Quinzee Shelter Building | Winter Camping in Deep Snow
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.ย. 2024
- An unexpected experience with a quinzee. Wilderness winter camping in a snow shelter.
Quinzee Collapse with me Inside (Condensed) - Wilderness Winter Camping in Deep Snow
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Audio Credits:
Daniel Simon - Human Heartbeat
Unicorn Heads - Sunshine on Sand
This is a much shorter re-post of this vid from last winter...not *another* quinzee fail 😉
I guess a back up tarp would be some protection for trips like this in the future in case of rain or snow? Thanks for the video.
Glad you clarified that..I was thinking what are the odds two collapses?
My first thought was "again!?!" Then realized we dont have that much snow in NW Ontario yet. Hardly any west of Superior
Thanks Frags, how much would a tarp change the temp though? There was virtually no chance of snow in the forecast so I used our tarp/drop sheet on the ground :)
Why not cut evergreen boughs to cover the sleeping trench and then tarp and snow on top of that? It would have made for a warmer night.
Seeing this is an old native shelter. After watching and listening. Everyone is building this wrong. Although some get lucky with them, failure like this is because a few steps are left out. It seems over the decades, things have been dropped or failed to be mention. Back when I was in Cubs, we were taught to build a shelter like this. We used snow shoes to build them. Like you mentioned, pack down the snow at the base. Then shovel snow on top. Once you get about 2 or 3 ft, stop and pack it down with your snow shoe or shovel. This will make it more dense and stronger. Then add more snow till it has another 2 or 3 ft. Pack it again. Once you get it to about the 10ft level, pack it again, then let it set up for an hour or so. You will now have a compacted pile of snow to dig out and make your shelter with.
Might have been said prior (lazy reader) but we always shoe it down as we build. Pile up 4 feet and stomp down from the top. Pile and repeat. 3-4 times with the last load patted by hand using the shoe or shovel. Let sit 3 hours while you fish and then come carve. Love this couple!!
She is soooooo funny. And in love. Bet you adore her. You probably got to see more stars than any of will ever see.
Made those when I was a kid. Gotta make sure that snow is packed down good. Great show.
Erin is badass. She motivates me to be a stronger woman and complain less. This is the best channel on YT! 💪🏻💖
💚💚
thank you for sharing. It stinks when the quinzhee collapses. The few times I have had on collapse, I used the walls and placed dead logs on top to create a roof, then a tarp and covered with snow, built a fire on open end. This has worked well. Just needed to keep feeding the fire. All you are trying to do is block the wind and capture as much heat as possible.
Good call Wayne! We should've done that
I enjoy the simplicity and bare minimum ways that you guys camp by, and I envy your guys' type of relationship and how you guys interract with one another. It's very enjoyable following your adventures!
This is exactly what is in the back of everyone's mind when in a quinzee...
We made quinzees in high school outdoor education class. I was inside one and a donkey of a classmate jumped on top and it collapsed. Scary for a moment, good thing I was strong enough to get out.
And that is exactly why igloos are better
Yeah it's quite a panicky feeling. So much weight, so little air. I would like to try an igloo too, but I think the consistency of snow has to be pretty specific
Same thing happened to me ! In high school outdoor Ed class, my quinzee collapsed on me and I was unable to move. Luckily I was dug out, but those 5 minutes to get me out felt like a lifetime! I remember it getting harder to breath.
@@LostLakes 3 years late.... but sintering is key. The snow has to bond. You want to let the snow compact and then give it time. You can use the process to make the snow needed for igloos. Make a box out of plywood. Fill it with snow. Crush the snow, refill, crush, then let it sinter for a few days. You'll have perfect snow for an igloo.
As u lay the snow u have to break it up as much as possible, packing is down. That way u dont have uneven chucks..solid snow & foundation. Its also best to let to sit over night after packing the mountain of snow. Then go back after 24 hours to dig the hole. Happy Camping! 😄 p.s Im sure by now u guys noticed i just found your channel a wk ago & catching up on all your videos! So all my comments are extremely late. Love the channel & congrats on the engagement! 😄💕
Holy crap that is terrifying! I literally posted on someone else's quinzee video yesterday asking if they're scared of collapse. Thank you for sharing this. It's a good warning, and maybe you've just saved someone's life. Now, I'll need to let my pulse slow down. Phew!
