Things You'll Need:
- 14-function Pocketknives
-
Step 1
Select a good spot to build your lean-to. Build in a fringe area, neither in the center of a field nor a dense thicket, but somewhere between these areas. Choose an area at least 50 yards from a body of water, as evaporating water tends to add extra chill to the air.
-
Step 2
Find a fallen tree or a large, long rock to build your lean-to against. You can also tie a branch horizontally between two trees a few feet off the ground. There are hundreds of variables to making a lean-to; the important thing is that you have a sturdy brace to lean your structure against.
-
Step 3
Lean stout sticks along the horizontal brace of your lean-to. Crawl beneath them to make sure there is enough room to sleep under. There shouldn't be too much extra room, but it should be long enough to cover you completely.
-
Step 4
Pile smaller branches and twigs on top of your stout branches, leaving only an opening at either end exposed.
-
Step 5
Pile all manner of debris - moss, leaves, pine needles, dried fern or whatever nature makes available - on top of your structure.
Comments
pancakes said
on 12/12/2006 I like Cheese
Anonymous said
on 6/30/2006 The tallest point of your lean-to should never be higher than your hips.
I built a lean-to on a survival trip in the Alberta Rockies in February 2003. I'd never been warmer winter camping, and it snowed about 4 feet that night.
The key is to make it small enough to keep your body heat circulating, but big enough to let air flow and allow for movement. Just stay high, dry, and warm.
Anonymous said
on 1/16/2006 Make sure your sleeping surface is elevated off the ground to keep you warm and dry at night!
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Use dried grass (lots), because the rain will run down the length of the grass and not go through.