Shelter is vitally important when it's cold, and can seem vitally important when it's damp or chilly or too sunny.

In the woods, it's not hard to put together a lean-to hut made of debris that will keep you well insulated from the cold. Lift a long log and rest it in a low tree fork, or find a tree trunk that's naturally bent very low and rests against another tree. This will be the main beam of the roof. Make sure it's sturdy and firmly in place. Try to rest it low enough that you can crawl underneath it and have enough room to lie down, but without too much empty space above you.

Then lean big sticks and logs against the main beam on both sides, making sure they will stay in place and giving yourself just enough space to lie in underneath. Lean long sticks on the highest part, short sticks on the lowest part. Add lots of small scraggly sticks with many forks and small branches.

Then pile dry leaves on top of the framework, letting them catch in the sticks and cramming them into cracks. Cover all the holes in the structure, then go inside and see if there are any more holes. If you want to sleep in your hut in the winter, you'll need lots of leaves piled on top. Lay logs on top of the leaves to hold them down against the wind and rain. Put plenty of leaves inside to cushion and insulate you against the cold ground, and pull some leaves into the doorway when you enter to keep it warmer. Snow piling on top will insulate it all the more.

The information in these pages is accurate to the best of my knowledge, but I make no guarantees about its accuracy, nor do I take responsibility for any damage or injury caused by use or misuse of this information.

Many thanks to John Fishback for information on building a debris hut.



Building Shelter | Finding and Purifying Water | Important Wild Plants | Starting Fires