I just finished a collection of photos from 2010, but decided this was so out of place in that set that I'll be splitting the post.
[The Asheville Igloo]
Getting close to the end of 2010 now, and close to the end of this photography collection. I build this igloo December 2010, when the power went out. I was thrilled that the power went out, as it seemed like a rare opportunity for my World Of Warcraft addicted roommates here to perhaps socialize and come play in the snow for a change. They more or less moped around in the dark until the power came back, but that didn't stop me from having a wild meditative experience building this igloo. I wanted to prove that I could create what I envisioned, after they said "good luck, there's no fucking way, besides it's cold out here". So I did it. My strategy for the construction of this igloo involved creating a ring-shaped wall, then building it up higher and curving inward until the hole in the ceiling could be closed off. It was around 6 feet tall, and incredibly strong. I have a video of myself demolishing it a few days later, it easily held my weight as I climbed on top and jumped up and down with great force in my heavy boots. If you build something like this, I recommend putting a single candle inside. It'll warm the entire inside quite nicely, causing the inner layer to thaw, then refreeze into extremely hard ice once the candle is removed. A single candle also lights the interior quite nicely with how bright white and reflective snow is.
