Igloos

On Febrary 5th, 1994, four of us decided to go skiing at Sasquatch Bump (elevation 5000') for the day. We call it Sasquatch Bump because there are warm air vents below the surface of the snow creating natural snow caves, the idea being that Sasquatches live in the caves. The first person to the top started building an igloo. As the rest of us arrived, to our surprise, we were put to work cutting blocks. It certainly keeps you warm on a cool evening. We had a good ski out in one foot of light powder. The next day I could see the igloo from where I then  lived in Brackendale with binoculars.

Lowering a temperature probe into a warm air vent. You have to be careful not to disturb the wintering Sasquatch. They have been known to get quite disturbed by the probe.

Frank arriving at the summit of Sasquatch Bump. It is near Mt. Alpen, above Squamish, B. C.

Alex arriving at the top. He was expecting to have a rest after a tough ski in, but instead was handed a snow knife by Frank, who uttered his favorite expression "We need more blocks."

Alex, an engineer used to designing more permanent buildings, instead of working on igloos, is seen here cutting blocks.

Alex and Keith preparing to move a large block. This one weighs over 100 pounds.

Yours truly, pointing to the town of Brackendale, B. C. As I was the camera man, I avoided most of the block cutting.

The whole crew placing the largest block over the entrance.

Frank shaving the entrance arch as the sun sets.

Frank, ever the perfectionist, doing a little fine tuning of the arch.

An older model SMC snow saw.

The sun setting behind Mt. Habrich,
5600 feet.

Mt. Habrich

After every ski outing we all have dinner together. Alex is by far the best cook. His Hot Wings are world renowned. He marinates the wings in Louisiana Hot Sauce. He puts more on before they are cooked. He puts more on when they come out of the oven. Hot Sauce haters (Frank) call him the Hot Sauce more on.

Paul Ridge - 5300 feet. The night shift is about to begin.

Frank on a coffee break at Paul Ridge. Will that be one lump of ice, or two?

Frank digging out the entrance to the tunnel. Snow had filled the it as we did not seal it on the previous weekend. On some occasions there was so much snow we had a hard time finding the entrance.

Frank lighting lantern.