Building site before construction The weather-resistant compact camera is on a tripod, looking northwest. It will stay here for most of the images while I trip the shutter with a remote control. The beach is undisturbed except for a sample hole to the right. Notice the darkening of the sky to left and right; this is an artifact of the camera's lens and is common in inexpensive zooms. The same things are true of the horizon's curvature.

First layer of sand This is basic work: dig up the sand and pile it. If I had help, we'd add sand and water simultaneously.

First layer packed I've dumped a bucket of water on the pile, while walking around on it. It's ready for another addition of sand.

Packing a layer Holding the bucket of water, I walk around in a strange dance, packing the sand. The socks keep my feet from being sunburned, with the pants doing the same for my legs. No sunscreen holds up to constant crawling in sand.

Ready for levelling The base is tall enough. It takes about five cycles of sand, water and pack to get to this point.

Levelling the base Because my form makes a cylindric pile more than twice as tall as it is wide, it's important that it stand straight. A leaning part can fall off. I use a long level to make sure the base is flat, with no slope. Go on to "How I Do It" text: Erect the Form. Return to "How I Do It" text:" Make a Foundation.

makebase.htm 1999 January 15