If you are in the woods, you don't need a tent to create a comfortable retreat. By taking advantage of the materials available in nature, you can build a comfortable shelter to spend the night or that can protect you from the rain. You will have to build a different shelter depending on the number of people it has to host, the place where you are and the materials you have brought with you. Fortunately, there are several ways to create a cover.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Create a makeshift tent
Step 1. Get the necessary materials
To build a makeshift tent, you'll need a tarp or poncho, a rope or vine of some kind, two sturdy trees, and something to anchor the tarp to the ground. Without these materials it will be impossible to make an improvised tent.
If you don't have a rope, you can use a solid branch resting between the two trees about two meters above the ground. You will need to somehow secure the branch to the trees securely, tying it with laces or making notches in the trees to support it
Step 2. Choose the suitable location
A makeshift tent will need two sturdy trees that are a couple of meters apart, or enough so that you can lie comfortably between them, but not too much (you need to be able to tie your rope together).
Step 3. Tie a rope between the two trees
A spoken knot is suitable for securing the rope to a tree and preventing it from slipping off. Make sure the rope isn't too high above the ground. As little space as possible should remain under the tarpaulin to retain heat.
- If you are using a branch or a stick, make sure it is low enough to trap the heat.
- If it's snowing, you can fasten the rope slightly higher. The greater the inclination of the tent walls, the easier the snow will slide to the ground. The snow that collects can become very heavy and the tent may collapse under its pressure.
Step 4. Hang the tarp over the rope
Make sure you spread it out as much as possible to eliminate excess air from your shelter. Make the edges as wide as possible to keep the curtain taut.
Step 5. Secure the edges of the tarp
Make sure it is firmly on the ground. Heavy objects such as rocks or logs should be enough to secure it.
If you have extra pieces of string and stakes (or some sharp sticks), you can use these items to secure the tarp. Run some rope through each loop to tighten the tarp, then tie it to each stake in the ground. If you don't have rope, you can run the stakes directly into the tarpaulin loops
Method 2 of 3: Build a Leaning Hut
Step 1. Search for a suitable place
A sloping hut is a simple exterior construction, requiring something to lean on some branches or an awning. Falling boulders or trees are ideal solutions for securing your shelter, but you can use any large immobile object.
If you have an awning and some rope, you can create a sloping hut between two trees
Step 2. Find sticks to rest against the horizontal structure
They should be quite strong, as they will form the side walls of the shelter. Make sure there is enough space between them and the structure for you to be able to lie down under their protection.
- You should leave enough space under the structure for you and those with you to lie under cover. However, consider that the more space there is inside the shelter, the more difficult it will be to stay warm.
- If you can, keep the hut very close to the ground. This allows you to shelter from the wind and not attract unwanted attention. It can be useful if you try not to be detected or to remain hidden.
Step 3. Pile some small debris on top of the structure
You can use leaves, grass and moss to build the outer wall of the hut. These materials offer additional insulation and protection from the elements. Any debris you can find in a forest will be fine. Just make sure you compact them well, so they don't get blown away by the wind.
To further improve the insulation, you can stack more debris on the bottom and inside of the hut
Step 4. Dig a fire pit
To keep warm under your hut, you can light a fire. Dig a small hole on the open side of the shelter. Make sure you create enough distance between the undergrowth and your shelter.
If you decide to start a fire, always keep an eye on it. If you want to go to sleep, make sure a person stays awake to check it all the time, or turn it off completely
Method 3 of 3: Create a Debris Shack
Step 1. Find the right position
You will need a tree stump, or a log with a low niche to stick a branch into. Additionally, the area you choose will have to offer plenty of sticks and debris to cover the structure.
Make sure you are not under branches that can break or in the presence of other dangers. Your debris shack will trap heat and keep you warm, but it won't offer you good protection from falling objects
Step 2. Lean a branch against the stump
You will need a branch about 3 meters long, strong enough to support your weight without breaking. There should be just enough space between the branch and the ground for you to lie down.
Step 3. Place the side sticks
Find long sticks to create the hut frame. They should be long enough to lean against the horizontal branch. The further you move away from the stump, the shorter they can be. These pieces of wood just need to rest against the branch, but if you have rope or twine, you can tie them, to give the structure more stability.
- Make sure you leave some space between two sticks to be able to enter the hut.
- The sticks need to be wide enough to allow you to lie down under the structure. Try to leave 15 cm on each side of the body. Also, they should be sloped enough for water and snow to flow out.
Step 4. Fill in the structure
After building this structure, add more sticks perpendicularly, to create a lattice. This way you can accumulate debris on the hut, without worrying about it falling on you during the night.
Step 5. Pile some debris on the structure
You can use any natural materials you find nearby, such as leaves, grass or pine needles. Ideally, the debris should offer 1m of solid insulation. If I could create a thicker layer, it would be even better. Just remember to leave an entrance!
- Build a layer of insulation of about 15 cm inside the structure.
- Use very dry debris. If you don't have enough dry materials, make sure the soft, dry ones are on the inside, closer to your body.
- If the weather is very harsh, or if you are in an arctic environment, where there is no undergrowth, you can pile a thick layer of snow on the structure. The snow must remain cold and not melt, otherwise it could wet the shelter or, worse, collapse on you.
Step 6. Add more branches outside the tree
After compacting the layer of debris, place more branches on top of the hut. This is to protect the insulation material from gusts of wind.
Step 7. Block the entrance
After entering your shelter, be sure to close the entrance, minimize air circulation and trap heat. It can be difficult to collect other debris behind you, so you can use a mesh full of leaves.
Advice
- Consider all the materials at your disposal. Rocks can be good foundations, act as a screen or fix vertical sections of a structure; moss and leaves can act as insulation and padding; you can use pine twigs to build a roof or wall.
- Practicing with the construction of makeshift shelters can be useful before leaving for a hike, to learn about the necessary operations and to identify any problems. Thanks to experience, it will be much easier to build a shelter in an emergency situation.
- For all of these types of shelters, be sure to use something underneath you as padding. If you don't have a dry blanket or bed, use dry leaves or other debris. This will serve to isolate you from the cold earth, to stay warm.
- To build a shelter, the time and tools at your disposal are important factors to consider. If you need to build a shelter quickly, opt for a simple structure. If you don't have the tools to work with some materials, your choices will be limited.
Warnings
- Before you start building, check out the area. Avoid low-lying areas that can flood or channel cold air. Also be sure to avoid bushes and debris, which can hide rocks or various small animals, such as snakes, rodents and insects.
- If you know you will be spending time outdoors, perhaps all night, be sure to leave a detailed plan of your movements to someone you trust. Include information on where you are, when you will move and what activities you will be doing. If possible, also communicate all program changes. Follow the action plan and notify the area supervisor.
