Built & slept in an 8' igloo! (in late Feb)
Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 8:20 pm
Hello!
First, I apologize for not posting this months ago. Long story, poor plot..!
Here is what I e-mailed to co-workers on March 1:
"'mornin!
Attached is a running pictorial of my igloo construction project while on vacation in BC. I didn't take proper record of how long it took to build, but I'd say about 12 hours, plus about 4 hours to make the base/pad for the igloo.
Aside from giving the igloo a 'solid' and insulating platform to sit on that will delay sagging over time, the pad provides a temperature insulating feature plus additional space while inside the igloo. After the igloo building is about halfway done, one tunnels into the base and up into the igloo; this prevents cold air from entering the igloo later as cold air cannot rise (air hole required, as the same holds for oxygen!). As well, one can stand within the trench/doorway inside the igloo or store gear in that cold sink.
This is the 2nd size the Icebox tool can make, the 8'. The tool makes igloos 7-11' wide, with total outside height being 4'7" for the 7', 6'3" for the 8 & 9', and 6'7" for the 10 & 11' models. You can read all about the unit at http://grandshelters.com/ & index.php. Lee Thompson, Kameko & myself made a 7' at Lake Louise about a month ago.
I was lucky doing this build, as I had snowball-type snow as compared to the sugar snow of the last time. Snowball snow doesn't fall out gaps nearly as easily and is much easier to pack! I also had the use of a construction-style plastic bucket - starting on the 3rd level I placed the bucket inside the igloo and loaded it with snow from outside, then resumed igloo building. When the walls got higher I filled the bucket & dragged it into the igloo & up onto the igloo 'floor'. For the final 2 blocks I used a wooden block to help jump up onto the igloo & finish. Naturally, I then stood on top of the igloo to enjoy the view. =) Waterproof gloves were also important for packing the blocks, and some shovels are better than others for this.
I spent Friday night in the igloo, which was an interesting experience. The humidity had me seeing my breath from the start and the temperature never got above 1 degree C, nor could it without the walls melting faster. The walls did drip every minute or so but it wasn't an issue. Next time I'll consider smoothing the walls so drips run down to the floor. It had lots of insulation underneath me, so the igloo floor wasn't cold; my boots went into the doorway. I also proved you can get wireless on a laptop within an igloo! The igloo didn't dampen sound as much as I'd expected; maybe 10db? I could hear everything outside. Sleeping in there was good, I'd do so again!
(oh yes, I had a puppy companion at the start of the process - she belonged to the construction crew that are building the house you see in some of the pictures) I tried to take more pictures within the igloo but it was a challenge with my phone's camera. I took a couple outside at night but they didn't turn out; with candles lit the igloo glows.
Let me know if you've any thoughts or questions!"
First, I apologize for not posting this months ago. Long story, poor plot..!
Here is what I e-mailed to co-workers on March 1:
"'mornin!
Attached is a running pictorial of my igloo construction project while on vacation in BC. I didn't take proper record of how long it took to build, but I'd say about 12 hours, plus about 4 hours to make the base/pad for the igloo.
Aside from giving the igloo a 'solid' and insulating platform to sit on that will delay sagging over time, the pad provides a temperature insulating feature plus additional space while inside the igloo. After the igloo building is about halfway done, one tunnels into the base and up into the igloo; this prevents cold air from entering the igloo later as cold air cannot rise (air hole required, as the same holds for oxygen!). As well, one can stand within the trench/doorway inside the igloo or store gear in that cold sink.
This is the 2nd size the Icebox tool can make, the 8'. The tool makes igloos 7-11' wide, with total outside height being 4'7" for the 7', 6'3" for the 8 & 9', and 6'7" for the 10 & 11' models. You can read all about the unit at http://grandshelters.com/ & index.php. Lee Thompson, Kameko & myself made a 7' at Lake Louise about a month ago.
I was lucky doing this build, as I had snowball-type snow as compared to the sugar snow of the last time. Snowball snow doesn't fall out gaps nearly as easily and is much easier to pack! I also had the use of a construction-style plastic bucket - starting on the 3rd level I placed the bucket inside the igloo and loaded it with snow from outside, then resumed igloo building. When the walls got higher I filled the bucket & dragged it into the igloo & up onto the igloo 'floor'. For the final 2 blocks I used a wooden block to help jump up onto the igloo & finish. Naturally, I then stood on top of the igloo to enjoy the view. =) Waterproof gloves were also important for packing the blocks, and some shovels are better than others for this.
I spent Friday night in the igloo, which was an interesting experience. The humidity had me seeing my breath from the start and the temperature never got above 1 degree C, nor could it without the walls melting faster. The walls did drip every minute or so but it wasn't an issue. Next time I'll consider smoothing the walls so drips run down to the floor. It had lots of insulation underneath me, so the igloo floor wasn't cold; my boots went into the doorway. I also proved you can get wireless on a laptop within an igloo! The igloo didn't dampen sound as much as I'd expected; maybe 10db? I could hear everything outside. Sleeping in there was good, I'd do so again!
(oh yes, I had a puppy companion at the start of the process - she belonged to the construction crew that are building the house you see in some of the pictures) I tried to take more pictures within the igloo but it was a challenge with my phone's camera. I took a couple outside at night but they didn't turn out; with candles lit the igloo glows.
Let me know if you've any thoughts or questions!"