[Cob] cob in a cold climate

[Ava Walker]

hello any/all northern, cold climate cobbers,
Last summer I built a cob wall with built in benches, niches, arches and 
planters in Yukon, northern Canada where it's COLD and DRY and the winter 
season is LONG.  We don't typically get a lot of precipitation, except for 
this winter, of course, so the bench is covered with snow, which will start 
to melt, then freeze, then god-only-knows-what .... I left it unfinished on 
purpose to see how it would weather. This summer I want to finish the 
structure and apply a water resistant natural finishing plaster.  I'm 
looking for practical advice on types of finishing plasters that will resist 
rain and possibly seal against the snow thawing/spring melt issue.  I've 
read the books and taken courses, but none address building in this intense 
cold climate.  Any experience out there?  What's been successful?  What 
seems to work over time in Alaska? in Norway? or Iceland?  Suggestions and 
ideas from proven builders in similar climates are welcome.
Thanks.  Ava