How Igloos Work
Recommended tools:
- Snow saw or large knife
- Snow shovel or snow spade
- A couple pairs of waterproof gloves
- Find an area with a lot of dry, hard-packed snow. Use the snow
saw or knife to cut large blocks -- the harder the snow is, the more
solid the snow blocks will be. Your snow blocks should be about 3 feet
long, 15 inches high and 8 inches deep, according to "The Complete
Wilderness Training Guide."
- Smooth the edges of the blocks. Place them in a circle, working
your way up. Blocks should decrease in size as you work upwards. Using
your shovel or saw, cut a hole under the wall to create the igloo's
entrance.
- Overlap the blocks and shape them to lean inward, creating the
dome. The blocks should support each other in order to prevent the dome
from collapsing. If necessary, use a stick or other support in the
interior to support the blocks at the top until the dome is finished.
- Once all the blocks except the last one have been placed, find a
block that is slightly too large for the last opening on top. Place it
on top of the igloo and wiggle it into place, shaping as needed. It
should be shaped to fit exactly in the opening.
- Shovel loose snow onto the igloo. Pack it into all of the
crevices. Smooth the inside of the igloo by hand and shovel out any
extra snow.
- Finish the entrance by digging a hole in the shape of the
desired entrance (some igloo aficionados prefer L-shaped entrances
because they keep the wind out better). Then cover the hole with snow
blocks.
- You must cut ventilation holes in the walls and roof to prevent
suffocation. Air holes also prevent body heat from causing dangerous
levels of carbon dioxide.
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