Survival shelter... what would you choose to carry?

peripatew

peripatew

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Jul 31, 2007
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I'm trying to decide what to pick up next for my "extended" kit. I've got a space blanket and a medium sized trash bag in my PSK.

I recently took a small tarp with me, but it's just too big. So, I'm thinking about what else I might be able to add more some extra protection.

I'm thinking about an AMK emergency bivy, or a poncho/tarp. The tarp is a GoLite or a Sea to Summit, which I can pickup for about $35. It's a little less than 5'x9', which is pretty small, but for an emergency, would be great! SilNylon is pretty flammable though, but shouldn't be to big of an issue.

Which would you choose and why? Alternatives? Or would you go with neither if you already had a space blanket and a trash bag.

L?
 
usgi poncho is all I used the year for shelter on all my camping trips where I did not make a natural shelter.. Probably about 10 times in different weather works for keeping the rain off..and is tougher than woodpecker lips
 
This is what I use...Hennessey Hammock summer and this tarp in winter (not sil so I can have a warming fire in the damp Pac NW).

http://www.ofagear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=32

I carry a space blanket for ground cloth and use the tarp in the winter time and it is roomy enough for the wife and I both quite comfortably. I've been in the high cascades during the wintertime at 4000' elevation in a blizzard with this shelter and lived out of it for several days. There are lighter models but they are not as hardcore. This may be too much for what you're considering.
 
Anyone use Tyvek for shelter cloth?

always seemed like it might serve well.
 
In my Survival Kit I have a tarp, as well as 2 Space blankets, an emergency poncho, and a regular poncho. I also keep 3 55 gallon trash bags for shelter. The emergency poncho is like a "multi-tool" to me, rather than a poncho itself.

I have been looking into bivvy sacks, but I wasn't sure which kind to ask my girlfriend for for XMas.

Or maybe not, maybe I have enough. All I know is when the weather is bad, I want to be protected from the elements if I happen to be out there when I happen to need the items.
 
I had the AMK bivy but got rid of it after the first weekend out. The two nights out were the worst sleep I had in years. I was using it in my tent on top of a thermarest sleeping pad in about 30 degree weather. It was down right cold out of it and in the bag it was like I just got out of the shower after 20 minutes.

I also have a Kelty Noah's Tarp that I have used a few times and I like it a bunch. It has re-enforced edges, multiple eyelets and even came with tent pegs and guylines. The cost was not to big and the size is small as well.

Since then I got an AMK 2 person blanket in the hopes that the condensation will be more manageable. I have not used it yet.

I also have a tyvek sheet that I have not used yet but look forward to trying.
 
At the least you should carry 3-4 55gallon garbage bags. Thats enough to make a fast bivi bag and a tarp to hang above yourself.

Sasha
 
I carry either my sil-nylon poncho, or my 8 x 10 sil-nylon tarp. Both are from integral designs. Lightweight compact and strong. The 8 x 10 tarp can be set up as quite a roomy shelter enough room for two people and gear.
 
on my last little trip i brought along my coated nylon poncho (i want to get the integral designs silponcho) because i had read of a trick and i wanted to try it;
sit up against a tree wearing the poncho, and put either a hot coal or a handle between your legs. this would provide lots of warmth inside the poncho, even if you ended up sleeping sitting up.

i didn't try that trick out, but the poncho was nice because when it started to threaten to snow, i just pulled the poncho on top of my as an extra blanket (which added some warmth too!) to keep me dry. when i couldn't sleep anymore and it started to really snow, i just put the poncho on, with my blanket over my legs, and sat next to the fire staying warm and dry.

i really like the poncho because it is clothing and shelter, which is great for a survival situation, because it means you can wear your shelter while walking around and doing things. the big disadvantage here is that you don't have raingear and a tarp at the same time...but in a survival situation i don't think i would really mind.

what i carry for shelter and sleeping in my bag:
poncho w/ stuffsack (primary shelter/raingear)
AMK space blanket (backup shelter/extra insulation/groundsheet/etc)
13 gallon garbage bag (gathering leaves/waterproofing pack/mattress/dry sitting spot/etc)
airline fleece blanket (insulation/scarf/headwrap/etc)
 
I only carry a AMK 2 person heatsheet. My goal is too survive, not be comfortable. Not that I don't want to be comfortable, its just that anything else is too much for me to carry.
 
Anyone looked at the making of a Kochanski "Super Shelter"?

A mylar sheet, a tarp or even home proofed parachute nylon and a 2 mil polythene sheet. Its a shelter that is meant to keep you alive and sleeping well in very cold conditions, but the ingredients can be used in a variety of conditions.
 
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I'll go for a shovel, to build (just dig?) a snow cave.

Living in snow cave is quite wonderful, unless the roof comes down ;)
 
I've settled for Hilleberg Bivanorak.
Use it as bivy bag, wind sack, emergency shelter, emergency poncho. It is great when there's a lot of wind and/or not many possibilities to hang stuff over head (notably when mountaineering).

Limits are breathability isn't incredible (but OK) and it is pretty bulky (and expensive).

Read somewhere it is standard issue in Swedish Air Force Pilot Survival Kit.
http://www.moontrail.com/clothing/hilleberg_bivanorak.php

If you plan to spend time in forest: Poncho, tarp, space blanket
 
C_Claycomb said:
Anyone looked at the making of a Kochanski "Super Shelter"?

A mylar sheet, a tarp or even home proofed parachute nylon and a polythene sheet (think it was 5mil, but don't quote me on that). Its a shelter that is meant to keep you alive and sleeping well in very cold conditions, but the ingredients can be used in a variety of conditions.
Click to expand...

No. Where can I find info on this? Thanks.
 
It won't get you through a really cold winter night, but you can survive a lot with a poncho and poncho liner (ranger roll). Add a small silnylon tarp (I use the Equinox), and you're set for many conditions.
 
I choose a tarp for myself (more acurately, a GI poncho) and where I travel. But in a colder, wetter area something like a heavy duty tube tent would probably be better.
 
Troutfisher,

I have a few pictures of them under construction and in use.



Mors1.jpg


Mors2.jpg


IMG_5536.jpg


Its all described in a rather unassuming, but truely excellent, little booklet titled "The Two Kilogram Survival Kit Field Manual" http://www.karamat.com/books.html

"The super shelter concept is based on the physics of trapping and holding warmed air as in the Innu snow hous, combined with an open fire for providing warmth. The super shelter allows you to sleep in your clothes in sub-zero temperatures without a sleeping bag. It is mad up of inexpensive and readily available materials. A single person shelter weighs less than a kilogram and easily fits into a large parka pocket."
 
Those are AWESOME!

I came across one link while digging around that was a semi-ultralight poncho/tarp. It wasn't SilNylon, and the inside was silver and semi-reflective, like a space blanket. I think this would be my ideal setup. But I lost the link! Anyone seem something similar? I like how small the ultralight poncho/tarps are, but I'd rather have something a little heavier, that could get closer to the fire.
 
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