A Quick Poncho Shelter

[Mistwalker]

In doing more work with the new SOG put up a quick poncho shelter.

The first thing I did was to cut a ridge pole and tie it to a couple of trees with some para cord.

For added strength you can cut some small notches on the back side of the tree for the cord to nest in with little effort. This will keep the cord from working it's way down. However it will also give away the fact that someone has been in the area and depending on your circumstances may not be advisable.

Then I cut some simple stakes.

I then draped the poncho across and snapped the first two snaps together around the ridge pole on each side to hold it in place while I drove the stakes and tied off the back of the shelter.

You want to make sure you drape the poncho so that the opening in the hood is facing down.

Stakes are not always necessary, there may be natural features in the terrain that work in your favor. Sometimes you can just tie the cord through one of the grommets on the corners and around a root or sapling close by.

When they are need a rock works really well for driving them.

Then go to the front tie some cord in one of the grommets, unsnap it and pull the cord to take out the slack and drive your stake where you need it and repeat this process on the other side. Now you have a quick shelter that will give a break from the wind or even give you cover for performing weapons maintenance or treating wounds out of lighter rains, and even the majority of harder rains.

Speaking of light rains....

 

[evbouret]

pull that thing tight!!!

If you were to face moderate rain or any wind that shelter wouldn't cut it.

 

[sharpguytoo]

Not to throw stones, but a proper lash will negate the need to "notch" a living tree which is reallly not a good practice.imho

 

[Mistwalker]

pull that thing tight!!!

If you were to face moderate rain or any wind that shelter wouldn't cut it.

I saw that, I didn't get my front stakes far enough apart...and as I was trying to rearrange them I decided it was time to get the camera out of the rain that quit being so light...this is the second Canon camera I've bought so far this year...and we're only three months into the year. I'll work on it and get better pics tomorrow.

 

[Mistwalker]

Not to throw stones, but a proper lash will negate the need to "notch" a living tree which is reallly not a good practice.imho

Depends on how much cord you have available. The notches allow for the use of less cord, and you don't have to cut deep enough to hurt the tree, just enough to create a high spot. You could probably do it just as easily sawing the cord back and forth creating a groove. I was trying to stay ahead of the weather and didn't make it but you still get the idea.

 

[ROCK6]

Good job, and if you had a little more time you could lash another cross pole above it and start adding more foliage above the poncho hootch for more coverage (against wind) and still keep the ponch dirctly above you to stay dry.

ROCk6

 

[Mistwalker]

Good job, and if you had a little more time you could lash another cross pole above it and start adding more foliage above the poncho hootch for more coverage (against wind) and still keep the ponch dirctly above you to stay dry.

ROCk6

Thanks, lol, it was just supposed to be a quick improvised shelter but mother nature was moving quicker and I was stopping to take pics.

 

[Runsalone]

pull that thing tight!!!

If you were to face moderate rain or any wind that shelter wouldn't cut it.

It would beat the s##t out of standing around in the rain

 

[Fraser]

Good photos. I'd suggest having the tarp a little bit lower to reduce the risk of it acting like a 'sail'.

Hey, are those MRE's? (Meals Rejected by Ethiopians)

 

[Mistwalker]

It would beat the s##t out of standing around in the rain

Actually he is right, it is too loose.

Then again so are you.

Good photos. I'd suggest having the tarp a little bit lower to reduce the risk of it acting like a 'sail'.

Hey, are those MRE's? (Meals Rejected by Ethiopians)

It's not much over waist high...I like having a clear field of vision

The flavor of MRE' increases exponentially...the hungrier you are the better they taste

 

[RescueRiley]

Nice Job Brother...Something I like to do, although it makes a smaller shelter is to fold the poncho in 3's so I have something underneath me to keep my sleeping bag from making contact with the damp ground like this:

However if you're just out enjoying the day and you need a place to sit or if you have an additional ground cloth it doesn't matter that much..again good stuff Thanks for sharing.

 

[Mistwalker]

Nice Job Brother...Something I like to do, although it makes a smaller shelter is to fold the poncho in 3's so I have something underneath me to keep my sleeping bag from making contact with the damp ground like this:

However if you're just out enjoying the day and you need a place to sit or if you have an additional ground cloth it doesn't matter that much..again good stuff Thanks for sharing.

That looks good Riley. One thing..and I didn't get the chance to do or show it with mine either, if you tie a string to the ridge line in a simple knot and let it dangle just under the edges of the poncho where the string goes under it will keep water from running along the line and dripping on you at the center of the sag. I just have a thing about having a clear field of fi...um vision in at least three directions if possible.