Hahah thanks Andrea, that thought definitely runs through my head, that this might serve as a warning. I have heard of people dying in snowplow piles so it's certainly a real threat
A shortened version of an earlier video but as winter comes I guess it’s good for people to really see this. It’s a learning experience for sure!
Exactly :)
@@LostLakes One thing I thought of: It’s just a wild idea, but with you being a mapmaker by profession: Have you thought to team up with some service and make a paddling and/or fishing specific map for your region? I see that Jeff’s maps are making a lot of noise in the area around Algonquin park so perhaps you could expand their area a bit and work with Superior Lake?
I don’t know what kind of income that would be but it would suit your interests at least.
@@anhatur Great question...I make some route-specific maps for this area. But I put them online for free because the routes here are so seldom-travelled...there's just such a small market and even a smaller percentage of that will pay for a map. Making canoeing maps for a living would be the dream though
@@LostLakes We’ll wait and see. Life can throw you curve balls sometimes so it can be a good to have some ideas on what to do if you’re “not needed any more” or anything like that.
The fear that Erin displayed was so heart felt❤️. When you said I told her I loved her for the first time warmed my heart ❤️. Nice condensed version! Thanks for sharing your lives!
Thanks a lot Jody! :)
That was almost a very expensive lesson, but that's how we learn. Just a tip; I would have built a reflector fire closer to the sleeping area. If you left some logs that were long enough, you can push them in without getting out of your sleeping bag and kept it going all night. I would always take a tarp for backup. Great to watch you two work together, thanks. I felt so guity sitting here sweating, sipping my wine-lol. Cheers!
Thanks for sharing your experience. A good lesson for everyone!
I’ve had quinzee’s settle a lot, never collapse... scary. It’s a great shelter when they work. I will start packing the ground before I build from now on. Great video, I love winter camping
Thanks man :) Good lesson learned for us...but you're right it's so awesome when they work out. Ironically, our first one was rock solid. Probably got complacent this time!
Aaagg!! You guy's have a beautiful hot tent ,, leave the snow for snowmen......
Hahah so true, but man the quinzee is an awesome experience when it works out
@@LostLakes kinda like skydiving... It's pretty awesome when it works out. Lol
Awesome! That was crazy! You guys are great. Thanks for bringing us along!
I have my system for building one in my backyard. Much like you I throw the snow and walk around in an enlarging circle. I use skewers that I marked with permanent markers to know when to stop digging the ceiling. I did not know about the snow crystal info and will incorporate this year should we get enough snow again. Been a few years since we got deep snow IMO. Cannot wait to incorporate many things you show. Maybe now I will feel safer knowing how the snow crystals attach to each other. It is so quiet inside. Thanks for new info again. I have a lot more video to watch (I see below). Awe. Back from the end. A learning experience. I only do my igloos in my backyard. Love your videos.
Great video. Glad to see you emerge intact and quickly from the cave in.
Thanks Nathaniel!
We always did it this way with the paratroopers, by compacting the snow every 20 - 30 cm and thus waiting a few hours before we hollowed out the pile of snow and cut a hole sideways to the top. Because this way we could heat inside and it was very nice and warm without everything collapsing.
If possible, pour a little water over it, so that a layer of ice formed.
Greetings from Frankfurt and stay healthy.
Thanks for your insight Gerold :) Cheers from Canada
Hiya you two. Just a quick note with my experiences with building a quincee. I built them when I was a leader in scouting. I brought a gas lantern and once I had it hollowed out I went in and fired up the lantern and left it run for an hour. When I went back in the ceiling was completely iced over. We then put 12 kids in it for the night. We ( the leaders ) slept in tents -20C night. The next 4 grown men jumped up and down on the roof and it wouldn't cave in but we eventually were able to destroy it. You could bring 2 - 3 candles and the heat will make the ceiling hard as a rock. Next time. 😀
Thanks for this Dave! Cool how strong they can be!
