[Dante]

Work and family obligations restrict most of my outdoor recreation to the months of April to September, but I make time for at least one snow camping trip per year. Anyone else enjoy making and sleeping in a hole in the snow?

[polarbear]

Never tried it myself but something tells me I'd go to bed but end up with a rather cold What elevation/temps do you have to be at for snow caves not to melt out as you sleep?

[#19]

Snow caves a usually quite warm from what I've read and experienced. Built a large one (6 footers could stand in the middle) at about 4700' on Pilchuck in a basic climbing class years ago. Don't think the daytime temp got above 40 - give or take. Wasn't cold inside at all. Very quiet too. We had 8 or 9 people sleeping comfortably in it. Took a lot of time smoothing the inside walls. Hardly got a drip. But they are a ton of work to build.

[Brian Curtis]

We built an igloo over Fourth of July weekend once. We slept in it but by the next morning it had thinned enough to expose a small hole in the roof. But even with all that melting it was strong enough the next morning to support several of us sitting on it.

[Tom]

Igloos and snow caves are great. Much warmer than you'll ever be in a tent. The only problem I've had getting wet is building them (in wet snow). Some guidance and the right tools help. Keys to staying dry inside are a smooth roof and adequate ventilation. It is a fun learning experience.

[Stefan]

I would always favor a snowcave over a tent. Problem is as people have said snowcaves take time to build--and you get very wet building them. Lots of people go to Paradise and build snow caves--which seems like the right thing becuase then you can change into dry clothes really easy.

[Dante]

We usually just do an overnighter--a short snowshoe trip to an appropriate location followed by a few hours of building and BSing. We've always built the kind with the T shaped opening. That gives you a place to stand, minimizes contact with the snow (keeps you dryer) and provides two "shelves" for sliding snowblocks out of the cave. You finish with a block accross the top of the T so the floor of the cave is at or above the top of the door. The "shelves" left outside area also a great place to cook. This "method" is named after someone, but I can't remember the name. We usually configure our caves with a "lobby" just inside the door and sleeping tunnels extending outward. This provides a place for the occupants and any guests to sit. As someone said, proper tools help. You need a good shovel (preferably with a long handle) and its nice to have a snow saw. A body heat will keep it above freezing so it's a good idea to make the roof a smooth arch so drips run down the walls. I usually bring a bivi to keep my bag dry. A candle or two will also add warmth and lots of light. I can't wait

[Rich Baldwin]

I tried a snow cave for the first time last year. Unfortunately, I expended too much energy and lost too much heat while building it. I got slightly hypothermic, and my son (age 14) who is a really thin guy and wasn't working got it a little worse. The finished snow caves were actually quite warm.

[Dante]

Ouch! I'm glad everything worked out allright. I think the snowcave design we use and taking turns digging helps keep us warm and dry (so far anyway). I spent a couple minutes looking for a link to a page with instructions and pictures but couldn't find one. Before a buddy showed me this method I always just burrowed in and got wet.