UKC

is there much difference??

last few times snow holing as well as my shovel I used a £4 b&q 16 INCH alloy saw worked an absolute treat! bit of Wd40 on it to stop it rusting and going strong

saw ray mears years ago using one and thought id try it. had a fw funnny looks when walking past peeps in the northern corries with it attached to my pack but works. anyone else use a standard saw???

In reply to bigrob:

Only slightly off track here...

We're snow-holing for the first time this winter, hopefully Aonnach Mor, the Ben or the Northern Corries (We like the seclusion of these unpopular spots!). Any top tips? I could jfgi or even search UKC but wondered if you had any wise words.

Cheers, TtB

In reply to Tony the Blade: Take a pee bottle. If you're snowholing in hotel Coire Domhain save fuel and time by drinking from the pee bottle because if you melt snow in that area you'll undoubtedly end up with other people's urine mixed in - better consuming your own!

The place is a toilet.

In reply to bigrob:
folding wood saws work OK as well.

TtB: plastic dinnerplates can be used to shift snow as well as shovels, and smooth the roof.
'snow graves' or scrapes are a lot quicker and possibly warmer...but horrible to sleep in.
if you're cooking, have something to stand the stove on & someone clearing the cave airvents - have plenty! Our old leader used to insist on at least one person being outside in case of collapse..probably overkill!

Smooth the roof really carefully...you'll still get drips, mind

it's 20 years since i did it last and i still remember one collapsing on us while sleeping; no big drama in the end, but an 'interesting' few moments!!...

In reply to bigrob: Plasterboard saw...longer the better, does the job and stores easily in a pack!

In reply to bigrob: Yup, used a B 'n' Q special to build walls to keep the wind off the tent in Norway, works a treat. I wondered whether a bread knife might do the job.

In reply to bigrob:

I've used an ordinary saw and an old stiffer woodmans type saw with larger teeth. The latter is better for cutting through icey old snow.

But a favourite tool is a lightish machette as it will do for most snow and is stiff enough for lifting the blocks out and cutting through joints quickly.

In reply to Dave Perry:

>cutting through joints quickly.


Machete for cutting joints quickly? What kind of papers are you using?

In reply to Wee Davie: blue slims

In reply to Wee Davie:
Very Good - even if it did take a few seconds to work out!! lol

But just to be clear.....I was referring to using the blade to 'saw' along the joints of snow blocks which then makes them settle and join together better than just leaving them as you put them up.

In reply to bigrob:


http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.208-6295.aspx

In reply to bigrob: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Madm9hzrwHY&playnext=1&list=PLE5A268...

In reply to Mario Sciacca: i like the rope out of the hole..

In reply to thin bob:

Snow graves are freezing, hence why they are called "snow graves" they create a cold sink into which the air descends as it cools. I've used them few times when out in plateau areas. But given the preference I will ski further and hole into bank somewhere.

A way I have used to cut blocks before is to use 2mm/3mm cord with lots of knots in it and a loop at each end. It works like a wire saw, is easy to carry and won't chew holes in your kit. Not as good as saw in ice though.

Cheers Mick

In reply to bigrob:

I use a fold-away pruning saw - a bit heavier and shorter but because it folds away it's much less likely that it will damage anything while you're carrying it. Agree that WD40, light lubricating oil or similar is ideal for stopping them rusting.

PS - folk have mentioned 'snow graves' - if you dig one cover it with something (an Army Sheet Shelter (Basha) is very good) to make the night much more comfortable.