Igloo

Have you ever thought what it would be like to live in an igloo? I made one once out of construction paper for school. I think it would be crazy -- but I would love to see one. My house is warm and cozy but they say igloos are too. Here are the steps to building one....Let me know how you fare....

from http://home.no.net/gedra/igloo_bg.htm
(it has photos and everything)

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.

Step 2: Prepare the snow blocks
The snow blocks are prepared with the saw. They should be solid enough to be carried horisontal 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 strong by setting them up to harden in the wind.

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 blocks, 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...

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 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.

There ya go...you're set


Remember: Be happy today...please? just for me?