Learn to Build a Snow Cave for Winter Safety

For any one intrested the B.S.A. (Boy Scouts of America) has
some intresting thoughts on snow caving, including a story about a
troop that was in thier caves and were covered by an avalanche.the
members of the troop didn't even know they were in trouble until
another troop in the area started to dig them out. Snow insulates
you from more than the elements. So check where you put your
caves.

Hello,While there are numerous survival skills that one should
know before venturing into the back country, there is one tool that
I rarely see mentioned. This tool will make it very easy for you to
be found and rescued if you become lost or injured. It works
anywhere on the planet. The tool is called an EPIRB, which stands
for Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. You want to get a
400 MHz Category I or II, unit. With or without GPS. A basic cat II
unit runs about $550. An Ipod costs around $350 for comparison.
Sure it is nice to rough it in the back country, you know,
challenge your self. But when things go wrong they can very quickly
become fatal. An EPIRB gives you a "safety net" so to
speak.thanks!!

Was surprised at first, but glad to see this article from Mother
Earth Living...in the overall scheme of things it does make sense
coming from M.E.L. Thank you!!As a somewhat newer resident of
Colorado and a backcountry enthusiast originally from the
northeast, this was something I knew I needed to learn. Last year
as part of a school I took with a state-wide outdoor club, I
learned to build a variety of natural snowcaves, quinzhees...and
basically how to increase my chances of survival if caught in the
backcountry. Very cool stuff.Another resource I found, which I see
is getting some more deserved notoriety this year, is from a
company in my town of Longmont CO. It's called the "Ice Box" from
Grand Shelters. I think many places like REI and local outfitters
may carry it now. But it helps take much of the work out of
building an igloo-like shelter by providing a form and mechanism to
speed the process and help make sure it's done effectively and
efficiently.I don't have any affiliation with the company (other
than was glad to see it's based in Longmont) just wanted to pass it
along. It's certainly NOT something you'd have the time or
convenience of using in a white out when you need something quick,
but if you are going to be in the backcountry for an extended trip,
this seems like a great idea.Thanks again to Mother Earth Living
for the article. I'm a newer subscriber and love the site and
magazine...it's a great resource for so many
things...thanks!Joshua

In 1974 whilst living in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, I
took an eight day snow survival course in the Snowy Mountains. The
leader was an experienced Antarctic explorer.Of course, we were
properly dressed to start the course; and we had more than adequate
food and hydration. Most nights we spent in small two-person tents.
During the day we practiced survival techniques, such as building
snow caves. We also were supplied with waterproof heavy duty
plastic bags to slip over our arctic rated sleeping bags.Two days
we suffered blizzard conditions which required bivouacking in a one
tent situation. We had prepared this tent at our daily base camp
for just such conditions, and were lots warmer with the 10 of us
sleeping together.Yes, were were uncomfortable for much of the
eight days, but our spirits were high because we knew we'd survive
with the guidance of our leader and the careful training.As an
aside, five of us formed an association that sponsored David
Lewis's solo sail around the Antarctic a few years later. He was
the first!