- Joined
- Jun 16, 2003
- Messages
- 20,207
In dry cold, the problem is not great. As noted so well above, appropriately thick layers trapping air around the smallest space you can fit will keep you warm. I have slept comfortably in such a shelter with only seasonal clothing below freezing - several times. (Fewer to no bug problems when it's that cold. But there was the guy who built his shelter on an ant hill.)
Rain (or really wet snow) is the more difficult problem. Most shelters I have seen would not keep out any significant amount of rain.
Imagine a twig resting at a 45 degree angle.
A drop of rain hits the twig. It runs down the twig until it reaches the end. it then falls.
If you are beneath the end of the twig, the drop of water hits you.
If another twig/needle/blade of grass/leaf is directly beneath the end of the twig, the drop of water (or some of it) runs down that item.
And so on.
So linear items, arranged in layers like shingles, work best. Think of a "thatched" roof. They work quite well to keep the drops moving to the outside of the building/shelter.
If you are relying on random placement of material, thicker is also better -- plus luck.
A tarp, as suggested, reduces the problems with rain.
Don't build in a depression.
Remember the "floor." Something to keep you off the cold/wet ground is essential.
Treasure any place where you can practice making brush shelters.
Rain (or really wet snow) is the more difficult problem. Most shelters I have seen would not keep out any significant amount of rain.
Imagine a twig resting at a 45 degree angle.
A drop of rain hits the twig. It runs down the twig until it reaches the end. it then falls.
If you are beneath the end of the twig, the drop of water hits you.
If another twig/needle/blade of grass/leaf is directly beneath the end of the twig, the drop of water (or some of it) runs down that item.
And so on.
So linear items, arranged in layers like shingles, work best. Think of a "thatched" roof. They work quite well to keep the drops moving to the outside of the building/shelter.
If you are relying on random placement of material, thicker is also better -- plus luck.
A tarp, as suggested, reduces the problems with rain.
Don't build in a depression.
Remember the "floor." Something to keep you off the cold/wet ground is essential.
Treasure any place where you can practice making brush shelters.