Blizzard Bag Day 2 Assignment
Quinzee Shelter Observation
For today’s blizzard bag assignment, you will research information about Quinzee temporary survival shelters and develop a manual to build one. Then you will use your manual to build one on a future Friday hike.
Note: You may earn an E for today’s assignment if you go outside and build one at home; record your attempt with photographs and/or video.
Resources for information:
How to build a quinzee snow shelter — Boys’ Life magazine
How To: BUILD A QUINZHEE – YouTube
How to Build a Quinzee — Washington Trails Association
HINT: Also, try “Quinzee” in the Google search box, not a lengthy question!
Answer all of the questions below in your nature journal; don’t forget to update your table of contents. Start on a clean, left-hand page. Answer all questions thoroughly and in complete sentences. Proofread for GUMS and read your response aloud in your head to see if it makes sense.
1. What is the purpose of a Quinzee shelter? Under what conditions would someone build a Quinzee shelter?
2. Where is the best place to build a Quinzee shelter (ex: under hemlock trees? Out in the open? Under hardwood trees?) Also,
in which direction should you face the entrance? Why?
3. What are the steps to build a Quinzee shelter? List the steps in order and include diagrams. Be sure to be specific – you are creating a Quinzee shelter manual!
4. List ALL of the sites you used to gather your information. Which site was the most helpful and why?
5. BONUS: Explain alternate methods of building Quinzee shelters. Which method is best and why?
6. List the materials your group will use to build your shelter.
7. Quinzee Questions: (NOT BONUS – REQUIRE!)
A. If the snow is very cold and dry, will the setting up time or “sintering time” take longer or shorter than if the snow is warmer and wetter? Why? Define sintering as it relates to Quinzee building.
B. What is the purpose of designing the entrance in the particular Quinzee way?
C. What is the origin of the Quinzee shelter? What are alternate spellings?
Future Hiking Group Challenge: Build the most accurate and functional Quinzee shelter. It must be large enough for all group members to stay in it comfortable overnight.