Quinzhee
A quinzhee or quinzee (pron.: /ˈkwɪnziː/) is a shelter made by hollowing out a pile of settled snow. This is in contrast to an igloo, which is made from blocks of hard snow. The word is of Athabaskan origin.[1][2]
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Uses [edit]
For fun or for winter camping and survival purposes, it is possible to construct a quinzhee, also known as a snow shelter, by gathering a large pile of snow and excavating the inside.
Differences between a quinzhee and an igloo [edit]
The snow for a quinzhee need not be of the same quality as required for an igloo. 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 [edit]
Quinzhee are typically built on a flat area where snow is in abundance. Builders break up any snowdrifts or naturally formed piles to reduce the risk of collapse due to different amounts of sintering that can occur. Snow is typically piled 6 to 10 feet high then left for 3 to 8 hours to sinter. Quinzhees typically have an inside height after excavation which allows for sitting or crouching but not standing. Many builders insert small sticks of the same length, approximately 10 inches (25 cm), into the top of the structure to be used as a guide when digging out the interior.
Dangers [edit]
Quinzhees can collapse from poor snow conditions, warm weather, construction problems (hitting a supporting wall), failure to let the snow sinter long enough, or from people climbing on it. Collapse poses a danger of suffocation.
Lumitalos [edit]
A lumitalo is a more elaborate snow-house or building made out of snow in a manner similar to a quinzhee. The term is Finnish in origin.[3]
The city of Houghton, Michigan builds a lumitalo as part of their annual Winter Carnival held by Michigan Technological University.[4]
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ Allen & Mike's Really Cool Backcountry Ski Book: Traveling and Camping Skills for a Winter Environment, Allen O'Bannon, illustrations by Mike McClelland, Chockstone Press, 1996, ISBN 1-57540-076-6, pg. 80-86.
- ^ Streever, Bill (2009). Cold: Adventures in the World's Frozen Places. New York: Little, Brown and Company. p. 187. ISBN 978-0-316-04291-8.
- ^ http://www.keweenawnow.com/news/heikinpaiva_2002_02_02/heikinpaiva_2002_02_02_p2.htm
- ^ Houghton's Snow House
External links [edit]
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Wikibooks has a book on the topic of: Quinzhee |
- How to Build Winter Shelters and Survive
- Video of how to build a Quinzhee [1]
- How to build a Qunizee Snow Shelter