That was pretty scary there for a few seconds. I'm envious of your abilities to practice these skills with all the snow you get there. It's only on the rare occasion we get snow heavy enough to attempt making an igloo or quinzee here. I notice some people using more gauge sticks, about a foot long, to help gauge the wall thickness.
So true, I grew up in Toronto so I relate. It's awesome having so much proper ice and snow. Erin popped some sticks in too, but I still blew it lol
Scary there , But all turned out to be a good experience Glad everyone survived 👍👍
Watched this already. Thanks anyway. Good learning experience for anyone that didn't see your first one. Rick.
Wow! That was scary when it collapsed! I’m glad you’re ok and that you both still had a good time. Stay safe.
Quinsees are very safe, you just need to build them in steps as well as temp, good time is when you have that fluffy pack snow. Start in center go in circle evenly and pack it with shovel every few feet until desired height. Let set a few hrs then dig out and throw the snow back over top dig evenly and carefully into pointed dome till you barely see light in all ends. Bring lil spray bottle of water and spray the whole thing in and out set over night and will have very safe quinzee
damn, a 2 year old video and many videos since and it still made me hold my breath
Hahaha
Firm Base. Stomp around 3 or 4 times with snow shoes. I'm guessing the pyramids are built on top of rock and not sand.
Good analogy!
I'm glad you two have a hot tent now! Use that instead....safer!
Hahah definitely the preference. Though the quinzee is awesome when it works out too
Should just gathered some tree branches & put them underneath your blankets as a bottom cover to get you off the cold snow. Could also just built a simple shelter using again the tree branches & wood. Much warmer than snow :)
The drone footage. Just had to save it. When I first saw this, your solo quinzee outing. Good call that day.
You gotta let that settle in cold weather and firm up for a few days we built dozens of them as kids.
Stay away from Quinzees you two! Great video,glad your ok
Glad this was a repeat not a second episode! First one was scary enough
Men the same thing happened to me last year... I was making a quinzee with the kids and it dropped on me! I was alone with the kids and for a split second it scared the crap out of me! but then I just took a few breath and hulked my way out... I'm not going to lie I got lucky for sure! It was a good learning moment for the kids. But I had the same kind of granular snow as you!
Good thing you've been hitting the gym Marty hahah
Haw nice to watching you guys, have good winter ❄️ time tugeder guys.
Thanks Halina :)
i am no expert, but i think that you need to pack the snow down with a shovel after you build the pile of snow, then let it settle for an hour or 2 before you begin to excavate. then . . . you leave a candle in the quince to heat up the cavern which will solidify the interior walls and have them ice up a bit. glad that everyone is OK.
I just purchased the 10x10 esker Clasic I Hot tent (with the strait pipe ) and a Esker Ontario wood stove from The Canadian Outdoor Equipment Co No more Quinzee for me. Next cots! I must be getting old
Hahah it's the most enjoyable way to winter camp...no doubt about that for me. Enjoy!
@@LostLakes It just showed up at the door but because I told my wife Beth that it's a Christmas gift for both of us I have to wrap it and wait till the 25th of December Talk about hard to do!
Great team work
"Pivot! Pivot! Pivvvvoott!"
Great reference.
😜😜
You need to pack the snow tighter on top before you dig out the middle. Just sayin' :)
Sorry for what has happened to you with the Quincy but thank you very much for sharing the information on how to do the process of having cedar tea or spruce tea or whatever now I know what my mistake was I was boiling it like a regular tea bag so thank you all I will give it another chance
Thanks NJH :) Cedar we boil but spruce we steep
I have seen the natives put down branches at about 4' high as they are building, as rafters. Then pack the snow on top of that, pile another 2', pack that, pile another 2' pack it. They say "no wake up dead.
Good idea!
Didn’t tap the pile down to settle it down. Made tons of those s as a kid and they are quite comfortable
perhaps yioou could have had snow walls with timber logs over the top then pack snow over the top of the timber and then pack snow around the entrance to make it snug, like a quinzee but with timber over the top instead of snow.
