Debris Shelter Bushcraft

[unswydd]

I just spent the last 20 minutes getting all the pictures put in an album then starting a thread and posting them only to get bumped off at the very end when I submitted it. ARRRRGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!! So instead of going back through all that again here is the link to the album. Let me know what you think.

http://xcolony.com/x/album.php?albumid=77

[rsanders]

Looks like a well built shelter,Bear Grylls would be impressed ! Beautiful Collie. this on the hiking trip this year ?

[unswydd]

Looks like a well built shelter,Bear Grylls would be impressed ! Beautiful Collie. this on the hiking trip this year ?

LOL Thanks. That's Jake my Sheltie. The love of my life. I did this last weekend in the back 40. Fairly close to the house actually. There's a few things I'll do differently next time.

[methusaleh]

Nice to see you practicing your skills!

Ditch the blue tarp for a real survival situation (ie with eyes and intelligence looking for you). Flat olive drab or brown works well in most terrain, covered with boughs of course.

And I would build at least partially underground for any intended permanent shelter.

[unswydd]

Nice to see you practicing your skills!

Ditch the blue tarp for a real survival situation (ie with eyes and intelligence looking for you). Flat olive drab or brown works well in most terrain, covered with boughs of course.

And I would build at least partially underground for any intended permanent shelter.

Oh YES definately camo is the way to go on this. The blue tarp is just what I had in the shed. Fine for practicing.
I was wondering about that.....partially underground, I kind of thought about it for a minute but just wanted to concentrate on getting it done right. I was also thinking when I make my next one making an area for a Dakota Fire Pit close to the doorway. I need to find a way to make some kind of doorway too. I don't know what I'd use tho.
Suggestions?

[Legionnaire]

One trick I've used is to dig a bit when making your shelter, you don't have to make it as tall to have standing room and it is harder to spot. I make a debris hut with walls more like in the image I just drew below, check it out.

Almost forgot, when you dig use the dirt you just dug to make your walls too.

[pathfinder3081]

Good Job... One could lay up there for a day or two ..No problemo

[prkchp76]

AWSOME good freaking job i would try to use the weacing method as well as getting some bows for the ground to sleep on keep up the good work

[Pioneer]

Great job! Hindsight is great, it's the foresight we oftentimes have a problem with so we always learn different variations of things after our first attempts.

The first one I made was made during the winter and there was nothing I could do to stop the cold wind from winding it's way inside the shelter. The ground was frozen to at least 5 feet, possibly more.

That inspired me to dig out a cave shelter of sorts. The air stays the same temperature, for the most part, and it works for what I needed long term.

[unswydd]

thanks ya'al. I liked his drawing sorta digging it down a bit. Great idea.
I also got to thinking that I could weave some grasses to make a mat for sleeping on and for a doorway too. Yup....think that'll do.

[Legionnaire]

That's the ticket, weave a door plug or use cordage to make a hinge and you're set. It makes a very solid and dependable long term shelter, it is also easy and quick enough to build as a short term shelter.

[unswydd]

That's the ticket, weave a door plug or use cordage to make a hinge and you're set. It makes a very solid and dependable long term shelter, it is also easy and quick enough to build as a short term shelter.

Great. I saw a video on how to do weave a mat for sleeping and I'm sure it'll work for a door too. I don't know about hinges but I'll certainly try it. Once it stops raining that is. LOL

[Legionnaire]

Good call, best to test things out in weather that is comfortable.

[Mags]

Nice post unswydd!! I might try my "survival camp" outing again this week. If plans work out I'll be constructing a debris hut myself. Again great post! Just awesome to see you out there doing it!!!:D

So what changes will you make next time and why?

Couple of things to keep in mind like; Door placement, in what direction do your weather fronts and major winds come from? I love the morning sun coming in right off the bat but having the last rays of sunlight to work by is nice too. I make my "bed" first, then build the shelter around it. This helps to keep it cozy but not too tight and not too big. I mean protection from the elements and thermo-regulation is the goal here. If you want a door or plug I normally use my pack after deploying it's rain cover. The Dakota Hole fire would seem to work nice keeping the flames away from your shelter but don't forget the value of a reflector whether sticks or rocks. They do make a difference. If your out in crappy wet weather they can also be used to help dry out logs for use on your fire at some point. Your bedding will be like fire wood, when you think you have enough go get two or three more times that.

Oh, I almost forgot bout the most important thing, location, location, location!

Keep up the great work!!!!!

IMHO, YMMV.............

[Centurion]

Awesome pics,
On your suggestion to make the fire pit close to the door I would advise against it due to the fact of the darn smoke from it might shift and blow directly into you not to mention the potential fire hazard. Also, Once you have your foundation prepared and leveled I would suggest to entrench it so when it rains you will not be flooded out. In other words dig a ditch around your shelter...