Survival shelter

runningboar

runningboar

Joined
May 27, 2006
Messages
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Not wanting to hijack a thread I decided to start a new one. We have been discussing, heatedly in fact, the merits of a big knife in the woods. As everyone knows I don't like big knives I carry a 14" Tramontina ;), one of the reasons everyone lists for a big knife is building a shelter. I thought I would ask the question, what kind of shelter do you build? I carry a silnylon tarp for shelter but in this instance I am talking about building a shelter out of what is in the woods.

I am always on the lookout of natural shelters that I can use as is or just add a bit too, I don't build anything from scratch. Overhangs, cutbanks, fallen trees, pine trees with the bows coming all the way to the ground are the types of things I look for. Also dense thickets of sapplings that I can bend over and tie that I can add materials to to make a sort of a wickiup.

The types of shelters I build and use require very little chopping, I simply pick up most of the materials and break it over trees or rocks as needed. If I can find two trees growing close together I can usually break dead limbs with some precision. I freely admit this might be because I have trained myself due to my big knife deficiency, however I am curious as to what types of shelters yall use. Chris
 
Wow that is very nice, I must admit mine are nowhere near that labor intensive, as I stated I never build anything from the ground up. I always start with a blowdown or cutbank or the like. Chris
 
I'm a big fan of this style for the woods... :D

They must have used a Khukri...

cook2.jpg
 
I just bang out a lean-to or a smallt tripod puptent style if I have a tarp if I don't have one i usually go with a debris hut.
 
runningboar said:
I carry a silnylon tarp for shelter but in this instance I am talking about building a shelter out of what is in the woods.
Chris
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Can you recommend one of these Chris?
 
Racerx2oo3 said:
I'm a big fan of this style for the woods... :D

They must have used a Khukri...

QUOTE]

Yep, I have to admit, yours rules. But priced at $150.00 finished or $75.00 unfinished a square foot, it I think may be out of the average shelter builders price range.
Click to expand...
 
Fiddleback said:
Can you recommend one of these Chris?
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My favorites, I like the sewn in ties for putting up in different configurations, I don't buy the ultralight ones the coated nylon are a bit heavier but a bunch cheaper.
http://www.owareusa.com/

Campmor has some, that although not as nice, are very good for the price, they sell the heavier cheaper ones as well. Keep in mind the coated nylon ones are heavier than the ultralights and tougher too, they are nowhere near as heavy as the walmart blue poly tarps though.

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/s...text&ip_text=coated+tarps&image.x=5&image.y=9
 
OK, Chris, that site is way cool. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Chris, I have news for you, that 14" tramontina IS a Big Knife!! :D
(no no no just kidding, don't even go there again...it makes my head hurt!) ;)

I agree with you, show me a sizeable downed tree, I'll show you an already completed side of my shelter!

A downed tree offers protection from wind, insulation, a good heat reflector for a fire and one of the most stable structures to attack the rest of your shelter. If it's been down for a while, the top provides all the firewood, right there, easy pickings, just break off all you need.


Also saw this once. Two good size log sections from a downed tree.
Lay them parallel. heap in lots of leaves. Then use your tarp like a sleeping bag, lay it in there, folded, then heap another foot or two of leaves on top.
Well insulated, protected both sides, top and bottom.
if you wanted to, you could lay sticks across both log sections and heap debris on top.

RB's point is a very good one, anytime you can, let nature do some of the work for you.
 
runningboar said:
It is :confused: damn, I am going to have to rethink some of my arguments. :D
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Man, you are treading thin ice. :D
Someone is going to think we are serious and kill this thread like a rabid animal. :barf:


Where were we?? YES, Shelters!! Shelters sure are great!
It's all about those shelters!
(That'll distract them) ;)
 
I just use my big ol' knife to break into someone's cabin and rest easy.

KIDDING! Sorry, I couldn't resist :D
 
When I was in the Explorer's, a long time ago;) , we built debris huts with our bare hands. So I don't think any tool is necessary to get a good shelter. But...having a chopper or saw really makes it faster. Instead of scavenging all over for materials you can just chop a bunch of bows off.
 
Man, that Land-hark looks interesting. Rescue Mike, have you used one? On paper it looks pretty good.
 
JurT said:
I like this type of shelter. A two person shelter. More info here.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=457279
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I agree this one looks Really cool But really labor intensive for most survival situations. But if I was looking for a ski shallet :D

The sheer amount of live Growth cut seems very excessive for practive and makes me understand why holland bans shelter building. I try to use dead fall for practice as much as possible. although I admit i am not familiar with the forests in that area and i dont know what wood is available.

I can definitley see where a big knife would allow you to gather materials if none were available and you could cut live or down a small tree if no fallen one were in sight.


I usually carry a chopper be it axe or knife, or at least something i could batton with confidence.


Rescue mike I may need that bag for My SAR pack
 
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