 

[RescueRiley]

Cool Beans Man.. Here's a link to a fe variations I was playing around with the other day.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=628779

 

[jctrapper]

550 cord works good, however if you have the space bungees work better!!

 

[Mistwalker]

Cool Beans Man.. Here's a link to a fe variations I was playing around with the other day.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=628779

I was just checking them out., some really cool shots, that last one was an interesting configuration, don't think I've seen that one before.

550 cord works good, however if you have the space bungees work better!!

Bugees can serve several different purposes.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

A couple of thoughts:

If I make a quick shelter with a poncho, I could really care less about killing the tree I "notch" . Really, keep it in perspective. It isn't deforestation for cripes sake. I sincerely doubt that tree was harmed long term anyway.

I also like a clear field of view. I would choose rescue rileys rig if I were hunkering down for a night in the snow, but otherwise, I'll take mistwalkers clear line of fire, thank you very much.

I have been planning on buying a nylon tarp for a while. I think it is time. One think I don't undertstand is why they are so expensive? I am considering buying a cheap two man pup tent and gutting the ends and floor at this point. Why pay $60 or more for $15 of nylon????

 

[HornyToad]

Are there different types of ponchos? I mean real surplus army ones and knockoffs from China? Where do you get them?

 

[Mistwalker]

A couple of thoughts:

If I make a quick shelter with a poncho, I could really care less about killing the tree I "notch" . Really, keep it in perspective. It isn't deforestation for cripes sake. I sincerely doubt that tree was harmed long term anyway.

I also like a clear field of view. I would choose rescue rileys rig if I were hunkering down for a night in the snow, but otherwise, I'll take mistwalkers clear line of fire, thank you very much.

I have been planning on buying a nylon tarp for a while. I think it is time. One think I don't undertstand is why they are so expensive? I am considering buying a cheap two man pup tent and gutting the ends and floor at this point. Why pay $60 or more for $15 of nylon????

I'm pretty sure in a little while no one would ever know I notched the bark on that tree a little. Lol, it's a tree I've tended to for almost twenty years...I'm not going to intentionally hurt it.

I knew somebody here would know where I was coming from. There is a lot to be said for being able to see what's going on around you.

I have no idea why tarps have gotten so expensive. I'd love to have a 12x12 section of the rip-stop material this poncho is made from, it's really quiet to work with and doesn't crackle like a tarp.

Are there different types of ponchos? I mean real surplus army ones and knockoffs from China? Where do you get them?

There are LOTS of different ponchos on the market. I've tried a few of them and like no others as much as I like the U.S., U.K., and German issue ones. This is one I paid around $20.00 for at an army store some years ago. I think they are worth what they cost.

 

[Cpl Punishment]

A couple of thoughts:

If I make a quick shelter with a poncho, I could really care less about killing the tree I "notch" . Really, keep it in perspective. It isn't deforestation for cripes sake. I sincerely doubt that tree was harmed long term anyway.

If you just notch into the bark, not into the tree itself, like he did, you're right, no harm done. If it's a real survival situation, I'll kill a tree to save my life. Someone can hug it later.

I also like a clear field of view. I would choose rescue rileys rig if I were hunkering down for a night in the snow, but otherwise, I'll take mistwalkers clear line of fire, thank you very much.

I have been planning on buying a nylon tarp for a while. I think it is time. One think I don't undertstand is why they are so expensive? I am considering buying a cheap two man pup tent and gutting the ends and floor at this point. Why pay $60 or more for $15 of nylon????

You don't have to pay that if you're willing to go with something that isn't ultralight. This one is a little bigger than a GI poncho which will allow part of it to be folded, ground sheet style under you. It's also long enough for the lean-to type shelter here, or the triangular tent style, depending on your purposes.

Personally, I carry a tarp and poncho. Here in FL, you can go from bright blue skies to a black sky with rain coming down in buckets in about 5 minutes. The poncho is for wearing!

Are there different types of ponchos? I mean real surplus army ones and knockoffs from China? Where do you get them?

YES. There is a big difference. The GI poncho is much sturdier (and heavier) and a much better overall product, IMO. You can buy them at most surplus stores (including online ones -- read the description carefully), or on eBay. Plus, if you get a GI poncho liner, you can tie it to the poncho, snap the sides of the poncho closed, fold over the foot area, and have a moderate-weather sleeping bag.

 

[Cpl Punishment]

The MRE got noticed, but I like the belt kit. +1 on the canteen and e-tool!