Location: Setesdal east, Berdalsbu areas.

Introduction

The location of the snow hole trip was Setesdal East, Berdalsbu. The area was a mountain range with a height range from approximately 800-1200 meters. The mountains in the lower levels were covered with pine trees whereas the tree line stopped at approximately 1000meters. The weather was sunny and clear and day temperatures reached high above zero degrees. However the evening temperatures were around minus 10 degrees Celsius.

Learning Outcomes

• How to construct and build a snow cave.
• Learn about avalanche rescue.
• How to build and construct an emergency storm shelter.
• Winter navigation (including white out).
• Skiing with a heavy backpack.
• Avalanche safety.
• how to measure the incline of a slope.

I feel most of my goals were met during the trip, however I found the trip not only physically challenging but mentally challenging also. The initial journey to where we built the snow cave was in itself a challenge as I find skiing difficult without a twenty kilogram backpack. I also found the ski conditions very difficult as I applied klister to my skis without realising the use of skins would be an option. Half way through the journey a fellow class mate offered me his skis as her could ski better. I found it much easier with skins but still very challenging.

Building the snow cave

When we chose the area for the snow cave we used a snow probe to determine weather or not it was deep enough for us to build the caves, we were lucky enough that the first place we found was sufficient. We worked in groups to first dig out a tunnel the height of the tallest person, and as wide as our shoulders and deep enough to sleep 3 people (approximately 0.7m across per person). I think everyone in the groups underestimated how long it would take to build the caves. It took us 4.5 hours in total to build. We each took it in turns to dig the snow and shovel the snow out of the cave. The snow was very compact and was very difficult to chip or saw away. We made the caves in two halves, three people to sleep on one side, two on the other side with room for bags. The shelter we used was very functional it was big enough to sleep 6 people. The roof of the shelter was curved (like an igloo shape) to help keep the structure and to make it stronger. We also smoother out the roof of the shelter so that the melt water would run down the edges instead of dripping down onto the occupants. The snow hole was designed so the cold air  would sink into the lower area of the walking tunnel leaving the warm air in the sleeping coves. the bottom of the door was left open during the evening so fresh air could enter. We eventually finished digging the snow cave around nine pm, which is when we made our group dinner. By this time everyone was very tired and well ready for food. Digging out the cave was a great way to keep warm, as soon as we relaxed for dinner the cold was felt and the wood was too damp to make a fire.

 

Main Challenges

There are many challenged in a winter environment. For me the biggest challenge was skiing in difficult conditions with a heavy backpack. I feel the routes that were chosen for the group were too difficult for the beginner skiers like me. The snow was very compact and was old snow which had melted and refrozen making it very slippery even when wearing mole skins. I feel it would have been better for the group as a whole to have had a beginners group and an advanced group letting people choose what group they wanted to be in. I feel I would have benefited more from the trip if I had the opportunity to be in an easier group as the skiing that was asked of me was too difficult which did not help my self-esteem and mental wellbeing.

Nutrition

Breakfast: Juice smoothie and fruit, apple and banana

Lunch: ham and cheese sandwiches, small snickers bar and nuts.

Evening meals: Pasta with vegetables and tomato mix and rice vegetables and a spicy mix for flavor.

I underestimated how much energy I would be using throughout the trip. Although I did not feel hungry I felt very warn out and felt like I had little energy. This could have been because I did not get enough nutrients needed or because of the lack of sleep due to sleeping in the cave. If I were to go on a similar trip again I would pack more snacks and ensure a good evening meal was available.

Emergency Snow shelter

During one skiing day we stopped for lunch and built an emergency snow shelter. This could be used if the weather suddenly changed or if you had an injury within the group. The sheter we created is mostly weather resistant and will keep you sheltered from the wind.

We dug out a seating are in a snow drift which would be the inside of the shelter, we then used our skis to make the front of the shelter. We cut big snow blocks with the snow saws and placed them between the skis the make a wall, when the shelter was big enough for 10 people to comfortable sit in we closed off the edges. See pictures below.