http://www.igloobuilding.org/index.php/pdf/igloo-building-guide.pdf
How to build an igloo...
Building an igloo is easy and fun. And the igloo is a great place to
spend the night on a small 'expedition' in the mountains. It is much
warmer than a tent, and can be built just about anywhere. Building an
igloo will take somewhere between 3 and 6 hours, depending on your
previous experience and level of ambition...
This page is a small guide on building an igloo.
The photos are from somewhere north-west of Hallingskarvet,
Hardangervidda, Norway, and were taken in March 1991. Clock on images to
display large version.
flag Norsk versjon her.
Equipment.
The only tool needed in addition to a snow spade is a saw. A special
snow saw is recommended, but a carpenter's saw will do (as seen in the
pictures). A machete or small axe is handy for moulding the snow blocks,
but not necessary (use your ski instead - less to carry).
Step 1: Find a suitable spot
A hard field of snow is required to build an igloo - hard enough to make
solid snow blocks. Even if the top layer of snow is soft, hard snow can
usually be found underneath. Use your sticks to make a circle, marking
the base of the dome. The snow depth should be at least 1m where the
igloo is placed. Don't make it too big, or you're into trouble later.
This igloo is for 2-3 persons.
Ground preparation <http://www.igloobuilding.org/igloo/img/step1.jpg>
Step 2: Prepare the snow blocks
The snow blocks are prepared with the saw. They should be solid enough
to be carried orisontal without breaking by their own weight. Large
blocks are used at the base of the dome, smaller ones at the top. A
thickness of 15-30cm is good. The blocks can be made extra trong by
setting them up to harden in the wind.
Cuttin snow block <http://www.igloobuilding.org/igloo/img/step2.jpg>
Step 3: The building starts
The edges of each snow block should be smoothed and angeled correctly to
make a strong bond to the adjacent blocks. A ski with its tip placed in
the centre of the igloo is a perfect tool for this. There will always be
some (or maybe a lot of) cracks between locks, but that is fixed later.
It is very important that the bottom row of snow blocks are placed
aslant, otherwise you are building a tower...
first blocks <http://www.igloobuilding.org/igloo/img/step3.jpg>
placing the entrance
<http://www.igloobuilding.org/igloo/img/step4.jpg>
A full cricle of snow blocks has been built. Ideally, the blocks should
be placed in spiral. This will make the building easier. Note the
entrance. It is made of two ertical placed blocks pointing outwards with
a solid block on top to make a small roof. It might look tiny, but a lot
of snow is dug out later. At this stage you might want to lower the
floor inside the igloo. This way you can get 10-30cm of extra headroom!
dome emerging
<http://www.igloobuilding.org/igloo/img/step5.jpg>
The dome is starting to form. Keep removing the snow that is piling up
inside. It is a lot easier to throw it out of an open dome than to
shovel it out the entrance afterwards.
soon finished
<http://www.igloobuilding.org/igloo/img/step6.jpg>
If everything is done right, the dome will not collapse because the
blocks are supporting each other. But in some critical situations, you
might want to use a stick inside to support the topmost blocks until the
dome is closed. The last few blocks are moved into the igloo through the
entrance and lifted up. There might be need of two persons inside at
this stage.
Step 4: Finishing the igloo
The igloo is closed! Not a perfect dome, but good enough. Now it is time
to fill all those cracks with snow. (The really big cracks are filled
with small blocks of snow.) Then the inside of the igloo must be
smoothed. This is done by hand (your gloves get very wet, bring an extra
pair!). If the inside of the dome is one, smooth surface, there will be
no dripping of water at all. When the smoothing of the inside is done
and all the snow has been shoveled out, it is time to finish the
entrance. An L-shaped entrance is a good solution, and will prevent any
snow from blowing in. First dig an L with an depth of 1m (or more), then
cover it with a square 'roof' made of snow blocks.
Or you can just keep the entrance simple, as shown in the image.
finished
<http://www.igloobuilding.org/igloo/img/step7.jpg>
Its finished! This is the inside. Note how the entrance is dug deep
enough to allow almost standing height (Ronny with the spade). The cold
air will flow into this hollow, which function as a cold sink. /*NOTE!
When using a stove in the igloo, make sure the ventilation is
adequate!*/ During cooking small holes will melt in the roof, letting
fresh air in. A small ventilation hole in the roof is recommended.
Always keep the entrance open. The floor should be covered with some
kind of camping mattresses, Therm-a-rest or similar is a good choice.
Candles can be used as light source, cut a small niche for the candle,
with sufficient space above it to avoid snow melting.
the entrance
<http://www.igloobuilding.org/igloo/img/step8.jpg>
Time to say goodnight (Geir in the sleeping bag). Note how the ceiling
is smoothed. Even after an hours worth of cooking, there is no dripping.
Actually, during the night the water that has melted will freeze again
between the blocks, making the igloo stronger than ever. Next morning
you might be able to stand on top of the igloo!
going to bed
<http://www.igloobuilding.org/igloo/img/step9.jpg>
Well, this is it. If you have any comments or suggestions, mail to
info@hate.spam.igloobuilding.org
<mailto:info@hate.spam.igloobuilding.org> This e-mail address is being
protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Note!
Remove "hate.spam." from email address before sending.
All photos are copyright Geir Drange.
Participants of the igloo building project were:
* Ronny Finnema (architect)
* Geir Drange (photography, digging...)
* Anonymous (handyman)
Actually, we spent two nights in this igloo.
http://www.igloobuilding.org/
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