AdventureProse

Snow Cave Overnight

• Posted on April 9, 2009 at 5:39 PM
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snowy Garibaldi Park trail

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Defrosting in the Deep Freeze

I remember being 12 years old, in my backyard with my friend, Don. We’re piling snow and hollowing out the insides, building a snow cave. Our intentions are to camp in it for the night. The results however, we bail-out after dark, opting for the warmth of our neighbouring houses.

Sounds of my shovel breaking through the snow crust bring me back to the present. A 6-km snowshoe has delivered my wife Melinda and I to the alpine backcountry of Red Heather Meadows, in Garibaldi Provincial Park. With each shovel load, I’m reminded that no one’s Mom is waiting by the porch light tonight. This snow cave is going to have to make the grade, at least for tonight.

We dig straight down and throw the snow aside. Eventually we are deep enough to be entrenched by snow walls. With the shovel, I draw a “door” onto the trench wall and begin to carve in. Melinda clears the fallen snow. Soon we are pushing inside and cutting a narrow snow hallway. A body-length into the corridor, we dig left and right into the snow to create a “T”-shaped snow cave. At the top of the “T” we carve out a raised sleeping platform, just big enough to fit us both. Across from that, I carve a shelf for our kitchen. We smooth the inside walls and ceiling to prevent drips. Lastly, we use our shovel’s shaft to punch a hole through the ceiling to the outside. This important step helps ventilate the snow cave, ensuring a fresher supply of air. Inside, Melinda adds finishing touches like shelves for the candles we have brought while outside, I arrange discarded snow chunks as a wind block for the door.

When I re-enter, Melinda has the cave illuminated and the camp stove roaring. We enjoy a hot dinner and a game of candlelit cards before crawling into our sleeping bags and falling asleep.

We rise early. Its 6am but the cold and dark inside the cave stirs us. I light more candles and the stove. We melt enough snow for an oatmeal and green tea breakfast. Through the night, 5 cm of snow has fallen and I clear the vent and door. Winter campers know to keep their shovels inside their shelter for these morning surprises, or in the event of collapse.

Breakfast consumed, we pack our gear and crawl out. We ceremoniously destroy the shelter before moving on, preventing the next springtime adventurer from falling through the roof. We regain the main trail and hike out without seeing a single person.

Your chance at winter camping is quickly coming to a close for the season. Soon snowshoe tracks will be replaced by boot prints as summer approaches. Warm nights and long days make spring the perfect time to practice building a snow cave.

Here’s to a safe and rewarding season of adventure. But Mom, maybe leave the porch light on.