Quinzhee - Construction

Construction

To begin one must locate a relatively flat area where snow is in abundance. It is important to use snow that hasn't been piled naturally. If the snowpile is natural (i.e., a snow drift), it must first be broken up. This is done to prevent a situation where there are two different levels of setness, which can cause collapse during excavations. One must then pile snow to its desired height (typically 6 – 10 feet) and leave it for a length of time to harden (depending on the snow about 3–8 hours). You will gain a substantial amount of time if you pack the snow with your shovel when you throw the snow on top of the quinzhee). It is worth noting that a small quinzhee is more desirable than a larger one as all of the hot air within them rises to the top. In other words, a smaller quinzhee affords a warmer living environment than a larger one typically would. Quinzhees are not typically built so one can stand in them. The resident should be able to comfortably sit up inside while perhaps being able to crouch. One should also attempt to make a pile of snow in front of the quinzhee about four feet in length which will serve as a tunnel to gain access to the structure. After piling the snow the site should be left for up to several hours while the snow sets, making excavation possible. Before excavating one can put sticks in the roof and wall, approximately 10 in (25 cm) deep, to be used as a guide when digging out the interior. After this is completed one digs until the sticks are reached. Another good method is to simply stop excavating when you begin to see sunlight emerging faintly through the walls, using the edge of your shovel to smooth out the surface. This secondary method leaves approximately the same wall thickness.

A good method of excavating the snow is to in essence "quarry" it with a large grain shovel. As you start digging into the quinzhee, push your shovel into the snow in a large square pattern. After you have done this, you can insert the shovel beneath this "cube", and with a prying motion a large brick of snow should become dislodged. This method makes removing the snow easier as you can do it in large chunks. Continue removing these bricks of snow, moving forward and upward, until you reach the rear of your quinzhee; having created a corridor in which you can begin excavating the other two halves of your quinzhee. This also contributes to greater safety as you construct your quinzhee.