Shelter
Dig a one-night snow trench
A trench is faster than a quinzhee and warmer than a tarp when you have snow but no time.
Gone Feral — Snow Trench Shelter
Step-by-step
Find snow at least chest-deep. Test-probe with a stick for hidden rocks and roots.
Dig a body-length trench slightly wider than your shoulders and knee-deep below the trench floor.
Roof it with skis, poles, or sturdy branches laid across the top, then blocks of cut snow.
Leave a small vent hole for CO₂ and mark it from outside with a ski or stick.
Line the floor with a pad or thick bough bed before you get in.
Warning: Never seal a snow shelter completely — suffocation is a real risk without a vent.
Related outdoor skills
Educational reference only. Wilderness conditions change fast — practice in low-stakes settings, take a certified wilderness first-aid course, and confirm regional regulations before you rely on any of these skills in the field.