas in the snow blower, and got the car stuck twice.:o

I could have made something like that in my yard today. Only difference is that mine would probably end up with some dog mess imbedded in the walls. Theres at least five days worth out there hiding in the snow :barf:

Great job. Keep us posted on how tonight goes.

Chris
 
That looks great! ONe question though, how thick are the walls/ how deep did you go with the depth gauges?
 
tjiscooler said:
That looks great! ONe question though, how thick are the walls/ how deep did you go with the depth gauges?
Click to expand...

Again, this is one of the "opinions" that seem to vary wildly. Have heard or read the following:
- 12"
- 18-24"
- When you can start seeing light through the snow, the thickness is about right. I have personally found this to be too thin.

With all that being said, I shot for between 12 and 18".

Some of my friends make them very regularly while snowshoeing and backcountry skiing. When they are done, they generally stand on them to see how strong they are. I will ask them what they shoot for, but I am guessing it is not too far from the first two mentioned above.

B
 
cool pics.. that is a great snow cave brian.. :thumbup: i dig that swandri ranger pullover too.... i need to pick one of those up...:)
 
mtnfolk mike said:
i dig that swandri ranger pullover too....
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Actually, I think the ranger is a different shirt all together. This is the bushshirt. It is long, mid-thigh or so. Has slits on the side to get to your knife ;)

It is seriously one of my favorite pieces of clothing. The extra length gives you something to sit on when it is cold too.

I have seriously worn only a good base layer and this shirt all the time. Including all day today, ice fishing, the last time I was camping (not much snow but consistently in the 20s). If you have a moderate amount of activity is it great for that. If you are just sitting, and just plain cold, it makes a good mid-layer too.

After first getting it, I was weary about wearing it all the time because it looks so different. After wearing it, I could care less :D I had to have the thing on all the time :D. It always gets lots of comments and compliments. I would highly suggest one.

B
 
We got all kinds of snow here. I would try to do this except after the snow fell the freezing rain made it ice on top of all of the snow.

If you sleep in it, take some pics, we all want to see how comfy it is :D
 
TheGame said:
We got all kinds of snow here. I would try to do this except after the snow fell the freezing rain made it ice on top of all of the snow.

If you sleep in it, take some pics, we all want to see how comfy it is :D
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yes,,,,
 
Dude, you HAVE to sleep in it! You did such a good job making it, it deserves to be slept in.
Let us know how comfy you were.

Oh, and are you planning on covering the entrance once you crawl inside for the night?
 
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