All the structures described below share one common feature: their roof is designed so that rainwater runs off it. An additional protective measure is to dig a shallow ditch around the perimeter of the shelter (about a palm deep), and your lean-to will never be flooded during a downpour.
Before moving on to the instructions, here’s a general piece of advice. All these shelters share a need for wooden material—trunks, branches, and leaves, which are abundant in the forest. If you have to deviate slightly from your route to find them, don’t begrudge the time. These costs will be more than repaid by the availability of everything you need for construction.
Building a Lean-To
In wooded areas, two main types of shelter are best suited: a lean-to that uses a fallen tree as support, and an open lean-to.
Fallen-Tree Lean-To
This is perhaps the simplest type of shelter to build. Its main advantage is that no ropes are required for construction.
Step 1: Finding Support
First, find a suitable fallen tree or large boulder. The trunk should be about 1 meter above the ground. Too low—there will be little space inside, and water will drain poorly. Too high—heat will escape through the side openings.
Step 2: Creating the Roof Frame
Use long, straight branches (fallen or cut ones will both work) and lay them on the trunk base. Try to minimize the gaps between them to create a reliable base for the roof covering.
Step 3: Installing the Roof Covering
Gather insulation materials: pieces of bark, dry leaves, conifer branches—anything you find in the forest. Don’t cut anything unnecessary. Lay this layer on the frame from bottom to top, like shingles: each upper layer should partially overlap the lower one. That way rainwater will run down without penetrating inside.
Step 4: Protection from Drafts
After finishing the roof covering, close one of the side openings of the lean-to to avoid drafts. If a frosty night is expected, close both entrances using the same insulation materials or by building a wall of trunks.
Open Lean-To
This type of shelter is ideal for cold but dry weather, since you can build a fire in front of it. The heat from the fire will be reflected by the roof and warm you. The main drawback is that this design offers poor protection from rain and cold if a fire cannot be lit.
Step 1: Assembling the Frame.
The main difference is that you will have to build the frame yourself. Find:
• A long straight pole (slightly taller than you).
• Two straight sticks about 3 meters long.
• Two stakes 1.5 meters long (preferably with forked ends).
Assemble the frame as shown in the diagram and firmly tie all joints with rope or improvised means.
Step 2: Forming the Canopy
Gather long straight branches and lay them on the frame, forming a roof slope at an angle of 45–60 degrees. Don’t aim for perfect precision; the main thing is to follow the principle.
Step 3: Insulation Cover the roof with the same insulation material as in the previous lean-to. The denser and more carefully you lay the layer, the warmer and drier it will be inside. Close the side openings, and so that the wind doesn’t blow away lightweight materials, weigh them down on top with sticks.
Step 4: Setting Up the Fire For a comfortable overnight stay, the fire must be built properly. Its length should roughly equal the length of your body so that your whole body is warmed.
Tip: if there are two shelters, position them with their entrances facing each other and build the fire between them. That way it will heat both camps, and you can keep watch over the fire in shifts.
Three-Pole Shelter (Wigwam)
This is one of the oldest shelter designs, known for its strength and durability. However, large wigwams are difficult to insulate, so they are less suitable for extreme conditions or short stops. Still, this kind of shelter does not require finding a fallen tree, and when built properly it is warmer inside than in an open lean-to.
Step 1: The Wigwam Frame. You will need:
• One long straight pole (taller than you).
• Two shorter straight branches.
The finished shelter should fully accommodate you in a lying position. Connect the tops of the three poles, tying them firmly together. It is most convenient to assemble the frame on the ground and then set it up and spread the supports apart—this way the knot will remain as strong as possible.
Step 2: Building the Walls
Gather straight branches and install them in a circle, forming the walls. Make sure they fit as closely together as possible—this is the key to retaining heat and protecting from water.
Step 3: Laying Insulation
Cover the entire frame with a thick layer of leaves, branches, and any other natural insulation material you can find. The thicker the “blanket,” the better.
Next guide: Как вязать узлы и снасти из верёвок в походе Previous guide: Natural Shelters for Overnight Stays on a Hike
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