A snow cave can mean the difference between life and death
during a storm, but digging one requires not just know-how but the right
conditions: deep snow, a steep slope, and snow of the right consistency for
digging.
Begin by digging an entrance large enough for a climber to
crawl through. It should be about three feet deep, and dug directly into the
slope. The entrance should also be lower than the main chamber to prevent winds
from blowing into the cave.
首先要挖一个大的能使攀登者能爬着通过的入口。正对着坡面挖三英尺深，入口要比主室低防止风吹进主室去。
Next, dig the main chamber in, upwards, and to the sides of
the portal. Do not dig down. The outer walls should be no less than one foot
thick. As the climber digs, he/she pushes the snow to the doorway, where a
partner helps shovel the snow outside the cave. Continue to dig until there is
enough room for the number of people in the party to lie down, and to sit or
stand comfortably. The main chamber should be level and flat.
After the main chamber has been dug, create a ventilation
hole with an ice axe. When all occupants are inside, blocks of snow can be
placed in the doorway to stop wind from blowing inside.
