Snow Cave Camping

Ah, the infamous snow cave campout.  You know the one.  It's the one you did as a kid where you froze your tail end off trying to warm up around a fire after getting soaked digging the cave, then retiring to the cave for bed and not believing how you could possibly stay warm in a cave made out of ICE!

Dug down to ground, now starting to dig out the cave

Entrance to a snow cave

Hard to get a picture of the inside of a cave when it's full of sleeping bags and boys

When there isn't enough snow, dig a snow trench and put the tarp over you.  You'l still stay warmer than sleeping on top of the snow

Well, I've been on 13 different snow cave campouts and have a few ideas to share about making a snow cave campout successful.  I’ve piled up snow when there was less than 2’ of snow to make a cave, and I’ve dug into over 6 feet of snow for a cave and everything in between.  I’ve slept in them when it’s been in the low 30’s, and when it’s been closer to 0 degrees F.  Here’s basically what you need to know (click on each link for more information).

• Digging the Cave
• Clothing for Snow Caves
• Shovels for Digging Snow Caves
• Sleeping in your Snow Cave
• Surviving the Night in a Snow Cave
• Stove Fuel
• Foods
• Lessons Learned 

Oh, and hey, the scout office likes to remind you to collapse your snow cave before you leave so nobody accidentally falls through it while snow shoeing, or skiing or snow mobiling.  So, that's a lot of fun, especially if you have a video mode on your camera!  Nobody was hurt in the making of the below video:

Below is the list we give our scouts of what to bring:

Can or 2 of beef stew

Omelet (see instructions on the right)

Sturdy water bottle (so we can add boiling water and put it in your sleeping bag-Nalgene type works best)

Two Complete changes of clothes

Waterproof clothing (where possible)

Warm Coat

2 Pairs Warm gloves (or more)

Wool/thick socks

Lots of layers of clothing

Hood/cap

Tarp

Hand/feet warmers

Flashlight / Headlamp

Sturdy Snow Shovel

Small digging shovel

Warm sleeping bag (or 2 stuffed together)                   

Foam pad

We will provide bowls, spoons, & cups

Warm Boots (or 2 pairs if needed)

Candy Bars (works great to warm you up)

Any snacks you want – but don’t get carried away.

Any required medications – see parent permission slip


Want to download a word document of the permission slip we use?
CLICK HERE

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