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In this video we show you how to build an igloo in an easy step by step video guide.nnAfter doing some research online about how to build an igloo and then waiting for enough snow to fall we finally got outside and spent 3 days building our first igloo. Here's how we did it (keep in mind that we're not experts so use common sense and be safe!):nnThe materials we used to build the igloo:n- A hand saw n- A carving knife (with a rounded tip for safety)n- A step laddern- 2 plastic storage bins to make the snow blocks (our bins were approx. 20" x 36")n- A length of rope to create a perfect circle.nnBefore getting started, we had to wait for the temperature to be just right so that the snow was packing snow and not just powder. It was a little below freezing when we started. nnUnfortunately we had a tight weather window of above freezing temperatures that made our snow a little too soft and our gloves were constantly getting soaking wet from the melting snow so we had to rotate several pairs. We would recommend building an igloo when it's below freezing outside, but not so cold that it's uncomfortable to be outside for several hours.nnWe built our igloo in 3 days. We could have built it in 1 day if we'd started early in the morning but it was also a lot more work than we thought it'd be. Making the blocks one day and building it the next is a nice way to divide the labour.nnOn the first day we made 50 snow blocks in about 2 hours using a couple of plastic storage bins to compact and shape snow into building blocks. We wanted to build the blocks ahead of time so that we could start the hard part (building the actual igloo) first thing the next morning when we'd be alert and refreshed (and less likely to get frustrated when things got tough).nnOn the second day we measured and marked out the circle for the igloo using a length of rope that was pegged in the centre of the igloo and then we walked the rope in a circle making marks in the snow to get a perfect circle. Our igloo measured 6.5 feet in diameter. nnOnce we knew the size of our igloo, we dug some snow out of the centre of the igloo to create a compact "floor." we accidentally dug too deep and almost got down to the grass. Try not to dig out too much snow!nnThen we started building the igloo in one continuous spiral wall which is apparently the traditional way of making an igloo. The spiral is supposed to make the structure stronger and make it easier to build because each new block is resting on the one below it and the one behind it. As the angle of the wall becomes more and more steep, these two anchor points help hold new blocks in place.nnOnce the wall of the igloo became too high to step over, Mat stayed inside to stack the blocks and fill cracks with snow, and I stayed on the outside to make more blocks (we needed about 70 blocks) and fill cracks on the outside.nnBy the time it got dark, the igloo was complete and it was time for Mat to cut a small hole in the side of the igloo to get out. nnOn the third day, we built a small entrance to block the wind using three more snow bricks (2 vertical blocks and one block cut in half to create a peak) and to reinforce the doorway. nnWe slept in the igloo on the 4th night. You can check out our video about how we slept in it here:nyoutu.be/iGt8uVFt9kEnnWhile researching and planning our igloo building project, we came across some interesting information that I wanted to share because it turns out that igloo is not the correct spelling nor is it the most accurate term for the structure. nnFrom Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igloo):n"Although igloos are stereotypically associated with all Inuit, they were traditionally associated with people of Canada's Central Arctic and Greenland’s Thule area.nnThe Inuit language word iglu (plural igluit) can be used for a house or home built of any material, and is not restricted exclusively to snowhouses (called specifically igluvijaq, plural igluvijait), but includes traditional tents, sod houses, homes constructed of driftwood and modern buildings."nnThanks for watching!nnMat & Daniellenn-------------------------------------------------------------nSUPPORT OUR CHANNEL!n------------------------------------------------------------nnIf you like our videos, please consider supporting us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/exploringalternativesnn-------------------------------------------------------------nSTAY IN TOUCH!n------------------------------------------------------------nnBlog: www.exploringalternatives.canFacebook: /exploringalternativesblognInstagram: @exploringalternativesnn-------------------------------------------------------------nVIDEO CREDITSn------------------------------------------------------------nnMusic & Song Credits: nAll music in this video was composed, performed, and recorded by Mat of Exploring Alternatives.
