Choose a sheltered spot out of the wind or if necessary
build a wind-break out of the rocks.
Put on your spare clothing with dry clothes next to
your skin. Use your rucksack or rope to sit on. A groundsheet, plastic mat, or
a thick bag will protect you against the wind and rain and it is a good idea
always to carry one of these in your rucksack. Do not use the thin polythene
bags that can be bought in most stores for covering clothing or storing
blankets.
If it is very cold, try to stay awake and keep warm
by frequently exercising arms and legs. make sure that none of your clothing
is restricting circulation, particularly at extremities. Slacken your boot
laces.
Bivouacs on Snow
Snow shelters can provide protection against the
weather and much information is now available on their construction. The making
of snow shelters can be time consuming and if possible a good allowance of time
for construction should be made.
A useful method is to dig or cut a cave into a
slope, keeping the entrance small and hollowing the cave out inside with an
arched roof. A shelter of this kind will give complete protection from the
wind and, once inside, bodily warmth will soon raise the temperature above
freezing point.
If on level snow, excavate a hole 2 ft deep and then
use your ice axe to scrape the snow into a compact wall or walls for a wind
break. Ice axes and ground sheets can then be used to form a cover or lean-to
shelter.
