Quinzhee
Encyclopedia
Snow
Snow is a form of precipitation within the Earth's atmosphere in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes that fall from clouds. Since snow is composed of small ice particles, it is a granular material. It has an open and therefore soft structure, unless packed by...
. This is in contrast to an igloo
Igloo
An igloo or snowhouse is a type of shelter built of snow, originally built by the Inuit....
, which is made from blocks of hard snow. The word is of Athabaskan
Athabaskan languages
Athabaskan or Athabascan is a large group of indigenous peoples of North America, located in two main Southern and Northern groups in western North America, and of their language family...
origin.
Uses
For fun, or for winter campingCamping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
and survival
Survivalism
Survivalism is a movement of individuals or groups who are actively preparing for future possible disruptions in local, regional, national, or international social or political order...
purposes, it is possible to construct a snow shelter by gathering a large pile of snow and excavating the inside.
Differences between a quinzhee and an igloo
The snow for a quinzhee need not be of the same quality as required for an iglooIgloo
An igloo or snowhouse is a type of shelter built of snow, originally built by the Inuit....
. Quinzhees are not usually meant as a form of permanent shelter, while igloos can be used for seasonal and year round habitation. The construction of a quinzhee is much easier than the construction of an igloo, although the overall result is somewhat less sturdy and more prone to collapsing in harsh weather conditions. Quinzhees are normally constructed in times of necessity, usually as an instrument of survival, so aesthetic and long-term dwelling considerations are normally exchanged for economy of time and materials.
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.
Dangers
People climbing on the structure are the primary reason why quinzhees collapseCave-in
A cave-in is a collapse of a geologic formation, mine or structure which typically occurs during mining or tunneling. Geologic structures prone to cave-ins include alvar, tsingy and other limestone formations, but can also include lava tubes and a variety of other subsurface rock formations.In...
. A collapsing quinzhee can be very dangerous if someone gets caught inside. Just as in an avalanche
Avalanche
An avalanche is a sudden rapid flow of snow down a slope, occurring when either natural triggers or human activity causes a critical escalating transition from the slow equilibrium evolution of the snow pack. Typically occurring in mountainous terrain, an avalanche can mix air and water with the...
, the weight of the snow often makes it impossible to dig oneself free. Suffocation
Asphyxia
Asphyxia or asphyxiation is a condition of severely deficient supply of oxygen to the body that arises from being unable to breathe normally. An example of asphyxia is choking. Asphyxia causes generalized hypoxia, which primarily affects the tissues and organs...
may occur if the occupants are not rescued quickly enough. In addition to this, many quinzhees collapse during their construction for a variety of reasons, including poor snow conditions, warm weather, construction problems (hitting a supporting wall) or failure to let the snow set long enough. To protect oneself against collapse during construction, one should only dig a quinzhee while on one's knees, never one's back. In the event of collapse, someone stands a much better chance at digging themselves out if they are on their knees.
It is generally advised that a quinzhee should only be constructed alone if in a survival situation.
Lumitalos
A lumitalo is a more elaborate snow-house or building made out of snowSnow
Snow is a form of precipitation within the Earth's atmosphere in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes that fall from clouds. Since snow is composed of small ice particles, it is a granular material. It has an open and therefore soft structure, unless packed by...
in a manner similar to a quinzhee. The term is Finnish
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
in origin.
The city of Houghton, Michigan
Houghton, Michigan
Houghton is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan's Upper Peninsula and largest city in the Copper Country on the Keweenaw Peninsula. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 7,708. It is the county seat of Houghton County...
builds a lumitalo as part of their annual Winter Carnival held by Michigan Technological University
Michigan Technological University
Michigan Technological University is a public research university located in Houghton, Michigan, United States. Its main campus sits on on a bluff overlooking Portage Lake...
.
Notable things to have happened in a quinzhee
Singer Seal (musician)Seal (musician)
Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel , known simply as Seal, is a British soul and R&B singer-songwriter, of Nigerian and Brazilian background. Seal has won numerous music awards throughout his career, including three Brit Awards—winning Best British Male in 1992, four Grammy Awards, and an...
proposed to his wife, model Heidi Klum
Heidi Klum
Heidi Samuel , better known by her birth name Heidi Klum, is a German model, actress, television host, businesswoman, fashion designer, television producer, and occasional singer. In 2008 she became an American citizen while maintaining her native German citizenship...
inside of a quinzhee he built in 2004.
External links
- How to Build Winter Shelters and Survive
- Video of how to build a Quinzhee http://www.mynorth.com/My-North/Video/How-To/?vid=2272