The cold weather and the scanty issues of wood forced men to do this.
The huts constructed were as various as the materials and the tastes of the builders.

Those who were fortunate enough to get plenty of timber built such cabins as I have described at Millen.

Those who had less eked out their materials in various ways.

Most frequently all that a squad of three or four could get would be a few slender poles and some brush.
They would dig a hole in the ground two feet deep and large enough for them all to lie in.

Then putting up a stick at each end and laying a ridge pole across, they, would adjust the rest of their material so as to form sloping sides capable of supporting earth enough to make a water-tight roof.