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How to construct an emergency snow shelter |
| 1. Before you start: Avoid getting too wet and cold, so put on overtrousers jacket and gloves before you start. Digging in the snow is hard work so keep other layers to a minimum. You don't want to get too sweaty before you settle into your new home. As with all building sites helmets should be worn at all times :-) |
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 3. Lift
out block: Slide hands underneath the block and lift it out. The
firmer the snow the more digging will be required to release the block.
Try to keep the blocks neat with flat faces as this will make the
construction easier. |
 4. Placing
the blocks: Place the block on one side of the trench you've created
then dig out further blocks working away from you. |
 5. Building
the walls: Build up the walls on either side of the trench and at
one end.If you have a good depth of snow you can deepen the trench to reduce the number of blocks required. |
 6.
Roof it over: Start another quarry nearby and create blocks slightly
larger than the original block size. Use these to roof over your shelter.This is where you will regret making the walls too far apart as the snow may not be strong enough to span the gap. Or you might not be strong enough to lift the block! |
 7.
Finishing touches: Plaster the inside and outside with loose snow to
fill any remaining gaps.This design of shelter works best for one person. It is more comfortable if it is tall enough for you to sit up inside but takes longer to construct. It needs to be long enough to cover you legs. |
 8. Sit back
and relax: Once completed it's time to move in. Put on all your spare
clothing. Insulate yourself from the ground with the contents of your sack.
Crawl into your survival bag inside the shelter then block of the entrance
with either a rucksack or another block. |
| Try out these and other skills on a High Trek Winter Long Weekend |
2. Basic
building block:
Dig out a narrow slot in the snow just over shoulder width. Above this
draw out two lines with the pick of the axe (narrower than in the photo).
Then one line parallel to the slot. 
Recommended Gear: |
 Grivel
Munro Walking Axe
The Munro is a non-technical ice axe with a hot forged carbon steel
head and straight shaft.
Field&Trek Price £39.99 |
