Thinking "Out of the Box"

[CountryGuy]

Dang that is nice. Someone had some mad sewing skills... good thought on Piterest, I always forget about the cool stuff there.

Not sure about the printed tyvec; but if you're correct that FrogToggs are tyvek, then it must be in someway dye-able/ printable as I've seen those suits in about every color of the rainbow. A nice OD dye job followed by spray dye or paint for some improvised homemade pattern could work...

[dalewick]

You know I don't know... But the pack could be a great idea. You could probably sew up lots of things with a heavy thread or heavy test fishing line then wipe the seams with some silicon caulk and wala waterproof. Does give ideas like packs, ponchos, shelters, flys etc... I wonder if when washing if it'd take a dye... hmmm might have to see if I can find a house build and scrounge or check out the lumber yards for some remnants. I think a lot of places use it or a similar for lumber covers now also.

Country, I'm sure it can be dyed. I just don't know what type of dye or ink it takes for coloring. I've actually been trying to figure out if there is a Tyvek material available preprinted in multicam pattern. Would make a great material for any number of clothing (rain gear) and carry gear (packs & bags). I also included a pic of a DIY pack made from Tyvek (not mine) and you should check out Pinterest for DIY Tyvek projects. Finding scraps for projects in my area is almost impossible. Not much being built.

Dale

[lalakai]

we play an interesting game at work that goes along with this. Once a week someone brings in a common ordinary "thing" (coffee mug, screw driver, tooth brush, etc.), then the rest of us come up with ideas of alternate uses. Most are just ridiculous but with every item there have been at least 2-3 ideas that were very good for alternate uses. Really helps in looking at common ordinary objects in a different light.

[CountryGuy]

Tyvek is great! If you can sew it makes all sorts of great gear. Aren't frog togs made of Tyvek? I've even seen back packs made from the stuff.

Dale

You know I don't know... But the pack could be a great idea. You could probably sew up lots of things with a heavy thread or heavy test fishing line then wipe the seams with some silicon caulk and wala waterproof. Does give ideas like packs, ponchos, shelters, flys etc... I wonder if when washing if it'd take a dye... hmmm might have to see if I can find a house build and scrounge or check out the lumber yards for some remnants. I think a lot of places use it or a similar for lumber covers now also.

[Morgan101]

Think like a kid. Didn't we all build forts when we were kids? Seems like we were always out in the desert (Southern Arizona) digging a fort and scrounging whatever material we could find. When you finished the fort became a clubhouse where we could hang out. Brings back some wonderful memories.

[dalewick]

Something we used to use years ago was a piece of tyvek house wrap. like scraps from house construction. We'd wash it first to make it soft and not all stiff and crinkly. After washing it reminded me of how FrogToggs are.

Tyvek is great! If you can sew it makes all sorts of great gear. Aren't frog togs made of Tyvek? I've even seen back packs made from the stuff.

Dale

[CountryGuy]

Something we used to use years ago was a piece of tyvek house wrap. like scraps from house construction. We'd wash it first to make it soft and not all stiff and crinkly. After washing it reminded me of how FrogToggs are.

[Mangler]

I am finding photos fail to upload when they exceed the file size limitation. Resize the file size before uploading.

ON WINDOWS: Right click the image file, choose EDIT. Click on IMAGE; RESIZE. Click on the radio button PIXELS and enter 300 for Horizontal size. The image will resize proportionally. Save the file and exit.

ON MACINTOSH: Right click the image file and click OPEN. Click on TOOLS| ADJUST SIZE. Enter 300 for width. Click on OK. Click on FILE|SAVE and exit.

Now the file size will be within the limits allowed on the Forum.

Good luck.

[ColoradoMike]

If you want an inexpensive survival blanket.....spend the 6.50 or so to get you a SOL survival blanket......they really work. !100% more effective than the cheap space blankets. Check them out.. a BOB must have. Tried to post a pic......failed.

[stairman]

Absolutely! The ideal shelter location, if you want to be seen, is just inside the canopy on the edge of a clearing with a southern exposure. You can put out signals in the clearing while having the treeline to shelter in .

[RICHFL]

One thing to remember do you want to be found or not? You should practice both methods.

If NO: Use available cover for shelter (Blown over tree, tree branches), look for hidden areas like draws and thickets to stay in.

If YES: Use a space blanket as a lean to cover shiny side out. Stay in the open as much as possible to be spotted from the air.

[stairman]

Great post. A tarp and some rope usually works out ok, sometimes with a hammock, however IMO hammocks are better for warm weather sleeping. Then you have the mosquitos and tarps dont prevent these from attack. Hard to have a hammock and tent so a mosquito bar that hangs over and touches the ground is useful, or just sleep in your tent. A mist bottle and towel make hot sleeping more bareable. As for primitive shelters, the ones mentioned are the norm with the lean to being the simplest to construct. A double lean to is awesome with a space at the 2 ridges for smoke to escape, and fire within, closing in the side walls but for a small crawl in door the whole shelter reflects heat all around and makes it cozy. Lots of space too for firewood, gear and other campers. In the absense of fire, leaves and moss stuffed in clothes and piled on top of a debris hut being only big enough to lay down in and prop yourself up on your elbows, becomes wilderness insulation and with enough of it, one can remain warm. The squirrels do it. A trashbag stuffed with leaves make a good door plug to hold in the warmth.

[JLBIII]

I've used lean-to's on several occasions over the years and have found these to be the most comfortable. They are easy to make and depending on your needs as basic or sophisticated as you want them.

Joe

[survivalguy]

space blankets are great shelter material and are very lightweight and take up no space at all in your pack only downside is once unfolded you'll never fold it up again so use it for tinder ..burns great. :)

[PT945]

Thank you.