How to Make Outdoor Shelters
Knowing how to build an outdoor shelter is an important skill. It can protect you from the elements and keep you safe if you ever find yourself in an outdoor environment without another means of shelter like a tent. Fortunately, outdoor shelters are not difficult to make. You will not need to use a hammer, nails or any other conventional tools to make an outdoor shelter. All you need is your hands and a few items you can gather in the wilderness.
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Things You'll Need
- Long pole or branch
- Small branches
- Debris (dead leaves, evergreen branches, palms, grass)
Instructions
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1
Find a good location for your shelter. Look for a spot on high, flat ground that has plenty of debris to use for your shelter. Check the trees above to ensure they do not have dead branches that may fall on you. You should also avoid areas that may have large rocks that may come loose and roll towards your shelter. Additionally, make sure the ground is dry and free of rocks and tree roots.
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2
Locate a ridgepole or primary support beam. This branch should be at least 2 feet taller than you. Prop one end of the ridgepole up using a tree that has a fork in it or rocks. It should be around waist high. You don't want your shelter to be too high or large because the larger it is the less likely it is for your body to be able to heat it. The size should accommodate you lying down and sitting up.
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Gather smaller branches. Prop them against the ridgepole on either side. They should be propped on an angle of about 45 degrees. The structure will be V-shaped.
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4
Fill in any gaps on the sides of your shelter structure with smaller branches and sticks.
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5
Cover your entire structure with dry leaves, pine needles, grass, palms, pine branches and other similar debris. The layer of debris should be as thick as possible so it helps insulate your shelter. The layer should be between 3 to 4 feet in depth.
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Secure the layer of debris by laying sticks on tops of it. This will prevent the debris from flying away.
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Lay debris on the floor of your shelter. Choose debris that will be comfortable enough to lay on. The floor layer of debris should be at least 1 foot in depth.
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Put extra insulating material inside your shelter. Once inside you can use this extra material to cover the opening.
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References
- Photo Credit hut in the jungle image by Maciej Zatonski from Fotolia.com
