How to Build a Shelter when Hiking

Video Transcript

"Hi! I'm going to tell you how to build a very simple shelter. First thing you are going to need is a few materials. You've got your hiking poles, good. Get you two hiking poles and one big stick like this. Try to find a tree or bush or anything really to lean them up against kind of like in this tripod position. Then you are going to need some leafy branches like these. And you are going to need quite a few because it is going to make the roof for your shelter. Now once you've got these set up, take your hiking poles and extend them as far as they will go and lean them against the tree. If you don't have poles, you can use just other branches. Get this formation against the tree and you are going to take your leafy branches and you need quite a few more than I have here. Just lean them and start at the bottom, start going around the bottom like this. It is a little bit of a rickety shelter but it will work if you are in a pinch. So you get the basic idea. Just keep leaning them up like that. You will need lots and lots to protect against the wind. But once you get all set up, you will have this little screen of leaves and you can come in through the back and you can at least sit in there and stay out of the wind and rain. That is a very simple shelter. There are very many other ways and other variations. This is just one way to build a shelter and it will work if you are in a pinch. Remember stay put and stay dry."