rwc1969
01-13-2010, 12:46 AM
4 days ago I built one. Here it is! http://s101.photobucket.com/albums/m50/shroomer69/Bushcraft%20in%20Michigan/?action=view¤t=100_1866.flv
I'm no expert, but I suggest you consult one if you plan to use a quinzee, or snow shelter as it's called in english, in an emergency situation or otherwise. Then, construct one and see how it goes so you're not left surprised and unprepared when you need it most. After building this and seeing it degrade over the past 4 days there are changes I would make. I discuss a few below and in the vids.
These ARE NOT instructional videos and I'm not trying to show off. Constructive critisism is welcome. These are just my observations of the process. It's pretty basic stuff and if you want to know the process just google "quinzee" and you can watch people shovel snow all day long.
There are three parts to the video and also some pictures. It is raw/ unedited/ unscripted/ uncut footage. I had problems with the camera to start, but got it worked out after changing the batteries 3 times and letting the camera adjust to the cold a bit.
SAFETY FIRST! A few important tips. I've watched a few vids, read books and blogs about construction and here are a couple points that some left out. Some of these aren't my ideas and I give credit below.
1. You shouldn't do this alone because it can cave in and entomb you causing suffocation. The snow is heavy, some say one or two tons. I did an estimate based on square feet, cubic feet and the average weights of snow as calculated by the National Weather Service. My snow shelter most likely weighs between 4 and 6 tons. 8,000-12,000+ pounds, which leads us too...
2. If you build this on ice make sure the ice can support the weight.:smash:
3. When starting construction don't lie flat. If the snow caves in it will pin you down. Try to stay on your knees or at least in a bent position. This will at least give you some wiggle room and possibly a little extra air in case it collapses on you. Don't lie completely stretched out and flat at any time during or after construction.:art:
4. When sleeping inside keep a digging tool beside you. If it caves you will hopefully be able to reach it and dig yourself out.
5. Create a small vent hole near the top of the shelter and don't seal the doorway completely. Snow breathes, but at these thicknesses it doesn't breath as much as you. You can fall asleep and never wake up.
6. Don't use anything more than a small candle for light or heat as it will melt the shelter, create CO or deprive you of oxygen. This shelter is designed to keep you from freezing to death in sub-arctic conditions, not keep you warm and cozy. It is not designed to be much warmer than the freezing point of water.
Examples: I was in the shelter on three different occasions for 2-3 hours a pop. With a candle for light and the door open it was 32 degrees F inside and 13 outside, 32 inside and 23 outside, 35 inside and 28 outside. At one point it was 28 inside and another it was 40. As long as the shelter entrance is blocked from the wind and you have 2 small openings, one down low and one up high, it should hover around freezing regardless of the temperature outside. I repeat "should"! LOL!
7. Make sure you mix the snow thoroughly and pile it on loosely. This is what makes the snow bond and prevents it from forming layers which will lead to collapse. Don't stomp it down as you pile it up. You are defeating the purpose of it's design and possibly creating an unsafe environment. the snow will take different amounts of time to bond based on it's consistency and the outside temp. I left mine eighteen hours before digging out and it dug out easily with a roofing shovel, my hands and a forked stick. Your mileage will vary!:cold:
8. Let the snow fall naturally and always pile toward the center of the mound. This will create a natural gravity based dome and will help prevent collapse. The top should not be flat. Mine is because it has sat for 4 days in bright sun. The top either evaporated or settled that way. Originally, it was pointed and slightly rounded at the top.
9. I said I was gonna spend the night, but I'm not. The inside has sunk so much that I will have to rearrange the bed in order to fit. After tomorrow it will most likely be unsafe to inhabit because we are due for a warmup. We'll see.
That's all I can think of offhand.
Two more things! :) For added warmth only carve out as much as you need for a sleeping area and one small spot to sit upright for changing clothes, etc. I got carried away and mine is big enough to sleep 3-4 people comfortably, the equivalent of a 4 man dome tent. Leave the roof low because heat rises. Cover the entire floor with a good pack of snow and make a cold well near the entrance.
