Night in a Snow Cave

Saturday at Station 3 nine CGFR members spent a portion of their day playing in the snow. We began indoors with a brief lecture while Craig waited for the sun to warm things up outside. The temperature eventually rose to a balmy 15 degrees! Exiting the building in appropriate snow suits, the "moles" began piling snow and "working" it thoroughly. A well deserved break was taken to learn and practice our fire starting skills. (Craig was complaining he was cold, and we wanted to help him warm up).

Everyone in attendance got a blazing inferno started in short order. The Chief so enjoyed his fire, started with steel wool and a nine volt battery. Gordon wanted to rub two sticks together, and Craig wanted to break out the propane torch. We all suggested alternative techniques to them both. After warming by the fires, we began excavating into our snow piles, borrowing in like moles. Everyone succeeded in building a version of a shelter that would work to survive in (some more comfortably than others).

Craig spent the night in his Athabascan quincee, and survived to whine about it! Cory made the most innovative shelter, and reported he spent the night quite warm and comfortable wrapped in a fleece blanket. "I don't need no stinking sleeping bag" he was reported to say. And then there was Alyssa... She cut a few spruce boughs, laid them on top of the snow, and settled into her bed for a comfortable sleep under the stars. She allegedly said "It's warm outside tonight; this will be just fine". God bless Alyssa for her ability to keep us all humble.