Major Survival Contest Question Thread

As long as it was made by Rowen then you're good to go
 
I have a question. Should we make a post with our video/pictures/experience as we finish them, or all submit them on the deadline day.

Reason I ask is if someone finishes and posts theirs first, other participants can see what they did and know what they need to do to "out-do" that person. Seems like having everyone post their entry on the same day would make it a little more fair.
 
We will work out a system to post entries. Keep your eye on the main sticky thread for updates.
 
Back in the fall of 1995 when I was 14 years old I build a brush shelter in my back yard and slept in it a few times. It was shapped like a Log cabin. Pounded 2 rows of straight branches into the ground; a small rectangle with a door and a larger rectangle with a door 6 to 9 inches bigger around. Braided twigs and grass into the walls so they would hold brush. Made a peaked thached roof. The door was 2 trash bags which provided a good wind break and barrier against the cold. Since I did this in the back field of a small ranch, I had plenty of bailing twine around to lash any sticks together.

The shelter lasted all winter and stayed dry the whole time. I wish I had taken pictures of it. It was awesome! Big enough to cram 4 guys in it, or 2 people comfortably. Had a fire about 15 feet away from the door. Would grill turkey steaks on the fire, roast some smores then heat rocks on the fire. When it was time for bed, I'd bring the rocks in with me to help keep the air warm in the shelter. Cheated in bedding, used a foam egg create for padding, my pillow and sleeping bag. But I was fine with that, the point was to make a semi-permantent shelter that would last a season and I did it.

The next summer I made a few smaller shelters around the field. Never slept in any of those, but my chickens sure did. Never had a problem with water getting in. Just had to make sure to pile on the grass correctly and it would naturally shed the water. Good times! Sure miss having land to play on. When I was in college mom bought a smaller house on less land and moved. No more mini ranch and fields to play in. This contest reminds me of those days in my youth practicing all the wilderness survival skills I picked up from Scouts, seminars and what not.

Wonder if the state would mind if I made shelters and primitive camps on the Wildlife preserve just out side of town. They let you camp, hike, mountain bike and run 4-wheelers on it. Even if they have a problem with shelters and stuff made up there, maybe I can make it on a friday after class, sleep in it that night then tear it down Saturday after taking pictures for the contest. Think I'll sneak over there after dinner tonight and check it out.
 
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