I wanna thank and give credit to Mors Kochanski and Cody Lundin as theirs', in part, is the only advice I followed.
I'm no expert, but I suggest you consult one if you plan to use a quinzee, or snow shelter as it's called in english, in an emergency situation or otherwise. Then, construct one and see how it goes so you're not left surprised and unprepared when you need it most. After building this and seeing it degrade over the past 4 days there are changes I would make. I discuss a few below and in the vids.
These ARE NOT instructional videos and I'm not trying to show off. Constructive critisism is welcome. These are just my observations of the process. It's pretty basic stuff and if you want to know the process just google "quinzee" and you can watch people shovel snow all day long.
There are three parts to the video and also some pictures. It is raw/ unedited/ unscripted/ uncut footage. I had problems with the camera to start, but got it worked out after changing the batteries 3 times and letting the camera adjust to the cold a bit.
SAFETY FIRST! A few important tips. I've watched a few vids, read books and blogs about construction and here are a couple points that some left out. Some of these aren't my ideas and I give credit below.
1. You shouldn't do this alone because it can cave in and entomb you causing suffocation. The snow is heavy, some say one or two tons. I did an estimate based on square feet, cubic feet and the average weights of snow as calculated by the National Weather Service. My snow shelter most likely weighs between 4 and 6 tons. 8,000-12,000+ pounds, which leads us too...
2. If you build this on ice make sure the ice can support the weight.:smash:
3. When starting construction don't lie flat. If the snow caves in it will pin you down. Try to stay on your knees or at least in a bent position. This will at least give you some wiggle room and possibly a little extra air in case it collapses on you. Don't lie completely stretched out and flat at any time during or after construction.:art:
4. When sleeping inside keep a digging tool beside you. If it caves you will hopefully be able to reach it and dig yourself out.
5. Create a small vent hole near the top of the shelter and don't seal the doorway completely. Snow breathes, but at these thicknesses it doesn't breath as much as you. You can fall asleep and never wake up.
6. Don't use anything more than a small candle for light or heat as it will melt the shelter, create CO or deprive you of oxygen. This shelter is designed to keep you from freezing to death in sub-arctic conditions, not keep you warm and cozy. It is not designed to be much warmer than the freezing point of water.
Examples: I was in the shelter on three different occasions for 2-3 hours a pop. With a candle for light and the door open it was 32 degrees F inside and 13 outside, 32 inside and 23 outside, 35 inside and 28 outside. At one point it was 28 inside and another it was 40. As long as the shelter entrance is blocked from the wind and you have 2 small openings, one down low and one up high, it should hover around freezing regardless of the temperature outside. I repeat "should"! LOL!
7. Make sure you mix the snow thoroughly and pile it on loosely. This is what makes the snow bond and prevents it from forming layers which will lead to collapse. Don't stomp it down as you pile it up. You are defeating the purpose of it's design and possibly creating an unsafe environment. the snow will take different amounts of time to bond based on it's consistency and the outside temp. I left mine eighteen hours before digging out and it dug out easily with a roofing shovel, my hands and a forked stick. Your mileage will vary!:cold:
8. Let the snow fall naturally and always pile toward the center of the mound. This will create a natural gravity based dome and will help prevent collapse. The top should not be flat. Mine is because it has sat for 4 days in bright sun. The top either evaporated or settled that way. Originally, it was pointed and slightly rounded at the top.
9. I said I was gonna spend the night, but I'm not. The inside has sunk so much that I will have to rearrange the bed in order to fit. After tomorrow it will most likely be unsafe to inhabit because we are due for a warmup. We'll see.
That's all I can think of offhand.
Two more things! :) For added warmth only carve out as much as you need for a sleeping area and one small spot to sit upright for changing clothes, etc. I got carried away and mine is big enough to sleep 3-4 people comfortably, the equivalent of a 4 man dome tent. Leave the roof low because heat rises. Cover the entire floor with a good pack of snow and make a cold well near the entrance.
I wanna thank and give credit to Mors Kochanski and Cody Lundin as theirs', in part, is the only advice I followed.