Just rewatching on my phone so i can comment! You guys rock
@matthewposa has some pretty incredible quinzee and just outdoor winter camping videos you should check out. He’s made some pretty incredible ones. 💜 Glad you cam out out safe!
You are my favorite new follow. I am a kindred spirit, but I never tried to sleep in an avalanche, but I have my own stories....
Thanks Lisa! 🙂🙂
Loved the drone footage!
Thanks Simon :)
Wow that was scary! Good thing you were able to push through the top. We use to dig into piles the plows would push up on the side roads and alleys as kids. I wonder how many times we were in danger of collapse like this!
Agh yeah so true. I've heard of people being killed that way in the news. But we did that too as kids...
Scary moment! It’s good for others to see how dangerous it can be, especially if alone. I do have to say, the shot of the air rushing out of the hole was pretty cool. Was the GoPro on your head not rolling?
I wish!! We actually didn't think the main camera was rolling that whole time. I came back to it after and had like a half-hour clip of the whole thing. Silver lining!
Ya'll seriously do some adventuring! So cool! (no pun intended) Since I live in the southern US, my adventuring is always HOT. Like, stupid hot. Gotta always camp and hike by water! lol
Hahah that heat kills me. The cold can be tough but it forces one to keep working to stay warm :)
I remember this video and it scared me then. It was probably several things that contributed to that and not just one thing. Like you said didn’t stomp down initially, maybe didn’t give it enough time to solidify or re-freeze, whatever you call it, before digging it out, the temperature not being low enough by a minuscule amount, and who knows what else. Probably not one thing and hard to say the exact reason either. It’s lucky it didn’t happen during the night with both of you inside. Thanks for showing this to let people know this important message. It’s not as easy to do as it looks. To copy a phrase from the movie about Joan Crawford “No more Quinzees”. Her line, sounding extremely angry was “No more wire hangers!!”. Thanks again and see you on the next one. ATB
Hahah! Thanks Alice :) The comforting thing is that once we're done excavating, if it collapses on us while we're both in there, the weight shouldn't trap us since the roof is down to 12" thick. I hope that's the case at least...
I'm a phys ed teacher, and this week my classes and I spent our gym periods outside building quinzees. We were able to let them sinter overnight, and they are probably solid enough for a student to climb on. We did also stamp down the snow in the area we piled the snow, which I am sure helped. We also made 4 entrances, which helped students to stay involved, and also for emergency exits, just in case. We're planning an overnight camping expedition next year!
Awesome! I wish I got to do that in school
2 videos in a week, Woohoo
Made my kids watch this, good education of what can happen. I wonder if you made a structure with wood between 2 trees and then pile snow on top if that would be more safer. Worth a try in a survival situation
Great to hear that Dale. And an interesting question. Seems to me it would offer the same insulating benefits
A true adventure. Round 3 of "man & woman vs. quinzee" coming this winter?
Hahah you know it...definitely in the plans. The failure just ups the ante and makes me want to tackle a new challenge. Plus the time it worked out was really special so I know how awesome it can be :)
@@LostLakes I'll have to try one day.
After creating the snow pile, you should pack it down as to fuse it together & let sit for hours before digging it out.
I had to pull a friend out when our Quinzee collapsed when we were kids. Scary!
I was digging tunnels in our front yard , had 6 feet or so snow. It collapsed on me after I was full body down one of the tunnels. Never panicked but was dicey until I dug my way out. After i got myself out my knee's did the same as Jon's for quite awhile. Rule#1 always partner up was my lesson.
@@vtowner69 scary
Yikes... 100%! Partner up is the key. I started making one solo last winter but bailed...my inhibitions told me to stop
1 foot sticks poked in from the outside would have helped. Better gauge that the light method.
You can buy these pump action water mister devices meant for spraying plants that attach to two liter bottles. They pack light hand cost only a few dollars. What if you sprayed the inside of the walls and waited for a thick coat of ice?
Good call Garg...typically people just light a candle. Your body heat will eventually do the job too :)
Yep it should have been packed down and you wouldn't have had that collapse that just about made you crap in your pants LOL you guys have fun enjoy like always Robert from Cactus patch date
Hahah thanks Robert :)
That was scary! A good lesson, but I would carry at least a tarp for emergency.
