All the structures described below are designed with sloped roofs to allow rainwater to run off. For added protection, dig a shallow trench, about a palm's depth, around your shelter to prevent it from being flooded during a downpour.
Before we delve into the construction principles, here is a key piece of advice. All the following shelters share one common requirement: they are built from wooden materials—trunks, branches, and leaves—readily available in a forest. If you need to deviate from your path to find a wooded area, don't hesitate. The time spent will be more than compensated for by the abundance of available building materials.
Building a Lean-To Shelter
Two primary types of shelters are perfectly suited for wooded areas: the lean-to that uses a fallen tree for support and the open lean-to.
Lean-To Against a Fallen Tree
This is perhaps the simplest shelter to construct. Its main advantage is that it requires no ropes or cords.
Step 1: Finding a Support
The first task is to find a suitable fallen tree or a large, appropriately shaped boulder. The trunk should be positioned approximately 1 meter off the ground. If it's too low, you'll have little space inside, and water will drain poorly. If it's too high, heat will escape through the side openings.
Step 2: Creating the Roof Frame
Use long, straight branches (either found on the ground or cut with an axe) and lay them against the supporting trunk. Try to minimize the gaps between them to create a solid base for the roofing.
Step 3: Installing the Roofing
Gather insulating materials: large pieces of bark, leaves from the forest floor, leafy branches—anything you can find. Lay this material on the frame in a shingle-like fashion, starting from the bottom and working your way up. Each upper layer should overlap the one below it. This will channel rainwater downward and prevent it from seeping inside.
Step 4: Draft-Proofing
Once the roof is complete, seal one of the side openings to block drafts. If you anticipate a very cold night, seal both ends using the same insulating materials or by building a wall of logs.
Open Lean-To Shelter
This type of shelter is excellent for cold, dry weather because it allows you to build a fire in front of it. The heat will penetrate the shelter and reflect off the roof. The main drawback is its poor protection against rain or cold if you cannot light a fire.
Step 1: Assembling the Frame
The key difference is that you must build a freestanding frame. You will need to find:
* One long, straight pole (taller than your height).
* Two straight sticks, about 3 meters long.
* Two stakes, about 1.5 meters long (preferably with forked ends).
Assemble the frame as shown in the diagram, securely lashing all the connection points with rope or any available cordage.
Step 2: Forming the Canopy
Gather plenty of long, straight branches and lay them against the frame to form a roof with a 45° to 60° angle. Don't worry about perfect precision; "close enough" works perfectly well here.
Step 3: Insulation Cover the roof with the same insulating material used for the tree-based lean-to. The more meticulously you lay it, the warmer and drier your shelter will be. Seal both side openings with insulating material. If the material is too light, weigh it down with sticks to prevent it from blowing away.
Step 4: Building the Fire For a comfortable night in an open lean-to, you must build the fire correctly. The fire should be roughly the length of your body to provide adequate heat along your entire length.
Pro Tip: If building two shelters, position them with their openings facing each other. A single fire between them will heat both, and you can take turns tending to the fire through the night.
Three-Pole Shelter (Wigwam)
The three-pole shelter, or wigwam, is one of humanity's oldest inventions. While large wigwams are familiar from stories about Native Americans and are known for their sturdiness, they are difficult to insulate thoroughly and are less suitable for temporary use or in extremely harsh weather. However, it's a great alternative to the other shelters as it doesn't require a fallen tree and, when built correctly, is warmer than an open lean-to.
Step 1: The Wigwam Frame You will need:
* One long, straight pole (taller than your height).
* Two shorter, straight poles.
The finished shelter must be large enough to accommodate you fully in a lying position. Construct the frame by firmly lashing the tops of the three poles together. It's easiest to tie them together on the ground and then raise and spread the legs. This ensures the knot remains tight and secure.
Step 2: Building the Walls
Gather straight branches and place them around the frame to form the walls. Remember to pack them as tightly as possible to retain heat and shed water effectively.
Step 3: Adding Insulation
Cover your entire shelter with a thick layer of leaves, branches, and any other natural insulating material you can find. The thicker you make this roof, the better your protection will be.
Next guide: How to Tie Knots and Make Rope Gear While Hiking Previous guide: Natural Shelters for an Overnight Hike You can view the full list here: Survival Guides for the Mountains
