Igloo

On Friday, we had the chance to hear a lecture about snow shelters from the CNSC Director, Mike. Afterward, we all went out to build an igloo. It was one of the coldest days we've experienced since we've been here...-40 wind chill. But, no one was deterred from this once in a lifetime opportunity! Mike found the right kind of snow in a large snow drift and demonstrated how to cut out a brick of snow. We all took turns using a saw to cut bricks from the snow. Once we collected 50 of them, we could start building the igloo. The igloo is big enough for 3-4 people to sleep in, so we've had to take turns. I joined 3 others on Saturday night for our turn to sleep in the igloo. I discovered that I am a bit claustrophobic because I didn't like sleeping beside the igloo wall. I especially did not like the tight, heavy sleeping bag around my legs. It felt like I was tied up. I had trouble falling asleep, I'd already lost an hour of sleep from Daylight Savings Time, and I knew I would have to dig 2 snow pits in the morning, so I opted to go inside to my warm bed around 2 am. I slept through breakfast, but I was glad I was rested for our last day of field work.