igloos

I think if you choose a site wisely, and use the igloo on a consistent basis that it would be a great way to bivy on those killer conditions that make you wish you could just spend the night out there in great comfort.
It would not be something advertised to all, but a word of mouth in the know type of thing.
If anyone that tours out of white pass would have an interest in building one out in the hogback shoot me a pm and we'll talk.
Oh yeah today mon 11/28 was really great out there with hero snow on the steeps and a nicely consolidated snow pack down to rock with 4" of fluff on top of a 1" barely wind crust that did not affect skiability.

I can understand the etiquette and safety concerns. I don't think anyone would want to create additional hazards out there. For me, igloos are a big effort to consider for my personal use and especially outweigh the benefits of just an overnight use. However since there are a lot of people participating in this community I think a few well place igloos out there where many of us tour anyway and could maintain by pitching in a bit of effort might make for a cool way to interact and extend some of the normal tours.

Perhaps the back country should be groomed to make it safe?

LMAO

This topic comes up from time to time.  This message from a couple years ago contains a very good summary of locations that'd make a fine igloo and is worth reposting.

From what I've heard on the grapevine, igloos have kept well here all winter, even after pineapple type events.  I think being able to find it after a meter of new snow to dig out the entrance would be the biggest challenge (well, after constructing one in the first place!).  Probably want to build it in a windward location.

As far as I know, building an igloo doesn't run afoul of any wilderness or forest regs, although caching supplies probably does. Definitely an interesting idea.

Seems like you could mark them with GPS coordinates.
That'll get you to the right area, then a couple of cache poles/ flag poles, one stuck though the centre with a flag, and a 2nd next to the door without a flag. Boom. Should work after a big dump for a while, next group lifts the poles if necessary.
I'm not sure how ventilation would work though if the igloo goes underground in a big way. I bet the Denali ice cave mob will know though.

Sounds like a secret tour in the making.
Good stuff.

Love the idea Ron.

Igloos must be the new black.... I have spoke with a few people about building some this winter.

I plan to build one up at suprise or glacier lake(alpine lakes). I'll make it really pimp, then post up the location and a photo or two.

here is a picture of a very temporary sitting shelter we built on long's pass. took about an hour or so with 2 guys. one quarrying and pone stacking. . it was more of an artictistic expression..