How much would a tarp change the temp though? There was virtually no chance of snow in the forecast so I used our tarp/drop sheet on the ground
Cool vid! so the first thing that came to my mind is after it fell in I would have dug it out like you guys did but first layed some logs on top followed by spruce bows then snow on top of that. No chance of it caving in then eh? Patent pending lol
Wow, this was my first Quinzee video. Guess what I will never get into in my life lol. Jokes apart, I'm surprised there isn't a rule of thumb to help you understand if the packed snow is strong enough to support itself or not. If you have a degree in Civil Engineering or related, it should be fairly easy to figure out.
Hahah I would love to see an engineer make one...it would be indestructible
Thanks for the ‘clicks’!
Lucky guy!
hey man ! first off I'm not the master of quinzee and I believe that mistake are the best teacher. From my experience it's better/safer to pack the snow at every step of the "pilling" process and stick spruce from the begin, green one if possible ( you can either use shorter stick or a light source from the outside to figure the thickness , then light a candle inside with something blocking most the door, it makes a shell of thin ice inside ( and if it collapse during the change of temperature you lose a candle not has bad ). I had so many mishap with quinzee I always carry a emergency bevy , one of those 20 $ " reusable " one, NOT a mylar/ survival blanket. Mylar is so dangerous in winter if not used properly.
And again I mean this in the upmost respect, winter camping is a hard maiden. An Iron maiden I dare say ^^
Appreciate your insight Ollie!
Hey, just discovered your channel, good stuff. You mentioned in your Quinzee story about the accident and no way to call out. Get a Garmin InReach (or similar), I am guess you have something like it but if not then that's quite irresponsible and reckless. Keep on adventuring!
Thanks Tom, that very incident provoked us to get a PLB 🙂
If you ever make another one, make it with a sleeping platform that is higher than your tunnel creating a cold sink that keeps it much warmer inside. Will need a couple of air holes though. Three of us built one that we could all sleep in, but I think we kept beating the sides of it with the shovel to bind it to itself better. We came back from hiking up a mountain to discover it had been taken over by Boy Scouts...so we slept in our bivy bags. Good times
Hahah!!
How do you make the breathing holes and where?
@@tristinwaggoner9399 you can poke holes with a stick all over. And the entrance is open
@@tristinwaggoner9399 just not a lot of big holes ;) or else you let ALL the heat out and it gets COLD, learned the hard way when I looked in the daylight and saw that someone had punched a big hole in the ceiling
You guys are brave to sleep in one of those. I would be afraid of a cave in. If it happened to cave in while you both are in there. Well we can only guess that would be it for you guys. Not sure. Might be able to dig yourself out... Anyway Sorry to be a downer. Lol. But for myself never would do it. But as I always say. To each their own. But I do Love your videos and enjoy watching them. You guys are a great team and couple.
Thanks LG! Hahah I hear ya. I suspect that once a quinzee is excavated, the remaining roof wouldn't be so heavy that it would pin us...I HOPE!
Watching this does remind me of a comment that I didn’t make last time, in regards to the pulk/sled have a look at Shug’s (shugemery) videos he does a great video on modding his to make it more controllable and comfortable.
Thanks Martin, if I'm looking at the right vid it looks like he uses the cross poles. Good system for sure.
I always thought once you piled the snow,you should let it settle and freeze before you carve it out.made one when I was a kid
You're right Connie, we let this one settle for 2 hours. More would be ideal and 90 mins is considered a minimum :)
Let the pile sit for as long as you can
The reason why I not sleep in these things. I'm most of the time alone in the woods, so it also can get very dangerouse. I Just dig into the snow, put a tarp above me and start a camp fire in front of it. Always works perfect.
Good call. How much would a tarp change the temp though? There was virtually no chance of snow in the forecast so I used our tarp/drop sheet on the ground
@@LostLakes The tarp is more protection from the wind an snow. As long as you have a fire, it reflects the heat pretty fine. I use a ground sheet (in eu we call it elephant skin) of the military, a thermarest (neoair xlite) sleeping mat, a winter sleeping bag and a bivy of carinthia.
