>>963581I was on a winter course where we dug snow caves and slept in them. Here are a few points besides those you listed yourself:
- We were in groups of four people, so we built caves for four persons. Ours were quite roomy with kithcen area and such. With two people conatntly working and the other two taking breaks helping to remove snow outside and bringing food for the poeple working, it took us about 6 hours to complete the caves (so be prepared to spend a lot of time).
- Besides a snow-shovel you want to bring a saw as well for cutting out blocks. Removing snow this way is faster, once you get into the hard compressed snow about 1m in.
- Make sure you aren't diggin your cave leeward of the wind - this is where snow builds up! The trick is to find a snow mound facing the wind - or at least with wind from the side.
- A sleeping mat is handy for pulling the snow out when you work. Have it lying in the entrance and shovel the snow onto it.
- You can cook in your cave, no problem. Make a "kitchen" shelf and make your air slip above that like a chimney. We put a ski pole in our air slips so that you could clear it of snow by jerking it a bit. If you cook inside, make sure you also have somewhere for fresh air to get in - like an air hole in the entrance, as low as possible (below you sleeping platform!)
- Bring candles for light, wamth and cozyness.
- "Round" the ceiling well. An uneven ceiling will have place where water drips down, once the cave begins to heat up.
- Open your shoes fully before you go to sleep. They will be stiff the next day and hard to get into otherwise.
That's all that I can think of right now. Have fun OP, and feel free to ask me anything.
