Winter Shelters

[AZ Prepper]

Winter Shelters
Monday, December 28, 2009
http://ontariopreppersnetwork.blogsp...r-shelter.html


It's not too often that this blog strays into the realm of wilderness survival techniques. Mostly because not many preppers find themselves stranded in the wilderness or are willing to endure the rigours of ultra light camping. However, the premise of outdoor survival is similar to everyday prepping in that advance preparation and common sense makes all the difference if you find yourself far from civilization and in distress.

Regardless of where you happen to be and no matter what circumstances got you there, the very first priority in a disaster or wilderness survival situation is shelter. Being able to separate yourself from the elements, allows you to stay dry and warm. Without adequate shelter your ability to carry on for any length of time is in serious doubt.

Since it's winter, let's for a moment consider what one needs to shelter themselves from the cold wind, snow storms and really cold ambient temperatures. If you have access to a tent that is constructed for use in winter, you of course can use that. If you are hiking chances are you wont want to carry a winter tent due to its weight. You need lots of equipment and clothing in your pack and the addition of a tent usually takes an already heavy pack into the realm of being unwieldy and not very conducive to long treks in the snow even with the use of snow shoes. A lean-to constructed of branches and pine bows, covered by at least three feet of snow coupled with a really big fire will do in a pinch for a night but is lacking all of the benefits of a completely enclosed shelter. Trust me, you do not want to live in a lean-to night after night.

This brings us to the idea of building a snow shelter. Such structures do require more time and effort to construct but make all the difference when it comes to staying warm. There are several really good reasons why learning the skills needed to build a quality snow shelter is considered the most important skill for winter survival. Any Inuit who spends anytime at all outdoors has been making and using snow shelters since they were old enough to walk. Using the resources provided by nature eliminates the need to carry or transport the weight and bulk of a tent.

There are three main shelter designs that work well in winter and all require the use of snow. Snow is a very good insulator that keeps heat in and the cold out. Snow also is a very effective windbreak - if your shelter is constructed so that the snow you use doesn't blow away in the wind.

Quinzee: Fairly quick to build but does require a fair amount of energy to construct. Build an A-frame shelter out of sticks and bows, cover with a good 3 feet of snow, build a door to plug the open end and you are good to go. No sticks or branches available, build a big pile of snow, allow the snow to settle and compress and then hollow out the pile to create a cavity that is uniform and at least 12 inches thick all around and voila a quinzee shelter. The actual techniques to build this type of shelter can be found elsewhere with the use of a search engine so I wont detail them here.

Snow cave: Find a suitable location, usually on the leeward side of a small hill or natural rise in the landscape where snow drifts tend to form. Dig into the drift creating a hollow and you have a snow cave. Remember digging into the snow drifts created by the plows at the end of the driveway as a kid? Same idea here. Digging caves requires a lot of energy and usually results in a lot of sweating - not good in cold weather. Having several people on hand to take turns digging and wiping snow off of clothing is usually a good idea when considering to build a snow cave. If you take your time though and take lots of breaks to prevent over heating, a snow cave can be an effective shelter option for a single person. Finding a suitable location however, is often a hit or miss proposition. Snow caves in areas where the snow is not really deep enough will limit their insulating properties and result in you being colder than you would prefer.

Igloo: By far the best option for all around protection from the elements. Traditional igloos as used in the arctic are constructed from snow blocks cut from the snow pack with a snow knife (a dull, long, thin bladed knife. For this to work, the right type of snow needs to be found - snow that will hold its shape when cut and shaped. This can prove daunting for the novice explorer and will probably not be available in any given survival situation outside of the arctic where temperatures and snow conditions are most conducive to creating the "right snow". There is a solution though for the average Joe and this is what I want to pass on to you today.

It is possible to build snow blocks from just about any type of snow that is available. Using a mould to pack the snow into the right size and shape makes building a top quality igloo anywhere just what a survivalist (or your kids in the back yard) needs. Using a snow mold allows even a novice winter architect to construct an adequate shelter in as little as four hours. An igloo is a very sturdy shelter that can last for months and gets better with every snowfall. People who have built a few igloos can accomplish the task in 2 to 3 hours. A uniform shape maximizes stability and insulation and wind stopping power. Temperatures inside an igloo often hover in the 3C to 5C degree range with the addition of body heat and a small candle/flame.

I believe that the ability to use snow effectively for shelter in the winter is the single most important skill anyone who spends time outdoors can posses. Using a snow mould is much easier to carry when hiking and stores much smaller in a vehicle than a tent. Staying in an igloo is way more comfortable than trying to stay warm and comfortable in your average sedan type vehicle that has broken down or is unable to proceed during a blizzard. If you're stuck spending a few hours waiting for help to arrive, building a good shelter is time well spent.

Children have a natural inclination to build snow forts. A snow mould is an excellent means of nurturing this natural desire and results in a much safer shelter that is less prone to collapse and keeps the kids out of the snow piles near the street. Guaranteed to be the best snow shelter on the block and a valuable tool and skill for kids and adults alike to posses.

So where does one get a snow mould. Well online of course. The two links below are my recommendations. The rest is up to you. Get outside and build an igloo. The experience you get is one more item that you can cross off your preparedness and survival check list.

NOTE: Any enclosed snow shelter requires a ventilation hole in the roof to allow air to enter via the door and escape through the roof. Inadequate ventilation can result in a very long slumber indeed.


Just for the the kids: http://webstore.eskimold.com/catalog...18f15d20973213

For the ardent prepper: http://www.grandshelters.com/index.html

[What have you done today to prepare?]

[Kelly Alwood]

I agree 100%. Shelter is always first priority. A must have skill set. Fire and food are always toted as the main stay skills of survival. When in fact More than 40% of bikers killed each year die of hypothermia. above 55 deg. Noone starves to death. And the fact is, if you build the right shelter fire isn't needed. Nor will it work with say a debree hut.
Survival priorities are Always: shelter, water, fire, food. In that order. Then comes protection, medical, and comms.