Time to Build an Igloo

I am a full fledge Canadian / Inuit / Eskimo because I built an igloo today. It is not easy work. It exercises the brain and body.

First we had to find the right kind of snow: hard packed, usually found in a high drift, and solid chunks are necessary. It takes 50 rectangular blocks to fit 3-4 people comfortably for sleeping. We dug around in the drift until we found the hard packed snow. Do you think the snow that fell in Virginia this week could be used to build an igloo?

Second we got a saw to cut out the solid blocks. You cut along all four sides and then carefully wedge it out of place and tried not to break into pieces. Do not try this at home. An adult is necessary to use all this sharp equipment.

Then we had to figure out how to pick up these large blocks of snow. You are supposed to cradle it in your arm on the left side and hold it from underneath with the right hand. Easier said then done. They probably were about 20-30 pounds each. One time after lifting it and carrying it through the snow to its resting place, I slipped and just fell down with it right in my lap. There was no way to get up without someone helping me and lifting the block off my lap.

We collected over 50 snow blocks so we could then figure out which ones would fit best in our igloo design.

The next step was to make a circular shape in the fresh flat snow. We went stomping around to flatten the snow. We used a string attached to a pole in the middle of our circle to make sure the base was wide enough.Then we started positioning our snow blocks in a circle. We had to tilt them inward a bit to start the dome shape design.

As we placed each block on the circular design we had to pat snow around the bottom to secure it. After we had our base layer, we shaped it so it was lower at one side and then spiraled higher. Now it was time for the second layer. We had to place one block on top at a time. Then we used a large knife to tilt and wedge each piece in place. Some carving (or chopping) along one side and the bottom is necessary. Then we gave it a hard slap on top to seal the blocks together. It began to look like a snake coiled around as the second layer rose up.

It was so cold this morning when we were building the igloo. The temperature today was -40 F (with the wind chill). This was the coldest day so far and the wind was whipping around with no sun to help warm us up. It was so cold that the lens cover on my camera even froze for a little bit. Check out this crazy picture.

Now the sun is out and the igloo looks fantastic. A very impressive feat!

What does feat mean?

Would you sleep in an igloo if you had a chance? I am taking a poll because I am still undecided. They say the igloo is very warm at night. You place caribou skin on the floor, get 2-3 other friends, and slip into a sleeping bag to stay warm and cozy. I knew it would be hard to survive in the snow, but I am learning and experiencing a little more and more each day. I could not live here 365 days a year; the climate is too harsh. An igloo can only remain in tact for a few days before a new shelter has to be built. This is a lot of work, on top of finding and cooking food.