How To Build An Igloo

By Author: Kenny Leones
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An igloo is often known as the house of Eskimos. Have you ever wonder how to build an igloo? Is it really possible to make ice blocks and create a shelter out of ice? Igloos are actually used as temporary shelter during hunting trips on icy lands. That’s why learning how to build an igloo is a necessity to a person who wants some “icy” adventures.

The things needed when building an igloo are just the following:
- Snow saw or carpenter’s saw
- Snow spade
- Snow ski
- A small ax or machete

Finding a the Place for the Igloo

The first thing to master when learning on how to build an igloo is to find a snow field of hard ice. Hard ice will make hard and strong solid ice blocks. Hard snow is usually situated below a layer of soft snow.

Create a circle using sticks that serves as the marker of the igloo’s dome. The depth of snow where the igloo will be built must be at least one meter. Remember that an igloo is usually for two to three persons only. Please avoid planning to make a big one or there will ...
... be a big problem later on.

Preparing and Cutting the Snow Blocks

Use the saw in making the snow blocks. These blocks must be hard enough to be carried without breaking. Create large snow blocks for the dome’s base while small ones for the top. The thickness of the snow block should be from 15 to 30 centimeters. In order to make the blocks harder, set them in the snow field to get hard in the wind.

Start Building the Igloo

The frame of each ice blocks must be smooth and carved correctly so it will create a strong bond with its adjacent blocks. Place the ski in the igloo’s center. Expect several cracks between locks but these will be patched up later. Remember to place the snow blocks in a sloping manner to avoid creating a tower instead of an igloo.

Once a complete circle of snow blocks has been put together, start creating the igloo’s entrance. The entrance consists of two vertical positioned ice blocks that point outward. Place a solid block on top to serve as the roof. After this, it is recommended to start digging out snow within the dome to obtain an extra ten to thirty centimeters headroom.

While forming the dome, make sure to remove the snow that is stacking up inside the igloo’s dome. It requires less effort to throw out the snow while the dome is open than shoveling and bringing it out to the entrance later.

The dome will not collapse if everything is done properly since the blocks will give support to each other. To provide additional support, set a stick inside the igloo to assist the snow blocks at the top of the dome. The remaining blocks are carried inside the igloo and to be lifted up by someone from the inside.

Finishing Touches for the Igloo

Remember the cracks between the snow blocks? Start filling in the blocks with snow. Then, make the inside of the igloo very smooth by using one’s gloves. A smooth surface will prevent water to drip inside. Next, dug out an L-shaped path that is one meter in depth. This will serve as entrance. Cover the path with snow blocks to make a square roof.

These steps on how to make an igloo is something useful for survival when outside a massive land of snow field. Igloos are the best shelter for cold and snow-covered areas since it is actually much warmer than a regular tent.
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