naural shelters fo cold weather

RescueRiley

RescueRiley

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Mar 22, 2006
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I'm planning an over night in about 10 days might do a night or 2 average night time temp where I'm headed in this time of year is high 20's to mid 30's farenheit

I'll be using a 10 degree bag and a wool blanket..and attempting a hot rock bed.

I've spent a few nights in natural shelter this summer.. Debris huts, leantos etc.

Trying to decide if a tight debris hut or a 3 sided lean to facing a fire with a reflector on the opposite side would provide for a more comfy home

as far as I can figure the more open area of the leanto will allow me a space to play should there be inclement weather.. any thoughts?
 
To me it seems like a debris shelter would be more effective and less of a pain as you don't need to wake up and feed the fire.

That is just my .02 and I am no expert so I too would like to see what others say.
 
Always good to use a large rock as a fire reflector - either on the other side of the fire, to reflect the heat into your shelter, or behind you (no shelter) to reflect heat back to warm your butt side (instead of frying on one side and freezing on the other).

Effective debris huts are a lot of work.

Doc
 
i'd go with the 3-side lean-to and the fire as long as you're prepared to collect enough wood - which will take some time. you'll be warmer burning wood then relying on your own body's production of BTUs. but your sleep will be interrupted by having to feed the fire. better than freezing in my opinion but if your 10 degree bag is really good-to-go for those temps then you might be just fine without a fire. usually there's a discrepancy between what the manufacturer claims for their bag and what temps it's actually comfortable for - so if you don't know from experience that your bag is comfy all night at 10 degrees I wouldn't necessarily trust it.

drink coconut milk - it'll keep you warm.
 
A good location out of the wind can make all the difference, look for downed trees with the root structure up in the air, dig under a big log, etc.
There are tricks to having a fire burn all night I have seen, a ramp running into the fire with rounds stacked up on it, as they burn a new one rolls in.
I never tried that though, just saw a picture in some survival book.
The hot rock bed should keep you warm as well, just make sure you put enough earth on top to help it retain the heat and also not scorch anything.
 
I'll be using a 10 degree bag and a wool blanket..and attempting a hot rock bed.
Click to expand...

If you are carrying a 10 degree bag plus a blanket, whatever does the best to keep off precip is the choice I think. You need neither warmth from a fire nor the insulation of a debris hut -- unless you're one of those guys who needs an Arctic bag in Summer.
 
In winter conditions you have a few options.

1. Open shelter without fire. This could be a lean-to or tarp shelter without a source of heat. Not a great shelter idea for winter use without propper insulation.

2. Open shelter with fire. This can be the winter lean-to Kochanski describes in his book Bushcraft. This option is warm as long as the fire is maintained.

3. Closed shelter with fire. I know, it sounds crazy but a debris shelter like a Mandan, snow cave or vehicle with a candle and a small source (read small) can be comfortable as long as smoke doesn't build up.

4. Closed shelter without fire. This is a snow cave or a quince that can insulate and trap heat well but will not be warm without some insulation. It does trap heat and is my preferred shelter when snow conditions are right and I have a good sleeping bag with me.

These are just a highlight of the types of shelters that can be used. You will use them all in different conditions. Just remember to keep them small and efficient, use twice as much insulation below as you do above and make sure if you are experimenting, you have a backup emergency sleeping bag and shelter in case the makeshift shelter doesn't work out.

Kev
 
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