Modified Snow Shelter

[tarilamens]

Nice vid..keep up the good work...

[Allwetterlauf11]

Cool shelter Dave! A possible idea for an improved roof might be plenty of cris-crossed ridge poles set into the rim above the tarp and boughs placed on top. Might save the tarp from caving in if you were expecting snow during the night.

[davidnightingale]

5 stars excellent

[masn1978]

Thanks David and Tam. Dave how was your nap? lol

I love how you improvised. I want to learn as many different ideas as possable and this helps. Also, it is much nicer watching your videos than just trying to emagine from a book.

[sierra04alpha1966]

Dave I really learn a lot from you. This shelter using the available snow was a great idea to beef up your shelter! Thank you for another great idea!

★★★★★

[evoneseeekone]

My father & I built one in a winter camp, others thought we were crazy. We tried to tell them but they had tents and heaters, and they froze their arses off

We made a little 5" tall x 6" round igloo with a stupid iggy snow block maker. The others were very concerned, but they were dying that night while we were on top of our bags in thermal underwear snug as bugs using a candle and our bodies to heat it. A blanket over the door towel over inside hole & a blanket inside on the floor stayed dry

[BushcraftOnFire]

Evon..

I understand your comments.. and you are correct. But sometimes what is best isn't possible. We spent 6 man hours putting a dome together to make a quinzee. We gathered snow from all over the yard. There just wasn't enough. So I thought.. let's try an alternative method.

I KNOW it wasn't best.. not even what I wanted to do when I began. But it's what was available.. and I adapted. That's an important thing to be able to do in survival situations. Do the best with what you have.

[evoneseeekone]

Yep you have to adapt. Didn't mean to bag on your vid

Insulating qualities of snow are so darned good that I said something, knowing you probably knew

Better to give info unneeded than assume wrongly

I saw your spider cave you spoke of covering in snow, smart

Nothing in crude shelter comes even close in insulating quality, even dug out earth or caves

Snow dome is strong too, especially if sprinkled with water and frozen

You know this, just sayin : ) kept me comfy so many times I do love em

[BushcraftOnFire]

I didn't think you were attacking Bro.. And I appreciate your comments! Snow is absolutely an awesome insulator.. and people should definitely get out and try to work with it in different capacities when they can.. Thanks again for your experiences!

[evoneseeekone]

Best thing is build a round domed structure. It's easy to bring it in to the center leaning because the snow tends to support itself when you get in a ring. Where it's steep it's pretty small so you can get it all together without to much trouble, though it's easier with 2 people

On top you put a large chuck of snow. The pressure locks in the walls. Then you fill cracks. 8" thick 7' around is plenty. They are so warm, just cover the floor & flap door. Body heats them up warm even when very cold

[rmojo23]

good to see you again Dave.

[buckshot752]

nice video Dave and Tam!

[dreamthinker79]

shelter is all about knowing your options, so you can make due with whatever you have available.

wind is what takes your generated heat away, weather its from a fire, or body heat.

wind blocks are very important in the cold.

make a quinzee, then outside the door, build a 3 foot high wall ring. big enuff for seating, and a fire, can attach as many quins as you want to the ring, and a 5-6 foot high wall is not imposible.

getting off the ground is key when its cold too

[kmikesell]

Thanks Dave for featuring my shovel. It looks good in the snow! Stay warm.

[cityboygonewild22]

the eagle is powerful medicine

[jwilson004athotmail]

Awesome!! Can't wait to get back up to Colorao and give this a shot!!

[ajelliottjr]

Real Cool David. Great Video. Reminds me of my time in Minot, ND, Made a few "Forts", boy they did hold a lot of snow balls... LOL. That looks cozy. After your nap go for some hot chocolate. Beautiful Eagle, you are so blessed! Thanks guys.... Andy

[rbvmtr]

Hi dave , I live in Indy it's colder after dark . I am from northeasteren Ohio , so cold to me seems to be deathly cold to Indy people LoL.

32 degrees is the magic number for emergency shelter.

[33115566]

Check out a video called "Eskimo Hunters 1949". They make a similar shelter on a hunting trip.

[BushcraftOnFire]

Very Kewl.. I will have to look that up! Thanks for the tip Bro

[389Lee]

Another very interesting video. Thanks for taking the time to make it.

