How to Build a Lean-To

Video Transcript

"Let's talk for a minute about a lean-to. Sometimes, when you're out in the wilderness you might become stuck overnight, and you might need some sort of shelter to protect you from the elements overnight. One of the easiest things that you can do at this point is to make a lean-to. All you need is a tarp and some rope. So, let's go through the steps needed to make a lean-to. The first thing I always do when I'm setting up a lean-to is to find two trees that are relatively close together where I can anchor two sides of the lean-to. Now, the first thing I always do is anchor two of the corners to two trees that are spaced about the length of the tarp apart, and you want to make sure these are very close to the ground. Now, on the second side you have a couple of options. What you could do is anchor both sides of this tarp up to some trees so that it's slanted upwards. Typically though, what I like to do is anchor a third side down on the ground like I've done over here, and anchor just the fourth side up to a tree so it's raised; giving you an entranceway. This I find that this helps keep the wind and the rain out from underneath the tarp where you are, which is key. As you can see, I'll be very warm and protected from the elements underneath this lean-to when I spend the night in the wilderness tonight."