Feedback on a lean-to-shelter.

Hi Barny,

Wow! That was good luck that you had rain right after you built your shelter, so you could see how it held up.

A couple of things that will help:
  • First, the tarp must be pulled tight so that it doesn't sag and allow rain to collect. Use cordage and pull the tarp tight from the sides and peg it at the back. This will also add to the stability of the shelter. You don't want to rely on the skeleton alone, especially when you are using relatively small sticks.
  • I noticed that you had some extra tarp hanging off the front of the shelter. This can be pulled tight either extended outward from the peak or straight down, but shouldn't be left loose.
  • The "floor" section of your shelter should have a smaller footprint than the roof, to reduce the rain collection.
  • In a survival situation, you will want to select your shelter site with an eye to drainage.
Good for you for getting out there and taking a shot! It is WAY better to work the kinks out in the back yard than when lost, drenched, and really NEED a shelter.

-- FLIX
 
Thats great that you're going out and applying what you've learned.

Don't forget that roots can make a good natural lashing material. I tied the entire frame of a debris shelter together with roots about 6 months ago and I've been told its still standing.(I believe they were pine roots).
 
looks good for a first try.

i always use as little cordage as possibly, since i make it a point to carry as little gear as i can possibly get away with (which can be quite a small amount depending on where i am).

using the same poles, you could untie the knots and put together different styles of shelter skeletons. one of my favorites when i have a tarp is this[/b], but with a triangle frame in the front instead of a tree to support the ridgepole. i build it like a lopsided tripod that has one leg way longer than the others. easy and quick, and there is only one point to lash. i also like the ability to pull the edges of the tarp used on top underneath to make a good floor. this makes for a shelter with no holes except the entrance...if you do it right.

whatever style of shelter you choose you just have to practice until you can do it with your eyes closed so that you can do it with your eyes closed if you just so happen to need to

but it looks like a good first attempt at any rate, a good start
 
It looks good to me. I prefer a tripod kind of design (two end sticks about 2ft long with the center one 9ft long) just because it seems to shed rain better, has an easier lashing, takes less materials, and can be trasported if need be.
 
TRy lashing the two stick while they area parrallel to eachother not at the angle that you want finished. Just knot on one and wrap both as tight as you can. Then as you spread the other ends apart to get the angle you want it will tighten. Do this with each pair that you lash together and it takes less and holds tighter.

Badge54
 
In this design, is there any way to move things around to keep rain water out from running down and getting on top of the lower tarp?

Is there a way to fold or attach the tarp so that water that runs down the upper tarp will fall and hit the ground without landing on the lower tarp and heading to where the weight of a body will cause it to pool?
 
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