How to Build an Emergency Shelter From a Poncho

Imagine you're out hiking in the woods and you get lost. Night falls and you need shelter from the wind and rain. An emergency shelter built from a rain poncho can keep you safe from the weather while you wait for a rescue party. The shelter can also serve backpackers well who wish to travel light. You can avoid packing a tent if a quick rain shelter is all you need. This shelter is an old Scout tip. It can be built from a rain poncho or tarp, a bit of rope and a tree.

Things You'll Need

• Rain poncho Rope Rocks

Instructions

1. Unfold the poncho and tie the hood closed.

2. If your poncho does not have grommets (like a military poncho), find a small roundish rock. Fold the rock in a corner of the poncho and tie one end of the rope around the rock and fabric. This allows you to tie a rope securely to the poncho without punching holes in the fabric.

3. Tie the rope around a tree, about 4 feet off the ground.

4. Spread the other corners of the poncho out and secure it to the ground with large rocks. You have built a basic shelter.

5. You can also build a pup tent shelter if your poncho is big enough by tying the rope between two trees and draping the poncho over it. Secure the four corners with large rocks.