[ledzeppie]

so if it snows again you'll wake up with 250 pounds of snow on top of you?... I wouldn't call this a modified quinzee. A quinzee isn't suppose to be packed, is not built anything at all like this, gets stronger with time and more snow, and is warmer.

[BushcraftOnFire]

LedZeppie..

I appreciate your comments. I was dealing with the conditions that we are having here.. right now. I said clearly in the video that we couldn't build a Quinzee right now.. That it was far too warm and that the 36 degree weather would have the whole thing on top of you. I also said that it wasn't going to snow anymore.. and that if it did this would now be an option. Perhaps if we get the right conditions.. I will try to do a video on a quinzee.. this was touted as an alternative

[ledzeppie]

you said "modified "Quinzee"". I was saying that it's not even close to a modified quinzee. it's just a snow fort.

[Kaboom0623]

Something else you could do .. is leave a layer of snow inside where you will sleep and cover that in bracken for insulation. Then make a cold well in front of the entrance covered by the tarp to trap some cold air at the bottom of the flap to keep the warm air in with you. Dont forget the small air vent out the back to allow for a SLOW exhaust of stale air.

[mallardhead]

I see Calvin and Hobbes in their snow fort ready to bomb Suzie with snow balls!

[godsend420]

we both know u just wanted to play in the snow like a kid haha

★★★★★

[BushcraftOnFire]

You bet ya! And we all had a great time doing it.. LOL

[medicjimr]

That turned out nice dave allot easier than buiding a quinzzy too

[wulfesinger67]

i carry a small bow saw to use it for a snow shovel i put the blade in backwards with the smoot side out and then tie my bandana over it it now make a nice big scoop it as will work well for a debrie rake to gather leaves for huts.

[myactionhobbies]

Hi, I am wondering what is your experience with closed shelters like this when you are protected from elements from all sides vs A-frame type open shelters with fire in front of it during winter time. Which one is better according to your experience in subzero temperatures? Thank you.

[BushcraftOnFire]

MyAction..

Open shelters (like Leanto's) are ok with a large enough fire.. but you will be up many times through the night feeding it. In sub zero temps you need to have good equipment to survive.. so keeping the wind off of you is the most critical point. A large fire in front of this shelter.. and you would wake up in a puddle!

[Kaboom0623]

@myactionhobbies In the colder climates the more closed in the better. Down where dave is The open type is fine. Up in Canada close it in and have a hobo stove or candle for extra warmth (make a chimney hole) .. A regular fire out front for heat and cooking is great. btw heat rocks around the fire, place inside a hobo stove for over night warmth, U can also add some coals or small twigs for a SMALL fire.

[InTheSticks1881]

We could use that . Have read that when it is sub zero, heating the interior of an igloo to 30F is easily done with a single candle.

Get milsurp Exteme Cold Weather gear. wardenssupplyco has a killer deal now, the Camper's Deluxe Package w/ tent, LC 2 pack, mess kits, canteens & 2 ECW sleeping bags for $159. The 2 used bags alone should be $120+. If you can afford only one piece of cold weather gear, get a good bag. These are rated to -20F & lower with the correct clothing.

[mrsdjsdj]

That looks like a good idea. I have two questions. 1) How would you reduce/manage the amount of "condensation/water vapor" that will accumulate from your breathe? 2) Seeing as it looks like you are practically cocooned in that plastic tarp, how would you know if you are allowing enough air to get in to prevent "asphixation"

[BushcraftOnFire]

mrsdjsdj

Asphixiation wouldn't be any problem since it's not really "airtight". If there was any problem at all it would be simple enough to put something on the front for a "doorway" made from natural materials or even a blanket. This would also alleviate much of the condensation problem. Sleeping with my head toward the front also helps with the moisture situation.

Remember.. this is to stop wind.. it won't really Keep you that warm.. a good bag is still needed in such an environment.

[Kaboom0623]

@mrsdjsdj Poke a hole about 2" round in the back wall near the top on a slight angle up .. it will allow a little warm air out BUT keep the air safe to breath inside. Also Smooth snow wall's inside will cause any frost or water to slide down the sides and re-ice as it goes lower. Yes a Candle will warm the shelter, but never over the melting point. Hot coals and stones in a hobo stove with a pine cone fire every so often works as well.

[MrCableguyken]

Great Job Brother, and I cant wait to meet you at the Pathfinder Gathering in Aug.

5*