How to Build a Survival Shelter
Find a decently flat area with a tree that splits it's trunk fairly low; forming a "V" shape no further than 6' or 8' feet off the ground., Find a long tree limb; the straighter, the better., Place one end of the limb you found in the previous step...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Find a decently flat area with a tree that splits it's trunk fairly low; forming a "V" shape no further than 6' or 8' feet off the ground.
Note that you will probably make some compromises here due to time constraints.
Or, if you are in a coniferous area with trees that don't typically split their trunks, you will have to stick a sturdy "Y" shaped limb/branch into the ground to simulate a tree with a split trunk. -
Step 2: Find a long tree limb; the straighter
It should be a few feet longer than you, and from 3" to 6" thick.
Rough bark is a plus, as it will help to avoid slipping.
This is going to be the spine of your shelter, which the rest of the frame (which you can think of as the ribs) will lean against. , The other end should rest sturdily on the ground, or if possible, be stuck/buried in the ground a few inches. , start leaning them against the "spine" to create the basic frame of your shelter.
Once again, it helps if you can push a few of the larger sticks into the ground to add to the stability of the frame. , Lean these up against the "spine" to fill in the space between the thicker "ribs". , You need some insulation, or "skin" to keep your body heat in, and the wind/weather out.
Gather green pine boughs if they are available. (Don't kill off the trees by taking all of their branches though.) Find other things such as thin twigs, leaves, brush, or even mud.
Use these types of materials in whatever combination is available to you. , You can add to this layer as much as resources and time will allow.
This will increase heat retention and weather resistance. , (You always should if you are just practicing.)This will help stop the cold ground from sucking all of your precious body heat away. , Do this very carefully! You want to check the structure's safety, by finding a spot where it feels like it might start to give way; but you don't want to actually put enough pressure that it does. , (Probably from the inside.) If you cannot find any nice, "Y"-shaped sticks, you will probably have to re-distribute the weight of the "skin" to alleviate the uneven weight on the frame. , At this point, you will probably want to build a fire if you didn't have time already.
Be sure to make a fire ring by placing rocks in a circle, and removing as much snow as you can (assuming there is snow on the ground) from the center of the circle. ,, (Your lean-to that is...) -
Step 3: the better.
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Step 4: Place one end of the limb you found in the previous step in "V" of your chosen tree.
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Step 5: Find some thinner (2" or 3") sticks and limbs/branches for "the ribs" that can be leaned on the large pole (the spine) at about 45-50 degrees
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Step 6: and (of course) touch the ground.
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Step 7: Find smaller sticks that are less than or equal to about an inch in diameter.
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Step 8: You should now have a decent skeleton of a shelter; but it isn't suitable for sleeping in just yet.
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Step 9: Add all of this to the frame of the shelter in order of decreasing size until you can't find any holes you can fit fist though.
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Step 10: Gather extra dead leaves
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Step 11: pine boughs or whatever other soft/yielding materials you may have left over
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Step 12: and spread them over the floor of your shelter if you do not have a ground pad with you.
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Step 13: Test your complete lean-to shelter's stability by gingerly applying gradual weight/pressure to various places of the spine.
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Step 14: If you found any weak-spots
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Step 15: you may want to reinforce those with a couple well-placed "ribs" that are in a "Y" shape
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Step 16: basically forming support columns.
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Step 17: Admire a job well done!
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Step 18: When you have your shelter and a hot
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Step 19: controlled fire
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Step 20: you may try to stand a large
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Step 21: flat stone (or similar object) up on the side of the fire ring to reflect heat to your shelter.
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Step 22: Cover your gear with a pack cover or trash bag
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Step 23: (if you have gear in a pack) and check-in to the "I'm warm and definitely not dead" motel!
Detailed Guide
Note that you will probably make some compromises here due to time constraints.
Or, if you are in a coniferous area with trees that don't typically split their trunks, you will have to stick a sturdy "Y" shaped limb/branch into the ground to simulate a tree with a split trunk.
It should be a few feet longer than you, and from 3" to 6" thick.
Rough bark is a plus, as it will help to avoid slipping.
This is going to be the spine of your shelter, which the rest of the frame (which you can think of as the ribs) will lean against. , The other end should rest sturdily on the ground, or if possible, be stuck/buried in the ground a few inches. , start leaning them against the "spine" to create the basic frame of your shelter.
Once again, it helps if you can push a few of the larger sticks into the ground to add to the stability of the frame. , Lean these up against the "spine" to fill in the space between the thicker "ribs". , You need some insulation, or "skin" to keep your body heat in, and the wind/weather out.
Gather green pine boughs if they are available. (Don't kill off the trees by taking all of their branches though.) Find other things such as thin twigs, leaves, brush, or even mud.
Use these types of materials in whatever combination is available to you. , You can add to this layer as much as resources and time will allow.
This will increase heat retention and weather resistance. , (You always should if you are just practicing.)This will help stop the cold ground from sucking all of your precious body heat away. , Do this very carefully! You want to check the structure's safety, by finding a spot where it feels like it might start to give way; but you don't want to actually put enough pressure that it does. , (Probably from the inside.) If you cannot find any nice, "Y"-shaped sticks, you will probably have to re-distribute the weight of the "skin" to alleviate the uneven weight on the frame. , At this point, you will probably want to build a fire if you didn't have time already.
Be sure to make a fire ring by placing rocks in a circle, and removing as much snow as you can (assuming there is snow on the ground) from the center of the circle. ,, (Your lean-to that is...)
About the Author
Hannah Johnson
Experienced content creator specializing in creative arts guides and tutorials.
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