Doesnt it terrify you camping alone?
@@tristinwaggoner9399 No, not really, the first few times it is a strange feeling, but no problem over time.
@@wesleysnider2915 like it doesn't terrify you getting stabbed or worse? I personally get freaked out in the middle of nowhere alone cause of outside factors.
Bummer. Gotta trample down the snow periodically as you pile, and let it sinter way longer. Good luck next time!
How much time did you give that pile of snow to set up? Usually takes 2-4 hrs. before digging out.
Only the minimum, 2 hours. More would certainly be ideal
Hey Jon, great to see you guys are getting some trips in and vids out. Question for you on the winter camping. Have you tried building snow walls and then putting a tarp over? Seeing the collapse made me think if you just cleared the snow from the middle and securing a light tarp over for a ceiling could make a nice little shelter.
Thanks Charles :) How much would a tarp change the temp though? Snow insulates very well but I dunno how much a tarp would help. There was virtually no chance of snow in the forecast so I used our tarp/drop sheet on the ground :)
@@LostLakes True on the insulation. I guess I was thinking more about blocking the wind. But if not windy then that wouldn’t be needed
I remember this old video
Yeah just a much shorter version :)
I knew it that its gonna happen sooner or later ...
Jak zaczął haratać te ściany, że aż światło było widać, to już wiedziałem co się stanie.
I'm more nervous for you digging out the quinzee than some of the high class rapids you take.
Hahah I would be too if Erin wasn't there
Have you considering doing this again this winter, but creating the pile of snow one week and coming back a week later to dig it out after it has settled?
That would be much more ideal lol. We should really do that next time, maybe on a weekend when we can only get out for a day trip, not overnight. Thanks for the question on Dennis' show :)
Scary stuff.
Omg ...Jon that scared the crap outta me. I was yelling on my son's car & he almost had an accident. Thank god Erin was aware of the situation...good team work!!👍
Hahah! Thanks Valerie!
This strikes me as the sort of undertaking that should only be taken on by indigenous peoples who probably know what they're doing.
Lol we pulled it off last winter, but I think the snow was just a bad consistency here, and we should've stomped down the base first. Lessons learned :)
@@LostLakes be safe 👍🏽🙏🏽
♥
just leave a candle or 2 inside . should slowly melt the edges and form ice strengthening the walls. scary sheeeit
Really grainy snow.... note to self
Supposed to wait several hours for it to settle and harden before you dig it out
Thanks James. 90 minutes is considered a minimum and we waited 2 hours, which worked for us before, but more would be ideal. Main problem was we didn't stamp down the base
Makes sense lot of weight there
I think snow blocks are a better idea like an igloo. Thanks
I would like to try an igloo too, but I think the consistency of snow has to be pretty specific. Something to look into
@@LostLakes Yup the temperature might be a little cold in your neck of the woods. Although the Eskimo people build them . I would think packing snow would be best but I’m not sure 🤔 March would be best in your area. 🤞
Wait 2 hours before digging in!!
We did :)
Forget the quinzee!
Omg! that was scary. Scotch would have been appropriate after that.lol
Hahah any stiff drink
I thought you were pushing your luck. That was crazy for sure. Hope you learn something. 🙄🇨🇦👍
Hi guys! Is it possible to get quinsy in a quinzee? Or just queasy?
😜😜
...I hate to tell you, but you didn't let your snow set bud, you got cocky.
Yeah we did
I held off watching this because I've always had a bit of claustrophobia. And after your last incident would building a Quinzee. Maybe you should look for alternative sleeping quarters in the future. On a side note, I was given the best birthday present of my lifetime. Joe Biden was named the next president of the United States on Saturday, November 7.
Hahah it was nearly my bday present too :D Just to clarify, this was a re-post of the original quinzee failure, not another. Worked great for us the first time and it's pretty awesome when it works
@@LostLakes Well happy belated birthday.
@@ScottHillsmusclecargarage and to you 🍻
Crazy campaign? you guys have to use real snow make hole ?I mean strong snow no more callaps.