IGLO LIFE
13 December 2012 » Uncategorized | respond
Amundsen spent a lot of time, particulary during the Gjøa expedition, in close relation with Inuit people of that region and learned to understand their survival philosophy and built in this way, by his presence over time, direct participation and profound interest a general and detailed knowledge on how to survive in close interaction with nature as a whole.
There is an inbuilt beauty in all this together with being a key to success, or in other words, survival and abilty to progress, over time.
We wish to bring this message along not just to be good and “environmentally friendly” but rather simply because we do believe in an honest empahsis on being part of nature rather than fight it. It will always be a key to success.
Success in the way of feeling well and in true balance with all what we are – and do.
During our winter visit to Cambridge Bay we met the real arctic athmosphere with ice and snow and low temperatures. We felt strongly the need for being present in all respect. We did not make use of support from heavy technical devices or equipment but based our activities on simple principles, like using a small tent as our base on the ice rather than introducing more heavy installations for our diving and photography and film activites over and under the ice.
On a resting day from diving I took the initative to build an IGLO – in a traditional manner. The iglo is a traditional way of making a protective living shelter in the high arctic, and is a brilliant example of a genious, simple priciple on how to use local resources to create what you need to survive.
The principle of building an Iglo can be looked at as being highly scientific, and an engineer of today can study the theory of the building principle with a high degree of admiration for making use of advanced theorethical physical principles to build a construction that is extremely strong and super functional.
At the same time the Inuits developed and built the iglo based on the principle of trying and failing – evolving gradually, through generations, over time and time again.
So here comes a little picture story showing how much fun one can have in Cambridge Bay on a Sunday in early December 2012, building an Iglo, as always – close to Maud.
Starting off with a block of hard driftsnow. Close to Maud.
photo by jan w
Cutting the snow, nature given temporary building bricks, feels good.
photo by jan w
The wall grows in a spiral which is of crucial importance to keep on going as the wall gradually starts to lean inwards. To constantly define the right degree of wall angle, is the key.
photo by jan w
After lunch the darkness arrives as we keep on playing in the glow of the neon light.
photo by lars n
As the roof narrows in, the wall angle tempts to brake the law of gravity.
photo by lars n
Its always a matter of having good helpers. Bjørn is chief cutter.
photo by lars n
The final stage is a bit nervous for a first-timer in Iglo construction.
Runhild is steady supplier of building material being logistic manager and mental supporter.
photo by lars n
The spiral is an ever returning essential shape.
photo by jan w
A moment of great relief as the last piece is in place.
photo by lars n
Sunday morning catch. I chiseled a round hole in the middle of the Iglo and few minutes later Sunday dinner was secured. What a treat. It gave me a childish feeling of pleasure. Nature life.
photo by jan w
Final stage is to introduce a window. Time for more chiseling.
photo by jan w
The great old pioneer doc-film “Nanook of the north” from 1922, gave me a basis for how to make the window glass. Great thanks to Robert J. Flaherty.
photo by jan w
Window ready for insertion.
photo by jan w
Let there be light.
photo by jan w
Moment of completion. Time to pose.
photo by jan w
