Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board How to Build an Igloo

I think if we had read the instructions, they probably would have said something like this.

1. Dodge rockfall while driving on a closed road.



2. Carefully load all supplies on your conveyor device. (Conveyor device not included.) Try not to drop anything. If you do drop anything, carry it by hand.



3. Use the pole thingy to get a perfectly spherical igloo. If a random British guy bikes up to the Portal in the middle of winter, recruit him to your cause and buy him a beer later. (Beer not included.)



3. If you get fed up with the pole thingy, discard it. Try "freestyle" igloo building instead.



4. If your igloo gets too high (maybe because you discarded the pole thingy, see step 3), then throw a lot of pallets inside the igloo, so you can stand on them as you continue to build. (Pallets not included.)



5. You're really missing that pole thingy now, aren't you (see step 3)? Try using sticks as "rebar" to get a proper curve.



6. Keep standing on those pallets. The globe will come.



7. At some point, discard the rest of the igloo building tool, except for one of the side walls. Place this on top of your head. Don't forget to smile! Have other people load snow and twigs on top.



8. Keep working at it! You are almost done!



9. Good! Now toss snow on top to hide any imperfections. This may or may not add to the structural integrity of your new home.



10. Now you can get out of the wind by crawling into your new home!

[img]https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/1016310_10151969185451305_370025293_n.jpg[/img]


[img]https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1/12158_10151969185546305_1279577228_n.jpg[/img]

Don't forget to turn out the light when you leave. And enjoy the view.

[img]https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1/1960021_10151969185826305_798221345_n.jpg[/img]

Hi Several steps missing 11. Point out the trail head to the hikers 12.Bring matches for the old Model 33 14. How strong is the wind ? is it a light breeze or gale force? 15. Encourage the group heading up to the summit as you head down to have a nice day (Night) take extra jackets and snacks.I never use 13.


Did a check yesterday with Cayden and Doug frozen outside is smooth and inside solid , The igloo is only in the sun for about 1 hour so we picked a good area.

Time was about 6 hours so if anyone wants to build one as a quick shelter start early. Hint how far can you walk in 6 hours and which would use more energy,I would still look for a downed tree or stump to branch up for quick shelter.

Great trip the whole weekend with the greatest people Thanks everyone for sharing the energy of the mountains and desert.Cayden Earlene and Doug.

Some of us found the excitement to be too much.

I love it!!! Thanks for the tutorial. GREAT pics! Looks like it was a super fun weekend! What happened to Richard?

Love the group pic. Love Doug's extra steps. Title of outing: Where's Richard?

Nice work, crew. Good to know the 6 hour timeline (and that is with 9 bodies)... Will factor that in next time I'm looking for a downed tree or stump.

Wish I was there.

here's a quote

Washburn had told us that you build igloos because they don’t flap in the wind, and “because you have to go outside to find out what the weather is doing.”
Jonathan Waterman, In The Shadow of Denali page 35

This may be one of those projects that the more people you have, the longer it takes.

The fun-to-work ratio was quite favorable.

That makes sense. And in the end... the fun-to work ratio most important.

Congrats on a job well done!! It was great seeing the igloo construction crew Sunday night after your celebration dinner.
Dave

Hi everyone,
we had great time. I was really glad to meet you all.
Fun weekend for sure.
More images here:

http://www.alpiner.net/FUN/Nature-Walks/Whitney-Portal-and-around

Tomi, love your pictures. Relived a great weekend! You get an interesting 3-D effect in some of the pictures from the igloo-building day.

Thanks for a great weekend, everyone! You are all superstars! Check out the movie trailer below. Hope you enjoy it.

The Igloo: A True Story

Karin, great illustrated instructions!

Here's a photo that illustrates the "rebar" mentioned in step #5

Karin, Great lessons!! I'll remember 'em next time I decide to shovel snow for hours on end!

Seriously, this was SUCH a fun weekend! It was so great meeting up with wonderful old friends, and meeting a few new ones as well....slumber parties and pillow fights in the Hostel...giggling so much as Karin and I got into mischief at the ghost town, getting to catch up with Robin (it had been so long since we last got to visit).... teasing Doug (Trailbud) and Dave ('cause that's just what we do)... gathering beautiful rocks with Joyce... and exploring the Alabama Hills with everyone.

Thank you Doug for a most wonderful weekend... you're the greatest!!