So, Who's Planning on Entering the Shelter Contest?

If things work out, I'm planning on trying my hand at building a shelter this weekend.

My first challenge was finding a place where I could cut the materials that I need. Most of the places I go for camping and hiking are state parks or federally owned land. They frown on people cutting their timber. I settled on a lake-front lot that my in-laws own.

My next challenge is to find a digital camera that I can borrow. I might need some help getting the pictures posted. Can anyone link me to some instructions?
 
Brian, I must have missed something, please post info or link to same about the contest, Thanks! :)
 
Brian, I saw your post over on the Hoodlums forum so I thought I'd give it shot!

I'm including more than one picture just to give folks a better understanding what I did. I hope that's ok.

http://home.san.rr.com/wmerrin/Eric3a.jpg
On a recent trip to the High Sierras, a storm was heading in, so I needed a shelter quick. I found this large dead tree and proceded to make it into my shelter.

http://home.san.rr.com/wmerrin/Eric2a.jpg
The tree had a perfect cave type hole burned about nine feet up into the trunk. I noticed that the root structure had several places (holes) that would allow a framework of poles (branches) to be interconnected to form a framework of sorts. After the framework was in place, I gathered large pieces of bark that had naturally fallen off the side of the tree. I used the bark to "shingle" in the opening, leaving a small opening to crawl through. I used a large single piece of bark to use as a "door" once I got inside.

http://home.san.rr.com/wmerrin/Eric4a.jpg
Here's an inside view of the framework and shingling.

http://home.san.rr.com/wmerrin/Eric1a.jpg
After the outside of the shelter was complete, I lined the interior with a thick layer of pine needles.

Even though I included a picture of the knife, I didn't have to use it in the shelters construction. All the materials were within a few feet of the shelter site. I broke off the branches by hand, gathered the bark, and threw in some pine needles. It was very expedient to make, therefor saving precious calories that I would need to stay warm that night

Heat loss through conduction, convection, and radiation were controlled because of the very thick tree material. It rained that evening so the fourth heat loss mechanism, persperation (wetness) was also controlled. I slept very warm and did not have a drop of rain enter the shelter.

Thanks for offering the great contest!

A very special thanks to Wally for scanning the pictures for me!

Good luck everyone!

Eric
 
X39,

See the post right here at the top of the topic list in the wilderness forum here marked "Important" -- the details are there!

Best,

Brian.
 
Alas, I will not be able to enter the contest. I go on vacation in the Adirondacks on the 10th, and won't be returning until the 19th. It's too bad. I'll be trying my first hand at that shelter shown on the Travel Channel a couple of weeks back. Hehehe. I'll have the wife take a few pictures of me bumbing my way through it anyway. :)
 
Brian,

I will be entering.

No entry til now, I have been involved in a new job, very involved, because I really like it.
 
Eric,
Great job! Well thought out, and well "posted" for everyone to see. Good luck with your entry.

MDP,
Glad your are planning to enter. Good luck with the new job....I hope all is well.

I am gathering additional prizes, and will be announcing 2nd and 3rd place prizes soon.
 
Sure the Patrol Machete is a kick ass blade, but I was really looking forward to learing some things from the other entries.:(

Hey, the day ain't over yet. Some people work best under pressure!

Run down to the local park, jump in the bushes, and start choppin'! Just don't get caught! :lol

Eric
 
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